Married to My Bro 3

Chapter 3

That weekend, Lu Xun left his company and drove to a nearby mall, as agreed with the matchmaker. He arrived 20 minutes early, entered the restaurant, sat down, and sent a WeChat message to the girl: [I’ve arrived.] He also sent her the table number.

The girl replied: [Sorry to trouble you to wait. I’m still on my way, about ten minutes out.]

Lu Xun acknowledged with an “mm,” switched to Liang Xusheng’s chat, and sent: [Awake yet?][Nudge.] [You nudged Liang Xusheng’s handsome forehead and said: Hi, Dad.]

Liang Xusheng replied instantly: [Hey! My son! Daddy’s here!]

Xusheng: [What’s up?]

Lu Xun: [Give me some tips on sabotaging a blind date.]

Xusheng: [Just be yourself. With that expressionless face and blunt personality, no woman would ever like you.]

Lu Xun: [Ok.]

Liang Xusheng sent a voice message. Lu Xun clicked to play.

Liang Xusheng: “Whoa, you’re serious about sabotaging it? Why? Don’t like blind dates? We can’t both fail at this, can we?”

Hearing that Liang Xusheng, a notorious night owl, was awake and alert, Lu Xun initiated a video call.

Liang Xusheng answered immediately. His face appeared on screen, sleepy-eyed and with messy hair. He yawned. “Why are you calling me during your blind date?”

“Free this afternoon?” Lu Xun asked.

Liang Xusheng yawned again. “Kind of. Need to edit the videos from the birthday event. Been busy editing photos for my friend’s cosplay.” He paused, realizing Lu Xun might have a real reason for calling. “What’s up?”

“A new card’s artwork and storyline came out. Wanted your help looking it over,” Lu Xun explained.

“Sure, no problem. Should I come to your office around 3?”

“I drove. Want a ride?”

“Sure, why not? Free chauffeur service,” Liang Xusheng said, yawning.

After discussing business, neither of them hung up, continuing to chat idly.

Suddenly, a female voice came from above Lu Xun. “Hello, are you… Lu Xun?”

He looked up. A strikingly beautiful girl, fully made-up, in a skirt suit, with a pink Chanel bag, stood before him. It was the girl from the blind date, resembling her WeChat profile picture.

Lu Xun stood up, instinctively extending his hand. “Hello.”

The girl, initially impressed by his looks and pleased with the matchmaker’s choice, was momentarily taken aback by the handshake. She reached out and shook his hand. “Hello.”

She sat down opposite him, placing her bag on the table. “Have you ordered?”

“No.” Lu Xun glanced at his phone. Liang Xusheng, realizing the girl had arrived, had hung up.

A waiter came to pour water for the girl. “Let’s order then,” she suggested.

“Okay.” Lu Xun scanned the QR code for the menu and handed his phone to her.

She smiled, taking the phone, feeling optimistic. Lu Xun seemed like a good catch. This might actually work.

However, as they ate and chatted, her smile gradually faded. When they discussed their expectations for a partner, Lu Xun said, “I hope she’ll be focused on family.”

The girl paused. “Because you’re busy with work?” She knew he ran a successful gaming company.

Lu Xun gave a noncommittal “mm,” seeming distant.

“But I’m also busy with work,” the girl said, laughing lightly. “I don’t think needing someone to focus on family conflicts with both partners having busy careers. We can hire help for chores. And if we have children, our parents can help with childcare.”

Lu Xun remained silent, his expression unreadable. The girl continued talking, trying to fill the awkward silence that followed her monologue. “I’m an only child, my family is well-off, I’m a lawyer, my current cases are…” She liked Lu Xun and was trying to impress him.

However, Lu Xun’s next words nearly mortified her. “I apologize, but I think I’ve wasted your time. You seem great, but you’re not what I’m looking for. I want someone who isn’t as busy with work and can focus on family, or even better, someone willing to be a full-time homemaker.”

The girl was stunned. “But you’re an only child, an entrepreneur. Shouldn’t you be attracted to career women?”

Unbeknownst to her, because of his mother, Yang Yue, Lu Xun’s ideal partner was the opposite of a driven career woman. Yang Yue had been a lead dancer in a dance troupe, traveling the world, charismatic and successful, but she had missed, even forgotten, Lu Xun’s birthdays. He had spent a significant part of his childhood at Liang Xusheng’s house. Even during crucial events like his middle and high school entrance exams, Yang Yue had been absent. It was Fu Shu, Liang Xusheng’s mother, who had cooked for him and taken him to the exams.

Lu Xun respected career women. More than half of his employees were women, and he interacted with them daily, witnessing their capabilities. But due to his experience with Yang Yue, he refused to choose a career woman, especially one with a demanding job, as his partner. He wasn’t thinking about children yet, but if he got married and had them, he wanted them to have the full attention and love of both parents, not an absentee father and an overworked mother.

The girl’s comment about relying on grandparents for childcare had struck a nerve. He didn’t want to waste her time, so he laid out his expectations clearly.

There was one thing he didn’t mention, something he couldn’t say to her face. He was undeniably attracted to beauty. He liked pretty things. The girl was attractive, especially with her makeup and outfit, but he preferred a more striking, captivating beauty, like Liang Xusheng. This girl didn’t reach that level.

He knew the date was a bust. The girl, likely offended, left without finishing her meal.

Lu Xun calmly continued eating, then called Liang Xusheng back. “No way, it’s over already?” Liang Xusheng asked immediately.

Lu Xun propped his phone against a glass, the camera facing him, and continued eating. “Yeah, it’s over.”

“You’re doomed,” Liang Xusheng said. “Your mom’s going to give you an earful when you get back.”

That afternoon, at the office, while discussing the new card artwork with Liang Xusheng and a few colleagues, Lu Xun’s phone rang. It was Yang Yue.

He stepped aside to answer. “Come home tonight,” she said coldly, and hung up. Her displeasure was evident.

That evening, both Lu Xun and Liang Xusheng arrived at Lu Xun’s house.

“Dad! Mom!” Liang Xusheng called out upon entering.

“Hey!” Lu Zhang, Lu Xun’s father, replied, emerging from the bedroom. “Xusheng’s here!”

Yang Yue, who had been sitting on the sofa with a stern expression, softened slightly, surprised. “Xusheng?”

Liang Xusheng rushed in and hugged her from behind, his voice sweet and affectionate. “Mommy, I missed you so much!”

Yang Yue laughed, patting his face. “You always know how to sweet-talk me. Your mom called yesterday, complaining about you ruining another blind date. Tell me, what was wrong with that university lecturer?”

Liang Xusheng feigned a pout. “Boohoo, I wasn’t good enough for her! I don’t even have a job.”

Lu Zhang and Lu Xun exchanged glances.

Lu Zhang: You messed it up too?

Lu Xun: Not a match.

Lu Zhang: Are you kidding? That’s your mom’s colleague’s daughter. Perfect match for our family. You can’t just say ‘not a match’.

Lu Xun: Not a match.

Lu Zhang: “…”

Yang Yue finally noticed Lu Xun, her annoyance flaring up. “Xusheng’s case is different; the girl was a bit older. But what’s your excuse? My colleague’s precious daughter isn’t good enough for you? You told her you want someone who can stay home and doesn’t work? You’re trying to give me a…”

Before she could finish, Liang Xusheng, still hugging her, interrupted loudly. “Mom, Mom, don’t say that! If you say that, I’m the one who deserves to be scolded! Mommy, have some sympathy for me! I’m already heartbroken that it didn’t work out! Waaah!”

Distracted, Yang Yue forgot about scolding Lu Xun and began comforting Liang Xusheng. “It’s okay, you’re still young. There are plenty of fish in the sea. I’ll talk to your mom, tell her not to scold you over this.”

“Thank you, Mommy!” Liang Xusheng nuzzled against her like a puppy, coaxing a smile onto her face.

Lu Zhang, watching from the side, was impressed. He glanced at Lu Xun: You can’t find a girlfriend yourself, but you sure know how to call for backup.

Noticing Lu Zhang’s glare, Liang Xusheng quickly stood up and rushed over, hugging him. “Daddy!”

Lu Zhang’s expression melted into one of affection. “There, there. Our Xusheng is the best.”

Lu Xun, usually stoic, allowed himself a small smile.