The CEO's Substitute Wife Is A Genius-Chapter 421 King Meets the Lu Family

"I’m pregnant," Jiang Man declared with a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Beside her, Lu Xingzhou clasped her hands with the joy of a soon-to-be father, his excitement palpable.

For the couple, this was a very happy and celebratory occasion.

But King’s expression was extremely complex.

There was a fleeting moment of joy, but it was quickly overshadowed by a grimace, his face turning faster than flipping a book.

"I haven’t agreed to the two of you being together yet. Are you trying to present me with a fait accompli by getting pregnant first?" he said, his voice cold, heavily laden with emotion.

This was a rare show of emotion for him.

Even when, in his youth, he single-handedly infiltrated Northern Myanmar, facing dozens of gun barrels with his life hanging by a thread, he never lost composure.

But at that moment, he was clearly flustered, his mind in turmoil.

"Dad," Jiang Man said earnestly, "Lu Xingzhou has passed my tests. I trust my judgment and I definitely haven’t chosen wrong."

"Father-in-law, I know that no matter what I promise you, you won’t easily trust me. Promises are indeed the most illusory, the most likely to change, and the least trustworthy things in this world. Your test for me won’t just be these few months. Even if I have passed your assessment now, what about the future? People change. Therefore, I hope you will continue to assess me," Lu Xingzhou said.

"Continue to assess you? You wish," King said, his icy demeanor softening slightly.

Seeing the young couple’s hands tightly clasped together, he sighed deeply.

"Enough," he said. It wasn’t that he was dissatisfied with Lu Xingzhou; his issue was with the Lu Family behind him.

If he were to tear them apart, how would he be any different from those spiteful parents?

He would resolve the grudges of the older generation himself.

"Now that there’s going to be a child, arrange for me to meet with the Lu Family," he said, his voice still frosty.

"I came to see you tonight exactly for this matter!"

"I’ll decide on the time and the place," King declared, authoritarian and uncompromising.

Jiang Man had long become accustomed to her father’s attitude and didn’t think much of it: "Then, it’s getting late, shall Xingzhou and I take our leave?"

King didn’t speak but waved his hand in dismissal.

Vermilion Bird immediately stepped forward to escort the couple out.

When she returned, King had accidentally knocked over his cup of tea.

Fortunately, the thick cashmere carpet was laid on the floor, so the blue and white porcelain bowl didn’t break, but the tea stain marring the carpet was incredibly eye-catching.

...

The next day.

The whole Lu Family arrived at Meixiang Garden.

Coincidentally, King had arranged for the meeting to take place here.

In addition to the third branch of the family, the first and second branches were also represented.

Lu Zhennan, Lu Zhendong, Lu Zhenbei, and Lu Xingzhou, the four brothers, were reunited after a long time.

The four cousins gathered to chat about business and family while sipping tea.

Lu Zhan, accompanied by Wen Rui, bustled about, serving tea to their elders.

The sisters, Lu Yingxue and Lu Yingyang, were also busy—one making tea while the other prepared coffee.

The spacious VIP room of over eighty square meters was packed to the brim with people.

Hu Xianyun and Hu Hao were also there, keen to meet the foster father of their sister.

"Auntie, would you like some fruit?"

Lu Zhan arrived in front of Jiang Man with a platter of fruit.

Jiang Man was playing Go with the elderly lady, while Lu Xuemei and Jiang Man stood watching on the side.

Upon learning there was to be a meeting with the in-laws, Meng Lian, who had originally planned to return home after the Lantern Festival, came back early with Lu Yaobang. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

It could be said that the Lu Family gave their in-laws the highest form of respect; the entire family was present.

Jiang Man deliberately let the old lady win, placing the black piece on the chessboard.

She glanced at the fruit plate next to her.

"Eat some cantaloupe; it’s very sweet," Wen Rui said sweetly.

Jiang Man reached out for the grapes.

"These grapes are a bit sour."

"It’s okay." Jiang Man put the grapes in her mouth, which were indeed a bit sour, but quite appetizing.

After spitting out the grape skins, she looked up with a smile and glanced at the four brothers nearby, "What, you confronted your dad?"

Lu Zhan was very proud, he pushed the fruit plate aside and took Wen Rui’s hand, "Told my parents about my relationship with Ruirui, and they were overjoyed."

"Hmm." Jiang Man raised her eyebrows, "Before, you and your family were at loggerheads, but now, it seems like things have eased."

"How could they not have eased? Ruirui has been whispering in my ear all the time. The main thing is that the old man stopped bothering me, so naturally, I had no interest in squabbling with him."

Lu Zhan’s father was extremely dissatisfied with his foray into the entertainment industry, believing that acting disgraced the Lu Family.

Father and son’s conflicts were explosive, leading to a long cold war between them.

But when Lu Zhan brought Wen Rui home and honestly revealed their relationship, Lu Zhennan’s attitude suddenly did a 180° turnaround.

Instead of harping on about his entrance into the entertainment industry, he urged them to announce their relationship officially.

Even if they didn’t make an official announcement, they should register for marriage sooner and have children.

As elders get older, aside from rushing you to marry, they push for grandchildren, as if completing these two tasks would make one the most filial child.

Lu Zhennan was no exception, trapped by these worldly conventions.

"That’s good news, there should be no overnight feuds in a family. Being harmonious is wonderful."

Jiang Man patted Lu Zhan’s shoulder.

"Isn’t that right?" Lu Xuemei couldn’t help but interject, "As your elders, all we hope for is your generation’s well-being."

"Cousin... I heard about what happened in Harbor City from Zhan... Does that mean from now on, we’re no longer relatives?" Wen Rui had been hesitant to speak.

She felt her current situation was extremely awkward.

According to Zhan, her aunt and uncle were getting a divorce, and moreover, cousin wasn’t even the real child of her aunt and uncle.

"Indeed, we can’t continue being cousins," Jiang Man made another move.

The old lady was racking her brains and had no mood to listen to their conversation, she was focused on figuring out her next chess move.

Jiang Man, dividing her attention, started playing with the chess piece in her hand, teasing Wen Rui.

Wen Rui’s face instantly turned pale, and she bit her lip, "I just knew..."

The young girl was very downcast, her eyes reddening as if she was going to cry.

Jiang Man curled up the corners of her mouth, teasing her like a little kid, "Of course, we can’t be sisters because if you are Zhan’s wife, wouldn’t you have to call me ’auntie’?"

"You’re right!" Lu Zhan’s eyes lit up, very happy.

He had always been sensitive about the matter of seniority.

Before, Wen Rui’s seniority was higher than his, which made him very uncomfortable.

Now it was different; with no familial relation to ’auntie,’ she would have to address others according to his side of the family.

"Auntie... huh?" Wen Rui looked up, finding the title a bit awkward to say.

The jump from sisters to aunt and niece was quite a leap in seniority.

"Ah, good niece-in-law," Jiang Man tapped Wen Rui’s head with the back of her hand, "Sounds good, call me that more often from now on."

"Auntie..." Wen Rui’s face turned a shy red, looking like a ripe tomato.

"Manman, stop teasing little Ruirui. Just look at the girl’s face; it’s as red as a monkey’s behind," Lu Xuemei burst out laughing.

The atmosphere among them was very good, and while everyone was talking and laughing...

"Here they come!" Lu Yingyang, who had gone out to keep watch, came back pushing the door, "A lot of people have arrived; it must be our future in-laws!"