MVCFO CH43

Chapter 43: Who Knew Lu Cong’s Dating Style Was Like This

Despite the slight hiccup Shen Qiaolan caused today, neither of them seemed too fazed.

Lin Xiangqi knew Lu Cong’s mild temperament—he could be fuming inside but never show it. So he stayed at Lu Cong’s place, quietly observing to make sure he wasn’t upset.

Confirming Lu Cong was fine, Lin Xiangqi relaxed, went home to tidy up, and felt light after the exams. Convinced he’d done well, he was in high spirits and decided to take a break—no studying or practice questions today.

He wanted to go see a movie with Lu Cong.

He texted Lu Cong to pick a film, but after nearly ten minutes with no reply, impatient Lin Xiangqi threw on a jacket and dashed to the neighboring yard.

Opening the door, he found Lu Cong wasn’t in the living room. Lin Xiangqi, still in slippers, bounded upstairs.

“Lu Cong, Lu Cong, let’s go out and have fun!”

Pushing open the bedroom door, he caught Lu Cong just hanging up a call.

Maybe it was his imagination, but the way Lu Cong lowered his eyes seemed cold and sharp. Yet, when he looked up at Lin Xiangqi, his usual gentleness returned, and he smiled. “Sure.”

Lin Xiangqi casually asked, “Who were you talking to at this hour?”

“My dad,” Lu Cong said. “He asked what you like—still agonizing over getting you a gift.”

Lin Xiangqi hurriedly said, “You’ve got to stop him. I don’t need gifts. Knowing Uncle Lu, he’d buy something no normal household could even fit!”

Lu Cong rubbed his brow. “True. I’ll try to talk him out of it.”

Then he asked, “What do you want to do?”

“Watch a movie!” Lin Xiangqi, bonelessly lazy, draped himself over Lu Cong’s shoulder mid-sentence.

“Alright.” Lu Cong naturally pulled him close, opening an app with his free hand to browse recent films. Finding a few with suitable showtimes, he asked, “How about this one?”

Lin Xiangqi glanced at the poster. “Nah, don’t wanna.”

Lu Cong, ever patient, suggested several more. Lin Xiangqi, for reasons unknown, rejected them all—posters too gloomy, actors not good enough, directors too obscure.

Lu Cong went along with every veto, finally picking an animated film. “What about this?”

Lin Xiangqi read the synopsis carefully. “This one’s perfect for me!”

Truthfully, the movie didn’t matter. He just wanted a relaxed vibe to lift his mood.

They’d often spontaneously gone to the nearby mall after dinner to catch a random film, so Lin Xiangqi didn’t see this as a date.

But Lu Cong clearly took it seriously.

Before leaving, he made them change into matching-color coats.

Lin Xiangqi initially grumbled about the hassle, but when he saw Lu Cong picking out complementary hats, he got it.

Lu Cong was going for couple’s outfits.

Lin Xiangqi quietly watched him fuss, letting Lu Cong dress him up—hat one moment, gloves the next, all with coordinating colors and details.

He fought to keep a straight face, but inside, he was dying of laughter.

Who knew Lu Cong’s dating style was this—

vb@CoolStinkyPeach

A bit childish, but insanely cute.

Once Lin Xiangqi was properly styled, Lu Cong gave him a thorough once-over, sneaking a glance in the mirror to check their outfits’ harmony. Satisfied, his lips curved upward.

Lin Xiangqi, knowing exactly what he was up to, played coy. “Wow, we look like we’re wearing couple’s outfits. Coincidence?”

Lu Cong, deadpan, said, “Didn’t notice till you mentioned it. You’re right.”

Lin Xiangqi gave him a look. “…Keep pretending!”

Lu Cong leaned down, kissing him until Lin Xiangqi’s tongue went soft and he couldn’t speak. Only then did he grin and admit, “Alright, I did it on purpose.”

vb@CoolStinkyPeach

After the movie, they had a candlelit dinner.

If Lin Xiangqi hadn’t complained about carrying flowers being a hassle, Lu Cong would’ve secretly ordered several bouquets of roses.

On the way home, munching on candied hawthorn, Lin Xiangqi teased, “Did you google ‘must-do date activities’?”

Lu Cong nodded honestly. “Yeah. But are flowers and candlelit dinners too cliché?”

Lin Xiangqi laughed so hard his stomach hurt. “Not bad, not bad—the restaurant was tasty. But don’t google that stuff next time.”

Lu Cong looked a bit down. “Did I mess up today? Sorry.”

“No way.” Lin Xiangqi fed him a candied strawberry, leaning close to whisper shyly, “I read that same dating guide. I was gonna follow it after the college entrance exam, but you beat me to it.”

Lu Cong: “?”

Lin Xiangqi: “Hehe.”

Both were new to dating, with no past flings—Lin Xiangqi refused to count Shen Qiaolan; he’d been out of his mind back then, with no real feelings involved.

Point is, they were both sharp in other areas but clumsy at love.

Both wanted the other to feel happy and enjoy the date, so they’d secretly made some less-than-brilliant preparations.

Lin Xiangqi said, “We’re both idiots.”

Lu Cong: “Our IQs are close enough to communicate well.”

They locked eyes, bursting into laughter.

In the deep winter night, the quiet was broken only by the sound of the wind.

They kept their laughter soft, not wanting to disturb the neighbors, their eyes conveying unspoken words.

Soon, the final exam results came out.

Lin Xiangqi’s score was higher than expected, though within his estimated range.

On parent-teacher conference day, Qin Xiao called him to the office, praising him enthusiastically, his face creasing with an uncontainable grin.

Lin Xiangqi found Qin Xiao’s expression terrifying and hid behind Lu Cong. “Is Old Qin mutating?”

Lu Cong: “Teacher Qin’s happy for you.”

Qin Xiao reined in his grin, giving Lin Xiangqi a thumbs-up. “You’re something else, kid. I thought your talk of boosting your score by 200 was a pipe dream, but now it’s within reach!”

Lin Xiangqi’s pride nearly sent his tail wagging. “It’s alright. I haven’t even unleashed my full power.”

Qin Xiao laughed. “639’s not enough for you to brag about? You aiming for a perfect score?”

Lin Xiangqi almost boasted he could ace it.

Luckily, Lu Cong cut in, telling Qin Xiao, “Some parents have already arrived.”

“Alright, to the classroom then.”

Heading downstairs, Qin Xiao glanced at Lu Cong, hesitating as if wanting to ask something but unsure if he should.

Lin Xiangqi’s family situation was unique, so Qin Xiao always called him to the office to discuss important matters and check on his studies and life.

But Lu Cong’s parents, though alive, never attended conferences. Qin Xiao would call them afterward instead.

In their second year, Qi Ye once sent an assistant to attend for Lu Cong. Qin Xiao, thinking he was Lu Cong’s father, called him “Lu Cong’s parent” or “Lu Cong’s dad,” startling the assistant, who clarified he wasn’t.

Qin Xiao had hoped to have a real talk with Lu Cong’s parents, but that shut it down.

Lu Cong’s grades and behavior were impeccable, but Qin Xiao felt his parents should address the issue of his pheromones potentially barring him from university. He’d hoped they’d show up this time.

Lu Cong likely guessed what Qin Xiao wanted to ask but played dumb.

Lin Xiangqi, however, spoke up. “Old Qin, with your shifty eyes, you look like a scheming villain from a drama. Plotting something?”

Qin Xiao stomped in frustration. “That mouth of yours!”

Lin Xiangqi: “Hehe.”

“Speaking of which, your parents have never attended a parent-teacher conference before, right?” Qin Xiao asked, knowing the answer but fishing for whether Lu Cong’s family would show up today.

Lu Cong gave a vague response. “I sent them the school’s notice, but whether they can make it depends on their schedules.”

“Right, right, of course.” Qin Xiao nodded. “Your mother’s work is very important, so it’s hard to find time. But is your father just as busy? Are both he and Ms. Qi at the research institute…?”

Lu Cong paused.

Lu Huo’s identity wasn’t exactly a secret. Anyone who followed Alliance news would recognize his name. The reason Lu Cong hadn’t publicly revealed Lu Huo as his father was purely for the safety of both kids.

When it was decided to let the two children stay alone in the old house, Lu Huo had initially arranged a full entourage—assistants, housekeepers, nannies, bodyguards, practically ready to build a security booth at the gate.

But Lu Cong refused.

He didn’t want a crowded house.

After dismissing the staff, Lu Huo and Qi Ye, still uneasy given their high-profile backgrounds, worried someone might target the kids. The compromise was to keep Lu Cong’s identity as the general’s son under wraps.

Lu Huo also gave Lu Cong access to special contacts he could call on anytime for any situation.

That’s how they’d lived for years. Luckily, school life was straightforward, and there’d been no need for Lu Huo to step in.

“My father’s not at the institute,” Lu Cong answered, offering no further details.

So, his dad’s job was too sensitive to discuss?

Qin Xiao looked a bit wistful, unable to fathom a job so secretive and demanding that it kept someone from ever attending a parent-teacher conference.

An astronaut, maybe? Qin Xiao’s mind wandered, but it didn’t seem impossible.

If Lu Cong’s mom was at the institute, his dad being at the space agency wasn’t a stretch.

“Uncle and Auntie are really busy. It’s not that they don’t care about Lu Cong or disrespect the school’s arrangements,” Lin Xiangqi chimed in, sensing a possible misunderstanding. “They barely get to see each other.”

Qin Xiao sighed, understanding, and asked, “What do you do if you run into problems in daily life?”

Lin Xiangqi half-joked, “If I have a problem, I go to Lu Cong.”

Lu Cong played along. “I don’t have problems.”

Qin Xiao chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, you two balance each other out.”

To his surprise, every seat in the classroom was filled for the conference.

He spotted Qi Ye, Lu Cong’s mother, and nodded gratefully from the podium.

Then he noticed an unfamiliar face.

A tall, imposing man with an air of authority sat silently beside Qi Ye, arms crossed—in Lin Xiangqi’s usual seat.

Qin Xiao didn’t know him but vaguely thought his features resembled Lu Cong’s.

As the conference began and exam results were distributed, Qin Xiao, as usual, held onto Lin Xiangqi’s report card.

Just as he was about to speak, the man in the corner said in a deep, resonant voice, “Where’s my kid’s report card? Let me see it.”

His voice was rich and commanding, exuding natural authority. Though it was a simple question, it silenced the dozens of parents in the room.

Qi Ye adjusted her glasses, smiling faintly, and stomped on Lu Huo’s foot under the table.

Lu Huo glared at her. “?”

Qi Ye, in a gentle tone, said to Qin Xiao, “Sorry, Teacher. It’s his first time at a parent-teacher conference. He doesn’t know the rules.”

Then, to Lu Huo, “Go get it yourself.”

“…” When had General Lu ever been so humbled? But he stood obediently, walked to the podium, and said to Qin Xiao, “Lin Xiangqi’s.”

Qi Ye coughed pointedly.

Lu Huo added, “Please, Teacher.”

Qin Xiao, intimidated by Lu Huo’s presence, shakily handed over Lin Xiangqi’s report card, unable to resist asking, “You’re Lin Xiangqi’s…?”

Without hesitation, Lu Huo blurted, “His dad.”

Qin Xiao: “???”

Wasn’t Lin Xiangqi’s father already…

Qi Ye interjected, “Parent, please take your seat quickly so we don’t delay the teacher’s meeting.”

Lu Huo didn’t think he’d said anything wrong.

With the air of Lin Xiangqi’s parent, he strode back to his seat.

An hour later, when Lu Cong heard about this, he nearly blacked out.

He hadn’t expected both Qi Ye and Lu Huo to show up, let alone that Lu Huo would claim to be Lin Xiangqi’s father.

Lin Xiangqi’s parents’ passing wasn’t a secret in class. He seemed cheerful and open, but Lu Cong knew he hadn’t fully healed from their loss.

Lu Huo’s actions today, at best, were an attempt to help with the conference. At worst, they were salting Lin Xiangqi’s unhealed wounds.

So, as soon as the meeting ended, Lu Cong told Lin Xiangqi to wait nearby while he hurried to confront his rarely-seen father.

But he found Lu Huo exiting the classroom looking sheepish, his near-six-foot-three frame failing to hide the grievance in his expression.

Lu Cong: “?”

Claiming to be someone’s dad unprompted, and he’s the one feeling wronged?

Qi Ye, stone-faced, emerged behind him, shoving Lu Huo. “Go, go, book a flight and leave tonight. If Xiao Qi sees you and gets upset, you’ll regret it.”

Lu Cong nodded in agreement.

“Didn’t you say we’d each take one kid’s report card?” Lu Huo’s voice softened, almost meek. “The teacher gave you our son’s, so I had to step up for Xiao Lin.”

Qi Ye’s glasses glinted coldly. “I said take it, not run your mouth. You think the teacher doesn’t know Xiao Qi’s parents’ situation? What will others think?”

Lu Huo, knowing he was in the wrong, didn’t argue, only muttering, “I rarely come back. The New Year’s not even here yet, and you’re really kicking me out?”

Qi Ye: “If you don’t go, Xiao Qi might lose his appetite seeing you.”

Lu Huo: “…It’s not that bad.”

Qi Ye: “Why not? Imagine someone popping up out of nowhere claiming to be your dad. You’d be thrilled?”

Lu Huo thought it over, deciding to swallow his pride. “How about I buy Xiao Lin a gift and apologize?”

“No gifts,” Lu Cong said darkly. “You’d just add to your crimes.”

Lu Huo’s temper flared, glaring at his son. “What’s wrong with buying a gift? It’s the thought that counts!”

Lu Cong: “Last time you called saying you’d send him a gun, he mistook firecrackers for gunshots for days.”

Qi Ye: “You were going to send Xiao Qi a gun?!”

Lu Huo: “…”

As Lu Huo’s head sank lower, Lin Xiangqi silently sidled up to them.

He’d seen Lu Cong deep in conversation with his parents and didn’t want to interrupt, but got bored waiting alone, inching closer until their silence prompted him to speak.

“Hi, Uncle, Auntie!”

His greeting jolted all three back to reality.

Lu Cong instinctively grabbed Lin Xiangqi’s hand. Qi Ye stepped forward, positioning herself between Lu Huo and Lin Xiangqi—out of sight, out of mind.

“Xiao Qi, it’s been ages!” Qi Ye beamed at him. “You’ve gotten thinner. Is Lu Cong not taking care of you?”

Lin Xiangqi nodded. “Yeah, he’s been starving me on purpose.”

Lu Cong smiled, not defending himself.

Qi Ye: “Oh, he dares starve you? I thought even if the world faced famine, he’d save the last bite for you.”

Lin Xiangqi burst out laughing. “No way he’d starve me. I’ve just been stressed lately, so maybe I lost some weight. Uncle, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Lu Huo, who’d been trying to blend into the background, was suddenly called out. He let out a hearty laugh. “Haha, hello!”

Lin Xiangqi: “…Hello.”

What a weird vibe.

Just then, Qin Xiao, having finished addressing parents’ questions in the classroom, stepped out.

Seeing the four chatting, he couldn’t curb his curiosity. Despite a vague sense of awe toward Lu Huo, he steeled himself and approached.

“Lu Cong’s mom, Lin Xiangqi’s dad, you’re still here? Want to come to my office to chat?”

His words hit like a thunderbolt.

All four faces shifted.

Qi Ye didn’t have time to explain, and Lin Xiangqi clearly heard the “Lin Xiangqi’s dad” part.

Lu Cong regretted not softening the blow when he got Qi Ye’s message earlier.

He hadn’t figured out how to broach the topic and had hoped to warn Lu Huo against speaking carelessly, keeping it from Lin Xiangqi.

But Qin Xiao had blown it wide open.

Lin Xiangqi was blunt. “Teacher Qin, did you get it wrong? That’s Lu Cong’s dad, not mine.”

Qin Xiao looked sheepish.

He’d been spinning a mental explanation—maybe this man was Lin Xiangqi’s godfather? Adoptive father? Some relative?

He hadn’t expected him to be Lu Cong’s father.

Lu Huo owned up to it, addressing Lin Xiangqi directly with an apology. “Xiao Lin, don’t be mad. Uncle messed up and won’t talk nonsense again.”

Lin Xiangqi looked puzzled. “Uncle, why are you apologizing?”

“Uh, well…” Under Qi Ye and Lu Cong’s piercing stares, Lu Huo chose his words carefully. “Uncle shouldn’t have claimed to be your parent.”

“What claiming? You came to the conference for me, so you are my parent.” Lin Xiangqi’s mind clicked, realizing why Lu Cong’s family had been acting so oddly earlier.

They thought he’d be upset about this.

“I misspoke earlier.”

Lin Xiangqi grinned, stepping forward to hook his arm through Lu Huo’s, then turned to Qin Xiao. “Teacher Qin, let me introduce you. This is my dad.”

He looped his other arm through Qi Ye’s. “And this is my mom.”

Qin Xiao caught on fast, chuckling. “Got it. You and Lu Cong are practically family, and his parents treat you like their own, right?”

Lin Xiangqi neither confirmed nor denied, just kept smiling.

Qin Xiao, wary of saying too much, added, “I’ll head back to my office to handle some things. Feel free to come by if you have questions.”

Qi Ye exchanged polite words with him, not pressing him to stay.

Clearly, Lin Xiangqi was their priority now.

Once Qin Xiao left, Qi Ye touched Lin Xiangqi’s face tenderly. “Sweetie, you went along with Uncle Lu to save his face. That must’ve been tough.”

Lu Cong also worried Lin Xiangqi was putting on a brave front. He often hid his pain with a smile, sparing others at his own expense.

The loss of his biological parents was a lifelong wound, so it was natural to assume calling someone else “mom” or “dad” would feel cruel.

But Lin Xiangqi didn’t seem to be forcing it. He looked genuinely cheerful, teasing Lu Cong. “Lu Cong, were you lying when you said you’d only marry me?”

Lu Cong blinked. “No, I wasn’t lying.”

Lin Xiangqi grinned at him. “Exactly. Even if they’re not biological, after we marry, Uncle and Auntie become Mom and Dad, don’t they?”

Lu Cong blinked rapidly, then nodded. “You’re right.”

Qi Ye gave her son a sidelong glance. “…?”

Moving this fast?

Lu Huo also shot his son a look. “!”

Well done!

Lin Xiangqi turned to Qi Ye and Lu Huo. “You guys think I’m wrong?”

Qi Ye: “Sweetie’s absolutely right.”

Lu Huo: “Exactly. I said what I did today because I’ve long seen Xiao Lin as family. Haha!”

It was odd, truly odd.

Lu Cong’s family—three razor-sharp individuals—turned adorably clumsy around Lin Xiangqi.

Lin Xiangqi couldn’t help but laugh, saying out of nowhere, “I suddenly crave fried eggs.”

Perfect, since there were three “clumsy eggs” here, too many to fry in one pan.

At home, Qi Ye swiftly changed into casual clothes, rolled up her sleeves, and declared she’d cook a big meal herself.

Though her busy job left little time for cooking, she occasionally got the urge to try something new, and Lu Huo agreed.

Lin Xiangqi, feeling a bit sheepish about always mooching meals, wanted to pitch in. While no one was looking, he slipped into the kitchen.

In the living room, father and son sat silently watching news on TV.

After a while, Lu Huo sipped his tea and, without preamble, asked, “How’d you cross the Shen family? They’re barely connected to you, yet you went hard.”

Lu Cong glanced at him, unsure of his father’s stance, and said, “You taught me not to make enemies in daily life.”

Lu Huo snorted. “And the second half?”

Lu Cong complied. “But in battle, strike first.”

Lu Huo drank more tea, tapping the table lightly, his tone casual. “I won’t meddle in your affairs. Just know your limits.”

Lu Cong lowered his gaze, showing rare deference, and refilled Lu Huo’s tea. “Got it.”

Then, a loud boom erupted from the kitchen.

Both father and son shot to their feet.

Lu Huo: “What happened, honey? You okay?! Your hair—your hair’s on fire!”

Lu Cong: “Yanyan, get out, don’t get burned! What? You started the fire? Did you burn your hand?”

Qi Ye: “…”

Lin Xiangqi: “…”

In the end, Qi Ye and Lin Xiangqi, covered in soot, each took a shower and changed.

When they returned, Lu Huo and Lu Cong had cleaned the kitchen, prepared a full table of dishes, and even ordered a cake for the centerpiece.

“Two more minutes,” Lu Cong said. “The last dish is reducing.”

Lu Huo called from the kitchen, “Cong’er, come here!”

Watching them bustle, Qi Ye adjusted her glasses awkwardly, trying to save face. “You know, everyone’s good at different things, right, sweetie?”

Lin Xiangqi nodded vigorously. “Totally agree.”