A steaming meal, but the two of them ate in an awkward silence.
"I'm done. You can take your time."
Ning Anmiao lost her appetite. After eating a little casually, she got up and went back to the study.
Lu Yan's face darkened. Looking at the half - cold dishes in front of him, he also lost his appetite and wanted to get up and leave, not bothering to eat anymore.
However, in the end, he lowered his eyes and glanced at the table. Then, he sat down patiently and forced himself to eat everything up.
After all, this was made by Miaomiao for him personally. He couldn't waste it.
---
After he finished eating, the annoyance in his chest dissipated. He felt really full and was about to get up and take a few steps to digest the food when the phone on the table vibrated.
Lu Yan glanced at it. The moment he saw the caller ID, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes. He turned his head and looked at the closed study door.
Forget it. He'd answer it.
He pressed the answer button, and immediately, Ning Zhijing's voice came from the other end of the phone, filled with reproach. "Miaomiao, you've really disappointed me."
Lu Yan held the phone in his hand. For some reason, he suddenly felt that the phone was burning hot, almost too hot to hold.
After not being in contact for so many years, was this really how father and daughter greeted each other?
"Dad, I don't know what you're talking about." Lu Yan spoke softly in Ning Anmiao's usual tone. "Did I do something wrong?"
"I thought that after being kicked out of the house for all these years, you'd at least reflect on your actions. But you've only gotten worse. You've started doing things that draw public attention, haven't you?"
Draw public attention? When did Ning Anmiao ever do such a thing?
"Before, you secretly did some design work. Your mother and I turned a blind eye, and we let it go. But now, you've gone too far."
"Your Brother Jiang came back yesterday and said that you personally attended the speech at the design competition. You're quite capable now. You just love showing off, don't you?"
Lu Yan's chest tightened, and his expression instantly stiffened.
"Ning Anmiao, you've completely forgotten the family teachings of the Ning family. You have no backbone at all. How could I have given birth to such a spineless person like you!"
"You're not worthy of being a member of the Ning family. Wearing the Ning surname is just bringing shame to me!"
She was not worthy of being a member of the Ning family.
Wearing the Ning surname was just bringing shame to him.
Bringing shame to the Ning family.
After hanging up the phone, Lu Yan stared at the phone screen for a long time. He felt really uncomfortable. In the end, he deleted the call record.
He didn't know how Ning Anmiao would react if she knew that he had answered the long - awaited call from her father.
He was even more afraid that Ning Anmiao would ask him about the content of the call.
Lu Yan held Ning Anmiao's phone tightly. His eyes darkened bit by bit, showing a coldness in the depths.
He had always known that Ning Anmiao's father was dissatisfied with her, but he never expected that his aversion to business and his strictness towards his daughter had reached such an extent.
Thank goodness Ning Anmiao didn't answer this call.
"Were you on the phone with someone?" Just then, Ning Anmiao happened to push the door open and saw him holding her phone.
"No."
Lu Yan's tone was calm, as if nothing had happened just now. He glanced at the study. "Are you done with your work?"
Seeing his calm demeanor, Ning Anmiao didn't suspect much. She just thought he was bored and was playing with the phone. She casually ran her hand through her messy hair. "I just organized some documents. I suddenly saw a memo on your phone."
"Isn't it your mother's birthday banquet at the end of the month?"
Hearing this, Lu Yan narrowed his eyes. He remembered this and replied in a deep voice.
The birthday banquet of Lu's mother was a grand occasion.
Since Lu's father passed away and left a will, making Lu Yan the heir to the family property, Lu Yan had firmly taken the reins of the Lu family. Those relatives who used to look down on the mother - son pair had now flocked to them.
And Lu's mother always loved such occasions and never turned anyone away.
Just thinking about those flattering scenes with people clinking glasses made his head ache.
It was Ning Anmiao who spoke first. "I've already ordered a gift in advance. Remember to give it to her on that day."
Every year when Lu's mother had her birthday, Ning Anmiao would always prepare a gift carefully, just to please the old lady.
But the old lady always thought it was just a formality and didn't really care.
After saying that, Ning Anmiao seemed to remember something and added, "Oh right, the people from the Lu family..."
"I know what I'm doing."
Lu Yan replied in a deep voice, roughly guessing what she was going to say.
Most of the people from the Lu family were sycophants. Ning Anmiao, bearing the title of Mrs. Lu, must be annoyed by their flattery.
Ning Anmiao originally wanted to give a few instructions, but seeing Lu Yan's confident attitude, she held her tongue.
Let him do as he pleased.
Just like this, time flew by, and it was the end of the month.
Early in the morning, Ning Anmiao got up early and started to put on makeup for "Ning Anmiao".
After all, it was Lu's mother's birthday banquet. Whether it was the dressing or the makeup, everything had to be elegant and there couldn't be the slightest bit of slack.
This was the first time Lu Yan had "put on makeup" since he entered Ning Anmiao's body. He found it really novel.
Ning Anmiao waved at him patiently. "Sit down and close your eyes."
He obediently closed his eyes and could only feel a tingling sensation on his face as the makeup brush swept across. It was itchy but also very comfortable.
Ning Anmiao's movements were dexterous, and the strength was just right. Lu Yan felt the movements of her hands and was so comfortable that he almost fell asleep.
Not long after, Ning Anmiao said, "Open your eyes." Lu Yan slowly opened his eyes and looked at "himself" in the mirror.
The "Ning Anmiao" in the mirror had a rosy complexion. Her eyes were even more radiant. There was a thin layer of lipstick on her lips, making her look in good spirits but not overly gaudy. She had her own unique style.
The whole person seemed to have changed, but at the same time, seemed to have remained the same.
Ning Anmiao usually looked very good with no makeup, but after putting on makeup, it was like icing on the cake. She was much more radiant than before.
"You look really good."
Lu Yan was really short on words when it came to complimenting women. He stared at the mirror for a long time before giving such an evaluation.
"Don't talk too much when we get to the Lu family later. We'd better not separate." Ning Anmiao instructed, feeling a bit worried.
After all, there would be so many people there. If they separated and said something wrong in such an occasion, it would be a disaster.
Lu Yan nodded slightly, not really caring.
What was there to worry about with those people?
As long as he showed the aura of Mrs. Lu that Ning Anmiao should have, who would dare to make a fuss in front of him?
Seeing Lu Yan's confident attitude, Ning Anmiao took a deep breath, still feeling uneasy.
---
The Lu family.
Before even entering the Lu family's main gate, they could see that it was bustling at the entrance. There were also quite a few cars parked there, which obviously meant there were a lot of guests.
Ning Anmiao turned her head and looked at Lu Yan, who was closing his eyes and resting.
"Get out of the car. We're here."