Chapter 153: Chapter 153: How is he here?

“You’re going to agree today, whether you want to or not! Otherwise, I won’t let you off easy!”

The shrill voice came through the cell phone that Lu Zhaozhao was holding.

“Everyone outside must also be curious about the private life of Mrs. Song the Internet celebrity, right? If I wish, I can say whatever I please to the public. Do you think they would believe the words of someone who raised you for 20 years?”

At this point, not just Cao Mei, but even Xia Wenjin’s face turned green.

Was Lu Zhaozhao actually recording?!

Xia Wenjin instinctively reached out to grab it, but Xia Wenqing directly blocked her and pushed her back.

Impressive, his little sister’s move was smooth!

Xia Wenqing inwardly itched to sing Lu Zhaozhao’s praises to the skies.

“Mrs. Lu, if you don’t want what you just said spreading, you’d better accumulate some virtues,” Lu Zhaozhao suggested, then nodded at Cao Mei. “Since we have nothing to discuss, I must take my leave.”

After that, she left the Lu Family’s residence under Xia Wenqing’s protection.

Cao Mei watched the two walking away, her eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

She had actually been outmaneuvered by Lu Zhaozhao!

“Mom, what should we do, she has our recording!” Xia Wenjin shook Cao Mei’s arm, “If she lets it out…”

Her voice trailed off as she neared tears.

She thought Cao Mei could handle Lu Zhaozhao, but the tables had turned disastrously.

Cao Mei’s brows were knotted tight, “It’s impossible for Lu Zhaozhao to be this scheming on her own, someone must be coaching her from behind. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have acted like this!”

Lu Zhaozhao had been under her care since she was a child and had never once talked back to her, let alone defy her.

But things had changed since she married into the Song Family.

Xia Wenjin uneasily looked at Cao Mei and pursed her lips, “Are you saying that Song Sinian told her to do this?”

Cao Mei had previously claimed that Lu Zhaozhao was easy to manipulate, just a few harsh words and she’d relent, but the Lu Zhaozhao she knew didn’t fit that profile.

Was she mistaken?

Cao Mei glanced at Xia Wenjin, “It’s very likely. Song Sinian is ruthless in the business world, and Lu Zhaozhao’s current tactics are not unlike his.”

She had raised Lu Zhaozhao, advising her to obey her husband, so that later, when Lu Zhaozhao was ‘sold’, there’d be less trouble.

Now, it was the most vexing issue.

She used to listen obediently in the Lu Family; now, she only heeded Song Sinian’s words…

Cao Mei’s eyes narrowed, “It seems we need to take some steps sooner than planned! Since she is unwilling to give up the school promotional video, she can’t blame us for what happens!”

She planned to crush Lu Zhaozhao into the mire!

To make her understand the consequences of not listening to her!

The wind picked up in the evening, and the temperature had noticeably dropped.

Xia Wenqing, sitting in the driver’s seat, conveniently turned on the car’s heater and tested the airflow before adjusting the vent for Lu Zhaozhao.

“My second brother will take you to a specialty restaurant; their cake is excellent, do you want to give it a try?” Xia Wenqing was clearly gauging Lu Zhaozhao’s reaction as he spoke.

He was angry just listening to what Cao Mei had said, let alone about someone they had known for 20 years.

Back when Xia Wenjin had been so heartless, even upon her return to the Xia Family, they hadn’t exchanged harsh words.

Thinking of all the quiet suffering Lu Zhaozhao must have endured, Xia Wenqing grew even more upset.

It looked like they needed to reveal Lu Zhaozhao’s identity soon, and when the time came, they’d thoroughly slap the faces of those people from the Lu Family!

Lu Zhaozhao was sitting in the passenger seat, observing Xia Wenqing’s anxious demeanor, and she knew what he was thinking.

She wanted to say she was fine, but at a time like this, if she really said that, Xia Wenqing would probably think she was just putting on a brave face, right?

Miss Lu Zhaozhao hesitated for a moment, then simply chuckled lightly, “Mm, thank you, second brother.”

Xia Wenqing saw that Lu Zhaozhao did not refuse and finally let out a secret sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the restaurant wasn’t far from where the Lu Family lived; after a fifteen-minute drive, they arrived.

It was indeed as Xia Wenqing had described, a specialty restaurant.

The entire restaurant’s decor was exceptionally unique, with a heavy industrial style.

This made Lu Zhaozhao even more curious; how tasty could the desserts be from a place decorated in such a rugged style?

“Eh? Miss Zhaozhao?”

Lu Zhaozhao had not yet entered the door when she heard a somewhat stiff greeting.

She instinctively turned her head toward the source of the voice, her eyebrows furrowing.

It was Justin.

Why was he here?

Lu Zhaozhao politely nodded at him, with no intention to strike up a conversation.

But to her surprise, Justin seemed encouraged by the interaction.

He walked right over, acting as though they were very familiar with each other, and said with a smile, “Miss Zhaozhao, are you also here to eat? Are you alone? I’m alone too, how about we dine together?”

Of course, Justin couldn’t possibly be alone, but upon running into Lu Zhaozhao, whoever hadn’t arrived yet could be easily brushed off.

“I…”

She isn’t here alone. She’s with me.” Before Lu Zhaozhao could speak up, Xia Wenqing, who had gone to park the car, hurried over.

He had seen someone standing next to Lu Zhaozhao from a distance and had rushed over.

When he recognized who it was, his expression immediately darkened.

He had heard from Xia Wenjue before that Justin and Xia Wenjin had similar nasty tastes and that he had once made a move on Lu Zhaozhao.

So, seeing Justin for the first time, he couldn’t help but glared at him. “What? Are you thinking of bullying Zhaozhao again?”

Justin waved his hands frantically, “No, no, no, I just wanted to have a meal with Zhaozhao, nothing more.”

He awkwardly tugged at the corner of his mouth, clearly intimidated by Xia Wenqing’s overtly hostile attitude.

One Xia Wenjue had already been enough to handle, and now there was Xia Wenqing.

Among the four Xia brothers, aside from Xia Wenyan, the other three were tough nuts to crack.

Especially Xia Wenqing, not only was he sharp-tongued, but he also had a discerning eye.

Every time he saw Xia Wenqing, he felt intimidated.

Xia Wenqing glanced at Justin and spoke with a sneer that didn’t reach his eyes, “As far as I know, Zhaozhao isn’t familiar with you at all.”

Justin was sweating profusely, but to maintain his image in front of Lu Zhaozhao, he still tried to explain, “There was indeed a misunderstanding last time, and I’ve already clarified it with Zhaozhao, right?”

As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily sought out Lu Zhaozhao, as if seeking her support.

But Xia Wenqing didn’t give him the chance, standing directly in front of Lu Zhaozhao and shielding her completely.

“Zhaozhao doesn’t need to answer to you.”

“…”

Justin was even more embarrassed now.

He grimaced, cleared his throat lightly, “How about I treat Zhaozhao to a meal, as an apology?”

Xia Wenqing curled his lips in contempt, “With me here, do we need you? And… Zhaozhao is not a name you can just casually call. Address her properly as Miss Lu!”

“…”

Justin was visibly reluctant, but after being glared at by Xia Wenqing, he could only change his tune on the spot, “Fine, then may I apologize to Miss Lu?”