Chasing My Husband! The "Crown Prince" of the Beijing Circle Is Wildly Unruly! - Chapter 81

Wang Xinghe looked into Lu Jingze’s eyes, which were heavy with desire, and his cheeks flushed a deep crimson.

“A-Ze… be serious.”

Lu Jingze gripped that slender waist—so thin he could nearly wrap a single hand around it—and his gaze darkened for a moment. He leaned down to brush a kiss against Xinghe’s lips before lightly nipping at his earlobe.

“Mnn—” Xinghe let out a muffled groan, half-pushing him away. “A-Ze, don’t… we have to see your family tonight… it’s not right…”

Lu Jingze pulled him into a firm embrace, stroking the soft hair at the back of Xinghe’s head. “It feels like a dream.”

“Brother, pinch me. I’m afraid I’m dreaming again.” During that year away from Xinghe, Lu Jingze couldn’t remember how many times he had seen him in his dreams. Every time he woke up, it felt like a thousand blades piercing his chest.

Xinghe hugged him back, whispering softly, “I’m here.”

In response, Lu Jingze only held him tighter.

At 4:00 PM, dressed in their matching custom suits with the embroidered lovebirds, the two stepped into the traditional siheyuan (courtyard house). This was the Old Master’s exclusive domain. Everyone in Kyoto knew that the man living here could poke a hole in the sky with a wave of his hand or crack the earth with a stomp of his foot.

Xinghe carried several gifts, including a painting he had done himself. His heart was a chaotic mess of nerves. The sheer scale of the vermilion gates, studded with golden rivets, was enough to leave him breathless.

Lu Jingze took his hand. “I’m here, don’t be afraid. Besides, Grandpa has never been one to judge people based on their status.”

Xinghe nodded. They walked through long corridors, past rockeries, and beneath lush plum trees. After a routine security check by the staff, they reached the entrance and changed their shoes.

The main hall featured traditional mortise-and-tenon architecture with classic Qing and Ming dynasty aesthetics. In the bright, spacious room, an elderly man in a Zhongshan suit sat in a grand armchair, idly spinning his Imperial Green jade beads with a genial smile.

“Grandpa, I’ve brought him. This is Wang Xinghe. Xinghe, greet Grandpa.”

Xinghe bowed deeply. “Hello, Grandpa.”

Old Master Lu chuckled and waved a hand. “Good child, sit down. It’s a family dinner tonight, no need for formalities.”

Lu Jingze hurriedly pulled Xinghe into a seat. “Grandpa, this is a token of our appreciation. Xinghe painted this himself; I hope you like it.” Like an eager puppy, Lu Jingze opened a gift box containing a priceless piece of ancient jade, then unfurled Xinghe’s painting, The Morning Light. Though it had been painted just a few days ago, Lu Jingze had selected it specifically to match his grandfather’s taste.

Seeing the painting that his subordinates had surreptitiously photographed days ago now appearing before him in person, the Old Master’s calm eyes filled with a smile. “A very atmospheric painting. Have it hung in my study.”

The Old Master’s words made Xinghe feel a bit overwhelmed. He felt his skills hadn’t fully recovered yet and that the piece was far from perfect.

“Hehe, of course it is! I love Xinghe-ge’s work too~” Lu Jingze bragged shamelessly.

The Old Master saw through him but said nothing, signaling the staff to serve the meal. “I’m used to eating light in my old age, but you young people are still growing—eat more meat.” Looking at the table full of delicacies, Xinghe could feel the Old Master’s genuine regard.

Seeing his grandfather’s stance, Lu Jingze’s lips curled up. He practically wagged his tail as he served his grandfather. “Grandpa, have more of this~ Look at this Eight-Treasure Duck, it smells amazing~”

Old Master Lu looked at Lu Jingze with eyes full of affection. “Alright, let’s eat.”

Following the tradition of “no talking while eating,” the three finished the meal in a comfortable silence. Xinghe’s tension gradually dissipated thanks to the Old Master’s approachable demeanor. Being a man of few words himself, he didn’t try to force conversation.

After dinner, they sat in the courtyard pavilion for tea. Xinghe politely poured tea for the Old Master, offering a gentle smile. “Grandpa, please have some tea.”

The Old Master took the tea, had a sip, and set it on the table. “Since I’ve drunk the ‘Granddaughter-in-law Tea,’ it’s only right that this old man gives a return gift.” He waved his hand, and his assistant in a crisp black suit brought over two brocade boxes.

Inside was a “Wushi” (Safe and Sound) jade pendant, green as a beer bottle, and a pair of Imperial Green bracelets with a water-head clarity approaching flawless glass. Xinghe knew these items were essentially priceless. He wanted to decline, but he remembered the saying: A gift from an elder should not be refused.

He accepted them politely with both hands. “Thank you, Grandpa.”

The smile in the Old Master’s eyes deepened. He finally understood what his grandson loved about Wang Xinghe. Purity. A soul that was pure from the inside out. In the cynical circles of Kyoto, what child wouldn’t crave that kind of light? It was no wonder his grandson had found such a rare treasure.

“Very well. It’s late; don’t stay with this old man anymore. Go home. Remember to bring him back for dinner during the holidays.”

These words were the official acknowledgment that Xinghe was now part of the Lu family. Even Lu Ting, the illegitimate son, had never been allowed at a New Year’s dinner—a sign that the Old Master did not publicly recognize his existence.

“Mhm! Thanks, Grandpa! We’ll come see you again soon!” Lu Jingze’s “tail” was practically hitting the sky.

Seeing his grandson’s joy, the Old Master couldn’t help but give him a warning. “Since you were the one who walked away from your position, if you want to take it back, you’ll have to build a more brilliant track record than before. Make it so everyone is left speechless and has no choice but to choose you.”

After speaking, the Old Master returned to the house, supported by a servant. Lu Jingze called out to his grandfather’s back, “Don’t worry, Grandpa! In the past, I held back. From now on, nothing can restrain me, because everything I want is right by my side.”

The Old Master didn’t turn around; he simply shook his head with a smile.

Back in the living room, the Old Master looked at The Morning Light. Turning the jade beads in his hand, he instructed, “Hang this painting in the guest hall, on the eastern wall.”

The assistant was stunned. Every item in the guest hall was worth over a hundred million; some were even ancient relics that museums frequently asked to borrow. However, having followed the Old Master for ten years, he obeyed without question. He immediately arranged for the half-meter-square painting to be hung in its specified place.

Once it was up, something strange happened. The painting didn’t look out of place at all; instead, it added a touch of vibrant life to the room, making one feel refreshed.

Seeing the assistant lost in the painting, the Old Master spoke: “Music, art, and words are medicines for the soul. The creator’s state of mind and spirit directly influence the work.”

“This child’s heart is too clean. Without realizing it, that purity has transferred into the painting.”

The assistant quickly snapped out of it. “I stand corrected. I was being judgmental.”

The Old Master smiled but said no more. People nowadays loved to judge a person by their status and achievements. But a person comes into this world empty-handed and leaves the same way; those things cannot be taken with them. Only the soul, from birth to death—whether it is kind or evil, good or bad—is recorded and follows one forever.