183: 183. Family Dinner

The motorcade did not head towards the bustling CBD, but instead, as Lu Feng had instructed, turned into a quiet alley in Jiangcheng's old district.

Lu Feng was not accustomed to high-end Western cuisine, and neither were his parents, so he had Yu Tianxiong book a private kitchen restaurant hidden deep within an old alley of Jiangcheng.

The restaurant's facade was modest, but inside it was a world of its own, with antique decor, elegant private rooms, and the air filled with the aroma of food, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere more suited for a family banquet.

Everyone took their seats, and exquisite local specialty dishes were served one after another.

Lu Feng's parents' initial stiffness quickly melted away with the natural guidance of everyone present.

"Dad, how is your recovery?"

Hearing Lu Feng's question, Lu Zezhou laughed heartily, patting his chest, "My body is robust, and all my re-examination indicators are normal; I just need to take my medicine on time."

"That's good. If you need anything, just tell me. Your son has some capability now," Lu Feng said with a smile.

Lu Xiaoli sighed with emotion, "Yes, our son has become capable. Now we don't have to work as hard as before. Our biggest endeavor now is the unmissable square dance every evening."

Lu Feng couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

This ordinary yet healthy retirement life was exactly what he most wanted to secure for his parents.

The atmosphere at the dining table became increasingly harmonious, and as the conversation deepened, a few partners also began to share stories.

Xu Ting picked up her teacup, her posture elegant, but her tone carried an undeniable seriousness as she said, "Uncle and Auntie, you might not know this, but Mr. Lu is a benefactor to me and our Donghai Group."

"Last year, the company encountered a major crisis and almost didn't make it. It was Mr. Lu, at a critical moment, who, with his unique vision and courage, not only helped us stabilize our position at the negotiating table but also pointed us in a new direction. It's no exaggeration to say he's my savior. I toast to you both."

Her words conveyed a genuine admiration for Lu Feng, not just polite courtesy.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Wang Yuxi eagerly chimed in, her tone equally sincere, "Uncle and Auntie, me too! I got into some trouble last time, entangled with some bad people, and it was a critical situation! If Lu Feng hadn't stepped in to help me resolve it, I don't know what state I'd be in now! He's my great benefactor!"

She deliberately omitted the specific details, but her expression, a mix of lingering fear and gratitude, made the two elders' hearts pound, and they felt an inexplicable pride in their son's deeds.

Yu Tianxiong, on the other hand, focused more on business. He took out his tablet, displayed a few concise charts, and introduced Tingfeng Capital's current layout and grand future blueprint to the two elders.

His tone was steady, his words easy to understand, and every number and plan showcased the company's potential and strength.

Professor Qin Tian also chimed in at the opportune moment, excitedly describing the astonishing breakthroughs achieved by the laboratory with Lu Feng's support, and the imminent changes they would bring to the industry.

Listening to these experiences, which sounded like legendary tales, Lu Xiaoli wiped tears from the corners of her eyes with a tissue—tears of either worry or pride—and couldn't help but gently thump her son, scolding him affectionately:

"You child... you always tell us only good news when you call, bearing everything yourself, hiding things... So many big things, you almost gave your mother a heart attack!"

Lu Zezhou listened with a flushed face and a surging heart, feeling more exhilarated than if he had drunk aged wine.

He subconsciously reached for a wine glass but was glared at by a warning look from his wife, so he could only sheepishly rub his nose, though the smile at the corner of his mouth couldn't be suppressed.

As the dinner neared its end, Wang Yuxi was the first to take out an exquisite gift box containing a pair of classic watches from a top brand, subtle yet luxurious.

"Uncle and Auntie, it's our first meeting, just a small token of my respect," she said with a beaming smile.

Although Lu Xiaoli didn't recognize the brand, the craftsmanship and texture immediately made her realize their significant value, and she quickly waved her hands, her tone firm, "These are too expensive, I can't accept them. I'm already very happy that you could come and have a meal with us."

Next, Xu Ting also smiled and handed over a document bag containing a key and a stack of papers.

"Uncle and Auntie, I heard you were coming, so this is a small gesture. It's a house in Xinghai City's famous villa area, not too far from where you currently live. The environment there is quiet and the air is good, suitable for recuperation."

This time, even Lu Zezhou couldn't sit still and repeatedly declined.

Seeing this, Professor Qin Tian brought out his prepared gift: two latest-model flagship phones of excellent quality. Most importantly, the names of the two elders were meticulously laser-engraved on the back covers of the phones.

He chuckled good-naturedly, "These are new products our laboratory and partners are about to launch; they haven't hit the market yet. The batteries inside are ones we developed ourselves. I can't say much else, but the standby time is exceptionally long, and they are absolutely safe, so you can use them with complete peace of mind! You must try them and give us your feedback."

Faced with these successive and increasingly astonishing generous gifts, Lu Zezhou and Lu Xiaoli were at a loss.

Lu Feng looked at his parents, who were both embarrassed and touched, and smiled helplessly, then spoke up to break the ice, "Dad, Mom, please accept them. These are Sister Xu, Yuxi, and Professor Qin's kind intentions. To refuse again would be too formal."

He paused, then explained in the most ordinary tone, "The batteries used in these phones are from that 'small project' Professor Qin and I worked on. Sister Xu's company mainly deals with real estate, so..."

"Small project?"

Lu Zezhou suddenly looked up, staring at the high-end phone in his hand engraved with his name, then at the villa documents representing a top-tier living environment, and finally connecting it with his son's identity as the behind-the-scenes controller. His heart surged!

He stared blankly at his son, whose face was still young but whose eyes were as deep as a pool. His nose suddenly stung, and his eyes instantly reddened.

He didn't ask any more questions, but simply reached out his rough hand and patted Lu Feng's shoulder again and again. His lips moved, and in the end, a thousand words transformed into a silent tremor.

This was a father's deepest affirmation and pride.

Lu Xiaoli, meanwhile, tightly clasped her son's hand under the table, feeling both pride and an inexpressible heartache.

How much had this child endured silently and struggled alone to reach this point today?

The dinner concluded in warmth and emotion.

Lu Feng had an exam the next day and couldn't accompany them, so Xu Ting volunteered to drive the two elders to the villa on Banshan East Road to rest.

As the car drove into Banshan East Road and reached the top floor of the villa, Lu Zezhou and his wife still felt a strong sense of unreality.

"Old Lu, you... pinch me. Am I not dreaming?" Lu Xiaoli murmured.

Lu Zezhou didn't answer. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the dazzling night view of Jiangcheng outside.

After a long while, he took a deep breath and said with a sigh of emotion, "Our son is too amazing; he has my demeanor from back in the day."

Lu Xiaoli couldn't help but roll her eyes, ignoring him, and went straight to wash up.

Lu Zezhou couldn't suppress his curiosity. He pulled out his new phone, and with somewhat clumsy fingers, typed "Tingfeng Capital valuation" into the search bar.

Then, a long string of numbers with several zeros and related news reports appeared on the screen. This old father, who had weathered many storms for most of his life and considered himself steady, suddenly trembled, and the phone almost slipped from his grasp.

He quickly gripped it tightly, staring at the screen, confirming it several times, still dumbfounded!