57: Commoner School Beauty VS God of War’s Wife!!

Chen Mengyao's red lips pursed slightly, a complex tide of emotions surged within her, and she silently placed the dishes she was holding onto the dining table.

Lu Chen didn't pay attention to her thoughts, seemingly oblivious. He raised a hand to invite Gao Xuewei and Xiao Xi to sit, then pulled out a chair for himself, his movements elegant and unhurried.

He then began chatting and laughing with Gao Xuewei, discussing interesting anecdotes from the manor. His deep voice intertwined with Gao Xuewei's gentle tone, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Seeing this, Chen Mengyao's heart grew even more complex.

Her interactions with Lu Chen had never been this relaxed; this kind of interaction was a luxury and an unattainable mode for her.

Gao Xuewei tasted a dish, her eyes full of pleasant surprise, and praised, "This dish is so delicious."

Chen Mengyao forced a smile, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly but not reaching her eyes, and softly said, "I'm glad you like it."

With that, she prepared to turn and continue washing clothes.

"Stop."

A faint voice sounded behind her.

Hearing this familiar voice, Chen Mengyao's body instinctively paused, stopping immediately, not daring to move.

"Mr. Lu, do you have any other instructions?"

She gently turned around, her small head bowed, long eyelashes trembling slightly, and asked with a bow.

"Sit down and eat," Lu Chen's voice remained calm and indifferent, concise and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority.

Chen Mengyao quickly waved her small hand, her attitude even more flustered and cautious, her voice pausing slightly:

"No... no need. I can eat after you all are done. I'll go wash clothes first..."

Xun Xiaoxiao, who was also bringing dishes to the table, saw this scene, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly, her eyes full of helplessness.

This silly girl is too naive, isn't she?

She actually dared to refuse such a good opportunity!

Not to mention how many women outside wanted to eat with Mr. Lu.

Just within this manor, who knows how many women are constantly scheming, using all sorts of methods and tricks, just to have dinner with Mr. Lu.

Yet, she, on the other hand, didn't want it!

It's infuriating!

Xun Xiaoxiao looked at Chen Mengyao with a frustrated expression, wishing she could go up and loudly tell her to seize the opportunity!

After spending these days together, Xun Xiaoxiao found that Chen Mengyao was indeed a very innocent girl.

And it wasn't fake or feigned; especially after she learned about her family background, she genuinely felt some pity for Chen Mengyao's plight.

She truly hoped that Chen Mengyao could gain more appreciation and favor from Mr. Lu, thereby improving her life.

Just as Xun Xiaoxiao was thinking about how to help Chen Mengyao, this silly girl, open up.

Lu Chen's voice sounded again, even colder.

"I'll say it one last time, sit down and eat."

Lu Chen's face hardened, his voice deep and authoritative, leaving no room for doubt.

Chen Mengyao's body stiffened, as if struck by lightning, and she immediately sat back down obediently.

She kept her head down, nervously twisting the corner of her clothes with both hands, her eyes slightly red, full of grievances but not daring to show them.

It was all a subconscious reaction, like a trained puppy, obedience etched into her bones, already a conditioned reflex.

Gao Xuewei subtly glanced at Chen Mengyao, thinking to herself.

When she first walked into the dining room, she had already noticed Chen Mengyao holding the dishes.

She stood there quietly, her dark hair falling softly over her shoulders, a few stray strands playfully framing her fair cheeks, making her face appear even more jade-like.

Her eyes were curved, as if hiding scattered stars, and a faint smile played on her lips, gentle and captivating.

She was like a beautiful painting with a soft-focus filter, impossible to ignore, stirring a few ripples in one's heart for no reason.

Initially, she secretly sighed, marveling that such a beautiful girl was merely a cook, and so nimble with her hands, truly a rare sight.

But now, seeing Lu Chen's attitude towards Chen Mengyao, she overturned that assumption.

Gao Xuewei subconsciously tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand.

The relationship between this little cook and Lu Chen was definitely not that simple.

Thinking of this, Gao Xuewei's heart felt like a spilled spice rack, the taste exceedingly complex.

However, in an instant, Gao Xuewei curved her lips in a self-deprecating smile.

She was the newcomer; what past relationship they had, she had no right to comment on.

Thinking this, her face resumed its gentle smile, as if nothing had happened.

Xun Xiaoxiao stood by the dining table. She looked at Gao Xuewei, then at Chen Mengyao, revealing a pensive expression.

Lu Chen looked up at Chen Mengyao, his tone softening slightly: "Eat together. You've been busy all day."

Chen Mengyao nodded slightly, but didn't dare to look directly into Lu Chen's eyes.

She silently picked up her bowl and chopsticks, aimlessly picking at the food, her gaze always downcast, her mind completely not on the meal.

During the meal, Lu Chen would occasionally pick food for Xiao Xi, his movements gentle, his eyes full of doting affection: "Xiao Xi, eat more, you're growing."

Xiao Xi thanked him obediently, eating heartily, her cheeks puffed out, looking very cute.

Gao Xuewei watched from the side, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turning up, revealing a touch of maternal tenderness.

Chen Mengyao, however, remained distracted, her chopsticks moving mechanically, the food tasting like chewed wax.

She secretly looked up at Lu Chen, and seeing his intimate interactions with Gao Xuewei, her heart grew even more bitter.

Lu Chen had paid for her mother's surgery and pulled her out of the quagmire of life; she would forever remember this kindness.

But Lu Chen's usual aloofness kept her heart perpetually suspended, with nowhere to settle.

Now, with Gao Xuewei appearing, she only felt lost, a flood of complex emotions with nowhere to vent.

After the meal, Lu Chen leaned back in his chair, raising a hand to gently rub his temples, his expression leisurely.

Gao Xuewei got up to help clear the dishes, softly saying, "I'll do it."

Just as she was about to reach out, Chen Mengyao had already nimbly started clearing, her movements practiced.

Seeing this, Gao Xuewei hesitated for a moment, then also helped her clear.

Xun Xiaoxiao dared not hesitate either; although she hadn't eaten a single bite, she didn't slack off at all while clearing.

Lu Chen watched the busy women, his gaze deep, wondering what he was thinking. Once everything was tidied up, he stood up and said, "I have things to do."

With that, he was the first to leave the dining room, his figure tall and straight, his steps steady, leaving the several women with their own thoughts, looking at each other.

Gao Xuewei took Xiao Xi's hand and returned to their room, gently reminding Xiao Xi to take a good nap on the way.

Chen Mengyao silently returned to the laundry room, staring blankly at the basin full of clothes, her eyes complex.

Just then, Xun Xiaoxiao came over, carrying a stack of clothes, her steps light.

As soon as she entered the laundry room, she saw Chen Mengyao standing dazedly by the sink, staring at the basin full of clothes. She immediately approached her and asked with concern:

"Mengyao, what's wrong? You seem out of sorts."

Chen Mengyao seemed startled, snapping back to reality.

Then she just gently shook her head, picked up the clothes in silence, and began scrubbing them, trying to hide her inner turmoil with this mechanical action.

Seeing this, Xun Xiaoxiao wouldn't give up. She reached out and tugged at Chen Mengyao's sleeve, persistently saying:

"You're definitely not right. You're not usually like this. Come on, tell me, what's really wrong?"

Chen Mengyao's hand movements paused.

After hesitating for a long while, she bit her lip, looked up at Xun Xiaoxiao, and cautiously asked, "Xun Xiaoxiao, does Mr. Lu... does Mr. Lu have a daughter?"

Xun Xiaoxiao was stunned. She never expected that this was what Chen Mengyao was pondering.

She tilted her head and thought for a moment. Lu Chen had always been mysterious in his actions and had many tricks up his sleeve.

Who knew what kind of past he had outside? With his flirtatious nature, it was indeed possible he had a daughter... After this thought, she shrugged helplessly, spread her hands, and said, "Oh, I'm not sure either. How could we know everything about Mr. Lu's affairs?"

Hearing this answer, Chen Mengyao's face grew even gloomier.

She became even more silent, and the strength with which she scrubbed the clothes seemed to lessen, looking preoccupied.

Xun Xiaoxiao looked at her like this, first startled.

Then, as if realizing something, a mischievous smile appeared on her face. She leaned closer to Chen Mengyao and teased:

"Oh, I get it now. You're feeling a sense of crisis, aren't you? Are you afraid that having a daughter will affect your position in Mr. Lu's heart?"

Chen Mengyao seemed to have been hit where it hurt, and she immediately panicked, quickly shaking her head and waving her hands, urgently denying:

"No... no way. I just asked casually. Don't spread rumors."

But the undeniable panic in her eyes and the blush quietly appearing on her cheeks completely exposed her true thoughts.

Seeing this, Xun Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh teasingly, secretly thinking that she should find an opportunity to tell Mr. Lu about this later. This should count as a great achievement, right?

However, she quickly comforted Chen Mengyao verbally:

"Oh, Mengyao, don't worry too much. Even if Mr. Lu really has a daughter, it won't stop him from liking you. Look at you, you're so beautiful and kind-hearted, who wouldn't like you?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mengyao's blush instantly spread, her face turning so red it looked like it could drip blood.

She was both shy and anxious, shaking her head like a rattle drum, repeatedly saying, "Stop talking, it's not what you think at all."

Just as the two were chatting back and forth in the laundry room.

Suddenly, the roar of a car engine came from outside the manor.

The sound, growing from distant to near, broke the slightly awkward and subtly tense silence.

Both women were startled, instinctively stopping their conversation and turning to look towards the door.