96: A gambler dares to bully my Lu family maid!? Lu Chen's ultimate sense of security!

Chen Mengyao seemed to be startled awake, her slender hands frantically wiping away tears from her cheeks, her fingertips gently touching her skin, looking delicate and pitiable.

She bit her lower lip, trying to quickly compose herself.

Lu Chen, holding Xiao Xi, slowly walked into the dining room, followed by Gao Xuewei and Xun Xiaoxiao.

Chen Mengyao was incredibly nervous; she hurriedly turned her back, subtly wiping the unshed tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, pretending to be focused on cleaning the stove, but her fingers trembled uncontrollably.

She didn't know why she was pretending; it was just a subconscious desire not to let others see her vulnerability.

Her heart was a mix of emotions: fear of being seen through, embarrassment, and a hint of stubbornness.

Fortunately, no one noticed her.

Everyone sat down and chatted amongst themselves, no one looking her way.

Chen Mengyao first felt relieved, but then, a strange sadness welled up in her heart.

She lowered her head slightly, her eyes dim, a self-mocking curve on her lips, her hands still mechanically wiping the stove, her gaze full of bewilderment.

However, Chen Mengyao quickly became engrossed in the problem of the two hundred thousand again.

She had never seen so much money in her life; how could she possibly get it?

Unless... unless she borrowed money from Lu Chen, or got an advance on her salary.

Besides that, she couldn't think of a second suitable and legal method.

But would Lu Chen agree?

If it were when they first met, she thought Lu Chen might agree, but recently Lu Chen had been extremely cold to her; she couldn't fathom his thoughts and felt he would most likely not agree... Thinking this, Chen Mengyao's heart grew even more complicated, her hands unconsciously wiping, her eyes empty and spiritless.

Just then, she suddenly heard Lu Chen's voice behind her: "Mengyao, come and eat with us."

Hearing this clear and magnetic voice, Chen Mengyao's heart immediately ached, and her eyes instantly welled up.

She suppressed her tears, silently turned around, and walked over with her head down, her shoulders slightly hunched, her steps light, like a startled fawn.

However, everyone still seemed unaware of her unusual state, because her usual demeanor was cautious and everyone was already used to it.

After silently eating for a while, Chen Mengyao's heart became even more conflicted, her hands unconsciously fiddling with the corner of her clothes under the table, several times wanting to speak but hesitating.

If she were alone with Lu Chen, she might still have the courage, but at this moment, Xun Xiaoxiao and Gao Xuewei were also with Lu Chen, and she truly didn't know how to begin.

After a moment of such internal struggle, Chen Mengyao suddenly felt the entire room fall silent.

She instinctively looked up and saw everyone's gaze fixed on her.

Chen Mengyao was stunned, her face flushed slightly, and she quickly lowered her head again, her fingers anxiously twisting the corner of her clothes, her breathing becoming rapid, frozen in place, at a loss.

Lu Chen asked blandly, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Although Lu Chen already knew what had happened, and was fully aware of the situation's development and had it under control, he couldn't bring it up himself.

He wanted Chen Mengyao to proactively put aside her dignity and ask him for help.

Chen Mengyao was silent for a moment, her pink lips pursed, her heart in a fierce battle, hesitating whether to speak out.

"Speak, what happened?" Lu Chen's voice was still calm, but carried an undeniable authority.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mengyao's hesitation and conflict instantly vanished, or rather, she dared not hesitate or conflict.

Like a trained puppy, how could she dare to disobey her master's wishes?

She lowered her head, her slender, pale hands constantly twisting the corner of her clothes, her eyelids downcast, and obediently said, "I... I want to advance some salary, I don't know if it's possible..."

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow, a hint of playfulness in his smile: "How much do you plan to advance?"

"Two... two hundred thousand..." Chen Mengyao stammered, her face slightly red, her small head lowered even further, clearly feeling the request was excessive.

"You can." To Chen Mengyao's surprise, Lu Chen readily agreed.

Chen Mengyao immediately looked up, her eyes full of surprise.

Lu Chen then said blandly, "But first, tell me what happened."

Chen Mengyao hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "My father gambles, so I took my mother and my sister and left home, but he still found us. He's with my mom now, and he wants two hundred thousand, but I don't have that much money..."

She spoke simply, finishing in just three or five sentences.

When she finished, the room immediately fell silent.

Gao Xuewei's face showed unbearable pity, her eyes full of tenderness, her lips slightly parted, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Xun Xiaoxiao's eyes were red, her hands tightly clasped, her body leaning forward slightly, as if wanting to offer comfort.

Even Xiao Xi blinked her big eyes, looking at Chen Mengyao with full sympathy.

Although Chen Mengyao spoke very simply and lightly, in just three or five sentences, everyone could feel the depth of the suffering she carried.

Lu Chen asked softly, "Can you handle it by yourself?"

Chen Mengyao lowered her head, her voice choked but exceptionally strong: "Mr. Lu, I'm already very grateful that you can advance me two hundred thousand. I won't trouble you any further; I can handle it."

Lu Chen, however, smiled: "Are you sure?"

Chen Mengyao nodded vigorously: "I'm sure."

Lu Chen's smile suddenly vanished, his expression turning cold: "You're sure of nothing!"

Chen Mengyao was startled by Lu Chen's change in expression, her body trembled instantly, like a frightened kitten, her shoulders hunched, her hands instinctively protecting her chest, her eyes filled with panic.

"A gambler, daring to bully my Lu family's maid, if this gets out, what about my, Lu Chen's, reputation?"

Lu Chen's voice grew colder and colder, "You think this is your own business, and you can handle it yourself? You can handle nothing!"

Chen Mengyao was coldly reprimanded by Lu Chen, but she felt no grievance in her heart; instead, it was full of warmth.

From Lu Chen's voice, she heard a long-lost concern, her eyes instantly welled up, her nose tingled, and she longed to cry her heart out.

Then she saw Lu Chen stand up and say blandly, "I'll take care of this matter. You just need to follow me and watch."

Having said that, Lu Chen turned and walked out.

Chen Mengyao stared fixedly at Lu Chen's back.

At this moment, she felt Lu Chen's back was as tall and majestic as a mountain, seemingly able to shield her from all storms, and a sense of security naturally arose.

The previous despair and helplessness receded like a tide, her heart filled with trust and reliance on Lu Chen.

At this moment, Xun Xiaoxiao looked at the dazed Chen Mengyao and gently reminded, "Mengyao, quickly go with Mr. Lu."

Chen Mengyao immediately came to her senses, no longer daring to hesitate, she quickly nodded vigorously, stood up, and chased after him, holding up the hem of her skirt.

The moment she followed Lu Chen's figure, Chen Mengyao felt the burden on her shoulders instantly disappear, she felt as light as a swallow, like a joyful little bird regaining its freedom, able to soar freely in the vast sky.

A crystal tear slipped down Chen Mengyao's fair cheek, shimmering with colorful halos in the sunlight, as if to wash away all suffering in this brilliant glow.

The tear trembled as it fell, leaving a bright trail in mid-air, finally shattering on the ground, yet it seemed to bloom into a flower of hope...