Madam Lu, who would be turning 60 years old that year, had an imposing air about her that made her stand out from other wealthy people. Her sharp eyes, which were hidden under a pair of black spectacles, were slit in accusation as she studied Fu Zhi from head to toe.
She rubbed the jade bracelet on her wrist and said after a short while, "Now that all the formalities have been completed, you're one of the Lu Family's descendants. Unlike the Zhao Family, we have strict rules, so you have to behave yourself. Remember not to shame the Lu Family."
She talked in a calm and level voice, but everyone could notice the trace of reluctance and warning in her tone.
It was very apparent that she had been forced to accept this reality since she did not want to make a scene in front of her son.
Xu Wei's heart was galloping as fast as a wild horse on a grass plain in her chest. She kept winking at her daughter, hoping that she could get through to Madam Lu first.
Fu Zhi was quiet for a moment. Then, she answered, "Okay. I will behave."
The moment she finished speaking, the door on the second floor opened. Bai Yao went downstairs with Lu Chuwan. Then, the dense atmosphere at the table finally lightened up.
A gentle smile blossomed across Madam Lu's face when she saw her well-behaved and sensible granddaughter, who was standing beside Bai Yao.
"What took you so long? Didn't we already send Mama Liu to ask you to come down for the meal?"
Lu Chuwan was the best member of the Lu Family's younger generation. Not only did she excel in her studies, but she also had excellent results in other aspects. Madam Lu loved a kid that could make her feel proud.
Before Lu Chuwan could say anything, Bai Yao went forward and spoke with a wide smile tugging at the corner of her lips. It was apparent that she was in a good mood.
"We just received a call from Wanwan's teacher. She told us that Professor He from the Capitol will be visiting Yu City this month, so the school management is going to pick a student to meet up with him. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the class teacher thinks that Wanwan has a high chance of getting selected. Therefore, she wants me to bring Wanwan to her house so that she can help Wanwan strengthen her physics knowledge. We got a little carried away, that's why we came down late."
Madam Lu, who did not know much about this, frowned and asked, "Who's Professor He?"
Bai Yao took the cup of tea from Mama Liu. She gave Madam Lu a smile and said, "He is an old professor who used to choose the physics questions in the national college entrance examination. He also used to serve as the vice-chancellor of Tsinghua University. Given Wanwan's results right now, it would be a piece of cake for her to get into Tsinghua University after getting some guidance from Professor He."
The more Bao Yao talked, the prouder she felt of her daughter. Even though Lu Jingqing was very competent and performed much better than her husband at the company, each of his children was worse than the last one. He did not have a good successor, so she would win in the end.
Fu Zhi looked at Bai Yao.
Upon noticing her gaze, Bai Yao asked, "Have you heard of Professor He before, Zhizhi?"
She paused for a short while before saying in a prideful voice, "He usually only teaches adults."
Fu Zhi replied, "Nope. I have never heard of him before."
After all, her teacher only had to pass on her knowledge to her students. She had no power over whether her students wanted to set up a class or not.
Bai Yao seized her up and then offered her a knowing smile. "Oh, I see. Anyway, I was just asking."
Despite how wealthy the Lu Family was, this was the first time they had a descendant who could get into Tsinghua University. At Madam Lu's age, one could only flaunt one's children and grandchildren. The smile on her face broadened as she said, "Excellent! Wanwan, make sure you prepare well for this. Just tell grandma if you need anything. Grandma is counting on you to make the family famous!"
Lu Chuwan smiled and nodded.
Madam Lu was in a good mood, so she was a tad lenient with Fu Zhi. "Since you're here, you have to learn from your cousin and get rid of those bad habits that you picked up in the orphanage. I'm not asking too much from you. I'd be more than happy if you could become one-tenth as good as your cousin."
Lu Chuwan turned to look at Fu Zhi as well, but there was no expression on her face. When she looked at Xu Wei, she greeted her sweetly. "Aunty."
Xu Wei had not had a daughter, so Lu Chuwan had been the only girl amongst the younger generation of the Lu Family before. Therefore, Xu Wei was very fond of her as well. However, she had not expected that Madam Lu would keep comparing Fu Zhi to Lu Chuwan…
Xu Wei felt sorry for Fu Zhi, but there was nothing she could do. Even though she was smiling at her niece, she grabbed Fu Zhi's hand tightly under the table as if she was comforting her.
Fu Zhi did not know what Xu Wei was thinking. When she sensed Xu Wei wrap her hands around hers, she spun her head sideways and gave Xu Wei a smile that stunned the latter.
The smile on Fu Zhi's face made Xu Wei's heart ache.
'My daughter is really a tough girl,' she thought as she sobbed inwardly.