Dragon Clan: Lu Mingfei Returns from Japan

Chapter 694 Who else can open the door?
July arrived in the blink of an eye.

The plum rains are fine, and the wheat harvest is light. Every June and July, Lu Mingfei's hometown, a coastal city, experiences a prolonged, gloomy rainy season. Geographically, this is due to the influence of monsoons.

In front of the old residential building, raindrops gathered like threads in front of the eaves, forming a curtain.

The rain had only just started, but in the blink of an eye it intensified, a light drizzle that filled the uneven potholes. Caught off guard by the sudden downpour, pedestrians on the road held whatever they had over their heads, scurrying about like ants whose nests had been washed away.

Lu Mingfei stopped under the eaves, opened his umbrella, and stepped into the rain.

A buzzing sound rang out amidst the rain. Lu Mingfei took his phone out of his pocket, glanced at the caller ID on the screen, and answered the call. Before he could even speak, a sweet girl's voice came from the other end of the line.

"Mingfei, haven't you come home from your uncle and aunt's yet? What time is it? We still have to go shopping with Miaomiao and Wenwen this afternoon." Su Xiaoqiang's voice was hurried and energetic.

Her tone was matter-of-fact and self-righteous, as if her home was Lu Mingfei's home, while Lu Mingfei's uncle and aunt's home was merely the home of distant relatives he didn't know well. This gave Lu Mingfei a sudden, unsettling feeling, as if he hadn't grown up at his uncle and aunt's house, but rather at Xiaotiannv's. How did Xiaotiannv's house become my home?
Lu Mingfei looked up at the gloomy, leaden-gray clouds and rain in the sky, the sound of raindrops pattering on the umbrella.

"Not yet, not yet. I just finished eating at my uncle and aunt's house and was about to hail a taxi after leaving the neighborhood. It's raining heavily outside, so I guess it'll be a while before I get back," Lu Mingfei said.

"Hmph, what are you doing staying at your uncle and aunt's house for so long? Why don't you just have dinner there? Come back quickly, I'm waiting for you at home. If you linger any longer, we won't have time to go shopping."

The phone call was abruptly ended. Lu Mingfei listened to the dial tone and gave a slightly helpless smile. After dating for so long, although the little fairy had gradually become more and more spoiled, her inherent pride hadn't changed much.

It's likely that being arrogant has become part of Xiaotiannv's personality, and even if she marries Lu Mingfei in the future, she probably won't be able to change this arrogance in her bones... if there really is a chance for everyone to get married together.

It's already July 15th, which is Obon in Japan. Natsumi has finished her middle school entrance exams and her final exams at Shiran Middle School, and now it's officially summer vacation.

For Lu Mingfei, this was probably a rare period of relatively leisure before starting the preparatory course. However, this didn't mean he could just relax and do nothing once the preparatory course started. Some preliminary preparations for transferring schools needed to be completed during this time.

The reason Lu Mingfei went back to his uncle and aunt's house today was twofold. Firstly, his uncle and aunt were, after all, his nominal guardians, and he was about to transfer to a school in another province, so it wouldn't be right not to go home.

The deeper reason is that minors need their guardians' consent to study abroad, which requires specific notarization procedures. Lu Mingfei mainly came back to see his uncle and aunt to complete these procedures.

Faced with Lu Mingfei, who is now riding high and has been admitted to a prestigious American university through a special admission program, Auntie's aura has finally subsided. She can no longer boss Lu Mingfei around, and can only scold Lu Mingze every few days at home. She is probably angry that it wasn't her son who was admitted to the prestigious American university through a special admission program.

Lu Mingfei didn't stay at his uncle and aunt's house for long. After lunch, he received a guarantee from his uncle that "I'll take care of the paperwork," and then he left.

"Buying things..."

They booked flights to Beijing for next weekend. Therefore, they need to prepare everything they need for transferring to the preparatory class this week, including necessary documents, clothes, and other daily necessities.

Although Lu Mingfei felt that there was no need to buy anything, what couldn't they sell in the capital? Buying so much stuff and bringing it over would be inconvenient.

However, Lu Mingfei wasn't one to spoil the fun. Since his girlfriends had all enthusiastically agreed to go shopping together, he naturally didn't say anything more. He just needed to be their bag carrier.

Lu Mingfei glanced at his watch. It wasn't actually that late; it was just past 12:30. He should get home around 1:00. He had arranged to meet Miaomiao and Wenwen at 2:00. He should have enough time.

However, Lu Mingfei still quickened his pace, after all, he couldn't keep his girlfriend waiting.

Although the rain was quite heavy, the roads weren't as congested as Lu Mingfei had imagined, and he arrived home in less time than usual.

Lu Mingfei entered the Yiyin Lingshu residential complex by scanning his face, and a taxi took him to the villa.

Lu Mingfei closed his umbrella at the door, scanned his fingerprint to open the access control, and his skillful movements made him feel as if he were back in his own home.

Only the living room lights were on in the villa. Lu Mingfei walked through the foyer into the living room and saw Xiaotian sitting cross-legged on the sofa. The TV in front of her was showing a fashion program on demand, and she was still wearing the mint green La Perla slip dress from last night.

"Oh, you're back so soon?" Su Xiaoqiang turned around and greeted Lu Mingfei.

"Soon?"

"It feels like we just finished talking on the phone."

"No, it's been more than forty minutes, it's already past one o'clock."

Lu Mingfei sat down next to Su Xiaoqiang and pointed to the wall clock: "Little Fairy, why haven't you changed your clothes yet? Didn't we agree to meet up with Miaomiao and Wenwen in the CBD later to go shopping?"

When Su Xiaoqiang heard Lu Mingfei say that it was already past one o'clock, she was stunned for a moment, and immediately turned her head to look at the wall clock. Sure enough, the hour and minute hands had already pointed to 1:15.

"Oh my god, is it already so late?"

Su Xiaoqiang immediately knelt up from the sofa, her legs crossed: "The TV is broadcasting the Japanese fashion festival live. I was so engrossed in watching TV that I forgot the time. No, no, I have to hurry up and change my clothes, or I'll be late for meeting Miaomiao and the others."

"Didn't your junior sister remind you?"

"Have you forgotten that Mimi and Erii aren't home? This morning, Erii accompanied Mimi to pick up her high school entrance exam results, and then they went to Miaomiao's house to meet her first."

Lu Mingfei nodded, recalling that there seemed to be such a thing. This morning, his junior sister and Erii had left the house with him.

"Huh, where are my slippers?" Su Xiaoqiang rummaged around the edges of the sofa.

"I didn't see it." Lu Mingfei also turned his head left and right: "Where did you take it off to?"

"I don't know, Mingfei, please help me find it."

"Why bother with all that trouble? Little Fairy, do you want to go back to your room?"

"if not."

Su Xiaoqiang gave a quick and charming reply. As soon as she sat up, she noticed her boyfriend's gaze lingering on her.

"..."

For some reason, Su Xiaoqiang suddenly had a bad feeling. She subconsciously took a step back and asked Lu Mingfei, "Mingfei, what do you want to do..."

The word "ma" was still in her throat, not yet uttered, when Lu Mingfei had already moved closer, put one arm around Su Xiaoqiang's slender waist, and reached under her knees with the other, lifting the little fairy up in a princess carry.

"Why do you need slippers to go to your room?" Lu Mingfei shrugged. "I'll carry you there." Su Xiaoqiang's pretty face flushed slightly, and she wrapped her arms around Lu Mingfei's neck.

Looking at her boyfriend's face, her lips pressed into a tight line. She inwardly complained with embarrassment and resentment: they'd been together for so long, how come this guy's behavior hadn't changed at all…

He's always so domineering and direct, picking people up in a princess carry without warning, and even more so than before. What kind of domineering CEO act is this... he's just a loser!

However, for the proud and aloof Su Xiaoqiang, this straightforward and unreasonable style was quite appealing. Even though they were already an old married couple, Su Xiaoqiang would still blush and feel her heart race because of Lu Mingfei's direct approach. Perhaps this could be considered a little bit of fun in their lives?

Lu Mingfei picked up Su Xiaoqiang and stood up, casually kicking the plush rabbit slippers next to him under the sofa, then carried her up the stairs leading to the second floor.

At that moment, the "beep" sound of the electronic lock came from the foyer into the living room.

Lu Mingfei and Su Xiaoqiang both recognized the sound – it was the fingerprint lock unlocking their home. Su Xiaoqiang nestled her head against Lu Mingfei's chest and muttered, "Huh? Xiao Mi and the others are back already? Didn't they go to the CBD with Miao Miao?"

Logically speaking, after Xia Mi and Erii finished lunch at Liu Miaomiao's house, they could have simply gone to the CBD with Liu Miaomiao and met up with them there. There was absolutely no need for them to go home.

"I do not know."

Hearing footsteps coming from the foyer, Lu Mingfei subconsciously looked towards the entrance of the living room... but why did the footsteps sound a little strange?

Not only were there only one person's footsteps, but the sound didn't seem to belong to either my junior sister or Erii.

But he and the little fairy were both at home, and Uncle Li was still in Portugal and hadn't returned. Besides his junior sister and Erii, no one else could open the house's combination lock, right?

"..."

Lu Mingfei suddenly paused. Wait a minute! It seems there really is someone else who can open the house's combination lock! A face flashed into his mind...

...and appeared in front of him at the same time.

Four eyes... no, it's six eyes facing each other.

"..."

silence.

Even though it was still raining heavily outside, the atmosphere inside the house instantly became quiet. It was as if a radio had suddenly been paused, and the white noise that filled the world vanished in an instant.

Su Xiaoqiang wrapped her arms around Lu Mingfei's neck, the young couple staring blankly at the entrance to the living room; and the person standing at the entrance was also staring blankly at them.

It seemed that the group of people were somewhat incredulous at the scene before them, and none of them uttered a sound.

"Hello, Uncle."

Lu Mingfei broke the silence first, offering a polite smile.

This was probably the most perfect smile he had ever given in his life, so perfect that it was practically flawless. Anyone who saw Lu Mingfei's smile would probably feel a warm breeze on their face and couldn't help but think that he was a very polite and sensible child.

If he wasn't holding someone else's daughter in his arms.

Su Zhenqi stared at Lu Mingfei in shock, then lowered his gaze to look at Su Xiaoqiang in Lu Mingfei's arms with equal shock. His lips were trembling rather than moving.

Should I greet them in return? Or should I immediately unbutton my suit jacket and pull out my Hugo Boss crocodile leather belt from my waist...?

After all, he never expected that the first thing he would see when he rushed home from his business trip abroad was a pig rooting up the bok choy he had carefully cultivated for over a decade.

No wonder he was puzzled when he came in, wondering why there was a pair of men's shoes by the door.

……wrong!
Su Zhenqi suddenly came to his senses and looked at the scene. This pig probably already lived in his own vegetable garden.
"...Hello, Lu."

After a moment of silence, Su Zhenqi nodded in response to Lu Mingfei. His poker-like expression was less of a coldness and more of a complex emotion that left him unsure of what expression to make.

Only after her boyfriend and father had finished greeting each other did Su Xiaoqiang finally speak:

"Dad...why are you back today? Didn't you say you just finished your business trip and came back in August?"

...So, I've come back at the wrong time?
For the first time, Su Zhenqi felt a sense of helplessness regarding the saying "a daughter grows up and leaves home."

Su Zhenqi pushed up his glasses: "Qiangqiang, you told me you got accepted into Kassel College and will be transferring to the preparatory class in the capital this month. As your father, shouldn't I come back a few days early to see you off?"

He paused for a moment, then turned to look at Lu Mingfei, who was still carrying Su Xiaoqiang in his arms: "Lu... why don't you put Qiangqiang down first?"

The two of them were stunned for a moment. Only then did Lu Mingfei belatedly realize that he had been holding the old man's daughter in front of him the whole time.

Lu Mingfei put Su Xiaoqiang back on the sofa, and Su Xiaoqiang blushed as she straightened her disheveled nightgown.

Qiangqiang was even wearing a nightgown...

Su Zhenqi noticed this detail.

Women dress up for those they like, and most girls certainly wouldn't like to show their sloppy side to someone they like. Unless the relationship has moved beyond the early stages of flirtation and infatuation, and has progressed to a more intimate, family-like bond.

In this situation, a girl will openly show her private, homely side to the person she likes.

Of course, there's another situation where a girl doesn't mind wearing a nightgown in front of her boyfriend... another situation that Su Zhenqi dared not even think about.

Regardless of which scenario applies, Su Zhenqi is certain that during his absence, the relationship between Lu Mingfei and Qiangqiang has likely progressed by leaps and bounds.

……

(End of this chapter)