Chapter 523 Who’s the Real Lu Family Daughter-in-Law

• The first thing Xia Yanxi did when she got home was sink into a hot bath and let herself unwind. After a full day of running around, she was wiped. She stretched and said, “I’m hopping in the shower. Don’t you still have work to finish? Go handle it.” Lu Tingchen wasn’t like before anymore—these days it was work and more work. Only when he was busy did he feel grounded. But right now, all he wanted was to stick close to Xia Yanxi. She, though, just wanted him to get back to work. No way he was going to let that happen. He caught her hand at once and said, “Work can wait. I’ll shower with you. You’re tired, right? I’ll give you a massage.” A massage? Xia Yanxi glanced down at his hands—long fingers, clean knuckles, elegant as hell. Those were hands meant to rule the world, not knead her shoulders. She waved him off. “No need. If work isn’t urgent, take a breather. I’ll soak for a bit on my own.” She patted his hand, grabbed fresh clothes from the wardrobe, and headed into the bathroom. Lu Tingchen, left bristling, moved to the couch, shed his coat, tugged off his tie, and sat there, eyes fixed on the bathroom door. An hour later, Xia Yanxi finally stepped out of the steamy bathroom, loose and limber. She hadn’t expected to find Lu Tingchen looking so stony-faced the instant she opened the door. The mood felt off. Was he mad? She drifted over, leaned into him, and pressed her towel into his hands. “Help me dry my hair?” He arched a brow. “You really need me for that?” She shot back, “Why not? If you don’t want to, forget it. I’ll just crash.” He couldn’t stand the idea of her sleeping with wet hair. “No way. Sit. I’ll grab the dryer.” “Okay,” she said, sweet as can be. He gave her a helpless, doting look, then fetched the dryer and started working through her hair. It felt so good she went boneless, tipping against his chest and nuzzling him. He set the dryer aside, combed a hand through her sleek, dark hair, then traced to her soft, fair cheek, eyes warming. Two, three seconds—then he dipped down and kissed her. “Mm?” Xia Yanxi hadn’t seen that coming. The kiss was slow and hot, stealing her breath, and then he was all in—deep and possessive, teasing her quick tongue. Their breathing turned ragged, heat spiking. Xia Yanxi, caught up and hungry, slid her arms around his head. She wanted more. He did too. His hand slid under her sleep shirt and cupped her, reverent and greedy all at once. A spark shot through her, and she trembled. The deep kiss had him stirring too. He brushed his thumb across her flushed lips and asked, voice low and dark, “Yan, do you want it?” At this point, even if neither of them had planned to go further, there was no stopping. She ducked her head, shy, and nodded. “Mm…” Permission granted, he moved like a switch had flipped, scooped her up, and laid her on the bed. Clothes fell away. Skin met skin. Just before he really started, Xia Yanxi grabbed his arm, nervous. “Wait. Go easy. Don’t mark me up again.” His mouth curled. He dipped to her ear, voice a husky tease. “Baby, you too…” She flushed scarlet, remembering how she’d scratched up his back before. “That was because of you. I—whatever, it’s your fault.” He rushed to admit defeat. “Okay, okay, my bad. I’ll be gentle this time. I promise…” He lowered himself, pressing her into the mattress. She’d thought he’d listen. Turns out that old saying hits: promises from a man? Yeah, right. He was gentle for a few seconds—then he went hard, went deep. Xia Yanxi dug her nails into his back again and gasped, breathy and accusing, “Lu Tingchen, you said you’d be gentle. You liar!” He was lost in her warmth, high as a kite. At her soft complaint, he kissed her mouth and rasped, “Sorry, baby. Feels too damn good. I can’t hold back.” Her face was already flushed; now her ears and neck went pink too. Her body tightened on instinct. Lu Tingchen shuddered, a low groan ripping out of him, scalp tingling. He almost lost it right there. “Baby, you almost killed me just now, you know that?” Xia Yanxi felt like she was burning alive. Faced with his teasing, she squeezed her eyes shut. “Stop talking… just finish already.” If this kept up, she’d die of embarrassment. He might cave to her on other things, finish quick even—but not here. Not tonight. “Babe, don’t rush. We’ve got all night…” He thrust again, steady and bold. “Mm… ah!” she cried out, sweet and breathy. Then he didn’t give her any room to speak, sealing her protests with his mouth, pouring all his focus into drowning her in pleasure. The next morning, Xia Yanxi was sore and exhausted, unwilling to leave the bed; Lu Tingchen, meanwhile, was bright-eyed, up early, even went for a run. By the time she managed to sit up, he was already dressed. She remembered the belt she’d bought him yesterday. “Hang on. I picked out a belt for you. Try it on.” “You mean this one?” He’d already put it on. She nodded. “Yeah, that one. Looks great. Guess my taste is spot-on.” He smiled, lips quirking. “Of course. Thanks—I love it. What made you think of getting me a belt?” She didn’t hide it. “I put a nasty woman in her place yesterday. Put me in a great mood.” His face cooled. “You mean Song Yuqi. What did she do?” Xia Yanxi said, “She used that mess with Song Yun and her sister Song Jing to get under my skin, trying to drag me back to the crap with Qin Tian. I didn’t give her a shred of kindness.” “Oh, and she told me your mother’s birthday next week is her show to run, like that makes her your wife or something. She was real pleased with herself.” Lu Tingchen snorted, full of scorn. “Dream on.” Every year, Sheng Qiu’s birthday party happened whether he cared or not. He bankrolled it, didn’t bother with the details. Then, after she cut the cake, he’d hand over some extravagant gift to feed her vanity. She always demanded his attendance—claimed it was to celebrate, but really it was a way to parade eligible women in front of him. He never went. He hadn’t figured his mother would still be scheming even with him on the verge of marrying Xia Yanxi. Xia Yanxi had expected that reaction. “Exactly. Song Yuqi’s just fantasizing. I warned her, but she didn’t take it to heart.” “So I’m going to your mother’s party myself—to make sure everyone sees who the real Lu family daughter-in-law is.” Before, she’d worried her status would cause trouble for him. But now she wasn’t some nobody extra. She had her own breakout work and name recognition. She had every right to stand at his side. No reason to hide. Lu Tingchen agreed. “Good. Saves me from my mom’s little schemes. I’ll go with you.” Xia Yanxi nodded. “Perfect. Us together is best.” Tuesday came—Sheng Qiu’s birthday. Xia Yanxi chose a gown—custom, personally designed by a top international name, the kind you can’t buy even if you’ve got the cash. Lu Tingchen got it for her without breaking a sweat. For the gift, she picked a cheongsam hand-stitched by the most famous master. With Sheng Qiu’s love of flash, it would hit her sweet spot. At the hotel hosting the party, their arrival drew every eye. Including Song Yuqi’s—she was at the door, playing hostess like she belonged to the family. She’d heard Xia Yanxi was back and had dressed in her priciest evening gown, determined to outshine her. The off-shoulder cut showed off her collarbones, and the diamond necklace was worth a fortune—expensive and classy, no doubt. The moment Lu Tingchen walked in, her made-up eyes locked on him, not blinking, her crush written all over her face. He hadn’t bothered with extra styling—same as usual, in a dark suit hand-finished in Italy. Tall, lean, and strong, every line of him radiated effortless command. Song Yuqi had met all kinds of men at home and abroad. None had the pull Lu Tingchen did. She’d imagined standing beside him a thousand times, even in her dreams. She’d tried everything—and gotten nowhere. The woman at his side was still that “cheap” Xia Yanxi. But as long as he wasn’t married, she still had a shot. She lifted her skirt and stepped up with a smile. “Mr. Lu, long time no see…” Lu Tingchen acted like he hadn’t heard a thing, turned to Xia Yanxi with a tender look. “Time’s about up. Let’s head in.” Song Yuqi thought he’d missed her words and tossed caution aside, trailing after him. “Mr. Lu, Ms. Sheng isn’t here yet. Want me to take you to the lounge?” He treated her like thin air and spoke only to Xia Yanxi. “Tired? Wanna sit for a bit?” Xia Yanxi shook her head. “I’m fine. Just kinda hungry. I see desserts over there. Come with me.” “Sure. Let’s go,” he said, instantly. All his attention—every glance—was for Xia Yanxi. Not a single look for Song Yuqi. Song Yuqi bit her lip hard, eyes burning into Xia Yanxi’s back. Why was Xia Yanxi the only one he saw? Why wouldn’t he look at her—just once. She couldn’t figure out where she lost to Xia Yanxi—what made Lu Tingchen dislike her this much…