"I seem to have overheard something rather astonishing!"
"Lu Jingyang is really divorced? Then he can bring Song Yan to the birthday banquet legitimately!"
"I wouldn't have thought it, this young star is quite resourceful, managing to oust the young lady the elder has already chosen for him!"
"The mistress takes over, pregnant before marriage, what a dramatic soap opera!"
Immediately, a flurry of discussions erupted in the banquet hall.
The guests looked at Su He with a mixture of pity, mockery, amusement, and disdain.
"As expected, a mere girl brought in for good luck remains just that, never amounting to anything."
"That's why, in affluent families, survival hinges on who can bear children."
"Coming to curry favor even after a divorce, I'd be too embarrassed to show my face!"
Su He, hearing the whispers around her, couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.
Song Yan was pregnant?
No wonder Lu Jingyang dared to bring her here so openly!
This was a plan for her to gain status through her child!
Su He's dazed expression was perceived by outsiders as being deeply struck.
Even Grandpa Lu thought so.
"Su Su, Grandpa is sorry for you!" Grandpa Lu, seeing her gaze fixed on Lu Jingyang and the other woman, was overwhelmed with guilt. "I, Lu Cheng, have lived a glorious life for most of my years, only to have a scoundrel like this in the Lu family when I'm at death's door!"
"Grandpa, please don't say that, I'm fine." Su He knew he had misunderstood and hastily waved her hands. "My union with Lu Jingyang was a mistake from the start. Now that we've parted, it's better for everyone."
Her words brought a look of relief to the elder.
Indeed, she was the granddaughter-in-law he had chosen! Even at this juncture, Su He still considered the Lu family's reputation. It was a shame that that brat Lu Jingyang had no foresight!
"Grandpa knows you've endured much suffering over the years. Don't worry, Grandpa is on your side!" Grandpa Lu said, raising his cane and striking Lu Jingyang fiercely.
"Ah~" Lu Jingyang, caught off guard by the blow, winced in pain. "Grandpa..."
"Don't call me that, I don't have a grandson as wicked as you!" Grandpa Lu, still holding his cane, didn't hesitate to strike again.
Lu Jingyang cried out in pain and slumped to the ground, unable to get up.
Song Yan screamed in fright. She wanted to rush forward to help but feared the elder's cane, tears streaming down her face. "Grandpa, if you want to punish, punish me. It's all my fault..."
The elder snorted coldly. "Who do you think you are? You dare to call me Grandpa?"
Being reprimanded so publicly, Song Yan's face turned pale, then flushed with shame and despair.
Song Yan had thought that with a child, she could soar to new heights and marry into the Lu family to become a wealthy socialite. Who would have thought that the elder cared nothing for the child she carried and gave her no face at all?
Seeing Song Yan being scolded, Lu Jingyang gritted his teeth and shielded her behind him. "Grandpa, Yan Yan and I are truly in love. Please grant us your blessing!"
"True love? I think this vixen has cast a spell on you!" Before the elder could respond, Lu Jingyang's mother, Mrs. Zhao Yafeng, rushed forward and interrupted him.
Turning to the elder, she offered an apology. "Elder, please don't be angry, take care of yourself. This foolish boy is ignorant, I will discipline him properly when we get home..."
"Mom!" Lu Jingyang looked up in disbelief.
Zhao Yafeng glared at him fiercely and whispered a warning, "You shut up!"
Lu Jingyang pursed his lips, daring not to utter another word.
"Elder, this is a joyous occasion, what do you think..." Before Zhao Yafeng could finish, the elder's words cut in like a knife. "What business is it of yours if I discipline this scoundrel?"
Zhao Yafeng choked, her smile freezing on her face.
The surrounding guests couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle.
"Zhao Yafeng really thinks she's part of the Lu family!"
"How ridiculous! She's never been acknowledged by the elder, why is she acting like the madam of the Lu family here!"
"Exactly! This mother and son are both out of their minds!"
"Living in luxury for so long, they've probably forgotten their place! I heard she still doesn't have an official title."
"It's retribution indeed! Wasn't she also a mistress who climbed her way up?"
"You probably don't know yet that Lu Yunting is actually the son-in-law of the Lu family. His original surname was He, not Lu. He changed his surname only after marrying into the Lu family. Don't forget, Grandpa Lu only has one daughter, whose name seems to be Lu Xiyan?"
"Yes, yes! Now that you mention it, I remember!"
"So, Zhao Yafeng and her children have absolutely no relation to the Lu family!"
"That's right! She was married before, and her eldest daughter is from her previous husband. Although Lu Jingyang is Lu Yunting's biological son, he has no Lu family blood in him. The true heir of the Lu family is only Young Master Yan!"
Su He's eyes widened as she heard this.
She had been with the Lu family for three years, and only now did she learn this secret.
Song Yan, who was kneeling on the ground feigning pity, stiffened slightly.
What? Lu Jingyang isn't a Lu family member?
This news struck her hard.
So, the person she had schemed and clung to was actually an imposter?
She couldn't help but glance towards the tall, imposing figure standing behind Grandpa Lu.
Lu Yanbei was holding a glass of champagne, sipping it lightly, his every movement exuding nobility. The way he lowered his eyelids was incredibly charming. Standing there, he was the center of attention.
Song Yan couldn't help but stare, mesmerized.
He was even more handsome in person than in the news reports!
However, his features were too stern, and the slight curve of his lips carried a hint of coldness. He looked at them as if watching a farce, his gaze devoid of warmth.
Song Yan lowered her head in embarrassment, almost biting her lip to the point of bleeding.
If she had known such a day would come, she should have thoroughly investigated Lu Jingyang's background. Now that the situation had escalated, she had no way back and was in a difficult position.
Finally, it was Lu Yanbei who stepped forward to resolve the awkwardness. "Grandpa, the auspicious hour has arrived, it's time to cut the cake!"
His casually spoken words instantly shifted everyone's attention to him.
Lu Yanbei was truly a remarkable presence. Wherever his gaze fell, no one dared to make a sound.
Soon, the banquet hall fell silent.
"Happy birthday to you..." As the lights dimmed, Su He unconsciously began to clap and sing the birthday song. In the reflection of the candles, her profile suddenly became clear.
As she began to sing, another voice joined in, then two, then more and more.
"Happy birthday to you..."
Grandpa Lu looked at the two figures before him, his eyes slightly red. Fortunately, he still had a good grandson, and a good granddaughter-in-law! Ah, no, a former granddaughter-in-law!
*
After the banquet, Su He bid farewell to the elder solemnly. "Grandpa, a forced marriage is never sweet. You've seen it yourself, his heart is not with me. Moreover, I have no romantic feelings for him. Now that things have reached this point, we can only part ways amicably and wish each other well."
"Thank you for taking care of me these past three years. In the future, please take good care of yourself and live a long life." Su He's voice was slightly choked as she said these words.
Grandpa Lu knew he couldn't keep her and sighed repeatedly. "Let's not mention that brat! From now on, you must come back and visit Grandpa often."
Su He nodded, her eyes curving into a smile as she said, "Okay."