Meeting the Parents Next

Weekend at the Mo family residence.

Unlike the solemn grandeur of the Lu family estate, the Mo residence resembled more of a traditional Chinese garden.

With small bridges over flowing water, pavilions, and towers, every corner exuded refinement and elegance.

Lu Chenyuan, carrying carefully prepared gifts, walked beside Mo Qingli along the bluestone path.

He had changed into a dark gray Chinese-style casual suit with knotted buttons, softening his demeanor considerably.

Yet inwardly, he was far from as composed as he appeared.

In the Mo family’s living room, a refined middle-aged man was brewing tea.

Dressed in a casual suit of the same hue as Lu Chenyuan’s, his movements flowed effortlessly, carrying the ease of a man tempered by time.

This was the chairman of the Mo Group, Mo Qingli’s father—Mo Zhenbang.

Though nowadays, nearly all affairs of the Mo Group were under Mo Qingli’s control.

Mo Zhenbang seemed more like a hands-off patriarch.

Beside him, a gentle-mannered woman smiled warmly toward the entrance.

She was Mo Qingli’s mother, Lin Shuhan.

"Dad, Mom, we’re back," Mo Qingli said, her usually cool and regal voice now carrying a hint of girlish sweetness.

"Welcome back," Lin Shuhan greeted them, her gaze immediately settling on Lu Chenyuan.

She looked him up and down, her eyes brimming with the satisfaction of a mother-in-law appraising her future son-in-law.

"Chenyuan, come in and sit. It’s been so long since we last saw you at the old master’s birthday banquet—you really should visit more often."

"Uncle, Auntie, it’s good to see you," Lu Chenyuan greeted politely, presenting the gifts.

"You didn’t have to bring anything, but thank you," Lin Shuhan said warmly as she accepted them, ushering him to sit.

Mo Zhenbang glanced up at Lu Chenyuan, giving a slight nod in acknowledgment before returning his focus to the tea set.

But Lu Chenyuan could feel a sharp gaze lingering on him—scrutinizing, probing, with a trace of something else… wariness.

He knew this wouldn’t be an easy hurdle.

Though Mo Zhenbang was of a younger generation than Lu Chengsi, he had been a contemporary of the Lu family patriarch.

Despite his mild appearance, the fact that he had elevated the Mo family to its current stature spoke of a mind and skill far beyond the ordinary.

The Mo family’s approach to nurturing successors was indeed unique.

Not only had Mo Zhenbang competed on equal footing with Lu Chengsi, but while Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli had taken over their respective family businesses around the same time, Lu Chenyuan faced constant constraints within the Lu Corporation, whereas Mo Qingli had long since consolidated absolute authority in the Mo Group.

The difference was stark.

"Tea," Mo Zhenbang said, sliding a freshly brewed cup toward Lu Chenyuan.

The aroma was rich and inviting.

"Thank you, Uncle," Lu Chenyuan said, taking a sip.

"Yuanlong Tech’s recent moves have been… bold," Mo Zhenbang finally spoke.

He didn’t ask about personal matters—his opening salvo was strictly business.

"Open-sourcing the 'Nuwa' model is like giving away a gold mine. Many say you’re too idealistic, that you don’t understand commerce."

"The business world is a battlefield. A poor general exhausts his army. If you hand out the blueprints to your most advanced weapons, how do you expect to fight future wars?"

His question was deceptively soft, yet it struck at the heart of the matter.

Lin Shuhan shot her husband a concerned glance, but Mo Qingli remained composed, silently watching, trusting Lu Chenyuan to respond.

Lu Chenyuan set down his cup, his expression unruffled.

"Uncle, the wars of the future won’t be won by a single advanced weapon."

"They’ll be won by standards. By ecosystems."

"What I’ve given away isn’t a weapon’s blueprint—it’s the philosophy behind its creation. When everyone builds weapons using my philosophy, they’ll never escape the standards I’ve set. I’ll decide what steel they use, what caliber, even when they’re allowed to fire."

"What I’ve surrendered is a single city. What I want is the entire world."

His voice was quiet, yet every word carried weight.

The room fell silent.

Mo Zhenbang studied Lu Chenyuan, surprise flickering in his eyes for the first time.

He had expected Lu Chenyuan to justify himself with market potential or commercial value.

Instead, the young man’s vision was even broader than he’d imagined.

He wasn’t aiming to be a tycoon—he wanted to be the architect of the rules themselves.

After a pause, Mo Zhenbang pressed further.

"Aren’t you afraid of nurturing a rival? A country like A Nation’s Strahl isn’t to be underestimated. Pave the road for them, and they might outpace you."

"No," Lu Chenyuan answered without hesitation.

"Setting everything else aside, the most crucial point is this," he met Mo Zhenbang’s gaze squarely,

"Future competition won’t be between one company and another. It’ll be between one ecosystem and another. Yuanlong and the Mo Group—together, we represent Xia Nation’s most advanced ecosystem in new energy and artificial intelligence. That ecosystem can withstand any external challenge."

He had deftly drawn the Mo family into his vision.

This wasn’t flattery—it was fact.

Mo Zhenbang’s gaze finally softened.

He lifted his own teacup and took a sip.

"Qingli’s judgment comes from me. Good."

The seemingly offhand praise sent a ripple of relief through the room.

It was recognition—the highest form of approval from the Mo family’s patriarch.

Lin Shuhan beamed, quickly interjecting,

"Enough about business! Let’s eat. Qingli, I made your favorite—sweet and sour ribs."

Dinner was warm and harmonious.

Mo Zhenbang asked no more about commerce, instead chatting about everyday things—Lu Chenyuan’s hobbies, whether work was taxing.

Like any ordinary father getting to know his daughter’s partner.

Lu Chenyuan answered each question, though the warmth felt unfamiliar.

In his past life, he had been an orphan.

In this one, Lu Chengsi’s regard had been one of expectation and duty, while Lu Mingye saw him only as a tool.

Aside from Lou Mengling, this was the first time Lu Chenyuan had experienced such pure, familial care.

By the meal’s end, a quiet warmth had settled in his chest.

As they prepared to leave, Mo Zhenbang escorted them to the door.

"Qingli has always been strong-willed. Once she sets her mind to something, no one can change it," he said, his words weighted with meaning as he looked at Lu Chenyuan.

"I’ll leave her in your hands."

"You have my word, Uncle," Lu Chenyuan vowed solemnly.

In the car ride back, Lu Chenyuan felt an unfamiliar lightness.

It was as if a missing piece of his life had finally slotted into place.

"So? Did my father give you a hard time when I wasn’t looking?" Mo Qingli teased.

"No," Lu Chenyuan shook his head. "Your father… is a good man."

Gazing out at the city lights, he realized Jingzhou’s nights didn’t feel quite so cold anymore.