Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

At 9 p.m., the black Rolls-Royce convoy slowly climbed up Taiping Mountain Road, passing through dense foliage and sparse streetlights, and finally stopped in front of the wrought iron gate of the Lu Family Manor.

The manor's lights shone warmly in the night, casting a warm yellow carpet onto the neatly manicured lawn through the floor-to-ceiling windows. After the car came to a stop, Lu Chen opened the door, and the sea breeze, carrying the unique scent of the mountains and forests, rushed in, slightly diluting the lingering smells of cigars and champagne from the banquet.

Mary, the housekeeper, was already waiting at the door. When Lu Chen walked up the steps, she bowed slightly and took his suit jacket.

"Sir, Madam said she's keeping some hangover soup warm for you in the kitchen."

"Okay." Lu Chen nodded and was about to walk inside when he suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps coming from the living room.

"dad--!"

A small figure ran from the end of the corridor, its two short legs moving quickly, unlike the stumbling and staggering of its peers.

Two-year-old Lu Qian was wearing a light blue cotton pajama set. A tuft of hair on his head bounced up and down with the rhythm of his running. He had a bright smile on his face and kept calling out "Daddy" as he ran.

Behind him, two shadows followed closely—Cola and Sprite rushed over excitedly, their tails wagging like two small propellers. But judging from their appearance, they had clearly been thoroughly exhausted by their little master tonight.

The two dogs' once fluffy and soft fur was now a mess, as if it had just been swept by a tornado. A few strands of hair, just like Lu Qian's, stuck up on their heads, making them look rather disheveled.

But the two dogs clearly didn't care at all; their eyes were bright, their mouths were wide open, and they looked like they were having a great time.

Upon seeing this, Lu Chen's weariness vanished almost instantly. He bent down and scooped up little Lu Qian, who had rushed towards him.

The little guy was lifted into the air, letting out a clear laugh, his little hands waving wildly in the air. Lu Chen held him steadily in his arms and kissed his rosy little face.

"Qianzai, have you been listening to your mother?"

"I heard you!" Lu Qian replied in a childish, clear voice.

But then, the little guy's nose twitched, and he frowned, as if he had smelled something he didn't like. He turned his head away, a pitiful expression on his face, and muttered softly, "Daddy... stinks."

Lu Chen burst into laughter at his son's expression, a cheerful atmosphere filling the spacious living room. He deliberately moved his face closer to his son's: "Does it smell bad? Dad doesn't think so?"

"Stinky!" Little Lu Qian resolutely turned his head to the side, but still didn't let go. His two little arms were still tightly wrapped around Lu Chen's neck. He said he was disgusted, but his body was very honest and he couldn't bear to let go.

Just then, soft footsteps came from the direction of the stairs.

Ruan Mei came downstairs wearing a plain-colored loungewear dress with a thin cardigan draped over it. Her hair was simply pulled back, with a few stray strands falling beside her ears. Despite her plain face, she remained gentle and charming. Seeing the father and son playing around in the living room, a smile unconsciously appeared on her face.

"You're back?" She walked to Lu Chen's side and reached out to take Lu Qian's hand. "You must be tired. There's some hangover soup simmering in the kitchen. I'll get you a bowl."

"No rush." ​​Lu Chen didn't hand his son over; instead, he stepped aside. "Wait a bit before you drink."

Ruan Mei gave him a reproachful look, but still reached out and took Lu Qian from her: "Look at you, you smell of smoke and alcohol on you, don't let it bother the child."

Lu Chen smiled but did not refute. He stood there, watching Ruan Mei put Lu Qian on the sofa, tidy her son's messy hair, and then turn around and bring out a white porcelain bowl from the kitchen. The bowl was steaming, and you could smell a faint aroma of vinegar and ginger from a distance.

"Here, the temperature is just right." Ruan Mei walked down the last step and handed the porcelain bowl to Lu Chen.

The warmth of the bowl seeped through his palms, pleasant but not scalding. He glanced down at the clear broth, then looked up at Ruan Mei, a hint of a smile in his eyes: "You're the one feeding me."

Ruan Mei was stunned for a moment, then a faint blush rose on her cheeks.

She glanced at Lu Qian, who was staring at her parents with wide eyes in her arms, and pursed her lips somewhat shyly: "The child is watching."

"Fine, I'll just watch," Lu Chen said, standing there with his bowl in hand, displaying a childlike quality he only showed at home. "After a long day out, if I have to come home and even drink my own soup, what's the point of me coming back?"

Seeing Lu Chen's "rascal" appearance, Ruan Mei's gaze softened, like honey melting in warm water.

"You..." Ruan Mei said softly, her tone tinged with reproach.

She sat down next to Lu Chen, gently stirred the soup in the bowl with a spoon, blew on it, and then brought it to his lips.

"Come on, open your mouth~"

Lu Chen lowered his head and took a sip—

The temperature is just right.

The initial taste is a sweet and sour tangerine peel flavor, with a hint of ginger spiciness and the sweetness of brown sugar. It glides warmly down the throat, spreading warmth from the stomach to every part of the body.

"It tastes good."

He took another sip.

The two sat quietly, one feeding the other, the other drinking. The lamplight blended their shadows together, casting them onto the living room floor like a frozen painting.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the sofa, Xiao Luqian, who had been left sitting there, couldn't sit still any longer.

He first tugged at his father's clothes—but his father didn't react.

He shook his mother's arm again—but she ignored him.

The little guy sat on the sofa, looked at his dad on the left and then at his mom on the right, and found that both of them were staring at each other, and no one was paying any attention to him.

He pouted, sighed like a little adult, then hugged Cola's neck, buried his head in the dog's fluffy fur, and mumbled something no one could hear.

That forlorn little look was spotted by the tyrant flower following behind, who couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Qianzi, are you being neglected by your parents?" The domineering woman walked over and reached out to pat Lu Qian's head.

Xiao Luqian looked up at her, gave a pitiful "hmm," and then lowered his head again to continue hugging the cola.

Ruan Mei finally came to her senses, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she glared at Lu Chen before placing the bowl on the coffee table: "It's all your fault."

Lu Chen smiled but said nothing, picked up the bowl and drank the rest of the hangover soup in one gulp.

"Where's Lai Di?" Lu Chen asked casually, putting down his bowl.

"She's studying upstairs," Ruan Mei replied. "Although she's only a freshman, I don't know who scared her, but she's become a little afraid of the final exams at Hong Kong Island University, and she's been studying for them these past few days."

That's right, Lai Di finished her high school graduation exams this year and is now a proud university student.

Knowing there was important business, Lu Chen didn't disturb Lai Di. Instead, the few of them sat in the living room, chatting casually. Laura also came downstairs and mentioned that when she took Lu Qian for a walk in the garden that day, the little guy chased sparrows for several miles. Ruan Mei brought over a pot of freshly brewed Pu'er tea and also gave little Lu Qian two pieces of coconut milk cake.

The atmosphere was warm and peaceful.

Just then, the cell phone on the coffee table in the corner of the living room suddenly vibrated, buzzing on the wooden tabletop and interrupting the warm conversation.

Lu Chen glanced at the caller ID—

Sofia.

So he picked up his phone and pressed the answer button.

"Feed?"

"Darling—"

Sofia's voice came from the other end of the phone, her tone a half-tone higher than usual, filled with barely suppressed excitement and joy.

"I have some great news to tell you! Fantastic news!"

Lu Chen leaned back on the sofa, a slight smile playing on his lips: "What good news? You acquired Rothschild Bank?"

"Much more important than that!" Sofia's voice was tinged with laughter, then she took a deep breath, as if to pour out all her joy at once—

"I am pregnant."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone; even the radio waves seemed to soften.

The lights in the living room were still bright, and the steam from the tea was slowly rising. In the distance, one could hear Lu Qian muttering to himself while holding a can of cola. Outside the window was the tranquil night view of Victoria Peak.

"real?!"