Xu Xingxing put her phone away after a few glances.
She was a commoner at heart, though the reality was a bit more complicated. Pregnant before marriage was a fact, and dwelling on the hateful comments online was just asking for trouble.
Just as she was about to coax her daughter back to sleep, a loud *dong dong dong* echoed from the door.
The force of the knocks made the walls tremble slightly.
Xu Xingxing seemed to guess what was happening, and her face instantly turned pale.
Laifu poked her head out, "Mommy, aren't you going to open the door?"
"No, no!" Xu Xingxing stopped her. "Don't open it."
Laifu, not understanding, blinked her bewildered big eyes and buried her head in her mother's arms.
Mother and daughter held each other, like a small boat adrift and helpless, battered by the storm outside the door.
The voice outside persisted. The soundproofing in the old house was terrible, and Xu Xingxing could even hear the man's vulgar curses.
She could only cover her daughter's ears in a futile attempt.
After an unknown amount of time, the commotion outside suddenly quieted down.
Xu Xingxing had a premonition of unease. She lowered her head, "Wait for me here, Mom will go see."
Laifu nodded obediently.
Xu Xingxing got out of bed, cautiously gripping the doorknob, unsure if the person outside had left.
She took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.
Then, in the next second, she was stunned by the scene before her.
Lu Cong gripped Xu Father's wrist as he swung it through the air, his usually good-natured face showing obvious anger.
Hearing the sound, both of them turned their heads.
Xu Father quickly cried out, "This is outrageous! Murder! What are you standing there for, you unfilial girl? Hurry up and save your old man!"
Lu Cong's brow furrowed. If he hadn't arrived in time, this old man would have already broken down the door.
And now, he was putting on an act and begging for mercy?
A surge of resentment welled up in his heart. He pushed Xu Xingxing back and shut the door, saying, "Don't come out."
Xu Xingxing stared at the closed door, still unable to fully process the situation, her heart pounding.
Both people she didn't want to see had appeared at the same time!
But from Lu Sanshao's demeanor, it didn't seem like he was there to settle accounts with her.
Xu Xingxing felt a mix of confusion and curiosity, wanting to know what they were doing outside the door.
She quietly pressed herself against the door, ears perked, listening to the commotion outside.
Outside the door.
Lu Cong frowned, his face filled with disgust. "From now on, you are forbidden to harass them ever again!"
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, it would have been hard to believe that such a father existed, one who hurled the dirtiest and most malicious words in the world at his own daughter. It was truly outrageous!
Xu Father cried out in pain. Having mingled in high society for some time, he recognized Lu Sanshao. Although he didn't know why this unfilial girl was connected to Lu Sanshao, he knew he had to seize this opportunity if Lu Sanshao was helping him.
Xu Father quickly laid out his terms, "You want me to stop coming? Fine! Give me money!"
Lu Cong narrowed his eyes. "Money, is it?"
Hearing this implied that there was room for negotiation, Xu Father immediately put on a smarmy face and said, "Yes, just give me money, and I'll leave immediately."
Lu Cong let out a cold laugh, released his hand, and then made a phone call.
Xu Father rubbed his wrist, muttering to himself that this young master had quite a strong grip.
Within two minutes, two bodyguards came upstairs.
Xu Father didn't have time to react, let alone protest, before he was taken away.
Even though the man was gone, Lu Cong was still seething with anger.
If he had been a moment later, he couldn't imagine what would have happened!
Thinking of Xu Xingxing's small, delicate frame, Lu Cong felt his anger flare. How could this woman endure all of this?
He sighed, composed his expression, and raised his hand to knock on the door. "Xu Xingxing, open the door."
Xu Xingxing quickly retracted her head, her teeth instinctively biting her lip. She really didn't want to open the door...
It seemed the Lu family already knew about Laifu's existence.
But hiding wouldn't help.
She slowly twisted the doorknob and moved aside.
Lu Cong entered, closed the door behind him, and his gaze landed on her face. "I think we need to talk."
His tone was not heavy, and his aura was not fierce.
But perhaps he was too angry, and to Xu Xingxing, his words sounded no different than "Xu Xingxing, you're finished."
Xu Xingxing flinched, feeling inexplicably guilty. She pleaded, "Can we talk not in front of Laifu?"
Lu Cong followed her gaze. Laifu was hiding her head under the covers.
Lu Cong glanced at the room, which was visible at a glance, and said with an unyielding tone, "Come with me."
Clearly, Xu Xingxing had no choice but to refuse. She nodded. "Wait for me, I'll pack a few clothes."
"No need," Lu Cong interrupted her.
Half an hour later, at a private villa owned by Lu Cong.
He insisted she didn't need to bring anything, and indeed, that was the case.
The spacious living room was filled with toys that children loved, and even a small indoor playground.
Laifu's sleepy eyes lit up instantly.
Xu Xingxing put her down. "Can you play by yourself? Mommy needs to talk to Uncle for a bit."
Laifu's eyes were full of curiosity for the new things. Upon hearing this, she nodded.
Xu Xingxing watched the maid following her daughter, a pang of sadness in her heart.
Lu Cong: "Sit."
He had intended to lecture the little woman who had run off after their encounter, but now, Lu Cong felt nothing but guilt.
How irresponsible he had been! He had gained a daughter without fulfilling any parental duties.
Xu Xingxing sat down. She didn't blame Lu Cong, as what happened back then was an accident.
"I... I want to keep Laifu with me," she said proactively.
Lu Cong knew what she was worried about. He looked at her flustered expression, her fair cheeks pale.
His heart stirred, and he felt a strange tenderness.
But he still said, "Laifu is my daughter. Our Lu family will not let her live out in the cold."
As his words fell, Xu Xingxing's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Her face was devoid of color, and her body seemed about to collapse.
Lu Cong was startled by her reaction. He quickly sat down beside her, bent over to get a tissue, and wiped her tears, appearing quite flustered.
"Why are you crying?"
Xu Xingxing's voice was hoarse. "Can you not take Laifu away from me... She's all I have left..."
Lu Cong looked somewhat helpless. "I haven't finished speaking yet. If you're willing, I hope you'll stay too."
Xu Xingxing froze, meeting his gaze.
They were very close, their breaths mingling, as if returning to that night four years ago.
Xu Xingxing's cheeks involuntarily flushed, and she couldn't quite believe it. "What do you mean...?"
"If you're willing, how about giving me a chance?" Lu Cong's expression was serious, his tone sincere.
His puppy-dog eyes, glistening with unshed tears, were incredibly endearing.
Before, he had only played around.
But now, he had someone he wanted to protect.
He didn't know what this feeling was, but he wanted to be good to Xu Xingxing. Not just because she was the child's mother, but because she was Xu Xingxing.
She had endured so much hardship. If he, Lu Cong, didn't help her get justice, what kind of man would he be?
It was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, creating ripples.
Xu Xingxing turned her head away and said in a low voice, "My mother has already passed away. I have a father... you met him just now. I have no connection with them anymore."
"I know," Lu Cong interrupted her. "I know everything. Give me a chance to protect you and our daughter, Xu Xingxing."
He had already decided. If Xu Xingxing refused, he would... he would kneel and beg her...!
Xu Xingxing looked into his eyes unprepared. There was an unreserved sincerity there. Perhaps it was his earnest attitude.
Xu Xingxing felt that she had no reason to refuse.
Besides, Laifu needed a father's love...
She lowered her head, revealing a slender white neck, her voice soft and gentle. "Okay..."
Just as Lu Cong was about to say something, he saw Laifu excitedly run over, holding a toy. "Mommy! Look at this toy!"
Both of them turned to look, their expressions equally gentle.
That evening, the mother and daughter stayed there.
Simultaneously, Lu Cong issued a statement proving that Xu Xingxing was not pregnant out of wedlock, but rather that they preferred to keep their private lives private, and the widespread speculation was due to his lack of consideration.
Now that it was public, Xu Xingxing would return to the music industry. He hoped netizens would not target his family.
This statement immediately turned the tide of public opinion online.
Here, with the help of the maids, childcare was made easier for her.
But Lu Cong seemed to see through her inner unease. Regarding all matters concerning Laifu, he still consulted Xu Xingxing.
At night, Laifu still slept with Xu Xingxing.
When Xu Xingxing came out of the bathroom after showering, Laifu was excitedly bouncing on the bed. "Mommy! Uncle prepared a gift for you!"
Xu Xingxing followed Laifu's gaze towards the wall and was stunned.
Leaning against the wall was a guitar. It had a slightly worn look and was engraved with the characters "xxx."
This was not special in itself, but it was the reward Xu Xingxing had received when she first participated in a competition.
It was proof of her genuine victory, encouragement, and a partner who had fought alongside her.
Xu Xingxing always brought this guitar to her tours.
But when she was at her most desperate, Xu Xingxing had sold it...
Now, it was back in her life.
A warm current flowed into Xu Xingxing's heart. She bent down, picked up the guitar, tuned the strings, and then sat by the bed.
"Laifu, he's not your Uncle. From now on, you have to call him Daddy," Xu Xingxing said gently to her daughter.
Laifu blinked her big eyes. "Really? Is he really my Daddy?"
"Yes."
"Then why is he only appearing now?"
"Because... Mommy will tell you a story. Lie down obediently first."
"Okay!"
Outside the door, Lu Cong, who had been about to knock, withdrew his hand and put it in his pockets.
At this moment, he suddenly felt a sense of fulfillment in his life.
He took out his phone and walked downstairs. "Brother Xiu, from now on, I have a wife too!"
Before Ji Zhixiu could reply, he quickly hung up and dialed another number. "Chang Qin, this handsome guy also has a wife! Do you understand? The value of having a wife!"
...
Author's Note: All right, Lu Cong's extra chapter ends here. Our Lu Sanshao can be irresistible when he's deeply devoted, right? Lu Cong is fundamentally a simple and gentle person. He speaks and acts righteously but isn't foolish.
Xu Xingxing is a girl who has been hurt by her family but is resilient and independent.
When they are together, Lu Cong will definitely protect her. The two of them will build a beautiful marriage.