856 Babe (2/2)
”It was actually my grandfather who beat good manners into me while I was a little boy. My parents were both free-spirited people and they were often gone travelling in other countries and pursuing their own passions while I was growing up. My grandfather was basically the one who raised me, so he was more of my parent than my own parents.”
”Oh! Then you must be very close to your grandfather.”
Lu Zihao's roguish smile turned gentle. There was even a touch of sadness in his expression. ”I was—I am.”
”Sir Lu Jianhong is indeed a great man,” Sun Jingfei said.
A deep furrow formed between Long Jinjing's brows as she stared at Lu Zihao in disbelief. Something wasn't right. He was acting too out of character. It was as if…he turned into a completely different person. Even his aura felt different. What was happening? It didn't feel like he was acting, unlike his deliberate ”surprise” at seeing her mother earlier when he came out of the bedroom half-naked.
He turned to her next and pulled out another chair. ”Why are you still standing there? Come here, babe. Let's eat breakfast or you'll be late for work.”
B-babe? She shuddered. Something was definitely wrong with him!
”Jing'er, stop dazing around,” her mother reprimanded. ”Zihao is right. Hurry up and let's eat. It's rude to keep others waiting at the table. The food will get cold.”
”Y-yes, Mom.” She sat down on the chair while looking warily at Lu Zihao.
They began eating.
”The food is delicious, Auntie,” he said, making Sun Jingfei giggle again. Then he put more food on Long Jinjing's plate. ”Babe, you need to eat a lot so you'll have energy to work today. You mentioned that Orchidia Beauty will be busy until the end of the year.”
Long Jinjing continued to stare at him in disbelief. Goosebumps popped up all over her skin. Wasn't he the one who said that he disliked saying sweet, mushy things? He even added it to his terms in their agreement. Why was he calling her ”babe”? Was he possessed? This wasn't the Lu Zihao—no, the Nikolai that she knew!
”Are y-you okay?” she asked him in a hesitant voice.
He raised his eyebrows in confusion which still looked charming. ”What do you mean? Of course, I'm okay.”
”Jing'er, what's wrong with you?” Sun Jingfei asked, interrupting the two. ”You've only eaten two bites. Time is ticking. Eat more before you get ready for work.”
”Y-yes, Mom.” Long Jinjing began eating but continued to steal glances at Lu Zihao.
He caught her and flashed her with a bright smile. The smile was so brilliant that it almost blinded her but it made her feel cold all over.