Volume 1 Chapter 19: Lu Mingxi Avenges Mommy

The thought of Lu Xiaoman gifting him those sneakers years ago left Shang Linyuan with a complex swirl of emotions.

No wonder she had never given him anything else since.

He had been the one to reject her, and he had wronged her.

"Man... Xiaoman, I'm sorry," he apologized in a low voice.

Beside them, Xinxin stared in shock.

*Uncle is actually saying 'sorry' to someone?*

The fact that her uncle could admit a mistake and apologize was monumental news. She had to tell her great-grandmother when she got home, and call her grandparents too!

Lu Xiaoman hadn't expected Shang Linyuan to apologize so readily. She had harbored some resentment, but hearing that apology made her feel uneasy.

In truth, Shang Linyuan had never mistreated her, apart from being strict about her studies and daily life.

During those three years of high school, even though her family had fallen into decline, her treatment had never suffered—if anything, it had been better than before.

Her food, clothing, housing, and transportation were all handled by specialists Shang Linyuan had appointed. Compared to the other wealthy classmates in her school, what she used and ate was superior to theirs.

"It's fine, it's all in the past, and I never really blamed you," Lu Xiaoman said, not daring to look at the man across from her.

"Then... could you give me another pair?"

Lu Xiaoman looked up in surprise, thinking she had misunderstood.

But seeing the earnest look in his eyes, she realized he wasn't joking.

Seven or eight years had passed; he probably didn't even play basketball anymore, so why would he want sneakers? Besides, how could someone like Shang Linyuan be short of a pair of sneakers?

Back then, she was just a sophomore in high school, naively wanting to offer her heart to him, wishing for him to see it, without ever considering the consequences.

Now, she would never do anything so foolish again.

Lu Xiaoman turned to her son, who was busy eating. "Xiao Xi, are you full? Mommy has things to do, let's go."

Without waiting for his answer, she nudged his arm, signaling it was time to leave.

Shang Linyuan’s expression flickered.

Lu Mingxi was quite perceptive this time. He looked up and smiled at Shang Linyuan. "Uncle, thank you for the treat. Next time, let Mommy treat you to a big meal."

*Lu Xiaoman:* There was really no need to make decisions for me.

"Alright, I'll wait for your mommy to treat me to that big meal," Shang Linyuan said, his lips curling slightly.

Lu Xiaoman didn't dare respond; she grabbed her son’s hand, desperate to leave.

Just as she stood up, a glass of ice-cold water was poured over her head.

Everyone was stunned.

A waiter stood frozen behind Lu Xiaoman, holding a tray, his face pale with panic.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

The waiter looked young and was frantic. "Ma'am, please don't report me. I’ll compensate you. How much was your outfit..."

Lu Xiaoman stood rooted to the spot.

Water mixed with shards of ice streamed down her cheeks, collecting at the tip of her chin before dripping onto her chest.

Her silk blouse was soaked, turning translucent. Drops of water slid from her hair into her collar, tracing down her spine and making her shiver.

Someone nearby let out a low laugh. Even though they tried to suppress it, the sound carried over.

At a corner not far away, another pair of eyes watched the scene.

As they looked at the bedraggled woman drenched in water, a triumphant, cold smile slowly spread across their face.

*Bitch, you brought this on yourself!*

All Lu Xiaoman wanted now was to get out of there; she didn't want Shang Linyuan to see her in this state.

"Get your manager here."

As the low voice spoke, a warm jacket was draped over Lu Xiaoman’s shoulders.

Immediately, she was pulled into a broad, warm embrace.

"It’s alright. Leave this to me."

His voice carried a soothing quality, just like that rainy night many years ago.

Back then, she had been targeted by a group of thugs who claimed her father owed them money and demanded her body as collateral.

At the critical moment, it was he who arrived and saved her from them.

Lu Xiaoman shivered uncontrollably.

She felt Shang Linyuan pull her closer.

The heat radiating from the man felt like a warm tide, seeping through their clothing and soothing her frozen limbs.

Subconsciously, she leaned into his embrace.

Feeling the woman in his arms move, Shang Linyuan’s tense lips softened, but when he looked at the restaurant manager rushing over, his expression turned icy.

"Mr. Shang, I'm so sorry, we didn't know you were here..." the manager stammered.

"Find out exactly what happened."

The manager quickly glanced at the woman in Shang Linyuan's arms.

He couldn't see her face clearly, but he could tell that Shang Linyuan valued her highly.

*Could she be Mr. Shang's girlfriend?*

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Chu. I will fire this employee immediately. I am so sorry for the grievance caused to you. Please be magnanimous; we will definitely strengthen staff training in the future to improve our service quality and never let the trust you and Mr. Shang have placed in our restaurant go to waste."

The manager was experienced and knew how to spin a situation.

He knew that there was only one woman by Shang Linyuan's side, and for all these years, he had only ever acknowledged Chu Yan.

He deliberately flattered Chu Yan to satisfy her vanity, hoping that if she were willing to let it go, Shang Linyuan wouldn't pursue the matter further.

When he finished speaking, Shang Linyuan’s face darkened even further.

The manager didn't know which part he had gotten wrong and was too terrified to say another word.

Lu Mingxi had long since disliked this manager for apologizing to the wrong person; he wanted to avenge his mommy.

He climbed onto the chair beside the manager. Even standing on the chair, the boy was only at the manager's eye level.

He stood on his tiptoes and poured the lemon water he was holding directly over the manager's head.

"Ah..." the manager shrieked in shock.

When he turned and saw it was a five-year-old boy, his eyes widened with rage.

"You little brat, why did you pour water on me? Where are your parents? Call them out here!"

Lu Mingxi clapped his hands and shrugged with an innocent look.

"A tooth for a tooth; we're even now."

The manager was soaked, and his already thinning hair was matted together, revealing a large patch of bare scalp.

Some onlookers couldn't help but chuckle.

Shamed and furious, the manager lost his temper. He viciously grabbed Lu Mingxi’s arm and cursed, "You little bastard, call your parents here right now, or I won't let you get away with this!"

"You're a big bully! You're hurting me!" Lu Mingxi cried out in pain.

Seeing Lu Mingxi still daring to talk back, the manager raised his massive, fan-like hand to strike.

"Xiao Xi!" Lu Xiaoman’s heart stopped.

At that critical moment, a large hand clamped down on the manager's arm.

"Do you have a death wish? Daring to hit a child."

The manager turned, and seeing it was Shang Linyuan, he was so terrified he nearly wet himself, not daring to resist.

Shang Linyuan tightened his grip, causing the manager to howl in pain. "It hurts, it hurts! Mr. Shang, please be magnanimous, have mercy on me..."