The stiff atmosphere that should have surrounded Shen Qingyu’s arrival cracked before it could fully form.

Some guests had prepared cautious smiles. Some had prepared polite distance. Some had prepared silence.

But no one had prepared for Lu Yiheng.

Xiao Nian, meanwhile, had already noticed Tang Tang and Yuan Yuan.

He looked up at Shen Qingyu. “Dad, can I say hello?”

Shen Qingyu touched his head. “Go.”

Xiao Nian walked over with his rabbit suitcase.

“Hello. I’m Lu Yinian. You can call me Xiao Nian.”

Tang Tang blinked at him.

Yuan Yuan blinked too.

Then Tang Tang whispered, “You’re so cute.”

Xiao Nian’s face turned red.

Xiao Heng immediately stepped forward.

“Brother is not only cute. Brother is also emotionally intelligent.”

Tang Tang: “Oh.”

Yuan Yuan: “What is emotionally intelligent?”

Xiao Heng paused.

Then he said, “It means he understands feelings better than Father.”

Lu Jingheng: “…”

The bullet comments once again lost control.

【HAHAHAHAHAHA】

【Father was attacked from three metres away.】

【Lu Jingheng’s expression didn’t move, but I know he took damage.】

【Xiao Heng protects Brother while stabbing Father.】

【This child is a genius.】

【No, he is a disaster. A beautiful disaster.】

Shen Qingyu looked away.

His shoulders shook very slightly.

Lu Jingheng noticed.

“Are you laughing?”

“No.”

“You are.”

“President Lu, evidence.”

Lu Jingheng looked at the faint curve of his lips.

“Your mouth.”

Shen Qingyu’s smile disappeared instantly.

The bullet comments became even more excited.

【Married couple banter!】

【He said your mouth. Why does that sound…】

【Stop. This is a family show.】

【But Shen Qingyu’s lips are indeed evidence.】

【Lu Jingheng, control yourself.】

Tang Mianmian looked between them and raised an eyebrow.

Then she smiled.

Unlike the others, she had been in the entertainment industry long enough to know that fake affection usually performed loudly. Real intimacy was quieter. It lived in the casual correction of a collar, the unconscious step closer, the familiar argument, and the way Lu Jingheng stood half a step behind Shen Qingyu — not blocking him, but close enough to catch him if anything came.

Tang Mianmian walked forward first.

“Teacher Shen,” she said warmly, “I’m Tang Mianmian.”

Shen Qingyu looked at her.

After a brief pause, he nodded. “Teacher Tang.”

Tang Mianmian smiled. “No need to be so polite. After watching yesterday’s livestream, I feel like we’re already familiar.”

The surrounding air tightened.

Some guests glanced over carefully.

This was the first adult guest to directly mention yesterday.

The bullet comments also slowed.

【Tang Mianmian is brave.】

【Is she going to ask about the scandal?】

【Please don’t make it awkward.】

Shen Qingyu’s expression did not change. “Really?”

Tang Mianmian said seriously, “Yes. I already know President Lu has never successfully slept in the study.”

Lu Jingheng: “…”

Shen Qingyu: “…”

Xiao Heng nodded. “This information is accurate.”

Tang Mianmian laughed and held out her hand to Shen Qingyu.

“Welcome. I hope these three days won’t be too tiring.”

The tension dissolved.

Shen Qingyu looked at her for a second.

Then he reached out and shook her hand.

“Thank you.”

Wen Xuci also stepped forward.

His smile was gentle, his voice neither overly familiar nor distant.

“Teacher Shen, long time no see.”

Shen Qingyu looked at him.

They had once worked on the same film years ago, though they had not shared many scenes.

“Teacher Wen.”

Wen Xuci smiled. “Your sons are very interesting.”

Shen Qingyu glanced at Xiao Heng, who was currently explaining to Tang Tang why rabbit stickers were less efficient for suitcase identification than written labels.

He sighed softly. “That is one way to describe them.”

Wen Xuci laughed.

Lu Jingheng looked at him.

Quietly.

Coldly.

Wen Xuci noticed and raised his brows slightly.

The bullet comments immediately sharpened.

【Wait.】

【Lu Jingheng looked at Wen Xuci.】

【That is not a normal look.】

【Is President Lu jealous?】

【Wen Xuci and Shen Qingyu know each other?】

【Film emperor x film emperor?】

【Stop. Lu Jingheng is right there.】

【Exactly, and he looks like he wants to freeze the village.】

Shen Qingyu did not even need to look to know what Lu Jingheng’s expression was.

He turned slightly and said, “Lu Jingheng.”

“Mm.”

“Don’t release cold air.”

Lu Jingheng’s face was expressionless. “I didn’t.”

Xiao Heng looked up. “Father, your pheromone pressure increased by approximately—”

Lu Jingheng looked at him.

Xiao Heng paused.

Then changed his words.

“Emotionally, Father may require reassurance.”

Shen Qingyu: “…”

Tang Mianmian covered her mouth.

Qin Zhao turned away, shoulders shaking.

Wen Xuci smiled with interest.

Lu Jingheng remained silent.

Shen Qingyu looked at his husband for two seconds.

Then, in front of the cameras, the guests, and millions of viewers, he reached out and casually adjusted Lu Jingheng’s collar.

His fingers brushed the side of Lu Jingheng’s neck.

The movement was brief.

Natural.

Almost careless.

But Lu Jingheng’s pressure settled instantly.

Xiao Heng nodded. “Reassurance successful.”

The bullet comments exploded.

【AHHHHHHHHHHH】

【Reassurance successful!】

【Xiao Heng is the official relationship commentator.】

【Shen Qingyu adjusted his collar and President Lu became normal.】

【This is not fake. This is domesticated Enigma behaviour.】

【Domesticated Enigma HAHAHAHAHA】

【I came for drama, why am I eating dog food?】

Shen Qingyu withdrew his hand with a calm face, as if nothing had happened.

But the first meeting at the village entrance had already changed.

The guests who had been hesitant now looked at him differently.

Not completely free of bias.

Not yet.

But the distance had narrowed.

And somewhere unseen, the protagonist halo trembled again.

Because the story had wanted Shen Qingyu to arrive as an isolated villain: cold, unwelcome, judged.

Instead, he had arrived as someone loved by his husband, defended by his children, and greeted by laughter before hostility could take root.

Shen Qingyu lifted his eyes slightly.

The wind moved through the village road, carrying the scent of soil, distant cooking smoke, and winter grass.

For a moment, he felt that invisible pressure again.

The book was trying to turn the page.

He smiled faintly.

Then let it try.