"S-sir Lu!"
Long Jinjing was shocked to see Lu Zihao's grandfather. She jumped off the stool so fast that she almost stumbled to the floor. Fortunately, she was able to hold on to the kitchen counter just in time to save herself from falling flat on her face.
Embarrassment flooded her due to her clumsiness, especially in front of her boyfriend's grandfather and subordinates. Although Lu Zihao was only her temporary boyfriend for a month, the two of them were still treating their relationship as something official. In fact, she sometimes felt like he was treating their arrangement more seriously than her.
Just last week, her mother caught the two of them together in her condo unit. She was only wearing a robe that time while he exited the bedroom with a mere towel wrapped around his waist. It was obvious just by looking at them what they had been doing.
Now, it appeared that it was Lu Zihao's grandfather's turn to catch her staying in Lu Zihao's penthouse. On a brighter note, at least she was wearing full clothes and Lu Zihao wasn't in sight showing off his half-naked state. And on an even brighter note, at least nobody caught the two of them in the actual act of having sex.
Long Jinjing wanted to cry. Needless to say, she was not prepared at all to handle this kind of awkward situations. So embarrassing!
"Careful, girl!" the old man's deep voice boomed throughout the penthouse.
He rushed towards her with long, energetic strides. His movements were nothing like that of an old man at all. Then he grasped her arm and lifted her up easily as if she weighed nothing to him. In this sense, he was exactly the same as his grandson. Both were extremely strong people.
"T-thank you, Sir Lu," Long Jinjing said in a soft, embarrassed voice. She could feel the heat spreading on her face and neck.
He narrowed his eyes at her and pretended to act angry. "Why are you still calling this old man Sir Lu? Are we still strangers? I want to know! Especially now that I learn that you've become the girlfriend of that pinheaded grandson of mine! What did I tell you and that Fei girl to call me before?"
"Oh, I…G-grandpa Lu," she whispered, unable to look at the old man in the eyes. Her voice was filled with shyness. She felt like a little girl who did something naughty in front of the respected elder.
"Bahahaha! Good girl! Don't forget to call me Grandpa Lu from now on or this old man will be very sad!" Then in a gentler voice, he told her, "Now raise your head and look at me. Grandpa wants to see your beautiful face."
Despite her overwhelming shyness, she still obeyed and carefully raised her head and looked at Grandpa Lu, only to find him grinning at her. His happiness was obvious and she couldn't help but become infected by it. Without realizing it, she also started smiling.
Grandpa Lu turned to the other two people who were standing silently by the side. "Shunnosuke, Robilyn, start arranging the food on the dining table. I don't know about you young ones but this old man is already hungry! The food you ordered smells good. Good job, Shunnosuke!"
If it wasn't for Grandpa Lu's reminder, Long Jinjing might have already completely forgotten about the take-out dinner and the fact that both Shun and Robin were still present. The two were just like their boss, Lu Zihao. They were all able to move without making any sound. Sometimes, she wouldn't even know that they were in the same room as her because they were so silent.
She smiled at them in shy amusement and asked, "Shunnosuke? Robilyn? Are those your real names?"
Shun cleared his throat. "Not exactly my real name, Miss Jinjing. But yes, Shun is short for Shunnosuke. I'm originally from Japan, in case you're wondering."
Long Jinjing was surprised at the information. She turned to Robin next with an expectant expression on her face. However, the other woman only smiled at her without saying anything and proceeded to start getting the dining table ready. Long Jinjing got the hint and stopped asking.
"I'll help," she said and was about to join them at preparing the dining table but Shun blocked her.
"No, Miss. Please let us handle the table. Why don't you stay here and chat with Grandfather Boss? Robin and I will be quick."
"But—"
"Jinjing girl, you don't want to chat with this old man? How come? I want to know!" Grandpa Lu tried sounding pitiful but it didn't work because of his booming voice and the clear mischievous amusement glinting in his sharp eyes.
"I…no, that's n-not it, Grandpa Lu!" Long Jinjing said in a hurry. "Of course, I want to chat with you. I just…uhm, wanted to help set the table…."
"Bahahaha! I was just teasing you, Jinjing my girl! You really are such a good, nice and very kind young lady! I'm so relieved to know that my pinheaded grandson finally decided to follow my good taste in women!"
Long Jinjing paused and frowned a little but still smiled and asked in her most casual tone, "What do you mean by that, Grandpa Lu? Zihao had poor taste in women before?"
The old man made a face. "Don't mind that boy's past girlfriends. Those women are nothing compared to you, my girl! What's important is that you and my Haohao are together now."
Her frown deepened but she still forced herself to smile before nodding.