Chapter 82: Switching to the Profession of Matchmaker

"Haolei... my parents want to meet you!"

When Lu Ming saw Haolei, he lowered his head, his words stumbling and awkward, his face flushed with embarrassment, looking for all the world like a child who had done something wrong.

Haolei was puzzled as to why Lu Ming's parents suddenly wanted to see her. Had Lu Ming actually mentioned her to them? But wasn’t Zhang Shen upstairs to treat his mother’s illness?

A flurry of thoughts darted through Haolei’s mind.

Beside her, Ye Qiong nudged Haolei with her elbow and whispered, "Ms. Hao, maybe it's a good thing!"

Ye Qiong’s toothy grin left Haolei with mixed feelings. Still, since she’d come to the Lu household, and the parents themselves had called her by name, it would be rude not to meet them.

"Alright," she agreed.

Her answer was like a shot of adrenaline for Lu Ming. "Let’s go up quickly!"

For a moment, Lu Ming was almost giddy—whether with budding affection or some long-laid plan, it was hard to tell. Without thinking, he grabbed Haolei’s hand and led her straight upstairs.

Haolei didn’t resist the sudden contact. Now, with only Ye Qiong and Wang Ying left in the hall—marveling at the Lu family’s estate and wondering why some are simply born to such luxury—she allowed herself to be led away.

Upstairs, as Lu Ming reached for the door, Haolei hesitated.

Lu Ming noticed and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"I’m... not ready yet," she replied.

Lu Ming couldn’t help but find this amusing; it was the first time he’d ever seen Haolei flustered.

"Don’t worry, my parents are very easy to get along with."

Even as he reassured her, his words hinted at the challenges Haolei might face inside.

Lu Ming gave her two gentle pats on the back, then opened the door, still holding her hand.

"Mom, Dad, the person you wanted to meet is here!"

His announcement rang with pride and satisfaction.

Haolei, who had been standing behind Lu Ming, had no choice but to step forward at his words.

"Uncle, Aun—"

She barely got the words out before noticing Wang Xiaoli lying in bed, her eyes covered in bandages.

Though Haolei was a medical school lecturer, her expertise was mostly theoretical. Seeing Wang Xiaoli like this, her mind leapt first to images of Lady Jiang from the classic tales of gods and demons.

"Haolei, don’t be alarmed, this is my mother. I forgot to warn you before we came in," Lu Ming said reassuringly.

Zhang Shen, however, couldn’t help but interject.

"Mr. Lu, I have to say something here. When I came in, you remembered to warn me, but you forgot with Ms. Hao—was that on purpose?"

He was trying to smooth things over for Haolei, hoping Lu Ming’s parents wouldn’t misunderstand her initial reaction.

Wang Xiaoli understood the surprise on a stranger’s first meeting, and took no offense at Haolei’s reaction.

"Don’t worry, dear," she said, her tone calming both Haolei and Lu Ming. Lu Ming knew then that his mother bore no grudge.

"I’m sorry, Auntie, I was startled," Haolei apologized, catching Lu Ming’s eye and signaling him. Lu Ming leaned in and whispered, "I’ll explain everything later."

"Come closer, dear, let me have a look at you," Wang Xiaoli called.

As a mother, she wanted to scrutinize the girl who might become her son’s partner.

"How did you and my son meet?"

"We work at the same university, so..."

Haolei, more used to questioning students than answering questions herself, felt awkward under such direct family scrutiny for the first time.

"What about your family?"

"My father and mother..."

"Mom, what are you doing, conducting an interrogation?" Lu Ming protested, finding his mother’s questions a bit too much for a first meeting.

"You rascal, let your mother finish. Don’t make such a fuss," Lu Guofu said knowingly.

"And how do you feel about Ming?"

This, of course, was the question Wang Xiaoli cared about most. She and Lu Guofu had only one son; once they were gone, his partner’s affection would be all the more important.

"He’s alright..." Haolei replied, her cheeks turning as red as rouge.

Seeing her shy demeanor, Wang Xiaoli was reminded of her own youth. She turned to Lu Guofu, "And you?"

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Lu Guofu. What he said next would decide Lu Ming’s happiness.

Lu Ming and Haolei clasped each other’s hands tightly.

At last, Lu Guofu spoke, "Ms. Hao, our family has only Lu Ming, so I hope you won’t mind my wife’s questions. From your answers, we can see you like Lu Ming. I believe my wife has already seen it clearly. So, on behalf of the Lu family, I agree to this marriage. When would you like to invite your parents over? The two families can pick a date together."

Lu Ming could hardly contain himself. "Dad, do you mean it?"

"Would I lie to you?"

"Haolei, did you hear that? My parents agree!"

Haolei was astonished. She hadn’t expected that a single meeting and a brief conversation would be enough for Lu Ming’s parents to consent to their union.

"Well, this is truly a double celebration today!" Zhang Shen exclaimed, looking at the joyful gathering.

"Double celebration?" The Lu couple were puzzled.

He laughed, "Seeing your son’s future settled, it’s as if Mrs. Lu has forgotten all about her illness!"

Only then did Lu Guofu realize that, in seeking the miracle doctor for Wang Xiaoli’s treatment, he’d ended up playing matchmaker instead.

"Doctor, forgive me. Please, attend to my wife first."

"Of course," Zhang Shen replied.

Lu Guofu said, "Ming, take Ms. Hao downstairs. The doctor will handle things here."