Chapter 278: Chapter 278 Did You Change Your Surname? Chapter 278: Chapter 278 Did You Change Your Surname? The middle-aged man also noticed her gaze and smiled at him gently.

Lu Xining furrowed her brows, realizing that this man was the same one who had poured water for her earlier at Shang Qing’s place. Why was he with Jing Yi here?

Could it mean that Shang Qing and Jing Yi had some underlying connection?

Mu Suyu also noticed Jing Zheng.

Compared to the unruffled calm in Jing Yi’s eyes, her pupils suddenly narrowed, flashing with a nervous light, and she gripped the man’s hand tighter.

Lu Xining gave her a cold glance and led Jing Zheng to a nearby sofa.

His body had tensed up to its limit.

She poured some warm water and forcefully unfolded his clenched fist, soothing him, “Drink some water.”

Just now, Lu Xining had noticed his body trembling.

This was an extreme effort to restrain physiological anger, causing a chain reaction in his body.

She held his hand and said firmly, “Jing Zheng, look into my eyes.”

The man looked up, meeting her compassionate gaze. Her continuing words felt like walking in snowy terrain on the verge of unconsciousness and suddenly falling into a hot spring.

His rigid body gradually began to regain warmth.

“First calm down, I will definitely make them pay what they deserve.”

“So no matter what they say to you later, don’t let them affect you. Today is just a start, they will disappear soon, it won’t be long.”

“Nuonuo is still waiting for you at home, just endure a little longer, okay?”

The man nodded and began to steady his breathing.

Seeing Jing Zheng return to normal, Lu Xining’s heart, which had been suspended, also settled back in place.

Over there, He Jinseng and his wife were already greeting Jing Yi and others. Lu Xining noticed the middle-aged man who had been following Shang Qing, now surrounded by people flattering him.

If she remembered correctly, Shang Qing had said: This is his steward.

A steward from the Beicheng Family could receive such a star-like treatment in the distant Port City.

It showed how powerful the Shang Family’s status was.

Lu Xining, seeing Mu Suyu seemingly talking to He Jinseng and others but repeatedly glancing over here, noticed her eyes filled with vigilance and disgust.

As soon as the pleasantries were over, Mu Suyu eagerly asked Mrs. He about Lu Xining’s identity.

“This lady is a big shot, you saw the news this morning, didn’t you?”

“The person behind ZN laboratory is her.”

Mrs. He’s eyes filled with admiration.

She exclaimed, “I really didn’t expect someone so young to have founded such a big laboratory; if only our Lele were as capable as her.”

Despite her tone of admiration, Mu Suyu was worried about the relationship between Lu Xining and Jing Zheng.

How could this illegitimate child know such influential people, and could there be some unspeakable relationship between them?

Worried about his influence on her own son’s future, Mu Suyu glanced at Jing Yi talking to He Jinseng and gave her son a suggestive look.

Jing Yu nodded.

He looked disdainfully in Jing Zheng’s direction; this illegitimate child had the audacity to show his face in front of him, how thick-skinned!

With her son by her husband’s side, Mu Suyu felt slightly relieved.

She smiled at Mrs. He, expressing her desire to meet Lu Xining, who said she could introduce them.

“Miss Lu, this is Mrs. Jing.”

“Mrs. Jing, she is the person in charge of the ZN Laboratory, Lu Xining.”

With Mrs. He facilitating, Lu Xining and Mu Suyu exchanged courtesies on the surface.

Mu Suyu feigned surprise at Jing Zheng and said affectionately, “Jing Zheng, so it really is you.”

“Why didn’t you tell Auntie you were coming back to Port City? Yu’s been home during this time; had you spoken up earlier, Auntie would have arranged for some food for you. Just look at how thin you are now–it breaks my heart to see.”

While she spoke these warm words, Xining subtly hinted at Jing Zheng’s impure background.

Lu Xining pretended to be oblivious and glanced at Jing Zheng before turning back to ask Mu Suyu, “Mrs. Jing, do you know each other?”

“We do.”

Mu Suyu watched the silent Jing Zheng with a smile that was not quite a smile and noncommitally said, “His mother did some disgraceful things when she was young, and people… Well, it’s quite pitiful for this child.”

“When he was little, I thought he wouldn’t live long, but look at how he’s grown now.”

Saying this, she pretended to have just realized and sarcastically added, “Well, it’s all in the past now; it’s a good thing he managed to grow up alive.”

She then awkwardly apologized to Jing Zheng, her tone filled with guilt, “You won’t hold it against your aunt, right?”

Mrs. He never expected to hear such things.

“That child really is quite pitiful.”

Mrs. He clearly didn’t catch the underlying significance of her words, and Mu Suyu’s expression stiffened.

She responded dismissively, “Yes.”

“But Mr. Lu is quite accomplished despite his young age, and though he had a rough childhood, today he is considered a promising and talented individual.”

“Mr. Lu?”

Mu Suyu turned around in surprise, her eyes lit up with joy, “You’ve changed your surname?”

Jing Zheng smiled gently, his gaze warm as he looked at Mu Suyu, no trace of resentment in his eyes.

“Yes, Auntie, I’ve changed my surname.”

Lu Xining said to him, “Jing Zheng, I’m feeling a bit hungry. Could you get me some snacks?”

Having sent Jing Zheng away.

The corners of her mouth slightly curled up, her eyes cold as she continued speaking along her earlier lines.

“Ah, you just can’t believe in these kinds of rumors.”

“I heard that Jing Zheng’s mom and dad were truly in love, but a shameless woman threatened his dad into fathering her child.”

After saying this, she even disdainfully curled her lips.

Lu Xining continued to complain, “You have no idea; they say she made a huge fuss for a long time before she settled for a small squirm. Talking about it, such women really disgrace us women.”

Her black velvet gown was exquisite and elegant, enhancing Lu Xining’s inherently cold and noble demeanor even further.

She chuckled and told them, “Xining felt like sisters upon meeting you two. Let me tell you a secret; actually, Jing Zheng’s dad and mom had their wedding long ago. It was only because of family elders’ threats that they didn’t register.”

Mrs. He was surprised, “There was such a thing?”

Lu Xining smiled and nodded as she observed Mu Suyu’s utterly darkened expression.

“That woman doesn’t know that her wedding was actually her second marriage, and Jing Zheng isn’t illegitimate.”

She shook her head, her eyes filled with sympathy.

“Really, Jing Zheng’s mom is the pitiful one, sincerely in love with her spouse but interfered by others leading to misfortune. Luckily, Jing Zheng’s dad left all his wealth to him.”

Lu Xining blatantly churned out slander to make Mu Suyu unhappy, reveling in satisfaction as she did so.

Indeed, as soon as she spoke, Mu Suyu’s face instantly changed.

Mu Suyu frowned, “Wealth?”

Lu Xining leaned closer and whispered, “Yes, Jing Zheng’s dad transferred it secretly. That woman has no idea.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Suyu’s expression grew even worse, anger apparent in her eyes.

“So, Mrs. Jing, such words shouldn’t be repeated outside in the future. They could easily lead to misunderstandings.”

Mu Suyu suddenly fell silent.

Meanwhile, the puzzled Mrs. He nearby asked, “But what is the relationship between Jing Zheng and Mr. Jing? I remember that Mr. Jing is an only child with no siblings, right?”