Gu Lina Zha nodded, but she had no desire to pick up her chopsticks.
The table full of delicious food suddenly became bland in her eyes.
She picked up her phone and opened the photo album.
There was an encrypted folder in the album, containing photos of Lu Mingyu.
These were photos Lu Mingyu had sent her in exchange for the beautiful photos she had sent him last time.
In the photos, he was wearing a simple T-shirt, and his expression was a bit unnatural.
But the tenderness in his eyes could not be hidden.
Gu Lina Zha's fingers gently brushed over Lu Mingyu's face on the screen.
His features were sharp, and his eyes were resolute.
This was a man who stood tall, a soldier who carried responsibility and his country on his shoulders.
She was proud of him, and her heart ached for him.
A huge wave of grievance and unwillingness surged into her heart.
Why?
Why did their relationship have to be so secretive?
Why had her proud profession become the biggest obstacle between them at this moment?
Just because she was a celebrity, did her love have to be scrutinized under a magnifying glass?
She was so angry, angry at herself, and angry at this unchangeable reality.
Why couldn't her man stand beside her openly and honorably?
She looked into Lu Mingyu's eyes in the photo, as if drawing strength from them.
She remembered that sentence again, “Eat without worry, I’ll support you if you lose your job.”
This man was someone she could entrust her life to.
Career was important, and fame was also very important.
However, compared to him, all of this seemed less important.
Her gaze gradually shifted from confusion to determination.
All the entanglement, fear, and unease in her heart.
At this moment, it seemed to be replaced by a stronger force.
That was a kind of do-or-die courage.
Isn't it just going public?
Isn't it just getting scolded?
Isn't it just affecting her career?
So what?
At worst, she wouldn't be a celebrity anymore!
She could withdraw from this noisy entertainment industry and become an ordinary person.
She could, like all ordinary girls, openly hold her beloved's hand and walk in the sun.
Once this thought arose, it grew wildly, instantly occupying her entire mind.
Yes, at worst, she'd just quit.
Thinking of this, Gu Lina Zha's mood suddenly brightened.
She would not give up, absolutely not give up this relationship, and certainly not give him up.
In the Imperial Capital, a residential area with strict security.
Night fell, and the streetlights began to glow.
In an ancient and solemn small building, the lights were bright.
In the dining room, a large redwood round table was already filled with people.
This was the Lu family's family dinner.
Sitting at the head of the table was the Commander of the Air Force First Military Region.
He was also the patriarch of the Lu family, Lu Mingyu's grandfather—Lu Wei.
Although the old man was advanced in age.
His spirit was vigorous, his back was ramrod straight, and he exuded an air of authority without needing to express anger.
To his left were Lu Mingyu’s father, Lu Qi, and mother, Zheng Qing.
Lu Qi had a serious expression, and his features bore some resemblance to Lu Mingyu’s.
Zheng Qing, on the other hand, had a gentle demeanor, with a graceful smile on her face, and occasionally served dishes to the old man.
To the old man's right were Lu Mingyu’s second uncle, Lu Hai, and his second aunt.
Lu Hai was dressed in casual clothes.
But the aura of a soldier on him had not diminished in the slightest.
The whole family gathered together, but the atmosphere was somewhat quiet.
Everyone felt that the old man had specifically called everyone back today, seemingly to discuss something important.
After three rounds of dishes, Old Man Lu Wei put down his chopsticks.
His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on an empty seat.
“That boy Mingyu, he never comes back. I think he’s probably forgotten this family.”
The old man's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Zheng Qing quickly explained, “Father, Mingyu has something going on with his team, he really can’t get away.”
“Something going on, something going on, when is he not busy?”
Lu Wei snorted, clearly not satisfied with the explanation.
Lu Hai, who was beside him, saw the situation and smiled, stepping in to smooth things over.
“Father, don’t be angry with him.”
“I just saw him at the military base two days ago; their Megakaryocyte Special Operations Group is conducting a new round of selections, and they’re incredibly busy.”
“He’s the captain, and he has to personally handle everything, so he really can’t spare the time.”
Hearing that it was about serious matters, Lu Wei’s expression softened slightly.
“Being busy is good, being busy is good.”
He sighed, his tone filled with complex emotions.
“As long as he’s not out on those life-threatening missions.”
“No matter how busy he is at the base, my heart feels at ease.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere at the table immediately became a few shades heavier.
Everyone present knew what the old man was worried about.
The Megakaryocyte Special Operations Group, where Lu Mingyu was, was comprised of the elite among elites, and they carried out the most dangerous missions.
Every time Lu Mingyu went out, the entire Lu family was on tenterhooks.
Zheng Qing’s eyes reddened slightly, and she thought of the old and new scars on her son’s body, her heart aching terribly.
Lu Wei picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued to speak:
“Initially, I wanted him to transfer to another military unit.”
“With his ability, where wouldn’t he be a top performer?”
“But that boy is very stubborn; he stubbornly refused.”
Lu Hai interjected, “Father, you know about this.”
“Being a special forces soldier has been Mingyu’s dream since he was a child.”
“We’ve all seen how much hardship he’s endured for this dream.”
“Now, he has not only realized his dream.”
“He has already become a role model and goal for other special forces soldiers.”
“Our Lu family should be proud of him.”
Lu Qi also nodded, saying in a deep voice:
“Second Brother is right, that’s the path he chose himself, and we should support him.”
“The men of our Lu family should have this sense of responsibility to protect our home and country.”
Lu Wei was silent for a moment, a deep sense of pride showing in his eyes.
Yes, pride.
His grandson was a towering hero.
What reason did he have not to be proud?
“Let’s not talk about this anymore.”
The old man waved his hand, seemingly not wanting the heavy atmosphere to continue.
Just then, Lu Hai suddenly cleared his throat, revealing a somewhat mysterious smile.
“Father, Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-law.”
“Speaking of Mingyu, I have some good news about him to tell everyone.”
Everyone’s eyes instantly focused on him.
Zheng Qing was the most impatient, and quickly asked, “Second Brother, what good news?”
“Hurry up and tell us.”
Lu Hai deliberately kept them in suspense, smiling as he said:
“That boy, without a sound, found himself a girlfriend.”
“What?”
“A girlfriend?”
In an instant, the entire dining room fell silent, and everyone showed shocked expressions.
Lu Qi’s chopsticks even stopped in mid-air.
Zheng Qing covered her mouth, her eyes wide, her face full of disbelief.
She knew her own son.
From childhood, Lu Mingyu had nothing but training and missions in his life; there were almost no females in his life.
How could a girlfriend suddenly appear?
Old Man Lu Wei was also startled, then his brows furrowed tightly.
“A girlfriend? Where did he meet her?”
Lu Hai said unhurriedly, “Mingyu said he met her online.”
“Online?” Zheng Qing’s brows furrowed, and her tone was a bit worried.
“Meeting online, is it reliable?”