Chapter 548: Unlucky An'an
A Tense Reunion
After a standoff of ten seconds, Luke quietly withdrew his right hand, opened a gift box, and placed it on the table.
"Carol said you like collecting airplane models. I happened to have a preliminary design for a jet, so I made this model."
The lid opened, revealing a slightly bulky, deep black fighter jet model.
Carl Ferris immediately offered a sarcastic remark.
"You call that a fighter jet? Might as well call it a turkey."
Luke didn't get angry. He explained, "This aircraft utilizes Kryptonian technology. It's the standard for future fighter jets. Its top speed can reach Mach 5, and it uses energy-driven technology to generate a protective shield on its surface. It can operate not just on Earth, but also travel to outer space."
The old man's expression instantly froze. He didn't believe a word of Luke's claims, but after a moment's hesitation, he picked up the instruction manual.
Luke waited beside him. He would explain the parts Carl didn't understand, but otherwise, he kept his mouth shut, behaving like a quiet, well-mannered gentleman.
Behind the Scenes at Ferris Manor
Carol and her mother watched from the second floor. Seeing this scene, Carol couldn't help but whisper,
"I thought they were going to have a fight!"
Her tone was tinged with disappointment.
Mrs. Ferris shot her a look.
"Whose side are you on? You were hoping they'd get along just a moment ago. Why the sudden change of heart?"
Carol stuck out her tongue. "No, it just feels strange. Father usually hates Luke. Every time they meet, he looks like he wants to beat him up, but today he hasn't done anything yet."
Mrs. Ferris shook her head helplessly.
"You! You don't understand anything."
With that, she turned to leave.
Carol chased after her, wrapping her arms around her mother's arm and whining,
"What do you mean I don't understand? What don't I understand?"
Mrs. Ferris smiled faintly. "Your father disliked Luke because of his background. 'Young Master Gang,' 'Young Master Shaw'—it sounds impressive, but at its core, it's the underworld. The underworld is not respectable. We would never let our daughter walk into a fire pit."
"It's different now. He abandoned his Coast City enterprises and went to Metropolis alone. In just two years, he transitioned from black to white, becoming a prominent figure known to all. If he can do all that for you, what more can we say?"
Carol finally understood. Her heart felt incredibly complex.
After a moment's pause, Mrs. Ferris added,
"There's something I need to warn you about. Luke Shaw doesn't seem like the monogamous type. I've heard he's surrounded by..."
"It's alright, Mom. I know what I'm doing."
Carol didn't want to continue the topic. The mother and daughter walked into the kitchen, chatting and laughing.
Due to Luke's arrival, dinner was exceptionally sumptuous. Luke sat in the seat of honor on the right, eating and discussing business management insights with Carl Ferris. After some time together, their relationship improved significantly, losing the previous tension.
Time flowed slowly in the joyous atmosphere.
After dinner, Luke was invited to visit Mr. Ferris's private museum. He didn't return to the bedroom until ten at night.
A Night of Magic and Passion
"How was it? My performance was good, right?"
"That's just because my father decided not to bother with you."
"Regardless, I stayed."
Luke wrapped his arms around the girl's waist and squeezed the prominent area gently.
"Have you been working out lately?"
"No, why?"
"Then how did this get bigger?"
"Stop it."
Carol's face flushed. She swatted away his 'dirty hands' from her chest. "They haven't gone to sleep yet."
"Don't worry, no one can hear us."
Luke silently recited an incantation, weaving a faint air membrane in the room.
"What is that?"
"A kind of Eastern magic. It can block sound. No matter how loud you scream, no one outside will hear."
"Really?"
Luke smiled slightly and shouted Help! After a long moment, no one knocked on the door. Encouraged by Luke, Carol also yelled at the top of her lungs. Still, no matter how loud the sound, there was no response.
"That's amazing! How did you do that?"
"Want to learn?"
"I can learn too?"
"Of course, but you have to take off your clothes first."
Outside, the cold was bone-chilling, but the room was filled with the warmth of spring. The couple, reunited after a long separation, took from each other to the utmost, not raising the flag of truce until deep into the night.
Carol's body was hot, and her face was red like an apple.
"Did you... did you take something?"
"I never take medication."
Luke reached out and pulled her into his embrace. The moment they touched, she was like a burning furnace, with the flames surging out uncontrollably.
An'an's Predicament
The next morning, after enjoying the breakfast prepared by Mrs. Ferris, the two departed. Carol decided to spend this year's Christmas at Shaw Manor.
Luke felt a vague sense of unease about this decision.
Sure enough, trouble arrived as soon as they got home, primarily aimed at An'an and Beibei, who were playing with Linda.
Carol took out a sausage and beckoned to them.
"An'an, Beibei, come here."
The two German Shepherds seemed tempted. Just as they were about to move, they tucked their tails in fear, glancing anxiously at Linda, who had a frosty look on her face and sternly ordered,
"Don't you dare go!"
Carol used the power of her Star Sapphire Ring to soothe their emotions, her voice growing gentler.
"It's alright. Come here. Big Sister has treats."
Beibei looked left, then right. Both were hostesses. What to do? This is agonizing. Unable to find a solution, she simply lay down on the ground, leaving the dilemma to An'an, the male dog.
The atmosphere grew incredibly tense. An'an was clearly the focal point of the conflict. Luke wanted to help but was deterred by the glares of the two women. He could only sheepishly withdraw.
As for An'an, may he fend for himself.
Lingxu Zi, who had returned from China, scolded his apprentice-grandson, Jiu,
"See? That's what happens when you're a male dog."
Luke was speechless.
That old bastard's asking for a beating again!
Grandpa Fu pulled Luke aside, asking with a knowing smirk,
"Tell Grandpa, what are you going to do? Those two girls are not simple!"
Luke couldn't be bothered with him. "You're practically in the grave already. Why do you care about this?"
The old man was displeased. "Don't think I don't know what kind of mess you're sitting on. Greed knows no bounds; be careful not to play yourself out."
"I'm fine. I'm doing great. Do you need anything else? If not, I'm leaving."
He turned to walk away. Before he had taken two steps, a sharp dog bark echoed in his ears. An'an, who was as strong as a calf, suddenly collapsed, convulsing and yelping wildly.
Beibei, next to him, also crumpled to the ground, mimicking the performance perfectly.
Everyone was stunned. Grandpa Fu burst out laughing, slapping his knee.
Lingxu Zi also wore a strange expression. He walked up to Luke and said, feigning deep insight,
"One mountain cannot hold two tigers. Even dogs understand this logic, let alone humans."
"Young man, rein it in. Stop corrupting good people."
Luke scoffed.
"An'an, get over here."
The collapsed German Shepherd immediately scrambled up, trotted over to Luke, licking its chops and wagging its tail, looking utterly subservient. Luke was unmoved, sneering,
"I happen to have time today. Come on, let's go to the pet hospital and get you that rabies vaccine."
An'an tried to bolt but was grabbed by the scruff of his neck, the throat of fate.
"Trying to run? Where do you think you're going?"
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
On Patreon, you can explore Extra Chapters in advance!