Chapter 33
With a blank stare and a rigid body, Zhang Baoyi had completely lost the poised demeanor of a well-bred young lady she had previously displayed at Xiangjiang University.
How utterly humiliating!
Never had she felt so humiliated.
At this moment, she wore none of the several pieces of Hetian jade jewelry that even Lu Mingzhu considered precious; dressed in utmost simplicity, she wore only an inexpensive cotton plaid qipao, appearing merely as an ordinary person among the masses.
In contrast, Lu Mingzhu, though wearing only a single jadeite ring, was clad in splendid attire, radiant and striking.
Standing within the humble tong-lau building, she seemed utterly out of place.
Alluring and enchanting, she possessed an extraordinary, bewitching beauty.
“Are you the new landlord?” Zhang Baoyi finally came to her senses.
She let out a startled cry.
“Yes, after all, I come from poverty and can only survive by collecting rent,” Lu Mingzhu said with evident amusement, without any hesitation. “Who is in charge of your household? Please pay the rent of 200 yuan and the utility fees of 10 yuan.”
Old Man Li told her that, according to the statistics, the monthly utility bills were nearly identical, averaging 10 yuan per household on the upper floor.
The first floor is used for business, which consumes more water and electricity, so higher fees are required. Pharmacy owners pay 20 yuan, while restaurant owners pay 60 yuan; otherwise, other tenants would feel it’s unfair.
Water and electricity rates in Hong Kong are very high; no landlord can afford to provide them for free.
Old Man Li mentioned that many citizens earn only a few dozen yuan per month.
Zhang Baoyi couldn’t believe what she saw before her eyes, yet she voiced the same sentiment.
Lu Mingzhu had come prepared; after all, as the new landlord, she needed evidence to win the tenants’ trust and prevent them from handing over money mistakenly.
“Here, the land deed and the house deed both bear my name!” Lu Mingzhu pulled the documents from her handbag to show Zhang Baoyi, but snatched them back just as Zhang reached out to examine them closely. “Don’t damage them; these are my livelihood. After all, I am utterly destitute, unlike Miss Zhang, who hails from a prestigious family and has always been accustomed to a life of luxury.”
Catching the sarcasm in Lu Mingzhu’s words, Zhang Baoyi’s face immediately flushed crimson, her usual demeanor of solemn reserve and calm composure completely shattered.
It was her mother who emerged from the room to break the awkwardness. She glanced lightly at Lu Mingzhu, a flicker of admiration passing through her eyes, followed by a hint of strangeness. Handing over 210 yuan in banknotes, she spoke with poised grace, “This is for the rent, plus utilities. Please check it.”
Lu Mingzhu accepted the money and wrote out a receipt for them, making two copies; both landlord and tenant had to sign and press their fingerprints.
Old Man Li didn’t have such a habit, but she did.
After all, one must have proof!
Mrs. Zhang did not object to signing; her handwriting was quite elegant.
It was a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Zhang Baoyi in appearance, yet looked exceedingly aged. Even in this humble room, she maintained the dignified bearing of a matriarch from a prominent family. Turning around, she scolded Zhang Baoyi for her earlier inadequacies, deeming them beneath their status.
“You, a young lady from a prestigious family destined to become the mistress of a great household, how can such a trivial matter throw you into such panic?” As Lu Mingzhu turned to collect rent from another household, she heard Madame Zhang speak with undiminished arrogance. “Your aunt has said that Mrs. Xie favors gentle, well-mannered women above all; you must embody these qualities. Although the Xie family rose from humble origins as horse grooms and only recently attained wealth and status, life in Hong Kong is not easy for us. For both you and our family, Xie Junyao and the Xie clan represent your best choice.”
Lu Mingzhu stood utterly stunned.
That male guide, Zheng Shize, had indeed predicted this accurately!
What immense confidence had Heaven bestowed upon them, enabling them to live merely as tenants in Hong Kong while still looking down their noses at the handsome and distinguished Xie Junyao and his flourishing family?
The Xie family, to which Xie Junhao belongs.
The hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants vanished long ago with the decline of feudal society!
Do they still consider themselves part of the scholar class?
Have they never heard the saying, “A hero is not judged by his origins”?
The soundproofing in the tong-lou was poor; even with the door closed, Zhang Baoyi’s apology to her mother could still be heard: “I’m sorry, Mother. I lost my composure. I was just too shocked. The female landlord who came to collect the rent just now is the very woman I told you about—the one who appeared at school with Xie Junyao. I never expected she would become our new landlord. Should we move? Just seeing her makes me feel utterly uneasy.”
What could be more embarrassing than this?
Nothing.
In the end, Zhang Baoyi lacked her mother’s composure.
“Do you think moving is easy? How naive!” Mrs. Zhang said displeasedly. “For the same rent, other places may not offer a better environment than this; after all, this is on Hong Kong Island. Your uncle’s household is managed by your aunt; though she claims to offer support, in reality, she won’t part with even a single cent—I saw through that long ago. Your father and your two older brothers work hard all month, yet nearly half their wages go toward rent. You cannot be willful. Once you marry Xie Junyao, things will improve. His family runs a property development company, investing millions at a whim to purchase land. They may lack many things, but they certainly have no shortage of properties. If they simply gift one building as a betrothal present, our family would finally have a place of our own to settle down in Hong Kong.”
A family of five lived in a 500-square-foot house, and that was enough.
Because the house was too small and the rent too high, their two sons had been unable to marry and start families for a long time, yet moving out to live independently was simply not feasible.
They had received an education; after arriving in Hong Kong, they worked as senior clerks, each earning a monthly salary of 120 yuan.
The capital city was truly better back then—a few hundred silver dollars could buy an entire courtyard house, allowing a whole family to live spacious and comfortable lives, unlike now, where they had to share both the kitchen and bathroom with Sister Tang and her son.
After reminiscing about the past, Mrs. Zhang turned to educate her daughter: “As the principal wife, you must not concern yourself with those little temptresses outside. They rely on beauty to bewitch men, but such allure never lasts; eventually, they will grow old, lose their charm, and fall out of favor. In the end, only the legitimate wife remains by her husband’s side until old age. Look at Mrs. Xie—no matter how much Master Xie’s concubines carry on, as long as she bears two good sons, her position will never be threatened. She dresses daily in pearls and jewels. Your aunt told me that Mrs. Xie is very satisfied with you; it’s all thanks to your father insisting that you attend school. I’ve simmered a soup to replenish your blood and energy. Drink a bowl, and strive to conceive soon after entering the household—two children in one year, three within three.”
Lu Mingzhu hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the voices kept drilling into her ears regardless.
She was truly at a loss when it came to Zhang Baoyi and her daughter.
Overconfident to a fault, their delusions were far too severe.
Another tenant, a middle-aged woman who had also overheard the conversation while paying her rent at the doorway, couldn’t help but whisper as she handed the money to Lu Mingzhu: “New landlord, now you see, don’t you? Just like us, trying to make a living in Hong Kong, yet she harbors such foolish fantasies, believing she could marry into the Xie family! The elder Mr. Xie is extremely shrewd and formidable. My son works at Wing Fung Bank, and every time he comes home, he speaks of him with utmost admiration. My son said that when a business partner once tried to arrange a match for the younger Mr. Xie in front of the elder Mr. Xie, he immediately replied that his brother already has a girlfriend.”
Lu Mingzhu was surprised once again.
Hong Kong is truly small.
Moreover, she has now witnessed the gossipy nature of Hong Kong citizens.
The middle-aged woman was talking when she suddenly realized something. She looked Lu Mingzhu up and down, curiosity shining in her eyes. “New landlord? Judging from what that mother and daughter just said, could you possibly be Mr. Xie’s girlfriend? Wow! You’re indeed stunning; Mr. Xie is truly blessed! You even own two buildings for renting out; you must come from a wealthy family.”
Only a wealthy family could raise someone with such an air of affluence.
Property in Hong Kong is expensive; based on current salaries, an ordinary person might struggle their entire life without ever affording it.
Lu Mingzhu smiled and gave a thumbs-up. “You truly have sharp eyes.”
The middle-aged woman beamed with pride. “My surname is Tang. I came to Hong Kong with my son, and everyone calls me Sister Tang. I also know that the mother and daughter just now said those things on purpose, hoping to discourage you.”
“Is that so?” Lu Mingzhu hadn’t considered that possibility.
Sister Tang nodded earnestly. “Absolutely!”
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have mentioned Mrs. Xie’s fondness for Zhang Baoyi in nearly every sentence.
“Sister Tang, you’re busy; I’ll head upstairs to continue collecting rent.” Lu Mingzhu said just that and did just that, not lingering to eavesdrop as Zhang Baoyi and her daughter continued their conversation.
There was nothing worth hearing; it was just the same old words repeated over and over.
So self-righteous.
Xie Junyao truly had miserable luck, getting entangled with such a toxic romance.
Her slight pity for him did not stop Lu Mingzhu from continuing to collect rent; she soon gathered it all.
The tenants held respectable jobs with decent salaries, so rent arrears were rare, making the collection process quite smooth.
Buying these two buildings was truly the right decision.
Lu Mingzhu, preoccupied with her two buildings in Happy Valley, rode in a car driven by her bodyguard straight to the hotel to find her father. She demanded immediate transfer of ownership, insisting that only upon receiving the land and property deeds could she feel secure, lest the old man change his mind.
Her father snapped angrily, “Your buildings are gone!”
She hadn’t even been willing to offer him a mere jade thumb ring as a gesture of filial piety, yet she had gifted it to Xie Junyao instead.
Lu Mingzhu cried out in protest, clutching her father’s arm. “You must keep your word, Dad—my own flesh and blood! Words once spoken are like water spilled; they cannot be taken back. You’ve already transferred the estate you arranged for Ping’an to him; you cannot refuse to do the same for me.”
Lu’s father was taken aback. “Did Ping’an tell you?”
Looking closely, she didn’t seem to know.
If she knew he had given Ping’an an entire building on Happy Valley Road, two shops on Paterson Street, plus foreign-company-owned land valued at 1.2 million along with eight buildings and a plot in Repulse Bay, could she remain so calm?
Not to mention the shares in HSBC and Huihuang Shipping Company that he had purchased at great expense, all registered under Lu Ping’an’s name.
Of course, I will handle the management myself.
Upon hearing her father’s words, Lu Mingzhu asked in confusion, “Isn’t it just a building in Happy Valley? Why wouldn’t he tell me?”
“Oh!” Her father immediately realized she had misunderstood.
“Ping’an is the eldest legitimate grandson. In the past, I was angry at your brother for disobeying me, squandering most of our family fortune, and neglecting both his parents and his young child. I also feared that if people close to us noticed the connection between Ping’an and our family, they might guess that your brother is still alive. That is why I treated him so coldly. Now, giving him something is merely compensation for my past wrongs; you must not feel jealous,” her father said.
Lu Mingzhu replied unhappily, “What kind of person do you take me for? I’m not so petty as to be jealous of a child. The family fortune belongs entirely to you, Father; you have the final say and may divide it however you wish.”
Her father thought to himself, “That’s because you don’t know how much I’ve already given him.”
After all, he still cherished his only legitimate daughter, especially since she had grown so close to him recently.
After a moment’s consideration, Lu’s father told her, “I intend to acquire shares in the Wing Fung Bank—the very bank where Brother Xiao Xie works. In due course, I will transfer them directly into your name as part of your dowry. For now, let us first proceed with transferring the titles of the two buildings in Happy Valley.”
Lu Mingzhu cupped her face, her eyes sparkling with delight: “Dad, you’ve become even more generous!”
An unexpected blessing.
She hadn’t even asked for it!
Lu Mingzhu, a shareholder of the bank, sounded incredibly pleasing to the ear.
Cheerfully accompanying her father to complete the property transfer procedures, her net worth instantly surged.
Wow!
Undoubtedly, she was a true wealthy woman.
After getting out and into the car, Father Lu said, “Once I have someone install the water and electricity and carry out some minor renovations, you can start leasing it out. The rent for the new building will be slightly higher than for the old one; for 1,000 square feet, you can collect 500 yuan per month, totaling 60,000 yuan a year. That should be enough for your pocket money. When I truly become busy, you might not even be able to find me at the hotel.”
“It’s not enough,” Lu Mingzhu replied. “Not enough to buy a single large diamond.”
Lu’s father was nearly at a loss for words, but fortunately, he reacted quickly. He pressed his thumb against her forehead and gave it a firm push. “That’s enough! Didn’t I give you a diamond set just the other day? Isn’t that enough to last you several years? If you’re tired of it, there’s no need to waste your money buying from someone else’s shop. Just tell me what kind of diamonds you want tomorrow, and I’ll get them for you.”
“Wow!” Lu Mingzhu was awestruck by his immense wealth and quickly asked, “Where did you get so many diamonds to give me?”
Lu’s father gazed absentmindedly at the wisps of clouds in the azure sky outside the car window and casually replied, “Probably because I bought two companies in South Africa several years ago, each holding over a dozen diamond mining licenses, along with my own diamond processing plant.”
Lu Mingzhu was stunned.
She stammered, “Are you serious?”
Could this be a dream?
She had always believed their family’s diamonds were purchased from Jewish diamond merchants, as Lu Ping’an had claimed. Yet now her own father reveals that the family actually owns two diamond companies!
Just a few days ago, he had stated that he commissioned a Jewish diamond merchant to sell a batch of diamonds and requested assistance in sourcing colored stones.
Lu Mingzhu couldn’t help but voice her confusion.
Lu’s father dismissed the concern: “Finding someone to help sell diamonds and my investing in the diamond business are two entirely different matters. There are only 500 diamond licenses worldwide, and I hold merely 13 of them; what is there to discuss? Back then, seeing the profitability of the diamond trade, and most importantly, the absence of any domestic diamond licenses, I allocated funds to purchase two nearly bankrupt companies in South Africa. Consequently, I acquired their diamond licenses along with their factories, workers, and machinery. However, just as those companies got back on track, I ended up in Hong Kong.”
However, he felt no regret; since there was no domestic market, it would be better to pursue foreign business, which held promising prospects.
“I admire you so much!” Lu Mingzhu linked her arm through his again.
Diamond freedom achieved.
Who would have thought that in this lifetime, I’d ever experience diamond freedom?
Lu Mingzhu was as happy as a mouse that had stolen sesame oil; she squinted her eyes and grinned widely. “Didn’t you secure a huge sum by pledging collateral? Buying a few more jade mines would make you even more formidable.”
“Your greed knows no bounds!” Lu’s father never expected her appetite to be so large.
Lu Mingzhu refused to accept such a label; having that title pinned on her sounded far from flattering. “This isn’t greed,” she countered, “it’s foresight. Jadeite is the king of gemstones, possessing a unique charm. Its price will surely rise—and soar dramatically!”
Among all types of jewelry, jadeite holds the greatest potential for appreciation in value!
In second place is the ruby.
Burmese rubies.
Yet Lu’s father shook his head. “Burma is rather chaotic, with private militias springing up everywhere. I have no connections there, so it’s unwise to venture in. Besides, we don’t need to stick our hands into every industry; our energy is limited. For now, I only plan to engage in shipping, real estate, jewelry, and textiles. As for other businesses, let’s leave them be and give others the chance to flourish.”
“You’re also planning to open a textile mill?” Lu Mingzhu noted this point.
“I have no choice but to,” Lu’s father replied.
Lu Mingzhu was puzzled, but her father quickly explained: “I previously ordered a batch of advanced textile machinery, originally intending to expand the Shanghai textile factory. However, since I’ve come to Hong Kong, I had to contact the supplier and change the delivery location to Hong Kong, where I’ll establish a new factory. Fortunately, labor in Hong Kong is cheap, and import-export operations are convenient, offering substantial profits.”
Lu Mingzhu suddenly understood: “So many machines in Hong Kong arrived this way?”
Her father nodded.
Lu Mingzhu slowly exhaled.
Yes, Hong Kong grew into one of Asia’s Four Little Dragons thanks to these tycoons, no longer the humble fishing village it once was.
Every time she met Lu’s father, he presented her with a new surprise.
Today’s surprise was the greatest of all.
So the Lu family possessed such immense wealth; no wonder Lu’s father departed without hesitation—who could bear to have it all confiscated?
Faced with such wealth, it would be abnormal not to fight for the inheritance.
Lu Mingzhu said affectionately, “Dad, is there anything you’d like?”
Lu’s father glanced at her sideways. “What? Trying to curry favor with me?”
“Yes!” Lu Mingzhu felt not a shred of shame. Cupping her face with both hands, her eyes curved into crescents as she flattered him excessively, “You are my biological father, and I am your biological daughter. Isn’t it only right that I curry favor with you?”
It’s all for money, for money.
Look to money, look to wealth.
Father Lu sneered, “I lack nothing except a jade thumb ring once used by Emperor Qianlong.”
In truth, he didn’t really lack it.
Having managed the Lu family for decades and expanded its enterprises, even though his eldest son squandered countless fortunes, the remaining assets were still substantial. What treasures had he not seen? What had he not possessed?
To speak honestly, even Empress Dowager Cixi might not have enjoyed life as much as he did.
Whatever Empress Dowager Cixi experienced, he experienced too; yet what he enjoyed, she never even saw, after all, she was born several decades earlier and missed the new era of technological advancement.
Lu Mingzhu heard this and felt troubled.
The old man was putting her in a difficult position. “Fat Tiger!”
Lu Mingzhu never took back what she had given away, especially since Xie Junyao was her beloved boyfriend—handsome and impeccable in character. Going back on her word would hardly help nurture their relationship.
Unwilling to give up, she asked, “Isn’t there anything else you’d like?”
Father Lu shook his head. “No.”
Lu Mingzhu instantly fell into deep thought.
“Why does it have to be something used exclusively by Emperor Qianlong?” she asked, utterly perplexed.
“Emperor Qianlong was blessed with great fortune and longevity,” her father said, holding the emperor in high esteem. Even though he was known for his grandiosity, love of extravagance, and reckless spending, and despite his peculiar taste that left people at a loss for words, items associated with him were considered extremely auspicious.
His life had been far too smooth.
One might ask, who wouldn’t want a life like his?
Lu Mingzhu nodded in agreement: “Indeed, he was blessed by fate. No one contested his claim to the throne; he ascended smoothly and sat upon the Dragon Seat for a full sixty years.”
Wasn’t it merely the thumb ring once used exclusively by Emperor Qianlong?
It posed no challenge to her.
The day before reporting to school, she went to visit He Yun at Shanding Road.
Last time, when she helped him appraise antiques and treasures at Citibank, there was a set of nine thumb rings used by Emperor Qianlong—not one, not seven, but a full nine!
Nine is the ultimate number.
She remembered that among them were two jadeite thumb rings, two mutton-fat jade thumb rings, two jasper thumb rings, one yellow jade thumb ring, one amber thumb ring, and one rhinoceros horn thumb ring inlaid with gold and silver threads.
Two jade thumb rings: one is plain, pure jade; the other is jade inlaid with gold.
Two mutton-fat jade thumb rings: one features a poem carved on a surface sprinkled with golden flecks; the other bears a poem carved on pure white jade.
Two spinach-green jade thumb rings: one is jade inlaid with gold; the other is plain with a poem carved upon it.
The nine thumb rings are each unique, each possessing its own beauty.
Lu Mingzhu offered a high price and stated her intentions to He Yun directly.
When she arrived, He Yun was watering flowers in the courtyard.
Perhaps due to the chilling coolness atop the mountain, he wore a black shirt paired with matching black trousers, exuding an air of refined elegance.
After hearing Lu Mingzhu’s purpose, He Yun agreed immediately: “I’ll give it to you; no money needed.”
That box of thumb rings was utterly insignificant among the pile of treasures and antiques; he had no use for them at all.
He Yun himself did not particularly like Emperor Qianlong, nor did he place much value on the emperor’s personal belongings.
“That won’t do.” Lu Mingzhu’s skin was exceptionally thick when facing her father—thick as a city wall—yet she behaved quite differently before others. With a cheerful smile, she said, “I must let my father know exactly how much I’ve spent, so he can fully appreciate the depth of my filial devotion.”
He Yun set down the watering can. “What suddenly made you think of showing filial piety to your father?”
The father and daughter had hardly appeared on pleasant terms when they met at the Ming family banquet.
His investigations revealed that Lu Mingzhu had initially been abandoned by her father in Shanghai; it was only through her own efforts in securing connections with Wang Xingcai that she managed to bring her adopted nephew to Hong Kong.
Lu Mingzhu replied without hesitation, “Of course it’s because my biological father is rich! I’ve just learned he possesses immense wealth. I must curry his favor so he’ll leave me a larger share of the estate; that way, I won’t have to struggle at all!”
A life of effortless victory is incomparably wonderful.
“Let all the past right and wrong simply vanish into thin air!” she said.
She was thoroughly pragmatic.
He Yun chuckled lightly, “You are certainly magnanimous.”
Lu Mingzhu corrected him, “I am not magnanimous; I simply believe it is unnecessary to dwell on the past. Moreover, there was no deep-seated conflict between the old man and me; it was merely that he arrogantly arranged the rest of my life for me, and I was unwilling to accept it. But to return to the matter at hand, I wonder if Mr. He would be willing to part with your affection?”
He Yun did not answer, but said instead, “If you wish to make money, I will teach you how to do business; there is no need to curry favor with your father.”
Lu Mingzhu was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head vigorously. “I’m not very good at doing business; it’s so exhausting—mentally and physically. Making money is one thing, but if I incur losses, wouldn’t it all be in vain, like trying to scoop water with a bamboo basket? Flattering the old man is different; wasting just a little bit of talk earns me a huge fortune. It’s practically a cost-free deal.”
“Coming to me to buy Emperor Qianlong’s nine thumb rings can hardly be called a cost-free deal,” He Yun remarked.
Lu Mingzhu chuckled. “Compared to what I’ve obtained from the old man, the money spent on buying the thumb rings is negligible. Mr. He, please give me a definite answer. I only have time today; tomorrow I must return to school.”
“School?” He Yun raised an eyebrow.
“Xiangjiang University.” The top-tier university in Xiangjiang; Lu Mingzhu was immensely proud of it.
He Yun smiled gently and said, “Congratulations, congratulations.”
After a moment of contemplation, he offered Lu Mingzhu a suggestion: “Give me 10,000 Hong Kong dollars, and I’ll sell you that set of thumb rings. You can then tell your father that you spent a full 100,000 dollars on them, and see how he reacts.”
“Only 10,000 dollars? Isn’t your price too low?” Precisely because Lu Mingzhu could afford it, she felt the asking price was somewhat modest.
She had enough money.
After Wang Bohui gave her the $10,000 for tuition, she split half with Lu Ping’an. She still had $5,000 left, which amounted to less than 30,000 Hong Kong dollars, but with the recently received rent and the appraisal fee He Yun had previously given her, her expenses were limited.
He Yun said, “That’s not a small amount; that entire collection of treasures and antiques was only worth 500,000 in total.”
Lu Mingzhu shook her head. “The bank’s valuation is far below the actual value of those treasures and antiques. If it weren’t for the lack of funds, Master Qu and Master Du would have already snapped them up long ago.”
She could tell.
Those in this line of work usually buy low and sell high.
He Yun didn’t care in the least. “I don’t need to make money from a set of thumb rings. Besides, your expertise in appraising precious antiques is excellent; I’ll likely need your help again in the future.”
Lu Mingzhu accepted his kindness. “Mr. He, please do not hesitate to ask if you ever need help; I will be more than happy to assist.”
“That’s right. You saved my life, so there’s no need for excessive politeness between us.” He Yun stood up. “I’ll take you to the bank to retrieve the thumb ring. I wish you may soon achieve your heart’s desire.”
“Thank you, Mr. He,” Lu Mingzhu replied, following closely behind.
He Yun quickly retrieved a round box carved in red lacquer with floral and bird motifs, containing nine imperial thumb rings. After opening it for Lu Mingzhu to inspect, he handed it directly to her.
Lu Mingzhu treasured it as if it were an invaluable gem.
Although they were not to her taste, the nine imperial thumb rings were each exquisitely crafted, every single one of first-rate quality; indeed, they were rare treasures, and as a complete set of nine, their value multiplied manyfold.
By the time she grew old, they would probably be worth around half a billion.
But she feared she might not live to see that day.
Alas!
Lu Mingzhu placed the box into her handbag and then presented ten thousand Hong Kong dollars with both hands.
On the way back to her home, He Yun asked, as if casually, “When do you plan to move to the Peak?”
“The original owner, William, hasn’t moved out yet!” Lu Mingzhu was also anxious, but worrying wouldn’t help; it was better to stay calm. “Once William moves out, the house will need a thorough cleaning and replacement of necessary furniture and furnishings. Moving in? That won’t be possible for at least a month or two.”
Calculating it this way, moving would cost a fortune, suddenly making her feel short of cash.
After all, she was supposedly quite wealthy!
Ultimately, it boiled down to the old man being too stingy and refusing to give her any money.
In that case, I’ll give him the thumb ring at a later time.
Having made her decision, Lu Mingzhu smiled brightly and said to He Yun, “Could you ask the driver to make a U-turn? I won’t be going home just yet. Since I’ve taken up half of Mr. He’s day, let me treat you to lunch. Do you happen to enjoy Fujian cuisine?”
Last time he treated us to dinner, the signature dish was Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.
Exquisitely delicious.
He Yun chuckled lightly. “Yes, I am from Southern Fujian.”
Lu Mingzhu invited him into the Fujian cuisine restaurant.
The restaurant was quite large, specializing in Southern Fujian dishes, making it a fitting choice for hosting guests without losing propriety.
He Yun was truly an excellent conversationalist—knowledgeable, elegant, and perfectly measured in his words and actions, putting everyone at ease as if bathed in a gentle spring breeze. It was hard to believe he had once been a coolie.
Resting her chin on her hand, Lu Mingzhu listened as he described the scenery of Nanyang, her mind wandering peacefully toward those distant shores.
“If I get the chance, I’ll travel to Nanyang.” Its vast territory holds many wonderful places to explore.
He Yun smiled and said, “You’re welcome to visit Nanyang; when that time comes, I’ll certainly fulfill my duties as a host.”
“That will be a long time from now.” Lu Mingzhu had to start school tomorrow. She sighed mournfully, “I feel I could live perfectly well without attending school, but unfortunately, my family thinks differently.”
This time, He Yun did not side with her. “Learning is a good thing.”
Lu Mingzhu knew this well but didn’t want to retrace her university days. “Once school starts, I’ll be swamped. Who knows when we’ll meet again? Today, I must savor this grand meal.”
“The taste is excellent, very authentic,” He Yun remarked about the meal.
Hong Kong also had many fellow villagers from Minnan, forming hometown associations no smaller than those in Shanghai; naturally, Minnan restaurants could be found on every street and alley.
Many restaurants in Hong Kong catered to citizens’ diverse needs, offering a wide variety of cuisines.
Moreover, the waitstaff varied widely in age. To her surprise, it was Sister Tang who served the final showstopper dish; upon seeing Lu Mingzhu, she was visibly startled. “Ah, Miss Landlord.”
Lu Mingzhu smiled and replied, “Sister Tang, are you working here?”
Sister Tang hummed twice in affirmation, glanced at He Yun, and then explained to Lu Mingzhu, “My son works very hard; half his monthly salary goes toward rent. My heart aches for him, so I found this job myself. It includes meals but no lodging, paying 80 yuan a month—enough to cover our daily expenses.”
Even so, Lu Mingzhu had no intention of reducing the rent. “Hard work leads to prosperity; your life will surely get better and better.”
Sister Tang laughed heartily, “Having survived the turmoil of war, safety is what matters most.”
After a brief pause, she shared a piece of news with Lu Mingzhu: “It seems Mr. Xie is also dining here.”
Lu Mingzhu was slightly taken aback. “Thank you for the warning.”
She had never met Xie Junhao and did not know what he looked like; encountering him now would only lead to awkwardness. It would be better to wait until Xie Junyao introduced them properly. Thus, she remained seated and warmly urged He Yun to continue eating.
After Sister Tang left the private room, He Yun tactfully remarked, “The Xie family is rather complicated.”
“I know; Junyao told me.” Lu Mingzhu felt quite satisfied with Xie Junyao’s honesty and didn’t mind that he had a promiscuous father and a mentally unstable mother.
Flaws do not obscure jade; Xie Junyao was the jade, while his parents were the flaws.
He Yun, being perceptive, recognized Lu Mingzhu’s attitude and said no more.
He poured Lu Mingzhu a glass of fruit wine and, watching her, asked, “Don’t you like the jewelry I gave you? Except for the dinner party at the Axuan family’s home, I haven’t seen you wear any of it since.”
Lu Mingzhu smiled naturally. “I can’t bear to wear them!”
She feared being robbed if she went out alone.
And when accompanied by others, she certainly couldn’t pile all her jewels onto her body just to assert her presence; otherwise, she would truly become what Zhang Baoyi called a nouveau riche.
He Yun said, “Jewelry is meant to be worn; don’t hesitate to use it.”
Lu Mingzhu nodded vigorously. “Okay! Okay!”
Though she agreed verbally, the jewelry He Yun gave her was far too lavish for everyday wear.
The next day at school, she wore only one watch.
It wasn’t even set with diamonds.
Xie Junyao came to pick her up early in the morning and also thought her attire was too plain.
Braided hair, a blue blouse, and a black skirt.
Although she hadn’t applied ugly makeup, her thick bangs covering her forehead greatly diminished the striking impact of her beautiful face.
“There’s no need to be so cautious.” Xie Junyao handed the flowers to Lu Mingzhu.
Lu Mingzhu gave the flowers to the maid, instructing her to arrange them in a vase and deliver them to her bedroom, then smiled and said, “I’m here to study, not to compete with anyone in beauty. Given that, you should feel even more at ease.”
Xie Junyao chuckled softly, “I just can’t bear to see you struggle.”
Lu Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, “If you truly care, then treat me to a grand dinner tonight!”
Xie Junyao agreed immediately.
A date? That was his absolute favorite thing in the world!
After dropping Lu Mingzhu off at school, Xie Junyao hurried to work, eager to finish his tasks early so he could pick up his girlfriend as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Lu Mingzhu entered the campus and her classroom without any trouble.
Even with her bangs concealing part of her face, they could not hide the fact that she was a stunning beauty. The moment she entered, she drew countless gazes, and unsurprisingly, expressions of awe appeared on many of her classmates’ faces.
Her vanity was greatly satisfied.
The girl sitting at the same desk as her was also pretty, looking somewhat familiar.
She introduced herself warmly, “Miss Lu, my name is Mingyue. You can call me Yueyue or Mingyue. For the next three years, I look forward to your guidance.”
“Who are you?” Lu Mingzhu truly did not recognize her.
It seemed she recognized her.
Mingyue smiled and said, “My mother’s name is He Xuan, and my father’s is Ming Hui.”
Lu Mingzhu was utterly surprised. “No wonder you looked familiar; you resemble Mr. Ming. Aren’t you studying in England?”
At least, that’s what Liao Wanru had said, if she remembered correctly.
Mingyue held her hand and said earnestly, “I had a terrifying dream. In it, my grandfather choked to death. My uncles and aunts deeply resented my mother and were busy dividing the inheritance, causing our family ties to shatter. With my grandfather no longer restraining him, my father bullied my mother, leading her to die of depression. I woke up in fright and immediately flew back to Hong Kong. After learning what actually happened to my grandfather, I felt especially grateful to you. That’s why, when Grandfather suggested I stay in Hong Kong for my studies, I agreed.”
It was also her grandfather who arranged for her to sit at the same desk as Lu Mingzhu.
She did not speak these words aloud.
Lu Mingzhu blinked. “Yesterday, when we invited Mr. He to dinner, I didn’t hear him mention that his granddaughter would be attending school with me.”
Her lips are truly sealed.
Mingyue smiled and said, “Perhaps they wanted to give you a surprise.”
A surprise?
It was more shock than joy. After all, Lu Mingzhu and Mingyue had never met nor shared any connection. Yet, the name Mingyue sounded strangely familiar; she was certain she had heard it from someone before.
Who had she heard it from?
Or where had she seen it before?
Since she truly couldn’t recall, Lu Mingzhu decided not to trouble herself further.
Mingyue had experience studying in England, so Lu Mingzhu took the opportunity to ask her about certain details that neither she nor her predecessor knew, such as precautions for attending university at this time.
Mingyue, grateful to Lu Mingzhu, told her everything in full detail without any concealment.
Friendships can form so quickly.
A trip to the restroom together, and by the time you return, you’re already good friends.
At lunch in the cafeteria, a handsome, well-dressed young man approached Mingyue, casting subtle glances at Lu Mingzhu. “Mingyue, aren’t you going to introduce me?”
His eyes were full of admiration, making no attempt to hide his intention to pursue her.
Mingyue replied indifferently, “It’s unnecessary.”
“How can it be unnecessary? You are my sister, and I am your brother. When someone who has never appeared before shows up beside you, naturally I ought to inquire.” The young man said this, his eyes still fixed on Lu Mingzhu.
Lu Mingzhu shot him a fierce glare.
He Xuan had only one daughter; since this person claimed to be Mingyue’s brother, his identity was obviously clear.
Minghui’s illegitimate son.
As expected of Minghui’s offspring, lecherous and utterly detestable.
Mingyue raised her eyes and said coldly, “Mingheng, Grandfather stated clearly that our family recognizes only full siblings sharing both parents. There are no half-siblings through either father or mother. Do not imagine that being male entitles you to inherit the Ming family’s illustrious shipping empire. Furthermore, if you dare look again, I will gouge out your eyes!”
A thunderous crash erupted!
Lu Mingzhu’s head felt as though it had exploded.
Brilliant Shipping!
Mingheng!
Minghui!
She remembered who Mingyue was.
Too preoccupied to pay attention to the confrontation between Mingyue and Mingheng, Lu Mingzhu began to recall a novel she had once read.
Written by Grandma Zhang, it was a story set in the 1970s, involving neither time travel nor rebirth.
However, the female protagonist is neither her nor Mingyue, but a girl named Lu Aiguo.
At the beginning of the novel, Lu Aiguo gains admission to Xiangjiang University. The story primarily follows her as she balances university studies with building a business empire, eventually becoming a formidable woman leader.
Details about her background are woven only into flashbacks.
She has an older brother named Lu Shen and an aunt named Lu Mingzhu. Her father is Lu Zhuri, a founding general of the nation, while her mother was a martyr named Ye Ying.
What should have been a smooth life becomes fraught with turmoil due to the presence of her stepmother and her half-brother.
Lu Aiguo lost his mother when he was only six months old. Through an introduction by the organization, his father married a stepmother named Lin Xiaohong, who appeared remarkably virtuous upon entering the household and took meticulous care of him.
At least, that’s how things seemed to outsiders.
But what about the reality?
Lin Xiaohong actively prepared for pregnancy and gave birth to her son, Lu Aidang, less than a year after getting married.
As a stepmother, once she had her own son, she naturally stopped treating her husband’s daughter from his previous marriage as kindly as before; moreover, all her prior kindness had been feigned merely to marry Lu Zhuri, a high-ranking general.
Lu Aiguo was forced from a very young age to care for her younger brother, doing laundry, cooking, and household chores entirely indoors, unseen by outsiders.
While the father was away at war, the stepmother ruled the household.
Lu Aiguo endured much hardship until, at around five or six years old, her father suddenly returned from the front with a little aunt and an older brother: the aunt was named Lu Mingzhu, and the brother, Lu Shen.
Little Aunt was exceedingly beautiful; as soon as she entered the courtyard, she attracted countless suitors.
Her temper, however, was fiery.
Not long after arriving at the house, she discovered Lin Xiaohong abusing her little niece. She immediately slapped Lin Xiaohong twice, nearly knocking out two of her front teeth, and then fiercely scolded her brother, Lu Zhuri. The commotion became known throughout the entire courtyard, with no fear whatsoever of airing the family’s dirty laundry in public.
Lu Aiguo was raised by her side.
From then on, they lived a good life.
Lu Aiguo’s grandfather, a major capitalist, had taken the family abroad, leaving behind Lu Mingzhu and Lu Shen, who were extremely wealthy. They provided Lu Aiguo with the finest food and clothing, dressing him handsomely.
Later, Lu Shen joined the military, and Lu Mingzhu got married.
She married Zhang Shuo, the son of Lu Zhuri’s former commander, worked in Shanghai, and never forgot to bring Lu Aiguo along, moving together into the Lu family garden.
Just as Lu Aiguo thought life would continue peacefully, turmoil suddenly erupted. Because Grandfather Lu was a major capitalist and Lu Mingzhu lived too lavishly, they inevitably aroused jealousy. Thus, one day, countless young Red Guards stormed into the Lu family garden. Accustomed to acting recklessly outside, they never expected to meet an unyielding obstacle.
Lu Mingzhu, holding a Browning pistol, shot each intruder who approached with precise aim.
Presumably, no one had anticipated she would be so ruthless.
Not just ruthless—extraordinarily so.
Several were killed on the spot, each felled by a single bullet.
When surrounded, she strapped explosives to her body, flung a box full of IOUs into the air until they rained down everywhere, and shouted: “You ate our food, drank our water, wore our clothes, used our belongings; it was even our money that bought the medicine which snatched your lives back from the jaws of death! And now that you no longer need us, you turn around and accuse us of being counter-revolutionaries? I’m just a woman raising a child—who exactly am I supposed to be rebelling against? Truly ungrateful, despicable, and shameless! If you claim our money is dirty, earned by exploiting the working people, then have the courage to pay it all back first! You lift your bowls to eat from us, then set them down to curse us—how dare you act so arrogantly right in front of me!”
The incident caused a massive uproar, shaking the entire city of Shanghai.
No one resisted like Lu Mingzhu, whose defiance was so fierce and public that everyone knew about it.
It was utterly embarrassing, because the IOUs Lu Mingzhu produced were simply too numerous—an entire boxful. The smallest debt recorded was for one hundred gold bars, not to mention various medicines, brass, grain, weapons, fabrics, and more, covering every conceivable need. In effect, the Lu family alone had sustained the organization to which Lu Zhuri belonged.
Of course, not the entire organization—only the unit where Lu Zhuri served.
Altogether, these debts amounted to tens of millions of silver dollars, an impossible sum to repay.
The IOU was written based on the promise not to take even a needle or thread from the masses, and the Lu family was not the only one affected.
After the uproar, Lu Mingzhu not only suffered no consequences but continued to live securely in the Lu Family Garden with her adopted nephew, Lu Aiguo. Their daily life remained unchanged, except that all their friends and relatives now kept their distance.
Zhang Shuo also divorced Lu Mingzhu.
Lu Mingzhu couldn’t care less; the aunt and nephew continued to indulge in life’s finest pleasures, living with boundless joy.
On the surface, it appeared so, but in reality, she dared not relax for a moment. Lu Mingzhu even slept with a Browning pistol beside her pillow and had explosives buried in the Lu family garden and her own bedroom, prepared to perish together with anyone who threatened her at any time.
She told Lu Aiguo that since death was inevitable anyway, it was better for them all to die together than to endure endless humiliation and torment.
The Lu family was immensely wealthy; no one knew how many Browning pistols or how much explosives she had purchased, nor what other cards she held up her sleeve. In any case, everyone feared her deeply, choosing to avoid her rather than provoke her.
Lu Mingzhu exhausted herself utterly, living only until the age of thirty-nine, never surviving to see the clouds part and the moon shine bright.
However, before her death, she sent Lu Shen and Lu Aiguo away to Hong Kong, launching the legendary lives of the brother and sister.
She was a supporting character living in memories, Lu Aiguo’s hero.
One of a kind.