I Am the Eldest Rich Man’s Aunt 34

Chapter 34
During the afternoon class, Lu Mingzhu found herself distracted as she watched the teacher deliver a mathematics lesson entirely in English.
She was utterly astonished.
She had thought she had transmigrated into a parallel universe, but apparently, she hadn’t.
If this truly were a soul exchange, Lu Mingzhu hoped that her original self—brave, fierce, upright, fearless, and unbound by mainstream societal constraints—would live a happy life in her own world, free from any burdens of responsibility.
In any case, the world she came from was far more advanced and free, vastly superior to this turbulent, ominous era where people dared not speak openly.
And who suffered besides Lu Mingzhu?
When the storm first broke, Lu Aiguo was already an adult, recently engaged; Lu Shen had passed thirty, with a wife and children. As offspring of cadres, the siblings’ class status was far better than that of their original aunt. Yet, grateful for her care and upbringing, when crisis struck, they chose without hesitation to break off engagements, divorce, and sever ties with their own children—all to stand firmly alongside their aunt, retreating not one step.
They are two good children.
The grudges of the adults have nothing to do with them.
Lu Mingzhu believed this.
The original body’s tragic fate was entirely the result of sins committed by her elders and eldest brother.
Without ever consulting her, her father left her behind in China. Had she not been forced, per the arrangements made by her father and Lu Zhuri, to marry Zhang Shuo, the son of an old revolutionary veteran, she would never have encountered the series of events that followed.
Their relationship crumbled; mother and son turned against each other.
When an avalanche occurs, no snowflake is innocent.
Lu Mingzhu became even more determined to fight for the inheritance.
Originally, she had planned to accept whatever amount was given, leaving it entirely up to the old man to distribute his assets. But now?
Why should anything be withheld from her original self?
On what basis do they get to arrange the original body’s future?
After Lu Aiguo and Lu Shen went abroad, they encountered their father, who was still alive in his eighties. Upon learning that his youngest daughter had died young, the old man was overcome with grief. Ignoring the objections of his concubine-born children surrounding him, he bequeathed the vast majority of his fortune to Lu Shen before passing away peacefully a few years later.
If he left the inheritance to Lu Shen out of guilt toward the original body, then why couldn’t he have given it directly to her instead?
The original body is the one who truly suffered!
Those who do wrong should face judgment.
Mingming, the original host was so outstanding, talented, and charismatic; yet simply because she was a girl, the old master diverted her dowry to fully support his legitimate grandson. Mrs. Lu spared no effort to aid her son, and though Mr. Lu verbally disparaged his eldest child, he actually took pride in him, especially since he had risen from the business world to attain a high position.
What did the original host have?
Was it merely the meager possessions they bestowed upon her, believing that would ensure her a life free from want?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, nearly jumping with rage!
When Xie Junyao came to pick her up that evening and saw her unhappy expression, he asked with concern, “What happened?”
“I suddenly discovered something that completely shattered my self-perception.” Lu Mingzhu was still fuming, her almond-shaped eyes blazing with faint flames that made her face even more strikingly beautiful. “Come with me to the hotel to settle accounts with that old man!”
“Alright!” Xie Junyao agreed without hesitation.
He wondered if Father Lu had done something to upset her again.
One could tell just from the way Lu Mingzhu was addressed.
Her biological father had once again become “that old man.”
Judging by his appearance, he was clearly furious at the moment.
Lu’s father was also quite puzzled; looking at his youngest daughter who had stormed over with such aggression, he raised one eyebrow and smiled, “Who has offended our young lady Mingzhu this time?”
“You!” Lu Mingzhu exclaimed.
“Me?” Her father pointed to his own nose with his index finger. Seeing Lu Mingzhu nod fiercely, he couldn’t help but remark in bewilderment, “Isn’t this a case of disaster striking from the sky while one sits peacefully at home? I haven’t even seen you all day; how could I have provoked you? What exactly did I do to offend you? Don’t tell me someone else upset you, and now you’re taking it out on me.”
Lu Mingzhu snorted and asked, “The property you gave Ping’an wasn’t just that building in Happy Valley, was it?”
Her father’s eyebrows shot up. “What makes you say that?”
Lu Mingzhu flew into a rage instantly.
She had only meant to test the waters, but look what happened!
“Ping’an told me you’d placed a share of the family estate under his name—I simply assumed as much! Since you happened to mention giving him one of the new buildings in Happy Valley, I thought that ‘share of the estate’ he referred to was precisely that building. But now? Hmph! Did you give him far more than that? Is that why you don’t want me feeling jealous?” Lu Mingzhu sat down on the sofa opposite her father, pulling Xie Junyao down beside her without hesitation, her eyebrows nearly standing on end. “On what grounds? On what grounds do you compensate him with so many properties? My entire dowry has already been poured into this family; shouldn’t I be the one compensated? Moreover, you arbitrarily arranged the rest of my life, leaving me behind in Shanghai. You’ve broken my heart—shouldn’t you at least show some gesture of remorse?”
The more Lu Mingzhu spoke, the angrier she became. “You old man, your thinking is utterly outdated! You favor sons over daughters! Do you even realize that only your children, not your grandchildren, bear the responsibility of supporting you in old age? Yes, the family fortune was earned by you elders; you may distribute it however you wish and use it wherever you please. I shouldn’t dwell on it or voice dissatisfaction. But that doesn’t mean you can bully people so shamelessly!”
She strained hard, forcing a few tears to well up in her eyes and roll down her cheeks, looking utterly pitiful.
Xie Junyao’s heart ached instantly. “Mingzhu.”
He handed her a handkerchief.
In his memory, Lu Mingzhu had always been warm, radiant, lively, and cheerful—carefree. Even after experiencing life’s sorrows, no shadow had ever left the slightest trace upon her.
She had been as beautiful as the brilliant sun at the horizon’s edge.
And now, she was actually crying!
His youngest daughter had always been bold and unrestrained, fearless from childhood; when had Father Lu ever seen her like this?
He was suddenly at a loss, unsure what to do.
“Don’t cry!” Father Lu hurriedly said. “Tell me what you want. As long as I have it, I’ll give it all to you—everything—and not to anyone else.”
When it came to coaxing people, Father Lu was unmatched.
Lu Mingzhu opened her tear-filled eyes wide, feigning disbelief. “Really?”
Father Lu only wished for her tears to stop quickly; he nodded earnestly. “Really, truly. My word is as good as gold.”
Lu Mingzhu showed no modesty whatsoever. She held up both palms, displaying ten fair, slender fingers right before Father Lu’s face. “Whatever assets you give Ping’an, you must give me equivalent value. And since I am a girl, you must additionally compensate me with at least ten sets of jewelry and precious stones, which I shall choose myself.”
She did not trust Father Lu.
He would certainly be unwilling to give her the best, preferring instead to keep it as a family heirloom.
And who would that heirloom be passed down to? To his sons and grandsons, of course!
Even successful figures in modern society still favor sons over daughters; how much more so, then, this feudal patriarch of the current era.
Understanding is one thing, but Lu Mingzhu refuses to accept it.
Her father exclaimed in shock, “Your appetite is truly enormous!”
“You just said you’d give it to me, and now you claim I’m asking for too much. I really am pitiful—the most pitiful person under heaven. This also proves that the assets you’ve given Ping’an must exceed mine by countless times, countless times, countless times. Since you won’t say it, I’ll take my guess as correct.” Lu Mingzhu possessed a natural talent for acting; with benefits dangling right before her eyes, tears came instantly.
Like pearls severed from their string, they rolled down her cheeks in a continuous cascade, each drop crystal clear and luminous.
Xie Junyao’s handkerchief could barely contain her tears.
“Mingzhu.” Don’t overdo the acting; it might hurt your own eyes.
That was the message he conveyed.
Lu Mingzhu didn’t respond. Instead, she covered her face with the handkerchief, muffled sobs rising from beneath: “To think I went out of my way yesterday to beg someone to sell me a set of nine Qianlong imperial thumb rings, intending them as a gift for you. And you? A father still haggling over how much his daughter asks for. Ask your conscience: did I ask for too much? Did I? All I wanted were two words—two words called ‘fairness’!”
After arriving in Hong Kong, Lu’s father suddenly felt that he had been somewhat unfair in his treatment of his eldest legitimate grandson and his youngest daughter.
His youngest daughter was not wrong; if not for Lu Changsheng’s pursuit of his grand ambitions, she could have inherited a substantial portion of Mrs. Lu’s estate and also received the eight-li red dowry that the old master had prepared for her long ago.
Perhaps it was precisely because everyone had given her so little and neglected her upbringing that she became so exceptionally fond of money.
If she already possessed mountains of gold and silver, how could she possibly care about a few scattered coins?
Lu’s father conveniently forgot the lavish generosity with which his youngest daughter had spent his money in Shanghai on antiques, calligraphy, paintings, treasures, and jadeite. Feigning remorse, he said, “Mingzhu, please stop crying. I promise to agree, alright? But establishing a business takes time; I must personally investigate the specifics before making any decisions. Otherwise, if I end up buying something worthless, it will just rot in my hands, resulting in a loss rather than a gain.”
“Words alone hold no weight; we need written proof, signed and sealed.” Lu Mingzhu instantly stopped her tears and pulled out paper and a pen from her handbag.
She had been prepared all along—heehee!
Lu’s father stared at her for a long while before finally giving in.
Uncapping his fountain pen, he quickly wrote out a letter of commitment.
He pledged to give Lu Mingzhu ten additional sets of jewelry, chosen by herself, and to purchase for her residential properties, commercial shops, land plots, or company shares worth approximately eight million Hong Kong dollars.
The amount designated for Lu Ping’an was roughly the same.
Nowadays, Lu Ping’an has received ten fewer sets of priceless jewelry and one building in Happy Valley compared to her.
With Lu Mingzhu’s keen eye, she would certainly
select only the finest pieces.
And such exquisite items often command prices far exceeding even Hong Kong’s property values.
“What kind of assets do you want? Residential properties, commercial shops, land plots, or company shares?” her father asked Lu Mingzhu.
After leaning forward to clearly read the amount stated on the commitment letter, Lu Mingzhu widened her eyes in shock. “So that’s it! You actually gave him that much! If I hadn’t come looking for you today, would you have kept hiding this from me forever?”
“No,” her father denied.
Lu Mingzhu didn’t believe him. “You previously promised to buy bank shares for me; write that down.”
Well!
In that case, Father Lu would have to part with even more of his fortune.
He picked up his brush and added, “Alright, can you now tell me what kind of business you’d like? I’ll purchase it specifically for you, so you won’t come complaining later that you’re dissatisfied with my choice.”
Lu Mingzhu lifted her chin and replied without hesitation, “Only children make choices; I want them all!”
In any case, they are all constantly appreciating in value.
Lu’s father felt it didn’t matter. “As you wish.”
As a result, his eldest grandson and youngest daughter took nearly twenty million Hong Kong dollars of his assets; had he not pledged his precious antiques to the bank for ten million US dollars, he truly couldn’t have afforded it.
The more he calculated, the more breathless he became.
How could he have acted so impulsively?
Lu’s father deeply resented his own lack of resolve, swayed by his youngest daughter’s tears.
“Mingzhu, you must not ask me for any more; if you do, I will truly be ruined.” The funds Lu’s father had transferred and arranged to take abroad for them amounted to exactly this sum, excluding gold, diamonds, jewelry, antiques, as well as the textile machinery and the diamond company.
Of course, the latter constituted the bulk of the assets, their value far exceeding twenty million Hong Kong dollars.
Many things cannot be valued in terms of money.
“That depends on your behavior. If you show favoritism to others, I still won’t let it go.” Lu Mingzhu, temporarily satisfied, decided to let him off the hook; one shouldn’t shear a sheep completely bald at once, or there would be nothing left to shear next time.
Father Lu was speechless: “So I’m only allowed to favor you, is that it?”
“Yes!” She, Lu Mingzhu, was exceptionally selfish and self-serving. Got a problem with that?
She stared at Father Lu. “Are you feeling regretful?”
“No.” Father Lu shook his head.
What’s done is done; why speak of regret now? That would make the gift meaningless.
Besides, whether given to a grandson or a daughter, nothing has been lost to outsiders—it all remains within the family.
Lu’s father, with one foot already in the grave, was not as stubbornly clinging to his family fortune and refusing to divide it among his descendants as everyone had imagined.
If divided early, he would decide who received more based on his preference; no one’s opposition would matter.
If left too late, when it became impossible to divide, his descendants would inevitably engage in bitter disputes over the inheritance, making fools of themselves before outsiders and tarnishing his lifelong reputation.
Lu Mingzhu carefully placed the commitment letter into her handbag, planning to hide it away in her spatial storage once she was out of sight.
She was overjoyed.
With a vast fortune about to fall into her hands, how could she not be bursting with delight?
Tears proved quite effective on Old Dou; she’d use them again next time.
Lu Mingzhu’s brows and eyes brimmed with radiant smiles, her beauty utterly captivating, as she casually remarked, “Dad, people used to say our family ranked among the top fifty wealthiest in the nation. I think that’s an understatement, don’t you?”
Lu’s father was blunt: “Only a fool would believe those rankings. Which family doesn’t hide its wealth? Letting outsiders know how much you own is just inviting trouble. In all those past years, whether warlords or Japanese invaders, whether officials in the yamen or thugs on the streets, who didn’t eye the vaults of wealthy households greedily? If they knew you were especially rich, they’d surely come knocking every few days to beg for handouts.”
Even so, the Lu family was still frequently targeted!
In fact, it’s the same both at home and abroad; foreign countries are no safer than domestic ones, but what can you do if he’s afraid?
Afraid of becoming the next uncle.
“Mm-hmm!” Lu Mingzhu nodded her head repeatedly, “Your words of wisdom are something I must study diligently.”
Father Lu rolled his eyes, “What about the nine Qianlong imperial thumb rings you promised to buy for me?”
Lu Mingzhu smiled cunningly, “It’s my first day at school; why would I bring such things? Next time, once you’ve transferred all the properties meant for me into my name and let me choose whichever jewels I desire, then I’ll present them to you.”
In light of his extraordinary generosity, I will not demand the 100,000 yuan he owes for purchasing the thumb ring.
Lu’s father knew she wasn’t that filial and couldn’t help but remark, “Others say you can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing a child, but you? You won’t release your hawk until you spot the rabbit.”
Lu Mingzhu remained utterly indifferent.
What did it matter if her own father made a few sarcastic remarks, as long as she secured tangible benefits for herself?
It wouldn’t cost her a single ounce of flesh.
She had been sitting perfectly upright, but maintaining such a stiff posture was exhausting. Unable to resist, she relaxed slightly, leaning bonelessly against Xie Junyao. Under her father’s disapproving gaze, she said, “Dad, don’t criticize me. At least by leaving the property to me, it’s like meat rotting within the pot; if you’d given it to others, it would be like throwing it into water without even a splash.”
Lu’s father detected the implication in her words: Was she expressing dissatisfaction with her brother?
He questioned Lu Mingzhu with his eyes.
Lu Mingzhu snorted twice. “Can’t I speak up now that my dowry is gone? Fortunately, I’m kind-hearted and magnanimous, the finest young lady under heaven; otherwise, I would have turned everything upside down.”
Lu’s father sensed something was amiss.
He distinctly remembered that when he described Lu Changsheng as “plucking feathers from a passing goose and skinning a departing beast,” Lu Mingzhu had actually rebuked him for his harsh words.
Back then, she had been in agreement; but now?
Her stance was completely opposite.
Did something happen that he doesn’t know about?
Lu’s father decided to question her carefully only when Xie Junyao wasn’t around, so he said, “Alright, alright. What I’ve given you today should be enough to make up for everything. Tomorrow, if I earn more, I’ll give you some extra.”
After all, the bulk of the family fortune was meant to be left to her and Lu Ping’an.
Previously, he had thought it should go solely to Lu Ping’an, but now he realized he must include her as well; otherwise, she would surely cause a scene.
“Thank you so much; please do not forget your own words.” Lu Mingzhu promptly secured this new promise, stretched lazily, and rose to her feet. “Please rest well. Xie Junyao and I will take our leave now; we shall come to visit you again in a couple of days.”
Her father hurriedly replied, “You must not come. Every time you visit, I suffer a massive financial loss.”
Lu Mingzhu made a face at him. “I’m coming anyway!”
She had no intention of asking him for anything next time; look how frightened he was!
Lu Mingzhu knew clearly that asking for money too often could easily become annoying; it would be more appropriate to wait until the next time, giving her father some breathing room to avoid pushing things to the extreme.
Having made up her mind, Lu Mingzhu linked arms with Xie Junyao and strutted triumphantly out of the presidential suite.
After walking only a few steps, she suddenly remembered that the matter concerning Lu Aiguo remained unresolved. “Junyao, wait a moment,” she said. “There’s one more thing I need my father to do.”
“I’ll wait for you.” Xie Junyao did not follow her inside.
Lu’s father had already risen to make tea when he saw her, startled. “What have you come back for this time?”
Lu Mingzhu pursed her lips. “Of course I have something important.”
“What is it?” he asked, hoping it wasn’t about money.
However, Lu’s father didn’t realize that what Lu Mingzhu was about to propose was no different from asking for money. “Dad, shouldn’t you send someone back home quietly to bring Lu Aiguo over?”
“Who is Lu Aiguo?” Father Lu retorted, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Lu Mingzhu exclaimed in surprise, “You don’t know?”
Father Lu found this even stranger. “Should I? Who exactly is Lu Aiguo? She bears the surname Lu; what connection does she have to our Lu family?”
Lu Mingzhu replied irritably, “She is Lu Zhuri’s daughter—the half-year-old infant you mentioned—who is currently struggling to survive under her stepmother’s care, spending her days looking after children and doing household chores. Her life is exceedingly hard. Shouldn’t you do something about it?”
Lu’s father frowned. “How do you know? The little girl is called Lu Aiguo? What a nonsensical name!”
What kind of name is Lu Aiguo for a girl?
Aiguo, Aiguo—just how patriotic must one be to name a child that?
“You could bring her over and give her a nicer name,” Lu Mingzhu said, agreeing that Lu Aiguo was an unpleasant name.
Lu’s father was furious, then looked at his daughter with an inquisitive gaze. “I’ve never mentioned the name Lu Zhuri to you. Where did you hear it? You haven’t left Hong Kong recently.”
“What if I say I learned it from a dream? Would you believe me?” Lu Mingzhu was now certain that Lu Zhuri was her eldest brother, Lu Changsheng.
Lu’s father shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t.”
Lu Mingzhu stepped closer and whispered, “That so-called son of a veteran commander—the one who serves as a regimental commander—is named Zhang Shuo.”
Lu’s father exclaimed in shock, “Did you truly learn this from a dream?”
He had never mentioned that name to his daughter before.
Lu Mingzhu nodded. “Yes, I dreamed that your daughter didn’t leave Shanghai behind you as she actually did, but instead took Ping’an to seek refuge with your beloved son. In the end, she married and then divorced, suffering both heartbreak and physical harm, living only until thirty-nine. All of this was due to the wonderful arrangements made by you father and son. Now, do you still think my request for a bit of fairness is excessive?”
She then lowered her voice: “Just as you expected, when the wealthy meet terrible misfortune, your daughter couldn’t escape it. Your beloved son certainly didn’t protect her.”
Lu’s father’s face darkened, already half-convinced.
Because, apart from himself and Lu Zhu, no third person in the world knew
that he was Lu Changsheng.
Even when seeking supplies from Old Master Lu and Mrs. Lu, someone else had appeared on his behalf; he had hidden himself very deeply.
“Is it because you had such a dream that you brought Ping’an away from Shanghai?” Lu’s father suddenly realized this; otherwise, her unusual actions were hard to explain.
Lu Mingzhu neither nodded nor denied it.
Lu’s father then felt something was amiss. “If you had this dream long ago, how could you not have known about Lu Zhuri’s existence? It was I who told you myself.”
“I never said I had the dream back then,” Lu Mingzhu shrugged, a rather unladylike gesture. “I had the dream last night; otherwise, I wouldn’t have come rushing to find you. I believe it was a warning from heaven.”
Lu’s father pondered for a moment before saying, “Don’t keep Xie Junyao waiting any longer. Go back first; I’ll send someone to fetch you tomorrow evening so we can discuss the details further.”
“Alright!” Lu Mingzhu was in no hurry.
Of course, Lu Aiguo had to be brought along, but whether it happened a day earlier or later made no difference.
She was destined to become the wealthiest woman in future Hong Kong, while Lu Shen would rise as the richest man among the Chinese. With the siblings joining forces in the business world, they would find no equals. Later in life, neither would remarry, and their entire estates would eventually be endowed to establish the Lu Mingzhu Charitable Foundation.
As the paternal aunt of both the richest man and the richest woman, Lu Mingzhu felt she was about to strike it rich!
Xie Junyao waited outside without a shred of impatience. Seeing Lu Mingzhu’s smiling face lifted his own spirits. He adjusted the blue satin ribbon at the end of her braid, which had come slightly loose. “What shall we have for dinner?”
“Let’s eat right here; my treat,” Lu Mingzhu said, too lazy to search for another restaurant.
Xie Junyao disagreed. “How can I let a lady pay? You must give me the chance to show my gentlemanly manners.”
Lu Mingzhu broke into a radiant smile.
She had almost forgotten that, at this time, there was no such thing as splitting the bill on dates.
Thinking about it, seventy or eighty years later, blind dates would require splitting expenses down to the very last cent.
During the meal, Xie Junyao asked Lu Mingzhu, “Mingzhu, once Uncle Lu fulfills his promise and hands over what he owes you, your wealth will far surpass mine. Will you then deem me unworthy and cast me aside?”
Her heart was torn between hope and fear.
He gazed at Lu Mingzhu with deep, bright eyes.
Lu Mingzhu froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. “What nonsense are you talking about? Do you really think I’m that kind of person? In the past, when I wasn’t as good as you, I never saw you look down on me! Besides, my father only made a promise; he never actually handed anything over to me.”
She has bread, so naturally she seeks a man who also has bread and can give her love.
As for whether the bread is big or fragrant, that depends on the individual.
If you’re good-looking, the bread can be a little smaller.
If a man is just average, he’ll need a big, fragrant loaf of bread to win over a beautiful woman.
Of course, it’s best if the person is kind and the bread is big.
So far, she quite liked Xie Junyao. He was handsome, possessed an impeccable demeanor, and was neither domineering nor obsessive. He also maintained high moral standards; even if his “bread” was slightly smaller than hers, it didn’t matter.
When one meets the right person, the size of the “bread” matters little; love is what counts most.
Leaning across the table, Lu Mingzhu pecked his lips. Amidst his shocked gaze, she burst into a soft laugh. Warm breath escaped her crimson lips, brushing against his face and instantly turning it red.
His features were as delicate and refined as a meticulously painted gongbi artwork, exuding unparalleled beauty.
Despite being in a restaurant, just as Xie Junyao was about to take the initiative, Lu Mingzhu swiftly retreated to her original seat, smiling at him like a little fox, utterly cunning.
Under the lights, her lips were strikingly red and captivating, her eyes sparkling bright, her radiance even more luminous.
Xie Junyao didn’t get to kiss her; instead, he reached out, caught her slender hand resting on the table, gently caressed it, then held it in his palm to play with thoughtfully. His delight showed clearly in his brows and eyes, which were filled entirely with tenderness.
But this beautiful atmosphere was shattered by a voice brimming with displeasure: “Shameless!”
Lu Mingzhu turned her head and retorted, “Disgraceful for one’s age!”
The speaker was an elderly woman with snow-white hair and a ruddy complexion. She stood straight-backed, wrapped in a black silk qipao. Around her neck hung a long string of approximately 108 large emerald beads, while on her wrists she wore a pair of full-green jade bangles, lustrous and striking. All were fine jade of the highest quality, exuding an aura of immense wealth.
The original occupant of this body knew her well: this was Grandma Lu.
Because a fortune teller had claimed that the original Lu Mingzhu possessed a fate so harsh it would curse her father, Grandma Lu—who had borne only one son, Lu’s father—deeply disliked her. Sometimes, the old woman’s gaze upon her was so sinister it sent chills down one’s spine.
Over the past decade, although Lu’s father never showed much affection toward her original self, he never stinted on financial support.
Moreover, his current demeanor suggests he may not have been as unfeeling toward her original self as previously assumed.
There must be some hidden circumstances; I should inquire when the opportunity arises.
As for Grandmother Lu, she truly treated her original self poorly, being both stingy and harsh by nature.
After her biological brother’s death, she appeared even more gloomy.
Hearing Lu Mingzhu talk back, Old Lady Lu was furious. She scolded, “Lu Mingzhu, who taught you to be so disrespectful to your elders? Your father left you in Shanghai; why couldn’t you just stay put quietly? Why did you have to follow him all the way to Hong Kong? Are you still trying to bring him bad luck?”
Lu Mingzhu spoke bluntly, “You followed my own father far from home in your old age; why can’t I leave Shanghai? Besides, I arrived first, and precedence matters. My own father never told me I couldn’t stay in Hong Kong; on what grounds do you interfere? Is it because you’re older? If you’re so aged, then rest and enjoy your twilight years instead of meddling in us young people’s affairs and making yourself detested!”
She dared to address the head of the household with such casual “you”s, let alone an old woman.
So what if she was her biological grandmother?
Since she had treated the original body poorly, Lu Mingzhu saw no reason to show her any respect.
Grandmother Lu trembled all over with rage, her sunken lips quivering slightly as she pointed a finger at Lu Mingzhu, momentarily speechless. The elderly woman supporting her could not help but speak up: “Miss Eight, how can you address the Old Lady in such a manner?”
“What business is it of yours?” Lu Mingzhu replied even more bluntly.
This elderly woman was the Second Concubine, known by the nickname Little Flower Fairy.
In reality, she was a few years younger than Mr. Lu and Mrs. Lu; this year she was fifty-eight. Once a renowned Peking Opera performer, she should have been well-preserved and still graceful. However, having borne many children, many of whom died young, over the long years her vital energy had been severely depleted. She now truly embodied the frailty of a woman nearing sixty, while Mr. Lu, by contrast, looked a good ten years younger than she did.
Her voice was exquisite, delicate and melodious, and her eyes were remarkably clear.
In the past, Old Madame Lu enjoyed watching her perform in operas. Displeased with Mrs. Lu’s domineering personality and flamboyant conduct—always away from home attending to business—Old Madame Lu took it upon herself to arrange for Little Flower Immortal to become a concubine to Mr. Lu. Later, she bore eight children in quick succession, earning Old Madame Lu’s great affection. In return, Little Flower Immortal felt deeply grateful to Old Madame Lu, flattering her at every turn and constantly staying by her side.
Rebuked by Lu Mingzhu, a shadow of gloom flickered across the Second Concubine’s eyes.
She bit her lip and fell silent.
Grandmother Lu wanted to say something but didn’t know where to begin; she could only glare furiously at Lu Mingzhu, lean on the Second Concubine’s arm, shuffle forward on her bound feet, and loudly declare she was going to complain to Father Lu.
Lu Mingzhu pursed her lips, glanced back at Xie Junyao, and said, “Let’s continue; no need to pay attention to irrelevant people.”
“Your relationship doesn’t seem very good,” Xie Junyao observed.
Lu Mingzhu nodded openly and frankly. “Every family has its own troubles; this is ours. The old man is lecherous and flirtatious, bringing home a harem of concubines. With the family fortune being what it is, how could there not be scheming and fierce competition? So really, you can’t blame me for demanding things from the old man. If I don’t claim them, wouldn’t that just benefit those concubines and the children they bore?”
Xie Junyao said considerately, “The Xie family is no different; there’s never a moment when they don’t cause trouble. Fortunately, with my eldest brother holding the fort, they dare not provoke us.”
Lu Mingzhu smiled and asked, “Doesn’t that make us two kindred spirits in misfortune?”
Xie Junyao hesitated briefly before replying, “Though we share similar experiences, neither of us needs pity.”
“You’re right,” Lu Mingzhu said, placing a large abalone onto his plate as a reward.
After dinner, they did not linger outside.
The night had grown late, and the sky above sparkled with countless stars.
Xie Junyao escorted Lu Mingzhu back to the Wang residence. Upon entering, he greeted Mr. and Mrs. Wang Bohui as well as Mrs. Wang, after which Lu Mingzhu saw him out.
Just before getting into the car, Xie Junyao suddenly remembered something: “William contacted me this afternoon; he said he’s leaving Hong Kong tomorrow and asked you to stop by to take possession of the house and keys. Shall I pick you up at noon?”
Lu Mingzhu said happily, “It hasn’t even been a month yet; why are you going back already?”
“I’m not entirely sure. It seems they received an urgent call from home requiring his immediate return, so the schedule was moved up.” Since Lu Mingzhu moved to the hilltop residence, they had been able to meet every day, even hiking and jogging together. Xie Junyao couldn’t help but beam with joy. “Tomorrow, you can first inspect the house to see what needs repairing and which furniture needs replacing. I’ll handle everything for you.”
When it came to serving his girlfriend, he had all the time in the world.
He hoped she would move in soon.
Lu Mingzhu did not refuse. “All right, when I’m not in class, let’s go buy furniture and decor together.”
A home meant for a long stay must be properly furnished.
She was already imagining what style she would create inside.
To her surprise, upon taking possession of the house the next day, she discovered that all the furnishings had been replaced with new pieces—each one exquisite, arranged to perfection, exuding an air of refined elegance. Even the crystal chandelier had been swapped for a grander, more beautiful one.
The villa is European in style, with an interior that exudes a distinct Western flair; overall, it is luxuriously grand and utterly impeccable.
Xie Junyao and Lu Mingzhu were greatly surprised and asked William, who replied, “It was Mr. He, a friend of Ms. Lu, who sent people here. He’s quite formidable—he had the entire place arranged like this in just a day and a half. He’s incredibly generous too; all the furniture is imported, the vases appear to be antiques from your country, and there are even several paintings by Picasso. Altogether, they’re worth more than this villa I sold you.”
“Mr. He?” Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao exchanged glances.
Xie Junyao raised an eyebrow and couldn’t help but remark, “Mingzhu, it seems Mr. He intends to keep repaying you for saving his life indefinitely.”
He felt somewhat inferior.
Lu Mingzhu shrugged her hands. “I had no idea about this at all.”
In the novel, Mingyue was the legitimate daughter of the owner of Hong Kong’s glorious shipping company. Her parents’ names were never mentioned; they were simply referred to as Father Ming and Mother Ming. It was noted that Mother Ming’s surname was He, and that her grandfather and mother had accidentally choked to death while dining together.
He Yun was that grandfather. In the novel, he remained nameless, described only as the wealthiest man in Nanyang.
Had he not met Lu Mingzhu, his fate in the novel would have been to pass away at sixty-five.
Lu Mingzhu felt no guilt whatsoever about accepting the gift from He Yun; compared to his life, what was a mere present?
William also informed Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao that he had moved from the villa to the hotel two days ago, so Lu Mingzhu could move in immediately without any wait.
Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao inspected the place inside and out, and indeed, it was just as he had said.
The windows were bright, the rooms spotless, not a speck of dust in sight.
Not only that, but exquisite garments hung in the wardrobe, rows of handcrafted leather shoes filled the shoe cabinet, and the vanity table was adorned with an dazzling array of cosmetics and jewelry boxes, each brimming to capacity, their radiant splendor nearly spilling over.
The Victorian-style bed was neatly arranged with pillows and silk bedding.
They had even gone so far as to replace the bathtub with a brand-new one.
Lu Mingzhu stood speechless: “I had prepared myself to spend two months tidying up the house, yet what happened? In just a day or two, the old home was transformed as if by magic—truly unbelievable.”
William thought for a moment and said with envy, “This is the power of money.”
He had witnessed over a hundred people working simultaneously in the villa, busy yet orderly, with remarkable efficiency.
Lu Mingzhu also noticed two maids dressed in white blouses and black trousers, each with a long braid. She turned to William. “Are they your maids? What is their monthly salary? Do you plan to keep them, or are they looking for other opportunities?”
William touched his nose and corrected, “They are your maids.”
Lu Mingzhu was momentarily stunned.
Xie Junyao quickly caught on. “Are they the self-combed maids arranged by Mr. He?”
Upon receiving William’s confirmation, Xie Junyao turned slightly toward Lu Mingzhu and said, “The monthly salary for a self-combed maid is generally 150 yuan. I wonder how much Mr. He offered when he hired them.”
Lu Mingzhu asked directly.
If you don’t understand, just ask; there’s no need to make things complicated.
One of the maids, slightly older and stoutly built, replied, “My name is Ah Rong, and she is Ah Hong. We are responsible for washing clothes, cooking meals, and cleaning for the young lady. Mr. He pays us a monthly salary of 170 yuan, which he disburses every month; the young lady does not need to spend any money on us. There is also a gardener named Ah Zheng, who comes regularly each month to tend to the young lady’s garden, but he does not live here ordinarily.”
“Mr. He is far too thoughtful,” Lu Mingzhu said sincerely.
I don’t know how to express my gratitude to him, nor whether I should accept it or not.
If I don’t accept it, everything would be perfectly settled.
But if I do accept it, what was once a clear conscience turns into guilt.
It’s simply too much for me to bear!
This man is truly ruthless; without a word, he didn’t even give her a chance to refuse.
Accepting the key William handed over, Lu Mingzhu had no time to call He Yun before rushing back to school for class. By evening, she was picked up by bodyguards sent by her father and taken to the Xiangjiang Grand Hotel.
She had informed Xie Junyao in advance, so he did not come to pick her up that evening.
Her father still wore his favored white shirt paired with silver-gray trousers. His temples remained streaked with gray as before, his features still handsome and refined, yet his eyes now bore visible bloodshot veins, revealing exhaustion that instantly made him appear several years older.
Lu Mingzhu asked with concern, “Dad, did you not sleep well last night?”
“After hearing what you said yesterday, how could I possibly sleep peacefully?” Concerned about his eldest son’s family matters, Lu’s father had asked everyone else to leave the suite. He took a sip of strong tea; the bitterness spread across his tongue, instantly sharpening his mind. Pointing to the chair opposite the coffee table, he told Lu Mingzhu, “Sit down and explain everything clearly to me. What kind of dream were you having? And don’t hide even the slightest detail from me.”
Some things still had to be kept secret.
For instance… this little matter of transmigration.
Lu Mingzhu thought as much and acted accordingly, sharing only what could be disclosed with her father. She stated the facts methodically, offering no comments whatsoever, and firmly refused to reveal even a single word about matters that must remain secret.
Yet Lu Father frowned tightly, constantly interrupting her account to demand detailed explanations. First learning of his youngest daughter’s ultimate fate, then discovering that Lu Shen and Lu Aiguo had respectively divorced and broken off their engagements, his eyes filled with bloodshot rage. Gritting his teeth, he demanded, “Where has Lu Zhuri gone? Where did he die, leaving you to face everything alone?”
Had he not promised to take good care of Lu Mingzhu and Lu Ping’an, how could she have ever left the two children behind in China? Originally, she believed living with their biological father and elder brother would surely be more harmonious than staying with half-siblings sharing only one parent.
Was this what Lu Changsheng called “taking good care”?
Lu Mingzhu sighed, “I can barely take care of myself!”
From the moment he brought Lu Mingzhu and Lu Ping’an back, his identity was destined to be impossible to conceal.
Amid the prevailing trends, even Lu Zhuri, despite his distinguished military achievements, could not remain entirely unaffected—especially since his father and sister’s backgrounds implicated him, rather than him implicating them.
Lu’s father flew into a rage.
Having engaged in business for many years and witnessed the ways of the world, he was never a good man—not by any stretch. He had long harbored resentment over his eldest son squandering most of the family fortune; otherwise, he wouldn’t have coldly neglected his eldest grandson for over a decade, paying him no heed whatsoever. Yet, with donations made and merits earned, failing to protect his own daughter and children amidst such favorable circumstances undoubtedly constituted Lu Changsheng’s dereliction of duty.
Upon hearing his youngest daughter recount her dream, Lu’s father suddenly felt grateful for having escaped quickly; otherwise, his fate would have been dire.
But what wrong did his daughter commit?
She was only thirty-nine, so young; her untimely demise was a responsibility neither he nor Lu Changsheng could shirk.
With large, sparkling eyes, Lu Mingzhu looked at him. “Dad, your daughter ended up like this entirely because of your unilateral arrangements. Now, do you still feel reluctant about the assets I asked from you?”
Lu’s father walked over to her, gently patting the top of her head, his face filled with remorse. “Arranging your marriage to Zhang Shuo without your consent was my failure as a father, and your elder brother’s as well. Fortunately, you had that prophetic dream. I am now deeply relieved and immensely grateful to Heaven. How could I possibly hesitate over returning the property that rightfully serves as your compensation?”
Lu Mingzhu tilted her face up and rubbed it gently against his palm, smiling as she said, “I wouldn’t mind if you compensated me a little more!”
The gloom that had lingered vanished instantly before this radiant smile, restoring the former brightness.
Father Lu directly brought over the prepared leather suitcase number seven and placed it in front of her. “It’s all yours.”
He had originally planned to let his youngest daughter choose merely ten sets of jewelry; now, there was no need for her to pick at all. He would give her all several hundred pieces, slightly compensating for the debt he, as a father, owed her.
Lu Mingzhu instantly broke into a smile.
“Are you really giving it all to me?” she couldn’t help but confirm, worried she might be dreaming.
“Truly, it’s all yours.” Father Lu replied without a moment’s hesitation.
“Then please arrange a few more bodyguards for me!” Lu Mingzhu pushed her luck. “Mr. He has already had the new residence cleaned thoroughly, ready for immediate move-in, and arranged for two maids to handle household chores and a gardener to maintain the garden regularly. The only thing missing is security personnel to protect me. I believe only you can help; I don’t trust anyone else.”
Security matters certainly cannot be entrusted to outsiders; only family members can handle them to ensure peace of mind.
By “family members,” of course, she meant her biological father!
She had neither money nor connections, and she couldn’t keep troubling Wang Bohui.
Having stayed in their home for so long, I already feel deeply indebted.
Lu’s father agreed immediately, summoning the four bodyguards waiting outside the door. Each was robust, tall, and imposing. “From now on, you are responsible for protecting the Eighth Young Lady. Two will guard the house, and two will accompany her personally, rotating shifts. Your salaries will be increased by ten percent, still paid by me.”
Upon hearing this, the four bodyguards were overjoyed and immediately bowed to Lu Mingzhu. “Please, Young Lady, do not hesitate to give us your orders.”
Lu Mingzhu nodded gently. “I shall rely on your protection from now on.”
“It’s only right,” the four replied in unison.
With so many bodyguards surrounding Mr. Lu, they were inconspicuous among them and had little chance of advancement; but following the Eighth Young Lady was a different matter entirely.
The four of them would surely be given important responsibilities.
Mr. Lu then turned to Lu Mingzhu and said, “They all know how to drive and are quite skilled. I’ll buy you a car later. Don’t let Xie Junyao pick you up and drop you off every day anymore; it’s interfering with his work.”
Lu Mingzhu blurted out, “A Mercedes?”
Her father paused. “You certainly know how to aim high. Isn’t a sedan costing two thousand dollars enough for you?”
Lu Mingzhu pouted. “Just a moment ago you were so gentle with me, handing over a chest of jewels without hesitation. Why the sudden change of face? It’s only a Mercedes; it’s not as if you can’t afford to give one.”
A “Pingzhi” car was what would later be known as a Mercedes-Benz, belonging to the league of luxury automobiles.
That car emblem is instantly recognizable.
“Dad, I live in a mansion on the hilltop but drive an ordinary sedan. What do you think the neighbors will say?” Lu Mingzhu seized the opportunity to milk him for all she could.
As for her idea from last night about not taking advantage of her father the next time they met, she could always put that into action later!
For today, though, she’d let it go.
Unable to resist her coquettish pleas, Lu’s father relented, “Alright, alright, a Mercedes-Benz it is.”
Lu Mingzhu, having successfully achieved her goal, was overjoyed.
“Lu Mingzhu, you truly never miss an opportunity to make your father dig into his pockets.” After the bodyguards withdrew at her father’s signal, he voiced the doubt that had plagued him since last night: “Are you perhaps deeply resentful that your eldest brother used your dowry?”
“Not at all!” Lu Mingzhu blurted out without hesitation. “It is only right that it be used for a great cause; I bear no resentment.”
Hadn’t she herself eagerly donated money in hopes of being recognized as a patriotic overseas Chinese?
Even if it was merely offering flowers borrowed from another’s garden.
Lu’s father watched her quietly, noticing not a trace of reluctance on her face. This confirmed that her original approval of Lu Changsheng squandering most of the family fortune to support the organization had never changed. Her current dissatisfaction with Lu Changsheng likely stemmed from the fact that both he and his father had arbitrarily arranged the rest of her life without her consent.
In the end, it was the father and son who had gone too far, failing to respect her wishes.
Lu Mingzhu vaguely guessed the reason behind her father’s inquiry and couldn’t help but smile. “To be honest, as ordinary citizens, we should contribute money if we have it and offer our strength if we can. History has proven that only through such unity of purpose can an era of chaos be brought to an end.”
Without the heroic sacrifices of martyrs, how could we have today’s era of peace and prosperity?
Better to be a dog in peaceful times than a human in chaotic ones.
Thus, one can see the suffering brought by turbulent times.
Lu Mingzhu still preferred an era free from war and secretly rejoiced that she hadn’t transmigrated to before the founding of the nation. After all, even being reborn as an emperor’s princess would not compare to living as an overworked corporate slave in the twenty-first century.
Though she herself could not sacrifice for the nation, that did not prevent her from admiring those heroes who did.
In terms of righteous duty, Lu Changsheng acted beyond reproach.
Moreover, having not returned home for many years, when he asked the old master or Mrs. Lu for money, he might not have known that part of it came from the original body’s dowry.
“So you used that as an excuse to demand I supplement your dowry.” Lu’s father recalled her elaborate performance before him last night, how he had fallen for it, and parted with such a vast fortune to give her.
Lu Mingzhu chuckled, “If I didn’t do this, would you compensate me?”
The struggle for inheritance concerns Lu Father’s current assets, not those properties already donated away.
She adhered firmly to her principles.
Lu Father pinched her nose lightly, then changed the subject: “I’ll send someone to fetch Lu Aiguo and Ping’an. From now on, he’ll stay by my side. You just focus on living your own life; there’s no need for you to bear the responsibility of raising both children.”
Lu Mingzhu had indeed considered this, but she never expected her father to be the first to bring up resolving the future of the two children.
The two children were wonderful; raising them would be no loss, yet she did not wish to end up like her predecessor.
She lacked her predecessor’s capabilities and feared she would fail to raise them properly.
Seeing the look of pleasant surprise on Lu Mingzhu’s face, her father spoke solemnly: “Mingzhu, remember this: they are not your responsibility. Your kindness toward them is a virtue, not something they should take for granted. Since I am settling in Hong Kong, as their grandfather, both Ping’an and Lu Aiguo ought to be under my care. You need only visit them when you have time.”
Lu Mingzhu hesitated for a moment. “Your surroundings are filled with demons and monsters; what if they get hurt?”
Her father replied without hesitation, “I’ve changed my mind. I won’t be living in the same building as those concubines. Instead, I’ll arrange for them to reside with your brothers, and I’ll ensure both children are well protected.”
Lu Mingzhu breathed a sigh of relief.
“It’s good that you have a plan. I was truly worried the two children might suffer injustices by your side. In that case, I’ll go back and explain everything clearly to Ping’an. He once even talked about buying a building together with me!” However, the US dollars obtained from exchanging gold bars had been invested into Wang Bohui’s company, leaving him seemingly short of funds, so the matter of jointly purchasing a building was quietly dropped.
To be honest, following her is far worse than following Father Lu; even mastering just twenty percent of his skills would ensure a lifetime of security and endless benefit.
Father Lu nodded. “I’ll send someone to bring him over tomorrow.”
Lu Mingzhu flashed her deep dimples. “No problem! Since Ping’an will be with you, I’m moving too!”