Chapter 035
That night, upon returning to the Wang residence, she temporarily left her bodyguards behind, planning to employ them only after moving into the new house.
With four mouths to feed, it was inconvenient to dine at the Wangs’.
After bidding goodnight to Mrs. Wang and the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Wang Bohui, Lu Mingzhu went upstairs. She placed the leather trunk filled with jewelry in her own room, then sought out Lu Ping’an, who lived next door, and informed him, as he was reading a book, of her father’s decision.
She mentioned only that her father now recognized the value of his eldest legitimate grandson and intended to bring him close for upbringing, making no mention of Lu Zhuri or Lu Aiguo.
She respected Ping’an, so she greeted him first.
Lu Mingzhu had expected Lu Ping’an to be reluctant, but to her surprise, he nodded without hesitation, saying he was willing to go live with his grandfather. “It would be very hard for Auntie to raise me; I’ll stay with Grandpa.”
Grandpa is wealthy and can easily afford the small expense of supporting himself.
Lu Mingzhu had a habit of asking her father for money, which Lu Ping’an observed carefully and kept in mind. He knew that after buying the building, his aunt had little cash on hand—probably only about half of the ten thousand US dollars.
His aunt truly treated him well; she did not keep the entire ten thousand US dollars given by Grandpa for herself but instead shared it equally with him, granting him financial freedom.
Lu Mingzhu looked him up and down in astonishment. “So readily? That’s unbelievable.”
She had expected to need some persuasion.
Lu Ping’an smiled with a hint of shyness. “Since you brought it up, it must mean you and Grandfather have already discussed it. For me, this is the best arrangement. I’m not ungrateful; of course, I won’t refuse.”
He wasn’t a three-year-old child who needed his aunt to spell everything out for him.
Living with Father Lu offers many advantages.
Lu Mingzhu said with relief, “The fact that you can say this shows you understand the situation. It’s not that I don’t want to keep you by my side; my home will always have a room for you, and I’ll visit you at the old man’s place every now and then. I simply feel that you won’t learn much from me, which could hinder your future. Look, we’ve been in Hong Kong for less than a month, yet the time you’ve spent learning from Brother Bohui far exceeds the time you’ve spent with me, proving that we aunt and nephew don’t need to be inseparable. The old man is different—he’s sharp, decisive, and wealthy. While learning skills from him, you can also… ahem, also build a bond with him, making up for the regrets of the past fifteen years.”
Lu Ping’an corrected, “You should say that I am learning skills from Grandpa while fulfilling my filial duties to a father I have never met. Saying it’s just about building affection could easily make people think I’m after Grandpa’s fortune. However, Auntie, you can use the opportunity of visiting me to ask Grandpa for living expenses. Given his age and soft heart, he likely won’t refuse.”
Lu Mingzhu was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.
Her eyes curved like crescent moons, her smile blooming like a flower, making her appear exceptionally radiant and beautiful under the light.
A slight stir rippled through Lu Ping’an’s heart as he asked, “Auntie, are you really not planning to live with Grandpa?”
Lu Mingzhu nodded. “I have my own big house; why should I live with him? Living alone brings peace and quiet. Your grandfather will come to pick you up tomorrow, and I’ll soon move into my own place too. If you’re unhappy living with him, just come find me. I will always be your safe haven.”
Lu Ping’an blinked. “Move in directly? Auntie, don’t we need to tidy up first?”
An old house previously occupied by others was surely unclean; even if the furniture and furnishings weren’t replaced, it still required a thorough cleaning.
Lu Mingzhu pressed her lips together with a smile. “Someone has already cleaned it for us. The furniture and furnishings have all been replaced, and daily necessities are fully prepared. We just need to move in with our bags.”
Lu Ping’an’s expression turned knowing.
Lu Mingzhu was breathtakingly beautiful; from childhood onward, she had never lacked for admirers eager to court her.
Lu Mingzhu raised her hand to check the time, then stood up from the chair beside her. “It’s settled, then. I won’t disturb your reading. You pack your belongings. The people your grandfather sent will arrive tomorrow; we leave immediately—no time to waste.”
Lu Ping’an murmured an assent and escorted her to the door.
Returning to her own room, Lu Mingzhu first bathed and changed her clothes. Then she opened Jewelry Box Number Seven, taking out each piece one by one to admire, casually counting them as she arranged them in neat rows upon her bed.
Jewels, jade, and emeralds—everything one could desire.
Sparkling and radiant, both beautiful and precious.
Not necessarily all collector-grade antiques, but undoubtedly top-tier jewelry.
The gemstones are exceptionally large, the craftsmanship exquisitely refined, and the designs utterly stunning.
.
The pieces of jewelry she had reluctantly left behind during her previous selection were now all hers to keep.
Lu Mingzhu was ecstatic!
After several interactions, she had largely figured out her father’s personality: he yielded to softness rather than hardness when it came to children he favored, and he valued legitimate offspring far above illegitimate ones—even the concubines could not compare.
The fact that the diamond desired by the Third Concubine ultimately ended up in her hands spoke volumes.
In total, this box contained 324 pieces of jewelry, large and small; a pair of stud earrings counted as one piece, while a pair of bracelets counted as two—not as Lu Mingzhu had claimed before her father, trying to gain an advantage, by counting each set as a single item.
This compensation is truly substantial!
Lu Mingzhu happily packed the jewelry back into the box, then slipped the entire chest into her spatial storage. Before doing so, she had to retrieve another leather suitcase from her space, filled with miscellaneous items, to serve as a plausible substitute in the real world.
She must deceive everyone except herself.
It seems I really need to rent two bank safety deposit boxes for the jewelry; I can’t rely too much on small spaces.
Even with the few bodyguards gifted by her father, Lu Mingzhu couldn’t feel entirely secure keeping all her jewelry at home; after all, even the super-wealthy sometimes suffered burglaries, let alone someone like herself who was far from being among them.
With this in mind, Lu Mingzhu consulted Wang Bohui about bank safe deposit box services during breakfast the next day.
Having been in business for many years and having lived in Hong Kong for a long time, he should be familiar with the situation there
As expected, Wang Bohui responded upon hearing the question: “Whether foreign or Chinese capital, any major bank with substantial funds offers strong security guarantees. After all, they need to earn their clients’ trust; there has never been news of a bank vault being robbed. However, I suggest you split your deposits to spread the risk. That said, our home is very secure, with twenty to thirty guards patrolling inside and out. You’re living safely here, so what made you think of asking about bank vaults?”
Lu Mingzhu had just announced her intention to move out when her father also decided to bring Lu Ping’an under his care for upbringing.
Mrs. Wang and Liao Wanru were both taken aback, voicing the same question as Lu Ping’an.
It hasn’t been cleaned; how can anyone live here?
Lu Mingzhu explained a few words: “Mr. He is truly a kind man; I saved him just once, and he’s willing to help with anything. He sent people to clean up the villa within a day or two. William has also left Hong Kong ahead of schedule. Xie Junyao and I personally inspected it yesterday; we can move in anytime. Everyone, please wait for me to choose an auspicious date, and I’ll host a housewarming party for you all.”
Mrs. Wang volunteered, “I have an almanac at my place; I’ll find someone to calculate an auspicious date for you.”
“Thank you, Godmother.” Lu Mingzhu did not decline her kindness; instead, she thoughtfully reminded her, “We should avoid school days. Sunday would be best, when everyone is off.”
Mrs. Wang nodded. “We’ll also need to write and send out proper invitations. The more people, the livelier it will be.”
Lu Mingzhu pressed her lips together and offered a subtle smile. “Godmother, there’s no need to make a public announcement; just invite a few friends. Otherwise, people might think I’m trying to collect gifts.”
Liao Wanru couldn’t help but laugh. “Who’s short on the few coins needed for housewarming gifts? Feel free to invite as many people as you like.”
Lu Mingzhu still shook her head, counting on her fingers. “You and my eldest brother and sister-in-law certainly can’t skimp on the safe that my eldest brother promised me! As for others, I’ll invite Junyao, Mr. He, Sister He Xuan; it doesn’t matter whether Mr. Minghui comes or not. Add Ping’an and my father. My father, being my own flesh and blood, isn’t exactly a guest; he should take the lead in hiring a top chef to prepare a grand banquet at home to honor our distinguished guests.”
She had neither money nor connections; there was much work to be done!
Wang Bohui laughed aloud. “Why trouble your father? Just have our family chef and his apprentice go over to help, bringing along all the necessary cooking utensils and ingredients. There’s no need for you to rush out shopping amidst your busy schedule.”
Lu Mingzhu did not refuse. “Many thanks, Elder Brother! I am deeply grateful.”
With the arrangements settled, Lu Mingzhu found time to write the invitations according to the auspicious date and hour selected by Mrs. Wang.
After Lu Ping’an was taken away by his father.
Ping’an’s departure was like a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface; it vanished quickly without a trace, leaving the Wang family’s life undisturbed.
Occasionally, Wang Bohui felt an emptiness beside him and couldn’t help but sigh, for Lu Ping’an was truly a clever child; whenever he studied with him, the boy could draw inferences from one instance, and sometimes even noticed details that Wang himself had overlooked.
Though not as endearing as Lu Mingzhu, he far surpassed ordinary children.
It was likely that Father Lu intended to groom him as his heir.
As the eldest legitimate grandson, his claim was indisputable, far superior to having an illegitimate son succeed, and he could also become a steadfast support for Lu Mingzhu.
Lu Mingzhu was busily occupied.
After a week of classes, she personally delivered each invitation to the distinguished guests. Xie Junyao’s had already been handed to him during their rides together; the most crucial one remaining was for He Yun.
After all, having received so many favors from him, no amount of gratitude would be excessive.
They had informed them in advance and chose to visit on Sunday.
It was Xie Junyao who suggested they visit together, and Lu Mingzhu did not refuse.
He Yun received them in the reception room.
In stark contrast to the opulence of the Ming household, the He residence was furnished with extreme simplicity; the rooms were spacious yet devoid of floral decorations, exuding an air of coldness and desolation that hardly seemed befitting a wealthy family.
The last time Lu Mingzhu had come to the He residence to seek an audience with He Yun, she had remained in the garden and never entered the house.
Stepping into the main house for the first time today, I was somewhat startled.
Seated in the reception room, before handing over the invitation, Lu Mingzhu first expressed her sincere gratitude to He Yun, adding that she dared not accept such generosity.
It was simply too much.
Upon reflection afterward, she felt it wasn’t quite appropriate.
The furniture and decor are acceptable, but what about clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics?
It’s not that Lu Mingzhu is overly sensitive; she simply believes friendships require clear boundaries.
He Yun dismissed her concerns lightly. “Mingzhu, there’s no need for such politeness between us. For me, it’s merely a matter of giving an order downstairs; others will handle the work. If it were you, you’d likely spend several busy months before moving into a new home. Although the Wang family treats you kindly, living under their roof still means relying on others’ hospitality, which brings many inconveniences. To outsiders, it may even appear improper. It would be better to move into your own home sooner rather than later.”
Unable to openly express her true thoughts, Lu Mingzhu pretended to feel embarrassed. “How could matters be as casually described as Mr. He suggests? None of those items are cheap; I truly feel unworthy of such generosity.”
“Is it very expensive?” He Yun countered.
Lu Mingzhu was choked up.
What seemed expensive to her was truly insignificant in He Yun’s eyes.
After all, he was the wealthiest man in Nanyang!
Enough to make others drool with envy.
Lu Mingzhu keenly felt the gap between rich and poor.
Every time I felt I had surpassed the ordinary citizen, someone even wealthier would soon appear before me.
It was truly a crushing blow!
Xie Junyao suddenly said, “This isn’t a matter of expense, but of appropriateness. Mr. He is grateful to Mingzhu for saving his life; we all understand this. Mingzhu has already received many valuable gifts in return, signifying that this matter is concluded. Mr. He need not dwell on it further by continuing to burden her with gifts beyond what she can bear.”
At the time, in Lu Mingzhu’s new residence, I merely thought He Yun was repaying a debt of gratitude and didn’t suspect anything. However, the more I reflected afterward, the more something felt amiss.
Isn’t that what he should do as a boyfriend?
By doing this, has He Yun overstepped his bounds?
Xie Junyao is still young; having been protected by his elder brother since childhood, he lacks He Yun’s cunning shrewdness and decisive ability to act, leaving him filled with deep frustration.
He Yun glanced at him and smiled lightly.
Looking closely, his smile did not reach his eyes.
“In what capacity does Mr. Xie presume to speak these words before me?” he asked Xie Junyao, his tone indifferent.
Xie Junyao met his gaze directly. “As Mingzhu’s boyfriend.”
He Yun held the cuff of his other sleeve in one hand, pouring tea with elegant poise, and said bluntly, “You are merely Mingzhu’s boyfriend, not her yourself; you cannot speak on her behalf.”
Listening to their conversation, Lu Mingzhu suddenly felt a subtle shift.
She quickly said, “Mr. He, in fact, Junyao is right. You don’t need to keep repaying the debt of saving my life. I feel I’ve already received more than enough. If you give any more, it will indeed place immense pressure on me.”
She was poor; she truly couldn’t repay him!
What her father had given her were real estate properties and jewelry—assets she couldn’t liquidate, nor did she wish to.
He Yun’s gaze rested on Lu Mingzhu’s stunningly beautiful face as he smiled faintly. “When you last approached me to purchase the Qianlong Emperor’s personal thumb ring, you said nothing of this sort, nor were you so excessively polite as you are today.”
“Mr. He!” Lu Mingzhu’s expression instantly fell.
Money debts are easy to repay; favors are hard to settle.
It was only now that Xie Junyao learned the Qianlong Emperor’s thumb ring Lu Mingzhu intended to gift her father had been purchased from He Yun. Had he known earlier, he would have preferred Lu Mingzhu to give her own jade thumb ring to her father instead, sparing her any further contact with He Yun.
Although, in my heart, I was extremely reluctant to part with them.
They were tokens of our love!
He Yun poured tea for them, his movements fluid and graceful, his voice slow and gentle: “Mr. Xie, please do not overthink this. Having lived to such an advanced age and having faced life and death, I have long grown indifferent to material possessions. My willingness to give these items to Mingzhu stems solely from my belief that they will be useful to her, and for no other reason.”
“I hope everything unfolds just as Mr. He has said,” Xie Junyao replied.
He Yun’s expression remained calm: “Mr. Xiao Xie truly lives up to his reputation as a businessman; indeed, he is overly suspicious.”
Xie Junyao showed no fear: “Not as good as
Mr. He.”
As they descended the mountain, he instructed Lu Mingzhu, “From now on, we must show respect to Mr. He. Understand?”
Lu Mingzhu asked curiously, “When we were at his house, I noticed your tone wasn’t particularly pleasant. Now you’re telling me to respect him? Isn’t that contradictory?”
“Respect has another meaning,” Xie Junyao said.
“Hmm?” A question mark flashed in Lu Mingzhu’s eyes. Could it be that she didn’t fully understand the meaning of the word ‘respect’?
Xie Junyao spoke solemnly, “It’s called ‘to respect but keep at a distance.'”
Lu Mingzhu burst out laughing. “What are you thinking about, Junyao?”
She still hasn’t figured it out.
Xie Junyao, however, said, “You have to trust a man’s intuition.”
“What is your intuition? Tell me,” Lu Mingzhu asked curiously, unable to help examining herself. Could it be that she was truly too careless? How had she not noticed?
Xie Junyao replied indignantly, “He’s doing what I should be doing as her boyfriend.”
A flicker of astonishment passed through Lu Mingzhu’s eyes.
Soon, she forcefully slapped Xie Junyao’s arm and said unhappily, “Xie Junyao, you’re overthinking things. How could you even have such an idea? He’s so old, several years older than my father; how could he possibly behave disrespectfully?”
Although she was indeed beautiful, she was no irresistible enchantress!
Even if she were an irresistible enchantress, she certainly wasn’t captivating to the extent Xie Junyao suggested.
How could he even come up with such a notion!
Xie Junyao turned his hand over to grasp hers, holding it firmly as he said earnestly, “Otherwise, there’s no way to explain all the things he’s done for you—things even better than what I’ve done as your boyfriend.”
“You’re at it again! Say another word, and I’ll truly be angry.” Lu Mingzhu’s cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes shimmering with a hint of indignant reproach. “Xie Junyao, what kind of person do you take me for? Let me reiterate this once more: he is an old man, an old man, an old man! Let me calculate—he is forty-seven years older than me. A full forty-seven years!”
One is sixty-five, the other eighteen; it’s simply impossible!
She could be certain, absolutely certain, that their few meetings had been entirely uneventful, devoid of any ambiguity. Otherwise, she would have long ago followed Xie Junyao’s advice and kept her distance from He Yun with due respect.
Moreover, while at the He residence, she had already made her stance clear.
Regarding matters of clothing, jewelry, and cosmetics,
Xie Junyao muttered, “I’ve heard that even in his seventies or eighties, Master Baishi still fell for young women.”
Lu Mingzhu raised their clasped hands and bit down hard on the back of Xie Junyao’s hand. “Don’t you dare imagine Mr. He as something so vile! Such a thing is utterly impossible.”
Xie Junyao gasped sharply in pain.
So ruthless!
Lu Mingzhu felt a bit better after venting her anger. “Xie Junyao, if you feel you haven’t done enough, then just try harder! Besides, so far, I don’t think you’ve done poorly. Also, you’re my boyfriend. Since you’re wary of Mr. He, I’ll reduce the number of times I meet him from now on, okay?”
Although she didn’t fully believe Xie Junyao’s suspicions, it was still better to be cautious.
Boundaries are very important.
Speaking of which, Xie Junyao’s idea is simply outrageous.
Upon hearing Lu Mingzhu’s words, Xie Junyao visibly brightened, rubbing the back of his hand. “Actually, it’s not that I don’t trust you; it’s just that Mr. He is too unfathomable. Apart from age, I fall short of him in every other aspect.”
Lu Mingzhu couldn’t help but find it utterly amusing: “You’re worried I might fall for someone else?”
Xie Junyao nodded vigorously.
That’s exactly what I’m worried about!
Lu Mingzhu extended her slender, fair index finger to point at her own nose and asked him, “Xie Junyao, do I look that foolish to you? Why would I pass up a handsome young man like you, so elegant and refined, only to entangle myself with an old man?”
What would I possibly gain from that?
Does he smell like an old man?
Honestly.
No matter how well he takes care of himself, he may look middle-aged, but in reality, he’s still an old man.
Compared to him, a young, vigorous guy is far more appealing!
In the prime of life, handsome and striking, with a strong and robust physique, their future married life is sure to be filled with happiness.
Xie Junyao sighed, “That’s exactly what worries me!”
“What are you even thinking about? You must be too idle, letting your mind wander into wild speculations. At the very beginning, he asked me to call him Uncle He, clearly treating me as a junior,” Lu Mingzhu argued, bringing up past events as proof.
Xie Junyao remained firmly convinced that his intuition was correct. “You’re just over-simplifying things.”
Lu Mingzhu stopped arguing with him. “Then let time prove it.”
Despite her words, Xie Junyao’s concerns left a faint trace in Lu Mingzhu’s heart. After much deliberation, she went to her father and asked him to have someone appraise the market value of the furniture, furnishings, clothing, cosmetics, and other items in the villa. The total came to approximately 1.2 million. She then requested 1.3 million Hong Kong dollars in cash from her father, to be deducted from the eight million in assets he had promised her.
Her father asked what she needed the money for. “Is it to repay Mr. He Yun?”
From the moment she arranged for the appraisal, he had guessed Lu Mingzhu’s intentions, and deep down, he quite approved.
This money must be repaid.
Lu Mingzhu nodded. “Yes, we must repay him.”
“Go early and return early.” Lu’s father instructed two bodyguards to drive her to the He residence.
Today is Wednesday, a day when classes should be in session, yet Lu Mingzhu specifically requested leave.
He Yun hadn’t expected Lu Mingzhu to visit again after several days. Gazing at the leather suitcase she pushed before him and opened, he raised an eyebrow slightly. “What is this?”
Lu Mingzhu pressed her lips together. “Money being returned to Mr. He, totaling 1.3 million Hong Kong dollars. I had someone appraise those items.”
Her heart ached as if bleeding drop by drop.
This amount of money could buy several super-luxury mansions, yet now it serves merely as decorative items and personal necessities within the house.
He Yun looked at her and asked, “Is it because of Xie Junyao?”
“No, it has nothing to do with him,” Lu Mingzhu denied, smiling as usual with an expression of perfect calm. “I simply feel I shouldn’t accept such generosity without having earned it.”