Chapter 77: He Said He No Longer Wanted to Live in Reed City

Lu Yuan sat on the stool, his square face betraying no emotion. He lifted his chin slightly, and the two burly men waiting by the door immediately closed the ward door, one standing guard outside, the other inside.

The blond man knelt on the floor, trembling as he raised his head.

Only then did Lu Yuanqiu notice his bruised and battered appearance—blood from his nose smeared across his lips, his clothes torn, even his gold shoes missing one, leaving him with only a sock on one foot.

Sun Qiangsheng glanced at Lu Yuanqiu lying on the hospital bed; gone was any trace of swagger in his eyes, replaced by a submissive nod and a forced smile, as he nervously sized up the other men.

The aura emanating from the three middle-aged men in the ward sent chills through him; it was a quality born of a different class, hard to describe, yet it made him acutely aware of the gulf between their statuses.

Especially the man sitting directly in front of him, observing him with an expressionless square face. Sun Qiangsheng eyed the man’s black jacket, swallowed in despair, and slowly lowered his head.

Before coming here, the men who beat him had made it clear what caliber of person he’d offended this time.

Lu Yuan spoke: “Young man, you’re too far away. Come closer.”

Sun Qiangsheng hesitated for a few seconds, then hurriedly shuffled forward on his knees, looking up at Lu Yuan with a humble smile.

Lu Yuan ignored him and instead scolded the bald man, “Who told you to beat him?”

The bald man, guilty, took a few steps back and was at a loss for words.

Sun Qiangsheng quickly waved his hands and shook his head, pointing at himself, “No one beat me! No one beat me! I fell myself! It was my own carelessness!”

Only then did Lu Yuan fix his gaze on him, letting out a gentle snort. “I heard you’re quite famous… on that street?”

Sun Qiangsheng shook his head frantically, “No! Not famous at all! It’s all nonsense I made up!”

Lu Yuan looked down at him, “Kid, it’s not good to be too famous. It’ll get you into trouble.”

“I understand! I understand! I really do this time! I won’t dare again!”

Lu Yuan shook his head, “No need to wait for next time. This time is enough.”

He then turned to the bald man, “Xiao Song, check everyone on that street associated with him, all the shops, and look into his past transaction records. I feel there’s plenty to uncover. If someone can get away with violence just by being famous on a street, there shouldn’t be anyone covering for him, right?”

The bald man wiped his sweat and nodded immediately, “Understood.”

Hearing this, Sun Qiangsheng knocked his head to the floor in despair, “I was wrong! I was wrong! I really was wrong!”

Lu Yuan seemed not to hear, continuing, “Also look into his family, relatives, and friends’ recent financial records. When he’s committed a crime, those close to him must cooperate with the investigation. I believe this is standard procedure.”

The bald man nodded again, “Understood.”

Sun Qiangsheng collapsed, weeping in utter despair.

Lu Yuan lowered his head and spoke, “Young man, when you’ve done something wrong, you must apologize. Go ahead.”

Sun Qiangsheng hurriedly shuffled over to Lu Yuanqiu’s bed, bowing his head as he sobbed, “Brother Lu, I’m sorry! Brother Lu, I was wrong! Please forgive me! You must forgive me! I was ignorant! I should have recognized you sooner!”

Lu Yuanqiu ignored him, turned to his Third Uncle and said, “Third Uncle, I remember he once said he didn’t want to live in Lucheng anymore, and asked me to help him with that.”

Lu Yuan was taken aback, “He said that? Why?”

Lu Yuanqiu nodded, “He really said it. Maybe he thinks the cost of living here is too high. I’m not sure. You know I’ve always liked to help others…”

Lu Yuan nodded, “Alright, your affairs are mine too. If I can help, I will.”

Lu Yuanqiu smiled, “Thank you, Third Uncle.”

Sun Qiangsheng looked up, his eyes filled with terror as he stared at Lu Yuanqiu, recalling the words he’d said earlier that day, but it was too late for regret.

Lu Yuan looked up, “Xiao Song, take him away. Handle it officially, don’t let any personal feelings interfere, understood?”

The bald man nodded knowingly, “Understood, understood!”

After Sun Qiangsheng was taken away, Lu Yuan patted Lu Yuanqiu’s head with a smile, “What a joke—no one can bully my nephew. Alright, I should be going now. Rest well.”

Lu Yuanqiu smiled, “I know. Take care on your way, Third Uncle.”

Lu Yuan headed for the door, his secretary following closely behind. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he stopped and turned back, reminding, “Your monthly exam was good, but what I want is not just improvement in this test. Do you understand?”

Lu Yuanqiu saluted from the bed, “Understood!”

Only then did Lu Yuan leave with a smile.

“That old Third,” Second Uncle grumbled as soon as Third Uncle left, “he’s so forceful. Now, except for the old lady at home, probably no one can keep him in check…”

First Uncle patted his shoulder, “Enough complaining. Without Third, could we have things so convenient?”

“That’s true.”

The two middle-aged men exchanged a knowing glance, then simultaneously turned to their nephew.

“Qiu’er, we’re leaving too. We’ll come visit you another day.”

Before Lu Yuanqiu could respond, Second Uncle raised a finger, his expression serious, “Don’t forget our agreement—bring your undergraduate admission letter and you’ll get the branch company.”

Lu Yuanqiu nodded solemnly, “I remember.”

After the two uncles left, Lu Yuanqiu slowly withdrew his gaze.

Zhang Zhisheng…

Do you realize you’ve pushed an entire family into the abyss with your own hands?

Lu Yuanqiu sat on the bed, taking a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs and clearing his mind.

If the uncle in suspenders hadn't been schemed against, he would still be the boss of White Rhino Foods, and could have made the company flourish with authentic White Rhino instant noodles.

Bai Qingxia’s mother wouldn’t have lacked money for treatment.

Perhaps Bai Qingxia’s brother wouldn’t have gone out that night after the high school entrance exam.

Why did he go out?

To buy food for his sister?

Lu Yuanqiu couldn’t be certain, but he still wanted to pin the blame on Zhang Zhisheng.

And finally, if the uncle in suspenders hadn’t been deceived…

Bai Qingxia would have a sane father and become a true swan, not a timid ugly duckling.

After quietly pondering for a while, Lu Tian entered carrying a packed dinner.

He handed it to his son, saying, “Your mother is out on the street with that father and daughter, persuading Xia to join us for a holiday outing during National Day.”

Lu Yuanqiu nodded, “Good. Now is indeed the best time to convince her—she’s likely to agree.”

“There’s one more thing.” As he opened the food container, Lu Tian instructed,

“Though Xia didn’t take any money, her father helped us, so we must go to their home and thank them. It’s both custom and common sense. When you’re discharged, buy some meat and gifts, and pay them a visit. Now our families know each other well enough—she shouldn’t mind too much. You’ll go alone.”

(End of chapter)