Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“The media in B City has been watching us closely recently. We’re already getting a lot of hate for the relationship between the three of us. If we were to live together, it would only worsen the situation to the point of even affecting our business in Ning City. B City is not our territory. There’s a lot of restrictions for us here and we can only react passively. The only thing we can do now is to be careful about handling our situation. Things will be hard on you for a while,” Lu Zhenghang explained.
Jiang Changdai could not help feeling that everything felt wrong. She felt flustered.
Which was why Jiang Changdai immediately said, “It will be okay as long as… As long as no one sees us, right? I can’t leave the house looking like this anyway. I can hide at home with both of you. No one will ever know.”
“There will always be a leak. Reporters now are able to get into every crook and cranny. Just stay here quietly. When we’ve settled everything in B City, we’ll take you home with us,” Lu Zhenghang tried to pacify her.
Jiang Changdai was already being carried out of the elevator by someone while they were conversing.
Lu Zhenghang took out a key and opened the door. It was a three-bedroom apartment. The house only had simple furniture and household electronics. They were not especially exquisite. It was apparent that this place was not for a long-term stay.
Besides, the location was in a rural area. Jiang Changdai was not even sure if they were still in the vicinity of B City. The price of this place would not be high in terms of sales or rental.
There was a middle-aged woman in the apartment. She walked towards them upon seeing them.
Lu Zhenghang gave a simple introduction, “This is the caregiver I hired for you.”
He gave instructions for the caregiver to take good care of Jiang Changdai and prepared to leave.
Jiang Changdai hurriedly said while sitting in her wheelchair, “Are you leaving now?”
Lu Zhenghang pressed his eyes tiredly as he nodded and said, “There are still a lot of problems for me to deal with. I need to hurry back and take care of them. The earlier I can solve them, the earlier we can return to Ning City. It’s too risky to stay here any longer.”
Jiang Changdai wanted to go back soon as well. She had never had a good day since coming here but she did not want Lu Zhenghang to leave so soon. “You haven’t slept the whole night. Why don’t you take a short rest here before you leave?”
Lu Zhenghang tried his best not to show his annoyance, “It’s fine. I really don’t have time for sleep.”
Jiang Changdai lowered her head slightly in guilt. “It’s all because of me that you had to rush here and there.”
Lu Zhenghang pressed his lips together in frustration, but his words were gentle and respectful, “Please don’t say that. You’re my mother. It’s only right that I take care of you. Besides, I’ve been so busy the past few days that I haven’t been able to take good care of you. I haven’t been doing my part well. It’s only right of me to pick you up.”
Jiang Changdai was relieved upon hearing his words. She smiled and said, “Go ahead and do your work. Don’t forget to rest even if you’re busy. Don’t forget that you have a mother here worried for you.”
Lu Zhenghang nodded and smiled at Jiang Changdai before walking out the door. The big strong man who had carried Jiang Changdai followed him out.
Lu Zhenghang closed the door, saying to him, “Make sure she stays put.”
The strong man nodded and Lu Zhenghang left.
Jiang Changdai’s expression turned cold in the room. She instructed the caregiver, “Push me to the balcony.”
The caregiver obliged and Jiang Changdai watched from the French windows as Lu Zhenghang exited the building and got onto his car.
She was not aware that Lu Zhenghang did not return to his house in B City with Lu Zhenting. He had driven straight to the airport.
There as a middle-aged man sitting on a leather seat in the VIP waiting area of the airport. There as a cigar held between his fingers. He had a glass of red wine on the table in front of him.
The man was not a particularly good-looking fellow. He was, after all, up there in term of years. However, one could tell from his features that he was once considered a somewhat handsome man in his youth, just not overwhelmingly so. His hair was dyed black except for his sideburns, which were left grey on purpose. He was wearing a dapper suit and looked meticulously groomed. He looked like someone that was difficult to get close to, with that stern look on his face.
In terms of looks and charisma, he was, however, still miles behind those of that generation of the Eight Dominant Families.
“Dad!” Lu Zhenghang had appeared at the door of the waiting room.
This middle-aged man was none other than Lu Zhenting.
Lu Zhenting turned, “You’re here. Is everything settled?”
Lu Zhenghang sat next to him. “I’ve arranged everything and got someone to watch her.”
Lu Zhenting nodded and took out two plane tickets from his pocket. They were air tickets to Ning City.
He passed one to Lu Zhenghang, “Let’s go.”
Both of them got up and left the waiting area. They had never once thought about bringing Jiang Changdai along with them.
…
Lin Chu was still not satisfied with just chasing the Lu family back to Ning City, but she still felt the air was now fresher in B City now that they were not there.
In the blink of an eye, Lin Chu was already five months pregnant.
She had visited the orphanage with Yan Beicheng on Saturday. As there were so many things happening, they did not have the opportunity to make a visit. Lin Chu could only give the old principal a call. The old principal had also told her not to visit the orphanage too often as she was pregnant and it would be inconvenient. Besides, there was nothing much happening at the orphanage.
Now that they had settled all their problems, Lin Chu and Yan Beicheng had brought along some health supplements for the old principal, as well as books and stationery for the children.
The children surrounded them the moment they entered the orphanage. They were curious about Lin Chu’s pregnant belly. They stared at it with their big, blinking eyes but did not dare to get too close.
The old principal had instructed them not to be too playful. They were not allowed to play with Lin Chu so roughly as before.
It was a pretty pitiful scene, to look at them staring with yearning but unable to play.
Mo Jingxi used to be the first to run up to her but this time he was unexpectantly lagging behind all the other children. He pursed his lips slightly as he was obviously trying to control his excitement, but he still looked crestfallen.
When they got into the orphanage and sat down, Lin Chu asked the old principal quietly, “What’s wrong with Jingxi?”
“The poor boy is feeling bad. There is a parent-teacher meeting on Monday that is coincidentally on the same day as Shi Tou’s and Tian Tian’s school Parent-Teacher meeting. Shi Tou and Tian Tian are still quite young, so Teacher Yuan and Teacher Wang would naturally prioritize them. They’ve already agreed to attend the two children’s parent-teacher meeting. It’s lucky that all three of them are in the same school, so they’re still able to meet Jingxi’s teacher for a chat at the very end of the meeting.” the old principal said in a low voice because she did not want Mo Jingxi to overhear the conversation. That child had a very strong sense of pride.
“It was supposed to be a small matter and Jingxi was especially understanding. He did not mind too much. Shi Tou and Tian Tian felt bad about it though. Shi Tou had even proposed for Teacher Wang to have the meeting with Jingxi this year, that he’ll have his next year instead, but Jingxi talked Shi Tou out of it.” The old principal was feeling consoled and relieved over the children’s mature handling of the situation and the love and care they had for each other.
“Yesterday, Jingxi had gone to school to inform his class teacher about this. The teacher knows Jingxi’s situation and was particularly understanding about it. However, when they were talking about it, there was a class representative from his class in the office. He was passing in everyone’s homework to their language teacher and heard it all. That student told the whole class about Jingxi’s predicament.”
“A few naughtier boys made fun of Jingxi and teased him about it, saying that Jingxi’s parents did not want him. They said a lot of terrible things. Jingxi came back crying. He is still feeling terrible even after a night has passed. His spirits lifted a little when you came. He didn’t want you to find out about it, but he is still a child. He’s not that good at hiding his feelings. He thinks he’s done pretty well but you can still tell, can’t you?”
The old principal sighed. “I really do think those children were really too much. How could they say such things to a child? Jingxi is such a good boy, so obedient and mature. I believe they didn’t really have any bad intentions. They’re still very young. But still… They shouldn’t have acted that way! Since today is Saturday, there’s no class in school. I was thinking that Teacher Wang should go to school on Monday and have a good chat with their class teacher. His classmates shouldn’t be so nonchalant over bullying others. He may not have parents but… But he still has us to love him. Every child is a treasure at home. They can’t be bullying others just because they have parents and others don’t.”
The old principal’s eyes reddened as she continued, “I wonder if their parents are aware of their behaviour. Or it could be something the children had picked up from their parents at home and they emulated it at school.”
Lin Chu felt bad for Jingxi after hearing this story. She felt downfallen about it. “What time is the Parent-Teacher meeting on Monday?”
“It’s at 4pm. It starts after the children finish school,” said the old principal.
Lin Chu lifted her head and looked around. There was no sign of Mo Jingxi. Only Tian Tian was peeking out from the corner of a wall. Lin Chu could see her head poking out. Tian Tian looked like she had something to say.
Lin Chu called Tian Tian over.
Tian Tian ran over with a hesitant look on her face. There was something she wanted to say but not sure if she should.
She had previously asked Mo Jingxi to request Lin Chu to attend the meeting on his behalf. Lin Chu would definitely agree as she doted on Mo Jingxi, but Mo Jingxi did not agree as he said that Lin Chu was now pregnant. If she were to go to a school full of naughty school children, what if she was knocked down by playful boys running around and playing rough?
That was why he would rather suffer in silence than allow Tian Tian and Shi Tou to tell Lin Chu about it.
If not for this, Tian Tian would have revealed everything to Lin Chu.
“Where’s Jingxi?” Lin Chu asked.
Tian Tian’s soft expression suddenly brightened. She figured that if Mo Jingxi did not allow them to say a word, he might reveal it himself if Lin Chu asked him. Then, it would not be counted as Tian Tian saying anything.
That was why Tian Tian immediately smiled and the hesitant look on her face disappeared. She said, “He went to the bathroom for his number two. He’ll be back in a while.”
Lin Chu nodded and stood up to look for Mo Jingxi.
When she turned the corner, Mo Jingxi appeared from the bathroom. He saw Lin Chu approach and was momentarily stunned. He then smiled softly and said in embarrassment, “The bathroom… The bathroom smells a little.”
Lin Chu patted Mo Jingxi’s little head and said, “I’m not going to the bathroom. The old principal mentioned that no one is attending your parent-teacher meeting, is that right?”
Mo Jingxi opened his mouth in surprise. He immediately lowered his head and the sadness in him surfaced again. He said in a quiet voice, “I asked the old principal not to tell you anything.”
Lin Chu was not able to be at eye-level with him as she was pregnant, so she could only lower her head. She might not be able to see it, but she knew Mo Jingxi was crying and did not want her to see it.
Lin Chu said gently, “The old principal is worried about you. I’m not doing much at work anyway. My colleagues and supervisor at work are not giving me much to do, so I’m pretty much free at work. I’ll attend your parent-teacher meeting on Monday.”
Mo Jingxi sniffled as his little hands clutched the corners of his sweaters, “But… The boys in our school are really naughty. The parents will arrive for the meeting right when school ends. There will be a lot of people in our school then and they run really fast. The boys would accidentally hit or knock into others while playing around.”
“I’ll go with Lin Chu,” a rich, deep voice could suddenly be heard from behind them. It was a voice that soothed them.
Lin Chu turned back in surprise as Yan Beicheng walked over.
Yan Beicheng glanced at Mo Jingxi. He was slightly satisfied with the fact that Mo Jingxi was sensitive enough to be worried about Lin Chu accidentally getting hurt by the boys at school.
However, only just slightly.
Yan Beicheng walked over while thinking arrogantly about this.
Lin Chu felt a little bad, “Would you have time on Monday? You still have to deal with the Lu family situation.”
Yan Beicheng suddenly placed his hand on her pregnant belly while explaining, “The days are shorter during winter. Off office hours are now an hour early, I won’t lose that much time attending this. Besides, when our child is born, he would need to attend school too. I would need to attend his parent-teacher meeting then. It’s the same as this situation.”
Lin Chu had the exact same thoughts. She looked at him with stars in her eyes as she suddenly realized that Yan Beicheng had been so thoughtful about this, even planning this earlier than she did. It was so considerate of him.
Yan Beicheng was filled with pride at the look she gave him. The corner of his lips could not help but curved up in a smile and he stood even straighter.
He privately wished that Mo Jingxi was not here, otherwise, Lin Chu would have rushed up to him in a hug and gave him a kiss.
He suddenly felt that it was Mo Jingxi’s fault that he missed out on the kiss and immediately felt dissatisfaction for the little boy.
Yan Beicheng cleared his throat and resumed the casual, serious look on his face, “That’s enough. You’re a boy, you shouldn’t get red-eyed so easily. Wipe your tears and go play in the hall.”
Mo Jingxi lowered his head. He did not expect Yan Beicheng to find out about his crying. He replied stubbornly, “My… My eyes are not red! I’m going to pee!”
He turned back and ran towards the bathroom.
Lin Chu then poked Yan Beicheng a few times on the waist, “The child is still young, how could he not feel bad about this?”
Yan Beicheng was not about to reveal that he thought Mo Jingxi was being the third wheel. He placed his hands on her belly, “Why is there no movement? Is he being a little too lazy?”
Lin Chu had promised to let him be the first to know if the baby moved and she would not tell anyone before him.
Ever since then, Yan Beicheng would naturally place his hand over her belly every time they were together. He claimed that it was to be prepared anytime for when the baby moves. Once it became a habit, it would be much easier to catch hold of the moment.
There was not much Lin Chu could do. She could only let him be.
Not long after both of them came to the hall, Mo Jingxi entered as well. His eyes were still slightly red but he had cheered up considerably and was not as gloomy as before.
The old principal looked over at Lin Chu questioningly and Lin Chu told her about what happened. She added, “I’m going to talk to Jingxi’s class teacher about those boys in his class as well.”
The old principal grabbed Lin Chu’s hands and said happily, “That’s really good. I’m really sorry to trouble you.”
Lin Chu replied in a low voice, “It’s nothing. I was planning to adopt Jingxi before and even told him about it, but he could not bear to leave Shi Tou and Tian Tian. He was afraid that if I adopted only him, they would both be sad. He wanted to wait until Shi Tou and Tian Tian found themselves homes before deciding on it. I already think of Jingxi as family. I should be attending his parent-teacher meeting.”
The old principal had not expected this and she sighed, “That child is really too mature and understanding. There are times when I wish that Jingxi would not be so thoughtful. He would be able to live happier.”
“Well, we do love him more because of his thoughtfulness, don’t we?” Lin Chu smiled and said.
Before Lin Chu mentioned anything, Yan Beicheng gave Huang Changxian a call while on their way home. Yan Beicheng wanted him to find out which children had said those terrible things to Mo Jingxi.
There were many children in school and children can sometimes be thoughtless. There would be lots of other students who had heard what had been said to Mo Jingxi, so it should be easy to investigate.
Lin Chu had not expected Yan Beicheng to think about this before she had even said a thing. She could not help smiling at him as her heart was filled with content for him.
Yan Beicheng hung up the phone. He held on to her hand while his other grabbed hold of the steering wheel. It was not convenient to stare at her while driving, so he could only give her a quick glance before looking back at the road.
His good-looking thin lips curved up slightly as he stared straight ahead. Lin Chu cocked her head to the side as she stared at the side of his face while he looked to the front. Her gaze went from his forehead to his sharp nose, and moved towards his slightly stern-looking but sexy, thin lips, all the way down to his solid jaw.
His features were perfect; any more or any less and he would not be as good-looking or attractive as he was right now.
She wondered how a man like him could be born that good-looking. He looked so handsome that no matter how pretty a woman was, she would lose all self-confidence when facing him. Ironically, after Lin Chu got together with him and got to know him better, she became confident that no matter how handsome he was, she would never need to worry about him cheating on her. The sense of security he gave her was enough to make her blindly trust him. She would never feel afraid nor threatened if a perfect woman appeared in front of him.
Lin Chu suddenly realized that it had to do with Yan Beicheng’s normal conduct. This was not some blind faith that she had developed in a day, and it definitely was not something that Yan Beicheng had achieved with just one or two actions. It was a sense of trust that she had developed from his actions. He had done many things to earn this trust from her.
What made Lin Chu gave pause was that she had never especially given extra thought to the things Yan Beicheng had done for her.
She knew he had done a lot for her, so she had also tried her best to do better and become a better person for him. She had never really realized just how much he had done for her to be able to make her feel safe and secure about their relationship.
Now that she had realized this, she suddenly felt that she would never be able to do enough for him in return.
Lin Chu carefully thought about everything he had done for her since knowing him. She could not help squeezing his hand harder.
Yan Beicheng felt the squeeze and turned to look at her quizzically. He saw Lin Chu looking touched and serious. He could not help laughing.
“You don’t need to be so emotional about it. We’ve always had a good rapport,” Yan Beicheng said softly, his tone relaxed and happy.
Lin Chu could not help feeling that this man was like a worm in her stomach. He always knew what she was thinking.
Lin Chu could not help laughing as well. It was a funny thought. Her eyes met Yan Beicheng’s warm gaze as he smiled happily.
Yan Beicheng turned his gaze back on the road. He had to drive carefully. This car contained his most beloved treasure, he could not afford to have anything go wrong.
Lin Chu did not have a good life for the past 24 years. She was abandoned by her mother and adopted by the Lin family, who tortured her. In order to continue her tertiary education, she worked while studying. Her life was filled with exhaustion. She once found herself a boyfriend but he turned out to be a bastard.
Lin Chu had led a difficult life filled with misfortunes and anyone who saw her life would agree. It got to the point that she could hardly support herself any longer.
Lin Chu was never a religious person. She never believed in destiny or the theory of fate having a hand in anything. She never took these teachings seriously and only listened to them half-heartedly.
Now however, she could not help but resign to the fate that she had been accumulating her good luck for the past 24 years. She had to finish her bad luck before dipping her hands into her good luck. Lin Chu’s positive energy had suddenly blown up after 24 years of accumulating it. All her good luck had been kept to be used for meeting Yan Beicheng.
Now that she had met Yan Beicheng, there was no thought about needing any more good luck.
This was the best thing to happen in her life.
Lin Chu could not help it, but there was a look of ‘I cannot believe that I hit the jackpot’ on her face as she thought about this. It was lucky that Yan Beicheng did not catch that look.
Lin Chu moved closer to Yan Beicheng. She grabbed his arm and pulled herself upwards to give Yan Beicheng a kiss on the face.
