Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Side Story – The Wind Blows Gently Over the River (Lu Peijin Side Story)
Lu Peijin had always believed that his life, after meeting Su Zhiruan, had been thoroughly transformed.
From his childhood, he asked his mother, “Where did Dad go?”
“Why doesn’t Dad come home?”
Back then, he couldn’t understand the sadness and helplessness in the eyes of the gentle woman before him, he just cried for his father.
As he grew older, the word “father” was seldom spoken from his lips— the young Lu Peijin realized that his father had gone to be someone else’s father.
From then on, a seed was planted in his heart: marriage was destined not to be happy, destined to be a tragedy, people won’t stay the same forever.
Even parents could become strangers.
Back then, the young him silently vowed in his heart that he would never have a family, a lover, or children in the future, to prevent them from becoming a version of himself without love.
He had thought this way for 27 years before that.
Latter, his biological father brought back many illegitimate children, who on the surface were kind to him, even groveling, but behind his back, everyone was mocking and insulting him.
What’s the use of a legitimate child if unloved? Even a legitimate child fares worse than an illegitimate one.
Lu Peijin was never a gentle or weak person; he was indifferent by nature, but that didn’t mean he was a pushover.
If these illegitimate children wanted to bring him down, he wouldn’t be polite.
Later on, each of his schemes was like a great scythe, he even feigned disability, letting his guard down for the illegitimate children. In the end, only two remained.
He still needed a child.
If he wanted complete control over the Lu Family shares, then a child would add more chips to his pile.
What he needed wasn’t a marriage partner, just a child.
With his status and power, it was easy to want a woman.
But he chose Su Zhiruan.
She needed to save her grandmother, needed money, and most importantly, she was young, with a clean family background, and no other issues.
But nobody expected, not even Lu Peijin himself, that just because of a simple thought, he had met the person he wanted to spend his life with.
Originally, he truly regarded it all as just a contract.
But a series of events that followed made him gradually develop feelings for her.
He fell step by step, sinking deeper with each one.
In the end, when she withdrew, it was he who was trapped deep within, unable to extricate himself.
In Lu Peijin’s otherwise smooth-sailing life, maybe only this period could be called his most decadent and absurd.
Su Zhiruan left behind three children, and afterward she left without a trace.
He went completely mad at that moment, only then could he truly confirm his feelings.
He had gone crazy, helplessly so, yet he relished it.
He had fallen in love with a passerby in his life, Su Zhiruan of a mere contract.
Strange as it was, on further thought, everything was traceable.
He was certain, he loved her.
Although Lu Peijin was utterly disillusioned with marriage and family, if it was to preserve their relationship, he was willing to try again, willing to believe once more in the warmth and beauty of a family.
Su Zhiruan gave him five children, connected by blood.
Their children, bearing their likeness, were obedient, and he loved them, his family.
—I don’t believe in love in this world, but I will forever be loyal to you, revere you, and cherish you.