Lu Qingyan thought of Jiang Nanshu, who despite her apparently approachable and warm demeanor,
found this woman to be extremely inaccessible.
Thus, he scoffed at Liang Ciqiu’s words, walking past the large central fountain with one hand in his pocket, "Don’t argue with me. If you can, bring her in front of me."
Jiang Nanshu couldn’t even catch his eye, so how could she fancy Liang Ciqiu, the dark illegitimate child?
As this thought settled, he felt a moment of awkwardness in his heart. What was he thinking, when did he ever need a woman’s approval?
Eager for his attention, one after another.
Liang Ciqiu was taken aback for a moment, his eyes downcast, flashing with guilt.
It was probably impossible for Su Ran to come in front of Lu Qingyan.
Last night, she called out Lu Qingyan’s name all evening.
Liang Ciqiu’s heart was crazed with jealousy, like a shadowy thief, he didn’t even dare to stand openly in front of Su Ran.
Seeing that he had stopped talking, Lu Qingyan knew he was just provoking.
A mocking smile crept up the corners of his mouth.
The two continued on to the opulent hall.
Old Sir Lu sat squarely in the middle, his face stern as he leaned on his cane.
Father Lu sat to the left, crossing his legs, as a servant presented him a white jade cup filled with high-quality tea.
Lu Mother sat opposite Father Lu, her spine straight, her hair held up with a jade hairpin, dressed in a dark cheongsam that showcased her graceful figure. She wore a valuable agate necklace around her neck, and her face looked dignified and noble; she appeared to be only in her thirties due to proper maintenance, showing no signs of aging.
She did not spare Father Lu a glance. They did not seem like a husband and wife but more like strangers.
The moment she saw Liang Ciqiu, her hand tightened on her knee, but her good upbringing stopped her from throwing hot tea on the illegitimate son.
Father Lu, on the other hand, looked at him with nostalgia as if he could see Liang Ciqiu’s mother through him.
Lu Mother took a deep breath to suppress her revulsion, her gaze icy as it landed on Lu Qingyan, her voice cold, "Why have you arrived just now? Also, Xiao Yan, who allowed you to interact with that Jiang Family girl? Stop living in the school dormitory; you should start studying at home from today. By the end of this year, you should also begin your experience at Lu Family. You are the heir after all."
Lu Qingyan didn’t look at her but directed his attention to Old Sir Lu, "Grandfather."
Old Sir Lu’s face was stern, "Hmm."
His sharp gaze shifted between the two, "Everyone, take a seat."
Feeling overlooked, Lu Mother put down her cup with more force, chipping a corner of the fine white jade tea cup. Her face turned ashen, "I said I don’t allow my son to have contact with that Jiang Family girl, Dad, you said if I agreed to let this illegitimate child enter our home, the engagement would be annulled, but now you’ve arranged for him to live next to the Jiang Family villa, and even let him go to Fengshan Villa over the weekend. Have you even considered my opinion, as his mother?"
Old Sir Lu simply couldn’t communicate with Lu Mother. The Shang Family was in decline; it was clear that after the Shang Family people became powerful, they got greedy, and their management failures led to their gradual downfall.
But in her eyes, it was as if the Lu Family had used the Shang Family up and then kicked them to the curb, causing the Shang Family to become increasingly desolate.
Because of the marriage between the Lu and Shang Families, the Lu Family had given enough support to the Shang Family over the years, but the Shang Family was never satisfied, investing in multiple projects that all fell through with heavy losses.
Yet, Lu Mother was totally biased towards her own family, believing she had been tricked by Father Lu into marrying him, which over time strained their relationship, causing Lu Qingyan to become an annoyance to her as well.
Father Lu was annoyed to the extreme because Lu Qingyan carried half of the Shang Family’s blood. The thought that Lu Family could be taken over by Lu Qingyan, and in the next moment, the family name could change to Shang, unsettled him greatly.
It was also because of that madwoman, Lu Mother, that he couldn’t have children, forcing him to only have one son, Lu Qingyan. But now, things were different; he had an illegitimate son.
"Shi Yu! I won’t harm Xiao Yan. I want him to have a good life more than anyone else. And as for the young people’s gatherings, let’s not interfere anymore as adults, shall we? Let them enjoy themselves to the fullest," Old Sir Lu said indifferently, continuing, "The engagement between the Lu Family and the Jiang Family has not been called off. It’s my intention for Xiao Yan to spend more time with that girl Nanshu. They have a three-month deadline. If either child disagrees, the marriage will not be called off."
Lu Mother was furious, "I am his mother. I have the right to control him. The engagement must be broken off no matter what, and he cannot go to school anymore. He must stay at home and learn about finance."
Jiang Nanshu was also at school; if they were together, the connection between them would never break. Besides, that brazen girl from the Jiang Family knew only how to cling to her son.
Lu Qingyan just watched her quietly,
this woman who had left indelible memories in the first several decades of his life.
His dark eyes grew colder inch by inch. Sometimes, he truly wished that his own blood did not flow from them; Liang Ciqiu envied his young master’s life.
This was not a life; this was a luxurious cage, trying to break his wings, thread on, tugging at his body, controlling his movements, a sacrificial pawn in a power struggle.
"Mother," Lu Qingyan’s voice was very light, "I cannot comply with any of the conditions you’ve mentioned."
Lu Mother’s expression turned even colder.
The child had grown up and was not as easily controlled as before, harboring a rebellious heart.
She had said it was a mistake to let him out. But back then, when Young Master Lu threatened to divorce Father Lu, she could not leave the Lu Family and had no choice but to bring Lu Qingyan out of the confinement room.
"Xiao Yan, you hate me," Lu Mother stated, not as a question.
Now, as she looked at Lu Qingyan, his gaze was so calm and indifferent, devoid of the filial affection a child ought to have.
Lu Qingyan averted his gaze: "I wouldn’t dare."
"Everything I’ve done was for your own good. Look how outstanding you are now; that’s all thanks to me. If it weren’t for my upbringing, you would surely be worthless now, not even comparing to your cousin," Lu Mother said coldly, her noble head held high as she looked at Lu Qingyan as if he were a fine piece of art.
Fashioned by her own hands.
The carving was only half done when Young Master Lu interrupted.
Lu Qingyan also thought he was quite well-adjusted, given that he had been locked up by her for ten years without becoming psychologically twisted; he was very normal.
As a child, he hadn’t stepped on the grass outside or basked in the sunshine or felt the breeze of the four seasons until he was ten.
Every year, she would find various excuses to avoid taking him to gatherings and prevented him from stepping outside.
When Old Sir Lu would ask, she would call for a video, forcing Lu Qingyan to say he was living well. Occasionally Old Sir Lu would visit, and between freedom and his mother’s love, Lu Qingyan chose to trust his mother one more time.
He believed no mother didn’t love her own child.
Until he was repeatedly beaten for not completing the onerous tasks she set.
And in Father Lu’s disregard, even when he knew the truth, he turned a blind eye.
Lu Qingyan had given up hope.
To this day, Lu Mother still thought she was right.
He had to be grateful to her, thankful for the years of torment she inflicted upon him.
Because the phrase Lu Mother said most often was that he would never be as smart as her nephews, condemned by his lack of talent.