er“We had our lunch at kindergarten.” Shu Xiaonian and Shu Xiaohe answered in unison, afraid their mom would make them cook for themselves.Shū Tínglan sneered in her heart and said with feigned regret...She had a fiery temper. As soon as Gu Ruandong left, she packed her bags and returned to Beijing. If he wanted to send her away, then there was no need for him to bother. Returning to Beijing was her true safe haven.

She once said that she could accompany him through thick and thin, but he refused. She didn't force it, and right now, the most important thing to her was the Lu family's affairs.

The plane landed. The airport was quiet in the early hours. She wore plain clothes, a mask and hat, walking briskly out. She felt someone following her, no matter how fast or slow she walked, the other person's footsteps could keep up steadily.

As a celebrity, she was accustomed to being followed by paparazzi. However, this trip back to Beijing was a private one that needed to be kept confidential, so she stopped and tried to interrupt the photographer's pursuit. Turning her head up, she saw a familiar face—Song Jingye. Though dressed in casual clothes, he still had an air of dignity about him.

He took her suitcase naturally, explaining, "I was in economy class, I just saw you."

It was a coincidence, really. I happened to be returning to Beijing for something urgent and ended up on the same flight as you late at night.

Lu Yao saw that he looked similar to Lu Kuò, so she felt reassured and didn't think much of it. She had secretly run back to the capital on her own, so there was no one to pick her up at the airport.

Just then, someone from Song Jingye's side sent a car to pick him up. "I'll send you back,"

"Okay, thanks."

It was a rugged-looking SUV. She didn't pay much attention to cars, but she knew this one belonged to the military. She had seen many like it in her grandfather's courtyard growing up. The car was sturdy and had a good view, but the chassis was too high, making it a bit of a struggle to get in. She wasn't short, but she still had to reach up to climb in, making her look like she had short legs.

Song Jingye asked behind her, "Need a hand" His voice held a hint of amusement.

"No, I'll climb up myself." It kind of looked like getting into the back seat, and the image was ruined.

Song Jingye came in behind him, very relaxed. His long legs took a light step and he got into the car.

The streets were deserted at night, and soon they arrived at the Lu family home. Song Jingye got out of the car and helped her with her luggage. "Go inside," he said.

"Okay."

The Lu Family courtyard was uncharacteristically quiet, not even a few nightlights were turned on in the yard, casting an ominous gloom.

She didn't think much of it, after all, it was late at night and she didn't want to disturb anyone. She went straight back to her room and didn't wake up until the next morning. The house was still eerily quiet, which was unusual. Usually, at this time, grandpa would be out exercising and the maid would have already started bustling about.

She got up and searched around before she saw the aunt cleaning in the nanny's room in the backyard.

"Yao Yao, when did you come back" Auntie was startled to see her.

"Where's my grandfather Where are the other people in the house"

Aunt stuttered for a moment before truthfully saying, "Grandpa is in the hospital because he's sick."

Yao Yao's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly called Lu Kuo. This time, someone finally answered the phone.

Lu Kuo wasn't planning on telling her that her grandfather was hospitalized. He intended to vaguely brush it off, but Lu Yaoyao started crying: "Where is Grandpa at the hospital"

Lu Kuò saw that he couldn't hide it any longer, so he said, "I'll send a car to pick you up."

Even though he's still strong and healthy, the old man is almost 80 years old. It's normal to have some minor ailments at his age, Lu Kuo comforted her on the phone.

Lu Yaoyao didn't believe a word, her heart was in turmoil, she cried all the way to the hospital and unexpectedly saw Song Jingye there too, standing outside the ward with Lu Kuo.

Lu Kuo, seeing her, looked at her as usual with a hint of disdain, "Wipe your tears before you go in."

Lu Yaya's mind was a blank, all she wanted was to see her grandfather immediately, so she obediently followed suit, wiping her face with her sleeve in a haphazard manner, looking at Lu Kuo like a child. "Can I go now"

Her eyes and nose were both red, and Song Jingye quietly handed her a tissue, gesturing for her to wipe them again.

Lu Kuo only then led her into the ward.

The old man had a stroke, but fortunately the bleeding was not much and the treatment was timely. There is no major problem, but Lu Yaoyao saw her usually strong and dignified grandfather lying weakly on the hospital bed at this time, and the tears she had just stopped came out again. She sat by the bedside holding her grandfather's hand and cried uncontrollably.

It's like the feeling of the most solid tree in your heart crashing down.

The old man has been hospitalized for several days and is no longer in any danger, but he still can't speak well and his movements are clumsy. She cried for a while helplessly, and with her eyes, signaled Lu Kuo to come over and comfort her. This was the reason they hid it from her and forbade her from returning to Beijing. The old man had a cerebral hemorrhage and was hospitalized, kept secret and not revealed to anyone. Song Jingye was called because he had something to instruct him.

After repeatedly confirming that her grandfather was fine, Lu Yaoyao finally relaxed a little and sat beside Lu Kuo outside the ward.

Both siblings now felt rather lonely and helpless. They used to live freely and carefree, knowing they had their grandfather and the support of the Lu family behind them. Now that was all gone, and they needed to face things on their own.

Since the time of Lu's family, each generation has been worse than the last.

Lu YaoYao then realized: "Where is my uncle"

Lu Kuo: "Busy at work."

Saying I'm busy at work, but actually being controlled at the unit and unable to move freely for now.

What truly got Lu's family into trouble was his father, Lu Shaocheng. He works at a certain Ministry of Economics and was reported for issues with the project involving Listening Whale Finance. Zhuo Hong had to investigate, but due to Lu Shaocheng's status and influence, he only kept the investigation within the unit and didn't take him away to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

This time, the old man helped Gu Ruandong. He only suffered reputational damage, but nothing concrete could be found in actuality. However, this implicated Lu Shaocheng and Tingjing Finance, which became the biggest crisis for the Lu family.

Back then, during the period of rapid development in Shenzhou City, many planning and construction projects were approved by Lu Shaocheng. At the same time, Listening Whale Finance emerged in Shenzhou. Due to their access to first-hand information, they invested in several projects that guaranteed profits. They also had special approvals for investments in industries like heavy metals. As a result, there's just too much traceable information about them.

Lu Shaocheng is the most low-key and steady person in the Lu family. It was because he was restricted in his freedom that the old master suffered a stroke from anger.n didn't answer her question. Just as he was about to ask her to drive him to the hotel, Shu Tinglan's phone rang. It was Liu Yi calling. The two children were resting at home today, so Liu Yi took t...