Chapter 66#
Lu Muchi was the first to react, “Why talk alone? If there’s something to say, say it here!”
“Shut up.” Lu Changcheng said in a deep voice, “There’s no place for you to speak now.”
Lu Muchi was dissatisfied, glancing at Yan Heqing, but he shut up in the end.
He couldn’t show that he cared about Yan Heqing. If his grandfather discovered the truth, Yan Heqing would be in trouble.
It was best to make jokes and muddle through.
Lu Muchi opened his mouth to show weakness and act coquettishly; Lu Changcheng fell for this the most, “Grandpa—”
At the same time, Yan Heqing also spoke, “Where do you want to talk?”
Neither humble nor arrogant, his manner was dignified.
Lu Muchi kept winking at him. His grandfather was very good at extracting information. If Yan Heqing really went with him, the truth would be extracted in two or three sentences!
Yan Heqing turned a blind eye and calmly met Lu Changcheng’s scrutiny.
This actually gave Lu Changcheng a good impression.
Born in a humble family, yet steady and not stage-frightened.
Regarding what Cheng Xinying said about Lu Muchi listening to Yan Heqing, Lu Changcheng now believed it eighty percent.
Lu Changcheng suddenly smiled like a spring mountain, “I’m old and it’s inconvenient to move around. Let’s talk here.”
He turned to Lu Muchi again, his tone strict but with a hint of affection, “Why don’t you hurry up and clean up your crime scene? When your uncle comes back, you’ll be in for it!”
He brought up Lu Lin, and Lu Muchi was startled, “Uncle is coming back today?”
Thinking that his room had been smashed to the ground, Lu Muchi rushed out in a few steps.
Lu Changcheng’s gaze was doting and helpless, then he looked at Yan Heqing, “Sit down, young man.”
He sat down on the sofa first.
Cheng Xinying followed, put down the tea and snacks, silently exited the room, and closed the door.
Yan Heqing knew Lu Lin was at the company, but this was the first time he intuitively saw Lu Muchi’s fear of Lu Lin.
Just mentioning the name could suppress him.
Yan Heqing walked a few steps and sat down opposite Lu Changcheng.
He didn’t speak, waiting for Lu Changcheng.
Lu Changcheng was still sizing up Yan Heqing. He didn’t pay attention in the hospital, but looking closely now, he still couldn’t tell that he was twins with the Lin family’s youngest son.
He looked down on Lin Fengzhi very much. A tender sprout with white flour skin, just like Xu Qiaoyin, not presentable.
Lu Changcheng spoke slowly, “I’ve checked. You and Lin Fengzhi are twins. Something happened at home and you were sent to the welfare institute. He was adopted by the Lin family, and you were adopted by an ordinary family.”
He observed Yan Heqing’s expression. The young man was calm and composed throughout. After he finished speaking, Yan Heqing remained composed, “Please speak your mind.”
Lu Changcheng said slowly: “I heard your conversation at the door. It’s a good thing your brother has someone he loves, but this grandson of mine—”
Rubbing the handle of his cane with his palm, Lu Changcheng revealed a kind smile, “You and he are good friends. You should know his temper. Stubborn, clinging to his own reasoning. He may not like your brother that much. Young people, there will always be impulsive moments, it doesn’t mean anything. If it drags on reluctantly, the one who gets hurt will never be Xiao Chi, but only your brother.”
Yan Heqing also returned a polite smile, “You want me to persuade Lu Muchi.”
Lu Changcheng was even more satisfied. He was old, and talking to smart people saved a lot of energy, “My old bones can’t keep up with the times. Xiao Chi always says there’s a generation gap between us. You friends, your words are more useful than mine.”
He used both soft and hard tactics, threatening calmly, “If you can’t persuade him, I’ll have to go directly to your brother.”
“But I believe you won’t fail to persuade him.” Lu Changcheng was confident, “You are a smart and good brother.”
Meeting Lu Changcheng was outside Yan Heqing’s plan, but not unusable.
After weighing for two seconds, Yan Heqing said calmly, “I can’t do it.”
Lu Changcheng’s face changed instantly, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll go to your brother?”
“Afraid.” Yan Heqing remained calm, “But if I can’t do it, I can’t do it. Promising you but failing to do it, I’m not that bold.”
Lu Changcheng’s expression softened. He nodded with a smile, “You are very honest. I’m not asking you to persuade him immediately. Young people’s feelings are like a forest fire. Control it well so it doesn’t spread, and there will always be a day when it goes out.”
“Then first you have to set this forest free.” Yan Heqing smiled, “If he is trapped, the fire will only burn more vigorously.”
Lu Changcheng also knew that keeping Lu Muchi locked up was not a long-term solution. He locked Lu Muchi up to stop him from going to Lin Fengzhi. If they did something scandalous like dry wood and raging fire and got photographed by reporters… Now that Lin Fengzhi had someone else he loved, he was half relieved.
He put down his cane and took a sip from his teacup, “I’m old and don’t like liveliness, so I won’t keep you for dinner. You and Xiao Chi go out to eat.”
The implication was that Lu Muchi’s confinement was lifted.
About ten servants were cleaning the corridor at the same time. Lu Muchi pressed close to the living room door, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation inside. However, although the floor scrubber was nearly silent, it still interfered with him. He only heard someone talking but couldn’t hear clearly. Just as he was about to get angry, the door opened from the inside.
Lu Muchi was caught off guard and fell straight in. He quickly grabbed the door frame to stabilize himself in a comical posture. Panting, he looked up and saw Yan Heqing’s calm face.
Lu Muchi stood up straight anxiously and asked in a low voice: “Did my grandfather make things difficult for you—”
Before he finished, there was a deep cough in the room, followed by Lu Changcheng’s reproachful voice, “Look at your unkempt appearance. Go change your clothes quickly. Heqing rushed to see you after school and hasn’t eaten yet. Take him out to eat.”
Lu Muchi’s pupils were about to shatter.
What was the situation?
Regaining his freedom, Lu Muchi drove very fast. He asked Yan Heqing in the passenger seat excitedly, “What did you say to my grandfather? He actually agreed not to lock me up anymore!”
Since he could remember, except for his uncle, no one could persuade Lu Changcheng.
His Heqing was truly outstanding!
His?
Lu Muchi’s heart suddenly drummed, and the light in his eyes became tender. He freed one hand, wanting to hold Yan Heqing’s hand, “He…”
Yan Heqing caught a glimpse and said calmly, “Where is Teacher Xu.”
A sharp screech of brakes, and the limited edition sports car almost rushed onto the green belt. Fortunately, they hadn’t left the Lu family’s road yet, and there was no one on the roadside. The romantic thoughts vanished. Lu Muchi held the steering wheel, trying to play dumb, “I’ve been locked up recently and don’t know her situation. Why, isn’t she at home?”
Yan Heqing looked straight ahead, not glancing at Lu Muchi once, “Do you believe your own words?”
The car was silent.
After waiting for only a few seconds, Yan Heqing unbuckled his seatbelt.
Lu Muchi gritted his back teeth heavily. Just as Yan Heqing’s hand touched the car door, he spoke, “What do you want with her?”
Yan Heqing looked indifferent, “Teacher Xu disappeared after that day. I suspect you hid her.”
Mentioning that day, Lu Muchi felt guilty. He wished he could erase that confusing and bastardly incident. He coughed a few times, turned his head to look out the window, and said very quickly and vaguely, “Sorry.”
Yan Heqing had no reaction.
Lu Muchi had no choice. He turned his head resignedly, “I know I’m a bastard, I’m nasty, I’m trash. I misunderstood you. Tell me how to compensate you. If you want the moon, I’ll pluck it for you.”
Yan Heqing spoke, “I want to see Teacher Xu.”
“…”
Lu Muchi stared at Yan Heqing. Yan Heqing still maintained the posture of getting out of the car. He couldn’t see his full face, only half of his profile. Just like that, a few seconds passed. Knowing that Yan Heqing wouldn’t indulge him, Lu Muchi sighed, “Can’t do anything with you.”
Just as he was about to help Yan Heqing refasten his seatbelt, he thought that Yan Heqing was completely different from Lin Fengzhi and all his previous little lovers.
Lu Muchi sat up straight and restarted the car, “Fasten your seatbelt. It takes two hours to get there.”
Yan Heqing let go of the door handle and fastened the seatbelt again.
——
The original text described this mid-level villa as a castle outside the world.
In the towering deep mountains, lights were brilliant.
Lu Muchi finally arrived. The butler led dozens of servants to line up at the door to welcome him.
Lu Muchi got out of the car first. The butler smiled and was about to go up to greet him, but Lu Muchi went around to the passenger seat first. Before he arrived, Yan Heqing got out of the car himself.
The butler and servants were secretly surprised. Who was this man?
Lu Muchi had a strong sense of territory. Except for a few of his friends, he had only brought Lin Fengzhi back.
The light in the courtyard was dim. When Yan Heqing walked to the door, his face gradually became clear. The butler suddenly realized. No wonder he was brought back; this person looked somewhat like Lin Fengzhi.
The butler had been with Lu Muchi for several years and knew his obsession with Lin Fengzhi best. In the past, Lu Muchi had also looked for lovers who looked like Lin Fengzhi. Some had similar mouth shapes, some had similar temperaments. This one… well, the eyes were similar.
“How is she?” Lu Muchi asked, glancing at Yan Heqing from the corner of his eye.
Xu Qiaoyin was forcibly brought to the villa by him, and he even forced Xu Qiaoyin to resign. With Yan Heqing’s personality, he was worried he would be angry.
The butler naturally knew “she” was Xu Qiaoyin. He looked troubled, “A few days ago, Madam… she wanted to jump off the building…”
Lu Muchi’s face changed drastically, and he rushed into the villa.
Yan Heqing followed behind. He didn’t walk fast, calmly observing the locations of the surveillance cameras.
Xu Qiaoyin was locked on the second floor.
The curtains were drawn tight, and this room alone had no light at all. She lay quietly on her side on the bed, motionless. Two maids guarded her day and night.
Turning on the light, Xu Qiaoyin lay on her side on the bed, motionless, only the back of her head visible. Lu Muchi gritted his teeth, “Living with me, are you that unwilling?”
Xu Qiaoyin didn’t respond.
At this time, a faint voice sounded, “This isn’t called living, it’s imprisonment.”
Xu Qiaoyin suddenly moved. She propped herself up and looked back. Her whole face was haggard and sickly pale to the extreme. Her eyesight seemed to be failing too. Looking at the door, her lips moved, but she dared not speak, fearing it was an auditory hallucination.
Lu Muchi clenched his hands.
He didn’t want to imprison Xu Qiaoyin. He was afraid Xu Qiaoyin would run away again, and even more worried that his grandfather would find out.
But he couldn’t lose his temper at Yan Heqing, “If you don’t understand, don’t accuse me blindly.”
Yan Heqing didn’t refute him either, “Go cook a bowl of porridge. White rice with a little sugar, nothing else.”
Lu Muchi was stunned, “Me?”
Yan Heqing finally looked at him, “Yes, you.”
Lu Muchi lived like a prince, fed by servants since childhood. Cooking porridge… A light flashed in his mind. Yan Heqing was helping him! To resolve the past grievances between him and Xu Qiaoyin.
This bowl of sweet porridge was the beginning of reconciliation.
Lu Muchi turned around immediately, “I’ll go right now!”
Xu Qiaoyin finally confirmed it wasn’t an auditory hallucination. Her tears flowed down instantly, “Xiao Yan, is it you?”
The two maids quietly sized up Yan Heqing. Yan Heqing’s expression remained unchanged. He walked slowly to the bedside and squatted down.
Not seen for nearly two months, Xu Qiaoyin had lost a lot of weight. She anxiously grabbed Yan Heqing’s hand, wrapping both hands gently around it, “Xiao Yan, are you okay? Lu Mu… did he hurt you?”
“No, I’m very well.” Yan Heqing replied softly, holding her hand and putting it back under the quilt.
Xu Qiaoyin finally showed a trace of a smile, her lips pale, “That’s good—”
Suddenly, she paused.
Yan Heqing was writing in her palm, [Do you want to leave? Leave forever.]
This was a skill that welfare institute employees all knew.
Some children who didn’t like to talk or couldn’t talk, and couldn’t carry paper and pen at all times, usually communicated by writing in the palm of the hand.
At the same time, Yan Heqing’s voice was clear and bright, chatting like normal, “The children miss you very much. They drew a portrait of you. I’ll bring it to show you next time. It’s very beautiful.”
Xu Qiaoyin’s heart shook. Leave?
Leave forever…
Locked up during this time, she recalled the past countless times.
The two happiest periods in her life. One was her student days, studying hard, getting into university, walking out of the deep mountains, establishing herself in a big city, and deciding her own destiny.
She succeeded halfway, got into university, but didn’t have her own career. She married into the Lu family, walking from one deep mountain into another “deep mountain”.
The second time was working at the welfare institute.
She found her lost dream.
Career, freedom…
Should she leave?
Continue her dream, freedom.
But Lu Muchi…
Xu Qiaoyin’s hands trembled.
She knew clearly that if she left this time, she could no longer stay in the capital. This meant she would never see Lu Muchi again…
Yan Heqing wrote in her palm again, [Consider carefully. I will only leave after you finish the porridge. If you decide to leave, nod. I will arrange the rest. I will come again next Sunday.]
Xu Qiaoyin looked at Yan Heqing, wanting an answer, “I’m so old, am I really still beautiful?”
She was almost fifty. Did she still have the right to pursue her dreams? Was it worth it even if the price was giving up her own child?
“Beautiful.” The corners of Yan Heqing’s lips rose, “You at work are the most beautiful teacher in the children’s hearts.”
Thump thump thump.
It was Lu Muchi coming upstairs with the porridge.
It was his first time cooking porridge in his life. With the butler’s guidance, the kitchen was a mess, but he finally cooked a small bowl.
He carried the porridge into the room full of expectation.
In the room were his most beloved mother and Yan Heqing!
Lu Muchi felt unprecedented satisfaction.
But he was still awkward, just shoving the porridge to Yan Heqing, “You feed her.”
Xu Qiaoyin looked at Lu Muchi slowly and seriously.
Grown up.
23 years old, no longer the child who ran to her room crying in the middle of the night.
In the southwest region of the motherland, there were still many children who needed help. She had long had the idea, but for Lu Muchi, she had stayed here. It seemed she could leave early.
She used to be someone else’s daughter, someone else’s wife, someone else’s mother.
Now, she wanted to be herself.
Xu Qiaoyin withdrew her gaze. She looked at Yan Heqing again, nodded, and said softly, “Come see me again next week, bring that drawing.”
Lu Muchi was confused, “What drawing?”
But he saw Yan Heqing scoop a spoonful of porridge and feed it to Xu Qiaoyin’s lips, “Okay.”