Volume 14
Chapter 8: Finally Together
This time, it was Lu Li who took the initiative to pour tea for Chu Xiaodong. The latter glanced at him but said nothing. After the two had drunk a cup, Chu Xiaodong finally shook his head. “It would be more appropriate to drink alcohol on an occasion like this.” Before Lu Li could reply, he continued, “Little Lu, I won’t beat around the bush with you. To be honest, I never intended to cooperate with the Yan family in the first place. For one, the Yan family once tried to take my family’s lives. For two, I’m not in a hurry to seek quick success and instant benefits.”
“However, what you said before was not wrong. It did move me, and I also believe you can play your role as a bonding agent well.”
Lu Li knew that these were all words spoken in hindsight. What had truly moved Chu Xiaodong was probably Yibao’s attitude. Chu Xiaodong said, “Besides, there’s one more thing I’m very gratified about. You didn’t use the people’s livelihood to hold me hostage. You and I both know that the stability of the Shenzhou Energy Group is related to electricity bills, water bills, and even oil prices, directly affecting the prices in Shenzhou. If Zhu Xi were to really throw caution to the wind, I’m afraid this country would fall into unprecedented turmoil. I’m very gratified that from beginning to end, you never used this to threaten me.”
It wasn’t just Lu Li who didn’t have this thought; Zhu Xi didn’t either. Even at their most pessimistic, they had never thought of shaking the foundation. If it had been Yan Rujun, she might have really done such a thing. Everyone was eating at the same table. If you really flipped the table, you wouldn’t have a chance to sit at the table in your next life.
“So, Little Lu, I agree to cooperate with you, and I can also allow you to marry Jingyi. But you also have to agree to a few conditions of mine.”
Lu Li suppressed the wild joy in his heart. “Please speak.”
“First, you must give up all inheritance rights related to the Chu family, and you are not allowed to engage in any work in the main areas of influence of the Chu family, whether in politics or in business. This is not allowed. And for those related to you, within three generations of close relatives, the same restrictions apply.” He was preventing Lu Li from turning the tables in the future. After all, his own daughter was already completely smitten by this boy.
Lu Li had never coveted a single blade of grass or a single piece of wood from the Chu family, so he agreed very readily. “I agree.”
“Second, you must marry Jingyi. It must be a marriage registered with an institution, with a marriage certificate. And there must be a wedding, and it must be announced to the world.”
Lu Li breathed a sigh of relief and explained, “I will move my household registration to Qian Tang and marry Jingyi there.”
Chu Xiaodong’s eyebrows twitched. He had also figured it out. “Was that marriage law of Zhu Xi’s amended for you?”
“…No, it’s just a coincidence.”
“Third, your and Jingyi’s first boy and first girl must have the surname Chu, and they must be sent to the Chu family to be raised.” When Chu Xiaodong said this third condition, his voice was much louder.
Lu Li asked, “Then do these two children of mine and Jingyi’s have the restriction of the first condition?”
“They naturally do not. Little Lu, you have to leave some descendants for my Chu family.”
“No problem.” Lu Li also agreed very readily. He had no intention of continuing the Lu family line. What a child’s surname was, was not important at all. As for being sent to the Chu family, wouldn’t they just be running between both families then?
Chu Xiaodong sighed and rubbed his temples. “Just these three requests. Little Lu, to be honest, if you weren’t so philandering, I would never have stopped you and Yibao. On the contrary, I would have facilitated it. The young people now… sigh!”
Lu Li knew this was his father-in-law complaining, half blaming Lu Li, half reluctant to part with his daughter. He no longer talked back as he had before, but listened obediently. Chu Xiaodong spoke for a while, and seeing Lu Li’s exceptionally good attitude, he smiled helplessly. “Let’s call it a day. We’ll talk about the details of the cooperation tomorrow. Don’t go back to the Yan family today. Eat and sleep here!” After speaking, without seeking Lu Li’s consent, he stood up wearily and left.
The moment Chu Xiaodong left, his Silly Goose stood timidly at the door and asked, “Lu Li…”
Lu Li felt all the pressure on his body swept away. He opened his arms. “It’s done! You’re coming home with me for the New Year this year!”
The Silly Goose broke into a tearful smile. She cried out and hugged Lu Li. “Lu Li… I like you so much… I miss you so much…”
It had been a long time since Lu Li had held the Silly Goose so freely. He couldn’t help but suck on the little girl’s cheek. “I didn’t disappoint you, did I? I said three years, but in the end, I fulfilled my promise in one.”
“Mm-hmm! Not disappointed!” The Silly Goose’s cheek was being sucked by Lu Li with a smacking sound, and she couldn’t even open her eyes. “And… and, Lu Li, I’m sorry for tricking you into going abroad…”
The moment the little girl apologized, Lu Li wanted to hold her and knead her even more. “It’s okay. Anyway, it was the old fox’s—our dad’s—idea. I don’t blame you.”
Jingyi whimpered, “It wasn’t Dad’s idea. It was mine. It’s my fault.” Did Lu Li not know this silly girl’s little thoughts? She was afraid Lu Li and her father would have a falling out. In truth, neither Lu Li nor Chu Xiaodong had such a small mind. That old fox had secretly screwed Lu Li over several times, and Lu Li hadn’t held it against him, had he? Lu Li had even run off with his daughter, and the old fox had managed not to have someone blow his brains out.
“Then how should I punish you?” What was hard to say was that little Lu Li had become hard again. Love and desire are inseparable. When love is at its peak, desire arises.
“…How about, how about… just like that time, I’ll sleep with you…” the Silly Goose murmured with naive earnestness. That time during the Winter Camp, they had really just been sleeping, not doing anything else. Did this silly girl really think Lu Li could hold back like last time?
Looking at Chu Jingyi’s tender red lips, Lu Li couldn’t help but swallow. The Silly Goose obediently closed her eyes. “I-I’ll let you kiss me…” Her voice was even trembling.
Just as Lu Li was lowering his head, the old butler’s voice came from outside the door. “Mr. Lu, Miss Chu, it’s time for dinner. Prime Minister Chu is waiting for you two.”
Lu Li could only temporarily suppress his desire. He was still at someone else’s house. Lu Li, what kind of behavior is this? The Silly Goose was also a little disappointed. Seeing this, Lu Li comforted her. “I’m still staying at your house tonight. There’s plenty of time to spend with you.” Chu Jingyi’s eyes sparkled. She asked in pleasant surprise, “Really?” “Really. How about it, a pinky promise?”
…
As Lu Li and Chu Jingyi walked hand-in-hand through the Chu family mansion, he could clearly feel everyone’s eyes converging on them. Not to mention Chu Jingyi; her heart was completely tied to Lu Li now. She had to walk close to him, and even wanted to keep her steps in sync with his, so sweetly silly she didn’t look like the young miss of the Chu family, but like a little maid who had just fallen in love.
Lu Li had a random thought: during dinner later, would Chu Xiaodong suddenly throw a cup as a signal, and three hundred axe-men would rush in from outside to chop a certain scumbag into meat paste?
The old butler, while leading the way, said with a smile, “Mr. Lu, Miss, congratulations. The lovers are finally together.”
Lu Li was a little surprised. He had thought that no one in the Chu family was optimistic about him. “I thought no one would congratulate me.”
The Silly Goose said in a small voice, “Actually, Grandpa has always been quite optimistic about you. He even kept inviting you to come and visit. Lu Li, will you go with me to visit Grandpa later?”
The little girl’s voice was so sweet and delicate, it made Lu Li’s heart itch. “Okay, I’ll listen to whatever you say.”
