Chapter 63 Heart-to-Heart Discussion

"Uncle Luo, you have praised me many times today."
"With all these compliments, I am truly growing rather embarrassed."
I smiled. Although Luo Yujiang had appeared somewhat forceful and cold the moment I stepped through the door, after a while, I could sense that he was actually quite easy-going.
Of course, this was only because we had laid our cards on the table, and there were no conflicting interests between us.
Otherwise... he was definitely not a man to be trifled with.
"Someone as talented as you is naturally worthy of praise."
"You understand my intentions, and the answers you provided satisfied me. That in itself is no small feat."
"In this world, there are simply some people who think they are clever."
"They fail to understand plain human speech, yet they are extraordinarily bold."
"Those are the exact people I despise the most."
Who wouldn't despise such people?
Pretending to be clever is the most terrifying trait of all.
Fortunately, I am not that kind of person.
"Young man, what do you think of my daughter?"
With official business concluded, Luo Yujiang suddenly shifted the conversation to casual small talk.
"Well... Mingzhu is a fine young woman."
"Kind-hearted, empathetic, and exceptionally loyal to her friends."
"In the business world, she has both vision and ability; otherwise, I would never collaborate with someone who has princess-like airs."
"It's just that..."
Luo Mingzhu had many virtues, but she also had her flaws.
"Just what?" Luo Yujiang asked eagerly.
"It's just that she is still a bit too naive."
"Sometimes, she puts on a harsh front with her words, but her heart remains soft."
"She detests evil as she would a mortal enemy, and she cannot tolerate a single grain of sand in her eyes."
"These traits seem contradictory, yet they all exist within her..."
"It can be a good thing, but it can also be bad."
"I wonder if you understand what I mean?"
Because of me, Luo Mingzhu had once fallen out bitterly with Liu Zheyin. Yet later, seeing how Liu Zheyin's character had changed, she began to feel that the woman's life was not easy either.
People with such a kind nature all shared one common trait: a soft heart and an overwhelming capacity for empathy.
As for her intolerance of evil, she simply despised the underhanded dealings of high society and looked down upon those privileged scions.
One must realize, how could elite families possibly be free of dirty secrets?
That was why people always said it was so difficult to be a daughter-in-law in a wealthy household.
Therefore, these traits were both a blessing and a curse.
Luo Yujiang nodded repeatedly.
"What you say is spot on!"
"You've only known my daughter for a short while, yet you see through her so clearly!"
"You really know your stuff!"

He couldn't help but offer me yet another compliment.
"Actually, this is a matter that often troubles me, too."
"However, my daughter was born with this temperament. As a father with only one daughter..."
"Tell me... how could I not spoil her?"
"Social status, background, family pedigree... honestly, I care about none of those."
"The wealth of the Luo family is more than enough to support not just a son-in-law, but tens of thousands of people."
"All I wish for is that my daughter remains happy and joyful."
I could see it clearly. From the moment he had summoned me to his home, I had understood his dual preparations.
If our conversation went well, it would naturally proceed with mutual sincerity, just as it was doing now.
If it went poorly, certain warnings would simply be left behind within the walls of this grand estate.
"Uncle Luo, you needn't worry."
"With a towering figure like you protecting her, how could Mingzhu ever suffer any grievance?"
Yet Luo Yujiang shook his head immediately.
"But I am going to die one day!"
"I cannot accompany my daughter for a lifetime."
"So... you can understand my actions today."
"That girl holds a favorable impression of you."
"Women, after all, grow attached over time and are emotional creatures. I am simply afraid that you might not be a good man."
"Just in case..."
He did not finish his sentence, but the worry in his eyes was crystal clear.
However, I didn't take his words to heart. Luo Mingzhu merely regarded me as a friend; he was simply overthinking it.
Still, as a father, he had every right to overthink.
Besides, didn't I know what kind of person I was?
A divorced man with virtually no background—unless Luo Mingzhu had gone blind, she would never take a fancy to me!
"Rest assured, Uncle Luo. Whatever I, Gu Yichen, promise, I will surely fulfill!"
"From this moment on, you and I are adversaries."
"In front of Mingzhu, feel free to slander me however you please."
"However, there is one thing: business is business, and that must never be ruined."
The Luo family was powerful—a tier above the Liu family.
I was no fool; I would neither harbor unearned pride nor indulge in blind arrogance.
If I could establish friendly ties with the Luo family, many things in the future would naturally become much easier to handle.
"Hahaha, you certainly are carefree."
"Rest assured, I won't do that... In fact, I still want to thank you regarding the business."
"When my daughter first returned and meddled in this project, I simply wanted her to gain some experience."
"I had originally intended to quietly pull some strings behind the scenes, never expecting her to collaborate with you instead."
"Now, I can finally set my mind at ease."
Luo Yujiang held nothing back, speaking his mind completely.
I truly appreciated this feeling of heart-to-heart communication, for only through such sincerity could a relationship endure.
"That boy, Luo Tianming, has ability, but he lacks proper foundational principles."

"I do intend to groom him."
"But he... must treat my daughter well first!"
"Otherwise, vast as the Luo family's fortune may be, even if it must be handed down to a male descendant, it will never go to him!"
Luo Yujiang laid this matter out directly on the table.
I understood Luo Tianming; he had some petty skills, but not much else, and he was the type to resort to backstabbing in the shadows.
He wanted to prove himself, yet he utterly failed to grasp what Luo Yujiang truly valued.
Utterly foolish!
"Uncle Luo, there are some matters I am not in a position to comment on."
"I am certain you have your own judgment regarding the affairs of the Luo family."
"If there is ever a time in the future when you need my assistance, you need only ask."
I took the initiative to make a pledge.
Luo Yujiang burst into hearty laughter.
"You certainly know how to conduct yourself!"
"If there is a need, I will speak."
"Of course, the same goes for you—if you ever need the Luo family, just let me know anytime!"
My promise carried some weight, but his carried far more!
"Alright, enough talk. Let's head downstairs for dinner."
With those words from Luo Yujiang, I opened the door and walked out of the study first.
However, the smile on my face vanished entirely.
Just as I reached the corner of the staircase, I saw Luo Mingzhu waiting there.
Seeing me come out, she hurried over.
"My dad didn't give you a hard time, did he?"
She seemed genuinely nervous on my behalf.
"Not at all, though he did speak in riddles and riddles of sarcasm."
"Rest assured, though, it won't affect our collaboration."
Luo Mingzhu's brow furrowed in displeasure. Without saying a word, she stormed indignantly into Luo Yujiang's study.
"Dad! Did you bully Brother Chen?"
"How... how could you act like this!"
"If you have something to say, say it properly. What was with all those snide remarks?"
Luo Yujiang blinked, then let out a cold snort.
"He certainly knows how to run and complain."
"That's right, I was being sarcastic."
"As a junior, coming to visit without even bringing a gift means he didn't take me seriously."
"Still, the boy does have some capability."
"I won't interfere with your collaboration, but you shouldn't get too close to him either."
"He just went through a divorce, and his ex-wife is still endlessly entangling him. It won't do you any good if rumors start swirling."
Luo Mingzhu was furious.
"You... what do you know!"
"Forget it, I'm not arguing with you! In short, Brother Chen is my friend."
"If you bully him again in the future, I won't let you hear the end of it!"