Volume One, Chapter 13: Moving Back to the Lu Residence and Sharing the Same Room

"...Now it's stabilized... but you still need to rest more..."
"Alright!"

A clear female voice and a deep male voice echoed softly by his ear.

Lu Jinchuan sat by the bedside, gazing at Ji Shu lying before him.

Her black hair was loosely spread across the pillow, and her already pale face appeared even more fragile against the dark strands. Like a child, her exposed fingers clutched the blanket, curling slightly.

Her brows were tightly furrowed, as if troubled by some dream.

Lu Jinchuan’s eyes lingered on her face for a long moment. Seeing her eyelids flutter slightly, he rose to his feet.

Ji Shu woke from a dizzy haze, opening her eyes to a stark white, square-shaped room.

The faint scent of disinfectant mingled with the medical equipment beside the bed made her realize she was in a hospital.

Her gaze swept over Lu Jinchuan’s figure.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting light upon him. Half his face was shrouded in shadow, his expression hidden, revealing only a slight furrow of his brow.

Ji Shu understood—after she fainted last night, Lu Jinchuan must have brought her here. Coming and going like this, she likely missed Xu Xingyuan’s welcome party.

No wonder he looked so displeased.

"You're awake."

A doctor’s voice accompanied the entrance as she gently pushed open the ward door.

She approached the foot of the bed, carefully adjusting the blankets and raising the head of the bed to a comfortable angle.

"Are you feeling alright now? Any discomfort?"

Ji Shu shook her head.

"Drinking alcohol with cephalosporins is a bad combination. Next time, don’t mix anti-inflammatory medicine with alcohol. You were lucky this time—no serious harm done."

Ji Shu nodded, politely thanking the doctor: "Thank you, Doctor."

The doctor smiled and waved her hand. "It's nothing, just our duty. Luckily, she was brought in on time." She nodded toward Lu Jinchuan standing nearby.

She reminded again, "No alcohol, no spicy food while you have a cold. Eat light meals and rest some more before going home."

Ji Shu nodded firmly.

After receiving her response, the doctor left the ward.

Silence enveloped the room, quiet enough to hear their soft breathing.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed down the corridor—measured and calm, yet each step seemed to strike at the heart, tightening the atmosphere.

The next moment, the ward door gently opened, revealing the imposing figure of the patriarch Lu.

His face was stern as if one could squeeze water from it, eyes sharp as knives fixed intently on Lu Jinchuan.

Leaning on his cane, he slowly entered the room. Upon seeing Ji Shu’s pale face on the bed, his brows, previously tightly furrowed, lifted higher with anger as he turned to glare at Lu Jinchuan.

"Grandfather, what brings you here?" Lu Jinchuan quickly stepped forward, cautiously grasping the old man’s wrist and helping him to a nearby sofa.

The old man’s gaze pierced Lu Jinchuan as he said, "My granddaughter-in-law is sick. Shouldn’t I come see her?"

With that, he suddenly raised his cane and struck Lu Jinchuan’s calf with force.

The cane hit the floor with a dull thud.

Lu Jinchuan had no time to dodge and took the blow squarely.

Yet, he showed no sign of pain; his expression remained unchanged, not a hint of anger.

Nonchalantly, he bent down to retrieve the fallen cane, gently placing it back into the old man’s hand. "Grandfather, don’t swing it around carelessly. You might hurt yourself."

The old man snorted coldly, gripping the cane tightly and slamming it onto the floor with force. His voice was stern: "This old friend has stood by me through over ten years of trials. It only strikes those heartless, ungrateful scoundrels!"

Who exactly he meant was clear to all three in the room.

Shaking and pointing the cane unflinchingly at Lu Jinchuan, he scolded passionately, "You! You’re married—can’t you settle down?"

"After marriage, you don’t come home. You fly to the States seven or eight times a year, living away from home like a nomad! And now you even have the leisure to approve fireworks displays? Do you think becoming a CEO means I won’t scold you? Do you even remember who your wife is?"

The patriarch lectured Lu Jinchuan harshly, right in front of Ji Shu.

But her heart was heavy with the words the old man had just spoken.

The magnificent fireworks display last night had been a surprise Lu Jinchuan planned solely for Xu Xingyuan.

The city of Beicheng strictly forbids private fireworks, so the grand show’s success must have cost Lu Jinchuan immense effort and time.

He had been preparing this surprise long before Xu Xingyuan returned from America.

Thinking of this, Ji Shu’s heart ached anew, as if an invisible hand had clenched her chest tightly.

Because Lu Jinchuan loved Xu Xingyuan, he tirelessly searched all over Beicheng just to buy her an egg-free cake.

Because he loved Xu Xingyuan, he willingly navigated the cumbersome fireworks approval process.

All of it—just because of his love for Xu Xingyuan.

And that was enough.

Ji Shu clenched the bedsheet tightly, as if that could ease the deep pain inside her.

Lu Jinchuan’s expression was tense, his eyes cold as ice. He said nothing, his furrowed brows alone conveying discontent.

Perhaps it was because he was exposed in front of her.

Seeing no denial, the old man’s nostrils flared with anger. "What, are you mute now? Or did I hit the mark? Stay away from that Xu Xingyuan from now on, understand?"

He glared fiercely at Lu Jinchuan, then turned to Ji Shu, his face suddenly breaking into a warm smile.

Leaning on his cane, he rose and approached the bedside, his expression gentle as he looked at Ji Shu. "Little Shu, I’ve already scolded that rotten boy for you. If he ever treats you badly again, just tell me. This cane will teach him a lesson!"

Ji Shu choked up, shaking her head, her eyes reddening.

"Silly child, I promised your father I’d take good care of you. You’ve lost so much weight in just a few days. Starting tomorrow, you’ll move back from Emerald Mansion to Jingting Garden. Jinchuan will move back too. I want to see who dares to cause trouble under my watch."

"Grandfather, Emerald Mansion is quite nice. Moving back might disturb your rest."

Ji Shu truly did not want to return to the Lu family estate. Beyond the daily cold sarcasm from Jiang Suqing, the main issue was that returning meant she would have to share a room with Lu Jinchuan.

She glanced at Lu Jinchuan standing nearby, hoping he would refuse. After all, moving back would force an end to his relationship with Xu Xingyuan.

She raised her eyes and glanced his way.

Lu Jinchuan leaned casually against the wall, arm resting on the windowsill, a faint, inscrutable smile playing on his lips, as if he hardly regarded the patriarch’s words.

Indeed, for someone like him—never home, a citizen of the world—home was merely a formality.

The old man’s sharp gaze caught Ji Shu’s glance and interpreted it as fear of Lu Jinchuan’s refusal, seeking his opinion.

Frowning, the patriarch’s face tightened with anger. His voice was low and heavy with frustration: "It’s settled then! Don’t be afraid, child. If that scoundrel refuses, I’ll have him kneel in the Lu family ancestral hall for three days and nights. Let’s see if his knees or his mouth are stronger."

He struck his cane hard on the floor, producing a heavy thud.

Looking up at Lu Jinchuan, he nodded toward the door. "See me out."

The implication was clear—he wanted to speak privately.

Before leaving, the old man kindly gave Ji Shu a few more instructions, then allowed Lu Jinchuan to escort him out.

Outside the hospital, the two stood silently by a black Bentley, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension.

"Did you hear what I just said?" the old man asked, poking Lu Jinchuan’s chest lightly with his finger.

Lu Jinchuan remained indifferent, a faint, barely noticeable smile tugging at his lips.

Seeing his grandson’s attitude, the elder sighed deeply, "Ah... this is the debt our Lu family owes Ji Shu. If you treat her badly, I won’t rest even after I’m gone."

Lu Jinchuan’s brow furrowed, displeased. "Grandfather, your eightieth birthday is coming soon. Please don’t say such things."

"Hmph! I warn you, if you don’t cherish Ji Shu, there are plenty lined up, eager to fight over her!"

As the old man finished speaking, Lu Jinchuan’s lowered eyes suddenly lifted lazily, a subtle, indescribable gleam flashing within.

Without further explanation, the patriarch turned and got into the car.

The black Bentley drove away.

Lu Jinchuan felt an inexplicable irritation. He took a cigarette from his inner pocket, leaned against the car, and took a drag.

The cold breath and smoke intertwined in the air, wrapping around his face.