Chapter 4

Chapter 4

As Luo Qianjian approached, Luo Chen noticed him.

Upon closer inspection, Luo Chen's expression changed slightly.

Luo Qianjian called out, "Dad."

At this, the beautiful woman by Luo Chen's side also altered her expression, then stood up with a smile, subtly putting some distance between herself and Luo Chen, making it clear that they were nothing more than acquaintances.

"This is your son, Chen," the woman said with a smile. "He's grown so much."

Luo Chen regained his composure, nodded at Luo Qianjian, and stood up to answer the woman. "Yes, this is my third son, Qianjian. Qianjian, this is Aunt Liu Ruo, a good friend of your father's, someone your mother knows as well."

Luo Qianjian nodded politely like a well-mannered child. "Hello, Aunt Liu. I didn't expect such a coincidence. I just left school and wanted to find a place to rest and catch my breath. Passing by this park, I saw you here."

Luo Chen replied, "Yes, Qianjian's school is nearby... It's truly a coincidence that we met here. I thought you would just wander around the school before heading home, never expecting you to come this way..."

Luo Qianjian seemed oblivious to the awkwardness in Luo Chen's words, smiling gently. "I've grown tired of wandering around school. I heard there was a park nearby. By the way, Dad, why didn't you mention coming to the university district when I left this morning?"

Luo Chen was momentarily at a loss for words.

The child playing on the slide, noticing the strangers, ran over at that moment, tilting his head curiously. "Mom, Uncle Luo, who's this big brother?"

Luo Qianjian turned his gaze from Luo Chen to the child, smiling warmly.

Liu Ruo hurriedly introduced them. "Qianjian, this is my youngest son, Qingqing. Qingqing, this is Brother Qianjian, Uncle Luo's son."

Qingqing blinked his eyes, then spoke candidly. "Uncle Luo has a child? I thought Uncle Luo didn't have any children. Last time, Uncle Luo said I was just like his own son."

Liu Ruo lightly patted Qingqing's back, chiding him. "Your Uncle Luo was being kind to you, and you're taking it too seriously. This child..."

"Qianjian, don't misunderstand. Your parents and I have known each other since we were young. A few years ago, my husband passed away, leaving me to raise my eldest son and second daughter alone. I unexpectedly ran into your father, who saw that I was struggling and offered help. Qingqing is a child I had unexpectedly; he's never known his father, only Brother Chen...your father occasionally visits him, so he naturally feels closer to your father."

Luo Qianjian nodded calmly, smiling. "You're thinking too much. There's nothing to misunderstand. My parents have many friends, and I don't go out often, so it's normal for me not to know all their acquaintances. I just happened to pass by and see elders here, so naturally, I should come over to greet you."

"Now that I've greeted you, Dad, I'll head home first. Aunt Liu, Qingqing, goodbye."

Liu Ruo smiled at him and called out to Qingqing. "Say goodbye to your brother."

Qingqing said in a childish voice, "Brother, goodbye."

However, Luo Chen told Liu Ruo and Qingqing, "I'll see Qianjian off. You two continue playing."

Hearing this, Luo Qianjian looked at Luo Chen with an innocent expression, as if he didn't understand why his father felt the need to see him off specifically.

Luo Chen placed his hand on Luo Qianjian's shoulder and after walking a short distance, whispered, "Qianjian, don't tell anyone at home, including your mother, about running into Aunt Liu and Qingqing today. Keep it a secret for your dad, okay?"

Luo Qianjian appeared puzzled. "Why can't I say anything? Isn't Aunt Liu a friend of Mom and Dad? Didn't you help Aunt Liu, something Mom should know about?"

Luo Chen laughed half-heartedly. "Yes, Aunt Liu is someone both your mother and I know, but the situation is complicated. You know your mother's personality: sensitive and prone to overthinking. I didn't want her to worry unnecessarily, so I didn't mention it to her. Qianjian, even parents have secrets. Trust your father and keep this a secret for me, okay?"

Luo Qianjian reluctantly nodded. "Okay."

Although Luo Chen always felt that Luo Qianjian was least like the Luo family, he understood his character well enough to know that once he agreed to something, he would follow through. With this assurance, Luo Chen felt relieved.

After returning to the car, Luo Qianjian composed himself and calmly instructed the driver, "Let's go home."

Unaware of the specifics, the driver could sense the third young master's state and couldn't help but think that his suspicion about the master keeping a mistress was likely true.

Life in a wealthy family was indeed complicated.

Back at the Luo residence,

Luo Qianjian calmly entered his mother He Ruyan's greenhouse.

The glass door to the greenhouse was open, and Luo Qianjian hesitantly stepped inside. "Mom, there's something I... What are you doing, Mom?"

Everyone else in the family had gone out, and the servants wouldn't come over without permission, which is why He Ruyan felt safe to pay her respects to an old acquaintance in the greenhouse.

But she hadn't expected Luo Qianjian to suddenly appear. Startled, He Ruyan realized that the fire in the basin where she was burning paper offerings was still lit, she still held torn paper in her hands, and the photo of the deceased was clearly visible.

He Ruyan instinctively tensed up but then remembered that this was Luo Qianjian, the least troublesome of her children, and she relaxed slightly.

"Qianjian..." He Ruyan put down the paper money she was burning for the deceased, wiped away the tears that had fallen due to remembrance, and turned to smile at Luo Qianjian.

Luo Qianjian still frowned slightly. "Mom, are you alright?"

He Ruyan stood up from the cushion, speaking softly. "I'm fine, Qianjian. I was just paying respects to an old friend. He passed away young and had no other relatives or friends, so I burned some paper for him when I thought of him... Qianjian, weren't you going to tell me something?"

Luo Qianjian wore an expression of hesitation, then after a few seconds, replied, "Actually, it's nothing. I was debating whether to tell you, but... never mind, I won't bother you with it for now. But are you really alright? Should I call Dad to come home and stay with you?"

At the mention of Luo Chen, He Ruyan immediately rejected the idea. "No!"

Luo Qianjian looked at He Ruyan in confusion, unsure why she reacted so strongly.

He Ruyan paused, collected herself, and explained gently again. "Really, there's no need, Qianjian. Your father may have handed the company over to your older brother, but he still has plenty of things to attend to... Why did you suddenly think of asking your father to come home, it's not a big deal."

Luo Qianjian nodded. "Well... okay, it's good that you're alright, Mom."

"It's nothing, I was just paying respects to an old friend. My eyes are just irritated from the smoke of the burning paper, it's not a problem." He Ruyan continued, "Qianjian, I don't want your father to worry, so don't tell anyone else in the family about seeing me burn paper for an old friend today, especially not your father, okay?"

Luo Qianjian sighed, then deliberately glanced at the photo placed neatly by He Ruyan, nodding. "Alright, I understand. Mom, how did your friend pass away when he was young? Since you've been remembering him for so many years, why haven't you mentioned him before?"

With Luo Qianjian's promise to keep it a secret, He Ruyan completely relaxed.

When asked about the person in the photo, He Ruyan was instantly transported back to her youth, feeling even more sorrowful.

"He was Mu Qing, a friend of mine for many years... When your father and I were young and foolish, we hurt others and ourselves, involving Uncle Mu in our troubles, leading to his unfortunate death in a car accident." As He Ruyan spoke, she shed tears once again.

Luo Qianjian stepped forward to hand her a tissue, consoling her like a filial son: "Uncle Mu has been gone for so long, and you still remember him, Mother. He would be very happy to know that. Don't be sad anymore."

Upon hearing this, He Ruyan couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

Luo Qianjian stayed with her for a while longer, watching as He Ruyan hid Mu Qing's portrait in the greenhouse's partition.

...

A few days later, Luo Qianjian "accidentally" bumped into Liu Wei, a senior from the same university who worked part-time in the school library.

"I'm sorry, Senior. Are you alright?" Luo Qianjian asked apologetically.

Liu Wei was sorting books on the shelves when he was suddenly bumped into, instinctively feeling annoyed. But when he turned his head and saw that the person who had bumped into him was an exceptionally handsome junior with a friendly attitude, Liu Wei couldn't stay upset.

Adjusting his smile, he shook his head. "It's fine, no problem. However, how did you know I'm a senior? Do I look that old?"

Luo Qianjian chuckled. "Senior misunderstood. Actually, I knew you before; you're Senior Liu Wei from the second year of graduate school at the School of Economics. I happened to attend your debate team's match last time."

Liu Wei nodded, answering more amicably. "Ah, so that's how it is. Yes, I'm from the School of Economics, specifically studying the History of Economic Thought. Are you also from the School of Economics? What's your name?"

"No, I just happened to watch the debate competition." Luo Qianjian didn't specifically mention his major but quickly complimented Liu Wei. "Senior Liu's major sounds so profound. I don't know much about economics, so I haven't encountered such knowledge before."

Hearing this, Liu Wei couldn't help but feel a bit proud, yet he held himself back, maintaining a composed demeanor. "It's not that exaggerated. It's just an ordinary major. Since you're not studying this field, you find it fresh because you've never heard of it."

Although he said this, Liu Wei couldn't help but subconsciously "like" Junior Luo Qianjian even more.

He truly was a good junior who knew how to speak.

"Senior Liu is so humble... By the way, Senior Liu, I have a question. It might be a bit presumptuous, but I'm too curious, so I really want to ask you..." Luo Qianjian hesitated.

Liu Wei without hesitation. "No problem, go ahead and ask."

Luo Qianjian nodded and asked softly, "It's like this. My parents have a good friend surnamed Liu, whom I greeted a few days ago. When I ran into Senior earlier, I suddenly remembered that Senior Liu looks somewhat similar to that Aunt Liu, and both of you share the surname Liu. I wonder if Senior's mother is named Liu Ruo?"

Liu Wei was surprised. "Your parents know my mother? That's right, my mother is indeed named Liu Ruo. Who are your parents?"

Luo Qianjian showed a relieved expression. "Good, I didn't make a mistake. Otherwise, I would have been too embarrassed. Oh, right, I haven't introduced myself yet. My surname is Luo, and my name is Luo Qianjian. As for my parents, my father seems to be closer to Aunt Liu. His name is Luo Chen."

Hearing the surname "Luo" and the name Luo Chen, Liu Wei was once again surprised by the coincidence, but unlike when Luo Chen and Liu Ruo were caught off guard by Luo Qianjian, he felt more relaxed.

"So your father is Uncle Luo. Indeed, our parents are quite familiar with each other. Uncle Luo has taken good care of our family over the years, and we owe him a lot. However, I've never met his family before. This time, it's a bit awkward that you recognized me first..."

As it was lunchtime, many students in the library got up to eat.

Liu Wei then suggested, "Since we've coincidentally met, why don't we have lunch together?"

Luo Qianjian replied somewhat reluctantly, "Well... it's a bit unfortunate, but I already have plans... How about next time?"

Liu Wei was slightly disappointed but understandingly nodded. "Okay, there must be a next time then. Um... may I ask, Junior, do you have a date with your significant other?"

Luo Qianjian was taken aback, shaking his head in surprise. "No, I'm still single. I just made plans with another classmate. Senior Liu suddenly asking this makes me a bit surprised, but luckily Senior asked. Otherwise, it would have been awkward if Senior thought I had a... I mean, a significant other."

Liu Wei's expression was gentle, but he pondered over Luo Qianjian's words.

"Right, how about this!" Luo Qianjian seemed to have a sudden idea. "I also think that saying 'next time' is too vague. To show sincerity, why don't we make a specific plan now? This Saturday happens to be my father's birthday. If Senior Liu doesn't mind, how about coming to our house for dinner with Aunt Liu and Brother Qingqing? Would that be okay?"

This invitation made Liu Wei happy but also a bit hesitant. "This... going to your house, wouldn't that be inconvenient?"

"How could it be? Aunt Liu is a friend of my parents, and Senior is a schoolmate of mine. We've met under such fortunate circumstances. Having your whole family attend my father's birthday banquet would be perfect. Senior, please give me this face, okay?"

After Luo Qianjian finished speaking, he thought for a moment and added, "However, if Senior Liu is too busy, it's fine if you can't come. I was being too presumptuous, forgetting that Senior's studies must be very busy and that you also work part-time in the library. Your time is definitely limited..."

With Luo Qianjian saying this, Liu Wei didn't want to disappoint or embarrass him, nor did he want to appear distant. So, he nodded. "No, no matter how busy I am, I can't miss Uncle Luo's birthday banquet. Alright, it's settled then. I'll tell my mother when I get home. On Saturday..."

"On that day, should I have the driver pick up Senior and your family? Aunt Liu lives in the university town, which is far from the Luo residence. There's no way we can let close guests travel on their own." Luo Qianjian smiled.

"Oh, and I'd like to ask Senior to keep this a secret from Aunt Liu and Brother Qingqing. Please don't let them know about coming to our house to celebrate my father's birthday in advance. Let it be a birthday surprise for my father, okay?"

Looking at Luo Qianjian's smiling face, Liu Wei agreed without hesitation, assuring him, "I understand, I will definitely keep it a secret!"