Chapter 204: No Poison, No Husband

Chapter 204: No Mercy, No Man

Lu Yazhi was concerned about Zuo Shangdang's well-being. After checking on his health, she insisted on going with him to pick up his medicine.

Zuo Shangdang didn’t have time to pick up his medicine. After reassuring his true love, he immediately went to the construction site to find workers, gathered various salvage tools, and headed straight to the Yellow Sand River. Half his wealth was still lying at the bottom of the river!

However, after a whole afternoon of effort, he came up empty-handed. Zuo Shangdang felt like half his soul had been drained.

In the evening, when Lu Jin'an returned, the three of them ate dinner in silence. After seeing to Zuo Shangdang’s rest, Lu Yazhi entered Lu Jin'an's room.

She knew her son had always been touchy about his background. As a child, he had moved around with her, never settling in one place. A striking single mother...

As the saying goes, a widow’s life is never free from gossip.

Because Lu Yazhi was beautiful and her husband rarely appeared, the women in the neighborhood eyed her suspiciously, spreading rumors and giving her the cold shoulder.

If a man so much as spoke to her, it sparked gossip. So, though Lu Jin'an never lacked food or clothing in his childhood, he was lonely, ostracized, and bullied by other kids.

It wasn't until the 1980s, after the reform and opening up, that Zuo Shangdang seized the opportunity to make it big in City A, and the family of three could finally reunite. Though Zuo Shangdang eventually treated them well, Lu Jin'an had grown up and was no longer the little boy who needed paternal love.

Over the years, no matter how much Zuo Shangdang tried to compensate, Lu Jin'an, though outwardly respectful, still held a grudge. Lu Yazhi understood this.

A soft knock came at the door.

"Jin'an, are you asleep?"

Lu Jin'an opened the door. "Mom, you're still up?"

Lu Yazhi walked into the room. "I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d check on you."

"A few days ago, when I was shopping at the department store with Mrs. Liu, I spotted you and a girl at the corner, watching a monkey act."

Lu Yazhi smiled gently as she looked at her son.

Lu Jin'an rubbed his nose, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, just a friend!"

"Really just a friend?" Lu Yazhi knew that there weren’t many people her son would admit to being friends with.

"Mom, don’t read too much into it. She’s really just a friend."

"Stop calling him 'he.' He’s your father."

Lu Yazhi sighed. "He’s done right by us. I’ve told you before, my background isn’t great. When I was young, if it weren’t for him protecting me, I would have joined your grandparents underground long ago. We wouldn’t have made it this far."

"I know you've always resented him because of what happened in your childhood, but try to put yourself in his shoes. Back then, you needed a letter just to travel, and every household relied on grain coupons for food. The Hou family’s three kids were starving at home, while we had a place in the city, with enough to eat and wear. We were better off than most."

"He had no choice..."

Now that Zuo Shangdang's business was growing bigger, many leaders in City A gave him face. Lu Yazhi didn't want any rift between her son and Zuo Shangdang, lest it give the other side an opportunity.

"These years haven’t been easy for him. Now his business in City A is expanding, and he’s kept it all hidden from the family back home. Where do you think the startup capital and all the money we've spent over the years came from? You should have an idea, right?"

"I don’t think that piece of paper is all that important. He hasn’t given it to us yet because he needs that woman to take care of the elderly at home and handle everything there! Do you really want me to go back to that small place and take care of his aging parents?"

"Don’t be foolish. That kind of life isn’t what I want. This comfortable life we have now is what I desire!"

"Except for the title, what don’t we have? When he goes out to deal with business partners and leaders, he always takes you, not that country bumpkin. Just this afternoon, he said that the majority of his business would be handed over to you. You can’t hold any resentment towards him in your heart, or else the other side might take advantage. He doesn’t just have you as a son. Right now, we depend on him for our livelihood, not the other way around..."

Lu Yazhi meticulously explained the gravity of the situation to Lu Jin'an, who had to admit that compared to the woman from the countryside, he and his mother were worlds apart.

However, human greed knows no bounds. As long as the original wife is still around, he and his mother will always be the secret mistress and illegitimate son!

Moreover, if his father truly cared for him and his mother and had no feelings for the other side, using her instead, why would he share what he has with them? It's clear that he still has a place in his heart for her, merely placating his mother with simplicity.

Lu Jin'an's eyes turned cold. "Mom, don't worry, I understand everything you've said!"

"I do blame him, but I sincerely respect him as my father. I know where my priorities lie!"

After coaxing Lu Yazhi to rest, Lu Jin'an stood by the window, hands behind his back, gazing at the distant lights, his mind racing.

No mercy, no remorse—that's what makes a real man!

To succeed, to stand taller, one must be harsher than the average person...

Mom is still too trusting. Previously, it was due to inconvenient transportation and underdeveloped information. Now, with two elders helping to cover up and keep that woman in the dark, the elders will eventually pass away, and information will flow more freely. That side will inevitably learn of their existence!

When that happens, the Hou family will stand on moral high ground, and the reputation they've built in A City, as well as what Dad controls, will face devastating blows and disputes.

Recalling the isolation and bullying he endured as a child, Lu Jin'an seemed to see the outcome after the exposure, where he and Lu Yazhi would be scorned by everyone.

They would face endless ridicule and disdain.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he quickly weighed his options.

From the emotions revealed in Zuo Shangdang's usual conversations, it's clear he still harbors some guilt towards that woman. Moreover, the son born to the Hou family was raised by the elders, unlike himself, who has never even met them.

If it ever came to a conflict between his mother and the Hou family, the elders would certainly not side with a grandson they've never laid eyes on, and the elders' attitude would indirectly influence Zuo Shangdang's stance!

He couldn't take such a big risk.

He had to eliminate all threats before they could grow!

Whether Zuo Shangdang truly needs that woman or feels guilty and thus unwilling to divorce, as long as the Hou woman is gone, he and his mother can rightfully step into her place in the public eye...

Moreover, he would never share what Zuo Shangdang controls with that side! He wants the lion's share, and even a crumb for them is out of the question!

He and Zuo Shangdang are destined to be opposed; how could he allow the other side to gain strength?

Wait for them to gain strength and then come after him and his mother?

"Hmph~"

"Dad is still too naive, too soft-hearted!!"

"Does he really think I'm that gullible kid who swallows everything he says?"