Chapter 090

Chapter 090

The second concubine quickly signaled her son.

However, Lu Zhangling, who had just entered, was completely bewildered and hadn't yet reacted when Lu Yanzhi's cane came down on him.

Except for his head and face, he was beaten all over!

Lu Yanzhi had always been health-conscious, eating well and living comfortably, never having suffered any grievances. His bones were strong, and his body was robust. From getting up from the sofa to beating Lu Zhangling, his speed didn't resemble that of a man over sixty.

His strikes were fast, fierce, and accurate!

Lu Zhangling dared not fight back, only covering his head and scurrying away, "Dad, why are you hitting me? Dad!"

Unlike the second concubine, who was so desperate she closed her eyes, Lu Mingzhu clapped and cheered beside them, "Dad, put some muscle into it! Dad, don't hit his back, be careful not to cripple him, or no one will take care of him! Dad, hit his butt, there's more meat there! Dad, Dad, Dad, hit his legs, break his legs and see if he still flirts around!"

The second concubine glared at her angrily.

Lu Mingzhu fearlessly glared back, "Second Concubine, if I hadn't passed by the City of Flowers, everyone there would now know that the father of the twin boys is the wealthy merchant Lu Yanzhi from Shanghai!"

Now you know why the old man is angry!

Even now, people at the dock are probably spreading the word.

The twin boys and those two young men didn't avoid people when they fought, and many laborers were present.

"I'll beat the life out of you!" The more Lu Yanzhi thought about it, the angrier he got, and he really followed Lu Mingzhu's advice, the cane landing on his buttocks, thighs, and calves, again and again, without mercy.

This agarwood cane was top-notch, very heavy, and the impact was truly something else.

"Dad, father, dear father, even if you beat me, there must be a reason, right? What did I do wrong?" He still didn't understand what he had done to make Lu Yanzhi so angry.

No one wanted to keep getting beaten, so he ran behind the sofa.

After all, he was not yet forty, in the prime of his life, and Lu Zhangling had a chance to dodge if he wanted to.

Lu Yanzhi raised his cane, "How dare you dodge!"

He also went around the sofa to chase.

Seeing this, he quickly ran, trying to get to the front of the sofa, but he didn't watch his path and didn't see Lu Mingzhu's sneakily placed foot, which directly tripped him.

He fell to the ground, roaring, "Lu Mingzhu, are you just enjoying the show without a care for what happens!"

"No, I'm helping Dad," Lu Mingzhu retorted righteously.

With her tripping him, he didn't have time to get up, and Lu Yanzhi's cane came down again.

Like a downpour.

He could only cover his head with both hands to protect his face, screaming in pain, "Dad, father, please spare me!"

If this kept up, he'd be dead.

He still didn't understand why he was being beaten.

Lu Pingan couldn't help but sigh.

The twin boys were such noticeable figures standing in the middle of the living room, how could he miss anything unusual?

The second concubine quickly realized what was happening and rushed over to hug Lu Zhangling's leg, preventing him from taking another step. "Sir, please, you mustn't hit him anymore. If you continue, the third son will die. He's still young, he made a mistake, we should teach him properly, not just beat him."

Lu Mingzhu chimed in casually, "What a 'child'—almost forty years old! And what about us? Are we babies then?"

The second concubine turned her head, her eyes red, "Eighth Miss, could you please not make things worse?"

If this keeps up, she’s going to lose her temper.

"I'm not making things worse," Lu Mingzhu denied, acting like a filial daughter. She innocently said, "I just think Dad needs to let off some steam, so he doesn't hurt himself with rage."

Lu Zhangling also said, "Even young Mingzhu knows better than to upset me. What has this ungrateful son of yours done? He’s grown up, but only picked up bad habits."

The second concubine felt a pang of bitterness.

How could she admit that her son was just following his father’s example?

As a woman, the second concubine didn't like Lu Zhangling taking in a third and fourth concubine, and having countless romantic interests outside, but as a concubine, she had no standing to complain.

As a mother, however, she hoped her son could have multiple wives and concubines, to strengthen the second branch’s claim and secure more of the family’s wealth.

So, she never interfered with her son's affairs in this regard.

There were already five or six concubines under the same roof, not to mention the ones he kept in separate homes outside.

Lu Zhangling seized the moment while his mother was holding his father back, quickly rolled to the side, and got up. "Dad, what exactly have I done wrong? What have I done?"

"Want to know?" Lu Mingzhu asked him.

Lu Zhangling glared at her, considering He Yun was her godfather, he didn't dare to show his displeasure. "Go ahead, tell me what lies you’ve been telling, making him beat me on sight."

Without a word, Lu Mingzhu pushed the twin boys forward, right in front of him.

Lu Zhangling was baffled, "Who are they?"

"You really can’t see it?" Lu Mingzhu looked him up and down, the more she looked, the more she felt he was greasy.

He really had a big head and ears.

Lu Zhangling didn't understand, "Tell what?"

Some people are like that—others can see the resemblance, but they can’t.

Especially since the twin boys looked like him twenty years ago.

After more than twenty years, how could he possibly remember his younger self?

Every day he sees his current self in the mirror.

Lu Zhangling gripped his cane, lowered his head, and angrily said to the second concubine, "Look at what you’ve raised!"

The second concubine was equally exasperated by her son’s failures.

Lu Mingzhu suddenly laughed, "Third brother, you're really something. You don't even remember what you used to look like? They look like you, exactly the same!"

Lu Zhangling was stunned.

Ah Qian and Ah Kun held hands, their expressions very nervous, frightened by Lu Zhangling's earlier actions.

He showed no mercy when beating his son.

Lu Zhangling stared at the twins, looking them up and down as if in a dream, "Like me? Do they look like me?"

For a moment, he ignored the intense pain in his body and turned to the second concubine for confirmation.

The second concubine nodded reluctantly, crushing his faint hope, "Like your uncle, like you, almost exactly like you when you were about ten years old, just a bit darker."

Lu Zhangling fell silent.

Lu Mingzhu, mischievously, said, "Third brother, I found them for you, how will you thank me?"

Lu Zhangling gritted his teeth, forcing out, "I thank you!"

"Just empty words? I don’t need that—I want real gold and silver," Lu Mingzhu said bluntly. "You didn’t have to raise them, yet here you are with two fine sons."

The twins exchanged nervous glances, their eyes fixed on Lu Zhangling.

What would become of them if he refused to acknowledge them?

Before Lu Zhangling could speak, the father said, "Third son, weren’t you having a set of jewelry custom-made by the craftsmen at Gold Diamond? I’ve decided, the jewelry goes to Mingzhu."

"Hooray! Hooray!" Lu Mingzhu clapped her hands.

Lu Zhangling seethed with anger but bit his tongue, not daring to speak out.

The second concubine, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief. At least the matter was settled.

She let go of the father’s leg and began to worry about how to settle the twin boys, cautiously asking, "Father, what should we do with these two children?"

The father snorted and sank into the sofa, "Your grandsons, the third son’s sons—what do you propose we do?"

The twins held their breath, waiting anxiously.

During their time in the capital with Lu Pingan, they had gained considerable insight and knew that the Lu family was an extremely wealthy and influential household, with connections to high officials. A few crumbs from their table would be enough for an ordinary person to live on for a lifetime.

Being grandsons of the Lu family was an even greater advantage.

Even without a mother and despite a potentially strained father-son relationship, they’d never lack for food or clothing.

Lu Zhangling, at a loss, turned to the second concubine for guidance.

The second concubine closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and said, "Father, are you sure they are the third son’s biological sons?"

"What do you think?" the father shot back, his tone sharp.

Their resemblance was undeniable, but the second concubine sought further proof. She stood up and walked over to the twins, gently probing about their age, hometown, mother, and family situation.

As the questions continued, a memory stirred in Lu Zhangling’s mind.

Meng Yu’er—wasn’t she that vibrant, beautiful fisherman’s daughter?

He’d promised to bring her home but had let it slip his mind.

Life had been too chaotic, and he’d simply forgotten.

Not long after returning to Shanghai, within a few months of the July 7th Incident, Shanghai fell, and everyone was in danger. The Lu family was a prime target, and the father and mother were so busy they were hardly ever home. How could he have the mood to care about romantic affairs?

Seeing the Tianhuang stone seal the twins had as a token, recognizing it as something he had once prepared as a gift for his father, Lu Zhangling sighed wistfully and said lovingly to them, "I didn’t know about your existence before, but from now on, I will take good care of you. Don’t be afraid."

The twins, quick to react, immediately called out, "Father!"

Just acknowledging them will do.

"Third son, are you sure?" Second Auntie asked uneasily.

"I'm sure," Lu Zhangling replied, "I left the City of Flowers in October last year, and they were born on the fifth day of the fifth month the following year. They look so much like me, they must be mine. I'm sure Father has already looked into it."

Father Lu glared at him. "Without investigation, letting them recognize their grandfather as their father? I can't afford to lose face like that! Bringing the children home isn't the end of it. How are you going to arrange for them?"

Lu Zhangling didn't know either.

"They're old enough now. Just give them food, a place to stay, and some spending money, isn't that enough?" He thought it was simple.

Lu Mingzhu rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Pingan chimed in, "Third Uncle, they've never been to school, only picked up a few words in literacy classes, and can write their own names. As a result, the two brothers couldn't find decent jobs and ended up hauling heavy loads at the docks. Shouldn't you get them into school first? Except for toddlers, every child in our Lu family has gone to school."

He had talked with the twin boys and knew more than Lu Mingzhu.

Hearing this, Lu Zhangling felt even more sympathy for the twin boys.

"Yes, your brother Pingan is correct. You should go to school first, study hard, and if you can get into university on your own, I'll buy each of you a house." Their second branch hadn't produced any academically successful children yet, and these twins, who resemble him and are quite clever, if they could get into university, their second branch would be proud.

The twins were thrilled. "Thank you, Father!"

Not having to work, being able to go to school, with food, a place to stay, and spending money, it was like a dream come true.

In their minds, only the wealthy could afford to go to school.

Seeing that the twin boys were taken care of, Father Lu immediately ordered them to leave. "Take them back and get them settled, and don't show your face around here for a while. Especially you, Third Son!"

Lu Zhangling dared not refuse. "Understood, Father."

He limped away.

Although Father Lu didn't break his leg, his grip was strong, causing increasing pain, so he hurried back to see a doctor or apply some medicated wine.

Before Second Auntie could show her concern, the twin boys had already stepped forward, supporting Lu Zhangling on either side, sweetly saying, "Father, take it slow, we'll help you."

Their attentiveness immediately touched Lu Zhangling.

Second Auntie frowned, secretly relieved that the eldest daughter-in-law's family had fallen on hard times and didn't dare to challenge Lu Zhangling. If it were a daughter-in-law with a strong background, she certainly wouldn't accept illegitimate children from outside.

Seeing the twin boys so much like her son in his youth, Second Auntie couldn't help but take them a bit more seriously.

Especially since they had made an impression in front of Father Lu.

If they didn't handle things properly, Father Lu would definitely be unhappy, and Lu Zhangling's status in his eyes would surely plummet.

Father Lu didn't care about their thoughts at all. He handed his cane to Xu the Butler and said to Lu Mingzhu and Pingan, "Come with me to the study to talk."

Lu Mingzhu didn't see Lu Ning and asked as soon as she entered the study.

"This place is small. I bought her a villa next to Pingan's in Happy Valley, which someone else built but sold before moving in. It has a music room, art room, dance studio, etc., with plenty of space, so she can go there to learn arts with her teachers and come back in the evening." Father Lu was always generous with the descendants of his wife.

Lu Mingzhu nodded, praising repeatedly, "You are truly the best grandfather in the world!"

"Am I not a good father?" Father Lu asked her.

Lu Mingzhu smiled sweetly at Father Lu sitting behind the tea table, saying, "Very good, the best in the world! Good father, Pingan and I have new business ideas we want to pursue."

"What business?" Father Lu didn't immediately object.

Lu Mingzhu detailed the penicillin shortage, "Big brother said he'd quit and come home once the war's over. I was thinking, if we do a bit more, could the war end sooner? Could we save some lives?"

She remembered this battle, remembered that about 600,000 people sacrificed their lives, and victory was forged with their blood.

600,000 families torn apart!

Even if we could save just 10,000 lives, that would preserve 10,000 families, preventing parents from losing their children, wives from losing their husbands, and children from losing their fathers.

Father Lu pondered for a moment.

Lu Pingan took the initiative to say, "It was my idea to start a pharmaceutical factory. I think the pharmaceutical business is always profitable, and it also earns a good reputation, beneficial for the future. Selling machines is opportunistic, and it's not every day that good machines are available for me to sell. I have also reached a consensus with Comrade Zhang, agreeing to a 10% cut for me to procure industrial equipment for them. New is ideal, but old will work if necessary, to avoid buying old machines at new machine prices from others, which would be a huge loss!"

Father Lu showed approval, "Well done. Although it earns less than reselling goods on your own, building strong connections is invaluable. Setting up a pharmaceutical plant is a solid plan. I'll chat with Mr. He tomorrow, and we'll jointly fund the establishment of a pharmaceutical company. First, we'll buy out pharmaceutical factories in Hong Kong, Macau, and the United States that are about to or have already gone out of business. There are surely experienced workers and old machines there, and possibly even penicillin manufacturing lines. If not, we'll find a way to buy them, no problem. As for skilled pharmaceutical professionals, with the right offer, we can always recruit a few."

He knew better than anyone the profit-oriented mindset of foreigners, always looking to make a quick buck.

The cost of penicillin has already dropped from $200 to a few cents per dose, and with the price also dropping and production greatly increased, some are bound to quit the business, which is our opportunity to buy penicillin manufacturing lines.

Lu Mingzhu exclaimed, "Dad, you're the best!"

Father Lu smiled slightly, and he was thrilled about Lu Changsheng's confirmed return date. Before Lu Mingzhu could bring it up, he said, "You don't have to pay back the money you owe me, use it to establish the pharmaceutical company, it will be your dowry in the future."

Lu Mingzhu was amazed, "Really?"

Two million dollars!

Father Lu said, "I'm planning to split the family assets among you soon, think of it as an advance."

He aimed to resolve this before Lu Changsheng came back.

As for the reason, we'll use Lu Zhangling's situation!