Chapter 092

Chapter 092

Thinking of the 180 yuan manuscript fee she received after revising her draft, Lu Mingzhu believed that she was not suited to write novels according to the submission requirements, so she decided to write freely.

What kind of novel should she write?

Of course, she would write what she was best at.

As a screenwriter, Lu Mingzhu excelled in writing romance, martial arts, and fantasy dramas, with tightly interwoven plots and constant twists that kept viewers hooked. Her novels would be the same.

She decided to start with a martial arts novel.

The greatest of heroes serve their nation and its people.

Nowadays, everyone needs a sense of chivalry.

Lu Mingzhu's pen touched the paper, and a series of elegant and upright characters instantly appeared before her eyes. The title of the novel was set as "The Blade Master."

Jin Fenghuang, a noble lady who lost her mother shortly after birth, was raised by her stepmother. She despised the daily grind of learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, loathed the endless years of embroidery and weaving, and hated being confined to the embroidery chamber. She loved reading the folk tales her maid sneaked in and admired the heroic swordsmen who upheld justice. Standing on the embroidery chamber, she looked out beyond the walls, longing for the outside world and the martial arts life.

When she turned eighteen, her fiancé's family came to propose marriage. Hearing that her fiancé was a man who was uneducated and promiscuous, she decided not to leap into the fire. With the help of her maid, she escaped from home a few days before the wedding and stepped into the martial arts world she had always dreamed of.

Dressed as a man, Jin Fenghuang's striking beauty still drew unwanted attention. At her first stop, she was harassed and nearly molested.

At that moment, a long blade appeared before the ruffian.

Lu Mingzhu was accustomed to drafting outlines, and this time was no exception.

After writing a brief synopsis, she suddenly remembered that before her trip to the capital, Xie Junhao was still in the hospital. She hadn't visited him after returning and didn't know if he had been discharged.

She glanced at her watch.

On the first day back, she stayed at her father's place. The second day was spent on dividing the family estate. Today, she saw her father, grandfather, and He Yun off on a luxury liner to the United States. It was now 2:30 PM. Would it be rude to visit Xie Junhao now?

The novel could wait, but manners must be observed.

Lu Mingzhu also wanted to ask if Xie Junyao had returned.

When her boyfriend was around, she found him clingy, but when he was away, she missed him.

So, Lu Mingzhu put down her fountain pen, got up, changed into her going-out clothes, and had her bodyguards carry the gifts she bought from the capital. She then knocked on the door of the Xie family.

The door was opened by Xie Junhao, not a servant.

Dressed casually, his striking resemblance to Xie Junyao softened his usual stern appearance, making him look more approachable without his usual suit and tie.

Lu Mingzhu was taken aback, "Big brother, you've been discharged? Are you feeling better?"

"Much better," Xie Junhao stepped aside to let her in and led her to the main house. "Last time Mr. Lu visited me in the hospital, he mentioned that you and Pingan went to the capital. When did you return?"

Lu Mingzhu replied sheepishly, "Three days ago."

Worried that Xie Junhao might think her impolite, she quickly explained, "My father divided the family estate as soon as we returned, so I was delayed for two days and couldn't visit you."

Xie Junhao smiled, "I heard about it."

"Ah?" Lu Mingzhu was dumbfounded.

Didn't they just divide the family assets yesterday?

Has the news spread this fast? Did she underestimate how quickly gossip travels?

Xie Junhao reminded, "Mr. Lu has transferred money to you."

Lu Mingzhu had a lightbulb moment. "Yes, we went to Wing Fung Bank and didn’t deliberately hide it. You’re a major shareholder and a director, so naturally, you’d know."

Xie Junhao nodded. "Today, someone called asking if I could set up their daughter with your seventh brother, Lu Changgen."

Lu Mingzhu got it. "Seventh brother is now a multimillionaire."

$1 million in cash is equivalent to 5.71 million Hong Kong dollars, 2,200 taels of gold are valued at around 400,000, five buildings in Happy Valley are worth 1.25 million, plus the villa bought for him by the fourth concubine, and the shares in the textile factory and Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store, making him a bona fide super tycoon.

This doesn’t even include the four boxes of jewelry and antiques.

Based on Lu Mingzhu’s estimate that two boxes of jewelry could be mortgaged for $300,000, the value of those four boxes of jewelry and antiques would not be less than a million.

Lu Mingzhu got the scoop from Lu Pingan that Lu Changgen used the $1 million startup capital to buy buildings directly, focusing mainly on managing Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store. Previously, he had no shares, but Mr. Lu took a portion of his own dividends to pay Lu Changgen as a salary.

From now on, Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store will pay him a hefty salary directly.

This is all part of Lu Pingan’s master plan; in the future, Lu Pingan will be the largest shareholder of Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store and will also join the company.

So, although Lu Changgen is a concubine’s son, he is richer than many legitimate sons, even outshining most tycoons in Hong Kong. What’s really impressive is that he’s clean-living and manages Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store very efficiently, proving to be very capable.

Lu Zhangling and Lu Zhangsheng received the same amount of property, but they have multiple wives and concubines and many children, not exactly prime candidates for ideal sons-in-law.

What’s so great about being a concubine? Being the main wife is where it’s at.

Unfortunately, the remaining two are too young and still in school.

"It’s not surprising that you know, but how did outsiders find out? Who’s been blabbing?" Lu Mingzhu was very curious.

As they stepped into the main house, Xie Junhao poured her some tea and explained, "Ming Hui. He attended a dance last night, got drunk, and lamented that Mr. Lu is indeed a Shanghai tycoon, giving away tens of millions to his five concubine sons, suddenly creating five multimillionaires in Hong Kong. Naturally, interested people remembered."

Ming Hui thought he was hot stuff, being dubbed the shipping king of Hong Kong, until he witnessed Mr. Lu dividing the family property and realized how far he was from Mr. Lu.

He regretted not insisting on arranging a marriage for Ming Heng with Lu Feifei; her dowry would have been substantial.

Unfortunately, Mr. Lu disagreed, so he gave up.

His current daughter-in-law, Zhang Baoyi, is good in every way, but her family is too poor, and he still has to provide them with living expenses.

Hearing Xie Junhao’s words, Lu Mingzhu was speechless. "How could he do that? When my father returns, I will definitely complain to him."

Isn’t it better to make a fortune quietly?

Xie Junhao seemed to understand her thoughts and gently said, "Ming Hui still knows his limits; he didn’t mention how much assets you and Pingan received. Most people probably wouldn’t think of it."

Lu Pingan is the eldest grandson, and Lu Mingzhu is a girl.

It’s expected for Lu Pingan to inherit property as the eldest grandson, but many wouldn’t think Lu Mingzhu should also inherit.

Lu Mingzhu patted her chest. "Thank goodness! Thank goodness!"

There are too many kidnapping cases in Hong Kong!

Many desperados are eyeing super tycoons, like gambling kings and the richest men.

And Lu Mingzhu is undoubtedly the richest woman in Hong Kong.

The richest woman who owes the bank $300,000 in principal—quite the paradox.

Clearly, she needs to hustle to make some money.

At this thought, Lu Mingzhu grew a bit antsy but managed to ask Xie Junhao patiently, "Elder Brother, Junyao has been on a business trip for a long time. When will he return?"

Xie Junhao calculated the time, "If everything goes smoothly, it will probably take another month."

Lu Mingzhu gasped.

"A month!" If a day apart feels like three years, then they have ninety years to go before they meet again.

Seeing her wide, sparkling eyes, Xie Junhao chuckled, "It was his responsibility initially, but I stepped in. Now, since I'm under the weather, it's back to him."

Lu Mingzhu felt a bit guilty.

After all, she had quite approved of Xie Junyao's lazy lifestyle.

Now that he's busy, they can't see each other.

Touching her nose, Lu Mingzhu picked up the tea cup, took a sip of tea to hide her guilt.

"Elder Brother, I just remembered something I need to take care of. You rest up; I'm heading home now!" After saying that, she pointed to the gifts she brought, "Since we didn't stay in the City of Flowers, these are specialties from the capital. I hope you like them."

This time, the gifts weren't as lavish or plentiful as last time.

Xie Junhao chuckled lightly, "You're so thoughtful; how could I not appreciate them? Thank you for the gifts."

He was careful to maintain boundaries and didn't press her to stay.

After all, as the future brother-in-law and sister-in-law, it wasn't proper for them to get too close.

Escorting her to the door, Xie Junhao mentioned, "Before Junyao went overseas, he had a batch of clothes custom-made for you. He mentioned they were ready the other day, but since you were away, I asked them to deliver once you're back. I'll give them a call."

They, referring to the merchants.

Lu Mingzhu's eyes lit up with surprise, "Junyao had clothes custom-made for me even when he's not here? Thank you, Elder Brother."

She headed home, eager to see what was in store.

Sure enough, not long after, a clerk from Wan Gu Department Store delivered hundreds of clothes, shoes, handbags, scarves, etc.

All from top luxury brands.

With no brand boutiques in Hong Kong and little awareness of luxury goods, these items were only available at department stores.

Wan Gu Department Store, Hong Kong's largest, also invested in other sectors, boasting the widest selection of goods.

Trying on each piece, Lu Mingzhu was thrilled.

Custom-fitted to her measurements, the clothes and shoes were not only perfect but also incredibly comfortable.

As they say, you get what you pay for.

The fabrics were top-notch—soft and snug.

Xie Junyao's impeccable taste shone through in the custom outfits, which highlighted Lu Mingzhu's beauty and grace, making her the very picture of opulence.

Not a single outfit was repeated.

After seeing off the shop assistant, Lu Mingzhu put on a beautiful green leaf and white peony dress and returned to her study to continue writing the outline and synopsis of "The Swordsman."

A blade saved the Golden Phoenix, and she fell in love with the blade.

Or rather, the blade's owner.

A hurried yet dashing young man in white.

However, the young man did not stay for her, as he was rushing home to get married.

At that time, neither of them knew that the other was their betrothed. Only a thread of affection from the Golden Phoenix remained with the young man, tangled and unresolved.

After parting, they went their separate ways.

The Golden Phoenix continued her journey through the martial world, developing a desire to learn swordsmanship and taking action. At the age of eighteen, she fortuitously became a disciple of the Broadsword Sect and, by chance, the sect leader's disciple.

The blade of the Broadsword Sect was identical to the young man's blade.

Because her bones and muscles were already set, it was difficult to reshape them. The Golden Phoenix put in a hundred, if not a thousand times more effort than others.

Just as she finally mastered the simplest set of blade techniques, her senior brother, who had gone home to get married, returned to the mountain with his wife. Upon meeting, she realized that this senior brother was the blade-wielder who had saved her, and his wife was her stepmother's daughter, only a year younger than her—Golden Lingzhi.

That sister, who enjoyed the love of both parents, was lively and carefree, not confined to the inner chambers, not required to learn the arts of music, chess, poetry, painting, or embroidery, but free to wield swords and spears, and to go out for leisure and banquets.

She had fled the marriage, and her sister had taken her place as the bride, becoming the daughter-in-law of the Grand Marshal of the Empire, well-liked by her in-laws.

As she wrote this, Lu Mingzhu chuckled softly.

Her stepmother's schemes were straightforward and crude, but the Golden Phoenix, raised by her, was easily molded, young and inexperienced, unable to see through her tactics or her true nature. Even the maids were under her control, and in the end, the Golden Phoenix was left with nothing.

Since the marriage was originally intended for the Golden Phoenix, when preparing the dowry, her birth mother's dowry was all included, but now it all belonged to her sister, with no connection to her.

And because she had fled the marriage, she was swiftly disowned by the Golden family, with the public announcement that she had died of illness.

When she encountered her sister, her sister did not acknowledge her.

From then on, the world no longer knew the noble lady Golden Phoenix, only the female disciple of the Broadsword Sect, Golden Phoenix.

She worked hard and moved forward with determination.

Heaven rewards those who persevere, and eventually, she became an excellent blade-wielder, meeting the standards to graduate. While wandering the martial world, she met a young man in black who took a liking to her.

Lu Mingzhu spent two days writing the outline before starting the opening.

As she wrote the script, her speed picked up, and soon she completed over ten thousand words for the opening.

Then she polished, transcribed, and personally mailed it out.

Lu Mingzhu still held high hopes for the widely circulated "Hong Kong Daily," so she sent it to them. If it was rejected, she would submit it to other newspapers.

Having faced rejection and revision before, her confidence wavered slightly.

Times were different!

After dropping the large envelope into the mailbox, Lu Mingzhu rubbed her sore wrist and lingered before heading home.

She went down to Mingzhu Snack Shop to grab a bite, but as soon as she entered, she wanted to leave because she saw Li Qingyun with Lu Feifei eating fish ball noodles, and they looked quite well-matched.

Lu Mingzhu slipped in unnoticed and sat behind Li Qingyun's seat, facing away from them.

Li Qingyun was asking Lu Feifei about the family division.

Lu Feifei was frustrated, "Yes, the family has been divided, but it has nothing to do with me. Dad has always liked Mingzhu, not me, and didn't leave me any part of the family estate."

Even though she defied her parents to be with Li Qingyun, she felt a surge of resentment at this moment.

Lu Mingzhu had received too much.

And she, only through marriage, could she possibly receive a dowry from her father that might rival her sisters'.

She told Li Qingyun this, and Li Qingyun said righteously, "A good man doesn't rely on family inheritance, and a good woman doesn't depend on her wedding dowry. Feifei, our garment factory has been doing well, and I believe one day I will give you wealth and status that others will envy."

He held Lu Feifei's hands and said affectionately, "Feifei, let's get married!"

As he spoke, he pulled out a ring box.

It was maroon, with a velvet surface, small and exquisite, and pressed with five golden characters "Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store."

He gently opened it, revealing a diamond ring.

The white gold ring setting was in a bouquet style.

Judging by the size of the main stone, it was about 1 carat, sparkling with the brilliance of diamonds, very delicate.

Li Qingyun left his seat, got down on one knee, held up the diamond ring, and said again, "Feifei, please marry me, I will definitely give you the happiness you desire."

Lu Feifei covered her mouth with both hands, extremely excited.

Amidst the cheers of the surrounding diners, she extended her left hand, letting Li Qingyun slide the ring onto her finger.