Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Lu Mingzhu guessed that her father might have told Lu Changsheng something, but Lu Changsheng didn’t know that the one who claimed to have a prophetic dream was actually her sister, not their father. Seeing Lu Mingzhu trust him so much and having invested far more money in his grain and oil company than he had received from the old lady Lu, he was deeply touched.

The key was that she invested the money without asking how much equity she would get or how much dividend she would receive in the future.

After all, the annual profit margin in the grain and oil business is very low, at most 5%.

5% of sales.

It simply cannot be compared to industries like real estate and jewelry, let alone the oil business.

Oil is the most lucrative.

Knowing that his sister and son held shares in an oil company, Lu Changsheng was genuinely envious.

Oil is a strategic resource and has multiple uses.

Among the dividends Lu Mingzhu received, the dividends from the oil company were the highest, and she valued the oil company the most because the country had yet to discover any oil fields and relied entirely on imports. In the future, developing oil fields would require a full set of oil-related equipment.

It often costs millions or even tens of millions of dollars, and under heavy blockades, even if you’re willing to pay, you might not be able to acquire it.

Now she had another company to focus on: the grain and oil company.

As Lu Changsheng said, "Food is the most essential need of the people."

In the future, saving one more life would be a virtuous act, and perhaps many talented individuals could emerge to contribute to the nation’s development.

Lu Mingzhu instructed her elder brother: "After the company is established, you must first purchase a farm, a large and high-quality one. If funds are insufficient, I’ll figure something out. Then acquire grain processing plants, oil mills, and feed mills to avoid future control by others."

Soybeans can be processed into oil, while corn is used for feed. If you plan to stockpile large quantities in the future, you’ll need a legitimate reason.

Lu Changsheng ruffled his sister’s hair, "Got it, I know what to do. Stay at home and don’t wander off. Don’t worry too much."

"I’ve invested all the money I set aside for property purchases in you, how can I not worry? You have no experience." Military strategy skills might not translate well to the business world.

Lu Changsheng smiled, "Then you probably don’t know that I began learning business from my grandfather and parents when I was six or seven."

Their mother owned a flour mill.

Lu Changsheng knew the ins and outs of the business very well.

Lu Mingzhu suddenly realized, "No wonder Dad isn’t worried."

In that case, she didn’t need to worry about him losing money in business, nor did she need to ask if he wanted to learn from the grain and oil company the Xie family had given her.

"Goodbye, have a safe trip." Lu Mingzhu waved.

Lu Changsheng, accompanied by bodyguards and Secretary Chen, headed to the airport and boarded a plane.

He wanted to save time, and flying was faster.

Although the tickets were expensive, costing several thousand Hong Kong dollars per person, it pained him to spend that much.

But he didn’t dare to say it.

He was now Lu Changsheng, the man of great deeds, not the poor Lu Zhuri.

Lu Mingzhu, having settled her major concern, was filled with joy.

Lu Mingzhu came home in high spirits, only to find Xie Junyao, who should’ve been at work, sitting there with a bouquet of flowers, making him look even more dashing.

"What the—?" Lu Mingzhu stepped back outside and looked up at the sky.

It was indeed still morning.

She stepped inside and, under Xie Junyao’s sad eyes, asked, "Not working today?"

Figuring the time, Xie Junhao shouldn’t be back yet.

Xie Junyao said, "Even a workhorse gets a day off, right?"

Lu Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh.

"Oops, my bad, I forgot it’s the weekend," Lu Mingzhu realized. She sat next to him on the sofa, smiling sweetly, her eyes sparkling.

Xie Junyao’s heart melted, feeling a mix of emotions.

He glanced at Lu Mingzhu’s fingers, noticing the engagement ring on her left hand, making them look slender and delicate. Xie Junyao kissed her hand and said, "What do you say we grab lunch out?"

Even though the food at home is great, going out would make it a real date.

Lu Mingzhu was all for it.

"Let me just change first," she said. She’d dressed casually when she saw Lu Changsheng.

But to Xie Junyao, she still looked stunning.

"Don’t bother changing, you look perfect as you are," he said sincerely.

Lu Mingzhu laughed and replied, "You’re seeing me through rose-colored glasses."

She changed into a light red embroidered cheongsam with a beige coat, looking effortlessly elegant.

Xie Junyao looked down at his tie.

It was light red.

He smiled and said, "You look amazing."

Anyone could tell they were a pair.

"Ready to roll!" Lu Mingzhu picked up her handbag.

As they were going down the hill, a cyclist whizzed past them.

A moment later, the middle-aged man on the bicycle stopped in front of Lu Mingzhu’s house, looked up at the house number, and rang the doorbell nervously.

It didn’t take long for someone to open the door.

It was the bodyguard arranged by Lu Mingzhu’s father to protect his youngest daughter. The bodyguard looked at the middle-aged man at the door and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you looking for?"

"Hello, my surname is Wang, I’m an editor at the Hong Kong Daily," he took out his work ID and identification card as proof, then pulled out a large envelope, "I came here based on the address on this. Is Zhi Wei at home?"

The bodyguard’s interest was piqued, "Zhi Wei? The Zhi Wei who wrote 'The Swordsman'?"

The people responsible for receiving and sending letters and newspapers at their house were Ah Rong and Hong Jie, who were illiterate and had no idea who the sender or recipient of Lu Mingzhu’s letters was, but the bodyguards were different.

The Lu family's bodyguards are all literate.

They take turns accompanying Lu Mingzhu when she goes out, and those who stay at home have an easier job, only needing to patrol their large house, with plenty of free time to read the newspapers that Lu Mingzhu subscribes to.

She subscribes to many newspapers, allowing the bodyguards to read them freely.

After reading the serialized story "The Swordsman" in the Hong Kong Daily, who wouldn't know who Zhi Wei is?

This particular bodyguard, who himself studies martial arts and swordsmanship, is especially fond of the sword techniques described in "The Swordsman," and his admiration for it far exceeds that of the other bodyguards. Hearing that Zhi Wei lives here, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

Not just surprised, but also thrilled.

After getting Editor Wang's confirmation, the bodyguard happily said, "It has to be our young lady."

He knew that several scripts written by Lu Mingzhu had been made into movies with high box office earnings. Since she could write scripts, it’s no surprise she could write novels too, but he never expected her to be Zhi Wei.

The author of "The Swordsman."

For this novel, the bodyguard specifically ordered two copies of the newspaper, one to read and one to collect. After it ended, he eagerly awaited Zhi Wei’s next work, but there was no new serialization for a long time. He nearly thought Zhi Wei had lost her touch, only to realize now that she hadn’t even been in Hong Kong, and after returning, she was busy with her engagement, so how could she find time to write something new?

Since Lu Mingzhu was not at home, the bodyguard did not invite Editor Wang inside, explaining, "Our young lady just left, you’re a bit late."

Editor Wang exclaimed, "Not at home?"

The bodyguard nodded affirmatively, "She left just under five minutes ago."

Editor Wang remembered the cars he had passed on his way here, and with regret, he realized even more clearly that Zhi Wei’s family background was impressive. He couldn't help but ask, "When will your young lady be back? I’ll wait for her."

The bodyguard thought for a moment and said to him, "She could be back early, or it could be much later. Do you still want to wait?"

Editor Wang said, "I'll wait."

The letters they sent to Zhi Wei had gone unanswered for a long time, so he had to come in person, but he hadn’t expected her family to be so well-off. No wonder she never inquired about the sales during "The Swordsman’s" serialization, nor did she ask for a raise in her manuscript fee, unlike those authors who demanded a raise the moment they gained some fame.

Clearly, she didn't need to rely on manuscript fees to live.

As the editor of the Hong Kong Daily, with over ten years of experience in Hong Kong, Editor Wang knew exactly how pricey the houses on Peak Road were, and he knew that ordinary people couldn't afford to live there.

Hearing Editor Wang’s words, the bodyguard wanted to invite him in to wait but hesitated.

Just then, several cars stopped at the gate.

The window of one of the cars slowly rolled down, revealing He Yun's elegant and amiable face, "What's going on?"

Seeing him, the bodyguard was pleasantly surprised and quickly said, "It's the editor from the Hong Kong Daily, here to see the young lady, but she just went out with her fiancé for a meal, and we don't know when she'll return. This Editor Wang wants to wait for her, and I’m not sure how to handle it."

He Yun understood.

He opened the car door, got out, and stood still, his demeanor elegant, "A guest has arrived, please come in and wait."

He believed Lu Mingzhu would agree.

In terms of receiving guests, she has always been impeccable.

He Yun is Lu Mingzhu's godfather, and with him making the decision, the bodyguard had no more hesitation. When inviting Editor Wang inside to wait, he hesitated, "I'll come back in the afternoon."

Previously, not knowing that Zhi Wei had gone out for a meal, he had said he would wait for her return.

He Yun nodded slightly, "As you wish."

After speaking, he got into the car, closed the window, and the cars drove away one after another.

Editor Wang sighed in relief and felt a bit of sweat on his back when he touched it.

The bodyguard chuckled, "Why so nervous?"

"That was Mr. He Yun, the wealthiest man in Southeast Asia." Although he only managed the serialized novel section, Editor Wang had heard that despite his gentle and refined appearance, Mr. He was ruthless, and no one in Hong Kong dared to provoke him. He had also been lucky enough to see him once.

It happened last year at a hotel in Hong Kong.

While having dinner with his colleagues, Editor Wang overheard a foreigner saying he wanted to find an Eastern beauty as a girlfriend, someone more beautiful than Louis's lover. Several Chinese at the table suggested their own candidates.

One of them was Zhao Sinan, a real estate and jewelry broker known to Editor Wang. At first, Zhao didn't say much, and Editor Wang thought he was more composed than the others, which explained his good reputation in the industry. Then Zhao suddenly sighed, "If we're talking about true beauty, it's Miss Mingzhu from the Lu family. She is absolutely stunning, while the others you mentioned are just ordinary."

The foreigner asked who Miss Mingzhu was.

Zhao seemed to regret it but answered honestly, "She's Miss Lu, who wants to buy your Deep Water Bay mansion. I'm planning to see her this afternoon; we arranged to meet on the boat to Huacheng."

The foreigner showed interest, "Arrange a time for us to meet."

Others chimed in, asking if Lu Mingzhu was really that beautiful.

Just as Editor Wang found their conversation unpleasant, they were dragged out like dead dogs by men in suits, who didn't spare the foreigner despite his high status, causing everyone in the restaurant to look their way.

Editor Wang's colleague, who covered entertainment news and was a former reporter, secretly followed them.

Worried about his colleague, Editor Wang had no choice but to go along.

They saw Zhao Sinan and the foreigner being dragged to the backyard of the Hong Kong Grand Hotel and beaten half to death. The others who joined in didn't fare well either, all bruised and kneeling, begging for mercy.

He Yun stood in front of them, elegantly wiping the blood from his fingers with a handkerchief.

His expression was calm, revealing nothing.

His gaze briefly swept over Editor Wang and his colleague, who were so frightened they didn't dare to breathe, quickly bowing and retreating without looking further.

After that, Zhao Sinan disappeared from the industry.

Not just him, but the foreigner who was a manager at a foreign firm also vanished completely from Hong Kong, and the other Chinese people present didn't end up well.

Seeing He Yun again today, Editor Wang naturally showed as much respect as possible.

When he bid farewell to the bodyguard, he whispered, "Do you feel any pressure living next to Mr. He?"

The bodyguard smiled, "Our Miss is Mr. He's goddaughter."

So, what do we have to fear?

Living on the hilltop, we feel safe under his protection!

Editor Wang was deeply impressed, "I see. I'll come back this evening to visit your Miss, please remember to inform her."

"No problem." The bodyguard also wanted to see Zhi Wei's next novel.

He came again in the afternoon, but Lu Mingzhu still hadn't returned, so he had to postpone until the next morning.

Lu Mingzhu didn't return until the evening.

She had dinner with Xie Junyao outside and then went to watch a movie.

Upon hearing what the bodyguard said, Lu Mingzhu arched her eyebrows in surprise.

"I thought the response to 'The Swordsman' was lukewarm." The evidence was that she had not received any letters from readers, nor had she seen any related reviews in the newspapers, nor had she heard of any increase in the sales of *Hong Kong Daily* due to it.

The bodyguard quickly responded, "If it were lukewarm, the editor wouldn’t have come knocking, and we wouldn’t have been so fond of it."

After saying this, he couldn’t help but ask, "Eighth Miss, 'The Swordsman' is really good. Will you write a sequel?"

"There will be no sequel." The novel has concluded.

When it was the right time to end, Lu Mingzhu would not force a sequel. With this time, it would be better to write a brand new novel instead.

The bodyguard expressed his disappointment, "Editor Wang will visit you again tomorrow."

Lu Mingzhu acknowledged his statement.

The next morning, she did not go out but stayed at home waiting for Editor Wang’s arrival.

Perhaps fearing that Lu Mingzhu might go out again, Editor Wang arrived particularly early, shortly after seven. He straightened his crisp suit and entered the main house with his shiny leather shoes, accompanied by a Caucasian bodyguard.

Even Caucasian bodyguards were present!

As soon as he entered, Editor Wang was stunned by the sheer opulence.

He had never seen such a large and luxurious house before.

Seeing the beautiful woman in red personally welcoming him, Editor Wang felt his confidence waver. Could he persuade Zhi Wei to write a new work?

Taking her delicate, extended hand, Editor Wang heard her say, "Hello, Editor Wang, I’ve long heard of your reputation. I am Zhi Wei, whom you are looking for, my real name is Lu Mingzhu."

"Lu Mingzhu?" Editor Wang’s eyes lit up with recognition.

The name itself was not unusual, as there were many with the same name. But being neighbors with He Yun and being He Yun’s goddaughter, Editor Wang knew why Zhao Sinan and others had been beaten.

Joking about He Yun’s goddaughter in He Yun’s hotel was not just asking for trouble but courting disaster.

Lu Mingzhu chuckled lightly, "Editor Wang, you’ve heard of me, it seems."

Editor Wang quickly smiled, "I’ve heard it once, but I didn’t know it was Zhi Wei’s real name. I already thought your talent was outstanding, but I didn’t expect you to be both talented and beautiful."

Hearing this, the talented and beautiful Lu Mingzhu laughed, "Editor Wang, your flattery is making me blush."

With that, she invited him to sit and asked for tea to be brought.

Editor Wang, holding his teacup, cut to the chase about why he had come.