Chapter 170

Chapter 170

Lu Mingzhu, aware of her wrongdoing, bowed her head in contrition.

"Yes, you're absolutely right. It's entirely my fault. I shouldn't have let Junyao accompany me in my mischief, nearly putting him in harm's way," she felt regret when she encountered the storm.

While waiting for rescue on the island, regret ate away at her constantly.

She was terrified she couldn't shoulder the responsibility for hundreds of lives.

Lu Mingzhu turned and approached Xie Junhao, apologizing earnestly, "Big brother, why don't you take a few swings at me to let off steam? I won't let my dad hit me, so you can do it."

Her eyes glistened, bright and brimming with sincerity.

She even extended her hand, palm up.

Xie Junhao, his hand restrained by his brother, chuckled and replied, "It's not your fault. Why would I hit you? Mingzhu, you didn't ask Junyao to go with you; he insisted on taking leave to follow you. He shares half the blame. If I hit you, wouldn't I have to beat him up too? I can't bear to do that."

Moved, Lu Mingzhu pulled her hand back, "Big brother, you're so kind, compassionate, reasonable, and magnanimous..."

A stream of compliments poured from her lips.

Lu Zhangling made a sudden move to teach her a lesson, but Xie Junyao was quick to react. Before Lu Zhangling could raise his hand, he swiftly stood up and pulled Lu Mingzhu to his side.

She dodged it just in time.

Hiding behind Xie Junyao, feeling the reassuring presence of her boyfriend, Lu Mingzhu widened her eyes and accused, "Dad, how could you do that without warning?"

"If I don't give you a whack, I won't feel better," Lu Zhangling said.

Xie Junhao said, "Mr. He said the two have been through a lot. Please let them off this time."

Lu Mingzhu nodded eagerly, like a chicken pecking at grain.

See how generous big brother is!

How lucky she was to have a fiancé who shielded her in danger and a magnanimous brother-in-law.

He Yun also said, "Recognizing and fixing mistakes is what makes a good kid."

Lu Zhangling, who hadn't sat down since He Yun entered, secretly felt it was a pity. He was itching to see Lu Mingzhu get a beating, just like she used to watch him get beaten. She even passed the cane to Lu Zhangling—how mean!

Wang Bohui and his wife, and Ming Hui and his daughter, arrived late because of some trouble on the road, catching the last few sentences.

"Uncle Lu, why are you hitting Mingzhu? Her heart was in the right place. No one wanted the accident to happen," Wang Bohui naturally defended Lu Mingzhu. "She and Junyao were so frightened; they must be feeling terrible. They need soothing, not scolding."

"Big brother is absolutely right," Lu Mingzhu agreed wholeheartedly.

Lu Pingan, without a seat, seized the chance to grab the cane from Lu Zhangling and handed it to a bodyguard to take it away.

He snatched it effortlessly.

Lu Zhangling snorted heavily and said, "Lu Mingzhu, everyone is pleading for you. I'll let you off this time, but if there's a next time, I'll break your legs!"

"There won’t be a next time, no way," Lu Mingzhu assured him and everyone else.

This experience was unforgettable for her.

She solemnly thanked everyone for their help, "I’ll cover all the expenses. If you ever need anything from me in the future, just ask, and I’ll do my best to help."

If it’s beyond my abilities, I can’t help.

Ming Yue smiled slightly and glanced at Ming Hui, who immediately said to Lu Mingzhu, "This was an accident on the Hui Shipping Company’s cruise ship, and the company will take full responsibility. The fact that there were no casualties is the biggest blessing."

Thank goodness! What a relief!

If none of the hundred people had survived, their company would be finished, with competitors ready to take over their market.

Each one like a shark scenting blood.

Another reason was that Ming Hui knew Lu Pingan, Xie Junhao, and He Yun wouldn’t bill him for the search expenses, so the company wouldn’t have to bear much.

Lu Mingzhu was very surprised.

She had already prepared to cover all the expenses, wondering if the treasures she’d dug up would be enough, and now Ming Hui told her the Hui Shipping Company would handle it?

Her eyes instinctively turned to Lu Pingan.

Lu Pingan nodded, "That’s only right, and we’ll also need to compensate the staff and passengers."

Lu Mingzhu blurted out, "Then your business will surely grow, prosper, and thrive."

"The ships and crew are all insured," Ming Yue said with a laugh.

Lu Mingzhu understood.

Insurance feels like a waste of money until an accident happens, and then you’re grateful the insurance company covers the losses.

Finally, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Mingzhu perked up immediately.

But with so many people around, she didn’t mention the trip’s gains, only saying to Wang Bohui, "Godfather invested 700,000 USD in my brother—I heard he sold the hotel business and some apartments."

Wang Bohui was stunned, then praised, "Mingzhu, you’ve outdone yourself—well done!"

Lin Xianglian and her son ended up with even less property.

He was secretly pleased.

Lu Mingzhu accepted his praise calmly, "Both times, it was godfather who did all the work. I’m so grateful, and I’ll make sure to take care of him in his old age."

"He has four sons—why would he need a daughter to take care of everything?" Though Wang Bohui was furious about his father divorcing his mother and remarrying, his father had raised him and his brothers and left them the family property, so they had to take care of him in his old age.

Otherwise, it would reflect badly on the four brothers.

His mother also thought so, which is why she didn’t want to make it too ugly back then.

They drew clear lines.

They are very clear about it, and will not overlook Wang Xingcai’s contributions in major matters and the efforts he spent on his brothers.

Lu Mingzhu smiled, "Then let’s all do it together."

Wang Bohui nodded, "He's really fortunate to have a daughter who looks out for him."

"It wasn’t for nothing, right? I managed to secure a $700,000 investment for my brother. That kind of money can go a long way." Lu Mingzhu was already calculating how far this windfall could take the grain and oil company and whether it could weather most challenges in six years.

After everyone left, only He Yun, Lu’s father, and Lu Pingan stayed behind. Lu Mingzhu filled them in on what she’d done and found at the ancestral home.

"Dad, the twenty-seven ancient calligraphy and paintings handed down by our ancestors are yours to distribute." Lu Mingzhu acted very generously.

Lu’s father clicked his tongue in awe, "I figured there’d be some gold and silver stashed in the old house—most wealthy families do—but I never expected this much."

Burying gold was a family tradition, after all.

He wished he’d dug it up sooner, so Lu Mingzhu wouldn’t have had to dip into her dowry.

Lu’s father couldn’t care less about whether the ancestral home had collapsed or if clan members had been arrested for encroachment and were awaiting trial. "Since you found the calligraphy and paintings, they’re yours to deal with. As for the gold and silver, are you really planning to hand it all over to your brother?"

Lu Mingzhu nodded, "That was the deal from the beginning!"

She wouldn't go back on her word.

What’s money compared to human lives?

After going through this storm, she appreciated the value of life even more.

Besides, she already had plenty of assets and was set for life, so there was no need to get greedy and turn into someone people despised.

The next day, with Xie Junyao by her side, Lu Mingzhu went to Yongfeng Bank to exchange the gold and silver.

Might as well get it over with.

The gold was just as much as what was found in that other house, and the silver was even more. Plus, the Lu family’s gold and silver were of higher quality, netting them $8.07 million in the end.

The rich back then were really loaded!

Combined with Wang Xingcai’s $700,000 investment and the $130,000 Lu Mingzhu got from selling jade and houses, they were just $100,000 shy of $9 million.

The small amount of Hong Kong dollars, by comparison, wasn’t deposited and was kept for personal use.

"I’ll round it up to $9 million for you," Xie Junyao offered.

Lu Mingzhu shook her head, "Why bother? Invest what we have; round numbers aren’t always better."

Xie Junyao gave up on the idea.

By the time they wrapped up, it was evening. After eating a boxed lunch in the bank’s back room at noon, Lu Mingzhu smiled at Xie Junyao, "Let me treat you and big brother to a nice dinner."

Xie Junhao waved his hand, "I have other things to do, you two go."

Even though the sea rescue had ended after He Yun’s telegram and all expenses were paid, the debt of gratitude remained, so he had to throw a banquet to thank everyone.

Thinking of this, Xie Junhao looked at Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao, "Don’t go on a date, come with me to thank the friends who participated in the search and rescue. I’ve set up a thank-you banquet at the Hong Kong Grand Hotel."

Lu Mingzhu quickly said, "That’s right, that’s right. Big brother, how many people? I need to prepare gifts."

"The gifts have already been sent with the invitations, no need to prepare more." Xie Junhao always did things impeccably.

Noticing she was dressed casually, Lu Mingzhu rushed home to change into a classy light pink satin dress before heading to the Hong Kong Grand Hotel with Xie Junhao and Xie Junyao.

As it turned out, they ran into Lu’s father, who was also hosting a thank-you banquet there.

"Perfect, after thanking Junhao for hosting, you two can come over later to thank my old friends," Mr. Lu Yanzhi directly arranged for Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao.

Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao quickly agreed.

Xie Junhao had invited four men, all around his age, none as good-looking or as charming as him. Two of them maintained decent figures, one tall and one short, one chubby and very amiable, and another with fair skin and gray-green eyes—a foreigner.

Their families were all in the shipping business, and they had indeed gone out of their way in response to Xie Junhao's request a few days ago.

Xie Junhao personally poured wine and expressed gratitude to each one, leading his brother and sister-in-law, "Thank you all for your huge help. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know, and I’ll be there without hesitation."

"We’ve always supported each other; no need to be so formal," the chubby middle-aged man raised his glass.

He was Jin Yongze, a Malaysian Chinese.

Xie Junhao clinked glasses with him, "A big favor doesn’t need words of thanks."

Jin Yongze smiled, his gaze falling on Lu Mingzhu, "So this is Mr. Lu Yanzhi’s daughter?"

He had met Xie Junyao but not Lu Mingzhu. Although many reporters took photos when they returned to Hong Kong yesterday, today only the reports appeared, not the photos.

Clearly, someone had kept them under wraps.

Lu Mingzhu gracefully let him look her over, "Yes, I’m Lu Mingzhu. Thank you for your help."

"You and Xiao Xie are a perfect match, truly meant for each other," Jin Yongze praised endlessly, then asked, "Xiao Xie is not young anymore, when do you plan to get married?"

Xie Junhao answered, "We’re still in mourning for my father, so we’ll have to wait."

Jin Yongze suddenly remembered that Xie Chenggong had passed away and couldn’t help but laugh, "When you get married, don’t forget to send me an invite. I want to toast at your wedding."

The other three men echoed the same sentiment.

"We won’t forget you," Xie Junhao promised.

Xie Junyao and Lu Mingzhu also nodded.

After toasting, the two mentioned they were going to thank the distinguished guests Mr. Lu Yanzhi had invited, and they all understood, "Feel free."

Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao then left the table.

Mr. Lu Yanzhi had invited seven or eight men, mostly around his age, with only two in their forties, and the timing was half an hour later than Xie Junhao’s invitation.

What luck.

This way, Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao were just in time to accompany him in welcoming the distinguished guests to their seats.

They served tea and poured wine, making it quite lively.

One kind-looking old man was known as the Sugar King of Southeast Asia, named Chen Feng, also a shareholder of HSBC. Looking at Lu Mingzhu, he said to Mr. Lu Yanzhi, "Don’t always keep your daughter cooped up at home. Bring her out more often to make some friends."

If he had known his daughter lived up to the name of the Oriental Pearl, he would have encouraged his youngest son to pursue her.

Too bad Xie Junyao beat him to it.

Mr. Lu Yanzhi laughed, "She’s shy and doesn’t like crowds. I haven’t even had the chance to throw her a birthday party."

"This year, you have to do it," Chen Feng said.

Mr. Lu nodded, "If you’re willing to bring a birthday gift, I’ll definitely invite you to the banquet."

Chen Feng laughed, "You think I can’t afford it?"

"Of course you can, of course you can," Mr. Lu was just joking with him and asked the others, "The 20th of this month is the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, my daughter’s birthday. Would you like to come and celebrate?"

Everyone agreed, "If you invite us, we’ll come."

"Everyone’s invited," Mr. Lu decided to make it even grander, borrowing the He family mansion.

Lu Mingzhu’s place was too small to host everyone.

Mr. Lu felt it was time to speed up the construction of the mansion, as he couldn’t let his daughter get married from someone else’s house.

In the evening, he returned to their home on The Peak with Lu Mingzhu, telling her to stay home and not go anywhere far. The next day, Mr. Lu went to discuss with He Yun, "Turning twenty is a milestone birthday, I want to throw a big celebration for her."

He Yun readily agreed and then asked, "When will your son Changsheng return?"

Mr. Lu smiled, "I knew I couldn’t hide it from you. Before Changsheng went abroad this time, he said he’d return before Mingzhu’s birthday. He’s been gone for over twenty years, and now that he’s doing business, I need to introduce him to some connections to help him develop more smoothly."

He Yun nodded lightly, "Don’t neglect your daughter because of your son. In Changsheng’s food and oil business, Mingzhu has really contributed both money and effort, more than anyone else."

That was because she knew about the great calamity six years later and couldn’t bear to see her compatriots suffer, so she actively planned.

Mr. Lu didn’t say this out loud and smiled, "When have you ever seen me neglect her? What Changsheng and Pingan, father and son, have received combined is not as much as she alone."

"Just saying," He Yun said.