Chapter 352

Chapter 352

Though missing an arm, Yan Bin's father still retained his martial arts skills, delivering punches with one hand as fiercely as ever, his legs nimble and swift. In his leisure time, he often accepted Fu Yulin's invitations to spar with the martial arts instructors at Da Ming Film Company or the studio. Fu Yulin had moved out of the company precisely to prepare a room at home for Yan Bin's father, allowing him to stay over occasionally.

However, Yan Bin's father felt uneasy living in Lu Mingzhu's home.

His daughter was a Martial Arts Instructor and bodyguard, while he was merely living off others.

Despite Fu Yulin's thoughtfulness and attentiveness, Yan Bin's father knew his daughter's temperament all too well and never let his mind wander there—didn’t even dare.

That was until the extravagant betrothal gifts appeared before him: gold ornaments and jade jewelry laid out in a dazzling display, the gold glinting and the jade shimmering.

Having accompanied Lu Mingzhu on a trip to the mainland, Fu Yulin, ever astute, naturally seized the opportunity to acquire jade artifacts and antiques—items priced as pennies on the dollar locally but fetching astronomical sums in Hong Kong.

He’d been stockpiling these for his wedding day.

"Whatever betrothal gifts are delivered today will be returned as dowry tomorrow. Except for short-lived items like wedding cakes, every item will be taken back," Yan Bin's father declared, not intending to keep a single thing. Instead, he produced a brand-new red-and-gold double-happiness box, placing it on the table before opening it. "This is the only dowry I can offer for Yan Bin."

Everyone crowded around to look, their eyes widening in astonishment.

"Dad, where did you get this?" Yan Bin blurted out, her straightforward nature surfacing.

What her father had revealed was a jade cabbage, about a foot long, with white roots and emerald leaves, so lifelike it could’ve grown. Nestled in the red box, illuminated by the light, its vibrant green hue marked it as a rare treasure.

Lu Mingzhu glanced at it. "Ex-Qing palace treasure."

Though made of nephrite jade, its exquisite craftsmanship and prestigious provenance made it extraordinary.

Yan Bin's father gave her a thumbs-up. "Comrade Lu, your eye for treasures shows your pedigree. You're absolutely right—it was once a Qing palace treasure, cherished by an imperial consort."

"How come I never knew about this?" Yan Bin pressed.

Her father shot her a look. "Why would you need to know? In my years as an armed escort, I’ve handled countless shipments of gold and silver. Occasionally, generous clients would reward me handsomely—this cabbage was a casual gift from a merchant with official connections. Along with it, there’s also a pair of white jade hair clasps in the box."

He retrieved them, revealing two snow-white, exquisitely carved pieces.

"One for you, and one for you." Yan Bin's father separated the pair, handing one to Fu Yulin and the other to Yan Bin. He looked Fu Yulin in the eye, "You’ve asked for Yan Bin’s hand, and I consent. Just promise me you’ll treat her right. If the day comes when you no longer wish to, tell me—I’ll bring her home."

He still had doubts.

Fu Yulin was simply too outstanding.

Next to him, even dressed in her finest, Yan Bin paled in comparison.

Without hesitation, Fu Yulin replied, "Don’t overthink it, Father-in-law. Such a thing would never happen in our family. If you don’t trust me, at least trust my aunt—she’s always sided with women."

Having known each other for years, this much was evident.

Lu Mingzhu smiled and reassured Yan Bin's father, "If that day ever comes, we’ll leave him penniless and send him packing."

"Chop it all off?" Yan Bin interjected.

Laughter filled the room.

Yan Bin frowned in confusion. "Did I say something wrong? Isn’t that what happens to eunuchs before entering the palace?"

Fu Yulin’s lips twitched. "Binbin, that’s cold."

Lu Mingzhu burst out laughing before finally explaining, "‘Leave him penniless’ means he walks away with just the clothes on his back."

It dawned on Yan Bin.

"There’s no need for that. What’s rightfully someone’s should stay theirs," Yan Bin said frankly. "Dad and I might be poor, but we’ve got our pride. Who knows what the future brings? No use overthinking it."

"Cut me some slack, guys," Fu Yulin said helplessly.

He’d always been clear about his choices.

To others, Yan Bin might’ve seemed plain, but to him, she was a pearl—gentle, reserved, and radiant in her own way.

"What’s happening at home? It's so lively, with lanterns and decorations everywhere." Xie Junhao stood at the door, backlit, standing tall, his gray wool coat slung over his arm, looming like a mountain.

Apart from a few people like He Yun, Lu Mingzhu’s father, and Ceng Mei and her husband, the others stood up.

"Brother, you’re home?" Xie Junyao and Lu Mingzhu went to greet him.

Xie Junhao handed his coat to a nearby servant. "What’s all this for?"

Lu Mingzhu said, a little embarrassed, "Yulin has come to propose to Yan Bin. Since Master Yan and Yan Bin don’t have their own place in Hong Kong, I had Yulin bring the betrothal gifts here. Brother, your timing is perfect—you can be their witness!"

"It would be my honor."

Xie Junhao gladly agreed and congratulated Master Yan, Yan Bin, and Fu Yulin.

Seeing Xie Junhao, Yan Bin felt a bit intimidated.

He was too serious, not as warm and approachable as Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao. Even when Xie Junhao was gentle, to Yan Bin, he seemed unattainably lofty. "I passed through Switzerland and brought back some watches. Take them as my engagement gift—just a little something."

They were meant for Junyao and Mingzhu, but he figured they’d do for now.

No diamonds, just clean and classy.

Yan Bin had no clue how much they cost but thanked him eagerly alongside Fu Yulin.

Only then did Xie Junhao greet He Yun, Lu Mingzhu’s father, Ceng Mei and her husband, and Master Yan in turn before taking his seat at the head of the table, calm and commanding.

Lu Mingzhu’s father smiled warmly. "Well won’t stop going on about her ‘big daddy.’ She’ll flip when she sees you after school."

"I’ll grab her from school today," Xie Junhao said, checking his watch.

"Well’s gonna lose it over this surprise," Lu Mingzhu said, pouring tea for Xie Junhao. "How’d the trip go, big bro?"

"Went fine," Xie Junhao said, skipping the cutthroat details. "While abroad, I acquired a five-string pipa with mother-of-pearl inlay on rosewood. Make sure it goes in your music room."

"Thanks, big bro!" Lu Mingzhu lit up.

She’d picked it up in her spare time and naturally developed a fondness for collecting musical instruments.

Xie Junhao nodded. "What’s this witness business?"

Lu Mingzhu presented the engagement document for his signature.

With the engagement squared away, Fu Yulin immediately threw himself back into his hectic filming schedule.

First, the wedding date needed to be chosen carefully, and second, he was saving up from gigs to give Yan Bin a memorable wedding.

Though Lu Mingzhu had offered to handle everything for him, Fu Yulin politely declined, insisting that as a man, he should handle his own business instead of leaning on his aunt.

Lu Mingzhu indulged him.

It's a good thing to have such ambition.

No doubt, Godfather Fu would be smiling from beyond the grave.

With his nephew working so hard, how could he justify staying idle?

Lu Mingzhu took out paper and pen and began writing the TV script for *The Swordsman*.

Since she’d already thought about adaptation while writing the novel, the writing now flowed smoothly. She could complete one script episode every three or four days. However, after finishing only two and a half episodes, tragic news struck without warning.

Yang Huan had been in a car accident and was in critical condition.

Yang Huan and Wang Hao had attended a fellow teacher’s wedding. As they were leaving the hotel, a drowsy driver hit the gas instead of the brakes and crashed straight into them.

At the last second, Yang Huan pushed Wang Hao out of the way.

Having trained in martial arts for her acting roles, she had maintained her physical strength far better than Wang Hao. She could have ensured his safety while rolling away to avoid the car herself. But by cruel chance, someone rushed out of the hotel and collided with her back, robbing her of the chance to dodge. The impact sent them both flying.

By the time the news reached Lu Mingzhu, both had already been rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Not even bothering to change, Lu Mingzhu hurried to the hospital. There, she found Wang Xingcai and Madam Zhang—the former couple—along with Wang Bohui and his wife, pacing anxiously outside the OR. Wang Hao’s eyes were red and bloodshot.

Auntie Yang and Yang Yan, along with her husband, had also rushed over upon hearing the news, tears welling in their eyes.

"How is she?" Lu Mingzhu grasped Madam Zhang’s hand, finding it ice-cold.

Madam Zhang, her voice thick from crying, spoke with a nasal tone, "It’s bad. She’s still in surgery—it’s been three hours already. We pulled strings for Hong Kong’s top doctors, just hoping to save her life. Isn’t the Senior Physician your family often consults, along with Dr. Meng Ruyu, exceptionally skilled? Can we try integrating both treatments?"

Lu Mingzhu shook her head. "I don’t know the first thing about medicine. But I’ve already called my godfather to arrange for the best doctors from Macau to helicopter in for a consult, to see if they can help."

"Thank you, Mingzhu," Madam Zhang choked out.

"It’s all my fault," Wang Hao looked wrecked, slamming his fist against the wall. "If she hadn’t accompanied me to the wedding, this never would’ve happened. And when the accident came, I couldn’t even protect her."

Auntie Yang, however, said, "Life’s unpredictable—how can you blame yourself for such an accident?"

"She pushed me away," Wang Hao said, hating his uselessness for the first time. "If she had dodged alone, she would’ve been fine."

Auntie Yang smiled bitterly. "She knew what she was doing—but afterward..."

The operation dragged on for thirteen hours.

From evening until the next morning, Yang Huan’s concerned family waited outside the operating room.

The doctors from Macau arrived around midnight and, after brief preparations, entered the operating room without reemerging.

Everyone was exhausted, yet sleep was out of the question.

The Wang and Yang families urged Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao to go home and wait for updates, but Lu Mingzhu, worried for her friend Yang Huan, insisted on staying outside the operating room.

Xie Junyao draped his coat over her shoulders and held her close. Just as he was about to speak, the operating room doors opened. A middle-aged doctor with fair skin and blue eyes stepped out and said in English, "We saved her life, but whether there will be lasting disabilities comes down to how she heals."