Chapter 360

Chapter 360

As soon as Lu Mingzhu spoke, no one else brought up lending Mimi money.

It wasn’t that they couldn’t afford it—even Wang Xingcai, the least wealthy among the elders, could easily produce a million Hong Kong dollars or so—but because Lu Mingzhu was the guardian. Without her signature, underage Mimi wouldn’t be able to purchase property even if she borrowed the money.

Moreover, Lu Mingzhu clearly disapproved of such behavior. She needed proper guidance; some things could be indulged, but others couldn’t, lest she go astray.

Mimi pinched her fingertips together, leaving just a tiny gap. "Not even a little bit?"

"No," Lu Mingzhu said.

Seeing Mimi’s gesture and expression, Father Lu was instantly reminded of how Lu Mingzhu had acted when she was eighteen or nineteen, asking him for money. Now that she was older, she no longer made such requests.

He felt a bit nostalgic.

"I’ll give you 100,000 dollars. Which area’s properties or shops do you want to buy? No need to repay me," he offered.

Mimi turned to Lu Mingzhu for approval.

This time, Lu Mingzhu didn’t refuse. "Say thank you to your grandfather."

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Mimi’s voice was as sweet as honey. She immediately clung to his arm, doting on him. "You really are the best grandfather in the world!"

Everyone laughed. "Just like her mother."

Like mother, like daughter.

However, she was still young, and her behavior wasn’t as refined as Lu Mingzhu’s had been, lacking the same level of foresight.

Xie Junhao beckoned her over.

"Papa!" Mimi obediently approached.

Xie Junhao took her small hand. "Come, let’s go read a book."

Even while correcting her, he was careful not to embarrass her and had no intention of scolding her in front of others.

Mimi blinked in confusion. "What book?"

"One you’ll find useful forever," Xie Junhao replied. He often came over for meals and knew exactly where the study was. With a nod to the others, he led Mimi away.

Lu Mingzhu knew exactly what he meant and was pleased with the arrangement.

When it came to guiding Mimi, Xie Junhao put more thought into it than she or Xie Junyao did.

Due to her upbringing and environment, Lu Mingzhu had learned from a young age to be obedient and accommodating, avoiding conflicts whenever possible. Mimi, however, had been born with a silver spoon. As she grew older, everyone humored her every wish, and her behavior became increasingly reckless.

As the Xies’ only heir, she certainly had the right to be willful, but spoiling her rotten wouldn’t do her any good in the long run.

Despite their affection for her, the elders didn’t step in.

Mimi was mostly a good kid, but losing money had her on edge and impatient.

Old Lu chuckled with a sigh. "Go easy on her."

Lu Mingzhu glared at him, "You could’ve shown me a little more kindness when I was little."

Father Lu had nothing to say.

He dreaded his youngest daughter bringing up the past, as the treatment back then wasn’t great—certainly not as good as how Hao Hao is treated now.

He Yun stepped in, “After thinking it over, I believe Mingzhu still needs to grasp the ins and outs of business. Even if she’s lazy now and doesn’t manage the business, she should understand it herself to avoid being fooled without realizing it. Mingzhu, I see you've been idle lately. Why not learn business properly with us old folks?”

With them around to oversee things, it's fine for now. But what about when they're gone? Who can guarantee those managing her companies won't have shady intentions?

Even those closest can't always be trusted, let alone outsiders.

Money makes the world go round—some people truly have no conscience when it comes to wealth.

While they still have the energy, they should teach her hands-on. Even if Lu Mingzhu doesn't master it completely, learning 30% would suffice.

Lu Mingzhu opened her mouth, "I'm busy writing scripts!"

“That's just a side gig,” He Yun countered, having often kept an eye on the development of Great Ming Film Company. "Your company pays high salaries to a large group of directors, screenwriters, and actors. If they can't even produce exciting scripts and films, isn't that a waste? Besides, learning business with us and witnessing various tactics will help you write even more compelling scripts when you have time."

He paused, then added, "At least make the audience feel you're not fabricating but have experienced and participated in it, giving them a sense of immersion."

Lu Mingzhu thought of business rivalry dramas and high-society dramas.

Father Lu said, "Mingzhu, thank your honorary father for his thoughtful guidance."

"Thank you, Godfather," Lu Mingzhu said, not one to be ungrateful. "Please don't think I'm a dunce, I’m just a slow learner."

He Yun's gaze was gentle, "Not at all."

She was sharp as a tack.

Especially since she was willing to learn everything, not set in her ways.

After assigning Hao Hao a heavy workload, Xie Junhao returned downstairs alone. Learning of this, he fully agreed, "Learning from these seasoned veterans will benefit you for a lifetime."

Lu Mingzhu felt a bit embarrassed, "I'm already this old, yet back to square one."

"Which of the elders here isn't decades older than you? What do you mean by 'old'? In your thirties, you're still in your prime." Xie Junhao took the teacup she handed him. "Apply yourself. When you and Junyao take over the family business, I can finally relax."

"That won't do. You must stay until Hao Hao can hold her own," Lu Mingzhu said, not wanting to shoulder too much burden.

She admired strong women but didn't aspire to be one—it was too much hassle.

Fine, she'd learn. Knowledge is power.

By nightfall, Lu Mingzhu, having come to terms with it, finished her bath. Wrapped in a robe, she sat at her dressing table, patting her face with skincare products. In the mirror, she saw Hao Hao peering timidly at the bedroom door, clutching the panda plushie she'd made for her.

"Come in if you want. Why hesitate?" Lu Mingzhu twisted the cap back on her face cream.

Hao Hao scampered to the bed, kicked off her slippers, jumped under the covers, and pulled them up to her chin, her wide eyes darting about.

"Mom, are you done?" she asked.

"Done." Lu Mingzhu changed into pajamas in the dressing room before returning.

Hao Hao said in her sweetest voice, "Mom, I've warmed up your side of the bed. Come to bed soon."

As soon as Lu Mingzhu got into bed, the soft little body rolled into her arms, hugging her neck. "Mom, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong, and I'll definitely improve in the future."

Lu Mingzhu pretended not to understand. "What did you do wrong?"

"I shouldn't have tried to take over Mom's business, and I shouldn't have asked Grandpa and Grandma for money." Hao Hao's voice grew quieter with each word.

"No, the worst part was asking Grandpa and Grandma for money." Lu Mingzhu stroked her back, her tone still gentle. "Hao Hao, you're eight years old now, nine by traditional count—not a little kid anymore. You knew very well they wouldn’t refuse you, and they wouldn’t ask for repayment either. Yet you still asked—that wasn’t okay."

Hao Hao buried her face in her shoulder. "Mom, I know I was wrong. I won’t do it again."

Bright and early the next morning, she woke up to make fresh juice and soy milk, fry eggs and bacon, and prepare sandwiches in the kitchen—to make it up to the elders who always indulged and adored her.

Grandpa Lu adored his little granddaughter and teased her, "What if I don’t like sandwiches?"

"There’s also Cantonese dim sum and Shanghainese breakfast to choose from." Hao Hao didn’t make these herself—she had never learned housework, only occasionally helping Lu Mingzhu when she cooked for the family.

Grandpa Lu chuckled. "I’ll take the shrimp dumplings."

"Coming right up!" Hao Hao, like a server, carried a bamboo steamer of shrimp dumplings from the cart to the dining table.

Grandma Ceng placed her order. "I’ll have a serving of shengjian bao (pan-fried buns), please."

Hao Hao darted around like a busy bee.

Lu Mingzhu unapologetically enjoyed her daughter’s attentive service.

Xie Junhao gave his niece a ride to school on his way to work, while Lu Ning discussed matters related to Ningchen Auctions in detail with Lu Mingzhu.

Though it was supposedly a collaboration with Hao Hao, Lu Mingzhu took care of most things.

Even Lu Ning herself had to return to school frequently for classes.

The auction house’s catalog was lavishly designed, with high-quality photos showcasing every detail of the items. As Lu Mingzhu flipped through it, she noticed the first lot was a Picasso. "Wasn’t Hao Hao’s diamond supposed to be the closing lot?"

Lu Ning smiled. "We focus on fine art, so jewelry and gemstones are placed at the end."

Hao Hao had agreed to this arrangement.

Lu Mingzhu nodded and continued browsing. Many items had been sourced by the sisters. She was drawn to a Van Gogh oil painting and turned to her assistant. "Tell Secretary Shangguan to mark these down—we’ll bid for them when the time comes, along with that Picasso."

She adored them and wanted them for her collection.

Such artworks had huge investment value and were truly irreplaceable.

"Understood." The assistant took out a notebook.

Further down were numerous antique paintings and calligraphy works, both Eastern and Western. Several were pieces Lu Mingzhu particularly loved and deemed worthy of collecting, so she instructed the assistant to note them. Finally, she picked up the jewelry and gemstone catalog.

There was Hao Hao’s large diamond, and ten lots provided by Grandpa Lu.

Among them were several diamonds: a 42-carat emerald-cut diamond ring, a pair of 20-carat pear-shaped diamond earrings, and a diamond necklace featuring a 100-carat yellow diamond as the centerpiece. The remaining items were also exquisite pieces from Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store, including pearls, jade, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and more.

In contrast, he’d contributed nothing in terms of antiques or calligraphy.

Noticing her daughter’s glance, Grandpa Lu snorted. "Don’t underestimate these pieces. That diamond ring alone is worth over $100,000."

Lu Ning added with a smile, "Experts appraise it at over $300,000."

"The price has surged this much?" Lu Mingzhu didn't consider white diamonds as the top investment choice, especially since she owned many larger and better ones, particularly colored diamonds, so she hadn't paid attention to the white diamond market for a long time.

Lu Ning nodded, "Ningning's large diamond is estimated to be worth over a million dollars."

In contrast, the Picasso artwork leading the art section was valued at only a few thousand dollars.

That’s the difference.

Lu Mingzhu took a deep breath and continued, "Ningning, you and Hao Hao should work hard together. In a couple of years, when the business grows, help me put my unworn or rarely worn white diamond jewelry up for auction."

During those three years, she'd sold off many pieces through private auctions to raise funds, but her collection has grown again.

Lu Ning agreed, "No problem, Auntie."

They then finalized details like the exhibition's timing and location.

The exhibition would first take place in Hong Kong and Macau in early January before touring overseas to show their clout.

The auction dates, already printed on the brochure cover, were set for April 18th, spanning three days with multiple specialized sessions: Western oil paintings, ancient Chinese calligraphy and paintings, modern and contemporary Chinese calligraphy and paintings, porcelain, jade, ancient coins, jewelry, etc.

Invitations and brochures were sent out, with the 80-carat flawless white diamond and 100-carat yellow diamond attracting attention from overseas jewelers, tycoons, and other high-profile individuals, many of whom confirmed their attendance.

On the first day of the Hong Kong exhibition, Lu Mingzhu naturally had to welcome close friends and clients who came to show support.

The venue was the top floor of a building given to Lu Ning by her grandfather, now renamed Ningchen Building, serving as the headquarters of Ningchen Auction House—luxuriously decorated with top-tier security.

Though neither Lu's father nor He Yun made an appearance, the event was still star-studded.

Lu Ning and Hao Hao welcomed guests at the door, while Lu Mingzhu received guests inside.

Chen Jianing, upon entering, saw Lu Mingzhu engaged in lively conversation with several foreigners—some blond and blue-eyed, others dark-haired with blue or gray eyes—wearing a red silk gown with a black shawl, adorned only with ruby earrings and minimal makeup, yet radiating elegance and charm.

Even more striking than when she was young.

Elegant, poised, and dignified.

Running her fingers over her own face, Chen Jianing sighed inwardly.

She and Lu Mingzhu were classmates, only slightly older, yet they looked like they belonged to different generations.

Noticing Chen Jianing's arrival with Shang Guanhong's reminder, Lu Mingzhu excused herself from the diamond-seeking foreigners and walked over with a smile.

"Long time no see," she said first.

Chen Jianing smiled, "Indeed, it's been a while, but you're as dazzling as ever."

"Too kind," Lu Mingzhu, who had mastered the art of skincare, noticed Chen Jianing's slight weariness and asked, "How have you been lately?"

"Swamped, but I've finally cleared my father's rigorous tests. Now, the priority is having an heir for the Chen family." This was why she hadn't met Lu Mingzhu in person, only thanking the Xies over the phone for their help with the police. "I plan to have the child without marriage, so you won't be getting wedding invites."

Such progressive thinking?

Lu Mingzhu let out a soft 'ah', "Found someone?"

Chen Jianing grinned, "Though he doesn't measure up to you or Ming Yue in wealth or looks, my father was once the textile king, and I was—and still am—a cultured society lady in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Finding a suitable man isn't difficult. You know him—talented and handsome."

Being average-looking herself, she aimed for a good-looking partner, hoping the looks would carry through to future generations.

"Who?" Ming Yue interjected, wedging herself between them, eyes alight with curiosity.

Chen Jianing exclaimed, "How come you arrived later than me?"

Given her relationship and friendship with Lu Mingzhu, this was unexpected.

Ming Yue replied, "It’s all because of my two boys. Ruzuo was sending them to school, and they started fighting over who got into the car first. In the end, I had to haul one in each hand and toss them into the car."

They fought constantly, often getting out of hand.

Lu Mingzhu suppressed a smile, "Twins, I get it."

The reason twins often wear identical clothes and have the same hairstyle is that they tend to fight over unequal treatment.

Ming Yue shook her head, "Girls are so much sweeter and easier."

"But the older generation all want sons, even my father. He won’t transfer the family assets to me until I produce an heir for the Chen family. Otherwise, forget it," Chen Jianing said.

Forced to accept the loss of his beloved son and grandson, Chen Hai could only pin his hopes on Chen Jianing.

He was too old to father a son himself, and though he had tried over the years, Mrs. Chen had looked the other way.

It was a messy history—best not to bring it up.

Before she could stop herself, Lu Mingzhu blurted out, "What if your first child is a daughter? Wouldn’t that mean you’d have to keep trying for a second or third?"

Chen Jianing threw up her hands, looking utterly helpless.

If she wanted to inherit a fortune she hadn’t earned herself, she had to pay some price.

Not everyone was as lucky as Lu Mingzhu, who could sit back and catch golden opportunities landing in her lap.

Ming Yue whispered, "Wanting a son isn’t that hard. Come by my place sometime, and I’ll have Ruzuo prescribe something to balance your system."

"There’s such a prescription?" Lu Mingzhu’s eyes went wide.

Ming Yue nodded, "Yes. I’m not entirely sure of the exact principles, but it involves dietary restrictions—what you can and can’t eat. If followed strictly, it works 80% of the time. That’s pretty impressive. The prescription was actually passed down to Ruzuo by that Senior Physician from your family, but he was only told to memorize it and not share it, to avoid everyone flocking to him just to have sons and not daughters. I’m only telling you two because we’re close, and I know Jianing genuinely needs a male heir. Don’t spread this to others."

Lu Mingzhu said sincerely, "Our medical knowledge is truly incredibly advanced!"

"Absolutely! Three months after Yang Huan’s surgery, Western doctors said she’d never walk again and would spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair or bed. But after a team of Chinese doctors worked together, she was able to get out of bed two months ago," Ming Yue said. "That female doctor, Lin Ruzuo, is truly remarkable. Ruzuo says she’s a hundred times better than him—a natural at this profession. Even the Senior Physician couldn’t help but admire her talent and passed on all his secret prescriptions to her, even giving her a set of ancestral golden needles he’d never been willing to part with for Ruzuo."

Lu Mingzhu visited Yang Huan regularly and knew more about her recovery than Ming Yue.

However, Lu Mingzhu had never met the highly praised female doctor Lin Ruzuo during her visits—apparently, she was firmly against marriage.

After this topic, Ming Yue turned back to Chen Jianing, "So, who’s the man you’ve chosen? Do I know him?"

"Prince Shou (Li Mao)," Chen Jianing answered.

Lu Mingzhu and Ming Yue were stunned before exclaiming in unison, "Prince Shou?"

The heartthrob who played Prince Shou in the movie *Noble Consort Yang*, also a prolific actor in recent years. When the film was released, countless viewers mourned the doomed romance of him and Noble Consort Yang being unable to stay together.

Chen Jianing smiled, "That’s him."

Though he was an actor under *Da Ming Film Company*, Lu Mingzhu didn’t know much about him, only that he had never married or had children, was very active in acting, and had appeared in many films, playing both leads and supporting roles.

Ming Yue chimed in, "I heard his father was addicted to gambling and booze, and he had many siblings who all relied on him to put food on the table."

"Really?" Lu Mingzhu gasped.

She had met Li Mao before but never realized his family was so poor.

Chen Jianing smiled, "If it weren’t for him not wanting to saddle a woman with his troubles and planning to stay single forever, I wouldn’t have had a chance. I like his looks, and he values my capability. Not marrying is even better—his family can’t come up with a reason to harass me. I arranged jobs for his siblings; if they refuse to work, they can starve. I even posted guards to ensure none of them escape. As for his father, I sent him to work as a laborer in a Macau casino but kept him off the gambling floor. And his mother—if it weren’t for her always whining and begging Li Mao to support the entire family, he wouldn’t have been dragged into poverty."

Just as she finished speaking, Vivian walked over.

"What are you all talking about?" She had a good relationship with Lu Mingzhu. Over the years, she had followed Mingzhu Investment Company's trends and invested in many industries. As her wealth grew, she naturally connected with Ming Yue and Chen Jianing. Additionally, Mingzhu Textile Factory had gradually expanded into clothing, home textiles, and even collaborated with zipper factories.

Long story short, they ran in the same crowd.

Chen Jianing replied, "I was saying how much I envy you."

With a son and no burdens, Vivian could devote herself entirely to work without worrying about anyone dividing her assets.

Vivian, aware of the recent situation in the Chen family, chuckled, "What’s there to envy? If you’re willing, you can achieve everything I have."

Chen Jianing shook her head, "I don’t have your guts to blaze trails."

Vivian built her fortune from scratch—Chen Jianing didn’t.

Back then, if Lu Mingzhu hadn’t awakened her, she might have ended up as just another useless socialite, good for nothing.

Lu Mingzhu tugged her shawl tighter, "I’ll go greet the other guests. You all chat and take your time. If you see anything you like, make a note or try it on—just don’t be shy when bidding starts."

They laughed, "No rush."

The auction was months away—plenty of time.

"Let’s go check out the antique paintings and calligraphy works exhibition," Vivian suggested, as she was more passionate about investing in such items.

As for jewelry, with a friend like Lu Mingzhu, she could buy it anytime. But antique paintings and calligraphy were rare and priceless.

Chen Jianing agreed, "Let art cleanse the smell of money from me."

Having grown up surrounded by such influences, she was quite skilled in appraisal.

However, the most anticipated auction items were the 80-carat white diamond and the 100-carat yellow diamond, both set as necklaces—the former named "Heaven’s Pride" and the latter "Canary." Ranking third was a 42-carat diamond ring. These three display cases were surrounded by numerous VIPs, undeterred by the tight security nearby.

"So beautiful, so dazzling—like stars in the night sky," praised the wife of a British merchant, her hands pressed to her chest as she gazed at "Heaven’s Pride."

Though colored diamonds had risen in value, white diamonds remained the most sought-after.

For any jeweler, gemstones or diamonds over 10 carats were rarely displayed openly—usually, only those with considerable wealth and status could view them. Their scarcity made them trophies for the wealthy.

She requested to try it on, and the security team immediately snapped to attention.

The manager, who had been explaining the auction items to the guests, donned white gloves and personally retrieved the necklace, fastening it around the British merchant’s wife’s neck before bringing her a mirror to admire her elegant reflection.

Wearing it transformed her look.

After admiring it for a long time, the woman reluctantly removed it and returned it to the display case, double-checking the auction date with the manager to ensure she could participate.

Among the jewelry, jade was the least pricey and was mostly favored by Chinese buyers, with few foreign guests showing interest.

When Lu Mingzhu arrived, a tycoon was letting his wife try on a necklace.

This is a string of vivid green jade beads, each one perfectly round and smooth, crystal clear, and lushly vibrant, exuding an innate elegance and ethereal charm that diamonds and colored gemstones lack.

The socialite couldn’t put it down. "It’s been years since such a fine jade necklace appeared on the market."

Lu Mingzhu was puzzled.

Were the mines no longer yielding anything? That couldn’t be.

With the advancement of mining tools and technology, the quality and quantity of good materials should have improved compared to the past. Back then, due to poor extraction techniques, most raw stones came from the surface layers of mines, resulting in waxy jade-like materials.

This was why most Qing Dynasty jade pieces had a white-ground green hue.

Not long ago, He Yun had gifted her several pieces of jade material, including one of Imperial Green. She hadn’t wanted to part with it, saving it to have jewelry made for Lu Haohao’s dowry when she grew up.

Of course, at this moment, Lu Mingzhu had no idea she would never see her daughter marry.

Lu Haohao would bring her a colossal surprise.

An unassuming, well-mannered tycoon who had come with them chuckled. "Such material is extremely rare—not one in ten thousand stones yields something this fine. Who’d waste such material on beads? Even if there were pieces of this quality, they’d mostly be small, and only Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store could source them. I never expected to see such a treasure beyond price here. This auction house truly has remarkable resources."

Lu Mingzhu walked over with a smile. "Mr. Pang, you’re too kind."

He was an overseas Chinese from Indonesia who had fled to Hong Kong over two years ago during the war between Indonesia and Malaysia. Lu Mingzhu had met him at a banquet she attended with He Yun.

He was in the food commodities trade and had collaborated with Lu Changsheng.

Mr. Pang quickly replied, "I speak only the truth, without exaggeration."

"The estimated price for this necklace is only six figures, in Hong Kong dollars. For someone of Mr. Pang’s means, it shouldn’t be difficult to acquire." Even though Lu Mingzhu adored jade, she had to admit it didn’t command high prices internationally then.

Mr. Pang smiled faintly. "I might get outbid."

This auction had only one strand of beads this exquisite, and many would covet it. He wasn’t confident.

Besides, Hong Kong’s property market had crashed, and he had suffered significant losses.

Lu Mingzhu didn’t press the topic. Instead, she said, "I heard Mr. Pang is a serious collector. Our auction house has gathered many rare antique paintings and calligraphy works this time. Perhaps you’d like to view the exhibits with me as your guide."

"Thank you for the introduction," Mr. Pang agreed.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Lu Mingzhu’s siblings, who had also come to support Lu Ning and Lu Haohao.

Given their financial standing, they couldn’t afford the top-tier diamonds, and other jewelry held little appeal—after all, their father had left them plenty of valuables during the inheritance split. So, they unanimously chose to cultivate connoisseurship.

Antique paintings and calligraphy were affordable.

Aside from Lu Changgen, Lu Zhangling had interacted with Lu Mingzhu the most. Seeing her excuse herself from other guests and approach their group, he remarked sourly, "Haohao is so young, yet she’s already co-founding a company with Ningning. She’s showing us uncles and aunts up."

"If you don’t want to be shown up, why not step up your game?" Lu Mingzhu retorted.

Lu Zhangling waved a hand. "No use comparing—I know my place."

They had been cut out of the second inheritance split, and the more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became.

He couldn’t help but glare at Lu Changgen, who, no spring chicken himself, refused to back down. "Elder Brother, why are you looking at me? It’s not like I’m standing in your way."

"Take it up with your mother," Lu Zhangling snapped.

Lu Changgen fell silent for a few seconds.

Let’s be honest—pretending I don’t resent Liu Rumei would be a lie, considering the huge fortune at stake. But what good would blaming her do?

The matter is settled.

Old Master Lu made the decision, and no one can defy it.

Besides, it might not be entirely due to Liu Rumei's appearance—there was also the weight of past grudges.

Julie, holding Lu Mingzhu's arm, said to Third Elder Lu Zhangling, "Since you know who to blame, don’t take that tone with Changgen. He’s just a junior—he can’t overrule his elders."

Liu Rumei did come to Hong Kong, but she didn’t stay long.

Lu Zhangling, deferring to his sister-in-law Julie, replied, "Fine, you win. I’ll drop it."

The others shared a knowing look.

By the time Lu Changsheng and Lu Pingan arrived, no one dared mention it again.

While Yang Huan was undergoing treatment from Lin Ruzuo, Old Master Lu also took Lu Changsheng to visit the Lin family, seeking their help. After months of treatment, Lu Changsheng walked without a hint of a limp.

You’d never know he’d had a limp.

Appearing to be around fifty, with refined features and graceful demeanor, he drew the attention of many women as soon as he entered.

Everyone knew he had been widowed for years, and though many young, beautiful women had hoped to become the next Mrs. Lu, Lu Changsheng was as dense as a block of wood.

Since his grandmother’s passing, Lu Changsheng had thrown himself entirely into his work. Apart from holidays, Lu Mingzhu rarely saw him. She smiled and said, "What brings you out of hiding?"

Lu Changsheng didn’t deny it, smiling at his only sister. "You’ve been looking out for me."

He then nodded slightly at Lu Zhangling and the others.

Lu Zhangling and the others were taken aback, replying respectfully, "Eldest Brother."

Lu Pingan also stepped forward to greet his uncles and aunts, composed and reserved, holding his own beside Lu Changsheng.

After that, things quieted down.

The auction items were exhibited in Hong Kong for three days, drawing huge crowds, with newspapers covering the event for days. They were then sent to Macau for another three-day exhibition at the Xie family’s Evergreen Grand Hotel, where security was airtight.

When Lu Ning took the auction items abroad for exhibition, Lu Mingzhu and her daughter didn’t accompany her.

First, Lu Mingzhu had started working alongside He Yun and Old Master Lu. Second, Xie Junyao had returned.

No one thought he’d be gone that long.

That night, they lost themselves in each other. Kissing Lu Mingzhu’s back, he couldn’t get enough of her. "I missed you terribly abroad. Did you miss me?"

"I did," Lu Mingzhu laughed, then asked, "Did everything go smoothly?"

As soon as she spoke, her fingers brushed against something strange.