Lu Jinhai peered at his son, who was reclining on the chair with a look of suspicion on his face. He instantly knew that Lu Qiang must have noticed the change in their demeanor. His son was as smart as him, and nothing could escape his keen eyes. This was why the father and son were such successful businessmen. They had an eye that helped them fend off troublemakers.
Lu Qiang looked at his father with a neutral expression, making Lu Jinhai unable to estimate if his son had guessed what was going on.
Lu Qiang glanced down at his watch and said, "Father, I am going to the office now. I'm already late. Even though I have informed Xiao Min of my delay, I really need to go now."
Lu Chen and Lu Qiang left for the office in their respective cars, whereas Lu Jinhai mentioned that he would stay for half the day. Elder Lu Huan and Zhao Shuang left for their rooms, while Su Hui spoke to Ning Jiahui.
"I have to discuss something with father and mother about tomorrow," Lu Jinhai said to his wife who nodded her assent.
Unlike the rooms of the others, the room of elder Lu was on the ground floor. With the problem in Zhao Shuang's knees and her love for the balcony and garden access, it was inevitable for them to take up that room.
Lu Jinhai went to his parent's room and knocked on the door. When he entered the room, he saw his mother sitting on the chair silently while his father stood in front of a glass window, staring blankly outside with his hands tucked inside the pockets of his pants.
Standing dazedly near the window was something he did when he couldn't think properly. Unlike his usual vibrant self, he had donned on a mask on his face. This grim side of elder Lu Huan was only known to his wife and eldest son.
"I knew you two would look like this when I entered your room," Lu Jinhai said calmly, taking the seat next to his mother. He took his mother's hand into his and spoke in a gentle voice, "Mother, what are you thinking? You know, there is nothing to be worried about."
"I am worried about your father and the promise he made back then," Zhao Shuang said, gripping her son's hand and looking at him with hurt in her eyes.
"Father!" Lu Jinhai called, but there was no response. He didn't bother his father again and looked back at his mother. This colder side of the elder was frightening for both of them. No one could imagine that he had hidden such a side to him under the brilliance and perversity. This side of him could wordlessly make the person in front of him tremble in fear.
"No one should ever know about this!" After a few moments of silence, Zhao Shuang and Lu Jinhai heard these commanding words. Both of them looked back at elder Lu, but he was still in the same position as before, staring out of the window.
"Rest assured, father. I'll take this secret to my grave." He didn't speak further and gently patted his mother's hand in hopes of calming her down.
At Jiang residence.
"Hey, little sis, I am reading today's horoscope in the newspaper. Do you want to know what's written for your zodiac sign?" Jiang Yang asked exuberantly.
"Not interested," she said without looking at him and continued with her work on the laptop.
"But something is interesting about your zodiac sign. You should check it."
The uninterested Jiang Yuyan didn't reply, so he continued. "It says that you will face the most exciting event of your life this noon. It also warns you to keep your things guarded as something will be stolen from you."
"Rubbish. I have already seen the most exciting thing in my life this morning… my art room. And I don't have anything valuable that can get stolen," she replied, annoyed.
"I thought you weren't listening." He looked at her with an arched brow.
"How can I avoid your words if you keep buzzing like an irritating fly," she muttered in a nonchalant tone.
"Who knows… you may come face to face with a thief who steals your valuables. Or he is so handsome that he steals your heart!" His irritating voice sounded like he would start squealing at his own words.
"Brother Yang, please stop spouting nonsense. Why didn't you become a lawyer instead of a doctor?"
Jiang Yang was a cardiologist. He had completed his study from a renowned university in the states and proved himself to be a bright student, just like his parents and younger sister. Having completed his education there, he came back to China. He wanted to use his talent, knowledge, and skills in his homeland. He had a patriotic streak like his father.
"I was just thinking, if you were willing to be with a beggar, a thief wouldn't be too bad a choice for you, either," he said, trying to tease his sister.
"Why you guys are still here? Aren't you going out shopping?" Mo Ruolan came out of the study and asked them.
"Yeah, mom. We will be leaving once brother Yang has done emptying his quota of nonsense for today."
"I feel the need to empty my stomach whenever I am with you." He pouted.
"Both of you get ready. The car is ready," Mo Ruolan said. She ignored her fight and went back to the study.
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