Huo Junyang took Lu Ran back to Yangcheng and escorted her home all the way.

When they arrived at the gate of the Lu family's residence, Huo Junyang turned back to say goodbye every few steps.

If he didn't have to go out to a banquet with his parents, he would have liked to stay at the Lu family's house a little longer.

"Ranran," Huo Junyang instructed her before leaving, "Don't tell Uncle Ashan and Aunt Yuqing about Xiaoyouzi yet. My brother said we have to take this slowly."

"Yes, I understand." Lu Ran bit her lip lightly.

She understood that feeling. When Lu Ming suddenly appeared and said he was her father, she felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her from the sky.

The mere appearance of a biological father was enough to shock her so much; one can only imagine the distress Xiaoyouzi would feel if she knew that the home she had lived in for twenty years was not her own.

"Alright, go back now!" Huo Junyang smiled, his eyes full of reluctance.

Lu Ran waved to him several times before slowly walking through the gate.

However, as soon as she stepped into the yard, a large hand suddenly reached out and covered her mouth tightly!

Lu Ran was startled and tried to scream but couldn't. The frail woman was easily dragged to the back wall of the villa by that person!

She struggled desperately and finally saw the person's face clearly...

"you……"

"Ranran, I'm very unhappy that you're being so disobedient!"

Lu Ran felt weak all over, her back against the cold wall, shivering.

Lu Ming's expression was sinister, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he grinned, like a ferocious beast baring its fangs before attacking.

"How was your trip to Jiangzhou?"

Lu Ran's lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a single word.

"Aren't you afraid of retribution for helping outsiders scheme against your father?"

"I...I'm not afraid." Lu Ran remained silent for a long time before saying in a trembling voice, "You've already done so many bad things. If you're willing to turn back now, perhaps your uncle and aunt will forgive you out of consideration for family. But if you continue to be stubborn and unrepentant, then..."

"Shut up!"

Lu Ming suddenly raised his hand, and Lu Ran cried out in surprise, instinctively covering her face.

But his slap didn't land on her face.

A cold smile appeared on Lu Ming's lips. His hand paused in mid-air for a few seconds before falling down and pinching her arm hard on the inside!

Lu Ran's tears flowed uncontrollably as she looked at him with anguish.

She has to see Lu Lishan and his wife in a little while, how can we let her face get ruined?

She was wearing a long-sleeved thin shirt, so pinching her would hurt, but no one would notice.

"Let me tell you, don't think I don't know what you've done!" Lu Ming warned her sharply in her ear, "I've found a suitable kidney donor for your mother, and she's a perfect match in every way. But now... I'm not going to give it to her!"

Lu Ran looked up in alarm.

"Heh, do you think the second young master of the Huo family is your backer?" Lu Ming sneered, "You little bitch...you're so wrong!"

"Kidneys aren't something you can just get whenever you want! Neither the Lu family nor the Huo family could find such a suitable one in a short time!"

"And your short-lived mother, if she didn't have this kidney, who knows how many more days she would have lived?"

Lu Ran burst into tears, grabbed his clothes, and slowly knelt on the stone floor in front of him.

"No, I beg you... please, please have the surgery for my mother!"

"You think you can rely on the Huo family? Then let the two young masters of the Huo family perform surgery on this old slut!"

“Dad…” Lu Ran managed to utter the word.

She knelt on the ground, crying miserably, but dared not cry loudly for fear of disturbing the rest of the Lu family.

When Lu Ming heard her call him "Dad," he was unmoved, but a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

That brat knows what's good for her.

This word is the most useful bargaining chip.

"Dad!" Lu Ran pleaded desperately, "Dad, I'll do whatever you say... Please don't do this, please save Mom!"

"You really listen to everything I say?"

"yes……"

"Then get me what I want!"

Lu Ming uttered those words harshly, kicked her away, and strode out.

Despite the pain in her knees, Lu Ran struggled to stand up, composed herself, wiped away her tears, and slowly moved towards the living room.

Lin Yuqing had prepared a table full of dishes to welcome her.

"Little Yuzu!"

Lu Ran was taken aback, and immediately forced herself to put on a natural smile.

Lin Yuqing greeted her warmly, while Lu Ran seemed somewhat resistant, lowering her head to avoid her.

Like a bucket of cold water being poured over her head, Lin Yuqing's arm froze in mid-air, a look of disappointment and sadness flashing across her face.

"Xiaoyou..."

“Auntie,” Lu Ran said first, “I brought you a gift when I came back from Jiangzhou this time.”

Lin Yuqing's heart clenched, a mix of joy and pain washing over her.

To my delight, Xiaoyouzi had never called her name before since she came home, but she actually did today.

What saddened her was that it wasn't the "mom" she had been longing for, but a stranger, an "auntie."

However, it's a good thing that my daughter is willing to speak up.

Lin Yuqing forced a smile and led her to the dining table.

"These are all your favorite foods... Have you missed the food from home while you've been in Jiangzhou?"

Lu Ran pursed her lips tightly, not daring to look her in the eye, and nodded vigorously.

“Xiaoyou,” Lin Yuqing tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and looked at her gently, “Your father and I discussed it and still think… we should give you a portion of the shares first.”

"I……"

"Don't be so quick to refuse!" Lin Yuqing pressed her hand and took out a contract. "We only have you as our daughter, but we, as your parents, have been absent from your life for twenty years. We really don't know how to make it up to you!"

“No need,” Lu Ran’s eyes suddenly reddened, “Really, no need…”

"Xiaoyou, be a good girl." Lin Yuqing smiled. "Sign this document! Anyway, the entire Lu Corporation will be yours in the future. What difference does it make whether you sign it now or later?"

"Yes!" Suddenly, a chilling laugh came from outside the door.

Lu Ran trembled and turned her face to see Lu Ming walking in step by step.

He was smiling, but the smile didn't reach his eyes; even his wrinkles betrayed a calculating intent.

Lin Yuqing stood up to greet them and asked the maid to fetch another set of bowls and chopsticks.

"No need, sister-in-law!" Lu Ming said with a smile. "I just heard that Xiaoyou was coming back today, so I came to see her."

Lu Ran tried her best to control herself so that her trembling wouldn't be too obvious.

She watched as Lu Ming walked towards her, clearly seeing the cold glint in his eyes. She felt his hand suddenly slap her shoulder, pressing down hard, and heard his deep voice whisper in her ear:

"Our little Youyou is so good. She went on a long trip and didn't forget to bring back a gift for her mother!"

He emphasized the word "Mom," and Lu Ran bit her lip hard to stop the tears from falling.

"Hey, what's this?"

Lu Ming pretended to pick up the contract, "Heh, sister-in-law, didn't Xiaoyou always refuse to sign? So you and my brother haven't given up after all!"