"I hate you..."

Lou Xiao'e cried for a long time before finally uttering this sentence.

“I don’t blame you. My background keeps many people away from me.”

Lou Xiao'e spoke haltingly, explaining that her father, known as Lou Bancheng, was a famous capitalist.

In this day and age, having money isn't always a good thing. Lou Xiao'e originally wanted to live a peaceful life, but after several years without having children, she ended up getting a divorce.

She is now desperate, and Xu Damao, in an attempt to get rid of his punishment, actually reported her family.

"Brother Wang, I have no other choice. I really can't stay here any longer."

After listening to Lou Xiao'e's tearful account, Wang Qiang knew that Lou Xiao'e had come to say goodbye to him.

It's strange that in the TV series, it was Uncle Er who led people to ransack Lou Xiao'e's house, but at this moment, Uncle Er is bedridden.

Even if Xu Damao reported it, it wouldn't happen this quickly.

When are you leaving?

Wang Qiang knew that forcing Lou Xiao'e to stay would not end well.

"We're leaving tomorrow night. Wang Qiang, will you come with me?"

Lou Xiao'e looked at Wang Qiang expectantly. Over the days they had spent together, she had developed some feelings for him.

"Have a safe journey. I cannot leave. So, if there's anything you can't take with you, you can entrust it to me for care."

I learned from Lou Xiao'e that although her family had been reported, they had not yet been raided, but the situation was critical and no one knew when it would happen.

Lou Xiao'e stared at Wang Qiang for a long time, then thought it was a good idea. Rather than have her home ransacked, she might as well give this man in front of her a chance to fulfill their fleeting romance.

"That's a lot, but where are you going to put it?"

Wang Qiang: "This shouldn't be delayed. Let's get started. I'll go to your place tonight."

Wang Qiang perked up, helped Lou Xiao'e, who was clinging to him, up, and kissed her on the forehead.

Lou Xiao'e nodded, realizing that time was indeed running out, and helped Wang Qiang put on his clothes.

Reaching the door and confirming that no one was outside, the two quietly slipped out.

In order not to wake everyone, Wang Qiang carried the bicycle gently and put it down at the entrance of the alley.

"Get in the car quickly!"

Wang Qiang pedaled the old-fashioned bicycle, while Lou Xiao'e sat on the crossbar in front of him, nestled in his arms, directing the way.

As they passed several intersections, where night patrols were conducting checks, Wang Qiang showed his steel mill employee ID and lied that Lou Xiao'e was his wife who was sick and needed to go to the hospital.

The journey was convenient, and it took more than an hour to reach Lou Xiao'e's house.

Wang Qiang looked around to make sure no one was there, then he and Lou Xiao'e quickly went inside and closed the door.

"Mother……"

Lou Xiao'e called out a few times before her mother, Tan Yali, came out from a secluded bedroom.

Wang Qiang observed that Tan Yali was not very old and was extremely well-maintained.

"This is my mom, she's a descendant of the Tan family's culinary tradition. Mom, this is Wang Qiang, the one I told you about."

Lou Xiao'e pulled Wang Qiang to Tan Yali and introduced the two of them.

"This is the person you insisted on meeting? He is indeed remarkable, but it's a pity that you two are destined to meet but not to be together in this day and age."

Tan Yali carefully examined Wang Qiang; he was quite tall and handsome.

Now I understand why Lou Xiao'e begged herself to see Wang Qiang one last time.

"Auntie, it's fate that we met. I heard you're leaving, so I don't have anything to give you. Please take this amulet to protect your family on your journey."

As he spoke, Wang Qiang took off the amulet he was wearing around his neck and handed it to Tan Yali.

"Hey, why are you giving me back my things? This won't do."

Tan Yali declined, but Wang Qiang said in the ensuing push and pull, "This is an ancestral talisman that can protect you."

In the end, Lou Xiao'e accepted the money on behalf of her mother, but her family was leaving the next day. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel melancholy. Thinking of this, Tan Yali made up her mind: since this era is a crazy era, why not go crazy for once?

Where did my dad go?

Lou Xiao'e has not seen Lou Bancheng since she returned.

"He went to make arrangements for tomorrow, and some of our belongings will be stored at a relative's house."

Tan Yali did not hide anything from Wang Qiang just because he was there; instead, she told him everything.

"Mom, Wang Qiang said we can keep our family's things."

Lou Xiao'e excitedly grabbed Tan Yali's arm.

"Is Xiao Wang real?"

Tanya looked at Wang Qiang with disbelief, after all, he was too young. And he didn't seem to be an official.

"Aunt Tan is real, you can rest assured. Your property and belongings can be preserved."

Wang Qiang's resolute statement added a touch of credibility to his words.

Tan Yali nodded and said to Wang Qiang.

"The house itself isn't anything special, and the things I own aren't worth much either. But I do have a family heirloom that's priceless. I'm afraid it might get lost if I take it on the road."

"Come with me to the room, and I'll tell you what it is. You must keep it safe."

After Tan Yali finished speaking, she turned and went upstairs, leaving Wang Qiang to follow behind her.

"Xiao'e, keep watch outside. Let us know if anyone comes."

When Tan Yali saw Lou Xiao'e about to follow her upstairs, she quickly stopped her and told her to stay on the first floor and keep watch. Seeing her mother's mysterious behavior, Lou Xiao'e had no choice but to stop and stand at the top of the stairs.

Wang Qiang followed Tan Yali upstairs to her room. The room was decorated in a very antique and luxurious style, which showed the strength of the Lou family at that time.

"Don't just stand there, come in."

Tan Yali saw Wang Qiang standing at the door and assumed he was embarrassed, so she reached out and pulled him inside, then closed the door behind her.

Wang Qiang was pulled forward two steps by Tan Yali.

"Wait here for a bit, I'll go get something and change my clothes while I'm at it."

Tan Yali was secretly pleased with Wang Qiang's performance, so she left him alone in her bedroom, which had another door next to it.

"Xiao Wang, you're such a good person! Now everyone avoids our house! They're afraid of getting involved and being implicated!"

After saying this, Tanya walked directly into the dressing room. Whether she did it on purpose or forgot, the dressing room door was ajar.

"In theory, most of the things at home have already been dealt with. Anything that could be converted into cash has been converted into cash, and some have been entrusted to relatives and friends who are unable to leave for safekeeping."

"But to be honest, I'm not entirely comfortable letting them keep it, since it could potentially implicate them."

"But you're different. On the surface, you have no relation to our family, so no one would expect them to leave their things with you."

"But this family heirloom can't be taken with us now; I'm afraid it might get lost on the way."

Wang Qiang smiled and said, "It's alright, just hand it over to me, and I'll definitely be able to return it to its rightful owner!"

"Auntie, you can rest assured!"