Chapter 83 There's still a long way to go.
Back at the hotel, everyone was doing their own thing, as if no one had ever been there before.
Apart from Lu Jiang, who had other ideas, no one in the family agreed with Shen Yan, so they didn't bring up the matter again. Everyone understood and returned to their own rooms. Qiao Wu also understood and didn't say anything more; for her, it was better to avoid trouble.
Lu Jinzhi showed no intention of engaging in any "deep conversations" with anyone today, and went straight into the elevator with Qiao Wu upon entering.
He wasn't present when the room selection was being conducted; he only received the room assignment notification afterward.
After seeing himself and Qiao Wu stop on the same floor and the other person walk out naturally, he raised his eyebrows slightly.
"If you feel unwell, just call the doctor and have them come over," Qiao Wu instructed as they walked. "If you can't, you can call me too."
Not hearing a reply from behind, she stopped and turned around.
Lu Jinzhi leaned against the door of his room, looking at her with a half-smile: "We're just a wall apart?"
"It was drawn by lottery."
Lu Jinzhi: "They'd be happy to switch rooms with you if you wanted to."
Sensing the probing in his words, Qiao Wu turned around and calmly asked, "Why do you want to change?"
"Um?"
Qiao Wu chuckled. In her view, no relationship is one-sided. If she could accept continuing the relationship with Lu Jinzhi, she would send him the corresponding message.
So she said, "I don't think I've ever been averse to contacting you, and in this situation, shouldn't you be the one who's nervous and uneasy?"
Lu Jinzhi's eyes, which were filled with a hint of weariness, seemed to be tinged with a deeper meaning, and his originally smiling expression also faded somewhat.
He has always been adept at finding the opponent's weaknesses in the smallest details and then directly defeating them.
He had to be extremely careful in this matter, so he did not act rashly.
If Qiao Wu's "You decide" at the pet store was his misperception, and his "You're so clingy" at sea was an inexplicable indulgence, then this sentence is surely not an obscure signal.
He didn't step forward, but stood still and quietly looked at her, from her light-colored eyes to her facial features.
Everything about it is just so perfect.
Why did her every word and action, her openness, her frankness, and her intelligence make him fall deeper and deeper in love?
He swallowed hard and couldn't help but take a step forward.
"Lu Jinzhi," Qiao Wu said, stopping him. "You should go to sleep."
Lu Jinzhi stood two steps away from her, seemingly oblivious, still gazing at her.
A businessman who cannot grasp profits will not succeed.
But the next second, Qiao Wu's words made him willingly stop in his tracks.
“We have a long future ahead of us,” she said.
A slight sound came from the door next door closing, pulling Lu Jinzhi back from his distant thoughts.
He stared at the door and suddenly smiled silently.
There's plenty of time in the future.
An hour and a half later, Qiao Wu's door opened again.
She silently passed Lu Jinzhi's room and went downstairs.
She knew from the situation just now that Lu Jinzhi must have wanted to take the opportunity to do or say something, but it wasn't the right time.
He was exhausted after a day and night and was also injured; he needed to rest properly at this time.
She also had things to deal with.
Therefore, she said there is plenty of time in the future, and there is no need to be confined to this moment.
She went up to the second floor and knocked on the door of one of the rooms.
The people inside had been waiting for a long time: "The door isn't locked."
Qiao Wu pushed open the door and went in. He saw his elder sitting at the desk and politely greeted him, "Uncle Lu."
Although no one said anything when they returned, in reality, it was just a thin veil separating them.
In fact, Lu Jiang didn't plan to look for Qiao Wu again. If this matter were to reach the ears of the second brother, it would cause a huge uproar.
But he didn't expect that Qiao Wu would call him on his own initiative.
Since the two of them came back together today, Qiao Wu must know about his conversation with the second brother.
He couldn't quite figure out what Qiao Wu was up to.
Could it be that he can't stand the second child anymore?
Indeed, who in this world could stand him? I don't know what kind of suffering this girl endured to end up with such a heartless bastard.
Lu Jiang felt very tired. For a moment, he didn't know whether he should worry about Qiao Wu being with the second brother or about Qiao Wu not wanting to be with him.
These things at home are more troublesome than those at the company. He pressed his temples and said, "Sit down."
Qiao Wu didn't sit down, but stood in front of him like a junior, and didn't bother to beat around the bush, saying very directly, "Uncle, I heard you talking to Lu Jinzhi on the phone today."
Lu Jiang lowered his hand, his brow furrowed: "What are you thinking?"
Qiao Wu was quite calm when she arrived, but now that the moment has come, she has become a little nervous.
After all, the person in front of me was an elder.
Her romantic history was a blank, and it wasn't just Lu Jinzhi who would clear the obstacles for her; she thought so too.
I don't know what Lu Jinzhi's mindset was when he spoke to his father, but she definitely couldn't have remained calm.
It seems that linking your name with another person is something that excites you.
She always thought that love, like in TV dramas or novels, meant blushing and having her heart race when she saw the other person, and being filled with love in her eyes.
But she is different from Lu Jinzhi.
The two had known each other for so long, from quietly staying by each other's side when they were young, to exchanging few words through bookmarks in the library, and then gradually getting to know each other as they grew up. Everything was too natural and inevitable.
She would occasionally feel her heartbeat become unbalanced, when Lu Jinzhi told her to fly away, when he recognized her in his soul, when he traveled thousands of miles to the mountains just to see the same stars with her just because of her words, when he said she was a Kunpeng, when he made up for the lost time in the past, when he appeared by her side just to confirm his feelings and give her a hug...
In many, many times.
You can look at the stars anytime, but under the starry sky on a certain day, month, year, hour, and moment, there is only one person who can make her unable to hold back her tears.
She will always be moved by Lu Jinzhi, the man in her dreams who only held onto a name until the end of his life.
Aside from these touching moments, her interactions with Lu Jinzhi were mostly simple and peaceful.
She couldn't explain or analyze her emotions using theories, just as a genius like Lu Jinzhi had to slowly experience and explore on his own. Therefore, she couldn't refer to existing TV dramas to understand her own life.
She just felt that seeing Lu Jinzhi would make her happy.
From initial surprise and bewilderment to the uncontrollable joy upon hearing his confession, it's impossible to ignore.
At that moment on the boat, she suddenly understood that love has no definition, nor does it follow the ideal step by step. It always seeps into you silently, binding you tightly with its threads.
Just as Lu Jinzhi said, by the time they realized what was happening, it was too late to escape.
She said on the boat, "Lu Jinzhi, you're so clingy."
What I really wanted to say was...
Lu Jinzhi, you win.
Therefore, she did not want Lu Jinzhi to face these things alone; after all, she also bore some responsibility.
"Uncle," Qiao Wu gently pinched his fingertips and said in a steady voice, "I plan to be with Lu Jinzhi."
Lu Jiang's brows, which had been furrowed with frustration, suddenly relaxed.
My first reaction at that moment wasn't surprise, but relief.
Thank goodness, at least the oldest lunatic in the family won't go crazy anymore, and he won't sing "Tears Behind Bars" anymore.
After saying it, Qiao Wu felt much more relaxed. She calmed herself down and continued, "He didn't tell me the details of your conversation with him, so I thought if you have any concerns, you can mention them to me."
Lu Jiang looked at her with some surprise.
He never expected that Qiao Wu would bring up this matter; it should have been Lu Jinzhi who took on this responsibility.
Only at this moment did he realize what a huge mistake he had made.
He valued Qiao Wu's intelligence and composure from a young age and nurtured her accordingly. Even he couldn't help but look at her with new respect, not to mention her rebellious sons who were about the same age as her.
It's no surprise that outstanding people attract everyone.
Unless that person has some serious flaws, such as Lu Jinzhi's ruthless and insensitive words.
He has never had high requirements for his children's partners, nor does he care about social status. The Lu family has enough wealth and doesn't need anyone's help. On the contrary, a clean-cut child would be more suitable. So as long as the other person is acceptable and likable, that's enough.
He had only one wife in his entire life. After she passed away, he devoted his life to the company so that his children could have a life free from worries about food and clothing, so that they would not have to worry about such worldly social status, and so that he could have confidence in himself.
He was a good boss, but not a good father. In the end, he wasn't very successful. All he could do now was make his family a little more peaceful.
He never imagined that person would be Qiao Wu, someone who could simultaneously bring peace and unrest to his family.
Seeing Qiao Wu's attitude now, Lu Jiang felt even more reluctant to do it.
I think Lu Jinzhi really committed a terrible sin.
But now that things have come to this, there's nothing he can do.
Did they use money to drive Qiao Wu away?
Lu Xuan no longer films those vulgar and melodramatic TV dramas.
Qiao Wu is not someone who cares about money, and besides, would the second son be short of money?
In the end, I hope the second son doesn't use money to bribe someone to pull off his oxygen tube.
“Xiao Wu,” Lu Jiang softened his tone, “you are smart and capable, your uncle likes you very much and has no problem with you. But I think you’ve made a mistake by getting together with the second brother.”
Qiao Wu: "..."
What is it?
“The second son has always been different from other children since he was a child.” Lu Jiang sighed. “Not to mention others, even I can’t figure out what he’s thinking. I would be so grateful if he could find a partner who is truly devoted to him. So I’m actually more at ease knowing that it’s you.”
Qiao Wu couldn't understand.
So what exactly were Lu Jinzhi and Uncle Lu arguing about?
Then she saw Lu Jiang touch his chest, looking rather disappointed: "But you've seen the kids in the family, they're all immature. What would they do if they knew you were with the second son?"
Qiao Wu understood.
So that's what Lu Jinzhi meant when he said, "How they accept it is their business."
"Uncle didn't mean anything by it." Lu Jiang couldn't say he wouldn't let the two be together right now, so he said, "If you really make a decision, why don't you tell them for now?"
Qiao Wu really wanted to say: You're overthinking it.
Even if they were in the same space, and Lu Jinzhi openly made lewd remarks in front of Lu Xuan, Lu Xuan would think that he was drunk and seeing things wrong.
But Uncle Lu's considerations do make some sense.
She nodded: "I will seriously consider it."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Uncle, they are all adults now and have the ability to distinguish right from wrong, so you don't need to worry too much."
How could Lu Jiang not be worried?
But with Qiao Wu around, he believed she could keep things in check, at least enough to keep that unruly second son in check.
He didn't bring up that again, but instead said, "Those house rules and plans you left at home before should be finished by now. What's next?"
Lu Ning went to school obediently, Lu Yingchi also finished his exams smoothly and won the first prize in the competition, and Lu Xuan would take his career seriously. At least he could watch the scenes that the third brother was acting in.
He doesn't necessarily want anyone to inherit the company; he just feels that none of these kids are up to anything, and it's frustrating to watch.
With a weight lifted from his heart, Qiao Wu was no longer nervous.
She smiled and said, "That's something for them to consider."
Lu Jiang looked up in surprise.
“Uncle,” Qiao Wu said earnestly, “you should know that I’ve started another company outside. Actually, I originally planned to stay at home for five years. After five years, I would have my own career and things to do. That’s why Lu Jinzhi sent me to the foundation. So, during these five years, I will select and train the next capable housekeeper to succeed me. As for the future, I won’t abandon them, but…”
She paused, then said gently, "I am not the one who decides their lives. The path they will take in the future is not simply determined by a few lines of rules. In fact, those rules are not rules at all; they are just a little game to fool people."
If it weren't for these few people, how could these few lines of text have made them obedient?
Ultimately, the reason is simply that they are that kind of people.
At the beginning, they were all incredibly stubborn, so this was the only way to slightly restrain them and give them a way to back down.
Qiao Wu never intended to decide the future of the Lu family.
So when Lu Yingchi asked her what she wanted to do in the future, she didn't give her any advice, she just told him to do his best.
Even when Lu Xuan called to say he was very tired, she accepted his decision to give up.
Her goal from beginning to end was never to make them achieve great success or to make them stand at the top of any industry and become winners in life.
Her goal was simple: to help them be themselves, take responsibility for themselves, and learn to be mature.
They weren't really bad people to begin with.
"So what they do is their business," Qiao Wu said. "To me, as long as they are healthy, happy, kind, brave, resilient, and mature, they will succeed in whatever they do."
Even if you have no talent for anything and you really fail.
She will also provide them with a safety net, just as she said she would.
A person cannot be defined by examples of success.
Even now that Lu Jinzhi is in such a high position, isn't he often criticized by those close to him for being inhumane?
Lu Jiang remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and laughed, "Xiao Wu, I often wonder if you're really only 22 years old."
Her insights into life and her way of handling things are even more transcendent than his.
Qiao Wu paused for a moment, then smiled slightly: "Maybe not."
"I've been dragged out all day by my second brother, go and rest." Lu Jiang waved his hand. "It's rare for us to get out, so relax. I don't mean anything by it."
Then, as if remembering something, he said with a dark face, "Have the second brother remove me from the blacklist."
Qiao Wu paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.
How come Lu Jinzhi's blacklist has been expanded again without her knowledge?
After leaving Lu Jiang's room, she went to her father's place again.
The matter with Lu Jinzhi can be kept secret from others, but not from my father.
After learning the whole story, Qiao Zhiyi was stunned for a long time and couldn't come back to his senses.
He said that's why he saw the second young master bringing his daughter home that time; it turns out there was already a hint of something going on back then.
No wonder the old gentleman was so enthusiastic in pouring him wine today! He kept whispering in his ear that the Shen family's kid was unreliable!
Qiao Zhiyi never interfered with the child's choices, but the other party was Lu Jinzhi.
"Second Young Master..." he asked hesitantly, "Will you suffer a loss?"
Qiao Wu raised an eyebrow: "If anyone's going to suffer a loss, it's him."
Anyone would bow their head in fear when they encounter Lu Jin, including Lu Jiang, who was also helpless.
So when he saw the confidence in his daughter's eyes, Qiao Zhiyi felt relieved.
If it weren't for equality, my daughter wouldn't have this expression.
He nodded: "Just do what you want to do."
There's nothing wrong with becoming in-laws with Lu Jiang, after all, they've lived together for so many years.
Qiao Wu chatted with his father downstairs for a while, and it was almost midnight when he returned to his room.
Perhaps she had revealed too much all at once, so she was having trouble sleeping and was sitting by the window looking at the sea.
An ambiguous relationship is just a thin veil.
Although I was mentally prepared, it was still my first time, and there had to be a certain place and opportunity to break through this barrier.
Lu Jinzhi would confess his feelings anytime, anywhere, but she should accept them in a more formal setting.
When we eat alone together next time?
She had previously thought that her relationship with Lu Jinzhi was perfectly normal, but once she had this thought, her heart started to race involuntarily.
She glanced down at her hands, which were trembling slightly, perhaps due to her pounding heart. Perhaps it was the quiet of the night, but her heartbeat seemed to be pounding in her ears.
Suddenly I feel a strong urge to see Lu Jinzhi.
That's what she thought.
A few seconds later, he chuckled softly at this abrupt thought.
How childish.
Bang bang bang.
Qiao Wu raised his hand and gently covered his heart, trying to stop it from beating, but suddenly felt something was wrong.
It didn't sound like a heartbeat.
She paused for a moment, then suddenly turned around.
Someone is knocking on the door.
Who's still awake so late?
Qiao Wu got up to open the door, and the moment the door opened, Lu Jinzhi, who should have been asleep, was standing at the door.
He changed into a more formal, light-collared, handmade suit than he had worn during the day, with a black handkerchief pinned to his lapel, and held a very small bunch of light green lisianthus in his hand.
What kind of formation is this?
Qiao Wu's heart pounded wildly at the same time, and it took him a long time to find his own voice.
Why aren't you asleep yet?
Lu Jinzhi smiled and said, "Because I love a very good person."
Because of this sudden turn of events, Qiao Wu didn't care about anything else and pulled Lu Jinzhi into the room to avoid being seen by others.
Of course, no one might be able to see this point.
But she feels more at ease in a private environment.
Lu Jinzhi let her do as she pleased. After entering the room, he watched her hurriedly close the door, and his eyes darkened slightly.
He was about to go to sleep.
But in the middle of the night, the stubborn old man called the hotel's internal phone and dragged him out. It took Lu Jinzhi a long time to understand Lu Jiang's exasperation and what Qiao Wu had gone downstairs to do.
Lu Jinzhi had rarely felt so lost and panicked.
It wasn't because Lu Jiang told him to be more restrained in the future, but because of the certainty and plans that Qiao Wu showed to others.
He thought there was plenty of time, but he never considered that the premise of her having plenty of time would be that she would have to face those things alone.
So he couldn't wait any longer.
He had originally planned to give a definite answer to the relationship at a very formal moment, but just like before, he was caught off guard and overwhelmed by emotions.
This time, his plans were also suddenly disrupted.
Not everything can happen in a predetermined order, and neither can love.
So he canceled all his plans, changed his clothes, and in a very short time found a bouquet of flowers and went to her door.
After closing the door, Qiao Wu turned around and saw that Lu Jinzhi was still standing there.
She had a vague premonition, but all her original plans vanished at that moment, and she couldn't even think straight.
She could only watch helplessly as Lu Jinzhi approached her step by step, smiling behind the bouquet, and softly called her name in the quiet environment.
"Waaah."
Lu Jinzhi stopped in front of her, the distance between them much closer than before in the corridor. Then he leaned down slightly and looked into her eyes, which were still filled with surprise and helplessness, through the bouquet.
"I've come for a chapter that will be available in the future."
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