Jiao Cheng's bedroom was filled with his entire family.
"Some cases of hypoglycemia and mild respiratory alkalosis can be relieved with glucose infusion and a few hours of rest."
The doctor's words brought a sigh of relief to everyone in the room; some were genuine, while others were faking it.
Only Mi Yang remained in the bedroom to take care of things; the others went back to their own rooms to rest. Since the person in charge didn't speak, no amount of arguing from the children would change anything.
The Jiao family's old house has six floors, and each of the children has a separate bedroom in the old house. However, Jiao Yuyin has not returned to live there since he was sixteen years old.
Finally having a chance to be alone, Lu Yu suddenly started chattering and couldn't open her mouth.
The afternoon sunlight filled the bedroom carpet, and Lu Yu suddenly felt a chill all over her body.
"I want to drink a cup of hot water," Lu Yu said, sitting on the edge of the bed, her voice strained.
A moment later, a slightly steaming glass was gently placed on the bedside table next to Lu Yu.
"Thank you," Lu Yu and Jiao Yuyin said softly, taking small sips of warm water.
Jiao Yuyin moved the chair in front of his desk, sat down in front of Lu Yu, looked at Lu Yu, and asked, "What did you hear? Speak slowly, don't rush."
Lu Yu let out a breath and said whatever came to mind. "Jiao Yuchen found out you were investigating Tao Peng first, and then deliberately leaked it to Jiao Yushen."
Lu Yu rarely called him by his first name in the past, usually referring to him as "your eldest brother" or "your second brother," but now, she doesn't consider him family at all...
A dangerous glint appeared in Jiao Yuyin's eyes as he analyzed the logical connections between events. "So... even Jiao Yuchen knew about Tao Peng's special circumstances, which means that what I've uncovered about the truth behind my mother's suicide... is merely the tip of the iceberg..."
Lu Yu's almond-shaped eyes held a hint of sadness and heartache.
Jiao Yuyin stretched out his hands and covered Lu Yu's hands with his palms.
Lu Yu's palm held a warm glass, and on the back of her hand was Jiao Yuyin's warm palm pressed against hers.
Only her hands were cold and hard.
Jiao Yuyin's voice was gentle. "I'm not surprised or saddened at all that Jiao Yuchen would do this. Lu Yu, it's okay. I stopped considering them family a long time ago."
Lu Yu looked up and met Jiao Yuyin's gentle gaze, and said, "Today's matter must have a result; we cannot let Jiao Yushen succeed."
"What's the meaning?"
"The incident at Shifu Mining was not an accident; it was ordered by Jiao Yushen." Lu Yu finished speaking and then rubbed his tiger teeth a couple of times.
Jiao Yuyin nodded. "I guessed it. When we talked about the accident at Shifu Mining today, I felt something was off. But, Lu Yu, this proves that Tao Peng must be hiding a huge secret, something that could force Jiao Yushen to take such a risky move in such a short time."
"So?" Lu Yu's voice sounded like it was mixed with ice shards.
"So an investigation is possible, but now is far from the time for us to reveal the truth."
Lu Yu broke free from Jiao Yuyin's hand.
"No evidence again, huh? Those are twenty-three real lives, representing twenty-three families!" The words were squeezed out from between Lu Yu's teeth.
The whisper, meant to be heard, was viciously shoved into Jiao Yuyin's ear by Lu Yu, causing a painful thud in his eardrum.
“Investigating in secret and competing directly are two completely different things, do you understand?” Jiao Yuyin suppressed his emotions and continued, “I want to escape the Jiao family safely, and that has never changed.”
"So you can disregard the truth about your mother's death, forget your past vows, and turn a blind eye to acts of disregard for human life?"
Lu Yu scoffed softly, her eyes filled with disappointment.
"You just let Jiao Yushen do whatever he wants, let him get what he wants, and then let him take control of the family, right? You really are a coward."
For some reason, Lu Yu became a puppet of negative emotions, letting the knife in her mouth stab Jiao Yuyin.
Anger at their lack of ambition? Or... something else?
Jiao Yuyin closed his eyelids for a moment, then opened them again, all his emotions had vanished from his eyes.
"Lu Yu, you rarely do this. Why are you provoking me like this...?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Lu Yu regretted them. They were in a marriage of convenience; what right did she have to force Jiao Yuyin to do anything?
"I just... I just didn't want Jiao Yushen to succeed... I spoke up rashly today because Jiao Hua'an passed the message to Jiao Yuchen, and Jiao Yuchen was really planning to accept it and make you take the fall. I'm sorry for disrupting your plans." Lu Yu's voice gradually calmed down.
Jiao Yuyin rarely showed a hint of relief, saying, "I know you did this to help me."
Lu Yu held the glass, leaned down, and whispered in Jiao Yuyin's ear, "I heard Jiao Yushen's thoughts. He has already arranged for the media to stir things up and let public opinion ferment."
Jiao Yuyin felt Lu Yu's breath on his ear.
He remained motionless, seemingly deliberately maintaining an ambiguous distance, and asked, "And then? What's the purpose?"
"It's easy to guess, okay? Under pressure from public opinion, the Jiao family will definitely have to give an explanation. Your father will definitely be forced to step down, and may even go to jail. Jiao Yushen is the most powerful now, so he can take over the reins naturally." Lu Yu said irritably, completely oblivious to the subtle atmosphere.
The distance was too close; Jiao Yuyin could easily lean towards Lu Yu.
Desire governs behavior.
Jiao Yuyin lowered his head and buried it in the nape of Lu Yu's neck.
Her collarbone has a beautiful curve.
The raspberry scent on his neck was very strong, and it was the same as the scent of the shower gel on his neck.
Lu Yu did not move, but did his best to provide Jiao Yuyin with psychological support.
"To be honest, Jiao Yushen and Jiao Yuchen... ha... I don't want to side with either of them. If my dad makes a decision, I'll just back out and leave. I can't stay in this Jiao family for even a day longer..."
A long silence...
The air was filled only with the scent of raspberries.
“But, Lu Yu, do you know… I really can’t bring myself to help one side when the situation is chaotic. I can’t make such an ugly choice.”
The sound came intermittently from the nape of Lu Yu's neck, muffled and uneven.
"So... once I get involved in this incident, I'm prepared to fight to the death." Jiao Yuyin's voice seemed to have become more resolute.
Lu Yu finally understood that Jiao Yuyin was preparing to participate in the competition for the family's leadership.
He was always in a state of lethargy and inaction, doubting everything and questioning everything, and he would not make a decision easily.
But once he makes a decision, he doesn't care about the future and goes forward without hesitation.
Lu Yu carefully chose his words, "You are already in the game. If you cannot achieve a great victory, you will always be a pawn, and it will be difficult for you to escape unscathed."
Lu Yu's words finally broke through the last barrier.
Jiao Yuyin suddenly looked up and stood up, leaving the comfort of the bedchamber. His gaze suddenly became much sharper.
"You rest in the bedroom, I'll go out for a bit."
The door slammed shut as soon as he finished speaking.
Those sharp, scrutinizing eyes stung Lu Yu's eyes. The empty bedroom was quiet.
It seems she's been suspected of having ulterior motives again, just like the parting after their first meeting, leaving her to process her emotions alone.
It seems she didn't have a chance to explain...
Some things are better left unthought, but if you get stuck on them, you'll never be able to get out of them.
Lu Yu's involvement in the Jiao family's affairs, which took a risk, already went beyond the scope of the agreement. She went to great lengths to help them, and not only did they not appreciate it, they constantly suspected her of having ulterior motives.
Lu Yu snuggled into the blanket and closed her eyes.
A moment later, tears welled up from the corners of her closed eyes...
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