Chapter 40
When Lu Mingxiao makes up his mind to do something, he can really calm down and do it seriously, and he takes action immediately.
For example, demolishing a wall.
The next morning, Song Jingliang helped him tear down the wall.
At this moment, the old father had no idea that this behavior was called self-destruction, and he said to Lu Mingxiao with great satisfaction: "This wooden wall blocks the light, it's right to take it down. It's not inconvenient for two boys anyway."
"You're right..." Lu Mingxiao, feeling guilty, could only bury his head in his work and say, "We're all brothers, there's nothing inconvenient about it."
After the wall was demolished, another day passed, and Lu Mingxiao began to get up early to study.
In the northern winter, dawn comes late. Even at six o'clock, the sky is still gray and gloomy. It's the perfect time to stay in bed. Jiang Huaiyu was still half asleep when he vaguely heard rustling sounds. After a while, he opened his eyes and found Lu Mingxiao already sitting at the small table, doing his homework. His pen scratched on the paper, and he would occasionally pause to think, his brows furrowing slightly.
Jiang Huaiyu remained silent, watching quietly. A few minutes later, as if by telepathy, Lu Mingxiao turned his head and met Jiang Huaiyu's gaze.
"Did I wake you up?" Lu Mingxiao asked in a low voice.
Jiang Huaiyu shook her head: "Are you doing your homework? Didn't you say you were going to create a miracle overnight?"
People can't even empathize with themselves from a year ago. Lu Mingxiao rubbed his nose sheepishly: "I was too young and naive when I was sixteen. I've grown up now."
Seventeen-year-old Lu Mingxiao twirled his pen with a flourish, but his eyes were focused and serious: "Jiang Xiaoyu, I will study hard from now on, because of you, but not just because of you. I just feel that if I encounter a good opportunity in the future but am unable to seize it, I will regret it."
Jiang Huaiyu hugged her pillow and curled up her lips: "Yes, she has indeed become much more sensible."
“That’s…” Lu Mingxiao said smugly, but had to lower his voice: “Don’t you even know whose boyfriend he is?”
...
Jiang Lan and Song Jingliang couldn't stay until the Lantern Festival. Song Jingliang had to go back to handle work, while Jiang Lan had to face her father, Jiang Qiheng, who was unusually quiet. This was more unsettling than when he was furious. Although Jiang Lan had many grievances about her father's behavior, the bond of family ties was not so easily severed.
Before leaving, the family sat down together for a lively hot pot meal and discussed the children's studies.
Song Jingliang still hoped that Lu Chuan and his wife could go to Shen City with Lu Mingxiao. He was willing to help Lu Chuan access the best medical resources. Although Lu Chuan's lung disease could not be cured, a good recuperation environment could at least reduce the frequency of attacks. Besides, the winter in the north was really unfriendly to lung disease patients.
Lu Chuan and Li Qing exchanged a glance, both with hesitation in their eyes.
Things are different now. When they first discovered that the children had been switched at birth, the two of them were determined not to accept Song Jingliang and Jiang Lan's help because they felt somewhat guilty. Their own child was being treated with all the privileges by a wealthy family, while the other family's child was suffering and getting hurt with them. How could they accept the Jiang family's kindness?
But now, because of their children, the two families have become closer, and sticking to those overly polite choices would only make them seem distant.
“We will give this matter a good look.” Lu Chuan raised his juice glass with a gentle gaze and clinked glasses with Song Jingliang: “In any case, thank you very much, Brother Song and Sister-in-law.”
“Stop being so polite.” Song Jingliang looked at the two children sitting together and sighed, “Seventeen years ago, on the day my child was born, I had everything prepared, but I was still incredibly nervous. I only breathed a sigh of relief when the nurse brought the baby to me and said that mother and child were safe. It feels like it happened yesterday. Now both of my children are about to go to college…”
"Oh..." Lu Mingxiao was busy peeling crabs: "So, Lao Song, you did hug me before."
Everyone laughed, and Lu Chuan scolded him for being disrespectful.
Then, the conversation turned to university. Jiang Lan suggested that Lu Mingxiao return to Shen City to receive a better education. It didn't matter if his grades were a little behind; his family could hire the best tutors for him. Lu Mingxiao was smart and would catch up quickly.
Lu Mingxiao paused in peeling the crab, and after a moment said, "Mom, I may need some time to adjust to the sudden change of environment. I want to finish high school here."
He's been studying very hard lately, quite diligently. Jiang Lan thought he would be willing to accept better resources, but he still gave this answer. She felt a little helpless and looked at Jiang Huaiyu: "Xiao Bao, aren't you going back either?"
Jiang Huaiyu shook her head and said she wouldn't go back, then added, "Mom, I won't fall behind in my studies in Shenhai."
He knew why Lu Mingxiao wanted to stay. Luo Gui, that scumbag, was about to be released from prison. If this hidden danger wasn't completely eliminated, Lu Mingxiao wouldn't return to the Jiang family. Of course, he had to stay and accompany Lu Mingxiao.
Jiang Lan was a little disappointed, but she respected the children's decision and made a promise with them that they would come back during the summer vacation before reluctantly heading to the train station.
After seeing Jiang Lan and Song Jingliang off, Li Qing also had to start working again, and the house suddenly became quiet. Li Rui came to see Lu Mingxiao a few times, but Lu Mingxiao was always doing his homework.
Li Rui looked completely bewildered: "Brother, wake up! There's still a week until school starts. Didn't you leave too early?"
Lu Mingxiao was doing English reading. His vocabulary has expanded significantly, and he could easily utter a phrase in gibberish: "Time and tide wait for no man."
"What about the time?" Li Rui looked to Jiang Huaiyu for help: "Genius, what did he ramble on about?"
"Time flies and waits for no one..." Jiang Huaiyu replied to Li Rui while typing on her laptop.
“Brother Xiao, you’ve changed.” Li Rui shook his head regretfully. “You’ve fallen from grace. Let me see what game Brother Yu is playing…”
He leaned closer to take a look, and his smile froze.
Lu Mingxiao could still make out "Time" and "No" in his speech, but Jiang Huaiyu's garbled gibberish was giving him a headache.
Li Rui fled in panic, feeling that the house was comparable to a haunted house. Could a love of learning be contagious? What were the transmission channels?
After Li Rui was kicked out, Lu Mingxiao immediately grabbed his test paper and squeezed onto Jiang Huaiyu's bed, insisting on doing his homework together. After finishing the test paper, he checked the answers himself, added and subtracted to calculate his score, and proudly showed it to Jiang Huaiyu.
"Fifteen points improved, Boss Jiang..." He leaned closer, a sly smile on his handsome face: "How about a bonus?"
Mr. Jiang was very generous. He lowered his head and gently kissed Lu Mingxiao's high nose bridge. His lips were always cool, like a snowflake falling silently.
His long eyelashes trembled, Lu Mingxiao's Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice was a little hoarse: "Boss Jiang, be a little more generous..."
His warm gaze gently swept over Jiang Huaiyu's pale lips, and before she could answer, his own ears turned red.
Jiang Huaiyu was originally able to hide her racing heartbeat well, but after being looked at by him with such an expression, her face also became a little hot.
The air seemed to freeze. Lu Mingxiao could clearly hear the pounding of his heart, so clearly vibrating through his chest. He cautiously moved closer, and an urgent longing gradually surfaced in his eyes.
Jiang Huaiyu didn't move, but she didn't dodge either. Her fingertips gripped the thin blanket covering her legs, and her palms felt warm and damp...
The distance shortened until their breaths mingled...
"Woof—!!!"
A dog barked in the yard, followed by Li Qing's cheerful voice: "Brother Chuan! Kids! We finished the project ahead of schedule today and got the final payment. Let's go out for a nice meal!"
Jiang Huaiyu was already tense, and the loud voice startled her so much that she reflexively kicked Lu Mingxiao off the bed.
With a "thump,"
Lu Mingxiao lay on the floor, seemingly alive but barely alive, but in reality, he was out of options.
...
After returning to Shanghai, Jiang Lan first visited Jiang Qiheng.
Jiang Qiheng truly loved his daughter very much. Her mother, who was Lu Mingxiao and Jiang Huaiyu's maternal grandmother, died during childbirth due to amniotic fluid embolism, leaving behind only this girl. Her father never remarried and raised his daughter alone.
He raised his child to be as beautiful as a pearl, hoping that she would be capable and able to manage the Jiang family's vast fortune, marry a husband of equal social standing, and live a wealthy and secure life.
So when Jiang Lan deviated from the path he had set, he was actually very worried. He had seen too many wolves in sheep's clothing who would turn their backs on him as soon as they got what they wanted. Moreover, Song Jingliang was capable and resourceful. If such a person were his subordinate, he would appreciate him and be happy that the Jiang Group would be strengthened. But this person should not be his son-in-law...
He had seen the sincerity in Song Jingliang's eyes and did not doubt that sincerity. But sincerity is a fickle thing, and he worried that one day, when ambition replaced sincerity, Jiang Lan would not be able to control Song Jingliang.
His firm opposition was met with his daughter's extremely bold resistance. Jiang Lan and Song Jingliang eloped, got married, and even had a child.
So many years have passed, and Song Jingliang's kindness to Jiang Lan has been consistent over the years, which has gradually made Jiang Lan accept him as her son-in-law. Song Jingliang is also respectful and filial to him, and the family is happy together. He never expected that such a thing would happen.
The babies were switched at birth.
The boy he had carefully nurtured for so many years was not his biological grandson, a fact he still finds unbelievable. The adorable baby he held in his arms, the child whose tiny feet he had kissed again and again, the child he had hoped would "hold the precious jade in his heart"...
He is not his biological grandson.
"dad……"
Jiang Lan personally poured tea for Jiang Qiheng. Song Jingliang hadn't accompanied her back today, and she wanted to have a good talk with her father about Xiao Bao's situation.
"I don't believe you have no feelings for the child you raised. Why would you do this to hurt Xiaobao's feelings?"
Jiang Qiheng, with a gloomy face, asked an unrelated question: "How is that child doing living with the poor family?"
"Although Sister Qing and Brother Lu Chuan are not wealthy, they have given Da Bao a lot of spiritual wealth. They are optimistic, resilient, brave and kind..." Jiang Lan said solemnly, "I am very grateful to them for raising my child so well."
Jiang Qiheng's expression also showed some emotion, and after a moment he nodded: "That's good."
Jiang Lan waited for a moment, but her father didn't ask about Xiao Bao's situation, and disappointment flashed in her eyes.
“Dad, blood ties are important, of course, but…” Jiang Lan looked at her father in confusion: “For the past sixteen years, it has always been Xiao Bao who has been the one to dote on you. Ming Xiao also has the right to decide how to live his life. They are living, breathing people, not some vague bloodline that you can control.”
"Shut up," Jiang Qiheng snapped in a deep voice. "What do you know?!"
An eerie silence fell over the tea room. After a moment, Jiang Lan slowly stood up: "I really don't understand, Dad. If you'd like to talk, I'll listen carefully, but you don't seem to want to talk today. In that case, I'll be leaving now. I've finished dispensing your medicine for you; remember to take it on time every day..."
Looking at his daughter's slightly thin back, Jiang Qiheng subconsciously called out, "Wait..."
Jiang Lan stopped and turned to look at him.
He could vaguely see his lover's shadow in his daughter; she was the most precious gift she had left him. If it weren't for this child, he didn't know if he would have been able to get through it all…
The elderly man with gray hair and a dignified appearance took a deep breath and slowly said, "When I was young, I met your mother. At that time, the Jiang family was in decline. Affected by war and politics, the family business that had been passed down for hundreds of years was about to be destroyed. It was under these circumstances that I met your mother."
She was a woman who had studied abroad. She was as beautiful as a bright pearl, but what was even more attractive than her appearance was her talent and ability. She fell in love with Jiang Qiheng, who was looking for a way to break the deadlock. They were lovers and also confidants who fought side by side.
“The Jiang family’s business doesn’t belong to me alone…” A gentle expression appeared on Jiang Qiheng’s aged face: “It also belongs to your mother, and you are the last gift she left me, the continuation of her life. I will never allow a child who has no blood relation to her to steal anything she left behind!”
I never expected the answer to be like this.
Jiang Lan was stunned. After a long while, she finally found her voice.
“Dad…” Her voice was a little hoarse, and her eyes were red: “I will always respect the relationship between you and Mother, but that is not a reason for you to hurt Xiaobao.”
“Me, Huaiyu, and Mingxiao, we are just us, not a sequel to any other life. If Mother were still here, she would definitely correct your mistakes. She would love the two babies very much.”
...
Before the start of the semester, Lu Mingxiao successfully completed all his assignments. While the group chat was filled with complaints, asking who could lend their homework to someone to help them out, and repeatedly tagging Jiang Huaiyu, Lu Mingxiao casually typed two words in the group:
【mine. 】
The group chat was silent for a moment, then Liang Jing replied:
[Stop fooling around, genius! Give the phone back to Xiao Ge.]
Lu Mingxiao: ...
Since falling in love, he can't stand the slightest grievance and immediately held up his phone to complain: "Jiang Xiaoyu, look at them..."
A moment later, Jiang Huaiyu spoke in the group:
I didn't do my homework; Lu Mingxiao's homework was indeed very well done.
The group fell silent again. After a moment, Liang Jing said:
Haha, genius, don't spoil Xiao Ge too much!
Lu Mingxiao kicked Liang Jing out of the group chat.
Unexpectedly, it wasn't just the students who didn't believe Lu Mingxiao could complete the assignment; the teachers did too.
The math teacher, who had a deep-seated grudge against Lu Mingxiao, used the pretext of checking homework to rummage through a pile of exercise books for a long time, specifically finding Lu Mingxiao's winter vacation homework.
“Some students are always trying to appease the teacher, but in reality, they are just trying to appease their own worthless lives…” She opened Lu Mingxiao’s workbook with a cold smile, turned a couple of pages, and the smile on her lips gradually froze.
Lu Mingxiao didn't care about her evaluation at all, but Jiang Huaiyu frowned slightly and pursed her thin lips.
It's clear that the young master is very unhappy.
It's getting hot; the math teacher should find a cool place to stay.
His palm was gently squeezed, and then Lu Mingxiao's well-defined fingers lightly brushed across his palm.
"Don't be upset..." he whispered to Jiang Huaiyu, "She'll definitely accuse me of plagiarism in a bit, but I'll play along. Just wait and see the show..."
"Lu Mingxiao!" the math teacher called out, pointing at Lu Mingxiao with his eyebrows raised. "Still whispering to each other! I'm talking to you!"
Lu Mingxiao leaned back, crossed his arms, and chuckled lazily, "Teacher, what's wrong with me? My life should be like my homework, full of correct answers..."
A soft chuckle rippled through the classroom.
Author's Note:
I'm so sleepy, why am I writing so slowly...
I'll continue updating tomorrow [heart emoji]
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