Chapter 27
Lu Jinxian led Han Meng to a coffee shop and they sat down.
Coffee in this era didn't have as many flavors, but the coffee flavor was surprisingly strong. Han Meng only took one sip and felt her mind become much clearer.
What are you trying to say?
Han Meng asked him, though she probably already guessed what he would say.
“I don’t have a terminal illness, but it’s true that my health isn’t very good. However, I’m just faking it.” Lu Jinxian gripped the coffee cup handle tightly, avoiding direct eye contact with the other person. After all, he rarely talked about this secret with anyone.
Han Meng didn't beat around the bush, looking at the other person sincerely with her big eyes: "Why?"
"Actually, it's more... for my family to see..." The man lowered his eyes and hesitated in his voice. In fact, he still didn't want to explain the specific reasons because he didn't think Han Meng would truly understand his actions.
Han Meng chuckled softly, her smile as radiant as a flower. Suddenly, she leaned closer and asked him in a low voice, "Young Master Lu, since this is your secret, why are you telling me?"
As for why Lu Jinxian pretended to be sick, Han Meng wasn't uninterested, but she felt that everyone's secrets had a reason, and delving into them might not make the person involved feel comfortable. Just like she wouldn't tell her current parents that she wasn't actually their daughter, as that would hurt them.
Furthermore, what she was even more curious about was why Lu Jinxian was willing to be honest with her, simply because... she had discovered his secret of faking illness?
Lu Jinxian: "Although it started as a misunderstanding, we will get married and live together for a long time, won't we?"
Han Meng remained silent.
As the wedding date draws closer, the hope of annulmenting the engagement seems increasingly slim, but this doesn't necessarily mean she will continue to live with Lu Jinxian.
Putting aside all the complicated personal feelings, she will eventually have to go back to the 21st century. How could she stay here for long?
After thinking for a long time, she continued to ask Lu Jinxian, "So, you don't want to break off the engagement?"
“My friend said that I often come to see Miss Han by making excuses because I’ve fallen in love with you.” Lu Jinxian raised his eyes slightly, scrutinizing Han Meng’s expression. “I’ve thought about it carefully, and what he said makes sense.”
He spoke calmly on the surface, but his heart was pounding.
He had little experience with this matter, and it was only after his friend told him that he realized why he was always worried that her pharmacy would be targeted, and why he waited so long one night just to have her come and let him know that she was safe.
Unbeknownst to him, Han Meng entered his life, and with each interaction, he became more and more concerned about everything about her—such as her smile at this moment.
My friend said that people usually call this kind of behavior "because of love".
Lu Jinxian thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a suitable rebuttal.
That leaves only one possibility: his friend is right, he has fallen in love with Han Meng.
After listening, Han Meng lowered her head slightly and rubbed her temples.
She had considered that Lu Jinxian would give various other reasons to explain the significance of revealing the secret, but she never expected it would be because of "love"?
But she hardly felt any of that? Was it because she was too enthusiastic about him?
Han Meng hurriedly began to explain, "Lu Jinxian, I think this must be a misunderstanding. I found a doctor for you and treated you; it was all out of kindness between ordinary friends. I didn't have anything going for you..."
“I understand. I won’t stop you from breaking off the engagement,” Lu Jinxian said.
Han Meng: "..."
What do you understand?
"I will not ask your Lu family to propose annulment. My father and I have an agreement that if I can fulfill his requirements, I can propose annulment," Han Meng said frankly.
Although she couldn't reciprocate his inexplicable affections, she still considered him a good friend, and she wouldn't hide anything from him.
Rather than letting people be disappointed at the last minute, it's better to take preventative measures in advance.
“From a businessman’s perspective, this is not a favorable option for your family,” Lu Jinxian said calmly.
Han Meng smiled slightly, stood up, and prepared to leave: "Whether it's my father or me, we are more than just business people."
Especially her, she has an identity that no one knows about, and it's the identity she most wants to restore.
As Lu Jinxian watched the woman's retreating figure, he suddenly felt a sense of loss.
However, as he passed by the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy, an idea suddenly came to him.
*
A few days later, Lu Jinxian sent a servant to the Han family to invite Han Meng to discuss cooperation.
While waiting for news, he confidently told his sister Lu Baozhu, "She will definitely arrive within half an hour."
Lu Baozhu didn't know Han Meng very well. However, since Han Meng became a prominent figure in the university for her remarkable success, many people in academia have used her as an example to encourage their students to study hard. Over time, Han Meng's story has also spread to the world of primary and secondary school students.
This is how Lu Baozhu developed her admiration for Han Meng.
The rest of the family didn't quite understand the situation, but Lu Jinxian felt that his sister had good judgment. Miss Han Meng was indeed an excellent role model, especially in this era, which needs modern women like her who strive for their careers, even if her goal was to annul the engagement...
Lu Baozhu held a notebook in both hands, her eyes shining: "Really? Can I ask her to read my poems?"
"Let me see?" Lu Jinxian reached out his hand, but his sister refused.
Lu Baozhu pouted: "Unless you promise not to tell anyone about the poems I wrote."
Lu Jinxian was both amused and exasperated: "Of course I won't tell anyone."
"Alright then." Lu Baozhu opened the notebook, still hesitant as she handed it over.
...
Lu Jinxian never expected that his younger sister, who was usually as mischievous as a monkey, would actually have some artistic talent and be able to write a whole notebook full of poems and essays.
"Well written, but there are some typos..."
Lu Baozhu asked in surprise, "You didn't even ask me why I wrote it?" Actually, it wasn't the first time she had shown her poems to others, but her third brother was the first person to ask her this question.
"Hmm. Why write it?"
"I want to be a teacher! When I grow up, I want to be a teacher at Honglin University!" Lu Baozhu said without hesitation.
"Oh." Lu Jinxian glanced at his watch and casually acknowledged his sister.
Why haven't they arrived yet?
He believed that the business collaboration he proposed would definitely interest Han Meng, and that he genuinely wanted to cooperate.
Just then, the servant finally returned, but he was alone.
"Third Brother, you're lying! You said Miss Han would be here soon!" Lu Baozhu was unhappy. She snatched back her notebook and ran back to her room.
The servant quickly explained, "It's like this, Third Young Master, I didn't see Miss Han Meng. To be precise, there's no one from her family here today."
Lu Jinxian frowned slightly: "Are the servants not here?"
"There was someone there, but it was just an elderly cleaning lady. She told me that unfortunately, the young master of the Han family had returned to China today, and the whole family had gone to the dock to pick him up."
"I figured that the aunt probably wouldn't understand business cooperation matters, so to be on the safe side, I didn't say anything. I just told her that you needed to talk to Ms. Han Meng."
Lu Jinxian pondered for a moment, "I will go to the Han family in person tomorrow."
Han Shangting has unexpectedly returned to China at this time. I wonder why he suddenly returned. Is it because he received news of Han Meng's engagement?
Lu Jinxian wasn't very familiar with this person before and didn't have much contact with him, but his two older brothers didn't like him much because he was the best among the second generation, the "other people's child" in their parents' eyes.
However, he didn't care. He had his own desires and wouldn't be influenced by others.
*
The dock was bustling with people and vehicles.
But Han Shangting recognized his family at first glance and ran towards them with a smile: "Dad, Mom, Mengmeng."
With good genes from his parents, his daughter is beautiful, and his son is naturally good-looking as well. Han Shangting has a tall and straight figure, and his white suit makes him look even more handsome.
The elderly couple were overjoyed to be reunited with their son after a long separation, and immediately opened their arms and hugged him tightly.
"Finally back."
"You've lost weight. Are you having trouble getting used to eating out?" Mrs. Han asked, touching her son's face with concern.
"It's good that you're back. Let's have a nice meal together as a family!"
Han Xianfei realized something was wrong as he spoke, and looked around to find Han Meng and Tang Xiaohua standing there motionless.
"Mengmeng, what are you daydreaming about? Your brother is back!"
All eyes turned to Han Meng. Han Meng was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "Brother... I haven't seen you in so long... I... I thought I was dreaming."
She feigned delight.
Well, after she came into this world, adapting to the fact that she had a father and a mother wasn't too difficult, because in the original book, her father and mother had some special reasons that prevented them from truly being there for her during her childhood.
But Han Shangting is different. He grew up with the original owner of this body and could even be said to be the person who understands the original owner the most.
Han Meng felt a little flustered being with this "completely unfamiliar" older brother.
Moreover, in the original book, this person is very intelligent and resourceful.
"Mengmeng?"
"Brother." Han Meng forced a smile.
Han Shangting asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Why are you looking so down when I come back?"
"No……"
"To be honest, is there something you're hiding from me?" Han Shangting looked Han Meng up and down, sensing that something was off.
Han Meng still insisted that there was no problem, and deliberately drew her family's attention to Tang Xiaohua: "Brother, a lot has really happened in the years you've been gone. Our aunt has passed away, and this is her daughter, who takes her mother's surname and is named Tang Xiaohua."
She gently placed her hands on the little girl's shoulders and introduced this new family member to Han Shangting, but the little girl still hid behind her in fear.
Han Shangting tilted his head and looked at Tang Xiaohua. He had no other feelings, except that this little girl was too timid: "Does her own father not want her?"
Tang Ying's eyes welled up with tears as she recounted the past: "That bastard disliked Xiaohua because she was a girl. He barely cared for the mother and daughter after Xiaohua was born. I really felt sorry for them..."
“Then we are her only relatives, and it is our duty to take good care of her on behalf of her aunt.” Han Shangting nodded and said calmly.
The family was about to leave the dock to have a big meal at a nearby restaurant when someone suddenly called out to Han Shangting.
"Shangting, are these your family members?" A well-mannered young man in clean and tidy clothes jogged over carrying a suitcase.
Han Shangting glanced at him, then turned to his family and said, "Let me introduce you. This is my good friend Qin Luo. We met during my studies abroad. He's a very nice person and has helped me a lot."
Qin Luo? Is he the same Qin Luo from the original book who could bring the seriously injured male protagonist back to life?
Han Meng's eyes widened, her gaze like a rabbit seeing fresh grass!
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