"No need, Uncle Bai. I'm already downstairs," Lu Luochen said calmly as he walked down the stairs from the second floor right after Uncle Bai finished speaking. He glanced at the two rabbits merrily munching on grass cakes in the cage, and his eyes softened involuntarily.
It was thanks to these two little creatures that he managed to strike up a conversation with Wen Sining yesterday. They were like good - luck charms.
Since she was at the Lu family's place, Wen Sining didn't want to have a bad relationship with Lu Luochen. Moreover, he had sent her such a helpful document last night. So she asked calmly,
"Aren't you going to work today?"
"Yeah, there's nothing urgent in the company. I'm taking a day off," Lu Luochen replied as he sat down opposite Wen Sining.
"Madam, the young master knew you were coming today. He deliberately postponed his work so that he could stay at home and accompany you," Uncle Bai said with a beaming smile.
"Uncle Bai, don't tease me. How could he put off his work because of me? Look at you. I've only been away for a few days, and you're already making fun of me," Wen Sining said, looking disbelieving. She sighed inwardly, thinking that even the shrewd Uncle Bai had been deceived by Lu Luochen. Lu Luochen wasn't taking a day off for her. He just wanted to curry favor with the old master and use her as a bridge.
Uncle Bai was about to say something else when Lu Luochen interrupted him.
"Uncle Bai, Grandpa should be done soon. Go and check on him."
Uncle Bai knew that Lu Luochen didn't want him to talk anymore. He nodded and took the opportunity to go find the old master.
A short while later, the old master of the Lu family walked out with a walking stick, along with Doctor Xiao and Uncle Bai. He was beaming with joy and rushed over to Wen Sining, sizing her up.
"You've lost weight. Ningning, haven't you been eating well these days? It's only been a few days. Look at your chin. It's even sharper, and your face is smaller," the old master said, looking distressed.
Wen Sining naturally took his arm and said affectionately with a smile, "Grandpa, you must be mistaken. I weighed myself today. I've gained two pounds."
"Don't be like those stars who starve themselves to the bone. Girls should have a bit of meat on them. It looks better," the old master said.
"Okay, okay, I know. I'll eat more meat later and try to gain some weight, okay?"
The old master patted her hand in satisfaction and squinted his cloudy eyes happily. "It'd be better if you put on just a little more weight. Being too fat isn't good for your health. By the way, didn't you say you'd bring Big White and Little Black for me to see? Where are they?"
"Ta - da! Here they are. They're so lively. If I let them out, they'd run away in a flash. So I'd better keep them in the cage," Wen Sining said.
The old master took the cage and started to tease the two rabbits, bursting into hearty laughter as he did so. Those who didn't know would think he was playing with his grandson.
Wen Sining chatted with the old gentlemen for a long time. It wasn't until it was time for dinner that they moved to the dining room.
The old master of the Lu family always adhered to the rule of not talking during meals. But today, he broke this rule on his own initiative. At the dinner table, he kept asking Wen Sining about her company, afraid that she might be wronged outside.
Wen Sining kept smiling. She answered all the old master's questions, and the whole meal was filled with joy.
Lu Luochen watched all this, and a gentle smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.
Although it had only been a few days, he felt as if he hadn't experienced such a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere for half a century.
Since Wen Sining moved out of the Lu family mansion, the old master had been displeased with Lu Luochen in every way. Most of the time, he didn't even want to eat at the same table with him. He either deliberately ate at a different time or ate in his own room. A scene as harmonious as this was really a rare sight.
While there was laughter and joy in the Lu family mansion, a storm was brewing in the Wen family villa.
Jiang Ruanqing went to the detention center to visit Wen Minhao again. She found that he looked even more disheveled than before. He had lost a lot of weight, and there were obvious wounds on his face and body.
As soon as Wen Minhao saw Jiang Ruanqing, he knelt on the ground and cried. "Mom, I know I was wrong. Please save me. I can't take it anymore. I'm going to die."
Every word was like a sharp blade stabbing into Jiang Ruanqing's heart. But she had tried every possible way. With the Lu family putting pressure on them, many people she asked refused to help. Helpless, Jiang Ruanqing had to go home and ask Wen Shiqian to find a way to get Wen Minhao out.
"Shiqian, Minhao is our only son. You can't just sit back and watch him suffer," Jiang Ruanqing said, her eyes swollen from crying. She tightly grabbed Wen Shiqian's clothes, as if holding onto the last straw.
But Wen Shiqian looked annoyed. He waved her hand away and snorted, "You know he's our only son! Look at what you've spoiled him into over the years. He's always causing trouble and even got involved in gambling! Jiang Ruanqing, this is the good son you've raised. He almost ruined our entire Wen Group! I have no idea what to do now. If necessary, let him stay in jail for a while. Maybe he'll calm down and stop bringing trouble to the Wen family."
Jiang Ruanqing was shocked. She stood up and pushed him hard.
"Wen Shiqian, what nonsense are you talking about! Is it all my fault that Minhao has become like this? You always say I spoil him, but have you ever cared about him over the years? All you care about is the Wen Group and money! Now you're just shifting all the blame onto me. Is Minhao only my son? If you had disciplined him more, he wouldn't have ended up like this!"
Wen Shiqian's face darkened. He slapped Jiang Ruanqing across the face, making her stagger and fall onto the sofa.
"You hit me? Wen Shiqian, you've never even said a harsh word to me in all these years of marriage, and now you hit me! Ah, Wen Shiqian, I'll fight you today!"
Jiang Ruanqing lunged at Wen Shiqian like a wildcat. Her sharp nails left several clear scratches on his arm.
Wen Shiqian pushed her away forcefully and roared angrily, "Jiang Ruanqing, you shrew! Wen Minhao's downfall is all your doing! I, Wen Shiqian, can do without such a son. If you keep causing trouble, don't blame me for sending you back to your hometown and never letting you come back!"
After shouting angrily, Wen Shiqian slammed the door and left. Jiang Ruanqing was stunned on the spot. She sat on the ground blankly, looking as disheveled as a crazy old woman.