Chapter Fifteen: A Box of Hidden Talents Reveals Its Edge

  "What? Go home with you?" Under the bright light, Wei Xiang's beautiful eyes widened in surprise, her delicate eyelashes curled up one by one, as if coated with shiny black mascara, exuding a seductive and elegant charm.

  "Uh-huh." Lu Zhong nodded, "Tomorrow morning, have Xiao Jiao send us over."

  This is Lu Zhong's home, Lu Zhong just rushed over from Qinglong, it was already past 9 pm, and he was having coffee with Wei Xiangxiu. Suddenly, Lu Zhong mentioned that tomorrow when he goes back home, he wants to bring Wei Xiangxiu along.

  Tomorrow is the 28th of the Lunar New Year, the day after tomorrow is the 29th, and the day after that is New Year's Eve. Lu Zhong hasn't been back home for a long time, so he arranged two more days off before the New Year. Originally, the county committee compound had already entered the New Year mode, basically just consolation and greeting activities, except for some necessary activities, Lu Zhong pushed everything to Ma Weiguo.

  "I'm not going." Wei Xiangxiu refused very bluntly, and didn't even consider it.

  Lu Zhong seemed to have not heard what she said, and continued on his own train of thought: "Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to ask for leave first, then we can go directly. But now, whether or not you ask for leave is meaningless."

  Wei Xiangxiu was taken aback and looked at Lu Zhong in surprise: "You know?"

  Lu Zhong nodded slightly and smiled: "Can you hide your affairs from me?"

  Recently, when Wei Xiangxiu was about to be promoted to deputy director, the news that she and He Dabiao had secretly signed a divorce agreement suddenly broke out. The municipal bureau leaders were extremely shocked, and the deputy secretary of the political committee personally came forward to work on Wei Xiangxiu. Who knew that Wei Xiangxiu, seeing that it was impossible to hide it, simply went with He Dabiao to the Civil Affairs Bureau to apply for a divorce.

  Leaders of the municipal bureau and coordinators from the Civil Affairs Bureau took turns mediating, but Wei Xiangxiu still insisted on getting a divorce.

  The municipal bureau leaders turned from shock to outrage, and Wei Xiangxiu's promotion to deputy director of the sub-bureau was basically ruined. Moreover, it is said that the position of captain of the airport road police station may not be kept either, and there is a high possibility that he will be sent to a suburban police station as an instructor or deputy instructor in the near future, with a bleak outlook for his career prospects.

  These things were all kept secret by Wei Xiangxiu and none of them were told to Lu Zhan. It was only by chance that Lu Zhan found out about them.

  "Then I won't go either." Wei Xiangxiu said resolutely.

  Lu Zhong still didn't hear her words, stretched his waist and stood up, yawning and said: "Alright, it's settled then. I'm sleepy, going to take a bath and sleep. You should rest early too, we both need to get up early tomorrow."

  "Hey, you..." Wei Xiangxiu looked at Lu Zhong's back helplessly as he walked into the bathroom. Her face had been smiling, and she muttered: "What kind of person is this!" But immediately, her expression suddenly turned gloomy, and she slowly sat down on the sofa, staring blankly, lost in thought.

  ……

  A black sedan drove smoothly on the wide highway.

  "Where are we going?" Wei Xiangxiu, who was dragged onto the car early in the morning, suddenly found that the sedan seemed not to be heading back to Guangning.

  "Beijing," said Lu Zhong. "My family is from Beijing, my parents, grandparents and uncle are all in Beijing."

  Wei Xiang showed a slight pause, "Huh? Weren't Uncle and Aunt both in Guangning? I think I've seen them before."

  "That's my foster parents in Beijing, they are my biological parents." Lu Zhong said with a self-deprecating smile, "I have many relatives."

  Wei Xiangxiu was stunned for a moment, then lowered her head and remained silent.

  Jiao Ye didn't know about Lu Zhong's family affairs either, but as a driver, although he was curious in his heart, he absolutely wouldn't say or ask more.

  "Lu Zhong, I really can't go home with you." Wei Xiangxiu said suddenly in a low and mournful tone.

  Lu Zhong looked at her and didn't say a word.

  "You'd better take me back." Wei Xiangxiu turned her head and looked at Lu Zhong with pleading eyes.

  Lu Zhong smiled: "Alright, don't worry about it. To be honest, I also know it's a bit sudden. How about this? When we get to Beijing, you can stay in a hotel first, and I'll go home to take care of things. If everything is okay, then let's just consider that we're playing around in Beijing for two days. Later, I'll buy you a plane ticket, and you can fly back to your hometown for the New Year, so you won't be delayed."

  "That's it!" Wei Xiangxiu finally let out a sigh of relief.

  A black sedan sped along, and after more than an hour, it entered the city of Beijing. The speed slowed down, and in the midst of crowded cars and bicycles, it followed a few large electric trams, slowly entering the southern part of the city. Finally, it stopped in front of an ancient, fragrant, oriental-style palace-like building.

  The five-door gate is in the shape of a arch, with a frame carved from Han white jade. The surrounding walls are built with grey bricks that have been polished to fit together seamlessly. Above the arched door, beautiful dark green glazed tiles are embedded as decorations. The top is capped with green glazed tiles, and on both sides of the roof, there are two four-cornered pavilions.

  At night, the Palace of Friendship shines brightly, even more magnificent.

  This is the Beijing Friendship Hotel, which is specially designed for receiving foreign friends.

  The Friendship Hotel was originally built to solve the accommodation problem of Soviet experts who came to aid China, called Xijiao Expert Reception Station. It was later renamed Beijing Friendship Hotel and is now managed by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs. It is not open to the outside world and is only used for receiving foreign friends.

  Adjacent to the Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan and Fragrant Hills scenic spots, as well as Peking University and Tsinghua University, it is Asia's largest garden-style hotel. The hotel was also included in the "World Architecture History" published by Cambridge University Press for its grand scale and strong national characteristics.

  As soon as Lu Zhong and the other two entered the hall, a middle-aged European woman with blonde hair and blue eyes came over to greet them. Lu Zhong smiled at Wei Xiangxiu and said, "You go with her, take a rest, and feel free to stroll around wherever you'd like. I'll come see you tomorrow."

  Changming Group's Beijing office is located in the Youyi Hotel, and last night they received a call from Lu Zhong, so they booked a room early and waited in the lobby for a white woman who was a staff member of Changming Group's Beijing office, who not only knew Lu Zhong but also Jiao Ke.

  As they watched Wei Xiangxiu and Jennifer's figures disappear behind the Chinese screen in the Palace of Friendship, Lu Zhong finally turned back with Jiao Ke.

  After getting on the car, Lu Zhong said: "Go along Chang'an Street, I'll tell you how to go when we get there."

  Jiao Ye responded with a "yeah" and started the car.

  Under Lu Zhong's command, the black sedan passed through Chang'an Street, turning east and west, passing through several alleys, and then, in front of the alley entrance, several green-uniformed armed police officers stood upright with live ammunition, their bayonets gleaming with a cold light under the sunlight, a murderous aura rushed forward.

  Jiao Yue was startled and quickly braked, turning his head to ask: "Director Lu, didn't we take the wrong way?"

  At this time, a young man with a buzz cut and wearing a black Zhongshan suit rushed over from the alley, bowed, and lightly knocked on the car door. Lu Zhong said, "Tell him to get in."

  Jiao Yue hurriedly opened the car door, and the young man sat in the passenger seat, saying to Jiao Yue: "Master, drive."

  Jiao Yue turned his head to look at Lu Zhong, saw Lu Zhong slightly nodding, and then restarted the car.

  The guards at the entrance of the alley had already moved the steel wire mesh that was originally placed across the entrance to one side. Jiao Lei's heart was increasingly startled, and he felt as if he had entered a completely strange world, a world beyond his imagination.

  Lu Bureau, what kind of person is he? Is the mysterious and unattainable world guarded by the armed guards really his? Jiao Ke couldn't help but glance at Lu Zhong sitting in the back seat with his eyes closed, and felt that his mind was a complete mess.

  ……

  A slightly ancient-style study room, on the west wall hangs a large painting of Tang Dynasty Han Huang's "Five Cows Picture", in which five cows have different shapes and postures, some with their heads down, some with their heads up, some moving, some still, vividly lifelike, as if within reach. On either side are hung couplets by Kong Yiji: "Old cow, coarse and strong, repays the debt of plowing; on the grassy slope, it lies down in the evening sun".

  An old ox who has plowed all his life finally lies down contentedly in the sunset, looking at the clouds with a detached air.

  This is also a true portrayal of Grandpa's state of mind.

  Grandfather is standing behind the case with a brush writing, just quietly standing there, but gives you a feeling that this old man is like a vast and boundless sea, profound and without edges.

  Every time he sees his grandfather, Lu Zhong has a kind of reverence in his heart, whether it is in the past life or this life.

  "Alright!" Grandpa slowly put down his brush. On the snow-white rice paper, a dignified and peaceful regular script character, "Inch heart is worthy of being vast and vast".

  Lu Zheng silently looked at these words and said: "Grandfather's teachings, I will remember."

  "Alright, come tell me about it, this Qing Long business." Grandfather's eyes sparkled with interest as he gestured for Lu Zhen to sit down on the sofa.

  Lu Zhong scratched his head: "I'm just messing around, don't hit me if I say it." He didn't know why, but he suddenly said this, wanting to joke with Grandpa and get close to him. Perhaps, in front of the majestic and towering Grandpa, Lu Zhong felt like a child for the first time.

  Grandfather stared at Lu Zhen in astonishment, clearly no junior had ever spoken to him like that before. Immediately, he burst out laughing and nodded at Lu Zhen: "You, your dad said you're a mischievous monkey, but I think you're a cheeky monkey! I think you are too, huh, asking for a beating!"

  Lu Zhong smiled awkwardly and slowly sat down beside his grandfather.

  ……

  Not long after leaving his grandfather's study, Lu Zhong was summoned by his father to his own study.

  Sitting opposite Lu Zhong, savoring the fragrant tea brewed by his lover, Lu Tianhe suddenly let out a sigh and said with some emotion: "You're such an old mom, usually you never make tea for me, I can only bask in your glory."

  When he heard his father call him "old mom", Lu Zhēn couldn't help but scratch his head, feeling that the world was about to turn upside down.

  Staring deeply at Lu Zhong, Lu Tianhe said: "As the head of a county, Grandfather has high expectations for you. As for me, I'm not too confident in you."

  Is it a heroic general or a desperate one? Lu Zhong thought helplessly.

  "I'm not provoking you." As if seeing through Lu Zhong's thoughts, Lu Tianhe said solemnly: "Let's talk about the small commune you're involved in. Tell me your true intentions."

  Lu Zhong thought for a moment and said seriously: "What I think is unimportant. Let time prove everything, let history comment on it."

  "Quite a tone you have there." Lu Tianhe smiled and nodded slightly, "Then I'll be eagerly waiting."

  After some thought, he got up and walked to the desk, took out a roll of Xuan paper from the drawer, and came back. He spread the Xuan paper on the tea table and said: "This was written by Old Pei, praising you, but the old man said he's afraid that praising would spoil the child, so he asked me to put it away and not show it to you."

  Lu Zhong knew that the Pei Lao in his father's mouth was one of the so-called "Ten Elders of the Communist Party" mentioned by foreign media, and in the eyes of foreign media, these ten elders were the real rulers of China.

  They were just two young members of the Central Five, and merely figureheads at that.

  Pei Lao is a man who is the most conservative in thought among the ten elders, even more "left" than Grandfather. He often reminisces about the past and is quite dissatisfied with some of the liberal tendencies of the present.

  On the rice paper, there are a few lines of cursive script: "The sharp edge has not been revealed yet it shocks the world, several autumns have passed in seclusion in the capital. A box deeply hidden without revealing its edge, knowing sounds fall and the world is hard to meet. In the empty mountain, one night's stormy rain, leaping and hesitating, wanting to transform into a dragon."

  "What makes you think you're worthy of being praised by Old Master Pei with the revolutionary martyr's sword song?" Lu Tianhe said, but he was obviously delighted. Never had a junior been summoned to the study to discuss important matters, and what's more, they talked for over half an hour. Not to mention junior figures, even high-ranking officials from the capital now found it difficult to meet with Old Master Pei.

  It was just that he had a self-satisfied intention in his heart, and Lu Tianhe took out the encouraging words written by Pei Lao to Lu Zhong to show off. This really didn't seem like Lu Tianhe at all. He, who had just been appointed as the Secretary of Anhui Provincial Committee, was deeply feared by his colleagues and subordinates for being too profound, so how could he reveal his emotions?

  Perhaps, as a father, he is no longer Lu Tianhe from time to time.

  "Pei Lao also said that he was preparing to include the theoretical part of your article published in Wushan Neican into Hongqi, but it was blocked by Grandpa." Lu Tianhe said with a slight nod, "However, no matter what, you should have an understanding of your situation now."

  The Red Flag published by the Central Committee has always been a stronghold of conservatives, and in recent years it has been engaged in theoretical debates with another camp.

  Lu Zheng remained silent, although it wasn't his intention, but it seemed that he would eventually be drawn into these disputes.

  "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Lu Tianhe slowly rolled up the rice paper on the tea table and said: "Being born in a family like ours, you have to be mentally prepared for fame, fortune, disaster, and imprisonment. You'll understand eventually."

  Lu Zhong nodded slightly and suddenly remembered something, then said: "Dad, tomorrow I'll bring someone back to our home, we'll spend the New Year together."

  Lu Tianhe shook his head and said, "No need."

  Lu Zhong was slightly stunned.

  "I know who you want to bring." Lu Tianhe slowly picked up his teacup.

  The air suddenly solidified.

  Is this current old man really Lu Tianhe? Lu Zhong fell silent, looking at his father who was expressionless yet irresistible and subtly distant.

  It's settled then. Father probably knows about Wei Xiangxiu through Eldest Sister, but in his eyes, a woman like that isn't even worth mentioning.

  "I must bring her here." Lu Zhong suddenly raised his neck, and no matter what, the memories of this life would leave scars deep in his heart. Although he knew these memories were too immature, too unripe, the emotions they evoked were real.

  So Lu Zhong didn't know why he suddenly became disobedient towards his father.

  Lu Tianhe was taken aback, staring at Lu Zhong. In Lu Zhong's unyielding eyes, Lu Tianhe finally sighed and slowly put down his teacup, saying: "Originally, I shouldn't have told you this, but since you're so insistent, I'll let you in on a secret. Your current marriage situation isn't just up to you or me; even Grandfather himself can't make the decision. There are people outside who have proposed matches for you, and the elderly folks are discussing what to do. They will make the final decision."

  "What's with the matchmaking outside? Whose family is it?" Lu Zhong felt a surge of anger in his heart, what is this guy talking about?

  "This has nothing to do with you." Lu Tianhe waved his hand, seeing the cold glint in Lu Zhong's eyes, Lu Tianhe felt a bit helpless. This son of his, sometimes he couldn't even grasp it himself.

  Thinking of this, Lu Tianhe slowly put down his teacup and said in a low voice: "Xiao Zhong, I'll say something to you today that I shouldn't be saying. You may have inherited some of your grandfather's personality traits, especially when it comes to women. Although I'm a bit disappointed...” He sighed and shook his head, not continuing any further.

  Lu Zhong was baffled, his grandfather was a famous ladies' man and still had several beautiful women accompanying him, how could he imply that he himself was also a playboy? This, this is a great injustice!

  "Alright, let's not talk about it anymore. Think carefully about what I said today." Lu Tianhe waved his hand, having said all that needed to be said and all that shouldn't have been said. Perhaps arguing with this son was more exhausting than facing any political opponent.

  ……

  Lu Zhong walked out of his father's study with a gloomy face, and was met by his elder sister Lu Jiaju, who smiled and asked: "Little brother, what's wrong? Why the long face?"

  Two months haven't seen, elder sister more and more elegant and luxurious, neck still hanging a look at the value of expensive sable fur, apparently, now old dad and mom also do not manage her rich lady's dress, perhaps already used to it, or perhaps, nothing is more sorrowful than heart death.

  "What's wrong, where's Xiao Jiao?" Lu Zhong spat out a mouthful of stagnant air.

  "Don't worry, I can take care of your driver. He's chatting with your brother-in-law in the front yard. Are you looking for him? I'll take you there." In Lu Jiajun's eyes, how much money Lu Zheng had helped Hu Deli earn was not a big deal, but Lu Zheng, this little brother who had been separated from her for over a decade and raised outside, she pitied from the bottom of her heart.

  Lu Zhong also knew this, but his second sister had been studying abroad for many years and the time she spent at home rarely coincided with Lu Zhong's, so they were a bit estranged emotionally.

  "Sister, you know Dad, he's always hinting that I'm a playboy, it's really annoying." Lu Zhong said with some frustration as he walked through the courtyard.

  Lu Jiaju couldn't help but laugh and said, "It's my fault for talking too much, don't blame big sister, I just wanted to say a few more words in front of dad. He usually doesn't pay attention to me, unlike you, who is treated like a treasure as soon as he comes home, calling him to the study room as if there are endless things to talk about. My Hu Dali has never even entered his study room before. But anyway, before that little girl got divorced, I didn't tell dad anything. Dad didn't know she had just gotten divorced and thought she was just a young policewoman from downstairs."

  Lu Zhong was speechless and said: "Sister, you are too righteous. This doesn't count as selling me out, at least it's still covering for me, isn't it?"

  Lu Jiaju couldn't help but laugh and said, "You're really something, when did you become so outspoken..." She trailed off, too embarrassed to continue.

  Lu Zhong coughed, and the story between him and Wei Xiangxiu was not something that could be explained in a short while. But looking at his sister's eyes, he thought to himself that he was indeed a little pervert, always targeting married women.

  But elder sister has always been protective of her younger brother, she wouldn't care whether he's a good person or a bad one, all she knows is that he's her little brother and she needs to take care of him.

  As they spoke, they passed by the Moon Gate ahead, and in the midst of lush green pines and cypresses, the lamp in the east wing was lit.

  Lu Jiaju went in first, followed by Lu Zhong, and they lifted the door curtain and entered the house.

  By the outer round table, Hu Dali was playing Go with Jiao Ke. "Slap", Hu Dali captured Jiao Ke's horse and laughed: "Eat the horse general!"

  Lu Zhong happened to see this scene and laughed: "Brother-in-law, you ate Jiao Ke's horse, doesn't that mean I won't have a ride in the future?"

  Jiao Yue hastily stood up and greeted: "Director Lu." He had been accompanied by Hu Dage, who was called "Big Brother-in-law" by the guards and workers, all day today. Although this wouldn't leave him alone and without a place to go, he was increasingly shocked by Director Lu's family background. The Lu family of Beijing, he vaguely had an outline in his mind, but how could he dare to believe it? Director Lu? Could he really be... the legitimate grandson? When he thought of that name, Jiao Yue couldn't help but feel dizzy and disoriented, unable to calm himself down.

  Lu Zhong smiled and made a gesture to Jiao Yue: "Little Jiao, you've lost your car and horse, looks like you're definitely going to lose. Alright, stop playing."

  Lu Zhong said that he had eaten Jiao Yue's horse, and from then on, he would have no car to ride. Hu De Li's heart was filled with a chill, she didn't know why, but facing this young uncle, she couldn't help but think wildly, and she had become more and more afraid of this mysterious and unpredictable young uncle. Perhaps it was because the young uncle's performance was too terrifying. Until now, every business he pointed out would make money, and the returns were usually very impressive.

  It can no longer be explained by vision, business genius and so on. Many times, Hu De Li felt that Xiao Shu Zi was like having the ability to predict the future, fortunately, such a person is one's own relative.

  Hudeli often sweated coldly thinking that if it were his opponent, would his company still have a foothold in the capital?

  "Xiao Jiao, aren't you still in the cannon? The rocket cannon, this shows that, Zhēngzi, your future progress will definitely be like a rocket, soaring upwards with a whoosh." Hu Dé Lì suddenly blurted out these words.

  Lu Jiajun helplessly looked at her family's Old Hu, only to feel that Old Hu's flattering skills were getting more and more severe, but not even a bit of her brother-in-law's demeanor.

  But to be honest, if Hu Delli really wants to put on airs as Lu Zhong's sister-in-law, she might not even agree to it in the first place.

  Lu Zhong smiled and glanced at Hu Dali, feeling that his brother-in-law was somewhat guilty in front of him, and guilt must have a reason.

  "Jiao Ye, let's go, come with me for a walk." Lu Zhong gave him a signal.

  Lu Jiaju was taken aback and said: "It's so late, where are you going? It's not easy to come home once."

  Lu Zhong shook his head and said: "I won't bring a friend, there are some things I need to go say, don't worry, I'll be back soon."

  Lu Jiaju finally breathed a sigh of relief, really afraid that he would follow in his father's footsteps and run away from home again. With a double meaning, she said: "Alright, just remember to come back home."

  Lu Zhong glanced at his older sister, who had always been trying to salvage their relationship with their father. She had endured countless hardships and humiliation for this sake. He himself had hurt her multiple times, even going so far as to push her out of the house once, causing her head to crack open on the stairs. Yet, just a few days later, she came back to see him again.

  In his heart, a hint of bitterness arose. Lu Zhong nodded, "Sister, don't worry, even if Dad kicks me out in the future, I won't leave. I'll just stay in this house!"

  Listening to Lu Zhong's voice, which was slightly unusual, Lu Jiaju didn't mind and chuckled: "You're just lucky, Dad and Mom dote on you, even if the sun rises in the west, they wouldn't bear to drive you away!"

  Lu Zhong smiled and made a gesture to Jiao Ke before walking out the door.