Chapter 381: Final Chapter
The housekeeper, seeing Madam Lu in a huff, hesitated for a long time before entering the living room. Lu Mingkai, seeing him, pulled him aside.
“Mom, Uncle Luo is here, probably has something to discuss with you. I’ll go upstairs first, you keep busy.”
Uncle Luo, being pushed forward, hadn’t even spoken when he saw the little rascal behind him running faster than a rabbit.
“Madam, Manager Zhang and his wife have arrived outside, asking if you’re ready. It’s almost time to leave.”
“Alright, I’m coming. Mingyang, take my luggage to Uncle Zhang’s car.”
“Yes, Mom!”
Shen Meng took the shawl off her shoulders, turned around, grabbed a coat, and put it on. Seeing her children weren’t reluctant to see her leave, she pouted.
“Ungrateful ones! You didn’t even say goodbye! Old Luo, watch over these little rascals, especially the second one. Don’t get into any trouble. Call me if anything happens. Just call Bai Yan or Sister Bai Shan… wait, no, just call Bai Yan. Sister Bai Shan is too lenient with them, showering them with everything they want without a care for what they need.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Lu Mingliang gasped, putting down what he was holding, and rushed to Shen Meng, embracing her.
“Mom, I really don’t want you to leave, but you going back to Ning County is like going home. We have something to tell you… Mom, please, absolutely do not be soft on those people from the village. We have some money, but it’s not limitless! Don’t let them squander it!”
“Go away!”
Shen Meng glared at him, turned and walked out. Old Luo rolled his eyes. Living in this big house, the drive to the exit was five minutes, and he was still worrying about a little money. He was truly a pain.
Lu Mingyang took a while to return. Seeing the siblings sitting neatly in the living room, he was a bit confused.
“What’s wrong? Mom isn’t going on her first business trip. If you’re worried, why didn’t you go with her?”
“Brother, we’re not worried about Mom, but about Uncle Lu Qiancheng’s family. Ever since they couldn’t come to Beijing, they’ve been running to Uncle San’s house, causing trouble. The police have been there many times, to no avail. They keep saying they’re starving, the same old story. You know that, right? Dad received a call from home while he was on a business trip, and he’s already in Ning County waiting for Mom.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier? We’ll go too! I’ll have someone book tickets right away. Dad and Mom have things they can’t say, but we can. Grandpa and Grandma have been partial all their lives. Lu Qiancheng’s family’s business is none of our concern. Don’t try to drag us into it as a stepping stone.”
With the eldest brother’s words, Lu Mingliang immediately called his friend, arranging tickets. The siblings quickly packed their bags and drove to the underground parking garage.
When Old Luo returned to ask what they were having for lunch, everyone was gone. He found a note under the fruit platter, and was startled. He immediately called Lu Zhenping in Ning County.
Shen Meng arrived at the provincial airport an hour late, waiting for her four children. Quietly, she retrieved a small whip from her space.
Lu Mingkai, seeing the familiar whip, grabbed his suitcase and ran straight towards the exit. Lu Mingliang and Lu Mingyang weren’t quick enough to react, and were each given a sharp swat. Mingfang, being a girl, had never been struck by her.
“Mom, oh Mom, stop! There are so many people! You’re getting on in years, and if I and my brother run, don’t chase after us and hurt yourself!”
Shen Meng, who had been pretending to swat them, heard her second son, and swatted him again, this time with force. Regardless, she was a woman, and couldn’t be told her age. Ungrateful!
“Shut up! Mom hates anyone mentioning her age.”
Lu Mingkai, relieved that he didn’t get hit again, suddenly felt a slap on the head. “Ouch!” He turned around angrily and saw his father. He quickly shut up.
“You brat!”
“Dad, why are you here?”
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“Why am I here? I came to pick up your mom! You didn’t even tell me you left, and you don’t know how worried your mother was, and Old Luo was about to cry.”
“We’re all grown up, what’s there to worry about? And Uncle Luo is like that, always overly emotional. Brother has already written a note, and it’s not like we ran off without saying anything.”
Lu Zhenping glared at him, and turned towards Shen Meng.
In public, even though he was a company chairman, hitting his children at the airport like this…if a reporter saw it, the children would be ashamed for the rest of their lives.
“Alright, wife, alright, stop hitting them. If reporters see this, it’ll be embarrassing.”
“Embarrassing? They deserve it! You always defend them! You’re not in Beijing, so you don’t know how they’ve been bullying me. Ugh, I don’t care anymore! You deal with them!”
“Alright, alright, alright. Let’s go home. We’ll ignore these little brats. Husband, support me. Hey, you all! Grab your mother’s bags. I’ll treat you later.”
The children: “…”
Truly a living father! All he sees is his wife!
Once in the car, with the heater on, Shen Meng felt the heat.
“How’s home?”
“Nothing much. Lu Qiancheng and Lu Yaya are always hanging out. This time, it was because of trouble. Qiancheng found a girlfriend, and she’s pregnant. He can’t afford to marry her. Lu Yaya supported her brother, and they got into a fight. The baby died. Zhou Jiaojiao didn’t care. Jiasheng called me saying Zhou Jiaojiao sold the house and shop early that morning, packed up and ran. She completely abandoned the two children. The couple sold everything they could, and now it’s all calm. They aren’t causing trouble anymore. I don’t know what happened, but the girl and Qiancheng are getting back together, and are planning to marry. Regardless of the dowry, they want to get married.”
Shen Meng: “…”
Wow, this is a whole new chapter of running away and chasing after each other!
“Dad, you can’t interfere. They’re just troublemakers, once they get attached, they can’t be shaken off. Disgusting!”
Lu Mingkai said this, seeing Shen Meng glance at him, and quickly shut up. His mom hadn’t hit him yet, so he better not push it.
“What are you thinking? Lu family matters are none of our concern. We’ve fulfilled our filial duties, and helped as much as we could. Their future is their own.”
“Then, why are Mom and Dad so eager to come back?”
“Your Grandpa Li and Grandma Qi are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. They came to attend the banquet. They didn’t want you to know because they were worried you were studying too hard.”
Shen Meng looked at her children’s hesitant expressions and smiled. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s good that my children care about their parents. Mom and Dad aren’t old fools. We’ve handled this mess. Daya and Xiaoya are also in Ning County now. You’ll all be able to get together.”
“Really? Mom, I haven’t seen Daya in years. I miss her so much.”
As they talked about the past, the children kept chattering.
Lu Zhenping held Shen Meng’s hand, driving towards Ning County. Half a lifetime has passed. They endured so much hardship together. Now they have a family business, their children are healthy, and studying well. They have not wasted their time or their efforts.
Shen Meng looked out the window. The skyscrapers, the distinctive buildings…all were made by her company. She had created her own kingdom in this era. She looked at her children in the car.
The future belongs to this generation.