Chapter 37

Lu Jianbo silently glared at his rebellious son for a moment. He had been enraged by this boy for years—it wasn’t anything new. Ever since his son came back as an adult, every encounter between them ended with Lu fuming for days.

But what happened yesterday was over the top. His son had tossed several of his suitcases at the front gate, sending word that if he didn’t pick them up within three hours, they’d be thrown into the trash, and he’d be responsible for the disposal fees.

The butler had nervously conveyed this message to his secretary.

At the time, Lu had been out on business and had no choice but to rush home within those three hours. He knew his son too well—if he didn’t show up in person, those suitcases would end up in the dumpster.

When he got home, he gave the butler a raise, knowing how tough it was to be caught between the two of them. The butler declined, saying Jiang Sixun had already given him a raise.

Lu Jianbo requested another sugar for his coffee and stirred it gently.

He’d been drinking coffee for nearly forty years and had never gone over his usual seven-sugar limit.

The only exception was six years ago when his son had made him a cup of coffee with eight sugars. He drank every last drop.

That was the first time his son had ever made him coffee.

Setting down the spoon, Lu took a small sip of the now lukewarm coffee. “Do you like Zhiyi?” he asked abruptly.

Hearing Xu Zhiyi’s name, Jiang Sixun shifted his gaze to his father. “Who told you that?”

Lu pointed to his own eyes. “I’m not blind.”

Jiang didn’t bother asking how his father had figured it out.

Lu Jianbo had long given up expecting any concessions from his son—he was always the one who had to back down. Without pressing further, he continued, “I remember when Xu Xiangyi officially introduced Zhiyi, you snuck in one of my jewelry pieces as a gift—a modest necklace. Don’t think I didn’t see through your intentions. You were trying to hide behind the excuse that ‘like father, like son,’ and act like it was just a casual gesture.”

He could fool others, but there was no way he could fool his own father.

Jiang glanced at him but didn’t offer any response.

Lu smirked. “You put a lot of thought into picking that necklace, didn’t you? It had to be special enough to show how much you value her, but not so obvious that it would reveal your true feelings.”

Still, Jiang said nothing.

“That night you made me coffee, Qi Zhengchen called you. What did he say to make you so distracted? When we got home, you even forgot to close the car door. I had to do it for you.”

That night was etched into Lu’s memory, every detail as vivid as if it had just happened.

Shaking off the memory, Lu asked, “Did you break off your engagement with Ning Yun because of Zhiyi?”

“I never had an engagement with Ning Yun. That was something you all decided on your own. Did I ever agree to it?”

Lu was left speechless. Whenever something threatened to tarnish his son’s image of loyalty in Zhiyi’s eyes, Jiang suddenly found his voice. Lu scoffed at him. “I thought you’d forgotten how to talk.”

Jiang’s expression remained indifferent. “Depends on who I’m talking to.”

With frustration creeping in, Lu muttered, “Why can’t you talk to me properly?”

Jiang didn’t even bother to reply this time.

Lu sighed. “…”

Silence. Again.

Just then, Jiang’s iced coffee was ready. Without a word or even a nod in his father’s direction, he picked it up and left.

Stepping out of the café, Jiang Sixun dialed Ning Yun’s number.

In the past six years, his contact with Ning Yun had been minimal. Every time they spoke, it was either about work or regarding Ning Yin. Apart from the occasional family banquet, they hadn’t met privately.

“You wouldn’t be calling without a reason. So, what can I do for you today? I’m all ears.” Ning Yun’s voice was as bright and cheery as ever.

Jiang responded, “Aren’t you always up for some gossip? I can’t let you miss this one.”

Ning Yun laughed and teased, “I was young and naïve back then. So, when are you coming to London? I owe you a meal, and don’t worry, no seafood this time. How about Cantonese cuisine?”

“I eat seafood all the time now.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

Ning Yun was taken aback. In the past, Jiang Sixun would never have humored such a trivial question, let alone answer it.

“You’re not… in love, are you?” she ventured, sensing a shift.

Jiang ignored her question and answered the previous one instead, “I’m in London right now, with Zhiyi. No need for dinner. If it’s convenient, I’ll meet you soon. There’s something I need to discuss in person.”

At first, Ning Yun thought of Xu Zhiyi as his sister. The name had been in her head for so long that it felt natural. “Are you two on a business trip?”

“I’m just keeping her company.”

Ning Yun paused for a moment, trying to piece it together before blurting out, “Wait… are you seriously in love?”

“Yeah.”

“Have you liked her for a long time?”

Jiang Sixun didn’t deny it.

“But why didn’t you pursue her sooner?” she asked, confused.

He got into the car. “There were a lot of reasons.”

Sensing she shouldn’t push further, Ning Yun smiled and said, “Well, congratulations. Remember when I told you that the next time we met, I hoped we’d both have someone special by our side? I meant a real, private meeting, not a family banquet or wedding.”

“Thank you,” Jiang replied simply.

With the small talk over, Ning Yun got to the point. “So, what’s the gossip?”

Jiang briefly explained the situation and then asked for her help. “You’re always in the headlines, and you know the Hong Kong paparazzi well. You’re better at managing the heat and buzz than I am.”

Ning Yun couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re asking me to put your father on the front page of gossip? Your uncle’s ex and your father? That’s not just scandalous; it’s family drama at its finest. This could impact your family’s stock prices. You sure about this?”

She offered an alternative. “Or you could deal with it internally—show the photos to your uncle. It might avoid a public disaster.”

But Jiang had no intention of handling it quietly. “Shen Qingfeng is manipulating my dad to achieve her own goals with my uncle. No way I’m going to let her get away with it.”

Shen Qingfeng wasn’t in love with his uncle—she was maneuvering to secure a seat on the board.

“I also have some personal grievances with her,” Jiang continued. “So there’s no chance I’ll go easy.”

Ning Yun knew about this. “Grandfather once told me that Shen Qingfeng was the reason your parents’ marriage fell apart. It’s unforgivable.”

Jiang didn’t mention that Shen Qingfeng had once switched Zhiyi’s identity.

Ning Yun pressed further. “And your father… doesn’t he know she’s using him?”

“If I can see it, you think he can’t? He’s just playing along for now. He doesn’t want my uncle to feel too comfortable.”

After all, no one in their family was innocent.

Ning Yun, still concerned, asked, “What about your mom? Won’t this hurt her?”

“Shen Qingfeng’s secretary always tags along and takes pictures. Even if I don’t expose them, she’ll make sure my mom sees them.”

Ning Yun didn’t argue further. “Alright, I’ll take care of it. Just remember to transfer the money for the trending news fees.”

“You can keep the difference,” Jiang replied.

Ning Yun burst out laughing and hung up.

As Jiang leisurely sipped his iced coffee, his father, Lu Jianbo, was trending across all major platforms in China. The Hong Kong media even hosted a live stream, claiming that the photos were provided by none other than Lu’s own son.

The rumors about Lu Jianbo’s estranged son weren’t baseless after all.

At that moment, Xu Zhiyi, who was at home packing her suitcase, received a call from Luna. She was on vacation, and everyone at Yuanwei knew this. For Luna to call now meant it was something serious.

“Boss, there’s a scandal involving your family, and the source is… your own father.”

Zhiyi had just picked up a jewelry box and immediately tossed it onto the vanity without a second thought. She grabbed her tablet and saw that the trending topics were blowing up.

“I understand,” she said.

The headlines detailed two public meetings between Shen Qingfeng and Lu Jianbo, and who knew how many more there might have been that hadn’t been caught on camera. Their rendezvous at an old-fashioned restaurant and a cozy café left little room for claims of business meetings.

In the photos, Shen Qingfeng was dressed to impress—first in a bold red V-neck gown, and later in a sleek black off-shoulder dress, paired with an elegant pearl necklace. It was clear she’d put thought into every look.

Even after thirty years, her taste in fashion hadn’t changed.

Scrolling through the photos, Zhiyi messaged Jiang Sixun: “Did you really take those pictures?”

[Mhm.]

[Why didn’t you tell me about the leak beforehand?]

Jiang Sixun: [If I told you in advance, you probably wouldn’t have approved.]

Xu Zhiyi was honest: [I definitely wouldn’t have. You’ve put yourself in the line of fire, dragging yourself into a media storm.]

Jiang Sixun: [No worries. I’m with Ning Yun.]

A second later, he withdrew the message and retyped: [I’m with Ning Yun.]

Xu Zhiyi: [Why did you delete the ‘no worries’?]

Jiang Sixun chuckled: [Gives us something to talk about.]

Xu Zhiyi couldn’t help but laugh. Despite the mess he was in, he was still trying to make her smile. She threw him a bone: [I miss you. Come back soon.]

Jiang Sixun: [Will do. As soon as Ning Yun wraps up the deal with the paparazzi, I’ll be back.]

A moment later, he added: [Next time you miss me, send me a voice message.]

Xu Zhiyi pretended not to see it and didn’t reply.

Jiang Sixun: [Ignoring me again, huh?]

Xu Zhiyi: “…”

[I have something to handle. We’ll talk when I get back.]

It wasn’t an excuse. After exiting the chat, Xu Zhiyi found Shang Yun’s number and called.

Shang Yun was scrolling through the trending topics. “Back from your vacation?”

“No, I’m still in London.”

“Thought you were calling to invite me for a meal,” Shang Yun laughed, cutting straight to the chase. “You’re worried about the Lu family’s stock price, aren’t you?”

When dealing with smart people, there’s no need for lengthy explanations. Shang Yun already knew the reason for the call.

It saved her time. Xu Zhiyi got to the point: “Jiang Sixun isn’t concerned about the stock price, and neither am I. But I recall your family owns an entertainment company. I’m sure you have PR resources on hand.”

Shang Yun was calm. “You want to control the public narrative? If Jiang Sixun leaked the story himself, he’s already prepared. He’s the type to plan ten steps ahead. There’s no way he’d let things spiral out of control. You’re overthinking it—it’s unnecessary.”

“Whether it’s necessary or not, I know. You’re right, he’s always prepared, but he won’t spin the story in his favor, and he definitely won’t attribute Yuanwei Capital’s current success to himself.”

“You want to run positive PR for him?”

“Yes.”

Shang Yun advised, “Zhiyi, don’t get too caught up in romance. Yuanwei Capital’s most successful projects in recent years are because of you, not Jiang Sixun. His focus hasn’t been on the company.”

“The credit goes to me because he gave me full authority over the projects and never interfered with my decisions. He even fully backed my investment in AI healthcare. Outsiders don’t understand what’s between us.”

As for his lack of involvement in Yuanwei lately, it was because he had more pressing matters to handle—things that couldn’t be made public.

Checking her watch, Xu Zhiyi knew PR needed to be swift. “Shang Yun, if I say his heart is with Yuanwei, then it is.” One sentence put an end to the disagreement.

Shang Yun chuckled. “Are you always this forceful at work?”

“Depends on who I’m dealing with,” Xu Zhiyi responded. “So, Shang Yun, are you taking this job or not? If not, I’ll find another route. Don’t waste my time.”

“I’ll take it.”

“Send the invoice to my email. We’ll talk about the favor later.”

“Then you better finish your vacation soon and meet me. Let’s not delay our money-making plans.”

Xu Zhiyi ended the call and sent over some relevant Yuanwei materials to Shang Yun’s email.

Less than half an hour later, trending topics about Jiang Sixun’s personal achievements began to pop up.

At that moment, Ning Yun, who was monitoring the internet, noticed the new buzz surrounding Jiang Sixun. She paused, quickly realizing who was behind it.

Ignoring those positive posts, she clicked on the trending tags related to the Lu family, knowing the family must be in chaos.

On the other end, Lu Jianliang gritted his teeth through the phone at Shen Qingfeng, “Look at the mess you’ve made!”

Shen Qingfeng remained unfazed. “I did it to provoke you. If you don’t believe me, look at the photos I took myself—they predate the ones Jiang Sixun leaked.”

Lu Jianliang: “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

With things as they were, Shen Qingfeng didn’t bother to argue. Using Lu Jianbo to provoke her husband had been a risky move. One wrong step, and it could’ve been a disaster. Before heading to London, she had prepared for every possible twist and unfavorable outcome. Everything was under control—until Jiang Sixun unexpectedly tore everything apart by leaking the story himself, completely disregarding Lu Jianbo’s reputation.

By doing so, any remaining bond between father and son had been shattered.

Shen Qingfeng took it in stride. Life was about gains and losses—no one could win it all.

She’d lost her chance to enter the board, but watching the father-son relationship fall apart was a different kind of victory. The only thing she’d ever lost to Jiang Yue Ru was not having a child with Lu Jianbo.

In this life, she had two obsessions. One was making as much money as possible—there was never enough. The second was having a child with the man she loved. Just one, boy or girl, it didn’t matter.

But the latter dream was never going to come true.

If she couldn’t have it, she wouldn’t let Lu Jianbo’s son have it either.

So, Jiang Sixun’s decision to expose everything and sever ties with his father? It couldn’t have worked out better for her.

Shen Qingfeng asked Lu Jianliang, “Are you planning to divorce me? If you are, let me know in advance. I don’t really care. You know exactly what kind of person your fourth brother is. If we split, I’ll just go back to him.”

Lu Jianliang was speechless, so furious that he slammed the phone down.

After a few minutes of cooling down, he picked up his phone, now cracked but still functional. He messaged his younger brother: “Your son’s really something! Look at the mess he’s made of the Lu family. Are you proud? Let me tell you, without the Lu family, what are you? Keep your son in check!”

Lu Jianbo didn’t respond.

After waiting half an hour, with no reply, Lu Jianliang called, only to be met with the message that the phone was turned off.

Most likely, the paparazzi had bombarded him with calls.

Lu Jianliang looked again at the scandal now plastered all over the internet. There were pictures of his wife and his younger brother in compromising poses—painfully obvious. He couldn’t just leave these rumors unchecked. The old man had ordered him to clean up the mess, so he had no choice but to call in a crisis PR team.

Leaning back in his chair for a moment, he started to reflect. Was this overwhelming scandal a product of his own paranoia, or was Jiang Sixun’s scheming deeper than anyone realized?

Most people didn’t understand Jiang Sixun’s actions, thinking he had lost it. However, Xu Xiangyi knew the real motive behind it.

Jiang Sixun wanted to be at the center of the Lu family’s power, and naturally, that meant he had to be recognized as one of them. Since he had no intention of changing his surname, he used this public scandal to make sure every one of the Lu family’s business partners knew of his presence.

Everyone knew the Lu family’s business on Hong Kong Island was like navigating treacherous waters. Without ruthless tactics, no one could steer such a massive corporate ship, nor gain the respect needed to lead. Jiang Sixun had proven he could do whatever was necessary, even betray his own father without flinching, taking responsibility for his actions. By doing so, he also crushed Shen Qingfeng’s hopes of entering the board.

On top of that, the global success of Yuanwei Capital under his management in recent years was undeniable.

Ruthless and resourceful—he lacked nothing.

The board members would undoubtedly reconsider their view of Jiang Sixun as a mere playboy after this explosive incident.

It wasn’t until after 11 p.m. that Jiang Sixun finally finished up and headed over to Xu Zhiyi’s place to see her.

Xu Zhiyi hadn’t been idle either, glued to her phone and tablet for hours. Her eyes were dry, her head ached, and only after a hot bath did she feel slightly better.

Just as she was getting ready to sleep, he called, saying he was coming over.

It was a bit chilly outside, so she went to her walk-in closet for a jacket. Next to it hung a burgundy shirt, and she suddenly remembered Jiang Sixun telling her to just throw it on if she ever felt cold at home.

She put the jacket back and pulled on the shirt instead.

The sleeves were too long, completely covering her hands.

Xu Zhiyi rolled up the sleeves.

Standing on the porch steps waiting for him, she found the rolled-up sleeves a bit messy. She smoothed them down and then rolled them back up neatly.

Just as she finished, his car turned into the driveway, and the headlights were so bright she had to shield her eyes.

Jiang Sixun’s gaze locked onto the sight of her wearing his shirt, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly.

That evening, when she took his shirt home, he realized it was one he had already worn.

The shirt had traveled with him from his London home to Madrid. He had four burgundy shirts in total—three brand new and one he’d worn once. The brands, fabrics, and styles were all different, and he had packed all four to match Xu Zhiyi’s various outfits. His housekeeper had packed his luggage, stacking three of them together and the last one, the one he’d worn, had been placed separately on top of other clothes.

Out of habit, he assumed the one placed apart was the one he had worn.

But later, on closer inspection, he realized it wasn’t.

As he got out of the car, Jiang Sixun smiled as he walked toward her. “Why didn’t you wait inside?”

Xu Zhiyi extended her arms, wrapping them around him first. “Are you tired?”

“Not at all.”

Xu Zhiyi looked at him closely. “Was this cost too much, all for me?”

“What cost?”

“You used to avoid getting involved with the Lu family’s mess, but now you’ve jumped right into the thick of it.”

Jiang Sixun chuckled. “How can that be a cost? Who wouldn’t want the power that comes with running the Lu family?” He changed the subject, mentioning their plans to watch the sunrise in a nearby village. “We’re leaving at four a.m. Set an alarm.”

“Maybe we can do it another time.”

“Do you have other plans?”

Xu Zhiyi shook her head. She was just worried about him. With such a massive scandal brewing in the Lu family, who knew how things would unfold the next day?

Jiang Sixun reassured her, “It won’t be a problem. Tomorrow’s issues can be handled tomorrow. Tonight, I’m staying here. You’ve got plenty of guest rooms on the second floor—I’ll sleep there.” After a pause, he added, “My dad’s at home.”

Xu Zhiyi understood. Since he had exposed his father, it made sense to avoid a confrontation for the time being.

“Enough about that,” Jiang Sixun said. “Is there anything to eat? I haven’t had dinner yet.”

“You didn’t eat at Ning Yun’s?”

“Nope.” He reminisced about their first dinner together six years ago, when she had purposely avoided sitting next to him to keep her distance, something that must have felt awkward for her at the time.

Xu Zhiyi smiled, “The housekeeper’s already gone to bed. I’ll make you a snack.”

“Sounds good.” Jiang Sixun lowered his head to kiss her, then began buttoning up her shirt, one button at a time. “This is one I’ve worn before,” he said, then kissed her again and teased, “Want me to get you a new one?”

Xu Zhiyi smiled, “No need to change.” She wrapped her arms tighter around his waist and looked up at him. “You’ve already buttoned it up, so I guess you never intended to give me a new one anyway.”

Jiang Sixun chuckled, “You’re right. I wasn’t planning on it. I just wanted you to know—you’re wearing something I’ve worn before.”