Chapter 10: If You Don't Like Them, Don't Give Them Any Hope

At nine o'clock in the evening, after dropping off Qian Mu, Gu Yao returned to her apartment complex, parked her car, and headed upstairs.

Just seconds after her figure disappeared into the stairwell, the Maybach that had been idling not far from the entrance pulled slowly away.

Xu Linze called. Lu Zheng answered, keeping the phone on speaker as he drove.

Soon, Xu Linze’s voice filled the car: "Mr. Lu, I’ve checked. Like Ms. Gu, Qian Mu is also from Lincheng. Furthermore, his family address is in the same neighborhood as Auntie Han’s hometown house. Ms. Gu and he must have known each other since childhood. Additionally, according to the files, Qian Mu is currently single."

This information was not difficult to obtain; a quick look at the resumes of Qian Mu and Han Yuncai confirmed it.

Lu Zheng’s expression remained indifferent upon hearing the findings. He pressed the end-call button.

At nine-thirty, Lu Zheng arrived at the old family estate.

Han Yuncai had just stepped out of the old lady's room. She was surprised to see Lu Zheng as she descended the stairs. "Xiao Zheng is back? You didn't give any notice. Have you eaten yet?"

Lu Zheng had intended to say he had, but he paused, reconsidering. "Not yet. Auntie Han, could I trouble you to make some potato shredded pancakes?"

Han Yuncai was the old lady’s caregiver; cooking for the rest of the household was not part of her duties. Lu Zheng knew of her potato pancakes only because he had tasted them in the past, thanks to Gu Yao. They were delicious.

Hearing his request, Han Yuncai’s face softened into a look of concern. She looked at him and hurriedly agreed, "Oh, it’s no trouble at all. I’ll make them for you right now. You young people—why don't you eat on time? You’ll ruin your stomachs!"

She turned back toward the kitchen. As she passed him, she added, "Go upstairs and rest for a moment. I’ll call you when they’re ready."

Lu Zheng nodded obediently, his demeanor gentle and respectful, which pleased Han Yuncai greatly. "Alright, thank you, Auntie Han."

With that, he headed upstairs.

He went first to the room of Old Mrs. Lu. She was awake, lying in bed with an IV drip. Seeing her grandson, the old lady’s face lit up with a kind smile. Her first question was whether he had eaten.

Lu Zheng answered truthfully, "Not yet. I ran into Auntie Han downstairs, and she offered to make something for me."

Old Mrs. Lu nodded, though she still cautioned, "That’s fine, but in the future, if this happens again, ask the couple, Xiao Wu and his wife. Your Auntie Han has been caring for me all day and is exhausted; don't bother her."

Lu Zheng maintained his submissive posture and nodded. "I understand, Grandma."

Old Mrs. Lu nodded in satisfaction. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she looked at him and said, "Oh, that reminds me. Little Gu Yao has moved out. The child has great ambition—she wants to start her own company and go into wholesale food ingredients. You should keep an eye on things when you have time; don't let anyone bully her."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng’s hand, which had been adjusting the old lady’s quilt, faltered. A flash of sharp intensity crossed his eyes, but he quickly hid it.

He looked up at his grandmother. "I know, Grandma. Gu Yao... has she not come to visit you these past few days?"

Old Mrs. Lu laughed helplessly. "No. She’s only been gone a few days, why would she come back? I heard she's busy renovating the shop right now. She’s so busy that even her calls with Auntie Han are hurried."

After she finished, a hint of mockery flickered in Lu Zheng’s eyes. *Indeed,* he thought. *She doesn't have time to call Auntie Han, but she has plenty of time to eat and shop with other men!*

"By the way," Old Mrs. Lu’s voice pulled Lu Zheng back to the present. She gestured for him to help her sit up. Once settled, she looked at her handsome grandson—the kind who naturally attracted girls—with a serious expression. "Tell me the truth, what exactly is the situation between you and that Yuan Yuan from the Liu family?"

"Liu Yuan?" Lu Zheng raised his eyes, puzzled. "There is no situation. Why do you ask?"

Hearing this, the old lady frowned, looking displeased. "No situation? She’s been running over here every day since I returned. It seems the servants, and even your parents, have been trying to pair you two up. What’s going on? Are you not together?"

"Or is it that she likes you, but you’ve been keeping her on a string? If you had clearly rejected her, why would she come here every day?"

"The rumors are spreading, and they don't sound good."

The old lady spoke at length, and by the end, she was slightly breathless. Lu Zheng immediately picked up a cup of water and held it to her lips. Once her breathing steadied, he explained sincerely, "Grandma, I have always rejected her. My parents know this. She only comes here to see Lu Ning; she isn't here for me."

"As for the gossip, I will make it clear to the family again tomorrow."

Lu Ning was the young daughter of Lu Zheng’s second uncle, and she was the same age as Gu Yao.

Hearing this, the dissatisfaction on Old Mrs. Lu’s face eased. She set the cup aside and said earnestly, "That’s good. If you don't like her, don't give her any hope. We don't want rumors spreading; it isn't good for our family or theirs."

After a two-second silence, her expression turned blank as she added, "Besides, I don't really like that girl. She is clever, but her motives are too winding and complicated. She isn't easy to get along with."

Lu Zheng sat by the side, listening with a calm, indifferent expression; he even felt a bit bored.

Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked it and saw it was a message from Han Yuncai. He stood up and said to his grandmother, "Grandma, Auntie Han is calling me down for dinner."

Old Mrs. Lu urged him on, "Then go quickly."

However, just as he reached the door, she called out to him again. "Oh, and a batch of fresh strawberries and cherries arrived from the farm today. Take some with you when you leave tomorrow morning, and have someone send some to little Yao as well."

Lu Zheng stood at the door, listening intently. He nodded obediently. "Alright, I understand!"

With that, he turned and closed the door.

The long hallway outside was quiet. Lu Zheng stood there for a moment and let out a long sigh. He turned his head toward the window; the bright glass reflected the man’s gloomy features. After a long while, a self-mocking sneer appeared on his sharp-contoured face.

"Lu Zheng, after planning in the shadows for so many years, what are you shrinking away from in fear?"

The deep voice echoed softly in the empty corridor. Outside, the night was as black as ink, giving the atmosphere an inexplicably chilling feel.

A moment later, the sound of footsteps rang out as the man walked away.

Several minutes later, he appeared in the dining room downstairs. Han Yuncai heard him and looked over, smiling when she saw it was Lu Zheng. "It's ready. Come and eat. I’ll clean up afterward."

The gloom had vanished from Lu Zheng’s face. Facing Han Yuncai, his attitude was nothing short of respectful. "Alright, thank you for your hard work, Auntie Han!"