Chapter 032
Zhang Baoyi did not hold Lu Mingzhu in high regard.
She was beautiful, with snow-white skin and flower-like features, jet-black hair and crimson lips, yet her beauty was vulgar and gaudy. Her watery, peach-blossom eyes seemed to carry hooks, exuding a seductive charm. She wore large jade stud earrings, paired with a dazzling diamond watch and an emerald-green jade ring, looking as if she were desperate to pile every piece of jewelry onto her body—a clear indication of her humble origins.
Only those who suddenly rise from poverty display such ostentation; daughters of noble families are reserved and dignified.
Prominent families prioritize matching social status when arranging marriages for their sons and daughters. She would never meet Mrs. Xie’s standards; at best, she might be accepted as a secondary wife.
Zhang Baoyi assumed the demeanor of a rightful mistress, fixing her gaze solely on Xie Junyao. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes revealed just the right amount of maidenly shyness—enough to convey her feelings without compromising her dignity.
“Mr. Xie,” she repeated, her gaze fixed and utterly stubborn.
Xie Junyao frowned. “I don’t know you. Please have some self-respect.”
Before her transmigration, Lu Mingzhu had a relatively mild temper; after all, as an ordinary person with a mother to support, she could never afford to be willful no matter what happened. But now, her father was a wealthy tycoon, her godfather and god-brother were also immensely rich, her boyfriend possessed substantial assets, and she had secured the powerful patronage of He Yun. In Hong Kong, she could walk unchallenged anywhere, and thus her bad temper began to show.
With capital and power on one’s side, who would willingly endure humiliation?
Therefore, Lu Mingzhu spoke bluntly to Zhang Baoyi: “My boyfriend accompanied me here. I suggest this young lady stop deluding herself and drop that airs-of-a-matriarch act!”
Her demeanor was so obvious that anyone could see it at a glance.
Doesn’t she realize how ridiculous she looks?
Zhang Baoyi deemed it beneath her to speak with a woman who had climbed into the good graces of a wealthy young man through her beauty.
She stood tall, hands gracefully folded over her abdomen, and addressed only Xie Junyao: “Mr. Xie, with the new term about to begin, Mrs. Xie would surely be displeased to learn that you’ve brought such a woman to a solemn and dignified place like Hong Kong University.”
Before Xie Junyao could respond, Lu Mingzhu interjected, “Wait—what exactly do you mean by ‘such a woman’?”
The boy acting as a guide for Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao glanced at the pair, then shifted his gaze to Zhang Baoyi, a flicker of sarcasm passing through his eyes.
Need I even say it?
Zhang Baoyi, the foremost talent of Hong Kong University, was once again elevating her own status by belittling others with her words and actions!
This was far from the first or second time she had done such a thing.
They took pride in their lineage of Hanlin scholars and literary families, looking down on newly wealthy households as if everyone else were nouveau riche while only they remained the pure stream. It was truly disgusting!
In everyone’s eyes, she was the real joke!
Just a fallen family—her father had been a schoolteacher who, after fleeing to Hong Kong, found it difficult to continue teaching due to his lack of English. The entire family relied on an uncle who ran a construction company to make a living in Hong Kong, yet they put on airs several times greater than even the descendants of Emperor Qianlong. Unlike her, those descendants never constantly brought up their ancestral glory.
The University of Hong Kong had few students; with only a few hundred spread across three grade levels, each year had even fewer, and female students were especially scarce.
There were few girls, so everyone knew them by name and could recount their circumstances in great detail.
Basically, there were no secrets to keep.
Sure enough, upon hearing Zhang Baoyi speak disdainfully of Lu Mingzhu: “She’s nothing but a vulgar woman from a poor background trying to climb the social ladder with her beauty. In the past, she wouldn’t even have been worthy of speaking to me.”
“I come from a poor family? I’m trying to climb the social ladder?” Lu Mingzhu turned her head and pointed at her own nose while asking Xie Junyao.
Xie Junyao also found this utterly baffling.
“Don’t listen to an outsider talking nonsense to herself; there’s something wrong with her brain.” If the Lu family were considered poor, then there would hardly be any wealthy people left in the world. One must remember that Grandfather Lu’s wealth in his youth was comparable to that of the oil tycoon Rockefeller.
Foreign reports have hailed him as a great Eastern magnate, clearly showing their high regard.
Although the Lu family’s ancestors worked as compradors, they served high-ranking officials and nobility; had the imperial court not been so corrupt, with the talents of Grandfather Lu and his father, they might well have achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations.
Both father and son had studied abroad, yet neither ever took pride in it.
Xie Junyao gently shook the hand intertwined with Lu Mingzhu’s, his voice soft, “Pay no heed to irrelevant people; let’s go somewhere else to stroll.”
The more you engage, the more they entangle; why give her such an opportunity?
Xie Junyao politely turned to the male guide again and said, “Could you please lead the way for us?”
“Ah, certainly!” The young man snapped back to attention. “Our next stop is the university library. It houses a vast collection of books, as boundless as the sea, gathered and donated by people from all walks of life during the turmoil of war. Of course, the university has also purchased many volumes itself. Mr. Xie the Elder once donated tens of thousands of books to our institution, particularly foreign works and study materials. Young Mr. Xie should be quite familiar with this.”
Lu Mingzhu let out a gasp of awe, her eyes filled with admiration. “Really, Junyao?”
Xie Junyao smiled and said, “That is indeed true. My elder brother feels that leaving so many books piled up at home would only let them gather dust; donating them to the school ensures they are put to good use. Perhaps the next book you read in this library will be one donated by my brother.”
Without paying any attention to Zhang Baoyi, he simply walked away.
He left.
He was gone.
Leaving behind Zhang Baoyi, who had received no answer from Xie Junyao and was still clinging to her dignity in place.
The young man glanced back, unable to suppress a laugh as he covered his mouth.
Laughter slipped through the gaps between his fingers.
Lu Mingzhu asked curiously, “Who was that person? So strange.”
“Zhang Baoyi, her name is Zhang Baoyi. She’ll be entering the third grade this semester. She comes from an aristocratic family that produced a Hanlin scholar several generations ago—supposedly during the reign of Emperor Qianlong—who entered official service as the top imperial examination graduate. That legacy persists even now, making everyone in her family look down on others as if their eyes were set atop their heads.” The boy rattled off Zhang Baoyi’s background to Lu Mingzhu like beans pouring from a bamboo tube, also recounting some of Zhang Baoyi’s past actions.
For instance, when she happened to cross paths with the wealthy daughter of a prosperous merchant and got into an argument over some trivial matter, she dismissed the girl as merely nouveau riche, spouting remarks about the traditional social hierarchy placing scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants in order, with merchants being the lowest.
Or, upon seeing a beautiful female student associating with wealthy individuals, she would sneer that such people were golden on the outside but rotten within, attempting to change their fate through beauty alone.
Having been Zhang Baoyi’s classmate for two years, the boy possessed particularly sharp observation; he had noticed that Zhang Baoyi had developed feelings for Xie Junyao.
“Oh, right. Based on Zhang Baoyi’s past views and remarks, Mr. Xie also falls into the category of nouveau riche,” the young man added without hesitation.
Lu Mingzhu was Xie Junyao’s girlfriend; it was essential to know both oneself and the enemy.
Lu Mingzhu burst out laughing: “Really? That’s actually quite interesting!”
“People like her have something wrong up here,” the young man said, pointing to his head. “I don’t know how their family educates their children—clinging to glory from generations ago, holding stubborn prejudices against everyone else: good-looking girls must be immoral, wealthy people are merely nouveau riche, those without money are fallen gentry, and only their entire family is truly noble.”
At that time, most university students came from privileged backgrounds. The young men enjoyed discussing the women behind their backs—who was beautiful, who had a distinguished lineage, who possessed talent. If one caught their fancy, they would pursue her directly, without hesitation.
Yet, no one dared to court Zhang Baoyi, the young lady from an esteemed family.
Why?
She was beyond admiration.
After hearing this, Lu Mingzhu asked Xie Junyao, “How did you end up being targeted by someone like her?”
“I’ve never even met her; how would I know the specifics?” Xie Junyao felt utterly innocent. “It’s as if disaster fell from the sky while I was just sitting at home.”
“That young man said, ‘Isn’t Mr. Xie’s family in the property development business? Uncle Zhang Baoyi runs a construction company that contracts building projects for property developers. Perhaps she met Mr. Xie at some event while accompanying her uncle, fell for him at first sight—after all, Mr. Xie is truly handsome—and then presumptuously assumed that her favor was an honor for him.'”
Hit the nail on the head!
He spoke based on mere guesswork, unaware that he had stumbled upon the truth.
Lu Mingzhu nodded. “That’s absurd. Hearing you say that, I also think she has delusions.”
Just because she was beautiful, they claimed she came from poverty and was climbing the social ladder by attaching herself to the powerful.
Xie Junyao asked the young man, “What is your name? What kind of work do you plan to pursue after graduation?”
His eyes lit up, and he immediately replied in a loud, clear voice, “My name is Zheng Shize. My family runs a rice shop, but I wish to work in a bank; I am very interested in that field.”
Xie Junyao smiled gently and said, “You will surely get what you wish for.”
Zheng Shize rubbed his hands together with delight.
Of course, he knew that Xie Junyao’s elder brother
was a shareholder and director of Yongfeng Bank; that was precisely why he had single-handedly outmaneuvered several students who had volunteered as guides to successfully break through.
All this was done to get closer to Xie Junyao and leave a favorable impression on him.
After leaving the school and getting into the car, Lu Mingzhu turned to Xie Junyao, who was at the wheel, and asked, “Making such a promise to Zheng Shize—won’t your eldest brother beat you for it? You’re really causing him trouble.”
Xie Junyao shook his head. “No, he won’t. Eldest Brother also hopes talented individuals will join the bank.”
Students from Hong Kong University were, after all, first-rate talents.
Lu Mingzhu nodded in understanding.
After a pause, she asked again, “Do you really not know Zhang Baoyi?”
“No, I don’t,” Xie Junyao replied decisively. After a moment’s thought, he added, “But I have heard that name before.”
Lu Mingzhu raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“Let me tell you about my family,” Xie Junyao said. He had always believed that couples should be honest with each other; only after clarifying everything could Lu Mingzhu understand how she ought to treat those relatives who disgusted him. So he recounted his experiences one by one, including how Mrs. Xie had agreed to something with Mrs. Zhang, only for him to refuse it.
After listening, Lu Mingzhu had just one thought: she wanted to say his mother was truly insane. But the words that actually came out were, “How could your mother be like this? I never would have expected it.”
It didn’t sound like postpartum depression; rather, it seemed like a classic case of bullying the kind and fearing the ruthless.
Xie Junyao, who ached for her!
The shadows of childhood take a lifetime to heal.
She must remember to bring him warmth in the future.
Xie Junyao said, “After my eldest brother discovered me, I lived well and never suffered again. To me, he is both father and elder brother; our bond is deep. Once he finishes the pile of work before him, shall I take you to meet him?”
“Great!” Meeting the parents is only proper.
Xie Junyao had already met Lu’s father.
Pleased by Lu Mingzhu’s crisp response, Xie Junyao added, “The construction company owned by Uncle Zhang Baoyi should be called Shengshi Construction. They performed reasonably well before, but after I spoke with my elder brother, he decided we would no longer award them any construction projects—not only those from Gaofeng Real Estate, but also from Shengfeng Real Estate.”
Lu Mingzhu clapped her hands in approval. “Once I get home, I’ll tell my elder brother and my old man to blacklist this company as well.”
“Blacklist?” Xie Junyao repeated the word, finding it apt, then asked, “Mr. Wang is in the real estate business, so it makes sense to tell him. But what about Uncle Lu? He never entered that line of work.”
Lu Mingzhu smiled. “Mr. He came to Hong Kong and went straight into real estate. Did you really think my father would let that industry slip through his fingers?”
Those without capital first build their initial fortune through small-scale businesses before venturing into real estate, but Lu’s father already had money.
And not just ordinary wealth.
Simply passing the interview would earn you an entire building as a reward!
Lu Mingzhu urged Xie Junyao, “Let’s go! We’re heading to the Hong Kong Hotel to ask my father for our reward!”
Xie Junyao replied, “Alright!”
He had noticed a pattern: whenever his girlfriend was upset, she referred to her father as “that old man,” but when she was happy, she called him “dear dad” or “papa.” Clearly, she was in high spirits right now—after all, an entire building was practically waving at her.
This time, Father Lu was indeed at the hotel.
He did not stay with any of the concubines, but instead occupied the presidential suite alone, not even sharing the same floor with them.
Dressed casually yet exceptionally refined, just as he would be at home.
Lu Mingzhu paid no heed to the alluring third concubine leaning against him and acting coquettishly; she pulled the admission letter from her handbag, pressed it into her father’s hands, and stated solemnly, “Father, I passed the interview. Please honor your promise.”
The third concubine had originally intended to cling to Mr. Lu and demand a set of jewelry she had long coveted, caring little whether Lu Mingzhu was present or not.
But there was an unfamiliar, handsome young man.
Tsk!
Stunningly handsome.
He’s not the least bit inferior to Father Lu in his youth.
The Third Concubine, clinging to her status, hastily moved away from Father Lu and assumed a dignified posture while secretly sizing up Xie Junyao.
Lu Mingzhu watched with a mischievous smile. “Third Concubine, we’ve lived together for eighteen years. Now that I’ve been admitted to the University of Hong Kong, shouldn’t you show some appreciation? If not for my sake, then at least for my old man’s!”
The Third Concubine was naturally unwilling. “What am I supposed to express? On what grounds?”
She wasn’t even as wealthy as Lu Mingzhu!
Not counting all the things Father Lu had bought for her over the years, the inheritance from the First Wife alone would have been enough to make her the richest woman in the country.
Lu Mingzhu snorted. “It’s precisely because you stripped the Lu family bare when you left. You deliberately abandoned me; you must have planned it together, unanimously keeping me in the dark. Had any of you simply informed me, I wouldn’t have had to embark on such a miserable journey with Ping’an, nor would I now be forced to live under another’s roof.”
“What nonsense about being miserable and wretched! Didn’t you say you were boarding a luxury cruise liner?” The Third Concubine, unable to win the argument, turned to Master Lu and pleaded pitifully, “Master, just look at the Eighth Young Lady!”
Master Lu did not glance at the Eighth Young Lady; his eyes were fixed on the admission letter.
Entirely in English.
Genuine and authentic, with no falsehoods.
He said to Lu Mingzhu with great satisfaction, “Good, good! That cleverness of yours is just like mine.”
“What about the reward?” Lu Mingzhu had come specifically for the reward.
Lu’s father had no intention of breaking his promise and stated directly, “Mr. He Yun’s company has a construction development project in Happy Valley. I will purchase ten buildings there; fairly and squarely, each of you seven siblings will receive one building.”
“What about the remaining three buildings? Wasn’t the reward supposed to be different? How did it end up being just one building per person?”
Surprisingly, Lu Ping’an wasn’t included at all.
Damn it!
Then Lu’s father said, “One building for Ping’an, one for me to live in with your grandmother and several concubines, and the remaining one is your reward. You get two buildings all to yourself; aren’t you delighted?”
Lu Mingzhu exclaimed in awe, “Dad, you’re being so generous.”
So generous that she found it hard to believe.
Come, let her calculate the cost of ten buildings.
Wang Bohui had later mentioned this project: 50,000 yuan per floor, five floors per building making 250,000 yuan, thus ten buildings totaling 2.5 million yuan.
The third concubine complained discontentedly, “Master, why does the Eighth Miss exclusively own two buildings? Even Ping’an has a share. What about the other ladies who married in Shanghai and didn’t come to Hong Kong—do they get nothing?”
The Lu family married off four daughters, one of whom was her own child; naturally, she had to secure advantages for her.
Mr. Lu replied indifferently, “Daughters who marry are like water spilled out; each now has a husband and children. Do you expect their natal family to keep subsidizing their in-laws every day? Before leaving Shanghai, I did leave something for each of the four sisters. Why didn’t you say back then that Mingzhu received nothing? Moreover, I promised a reward if Mingzhu gained admission to university, and I always keep my word.”
“Exactly! When Father divided the property before his departure, I wasn’t given any share. What’s wrong with receiving something this time? If you have the ability, then let your own child gain admission to the University of Hong Kong!” Lu Mingzhu knew that among the children born to the several concubines, only Lu Changgen showed slight promise; the rest were utterly disappointing.
It was indeed strange.
All those half-siblings had somehow perfectly avoided inheriting their parents’ excellent genes.
They were all good-looking, but only by ordinary standards; compared to the exceptionally handsome Father Lu and the strikingly beautiful concubines, they fell far short, and none could even begin to compare with Lu Mingzhu’s own beauty.
They could only be considered of average appearance.
Their academic performance was the same; from childhood to adulthood, it was neither good nor bad, and none of them managed to get into university.
Perhaps because they were unremarkable in every aspect, they married early—the sons took wives, the daughters were given in marriage—and one after another, they had children, hoping the next generation would change their circumstances.
Father Lu commanded such formidable authority that once he spoke, the Third Concubine dared not show her dissatisfaction again.
Fortunately, Father Lu had always doted most on the children born to her, showering them with affection in every way. Back then, Lu Mingzhu could only look on with envy; now, receiving a bit more of the family fortune wasn’t so unbearable after all.
After settling matters with the Third Concubine, Lu Mingzhu turned to her father, sizing him up from head to toe.
“What are you looking at?” Lu’s father felt something was off.
Lu Mingzhu asked, “Dad, are you planning to live in Happy Valley?”
Not buying a mansion on the Peak? That doesn’t align with Father Lu’s character!
He demands perfection in every aspect of life—clothing, food, housing, and transportation—always insisting on the very best and never settling for less.
Moreover, given his immense wealth, affording a Peak mansion is hardly an issue; the cost of just ten buildings he owns could purchase several ultra-luxurious estates.
Father Lu let out an “Oh,” then explained, “I dislike living in houses previously occupied by others. That’s why I’m staying at a hotel for now. I’ve purchased several new buildings; once they’re renovated, I’ll move in temporarily until my grand house, currently under construction on newly acquired land, is ready.”
Lu Mingzhu was so impressed that she bowed deeply in admiration: “Where do you plan to build the building, Father?”
“On Kotewall Road,” her father replied.
Lu Mingzhu’s immediate reaction slipped out before she could stop herself: “So you’re planning to become neighbors with Mr. Minghui? Well, that makes sense; you two are kindred spirits, always seeing eye to eye.”
Her father, who had been about to hand back the admission letter, rolled it into a tube at her words and tapped her forehead lightly. “No respect for your elders.”
Just because he left her behind when departing Shanghai, her temper has grown worse, and her tongue has become sharper.
Of course, she has also become much livelier.
Lu Mingzhu snatched back her admission letter, put on a pitiful expression, and said, “You don’t know, I ran into trouble at the University of Hong Kong.”
“What trouble?” Her father instantly sat up straight.
He also has a few friends employed at the University of Hong Kong who can stand up for his daughter.
Lu Mingzhu pursed her lips and said miserably, “I ran into a young lady from an aristocratic family; she had such an air about her. She claimed I came from poverty and that befriending Xie Junyao was me reaching above my station.”
“What a joke! How could the Xie family compare to our Lu family?” Before Xie Junhao took over the Xie household, they weren’t even worthy of holding our shoes!
Lu Mingzhu continued, “I know exactly why she looks down on me.”
“What reason?” Not only Lu’s father, but even the Third Concubine felt extremely curious.
Lu Mingzhu was breathtakingly beautiful and exuded an air of nobility. Although she wore simple, plain student attire, each of her few accessories was exceedingly valuable. How blind would one have to be to mistake her for someone from a impoverished background?
Lu Mingzhu stated resolutely, “It must be because she thinks my jewelry is too cheap! Father, look; Third Concubine, look—this watch is an old item, this ring is also an old piece, and the jade surface on these earrings I’m wearing is far too small; I only dug them out to match the ring. They’re simply not presentable enough for grand occasions. That’s why people think I come from poverty. How pitiful I am.”
Sima Zhao’s heart was known to every passerby.
Her father remained unresponsive, but the Third Concubine was utterly stunned.
Never in a million years would anyone have expected Lu Mingzhu to be so shameless. Already owning two buildings worth 500,000 yuan wasn’t enough for her; she actually had the audacity to ask her father for jewelry!
Anything superior to what she already wore would undoubtedly be extraordinary jewels.
The jade stud earrings were modest enough—indeed quite small, no larger than a thumbnail, each encircled by tiny diamonds, delicate and exquisite. They had been crafted years ago from leftover jade scraps after her father commissioned Cartier to create jewelry for her mother, later repurposed into minor adornments for Lu Mingzhu. However, the diamond watch was custom-made, and the jade ring was unmistakably an antique from the Qing imperial collection—both exceedingly precious.
Having lived in this household for many years, the Third Concubine had long since honed a keen eye for such treasures.
Xie Junyao suppressed a smile, finding Lu Mingzhu utterly endearing.
Though she constantly demanded goods and money from her father, displaying a hint of insatiability, she somehow managed to avoid giving off an impression of greed.
Her eyes were bright, her expression frank, radiating an air of openness and clarity.
Xie Junyao quietly hid his hand behind his back, preventing Lu’s father from noticing the jade thumb ring he wore.
What if he’s discovered and refuses to give anything to Lu Mingzhu?
Lu Mingzhu didn’t notice his subtle gesture; instead, she struck a pose reminiscent of Xi Shi clutching her heart. “Father, dear father, Dad, don’t you think I’m pitiful? Your precious daughter, the legitimate eldest lady born of your first wife, hailed as Shanghai’s foremost beauty, is actually being looked down upon like this.”
Although Lu’s father knew perfectly well she was pretending, he couldn’t help but fall for it anyway.
This youngest daughter had never before acted so coquettishly toward him.
“I don’t have any particularly fine treasures on hand at the moment,” Lu’s father said, unsurprised to see disappointment cross Lu Mingzhu’s face.
“How could that be?” Lu Mingzhu refused to believe it.
Lu’s father glanced at Xie Junyao. “Because I have pledged a large portion of my precious artifacts and antiques to several banks for a three-year term, securing ten million US dollars.”
Lu Mingzhu gasped, “What?”
Her voice instantly rose in pitch.
Father Lu chuckled lightly, “If I can’t repay this sum in three years, those precious antiques you’re so fond of will belong to the bank.”
“Why did you pledge so much money?” Lu Mingzhu didn’t believe her father was short of funds. Given his shrewdness and long-standing plans to leave Shanghai, he had likely already transferred all his liquid assets overseas.
Shanghai has foreign-funded banks.
Xie Junyao, however, remarked, “Uncle Lu is indeed shrewd; not only can you secure funds for investment, but the bank can also safeguard your precious antiques and treasures that currently have no safe place to be stored.”
Lu Mingzhu instantly realized, “Brilliant, Dad!”
She had just learned a valuable trick.
Lu’s father shook his head, pointing a finger vaguely at her. “You still have much to learn!”
“Just teach Ping’an then; pass on all your skills to him. As for me, I’m done,” Lu Mingzhu declared, planning to take it easy. She had no intention of risking her life striving for success; after all, she wasn’t short of money and could live comfortably without effort. “However, just because you’ve pawned the treasures to the bank doesn’t mean you can abandon me. There’s still a small portion left!”
Lu’s father was nearly speechless. “How can you not forget about that?”
Lu Mingzhu looked at him. “I have a good memory; I can’t forget.”
Lu’s father thought carefully for a moment. “There’s a pair of earrings and a necklace; I’ll get them for you shortly.”
Lu Mingzhu hadn’t expected her request to succeed, and joy lit up her face. “Thank you, Dad! You’re the best!”
The kindest man under heaven.
When Lu’s father brought out the diamond earrings and a diamond necklace, the Third Concubine immediately turned green with envy.
She had begged for so long without success, yet Lu Mingzhu could take them away with just a single sentence.
Lu Mingzhu stood stunned.
The diamonds in the earrings and necklace were enormous!
Each earring featured a round diamond linked to a pear-shaped one, unbelievably large; each pear-shaped stone weighed at least 20 carats, matching the main pear-shaped diamond on the necklace as a set.
The diamond in the necklace pendant was larger and more brilliant, crystal clear, weighing at least 40 carats.
Lu Mingzhu held it in her hands, unable to conceal her astonishment. “How magnificent, Father.”
She had never seen such a large diamond before.
Indeed, bigger truly looks better.
So beautiful.
So beautiful.
No wonder those super-wealthy ladies always buy big diamonds.
The Third Concubine said sourly, “Isn’t it impressive? The Second Concubine wanted it, the Fourth Concubine wanted it, and I wanted it too. We pestered the Master for half the day, yet he gave nothing to us—instead, he gave it to you, the newcomer.”
Lu Mingzhu quickly asked Xie Junyao for help to swap the jadeite stud earrings for diamond ones, then put on the necklace.
As she moved, light danced and colors shimmered.
Already beautiful, she now exuded even greater nobility; truly, she was the flower of worldly wealth and honor.
Lu Father looked up and immediately spotted the jadeite thumb ring on Xie Junyao’s hand. Squinting for a few seconds, he confirmed it was one of the old master’s treasured possessions, and instantly roared, “Unfilial daughter! Didn’t you say this thumb ring didn’t exist? Then what is Xiao Xie wearing on his hand?”
“He wasn’t wearing anything; his hands held only air.” Lu Mingzhu grabbed Xie Junyao and ran outside.
They did not stay behind to bear the old man’s fury.
After running out of the hotel, the two stopped, looked at each other, and burst into laughter together.
“This trip wasn’t in vain,” Lu Mingzhu said cheerfully, slipping the jade ring Xie Junyao handed her into her handbag, along with the flat jewelry box containing the diamond earrings and necklace from earlier.
Bathed in the sunlight from outside, the diamond sparkled even more brilliantly, almost blinding to the eye.
Lu Mingzhu touched the pendant of her necklace. “A fine horse deserves a fine saddle; this outfit does not do justice to these diamonds. Come with me to the foreign firm and see if there are any lovely dresses.”
Exposing the neck.
Only when worn snugly against the neck can a diamond truly reveal its unparalleled beauty.
Upon arriving at Wangu Department Store, Lu Mingzhu’s eyes immediately fell upon a Chanel little black dress; she purchased it on the spot and changed into it right there in the store.
When she emerged from the fitting room, the shop assistant was utterly astonished.
So stunning!
The black dress featured an open neckline and sleeveless design, hugging her figure tightly. Her bare arms were as fair and luminous as snow, accentuating her curvaceous silhouette. Paired with a brilliantly fiery large diamond, she exuded an aura of unparalleled elegance, breathtakingly beautiful enough to captivate a nation.
Xie Junyao gazed at her, utterly mesmerized.
“Mingzhu, you are truly beautiful,” he murmured after a moment of stunned silence.
Lu Mingzhu looked at herself in the mirror, equally satisfied with her outfit. “This is the one.”
A luxury brand truly is a luxury brand; it undeniably possesses both design flair and quality texture.
That much must be admitted.
Xie Junyao didn’t rush to pay the bill. Instead, he asked, “Aren’t you going to look at anything else? Leather shoes, handbags, perfume, lipstick, cosmetics—they all look quite nice.”
I’ve done my research; these are all beloved by girls.
Lu Mingzhu nodded. “Just pair them with a small pair of black leather shoes; I have everything else. Sister Xuan gave me so many that I later shared some with my godmother and sister-in-law, yet still have plenty left unopened and unused.”
Xie Junyao selected a delicate pair of small leather shoes in her size, squatted down, and helped her put them on.
Her feet were equally beautiful.
Her proportions were perfectly balanced, neither too large nor too small, beautiful as if carved from white jade; only her toenails resembled tiny pink petals, gleaming with luster.
Lu Mingzhu did not sit to change her shoes; she stood on one foot, resting a hand on Xie Junyao’s shoulder as she swapped the shoe on that foot, then the other.
“Done?” she asked Xie Junyao.
“Done.” Reluctantly, Xie Junyao slipped the leather shoes onto her feet.
The young saleswoman beside her praised, “Miss, you are truly so fortunate. Your boyfriend is so considerate and gentle, and incredibly generous too. He chose the most expensive leather shoes in our department store—handcrafted worldwide as a limited edition, soft and comfortable, never rubbing your feet.”
Lu Mingzhu pressed her lips together in a smile. “I feel very happy too.”
Just then, someone entered from outside.
Two young girls.
One of them said to the girl walking ahead, “Those shoes are beautiful; only you deserve to wear them.”
Lu Mingzhu found the voice familiar. Following the sound, she looked over and broke into a smile.
“Hey, Sister Seven, hello!” The young girl walking ahead was none other than Lu Feifei, the seventh daughter of the Lu family born to the Fourth Concubine. Against Wang Xiuyi’s presence, she appeared exceptionally delicate and beautiful.
She could not compare to Lu Mingzhu, but standing beside Wang Xiuyi made all the difference.
The original occupant of this body often wondered: during their school days, was Lu Feifei so close to Wang Xiuyi simply because she needed Wang Xiuyi to make herself look better by comparison?
Lu Mingzhu now thought the same.
Otherwise, they would not have immediately mingled together after arriving in Hong Kong.
Lu Feifei had long heard from Wang Xiuyi about Lu Mingzhu’s arrival in Hong Kong and had subtly informed her mother and brother. Thus, seeing Lu Mingzhu now came as no surprise; what she hadn’t expected was how much more beautiful Mingzhu had become.
Like a bright pearl wiped clean of dust, she suddenly radiated brilliant light, illuminating the world.
Lu Feifei had always been jealous of Mingzhu’s beauty; now, her envy turned to outright resentment.
“Have you been to the Xiangjiang Grand Hotel where we stayed?” She immediately recognized the diamond necklace and matching earrings around Lu Mingzhu’s neck. “Did Father give them to you? Did you go see Father?”
In fact, it wasn’t just the several concubines who desired this set of diamond jewelry; she wanted it too.
Such large diamonds would inevitably draw envy from all quarters when worn in public.
Lu Feifei also wished to become the center of attention in any crowd.
Unfortunately, no matter how others praised her, she knew deep down that she could never compare to Lu Mingzhu; in both appearance and talent, Lu Mingzhu was simply the most outstanding of all.
“Oriental Pearl” was not an empty compliment.
The gap between them was simply too vast; jealousy often turns into helplessness, much like Lu Feifei’s current state of mind.
Noticing a hint of this, Lu Mingzhu put on a pitiful expression: “Seventh Sister, I have no choice but to seek out Father. When I went to school, I met a young lady from an aristocratic family who looked down on me for my impoverished background. Unlike you girls who have always been by Father’s side, I can only occasionally find him once or twice to pour out my troubles. It was only because he felt sorry for me that Father bestowed this diamond set upon me.”
Lu Feifei exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this, “What noble daughter of an esteemed family? What kind of eyesight do you have? Even if you were dressed in tattered rags, you still wouldn’t look like a beggar!”
“I’ll just take that as Sister Seven complimenting me,” Lu Mingzhu immediately replied with a cheerful grin.
Among the Lu family’s concubines, the Third Concubine was the most endearing—frank and straightforward, without much malice. Yet among the half-siblings sharing the same father, it was the children born to the Fourth Concubine who were truly delightful: for instance, Seventh Brother Lu Changgen, sensible and adept at handling affairs; or Seventh Sister Lu Feifei standing before me; and also Little Fatty Lu Changzhi, Ninth Brother to Lu Mingzhu.
The Fourth Concubine herself was deeply scheming, yet her children were quite the opposite—fundamentally good-natured.
Lu Feifei felt somewhat uneasy. “I won’t talk with you anymore; I’ve come to buy shoes.”
“Don’t tell me you’re buying the very shoes on my feet?” Lu Mingzhu lifted her foot to show her. “I recall we wear the same size.”
Lu Feifei turned her head and asked Wang Xiuyi, “Which pair of shoes are you talking about?”
“It’s that pair of shoes,” Wang Xiuyi whispered, not daring to look up at Lu Mingzhu or Lu Feifei. One had He Yun as her protector, the other had Father Lu as her backing; neither could be offended.
The last time she spoke out of turn, her mother scolded her thoroughly upon returning home, saying she had offended someone she shouldn’t have.
The shop assistant hurried over and said, “Our firm has other styles of shoes; Miss, you may take a look.”
She spoke in English, which Lu Feifei could hardly understand.
She was an outright academic failure; among the entire family, her grades were the worst, limited specifically to foreign language studies, while her performance in Chinese was merely average.
Seeing Lu Feifei’s bewildered expression, Lu Mingzhu casually told her in Shanghainese, then sighed, “Seventh Sister, later you should ask Father to arrange a translator for you.”
Lu Feifei blushed. “It’s none of your business!”
“Alright, you two carry on shopping; we’ll be heading off first!” Lu Mingzhu paid no heed to her current attitude, nor did she have any intention of introducing Xie Junyao to her.
Lu Feifei, however, took a glance, her eyes filled with awe.
The young man before her was the most handsome she had ever seen, without exception.
After all, Father Lu is old and cannot compare.
“Damn luck!” Only after Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao had left did she mutter aloud, then turning to Wang Xiuyi with an air of command: “Didn’t you live in Hong Kong for several years? You tell the shop assistant what I want to buy.”
Wang Xiuyi agreed.
While they were selecting their desired foreign goods, Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao sat in the Western restaurant enjoying a fine meal.
Having received two buildings and a set of diamond jewelry today, Lu Mingzhu was in high spirits; when ordering, she chose only the finest dishes. “I wonder which industry my father is investing so much money in.”
Xie Junyao smiled. “Whichever industry it is, it will be an arena for Uncle Lu to display his prowess.”
Among the people his elder brother admired most was Lu’s father.
He said that although Lu indulged in luxury, he was shrewd, cunning, deep, and calculating, possessing the ability to anticipate his opponents’ moves in everything he did. His departure from Shanghai to Hong Kong this time surely indicated his pessimism about the domestic market.
Someone came to persuade his eldest brother to return to the country to support national construction. His brother had initially been somewhat inclined, but now he has completely abandoned the idea.
She donated a considerable amount of money and goods, thereby forging a bond of goodwill.
Lu Mingzhu cared little about her father’s investment directions; as long as he provided her with spending money, that was enough. In the future, she would need to strengthen their ties even further and milk him for all he was worth—one such haul could sustain her efforts for half a lifetime.
No, in fact, a lifetime of hard work might not even suffice to purchase two buildings and a large diamond set.
However, the Liang-Zhu script must be completed.
Lu Mingzhu had nearly finished writing; after polishing the draft, only the final copying remained. That evening, after returning home from the movie with Xie Junyao and seeing him off, she enlisted Lu Ping’an as free labor.
His handwriting was better than hers.
Lu Ping’an even muttered, “Auntie, how has your handwriting gotten worse?”
Lu Mingzhu remained composed: “My hand hurts; it’s trembling as I write.”
“Oh.” Lu Ping’an could never have imagined that transmigration was possible, so he naturally harbored no suspicions. As he spread out the manuscript paper and bent over his desk to copy, he effortlessly multitasked: “Auntie, let me tell you something. Please don’t get angry.”
“It depends on what the matter is,” Lu Mingzhu said.
If anyone ever wronged her, she would surely be angry—not just angry, but vengeful.
That’s just how narrow-minded she was.
Lu Ping’an lifted his eyes to look at her and said softly, “I met Grandfather this afternoon. Eldest Uncle took me to see him. The old gentleman has set up a business estate in my name.”
Lu Mingzhu assumed he was referring to one of the ten buildings at Happy Valley, so she smiled and said, “I know; the old man told me about it. I have a share too. Ping’an, if he gives it to you, just accept it. It’s all rightfully yours. Don’t stand on ceremony with him, and I won’t be upset either. You truly live up to your name—far too cautious and careful. There’s no need for that.”
In families steeped in feudal thinking, daughters received no share of the family estate; inheritance went almost entirely to the eldest son and his legitimate heirs.
Things are much better now.
The old man truly did not treat her poorly.
Hearing this, Lu Ping’an broke into a wide grin. “Auntie, you’re so wonderful!”
“Of course I am!” Lu Mingzhu lifted her chin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’m the best in the world, so when you grow up and start earning money, remember to be filial to me. And right now, the greatest way to show that filial piety is by helping me copy these manuscripts.”
“Alright!”
It took Lu Ping’an two evenings to finish transcribing everything.
Lu Mingzhu organized the pages and mailed them to Ruyi Film Company; despite living nearby, she did not deliver them in person.
As a writer, one must maintain an air of mystery.
She gave herself the pen name “Dafeng,” as in “The great wind rises, clouds soar.”
It sounds rather masculine.
In the blink of an eye, time moved from August into September.
September 1st, rent collection day.
Lu Mingzhu called her father, asking him to send two bodyguards to accompany her for collecting rents. She wanted the tenants to know they had a stunningly beautiful landlord and become familiar with her face.
Although Lu’s father practically lived in his hotel, he still possessed everything one could need.
Bodyguards, luxury cars.
A new Mercedes-Benz, just purchased by Father Lu, who had directly instructed the driver to bring it over to pick her up.
Lu Mingzhu was not dressed in opulence, yet she carried an undeniable presence.
Entering one of the tong lau buildings, she began collecting rent from the first floor. The two shop owners—a small restaurant and a pharmacy specializing in treating bruises and sprains—were doing well and had diligently paid their rent and utility bills.
Utility fees were shared equally among the upstairs households, with the ground-floor shops paying more, as the former landlord, Uncle Li, had once explained to Lu Mingzhu.
During the property viewing, he also introduced Lu Mingzhu to some of the tenants and informed them about the change in landlord. However, not all tenants were home at the time, so Lu Mingzhu only met a portion of them.
Going up to the second floor and knocking on the door, Lu Mingzhu smiled.
Do you know who the tenant is?
It’s Zhang Baoyi, that wealthy young lady who kept claiming at Hong Kong University that she came from a poor background!
She gazed at Lu Mingzhu and lost her composure.