Chapter 30 - 30: There Seems to be a Bit of a Problem
Lu Lingche didn’t defend himself, standing quietly, bearing his father’s fury.
“Do you know how those old codgers on the Board of Directors cornered me today? The corporation’s stock price plummeted, your image was severely tarnished, and now no one is supporting you! Everyone has started to question your capabilities!”
“Your eldest brother has been slandered because of you, even in death, you won’t let him rest in peace. How your brother died, is anyone else aware? Aren’t you aware? It’s all because of you! Is this how you repay him?”
“And your eldest sister-in-law, have you gone mad? How could you dare to covet her? How could you let her bear your child? Once this spreads, the Lu family will become a laughing stock of the nation!”
“You were the most intelligent one growing up, why did you become a fool as you grew older? Your older brother is entirely different from you, he’s become increasingly exceptional, he knew what to do and what not to do, he’s the true heir of the Lu family! You should never have taken over the corporation, you’re well behind your brother!”
Lu Lingche, pained by a certain comment, finally raised his eyes and said coldly, “The thing with Lan Yuyi was an accident, I never once had future plans involving her. As for my elder brother’s death, I am still investigating, he was not killed by me, I hope you would make this clear.”
Lu Mingzhen was unable to contain his rage, “Whether it was an accident or not, I want Lan Yuyi to abort the child immediately! This illegitimate child should not be allowed to stay!”
“The doctor said if she has an abortion now, she may never be able to conceive again in the future.”
“I don’t care whether she can conceive in the future or not, she must not give birth to this child! If you dare to let her keep this illegitimate offspring, you might as well relocate abroad, never to return! I will disown you as my son!”
“Then you should convince my mother first, and then convince me; my mother is set on letting her deliver this child, she’s even more enthusiastic about it than I am.”
With that, Lu Lingche turned around and exited the study.
Madam Lu, who was eavesdropping from outside the study, was caught red-handed. Just as she was about to say something, Lu Lingche spoke first, “Mother, did you hit Qiao Yin today?”
Madam Lu snorted contemptuously, “What are you getting at? Has she already complained about it to you? She hit you, what’s wrong with me hitting her back? I am her mother-in-law, she should accept the punishment without complaint and yet she turned to you instead; she lacks manners, obviously not well brought up.”
A headache throbbing at his temples, Lu Lingche said, “Didn’t I tell you that my injuries were not caused by her? Why did you have to hit her?!”
Madam Lu’s eyes widened, “Are you raising your voice at me over that woman? You think I wouldn’t know she hit you if you defended her?”
“It was grandma who hit me! I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d argue with her again!”
Madam Lu was struck dumb, her impending tirade against him stuck in her throat.
Lu Lingche didn’t want to explain any further, but he didn’t want her to kick up a fuss either, so he had to say a bit more, “Grandma found out about Lan Yuyi’s pregnancy and was furious. She wanted Lan Yuyi to abort the child, but I disagreed.”
Suddenly, Madam Lu burst into tears, “I knew it. She has always been against me, she even wants to terminate the fetus, my grandchild. Ever since I married into this family, she has always been at odds with me, constantly causing trouble. I’ve been enduring it all this time, but this time, she’s crossed the line by sidestepping me and going straight to you. She’s too bullying!”
Her crying gave Lu Lingche a splitting headache, so he closed his eyes, turned around, and walked away without uttering another word.
Seeing that her son didn’t try to soothe her this time, Madam Lu walked into the study in tears, “Mingzhen, your son has been increasingly disobedient, he no longer respects us. Aren’t you going to do something about it?”
Lu Mingzhen ignored her crying and spoke coldly, “Lingche may be young and ignorant but you, you’ve lived half of your life, have you lost all reasoning?” Madam Lu’s crying abruptly stopped, “What did you just say? Are you cursing me?”
“Lan Yuyi is pregnant with Lingche’s child, why on earth would you let her give birth to it? Can you not imagine the rumors and criticism the Lu family will face? Have you lost all your brains? Go and find her right now, tell her to abort the child!”
Madam Lu took a deep breath, stepped to the doorway and checked to see if anyone was outside, then she shut the door, walking back to Lu Mingzhen’s side.
Uncomprehending, Lu Mingzhen asked, “What are you doing?”
Madam Lu whispered so softly it was barely audible, “What if I told you, the child Lan Yuyi is carrying is actually Sheng Qing’s?”
Lu Mingzhen stood up abruptly, “What did you say?!”
“It’s true.”
Madam Lu broke into a torrent of tears, her entire being radiating enormous sadness. “The child is five months old, it’s Sheng Qing’s. Do you still want Lan Yuyi to abort it? This baby is the only memento our son left us with, Mingzhen…”
It took Lu Mingzhen quite some time to finally ask, “Does Lingche know that he’s not the father?”
Madam Lu shook her head, “In February, I don’t know how, but he ended up sleeping with Lan Yuyi, he believes the child is his.”
Lu Mingzhen’s mind was buzzing, “How can you be so certain it’s Sheng Qing’s child? What if it really is Lingche’s?”
Madam Lu spoke softly, “Yuyi told me, nothing actually happened between them that night, they both remained chaste, lingche…it seems there might be an issue with him… I secretly had a doctor examine him, he might truly be infertile.”
Lu Mingzhen slumped back into his chair, feeling like his head was about to explode, “How can this be!”