Chapter 5: How Much Is Left of the Lu Family’s Fortune?

Treasure Hunt: Cat’s Eye Emerald Detected!

Above Lu Jianwei’s head, the panel revealed Zhu Tingting’s avatar. The cat’s eye emerald, hidden beneath her shirt collar, glimmered with a vibrant green light. Lu Jianwei hadn’t expected her system to possess such a function. The dazzling panel floated in the air, visible only to her.

Someone nearest Zhu Tingting turned and caught a glimpse of the emerald necklace concealed beneath her shirt—bright green, lively, floating with spirit, dazzling to the eye.

“Oh, how beautiful, it glows green!”

“It’s fake, it’s fake!” Zhu Tingting cried out in terror.

“Fake or not, why don’t you take it out and let us see?” Lu Jianwei sneered.

That necklace belonged to the Lu family.

Who knew how much gold, jewelry, and money Zhu Xinfang had smuggled from the Lu family back to the Zhu household? Because the Zhu family had no legitimate business, even while living in luxury, they were classified as city paupers.

Now, Lu Jianwei had found her path to survival. Even if she couldn’t tie herself forever to Gu Huaizheng, she would find a way to exchange with him. No matter what, she was determined to live.

The thorn in her flesh must be removed.

If the Lu family did not fall, the Zhu family would never stop hunting them.

Lu Jianwei never claimed to be gentle—especially since any trouble for the Lu family would mean ruin.

Zhu Tingting, like a beaten dog, fled from the scene. Lu Jianwei delivered a parting blow: “Who would have guessed the Zhu family possessed such depth, to have treasures like that? I heard their official status is city pauper.”

“If Zhu Tingting is a city pauper, then I’m not even fit to be a beggar.”

“It’s truly unexpected, their family hides things like this.”

“Zhu Tingting said she’s meeting her boyfriend today—she must be wearing it to impress him.”

Lu Jianwei wanted precisely this effect. There was no reason the Zhu family could profit from slandering the Lu family, while others couldn’t earn merit by reporting the Zhu family.

Night had fallen. As they left the club, Gu Huaizheng offered to escort Lu Jianwei home.

The two walked one after the other along the street; Gu Huaizheng led, Lu Jianwei followed. His steps were slow, clearly mindful of her shorter legs.

Lu Jianwei stood at one meter sixty-eight, with excellent proportions and long legs, though not as long as Gu Huaizheng’s.

“Your grandfather is Mr. Lu Zongliang?” Gu Huaizheng asked cautiously.

“Yes. My father is Lu Zhaoqing. Two years ago, my biological mother, Comrade Zhu Xinfang, accused my father of dealings with the port city, alleging we secretly shipped all our cotton yarn there for profit. The work group investigated for three months.”

Although her father was eventually cleared, he learned from this ordeal that the Zhu family had once obstructed the reforms, leading to her grandfather’s death from anger. Her father could not withstand the blow and did not survive.

Gu Huaizheng listened to her voice, heavy with grief and indignation, unsure how to comfort her.

“Two years ago, I was still studying abroad. My brother was only fourteen. My aunt and uncle moved back to care for us. I graduated last month and returned from overseas,” Lu Jianwei said, looking at Gu Huaizheng. “I studied abroad for eight years.”

She wasn’t only a capitalist; she was foreign-educated. This was no trivial matter. She couldn’t drag others into the fire for her own survival.

Moreover, it couldn’t be concealed. If Gu Huaizheng applied for marriage, she would have to pass political review.

“Mm.” Gu Huaizheng maintained his measured pace. “What did you study abroad?”

“I left at thirteen, first attended Trinity School, then entered Cornell University, majoring in music and art. Comrade Gu, will my background and experiences bring you trouble? If you wish to reconsider…”

“Do you want me to reconsider?”

“No.” Lu Jianwei shook her head vigorously, her moist almond eyes gazing at him.

Gu Huaizheng’s heart raced. “At the club entrance, I heard you mention you returned from the States. Before agreeing to date you, I already knew. I won’t reconsider, but you may. If you’re facing difficulties, just say so—if I can help, I will; if not, I’ll find a way.”

“You can praise me.”

That’s the greatest help.

Gu Huaizheng was puzzled, but answered seriously, “Comrade Lu, you’re a progressive young person!”

Received praise value from Gu Huaizheng, +1. Convert to life value?

Yes!

Lu Jianwei saw the health meter at the lower right corner fill a little more with green—two thousandths.

She could live another month!

“Thank you, Gu Huaizheng. I won’t reconsider. Please guide me for the rest of my life!”

She reached out her hand. Gu Huaizheng didn’t hesitate, his warm palm met hers.

“Lu Jianwei, please guide me for the rest of my life!”

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go, then hid his hand behind his back, fingers flexing nervously as he looked away, his ears and cheeks flushed.

Lu Jianwei suppressed a laugh. “Gu Huaizheng, see you tomorrow!”

“Lu Jianwei, see you tomorrow!” he replied.

Her name, spoken from his lips, felt strange, making his heart beat faster.

Lu Jianwei paused, listening as he said, “Tomorrow, I’ll formally visit your elders. Is that alright?”

In these times, relationships had to be conducted openly. Lu Jianwei smiled and nodded. “Of course!”

Gu Huaizheng stood at a distance, watching her leave, his lips curved high with joy.

Lu Jianwei walked home with a spring in her step. The mechanical voice sounded:

Treasure Hunt: Large Quantity of Treasure Detected!

The panel displayed the Lu family’s mansion, with vast boxes beneath the ground, filled with all kinds of treasures: crates of gold and jewels, masses of jade and diamonds, priceless antiques and paintings, rare medicinal ingredients—countless.

The passage to the basement was well-hidden, located between the main bedroom and study on the first floor. Opening a bookcase in the study revealed stairs leading directly underground.

The Lu family had undergone two thorough searches; their home was excavated twice, yet the underground vault remained undiscovered.

One stroke of luck, then another, but there might not be a third.

If the vault was found, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Every day, the Lu family lived atop a powder keg.

“Back already, sister?” her aunt opened the door. “Why are you standing outside? Was today alright?”

“It went well.”

The Lu family was now widely despised, avoided by everyone. Her aunt didn’t believe her, thinking she was just comforting herself.

“Aunt, let me ask you something!” Lu Jianwei pulled her aunt into the study and whispered, “Aunt, is there really nothing left in our family but this house?”

“There’s a bit left, all kept beneath the red brick building.” Lu Yunqing rummaged through the study cabinet and found a small box containing a few land deeds and a key. “The key to the red brick building is in Zhu Xinfang’s hands; this key opens the underground iron door.”

She handed the box to Lu Jianwei. “Now, it’s just you and Xiaozhu in the Lu family. You’ve grown up—these are yours to keep.

This isn’t the time to touch those things. Pretend you don’t know about them. Your grandfather and father only wished for you to grow up safe and sound.

The state provides eighty-three thousand seven hundred yuan in annual interest. That’s enough for you and Xiaozhu to live well. Anything more would only bring trouble.”

“How did Zhu Xinfang get the key to the red brick building?”

“She must have caught wind of something, took it when she left. We never got it back. We didn’t dare press, fearing attention. Besides, with the situation now, even if she has the key, she wouldn’t dare—unless she doesn’t care anymore,” her aunt said, her voice full of hatred.