Zhu Shuli was quite surprised when he received an invitation from Zhu Shulan. Since his sister got married, they had severed ties and had no contact since then.
Zhu Shuli was born into a prestigious family. His father, Zhu Leiting, was a military officer who has long since retired and now enjoys his golden years, occasionally strolling around with birds and practicing Tai Chi.
After much hesitation, he decided to accept his sister's request. He had already heard about the downfall of the Luo family, and out of familial obligation, he agreed to meet.
On this day, the sky was clear, and Zhu Shuli drove his Bentley to the meeting place, a well-known local restaurant. He found a parking spot, parked his car, and walked into the restaurant.
As soon as he reached the entrance, a waiter greeted him with a professional smile. "Sir, how many in your party?" Zhu Shuli glanced around and spotted Zhu Shulan sitting in a booth in the right corner. He recognized her immediately.
Zhu Shulan sat stiffly, with a smile on her face. The years had left their mark on her appearance since they last met over twenty years ago. Zhu Shuli nodded and smiled back at her.
With a gentle tone, Zhu Shuli told the waiter, "I'm meeting someone," and pointed in Zhu Shulan's direction. The waiter nodded and smiled, "Very well, sir," and led him to the booth.
Standing before her, Zhu Shuli observed the changes in his sister. Once vibrant and lively, she now had the demeanor of a weary woman, as if she had not been doing well lately.
"Brother..." Zhu Shulan stood up excitedly, slowly opening her mouth to speak after a long pause.
"How have you been?" Zhu Shuli’s tall and imposing figure exuded a sense of authority as he asked in a calm tone.
"I'm... I'm doing well," Zhu Shulan replied hesitantly, nervously pushing the pre-ordered drink toward him. "Here, have a drink."
"Thank you," Zhu Shuli replied, his expression complex. He couldn't predict how his sister had fared over the past two decades. He had always spoiled and indulged her as a child, and seeing her in this state now tugged at his heart.
"What did you want to talk about?" Zhu Shuli sipped the tea in front of him, raising his head to look at her.
Zhu Shulan felt a deep sense of shame. She had been so headstrong back then, severing ties with her family for the sake of a man. Their father, Zhu Leiting, had declared that he no longer considered her his daughter and that she should never expect help from the Zhu family in times of need. Young and impetuous, Zhu Shulan had arrogantly vowed that she would rather starve than ask the Zhu family for anything. Since then, she had kept her word and disappeared from the Zhu family's life without a trace.
After a long pause, Zhu Shulan spoke in a low voice, "Brother... you must have heard by now, the Luo family has gone bankrupt, and I..." She became increasingly emotional, finding it difficult to continue.
"I know," Zhu Shuli responded coldly, his face expressionless. He hadn't anticipated his sister's ruthless determination, sacrificing even their father for a man and she hadn't even visited since. He was deeply disappointed.
Steadying her emotions, Zhu Shulan mustered the courage to ask, "Brother, could you... lend me 100,000 yuan?" Just as Zhu Shuli had suspected, she was there for money. Otherwise, why else would she reach out to him?
"Sister, if Father finds out that I gave you money, I won't escape his wrath," Zhu Shuli replied firmly and decisively, his tone unyielding.
He glanced at her with a complicated expression. A hundred thousand yuan was a small amount for the Zhu family, but he was unwilling to give it easily. He wanted her to endure some hardship, to make her realize the kind of man Luo Jianguo really was.
From the first time Zhu Shuli met Luo Jianguo, he knew he was not a good person. Luo Jianguo struck him as a cunning and unfaithful man, though he had managed to fool Zhu Shulan into thinking he was a good husband.
"Brother... could you really bear to see me in such a miserable state? I need the money to pay for Qianqian's tutoring fees. She's your niece too; you can't just turn a blind eye," Zhu Shulan pleaded tearfully, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I really can't hold on anymore..." she added, starting to sob, evoking a sense of pity.
Zhu Shuli's heart tightened for a moment, but he steeled himself and said, "Sister, my hands are tied. This is Father's order, and if he finds out I gave you money, he won't let me off."
Zhu Shulan's eyes grew empty, and her lips trembled uncontrollably from crying. "I know Father's temper..." she said dejectedly.
Wiping the tears from her face, Zhu Shulan sniffled and forced a stiff smile. "Can you at least not tell Father that I came to you?" Her voice was low, and her pride, once so high, had now been ground to dust by the harsh realities of life, leaving her feeling utterly humiliated.
"Alright," Zhu Shuli responded with a single word, his cold face showing no change in emotion.
After exchanging a few more words, Zhu Shulan left, disappointed, and returned to the Luo family home.
As she walked through the door, Luo Qianqian greeted her with a smile, "Mom, how did it go?"
Zhu Shulan didn't respond, her head drooping, and she appeared utterly dejected.
Luo Qianqian frowned and stepped forward to press her, "Mom, did Uncle agree to give you the money?"
Zhu Shulan glanced at her and replied lifelessly, "Your uncle refused."
"What?" Luo Qianqian's eyes widened in disbelief. "How could Uncle be so cold-hearted? You're his own sister; how could he just leave you to suffer?"
Zhu Shulan shot her a warning look, signaling her to keep quiet. "No matter what, he is still your uncle. You mustn't be disrespectful."
Luo Qianqian scoffed, showing a disdainful expression. "Fine, but what am I supposed to do now?" She clenched her fists, knowing that if she didn't repay the money by tomorrow, her life would be in danger. The thought made cold sweat break out on her forehead.
"Maybe you should drop out of school for now. We can't afford the tuition right now, and it's not like you have to finish your studies," Zhu Shulan said, massaging her temples, her face full of worry.
Luo Qianqian felt deeply frustrated, struggling to suppress her anger. "Mom, the academy won't allow me to delay paying the tuition. If I don't pay, all my previous grades will be voided. Mom, you have to think of something."
"What can I do now? Go ask your father," Zhu Shulan suddenly snapped.
Luo Qianqian was taken aback, feeling the flames of anger rising within her as she dug her nails into her palms.
She had already asked Luo Jianguo, but he was completely useless. Since the Luo family business had been taken over, he was penniless, having sold off all their cars. How could he possibly have any money to help her? Luo Qianqian's face twisted with frustration.
After a long while, Luo Qianqian's anger gradually subsided, and she forced a smile. "Mom, I'm sorry. I was too anxious and didn't consider your feelings. I'll figure out a way to handle the tuition fees myself."
Zhu Shulan looked up, her voice softening. "Qianqian, it's not your fault. I never imagined our family would fall to this point." She sighed deeply, her face clouded with worry.
"Mom, I'll head to my room now."
Are you still going to update here I wish I could buy the rest of the chapters but I am broke ðŸ˜
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. Only much slower than the advance chapters but I'll update here daily
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