Lu Mingyu

Biodata

Background / History

Lu Mingyu led the Lu Family to prosperity through forceful and capable business leadership. Although Lu Yuan is his only legitimate son, Lu Mingyu has fathered numerous illegitimate children, creating a family environment defined by competing factions and succession struggles 7.

He maintains an open harem and rejects the idea that partners in an unequal relationship should pretend to coexist peacefully. Instead, he permits open competition among the women and children connected to him, a philosophy that fuels hostility toward Lu Yuan’s position as heir 38.

In his youth, Lu Mingyu was attracted to Bai Jinxiao. He later recalled that Bai Jinxiao made him realize he could desire men; Ms. Wang believes he would have confined Bai Jinxiao had Bai not supposedly died young 31 38. Learning that Li Zhikong is Bai Jinxiao’s son causes Lu Mingyu to view his son’s attachment to Li through the lens of that past attraction 38.

Personality

Lu Mingyu is domineering, intrusive, and highly controlling. He distrusts unverified information and responds to uncertainty by ordering surveillance, collecting evidence, and attempting to manage the private lives of those around him 38 39.

Despite his crude conduct and frequent manipulation, he displays concern for Lu Yuan’s health and future. That concern is routinely expressed through humiliating schemes rather than respect for Lu Yuan’s boundaries, leaving their father-son relationship full of insults, mistrust, and escalating pranks 40 41 47.

• Treats public reputation and the Lu Family succession as matters of personal control.
• Uses provocation to challenge Lu Yuan’s self-imposed distance from his father’s womanizing lifestyle 38.
• Possesses enough patience to investigate for more than half a month before acting, even while entertaining violent intentions 39.
• Is shamelessly direct in conversation, particularly when needling Lu Yuan about relationships and sexual health 40 41.

Relationships

• Lu Yuan — Biological son and the Lu Family’s legitimate heir. Their relationship is combative and distrustful, though Lu Mingyu remains invested in Lu Yuan’s health and succession prospects 7 40 47.
• Ms. Wang — Lu Yuan’s mother. Her concerns about Li Zhikong’s connection to Lu Yuan lead her to recall Lu Mingyu’s past attraction to Bai Jinxiao 31.
• Bai Jinxiao — A man Lu Mingyu desired in the past. Bai’s apparent death ended that possibility, but Li Zhikong’s resemblance and lineage revive Lu Mingyu’s memories 31 38.
• Li Zhikong — Bai Jinxiao’s son and Lu Yuan’s secret partner. Lu Mingyu investigates him after hearing rumors about Lu Yuan and discovers their family connection 38 39.
• Lu Rudi — Illegitimate son whose mother seeks to replace Lu Yuan as heir. Her attempts to weaponize rumors against Lu Yuan prompt Lu Mingyu’s investigation 38.
• Assistant Sun — Trusted assistant accustomed to discreetly handling Lu Mingyu’s arrangements, including escorting women to Lu Yuan’s residence 41.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Lu Family Patriarch

Lu Mingyu is established as the powerful head of the Lu Family, whose many illegitimate children compete around Lu Yuan’s secure but continually challenged position as legitimate heir 7.

Investigation of Lu Yuan and Li Zhikong

After Lu Rudi’s faction circulates rumors that Lu Yuan may be involved with a man or have a physical problem, Lu Mingyu initially dismisses the gossip. He then privately investigates Lu Yuan’s relationship with Li Zhikong, compiling surveillance footage, photographs, written records, and other evidence 38.

The investigation confirms that Lu Yuan and Li Zhikong have met privately five times, that Lu Yuan hides an oil painting Li gave him, and that Lu Yuan appears exhausted after their meetings. Lu Mingyu’s jealousy and anger intensify as he prepares to intervene 39.

Aphrodisiac Test

Lu Mingyu visits Lu Yuan under the pretense of repairing their relationship and secretly replaces an expensive liquor with an aphrodisiac. His aim is to test Lu Yuan’s sexual function and push him toward women 40.

The scheme fails: Lu Yuan shows no response to the prepared women and reacts with disgust to his father’s arousal. Lu Mingyu ultimately admits to drugging him, escalating their argument into open mutual humiliation 40 41.

Medical Treatment Abroad

After learning that Lu Yuan has a genuine sexual-function issue, Lu Mingyu quickly arranges treatment with a top medical team in the United States. Lu Yuan unexpectedly accepts the trip, intending both to understand his condition and to pursue Li Zhikong 47.

Trivia

• Lu Mingyu deliberately allowed false rumors portraying Lu Yuan as a promiscuous playboy to spread, hoping pressure would make his son abandon his commitment not to resemble him 38.
• He does not object in principle to Lu Yuan being involved with men; his concern is that Lu Yuan may only respond to men—or may only be receptive in a way Lu Mingyu considers humiliating 38.
• His attempt to “bond” with Lu Yuan over liquor becomes one of the most disastrous father-son interactions in their relationship 40 41.