Lu Sangning made more than a dozen calls in a row, but Zhang Yong answered none of them.
Lu Sangning sent Zhang Yong another message.
[What are you doing? Why aren't you answering your phone?]
There was still no reply.
Unease began to rise in Lu Sangning's heart.
Seeing that she still hadn't come out of the bathroom, Lu Yanxin knocked on the door. "Sangning, what's wrong?"
Lu Sangning's heart was in turmoil. Hearing Lu Yanxin call her, she steadied herself and opened the door for her.
"I'm fine."
Lu Yanxin sighed. "Sangning, what Lu Chi said-bzz, bzz, bzz... don't take it to heart."
Lu Sangning shook her head, sounding a little dejected. "Yanxin, I just called Zhang Yong."
Lu Yanxin asked, "What did he say?"
Lu Sangning shook her head and held out her phone's call log for Lu Yanxin to see. "He didn't answer any of my dozen-plus calls, and he hasn't replied to my messages either."
Lu Yanxin was also starting to believe Lu Chi's inner thoughts, but without evidence, they couldn't jump to conclusions yet.
All she could do was comfort Lu Sangning. "Don't take it to heart, Sangning. Maybe he's busy right now; it's hard to say. You'll know when he calls you back later."
Lu Sangning nodded. Though she still felt uneasy, she murmured, "Mm."
The two returned to the living room. Everyone in the dining room had long since finished eating.
Pan Feng said to Auntie Wang, "Auntie Wang, go tidy up Chi'er's room."
"Yes, ma'am."
Lu Chi was sitting on the sofa eating fruit after the meal. Pan Feng came over and said to him, "Chi'er, come look at your room with Mom and Dad."
Lu Chi nodded and followed Pan Feng and Lu Yuanqing upstairs.
The Lu family mansion occupied five thousand square meters and had three floors in all.
Each floor had more than ten rooms.
The first floor contained the living area, gym area, swimming pool, and quarters for the servants and bodyguards.
The second floor held Lu Yuanqing and his wife's bedroom, as well as the entertainment area, study, piano room, and so on.
The third floor held the rooms of the five daughters and the fake young master, Lu Jiyang.
Lu Chi followed Pan Feng all the way to the third floor, marveling endlessly at the luxury inside.
When he saw his own room, his smile bloomed as brightly as a flower.
Huge! Luxurious! Comfortable!
That was Lu Chi's assessment of his bedroom.
A large, soft, comfortable bed and huge floor-to-ceiling windows.
Beside the bed was a small, soft sofa, with a uniquely designed coffee table in front of it.
Awesome. This is freaking awesome!
Lu Yuanqing and Pan Feng were very pleased with Lu Chi's reaction.
As long as their son liked the room. They had been worried he wouldn't.
Pan Feng stepped out of the bedroom and called to Lu Chi from outside. "Chi'er, there's a terrace out here too."
Lu Chi followed her, brimming with excitement.
"Wow, I love this terrace!"
Outside the bedroom door was a large terrace, lush with grass and fragrant flowers.
There was also a small pond full of ornamental fish worth a considerable sum.
Lu Chi sighed inwardly. Life as a wealthy family's young master sure is wonderful! Too bad these wonderful days won't last long before the Lu family is brought down, leaving some of them dead and others injured.
Hearing Lu Chi's inner thoughts, Lu Yuanqing silently swore that he absolutely would not let the Lu family be brought down. Every restless element had to be snuffed out.
Pan Feng also felt that she had to protect her son well.
The couple then took Lu Chi on a tour of the entire mansion.
It was now one in the afternoon.
After settling Lu Chi in, Lu Yuanqing went to handle company business.
Pan Feng arranged to play mahjong with her friends.
The eldest Lu sister, Lu Sangning, the third sister, Lu Yanxin, and the fourth sister, Lu Xiaoyue, all went out.
Only the fifth sister, Lu Yunke, and the fake young master, Lu Jiyang, remained at home.
Lu Yunke was a writer with plenty of freedom. She usually either stayed home or traveled around, updating her novel when inspiration struck and lying flat when it didn't.
It wasn't as though the family was short of money for her to spend.
Once everyone had left, Lu Yunke returned to her room and didn't come out again.
Lu Chi also planned to take an afternoon nap in his room.
Just then, he heard a series of sharp knocks at the door.
The system, Guagua, alerted Lu Chi.
[Host, host, Lu Jiyang is here to see you.]
Lu Chi laughed. That son of a bitch wants to come after me while no one's home? He should take a good look at what he is first! Before I transmigrated, I was an eighteenth-tier minor internet celebrity, and I even spent a few days as an actor. When it comes to acting, he's nowhere near my level!
Outside the door, Lu Jiyang said gently, "Brother Lu Chi, are you sleeping in there?"
Lu Chi yanked the door open.
He snapped, "If I'm not sleeping in here, am I taking a shit on your head?... Ah! It's you, little brother Jiyang. I thought some blind servant was knocking on my door."
Lu Jiyang: "..."
He really is a country bumpkin from the slums, talking so crudely!
"Do you need something, little brother Jiyang?" Lu Chi stood by the door, looking at Lu Jiyang outside.
Lu Jiyang said softly, "Brother Lu Chi, there's nothing in particular. I'm just really happy you've come home. If you need anything from now on, just tell me. We're brothers. Your business is my business, Brother Lu Chi."
"You're so nice, little brother Jiyang!" Lu Chi stretched and continued, "As it happens, there's something troubling me right now. Could you help me out?"
Lu Jiyang's brow twitched, and he felt thoroughly displeased.
I was just saying that casually. You're actually taking it seriously?
But having already said it, how could he refuse?
"Brother Lu Chi, what do you need my help with? As long as it's something I can help with, I certainly won't turn you down!"
"Little brother Jiyang, could you lend me five million? You're so doted on at home, and I heard your annual allowance alone is tens of millions. Lending me this little bit shouldn't hurt, right?"
Lu Jiyang gave an awkward laugh. "Of course not. Brother Lu Chi, send me your account number, and I'll transfer the money right away."
Lu Chi hurriedly added Lu Jiyang on WeChat and sent over his account number with a grin.
Three minutes later, five million arrived in his account.
Lu Chi yawned. "Mm, little brother Jiyang, you really are... such a good person! Don't worry, from now on, I'm your real big brother! But I'm going to sleep now. Bye!"
With that, Lu Chi slammed the door shut.
The heavy door nearly smashed into Lu Jiyang's nose.
Outside, Lu Jiyang rubbed his nose, gritting his teeth in hatred.
"Pah! Country bumpkin! What are you so smug about? Sooner or later, I'll kick you out of the Lu family!"
"You dared to swindle five million out of me? If I weren't trying to get you to lower your guard so I can frame you and destroy you later, you'd never have gotten my money! Go die!"
Inside, Lu Chi lay sprawled on his big bed while Guagua told him about Lu Jiyang secretly cursing him outside the door.
Lu Chi laughed heartily. It's fine. Let him curse for now. When we go to school tomorrow, I'll find a chance to beat the hell out of him!
Guagua: [Mighty host! Dominating host!]
Lu Sangning returned to the main company and sat in her office, her heart in turmoil.
Every so often, she took out her phone to check whether Zhang Yong had returned her calls or sent her a message.
It wasn't until two in the afternoon that Zhang Yong's long-overdue call finally came.
"Hello, baby. I was busy just now, and my phone was on silent, so I didn't hear your calls. I'm sorry, my adorable baby~ Mua~"
Lu Sangning pressed, "What were you busy with just now?"
"I went to inspect the base and was listening to their assistant's report the whole time, so I didn't notice your calls or messages. Be good, baby. Don't be mad at me~"
Lu Sangning let down her guard.
"You were busy working. Why would I be mad? You have stomach trouble, so remember to take your medicine on time."
"Mm-hmm, thanks for reminding me, baby. I love you. Kiss, kiss!"
The sliver of suspicion Lu Sangning had finally managed to build up was wiped away by Zhang Yong in just a few words.
They spent another half hour chatting on the phone. Lu Sangning had only just hung up when Lu Yuanqing's call came through.
"Sangning, there's something Dad needs to tell you. Brace yourself..."