Chapter Eleven: Laying Low

Lou Xiao’e stopped in her tracks but remained visibly downcast.

“Why don’t I call your driver to come pick you up?” He Yuzhu suggested.

“Sigh, I don’t want to go home just yet. I just want to be alone for a while,” Lou Xiao’e replied, her mood tinged with melancholy.

Hearing this, He Yuzhu felt a pang of doubt and was nearly tempted to roll his eyes. Yet, he restrained himself—after all, he bore some responsibility since he had brought Lou Xiao’e to the courtyard house.

“How about this: I’ll walk with you for a while. When you feel better or get tired, we can call the driver to pick you up. How does that sound?” He Yuzhu proposed a compromise.

So, under the moonlight, the two walked silently side by side. Neither spoke; each seemed lost in thought.

After some time, Lou Xiao’e’s dress shoes caused painful blisters, and she could no longer continue walking. Only then did she agree to call the driver.

When the driver arrived to pick her up, Lou Xiao’e suddenly invited He Yuzhu to her home for dinner, wanting to thank him for helping her see Xu Damiao’s true colors.

He Yuzhu hesitated, his mind uneasy. He initially intended to decline, but seeing the sincerity in Lou Xiao’e’s eyes, he inexplicably agreed.

The Lou family was affluent and meticulous in their hospitality. They sent a car to pick He Yuzhu up from the courtyard house and bring him to their impressive villa.

At first, He Yuzhu felt somewhat out of place sitting there, but the warmth of the Lou family quickly put him at ease.

Mrs. Lou personally poured He Yuzhu a cup of tea, offering it to him with a smiling face.

“Master He, Xiao’e told us everything that happened yesterday. We are truly grateful to you! Had it not been for you, we would have been kept in the dark,” she said with gratitude and a hint of apology, carefully handing him the steaming cup.

“Yuzhu, thank you so much. If you hadn’t discovered and stopped that Xu Damiao in time, this old woman would have been utterly ashamed,” Mrs. Lou’s voice quivered slightly, her eyes moist.

He Yuzhu took the tea, sipping gently, feeling the genuine gratitude emanating from her.

“Mrs. Lou, please don’t blame yourself too much. Matters of the heart are complicated; no one can be sure from the start. You acted out of concern for Xiao’e, which led to her connection with Xu Damiao,” He Yuzhu comforted softly.

Mrs. Lou’s guilt deepened. “Alas, my eyesight has failed me. I thought Xu Damiao was steady and reliable, but he turned out to be a scoundrel entangled in messy affairs. Just thinking that I almost pushed Xiao’e into the fire myself breaks my heart.”

“Master He, to be honest, our families had already agreed to hold an engagement ceremony for the two children next week. But…” Mr. Lou paused, seemingly reluctant to continue.

Mrs. Lou took over, “Thanks to your timely warning, Master He, we old folks would have truly jeopardized Xiao’e’s future!”

The atmosphere in the Lou family’s living room grew heavy. Mr. and Mrs. Lou wore solemn expressions, while Lou Xiao’e gently comforted them nearby.

“Uncle Lou, you can’t blame yourselves entirely,” He Yuzhu broke the silence. “That Xu Damiao is too cunning. Ordinary people wouldn’t see his true nature.”

Mr. Lou sighed, eyes filled with regret. “Alas, it’s our fault for being shortsighted. We nearly harmed Xiao’e.”

Lou Xiao’e stepped forward, grasping her father’s hand and soothing him softly. “Dad, how could you blame yourself? Even I was deceived by Xu Damiao.”

Looking at his daughter, Mr. Lou showed a trace of relief. “Xiao’e, knowing you think this way comforts me greatly.”

He Yuzhu nodded in agreement. “Yes, Uncle, don’t be too hard on yourself. The past is behind us; we must look forward.”

Mr. Lou nodded slightly, though his expression remained grave. “Though you say that, I still feel uneasy. Xiao’e is such a good girl; she was almost ruined by that Xu Damiao.”

Hearing this, He Yuzhu felt a surge of respect. He understood that the Lou family were sincere and deeply loving toward their daughter. Facing such a crisis, their pain was immense.

“Uncle, actually, I came today to discuss something else,” He Yuzhu shifted the topic away from Xu Damiao. “I believe the Lou family’s current situation calls for some changes.”

Mr. Lou frowned slightly. “Oh? What do you have in mind, Mr. He?”

He Yuzhu smiled confidently. “I’ve always felt a special bond between the Lou family and myself. You see, the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill owes much of its success to the Lou family’s support. And I happen to work as a cook in the mill’s cafeteria. I must truly thank the Lou family for their nurturing.”

Surprised, Mr. Lou’s eyes brightened. “Oh? Is that so? I hadn’t known.”

He Yuzhu continued, “So, although the Lou family faces some difficulties now, there’s no need to worry excessively. After all, we are capable people. As long as we unite, we will overcome these challenges.”

Mr. Lou nodded, his demeanor relaxing somewhat. “Mr. He is right—the Lou family has never been one to give up easily. But the current situation is indeed tricky; we must think carefully about our strategy.”

He Yuzhu agreed. “Exactly, Uncle. We must stabilize our position and avoid panic. At the same time, we should keep a close watch on our surroundings and seek any opportunities.”

Mr. Lou’s eyes gleamed with approval. “Yes, Mr. He’s words are wise. We must calm down and analyze the situation.”

At this moment, Lou Xiao’e interjected, “Dad, I think Mr. He is right. We cannot just sit and wait for disaster; we must find a way to save ourselves.”

Looking at his daughter, Mr. Lou felt a glimmer of comfort. “Yes, Xiao’e is right. We must rally ourselves and not be defeated by these hardships.”

He Yuzhu felt quietly pleased. He knew he had succeeded in rekindling hope within the Lou family.

“Uncle, I have another idea,” He Yuzhu continued. “Perhaps we could leave Beiping for a while to avoid the turmoil. Once the situation stabilizes, we can return.”