Chapter 141: Another Visit

Receiving Qin Miaoyu’s message was exactly what Lu Qian had expected.

Seeing her invitation to visit Grandma together, a smile flickered in Lu Qian’s eyes. He had always known that Miaoyu truly cared for Grandma. With Grandma personally intervening, Miaoyu would definitely come to see her!

Two days later, Lu Qian parked his car at the entrance of the residential complex where Qin Miaoyu lived, ready to pick her up to visit Grandma.

Unexpectedly, he saw a man coming out of the complex, and his expression darkened immediately.

Although they had only met once, Lu Qian remembered that face clearly. After all, he was the one who had gone on a blind date with Miaoyu. He had been the one who chatted most happily with her back then. How could Lu Qian forget?

The man walking out with Qin Miaoyu was Yan Chao.

Yan Chao had arrived in Jing City just yesterday.

He was here to visit, and coincidentally, Liang Siyuan and Zheng Sunning had some things to give to Qin Miaoyu. Hearing that Yan Chao was coming, they asked him to help deliver the items.

Since Yan Chao was free today, he brought the things over.

Apart from that, there was nothing else pressing. As Miaoyu was about to take a ride to visit Grandma, the two left together.

At the gate, Miaoyu immediately spotted Lu Qian’s car.

She couldn’t help but notice it—first, because Lu Qian’s car was quite conspicuous, and second, because whenever Lu Qian came to pick her up before, he always parked in that exact spot.

So, her eyes were drawn to it instantly.

“Yan Chao, I’ll show you around Jing City when I’m free. I have some things to take care of today,” Miaoyu said.

Yan Chao smiled brightly. “Sure, I’ll look forward to it.”

After bidding farewell, Miaoyu headed toward Lu Qian’s car.

Lu Qian had gotten out ahead of her and, as usual, opened the car door for her.

Once inside, unable to contain his curiosity, Lu Qian asked, “Why did he come over?”

Miaoyu was momentarily confused and looked at him blankly.

Lu Qian clarified, “That guy, what’s his name—Yan Chao, right?”

“Oh, him? My second brother and sister-in-law had some things to send over. He just delivered them today,” Miaoyu explained.

Relieved that it was only a delivery, Lu Qian relaxed and shifted the conversation to Grandma.

“Lately when I visit Grandma, she often mentions you. She’ll definitely be happy to see you today.”

Hearing this, Miaoyu couldn’t help but wonder, “Did you tell Grandma something? Is that why she specifically called me?”

Lu Qian denied it. “Not at all. Every time I go, Grandma asks why you’re not with me. I tell her to ask you directly when you’re free, otherwise, she thinks I’m just brushing her off.”

Miaoyu didn’t respond directly, but the meaning behind her words was clear: “Lu Qian, some things don’t need to be held onto. If it’s not right, it’s never right.”

“How do you know it’s not right? Maybe it was never wrong from the start!” Lu Qian challenged.

Miaoyu looked at him earnestly. “Whether it’s family background or upbringing, we’re very different. Can’t you see from our attitudes now? Old Master Lu is your family. When you’re torn between us for too long, who knows what might happen between us eventually?”

She recalled her own parents’ relationship. They had a sweet time in their youth, but then came Grandma Qin, the Qin family business, the children… all intertwined. Even though she was young then, she could tell that Su Yaqing and Qin Shengyi’s relationship was no longer what it once was.

Before she and Lu Qian, there was Old Master Lu—someone very important to Lu Qian. She lacked the confidence and didn’t want to expend effort convincing Old Master Lu to accept her. If they stayed together, troubles involving him would inevitably arise.

“Miaoyu, why do you think I wouldn’t be steadfast with you?” Lu Qian asked.

Miaoyu gazed out the window, silent.

Disappointed, Lu Qian said, “Miaoyu, don’t you have any faith in me?”

He thought he had made his affection for her quite obvious, yet Miaoyu seemed unwilling to trust his resolve. For once, he felt a rare sense of defeat.

Miaoyu remained quiet—not because she doubted him, but because she didn’t know what Old Master Lu might do. She neither wanted nor was willing to get stuck on this issue again.

After a silence, the car arrived at their destination.

Miaoyu, holding the gift she had prepared for Grandma Lu, got out first.

Lu Qian followed quietly behind her.

Only when they reached Grandma Lu’s door did a faint smile appear on both their faces.

The maid who opened the door noticed nothing, but Cao Xiuhua, who knew her grandson’s temperament well, sensed the tension between the two. She suspected they might have had a quarrel.

“Come, both of you sit with Grandma on the sofa for a while,” she said.

Miaoyu and Lu Qian obediently sat on either side of Cao Xiuhua.

Cao Xiuhua grumbled softly, “You two haven’t come together for a visit lately. This old lady gets very bored here all alone.”

Miaoyu quickly replied, “Work’s been really busy recently. Once I have more free time, I’ll visit Grandma often. Just don’t find me annoying then!”

Cao Xiuhua smiled brightly. “How could I ever find you annoying? I wish you’d come more often!”

She then glanced at her grandson and asked, “Miaoyu said she’d visit regularly. What about you? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“All right, Grandma, I’ll visit more often too!” Lu Qian promised.

“That’s good. By the way, Qian, your parents will be back soon, right? Since you and Miaoyu got married, we haven’t had a meal together. How about we invite your parents over and have a family dinner with the five of us?”

Lu Qian was naturally eager, but unsure how Miaoyu would feel, he looked toward her.

Grandma Lu also turned her gaze to Miaoyu.

Miaoyu hadn’t wanted to agree at first, but seeing those expectant eyes, she felt it wouldn’t be courteous to refuse outright.

Recalling something Yan Xuelin, one of Lu Qian’s friends, had said, she cautiously responded, “I rarely see Lu’s parents either. If they’re willing, I have no objections.”

Hearing this, Cao Xiuhua cursed Old Master Lu silently.

It must be because of something that old man did that Miaoyu felt the family disliked her. No wonder the two youngsters had issues!

She hurriedly assured, “Don’t worry, they’ll definitely want to. Last time, they even said they wanted to have a meal with you!”

Miaoyu smiled. “Then I’ll ask my parents, and if they’re willing, we’ll have a meal together.”

While Miaoyu went to the restroom, Cao Xiuhua quickly turned to her grandson.

“Ask your grandfather what he told Miaoyu before. I think she really cares about whether your parents like her or not.”

Lu Qian had also noticed the problem from how Miaoyu mentioned his parents twice.

But with Miaoyu somewhat resistant toward him, he feared he wouldn’t be able to get a straight answer.

Before Cao Xiuhua could say more, Lu Qian’s phone rang. It was Old Master Lu calling.

Lu Qian took the phone and stepped outside to answer.

“Grandpa, what can I do for you?”

“I heard you withdrew all cooperation with the Li family?” Old Master Lu asked.

Lu Qian’s expression turned guarded.

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

Old Master Lu replied, “Those were just a few branch projects. Why pull out everything? I said those projects were long-term partnerships, and now…”

“Grandpa, do you even know the situation with those projects? Lu Corporation is losing money to the Li family! I see no point in continuing the cooperation.”

Old Master Lu sighed. “The Li family has had a tough few years. Helping them out with that money isn’t much for Lu Corporation. I just hoped you’d keep those projects going…”

The elder’s voice grew fainter as Lu Qian’s frustration mounted.

“Grandpa, a few days ago you told me that if we gave in to the Liang family this time, next time they’d ask for more. Yet now, when it comes to you, you don’t mind losing money?”

Looking at each project separately, the amounts weren’t huge. But combined, it was a significant sum, and these projects had been ongoing for years.

Old Master Lu was silent for a moment, then said, “This is something I owe Yufeng for…”

Lu Qian interrupted impatiently, “What about what you owe Grandma? You’ve put so much effort into helping Madam Li, but what you owe Grandma, you just ignore?”

Lu Qian could fully understand why Grandma wanted to avoid Old Master Lu.

It wasn’t just because he had wronged her in the past and neglected the Cao family’s plight, but also because whenever he saw her, he wore an apologetic expression yet never showed remorse through his actions.

Lu Qian had spoken to him about this before, but the old man never took it to heart. After a while, Lu Qian stopped bringing it up.

Old Master Lu had nothing to say and hung up.

Seeing her grandson’s face darken after the call, Cao Xiuhua asked what Old Master Lu had said.

Lu Qian replied, “Nothing much, just some old family matters. Miaoyu is out now; let’s eat!”

Seeing that Lu Qian didn’t want to say more, Cao Xiuhua didn’t press.

They ate as usual, then spent some time with Grandma Lu chatting before leaving together.

Lu Qian insisted on driving Miaoyu back, his resolve firm. Miaoyu didn’t refuse this time and agreed.

The car slowed to a stop at the entrance of the complex.

“Miaoyu!”

Just as Miaoyu was about to step out, she turned at Lu Qian’s call.

“Miaoyu, trust me. I’ll handle things with Grandpa. Can you wait a little before passing judgment?”

Miaoyu looked at him deeply, then said, “Then you handle it first.”