To Lu Suo, nothing was more important than Gu Xingzhao’s well-being. And Gu Chengzhang was undoubtedly the one person who could harm her.
In recent years, life had become so peaceful that he had almost forgotten Gu Chengzhang existed. If it weren’t for Wang Ruohua calling the police, he wouldn’t have even known that Gu Chengzhang had shown up.
Sensing his worry, Gu Xingzhao quickly reassured him, “He came unexpectedly. I didn’t let him in. It’s fine.”
She thought to herself that even if Gu Chengzhang had dared to try anything in public, she had nothing to fear. With just a wave of her hand, she could have sent him sprawling, as she did earlier. Of course, she couldn’t explain that to Lu Suo.
Lu Suo sighed quietly, assuming Gu Xingzhao was just being kind-hearted and not wanting to think badly of her biological father. Since it was her father, he knew he shouldn’t say too much.
“Well, if you’re busy, I’ll head back to the station.”
Just as he was about to leave, Gu Xingzhao remembered the inkstone drop she had repaired and called out to him. “Uncle Lu, wait a second. I have something for you.”
Confused, Lu Suo stayed in place, glancing around the familiar surroundings. He remembered how, when Old Master Gu was alive, the first floor of the house was a reception area, filled with cabinets holding all sorts of items belonging to Gu Xingzhao. The old man, likely out of guilt toward his son, had always doted on his granddaughter.
Gu Xingzhao soon returned with a small bag, handing it over to Lu Suo. “I had this restored. See how it turned out?”
Lu Suo’s eyes widened in surprise as he pulled out the inkstone drop. It had been fully repaired! He recalled the small chips and cracks it once had, but now there was no trace of them. Whoever did the restoration had remarkable skill.
“Xingzhao, how much did this cost you? I’ll transfer the money right away,” he said, already pulling out his phone.
But Gu Xingzhao quickly stopped him, grabbing his hand. “If you pay me back, that means you’re treating me like a stranger.”
“A family member showing care and respect for an elder is normal. Besides, you’ve taken care of me for more than ten years.”
Gu Xingzhao wasn’t good at saying sentimental things, but in her heart, she already saw Lu Suo as her true father.
Even though she hadn’t said this out loud, Lu Suo could sense it. This girl considered him family, and that was more than enough for him.
Without thinking, he raised his hand as if he were going to ruffle her hair like he used to when she was younger. But halfway through, he paused, realizing that she was all grown up now—and that he was getting older, too.
In the end, he settled for patting her on the shoulder. “If you ever need anything, come to me.”
“I will,” Gu Xingzhao replied with a smile.
Satisfied, Lu Suo left the store, carrying the bag. Just before he walked out the door, he turned around again. “You should come over for dinner soon. I’ll cook all your favorite dishes.”
Seeing him glance back so cautiously and thoughtfully, Gu Xingzhao’s heart warmed. She nodded, “Alright, I’ll visit in a few days.”
She decided she would spend more time with Uncle Lu in the future. It would make him happy, after all.
Meanwhile, back in the past, the aftermath of yet another ambush had left several dead, and the prisoners were growing increasingly restless. The guards had to resort to using whips again, forcing the convicts to keep moving.
Some of the survivors, however, saw the dwindling numbers as a good thing—more food for them.
Many of the Lu family members were injured, but thanks to the medicine provided by their ancestors, they were able to continue the journey. One man, who had hurt his leg and couldn’t walk, was given a special chair with wheels—delivered by their ancestor the previous night. Sitting in the chair, he could be pushed along the road.
At the moment, that injured man sat in the wheelchair, overwhelmed with excitement. He couldn’t help but wonder if the ancestor himself used a similar chair. It was such a rare and marvelous object—who would have thought he’d ever get to sit in it?
Several other family members gathered around him, all eager to take turns pushing the wheelchair as if it were a toy.
“I’m unhurt! Let me push him!”
“I’m A-Chang’s older brother. It’s my duty to take care of him!”
“Older brother? You sure didn’t act like one when you were fighting A-Chang for food earlier!”
As the family members argued over who would get to push the chair, none of them were willing to back down.
At that moment, Lu Yang approached, trying to sound wise. “Alright, alright, stop fighting. I’ll do it.”
He reached out to grab the handles, but Lu Zhou blocked him firmly.
Lu Yang: “???”
Lu Zhou glanced his younger brother up and down. “With all that weight on you, you’re struggling to walk yourself. You want to push someone else?”
What if you fell and broke his other leg?
Feeling crushed, Lu Yang slunk into a corner, hugging his bulky frame and sulking.
Lady Xu looked away, pulling her daughter with her, too embarrassed to watch any longer.
Lu Xingyao, watching from the sidelines, couldn’t help but feel envious. He glanced at his arm, which was wrapped up and hanging from his neck. With a sigh, he thought, Why couldn’t I have injured my leg instead?
Then I could be sitting in the ancestor’s wheelchair.
“Pfft!” Gu Xingzhao nearly spat out her tea.
She had only come upstairs for a drink, but now she was watching the Lu family bicker over the wheelchair like children. The brothers had even resorted to mocking each other, and Lu Xingyao was wishing he’d hurt his leg just for a chance to ride in the chair.
It’s just a wheelchair—there’s no need to fight over it, she thought with a shake of her head. Grabbing a mop, she wiped up the tea she had spilled and looked out at the Lu family, who were still arguing like children. She couldn’t help but laugh.
If they like it so much, once we settle down in the North, I’ll buy dozens of wheelchairs for them. Then everyone can have one to ride around in!
At that moment, the injured man sitting in the wheelchair looked at all the people clamoring to push him. He couldn’t believe that he, Lu Chang, was finally getting a taste of being the center of attention.
Amid his excitement, he took another look at the illustrated instructions their ancestor had left the night before. Following the directions, he pressed a button on the control panel and pushed the joystick forward.
The wheelchair moved!
He had only moved a few steps, but the realization that the chair could move on its own made his heart race. Trying to stay calm, he slowly wheeled himself past the others, saying as he went, “You all keep fighting. I’m going ahead.”
The other Lu family members gaped in astonishment.
“?”
“??”
“???”
“What in the world?!”
The chair moved by itself without anyone pushing it! Had the wheelchair been possessed? Surely, this was no ordinary chair—this must be the mount of a god!
One by one, they chased after Lu Chang, some even trying to pull him out of the seat so they could have a turn themselves.
Lu Chang, now unable to keep his cool, clung to the chair for dear life. “I’m the injured one! I can’t walk!”
His older brother retorted, “Injured, my foot! You only hurt one leg, not both! Now get up and let me sit!”
Lu Xingyao, standing nearby, was practically green with envy. Why couldn’t I be the one with the leg injury?
Even Lu Qing was wide-eyed, staring at the self-moving chair in deep thought. Could it be… our ancestor really did send us his divine mount?!
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