Chapter 193: Persuading Her

Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Persuading Her

Su Wan’s expression was grave as she turned the envelope over in her hands. There was no writing on it. If she hadn’t felt the paper inside, she would have suspected it was empty.

After a moment of thought, Su Wan cut the envelope open with a pair of scissors.

A thin sheet of paper, covered in densely packed writing, was revealed inside.

Su Wan unfolded the paper to read its contents.

After she finished reading, her expression was one of astonishment. The letter was from the very same Mr. Lu that Zhang Yun had spoken of.

In short, the letter explained the sender’s identity and why he hadn’t approached Lu Zhengchuan all these years.

The Lu Family was incredibly wealthy, with ancestors who had been high-ranking officials. Although they had donated a significant portion of their family assets when New China was founded, some clan members had still chosen to move abroad.

This was the downside of having too large a clan.

While the Lu Family had patriots, it also had capitalists who had left the motherland.

Under such circumstances, it was best for Lu Zhengchuan’s safety that he not be contacted.

Moreover, Mr. Lu himself had once been sent down to the countryside. He had only returned to the Capital three years ago, where his post was restored, allowing him to resume his duties as a museum director. The Lu Family’s properties were also returned to him.

Mr. Lu had someone deliver this letter to her in secret, leaving it up to her to decide whether or not to meet him.

Meeting him would mean that Lu Zhengchuan would once again be entangled with the Lu Family.

Holding the letter, Su Wan felt like she was holding a hot potato.

’Why did all of this have to happen right when Lu Zhengchuan was away?’

This was all a Lu Family matter. Even though she was married to Lu Zhengchuan, it wasn’t right for her to make the decision alone.

Su Wan decided to wait until Lu Zhengchuan returned.

She put the letter away, tucking it inside a book on the shelf. Clearing her mind, she buried herself in her reading until ten o’clock.

Mother Su was heading to bed and told her to get some rest soon.

Only then did Su Wan realize how late it was. She tidied up and went to bed.

She tossed and turned all night. She woke up several times, but never saw another figure in the room.

When Aunt Zhao woke her at dawn, Su Wan knew Lu Zhengchuan hadn’t come home last night.

He had been gone for two days now.

Su Wan had no choice but to pull herself together and go to class.

But unexpectedly, there was no news of Lu Zhengchuan for the next three days.

She had also managed to inquire about Mr. Lu’s identity. He was, indeed, Grandpa Lu’s fifth younger brother, and the things he had written in the letter were true.

Even Aunt Zhang’s family received a thank-you gift, just like Zhang Yun had. The old man was very generous, directly giving Aunt Zhang’s family a sum of money.

It was rumored to be five thousand.

Su Wan, however, was not swayed by the money. Her attitude toward Mr. Lu was still focused on the question of whether or not to meet him.

She also knew that Mr. Lu might not be able to hold on for much longer.

’What if he doesn’t last until Lu Zhengchuan returns?’

Su Wan was patient, but then Zhou Yu paid her a visit.

"Comrade Su Wan, hello. I’m Zhou Yu." Zhou Yu extended his hand.

Su Wan shook it. "Hello, Mr. Zhou. Mr. Lu mentioned you in his letter."

"Is there a reason for your visit today?" Su Wan asked as she showed him into the living room.

Only Aunt Zhao and Second Sister-in-law Su were home.

Aunt Zhao deftly went to serve tea to their guest.

Second Sister-in-law Su went to look after the three children.

Zhou Yu couldn’t help but glance at the children playing happily in the courtyard.

His gaze clearly fell upon Tuantuan and Yuanyuan.

"Mr. Zhou, please have some tea," Su Wan reminded him.

Zhou Yu withdrew his gaze, took a sip of tea, and asked, "Those must be your and Zheng Chuan’s two children?"

Su Wan didn’t sense any malice in his voice. She nodded. "Yes. Their nicknames are Tuantuan and Yuanyuan."

"Tuan-yuan... reunion. A good name." Zhou Yu’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Su Wan.

"Comrade Su, I presume you’ve already guessed the purpose of my visit."

Su Wan shook her head bluntly. "I can’t. Mr. Zhou, you’re free to speak plainly."

’How could she be expected to guess the thoughts of Zhou Yu and Mr. Lu?’

’Besides, she didn’t need to guess. She could just ask.’

Zhou Yu was taken aback for a moment by her bluntness, then shook his head with a resigned sigh. "Comrade Su, to be honest, I came to see you today for my own selfish reasons."

"Old Lu doesn’t know I came to see you."

"And?" Su Wan took a sip of tea, raising her eyes to look at him.

"I hope you’ll take the two children to see Old Lu."

"Why?"

"Old Lu’s health is failing. He’s fallen into a coma several times recently. He’s only conscious for half an hour to an hour a day, on and off," Zhou Yu said, his expression grave.

"Old Lu saved my life and helped my career. I don’t want him to pass away with regrets."

Su Wan stroked her chin. "That’s your debt of gratitude to Mr. Lu. It shouldn’t have anything to do with me or my children, right?"

"Don’t you want to inherit Old Lu’s estate?" Zhou Yu’s eyes were filled with disbelief.

Su Wan shook her head. "Lu Zhengchuan’s career is going well, I’ll be assigned a job myself in the future, and my own family’s circumstances have improved. If I really wanted to make money, I have plenty of ways to do it. You should know that, assuming you’ve done your research on me."

"So, rather than inheriting an estate, I just want my family to be happy and safe."

Zhou Yu had truly never met someone so completely unmoved by money. The Lu Family’s inheritance was vast; those few courtyard mansions alone were likely worth a fortune.

And that wasn’t even mentioning the most important part: Mr. Lu’s personal connections.

That was the truly immeasurable asset.

"Weren’t you bullied by Xu Rongrong before? She used Old Sir Xu’s influence to pressure you. Although you and Zheng Chuan later got help from the Qi and He Families, don’t you want to elevate the Lu Family to the same level as them?"

"As long as you are Lu Zhengchuan’s wife, no one will dare to look down on you. Even the patriarchs of the Qi and He families will have to show you respect."

"Xu Rongrong would never dare to plot against you again. The elders in her own family would make sure to keep her in line."

Su Wan nodded. "Who wouldn’t want the things you’re describing?"

Zhou Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He just had to convince Su Wan.

"However, this is not my decision to make," Su Wan said. "This is a Lu Family matter. Whether or not Lu Zhengchuan returns to the Lu Family is his decision, and his alone. Even as his wife, I have no right to decide for him."

Her eyes showed no sign of being swayed, only reason.

Zhou Yu almost choked, looking at her with a complicated expression.

He had learned so much about her, but what he had heard from others was completely different from interacting with her in person. His understanding of Su Wan was changing completely.

"...Can’t you just take pity on a dying old man?"

Su Wan shook her head gently. "How can you be sure this isn’t just your own idea? If Mr. Lu wanted to see the children that badly, he would have gone to see Lu Zhengchuan long ago. He wouldn’t have dragged it out until now."