Chapter 447: Scumbag, Taking Advantage Of Me Again
Ever since Lu Qianqian crossed paths with the transfer student at the police academy, Lu Qianqian started to meet Lin Mu’an more frequently, occasionally bringing him snacks or some toys boys like, showing up many times at the guard post.
Still, Lin Mu’an was not aware that she knows about rumors surrounding her at the police academy, no thanks to the tattlers in his own dorm.
She did not fear the gossip, but neither would she show up directly in front of those students, so that Lin Mu’an would not be condemned with her.
But seemingly sensing something, Lin Mu’an asked her, “Have you heard about… something recently?”
Sitting on the grass, Lu Qianqian tapped her chest. “I’m invincible now. Do you think I would be scared of what I hear?”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I reaped what I sowed, and it has nothing to do with you. Why are you acting like an old nanny today?”
Knowing that Lu Qianqian was almost angry, Lin Mu’an promptly picked up the food she prepared for him and wolfed it down. “You came with perfect timing. I am taking part in a competition tomorrow, and I’m content to see you before that.”
“Is the transfer student going too?”
“Who cares about her? I didn’t.” Lin Mu’an answered without concern. “Even if I would get a girlfriend, little pepper, I wouldn’t get anyone connected to my grandfather.”
“Why would I care who you want? You’re such a bother!”
“I’ll give you my gold medal straight away… and that would clear the debt I been owing you sometime now!”
“Where would you be going?” Lu Qianqian glanced at Lin Mu’an sideways.
For some reason, she felt hollow and unsteady inside at the thought of him leaving, just as she would not know if anything would happen to him.
“The national training center,” he replied. ‘Flight’s tomorrow morning.”
“Be careful, then. Time’s almost up—I should be going.”
Still, that was when Lin Mu’an suddenly lay down on the grass while turning his head towards her. “I’ve already called your parents. You could leave later… come watch the stars with me.”
Lu Qianqian stared blankly for a moment, but lay down as well. “Don’t you need to go back?”
“I applied for leave. I just have to get back at eleven, before lights out.”
“Actually, I would be out of the country for a few days…” Lu Qianqian smiled. “That’s why I thought I should throw you some food.”
Lin Mu’an reached out with his hand then to flick her forehead, but she caught his hand by reflex—both of them blanked out for a moment before Lu Qianqian quickly flung his hand away. “Scumbag, taking advantage of me again.”
“Really hope that we could be like this for the rest of our lives.”
What, lying down and looking at the stars with such calmness and peace?
Such a chance might be rare soon.
***
The next morning, while Lin Mu’an and the other representatives of his academy boarded their flight, Papa Lu had a myocardial infarction and was in a critical condition at the hospital.
Scared witless, Lu Qianqian and her mother were not sure who to ask help. At the moment, Lu Qianqian was supposed to take over all matters at Lu Holdings, but her ability at present was not enough for her to excel at such a vast conglomerate.
Aimless, Lu Qianqian wanted to call Lin Mu’an but hesitated because of his competition, and eventually decided to hold back.
And so she called Mu Qiqi.
After her affair with Duan Shao’an, she only had two friends left in Mu Qiqi and Lin Mu’an.
Once Mu Qiqi heard from her, she promptly rushed to the hospital, but Papa Lu was declared dead by the time she arrived.
As if crazed, Lu Qianqian went up to shake his body but that did not help.
Mu Qiqi quickly went up, hugging her and consoling her, “Qianqian…”
“Qiqi, you wouldn’t know but my father was still alright in the morning… he even praised me how delicious the breakfast I made was.” Lu Qianqian dropped to the floor in agony crying her eyes out. “It’s my fault that he died in embarrassment, I’m his daughter but I can’t repay him for raising me…
“Father…”
Mu Qiqi knew that pain of loss too. Was her mother not lying motionlessly on her sickbed too?
“Qianqian, you have to stay strong, because your mother is counting on you now. Without her husband and her support, she is more scared than you are. Get it?”
Lu Qianqian turned to her mother and reached out to embrace her. “Mommy…”
Mama Lu returned her embrace, and so mother and daughter broke into loud tears of anguish in the emergency room.
Mu Qiqi did not stop them, because she knows that mourning was a basic human right. If she did not let them have a good cry now, the pain in their hearts would not be going anywhere.
As Papa Lu’s passing was sudden, his funeral and other affairs needed to be settled.
He did not even manage to leave any last words, even though he loved his daughter so dearly.
Mu Qiqi accompanied Lu Qianqian back to her home.
Meanwhile, Papa Lu’s secretary had been phoning through it all, asking what happened to Papa Lu and saying that there was still a whole bunch of stuff the company that needed seeing to.
“My father is gone. Let the deputy CEO make the company’s decisions for now.”
Papa Lu’s secretary became silent at her words, and only answered Lu Qianqian after a long silence, “My condolences, young mistress.”
“Take care of the company. Don’t let anyone make trouble with my father gone.”
“Don’t worry, young mistress.”
After Lu Qianqian finished the conversation mechanically, she leaned on Mu Qiqi. “Qiqi, did you know? I really hate myself for not treasuring every bit of my father.”
“I didn’t even take a photo or gone on a trip with him… and I always made him angry.”
Mu Qiqi hugged Lu Qianqian tightly at that, although she felt that her arms were not strong enough.
Then, even though she was unsure if she was right in doing so, she sent Lin Mu’an a message.
“Uncle Lu has passed away. Qianqian needs you.”
Lin Mu’an promptly leaped off the training ground once he read the message, and immediately booked tickets for a return flight.
“The match is soon, Lin Mu’an. What are you doing?”
“I’m not taking part, coach! Someone in my family died…”
The coach understood how he felt right then.
“You would be disqualified in the singles match if you leave now. It’s a great chance for you, given how good you are…”
“Coach. I would regret for the rest of my life if I don’t see my family off.”
The coach paused for a moment, but eventually relented. “You have to think about this. If you give up this time, you won’t be allowed to participate from now on.”
Nonetheless, Lin Mu’an left freely and easily, having booked tickets on the next flight.
He only wanted to see his little pepper, and would not care about anything else.