The encrypted report about Lin Wanru's overseas experiences was like a huge rock thrown into a deep pool, stirring up waves that lingered in Lu Tingchen's heart for a long time and were hard to calm down. Instead of taking immediate action, he locked the report in the deepest part of the safe, requiring time to digest and weigh it.
However, it seemed that fate did not want to give him much breathing space.
A few days later, an unexpected visitor broke the tranquility in the "eye of the wind" of the manor.
The person who came was a senior servant of the Lu family's old residence, Uncle Fu. He had served in the Lu family for over fifty years, watching Lu Tingchen grow up. Even after the old man passed away and Lin Wanru "left", he still stayed at that increasingly deserted old residence. He was one of the few old ministers who were allowed to come directly to the new manor to see Lu Tingchen.
Uncle Fu looked much older than when we last met. His back was hunched over and he was tightly holding a sandalwood box that seemed quite old in his hand. His expression was respectful but could not hide his nervousness, and his eyes carried a complex emotion.
"Young Master, Young Madam." Fu Bo slightly bowed, his voice hoarse.
Lu Tingchen motioned for him to sit down and said, "Uncle Fu, why did you come in person?" Is there anything wrong with the old house?"
Fu Bo shook his head, his hands trembling, placed the rosewood box on the coffee table and pushed it in front of him: "Young Master, Master..." Before his death, the old man, apart from notarizing his will, privately handed over something to his old servant. He said... If one day in the future you start to delve deeply into the early affairs of Lady Wanru, especially the overseas part, then let this old servant hand over this box to you."
Lu Tingchen and Su Wanwan exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
The old man had actually foreseen this day long ago? ! Did you leave anything behind?
The old man also said... Fu Bo's voice dropped even lower, carrying a hint of reluctance. "He said, 'After looking at what's inside, how you decide is entirely up to you, Young Master.'" The future of the Lu family is entrusted to you.
Having said all this, Uncle Fu seemed to have fulfilled the most important mission of his life. He let out a long sigh of relief, bowed again, and then left unsteadily, leaving behind the heavy box and the room full of doubts.
Only the couple remained in the study. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on the ancient rosewood box, giving off a dim luster as if sealing a long-buried, untouchable past.
Lu Tingchen stroked the exquisite copper lock on the box with his fingers but did not open it immediately. His expression was solemn and his eyes were complicated. His feelings towards that already deceased, dignified and complex grandfather have always been contradictory. Awe, estrangement, and even a hint of resentment, but at this moment, there is an indescribable weight.
Su Wanwan gently placed her hand on the back of his hand, silently giving him strength.
Lu Tingchen took a deep breath, took out the key and opened the slightly rusty copper lock.
There were no gold, silver or jewels in the box. There were only a few simple things: a stack of yellowed black-and-white photos, a few old letters and a thin notebook with a leather cover.
He picked up those photos first. Most of the photos show young men, full of vigor and vitality, with backgrounds mostly set overseas. Among them, several photos show Lin Wanru's younger figure. She is dressed in a fashionable dress, smiling brightly, and leaning against the old man, looking like a perfect match in love. But on closer inspection, one can notice that beneath her smile, there seems to be a hint of melancholy hidden deep in her eyes that is hard to detect.
Then came those letters. The letters were all in foreign languages, with neat handwriting. They were family letters written by Lin Wanru to her father in her early years. The content was mostly about her overseas experiences and daily trifles. The tone was respectful yet distant, not like that of a married couple, but more like a report from a subordinate to a superior.
Finally, Lu Tingchen picked up that notebook. The leather of the notebook has cracked somewhat, giving off a faint camphor smell and the scent of old paper.
He turned to the first page. On it were the old man's vigorous handwriting, and the date recorded happened to be the period when Lin Wanru had experienced overseas.
** [XTH, X month] **
Wanru has successfully entered the target laboratory and everything is proceeding as planned. P.P. There doesn't seem to be any suspicion over there. It is hoped that this investment will open up a new situation for the Lu family. *
Lu Tingchen's heart sank suddenly! Grandpa really knows! He might even be one of the planners who sent his mother to that laboratory!
He quickly flipped back. The records ahead were mostly similar cold reports, about project progress, capital injection, and some irrelevant "intelligence" sent back by Lin Wanru.
It was not until a certain page in the middle that the old man's handwriting seemed to become somewhat irritable and... Confused?
** [XTH, X month] **
Wanru's recent report was ambiguous and her mood seemed unstable. Despite repeated reminders to focus on the task and obtain core data, she has repeatedly declined and even proposed to terminate the cooperation and return to her home country. The benevolence of a woman! Don't you know that once the arrow is drawn, there's no turning back! The Lu family has invested too much and must not give up halfway! *
** [XTH, X month] **
I unexpectedly received an anonymous warning telling me to bring Wanru back to China immediately. Otherwise, I will bear the consequences myself. Ridiculous! Who dares to threaten the Lu family? It must be a play that Wanru herself found someone to put on, hoping to get out of it through this! I mustn't let her have her wish fulfilled! *
The further it went, the fewer records there were, and the tone became increasingly cold and harsh, even tinged with anger.
Until the very last page, there were only a few words, but the handwriting seemed rather hasty, even... Panic?
** [XTH, X month] **
Things seem to be out of control... A researcher died over there and it caused a huge stir... Wanru has completely lost contact... P.P. has taken a tough stance, demanding a huge hush money and a complete cut... Damn it! If only I had known... *
The record comes to an abrupt end here.
There is a blank space behind.
Lu Tingchen held the thin notebook, his knuckles turning pale from straining. The truth was like a cold tide, instantly submerging him!
So that's it!
My mother was deliberately placed in that laboratory by my grandfather as a commercial spy back then! She didn't voluntarily get involved in those dirty deals. She even tried to resist and withdraw! However, her grandfather, for the sake of profit, ignored her requests for help and warnings, and even used anonymous warnings as a trick for her. This eventually led to her being isolated and helpless, and might even have indirectly contributed to her later "depression" and "departure"!
Those so-called "black materials", those unexplainable overseas experiences, their roots actually stem from this! It originated from his grandfather's cold-hearted ambition and calculation!
Immense anger and an indescribable sense of desolation swept over Lu Tingchen. He had always thought that his mother was a participant or even a beneficiary of that past event, but he never expected that from the very beginning, she was the pawn who was sacrificed! A tragedy ruthlessly crushed by patriarchy and the interests of the large family!
Su Wanwan also finished reading those materials. She covered her mouth, her eyes filled with shock and sympathy. She finally understood why Lin Wanru's eyes always carried that deep-hidden melancholy and estrangement, and why her feelings towards the Lu family were so complicated.
"Tingchen..." " She held his cold hand worriedly.
Lu Tingchen raised his head, his eyes brimming with blood vessels. It was a kind of pain from being betrayed by a close relative and the cruelty of the truth. He punched the coffee table hard, making a dull and loud noise!
How could he... How could he treat her like this! His voice suppressed immense pain and anger, feeling that his mother was not worth it and extremely disappointed and angry at his grandfather!
The long-held perception has been completely overturned. At this moment, the monument in his heart, named "Family" and "Grandfather", collapsed with a loud crash and shattered into dust.
Su Wanwan hugged him tightly, feeling the slight tremor of his body. She knew that at this moment, any words were pale and she could only stay by his side like this.
After a long while, Lu Tingchen's emotions gradually calmed down, but his eyes became colder and more determined than ever before.
He picked up the last item in the box - a sealed, unsigned envelope. Judging from its material and color, it seemed not to be from the same period as the others.
He opened the envelope and found only one piece of paper inside, with a few lines of printed words on it:
I know what you're looking up. Do you want to know the whole truth about Lin Wanru's "depression" and "departure"? Come alone at the old house Rose Garden at ten o 'clock tomorrow night. Otherwise, these pieces of evidence will be gone forever. **
No signature, no signature.
Like a ghost, the tentacles that extended from the past precisely pinched the throat of the present.
Lu Tingchen looked at the note and then at the relics in the box that had revealed some of the truth, his eyes dim and unclear.
Is the box left by grandfather and this mysterious note a coincidence? Or... The second step that grandfather had planned? Even the reaction after his death and the investigation steps were anticipated?
This realization made him feel a chill.
Old house Rose Garden... That was my mother's favorite place to go before.
At ten o 'clock tomorrow evening.
It seems that he must walk this thorny path leading to the truth himself.
He put away the note and looked at Su Wanwan, his eyes complex: "Tomorrow night, I'm going back to the old house." "
Su Wanwan's heart tightened: "I'll go with you!" "
"No." Lu Tingchen shook his head, his tone extremely firm. "The other party requested a private meeting." This time, I have to go alone.
He was determined to see how many secrets were still hidden in that old house that held countless complex memories of his, and who was still secretly manipulating all of this more than twenty years later.
(To be continued...)"