It was summer break, the kindergarten wasn’t open, and he didn’t feel at ease leaving his son alone at home, so he had to bring him along.

Lu Zhe smiled slightly.

The morning sunlight was gentle. A light breeze occasionally brushed through the green roadside trees, swaying their branches.

This time, the place he and Boss Fang were considering was a bit farther from the city center, but the building was newly constructed, the environment was nice, and the rent was much cheaper due to a need for tenants.

Boss Fang was very satisfied. For the same price as before, they could rent an entire floor here. He immediately asked the agent when they could sign the contract—he wanted to secure the place quickly so the next steps could continue smoothly.

“If you’re willing, I can go back to the office right now and print the contract. We can sign it today,” the agent said, surprised by how urgent they were.

“Then let’s do it today.” After the previous incident, Boss Fang was wary. To avoid anything going wrong, it was best to sign as soon as possible.

Lu Zhe had no objections.

Just then, the agent suddenly received a phone call.

Boss Fang watched the agent’s timid, hesitant expression as he responded to the call, and for some reason, a bad feeling rose in his gut.

After hanging up, the agent said to Boss Fang and Lu Zhe, “I’m very sorry. My boss just called and said this floor was already rented out a long time ago. I made a mistake. I’m sorry.”

As expected—bad news. Boss Fang frowned. “How can you make a mistake like this? We’ve been discussing for so long, we’re about to sign the contract, and you tell me now that you made a mistake?”

The agent didn’t seem too concerned. “I apologize.”

Boss Fang gritted his teeth. “Then take us to see the floor above.”

The agent had mentioned earlier that the seventh and eighth floors were still available. Because he believed in certain feng shui omens—seven up, eight down—he chose the seventh floor.

Now that the seventh floor was rented out, they could only look at the eighth.

Agent: “I’m sorry, the eighth floor has also been rented out.”

“What is your company trying to do? Just now you said both the seventh and eighth floors were empty, and in the blink of an eye you’re telling me they’re already rented? Is your company playing with us?” Boss Fang questioned sharply.

Anyone would be angry when an agreement was suddenly overturned.

Lu Zhe’s thin lips tightened. He thought of something.

The next moment, someone walked in through the open glass doors.

“Obviously we’re playing with you. What can you do about it?” The speaker was He Ermeng. He had long since arranged for people to keep watch on Boss Fang and Lu Zhe. As soon as they found a location, someone would report to him.

He intended to crush Lu Zhe completely. A terminally ill nobody—who did he think he was, trying to start a business?

He Ermeng’s brows and eyes were full of arrogance and unruliness. “I told you, whether it’s the He family’s properties or anywhere else, don’t even think about renting anything.”

Boss Fang choked with fury. “You—”

“What? You planning to hit me?” He Ermeng met Lu Zhe’s cold gaze. He curled his lips. Two bodyguards in black suits walked in from outside, standing straight behind him.

Last time, he had underestimated Lu Zhe’s abilities and suffered a loss. This time, he came prepared—the bodyguards behind him were top-notch fighters.

“Xiao Zhe, let’s go. Don’t waste time here.” Boss Fang saw the bodyguards behind He Ermeng, they couldn’t go head-to-head with him.

He spoke, holding Xiao Kuaile in one arm and pushing Lu Zhe with the other. A wise man does not suffer a loss before his eyes.

Seeing that Boss Fang and Lu Zhe were about to leave, He Ermeng raised an eyebrow and spoke. “Cici’s birthday is coming up. I’ll be attending her birthday banquet, and I’ll be her dance partner. As for a terminally ill wretch like you—not to mention attending the banquet, you don’t even have the qualifications to step into the Su family’s house.”

Trying to leap to the heavens and eat swan meat, he’d seen plenty of people who didn’t know their place.

Lu Zhe halted in his steps, his gaze turning icy cold.

“Xiao Zhe, ignore him. Let him say whatever he wants. You know who Xiao Ci likes, that’s enough.” Boss Fang truly feared Lu Zhe would lose control and fight He Ermeng. After all, He Ermeng had two tall bodyguards behind him.

They were ordinary citizens. When encountering rich, overbearing bullies like this, what could they do but endure? If they really fought out of pride, it would be nothing but an egg thrown at a stone—only suffering for themselves.

Boss Fang was someone who could move forward or retreat as needed. He pushed Lu Zhe hard, trying to get him out.

Once outside the building, Boss Fang put his son down.

He let out a deep sigh of relief and patted Lu Zhe’s shoulder. “It’s fine. If we can’t make this deal, we’ll find another place. I’ve already prepared myself for setbacks. The beginning of starting a business is always hard. Besides, the He family can’t cover the entire B City with one hand. I don’t believe he can keep blocking us forever.”

Lu Zhe said, “The person he wants to target is me.”

“That Young Master He is just a mad dog. Let’s not pay him any mind. If he hadn’t been lucky enough to be born into a wealthy family, he’d probably be nothing.” Boss Fang grumbled, “Aside from being a little good-looking and having money at home, what else does he have? A boy like that can only fool innocent little girls. Don’t worry—Xiao Ci has good judgment. She definitely wouldn’t like him.”

Thinking of Su Ci waiting at his place, Lu Zhe’s cold expression softened. “Mm.”

“Let’s head back. It won’t work today. We’ll look again tomorrow.” Boss Fang held Xiao Kuaile’s hand. “Son, when we get home, Daddy will make you something tasty, okay?”

Xiao Kuaile nodded obediently and answered in his soft babyish voice, “Okay.”

Just then, as Lu Zhe and Boss Fang were about to leave, a black luxury car stopped in front of them.

It was the sort of extravagant car you might not even see online. Boss Fang couldn’t help glancing twice. Truly, B City had too many rich people.

The window lowered, revealing a man’s refined side profile.

The man looked toward them.

Boss Fang glanced at him, then instinctively looked at Lu Zhe beside him—only to be shocked. Lu Zhe actually resembled the man in the car.

Heavens!

Inside the car, Lu Chen looked at the boy outside. Just like in the photo—those brows and eyes were very similar to his own.

Lu Chen pushed open the door and stepped out. He wore a custom sapphire-blue suit—handsome, with a touch of flamboyance. Standing before Lu Zhe, his peach-blossom eyes half-squinted as he looked him over. “Lu Zhe?”

After seeing the information Su Father gave him yesterday, he had immediately ordered an investigation and already obtained part of the boy’s background. He knew this youth had grown up in an orphanage.

If this wasn’t some ploy by Su Father, then there was a real possibility this boy was his son.

He didn’t trust the paternity report Su Father gave him, so he wanted to take the boy for another test himself.

“As you can see, you should know you look a lot like me.” Lu Chen noticed that although the boy’s features resembled his own, his temperament was completely different—more like the old man.

Boss Fang froze. What was happening? Could it be that Lu Zhe’s relatives had found him?

Lu Zhe looked at him with a faint, cold gaze. “What do you want?”

“Of course there’s something. You’re an orphan, and I lost a son. Come with me—we’re doing a paternity test.” Lu Chen didn’t beat around the bush. Though still uncertain, he had an inexplicable feeling that the boy in front of him really was his blood.

Lu Zhe glanced at him and rejected him outright. “I’m not going. I have no family.”

“Do you have any idea who I am?” Lu Chen arched his peach-blossom eyes. Even in his forties, he was still outrageously striking. “I’m the head of the Lu family. If you’re my son, do you know what that means?”

Boss Fang was already drowning in wave after wave of shock. The Lu family?

When researching Su Ci’s background earlier, he had also looked up the Lu family. These two families were top-tier aristocrats in the country—far above the He family.

Just a moment ago he had been complaining about He Ermeng, that spoiled, arrogant rich young master. And now? A complete reversal—Lu Zhe might actually be the son of the Lu family’s head?

Boss Fang felt his brain wasn’t equipped to process any of this.

Such whiplash reversals were too stimulating.

“The Lu family has nothing to do with me.” Lu Zhe said coldly.

Lu Chen looked at the boy before him with unexpected interest. He really did resemble the old man at home—aloof and proud.

“Whether you have anything to do with me or not, I’m taking you for a paternity test.” The more Lu Chen looked, the more certain he felt that this youth was his seed. After all, it was impossible for anyone else in the world to give birth to a son who looked so much like him.

“I’m not going.” Lu Zhe turned to Boss Fang. “Uncle Fang, let’s go.”

“Ah?” Boss Fang snapped back to reality. They were just going to leave? They looked so alike, there was a real chance they were father and son.

He wanted to persuade Lu Zhe to take the test, but this was Lu Zhe’s business—he couldn’t interfere too much.

“Sir, should we follow them?” The chauffeur beside Lu Chen couldn’t hide his excitement.

He was an old servant of the Lu family. Ever since the young master was lost more than ten years ago, whether it was Mister, Madam, or the old master, the matter had become a wound in their hearts.

And now, the young man walking away just might be the Lu family’s missing heir.

“Follow.” Lu Chen touched his chin, remembering how his wife had kicked him to the study again last night. He commented, “Old Cao, doesn’t that kid look a lot like me?”

Old Cao nodded immediately. “He does. Except for the eyes, the nose and mouth look most like you.”

“Alright, keep driving behind them. If he doesn’t want the test, we’ll drag him there.” Lu Chen chuckled.

“Sir, maybe the young master is just shocked and hasn’t had time to accept it yet. Please don’t scare him off.” Old Cao understood Lu Chen’s impulsiveness well. Only Madam could manage him; even the old master couldn’t control him.

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow. “We haven’t even done the test yet, and you’re already calling him ‘young master’?”

Old Cao’s face was full of joy. “It can’t be wrong.”

The neighborhood wasn’t far, so Lu Zhe and Boss Fang walked back.

The car followed slowly behind them. Boss Fang resisted the urge to turn around. “Xiao Zhe, that car has been behind us the whole time.”

Lu Zhe: “Ignore it.”

Boss Fang asked, “Xiao Zhe, why didn’t you agree to the Lu family man’s test? If he really is your father…”

Lu Zhe cut him off. “Uncle Fang, ever since I learned about my illness, I gave up on the idea of looking for family.”

Boss Fang’s expression trembled. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. What could he say?

Even if Lu Zhe really was his son, even if they acknowledged each other… Lu Zhe only had a few years left. If he returned to the Lu family, he’d only make them experience the pain of losing him all over again.

Better that they never found him. At least then, they could imagine he was living a happy life somewhere.

At his age, Boss Fang felt his eyes sting. If only Lu Zhe could be selfish for once.

The car followed them into the residential area. Lu Chen got out, frowning at the surroundings.

Seeing Lu Zhe walk into the building, he followed after him.

Su Ci woke up a little after ten. Her cold still hadn’t fully healed, and the rabbit ears on her head hadn’t disappeared yet.

She saw the note Lu Zhe left, understood he had gone out for something, and obediently ate the breakfast he made while waiting for him to return.

Just as she grew bored enough to think about calling him, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Lu Zhe was back?

No, he had a key. He wouldn’t ring the doorbell.

Someone was here to see Lu Zhe?

Su Ci went back into the room and put on her hat, making sure her rabbit ears wouldn’t show. Only then did she open the door.

When the door opened and she saw the tall boy standing outside, Su Ci immediately brightened. She stepped forward and threw herself into his arms. “Lu Zhe, you’re back. I waited for you until I was practically growing mold. You have to give me a kiss to make up for it.”

“Tuan Tuan.” Lu Zhe caught her. He sounded a little uneasy. “Stand properly.”

Su Ci, whose waist he had just steadied, was about to complain when she accidentally met a pair of smiling peach-blossom eyes standing outside the door.

There were other people here?

Lu Chen touched his chin and restrained the surprise in his eyes. “Su Shengguo’s daughter?”

Su Father often bragged to Lu Chen about his daughter, so of course Lu Chen recognized Su Ci. In the whole country, how many girls could grow up looking like the Su family’s precious jewel? He had good reason to boast.

And right now… Su Shengguo’s daughter seemed to be together with his not-yet-confirmed son?

For some reason, Lu Chen suddenly imagined the scene of Su Father jumping in fury when he found out.

He shot his son an approving look—worthy of being his seed.