The heavens set sail from the courtyard

Lu Yaxun and Lin Wanfen were watching TV on the sofa after finishing dinner.

The couple had been married for twenty years, always treating each other with respect and living a quiet, uneventful life with few activities.

Since their son Lu Tao's biological father, Xu Zhisen, returned to China, the couple has become increasingly quiet, rarely chatting.

Lu Yaxun was watching TV when he suddenly said to Lin Wanfen next to him, "How is Lu Tao doing at Xu Zhisen's company?"

"Why are you asking about this suddenly?"

Lin Wanfen understands her husband; unless there's a special reason, he won't bring up their son on his own initiative.

Lu Yaxun took off his reading glasses, sighed, and said, "Recently, Xu Zhisen's company had a project that I didn't approve."

Lin Wanfen frowned and asked, "Is it related to Lu Tao? I haven't heard him mention it."

Lu Yaxun said, "You know me. Work is work, and I won't let personal feelings interfere with work. Xu Zhisen's application for the project did have some problems, which is why I rejected it. But I was afraid Lu Tao would misunderstand."

Lin Wanfen nodded and said, "I'll call Lu Tao and ask."

Lu Yaxun quickly stopped him, saying, "Since Lu Tao didn't say anything, just pretend you don't know!"

Lin Wanfen hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Is there a big problem with Xu Zhisen's project?"

At home, the name Xu Zhisen was always a taboo subject; the couple never mentioned it.

Back then, Lin Wanfen and Xu Zhisen were a couple, and they even had a child named Lu Tao. However, Xu Zhisen went to the United States to pursue his career, leaving Lin Wanfen and their son behind.

Lin Wanfen was going through a very difficult time back then. If Lu Yaxun hadn't stepped forward and offered to take over, neither she nor her son would have survived.

Therefore, Lin Wanfen is full of gratitude towards Lu Yaxun. After twenty years of marriage, they have long become family to each other.

When Xu Zhisen returned to China to reunite with his son, Lin Wanfen never considered rekindling their old flame, getting back together, or hurting Lu Yaxun. Therefore, she avoided mentioning Xu Zhisen whenever possible.

Originally, Lin Wanfen and Lu Yaxun disagreed with their son going to work at Xu Zhisen's company, mainly because they were afraid that their son would be led astray.

No one knows Xu Zhisen better than Lin Wanfen.

Unfortunately, Lu Tao was blinded by his father's money and couldn't understand the old couple's good intentions at all.

“Xu Zhisen’s company has serious issues with its qualifications. He’s trying to exploit a loophole in my system through Lu Tao,” Lu Yaxun sighed. “I haven’t agreed to it yet.”

“I’m afraid that Lu Tao will go astray sooner or later if he follows Xu Zhisen.”

Lin Wanfen said worriedly, "Xu Zhisen is Lu Tao's biological father after all. I can't just stop them from meeting."

Lu Yaxun said, "That's not what I meant. I'm afraid that Lu Tao is young and might not be able to resist the temptation of money, and might become like Xu Zhisen. After all, they are related by blood!"

Lin Wanfen frowned and said, "It shouldn't be that bad! Lu Tao grew up around us and is a pretty good kid!"

Lu Yaxun sighed, "One is influenced by one's company; it's easy to learn bad habits but difficult to learn good ones. After all, I'm not Lu Tao's biological father, so there are some things I can't say."

Lin Wanfen picked up the remote and turned off the TV, saying, "I'll call Lu Tao right now."

Lu Yaxun didn't stop her this time, but pretended not to care and went to the kitchen to pour water.

When he returned to the living room, he found Lin Wanfen anxiously holding her phone, saying, "Lu Tao is in trouble!"

Lu Yaxun's hand trembled, and some water spilled from the cup.

"What happened? What's wrong with Lu Tao?!" Lu Yaxun asked with concern.

"Lu Tao went to someone's nightclub to cause trouble and is now being held captive," Lin Wanfen said anxiously.

Lin Wanfen just called Lu Tao, but the person who answered the phone was Mr. Xu from the nightclub.

"They want us to go to the nightclub to bail them out," Lin Wanfen said anxiously. "Old Lu, what should I do?!"

“Why would Lu Tao go to a nightclub? Xu Zhisen must have taken him.” “Why don’t I call Xu Zhisen?” Lin Wanfen didn’t care about Lu Yaxun’s feelings anymore.

Lu Yaxun put down his water glass and comforted him, "Don't worry, I'll go there. You wait at home. If I don't hear from you in two hours, call the police."

Lin Wanfen said fearfully, "Why don't we just call the police!"

Lu Yaxun shook his head and said, "Since the other party asked us to bail him out, Lu Tao should be fine. Nightclubs are places with a lot of people, and if things get out of hand, it won't be good for Lu Tao's future."

Lin Wanfen gripped Lu Yaxun's arm tightly and said, "Old Lu, you have to bring your son back!"

Lu Yaxun assured him, "I will. Wait for my message at home."

Lin Wanfen had no choice but to stay at home and wait, while Lu Yaxun took a taxi to the nightclub.

When he arrived, General Manager Xu sent someone to take him to the storage room. As soon as Lu Yaxun saw Lu Tao with a bruised and swollen face, he was furious: "How could you beat someone up like this!"

Mr. Xu said confidently, "My guests have all been beaten into the hospital by your son."

Lu Yaxun hesitated and asked, "Why did my son hit someone? Is there some misunderstanding?"

Mr. Xu glanced at Xia Lin standing beside him and said, "Then you'll have to ask your daughter-in-law!"

Xia Lin was extremely embarrassed. She had never met Lu Tao's parents before, and she never expected that their first meeting would be in such a setting.

Lu Yaxun didn't know Xia Lin either; he always thought his son's girlfriend was Mi Lai.

However, Lu Yaxun disliked Xia Lin at first sight.

Because of work requirements, Xia Lin dressed somewhat provocatively, and with her heavy makeup, Lu Yaxun's first impression of her was that she wasn't a respectable woman.

"Uncle Lu, please save Lu Tao! He hit people because of me."

Xia Lin tearfully told Lu Yaxun what had happened.

After learning what had happened, Lu Yaxun looked at his son with a hint of anger at his son's lack of ambition.

"Mr. Xu, right? What do you want to do now?" Lu Yaxun suppressed his anger and asked Mr. Xu.

"Your son caused trouble at my place and even beat up one of my important guests, sending him to the hospital. This is no small matter," Mr. Xu said coldly.

"How much money do you want?" Lu Yaxun sighed, "This time it was indeed my son's fault, but you've already vented your anger by beating him up! What more do you want in return for letting him go!"

Mr. Xu said, "Director Lu, I know you work at the Planning Bureau. A friend of mine wants to meet you. If you would do me the honor of having a meal with me, I'll take your son with me."

Lu Yaxun frowned and asked, "Do you know me?"

Mr. Xu smiled and said, "I've heard so much about Director Lu, and I've always wanted to find an opportunity to meet you."

Lu Yaxun's brows furrowed even deeper.

"Enough with the nonsense, name your price! How much do you want for me to take my son away?"

"Director Lu, I've said it before, I don't want money, I just want to be your friend."

Lu Yaxun was in a real bind; his worst fears had come true.

As the deputy director of the planning bureau, Lu Yaxun's position was neither high nor low, but he wielded considerable power. Many real estate developers wanted to curry favor with him and seek personal gain.

After all, if he loosened his grip, those real estate developers would gain at least hundreds of millions in profits.

Over the years, Lu Yaxun has adhered to his principles, refusing to be greedy or seek personal gain, which has inadvertently blocked the path of many others.

Mr. Xu said it was just a meal, but Lu Yaxun was certainly not naive enough to think it was just a meal. If someone with ulterior motives made a fuss about it, he would be in big trouble!

As Lu Yaxun hesitated, Lu Tao's biological father, Xu Zhisen, arrived. (End of Chapter)