The blind boss's nanny

Lin Xiaoman suddenly understood that behind his later control, scheming, and silence, there might not only be the instinct of a strong person, but also the loss of all the lightness and possibilities that a boy lost when he was forced to grow up overnight and fell into darkness.

This realization did not eliminate the problems between them, but it illuminated her understanding of his heart.

She turned over and closed her eyes.

I wonder if, at this moment, that man far away in the East, ever thinks of the sunset in Cambridge and that bright and vibrant time?

The atmosphere inside the meeting room of the Lu Family Manor was heavy.

Lu Tingzhao sat behind a large desk. The main light in the room was off, with only a retro desk lamp, which hid half of his face in shadow, making his features appear more defined and his eyes more profound.

He had just urgently summoned Qin Xiu back from a meeting at the group headquarters.

When Lu Tingxi saw Qin Xiu leave in a hurry, his heart skipped a beat. It was rare for his older brother to do this, calling someone directly from the company back to the manor during working hours.

Considering the strange atmosphere at home recently and Qin Xiu's inexplicable targeting of them, her unease suddenly intensified.

She put down what she was doing and drove a short distance behind Qin Xiu.

Just as he reached the main house's veranda, he bumped into his younger brother, Lu Xingyuan, who was sneaking in through the side door. Lu Xingyuan was carrying the latest game console and was about to go find A Zhe to play games.

"Sis, why are you in such a panic?"

Lu Tingxi hurriedly asked him,

Have you seen Qin Xiu?

She lowered her voice.

"My older brother suddenly called him back... I'm a little worried."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingyuan lost interest in playing games and immediately dragged Lu Tingxi around the main house searching for it.

After searching around, they finally found movement in the conference room.

But the two were isolated outside, and could only press their faces against the heavy walnut door, trying to hear what was happening inside. But the soundproofing was too good, and only indistinct whispers could be heard.

"What are they doing? So secretive..."

Lu Xingyuan asked, puzzled.

"Sh-!"

Lu Tingxi quickly put his index finger to his lips and lowered his voice.

"Xingyuan, keep your voice down!"

Lu Xingyuan's eyes darted around, and mimicking Lu Tingxi, he pressed his ear against the door, listened for a moment, and then pursed his lips:

"I can't hear anything at all; the soundproofing here is the best. Sis, do you want to know what they're saying?"

Lu Tingxi felt embarrassed when her secret was exposed. Just as she was about to deny it, Lu Xingyuan tugged at her sleeve and lowered his voice mysteriously:

"I know a place where you can hear this! Follow me!"

Lu Xingyuan was used to being wild in the manor and knew every corner of it like the back of his hand.

He pulled Lu Tingxi around to the side of the conference room, where there was a tall window that was always slightly ajar for ventilation. The windowsill was a bit off the ground, but there was a thick old banyan tree right next to it.

"We'll start from here,"

Lu Xingyuan pointed to a thick branch on the tree, which extended diagonally below the window.

"If we climb up, we can get close to the window and definitely hear it!"

Lu Tingxi hesitated, looking at the height and angle.

"This...is it feasible? It's too dangerous, and we'll be discovered."

"It's alright! I climb this tree all the time, it's very stable!"

Lu Xingyuan patted his chest confidently and began climbing the tree using both hands and feet, his movements surprisingly skilled.

"Sis, come quick, I'll pull you out!"

Driven by curiosity and concern for Qin Xiu, Lu Tingxi gritted her teeth, disregarding her image and the danger, and lifted her skirt to clumsily climb the tree with Lu Xingyuan.

The two carefully moved onto the thick branch, held their breath, and sure enough, the sound of conversation coming from the study could be faintly heard, much clearer than when they were at the door.

They happened to hear Lu Tingzhao's deep voice:

"...So, Qin Xiu. Back then, my father, Lu Xing, was in Sui County with that woman who worked in the state-run canteen... Was your mother... that woman?"

Qin Xiu, who had been sitting upright and maintaining his usual proper posture, stiffened noticeably for a moment upon hearing these words.

For the first time, a clear crack appeared on the perfect mask of calm on his face. He subconsciously raised his hand, pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his lips moved a few times, and finally, he closed his eyes and squeezed out an extremely difficult word between his teeth:

"……yes."

"ha!"

Lu Tingzhou let out a sneer without any attempt to hide it, his laughter filled with anger and the chilling feeling of being fooled. Compared to reading the cold, hard words in the investigation report, hearing the person involved admit it firsthand was a hundred times more impactful.

He stood up abruptly, his eyes seeming to want to skin Qin Xiu alive, every word grinding out as if from between his teeth:

"Qin Xiu... Qin Xiu! You really are... enduring hardship and humiliation! After playing the role of a loyal minister and filial son for so many years, aren't you tired?!"

Lu Tingzhao's reaction was completely different. He didn't show much emotion on his face, but leaned forward slightly, his deep and sharp eyes fixed on every twitch of Qin Xiu's face and every flicker of his gaze.

He is observing and judging.

The air pressure in the study was so low it was suffocating.

Lu Tingzhou paced back and forth anxiously, each turn filled with barely suppressed anger.

Lu Tingzhao, however, maintained that extremely oppressive posture, sitting as still as a mountain, his gaze piercing, silently exerting immense psychological pressure.

"Qin Xiu,"

Lu Tingzhao spoke again, his voice steady, yet more penetrating than his fury.

"It's come to this now. Don't you have anything... to say to us?"

Qin Xiu's shoulders slumped slightly, his usually straight back finally giving way. He slowly lowered his head and raised his hand to cover his face.

He remained silent, and Lu Tingzhou sensed that his silence contained too many unspeakable things... Was it the shame of his past? Years of forbearance? Or the helplessness after being exposed?

This long silence finally exhausted Lu Tingzhou's last bit of patience and rationality.

"Speak up! Are you deaf or mute?!"

Lu Tingzhou lunged forward, grabbing Qin Xiu's shirt collar with such force that he almost lifted him off the chair! His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead, and the man growled through gritted teeth.

"Tell me! Aren't you my dad's bastard child from years ago?! All these years you've schemed and schemed to get into the core of the Lu Group, just for revenge?! My brother's car accident back then...were you the one who hired someone to do it?!"

Lu Tingxi covered his mouth while on the tree, his eyes wide with horror.

Lu Xingyuan also understood the key words, and his face was full of shock.