Deep Brotherly Love

Inside the Lu family mansion, Qiu Zhiheng looked at Madam Duan Shaoxia and shook his head. Lu Yuanhai could not be cured. "Madam, it is my own incompetence. I failed to look after both young masters properly. I have no face to remain in the Lu family." Qiu Zhiheng truly wanted to leave the Lu family. This was not only due to Old Yao's advice, but also his own self-reproach. Qiu Zhiheng had indeed known nothing about the attempt on Lu Maoxian's life, but had he noticed the signs earlier, there might still have been a chance to salvage things. "Zhiheng," Duan Shaoxia gripped Qiu Zhiheng's hand, "you cannot abandon us mother and son. I know those two boys were foolish and hurt you, but please do not hold it against them. Yuanshan is dead, and Yuanhai has ended up like this. Don't hold a grudge against them..." As she spoke, Duan Shaoxia wept until she could barely breathe. Qiu Zhiheng did not know what to say. Leaving the Lu family could be set aside for the moment, but as for what step to take next, he could not think of a strategy. In a couple of days, Lu Maoxian would come making trouble again, and dragging things out like this was no solution either. A subordinate brought word that several of Lu Maoxian's sons had secretly taken over several of Lu Yuanshan's businesses. Those businesses had to be reclaimed, so Qiu Zhiheng hurriedly led men out the door. No sooner had Monkey Qiu left than Duan Shaoxia's elder sister, Duan Shaohong, arrived. The two sisters exchanged a few pleasantries. Duan Shaoxia initially intended to find an opportunity to see Duan Shaohong off—now was hardly the time to entertain guests, and saying too much might let something slip. Yet Duan Shaohong refused to leave, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "Sister, I heard rumors. Did something happen to my two nephews?" Duan Shaoxia was taken aback. "Who told you that?" "It came from Lu Maoxian's side. Word is you're having an affair with Monkey Qiu and harmed both boys." "That old dog, he's full of fucking shit!" Duan Shaoxia's eyes reddened instantly. Duan Shaohong took Duan Shaoxia's hand and lowered her voice. "Let's go inside to talk." Once in the bedroom, Duan Shaohong said, "We two sisters grew up together. Let's not hide anything from each other. Did something really happen to Yuanshan and Yuanhai?" "Nothing happened..." "You're still keeping it from me? It's spread all over Lüshui City! That old dog Lu Maoxian has dragged your reputation through the mud!" Now that Lu Maoxian had leaked the news, Duan Shaoxia knew she could no longer keep it secret, so she told Duan Shaohong everything. Hearing that Lu Yuanshan was dead, Duan Shaohong wept as well. "Sister, how could you hide something so big from me? You should have told me at least. Don't carry it all on your own." The two sisters cried together for a while before Duan Shaohong turned to the main subject. "Sister, that old dog Lu Maoxian definitely won't let you off this time. Monkey Qiu is an outsider after all. Without someone to hold up the pillars of the family, there's no way he can withstand this." "But Yuanhai..." "Treat Yuanhai's condition slowly for now. Before Yuanhai is cured, we must first find someone to prop up the Lu family's direct line." The so-called direct line of the Lu family was, in truth, Lu Dongliang's bloodline. Beyond Lu Yuanshan and Lu Yuanhai, did Lu Dongliang have other offspring? Plenty—so many that Lu Dongliang himself could not count them all. Yet none of them were Duan Shaoxia's children; how could she ever accept them? "Sister, of course we wouldn't acknowledge someone else's child, but wouldn't you acknowledge your own sister's child?" "Your child, of course I..." Duan Shaoxia stared at Duan Shaohong in utter astonishment. Duan Shaohong did not blush; now was not the time for blushing. "Sister, when did this happen?" "Before you were married, after I was." "You don't mean Huaiyi, do you?" Duan Shaohong gave a slight nod. It was indeed Huaiyi she meant. Zhang Huaiyi, the eldest son of Duan Shaohong and her husband, Zhang Bochu. Duan Shaoxia flew into a rage. "How could Huaiyi be..." "Sister, listen to me. Dongliang and I had already been together before you two married. It doesn't count as wronging you..." The more Duan Shaoxia listened, the angrier she grew, wishing she could give Duan Shaohong a sound thrashing on the spot. Yet after listening to Duan Shaohong speak for half an hour, Duan Shaoxia calmed down. Thinking carefully, Zhang Huaiyi did look very much like Lu Dongliang; he might truly be Lu Dongliang's child. He was also Duan Shaohong's son, which made his bloodline very close to her own. A close bloodline. This really was an option... The question was, would Duan Shaohong's husband, Zhang Bochu, agree? Duan Shaohong sneered. "Why wouldn't he? If not for relying on our Duan family all these years, he wouldn't even have the northwest wind to drink! God knows which of my eyes went blind back then when I took a fancy to him." Zhang Bochu's family background fell far short of the Duan family's, but in his youth he was handsome and won Duan Shaohong's favor. Coupled with the Duan family's lax restrictions on their daughters, the marriage had been allowed to happen. Duan Shaohong said, "Sister, Huaiyi is Dongliang's seed. He looks so much like him that you can tell at a glance. In the future, he'll change his surname to Lu and call you Mother. That settles it!" Duan Shaoxia said nothing, merely hanging her head and wiping away tears. By evening, Qiu Zhiheng returned to the residence, his face looking terrible. He had failed to reclaim the businesses. Lu Maoxian's stance was exceedingly unyielding; he considered Qiu Zhiheng unqualified to discuss matters with him and demanded to see the two Lu brothers. Troubled and exhausted, Monkey Qiu had intended to return to his small building for a good night's sleep, but Zhang Huaiyi suddenly arrived and bowed to him. "Uncle Qiu." "Huaiyi?" Qiu Zhiheng recognized Zhang Huaiyi, but he did not understand why he was still in the Lu Manor so late at night. Duan Shaohong said, "Steward Qiu, from now on, Huaiyi belongs to the Lu family." Qiu Zhiheng was stunned, but immediately grasped Duan Shaohong's meaning. Zhang Huaiyi was Lu Dongliang's spawn—Qiu Zhiheng was aware of this, as Lu Dongliang had mentioned it before. For Duan Shaohong to bring Zhang Huaiyi over now meant she intended for him to take over as family head. Wasn't this utter folly? Duan Shaoxia looked at Qiu Zhiheng. "Zhiheng, do you have any other solution?" Monkey Qiu had no reply; he truly had no better alternative. Yet having Zhang Huaiyi serve as a son of the Lu family was certainly no solution either. No one would acknowledge Zhang Huaiyi's status—even Lu Dongliang had never acknowledged him back then. Though Lu Dongliang was a rake, he drew an exceptionally clear line between inside and outside. Out of all the women on the outside, he had acknowledged only one in his entire life, and that was Zhuo Yuling. Of all the children on the outside, he had acknowledged only two: Lu Xiaolan and Lu Chunying. He acknowledged Lu Xiaolan because Zhuo Yuling was indeed useful to him. He acknowledged Lu Chunying because she had found Lu Xiaolan, which counted as a meritorious deed, and because Lu Chunying's disposition pleased him. Now, for a Zhang Huaiyi to suddenly pop up out of nowhere—how could this man ever gain a firm footing in the Lu family? Monkey Qiu shook his head repeatedly at Duan Shaoxia. Duan Shaohong frowned. "Steward Qiu, what do you mean by that? Does a decision made by your Madam allow for your unsolicited interference? On the first of next month, Huaiyi will hold a banquet, recognize his mother, and take the family surname. Go make the arrangements right away." There were only ten days left until the first of next month. If they truly went through with this, the Lu family would be thoroughly ruined. Monkey Qiu sat in his building all night without sleeping. Duan Shaoxia stood before Lu Yuanhai's bed, gazing deeply at her son. "Child, Mother has found you a brother. Mother is doing this all for your own good." After sitting silently for a long time, a knock came at the door. Duan Shaoxia opened it. Standing outside was Zhang Huaiyi, whom Duan Shaoxia had summoned. Looking at Duan Shaoxia, Zhang Huaiyi called out, "Aunt," not daring to say anything else. This was what Duan Shaohong had instructed: upon first arriving at the Lu family, he had to appear timid and reserved so as not to arouse the suspicions of the Lu family members. Duan Shaoxia smiled. "Child, this is your home. No need to be so restrained. Call me Mother from now on, not Aunt." Blushing, Zhang Huaiyi nodded. For a man in his thirties to switch to calling her "Mother" was rather awkward. Even more awkward things lay ahead. On the first of next month, he would have to change his surname and serve tea to every elder in front of the entire Lu clan. He knew it was disgraceful, but Duan Shaohong had told him that this was his best opportunity to turn his life around. As long as he became the head of the Lu family, he would have endless money to spend, endless girls to sleep with, and a status and standing that others wouldn't dare look up to. Whenever he thought of such glory, Zhang Huaiyi felt blood rush to his head, and the slight hardship he was enduring right now seemed like nothing at all. "Mother!" Zhang Huaiyi called out with heartfelt sincerity. Duan Shaoxia nodded and led Zhang Huaiyi to Lu Yuanhai's bedside. "Huaiyi, this is your younger brother, Yuanhai. Yuanhai is ill, as you know." Zhang Huaiyi nodded; Duan Shaohong had told him all about this. "Huaiyi, you must take good care of your brother from now on." Zhang Huaiyi had prepared his words regarding Lu Yuanhai long ago. "Mother, don't worry. Flesh and blood ties run deep. Even if it costs me my life, I will find a way to cure my brother's illness." Duan Shaoxia nodded. "Go take a look at your brother. Yuanhai can hear you speak." Zhang Huaiyi looked at Lu Yuanhai. A tear hung at the corner of Lu Yuanhai's eye. Truth be told, Lu Yuanhai looked somewhat similar to Zhang Huaiyi—even more so than Lu Yuanshan had. Zhang Huaiyi sighed inwardly: *This kid's life is pretty much over. My mother told me that when the time is right, she'll arrange for someone to send him on his way.* *He enjoyed the high life for over twenty years, which is more than enough. From now on, it's my turn to live the good life.* "Brother, I'll come see you again next time." Zhang Huaiyi was just about to stand up when he discovered that Lu Yuanhai's grip on his hand was tightening. *What's this? What does this kid want to do?* At his side, Duan Shaoxia said, "Huaiyi, stay and talk with your brother a bit longer. He hasn't spoken with anyone in a long time. Seeing me every single day, he must be sick of it." *Talk?* *Can he talk?* Zhang Huaiyi was displeased inside, but did not dare show it on his face. Holding Lu Yuanhai's hand, he maintained a look of heartbreak. Tears fell from Lu Yuanhai's eyes one by one. Watching Lu Yuanhai weep continuously, Zhang Huaiyi felt waves of sharp pain in his chest. *What's happening?* *Am I feeling heartache for him?* *Why would I feel heartache for him?* *Those two brothers never used to look at me straight on. Especially that Lu Yuanshan—whenever I asked to borrow a little spending money from him, he never failed to disgust me!* *Lu Yuanhai wasn't bad, at least; he never made things difficult for me over money.* *Actually, he's always treated me decently...* At this thought, Zhang Huaiyi felt moved, and his eyes grew moist. *He really is my blood brother.* *This brotherly affection is real.* "Yuanhai, recover well. You can get better. Trust me, you'll definitely get better..." Zhang Huaiyi spoke a few words to Lu Yuanhai, growing sadder the more he spoke. Layer upon layer of tears completely blurred his vision. He could not see Lu Yuanhai clearly; he could see nothing at all. Zhang Huaiyi wanted to wipe his tears, but his hand wouldn't move. *What's going on?* *Could I have caught it from Lu Yuanhai?* Duan Shaoxia spoke up: "Huaiyi, don't be too grieved. Go back to your room and rest." Zhang Huaiyi was anxious too; he wanted to return to his room to rest, but he couldn't move. He couldn't move his hands, nor could he move his feet. "Mother, you should get some rest early too." *Someone spoke?* *Who was that speaking?* Zhang Huaiyi's vision remained blurry, and the voice sounded hazy and indistinct. His hands couldn't move, his feet couldn't move, and he couldn't utter a word. He couldn't even focus his mind. The only clear sensation left was an indescribable numbness all over his body. Duan Shaoxia led "Zhang Huaiyi" to another bedroom. Once in the bedroom, "Zhang Huaiyi" immediately lay down on the bed and began panting heavily. He was very unaccustomed to this body, and blood vessels bulged one after another across his face. Duan Shaoxia was in poor shape as well, sitting by the bedside with sweat pouring down her face. "Zhang Huaiyi" said, "Mother, I feel like this body can't hold me." Duan Shaoxia stroked "Zhang Huaiyi's" forehead. "Zhang Huaiyi's bloodline is close to yours. This was the physique most compatible with you that Mother could find." "Mother, it hurts terribly, I really can't endure it..." "Don't be afraid. Mother has pills. You must hold on." "Mother, I have a body now, but what about my identity?" "We'll have your Uncle Qiu figure out the identity. He'll certainly have a way." P.S. High-tier Emotion Cultivators are immensely powerful. Yet what could Monkey Qiu possibly do?