Chapter 53: He Really Is Brother Shen’s Most Trusted Bro

“Am I the only one obsessed with the badass girl who kicked that thug into the air? She’s so cool, I’m in love!”

“Yes yes yes! It’s just like they say, when a woman gets cool, men don’t stand a chance!”

“I hereby declare, from this moment on, she is my husband!”

“Why is she tall, cool, and gorgeous, while I look like a tiny potato?”

“There’s more than one amazing girl, you know. Did you see that young, pretty lady treating the injured?”

“She was so gentle, it hit me right in the feels!”

“I think the guy who helped feed glucose was super handsome too!”

“……”

After skimming through the comments section, Lu Qingqiang couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“Dad, what do you think will happen to that thug in the end?”

“Hard to say. They’ll probably do a psychiatric evaluation first.”

“If it proves he committed the act while unable to control his behavior, then he won’t bear criminal responsibility.”

“But his guardian won’t be off the hook.”

“Also, the psychiatric hospital will likely be held accountable too.”

“No wonder some criminals go stay in mental hospitals for a while and get themselves certified. It’s all just to dodge punishment,” Lu Jianshen remarked.

“Shen Shen, I’m warning you, don’t even think about doing something like that.”

“??? Dad, I was just saying. What would I even be thinking?” Lu Jianshen pouted.

His dad kept him on a tight leash.

He wasn’t even allowed to mess around with girls.

He’d even said that if he ever caught him playing around with girls, he’d break his legs.

With that kind of threat hanging over him, would he dare mess up?

If he ever committed murder or arson, forget his parents, even his cold-faced, iron-fisted big brother would personally drag him to jail.

“Shen Shen, I believe in you.”

“Dad, did you hear that? Mom gets me!” Lu Jianshen instantly perked up.

“……” Lu Qingqiang.

The longer she knew her second brother, the more she realized that beneath his roguish charm was a heart full of childish mischief.

“Qingqing, what do you think?”

“Hmm, I think Mom’s right.”

“Second Brother is actually a really good person.”

“He’s got solid values and good character. Dad, you really don’t need to worry about him,” Lu Qingqiang said sincerely.

From the time she got to know Lu Jianshen until now, he had indeed been a decent older brother.

“Qingqing, you’ve got great taste. No wonder you’re my little sister!”

Lu Shenlin shot Lu Jianshen a glance, then immediately turned to Lu Qingqiang with a gentle expression and said,

“Qingqing, we’ve got things to take care of this afternoon, so we’ll head back now.”

“Take care of yourself. If anything comes up, call home right away.”

“Qingqing, are you really not coming back with us?” Madam Lu looked reluctant to leave.

“Dad, Mom, I’ve got work to do at the orphanage. Don’t worry, I’ll come home as soon as I get a break.”

“Well, alright then.”

That’s what Madam Lu said on the surface, but in her heart, she was thinking:

Qingqing is just too outstanding!

Only someone as exceptional as her would be this busy all the time.

Since the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll just go to the mountain whenever I can!

Qingqing’s busy, but I’m not.

“Oh right, Dad, Mom, when I went to buy water earlier, I picked up a little something for you.”

As she spoke, Lu Qingqiang took out the inkstone and earrings she’d bought from the roadside antique shop.

“Qingqing, how thoughtful of you. I really like this gift,” said her father.

“Wow, Qingqing, you’ve got such great taste. These earrings are gorgeous!”

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you help me put them on?” Madam Lu was more direct in showing her affection.

Of course, she genuinely loved the earrings Lu Qingqiang had given her.

They were so elegant and luxurious. She couldn’t get enough of them!

Sniff sniff, this was the second gift Qingqing had given her!

Qingqing was the best.

Unlike her second son, Lu Jianshen, who didn’t even ask her for pocket money anymore—what a miracle.

Thinking of this, Madam Lu couldn’t help but shoot Lu Jianshen a glare.

Lu Jianshen, who was suddenly hit with a look of disdain from his own mother: “???”

What did I do now?

Women. So hard to understand!

“Of course I can.”

“Mom, sit here for a moment. I’ll disinfect the earrings with an alcohol wipe first.”

“Alright.” Madam Lu smiled so brightly she looked like a blooming flower.

Soon, the pair of gold filigree earrings with jade butterflies and plum blossoms were gently placed on her ears by Lu Qingqiang.

Madam Lu had always had a graceful and elegant appearance, and with these earrings, her whole aura became even more refined.

“Beautiful.”

“Right? I think so too. I really love them,” Madam Lu said, nodding as she admired herself in the mirror.

“Wait, what about me? What about me? I’m standing right here! Don’t I get anything?”

“I helped out today too!” Lu Jianshen said, full of envy.

“Second Brother, of course you have something. Here~”

Lu Qingqiang handed him a box.

Lu Jianshen took it eagerly and opened it right away.

Inside was a string of rosewood prayer beads.

Dangling from the beads was a finely carved pixiu, vivid and lifelike.

“It’s okay, I guess. Barely passable.”

Trying to act cool, Lu Jianshen said that, but he immediately took the beads out and slipped them onto his wrist.

“Shen Shen, I actually think those beads are pretty nice. If you don’t like them, give them to me.”

“Dad, aren’t you a little old to be stealing gifts from your kid?”

Lu Jianshen instantly shielded his left hand and quietly took several steps away from Lu Shenlin.

Hmph, not giving it up!

Don’t even think about it!

Even if you try, you won’t get it!

After seeing off the three members of the Lu Family, Lu Qingqiang checked on the children napping in the dorm, then went to take a nap herself.

She had a busy afternoon ahead.

She needed to drill holes into the logs that had just arrived, air them out, and then inoculate them with mushroom spores.

Thankfully, she had plenty of help, so it wouldn’t be too overwhelming.

******

On the way back.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, Lu Jianshen casually played with the prayer beads on his wrist.

Hey, not gonna lie, the more he looked at them, the better they looked.

This little sister of his really had good taste.

Big points for her!

Feeling bored, Lu Jianshen pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of his hand wearing the beads.

Then he sent it to the Jiangcheng F6 (Fabulous Six) group chat.

“What do you think? Pretty nice, right?”

“My sister gave them to me.”

The five guys who had worked all morning and now had their hands wrapped like zongzi because of blisters: “……”

This message was basically dripping with smugness. Should they reply or not?

If they replied, there was a good chance Brother Shen would drag them off to do more labor in the afternoon.

But if they didn’t reply, wouldn’t that be disrespecting Brother Shen?

After thinking it through, all five of them decided to wait and see.

If someone else replied first, then they’d follow. (Yes, all five thought the exact same thing!)

Soon enough, Fatty Huang’s phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID and sighed.

Yup. He really was Brother Shen’s most trusted bro.

Just a short delay in replying, and Brother Shen was already worried he’d died and called to check in.

He was so touched he could cry!

┭┮﹏┭┮

— Translator’s Notes —

– pixiu: Pixiu is a mythical creature in Chinese folklore, often depicted as a winged lion, believed to attract wealth and good fortune.