Chapter 87: Without Him, This Family Will Fall Apart Sooner or Later!

“Would you like some water first?”

Seeing that Madam Lu seemed unsure how to begin, Lu Qingqiang picked up the hot tea from the table beside her and poured a cup for her.

Just as Madam Lu reached out to take the tea, Lu Qingqiang casually stuck a “Let Me Hear Your Inner Voice” sticker onto her.

【What do I do? How should I say this? I’m so nervous…】

【What if Qingqing gets upset? How do I comfort her?】

【New clothes? A purse? Shoes? She doesn’t seem to care much about those.】

【Give her money directly? Would that be too tacky?】

【Ugh, no, Qingqing probably isn’t that easily angered.】

【After all, I’m just bringing up Fang Yuan’s situation.】

【But what if it makes Qingqing feel uncomfortable?】

【Will she think I asked her here today just to mess with her, to compare her with Fang Yuan?】

【Maybe I should forget it for now and wait for a better time?】

【The book I read last night said that people like Qingqing are often emotionally sensitive, insecure, and prone to overthinking.】

【As parents, we need to give her enough love and a sense of security. I’ve done far too little so far. Sigh!】

【I’m such a failure as a mother!】

“Mom, did Lu Fangyuan come back?”

Seeing Madam Lu sipping her tea in tiny sips, Lu Qingqiang decided to just ask directly.

“Yes, she did. Qingqing, what I wanted to talk to you about today is actually about Fang Yuan and her future relationship with the Lu family.”

“She came back last night.”

“She said… from now on, she’ll treat the Lu family as relatives.”

“She returned everything the Lu family had given her before—house, car, everything.”

“Since she loves acting, the Lu family started an entertainment company and signed her under it.”

“The entertainment industry is a tough place. Back then, we were just afraid she’d get taken advantage of.”

“Of course, Qingqing, besides running the orphanage, if there’s anything else you’re interested in doing, just let us know.”

“The family will definitely support you right away.”

After expressing her stance, Madam Lu continued.

“Fang Yuan signed a yearly S-level contract back then.”

“Your dad and I have decided that the Lu family will continue to support Fang Yuan in her entertainment career.”

“But aside from that professional support, we won’t be giving her any additional help.”

“After all, you are our biological daughter. We want to give all our love and attention to you.”

“Of course, Qingqing, if you’re not comfortable with this arrangement or don’t want Fang Yuan to stay with Lu Corporation, your dad and I can recommend her to another entertainment company.”

“Mom, I think this arrangement is just fine,” Lu Qingqiang replied.

She had heard everything Lu Fangyuan said to Father and Mother Lu the day before, loud and clear.

She also fully understood Fang Yuan’s own thoughts.

As for how the Lu family was handling things now, she had no objections.

“Qingqing, are you really okay with this?”

“If there’s anything bothering you, please don’t hesitate to say it.”

【Oh my, Qingqing is so understanding.】

【The book said that people who are too considerate usually had tough lives or have endured too much in the past.】

【They suppress their own needs and emotions out of a sense of responsibility.】

【They don’t know how to speak up for themselves or express their true thoughts…】

【Qingqing, my Qingqing, what kind of life did she live before?】

“Mom, I really think it’s fine.”

“Look, you said it yourself. Fang Yuan already returned everything the Lu family gave her.”

“That shows she was raised with good values and habits under your guidance.”

“Normally, when someone falls from a high place, the sense of loss is unbearable. They feel out of place and constantly want to go back.”

“But in such situations, some people choose to reflect, push themselves harder, and work their way back to the top on their own.”

“Others wallow in self-pity and do whatever it takes to claw their way back.”

“It’s clear Fang Yuan chose the harder path.”

“She truly let go.”

“Otherwise, right now, she’d be clinging to you or lurking around the Lu family, waiting for a chance.”

“Instead, just as you said, she wants to build a career on her own.”

“Mom, I think Fang Yuan isn’t just like you and Dad. Deep down, she also takes after my adoptive parents.”

“She must be a pretty good person.”

“Of course, my adoptive parents were wonderful people too.”

“When I have time, I’d love to tell you more about them,” Lu Qingqiang said calmly.

“Good. Hearing you say that really surprises and delights me.”

“Qingqing, no matter what, always remember—your dad and I will always love you.”

【Wonderful! Qingqing really isn’t upset. She’s such a good girl!】

【From now on, we have to treat her even better.】

【We need to make it up to her!】

“Mm, I know, Mom.”

“Qingqing, come on, let me take you to the flower house for a walk.”

“You have no idea how well the vegetables you helped us plant last time have grown!”

“…”

Madam Lu and Lu Qingqiang walked out one after the other, heading toward the flower house.

In Lu Jianshen’s room.

He took off his headphones, trimmed the video he had just recorded, and sent it to Lu Fangyuan on WeChat.

See? Without him, this family would fall apart sooner or later.

Thanks to his little maneuver, those two who had never met should now have a better impression of each other, right?

He wasn’t expecting them to get along perfectly.

He just hoped they could both live well.

After all, one was the sister he had called that for over twenty years, and the other was his biological sister.

Ah, once again he sighed.

This family, without him, would definitely fall apart.

He, Lu Jianshen, truly was a modest little genius.

After finishing his self-praise, Lu Jianshen shut down his computer and casually played with a lighter in his hand as he strolled toward Lu Qingqiang’s room.

Right, he needed to hurry up and remove the surveillance camera he had installed there.

If someone found it, they’d definitely think he was some kind of pervert.

Heaven knows, he really didn’t have any weird fetishes.

Slipping smoothly into Lu Qingqiang’s room, Lu Jianshen quickly and skillfully dismantled the hidden camera.

But since the outfit he wore today didn’t have any pockets, he looked around the room and spotted a woman’s dress lying nearby.

Perfect. He could just wrap the camera in the dress and take it back to destroy it.

Later, he’d have someone wash the dress.

Then, when he had time, he’d buy Qingqiang a couple of new dresses as an apology.

Yep, only he could come up with something this smart.

Brilliant!

Just as Lu Jianshen finished wrapping the camera in the dress and was sneaking out the door, he ran into Aunt Wang, one of the housemaids.

Meeting Aunt Wang’s strange and slightly horrified gaze, Lu Jianshen quickly explained.

“Aunt Wang, it’s not what you think. I was just… oh right, I was just helping my sister get her clothes.”

“You’d better not go spreading rumors, or else, heh!”

With that, he walked off confidently, dress in hand.

Behind him, Aunt Wang stood frozen: “…”

Honestly, she hadn’t thought much of it at first.

But the Second Young Master’s expression, his sneaky movements, and his tone were just… too suspicious.

He looked like he was up to no good.

Could it be… the Second Young Master’s secret hobby is… stealing and wearing his sister’s dresses?

Oh my god, did she just accidentally uncover a massive secret?