Chapter 48: CH 48

Lu Tao is already sixty years old. He has dark skin and three deep vertical lines between his eyebrows. He looks calm and majestic.

However, when he saw Lu Yanzhou, his face had a big smile: “AZhou, come here quickly.”

“Dad.” Lu Yanzhou stepped forward and called out with a smile.

Lu Tao gave birth to three sons and two daughters, the original owner was the youngest one. He was also the only one born after Lu Tao quit the rivers and lakes, so he was the most loved by Lu Tao.

Of course, this love is mainly manifested in giving the original owner more money and giving the original owner some good things. The original owner’s two older brothers have long since set up their own home, so they don’t really care about these things. They will even give money to the original owner just like Lu Tao, so the relationship between the people in this family is very good.

“Xiao Zhou, you are not young anymore, you will follow me more from now on. Your brother has already gone out on his own when they were your age.” How could Lu Tao not know what his son is like? “This party will have many uncles. They will also bring their daughters and granddaughters there. You should meet more people.”

Lu Yanzhou was speechless for a moment. He was wondering why Lu Tao, who had never taken the original owner to such occasions before, suddenly wanted to take him there…It turned out that he turned eighteen now, so he wanted to take him on a blind date?

“Dad, a man should start a career before starting a family. I don’t want to meet them.” Lu Yanzhou said.

Lu Tao laughed loudly: “Then if you haven’t started a career, you won’t start a family too?”

Lu Tao didn’t take Lu Yanzhou’s words seriously at all. In fact, he was not in a hurry to get his son married. This time, he took him out purely to let his son see the world and show off his son.

His son didn’t do any great things, but he didn’t do anything that he shouldn’t do either. His academic performance is good, he can speak English very fluently, and he can be regarded as a young talent.

Most importantly, his son looks good!

He is an uncouth person and his wife, who is a few years younger than him, is also average-looking. However, for some reason, Lu Yanzhou, who his wife, an old oyster with a pearl in its heart1an idiom about someone who gave birth at old age, gave birth to, actually picked up all their good points and was very handsome.

Lu Tao took Lu Yanzhou into the car and drove to the meeting place.

On the way, he also instructed Lu Yanzhou earnestly: “AZhou, the world is very chaotic, we have to think more before doing anything. Sometimes even if we hate others in our hearts, we can’t show it on our faces…”

Lu Yanzhou knew that Lu Tao hoped that he would not talk nonsense just because he hated Yan’s people.

Now the situation is complicated, if one is not careful, their whole family will suffer.

“I understand.” Lu Yanzhou agreed with a little resentment.

The car drove down two streets and stopped in front of a building.

Lu Yanzhou has seen all kinds of large gatherings in modern times. The building in front of him is very small with not a lot of people in it, however, others obviously didn’t think so.

Lu Tao looked at Lu Yanzhou with some complacency: “How is it? You’ve never seen such a scene before, right?”

Uh…he has seen such scenes a lot.

Lu Yanzhou followed behind Lu Tao, greeted the people in the venue, and also accepted compliments from others by the way.

On such occasions, no one would say anything unpleasant.

Of course, it was inevitable that some people would bring their daughters and granddaughters for them to get to know each other.

This is unnecessary, he only likes Xie Chengze.

Just as Lu Yanzhou was thinking, there was a sudden commotion at the door.

Everyone looked over together. Then, they saw a man in a black military uniform walking in with two people dressed like him.

The face of the person walking in the front was covered with terrifying birthmarks, making him look extremely ugly, but it was also this face that made people know his identity at first glance.

Xie Chengze.

Xie Chengze, the section chief of the Inspection Department, the traitor and lackey who worked for Yan’s people.

The whole venue turned silent for a moment, then someone went up to greet Xie Chengze and welcomed Xie Chengze’s arrival with a smile on his face.

However, whether it is a real welcome or a fake welcome…only one person knows that it’s definitely a fake welcome.

Lu Tao looked at Lu Yanzhou: “Come with me to greet him, also don’t talk much then.”

Lu Tao’s expression was very serious, but when he brought Lu Yanzhou to Xie Chengze, he showed a smile: “Section Chief Xie, long time no see! Thanks to Section Chief Xie’s help, there’s no problem with my batch of goods…Section Chief Xie, when you are free, you must allow me the honor to treat you to a meal!”

Xie Chengze’s cold gaze swept across Lu Tao’s face, then stopped on Lu Yanzhou’s face.

Lu Yanzhou lowered his head subconsciously, lest Xie Chengze notice something was wrong.

Fortunately, Xie Chengze didn’t look at him for long before quickly looking away: “I’m not free.”

Xie Chengze didn’t give Lu Tao any face at all, but Lu Tao was not angry: “Section Chief Xie is busy with work, so you should have no time, it’s only right…”

After greeting, Lu Tao breathed a sigh of relief and led Lu Yanzhou to the corner.

“Dad, it seems that everyone is afraid of him?” Lu Yanzhou asked.

“He is very unreasonable, a lunatic who wants to kill people if he doesn’t like them, who is not afraid?” Lu Tao said.

“Didn’t he only take care of those who betrayed Yan’s people after taking refuge in them?” Lu Yanzhou asked.

“It would be fine if it was just like that. Some people took refuge in Yan Country before and they did their best, however, because they didn’t give him anything2This part is talking about giving a gift to their superior in order to win their favor, he took the opportunity to search their house.” Lu Tao said.

Lu Yanzhou didn’t answer.

But…isn’t this a good thing? Xie Chengze killed the people who took refuge in Yan Country!

“There are also people who are dissatisfied with Yan’s people. If they fall into his hands, only death awaits them! You have to be careful if you meet him in the future, otherwise he will suddenly kill you and I won’t be able to do anything about it!” Lu Tao warned his son.

Lu Yanzhou hurriedly said: “I will definitely stay far away from him!”

While the Lu father and son were talking about Xie Chengze, Xie Chengze looked at the people around him: “Who is that young man next to Lu Tao?”

“It’s Lu Tao’s youngest son.” Among the people Xie Chengze took today, there was someone who was in charge of dealing with the chamber of commerce. This person also knew something about the Lu family: “It is said that Lu Tao dotes on his youngest son very much. However, his youngest son really isn’t clear-headed, always talking bad about us.”

“Is that so…” Xie Chengze’s eyes swept over Lu Yanzhou again. He lowered his head, feeling his heartbeat that has unconsciously accelerated.

“Section Chief, do you want to investigate him?”

“Investigating a kid, are you so free?” Xie Chengze sneered.

The man lowered his head and didn’t dare to speak anymore, but Xie Chengze continued: “This little brat is quite handsome.”

The people around Xie Chengze looked at Xie Chengze in surprise.

Xie Chengze is a man who loves money very much. He usually does things like stealing other people’s property.

Although he was very indifferent to Lu Tao and the others, if Lu Tao and the others begged him with money to help them, he would probably help.

In front of Yan’s people, he could also lower his knees and flatter them to the fullest.

Everyone in the Inspection Department and other places knew that Xie Chengze had two faces and was extremely hypocritical.

But at the same time, Xie Chengze is very skilled, ruthless, and highly valued by Yan’s people, so no matter how much everyone thinks he is not pleasing to the eye, no matter how much they think he is pretending to be aloof and indifferent, they still have to lowered their heads in front of him.

He has never praised anyone’s appearance before, but now he suddenly said that Lu Tao’s youngest son is handsome…

Xie Chengze has never been close to women, could it be that he prefers men?

Lu Tao’s youngest son looks about 17 or 18 years old, with a little childishness, clean eyes, and a tall figure. If he can hold such a person under his body, it should feel good?

The person next to Xie Chengze was thinking about messy things when he suddenly met Xie Chengze’s cold eyes: “What are you thinking?”

He lowered his head, not daring to think again: “No…I didn’t think about anything.”

Xie Chengze didn’t stay at the Chamber of Commerce party for long, he soon left.

As soon as he returned to the Inspection Department, someone came over, saying that Bureau Chief Li from the Secret Service came to see him.

Sometimes the Secret Service Bureau and the Inspection Department jobs overlap, so the relationship between the two parties wasn’t very good. Xie Chengze narrowed his eyes slightly and asked the person to come in.

“How come Bureau Chief Li has time to come see me?” Xie Chengze asked.

“Section Chief Xie, we recently learned something that is in need of the Inspection Department’s help,” Director Li said.

Ever since the Secret Service instigated Chongcheng Command Station’s deputy station master and found out that there was a ‘Zhaojun’, they have been investigating that person, but unfortunately nothing has been found.

Not long ago, Chongcheng Command Station seemed to find that something was wrong and cut off all contact with the deputy station master who became a traitor.

Bureau Chief Li was reprimanded by his superior, then his superior asked him to ask Xie Chengze for help. In desperation, he had no choice but to come to the Inspection Department.

After Bureau Chief Li explained his purpose, Xie Chengze said, “We can help with this matter, but your information, Bureau Chief Li…”

“I’ll send someone over tomorrow.”

“Okay!” Xie Chengze looked eager to try, “I’ll have someone check it tomorrow!”

When Bureau Chief Li saw Xie Chengze like this, his face was not very good — this Xie Chengze clearly wanted to take credit from him!

He must catch Zhaojun as soon as possible!

The Secret Service Bureau and the Inspection Department worked together to investigate Zhaojun, it was inevitable that some unjust, false and wrong cases would appear.

Xie Chengze’s subordinate would extort and capture some people who had nothing to do with the case.

However, they all know that Xie Chengze loves money, so as long as someone does as Xie Chengze likes and gives enough money, their life is safe. After the money deal is over, Xie Chengze will split a bit to his subordinates and give some to his superior. Everyone is happy.

As time passed, Lu Yanzhou asked Hu Zi to pass on the information that Yan’s people were going to attack the Self-Defense Regiment to the people at Chongcheng Command Station. Then, he learned from his father that Xie Chengze had arrested a businessman surnamed Zhao from the Chamber of Commerce. They were raising money getting ready to redeem that person.

That person was actually very innocent, he had nothing to do with spies or anything at all. He just happened to open a dance hall that several people, who knew about Zhaojun information, patronized his dance hall.

“Old Zhao has worked so hard to save his family fortune, after this incident, there is not much left!”

“It’s also his bad luck that he was targeted by Xie Chengze.”

“It’s not bad if he can save his life. If Xie Chengze is unhappy, he won’t be able to come back.”

…

When Lu Yanzhou returned to the Lu family’s old house, he heard his father and others sighing.

He didn’t sympathize with the old Zhao who opened the dance hall.

In the dance halls in this period, there are many dirty things inside. He just doesn’t know how many dirty activities have occurred there.

Moreover, in this era, people without any influence, no matter whether they are opening a dance hall or factory or business, cannot continue to operate.

There was once a man of insight who returned from overseas and wanted to save the country through industry. He lost everything just to set up a factory. Then someone from the government came to check every day and fined him for any issue found…

His factory was open, he didn’t make money but he lost money instead. It wasn’t until he couldn’t keep going and his senior official brother-in-law took over the factory, that he made a fortune.

There are too many such things, even the Lu family…Lu Tao has made so much money these years because he has a good relationship with Xi Country.

Although everyone hates Yan’s people now, Xi Country also wasn’t any good back then, so the Lu family was not innocent either.

So Xie Chengze bullying the businessman surnamed Zhao couldn’t be considered too wrong.

It’s just that Xie Chengze’s behavior will undoubtedly offend the rich people in Chongcheng. Therefore, Xie Chengze will be shouted at and beaten by the public again.

“Dad, I want to buy ancient books, give me some money!” Lu Yanzhou approached Lu Tao.

Lu Tao, who was talking to someone, frowned: “Why do you want to buy ancient books again? You know that you can’t eat or use those.”

“Those are treasures!” Lu Yanzhou said.

“Okay, okay, I’ll write you a check…how much?” Lu Tao asked.

“Two thousand.” Lu Yanzhou opened his mouth and said.

“I’ll give you one thousand at most.” Lu Tao wrote a check for one thousand, asking Lu Yanzhou to collect the money from the bank.

“Thank you, dad.” Lu Yanzhou took the money and left.

Seeing Lu Yanzhou leave, the person chatting with Lu Tao said: “Brother Lu, your youngest son is worthy of being a man of culture, he actually likes ancient books.”

“It’s not that he likes ancient books, he just wants to find a reason to ask me for money! He’s probably going to throw the money away again!”

“Throw it away?” someone was puzzled

Lu Tao pretended to be dissatisfied, but in fact he was showing off a little: “This kid has a very good heart, always inserting a foot in giving porridge or something to people.”

Now there are no jobs in Chongcheng, many people who cannot feed themselves are facing starvation.

Some rich people see them as pitiful, so they will go to give out porridge. His youngest son does this kind of thing a lot.

Hearing what Lu Tao said, everyone praised Lu Tao again.

After Lu Yanzhou took the money, he did indeed buy food and sent it to the porridge stand in Chongcheng.

This porridge stand was established by Xi Country religion, so Yan’s people also don’t have problems with it. When Lu Yanzhou and others donated food, it indeed reached those people that needed it.

Flour, rice, bean dregs, etc. are all boiled into a pot, and then taken out after cooling down a bit. People who come to drink porridge can each get a bowl and must drink it on the spot.

Those who came to beg for porridge were generally very skinny, some children were as skinny as bones.

Lu Yanzhou took Hu Zi and silently helped with the work.

Many people in this era live like livestock. Those who have no ability to earn a living are miserable, and those who work in factories are not necessarily happy.

They have to work even when they are sick, and there are also many private workers who can only eat pig food.

Because it’s too bitter, most people are already numb.

“What is Section Chief Xie looking at?” Not far away, Secret Service’s Bureau Chief Li asked Xie Chengze beside him with great interest.

Xie Chengze said straightforwardly: “He looks good.”

Bureau Chief Li was slightly taken aback, then looked at Xie Chengze, a little shocked.

Xie Chengze took out a cigarette, stuffed it into his mouth and lit it: “I like young people like this.”

Under the sun, the 17 or 18-year-old youth rolled up his sleeves and was chopping firewood, working very seriously.

Xie Chengze really liked Lu Tao’s youngest son. He glanced at him from a distance at the party before, and then he couldn’t forget him.

He didn’t intend to do anything, but he didn’t mind showing it.

He needs a weakness, and besides…It’s a good thing that this little guy got his fancy.

His enemies will sympathize with this little guy, but his ‘friends’ will not do anything to this person at will.

Xie Chengze took a puff of smoke, and then looked at the youth chopping wood in the sun.

He had lived a very fake life all his life, expectedly, he can also sincerely give his heart to someone, which caught him off guard.

But Xie Chengze didn’t stay where he was and left soon.

He can show his interest in young master Lu, but he can’t be too concerned. If he is too concerned, someone might use young master Lu to threaten him!

At night, the Secret Service Bureau.

Bureau Chief Li had a meeting with his own people and asked about the progress of the matter.

Zhaojun’s identity has not yet been found out, and the people they had suspected were all removed from their suspicions one by one.

Suddenly remembering something, Bureau Chief Li asked: “I remember you went to check on Lu Tao’s youngest son? Is there anything unusual about him?”

“He has a lot of opinions about our Yan Country, but there’s nothing unusual, he also doesn’t go out to meet anyone.” Said someone.

Lu Yanzhou was only 18 years old. He had been living in Chongcheng, so his experiences from childhood to adulthood are easily found. They didn’t think that this person had anything to do with Hei She.

Bureau Chief Li also didn’t think that Lu Yanzhou will have anything to do with Hei She or Zhaojun, but this guy was really unlucky to catch Xie Chengze’s eyes.

That guy Xie Chengze is so ugly and a psychopath, he actually likes men.

T/N: I still can’t believe his problem this time is his appearance (:3_ヽ)_

Being a few chap in but just wanna let you know Xi is West, so Xi Country is most likely west(ern) country but since the author didn’t elaborate, I leaving Xi as Xi just like Yan and DaQi.