Tan Rou knew very well the intentions of these two people. They simply saw that Liang Lu was doing well and wanted her to support them. But they hadnât bothered with Liang Lu for fifteen years, so why come to find her now?
When Liang Lu heard what Tan Rou said, she almost wanted to laugh. True to form, Tan Rou really knew how to speak.
Liang Guo and Guo Xia were hesitant. They hadnât been doing well over these years. All the old people in the village had been taken to the city by their children, yet their own children had stopped caring for them. When they asked their children for money, the kids would make excuses not to give any, so they relied on the few hundred yuan the government gave them each month to live.
It was the village chiefâs wife who had told them about Liang Luâs affairs. She enjoyed watching TV dramas and had noticed Liang Lu early on because Liang Lu looked a lot like her mother, and since the village chiefâs wife had been childhood friends with Liang Luâs mother, she could recognize the grown-up Liang Lu.
Although the village chiefâs wife hadnât been able to attend the movie premiere, she had watched the interviews, heard the stories Liang Lu told, and immediately recognized that Liang Lu was indeed the granddaughter of the old Liang family in the village.
She had been very angry at the death of Liang Luâs mother, so over the years, she had taken every opportunity to cause trouble for the Liang family. Seeing that Liang Lu had become successful felt ironic to her, a child the Liang family had discarded not only looked gorgeous but had also become a top director. So, she decided she must taunt Liang Guo and Guo Xia and ask them if they regretted kicking Liang Lu out.
However, the provocation by the village chiefâs wife caused big trouble. Once Liang Guo and Guo Xia learned that Liang Lu had become a top director, they called their younger son to confirm if it was true. After watching the interview video and recognizing Liang Lu, the younger son informed his other siblings.
He also told his family that Liang Lu had already built her own life, so they should not disturb her. He said that if his older brother hadnât died back then, and if their family hadnât been completely unable to support a child, he would definitely have taken Liang Lu in.
He was considering what was best for Liang Lu, but not everyone felt the same way. When Liang Luâs other uncles and aunts saw she had money, they immediately wanted to find her. However, they couldnât locate her, so they resorted to posting a missing persons ad online like others did. Eventually, someone contacted them, offering to help in their search. Before the uncles could act, the two elderly had stealthily come themselves.
They wanted to ask Liang Lu for money and to have her bring them to live in the big city, because if they left without achieving this, wouldnât their trip have been for nothing?
âSo, have you thought it through?â Tan Rou sat on a chair beside her, one leg crossed over the other, exuding a haughty demeanor, âAll the money in Liang Luâs company is my investment, and I can do whatever I want with it. If I withdraw my money now, her company would crumble. Think it through, I need to hear your exact response.â
Liang Guo and Guo Xiaâs faces were wrinkled with indecision. They huddled together to discuss quietly, glancing cautiously at Tan Rou who glared at them, scaring them into turning their heads away again.
Liang Lu calmed down, stood beside Tan Rou, and leaned over, âTan Rou, thank you.â
Tan Rou smiled lightly, âThereâs no need for formalities between us.â
Meanwhile, Liang Guo and Guo Xia had reached a decision, and Guo Xia said earnestly, âNow that Liang Luâs grandfather is sick, and our home situation is not good, so we want to first take some money back for his treatment, then fix up our house. Liang Lu can just work hard in the big city, and weâll come to see her often in the future.â
If it had been the Liang Lu of the past, she would have kicked these shameless people out, but she was much more tempered now and, being a public figure, couldnât afford such actions.
âOh, so you want money?â Tan Rou stroked the ring on her finger, smiling as she asked, âHow much are you thinking of?â
Seeing her smile, Guo Xia thought Tan Rou agreed to their demands and boldly asked for money, âTreatment will cost at least 200,000, fixing the house will cost another 200,000, and we still need money to live, so letâs say 100,000, totaling 500,000.â