Chapter 79: Just this once…

Lin Chuan said he would come to see her on the weekend evening. If she had made up her mind, she should leave the door unlocked for him.

The words had been spoken clearly — there wasn’t much to consider.

These past few days, Ming Jin had been busy with her own affairs and hadn’t given much thought to Lin Chuan’s arrangement that day.

But today, everything felt off.

She couldn’t shake the image of that young man standing at her door, knocking and receiving no response, his face full of disappointment. The thought made her feel a subtle ache in her heart.

In the end, she skipped the drama troupe’s rehearsal, rushing home. On the way, she even stopped by the supermarket to buy some groceries, planning to cook a fragrant dinner.

If Lin Chuan arrived early enough, maybe they could have dinner together.

People are strange creatures. Reason told her they weren’t a good match, and this wasn’t something she should be doing…

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Could he have forgotten? No way — he seemed like a sincere young man. If he really forgot, she decided she’d never see him again in this lifetime.

Time ticked by, and before she knew it, it was already 8 PM. The food on the table had gone completely cold.

Ming Jin turned off the TV and lay on the sofa. At that moment, a text message arrived — from Lin Chuan.

“Something came up tonight. I’ll be there later, okay?”

Her expression darkened even further.

Of course. You really can’t trust a man’s words. Did you actually think you meant that much to him? What a joke.
“Don’t bother coming. I’m not home.”

After sending the message, Ming Jin shut off her phone, changed into a different outfit, and left the house.

—

At the Lu Corporation’s annual meeting, the sudden arrival of a few uninvited guests instantly cast a strange atmosphere over the event.

Shang Jie strode in confidently, dressed in a light gray shirt and black trousers. His shirt was tucked neatly at the waist, and his well-fitted suit accentuated his tall, lean frame. Under the bright lights, his posture was sharp and commanding.

Lin Chuan followed closely behind him, his face emotionless.

The Lu Corporation’s board members and staff quickly grasped what was happening — all except for the two Lu brothers. The elder brother, Lu Wusheng, looked grim, while the younger, Lu Wuquan, appeared stunned.

When Shang Jie announced that the acquisition of the Lu Corporation had been finalized — that the company no longer belonged to the Lu brothers — Lu Wuquan exploded with rage.

Pointing a trembling finger at Shang Jie, his face flushed with fury:

“You promised to help me! You tricked me! I betrayed my brother, and you still took my shares!”

Lu Wuquan had always been a foolhardy man, all brawn and no brains. Shang Jie gave him a fleeting glance and replied indifferently:

“I did help you — I helped you take the company from your brother’s hands.”

“And now the company’s gone from my hands into yours!”
Lu Wusheng stepped forward and said to Shang Jie:

“The Lu Corporation has been around for decades — no way will we let it bear your name. Our father still owns 30% of the shares, and the board is made up of old members loyal to our family. Don’t think you can take over the Lu family’s business!”

Shang Jie chuckled coldly:

“Bear my name? No. I’m not interested in claiming the Lu Corporation for myself. It will still be a Lu family company — just not in the hands of you two.”

He tilted his head slightly, and Lin Chuan, still dressed in his suit, stepped forward to face the board and employees. With a calm but firm voice, he declared:

“I am Lu Linchuan. I now hold 59% of the Lu Corporation’s shares. As the company’s largest shareholder, I am your new president.”

“You think saying so makes it true? Just because your last name is Lu doesn’t mean you’re part of our family!”

Lu Wusheng glared at Lin Chuan, his expression so full of disgust it sent a chill down Lin Chuan’s spine, reviving the most painful memories of his past.

“Big brother, don’t you remember me?” Lin Chuan’s lips curled into a faint, icy smile. “All these years, you’re just as hot-tempered as ever.”

Lu Wusheng froze for a moment, then suddenly seemed to realize something. Staggering back two steps, he stared at Lin Chuan in disbelief:

“It’s you… You’re that bastard child!”

“Big brother, what are you saying? Who is he?” Lu Wuquan asked, confused.

“It’s him! The illegitimate brat our father brought home when we were kids!”

“What? But didn’t he die? How is he still alive?!”

“The old man lied to us.”

Shang Jie snapped his fingers and said, “Of the 59% shares under Lin Chuan’s name, 29% were sold to the Shang Group by Lu Wuquan, and the remaining 30% were transferred to him by your father, through a written transfer agreement.”

“That’s impossible!”

“How could Dad possibly give his shares to that bastard!”

“Where’s the transfer agreement? Show it to us!”

As the two brothers argued endlessly, Shang Jie took a call, then gave Lin Chuan a meaningful glance. Understanding immediately, Lin Chuan quickly left the room.

When he returned, he was supporting the former president of the Lu Group, Lu Yunxi.

Lu Yunxi’s health had been steadily deteriorating. Even Shang Jie hadn’t expected him to show up in person. Now, with the help of a caregiver and Lin Chuan, he shakily entered the room.

The moment he saw his two sons, Lu Yunxi was furious. He raised his cane, ready to strike them. “Ungrateful sons! Ungrateful sons!”

“Dad, why are you here?”

“Yeah, Dad, why aren’t you resting in the hospital? Why come here?”

“If I didn’t come, I would’ve had to watch you two ruin the Lu family!” Lu Yunxi turned to the others present, his voice hoarse yet firm. “The transfer agreement was written by me. The Lu family can’t be dragged down any further by these two unfilial sons.”

He took Lin Chuan’s hand and, with a voice full of resolve despite his frailty, declared, “From today onward, Lu Linchuan will be the head of the Lu Group!”

The respected former president led the applause, and the board members and employees followed suit. Lin Chuan’s position within the Lu Group was officially cemented.

Shang Jie watched coldly from the sidelines, piecing together the situation. During the previous visits he and Lin Chuan had made to the hospital, it was clear that Lu Yunxi felt deep guilt toward Lin Chuan, his illegitimate son, and wanted to make amends by transferring 30% of his shares to him.

But that wasn’t all. Tonight, despite his fragile health, Lu Yunxi had come in person—not just to formalize the share transfer, but to publicly acknowledge Lin Chuan’s identity and status within the company.

Owning shares was one thing, but as an outsider, gaining the loyalty and trust of the company’s people was a different battle altogether. With Lu Yunxi’s public endorsement, Lin Chuan’s authority was now unquestionable.

The annual gala proceeded surprisingly smoothly. In the second half of the event, Shang Jie mingled with the board members alongside Lin Chuan. Between toasts and small talk, the relationships within the company gradually warmed.

Of course, Shang Jie also noticed that something about Lin Chuan seemed off tonight.

It wasn’t that he performed poorly—his usual calm and steady demeanor remained unchanged—but tonight, a night that should’ve felt like a victorious moment, Lin Chuan kept glancing at his watch.

Shang Jie led him to the balcony, straightened his tie, and said, “From tonight on, you’re no longer my assistant. You’re the president of the Lu Group, the head of the family appointed by Lu Yunxi.”

“Boss, I’ve handed all your matters over to Xiao Zhou, but if there’s anything urgent, you can still reach me anytime.”

Shang Jie smiled faintly. “What, you think I can’t manage without you?”

“No, it’s just…” Lin Chuan hesitated, his emotions complicated. “Just… stay in touch.”

Shang Jie patted his arm.

There was no need for many words—after more than a decade of working side by side, their bond was stronger than that of most brothers.

Turning to look at the small garden bathed in the cool moonlight, Shang Jie casually asked, “Got plans tonight?”

Lin Chuan’s heart skipped a beat. As expected, nothing escaped Shang Jie’s sharp eyes.

“Boss—”

“Is it important?”

Lin Chuan nodded. “Very important.”

“More important than tonight’s gala?”

Tonight’s annual gala was the result of years of meticulous planning by him and Shang Jie. Whether out of loyalty or duty, he had to stand side by side with Shang Jie.

But—

If he were to be honest with himself, being the president of the Lu Group, being the head of the family—none of it mattered as much as the person he held in his heart.

“Just now, Lu Yunxi was here, so you didn’t get a chance to speak. But now that he’s gone, aren’t you going to go back inside and say a few words?”

Lin Chuan furrowed his brows. “Do I have to?”

Shang Jie replied casually, “What do you think?”

After a moment’s thought, Lin Chuan said, “Boss, I can’t stay this time. I’m sorry.”

Shang Jie turned his head and gave him a long, meaningful look, then suddenly smiled. “Go.”

“Boss—”

“You’ve been checking the time since the gala started, dragging your feet until now. If I don’t let you go, I’m afraid you’ll end up hating me for the rest of your life.”

“I would never hate you, Boss. How could I?”

“Get lost.” Shang Jie gave him a light kick. “Go hail a cab yourself — leave the car here.”

“Got it!” Lin Chuan swiftly dodged the kick, didn’t overthink it, and dashed out of the hotel. Without a second thought, he drove off in Shang Jie’s car.

…

Lin Chuan sped all the way to Ming Jin’s apartment complex. Ignoring the “No Parking” signs, he stopped the car right at the entrance of her building.

There was no time to wait for the elevator—he bolted straight up the stairs to the fifth floor and stopped in front of Ming Jin’s door.

Panting heavily, his heart was pounding like a drum.

Yet, he didn’t knock right away. He stood by the door, hesitating for a long moment. It wasn’t until his breathing calmed that he finally, nervously, tapped gently on the iron door.

Silence.

There was no sound from inside. It was quiet — too quiet.

“Ming Jin,” Lin Chuan called softly, knocking again. “I’m here. Are you home?”

No one answered.

She wasn’t home.

The burning anticipation in his chest slowly cooled.

Honestly, he hadn’t expected much to begin with. But people have a way of clinging to a sliver of hope when they care deeply about something.

And now — nothing.

Just when he thought all hope was lost, Ming Jin appeared from the elevator, holding a white plastic bag.

She stepped out and immediately saw Lin Chuan leaning against the wall by her door.

The dim streetlamp cast shadows over his sharp features. His head was lowered, his deep-set eyes behind his single eyelids carrying a quiet sadness.

He was dressed in a crisp suit, neat and proper, yet his dejected posture made him look utterly defeated.

Ming Jin frowned slightly and walked over, pulling out her keys to unlock the door.

The moment Lin Chuan saw her, he straightened up instantly. “I—I thought you weren’t home.”

“I wouldn’t have opened the door even if I was,” she replied, stepping inside and preparing to close the door.

Lin Chuan quickly reached out, stopping the door from shutting. “Ming Jin—”

“What? Is there something else?”

“Sorry, I’m late.”

“Don’t be. There’s nothing for you to apologize for,” Ming Jin said lightly. “It’s not like I was expecting you.”

Lin Chuan stubbornly asked, “But doesn’t opening the door for me count for something?”

“Of course not.” Ming Jin shot him a glare. “I just went downstairs to buy something. How was I supposed to know you’d show up at this hour? Now go — I wasn’t planning on letting you in.”

“Oh.”

Lin Chuan slowly withdrew his hand. He wasn’t the type to pester someone endlessly — if she didn’t want him there, he wouldn’t force it.

“Rest well. I won’t bother you again. Goodnight.”

A trace of disappointment flickered in Lin Chuan’s eyes as he turned and walked away, his steps small and slow.

Ming Jin didn’t close the door right away. She watched his retreating figure, her brows knitting together.

“Hey.”

Lin Chuan immediately spun around, his eyes lighting up with hope.

Leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, Ming Jin huffed. “Just this once. Don’t be late next time.”

Lin Chuan’s mouth fell open slightly. “Huh?”

She left the door open, turned back inside, and said over her shoulder, “Come in and eat. I waited so long for you, the food’s gone cold.”

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