Chapter 74: The Retired Veteran, Lu Yuanrong

“Our family doesn’t live in Jianglin—you’ve forgotten again. You even ended up in someone else’s home; don’t tell me you’ve become a live-in son-in-law?” Baili Rou hesitated before she finally voiced her question.

Lu Jin felt a little awkward at this. The notion of being a live-in son-in-law—not to mention here in Daliang, even in more modern, open-minded times—was still something people looked at with prejudice. Thinking of this, Lu Jin felt embarrassed.

“Aunt, I’d lost my memory at the time. I didn’t even know you and Uncle were still around. I thought I was alone in the world and didn’t think too much about it…”

“Oh, you…” Baili Rou said, her tone filled with heartache, though she didn’t know what else to say. That situation was understandable, after all.

But Lu Jin was the only child of the Lu family, her nephew whom she had raised like her own son. He was supposed to carry on the family name. The Lu family wasn’t so poor as to sell off their children—how could he become someone’s live-in son-in-law?

For the moment, Baili Rou was at a loss. Such a big matter could only be decided once her husband returned.

“How do the Shen family treat you? Have they bullied you?” Now that she knew Lu Jin had become a live-in son-in-law, his aunt’s heart ached even more.

“Aunt, they treat me very well. Otherwise, would their daughter have come back with me?”

…

“Rou girl, Rou girl, are you inside?” While Lu Jin was chatting with his aunt, someone began shouting loudly outside.

Baili Rou frowned and stood up. “Jin’er, sit for a while. I’ll go take a look.”

Lu Jin hurried to his feet as well. Though he wasn’t familiar with this home, he couldn’t really treat himself as a guest.

They walked into the courtyard and saw several people standing there—among them, the very man Lu Jin had beaten up earlier. Was he here for payback?

“Second Uncle, what brings you here?” Baili Rou greeted the newcomer with a smile.

Damn, it really was Second Uncle? Lu Jin was startled, but quickly calmed himself. Who was this man to him, really?

“Hmph, did you even ask your Lu Jin? Does he still see us elders as family?” the middle-aged man snorted coldly.

Baili Rou looked at Lu Jin in confusion. Lu Jin had to lean over and explain the situation in a whisper.

Her frown deepened.

“Second Uncle, Jin’er just got back and probably didn’t recognize you. Why make a fuss over a young person’s mistake…” Baili Rou, having heard Lu Jin’s side, was also upset. This so-called Second Uncle wasn’t a good sort, but since they shared a surname and lived in the same village, she couldn’t say too much.

“Hmph! Did he treat me like an elder? Came up and started hitting and kicking—I’ll show you my body…” He began to lift his clothes, but the others quickly restrained him.

“Rou girl, we know you’re protective of your nephew, but Lu Jin struck a man. There has to be an explanation,” said another man standing nearby.

“I struck a man? Did you see how he behaved? I asked for directions and he ignored me, muttered under his breath, then cursed me to my face…” Unable to bear it any longer, Lu Jin interrupted before Baili Rou could speak.

“What did I call you, wasn’t I your Second Uncle?” the middle-aged man retorted angrily.

“I didn’t know you! I asked for the way and you started calling yourself Second Uncle—what else is that but an insult? And how did my coming first in the exams offend you?”

Lu Jin knew he’d gone a bit far out of irritation, but the man’s attitude was unbearable. If he didn’t speak up, whom should he blame?

“See? Does he even respect his elders?”

“You’re no elder of mine!” Lu Jin retorted boldly. Wherever he went, he never managed to live happily. He might as well bring his uncle’s family to Jianglin and put all this behind.

“Rou girl, look at…”

“What is it you want, then?” Baili Rou’s expression turned cold.

“He must—”

“He must what?” A loud voice boomed from outside. Lu Jin looked up and saw a burly man leaning on a crutch at the edge of the crowd.

The man’s face was square and resolute, his broad forehead and thick eyebrows as imposing as a mountain, his gaze burning with anger like a raging fire. His nose was high and straight, his beard thick and bristling, his tightly pressed lips radiating authority.

“That’s your uncle,” Baili Rou said softly to Lu Jin before he could ask, her face no longer shadowed.

“Did you think I, Lu Yuanrong, was dead, that you could come here and bully my nephew?” Lu Yuanrong strode into the yard, crutch in hand, followed by two strong men.

“You’re back?” His tone softened as he approached Lu Jin, his face breaking into a broad smile. Lu Jin felt a pang in his heart and his eyes grew hot.

“Uncle…”

“Yes, it’s good that you’re home…” Lu Yuanrong patted Lu Jin’s shoulder, his own eyes shining with unshed tears.

“Yuanrong, Lu Jin struck someone. Are you really going to defend him?” The middle-aged man seemed wary of Lu Yuanrong. Seeing him approach, he quickly stepped back.

“So what if I do?” Lu Yuanrong turned to him, his aura imposing.

Lu Jin was a little surprised—shouldn’t his uncle ask for details first? Or had he already heard everything from outside?

“You—you must give me an explanation!” The man was so angry he could barely speak.

“I, Lu Yuanrong, have nothing to say to you. You know what sort of man you are, Lu Er. If you’ve come looking for trouble, you’re wasting your time.”

“Yuanrong, whatever the case, Lu Er is still an elder. To strike an elder is inexcusable. You raised him as your own—surely you know how he treats you and your wife. Why—”

“Third Uncle!” Lu Yuanrong barked.

What the hell was going on? Lu Jin was stunned. From what this “Third Uncle” said, it sounded like the original owner was not a good person. No wonder Lu Caiwei had always looked at him so coldly.

What had he done to deserve such a good uncle and aunt?

“Lu Er is lazy and gluttonous, always idling about. He’s never had dealings with us—what kind of elder is that? Today he came hoping to wring some money out of us—fat chance!”

“Yuanrong, how can you say such things? After all—”

“After all what? I call you Third Uncle, but you should act with self-respect. Or have you forgotten how they bullied my elder brother in the past?” Lu Yuanrong’s voice thundered.

“Fine, fine, you can handle your own affairs. I won’t interfere…” With that, Third Uncle turned and left.

“Lu Chuan, you’re just going to let them go? Lu Chuan…” The middle-aged man hurried after him, leaving the yard peaceful once more.

“Uncle, who were those people?” Lu Jin asked. Were they really relatives?

“Don’t mind them. We just share a surname, nothing more. That Lu Er just wants to see if he can get some money out of us.”

What? Lu Jin was stunned. So much for the innocence of rural folk.

“But just now you said they bullied…” Lu Jin began.

“Let’s not talk about it. You’re home, and that’s what matters…” Lu Yuanrong turned to study his nephew. When had he ever cared about such things?

“Husband, Jin’er fell ill in the city and has forgotten everything from before…” Baili Rou quickly explained.

“Ah? Is he all right?” Lu Yuanrong hobbled over and began checking Lu Jin from head to toe.

“Uncle, I’m fine—just lost my memory. What happened to your leg?” Lu Jin asked.

Lu Yuanrong examined Lu Jin thoroughly before relaxing. As they walked inside together, he explained, “I injured it fighting the Beirong years ago. Whenever it rains, it acts up. It rained a few days ago, so I’m still limping a bit, but it’s nothing serious.” His tone was light, as though it were no more than a scratch.

Hearing that his uncle was otherwise whole, Lu Jin was relieved. He resolved to find a skilled doctor in Jianglin for a second opinion.

Inside, Lu Yuanrong and Lu Jin chatted endlessly about family matters. The more Yuanrong looked at him, the more amazed he became—he was like a different person.

The old Lu Jin hadn’t been like this at all. The couple had treated him like their own son, fussing over him endlessly.

But Lu Jin, though not bad at heart, cared for nothing but reading. He was arrogant, looked down on everyone, and ignored his family completely.

Still, he was the only son of their elder brother and sister-in-law, and with no son of their own, he was the sole heir of the Lu line. There was nothing for it but to spoil him. Perhaps his illness was a blessing—better to forget the past.

Baili Rou busied herself about, serving food and drink, sometimes joining in the conversation. She was genuinely happy—her nephew had truly changed.

“Uncle, I get the feeling Caiwei resents me. Did I do something wrong in the past?” Lu Jin asked directly.

Lu Yuanrong lowered his head, at a loss for words. How could he explain the old Lu Jin’s faults?

“My boy, it’s nothing. You and your sister simply didn’t talk much before. That girl is spoiled—but she’ll come around…” his aunt defended him, unwilling to reopen old wounds or risk his changing back.

Thinking of Lu Caiwei, she wondered where Shen Yanxi had gone—why hadn’t she returned after so long?

“Uncle, I’m married. My wife came home with me today,” Lu Jin said nervously.

Baili Rou hurriedly stepped in to explain, but Lu Yuanrong’s breathing grew heavier as he listened, his expression darker by the moment.

From their earlier conversation, Lu Jin understood: he was the only male heir in two generations, and now he’d become a live-in son-in-law. Who could accept that?

“Jin’er had no choice—he was ill and had lost his memory. The girl brought him home and looked after him so well…” Baili Rou tried to ease the situation.

But Lu Yuanrong’s breathing was ragged and his face grew stormy.

“Jin’er, either she marries you properly, or you must divorce her. No son of the Lu family will ever be a live-in son-in-law.”

Lu Jin hadn’t expected his uncle to be so unyielding. If he had no family left, or wasn’t close to his uncle and aunt, he wouldn’t care—he could just walk away. But these two had cared for him deeply. He couldn’t bear to refuse them outright.

“But they’re already married…” his aunt began.

“There’s nothing to discuss. Whatever her family wants in compensation, the Lu family will pay it.”

Lu Jin lowered his head and nibbled on a cake. Even if he agreed, the Lu family couldn’t really afford such recompense.

In truth, he wasn’t too concerned about the Shen family, but he and Shen Yanxi had pledged their lives to each other. If he refused to become a live-in son-in-law, he’d have to sever ties with her family—and they would never allow her to marry him. Their story would end in tragedy, as in the tales.

And after all, since deciding to be with Shen Yanxi, he’d given up any thought of leaving the Shen family. It wasn’t just for an easy life; there were other considerations.

“The Shen family want nothing—only Lu Jin!” Shen Yanxi’s voice rang out, resolute. No one knew when she had appeared in the doorway.