Chapter 286: Brotherly Affection

Inside the Lu family mansion, Qiu Zhiheng looked at Madam Duan Shaoxia and shook his head.

Lu Yuanhai cannot be cured.

"Madam, I am incompetent. I failed to take care of both young masters. I have no right to remain in the Lu family."

Qiu Zhiheng genuinely wanted to leave the Lu family.

This was not only due to Elder Yao's suggestion but also stemmed from Qiu Zhiheng's self-reproach.

Qiu Zhiheng was indeed unaware of the assassination attempt on Lu Maoxian, but if he had noticed the signs earlier, there might have been a chance to prevent it.

"Zhiheng," Duan Shaoxia gripped Qiu Zhiheng's hand, "you cannot abandon us. I know the two children were thoughtless and hurt you, but please don't hold it against them. Yuanshan is dead, and Yuanhai is in this state; please don't resent them..."

As she spoke, Duan Shaoxia wept uncontrollably.

Qiu Zhiheng was at a loss for words.

The matter of leaving the Lu family could be put aside for now, but Qiu Zhiheng couldn't devise a plan for what to do next.

In a couple of days, Lu Maoxian would surely come to cause trouble again, and letting things drag on like this was not a solution.

His subordinates delivered news: Lu Maoxian's sons had secretly taken over several of Lu Yuanshan's businesses. These businesses had to be reclaimed, so Qiu Zhiheng hurriedly left the house with his men.

No sooner had "Monkey Qiu" left than Duan Shaoxia's elder sister, Duan Shaohong, arrived.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Duan Shaoxia initially wanted to find an opportunity to send Duan Shaohong away. It wasn't the right time for guests, and she feared saying too much would reveal weaknesses.

However, Duan Shaohong refused to leave and directly got to the point: "Sister, I've heard rumors. Has something happened to my two nephews?"

Duan Shaoxia was startled. "Who told you that?"

"The rumors are coming from Lu Maoxian's side, saying you and 'Monkey Qiu' are having an affair and harmed the two children."

"That old dog! He's spouting nonsense!" Duan Shaoxia's eyes immediately reddened.

Duan Shaohong took Duan Shaoxia's hand and lowered her voice. "Let's go inside to talk."

Once in the bedroom, Duan Shaohong said, "We grew up together, sister. Let's not hide anything from each other. Did something really happen to Yuanshan and Yuanhai?"

"Nothing happened..."

"You're still hiding it from me? This news has spread throughout Greenwater City. That old dog Lu Maoxian has completely ruined your reputation!"

Since Lu Maoxian had already spread the news, Duan Shaoxia knew she couldn't hide it any longer and told Duan Shaohong everything.

Hearing that Lu Yuanshan had died, Duan Shaohong also shed tears. "Sister, how could you keep such a big matter from me? You should have told me; don't bear this burden alone."

After the two sisters had a good cry, Duan Shaohong brought up the main topic. "Sister, that old dog Lu Maoxian definitely won't let you off this time. 'Monkey Qiu' is an outsider after all, and there's no one strong enough in the family to take charge. He can't handle this at all."

"But Yuanhai..."

"Yuanhai's illness can be treated slowly. Before he recovers, we need to find someone to uphold the legitimate line of the Lu family."

The "legitimate line of the Lu family" referred to Lu Dongliang's direct bloodline.

Besides Lu Yuanshan and Lu Yuanhai, did Lu Dongliang have any other blood relatives?

He had many, so many that Lu Dongliang himself couldn't keep count.

But these were not Duan Shaoxia's children; how could she possibly accept them?

"Sister, we certainly wouldn't acknowledge other people's children, but would you not acknowledge your sister's child?"

"Of course, your child..." Duan Shaoxia looked at Duan Shaohong with a bewildered expression.

Duan Shaohong's face did not flush; this was no time for embarrassment.

"Sister, when did this happen?"

"Before your marriage, and after mine."

"You're not talking about Huaiyi, are you?"

Duan Shaohong nodded slightly; she was indeed referring to Huaiyi.

Zhang Huaiyi, the eldest son of Duan Shaohong and her husband Zhang Bochu.

Duan Shaoxia flew into a rage. "How could Huaiyi be..."

"Sister, listen to me. Dongliang and I had a relationship before you and Dongliang got married. This doesn't mean I wronged you..."

The more Duan Shaoxia listened, the angrier she became, wishing she could hit Duan Shaohong then and there.

However, after listening to Duan Shaohong for half an hour, Duan Shaoxia calmed down.

Thinking carefully, Zhang Huaiyi resembled Lu Dongliang greatly; he might indeed be Lu Dongliang's child.

He was also Duan Shaohong's son, meaning he was closely related to her by blood.

Closely related by blood.

This truly was a solution...

The question was, would Duan Shaohong's husband, Zhang Bochu, agree?

Duan Shaohong sneered, "Why wouldn't he agree? If it weren't for our Duan family all these years, he wouldn't even have a roof over his head. I don't know what I was thinking when I fell for him."

Zhang Bochu's family background was far inferior to the Duan family's, but when he was young, he was handsome and greatly pleased Duan Shaohong. Coupled with the Duan family's lenient upbringing of their daughters, this marriage was allowed to happen.

Duan Shaohong continued, "Sister, Huaiyi is Dongliang's son. He looks so much like him, you'll see it immediately. From now on, he will change his surname to Lu and call you 'Mother.' This matter is settled!"

Duan Shaoxia remained silent, merely lowering her head to wipe away her tears.

That evening, Qiu Zhiheng returned to the mansion, his face grim.

The businesses hadn't been reclaimed. Lu Maoxian's attitude was very firm; he believed Qiu Zhiheng had no right to discuss matters with him and demanded to see the two Lu brothers.

The agitated "Monkey Qiu" had intended to return to his small house for a good night's sleep when Zhang Huaiyi suddenly arrived there and bowed to Qiu Zhiheng. "Uncle Qiu."

"Huaiyi?" Qiu Zhiheng knew Zhang Huaiyi but didn't understand why he was still at the Lu residence so late.

Duan Shaohong said, "Steward Qiu, Huaiyi will be a member of the Lu family from now on."

Qiu Zhiheng froze, then immediately understood Duan Shaohong's intention.

Qiu Zhiheng knew that Zhang Huaiyi was Lu Dongliang's son because Lu Dongliang himself had mentioned it.

Duan Shaohong was now bringing Zhang Huaiyi here to take over as head of the family.

Wasn't this utter nonsense?

Duan Shaoxia looked at Qiu Zhiheng and said, "Zhiheng, do you have any other solution?"

"Monkey Qiu" was speechless; he genuinely had no better ideas.

But letting Zhang Huaiyi become a son of the Lu family was definitely not a good solution.

No one would acknowledge Zhang Huaiyi's identity; even Lu Dongliang himself had never acknowledged him.

Although Lu Dongliang was a philanderer, he kept his internal and external affairs very distinct. Of all the women outside his family, he had only ever acknowledged one in his lifetime: Zhuo Yuling.

Of the children he had outside, he only acknowledged two: Lu Xiaolan and Lu Chunying.

He acknowledged Lu Xiaolan because Zhuo Yuling was genuinely useful to him.

He acknowledged Lu Chunying because she had found Lu Xiaolan, which was considered a meritorious act, and Lu Chunying's personality pleased him.

Now, with Zhang Huaiyi suddenly appearing, how could he possibly gain a foothold in the Lu family?

"Monkey Qiu" kept shaking his head at Duan Shaoxia. Duan Shaohong frowned and said, "Steward Qiu, what do you mean by this? Your madam has made a decision; do you still have the right to interfere? On the first day of next month, Huaiyi will host a banquet to acknowledge his mother and change his surname. Go and make the arrangements immediately."

There were still ten days until the first of next month. If they really went through with this, the Lu family would be completely finished.

"Monkey Qiu" sat sleeplessly in his small house all night.

Duan Shaoxia sat by Lu Yuanhai's bedside, gazing deeply at her son.

"My child, Mother is finding you a brother; Mother is doing this all for your own good."

After a long silence, a knock came at the door.

Duan Shaoxia opened the door. Zhang Huaiyi stood outside; Duan Shaoxia had called him.

Zhang Huaiyi looked at Duan Shaoxia, called her "Auntie," and dared not say anything else.

Duan Shaohong had instructed him to be timid upon arriving at the Lu family, so as not to arouse suspicion from the Lu family members.

Duan Shaoxia smiled, "Child, this is your home. Don't be so reserved. Call me 'Mother' from now on, not 'Auntie.'"

Zhang Huaiyi blushed and nodded. For a man in his thirties, changing his address to "Mother" was somewhat awkward.

Even more awkward situations lay ahead. On the first day of next month, he would have to change his surname and serve tea to all the elders of the Lu family, one by one.

He knew this was humiliating, but Duan Shaohong had told him it was his best chance to turn his life around.

As long as he became the head of the Lu family, he would have endless wealth, countless women, and a status and position that others dared not even dream of.

Whenever he thought of such glory, Zhang Huaiyi felt a rush of blood to his head, and the current difficulties he faced seemed insignificant.

"Mother!" Zhang Huaiyi called out sincerely.

Duan Shaoxia nodded and led Zhang Huaiyi to Lu Yuanhai's side.

"Huaiyi, this is your younger brother Yuanhai. He's ill, as you know."

Zhang Huaiyi nodded; Duan Shaohong had already told him all of this.

"Huaiyi, you must take good care of your brother from now on."

For Lu Yuanhai, Zhang Huaiyi had already prepared his speech: "Mother, please don't worry. Our bond is deep; I will do everything in my power, even risk my life, to find a way to cure my brother's illness."

Duan Shaoxia nodded. "Go ahead and look at your brother. Yuanhai can hear you speak."

Zhang Huaiyi looked at Lu Yuanhai, and a tear hung in the corner of Lu Yuanhai's eye.

It must be said, Lu Yuanhai and Zhang Huaiyi bore some resemblance, even more so than Lu Yuanshan.

Zhang Huaiyi sighed inwardly: This kid's life is pretty much over. My mother told me that when the time is right, she'll arrange for someone to send him on his way. This kid enjoyed twenty-plus years of glory; that's enough for him. It's my turn for the good life now.

"Brother, I'll visit you again next time." Just as Zhang Huaiyi was about to stand up, he found Lu Yuanhai's grip tightening.

What's wrong? What does this kid want to do?

Duan Shaoxia said from the side, "Huaiyi, keep talking to your brother. He hasn't spoken to anyone else for a long time, and he's tired of just seeing me every day."

Talk?

Could he talk?

Zhang Huaiyi felt annoyed, but he dared not show it on his face. He continued to hold Lu Yuanhai's hand, maintaining a heartbroken expression.

Lu Yuanhai's tears fell one by one.

Watching Lu Yuanhai cry continuously, Zhang Huaiyi felt a sharp pain in his chest.

What was happening?

Was he feeling sympathetic?

Why should I feel sympathetic towards him?

Neither of those brothers had ever given him a proper look before, especially Lu Yuanshan. When he asked to borrow some money, Lu Yuanshan had truly disgusted him!

Lu Yuanhai was actually a decent person; at least he hadn't made things difficult for him regarding money.

In fact, he had always been good to me...

Thinking this, Zhang Huaiyi felt a pang in his heart, and his eyes welled up.

He's actually my biological brother.

This fraternal bond was real.

"Yuanhai, get well soon. You can recover; trust your brother, you'll definitely get better..."

Zhang Huaiyi spoke a few words to Lu Yuanhai, and the more he spoke, the more sorrowful he felt.

Tears streamed down, blurring his vision completely. He couldn't see Lu Yuanhai; he couldn't see anything.

Zhang Huaiyi wanted to wipe away his tears, but his hands wouldn't move.

What was happening?

Could he have been infected by Lu Yuanhai?

Duan Shaoxia said, "Huaiyi, don't be too sad. Go back to your room and rest."

Zhang Huaiyi was anxious; he also wanted to go back to his room and rest, but he couldn't move.

His hands wouldn't move, and neither would his feet.

"Mother, you should also rest early."

Someone spoke?

Who was speaking?

Zhang Huaiyi's vision remained blurred, and the sounds he heard were indistinct.

His hands wouldn't move, his feet wouldn't move, and he couldn't speak.

He couldn't even concentrate. The only thing he could clearly perceive was an indescribable numbness throughout his body.

Duan Shaoxia led "Zhang Huaiyi" to another bedroom.

Once in the bedroom, "Zhang Huaiyi" immediately lay down on the bed and began to gasp for breath.

He was very unaccustomed to this body, and veins pulsed on his face.

Duan Shaoxia's condition was also very poor; she sat by the bed, drenched in sweat.

"Zhang Huaiyi" said, "Mother, I feel like this body cannot contain me."

Duan Shaoxia touched "Zhang Huaiyi's" forehead. "Zhang Huaiyi is closely related to you by blood. This is the most suitable body Mother could find for you."

"Mother, I'm in terrible pain; I really can't bear it..."

"Don't be afraid. Mother has elixirs. You must hold on."

"Mother, I have a body, but what about the identity?"

"Let your Uncle Qiu figure out the identity. He'll surely find a way."

But what solution could "Monkey Qiu" possibly have?