Chapter 25 Half an Hour

But the phone kept ringing persistently, its sound pounding against Lu Heyang's eardrums like a relentless summons, as if it wouldn't stop until he answered.

Even the little peace he had left was snatched away. His eyes, forced to move, finally led him to sit up like a walking corpse and answer the call.

"Lu Heyang." Lu Xun's voice on the other end was deep, tinged with fatigue, making his name sound devoid of emotion, even a little annoyed and cold.

There was noise in the background. Lu Xun was speaking in a deliberately lowered voice.

"Lu, I'm sorry, or should I say Fu Xun..." Lu Heyang let out a soft sneer, his fingers clenching the receiver. "President Fu, you've had your fun. You now have money, status, and a fiancée. Can you let me go now?"

"Calm down," Fu Xun replied.

Lu Heyang wanted to ask, "How much calmer could I be?" but the words felt too much like something a heartbroken person would say. He had no right to make such remarks, nor did he want to reveal his most vulnerable side.

"I'm calm." Lu Heyang spoke as evenly as possible, hiding the tremble in his voice. "Let me go."

Fu Xun hesitated for a moment. "Now's not the time..."

"Isn't it enough?" Lu Heyang's nerves were stretched to the breaking point, causing him to shout, "Isn't it enough?!"

On the surface, he was talking about being confined, but only Lu Heyang knew he was referring to how Fu Xun had torn his heart apart and trampled on it without a second thought.

Fu Xun fell silent. All Lu Heyang could hear through the receiver was his steady breathing. Then, in the background, he heard a woman's voice.

"President Fu, Mr. He has arrived."

"Hmm." Fu Xun gave a low response, then addressed Lu Heyang again.

"Half an hour." Fu Xun glanced at his watch. "In half an hour, someone will come to pick you up at the villa. We'll talk in person."

The call ended quickly, without giving Lu Heyang any chance to object.

Half an hour again.

Another excruciating half hour.

Thirteen years ago, he had shut the fire escape door, walking home via the stairs. Amid the pain in his calves and his heavy breathing, he couldn't stop himself from imagining what was happening behind that door—young Lu Xun kissing someone else.

His lips were sharp and defined, with firm yet soft lines, the kind of lips that looked like they belonged to someone good at kissing.

Had he used his tongue? Had he kissed the girl's pretty eyes?

Would his body react like a nuclear reactor, with a series of actions and reactions ultimately reaching a climax?

And now, he had to endure yet another half hour imagining what this "President Fu" was going to say to him. Perhaps he would erase everything about his past with the Lu family, sever their ties, and never see him again. Or maybe he'd flaunt his current status and his engagement to Miss Xu.

He couldn't help but tremble, and a sudden thought of escaping took root.

No, "escape" wasn't the right word—it was a full-on flight.

Half an hour later, a discreet black Buick pulled up at the front gate.

Aunt Ren was already waiting in the hall. She looked up and saw Lu Heyang, dressed in a clean white shirt, slowly descending the stairs. He looked dignified, composed, and entirely poised, with only a faint redness lingering under his eyes—a far cry from the anguish he'd shown just moments ago.

"You've worked hard during this time," Lu Heyang said with a slight nod toward Aunt Ren.

Aunt Ren, who already felt guilty for keeping him confined, was at a loss for words after receiving his thanks. She wiped her eyes with her apron and comforted him, "You're thinking too much. Don't dwell on sad things..."

Lu Heyang smiled lightly and headed toward the Buick.

The sky had already gone completely dark. Through the beams of the streetlights, he could just make out the fine, slanted rain falling—a kind of rain that was particularly annoying, slipping beneath any umbrella, rendering them useless. Giving up on the umbrella, he stepped into the rain.

The Buick was dripping with rainwater, and as the door opened, droplets fell off, leaving damp streaks behind. A man emerged from the car, his face lit up with enthusiasm.

"Brother Heyang."

The way he addressed him was so smooth, but Lu Heyang couldn't quite place him. He frowned, narrowing his eyes in the dim light to get a better look.

"It's me," the man said, pointing to himself and stepping fully into the light. "Cheng Dongxu."

Though he had grown taller and more robust, filling out his suit and appearing much more mature, his large forehead and double eyelids, with almond-shaped eyes, were unmistakably his.

Lu Heyang hadn't been in the same class as Cheng Dongxu back in the day, but they had crossed paths often enough to recognize each other. Being called "Brother Heyang" by him now wasn't out of place.

"Ah..." Lu Heyang let out a sound of realization. "It's you."

Cheng Dongxu scratched his head. "I'm working for Brother Xun now."

He pulled the car door fully open, holding the edge of the roof to shield it as he added, "He asked me to come pick you up."

Lu Heyang obediently got into the car. "Thanks."

Cheng Dongxu ran around to the driver's side and started the engine.

They drove in silence for twenty minutes. With only the monotonous sound of the windshield wipers cutting through the silence, Cheng Dongxu couldn't stand the tension any longer and tried to strike up some small talk. "It's been so many years, and Brother Heyang is still so quiet."

Lu Heyang pressed his lips together and met Cheng Dongxu's gaze in the rearview mirror.

"I'm afraid if I ask, you'll feel uncomfortable."

Cheng Dongxu awkwardly looked away, letting out a dry laugh. "There's really nothing uncomfortable to say. Brother Xun is Fu Zulin's grandson and Fu Qiaosheng's son."

The Fu family was in the aviation transportation business and owned the largest theme park chain in the country. Thirty years ago, Fu Qiaosheng had taken over from Fu Zulin, and at the height of their success, his only son had disappeared while playing with a servant on the street. After years of fruitless searching, Fu Qiaosheng and his wife turned to Buddhism, but while flying to another city to worship, they died in a crash caused by loose landing gear.

This accident caused Fu Corporation's stock to plummet. The old master, devastated by the loss, took back control and fought to stabilize the company, but he never handed over the reins to his second son, Fu Qiaoyu. Recently, his health had worsened, forcing him to consider the issue of succession.

It wasn't hard to imagine that Fu Xun had rejoined the family during this critical time. The process must have been difficult, but in the end, he had successfully taken control of the family business.

"He always felt out of place at the Lu family. Now, with his surname changed and his true identity found, he's where he belongs," Cheng Dongxu concluded. "It wasn't easy, but it's a good thing."

Lu Heyang replied indifferently, "I guess congratulations are in order."

"Hey," Cheng Dongxu said, "and that's not even the only good news..."

"He's engaged," Lu Heyang interrupted.

"You already know?" Cheng Dongxu's face lit up. "Miss Xu comes from a good family, she's beautiful too. If the two families collaborate, Brother Xun will have an even easier time with his business. He's really lucky."

"Mm." Lu Heyang sank back into the seat, as if he no longer had the strength to say anything else.

Half an hour later, they were in the city center. It had been a long time since Lu Heyang had seen such a lively scene—the dazzling city lights, the bustling crowds, the humid smell of wet earth in the air, and the exhaust from cars. He rolled up the half-open window and withdrew his gaze from outside, suddenly speaking.

"Dongxu, stop at the convenience store up ahead."

"What for?"

Lu Heyang rubbed his fingers together and smiled slightly. "I need a smoke. Forgot to bring any."

"My bad. Should've thought to bring you a pack," Cheng Dongxu glanced at the GPS, "I'll pull over just ahead."

Fifteen minutes later, Fu Xun's eyes were fixed on the phone screen as it buzzed with Cheng Dongxu's name. Without caring about the hostile shareholders glaring at him, he answered the call immediately.

"Dongxu."

"Brother Xun..." Cheng Dongxu's breathing was rapid, his voice tense, mixed with the sounds of cars rushing by.

"What's wrong?" Fu Xun felt a sudden ringing in his ears. He frowned, pressing the phone harder against his ear. "Speak slowly."

"Brother Heyang is gone!"