Reluctant

Ling Hui bowed deeply to Lu Han, saying, "I am truly sorry, Young Master Lu."

Lu Han exhaled a puff of smoke and said calmly, "You are still an elder. It's not appropriate for you to apologize to someone like me."

Ling Hui gritted his teeth, kicked Ling Mo beside him, and scolded, "You useless dog, what are you waiting for? Apologize to Young Master Lu!"

Ling Mo shuddered and fell to his knees, bowing his head, "Young Master Lu, I was wrong. Please have mercy on me."

It was a weekday, and people were coming and going at the entrance of Huayuan Road Police Station. His kneeling attracted quite a bit of attention.

However, no one seemed to be taking photos, probably assuming it was a reconciliation scene, which wasn't uncommon.

Lu Han squinted his eyes and asked, "What exactly did you do wrong?"

Ling Mo instinctively glanced at Chu Ruoyan and whispered, "I overestimated myself and tried to compete with you for a woman."

Chu Ruoyan's lips curled in bitterness. Ling Mo was indeed at fault, but she also felt responsible.

If she hadn't harbored lingering feelings, Ling Mo wouldn't have misunderstood that he still had a chance, and none of this would have happened.

But deep down, she knew her true love was Lu Han.

"Heh..."

Lu Han's smile was mocking, "Your liking Chu Ruoyan is your business, but the worst mistake you made was repeatedly provoking me even after I left her. Your current situation is entirely self-inflicted."

He extinguished his cigarette and added, "Also, don't talk about 'stealing' a woman. A woman who truly loves me can't be stolen away."

This remark brought tears to Chu Ruoyan's eyes, and she trembled as she spoke, "Lu Han, please, stop saying such things... I beg you."

Lu Han retorted, "Am I wrong?"

Chu Ruoyan didn't dare to argue further, filled with regret and sorrow.

She knew showing up before Lu Han was akin to seeking punishment, yet she couldn't help herself.

Even if Lu Han insulted her, she might feel better. But now, even getting him to yell at her seemed like a distant dream.

Lu Han turned his gaze away from Chu Ruoyan and looked at Ling Hui, sneering, "I heard your company is in trouble?"

Ling Hui nodded awkwardly, "Yes, we faced difficulties, but we could manage. However, if you take action, I won't stand a chance."

"Having money and power is indeed a good thing!" 

Lu Han mocked himself, "If I weren't surnamed Lu or the son of Lu Zhenxin, would you kneel here begging forgiveness? Heh, who knows how badly your son would have messed me up."

Reluctantly acknowledging the harsh reality, Ling Hui saw that Lu Han wasn't relenting and took a deep breath, kneeling down too.

"Young Master Lu, I beg you to spare us. I owe you a great debt. If you ever need anything, just let me know."

He had completely humiliated himself, both for his company and his son.

Ling Mo was still young, with a long life ahead. If Lu Han decided to retaliate, his future would be ruined.

Lu Han remained silent for a moment, looking down at Ling Mo with disdain, "You should thank your father for being so good."

Ling Mo's face turned pale, unable to respond.

Ling Hui secretly sighed in relief; Lu Han's words implied forgiveness.

He clasped his hands together, "Thank you, Young Master Lu, for your magnanimity."

Lu Han gave Ling Hui a long look and then walked away.

Chu Ruoyan wanted to follow but hesitated and sighed in resignation.

Lu Han was clearly annoyed by her presence, and there was a limit to how much she could pester him. She didn't want to risk having her WeChat blocked or deleted after finally getting back in touch.

"Ruoyan, I'm sorry you had to see this," Ling Hui stood up, dusting off his clothes, looking embarrassed.

Though their families weren't close, they had maintained a decent relationship. Kneeling before others for his son's sake was humiliating.

"Uncle Ling, is Lu Han really the son of Lu Zhenxin?" Chu Ruoyan asked, still in disbelief.

The news hit her hard. Previously, when she mentioned Lu Han, almost everyone criticized her choice. As a CEO worth millions, why would she choose someone without family background or wealth?

Some even speculated maliciously that Lu Han was only interested in her money.

In fact, when she took over the company, its assets were modest, barely reaching a few million. Yet, she was considered well-off by ordinary standards.

Now, Lu Han had transformed into someone she couldn't reach.

The Lu family was worth billions.

The disparity was evident.

Ling Hui smiled bitterly, "If he weren't, would I have begged like this? But I don't understand why Lu Zhenxin suddenly has a son."

He had been through a lot, recalling the sudden call from Lu Zhenxin's housekeeper, Wang Baosen, learning that his son had offended Young Master Lu, leaving him shaken.

Today, Lu Han showed leniency. Otherwise, just the rumor alone would have caused his business partners to turn against him.

Ling Hui had seen many betrayals in his twenty years in business.

Chu Ruoyan opened her mouth, wanting to ask if Lu Han was really about to marry Su Qingli, but decided against it.

Privately, she could lower herself before Lu Han, but in front of Ling Hui, she needed to maintain some dignity.

Besides, Ling Hui might not know either.

"Ruoyan," Ling Hui glanced at his disappointing son, "I know Ling Mo has caused you trouble. This is partly my fault. Back then, I saw your mutual affection, but I still sent him abroad. Don't blame him, blame me."

Chu Ruoyan shook her head, sighing, "Uncle Ling, let's not dwell on the past. I don't blame you or Ling Mo. The fault lies with me."

With that, she left, emotionally drained.

Throughout, Chu Ruoyan didn't even glance at Ling Mo.

"Dad, I'm not satisfied!" Ling Mo watched Chu Ruoyan leave, swallowing hard.

"Shut up!" Ling Hui interrupted, scolding, "Fool! Can't you see? She's beyond your reach!"

He understood the possessiveness of wealthy heirs, especially towards women, even after breakups.

They had narrowly escaped disaster today. Ling Mo still harboring delusions was unacceptable.

Ling Hui warned sternly, "Stay away from Chu Ruoyan from now on!"

"I... I understand," Ling Mo murmured.

However, once his father turned away, a glimmer of resentment flashed in his eyes.

Chu Ruoyan was not only attractive but had also doubled the assets of Mingxue Games within three years.

She had both beauty and wealth.

Conquering such a woman would be an achievement.

Moreover, Chu Ruoyan was originally his!

Giving up?

Impossible!

...

...