Chapter 432 - 431: One Cannot Know Another’s Suffering

Situ Wenze’s words made Lu Yunque’s brow furrow slightly.

To be honest, if Situ Wenze could truly deliver on all the requirements in the document, Lu Yunque wouldn’t have refused the partnership.

But the key issue now was that this document was Situ Wenze’s own idea. Lu Yunque wasn’t sure if the Situ Family would still honor the contract’s terms if they found out about them.

"Are you certain you can meet all the requirements in the contract?"

Lu Yunque asked for confirmation once more.

"Of course! The contract is signed. If I don’t follow it, what am I supposed to do, wait for you to sue me for breach of contract?"

"It would be best if you can adhere to the contract. In that case, let’s talk about your objective."

Without some ulterior motive, Situ Wenze would never have drafted such a one-sided proposal that only benefited the other party.

Otherwise, he would have surely haggled with Lu Yunque over every last penny.

"I want to become the next head of the Situ family."

When Situ Wenze finished speaking, Lu Yunque paused. "Mr. Situ, you’re a bit too ambitious."

"Ambitious? In an environment like the Situ family, if you don’t have ambition, you’re destined to become cannon fodder."

If you don’t want to be cannon fodder, you have to constantly build your own strength until you’re powerful enough to make others wary. That way, no one will dare make a rash move against you.

"This is tantamount to pulling me into your camp. You’re dreaming, Situ Wenze."

Lu Yunque felt that Situ Wenze was asking for far too much; he was too greedy.

"Even though I don’t acknowledge your family, what you’re doing isn’t just dragging him into this—I wouldn’t be spared either. Situ Wenze, people who are too greedy will suffer the backlash."

Although Yun Zijin had no established base abroad, her financial resources made her a force to be reckoned with anywhere.

"Let’s discuss the partnership again some other time. Mr. Situ, I think you understand. If you want something from others, you have to give something in return. An unbalanced, unequal partnership won’t last."

Situ Wenze had already guessed how today would end and felt no regret.

’In any case, I’ve stated my terms and laid my cards on the table. No matter what Lu Yunque decides in the end, this trip won’t have been for nothing.’

"Your coffee is getting cold."

"Does Situ Yunliang know why you came to see us today?"

Before they left, Yun Zijin asked the question.

Situ Wenze glanced at Yun Zijin. "She doesn’t."

Situ Yunliang did not participate in the competition for the family headship, but whoever came to power would treat her well.

As the only girl in the direct line of the Situ Family for three generations, how could she not be doted on?

"Heh. Mr. Situ, I can hear you calculating from a mile away."

Faced with Yun Zijin’s accusation, Situ Wenze just smiled and said nothing.

’My calculations are indeed quite loud,’ he thought, ’but whether they’ll succeed will depend on my continued efforts.’

The coffee meeting ended with the three of them in silence.

As Yun Zijin was about to leave, Situ Wenze called out to her. "My aunt really wants to see you. Even if you don’t want to acknowledge her, can’t you two just interact as friends?"

"Mr. Situ, I didn’t think you were this naive."

’Befriend Situ Yunliang? What genius came up with that idea?’

Yun Zijin ignored Situ Wenze’s reaction, grabbed Lu Yunque, and left the cafe.

＊

"Do you think I’m too cold and heartless?"

After the cafe, Yun Zijin had followed Lu Yunque to his office.

She posed the question to Lu Yunque only after they were inside.

"No. No one should judge you without knowing what you’ve been through. I respect any choice you make, and I’ll stand by you no matter what."

When it came to matters concerning Yun Zijin, Lu Yunque made his choice without a second thought.

Lu Yunque’s words must have satisfied Yun Zijin, because the previously sullen woman suddenly broke into a smile through her tears.

Noticing that Yun Zijin’s mood was a little down, Lu Yunque waited until after five o’clock, then pulled her along. They drove for over two hours, arriving at a mountain in the suburb of the capital.

"This is my secret base. And now I’ve told you about it."

Lu Yunque’s words made Yun Zijin look at him quizzically.

"I bought this mountain for myself when I came of age. Whenever I’m unhappy about something, I come here."

Lu Yunque took Yun Zijin by the hand, and they climbed the mountain along a set of stairs.

Halfway up the mountain, they finally saw a small courtyard made of bamboo nestled in a bamboo grove.

"This place..."

If Lu Yunque hadn’t led the way, Yun Zijin might not have been able to find this place even if she had climbed up the mountain herself.

"I had someone build this small courtyard specifically for me. Someone comes regularly to help clean and tidy up."

"What made you think of buying a place like this? On your birthday, of all times."

Yun Zijin really couldn’t understand Lu Yunque’s train of thought.

"I don’t know. I saw it back then and bought it on a whim. Over time, it gradually became my secret base. Besides the person who comes to clean, no one else has ever been here."

’So that means, other than me, no one else knows Lu Yunque has a place like this.’

"There’s probably no running water or electricity here, right?"

’This place is so remote, and it’s halfway up a mountain. Getting running water and electricity must have been a huge pain.’

’But considering Lu Yunque’s status, maybe it wasn’t impossible?’

"It has running water and electricity. The water is piped in from a mountain spring, and as for the electricity, I had specialists come and install it."

’It’s so remote, and the job must have been so difficult. Lu Yunque must have paid a hefty fee for the labor back then.’

"You really got utilities hooked up? I’ll go take a look."

Yun Zijin was like a curious child, flitting around the courtyard. Her expression filled with surprise whenever she saw something new.

"There should be food in the fridge. I’ll go to the kitchen and make you dinner."

The person responsible for cleaning this place also had another task: to replace the items in the kitchen fridge with fresh ingredients every so often. As for the old ingredients, they could do whatever they wanted with them.

"Let me help. I haven’t cooked many times, but I can definitely be your assistant."

Yun Zijin had no confidence in her cooking, but she was very confident in her knife skills.

Lu Yunque didn’t stop her. The idea of preparing a meal together with Yun Zijin made him feel as if they were a married couple who had been living together for a long time. The mere thought made him bubble with happiness.

However, Lu Yunque was very considerate. The tasks he assigned to Yun Zijin were all very easy to complete.

About two hours later, thanks to their joint effort, they were finally eating their meal.

Although the dishes were simple and not as delicious as those made by a professional chef, they had at least made it themselves. Yun Zijin felt very proud and found it fun.

"How does it taste?"

Lu Yunque’s eyes were full of expectation.

"It’s pretty good."

In Yun Zijin’s opinion, for Lu Yunque to be able to cook like this was already excellent.

After dinner, Lu Yunque eagerly asked Yun Zijin if she wanted to climb to the summit for fun.

"It’s already dark. Hiking up the mountain is too dangerous. Let’s not go."

Yun Zijin cherished her life; night hiking was simply too dangerous.