Chapter 182: Eyeing the Inheritance

Chapter 182: Chapter 182: Eyeing the Inheritance

’Xu Rongrong’s last sentence was strange,’ Zhang Yun thought. ’How could she be considered my cousin’s closest relative? Clearly, his wife and two children are.’

But before she could figure it out...

Hearing Xu Rongrong’s words, Mr. Lu, lying on the hospital bed, struggled to open his eyes. He looked at Zhang Yun, his voice weak. "Zheng... Zheng Chuan, that boy... you’re his cousin?"

"Yes, Sir, I’m his cousin. What kind of relative are you to him?" Zhang Yun didn’t actually know who Mr. Lu was to Lu Zhengchuan.

Xu Rongrong had only said he was a relative.

"Zheng Chuan’s grandfather and I were brothers. As long as my second brother’s grandson is healthy, I can die in peace." It took Mr. Lu a great deal of effort to speak even a single sentence.

Zhang Yun was afraid he’d breathe his last.

"So you’re his granduncle. Have you not seen my cousin all these years?" Zhang Yun asked curiously.

Mr. Lu said with difficulty, "...As long as he’s all right, that’s enough. We couldn’t meet."

’Couldn’t meet?’

Zhang Yun didn’t understand.

"And where is your cousin now?"

Zhang Yun opened her mouth to speak.

But Xu Rongrong cut in, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "Grandpa Lu, given your current condition, I don’t dare hide this from you. Brother Lu went missing on a mission. The military can’t contact him at all. I’m afraid the situation is..."

"No way! Nothing will happen to my cousin!" Zhang Yun was the first to retort unhappily upon hearing this, her anger practically visible.

Her protective stance made Xu Rongrong roll her eyes internally, but she was also delighted to see it. ’Didn’t you see how Mr. Lu is obviously trusting her more now because of her subconscious reaction?’

Xu Rongrong continued to wipe her tears. "Xiao Yun, I know you and your cousin are close, but I’m telling the truth. I’m worried about Brother Lu, too."

"Find... find him. Spare no expense to find him!" Mr. Lu said, his hands trembling.

Zhang Yun was bewildered. "Spend money to find my cousin? Can he be found that way? Even the military and the police can’t find him. How can we find him just by spending money? Who would we even hire?"

"How much would it cost?"

A calculating glint flashed in Xu Rongrong’s eyes. She asked expectantly, "Grandpa Lu, do you have a way to find Brother Lu? We’re completely out of options. Brother Lu has been missing for two days already."

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH... You, you help me get Zhou Yu..."

Zhang Yun looked lost, but Xu Rongrong knew who Zhou Yu was. He was not only the assistant who cared for Mr. Lu personally but had also been assigned by the state to manage all of the old man’s affairs.

Moreover, this man could also contact Mr. Lu’s network of connections.

The moment Xu Rongrong found out that Lu Zhengchuan was related to Mr. Lu, she had immediately looked into the old man. She heard he was gravely ill and seemed to be planning to donate his family fortune to pray for the descendants of the Lu Family.

And as things stood, the only remaining descendant of the Lu Family was Lu Zhengchuan.

That was why she had immediately used the excuse of having helped Lu Zhengchuan in the past to get close to the old man.

To her surprise, he had actually treated her kindly and even learned about Lu Zhengchuan’s situation through her.

Xu Rongrong was smart. She knew Mr. Lu was only thinking of his relatives because he was on his deathbed. So, she told him a few things about Lu Zhengchuan, which pleased him and naturally made him treat her well.

But aside from praising her a few times and giving her a bracelet, he hadn’t offered anything else.

Xu Rongrong knew that in addition to the Lu Family’s ancestral homes, Mr. Lu possessed many valuable old items like antiques and gold bars. Although he had put them on display at the National Museum, they were fundamentally his private property. If she could just get on his good side, he could give her a few pieces, and she’d make a fortune.

Of course, Xu Rongrong was more concerned with preventing Su Wan from getting any benefits.

That was why she had deliberately avoided mentioning Su Wan in front of Mr. Lu, hiding her existence.

Although, after hearing Mr. Lu’s explanation just now, she guessed he probably knew Su Wan existed but hadn’t asked to see her for some unknown reason.

But this suited her just fine.

If Su Wan inherited the Lu Family fortune, she would be absolutely furious.

However, she never expected that not only did Mr. Lu not look for Su Wan, but news also spread that he was planning to donate his entire fortune to the country.

An idea sparked in Xu Rongrong’s mind. ’Since the old man doesn’t care about this wealth anyway, then let me inherit it.’

Of course, she couldn’t inherit it directly. Zhang Yun’s identity was perfect for her plan.

She refused to believe that Mr. Lu wouldn’t leave anything for Lu Zhengchuan.

"Grandpa Lu, I’ll go get someone to call for Uncle Zhou right now." Xu Rongrong turned and walked to the door.

There were young soldiers outside the door. This nursing home was state-run, so of course, there were people stationed there.

She said a word to the young soldier at the door, and he went to fetch the person.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Xu Rongrong pulled Zhang Yun to sit by the bedside.

She said in a conversational tone, "Grandpa Lu, Zhang Yun is the closest to Brother Lu. Her family has also taken great care of him, so she’s the most worried now that she’s heard something happened to him."

"She came to the Capital recently, but not to find Brother Lu or ride his coattails. She actually found a partner here in the Capital, and they’re talking about marriage. She figured that since Brother Lu will be based in the Capital in the future, she should marry someone here too. Even if she has to put up with some difficulties because of their mismatched status, it’s better than living in a different city from him."

Xu Rongrong’s words resonated deeply with Zhang Yun.

She was a little pleased. "Miss Xu, I can’t believe you guessed what I was thinking. I really don’t want to be too far from my cousin, which is a big reason why I want to marry Zhao Yuan."

"Of course I know. You’re not that much younger than Brother Lu, and you grew up following him around everywhere. He’s your favorite cousin." Xu Rongrong said confidently, as if affirming Zhang Yun’s feelings.

Zhang Yun was grinning from ear to ear. "My cousin is very good to me, too. He can be a bit strict with me sometimes, but I know he’s just looking out for me."

"Actually, I’m not as put-upon as you make it sound. Zhao Yuan’s family is quite well-off; it’s a dual-income household. I’m just from the countryside, but I’m capable and not afraid of being unable to find a job in the future. Plus, with my cousin around, Zhao Yuan wouldn’t dare bully me. I think I’m already very happy." Zhang Yun’s smile was genuine.

Mr. Lu lay on the hospital bed. Although weak, he could still hear clearly.

"...You’re a good child. It must have been hard on your family to take care of Zheng Chuan. Taking care of him was originally the Lu Family’s duty, but for various reasons, we had to trouble your parents."

Zhang Yun shook her head. "Grandpa Lu, my cousin is wonderful. It was only right that we took care of him. After all, he’s my aunt’s son. My aunt passed away, but she left her inheritance to my parents."

"My parents always said they only put in the effort and didn’t really sacrifice anything. In fact, because of my aunt’s inheritance, our family was able to get grain rations during those years. It helped us survive and raise me and my two sisters."

"COUGH, COUGH... Good child." Mr. Lu gave her a kind smile and beckoned to her.

Zhang Yun was puzzled, but she dutifully walked over, bending down by the side of the bed. "Grandpa Lu, did you need me for something?"

"Good child, would you like a job, or a sum of money?"

Mr. Lu’s voice was neither loud nor soft, but it was clear enough for Zhang Yun to hear.