Snowstorm: I’m Super Rich in the Apocalypse
Chapter 267: Noticing

Chapter 267: Chapter 267: Noticing

Huang Suzhen had indeed been having it too easy these past years; her vigilance had lowered, even becoming somewhat arrogant, which is why it was not difficult for Lu Jianshe to get a rise out of her with a few words.

Lu Wanli looked at Huang Suzhen speaking with Lu Jianshe alone, and her words made him feel as if something were stuck in his chest.

Huang Suzhen did have a strategy for such a scenario; she had anticipated this moment, so she said to Lu Wanli, "I admit, I haven’t been very good to my stepson. How many stepmothers can treat their stepchildren the same as their own sons? I favor my own children. If there’s a fault to be acknowledged, I’ll acknowledge it."

Her words were cleverly chosen. Now, all she had to do was play the role of the evil stepmother; after all, the children were grown up, and she had her own sons and grandchild. What expectations could she have of a stepson?

Besides, with Lu Wanli’s status, he couldn’t just get a divorce at his age, or even voice such a thing. So, what did it matter if she admitted it?

After all, no one knew about her involvement with Ruisheng’s incident back then—everything else was trivial.

Upon finishing her statement, she looked scornfully at Lu Wanli, "To put it bluntly, you don’t concern yourself with your own son, so why should you expect anything from me? You don’t believe what your son tells you. Is it my fault? Seeing how you don’t care about your own son, I felt even less need to pay attention."

Her words rang true. If Lu Wanli had been more attentive to both his sons back then, Huang Suzhen wouldn’t have dared act so brazenly.

Lu Wanli’s chest hurt because they were right. Indeed, he would probably feel better if he could offer some defense, but he had none, which made it all the more painful.

His current wife stood beside Lu Ruiming, showing no concern for him, and his second son stood opposite without offering comfort either.

His eldest grandson and his wife also showed no concern for his well-being. Instead, they were both worried about Lu Jianshe, standing next to him, guarding him like protectors.

He collapsed onto the sofa, "It’s all my fault. I don’t deserve to be a father, nor a grandfather."

Lu Jianshe hadn’t actually planned to let it go at that. He pressed, "Certainly, Dad, you must be aware that my brother and I have always suspected that Shengsheng’s disappearance is related to your concubine?"

The term "concubine" was becoming increasingly familiar to Lu Jianshe because, before his mother’s death, Lu Wanli had already been involved with Huang Suzhen. Whether called a concubine or a mistress, it hardly made a difference.

Unable to listen any further, Huang Suzhen exclaimed, "Can you mind your language?"

Lu Jianshe shook his head, "I think I’m speaking quite properly. What, should I refer to you as a mistress promoted to wife?"

Gu Pan couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

Lu Jianshe couldn’t help but laugh as well and turned to Gu Pan to ask, "I’m making sense, aren’t I?"

Gu Pan nodded in agreement.

Huang Suzhen was furious, feeling as if her head might explode, but before she could speak, Lu Wanli’s voice, tinged with accusation, challenged her, "What does Shengsheng’s incident have to do with you, exactly?"

It was, of course, impossible for Huang Suzhen to admit any involvement. She would deny it to her death, "No, I didn’t like my stepson, but after they made their own families, what would I have to target?"

Lu Jianshe retorted, "That’s not necessarily the case. After all, the child you gave birth to is dumb, foolish, and silly. You were probably afraid we’d overshadow him. When Shengsheng was born, the guests said he had a face destined for great wealth and fortune. Weren’t you jealous?"

Huang Suzhen indeed envied Ruisheng even more for this very reason, but she would never admit to it, "Don’t pin every wrongdoing on me. If I did it, I’ll own up to it, but if I didn’t, don’t falsely accuse me."

She was confident they had no evidence; if they had, it would have been produced already, so she felt safe making such claims.

Lu Wanli himself started to waver. He wasn’t foolish; he knew about past household affairs. He had thought that for the sake of family harmony, putting his sons at a disadvantage was okay. After all, they were grown men who had been sent off to the military for training—nothing too serious since they didn’t spend much time with their stepmother.

However, considering Ruisheng’s disappearance, he thought his sons held too deep a grudge against their stepmother. No matter the case, Huang Suzhen was a woman and wouldn’t be so ruthless. Additionally, as his bedfellow, he didn’t wish to think so ill of her.

Lu Jianshe said to Lun Wanli, "Do you know why we didn’t talk about so many things before? Because we needed her to help find Shengsheng’s trail. But now that we’ve found Shengsheng, we have no more concerns."

Lun Wanli also felt guilty and assured Lu Jianshe, "I will investigate this matter. If it turns out as you said, I’ll definitely explain things to you all, and to Shengsheng."

Lu Jianshe replied, "That would be best." Having said this, he turned to Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng, "Let’s go. Second Uncle and Second Aunt will take you out to have fun. We’ve missed out on too much over the years."

His words left Lun Wanli with even more self-reproach and shame. He had only thought about his grandson’s return, about having one more child to be proud of, but what about his own compensation? It was nothing but material, while spiritually and emotionally, he truly hadn’t done enough.

He sighed, "Go on, have a good time with your Second Uncle. Grandpa will also make things right for you."

Lu Ruisheng responded, "Then Panpan and I will go out with Second Uncle and Second Aunt."

Watching them leave, Lun Wanli was filled with various emotions. He turned to Huang Suzhen, "I hope you won’t disappoint me."

After saying that, he went upstairs to his study to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Watching him go upstairs, Lu Ruiming nervously asked Huang Suzhen, "Grandma, are you alright?"

Huang Suzhen snorted through her nostrils, "I’m fine. You’re his flesh and blood after all. How can he ignore you? What do I have to fear at my age? If he’s not ashamed, let him divorce me. If he is ashamed, we’ll just continue as is. At my age, it doesn’t really matter anymore."

Lu Ruiming thought about it and realized she was right. He was Lun Wanli’s biological grandson, not like Lu Ruisheng who was still related by blood, but maybe it was time he started to get on his grandfather’s good side more.

Huang Suzhen was unaware of her grandson’s internal changes, caressing Lu Ruiming’s hand with a loving face.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng followed Second Uncle’s family out, having fun eating and playing like children.

Su Qing bought them whatever tasty or fun things they saw, truly treating them like her own children.

They had lunch at Lu Jianshe’s house, everyone cooking together, eating together—it was very lively.

During lunch, Lu Jianshe mentioned how much benefit these fertilized eggs had brought him, looking at his nephew and niece, he really didn’t know how to express his gratitude.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng were happy to have helped their Second Uncle.

Su Qing said, "The base has now put the highest level of protection on those fertilized eggs, even more stringent than protecting the Base Commander."

Gu Pan and the others had anticipated this because getting fertilized eggs had become harder than going to the Moon.

Gu Pan said, "We still have connections. If Second Uncle and Second Aunt need more, we can make another exchange."

Lu Jianshe said, "The amount of resources these things take up, your Second Aunt and I are aware. Don’t exchange anymore. You should save your resources. The apocalypse won’t end easily, and for many years to come, we will rely on our food reserves. You must protect your resources well."

Lu Ruisheng agreed, "We’re aware, Second Uncle. Rest assured, Panpan and I have it under control."

Su Qing sighed, "We’ve always been thinking about how to compensate you, but instead, it’s been you helping us the whole time. We’re not really up to par as your elders. Honestly, we don’t even know how to be good ones. We haven’t had children for so many years, and suddenly, you’re back. Maybe... maybe you should have children quickly, and we’ll raise them from a young age. Would that be better..."

Su Qing, reaching this point, quickly dismissed her own idea, "No, no, it’s too dangerous to have children in the apocalypse. Better not to. We’ll just continue to treat you as our children."

Gu Pan laughed, "Second Aunt, we really don’t need you to do anything special. We’re family, and we all want to give each other the best. If we’re all doing well, isn’t that enough?"

Su Qing also laughed, "Look at that, I don’t have children, and yet you think more clearly than I do. My mistake, from now on I should ask the children for advice."