Free Web NovelChapter 898: Chapter 338: If Only Time Could Turn Back (Part 7)_4
Although she was very angry that her father didn’t take her away, once the anger passed, she was no longer mad.
The police station is such a cold and unfeeling place; she couldn’t let her father continue staying there.
Lu Huai’an was not without words, but all language was choked in his throat, as if someone were gripping his neck, making even breathing difficult.
The pain in his heart was severe, like being pricked by needles.
The hand that was hovering in mid-air stiffly retracted as he walked to the entrance to grab a pair of slippers, then half-squatted by the stairs.
"Put on your shoes first, I’ll go with you."
Lin Chu’s smile became more apparent, but the pallor of her brow and eyes did not diminish in the slightest because of it, "Are there any media reporters here? Who are you putting on a show for?"
Her father’s remains had been reported and stored for three days, and no one came to claim them.
And yet, after disappearing for so long, he came to care whether she wore shoes?
Utterly laughable.
"Mr. Lu has many things to attend to; maintaining an image is easy, just a phone call away, there’s no need for this, besides," she paused for a moment, "I find the scent of your perfume sickening."
When Lin Chu stepped over the half-squatting Lu Huai’an, he almost instinctively stood up and grabbed her wrist.
"If you don’t like it, I’ll go back to the small building and change, two minutes, very quick."
Lin Chu shook off the man’s hand and then cleanly and decisively slapped him.
"Slap!"
The crisp sound echoed throughout the living room.
The smile that didn’t reach her eyes completely faded, her bright and flamboyant features turned cold with not a trace of warmth, "Either kill me mercilessly, or get out of the way."
Or...
Lu Huai’an’s face, turned to one side, was stiff for only a few seconds, and then he calmly turned back to face forward.
His voice low and hoarse, "It’s raining outside, if you go out like this, you’ll get sick."
Lin Chu didn’t spare him even a glance.
Her wrist was held tightly by the man’s hand, making it impossible to take even half a step.
"I’ve been sick for so many years, and now I’m finally clear-headed, how could a few drops of rain make me sick again? Lu Huai’an, before you die, I won’t let myself perish."
Hatred.
Unending until death.
————
At Lin Zongjun’s funeral, only three people attended.
His daughter, Lin Chu; Ji Wanxia, burdened with debt after her company went bankrupt; and their friend, Xu Qiubai.
Lu Huai’an didn’t count, standing fifty meters away under an umbrella, so there were only three.
Once greatly esteemed, with countless seeking favor, Lin Zongjun departed this world in silence and desolation.
Lin Chu, dressed in black, with a white flower pinned to her chest, stood in front of the tombstone, her gaze never straying from that photograph.
She held an umbrella, not wanting her father to worry, and because now... she was not alone. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Xu Qiubai and Ji Wanxia stood quietly by Lin Chu’s side.
He had seen truly sorrowful people with oceans of tears in their eyes, yet not a single tear fell.
Just like Lin Chu right now.
She watched Lin Zongjun’s ashes being lowered into the cold earth, without any emotional outbreak, not even reddening her eyes.
Some people age overnight.
From then on, their hearts become barren land.
...
Lin Chu turned around, her backbone, emaciated to the bone, soaked by the rain, feeling the chill of the wind blowing past.
To avoid catching a cold, to reassure her father, she couldn’t stay there any longer.
"Qiu Bai, you take Wanwan to the hospital; I have matters to attend to, I won’t accompany you."
Xu Qiubai didn’t know what matters she referred to, but having seen the news, he understood somewhat, fearing she might lose hope, "My mom has already cooked; come over and have some."
Ji Wanxia reached out to hold Lin Chu’s hand, finding it icy cold.
It was the weather in May, even with rain, the temperature shouldn’t be this low.
She pressed her lips and agreed, "Yes, Xiao Chu, you didn’t eat much this morning, whatever happened, your health is the priority, Grandpa’s condition is stable now, I have time in the afternoon, wherever you want to go, I’ll accompany you."
Lin Chu smiled, comforting her friends, "Don’t worry, I won’t do anything foolish. Just a few things need resolving, nothing major, can handle it alone."
Even though it’s her first negotiation, she’s ninety percent sure she’ll win.
Therefore, it’s fine.
Ji Wanxia’s glance swept past the distant man before returning to focus on Lin Chu.
Even lifelong friends, in some ways, remain outsiders, just like the barren-hearted Lin Chu and the traitorous Lu Huai’an; they had no place to intervene or interfere.
Ji Wanxia opened her arms to embrace Lin Chu, telling her, "Xiao Chu, both Qiu Bai and I are still here, you’re not alone."
Xu Qiubai’s tightly-clenched hand continued to grip tighter but still managed a warm smile, "No matter what, we’re always a call away."
Lin Chu patted Ji Wanxia’s wet shoulder, urging them, "Okay, okay, quit nagging, it’s getting late, go quick. If the rain picks up, it’ll be hard to catch a cab."
...
After Ji Wanxia and Xu Qiubai left the cemetery, Lin Chu slowly began to move.
She knew Lu Huai’an wouldn’t let her walk past him, just like yesterday at the Lu Family Villa, just like at the police station...
So, she didn’t bother with futile efforts.
"My home is sealed, and I don’t have a penny. Since Mr. Lu has generously helped me bury my father, can I borrow a bed from you to rest a while?"
Although she was frail enough that a stronger wind might knock her over, she resolutely and firmly pushed away Lu Huai’an’s hand.
Lu Huai’an didn’t touch her again.
Instead, he tossed the teetering umbrella from her hand into the trash bin; the black umbrella he held was large, enough for two people, but mostly shielded her head.
"The home is still there. Let’s go back, eat, then rest."
Lin Chu merely sneered, choosing not to respond.
————
Riverfront Villa. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Lin Chu found sleeping pills in the bedroom drawer; once, she often suffered from insomnia at night, but barely used them, leaving the bottle nearly full.
The teacup was not large; she casually shook in several pills, stirred to dissolve them, then placed it by the table.
Then, she lay down on the bed.
The tea was brought in by a servant under Lu Huai’an’s instructions, so when he emerged from the bathroom, he drank without suspicion.
The person lying on the bed seemed to have fallen asleep.
Back turned to him, very quiet.
The red streaks in Lu Huai’an’s eyes showed how long he had gone without rest; he gently lifted the covers, drawing the girl sleeping on the edge into his embrace.
"Xiao Chu, I’m sorry."
