Chapter 38 Part 2

Lin Juan flipped through the documents. Lu Yanzhong’s assets were substantial. Half of them came to over a hundred million when converted. Lin Juan didn’t underestimate his own abilities, but this was genuinely too much.

Seeing he was about to refuse, Lu Yanzhong spoke up. “Actually, this money is to commission Mr. Lin for a favor.”

Lin Juan swallowed his refusal. “What favor?”

“It’s Xiao Wan,” Lu Yanzhong said with a wistful expression. “The 【Eye of Recollection】 showed that Xiao Wan went mad because of the eyeballs on Qiu Lishu. Since it involves a Weird Phenomenon, I was wondering if I could commission Mr. Lin to find a way to restore her.”

All that remained between him and Xiao Wan was debt. He wanted to do everything possible to restore her life.

Mu Xiaowan was Lu Yanzhong’s childhood sweetheart. Without Qiu Lishu’s interference, they would have built a happy family together by now, instead of her living alone and coldly in a nursing home for over a decade.

Old Master Lu felt very guilty toward Mu Xiaowan. After discussions with the Mu Family, they had moved her to a nursing home under Lu Corporation.

Agreeing to Lu Yanzhong’s request, Lin Juan headed to the nursing home with the Lu Family.

Lu Yanzhong came too, but he didn’t go inside.

The Mu family came to visit Mu Xiaowan every few days, and they happened to be there today as well. To avoid giving them empty joy, Old Master Lu only said that he brought his youngest daughter-in-law to see her and did not mention that they were there to cure Mu Xiaowan’s madness.

Time was enough to heal all wounds. Even though more than ten years ago, the Mu family hated the Lu family for ruining their perfectly fine child like this, Old Master Lu’s tireless care for Mu Xiaowan over these years was not lost on them.

They no longer felt the previous aversion toward the Lu family members.

But that excluded Lu Yanzhong.

Toward Lu Yanzhong, they only felt hatred.

Lu Yanzhong was well aware of this point. Facing the Mu family’s reprimands, he silently endured them.

Every word and every sentence stabbed into his heart like a knife. The harm had already been done, and he would not use the excuse that he was also a victim to evade condemnation.

No matter what the facts were, the harm inflicted on Mu Xiaowan over these more than ten years was real. Lu Yanzhong would not—and did not allow himself to—deny it.

After they had vented enough, Mu Xiaowan’s Big Brother showed no mercy: “You’re not welcome here. Xiao Wan doesn’t want to see you either.”

“I know,” the man who had remained silent all along said in a slightly hoarse voice. “I won’t go in.”

Old Master Lu saw this and sighed inwardly, unsure of what to say.

Before, he had greatly disapproved of his second son’s actions. Upon suddenly learning that his second son had been controlled by someone, his emotions became indescribably complex.

Lin Juan, Lu Yanzhou, and Old Master Lu headed to the ward together.

“Xiao Wan, Uncle Lu is here to see you.” Mu Xiaowan’s Big Brother pushed open the door and said gently.

Mu Xiaowan sat quietly by the window, her eyes vacant and showing no reaction at all.

“Still like this?” Old Master Lu had always kept track of Mu Xiaowan’s condition and knew she had been this way for a long time.

“Yes.” Mu Xiaowan’s Big Brother sighed.

Lin Juan walked a circle around the room and sensed a very faint aura of Weird Phenomena emanating from Mu Xiaowan herself.

He nodded to Lu Yanzhou.

Lu Yanzhou understood and spoke up: “How long has Miss Mu been like this?”

“Almost ten years.”

Mu Xiaowan had suddenly gone mad, and the Mu family refused to believe their perfectly fine child would turn out like this. They sought an explanation from the Lu family. Old Master Lu received them but had not expected Mu Xiaowan to suddenly become this way either.

Old Master Lu did not make excuses for his own son. He called Lu Yanzhong over and beat him in front of the Mu family, then called the police at once.

The police investigation turned up nothing.

Old Master Lu flew into a towering rage and ordered Lu Yanzhong to divorce Qiu Lishu, or else he would not be allowed back into this home.

Lu Yanzhong chose Qiu Lishu.

Old Master Lu followed through and cut off all support from the Lu family to Lu Yanzhong.

Knowing the Mu family was seeking treatment for Mu Xiaowan, Old Master Lu mobilized his connections and brought in the world’s top doctors to treat her.

At first, Mu Xiaowan screamed, went berserk, suddenly shouted about monsters, and punched and kicked at everything around her—even harming herself.

After two years of treatment, Mu Xiaowan’s violent tendencies vanished. But this did not mean she was cured. Before the Mu family could rejoice, they discovered that Mu Xiaowan had shut herself off completely.

She showed no reaction to the outside world at all, as if her soul had vanished, leaving only a hollow shell behind.

After learning the full situation, Lin Juan said nothing in front of the Mu family. On the way back from the sanatorium in the car, Lu Yanzhong eagerly asked: “How is she? Can she be cured?”

Lin Juan nodded: “We can give it a try.”

Lu Yanzhong slumped back into his seat in exhaustion, exhaling a long breath: “That’s great.”

“Do you know the location of the resting room where that incident happened back then?” Lin Juan needed to go check it out. Even though so much time had passed, it was possible the traces there had already been completely erased.

“I know.”

They did not return to Lu Garden but went to the place where Lu Yanzhong had held his wedding back then.

Over a dozen years, the Imperial Capital had changed dramatically. The small auditorium where the wedding had taken place had been demolished. Lu Yanzhong stood before the brand-new building, at a complete loss.

The site had become a bustling new shopping mall, full of people coming and going. The old appearance was gone.

“It’s become like this, so I can’t confirm the exact spot anymore.” It was just like his life—looking back suddenly, everything had changed.

Lin Juan got out of the car: “I’ll go in and look around.”

After completing a circuit and returning, Lin Juan had not sensed any aura of Weird Phenomena. Back in the car, he shook his head.

They headed home.

“According to the scene presented by the 【Eye of Recollection】, Miss Mu went mad because of the eyes on Qiu Lishu. Qiu Lishu is gone, but the eyes on her body are still around. I’ll borrow some eyes from Director Liu. It might be a breakthrough.”

With his decision made, Lin Juan contacted Director Liu.

Director Liu was in a meeting.

The incident at Lu Yanzhong’s villa tied back to an old case from over ten years ago. If the scene from the 【Eye of Recollection】 was real, it meant Weird Phenomena had appeared even earlier than anticipated—and someone had been using them to cause trouble over ten years prior.

Once reported, the matter drew high-level attention.

Everyone at the meeting was a figure who had appeared on national news.

Director Liu prepared a detailed report, emphasizing Qiu Lishu and the incident from over ten years ago.

“If Weird Phenomena truly appeared over ten years ago and were exploited by people, then what we must guard against now goes beyond just the Weird Phenomena themselves.”

They were all politicians and understood human nature all too well.

Weird Phenomena were terrifying, sure—but their power was real. Driven by greed, there would always be those seeking to harness it.

“Mr. Joseph, the Weird Phenomena expert from Country M, has risen sharply in the past two years. His deeper knowledge than ours suggests Country M made contact with Weird Phenomena at least two years ahead of us.”

“Any leads on the black trench coat man from the 【Eye of Recollection】?”

“Not yet.”

“We must track down his origins and the initial source of those Weird eyeballs. Besides Qiu Lishu, did anyone else acquire Weird eyeballs?”

“Keep good relations with Mr. Lin. We cannot let such formidable combat power turn against us.”

“Approve any requests he makes. I hear he’s planning a foundation to rescue Weird Phenomena victims. There’s a city project underway—make contact. With Weird Phenomena rampant, this foundation is essential. I propose the government collaborate with him to build a nationwide, even global, large-scale rescue foundation.”

“Elder Zhao is right.”

Everyone present was sharp; these words signaled the higher-ups’ full support for Lin Juan’s initiatives.

“It’s rare for Mr. Lin to have such a heart for the people. We won’t let him feel discouraged.”

Not everyone could donate half their income to charity. Many schemed just to dodge taxes.

No need for comparison—it only highlighted Mr. Lin’s noble character.

“Radiant Star Technology has been transferred to Mr. Lin’s name too, hasn’t it? They’ve produced solid results. We should encourage such a practical company.”

The meeting not only established new policies on Weird Phenomena but also secured numerous benefits for Lin Juan. Once it ended, Director Liu called Lin Juan back and shared the good news.

“My foundation isn’t even set up yet,” Lin Juan said in surprise. “Your intel is too spot-on. How does the top already know?”

“It’s a boon for the nation and the people; of course the leadership pays attention. Thanks to Mr. Lin’s reminder, with Weird Phenomena incidents surging, we must address not just the threats but also the victims. We can’t let them suffer bodily harm and financial ruin.”

At minimum, ordinary people hit by Weird Phenomena needed to keep living afterward.

Their food, clothing, housing, and transport all required assurance.

With the nation stepping up, Lin Juan naturally agreed. After discussing the matter with Director Liu, he recalled his main goal.

“I want to borrow the eyeballs dissected from the 【Humanback Spider】. Miss Mu—Second Brother Lu’s childhood sweetheart—went mad due to the eyeballs on Qiu Lishu. Since her madness ties to Weird Phenomena, perhaps it can restore her sanity.”

“No problem.” For anyone else, the process would be cumbersome, but Lin Juan had slain the 【Humanback Spider】 himself—they couldn’t deny him a few eyeballs.

They set a time. Lin Juan informed the Lu family and mentioned the foundation as well.

“This is good,” Old Master Lu said upon hearing it, his heart stirring. “Personal strength can’t match national power. Yanzhou, oversee the foundation fully—no slip-ups.”

Lin Juan truly was their lucky star.

Since Lin Juan joined the Lu family, Lu Yanzhou had awakened, his health steadily improved, the corporation landed several major projects, and now they were partnering with the nation. Even as a public welfare project, the intangible gains were immense.

Not just money—for every project, this connection meant Lu Corporation got priority in collaborations.

Lu family project approvals would face far fewer malicious blocks too.

“I know.” Lu Yanzhou, a natural businessman, saw the deeper implications at once.

Entrusting the foundation to Lu Yanzhou put Lin Juan at ease. Lu Yanzhou didn’t sideline him entirely, patiently teaching him financial statements.

At least he’d know where the funds went.

Lin Juan’s head spun from the numbers; opening and closing his eyes brought endless digits. Life felt unbearable.

“Mercy, please,” Lin Juan headbutted straight into Lu Yanzhou’s chest. “Can’t you just check and tell me?”

I can thrash ten Weird Phenomena, but spare me the financial reports!

Uh, so firm.

Lin Juan nuzzled closer, rubbing his sore nose tip against the man’s chest. Lu Yanzhou’s unique scent enveloped him from all sides.

Clothes hid it well, but Lu Yanzhou packed solid pecs and abs—nice to rub against.

Lin Juan rubbed again, voice gooey: “President Lu, I’m just a little assistant, a little bodyguard. I can’t handle such a burden.”

His arms suddenly filled with extra weight, and Lu Yanzhou stiffened. He looked down at the youth who not only pounced but burrowed deeper.

The youth’s long hair draped half behind him, half across Lu Yanzhou’s arm like fine satin. Warmth spread from their contact. Lu Yanzhou’s hand hovered loosely at Lin Juan’s back. After a few nuzzles, his gaze darkened sharply.

“Xiao Juan…”

The low, husky voice murmured by his ear, hot breath brushing it. Lin Juan’s ear twitched, gradually flushing pink.

Lu Yanzhou fixed on the reddening ear, his eyes growing deeper.

“Little brother, I dug up info on the girl whose identity got swapped back then…”

The office door burst open from outside. Lu Yanzhong, files in hand, caught the embracing pair and slammed it shut.

“Sorry, I interrupted. Carry on, you two.”