Chapter 27: If Only He Jingyue Were Here...

At 6:50 AM, a piercing alarm clock rang without warning.

Lu Qiuyi groaned in pain. Without even opening her eyes, she instinctively reached out and fumbled across the nightstand, precisely pressing the button to silence the maddening noise.

The world returned to silence.

She sighed with satisfaction, burying her face deeper into the soft, fluffy pillow, preparing to drift back into her dreams.

Three seconds later.

She bolted upright in bed, her long hair a tangled mess, eyes bleary as she looked toward the window—the daylight was already bright, casting clear patches of light onto the floor.

Oh no!

The morning run!

Lu Qiuyi scrambled out of bed, rushing into the bathroom in a flurry. Brushing her teeth, washing her face, and changing into athletic wear took less than five minutes. She didn't even have time to glance at the mirror before grabbing her phone and keys and sprinting out the door.

Standing before He Jingyue’s heavy security door, she was still panting slightly. She glanced down at her phone: 6:58.

Phew, not late.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her rapid heartbeat, and raised her hand to ring the doorbell.

Almost the second the bell rang, the door opened from the inside.

He Jingyue stood in the doorway, already dressed in sleek black sportswear that accentuated his broad shoulders, long legs, and upright posture. He appeared to have just washed his face, the wisps of hair on his forehead still slightly damp. He looked impossibly fresh, a sharp contrast to Lu Qiuyi, who stood outside with disheveled hair and labored breathing.

"Good morning, Mr. He," Lu Qiuyi forced a professional smile.

"Hmm," He Jingyue responded indifferently and turned to close the door behind him. "Let’s go."

The high-end residential complex featured excellent landscaping. At this hour, the air was crisp, carrying the moist scent of morning dew and greenery. They occasionally passed other early morning joggers who, upon seeing He Jingyue, would cast glances of surprise or respect, but seeing his cold, sharp profile, they sensibly chose not to approach him.

Lu Qiuyi followed half a step behind him, struggling to regulate her breathing and pace.

He Jingyue’s speed wasn't particularly fast, but his stride was steady and his rhythm precise, clearly a long-held habit. It was a misery for Lu Qiuyi, who preferred sitting to standing and lying down to sitting; she began to feel a dull ache in her calves before they had gone even a few hundred meters, and her breath began to fail her.

She gritted her teeth and pushed on, cursing the vile capitalist a hundred times over in her mind.

Just as she felt her lungs might explode, He Jingyue finally slowed to a stop near a decorative pond and performed a few simple stretches.

Relieved as if granted a pardon, Lu Qiuyi immediately stopped, leaning forward with her hands on her knees, gasping for air.

He Jingyue turned around, looked at her disheveled state, and said in an emotionless tone, "That’s it for today. Maintain this intensity every day from now on."

Lu Qiuyi: !!!

Every day?! Just kill her!

After bidding He Jingyue farewell, Lu Qiuyi left the complex alone.

A few steps later, a black Mercedes slid silently to her side. The driver, a long-time employee of the Lu family, silently opened the door for her.

The car drove through an ornate iron gate that symbolized status and power, finally stopping in front of a stern, orderly Chinese-style mansion.

Lu Qiuyi gazed out with a dazed look, her heart beginning to pound uncontrollably.

Nervous. Very nervous.

She stepped out of the car and walked forward a few paces.

A butler stood at the entrance wearing a crisp Zhongshan suit; he was clearly a trusted confidant of the Lu family. Seeing her, he stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Miss Qiuyi."

Lu Qiuyi mimicked the cold, distant attitude the original owner might have had and gave a vague response. "Hmm."

The butler said no more and turned silently to lead the way. Lu Qiuyi followed behind him with proper decorum.

In the fragments of the original owner’s memories, everything concerning the old Lu family estate was shrouded in a cold fog, filled only with repression and obligation.

If only—if only He Jingyue were here...

As she pondered, in this entirely unfamiliar world, He Jingyue had somehow become the person she was most familiar with.

She took a deep breath and shook her head, trying to discard such unrealistic thoughts.

Relying on He Jingyue? She might as well hope for Lu Mingxuan to suddenly be struck by a wave of fatherly love.

Passing through a long corridor, she arrived in front of a heavy rosewood door. The butler gestured for her to enter on her own, then remained outside.

Lu Qiuyi pushed the door open and stepped into the living room, where an antique, classic design style greeted her. Expensive sandalwood furniture, ink-wash paintings on the walls, and porcelain pieces on the display shelves all showcased the family's deep-rooted heritage and wealth.

In the center, on a yellow rosewood sofa, sat a middle-aged man wearing a tang suit with knot buttons, his hair combed meticulously—Lu Mingxuan. He was currently looking down, fiddling with a set of Yixing clay teaware. Hearing the movement, he slowly looked up.

Lu Mingxuan really liked drinking tea.

Lu Qiuyi stood in place for two seconds before moving forward.

"Qiuyi." Lu Mingxuan set down the teapot, a smile that could be described as gentle appearing on his face. "You’re here? Come over, let Dad see if you’ve lost weight. Is it very hard working at the He Corporation?"

It’s not hard; my life is hard.

Lu Mingxuan laughed heartily. "It’s been a while since you’ve come back. Why do you seem so distant with me?"

Lu Qiuyi’s body stiffened, a cold sweat breaking out on her back.

She lowered her head. "Not at all, it’s just that the project has been busy lately... I haven’t been sleeping well, so I’m a bit slow to react."

"Haven’t been sleeping well?" Lu Mingxuan sounded very concerned, gesturing for her to sit on the nearby sofa. "Is He Jingyue putting too much pressure on you? Or have you run into some difficulties?"

Lu Qiuyi sat down cautiously, occupying only the edge of the sofa. "No, it’s normal for Mr. He to have strict requirements."

Lu Mingxuan seemed pleased by this answer and let out a laugh. "Eat lunch here. The kitchen has prepared the dishes you love." He listed several names, all of which were preferences from the original owner’s memory—but they were all landmines for Lu Qiuyi.

The old Lu estate was not usually lively. Lu Mingxuan enjoyed quiet and valued privacy; aside from a few loyal servants and bodyguards who had been with him for years, his children did not often return.

Lu Qiuyi observed secretly and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the pressure of facing Lu Mingxuan alone was already great enough. If a few siblings or extended relatives were to pop up, she would surely be exposed today.

Lu Mingxuan was highly articulate. While it seemed like casual small talk, he kept throwing out probing questions—about He Jingyue’s preferences, the recent movements of the He Corporation, and the progress of the "Zhiyu" project.

Lu Qiuyi gathered all her focus, answering with caution and vagueness, relying on "maybe," "I’m not quite sure," or "Mr. He didn't mention it" to deflect.

Please, just eat your food and stop asking questions, I’m terrified.

Lu Mingxuan chuckled, his tone quite gratified. "You are such a thoughtful and sensible child. Among all my children, I still value you the most."

Lu Qiuyi smiled and agreed on the surface, while inwardly sneering: What a convincing performance.

If he truly valued her, would he send his own daughter into the tiger’s den as a corporate spy?

He intended to squeeze out the last bit of value from "Lu Qiuyi," all while wearing the cloak of a loving father.

A smiling tiger, an old fox—not a good person at all.