A man dressed in a black brocade robe stood before the European-style vintage floor-to-ceiling window, quietly taking in everything outside. Hearing a knock at the door, he spoke concisely, “Come in.”
After the visitor entered, the man turned around and clearly saw the youth before him.
“…President Zhou.” Zhou Lu’s voice sounded somewhat detached.
The man had a tall, upright figure and a handsome, extraordinary appearance. His eyebrows and eyes bore a strong resemblance to Zhou Lu’s. Although he was already in his forties, his face bore very few traces of the passage of time, and an aura of nobility radiated from his entire being.
“Lu’er, since you are here, take a seat,” Zhou Jingran said to Zhou Lu.
“If you have something to say, just say it directly. There is no need to beat around the bush and waste time.” Zhou Lu’s low voice lacked a single ripple, and his ice-cold gaze failed to convey any warmth whatsoever.
“Our company’s stock market has been experiencing severe turmoil recently.” Zhou Jingran sighed, his brows furrowing slightly.
“Oh, I am not very clear about that. So?”
Zhou Lu’s nonchalant tone somewhat irritated his father. “Do you not care about the life and death of the company at all? You do not know anything?! From now on, you will come work at the company and gain some experience!”
“No. I have said before that I do not like your enterprise, nor am I interested in this. If you really do not have an heir, you can still go to an orphanage and adopt one right now, or just make another one! That should not be too difficult for you!” Zhou Lu revealed a faint smile, casually offering his suggestion in a calm tone.
His father’s facial features distorted in anger, his expression looking terrifying. His entire face turned a purplish-red, and his nostrils flared as he exhaled heavily.
“What an outrageous thing to say! What kind of good things did you learn at school? Did you only learn how to talk back to your own father?!”
Watching Zhou Jingran’s furious and irrepressible state, Zhou Lu felt a wave of satisfaction inside and let out a soft chuckle. As if he felt it was still not satisfying enough, he continued to pour fuel on the fire.
“Your son’s academic performance at school is first in his grade, and what about you? You have been a businessman your whole life, yet have you truly built your own commercial empire? Are you not still living beneath someone else?”
As if struck in his most vulnerable spot, the father pointed a trembling finger at Zhou Lu. “You! You unfilial son! Who taught you to speak such rebellious words?! Which ruffian or gangster did you learn this bad behavior from?!”
Extremely agitated, the father spat as he spoke, patted his chest to soothe his mood, and continued his furious scolding. “Little brat! I merely asked you to come to the company to learn, and you dare to talk back to your old man with this kind of attitude?! Remember that everything you eat and wear comfortably was provided by your old man! If I did not give it to you, would you, have it? How dare you act so arrogant with me! In what way have I ever failed you?!”
Meeting Zhou Jingran’s gaze, Zhou Lu’s eyes turned cold and filled with hatred. “Was that not something you willingly gave? Did I ever ask you for it? …Furthermore, you indeed did not fail me; you merely failed my mother!”
Hearing this, Zhou Jingran paused, his eyes slightly dazed. His body felt as though it were being heavily battered all over by thousands of pounds of hammers, causing immense pain. The words he originally intended to speak became stuck in his throat like fish bones.
After finishing, Zhou Lu ignored Zhou Jingran, turned on his heel, and walked away.
With a loud bang, the office door shut tightly.
The father’s thoughts returned to the present, and as he closed his eyes, a single tear traced down his cheek.
After leaving the space shared with that man, Zhou Lu felt that breathing the surrounding air was incomparably fresh.
Taking a deep breath, he quickly headed downstairs.