Chapter 272 - The Finale (1)
Chapter 272: The Finale (1)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The two marriages Lu Zhenting had previously was because he fancied the family background of the bride; he expanded Xing Chuang by depending on marriage. However, anyone now knew about the matter between the Lu Family and Yan Family. They were also aware that the Lu Family had offended the Yan Family to the utmost. Was it not precisely because of the Yan Family’s contribution that they’re getting along miserably now?
Yan Beicheng and Han Zhuoli had a very close relationship. Not only half of the domestic entertainment industry was grasped in Han Zhuoli’s hand, but also the fact that Nan Yin was the biggest media company domestically. These two companies did not have to set up obstacles for Xing Chuang if they joined forces. As long as Han Bang would not show the affiliated movies at the cinema chain of Xing Chuang, it would already give a fatal blow to Xing Chuang.
However, this would not affect Han Bang as there were a lot of domestic cinema chains. The scale of Xing Chuang was not big at all; it was moderate at most and its rate of seating was not as high as the well-known cinema chains. Providing movies for one less cinema chain while increasing the seating rate of other cinema chains, they would be happy collaborating with Han Bang; hence, raising the proportion of bonus. Han Bang’s profit would increase rather than decrease.
The role Nan Yin played in this was inciting at the side and rubbing salt into the wound.
Therefore, Lu Zhenting was extremely short of money now. Extremely short. He considered the idea of relying on women once again but the other person was not stupid. No one would want to be involved with and get into trouble because of the Lu Family and be on the end of a grudge by the Yan Family. The misery the Lu Family currently suffered was a bitter and bloody lesson.
However, Lu Zhenting thought about this plan again. It was not like he had never done such matters before anyway, which explained why the people within the industry all looked down on Lu Zhenting. The Lu We Family was unlike what it was in the past now. The enterprise that was developed and expanded with great difficulty by depending on the two prior marriages had shrunken rapidly and was difficult to continue. Therefore, no one was afraid of offending Lu Zhenting.
Hence, Lu Zhenting’s marriage partner for this time was someone unknown. She did not have any foundation of enterprise in the country but she was a wealthy parvenu who also wanted to count on marriage to promote her status and social circle.
As Jiang Changzai lowered his head and looked at the iPad, the news regarding Lu Zhenting receiving his marriage certificate and getting married for the third time just so happened to appear. Further, the wedding would be held next month.
Meanwhile, the picture of the bride was also published; it was indeed somewhat unbearable to keep looking at. Even Jiang Changzai felt that Lu Zhenting was really wronged that he could actually sacrifice to such extent for the Lu Family.
The bride was old; she was about forty years old and all her assets relied on her ex-husbands. The news stated that her first husband was already 70 years old when he married her at that time and he passed away from natural causes, so she inherited the legacy. Once she had money, she began to climb up slowly, upgrading her social status. Then, she got married once again but it ended up in a divorce. She was allocated with an abundance of assets that belonged to the second husband. Afterward, she became a film producer and invested in a few films which were low-cost productions. The money earned could not be compared with the big productions that easily had several hundred million of the box office. That being said, it was not an issue to earn ten million or millions once.
Depending on this money, she got up step by step yet the reputation of the bride was not good within the community as well. Everyone knew that she did it for the money and it was uncertain when she might stab you in the back. Thus, no one dared to marry her.
She did not look really attractive when she was young but she was slim and was an astute and competent person. However, the bride had aged and put on weight over the years. Nothing of her appearance deserved to be highlighted; she was far inferior as compared to Jiang Changdai.
Lu Zhenting could be seen truly being pressured urgently this time.
If Jiang Changzai was not the one obstructing him and what he said did not determine anything within the Jiang Family now, then Lu Zhenting planned to marry Jiang Changdai for the sake of the Jiang Family, instead of her.
However, how could Jiang Changzai allow him to plot? The Jiang Family was already ruined by Lu Zhenting once. After suffering once, it absolutely would not happen for the second time.
Lu Zhenting only then aimed his target at that bride as nothing could be done.
With rage, Jiang Changdai did not ignore Jiang Changzai’s reaction and asked while clenching her teeth, “You’ve known about it earlier?”
Since she did not leave the house, she had no clue about it. Plus, Jiang Changzai would not talk about matters that happened outside when he returned and even if he did say anything, he would keep her in the dark.
Jiang Changzai placed the iPad on the dining table near his hand and said, “You must’ve known what kind of person Lu Zhenting is during this period. What sort of fantasy do you still harbor for him? If he can have a trace of feelings for you, he won’t shake you off after he’s done using you. Why do you think that he previously locked you up in the suburb condominium at B City? It’s because I was angry then and said I didn’t want to care about you. I even believed myself from how resolute and firm I said it. How can Lu Zhenting still carry a burden like you? It’s considered not bad that he’s willing to give you a place to stay and support you. To him, you’re no longer of use. He absolutely won’t marry you because marrying you can’t benefit him for a wee bit.”
“I tell you the truth, alright? If you really get married to Lu Zhenting, then I’ll cut you off and disregard you as my sibling. You won’t belong to the Jiang Family and you’ll get married to the Lu Family without having anything. Lu Zhenting was aware of this as well, that’s why he won’t marry you regardless of what he said.” Jiang Changzai puffed out a breath, “Sit down and eat. Accompany mom and have Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner together nicely. Don’t let mom worry about you during Chinese New Year.”
Jiang Changdai did not look good and said while grinding her teeth, “You guys have a meal. I don’t feel like eating. I can’t spend this Chinese New Year if I don’t go and ask clearly.”
“You —— ” Jiang Changzai was so furious that he wanted to beat his chest. Jiang Changdai was stupid and ignorant; she simply could not understand from listening to a man’s swords!
“Let her go!” Old Lady Jiang finally spoke.
“Mom.” Jiang Changzai looked towards Old Lady Jiang with surprise.
Old Lady Jiang pointed at Jiang Changdai while trembling, “If she’s at home, this Chinese New Year really cannot be spent nicely. You let her go. Do whatever her heart desires. Since we need not care about her, don’t come to look for us when something happens later on! Rather than giving birth to a daughter, I gave birth to someone who incurs debt. She didn’t know how to cherish it when she got married into the Yan Family and implicated us for Lu Zhenting the plaything. She isn’t even willing to give up now until she’s utterly failed. Let her go! From now on, we’ll just regard her as a tenant that lives in our house!”
Jiang Changdai coldly pursed her lips and twitched it. This home did not even like her so much; did they think that she was willing to stay!
She turned around and left with large strides. As she walked hurriedly, it was even more obvious that she was limping.
Until the sound of the door smashing was heard from the hallway, Old Lady Jiang picked up the chopsticks and said indifferently without looking, “Changzai, come back and take a seat. We’ll celebrate our own Chinese New Year.”
Jiang Changzai was silent for a while, sighing in his heart. He only then returned and sat down.
...
During the Chinese New Year, the chauffeur of the Jiang Family also had a holiday and returned home. Very few taxis remained on the road traveling. B City would be especially empty and become a desolate city once Chinese New Year arrived.
Standing by the roadside and waiting for a long time amidst the cold wind, Jiang Changdai was only then able to hail a taxi.
Not only it did not wear down her anger after such a long time, but she grew impatient because she waited for too long. A fire was added into the original fury; it kept raging until the taxi reached the destination —— before the door of the Lu Family’s villa.
After paying, Jiang Changdai got off the car and hobbled as she went to press the doorbell.
The servants of the Lu Family took the day off today as well. It was Lu Zhenghang who clicked open the interphone.
Through the screen, he found out the one standing outside the door was Jiang Changdai. He stuttered in shock, “Mom...why have you...you come?”
Jiang Changdai could not get angry towards this son. She gave birth and bestowed all of her maternal love to him.
Even until now, Jiang Changdai detested Lu Zhenting’s betrayal yet she could not hate Lu Zhenghang.
“I come to see you guys since it’s too bleak for both of you and your father to celebrate Chinese New Year at home.” Jiang Changdai said, curling her lips. She looked like she was and was not smiling at the same time. “Why? You don’t welcome me?”
“No.” Lu Zhenghang hesitated as Lu Zhenting’s newly married wife was still there. Jiang Changdai was still being kept in the dark. If she was allowed to come in at this moment, would an argument not arise?
It was truly unpleasant to have this happen during the Chinese New Year.
This one whole year had been rough. If an argument broke out today, what should be done if the following year would continue being unlucky once again?
“Let her come in.” It was unknown when did Lu Zhenting walked and came over, “She has to know about it sooner or later. Since she’s found us and came over, we’ll sit down and have a proper chat.”
Lu Zhenghang nodded and opened the door.
A while later, Jiang Changdai came in with fierce momentum. She did not put on an act, entering and stepping on the clean floor without taking her shoes off.
Hobbling, she still strived to try making herself appeared not so crippled but the result of her attempt was obvious.
“Why have you come?” Lu Zhenting asked. A hint of feelings could not be made out on his face.
Jiang Changdai did not say anything, pursing her lips tightly. She pushed Lu Zhenting and Lu Zhenghang aside and walked inside.
Lu Zhenting did not foresee that Jiang Changdai had such an impetus so much so that he was stunned. It was too late once he wanted to stop her.
Jiang Changdai had already rushed directly into the dining hall. At this moment, she did not attend to her crippled leg. Her walking with large strides made her limp greater as if she was on the verge of collapsing.
Sure enough, she saw the woman in the dining hall that she saw on the news just now.
Jiang Changdai was so angry that her chest undulated incessantly. Apart from being wealthy, what good did this woman have?
She looked ugly and did not have the slightest bit of femininity. However, from the look of it, she seemed astute and was not easy to deal with.
“You’ve gotten married to her?” Jiang Changdai pointed at the woman, turned her head and shouted at Lu Zhenting.
Lu Zhenting exhaled a breath, “I also wanted to find time to tell you properly. Sit down, let’s talk slowly.”
“You haven’t answered me. Have you married her or not!” Jiang Changdai did not budge while pointing her finger at the woman behind her who was sitting beside the dining table.
Lu Zhenting paused for a moment, “Yes. You return first and I’ll tell you in detail later.”
“Lu Zhenting, what do you regard me as?” Jiang Changdai shrieked.
The wrath she had previously was pushed to the apex at this moment. Even though she had already seen the news before, her heart still had a teeny tiny hope. Humans were always not willing to give up. They would always have a bit of hope when it had not reached the end.
Now that she heard Lu Zhenting admitting with his mouth, the last bit of hope was shattered as well. Jiang Changdai felt that a large hole cracked open in her heart; she was in so much pain that she covered her chest.
“Changdai, we’ll talk once we go out.” Lu Zhenting said in a gentle voice, restraining his impatience.
“I don’t! You’ll deceive me to go out and you’ll never let me come in again! Haven’t you lied to me more than enough?” Jiang Changdai said angrily, “You said that you would get married to me! However, you locked me up in the suburb condominium at B City. I’ve returned at last with strenuous effort but when I looked for you, you said you’re busy. You don’t even pick up my phone calls! With so much time and so many chances at hand, you never told me that you’re going to get married. It can’t be decided within a day or two that you want to marry her, right! You’re bound to know who she is, date her and then decide to get married; this doesn’t take a short period. Even if that’s the case, you didn’t even want to tell me which means you deliberately keep me in the dark. Now you want to talk to me? Talk about what!”
“Changdai, you calm down a little.” Lu Zhenting said.
He wanted to tell Jiang Changdai that despite he got married, he still could be with her like in the past where he got married and gave birth to a child yet she was always there.
He thought that since Jiang Changdai was so inseparable from him, then it would be good to be similar to the past but it was not decent to talk about it in front of the newly-wed wife.
“I can’t be calm!” Jiang Changdai waved her hands vigorously, “Lu Zhenting, I was opposed by my family and became isolated for the sake of you; my children have all left me and don’t recognize me as the mother. I betrayed my husband, and even set my son up and killed my daughter for you. Because of you, I have nothing now. Even the Jiang Family treats me like they’re giving alms and guards against me as if I’m a lunatic. If it isn’t for you, I’d have a very pleasant life now. I’d have a husband who’s high-up and has everything that’s needed; my children would show filial piety towards me and I can have whatever I want no matter what it is, unlike this kind of destitute state I’m currently in. One of my legs was crippled for you! This is how you repay me? After I become of no use, you don’t even meet me and get married to another woman in a flash? ”
“That’s enough, Changdai. Don’t speak overly and cross the line. You did all of this out of your own free will. You love me, that’s why you’re willing to do all this for me. If you must have something in return, you’re precisely tarnishing the love you have for me.” Lu Zhenting said without a change on his face.
If Yan Beicheng and Lin Chu were here, they would certainly chuckle and know at last who did Lu Zhenghang’s opinionated character resemble.
“I’ve done so much for you but what I have in exchange is a line that says ‘it serves you right’?” Jiang Changdai gasped for air and suddenly rushed into the kitchen beside the dining hall with big steps.
For the past eighteen years, she frequently came in and out of the Lu House. It could be said that she was even more familiar with everything in this house than the Jiang House.
She took out a multi-purpose Western-style kitchen knife from the knife rack on the kitchen counter. The surface of the knife was narrow yet long and its tip was very sharp.
Jiang Changdai rushed out while holding up the knife. She then held it horizontally on Lu Zhenting’s newly-wed wife. The woman was shocked as well. Her neck became stiff nervously and she did not dare to move the slightest.
“You maniac, what do you want to do!” the woman was frightened so much so that she shrieked.
“Divorce her or else I’ll destroy her appearance!” although Jiang Changdai was insane at this moment, she was not crazy to the point where she wanted to murder someone. She still had a bit of rationality.
“You...you’ve become insane. How is there such...” the woman said while crying.
“Shut up!” Jiang Changdai interrupted her and looked at Lu Zhenting, “I’ll count to three. If you don’t agree, I’ll cut on her face once. If you still don’t agree, I’ll cut one more time again.”
Lu Zhenting’s expression became solemn, “Don’t you mess around!”
“Do you consent or not!” Jiang Changdai had already jabbed the woman’s cheek with the tip of the knife. “1...2...”
“I consent! Alright, I consent. Don’t you mess around!” Lu Zhenting said anxiously.
Jiang Changdai’s hand that was grasping the handle of the knife moved slightly and tightened again, “I want to watch you guys sign the papers!”
“Alright, alright, I’m going to make a draft at once. We’ll sign it and go to the lawyer’s to be notarized.” Lu Zhenting lifted his hands with his palms pressing down, appeasing Jiang Changdai’s emotion.
However, all of Jiang Changdai’s attention was on the woman beneath the knife and Lu Zhenting at this moment. So she did not notice that Lu Zhenghang had already secretly moved around to her back.
Once Lu Zhenting saw it, he slightly exhaled a sigh of relief.
No sooner said than done, Lu Zhenghang extended his hands, held Jiang Changdai and dragged her backward out of the blue.
Jiang Changdai staggered and almost fell to the ground along with Lu Zhenghang as his body was not stable as well. Both of them collapsed to the ground together.
Jiang Changdai turned around and wanted to get up whereas Lu Zhenghang pounced on her, wanting to press her down. Seemingly forgot that her hand was still holding a knife, Jiang Changdai wanted to shake Lu Zhenghang off as she brandished the knife vigorously.
However, a wet and hot puff suddenly sprayed onto her face. The warm liquid flowed into her slightly opened mouth, having a strong fishy sweetness.
Jiang Changdai became stunned, widening her eyes in disbelief and looking at Lu Zhenghang who was covering his neck. Scarlet blood spurted out from the gap of his fingers and fell unceasingly onto Jiang Changdai’s face, making her face with widened eyes appear increasingly gloomy and ghastly.
Meanwhile, the one who was in more disbelief than her regarding this fact was Lu Zhenghang.
Staring at Jiang Changdai, he seemed like he still did not understand how did the point of the knife slash across his throat. How did the stinging pain appear? Why was there so much blood? Why was his body becoming increasingly cold and weak? His lips were dry and cold without a hint of color.
Was he going to die?
The mouth somewhat moved. From the look of the shape of the mouth, it seemed like he wanted to call “mom” but he did not call it aloud ultimately. The light in the eyes subsided and it became a deathly stillness in the end. The body simply stopped and collapsed to the side.