The CEO's Substitute Wife Is A Genius-Chapter 411: Unforgivable, to the Crematorium

Back at the restaurant, Hu Hao announced his decision to go to North City.

Everyone was somewhat surprised.

"I’ve never been to North City and I want to go there for fun."

As expected of the family’s spoilt son, always thinking about fun.

The other brothers all had their own business to attend to and couldn’t make time.

In fact, they also wanted to spend more time with their sister, Jiang Man.

Hu Ming, who was once a member of the spoilt group, had settled down after getting married and was about to be a father, so he naturally became more responsible.

"Remember to bring back some specialties from North City," he said with a smile, patting his younger brother’s shoulder.

"It’s not just me going, the fifth brother is also going," Hu Hao said.

Upon hearing this, everyone present widened their eyes in disbelief and turned to look at Hu Xianyun.

With his usual icy demeanor and serious expression, he did not seem like someone who enjoyed playing.

"Xianyun, am I hearing this right?" the third aunt blinked and looked at her son.

Hu Xianyun nodded, "I have some business to handle there."

"Oh," upon hearing it was for official business, everyone suddenly understood and spoke no more.

The sons of the Hu family, each with their own style.

The elders did not force them, letting them follow their preferences, to do whatever they loved.

...

Two days later, early in the morning.

A private plane was parked on the hotel’s rooftop helipad.

A crowd had gathered to see them off, creating quite a lively scene.

Several ladies surrounded the old madam, urging her to visit again when she had a chance.

Jiang Man was surrounded by her brothers, bidding farewell to each of them.

"Alright, let’s go."

Lu Xingzhou looked at his watch; it was getting late.

Private planes had to apply for routes and times with the Civil Aviation Authority and had to strictly adhere to the rules for flying.

Jiang Man climbed the steps and was about to enter the cabin.

"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!"

Behind her, Hu Fangqin’s flustered voice could be heard.

Everyone turned around and saw her hurrying over, supported by the old patriarch.

"Grandpa."

"Grandfather," Jiang Man quickly descended the steps and ran to greet him.

"Grandfather, why did you come all the way here yourself?"

"There’s an elevator, it’s not a hassle going up and down," the old patriarch looked much better, although he still needed support to walk, his legs were much stronger.

"When will you come next? Will you come back for the Dragon Boat Festival?"

The old patriarch, reluctant to part, held onto Jiang Man’s hand.

He wanted to keep her by his side forever but eventually smiled and let go, "Your mother has something to say to you, go over there."

Jiang Man turned her head and noticed Hu Fangqin standing alone in a deserted area, kicking the asphalt ground, seemingly lost in thought.

She walked over quickly, and Hu Fangqin visibly tensed.

"Manman..."

"What is it?" Jiang Man asked indifferently, raising her eyebrows.

Hu Fangqin clenched her dress and lowered her head, "I’ve decided not to return to North City. I’ll stay here for the rest of my life and take good care of grandfather."

"That’s good," Jiang Man nodded, "If there’s nothing else..."

She turned to leave.

Suddenly, Hu Fangqin raised her head and grabbed Jiang Man’s elbow, "Manman... you acknowledge your grandfather... your uncle... your brothers, do you acknowledge me as your mother?"

Jiang Man was taken aback, not expecting her to say this.

"I only briefly considered you my mother at the beginning, didn’t we sever ties afterward?"

Hu Fangqin’s face turned visibly pale at these words.

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, take care on the road."

She forced a smile, her heart feeling as if it were being sliced by a knife.

She knew she had caused Jiang Man a lot of pain in the past, and now facing her to acknowledge Jiang Man as her daughter was asking for too much.

"Take this with you; it’s cold in North City."

She thought of something and handed a small paper bag to Jiang Man.

Fearing she wouldn’t take it, she deliberately slipped it over her wrist.

Jiang Man said nothing and walked towards the private plane.

Soon, the plane took off.

Through the car window, Jiang Man saw everyone waving goodbye.

For some reason, she felt a surge of emotion at that moment, an ineffable tenderness.

Once, she had only her adoptive father as family; now, she had an entire clan...

"What are you holding in your hand?"

Lu Xingzhou was holding a newspaper, glancing at the paper bag Jiang Man was still carrying.

"I forgot." Jiang Man tugged at her lips and pulled out something furry from the bag.

It was a scarf.

"By the looks, it seems hand-knitted," Lu Xingzhou remarked lightly.

"Do you like it? I’ll give it to you then," said Jiang Man. She hung the scarf around his neck.

Lu Xingzhou laughed and cried at the same time, "What decent man wears a pink scarf?"

"If you don’t want it, just throw it away."

Lu Xingzhou raised his eyebrows, "Okay, then this scarf is mine."

Some hearts were hurt, and they feared they couldn’t chase them back unless they reached the crematorium.

He understood Jiang Man, after all, Hu Fangqin had deeply hurt her before.

Letting bygones be bygones was indeed not so simple.

...

At noon, the group arrived in the northern city.

Hu Hao had seen snow in Europe but had never seen the snow in the northern city.

Especially the snow-covered Forbidden City, he was quite eager to see.

"Old madam, young master, young mistress, miss."

The butler had been waiting for a long time, heard from the harbor city that the young master’s two uncles had also come, and had prepared a lavish lunch in advance.

Lu Xuemei, dressed flamboyantly, arrived late.

"Ah, these must be the two guests from afar? Come in quickly, it’s cold outside."

"Where are A-Lian and Yaobang?" the old lady looked around and didn’t see them.

"The sister-in-law has gone back to her mother’s house, she probably won’t come back until after the Lantern Festival, the second brother accompanied her."

The old lady nodded and said no more.

Because of Wen Jingya, this year’s New Year at the old house wasn’t festive at all.

Yaobang and A-Lian had ultimately lost a daughter they had raised since childhood; to say there were no complaints was impossible. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"Zhendong will be here soon, and, well, I secretly told Ranran and called her over too."

"You," the old lady nudged her daughter’s head, "If Zhendong and Ranran really can’t be matched, then let it be, children have their own blessings."

"I know, I know, this is the last time," Lu Xuemei said cheerily, quickly calling Hu Hao and Hu Xianyun over.

"Manman, hurry, call the two cousins over!"

...

The heating in the dining room was very sufficient.

The table was set like a full Manchu Han Imperial Feast.

Lu Zhendong had just come in, and Ming Ran arrived fashionably late.

The two ignored each other, treating each other as air.

"Grandma, aunt."

When the meal was nearly done, Ming Ran smiled at the two elders.

"I wasn’t planning on coming to this meal, but I’m going abroad after the New Year, so I thought I’d come and say goodbye to everyone."

"You’re going abroad? Where?" Jiang Man asked, surprised.

Ming Ran smiled, "To France."

"Ming Xiang is about to graduate, and after discussing with her, we plan to open a dance studio together there."

So, it was a career move.

Jiang Man felt a bit desolate.

She recalled her time at the Royal Ballet Academy in Paris with Ming Xiang.

Back then, they were very close and had talked about opening a studio together after graduation.

But, in the end, she had gone back on her word.

"Why don’t you develop your career back home?" Lu Xuemei asked with interest.

Ming Ran tugged at the corner of her mouth, "Ming Xiang’s network is all over there. Coming back home, we’d need to rebuild our networks."

Actually, she was lying. It was her who wanted to go abroad, to leave this place of heartache.

Whether it was obsession or dissatisfaction,

She could shamelessly climb into Lu Zhendong’s bed, but she really couldn’t stand his emotional coldness.

Perhaps leaving was the best release...