Chapter 42: The Vermilion Gates Run Deep, A First Encounter with the Lu Family

The family of three stepped out of the car. Lu Zhan led the way, carrying the luggage, while Zhou Susu followed closely behind, cradling An'an in her arms.

The surroundings were profoundly tranquil. Standing before the building, Zhou Susu held An'an and surveyed the two-story house. With its gray-tiled roof, green bricks, and red-framed wooden doors, it possessed a classic Suzhou-style architectural elegance—solemn and imposing. In the courtyard, several towering, weather-beaten pine and cypress trees stood like silent sentries, guarding the residence.

He Wei had no desire to keep up the charade any longer. "Is that all? If so, I'm leaving." She felt a pang of regret for Nie Jingchen, knowing she could no longer assist him; she had reached her limit. It was simply too much to bear. Why should her life be thrown into such chaos just because of Song Jiashu?

"No, it's mainly because we have no money at home," Duoduo replied candidly. Although poverty was embarrassing, it was not her fault. Moreover, the original girl had been a diligent student; she had indeed dropped out due to family hardship. Everything she said was the absolute truth.

Unlike her sister, Ji Yunduo was drawn to men who were stoic, composed, and exuded a powerful, natural aura.

When Bo Yexiao spoke, he sounded as if Gong Mengmeng were already a member of his family, taking it for granted that he should protect her.

If she had been sitting next to Miaomiao, she could have copied, but the teacher had rearranged the seating for the test, and they wouldn't be returned to their original spots until it was over.

Chen Meiling and Liu Cuihua helped Lin Yongfang carry the dishes out from the kitchen. Everyone gathered around the table, ready for lunch.

Luo Yeye pointed at the surging, deep-blue waves and let out a startled cry, then scooped up her baby and retreated to the safety of the distant beach.

People only knew this place as a charitable clubhouse, unaware that it was the headquarters of the Shadow Organization, where intelligence gathered from across the globe was ultimately stored.

Seeing this, her vision blurred with tears. She wiped them away fiercely and reached out to grab his hand.

Sheng Yan stepped out of the car. Given his noble status, no one would allow him to get too close to the front lines. If the criminals were desperate enough to fire a shot at him, it would be no laughing matter.

Hearing Zhou Zhenkun threaten to beat me, my temper flared up again... but now was not the time for an argument; quarreling would only serve to exhaust me further.

Still seething with anger, the servants kicked Yang Qing several more times before dragging him before the middle-aged man.

Yet, this was the reality, and no matter how furious Dong Zhuo was, he had to think things through. He could not truly let his soldiers march to their deaths. He was no fool; he was a formidable warlord—a fact that could not be denied.

Zhao Yun led ten thousand light cavalry toward Nanyang. Although the journey had been long, after three days, they neared the city. They arrived at a dense forest, lush and remarkably beautiful. Seeing it, Zhao Yun finally let out a sigh of relief; the days of constant travel had left him quite exhausted.

The Han army barely held the upper hand, yet suffered heavy casualties. Driven by Temujin, the enemy troops had become reckless. The two armies clashed, and the Han army maintained its advantage solely due to the superiority of their warships.

This time, Yue Ying had no other theories, for she could not even fathom why the Black Killing Mysterious Orb was behaving so strangely.

A crushing defeat! From beginning to end, the Fourth Elder had not laid a finger on Qin Cang. Bai Qixiong had no idea how to smooth over the boast he had made earlier. In truth, there was no need; Qin Cang had already provided him with a way out.

"Why?" Bai Shuiguang was genuinely stunned. She never expected Bai Xue to say she didn't want to learn.

Seeing the scene, the others realized what was about to happen and cast sympathetic glances toward Qin Cang. Qin Cang, of course, understood as well. He shook his head with a grimace; he feared this ordeal was unavoidable.

Everyone was filled with hope, convinced that Chu Jianjia was like a turtle in a jar, waiting to be easily captured by them.