An Unexpected Helping Hand

Facts have proven that Lu Chenyuan's premonition was accurate.

Wang Tongwen indeed came to hold an art exhibition, and it was a grand one.

In the name of Haizhou Gallery, he joined hands with the National Art Museum of Country J to jointly hold a contemporary Chinese ink art exhibition named "Eastern Charm".

All the participating artists were the top - notch ones in China.

Among them, the most eye - catching was an unsigned work placed in the most prominent position.

It depicted an alley in the south of the Yangtze River in the rain, with delicate brushstrokes and a profound artistic conception.

There was a kind of tranquility and poetry beyond the mundane world in the painting.

It was a work by Lou Mengling.

The opening reception of the art exhibition was attended by a large number of distinguished guests.

Top cultural celebrities, art critics, collectors in Country J, and even some retired political veterans were present.

Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli were also invited as "family members".

Of course, there were always several plain - clothes security personnel sent by Country J following them.

At the reception, Wang Tongwen was like a fish swimming freely, shuttling through the crowd.

He introduced Chinese art to every distinguished guest.

His speech was elegant and humorous, and his insights into art were profound and unique.

He successfully focused everyone's attention on art itself.

No one paid too much attention to the Chinese technology tycoon who was under house arrest behind him.

This was exactly what Lu Chenyuan wanted.

An unofficial, soft platform that allowed for an equal dialogue with the upper - class society of Country J.

"Mr. Lu, this is Mr. Piero."

Wang Tongwen led an elderly European - descent gentleman with a noble air, Piero.

Hearing this name, Lu Chenyuan's face remained unchanged.

A family flashed through his mind, the Piero family, a well - known political family in Country J.

However, the family's layout was far more complicated than what people saw.

For example, young Piero, as a rising star of the Piero family and the vanguard in arresting Mo Qingli, was a hawk in Country J.

While the old Piero today was a well - known dove.

"Mr. Piero is the spiritual leader of the Liberal Party in Country J and a senior art collector."

The Liberal Party was the largest opposition party in Country J.

It was always known for its open - mindedness and friendliness towards China.

"Mr. Piero, I've long admired you." Lu Chenyuan nodded slightly, not mentioning young Piero at all.

"Mr. Lu, a young hero." Old Piero's Chinese was a bit clumsy, but his eyes were full of kindness.

He glanced at the security personnel beside Lu Chenyuan and smiled.

"Country J is a very civilized country. But sometimes, it's also a country that doesn't know how to be a good host."

"Please forgive us, Mr. Lu and Mrs. Lu."

With just one sentence, he showed his stance.

Lu Chenyuan also smiled.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do," he said. "Country J is a beautiful country. My wife and I both love the art and culture here very much."

"We're just spending a relatively long vacation here."

The two didn't talk about any sensitive political or economic topics.

They talked about art, paintings, sculptures, and music.

Old Piero was surprised to find that.

This young man, who was depicted as a "tech dragon" by the media in Country A, had a deeper understanding of the culture of Country J than many locals.

There was not a trace of hostility or aggression on him, only a calmness and wisdom beyond his age.

When leaving, old Piero said to Lu Chenyuan:

"Mr. Lu, I hope your vacation won't be too long."

"And I also hope that we'll have the opportunity to taste real Longjing tea in China soon."

This was an invitation full of profound meaning.

Lu Chenyuan knew that after Lu Jinlin's legal front.

His second front had also been successfully opened.

...

After seeing off the guests, the gallery became quiet.

Wang Tongwen walked up to Lou Mengling.

"Mengling, your painting was the most popular one at the exhibition," he said with sincere admiration in his eyes.

"Thank you," Lou Mengling replied in a daze.

It had been a long time since she last became the focus of the crowd.

She looked at her son in the distance, who was standing with Mo Qingli, whispering to each other.

Suddenly, she found that there might really be new possibilities in her life.

If Wang Tongwen's art exhibition opened the door to the upper - class elites in Country J for Lu Chenyuan.

Then, his next step was to find a deeper foundation on this land.

He set his sights on the Chinese - descent community in Country J.

The "Lighthouse" Foundation helped the lower - class.

But he also needed to unite those Chinese - descent elites who had achieved a certain social status in Country J.

These people were the brains and backbone of the Chinese - descent community.

Through Lawyer Lu Jinlin, he made an appointment to meet an old man.

Professor Liu Jiuwen.

A retired professor from the History Department of Ge Du University, who had studied the history of Chinese immigrants in Country J for a lifetime and was highly respected in the Chinese - descent cultural circle.

The meeting place was at Professor Liu's home, an old - fashioned courtyard full of a scholarly atmosphere.

Lu Chenyuan didn't bring anyone with him.

He visited like an ordinary junior, carrying a box of top - grade tea.

The two sat in the yard, drinking tea.

"Mr. Lu, what can you possibly want from an old man like me?" Professor Liu was straightforward.

"I'm here to consult you, senior, about history," Lu Chenyuan said in a humble tone.

"I've recently read your book 'A Century of Solitary Voyage' and was deeply touched."

"A Century of Solitary Voyage" was Professor Liu's masterpiece, recording the hundred - year struggle history of the Chinese - descent community in Country J.

Hearing the title, Professor Liu's eyes softened a bit.

"Oh? You're in high - tech, but you're also interested in these old - fashioned things?"

"Technology determines how fast we can go," Lu Chenyuan said slowly.

"But history determines where we come from and where we're going."

"If we don't understand the past of the land under our feet, we can't see its future clearly."

Professor Liu fell silent.

He picked up his teacup and carefully sized up the young man in front of him.

He had seen this face many times in the newspapers of Country J recently.

The media's descriptions of him were mixed.

But at this moment, he only saw a humble, steady and clear - eyed junior.

"What do you want to know?" Professor Liu asked.

Then Lu Chenyuan began to ask questions.

He asked about what kind of sheds the first batch of Chinese railway workers lived in a hundred years ago.

He asked how the first tofu shop in Chinatown was opened fifty years ago.

He asked how the Chinese - descent community struggled to fight for their legitimate rights against discrimination and exclusion thirty years ago.

Each of his questions was detailed and earnest.

It was as if he was not a passer - by but someone who truly cared about the fate of this ethnic group.

Unconsciously, Professor Liu opened up.

He told those stories that had been buried in the years.

He told about the unknown hardships and glories.

When he got emotional, tears welled up in his old eyes.

Before they knew it, the sun was setting in the west.

Lu Chenyuan got up to say goodbye.

"Professor Liu, I've bothered you for an afternoon," he said, bowing deeply.

Professor Liu stood up and supported him.

"No, you're not bothering me." He looked at Lu Chenyuan with a complicated look in his eyes.

"I've studied history all my life and received countless reporters, scholars, and officials."

"You're the first one who's willing to spend an afternoon listening to me talk about these old stories."

He paused for a moment and said seriously,

"Mr. Lu, I know you and your wife have been wronged here."

"Although the Chinese descendants in Country J may not have much influence, they're by no means a disorganized mob."

"If there's anything that needs us old folks to do, just tell us."

"For the sake of our children so that they won't have to go through the hardships we experienced back then."

Hearing Liu Jiuwen's words, Lu Chenyuan knew that he had successfully opened up the third front.

Law, politics, and culture.

The three fronts were quietly taking shape.

An invisible net was slowly spreading out, centered around Gotham.

...

Back at the hotel, Lu Chenyuan saw Mo Qingli lying on the bed, listening to soothing music.

There was a serene smile on her face.

He walked over and sat down beside her.

"Are you tired?" he asked softly.

"No," Mo Qingli shook her head and pulled his hand onto her belly.

"The baby has been very well - behaved today and didn't give me any trouble at all."

Lu Chenyuan smiled. He leaned over and gently kissed her forehead.

"Ayuan."

"Hmm?"

"After the baby is born, let's give him a nickname."

"What should we call him?"

Mo Qingli thought for a while.

"Let's call him 'An'an'."

"An as in 'peace'."

"I hope he'll have a peaceful and safe life."

Mo Qingli's eyes sparkled.

"Okay," Lu Chenyuan said with a smile.

"An'an."