The Criticism Session at the Lu Family Old House

On a Sunday evening, at the Western Hills of Jingzhou.

The Lu Family's old mansion was located halfway up the mountain. It was a vast complex of traditional Chinese garden buildings, with blue-tiled roofs, white walls, and overhanging eaves. Amidst the lush green pines and cypresses, it exuded an air of solemnity and tranquility that had been refined by the passage of time.

This was the root of the Lu Family and a symbol of power.

A black Bentley Arnage slowly drove through the heavily guarded gate and followed the winding stone path, finally stopping in front of the main residence, "Chengzhi Hall".

Lu Chenyuan stepped out of the back seat. He was dressed in a well-tailored dark gray suit with subtle patterns, which made his figure appear even more upright. His face was cold and his deep eyes were as calm as a still lake in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Behind him was Lu Qianqian, with a somewhat complicated expression on her face.

After more than a month of "transformation", she was no longer the pampered and willful young lady who only knew about luxury.

She was wearing a simple and elegant white dress and had no makeup on her face. In her beautiful eyes, there was less innocence and more scrutiny and contemplation of the surrounding environment.

This was her first family gathering after coming back from the community canteen.

In the past, she always looked forward to this day the most because she could get compliments from her grandfather and red envelopes from her uncles.

But today, when she thought of the worried faces of Uncle Chen and Sister Zhao and then looked at this magnificent and isolated mansion in front of her, a strong sense of alienation welled up in her heart.

"Big brother," she called out softly, with a hint of nervousness that she didn't even notice in her voice.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here," Lu Chenyuan replied in a steady voice without stopping his steps.

These simple four words were like a solid barrier, instantly dispelling the uneasiness in Lu Qianqian's heart.

She took a deep breath and quickened her pace to keep up with her big brother.

Inside Chengzhi Hall, it was already bustling with noise.

The octagonal tables and armchairs made of Huanghuali wood and the calligraphy and paintings by contemporary famous artists hanging on the walls all demonstrated the family's profound heritage and taste.

Lu Chenyuan's second uncle, Lu Mingshi, was spitting and boasting to the third uncle, Lu Mingde, about an overseas investment project he had recently taken a fancy to.

The fourth uncle, Lu Minggong, was sitting beside them, seemingly sipping tea, but actually pricking up his ears to catch any useful information.

Their wives were gathered together, discussing the latest styles of jewelry and auctions.

Lu Chenyuan's three younger brothers were also there.

Lu Chenxiao still had an icy look that kept people at a distance. He was sitting alone in the corner, engrossed in a thick foreign medical journal and ignoring everything around him.

Lu Chenyan, the top - tier celebrity in the entertainment circle with millions of fans, was being surrounded by several cousins at the moment. He was dealing with their questions about celebrity gossips impatiently.

And Lu Chenjin was wearing headphones and concentrating on playing a mobile game, exuding a rebellious aura of "don't mess with me".

The arrival of Lu Chenyuan and Lu Qianqian made the noise in the hall pause for a moment.

"Chenyuan is here,"

"Qianqian is getting more and more beautiful,"

The uncles and aunts greeted them with enthusiastic smiles on their faces.

But Lu Chenyuan could clearly feel that behind those smiles were calculation, jealousy, and estrangement.

"Big brother, Qianqian," Lu Chenyan's eyes lit up when he saw them. He immediately found an excuse to get rid of the siege of his relatives and walked quickly towards them.

He was used to pinching Lu Qianqian's face, but Lu Qianqian dodged him subtly.

"Qianqian, what's wrong with you?" Lu Chenyan looked a bit hurt.

"Nothing, third brother. I just think we've all grown up," Lu Qianqian replied calmly.

Lu Chenyuan gave his simple - minded third brother a casual glance and said nothing.

Just then, an old man in a Zhongshan suit, with a hale and hearty look, was supported by the butler and walked out from the inner hall.

He was Lu Chengsi, the pillar of the Lu Family.

"Grandpa,"

"Hello, Grandpa,"

"Father,"

...

All the Lu family members in the hall stood up in unison and greeted him respectfully.

Lu Chengsi's sharp eyes swept around and finally landed on Lu Chenyuan, showing a satisfied smile.

This eldest grandson was the heir he had personally cultivated. He was extremely talented and had a steady way of doing things. He was the hope of the Lu Family's future.

When he was young, Lu Chengsi was decisive and ruthless. He had joined forces with several families such as the Mo Family and wiped out several dirty business forces led by the Li Family.

This not only cleared the obstacles for the Lu Family but also won the recognition of the official. That was how the Lu Family had risen from a first - class wealthy family to a top - tier aristocratic family today.

But as he got old, his heart softened.

Looking at his sons who had grown up under his pressure and seemed mediocre, Lu Chengsi always felt a sense of guilt in his heart.

Because of this guilt, when his sons challenged Lu Chenyuan's power, he always subconsciously wanted to "smooth things over" and maintain the fragile "family harmony".

"Everyone, sit down," Lu Chengsi sat down on the main seat in the middle hall and said in a loud voice, "Everyone is here... Hmm?"

He looked around the hall, frowned slightly, and asked, "Mingye, where's your wife?"

Lu Mingye, Lu Chenyuan's father, a middle - aged man with mediocre ability but big ambitions, stiffened at the words. He quickly stood up and stammered:

"Father, Mengling... Her family in Qingzhou has something going on, so she went back."

He didn't dare to say that Lou Mengling was in a cold war with him because she had discovered some clues of his affair.

"Oh? Is your father - in - law not feeling well?" Lu Chengsi asked with concern.

Before Lu Chenyuan could speak, the second uncle, Lu Mingshi, started in a sarcastic tone:

"Big brother, I'm not trying to pick on you. Father's birthday is coming soon, and the whole family is discussing how to celebrate it. It's really inappropriate for sister - in - law to go back to her hometown at this critical moment. Isn't she not taking Father seriously? We can't break the rules of the Lu Family."

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the hall instantly changed.

Lu Mingshi was openly challenging the eldest branch of the family.

Lu Mingye's face turned red, but he couldn't say a word in rebuttal.

Lu Chenyuan raised his eyes, looked calmly at Lu Mingshi's face, and said in a calm but clear voice:

"Second uncle, my mother went back to Qingzhou because my maternal grandfather has been in poor health recently. As a daughter, it's her filial duty to go back and take care of him. In the rules of the Lu Family, filial piety comes first. You should understand this better than I do, second uncle."

His words were neither overbearing nor humble, reasonable and well - founded, directly blocking Lu Mingshi's words.

Lu Mingshi's face froze. He snorted and changed the topic, directly targeting Lu Chenyuan:

"Okay, I admit what you said about filial piety. Now let's talk about business! Chenyuan, I admit that you are very capable. Father handed the group over to you, and we uncles have no objections."

"But aren't you being too arbitrary now? The group belongs to the whole Lu Family, not just you! How many projects have you ignored our suggestions? How many important positions have you filled with your own people and pushed our people to the marginal departments? What does this mean? Don't you take us uncles seriously?"