After returning home with the child, her ex-husband knelt down and gently coaxed her.

Lu Xiyan's face was turned to the side by the blow, leaving a red mark on his face.

Lu Lixiao regretted slapping her as soon as he did it.

From childhood to adulthood, he could never bear to hit his grandson.

Even when Lu Xiyan was being scolded by his parents, it was his grandfather who protected him.

This was the only time she slapped him so hard across the face.

Lu Lixiao's hands felt numb, and he clenched them tightly behind his back, his palms trembling slightly.

He roared, "Lu Xiyan! How could you say such utter nonsense!"

Lu Xiyan gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot. "My biggest regret is that I believed what you said back then. I hated her for four years and searched for her for four years."

"Why can't I find her? Why is there no news of her?"

A tear rolled down Lu Xiyan's bloodshot eyes.

"Because I have a good grandfather, and my grandfather was able to keep the news of my parents' accident a secret, I should have thought that you could also keep Anning's whereabouts secret."

"That's right!" Lu Lixiao glared at him, his face ashen. "From the day I sent her out of Jinghai, I had all her whereabouts hidden. I know you're stubborn, you won't give up, you'll definitely go looking for her! You'll only give up if you can't find her."

Lu Xiyan looked at him as if he were a stranger.

There was disbelief and shock in his eyes.

And disappointment.

Countless emotions surged in his eyes.

No wonder he couldn't find it no matter how hard he tried before.

He only knew that she went abroad, but he had no information about where she went or which city.

Even after Anning returned, all he could find was that she had stayed in Jining City for three months before returning to Jinghai.

What about three months ago?

She was clearly in Jining, but there was no trace of her.

Everyone told him that Anning had done something so wrong that she was too ashamed to face him again, so she must be hiding in some city where no one could find her and living a good life.

If she were truly living a good life, he wouldn't be in so much pain.

Living a good life is wonderful; she must have chosen what she wanted.

Even if he was unwilling, he would still grant her wish.

But that's not the case!

She had nowhere to go, nowhere to turn.

She found a secluded corner where no one would come to lick her wounds.

He huddled there alone, enduring four years of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

If he could find her, he would rather die than let her live that kind of life.

But he just couldn't find her!

"Only when you give up on her will you be able to legitimately take over the Lu family's company!"

Speaking of An Ning, Lu Lixiao only expressed his dissatisfaction: "I never believed that a woman like her could be sincere towards you. She will only drag you down and become a stumbling block!"

Lu Lixiao pointed at him, his finger trembling slightly, "The way you look now is just like your uncle! So much like him!"

Lu Xiyan froze. The uncle Lu Lixiao mentioned was not Lu Jin, but Lu Ye, the uncle who had passed away many years ago.

When Lu Xiyan was a child, his father Lu Ling told him that Lu Jin, whom he always called "Uncle," was actually his second uncle, and that he had another real uncle named Lu Ye.

However, he died before he was born, and he didn't know how his uncle died; no one in the Lu family ever mentioned it.

Lu Lixiao slowly sat down, holding onto the edge of the table, his expression sorrowful. "Your uncle was very smart and had a great business sense from a young age. He often came in and out of the company with me. He understood business matters very well at a young age and could handle some work that was beyond his years with ease. I had high hopes for him, and I originally intended to give him this position."

Speaking of his son, Lu Lixiao's aged eyes became slightly moist.

"But he's just like you when it comes to relationships." Lu Lixiao looked up at Lu Xiyan, as if he saw his eldest son in him. "Just as naive and easily fooled, just as trusting of others without reservation."

"He was clueless about relationships growing up, but after he finally did, he fell in love with a woman who had no status or background. She easily charmed him with just a few words. Back then, he was just like you, standing in front of me and telling me he wanted to marry that woman."

Lu Lixiao's eyes trembled a few times. "He has always been sensible and knows his limits. I think the woman he has his eye on must have some outstanding qualities. I did not object to their relationship. But marriage is not a game. I just agreed that they should date for a while to see if they are compatible."

He took a deep breath, his expression sorrowful. "It was this moment of weakness that led to this disaster! That woman of unknown origin deceived him, swindled him out of his money and shares, and embezzled a huge sum of money. Your uncle was unwilling to give up, and even after losing the company, he foolishly followed her, and ended up losing his life as well."

"If I had been firmer back then and severed ties with them, this wouldn't have happened! My beloved son was deceived and blinded; he wouldn't have died!"

"Your uncle passed away when he was not yet 23 years old." Lu Lixiao looked up at Lu Xiyan, his eyes filled with sorrow. "He was about the same age as you were when you met An Ning. You two are like this, too naive because you were protected by your families, making you easily deceived by women with questionable intentions! You want women more than your career, do you want to lose your life like your uncle did?!"

Lu Xiyan was stunned. So this was how his eldest uncle, whom no one in the Lu family dared to mention, had passed away.

He asked incredulously, "You're dismissing Anning because of your uncle's matter?"

"Once bitten by a snake, twice shy; people's hearts are unpredictable. I don't believe in this kind of relationship where people's social status and backgrounds are not equal."

Lu Lixiao sighed deeply, "I only have three sons. Your eldest uncle has passed away, leaving only your second uncle and your father. But do you know that your second uncle is not my and your grandmother's biological son? Only your eldest uncle and your father are."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiyan looked at him with astonishment.

If it's not a child born in wedlock, then it is—

illegitimate child!

He suddenly realized why his grandfather hadn't handed over the real power of the Lu family to his second uncle all these years.

Second Uncle is an illegitimate child, and Lu Weian is also Second Uncle's illegitimate child!

Second Uncle knew he couldn't compete for the position of successor, and Lu Qinghe was a girl, so he brought Lu Weian back to the Lu family in order to compete with Lu Xiyan for the position.

But even Lu Wei'an could tell that this position definitely belonged to Lu Xiyan.

Everyone else was just a stepping stone for the old man to pave the way for him to inherit the family business.

His deep eyes trembled, meeting Lu Lixiao's deep and sharp eyes.

"west Yan, you are my only grandson! You are all I have left! You are the one who will shoulder the responsibility for the entire Lu Group, and I dare not let you take a single wrong step."

Lu Xiyan paused for a few seconds, then let out a short, soft laugh.

"Grandpa, do you know that you could have been surrounded by your children and grandchildren?"

His eyes were red. "If what happened four years ago hadn't happened, Anning wouldn't have left me, my dad wouldn't have had the accident, my mom wouldn't have fallen into a coma, and our family could have been doing well! None of this would have happened!"