1970s: My childhood sweetheart ran away, and I turned around and married the wildest chief.

Qiao Wanqing and Lu Mingzhou got up, washed up, and went to check on the children. They found the younger ones playing in the living room, so they took them all downstairs.

Downstairs in the lobby, everyone else had left, including Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu. Now only Lu's father's family remained. Even so, as the children had grown up over the years, it was still a large and prosperous family!

Because there were so many people, three tables were set up, but it was still a bit crowded.

The dishes were plentiful, including chicken, fish, meat, and eggs, as well as some local specialties from Beijing and the south, filling the table to the brim.

Apart from Lu Mingyue and Lu Mingyu, who were still at work and hadn't returned yet, everyone else was there. Lu's father glanced at everyone present, his gaze lingering briefly on his eldest son, Lu Minghui, before turning away. He casually picked up his wine glass and said, "It's rare to have so many people here today. The fourth son's family is also back for the New Year this year. Mingyue and Mingyu will arrive in a couple of days, then our family will be complete. Eldest son…"

Suddenly, when Lu Minghui was mentioned, he paused, then immediately replied, "Dad!"

Father Lu looked at him with loving eyes. "Eldest son, our family has changed a lot over the years. We used to live in a small tile-roofed house, but now we have properties all over the place. We've even built such a beautiful house in our old home. It's rare to have everyone gathered here this year. Mingyue and Mingyu will be back in a couple of days. This is the first time in years that our whole family has come together for the New Year. Whether it's our sons and daughters-in-law, or our daughters and sons-in-law, all my children are here. Especially you, after you went to university and started working, you've rarely come home for so many years. But this year you've been able to bring your wife and children back to spend the New Year with your father. I'm so happy!"

"Come, let's raise a glass together, wishing the Lu family all the best in the future!"

Everyone immediately raised their glasses, even the children at the next table.

Lu Minghui quickly raised his glass, his face full of shame. "Dad, I've been bad all these years. The army is too far away, and I've been so busy with my career. When I put on this uniform back then, I knew that I would dedicate my life to the country. As a son, I have indeed failed to fulfill my duties as a son and have not been able to be by your side to take good care of you. It's all my fault."

"Now that I'm middle-aged and my career is stable, I don't need to work so hard anymore. I have plenty of time. I will definitely come back to visit you often in the future. After all, this is my home, my roots. No matter how long I'm away from home, I will always be a child of the Lu family."

Mr. Lu's face was filled with relief, and his eyes even instantly welled up with tears. "Good! Good!"

After saying that, he didn't say another word. He tilted his head back and drank the liquor in his hand in one gulp. The liquor made his throat hurt, and the pain spread from his throat all the way to his heart. He felt bitter and unbearable, but he didn't show it.

He knew that this son was completely ruined!

He hadn't been home for over a decade and hadn't contacted them. Now, he suddenly returned with his whole family. He'd been back for so long, talked to his family for so long, and the whole family was here. It was already dark, and he could have emphasized that his family was all there—his son and daughter-in-law, his daughter and son-in-law—but he didn't react at all.

His eldest daughter, Lu Mingqian, has not come over.

It's been so long, and Lu Minghui hasn't reacted at all, as if that older sister doesn't exist, not mentioning her once.

Does Lu's father dislike Lu Mingqian?

He was somewhat annoying; his eldest daughter was stubborn, foolish, and ruthless, but at the same time, he was also somewhat pitiful. Years ago, when Lu Minghui and Lu Mingzhou reconciled, Lu Mingqian's actions were rather undignified. He was unhappy, yet also somewhat disappointed in her.

She had offended Lu Mingzhou, and her younger brother didn't help her. The elders of the Lu family had also abandoned her. During that time, she had a very hard time in her husband's family. But after all, she was his daughter. So after a while, his anger subsided. Seeing how miserable his daughter was, he went to give that family a hard time. Only then did his eldest daughter's life get a little better. But obviously, his eldest daughter didn't appreciate it.

A few years later, he made a lot of money in Beijing with his fourth brother's wife, and the family became richer and richer. Later, a factory was opened in their hometown, and many of Lu's relatives, friends, and neighbors started to work there to earn money. His fourth brother's wife was generous and paid relatively high wages, and the people in the surrounding area became richer and richer in a visibly rapid manner.

However, the eldest daughter was not allowed to work in the factory. Everyone here knew that she had offended Lu Mingzhou, so naturally they wouldn't let her in. Besides, she had been abandoned by the Lu family, so she naturally couldn't enter the Lu family's factory, and she couldn't even enter her husband's family.

Therefore, her mother-in-law thought she was a jinx, and her husband, who had been quite nice to her before after being reprimanded by her, became cold again.

Later, as the factory grew bigger and bigger, he went back to his hometown and saw that his eldest daughter was not doing well. He couldn't bear it and wanted her to get a divorce, but his eldest daughter refused. In the end, he arranged for his eldest daughter to work in the factory.

He didn't deliberately hide this from anyone, nor did he deliberately publicize it. The third brother managed many things at the factory, so Miao Cuiying definitely knew about it. Lu Mingzhou and Qiao Wanqing naturally found out later as well, but no one said anything. Even Miao Cuiying didn't get angry with him about it.

Comparing the two, Mr. Lu felt disheartened.

Lu Mingqian is his daughter. Even if he doesn't like her, she is still his daughter. He can't bear to see her not doing well and wants to take care of her.

Miao Cuiying and Lu Mingzhou naturally didn't like Lu Mingqian, but out of respect for their father, they didn't make things too difficult for her. Lu's father knew very well that Miao Cuiying and the children cared about him and his feelings, so as long as he didn't go too far and didn't bring Lu Mingqian back, but instead raised her as if nothing had happened back then, Miao Cuiying wouldn't blame him too much.

People who had a grudge against Lu Mingqian would let her off the hook for his sake, but Lu Minghui, his own brother, was someone Lu Mingqian, his sister, had done so much for him, yet he hadn't asked about her for over a decade. When the family came back for a reunion dinner, he didn't even mention her.

Setting down his wine glass, Lu Minghui glanced at everyone present. Their attire was noticeably more luxurious. Lu Mingzhou and Qiao Wanqing, of course, were not short of money. The most flamboyant person present was Chen Yulian, the third son's wife.

Over the years, Chen Yulian has tempered her personality a lot, but her true nature hasn't changed at all. The couple has stayed in their hometown all these years. After the factory opened, Lu Mingkang, the third son and Lu Mingzhou's brother, was naturally among the first to enjoy the benefits. His own job wasn't very good, so he came to the factory to work in management.

The couple had no great ambitions; they spent half their lives eating, drinking, raising their children, and dreaming of enjoying a life of luxury together with their children inheriting the family business.

Now that she has money, Chan Yuk-lin dresses up in a dazzling array of jewels!

She wore a mink coat, a sparkling diamond necklace, three rings, and a gold watch. Her eyebrows were finely drawn, and her face was covered in powder. Her fair skin, paired with bright red lipstick, made her incredibly dazzling.

The third brother, Lu Mingkang, was not to be outdone. He wore the same mink coat and gold watch. To show off their large necklaces, the couple deliberately wore their coats open so as not to cover their necks when they were fully buttoned up.

Lu Mingkang and Chen Yulian have both gained weight. The couple are well-fed and plump, with fair and tender faces. Despite their age, they don't have a single wrinkle and look like they've been pampered.

Lu Minghui looked on with envy. Although the other person had the air of a nouveau riche, it at least showed that he was really rich. How could you be a nouveau riche if you weren't rich?

Looking at the second son's family, Lu Ming'an and Li Hongmei were much more low-key. Li Hongmei was also wearing new clothes, but she didn't wear the high-profile fur coat that Qiao Wanqing gave her. When she came back and saw Chen Yulian's outfit, she was glad that she hadn't worn it, otherwise, she would definitely have been surrounded and talked about by the girls and wives in the family.

She just wanted to make a fortune quietly and didn't want to show off.

Even if they try to keep a low profile, people still value returning home in style these days. This couple are just ordinary people; who wouldn't want to look presentable when they go back to their hometown?

Besides, knowing that her relatives would be coming back to her hometown, how could she not dress up?

The couple were dressed very well, but compared to the third couple, they were much more low-key. They raised their child well, and both of them were healthy and chubby.

Lu Minghui felt very resentful. Even this fool was living a good life, while he was becoming more and more destitute. It was too unfair!

He forced out an awkward smile. "It seems everyone has been doing well these past few years. I heard that my fourth brother started several factories here, and everyone can now work in them. Their lives have become more prosperous. When I first came back, I was shocked to see so many buildings here. I didn't expect my hometown to develop so quickly. It turns out it's all thanks to my fourth brother and sister-in-law."

Lu Mingzhu rolled her eyes. "Of course, my fourth brother knows how to give back to his hometown after he becomes successful, and he leads everyone to live a good life. Unlike some people, who only care about themselves after they become successful, and probably have forgotten that they even have a hometown after all these years."

Lu Mingzhu looked at Lu Minghui with hatred in her eyes. They had a grudge against each other. More than ten years ago, this guy kicked her, almost causing her to lose her fertility. If it weren't for her fourth sister-in-law, she didn't know what would have become of her!

Now that her own brother has risen through the ranks and is in a much higher position than Lu Minghui, and the family has become wealthy, she naturally speaks with more confidence.

Her husband was here today. She was still a little scared when she thought about being kicked earlier, but now she felt braver.

Lu Minghui's eyes suddenly turned sinister as he stared at Lu Mingzhu, startling her.

"I've just been busy with work, it's not that I've forgotten my hometown, don't talk nonsense."

Lu Mingzhu felt instinctively afraid under his gaze. Her husband reached out and put his arm around her. Lu Mingzhu came to her senses and said angrily, "What nonsense am I talking about? You've almost lived half your life. Since you went to the army, how many times have you been home? The last time was more than ten years ago. Have you contacted your father in all these years?"

"Oh, right..." Lu Mingzhu smiled disdainfully, "Don't even mention Dad, you haven't even cared about your eldest sister who always helped and protected you. Lu Minghui, do you even remember you have an eldest sister? The eldest sister who knelt down in front of everyone in the Lu family more than ten years ago for your sake, do you still remember her?"

These words startled Lu Minghui; clearly, he had indeed forgotten his eldest sister.

Seeing his reaction, Lu Mingzhu scoffed, "So you really have forgotten! I wonder how Lu Mingqian would feel if she knew!"

She looked at her father, "Dad, he's an ingrate. It's normal for Lu Mingqian and us to have some conflicts since we don't share the same mother. But it's different with him. She's his own sister, born of the same mother. Lu Mingqian has spent her whole life fighting for him, but he's never cared about her. In the end, she only has a slightly better life thanks to my fourth brother and sister-in-law's factory. Isn't that ironic?"

Mr. Lu didn't speak, he just kept his head down, drinking and eating.

Lu Minghui panicked. "Dad, don't listen to her nonsense. I... I'm struggling on my own outside. It's not easy for poor kids to make a living. I'm already struggling to support myself. My older sister has the protection of her family back home. I've also heard that there's a factory there. I figured with our family's prestige back home, my older sister must be doing well."

He glanced at Lu Mingzhou and said sarcastically, "Besides, my eldest sister isn't just my family; she's your own daughter. No matter what, she's still your daughter. Fourth brother is rising through the ranks now; surely he can tolerate this much? What threat could a woman like my eldest sister pose to him? Anyone would be working at the factory back home. I think my eldest sister is family, so she'll naturally be taken care of."

"Dad, I'm not as lucky as my fourth brother. He had the help and support of my father-in-law's family to rise through the ranks in Beijing. My fourth brother has always been good at sweet-talking and making people happy, so you favor him more. I'm different. I'm not good at talking and I don't know how to please you. But I am your son, and the eldest son at that. I always remember that I am a child of the Lu family."

Everyone: "..."

"Pah! Stop your sarcastic remarks. You don't even take care of your own sister, yet you expect others to take care of her? You have the nerve to talk about Fourth Brother? Dad, he really is an ingrate. Don't let him come home anymore. What difference does it make whether you have this son or not?"

"Shut up..."

Lu Minghui and Lu Mingzhu started arguing.

Qiao Wanqing sat to the side, keeping a close eye on Lu Minghui. She noticed that Lu Minghui's career had indeed been going poorly in recent years, and his emotions were unstable, making him easily angered.

He came back with a purpose, and it was obvious at first that he was trying to please Lu's father. But after Lu Mingzhu said a few words, he got anxious. His attitude changed too quickly.

Judging from his condition, even without Lu Mingzhu's intervention, Lu's father could tell that something was wrong with him. He probably wouldn't be able to get any money this time!

However, Qiao Wanqing wasn't quite sure. She felt that Lu's father probably wouldn't give the money from the factory to Lu Minghui, since the factory was owned by her and Lu Mingzhou. But now that Lu's father was making money in the south, it was hard to say whether he would completely give up on this son in the end.