Wilderness Romance!

Zhao Hongying was completely dumbfounded.

She stood there, her eyes widening suddenly. She glanced at Lu Pingchuan, then abruptly turned to look at her father, her mind buzzing, her face filled with astonishment.

"Dad... what... what's going on?"

"He...he's not one of Luo Sanpao's men, is he? How...how..."

"Wrong, all wrong."

Master Zhao chuckled, patted Lu Pingchuan on the shoulder, and grinned, saying, "Pingchuan is not only not one of Luo Sanpao's men, but he also has a grudge against Luo Sanpao."

"It's all the fault of my subordinates for not being careful. They almost made me misunderstand Pingchuan, but now everything is clear and the truth has come out."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongying's initial chill vanished, replaced by overwhelming excitement as she had been disappointed in Lu Pingchuan.

"Dad, are you telling the truth? Pingchuan really isn't one of Luo Sanpao's men?"

Master Zhao nodded and said, "That's right, Hongying. Not only has the misunderstanding been cleared up, but I've also become good brothers with Pingchuan."

Before Zhao Hongying could fully vent her emotions, Fourth Master Zhao's words struck her like a blow to the head.

"What?"

"brother?"

Zhao Hongying's pupils dilated in shock, her excited expression froze instantly, and she stood there dumbfounded.

They were whispering sweet nothings to each other last night, and now they're acting like brothers with their father. Who can accept that?

"Dad...Dad." Zhao Hongying's lips twitched. "Aren't you two being ridiculous? You...you two are so far apart in age, how can you be brothers?"

"No, no, absolutely not."

"What do you know? This is called a friendship that transcends age." Master Zhao wore a smug smile. "Do you know Li Bai and He Zhizhang?"

"When He Zhizhang first met Li Bai, he read 'The Road to Shu is Hard' and exclaimed that he was a banished immortal from heaven. He immediately exchanged his golden tortoise for wine, and the two drank and discussed poetry in a frenzy, completely disregarding their age and status, and became the most romantic friendship between people of different ages in the poetry world."

"They're sixty years apart and can be brothers, while I'm less than half their age. Why can't we be?"

"Dad, your situation is different from theirs." Zhao Hongying looked anxious. "He's my friend, you're like brothers, what am I supposed to do?"

"What's the difference?" Master Zhao put his arm around Lu Pingchuan's shoulder and said in an unquestionable manner, "Pingchuan and I are like-minded and feel like we've known each other for a long time. We're definitely going to be brothers."

"From now on, in front of me, Pingchuan is your uncle. In private, you two can just act like friends, right?"

"Alright, Hongying, it's settled then. Quickly call him Uncle."

Zhao Hongying was exhausted; she really didn't know how to explain it to her father.

Last night he was calling me "uncle" at the hotel... and today he's all over the place. This is so dramatic.

She stood there, her cheeks flushed red, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, staring intently at Lu Pingchuan, her eyes filled with embarrassment and frustration.

At this moment, Lu Pingchuan stood up and looked at Zhao Hongying with a mocking expression: "Niece, hurry up and call me uncle."

Seeing Zhao Hongying so embarrassed and helpless, almost digging out a three-bedroom apartment on the spot, he felt a strange sense of pride.

You little brat, you even said before that one day I'd make you call me MM and make you jump.

Zhao Hongying's chest heaved slightly, holding back a surge of anger. She glared fiercely at Lu Pingchuan, biting her lip, and said angrily, "Lu Pingchuan, you like to play games, don't you? Just you wait."

"Uncle, Uncle Hirakawa, is that enough?"

As soon as he said that, the playful smile in Lu Pingchuan's eyes deepened, and he touched Zhao Hongying's hair.

"My niece is so well-behaved."

Lu Pingchuan's tone was gentle and doting, but it sent chills down Zhao Hongying's spine.

Master Zhao laughed heartily, raised his hand, and patted Lu Pingchuan's shoulder generously.

"Pingchuan, from now on you will be a distinguished guest of the Zhao family. You may come and go as you please here."

"By the way, you're practically Hongying's elder now. If this girl misbehaves, you're welcome to discipline her for me."

"Don't worry, Fourth Brother." Lu Pingchuan nodded with a smile, his expression meaningful: "If Hongying misbehaves, I'll definitely teach her a lesson."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they exchanged contact information.

Lu Pingchuan stood up: "Fourth Brother, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now. Remember to call me if you've finished your investigation."

Lu Pingchuan didn't want to stay in this place for another second. Being with someone like Zhao Si made him feel extremely uncomfortable. He had to carefully consider every word he said, afraid of accidentally saying the wrong thing and angering the other party.

"What's the rush, brother?" Master Zhao pressed Lu Pingchuan down. "Today is a good day. I've already ordered people to prepare food and wine. Let's have a good drink together."

"No, Fourth Brother." Lu Pingchuan looked troubled. "I haven't been home for a day. If I don't go back soon, my family will worry."

"Let's do it another day. I'll definitely have a good drink with you another day."

Master Zhao sighed softly and nodded: "Alright, then let's do it another day."

"Afu, arrange for someone to send Pingchuan back."

"No need to trouble you, Fourth Brother." Lu Pingchuan hurriedly waved his hand, "I have some things to take care of before I go back, so I won't bother you any further."

"Alright then." Master Zhao patted Lu Pingchuan on the shoulder. "Brother, you go back first today, we'll drink again another day."

"Hongying, please escort Pingchuan for me."

Watching Lu Pingchuan and Zhao Hongying walk out of the hall, Afu approached Master Zhao with a puzzled look and asked, "Master Zhao, don't we have information on Luo Sanpao's confidants? Why didn't you just give it to Lu Pingchuan?"

"If Lu Pingchuan can really handle those people, it will be a huge boon for us."

"Hmph." Master Zhao snorted coldly: "Afu, these things can't be rushed. You arrange for someone to keep an eye on Lu Pingchuan and Luo Sanpao. Report to me immediately if you find anything."

"Yes." Afu bowed slightly and said no more.

On the other side, as Lu Pingchuan stepped out of the hall, a refreshing breeze blew in his face, instantly easing the suffocating feeling that was pressing on his shoulders.

"call."

He let out a long sigh of relief, and his tense nerves finally relaxed completely at that moment.

Just then, Zhao Hongying's sarcastic voice came from beside him.

"Lu Pingchuan, is it fun?"

Lu Pingchuan's lips curled up uncontrollably. He suppressed the playful feeling in his heart and slowly turned his gaze to Zhao Hongying beside him. His expression softened, and he adopted the demeanor of a kind and dignified elder.

"My dear niece, is that how you talk to your uncle?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongying was instantly enraged. She grabbed Lu Pingchuan's waist, gritted her teeth, and said fiercely.

"Lu Pingchuan, since you enjoy playing so much, I'll play along with you."

"You just wait, tomorrow I'll show you what happens when you bully me."

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