"If it weren't for your intervention, I might not have survived," Bai Tianchen said, cupping his fist. "Thank you for saving my life!"
"Xue'er and I are friends, and this whole situation is my fault for implicating her," Lu Fan waved his hand. "Mr. Bai, there's no need for such formalities!"
"Young Master!"
Uncle Fu arrived, his steps unsteady, appearing frail with age, yet his eyes were filled with relief.
"I'm sorry to have frightened you, Uncle Fu!" Lu Fan smiled. "The Ghost Gate has been dealt with, and I doubt such things will happen again!"
"Young Master, my life is insignificant!" Uncle Fu said earnestly. "If I have implicated you, I would have no face to meet the Patriarch even in the afterlife!"
"In this world, you are one of the few family members I have," Lu Fan said with a smile. "After I settle some matters, I won't take unnecessary risks. Rest assured, Uncle Fu!"
Uncle Fu nodded solemnly, hope glinting in his eyes.
"Sir, are you just going to let the members of the Ghost Gate go so easily?" Boss Chu interjected. "They are not to be trifled with."
"Their cultivation has been crippled; they can't amount to anything," Lu Fan replied calmly. "You seem rather concerned about this matter!"
Boss Chu chuckled awkwardly. He hadn't been of much help and was eager to curry favor.
"I imagine there are still many people within your Ghost Gate," Lu Fan stated directly. "I hope they don't act foolishly, or their fate will be the same as yours, or even worse, like the Ghost King!"
"We understand!" the Ghost Gate members nodded in unison. Their cause was lost, and this was likely all they could do.
After everyone dispersed, Bai Xue approached Lu Fan. "Mr. Lu, thank you. Thank you for saving my father and me!"
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been captured," Lu Fan said frankly. "You must be aware of the feud between the Ghost Gate and me."
"You are right, sir. Without Lord Lu, we would not have been captured by the Ghost Gate," Bai Tianchen agreed. "However, without Lord Lu's intervention, my daughter and I likely wouldn't have escaped their clutches."
Lu Fan smiled at their gratitude but didn't say more.
Bai Xue felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Lu Fan. For him to have intervened to save her was a great honor.
"Let's head back," Bai Tianchen said solemnly. "Lord Lu has many important matters to attend to, and we mustn't disturb his cultivation."
Bai Xue nodded slightly, a hint of awkwardness on her face. She wished she could have stayed longer with Lu Fan, but knowing he had urgent matters, she didn't want to impose.
Upon returning to the Tianquan Villa, Uncle Fu turned to Lu Fan. "Young Master, I've sent people to inquire about Du Qianqiu. It seems he has appeared in Chuzhou!"
"It matters not. After the Spring Festival, I will personally travel to Chuzhou," Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "I need to question him face-to-face about why he targeted my Lu family!"
"In that case, Young Master, should you return to Jiangbei now?" Uncle Fu asked. "After all, Miss Lin is still in Jiangbei."
"Yes, I will return tomorrow!" Lu Fan nodded. "I'm worried about him being alone in Jiangbei!"
"That would be for the best!"
Uncle Fu smiled. "However, Young Master, you must make haste. If it works out, the Lu family can continue its lineage, and the Patriarch's spirit in heaven can rest peacefully."
"Uncle Fu, please don't misunderstand," Lu Fan said, slightly embarrassed. "It's not what you think. Lin Ke and I... we don't have anything going on."
"I can see these things with young people," Uncle Fu chuckled, shaking his head. "You don't need to explain yourself further!"
"Ahem..." Lu Fan coughed lightly, a blush on his face. "Uncle Fu, please don't jump to conclusions. I feel quite self-conscious when you look at me like that."
"My only wish is for the Young Master to be safe and sound," Uncle Fu smiled warmly. "To find someone you love and spend your lives together. At least that would put my mind at ease."
"Uncle Fu, that will happen sooner or later!" Lu Fan chuckled. "But it can't be rushed. As the saying goes, too much haste makes waste. Once these matters are resolved, I will consider it carefully."
"This old servant understands!"
Uncle Fu bowed, his expression serious. Lu Fan was right; it would be better for everyone if all his affairs were settled before marriage.
Meanwhile, on a street in Qingzhou, Bai Tianchen looked at Bai Xue. "I know you have feelings for Mr. Lu, but your behavior today was too obvious. It might not be a good thing."
"Dad, what are you talking about?" Bai Xue's face flushed red. "Mr. Lu is no ordinary person; I could never aspire to him."
"Mr. Lu already has someone in his heart, and you are not the right match for him," Bai Tianchen said directly. "He cares deeply for Miss Lin, so I'm just reminding you. Don't get too deeply involved, or it will be difficult to recover."
"I understand!" Bai Xue nodded, a hint of resignation in her eyes.
She had long known that she wasn't worthy of Lu Fan and that she could never have him. She was fully aware of this.
However, a pang of sadness tightened in her chest. With things having reached this point, there was nothing more she could say.
Back at the Lin family in Jiangbei, Old Mrs. Lin had completely recovered. She was as good as new, even healthier than before.
"Mom, seeing you get better and better makes me so happy," Lin Aotian said with a smile. "It's all thanks to that young man. Otherwise, Mom, you would have been in grave danger."
"That young man's medical skills are indeed excellent!" Old Mrs. Lin nodded. "Go and tell him that from now on, he will be my personal physician."
"That might not be appropriate!" Lin Aotian said awkwardly. "He has a close relationship with Lin Ke, so he might not be willing to come to the Lin family."
"Brother, you jest. The Lin family is a prestigious clan in Jiangbei, well-known throughout the region. To have some young whippersnapper become Mom's personal physician is a great honor for him," Lin Guoli said with a smile. "If he refuses, wouldn't that be showing a lack of respect?"
"This..." Lin Aotian chuckled awkwardly. He could see Lin Ke's affection for Lu Fan, and if Lu Fan were to stay, he wouldn't be at ease.
"Aotian, there's something I've been wanting to tell you, and today I must speak my mind," Old Mrs. Lin said. "Have you ever had a paternity test done?"
"Mom, why would you say such a thing!" Lin Aotian frowned. "How could there be any doubt about this matter!"
"We must be careful in all things. The Lin family is vast and prosperous; it cannot fall into the hands of outsiders," Old Mrs. Lin stated directly. "Haitao is the sole eldest grandson of the Lin family, so I want you to promote Haitao to Vice President of the company!"
"Mom, aren't you putting me in a difficult position!" Lin Aotian frowned. "Lin Ke is my biological daughter. The Vice President position should likely go to her!"
The old lady stopped walking and looked sharply at Lin Aotian. "If you let him inherit the Lin family, have you considered that the Lin family will no longer be the Lin family?"
"I will personally select a son-in-law who will live with us," Lin Aotian said directly.