Luo Xinghe saw that his plan had failed.
He originally wanted to damage his own reputation so that the noble families would call off their engagements.
But instead, his reputation only grew better and better.
Just thinking about it a little, Luo Xinghe realized that he had actually become more sought-after than before.
Previously, as the young master of the Luo family, he had seemed mysterious and powerful in the eyes of ordinary people.
But now, even though the Luo family had fallen from grace, his actions at Xinghe Disco made him appear grounded and approachable.
Everyone now believed the young master of the Luo family was a good man.
Damn it, this had the opposite effect.
It’s all Shen Ying’s fault!
Damn it.
Looks like he couldn’t forget the power of the female lead after all.
What kind of twisted logic is this novel operating under?
Even if the female lead was suffering humiliation in the desert, the smirking Dragon King, Zhou Shuai, would still descend from the heavens to save her and punish the villains.
He’d have to keep a closer eye on the movements of the female leads in the future… otherwise his plans might keep getting messed up.
“Ahe, time to eat!”
Du Wei called Luo Xinghe out for lunch.
The dejected Luo Xinghe had just sat down at the table when his family gave him some very odd looks.
Luo Pengtian frowned slightly and said:
“What have you been up to lately? So secretive all the time, always stirring up trouble.”
“One day you cancel an engagement, the next you increase a dowry, then you’re off to a disco saving people. What exactly are you doing?”
Luo Xingyun quickly chimed in:
“Yeah! You went to a disco and didn’t bring your beloved little brother?”
“Just from the news reports, I could tell it must’ve been an epic scene.”
“Sigh… for flashy moments like that, bring me along, bro—we’re real brothers, aren’t we?”
Luo Xinghe shot him a sharp glare.
“You’ve got some nerve to say that.”
“It’s your break, and instead of coming straight home, you’re off hanging out at some KTV.”
“You almost got into serious trouble.”
“Just focus on your studies and don’t cause me any more headaches.”
“Bring you along? For what? So you can fight too?”
“With that puny body of yours, one punch and you’d be flying. You think everyone’s as weak as that loser Wan Yongchun?”
After a round of harsh scolding, Luo Xingyun silently lowered his head and ate.
“Whatever I do, it’s always wrong anyway,” he thought bitterly.
Luo Xinghe glared at him hatefully.
Bring you along?
Even without bringing you, you were almost in trouble at the KTV and nearly got us on Zhou Shuai’s bad side.
If I had brought you, you’d probably have gotten Zhou Shuai so pissed he’d kill us both.
I can see it now—everyone around me is basically a mole.
You’re just like Li Hu—thinking you’re invincible just because you’re the Luo family’s young master.
If Zhou Shuai breaks your legs one day, then you’ll finally learn your lesson.
Luo Pengtian, seeing Luo Xinghe unwilling to say more, calmly said in a low tone:
“Be careful with your actions.”
“We’ve kept a low profile for years. Don’t ruin everything with a moment of recklessness.”
Luo Xinghe suddenly looked up and stared at his father.
Luo Pengtian’s face was expressionless, calmly reading his newspaper.
Does Father know about my plan?
He knows what I’m doing.
Of course.
This was the man who, through his own strength, pushed the Luo family to the threshold of becoming a hidden aristocratic clan in just twenty years.
A genius and a master strategist like him—how could he not notice something was off?
Especially with so many things happening in quick succession lately—Father had probably already figured it out.
But even so, he still chose to support me.
Luo Xinghe’s heart settled, and a warm feeling surged within him.
Not everyone in this world misunderstands me.
At the very least, my father is still silently supporting me.
He never said a word when I sold off the Luo family’s assets—because, as a father, he has complete trust in me.
My efforts haven’t been in vain.
There’s still someone who understands me!
Luo Xinghe said solemnly, “Father, Mother—”
“Please believe in me.”
“I, Luo Xinghe, will protect the safety of the Luo family.”
“Absolutely!”
Du Wei shook her head with a smile and said, “Hey, why so serious over a meal?”
“Come on, Ahe, have a bun.”
“Anyway, we’ve got enough money to live a normal life for the rest of our days.”
“If you don’t want to deliver food, don’t do it.”
“And after all the fuss last night, even if you wanted to, the reporters would probably block your way.”
Luo Xingyun said, confused, “Bro, what about my safety? Why did you only mention Dad and Mom?”
Luo Xinghe chuckled, “Right—yours too.”
Seeing Luo Xinghe laugh, Luo Xingyun brightened as well. He took a big bite of his bun, grease running down his chin.
In truth, Luo Xingyun was just a very innocent kid.
Even in the original story, he never got involved in the Luo family’s affairs due to his age.
If we’re being honest—
In the original plot, the younger siblings of the Luo family either got imprisoned or died—all as a result of Luo Xinghe opposing Zhou Shuai.
Most of them got caught up in it simply for trying to stand up for their big brother.
Of course, Zhou Shuai wiping them out completely was part of it too.
After all, “eliminating the roots,” being ruthless and merciless—that’s standard behavior for a male lead in a novel.
These days, the “saintly hero” trope is long out of fashion.
If a villain just curses the main character once, readers want him flayed alive—let alone if he leaves behind any heirs of the Luo family.
Even the dogs of the Luo family would be brutally slaughtered.
That’s the kind of main character readers like.
If you let even one Luo descendant survive, readers would rage so hard they’d practically resurrect their ancestors to curse you out.
Luo Pengtian said quietly, “I said this four years ago—”
“All of the Luo family’s decisions are in your hands now.”
“You’re the one I personally raised. I know your capabilities.”
“Even if you fail, it’ll only be temporary.”
“I have faith in you—and you should have faith in yourself too.”
Luo Xinghe was deeply moved. The despair he felt earlier vanished, replaced by a determined gaze.
Don’t worry, my family.
I will protect the Luo family, no matter the cost.
Luo Pengtian glanced at Luo Xinghe and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Son…
Even though I don’t know exactly why you’re doing this…
Some things, because they’re so carefully hidden, are actually more easily noticed.
Did you sense the storm brewing in Fengcheng, and now want to retreat safely with the Luo family?
But… things are not that simple.
Even if we sell everything off, the Luo family’s assets still amount to several hundred billion. You think no one’s going to investigate that?
If I hadn’t helped cover your tracks, your plan would’ve been exposed long ago.
Moving assets overseas… that’s not a good move.
Forget it—every generation has its own fate.
You’ll grow. I look forward to that day.
Until then, my only role is to support you from the shadows.
Luo Pengtian’s eyes gradually turned cold.
The force that pushed my Luo family to this point—
It can only be those people.
If it really was them, then avoiding the storm for now is the right move.
But if they think the Luo family is easy to bully, they’re dead wrong.
I, Luo Pengtian, have dominated the business world for decades—you think I don’t have a backup plan?
Right now, we’re backing off, even giving up Fengcheng.
But if they push us too far—
Then don’t blame me for going all out.
Even if I can’t beat you, I’ll make sure you bleed.
Don’t. Push. Me. Too. Far.
Luo Pengtian still believed it was those hidden aristocratic clans that had forced Luo Xinghe into such a defensive position and retreat.
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