Billionaire’s Secret Heir

Chapter 2: The Illegitimate Son of a Tycoon

The Cadillac SUV cruised down the road.

Originally, Chenlu Hai planned to treat Xuechen Ye to a meal at a restaurant near the neighborhood, but Xuechen insisted on going to the Hongtu Restaurant instead.

Chenlu Hai's hometown is in Qingzhou, 2,000 miles away. However, after spending so many years in Donghu, he was well aware that the Hongtu series of restaurants were all part of the Lushi Hongtu Group.

But he never thought that he would have the slightest connection with Lushi.

The year he graduated from college, following his mother Yaliu's wishes, Chenlu Hai submitted a resume to Lushi. However, he didn't even get an interview.

"Chenlu, what are your aspirations?"

"That question makes it seem like you're a reporter from some TV station or a mentor on a variety show."

Chenlu Hai pouted, "Actually, I do have aspirations. My aspiration is to live with you."

"Sure, let's sleep together tonight! But not at my house; my parents might overhear us. Why don't we sleep in your rental apartment instead?"

What a charming suggestion Xuechen made.

But when you looked at Chenlu Hai's expression, he didn't seem pleased, almost as if he had been struck by lightning.

This beautiful woman was indeed terrifying today!

"Xuechen, stop joking like that. You're kidding, but I'm getting all worked up. Your car is too luxurious—if I get it dirty, that would be bad."

After being flustered by Xuechen's words, Chenlu Hai made a small counterattack.

As expected.

Xuechen Ye's face flushed slightly. She glared at Chenlu Hai, then continued to drive seriously.

In many major cities across Huaxia, Hongtu Restaurants, part of Lushi's dining company, can be found.

Lushi's industries cover real estate, finance, pharmaceuticals, dining, import/export, internet technology, and more, with over a hundred wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries.

"Living in a Lushi-developed neighborhood or villa, shopping at Lushi's malls, eating at Lushi's restaurants when hungry, and taking Lushi's medications when sick—that's the true all-in-one service lifestyle." Xuechen Ye teased as she drove, her waist gently swaying, lips curling.

Chenlu Hai found some truth in her words and smiled, saying, "Miss Xuechen, it sounds like you're quite a fan of Lushi."

"Sort of."

Xuechen Ye dared not say that the boss of Lushi was his father and also her Uncle Lu, who had given her a special task two days ago.

"The year I graduated from college, I saw a job posting for Lushi's headquarters finance department online. I submitted my resume, but I didn't even get an interview."

Chenlu Hai spoke lightly; it was all in the past anyway. Even though he had just quit his third job recently, there was no need to dwell on something that happened three years ago.

It was heartbreaking that a son couldn't even secure an interview at his father's company.

Thinking back on it, tears welled up in Xuechen Ye's eyes.

Luckily, Chenlu Hai was looking at the scenery outside and didn't notice her eyes.

Xuechen Ye struggled to control her emotions.

She had already figured it out. The reason Chenlu Hai didn't get an interview back then was because Hongtu Lu's wife, Lin Wang, was still alive.

Lin Wang was a good person—kind and not at all sloppy in her charity work. Even after her passing, photos of Lin Wang with students from impoverished areas could still be found online.

But Lin Wang had a small heart, and her health was fragile, suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure, which made her unable to bear any shock.

Half a year ago, Lin Wang passed away due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

Hongtu Lu had lamented that, despite Lushi owning a pharmaceutical company and so many factories that saved countless lives, Lushi's products couldn't save his wife.

So, back then, to take care of his wife's health, Hongtu Lu didn't dare let his illegitimate son join Lushi, let alone acknowledge Chenlu Hai.

They soon arrived at the largest Hongtu Restaurant in Chaoyang District. After parking the car, Chenlu Hai and Xuechen Ye got out.

Looking at the grand building, Xuechen Ye marveled, "Chenlu, look, this Hongtu Restaurant has over 10,000 square meters of floor space."

"The scale is impressive, but we're only taking up one private room. Let's get in; I'm getting hungry."

Chenlu Hai and Xuechen Ye walked inside.

At this moment, neither the manager, headwaiter, nor servers had the awareness to realize that the eldest son of the Lu family had arrived.

Otherwise, they would have lined up to welcome him.

In a private room on the second floor.

The thick menu spanned several major cuisines, including seafood. Yet, Chenlu Hai only ordered two very simple dishes.

"I rarely eat at such fancy restaurants, so I'm not great at ordering. Xuechen, you do it. I've heard that the portions at Hongtu are large, so let's order less."

As he spoke, Chenlu Hai lit a cigarette for himself, smiling as he said, "Xuechen, it's been a while since you gave me some good cigarettes. My smoking standards have dropped to ten yuan a pack of Hongtashan."

"Once, I saw someone squatting on the roadside, smoking what seemed like a five-yuan-a-pack cigarette."

Xuechen Ye smiled gently.

It seemed like a joke, but she was actually very serious.

After learning that Chenlu Hai was Hongtu Lu's son, Xuechen Ye decided never to gift him cigarettes or alcohol again.

The food started arriving.

Chenlu Hai and Xuechen Ye began eating. Chenlu drank white liquor, while Xuechen, needing to drive, did not join him. Otherwise, she could easily drink more than half a liter of white liquor.

Shaofeng Bai called again.

Xuechen Ye glanced at the phone and hung up.

A moment later, Shaofeng Bai sent a message: "My birthday party will start in a little over half an hour. Everyone's here early, just waiting for you."

"I'll be there soon."

Not wanting Shaofeng Bai to keep messaging, Xuechen Ye had to reply, her expression showing clear annoyance—she was thoroughly disgusted by Shaofeng Bai.

Chenlu Hai didn't say anything for now, but he was clearly displeased.

That night, the likelihood of a confrontation between him and Shaofeng Bai was high.

Chenlu Hai didn't see himself as someone with a strong background, but he definitely had the guts to deal with a scoundrel like Shaofeng Bai.

After leaving Hongtu Restaurant.

They headed toward Golden Oak KTV.

Xuechen Ye started talking about the power of Lushi Hongtu Group again, and Chenlu Hai just listened.

Finally.

The topic shifted to Shaofeng Bai.

"That scumbag Shaofeng Bai was a troublemaker even back when he was studying at Donghu University, always bullying the weak! I really don't want to deal with him, but his parents have business with my family's security company, so I have to keep up appearances."

Xuechen Ye fumed, "Chenlu, do you remember? That girl named Xiaojun Wang got slapped a few times by Shaofeng Bai just because she didn't get out of the way of his sports car on the street..."

"That time, I got into a fight with Shaofeng Bai over it. He had seven or eight guys with him, but I didn't lose. I even injured Shaofeng Bai. His dad wanted revenge, but your dad took care of it."

Chenlu Hai recalled the events of that year, his anger once again rising. He and Xiaojun Wang weren't in the same class, or even the same school, but they were both in the student council's publicity department and were good friends.

What Xuechen Ye thought was, "Even if my family hadn't helped back then, you wouldn't have suffered too much, because someone has always been secretly protecting you. Besides, Donghu University has the Lushi-donated Elite Building, worth 500 million. The eldest son of the Lu family would never be expelled."