Inside, Wan Ruyi buttoned her cream maternity coat with Lu Zhi Hao's help. He tucked a scarf gently around her neck before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
Lu Zi Zhen came down the stairs carrying his leather duffel, looking calm and composed. He paused at the landing, watching his mother and father with quiet protectiveness before continuing down.
Lu Ting Zhou and Lu Ting Cheng followed shortly after, both dressed sharply despite the early hour, ready to board the flight as security leads for their family.
Old Madam Lu stepped out with her emerald scarf draped neatly over her shoulder, her hair pinned perfectly in place. Old Master Lu walked beside her, holding his cane with dignified grace.
As they all stepped out into the fresh morning air, a gentle breeze rustled through the manicured garden hedges. The sun was only just rising, painting the horizon in soft pink and gold.
"Let's go home," Lu Zhi Hao said quietly, his arm wrapping firmly around Wan Ruyi's shoulders. This was enough to stay abroad.
She smiled up at him, her eyes clear and warm. "Mn. Let's go...."
And together, the Lu family walked down the stone steps to their waiting cars, leaving behind a foreign land and a past of ashes, returning to China to begin a new chapter, hand in hand.
And together, the Lu family walked down the stone steps to their waiting cars, leaving behind a foreign land and a past of ashes, returning to China to begin a new chapter, hand in hand.
They were moving back with their guards, a few were left to watch over their properties and the business, but most of the operations had shifted to China, three years now.. whatever was left here was a shell...
— — — — —
AIRPORT – PRIVATE HANGAR – DEPARTURE
Security staff flanked the wide hangar entrance as the Lu family's convoy pulled up under the bright mid-morning sun. Their private Airbus jets stood ready on the tarmac, sleek white and lined with the Lu family crest near the nose.
After strict inspection protocols by airport authorities and their own elite security team, the family gathered near the boarding stairs while attendants loaded their luggage, which the guards were pushing over.
Lu Zi Zhen slung his leather duffel over his shoulder, his sharp teenage gaze scanning the bustling ground crew. He noticed the subtle shift in their travel arrangement when he saw Lu Zhi Hao and Wan Ruyi's luggage being transferred to the smaller Airbus positioned beside the larger family jet.
"Dad," Zi Zhen called out calmly, brows raised in faint amusement, "Why are you two boarding separately today? Planning to elope mid-flight?"
Lu Zhi Hao chuckled lowly, his hand resting on Wan Ruyi's lower back, "We are not eloping, too old for that. Your mother gets airsick more easily these days, and this jet has a fully equipped medical suite in case she needs it. And look at her condition, mnnh?"
Ruyi's cheeks warmed under his teasing tone as she lightly slapped his arm, "Ignore your father. He just wants to have me to himself for a few hours, as if I don't spend all the time with him."
Zi Zhen rolled his eyes, a faint grin tugging at his lips... "Gross. Fine. Just land safely."
Old Madam Lu chuckled softly as she adjusted her emerald scarf.... "Let them be. It's good for a husband and wife to have private time."
"Mn," Old Master Lu agreed gruffly, though a faint smile curled at his lips as he gestured for the rest to begin boarding their Airbus.