Chapter 148: Returning Home Smoothly
Chapter 148: Returning Home Smoothly
“I am Luo Yuwen’s friend. I had some free time today and came with him for a stroll. I didn’t expect to run into you again, Du Xiaoyue.”
Looking at Du Xiaoyue, Lin Mu replied with a smile, but he felt something strange inside.
“You know the Luo Family?”
Du Xiaoyue looked at Lin Mu with surprise.
“Of course I know them. Have you forgotten? I also know Luo Bingyun in Donghai!”
Lin Mu chuckled softly.
“Oh, right, you know Luo Bingyun. No wonder you are with the Luo Family members.”
Du Xiaoyue nodded, but she suddenly felt a bit upset for no clear reason.
“However, the Luo Family has been a bit troubled lately. It seems they ran into some problems.”
But that small feeling passed quickly. Du Xiaoyue remembered something else. She glanced at Luo Yuwen nearby and whispered to Lin Mu, “I heard from Emily that the Luo Family is preparing to leave New York.”
Lin Mu immediately looked at Du Xiaoyue with surprise. Being able to know such news meant the friends she interacted with were probably from influential families.
“What exactly did Emily tell you?”
Lin Mu glanced at the affectionate Luo Yuwen and his girlfriend, then turned back to Du Xiaoyue and asked.
“She didn’t say too much. Just that the Luo Family has been having a hard time recently. Even Luo Huafu hasn’t left home for a long time, working from home. A while ago, he was attacked on the road when he went out.”
Du Xiaoyue said with some worry. Only she knew who she was really worried about—her good friend Emily, or perhaps someone else.
“That’s right. The Luo Family has indeed encountered some troubles recently. I came to New York this time to help them through this difficult period.”
Lin Mu nodded. It seemed Emily didn’t know too many details. Probably, Luo Yuwen told her. “The Luo Family’s financial group is relocating. All procedures are complete now. I’m planning to leave with them, probably in the next couple of days.”
“You’re going back so soon?”
Du Xiaoyue suddenly felt a tightness in her chest, and an empty feeling lingered.
“Yes, the purpose of this trip was to help the Luo Family. Now that the problem is solved, I naturally have to go back with them.”
Lin Mu nodded and asked, “What about you? When are you returning to Huaxia?”
“It’ll be a while for me. I still have a year and a half of studies left here. Whether I’ll go back after graduation is another question. I don’t really know what to do. I’ll just take it one step at a time.”
Du Xiaoyue shook her head and stared blankly at the statue in the fountain, lost in thought.
“You should still go back. Staying abroad isn’t a long-term solution. The Luo Family built such a large family overseas, but in the end, they are returning to Huaxia. Their roots are there.”
Lin Mu said meaningfully.
“What can I do if I go back? I’ll just be forced by my family to marry someone I don’t like in exchange for some benefits. I want them to know that I, Du Xiaoyue, am worth far more than that.”
Du Xiaoyue’s eyes suddenly grew firm.
“You’re a very capable girl with good natural talent. If you can get some good opportunities, you might really achieve something. When you return home then, you won’t have to put up with their attitudes.”
Lin Mu looked at Du Xiaoyue with approval. It was rare for a girl to have such vision and ambition; even among men, it was uncommon.
While the two were talking, Luo Yuwen came over with Emily. “Mr. Lin, this is my girlfriend, Emily.”
“Hello, Emily. I’m Lin Mu.”
Lin Mu greeted her with a smile.
“Hello, Mr. Lin. Yuwen told me everything. Thank you for helping the Luo Family so much, and thank you for accompanying Yuwen here today.”
Emily was very polite, without any of the spoiled airs of girls from big families.
“You’re welcome. It was the right thing to do. Don’t mention it. It looks like you two have already discussed everything?”
Lin Mu teased.
“Mr. Lin, Emily and I have agreed. I’ll go back to Huaxia first to help the family stabilize the group. Then I’ll come back to reunite with her. If it takes too long, Emily can come to Huaxia to find me after graduation.”
Luo Yuwen rubbed his nose sheepishly and put his arm around Emily.
“That’s not important. As long as two people truly want to be together, no distance can keep them apart.”
Lin Mu chuckled softly and inexplicably glanced at Du Xiaoyue. She froze for a moment, then seemed lost in thought.
After chatting a bit longer, Lin Mu and Luo Yuwen left the school and returned home.
Back at the Luo Family Manor, as expected, Luo Yuwen was scolded severely by his father. He even came to apologize to Lin Mu personally, feeling very embarrassed. Lin Mu naturally didn’t take it seriously and brushed it off with a smile.
Around 11 p.m., Luo Huafu found Lin Mu.
“Mr. Lin, all relocation matters are prepared and are now being carried out. We no longer need to stay in New York.”
As soon as they met, Luo Huafu gave Lin Mu the good news.
“Great. It seems we can prepare to leave now.”
Lin Mu didn’t delay. He immediately had someone find Jiang Chu.
Soon, Jiang Chu and Ding Han arrived at Luo Huafu’s study. The Dragon Protection Corps was also fully prepared. After the four of them discussed the specific withdrawal plans, in less than an hour, over a dozen cars suddenly drove out from the Luo Family Manor.
Once out the gate, the cars immediately scattered in different directions. This was a smokescreen set up by the Dragon Protection Corps to avoid being followed.
If there were enemies tracking them, this move could also split their forces, preventing the group from being surrounded and attacked with concentrated fire.
In one of the inconspicuous small cars sat Lin Mu and Luo Huafu and his son. In the car behind them were Jiang Chu and his team, along with Luo Yuwen and his father. They were the first group to evacuate.
As long as they could leave safely, the rest would be easier to handle. Since the approval issues were resolved, the remaining tasks could be handled by subordinates.
Mingling in the middle of the convoy, cars continuously broke off in different directions. Finally, only their two cars remained. After driving for about two hours, they left New York and arrived at a small airport.
They switched to a private plane and reached a small island in Mexico that night—a haven for smugglers and drug traffickers. Jiang Chu and the others had arranged for an advanced supersonic business jet there, a top-tier custom private plane made by Bombardier.
By noon the next day, their feet were standing on the soil of Donghai.
Pre-arranged vehicles immediately took them to the Haoyu Financial Group headquarters in Donghai. Luo Huafu and his family of three were finally reunited on Huaxia soil.
When Luo Bingyun saw her father, she was so overcome with emotion that she threw herself into Luo Huafu’s arms and cried uncontrollably. After enduring many hardships, they had finally fulfilled their family predecessors’ dream and returned to their homeland.
“Alright, alright, stop crying. It’s good there are no outsiders here, or they might laugh at us.”
Luo Huafu’s eyes also grew warm, but having experienced many storms, he kept his composure. He just gently patted his daughter’s back.
“President Luo, you’ve been apart for so long and must have a lot to talk about. I’ll take my leave now. If you need anything, you can call me for help. Bingyun has my number.”
Lin Mu watched the touching reunion of the family of three, smiled, and said goodbye.
Although Luo Bingyun didn’t speak, Lin Mu could see gratitude in her eyes. Between them, too many words weren’t necessary. A single look could convey what the other was thinking.
After leaving the Haoyu Financial Group, Lin Mu didn’t go home. He went directly to the Dragon Protection Corps base. Jiang Chu and Ding Han had already gone there ahead of him. After the mission was completed, they had to report back and couldn’t just walk away.
As soon as he reached the door of Lu Shouyang’s office, he heard a hearty burst of laughter inside. After knocking and entering, Lu Shouyang immediately pulled him over and looked him up and down carefully.
“Hahaha! Good job, young man! I knew I didn’t misjudge you! It was worth recommending you for this mission. You actually defeated two Level 4 and over a dozen Level 2 and 3 Superpower Users, including that Lawrence guy! You’ve really brought honor to our East Sea Branch!”
Lu Shouyang patted Lin Mu’s shoulder vigorously and spoke with great joy.
“It was just luck, really. Those Superpower Users were quite powerful. I almost took a big fall in New York.”
Lin Mu smiled modestly.
“Jiang Chu and Ding Han told me everything. Your strength has improved so much! It’s hard to believe. Just a few months ago, you were an ordinary person who knew nothing about Cultivation. Who would’ve thought you’d undergo such an amazing transformation in such a short time!”
Lu Shouyang laughed heartily again. It seemed Lin Mu’s improvement made him even happier than if he had improved himself.
“What? Lin Mu has only practiced Martial Arts for a few months?!”
Jiang Chu and Ding Han, who were standing nearby, were so shocked by Lu Shouyang’s words that they nearly dropped the cups in their hands. They stared at Lin Mu in astonishment.
“Yes, didn’t you know?”
Lu Shouyang looked at Jiang Chu and the other strangely, surprised by their strong reaction. Little did he know, if he hadn’t known Lin Mu’s background, he’d probably have jumped in shock too.
“How is that possible?! Someone who knew no Martial Arts reached this level in just a few months? Does that mean the rest of us are as dumb as wood?”
Jiang Chu looked at Ding Han, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
“Yeah! This is simply unbelievable. I can’t even imagine how one trains to achieve the strength Lin Mu has now.”
Even the usually calm Ding Han couldn’t accept this reality. His mouth slightly agape, he stared somewhat dumbly at Lin Mu.