After the people from the Lin Family left, brimming with arrogance, Lu Chen was carried back to his small courtyard by Lu Kuang and Lu Yi amidst a storm of curses.

The two settled Lu Chen onto the bed. Lu Kuang comforted him, "Chen'er, don't take their words to heart. You owe them nothing."

Lu Chen thought the same but still asked, "Fourth Uncle, but it's true that because of me, the Lu Family lost ten shops."

Lu Kuang replied, "Chen'er, you're mistaken. The Lu Family losing ten shops is just an excuse. The real reason is that your uncles were incompetent and couldn't protect the family business."

Lu Yi, standing by, wanted to say something but held back, tears welling up in the eyes of the once-stoic man.

He knew he owed nothing to the Lu Family, but he did owe his fourth brother, Lu Kuang. Over the years, the eldest and second brothers had used his downfall as a pretext to exploit his shops, and it was Lu Kuang who protected him and his son.

Yet today, Lu Kuang had given all the shops to the Lin Family for his son's sake. Despite being the one who suffered the most, Lu Kuang was now comforting Lu Chen.

Lu Chen understood all that Lu Kuang had done for him and earnestly said, "Fourth Uncle, the Lu Family isn't worth it, but you and Brother Zhan are. From now on, I'll protect you."

Lu Kuang didn't believe Lu Chen had the ability to protect him and Lu Zhan, but to avoid hurting Lu Chen's feelings, he said, "Alright, Chen'er, take good care of yourself. When you're better, it'll be your turn to protect your fourth uncle."

With that, the rugged Lu Kuang got up and left Lu Chen's small courtyard. As soon as he stepped outside, he covered his face with his hands and wept bitterly.

Shortly after, Lu Yi followed him out, gently patting Lu Kuang's shoulder, "Fourth Brother, you've had it tough all these years."

Lu Kuang wiped away his tears, "Third Brother, it's not tough for me. It's you who have been wronged. I'm useless, unable to get justice for you and Chen'er."

Hearing this, a strange light flickered in Lu Yi's weary eyes, "Fourth Brother, you knew?"

Lu Kuang coldly replied, "In Tianyuan City, apart from the City Lord's Manor, no one else has the power to ruin you back then and Chen'er now."

Lu Yi fell silent. Indeed, who else but the City Lord's Manor could do such a thing?

Understanding who the real enemy was, he had vehemently opposed the marriage alliance between the City Lord's Manor and Lu Chen two years ago because he didn't want Lu Chen to be controlled.

However, at this moment, he was somewhat shaken, beginning to doubt his past decision. He wondered if he had agreed to the marriage alliance two years ago, would the City Lord's Manor have spared Lu Chen?

Ultimately, his answer was no. From what he knew of the City Lord, he would never allow anyone to challenge his rule.

Now that Lu Chen was also ruined, both father and son had become useless. No matter how angry he was inside, Lu Yi could only endure it silently.

To prevent Lu Kuang from acting rashly out of anger, Lu Yi advised, "Fourth Brother, what's done is done. Just pretend it never happened."

Lu Kuang's eyes were filled with hatred, "Third Brother, don't worry. Before I break through to Martial King, I won't act recklessly."

Lu Yi coldly said, "Fourth Brother, even if you break through to Martial King, you mustn't go after the City Lord's Manor. Their strength is far greater than you imagine."

"Third Brother, I understand."

Clearly, Lu Kuang hadn't taken Lu Yi's words to heart. He hugged the frail Lu Yi, then left without looking back.

Watching Lu Kuang's resolute figure as he left, Lu Yi felt both moved and helpless. After a long while, he returned to Lu Chen's room.

Seeing Lu Zhan carefully feeding Lu Chen, Lu Yi's eyes welled up again. As Lu Chen had said, the only ones worth their attachment in the Lu Family were Lu Kuang and Lu Zhan.

Wiping away his tears, Lu Yi stepped forward, "Zhan'er, Third Uncle sees you're not looking well. Go rest. I'll take care of Chen'er."

Lu Zhan, enduring severe pain in his organs, handed the bowl and chopsticks to Lu Yi and said to Lu Chen, "Brother Chen, eat well and take care of yourself. I'll visit when I can."

"Zhan, go ahead. Brother Chen will be fine," Lu Chen smiled.

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Hearing this, Lu Zhan left.

After Lu Zhan left, Lu Yi closed the door and sat by Lu Chen's bed, asking seriously, "Chen'er, do you regret it?"

Lu Chen smiled and asked, "Regret what?"

"Regret everything you did for the Lu Family," Lu Yi said.

Lu Chen looked at Lu Yi, who had gone through the same experiences, and asked in return, "Father, you're asking if I regret it. Do you regret everything you did for the Lu Family?"

Lu Yi was silent for a moment, then said word by word, "Chen'er, I regret it. If I could do it all over again, I would take you and leave the Lu Family."

Lu Chen replied, "Father, I'm not like you. I don't regret it."

Lu Yi asked in confusion, "Chen'er, why is that?"

Lu Chen said, "Father, only at dusk can we see who the true believers are. Without going through these trials, how could we see who truly cares for us?"

Lu Yi asked, puzzled, "But now that you and I are ruined, what use is it to know who truly cares for us?"

Lu Chen said calmly, "Father, it is useful."

Lu Yi didn't understand what Lu Chen meant by this and wanted to ask more, but Lu Chen interrupted him.

Lu Chen said, "Father, go rest. I'm fine now."

Lu Yi looked at the bandages wrapped around Lu Chen and asked worriedly, "Can you eat like this?"

Lu Chen smiled, "Go on, Father. I'm not so weak that I'll starve to death."

"Alright, rest well." With that, Lu Yi got up and left.