Perfect Superstar.

The backpack Lu Chen brought was ordinary, something he'd bought online for a few dozen yuan. Yet, when he unzipped it, it was filled with bundles of hundred-Yuan bills, neatly bound with bank seals, their vivid red color strikingly bright.

As he unzipped it, the living room fell silent.

Lin Ru stopped shouting, staring fixedly at the pile of cash in the backpack.

Fang Wenkang, covering his face, looked on in shock, his jaw practically dropping in disbelief.

Lu Chen had been brought up with good values, and Fang Yun had always been strict with him. Even when he went to Hangzhou for university and his family was at their wealthiest, he never did anything absurd or extravagant.

But at this moment, Lu Chen felt like pulling out each bundle of cash and slapping it across their faces.

He had no intention of actually paying them, but he understood his mother's nature well.

"So, tell me, how much more do you want?"

Lin Ru swallowed hard, forcing a fake smile onto her chubby face, ignoring the slap Lu Chen had just given her son. "Xiao Chen, where did you get all this money?"

There had to be at least several hundred thousand in that backpack— maybe even a Million! Even when the Lu family was well-off, getting this much money at once was not easy.

And now, with the Lu family in worse shape than an ordinary family, she could barely contain her curiosity and greed as she stared at the money.

Lu Chen responded coolly, "I robbed a bank. Why don't you try it too? You're the expert, aren't you?"

Lin Ru's face darkened at Lu Chen's sharp sarcasm, unable to hide her embarrassment.

"Oh, look at you. Well, just hand over our money first."

"There is no 'our money!'"

To everyone's surprise, Fang Yuanzhong, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly erupted.

His face was flushed with anger as he snatched the shareholders' agreement out of Lin Ru's hands, tore it into pieces in a few quick moves, and shouted, "The Lu family owes us nothing, and they owe you, Lin Ru, even less!

Lin Ru was too stunned to speak.

She had never dreamed that her usually timid and compliant husband would take such a drastic action, tearing up the agreement and breaking ties with her over it.

Without that agreement, how could she squeeze money out of the Lu family?

Fang Yuanzhong ignored her. The middle-aged man, exhausted and apologetic, looked at Fang Yun and said, "Xiao Yun, I'm sorry. I won't bother you again."

With that, he turned around and quickly walked towards the door.

Lin Ru snapped out of it and shouted, "Fang Yuanzhong!"

She was so angry that she could have eaten him alive! But Fang Yuanzhong didn't look back and left the Lu household without a word.

Lin Ru and Fang Wenkang were stunned.

Even Lu Chen was surprised, but not too shocked, because he knew that his uncle still had some sense, even though he had always been too soft and was constantly being bullied by his wife. 

If Fang Yun hadn't wanted to save her big brother from hardship, she would never have agreed to Lin Ru's outrageous demands.

Fang Yuanzhong's outburst was probably driven by the last bit of conscience and family loyalty he had left.

Lu Chen zipped up the backpack again and coolly said to Lin Ru, "Since my uncle has left, we won't be inviting you to stay for dinner. Sorry about that!"

Fang Wenkang shouted, "Are you trying to kick us out? Pay us first!"

He looked like he was itching to snatch the backpack from Lu Chen's hands.

Lu Chen sneered, "I don't know what you're talking about. Are you still dreaming?"

The contract had been broken, Fang Yuanzhong was gone, and he would have to be crazy to pay them anything now.

Frustrated, Lin Ru knew that if she continued to argue, she would only be humiliated, and Wenkang might be beaten again. She dragged her son with her as they slipped away from the Lu Family Home.

Now she'd have to take her complaints to Fang Yuanzhong.

With these two annoyances gone, Lu Chen felt the air in the room was suddenly fresher.

He smiled at Fang Yun and said, "Mom, what's for lunch? I'm starving!"

Fang Yun sighed and said, "Xiao Chen, don't blame your uncle; he had no choice.

Lu Chen nodded. "I accept my uncle, but if those two come back, just call the police."

Fang Yun smiled wryly. "I know."

Lu Chen knew that his mother was gentle yet strong, and if it weren't for Fang Yuanzhong, she wouldn't have let Lin Ru bully her.

He handed his backpack to Fang Yun. "Mom, here's a Million. I'll go with you this afternoon to pay off the debt."

Fang Yun insisted on paying off all the debts in cash by personally going to each friend and relative's home to return the money. This was her way of showing that the Lu family was responsible and would honor their debts and stand strong even in hard times.

Lu Qingsheng was respected for his integrity and generosity, which is why so many people were willing to lend him money. Now, even though he was gone, Fang Yun would never tarnish his name or the honor of the Lu family.

Many of their friends and relatives had lent them their life savings, and this debt weighed heavily with responsibility!

Fang Yun took the backpack, her disbelief obvious. "Where did you get all that money?"

Earlier, Lu Chen had already transferred 300,000 Yuan to her, which had taken her by surprise, and now he'd brought another Million! Could he really have robbed a bank?

Lu Chen chuckled. "I'll explain everything slowly. I earned it fair and square!"

The Million Yuan came entirely from Lu Chen's work at Whale TV: a 650,000 Yuan signing bonus, 200,000 Yuan from a contest, and 150,000 Yuan in tips. He still had 150,000 Yuan in his bank account.

Recently, Lu Chen also wrote a new song for the Wandering Band at a discounted "friend rate" of 150,000 yuan.

Just then, the door to the room opened.

"We're back!"

A cheerful voice rang out as a young woman in a white dress and a girl in a yellow shirt walked in.

The woman in front was carrying bags of fresh fruits and vegetables.

"Brother!"

Seeing Lu Chen in the living room, the girl in the yellow shirt blinked, then let out a cry and threw herself into his arms.

Lu Chen laughed and opened his arms to hug her.

The girl in the yellow shirt was Lu Chen's younger sister, Lu Xue, while the woman in the white dress was his older sister, Lu Xi.

Lu Chen had a close relationship with Lu Xue, and he adored his sister. After a year of separation, he was especially happy to see her again. "You've put on weight!"

"No, I haven't!"

Lu Xue wrinkled her nose and jumped down, playfully complaining, "Mom, brother is teasing me!"

Fang Yun patted Lu Xue's head and looked at Lu Xi, who had a calm expression. "Xiao Xi, what brings you here?"

Of the three siblings, Lu Xi was the most like her father, Lu Qingsheng, both in appearance and temperament. Lu Xue was almost identical to Fang Yun, while Lu Chen combined the best features of both parents, being tall and handsome.

Lu Xi was a bit stubborn, and she and Lu Chen didn't always get along. She replied plainly, "Xiao Xue called me and said that Uncle and Auntie had come to cause trouble again?"

Lu Xue stuck out her tongue, looked around, and asked, "Where's Uncle and that old witch?"

She always referred to Lin Ru as "the old witch". Fang Yun had sent her out to buy food earlier to avoid a conflict.

Worried that their mother would be put in a difficult situation, Lu Xue had called Lu Xi for help.

Both sisters had returned together, only to find Lu Chen there as well.

"She's your aunt!" Fang Yun tapped her forehead lightly. "Children shouldn't be rude. Your aunt and uncle have left."

"That's great!" Lu Xue clapped her hands happily. "Our family is together again. It feels so good."

Then she extended her hand to Lu Chen and said, "Brother, did you get me a gift? I won't accept it if it's no good!"

Lu Chen laughed and opened his suitcase, taking out a laptop he'd bought in the capital.

Lu Xue's eyes lit up. "Is this laptop for me?"

However, Lu Xi frowned slightly and said, "Xiao Xue has her college entrance exams next year. Why are you buying her a laptop? Even though you're making money now, you should spend it carefully. Our family still has a lot of debts."

Lu Chen replied, "Sis, I'll pay off the family debt in no more than two years!"

Lu Xi scoffed, "You and your big talk!"

(End of chapter)

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