The day Elder Lu passed away was on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
The day before, the family had joyfully celebrated the Reunion Dinner together, making dumplings. Unexpectedly, the next morning, when the younger generation went to pay their respects to the elder, they couldn't wake him.
The Elder passed away from a sudden heart attack, falling asleep peacefully without much suffering, his face serene.
Lu Yanbei, knowing the Elder loved lively occasions, held a grand funeral. After the obituary was sent out, in addition to friends and relatives, many who had business dealings with the Lu family also came to offer condolences. The open space in front of the old mansion was filled with luxury cars, and influential figures from all walks of life gathered.
Lu Ziyi held his younger siblings' hands, their eyes tearful, their expressions solemn. The Elder had doted on these great-grandchildren dearly, and they were reluctant to part with him.
To protect his family, Lu Ziyi and his siblings rarely appeared in the media. Even when the family traveled together, the children's photos were always blurred.
It was at the Elder's funeral that they made their first public appearance.
"Are those exquisite little ones young Master Yan's children? They've grown up so beautifully!"
"Their genes are truly powerful, looking just like a mold of Young Master Yan!"
"Especially the eldest son, he's an exact replica of Young Master Yan!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, no wonder the Lu family was reluctant to expose them. If it were me, I'd want to hide them away too, lest they be coveted!"
"To have such composure at such a young age, truly worthy of being raised by the Lu family!"
Lu Yanbei and Su He were busy entertaining guests and had no time to attend to the children. The three little ones were exceptionally quiet today, their small faces equally taut.
Tang Jiaojiao, knowing Su He and the others were busy, took it upon herself to care for her grandchildren. "My dears, come to Grandma!"
Jiang Xiaoxiao, pregnant, also beckoned to them, worried someone might snatch her nephews and nieces away.
The triplets often visited the Su family and were doted on immensely, so they were naturally close to them. The three walked hand in hand to the two, obediently calling out.
"Grandma!"
"Auntie!"
Tang Jiaojiao tenderly cupped their small faces, wiping their tears. "Don't cry, Great-Grandpa has gone to enjoy his rest, and he won't suffer from illness anymore!"
The oldest of the triplets was only five years old. They didn't have a full grasp of death yet, only knowing they wouldn't see Great-Grandpa again, which made them feel a little sad.
"Where did Great-Grandpa go?" the youngest girl asked, tilting her head, her voice sweet. She was Lu Qingning, the sister in the dragon-phoenix twins. Born with her was her second elder brother, Lu Ziyu.
Jiang Xiaoxiao gently stroked her head. "Great-Grandpa has gone to a place very, very far away..."
Lu Qingning, not quite understanding, asked, "Is he going on a trip?"
Jiang Xiaoxiao didn't know how to explain it to her, so she nodded.
"Then when will he come back?" Lu Qingning asked again.
"It's not clear for now... When you grow up, Auntie will ask for you, okay?" Jiang Xiaoxiao led them upstairs to a quiet corner.
Her belly was already quite round, and she was due in three months.
With her patient company, the children soon forgot their sadness and became curious about her belly.
"Auntie, when will my little brother come out?" Lu Ziyu carefully touched her belly, asking curiously.
"Why not a little sister?" Lu Qingning frowned. "I want a little sister!"
Her two elder brothers often played together, and they had their own games that didn't interest her. She wanted a sister so they could play with dolls together.
"I already have a sister, so I want a brother," Lu Ziyu said after thinking.
"But I don't have a sister!" Lu Qingning insisted.
"You don't have a brother either!" Lu Ziyu reasoned.
"No, I want a sister!" Lu Qingning turned her face away, a hint of anger in her expression.
Jiang Xiaoxiao, fearing they would develop a rift, quickly interrupted their debate. "Whether it's a brother or a sister, you'll both love them, right?"
The twins nodded in unison.
On this point, there was no doubt.
"Actually, Auntie isn't sure of their gender either. We'll have to wait until they're born to know," Jiang Xiaoxiao said, touching her bulging belly, her face filled with maternal radiance.
After having children, she had become more feminine.
Lu Ziyi, who had been silent, found his younger siblings too immature and wasn't very interested in their conversation. So, while no one was paying attention, he quietly slipped away to the backyard.
The guests offering condolences were mostly in the front courtyard; it was very quiet here.
Compared to his younger siblings, Lu Ziyi was steady and the most like Lu Yanbei. Though only five years old, he carried himself like a little adult, unusually composed.
Su He often couldn't help but lament, feeling he was cuter when he was younger. When he couldn't speak yet, he was chubby and round, and he smiled a lot. How did he become a different person as he grew up, less talkative and always wearing a stern expression?
Su He attributed it to Lu Yanbei's influence.
"I keep telling you to smile more! Look at your son, he's learned from you, acting all aloof all day!"
Lu Yanbei found this quite exasperating.
Personality was largely innate. Even with external influences, it wouldn't completely change.
Even though the couple later had twins, they had never neglected him, their eldest son, and had shown no favoritism. By all accounts, it shouldn't be like this!
Lu Ziyi paid no mind to the commotion in the front courtyard.
He walked to the swing set and sat on it steadily.
Something felt different in the house today!
All the guests were wearing black clothes, which looked very ominous. The atmosphere in the house was heavy, suffocating.
He didn't know how to describe the feeling, but he disliked it.
He looked up at Great-Grandpa's room. Usually, the window would be open by now. Great-Grandpa would be holding a watering can, tending to his plants, and chatting with them downstairs.
He kept staring at that window, but he would never see Great-Grandpa's figure again.
Su He was the first to spot him.
Seeing her son's forlorn expression, Su He's heart ached. "Why are you here alone?"
She went forward and hugged him.
Lu Ziyi nestled into his mother's arms and mumbled, "Did Great-Grandpa die?"
Su He's expression stiffened, and she gently patted his back. "Does Duoduo miss Great-Grandpa a lot?"
The little boy hummed in affirmation.
"Great-Grandpa... will be watching over you from heaven! He's in all our hearts, and we won't forget him..." Su He embraced his small body, her eyes slightly moist.
In the Elder's will, there was a clause specifically for her.
He had gifted her all of Grandma's dowry.
She had never coveted anything from the Lu family, and had never even met the old Madam... The old Madam came from a prestigious family, her dowry incredibly precious. How could she possibly accept such a gift?
But the Elder had said with a smile, "A'yan has the Lu family's businesses to inherit, so this old woman's belongings would be of no use to him. You are the Lu family's daughter-in-law, the future matriarch of the Lu family, so it's most fitting for you to have it."
Su He wanted to refuse, but before she could speak, the Elder added, "Grandpa doesn't really believe in fate or destiny. He just felt a connection with you!"
Su He's tears fell then.