CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59: LU FAMILY

In the intricately carved gift box, a piece of translucent dark green jade, shining as if holding water light, was placed on top. Old Sir Lu pushed the box towards Rong Zhi.

Beside him, Mrs. Lu and Lu Si were startled, but quickly composed themselves without saying a word.

Tang Xuyun touched his chin, and with a solemn face, broke into a smile, "This is a gesture of goodwill from Old Sir Lu, Rong Zhi, you should accept it."

The ward was quite quiet.

Rong Zhi lowered her gaze, her eyes falling on the lifelike dark green jade carved into a Qilin Beast, and paused for a moment.

Old Sir Lu misunderstood, thinking she was unwilling to accept it, and subtly gave Lu Si a look.

Lu Si nodded, cleared his throat lightly, and laughed, "Third Young Master, actually you don’t need to worry about feeling it’s too precious. You are a benefactor to our Lu Family, worthy of this gift, and while you are in Beijing, having the Lu Family as a backup will make things smoother."

Though Lu Si understood that Rong Zhi might not need it, he felt the promise had to be made.

Rong Zhi raised her eyebrow slightly, "Hm?"

Lu Si carefully chose his words, explaining: "Have you ever heard of Beilu and Southern Song, Third Young Master?"

"Currently, the domestic leaders are divided into two major factions; one led by the Lu Family, mainly occupying political power in the north, and the other led by the Song Family, closely connected with the military, primarily controlling the south."

The rest was too deeply involved to discuss, so Lu Si skipped it and focused on explaining the Lu Family for Rong Zhi to understand, "And our Lu Family is the north faction. Don’t be deceived by my seemingly miserable appearance; in fact, I am also the sixth young master of the Lu Family!"

The Lu Family’s roots run deep in the north, not comparable to the Bai Family’s power which spans all of Hua Country and surpasses all governments and capitals, but they are indeed influential in their region.

Rong Zhi remained silent upon hearing this.

She understood what identity and status the Lu Family represented.

Unexpectedly, the people she casually saved had such a strong backing; if she wished to use the Lu Family to counter the Rong Family, she could indeed compare.

After all, the Lu Family specializes in power, while the Rong Family specializes in commerce, and historically power has always trumped commerce.

"There’s one more thing," After Lu Si finished explaining, Tang Xuyun spoke up, "I sincerely invite you to join the National Medical Research Institute as an S-Class member. I can also help you apply for a professorship."

Hua Country’s Medical Research Institute was established fifty years ago for medical advancement, encompassing all national-level medical talents, each of them professor-level.

It’s a place that requires true skill and knowledge to enter, directly under the national jurisdiction, contributing to the country, where all member identities are classified as SS-level secrets.

Compared to the Lu Family’s protection, this identity holds far greater weight.

Even Old Sir Lu, who had seen it all, was so astonished he forgot to continue eating.

Tang Xuyun leisurely added, "Actually, I wanted to directly apply for an academician position for you. With your abilities, you could easily succeed me, but unfortunately, Old Fu won’t let you go."

Suddenly, Tang Xuyun understood Fu Liang’s behavior of constantly showcasing his disciples in his friend circle; if he had such outstanding students, he’d want to display them seven or eight times a day.

Lu Si lowered his voice, "Third Young Master, once you’re in the research institute, you belong to the country; won’t the Rong Family have to honor you then?"

Lu Si couldn’t stand Rong Qichuo, who despite lacking capability, still maintained an air of superiority—simply born into the right family. If Rong Zhi had been raised from childhood in the Rong Family, would Rong Qichuo still have room to strut around?

In Lu Si’s heart, Rong Zhi was far better than Rong Qichuo.

Just as he finished speaking, Rong Zhi’s phone rang.

It was a call from Rong Fangjun.

Rong Zhi said to the others, "Excuse me, I need to take this call."

Then she stood up and walked out.

"Yes, I moved out of Paliya Palace, it wasn’t noisy..."

Upon hearing Rong Zhi’s words, Old Sir Lu asked Lu Si: "What is Paliya Palace?"

Lu Si pondered, "It seems to be a villa of the Rong Family?"

He had heard Zhou Xixi gossip about Rong Qichuo’s family wealth mentioning it.

Old Sir Lu: "Then why did they have Mr. Rong move out? Don’t they know Mr. Rong can practice medicine?"

Lu Si shook his head, furrowing his brows, "I heard from classmates that the Third Young Master was only recently recognized back into the family, previously raised in the countryside for eighteen years, so maybe it’s a misunderstanding."

Yet whether or not it was a misunderstanding, those present were all astute; anyone could see it was the Rong Family’s reluctance toward Rong Zhi?

Old Sir Lu sighed, "Truly a case of a pearl mistakenly cast aside."

After finishing the call, when Rong Zhi returned, the table was once again filled with a harmonious atmosphere; she lowered her gaze, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Dean Tang, thank you for considering me, but I promised a friend that I’d enter the Mechanical Engineering Institute next year, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to join the Medical Research Institute." Rong Zhi frankly stated.

Everyone present: "?"

Everyone present: "!!!"

"Engineering Institute?!" Lu Si jumped from his seat, staring at Rong Zhi in disbelief.

Rong Zhi nodded, "I have some matters to attend to, I’ll leave first, everyone enjoy."

She stood up, Old Sir Lu hurriedly pushed the jade over again, with Tang Xuyun speaking up that regardless of returning favor, he now truly intended to bring Rong Zhi into their fold.

"Mr. Rong, for the sake of this old man, would you accept the jade?"

Rong Zhi gently tapped the Qilin Jade with her graceful fingers, feeling its warmth against her fingertips; she smiled, her brows spreading like ink in elegance, "Then thank you, Old Sir Lu."

With the Lu Family around, future endeavors indeed seemed easier, so she didn’t refuse.

Leaving the ward, Rong Zhi went to visit Tao Ruisi in the convalescent home, learning about her plan to go shopping with Shen Luoluo on the weekend. She gave a few reminders to call her if anything happens before driving back to Huqing District.

The next day at school, Yu Nian found Rong Zhi.

She said, "Mr. Li is sick. This time the results for the intra-school competition might not be out until next Monday; don’t worry, having the results out later is also good. Rest well, next week is the first monthly exam of the semester, keep it up."

Yu Nian stood on tiptoe, giving Rong Zhi’s shoulder an encouraging pat.

Rong Zhi nodded, lowering her gaze to see Teacher Xiao Yu trying hard to stand on tiptoes to pat her on the head, raising her eyebrows, "Alright, keep it up."

Yu Nian beamed sweetly and went into the classroom with her.

Because the monthly exam is next week, an air of tension filled the Class Two, Grade Twelve classroom, even Ying Hengyu, who usually sleeps in class, picked up a book.

His grades aren’t bad, otherwise, he wouldn’t have made it into No. 1 High School, but his subjects are quite uneven.

Remembering his daily breakfast for her, Rong Zhi casually pulled out a notebook from the drawer and tossed it onto Ying Hengyu’s desk.

"Brother?" Ying Hengyu, dazed from studying, looked up in confusion, "What’s this?"

Rong Zhi responded indifferently, "Notes, just take a look."

Ying Hengyu uttered a couple of sounds and then stored the notebook away, continuing to bury his head in the test papers.

Seeing him like this, Rong Zhi said no more, and when the dismissal bell rang, she grabbed her backpack and walked out of the classroom.

Over the weekend, Rong Zhi returned to the Rong Family’s old residence.

Outside the courtyard, Lu Zhao waited by the door.

Seeing her familiar figure, he hurried to greet her.

"Third Young Master is back, the Master was just talking about you." Lu Zhao said with a smile.

Rong Zhi smiled: "Since it’s cold, Housekeeper Lu, no need to wait for me."

Lu Zhao: "It’s the Master who remembers you, always urging me to check on you; after all, we’re family, a grandfather’s concern for his grandson is normal."