Chapter 369 - Not Accident?

Lu Fang and Gao Rou were sitting at the mansion's patio, drinking hard liquor. It was late in the evening but the lights were sufficient to bright up the surrounding gardens and Gao Rou's gaze was fixed on the roses, the same kind his mother had grown in the old Lu Mansion. 

"I remember well. My mother loved flowers," said Gao Rou after pouring himself another shot of whisky. 

Lu Fang turned to where Gao Rou was looking and came back to him saying, "Has Luis find out anything?"

"I received another call just after I arrived from the Maldives. This time we were ready and Luis was able to trace it to a public phone in Shanxi," replied Gao Rou. "He is asking for One Million Dollars in exchange for the information."

Heeding Deana's advice, he finally told Lu Fang what has been disturbing him for months. He waited until Bolin returned, knowing Lu Fang and Andrea were busy with both work and pregnancy matters. 

"I don't know anybody, specifically related or associated with me that resides in Shanxi," Gao Rou said as his forehead creased. 

"Don't fall into that trap. Even if more than a decade had passed, we can still find the truth behind it," said Lu Fang. 

Gao Rou nodded and turned to Lu Fang saying, "I don't plan on giving him any money."

Feeling the strength of the liquor, Lu Fang made a frown after drinking down his glass. It took him seconds to recover. "Your father worked for my dad… as I remember."

"Yes, he was Lu Wei's personal driver."

"Gao Rou, we are like brothers. We grew up together. These things, you should not keep it from me - "

"I know that now… I'm sorry, bro."

"Let's go to the old mansion tomorrow and learn more about your father's death. Your worries are also my worries," said Lu Fang while putting a hand on Gao Rou's shoulder. 

"It would also be a good time to visit grandfather."

Gao Rou laughed out of the blue. He said, "Gotta give it to the old man, bro. He has been doing very well."

Lu Fang laughed with him, saying, "He said the twins are giving him good health. I think he was the most active when all the children lived with them."

The next day, after getting off from work, Gao Rou and Lu Fang went to the old mansion. Andrea, who had not come to the office that day, was already there. She had brought the children with her along with Aunt Rosa and the caregivers. 

After learning her husband was visiting the old mansion, she decided to be there before them. The twins especially missed their grandparents and Lu Jie. 

Hanxi preferred to stay home and chat with Isabella. 

"Lu Fang, my boy!" Lu Jie called. "Look at me, still healthy and strong!" 

Lu Jie was carrying Angela with her and that made the man chuckle. "Granpa, Angela is still a baby. Of course, you can carry her. Try carrying Chevre. He is a handful."

"Huh! Tell me about it. Do you know what he did first upon his arrival? He looked at the fridge! He only came to kiss us after getting some snacks," narrated Lu Jie.

Lu Jie noticed his grandson looking around. He knew exactly what to say. "She is in the kitchen with Rosa, making avocado truffles… Huh! Wonder how that tastes like."

The man's eyes grew wide. Apparently, his wife had not yet grown sick of avocados. "Oh my goodness. Grandpa, how many avocados did my wife bring today?"

"She was carrying a small bag. Go and check on her in the kitchen."

After greeting his wife with smooches, the man checked the fridge and each of the food that was about to be set on the table. As soon as he finished inspecting the kitchen, he heard aunt Rosa confirm for him, "We only made avocado truffles."

Aunt Rosa winked at him then walked out of the kitchen, carrying food to the dining table. 

Andrea, who was cleaning up, heard aunt Rosa and asked, "What's wrong, babe? Did you want more avocados too? I'm sorry, I only brought two for dessert."

The man laughed and changed the topic. "I'm hungry. Let's have dinner." 

The truth was, he was sick of avocados. He had already instructed Juan not to bring any at home. 

The Lu Family had one of the best meals in months. Since the couple's recent trouble with Michael Song, it was the first time that they ate together, plus Gao Rou was present to join them. That night, they were a complete family. 

When dinner was finished, only the men of the Lus remained in the dining table while Andrea and Christina brought the children to a room where they could get changed. 

As soon as the coffee was served, Gao Rou told Lu Wei about his predicament. 

Lu Wei seemed to be digging through the past, thinking of how it could be. He said, "I - don't remember any threat to his life."

"But now that someone is suggesting Gao Rou's father's death was not an accident - I recall this very clearly - I was sure that Lu Wei was supposed to be with your father that day," Lu Jie revealed. 

Lu Jie thought back to that time. He was old but he could not forget the death of Gao Rou's father. He was supposed to pick-up Lu Wei from the airport, but because of a traffic jam, Gao Rou's father, Gao Chaoxiang could not reach the airport in time. 

Instead, Lu Wei had rented himself a car. 

Gao Chaoxiang had met a car accident on the way back to the old mansion. If Lu Wei was with him that day, he would have met the same faith as Gao Rou's father.

Lu Wei was equally pained following the passing of Gao Chaoxiang. He had served him for five years and considered him a friend. To help Gao Rou's mother financially, they brought her in as the caretaker for their home. Gao Rou and his mother lived with the Lu Family since. 

"Don't worry, Gao Rou. I will look into this. Rest assured. If I find out that your father's death was not an accident, the culprits will surely pay the price," Lu Wei said while looking into Gao Rou's eyes. 

Memories came rushing back to Lu Wei, recalling the sight of the wreck. Gao Rou's father had managed to crash right into a huge transport truck.

The witnesses to the accident said that Gao Chaoxiang was driving too fast, that he failed to make a stop when the lights turn red. The driver of the truck was not badly injured but Gao Rou's father was killed instantly.