Chapter 143: Corrupt Merchant, Return My Hard-Earned Money!

So Bai Lu was right there, fawning over her dad, massaging his legs and acting adorably obedient.

Leave everything to the old fox!

The old fox was playing the part perfectly and said, “Huo Yanfang has been searching everywhere for Huo Peicun. I found out that Huo Peicun stole things from the family and sold them, then flaunted his money around, mingling in casinos with unclear accounts. That hits Huo Yanfang’s sore spot hard. Yiting, even if you burn down the Huo family ancestral home now, Huo Yanfang still won’t hand that person over to you.”

After a pause, the old fox sighed, “I suspect Huo Peicun has already fled abroad. Otherwise, before you made a move, Huo Yanfang would have already dealt with him.”

Lu Yiting muttered, “Damn, this kid is slippery as hell!”

Gu Pianran said, “Yiting, calm down first. Leave this matter to me, alright? Little Lu is my niece; I can’t stand idly by if someone bullies her. We will definitely make Huo Peicun pay for this.”

Having been brothers for half a lifetime, Lu Yiting knew Gu Pianran’s protective nature well. After thinking for a moment, he nodded, “It’s the fault of the father who raises but doesn’t teach. Huo Yanfang can’t escape either; he’ll have to pay interest.”

Gu Pianran breathed a sigh of relief, “Of course. If anyone bullies Little Lu, I’ll make Huo Yanfang pay interest on the business front. Don’t worry. When have I ever taken a loss?”

“Dad, you rushed back in such a hurry, you must be hungry, right? Let me treat you to a meal, okay?” Bai Lu seized the moment, acting cute, “You can eat whatever you want. I earned some money!”

Lu Yiting snapped, “Get lost. Eat my ass! Just seeing you is enough to fill me up!”

What to do when your dad is an unyielding tsundere?

Simple.

Stick to him like glue.

Bai Lu pouted, acted cute, coaxed and tricked her dad into the restaurant.

During the meal, Bai Lu attended to her dad like a little servant the whole time, but he still wore a sour face as if she owed him billions.

Because both father and daughter were celebrities, the restaurant was reserved exclusively for them.

When the bill came, Bai Lu nearly burst into tears.

What kind of family is this? Nearly six figures for one meal!

After swiping the card, Bai Lu lamented with a bleeding heart, “Even if it’s a private reservation, it’s still way too expensive!”

Gu Pianran elegantly wiped his mouth and said, “We booked the place on short notice. The restaurant had to compensate the guests who were turned away. Naturally, that cost is on our bill.”

Bai Lu regretted her decision, “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have booked the whole place. A private room would have been fine!”

Then Bai Lu noticed that her dad’s mood seemed to have improved considerably.

No more sour face, even a faint smile showing.

Is this really my biological dad???

Forget it, spending some money to make my dad happy is worth it.

Lu Yiting then casually dropped a bombshell: “This restaurant is owned by Gu Pianran.”

Bai Lu: “?????”

She was so angry that she tossed half-eaten fruit on the table and demanded, “You profiteer, give me back my hard-earned money!”

Gu Pianran shook his head gently, “There’s a saying: even between father and daughter, accounts must be clear. Little Lu, you have to pay for your meal.”

Bai Lu, ever the sly one, said, “I said I’d treat my dad, not you, Uncle Gu. Just charge me per head. I’ll round it down—30,000. WeChat or Alipay?”

Gu Pianran was speechless.

She opened her payment QR code: “Here, scan this.”

Cha-ching—the sound of receiving money.

Just hearing it was music to the ears.

The mood of the film emperor was visibly lifted.

Bai Lu sighed: It’s not easy coaxing a tsundere dad, is it, Uncle Gu?

After sitting a while longer at the restaurant, the agent Mei Mei arrived.

As soon as Lu Yiting found out his daughter had been bullied and that he’d been kept in the dark by the team, he booked the earliest flight back to the capital in a fury.

He left so hastily that he didn’t even notify agent Mei Mei. He only sent her a message when he was about to board, saying he was returning to the capital to handle some matters and would be back by early tomorrow morning at the latest.

“I’m such a big film emperor, and now I’m gone? I was just here, how did I disappear?”

Mei Mei nearly lost her mind but managed to keep things under control, reassure the charity event organizers and staff, and then promptly booked her own ticket back to the capital.

Lu Yiting was serious and responsible about work. Mei Mei had worked with him for over ten years and knew such sudden disappearances only happened a few times—and always involved the Lu family.

Usually, these situations were never good.

Mei Mei wasn’t sure how much help she could be once back, maybe none at all, but she wanted to be by his side.

For over a decade, that was how it had always been.

She stayed by his side.

The restaurant manager said, “There is a Ms. Mei downstairs looking for Mr. Lu.”

Lu Yiting said, “Tell her to wait downstairs. Oh, and bring her something to eat.” He tapped Bai Lu lightly with his long fingers, a faint smile playing on his lips, “Today, Miss Bai is treating us to a private reservation.”

Bai Lu was speechless.

Biological dad, definitely biological dad.

There was still a charity promotional documentary to shoot, and Lu Yiting had to rush back quickly. Gu Pianran’s assistant booked a 5:30 pm flight for him and Mei Mei—only three hours away.

They had to get from the city to the airport and check in early; time was tight, no room for Mei Mei to eat leisurely.

Lu Yiting stood up, “Miss Lu, behave yourself. If you cause any more trouble, you can forget about hanging out with your friends ever again.”

Bai Lu acted obedient, “Got it, Dad. Don’t worry, I’ll be good.”

Gu Pianran also stood, “Haven’t seen you in a while. I’ll go say hi to Mei Mei.”

If Mei Mei thought Lu Yiting had rushed back to discuss business, it was her own misunderstanding.

Bai Lu couldn’t show herself; if Mei Mei saw her, there’d be no way to explain. Their father-daughter relationship had to stay under wraps.

“Dad!” she called, running over quickly.

Lu Yiting stood midway on the stairs, “Hmm?”

Gu Pianran smiled lightly and headed down to greet Mei Mei first.

Bai Lu rushed over and threw herself into her dad’s arms, sniffing, “Even if you want to scold me for being sentimental and corny, I have to say it. Dad, thank you. You dropped everything to come back for me, didn’t rest, and now you have to rush back to work again. I’m so touched!”

Lu Yiting almost lost his balance and nearly tumbled down the stairs but steadied himself on the banister. Hearing her sappy words, he opened his mouth to scold her.

Then she sweetly said, “Dad, I really, really love you.”

She seemed on the verge of tears.

Was she really that moved?

Lu Yiting raised a hand, gently ruffling the back of her head but said sternly, “If you dare cry, I’ll give you a proper childhood.”

A childhood without a good spanking is an incomplete childhood.

Bai Lu pouted, released her dad, took a step back, and made a face, “Dad wouldn’t dare spank me with a belt. I’m Daddy’s precious little darling!”

No sooner had she spoken than she was already running 800 meters away.

Whether her dad was willing to spank her or not, the answer was obvious.

Judging by everything, he was more than willing.

He might even be looking forward to giving her a proper childhood.