Chapter 616: 551 Court Opens Trial
Lu Yonghuai spoke, then sighed softly. His candid words had stunned Xiaoer,
"Do you love Mom?"
For Xiaoer, her father’s words truly turned her understanding of the past twenty-six years on its head.
Although it was Xiaoer who abruptly asked about her parents’ feelings, the answer she received was entirely different from what she had imagined for so many years...
"What’s wrong? Couldn’t you tell?"
Lu Yonghuai smiled. He wasn’t surprised that Xiaoer was so shocked.
It was a rare occasion that father and daughter talked in such an interesting way.
Xiaoer put down her chopsticks and stared intently at Lu Yonghuai, blinking her big eyes, her pupils filled with anticipation, waiting for him to continue.
"Back then, your mother and I were in a political marriage, but before that, I had never taken a liking to any woman. The Lu Family has always prioritized careers, and I was no exception. Your mother was gentle and wise, always looking at people and things with kindness, always treating everything with a magnanimous heart."
"Before I was married, I had very little interaction with women. After marrying, your mother was the woman I interacted with the most. No matter how reserved I was, I could still feel your mother’s kindness toward me. It’s just that I didn’t know how to express it, nor did I know how to communicate emotionally with a woman."
"The term ’political marriage’ has never been a compliment; it is filled with mercenary and manipulative elements that make it difficult to associate marriage with affection. Often, both parties feel they are the sacrifices of politics."
Xiaoer pursed her lips, feeling puzzled after hearing her father’s words,
"If there was no love, then why did you have me?"
Lu Yonghuai laughed heartily,
"Silly girl, do you think every era is like yours, full of freedom, rebellion, stubbornness, where every child is unique, and everyone is so self-centered?"
Xiaoer pouted,
"Dad, the way you say it, it’s like you look down on our generation..."
Lu Yonghuai couldn’t help but chuckle softly,
"Who would dare! Nowadays, every child is cherished by their parents, shielded from every breeze and sunlight."
Xiaoer giggled, then her expression became serious,
"So it’s just because you didn’t know how to communicate with Mom that your marriage fell apart. I always thought you didn’t get along, and sometimes even felt like this home was a cage... I envied my classmates, who would be picked up by their loving parents after school... Watching you and Mom argue, often over meaningless things, and usually ending with Mom in tears and you slamming the door..."
"Not just you, but our uncles, aunts, and my parents seemed to have skewed marital and family relationships..."
Xiaoer sighed.
"Before Mom left, she kept telling me that all men are heartless, that all their achievements, power, status, and fame would always outweigh what you give."
With these words, the atmosphere at the dining table became heavy.
A second ago, Lu Yonghuai could still talk and laugh about his past, the feelings unknown to anyone else, but now the food in front of him tasted sour and bitter.
His elderly eyes were cloudy with hurt, and those old, intricate emotions suddenly surged into them. He lowered his head, his hands supporting his forehead, almost unable to speak.
Xiaoer looked at him, seeing for the first time the pain of love on her father’s face, "Dad..."
Her gentle call brought Lu Yonghuai back from his distant thoughts. He blinked, reigning in his emotions, and tried to speak lightly,
"Your mom has every right to resent me, but I truly didn’t expect my cowardice, my fear of intimacy, to have such a negative impact on your growth, on your view of marriage. I’m sorry... Xiaor..."
Xiaoer pouted, her hands propping her chin, as she looked at Lu Yonghuai with a bit more understanding.
"Dad, have you ever thought about looking for Mom?"
Lu Yonghuai was visibly startled, then quickly let out a forced chuckle and tried to wave it off nonchalantly, but Xiaoer directly pierced through his pretense.
"You say you are weak and easily overwhelmed by emotions, but all these years, you have not thought about changing at all."
"Xiaoer..."
"Dad, I’m going to the United States this time, and I really don’t know how long I will stay. You’re getting older, and in another decade or two, when you retire with no duties left to fulfill, will you wish for someone to accompany you?"
Lu Yonghuai kept resorting to laughing it off, "Let’s talk about such distant matters when the day comes!"
Lu Yonghuai picked up the napkin in front of him and wiped the corner of his mouth, then suddenly changed the subject,
"Tomorrow morning, Lawyer Fu will come to our house. He will explain the procedures of the court session, what it involves, and what you need to pay attention to."
"..."
"Oh."
Xiaoer watched as Lu Yonghuai stood up, "Dad, have you finished eating?"
Lu Yonghuai replied, "Yes, I’m full. I’ll head upstairs first, you eat more."
With that, he left the table.
Xiaoer watched his retreating figure for a long time, a deep smile forming in her eyes.
So, her father and mother did have feelings for each other...
Just the thought of it warmed her heart slightly. If she ever got the chance to see her mother again, she would definitely share her father’s secret feelings with her.
————
Anlin City Court, 9 A.M., the trial of Song Jing’s assault on Xiaoer officially commenced.
Apart from the plaintiffs, the defendants, and the staff at the front of the courtroom, many spectators had also arrived.
Some were friends of Lu Yonghuai; others were there just to watch the drama unfold.
This was Xiaoer’s first time sitting at the plaintiff’s bench, with Lawyer Fu right beside her.
Across from them sat Song Jing, who had been in custody for a month and looked exceptionally disheveled and downcast.
Who could imagine that this man sitting in the defendant’s bench was once a top surgeon at Anlin Hospital?
Song Jing’s hair had grown a lot, almost covering his sight, but through the gaps of hair falling from his forehead, a pair of sinister eyes directly stared at Xiaoer.
From the moment Song Jing entered, Xiaoer had been staring at him unflinchingly, even though his gaze was filled with evil intentions, she did not recoil.
"Plaintiff Xiaoer, you accuse Song Jing of assaulting you in March..."
The judge stated the case routinely.
Xiaoer nodded.
"Defendant, do you admit to having assaulted the plaintiff on that night?"
The judge looked at Song Jing, who raised his head and stated,
"I do not admit it."
"..."