CIATB Chapter 147 The eldest brother's inherent madness and wildness were etched into his very bones
Chapter 147 The eldest brother's inherent madness and wildness were etched into his very bones
However, the Lu family has a deep foundation, even if the eldest brother faces the worst possible outcome.
The Lu family's wealth and connections are enough to ensure his future life is worry-free and free from any hardship.
Lu Chenyuan's mind was in complete chaos when Lu Chenzhou's voice came again.
This time, it's no longer cold and hard; it's become gentle.
"Ranran is very naive; she doesn't know I'm married."
"I didn't tell her that I was married and had children."
"After I divorce Shuyue, I will slowly ask her for forgiveness. She is innocent, and I will not allow anyone to hurt her."
His voice paused.
"Including you."
"So don't tell them in advance, don't interfere in my love life, I'll face and resolve everything myself."
"After tonight, I will send Ranran abroad first, and then bring her back once everything has settled down."
Lu Chenyuan's heart jolted.
The eldest brother protected this girl so much, yet he ended up in this situation.
What kind of person could make him so obsessed?
He concealed his marital history for her sake.
Fearing losing her, he wouldn't allow her to interfere.
They protected her, sent her abroad, and didn't want her to get involved in this mess.
"After everything is settled, I will marry her."
"I'm serious, I'm not just playing around."
Lu Chenyuan felt as if something had struck him hard in the heart.
To marry into the family?
My older brother is a married soldier who cheated on his wife and is now planning to marry the other woman.
He knew the cost behind this better than anyone else.
Discharged from the military, losing all positions, bearing a bad reputation, and possibly even being discharged from the army.
But he went without hesitation.
After saying this, without waiting for Lu Chenyuan's reply, Lu Chenzhou continued.
"Your love life must be going poorly. It's too late tonight, let's talk tomorrow."
"If I'm away for too long, Ranran will start overthinking and I'm afraid she won't be able to sleep."
"It's dead!"
The call was abruptly ended, leaving only a busy tone in the receiver.
Lu Chenyuan sat on the sofa, remaining motionless for a long time.
He stared at his phone screen, his mind replaying images of his older brother over the years—
At the age of thirty, he was forced to register his marriage with Shuyue. Standing at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, the older brother showed no joy, but straightened his back as if he were standing on a battlefield, accepting a mission that had to be completed.
At the age of thirty-three, he was promoted to commander of the Eastern Theater Command. Standing on the medal-awarding platform, when he received the medal, there was no joy in his eyes, only numbness.
He was like a machine with a pre-programmed schedule, following each step methodically, but never living a single day for himself.
Lu Chenyuan suddenly felt a lump in his throat.
He always thought that his elder brother was invincible, a pillar of strength who could shoulder all the burdens, but he forgot that his elder brother was also a human being, someone who could get tired, weary, and disappointed.
Over the years, he had seen his older brother smoking alone in his study late at night, with cigarette butts piling up in the ashtray.
I've seen him train until dawn, the bloodshot eyes fading and then gathering again.
I've seen him stand in the corridor of the old house, watching Shu Yue and the child's backs, his eyes filled with complex emotions as if they held a thousand unspoken words, but in the end he turned and left.
He never asked his older brother if he was tired.
Lu Chenyuan closed his eyes, tears welling up in them.
He suddenly realized that his older brother's choice was not made on a whim.
It's something that's inherent in one's bones, something that can't be hidden or suppressed.
The eldest brother's wildness and madness were ingrained in his bones from a young age.
When I was a child, the backyard of the Lu family's old house was a paradise for children.
While everyone else played safe games peacefully, only Lu Chenzhou dared to climb a locust tree more than ten meters high and raid the most dangerous bird nests.
She dared to fight boys who were taller than her, and even when she lost, she wouldn't give up; she would get up and keep going.
He dared to secretly dismantle the old clock in his house just to study the gear structure inside.
The elders always say that this child is crazy and wild beyond measure.
Later, after donning the military uniform, he hid that wildness in his bones and became a composed army commander.
But the madness and fierceness in his bones have never faded.
Now, it's perfectly normal for him to be willing to give up half a lifetime of stability for the sake of the light in his heart.
He picked up his phone and saw a text message from Lu Chenzhou on the screen.
Shen Yuan, I've been living such a tiring life all these years.
As Lu Chenyuan looked at these words, his heart felt as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer.
This isn't everything I wanted. I know you might think I made this decision impulsively, but it wasn't.
Over the years, I haven't had a single day of true happiness. Even though I've climbed to my current position thanks to my family's background and connections, I still feel that life has no meaning.
Until Ranran appeared. She was clean and pure, like a ray of light shining into my dark and hopeless life.
As Lu Chenyuan looked at the text message, his eyes grew increasingly sore.
So, I'll handle everything and marry her as soon as possible; you don't need to worry about it.
[Shen Yuan, I know you'll worry about me and think I'm being ridiculous, but I don't regret it. Ranran is a good girl. Hiding my marital history was already hurtful to her, and I don't want her to suffer any more.]
I will spend the rest of my life making amends for the Lu family's reputation. I accept the military punishment! I will bear the blame from my family.
Over the years, I've lived half my life for my family, for the military, and for everyone. This time, I want to live for myself.
As Lu Chenyuan looked at the text message, tears finally streamed down his face.
Over the years, Lu Chenzhou has indeed been fair to everyone except himself.
Lu Chenyuan raised his hand and wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes.
He suddenly felt that he had no right to criticize his older brother.
Wasn't he also choosing to give up his originally stable life because of his deep-seated obsession?
He picked up his phone and sent a text message to Lu Chenzhou.
【I understand! Don't worry, I won't tell Mom and Dad, nor will I tell Shuyue. I won't interfere in your affairs.】
The moment the message was successfully sent, he suddenly felt a weight lifted from his heart.
Perhaps, from the perspective of the eldest brother's choice, it was a betrayal.
But for him, it was a relief.
It's about breaking free from the shackles of worldly conventions and living for yourself for once.
Lu Chenyuan leaned back on the sofa, watching the dawn light gradually appear outside the window.
The inner turmoil, anger, and shock all turned into relief.
Let my older brother walk his own path.
While Lu Chenyuan was lost in thought, Su Wan had already fallen asleep.
When she first entered the bedroom, her mind was in turmoil, and she couldn't fall asleep at all.
Her fingertips gripped the corner of the blanket tightly, her ears perked up, listening intently to any sounds outside the door.
She knew all too well Lu Chenyuan's madness—his obsession and domineering nature—and was terrified that he might lose his temper, break down the door, and do something that would frighten her.
But as the minutes and seconds passed, the silence outside remained eerily profound.
There were no footsteps, no whispers, not a sound at all.
Later, drowsiness overwhelmed her like a tide, her eyelids were so heavy she couldn't lift them, and her last thought before falling asleep was still doubt.
Why is he so quiet?
When Su Wan woke up again, the sunlight outside the window was already setting in the west.
Through the sheer curtains, a warm orange hue spread across the floor, revealing that it was already afternoon.
She rubbed her throbbing temples and, after a while, mustered her courage to gently open the bedroom door.
The living room was brightly lit.
Lu Chenyuan sat on the sofa, his posture still upright, but he exuded a deep-seated weariness, as if all his strength had been drained away.