Read Novel Full Chapter 1068: The promise he almost broke
Chapter 1068: The promise he almost broke
By the time Lu Tian finished reviewing the information Grandfather Ji had gathered on Choi Li Sun, darkness had already settled over Imperial.
The last traces of daylight had disappeared beyond the windows of the study, leaving only the warm glow of the desk lamps illuminating the scattered documents.
Lu Tian leaned back in his chair and rubbed the space between his brows.
He had not expected to stay this long.
What was supposed to be a brief conversation had turned into hours of examining surveillance reports, financial records, and information Grandfather Ji had collected over the years.
Some of the findings supported what Lu Tian already knew. Others raised questions neither of them could immediately answer.
Particularly those concerning Ji Chu Hua.
Nothing stated when she had come into contact with Choi Li Sun.
The old man had agreed to have his men investigate the connection between his granddaughter’s cousin and Choi Li Sun. Until they had concrete evidence, however, they could do little more than continue gathering information.
Grandfather Ji also insisted on having his men help search for Liu Peng.
Especially since the man was involved in Ji Jingxu’s kidnapping.
Lu Tian glanced at the time.
His expression tightened.
He had promised Yue Ling he would not be long.
Yet nearly the entire afternoon had passed.
He had left her alone after their trip to City Z, and instead of spending the remainder of the day together as planned, he had buried himself in another investigation.
A quiet sigh escaped him.
Across the desk, Grandfather Ji noticed the change in his expression.
The old man followed his gaze toward the clock before a knowing smile appeared on his face.
"Go."
Lu Tian looked up.
Grandfather Ji gestured toward the darkened window with his chin.
"It’s late. Don’t keep her waiting."
Lu Tian glanced at the reports still spread across the desk.
"There are a few more things I need to review."
"And they’ll still be here tomorrow."
Grandfather Ji leaned back in his chair.
"Have Assistant Xu come collect them."
Lu Tian remained silent for a moment.
The old man chuckled.
"Lu boy, you’ve been staring at that clock for the past ten minutes. If you’re worried about Ah Ling, go home."
Lu Tian looked at him.
Grandfather Ji raised an eyebrow.
"What? Do you think this old man can’t handle a few documents without you?"
A faint smile touched Lu Tian’s lips.
"That’s not what I meant."
"Then stop making excuses."
The old man began gathering the reports into a neat stack.
"We’ve already discussed what needs to be done. I’ll have Zhong Yang continue looking into Ji Chu Hua. You can have your people investigate the name, Hua."
Lu Tian nodded.
"I’ll send Xu Long to collect everything."
"Good."
Grandfather Ji rose from his chair.
"Now go. The longer you stay, the more you’ll worry her."
Lu Tian stood and retrieved his coat from the back of the chair.
As he slipped it on, his gaze lingered on the old man.
Despite the seriousness of their conversation, Grandfather Ji appeared calmer than he had earlier.
But Lu Tian knew the information had weighed heavily on him.
"Grandfather."
"Hm?"
"Don’t overexert yourself."
Grandfather Ji paused.
Then he laughed.
"Look who’s talking."
Lu Tian’s expression remained composed.
"I’m serious."
"So am I."
The old man waved him away.
"Go home to your wife. And tell Ah Ling to come visit when she has time."
"I will."
Lu Tian gave him one last nod before turning toward the door.
Grandfather Ji watched him leave.
Only after the door closed did the smile slowly fade from his face.
His gaze returned to the documents on the desk.
Then to the photograph of Choi Li Sun.
The man’s stolen face stared back at him.
Grandfather Ji’s eyes darkened.
He reached for the photograph and turned it face down.
For tonight, he had seen enough.
Lu Tian found Ji Jingxu in the downstairs sitting room.
The young man was seated on the floor beside Inu, who was enthusiastically chewing on a toy.
Upon hearing footsteps, Ji Jingxu looked up.
"Brother-in-law, you’re leaving?"
Lu Tian nodded.
"It’s getting late."
Ji Jingxu glanced toward the staircase.
"Is the old man alright?"
"He is."
The young man relaxed.
"Good."
Lu Tian looked at him.
"How’s your wrist?"
Ji Jingxu instinctively glanced at his healing wrist.
"Much better. Dr. Dong said I just need to be careful for a while longer."
"Then listen to him."
Ji Jingxu smiled.
"I know."
At the mention of leaving, Inu lifted his head.
The Samoyed’s ears perked up as he looked between the two men.
Lu Tian glanced down at him.
"Last chance."
Inu tilted his head.
"Coming home?"
The fluff ball looked toward the staircase then returned his attention to his toy.
Lu Tian scoffed.
"Fine. Stay here."
Ji Jingxu chuckled.
"Don’t take it personally. He’s been following grandfather around all day."
Lu Tian shook his head.
"Tell him I’ll call him tomorrow."
"Alright."
Ji Jingxu stood and walked him toward the entrance.
"Drive safely, Brother-in-law."
Lu Tian nodded.
"Take care of yourself."
He stepped outside, where the cold evening air immediately brushed against his face.
A few minutes later, the black Maserati rolled down the driveway and disappeared through the gates of Ji Mansion.
The roads were quieter than usual.
Streetlights illuminated the snow gathered along the sidewalks, while the distant buildings of Imperial glowed against the dark winter sky.
Lu Tian drove with one hand resting on the steering wheel.
His expression remained calm, but his thoughts were far from the road ahead.
Yue Ling.
He thought of her smiling when she spoke about her visit to Uncle Nuo’s food stall.
Of the warmth in her eyes when she spoke about their trip to City Z.
Of the way she had stood beside her family and Lee Shin’s grave and finally allowed herself to speak the words she had carried in her heart for years.
She had gone there to make peace with her past.
To remember those she had lost without allowing grief to overshadow the life she was building.
And now, just as she was beginning to look forward to their wedding without the burden of unfinished farewells, that same past had found another way back into her life.
Lu Tian’s grip tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
Choi Li Sun.
The man had stolen Lee Shin’s face.
Whether the act was meant to torment Yue Ling, provoke Lu Tian, or serve some other purpose remained unknown.
But Lu Tian had no intention of waiting for Choi Li Sun to reveal his intentions on his own terms.
His gaze hardened.
He would uncover the man’s plans.
And when the time came, Yue Ling would hear the truth from him.
Not from a stranger.
Not from an enemy who wanted to use her grief against her.
Lu Tian exhaled slowly.
He could not erase the pain of her past.
But he would do everything within his power to ensure she did not have to face what came next alone.
His thoughts gradually returned to the woman waiting at home.
He wondered whether she had finished her movie.
Perhaps she had gone upstairs to rest.
Or maybe she had decided to work after all.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Knowing Yue Ling, she was probably incapable of sitting still for an entire afternoon.
Before he realized it, he had reached the gates of their residence.
The gates opened automatically, allowing the Maserati to enter.
Lu Tian drove along the driveway and parked in front of the house.
He switched off the engine.
For a moment, he remained seated, looking toward the darkened windows.
Something felt different.
The house appeared unusually quiet.
He reached for his phone and opened his messages.
Lu Tian: ’Anything?’
Jiangyu’s response arrived almost immediately.
Jiangyu: ’Negative, Boss. No security concerns.’
Lu Tian studied the message.
Then he typed another.
Lu Tian: ’Stand down for tonight.’
Jiangyu: ’Roger.’
He slipped the phone into his coat pocket and stepped out of the car.
The cold air greeted him as he walked toward the entrance.
He unlocked the front door and entered.
Darkness.
Silence.
Lu Tian stopped.
For a brief second, an unpleasant sense of familiarity settled over him.
It was almost the same as when he had returned from Blackhawk earlier that afternoon.
No sound from the kitchen.
No footsteps approaching.
No familiar voice calling his name.
His gaze moved toward the staircase.
"Yue Ling?"
There was no answer.
His brows drew together.
Then he noticed something.
A faint glow filtered through the glass doors leading to the backyard.
It was too warm and steady to be ordinary outdoor lighting.
Lu Tian turned toward it.
Without removing his shoes or coat, he crossed the living room.
The closer he came to the back doors, the more clearly he could see the golden light illuminating the patio.
He reached for the handle.
And opened the door.
The moment Lu Tian stepped outside, he stopped.
A cold breeze swept across the patio, carrying the faint scent of winter and the distant city.
Beyond the porch, snow still covered much of the backyard.
But a narrow pathway had been carefully cleared through it.
Multiple battery-operated candles lined both sides, their flames flickering softly against the snow.
The path stretched across the yard toward the large tree overlooking Imperial.
Lu Tian’s eyes followed the trail of light.
Then his gaze lifted.
The tree.
He remembered it well.
It stood near the edge of their property, its broad branches stretching toward the sky.
During warmer seasons, its leaves provided shade over the grass. Now, in the middle of winter, the branches stood bare.
Yet tonight, the tree looked nothing like it usually did.
Warm white lights had been wrapped around its trunk, winding upward and spreading along the branches.
Delicate curtain lights hung from above, falling in shimmering strands that swayed gently in the breeze.
White balloons floated among the branches, their ribbons catching the light.
Others were gathered around the base of the tree, creating a soft contrast against the snow.
Behind it, Imperial’s skyline stretched across the horizon.
The distant buildings glittered beneath the night sky, their lights resembling countless stars scattered across the city.
But Lu Tian barely noticed the view.
His attention remained fixed on the tree.
For several seconds, he stood motionless.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
’So this was what she had been hiding.’
The shopping bags.
The secretive smiles.
The way she had refused to show him what she had purchased earlier.
He should have known.
Lu Tian stepped off the patio and followed the candlelit path.
His shoes made a soft crunching sound against the cleared ground.
As he approached, he noticed how carefully everything had been arranged.
The lights were evenly spaced.
The balloons were secured so they wouldn’t drift away.
Even the pathway had been cleared wide enough for them to walk comfortably without stepping into the snow.
It must have taken hours.
He was still examining the decorations when a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Tian."
Lu Tian stopped.
He slowly raised his eyes toward the tree.
And there, emerging from behind its illuminated trunk, was the woman he had spent the entire drive thinking about.