Chapter 137: The Taste of Loneliness

"Do you know the feeling of missing someone? It is like drinking a cup of ice-cold water, only to spend a very, very long time shedding it, drop by drop, as scalding tears..."

In his past life, Lu Kun was all alone. His life was nothing but work, alcohol, tobacco, and women. Every time he awoke from a midnight dream, he could only swallow the bitter taste of loneliness by himself. Back then, it felt as though being anywhere was the same; nowhere felt like home.

Now, however, he missed that small, warm home with an intensity that bordered on obsession.

Outside the Nanming Railway Station, a driver hurried to open the car door upon seeing Lu Kun. "Boss, shall we head to the company first or..."

"Go home first. Everything else can wait until another day," Lu Kun interrupted the driver sent by the company, sliding behind the wheel himself.

"But Vice President Sun said..." the driver began, hesitant to continue.

Vroom.

Lu Kun stepped on the gas, driving the car away immediately.

"Hey? Boss, what about me..."

Lu Kun glanced at the rearview mirror and saw the driver waving frantically behind him. He didn't need to be told to know that after being away from Angui for so long, the Huakun Group surely had a mountain of matters awaiting his return. After all, without his signature, the finance department lacked the courage to authorize large outflows of capital. The driver had likely been instructed by Sun Bowen to bring Lu Kun back to the office first. Fortunately, the company had sent three cars in total, so there was no need to worry about the driver being stranded.

Watching Lu Kun drive off, the others exchanged awkward glances. "Let's follow him," one of them said, feeling rather dejected.

Liu Liping and the two children had known Lu Kun would return today, though the exact time was uncertain. When Lu Kun pulled up to the building, he saw Liu Liping holding the hands of their two children, waiting for him.

"Daddy's back!" Erya, the little girl, had sharp eyes. She quickly let go of Liu Liping's hand and ran toward Lu Kun. "Daddy! Daddy!" The little girl was ecstatic, lifting the hem of her dress as she ran as fast as she could, calling out to him the whole way.

"Hey, slow down! Don't fall," Lu Kun parked the car, hurried over, and scooped her up into his arms.

"Daddy, I missed you so much!" The little girl rested her chin on Lu Kun's shoulder and planted a kiss on his neck. Lu Kun was momentarily stunned; after using his free hand to wipe away the large smear of saliva on his neck, he gave the little girl a playful pat on the bottom. She didn't complain of pain, just giggled incessantly.

"You're back?" Liu Liping’s expression was calm, yet her eyes held infinite tenderness.

"Yes, I'm back," Lu Kun said with a broad, beaming smile. "Let's go inside." He set Erya down gently and reached out to support Liu Liping.

The little girl looked visibly displeased at being put down. "Daddy, you promised to bring me a gift. Did you forget?" She tugged at Lu Kun’s sleeve, pouting, with tears welling up in her eyes at a moment's notice.

"The gifts are in the car behind us. The driver uncle will bring them up soon. If you want to wait, you can stay here, but I'm taking your mother inside first," Lu Kun said with a chuckle, well-acquainted with her flair for the dramatic.

Lu Kun helped Liu Liping up the stairs, with Danya following to assist. Liu Liping was only a month away from her due date; nothing could be taken lightly. "Watch your step, mind the stairs," Lu Kun said, carefully guiding her.

"Wait a moment," Liu Liping paused, then turned to Erya, who was waiting longingly for the following car. "If you don't come up now, we're locking the door." Although the neighborhood was safe, Liu Liping didn't dare leave her alone. One could never be too careful. Erya smacked her little lips and, though reluctant, followed them upstairs.

"I’ve missed you so much. Let me have a listen," Lu Kun said as they reached the bedroom, immediately prompting her to sit down.

"You won't hear anything," Liu Liping’s mouth twitched slightly. "This child is strange; it never kicks or makes a fuss."

"It's alright, let me try," Lu Kun said, crouching down and pressing his ear against her rounded belly.

"Hear anything?" Liu Liping asked with a smile after a moment.

"Nothing. Not a sound," Lu Kun replied with a hint of disappointment.

"I told you, this baby is unnervingly quiet," Liu Liping said, pursing her lips.

"A quiet temperament is good too—it means you'll suffer less," Lu Kun said, rising to sit beside her on the edge of the bed.

"I'm just afraid that if it's not a boy but a girl... boys aren't usually this quiet," Liu Liping said, gently stroking her stomach, a shadow of worry crossing her face.

"Who says boys can't be quiet? Maybe he'll grow up to be a quiet, handsome man," Lu Kun laughed.

Liu Liping rolled her eyes. "Boys are supposed to be energetic."

"Heaven forbid. Erya is enough of a handful as it is. If another energetic one comes along, wouldn't the house be turned upside down?" Lu Kun gestured dismissively with a smile.

"That's true. It seems being energetic has nothing to do with the baby's gender after all," Liu Liping’s eyes brightened a little, she murmured to herself.

"Then... should we ask your mother to come take a look? Didn't she say last time that you looked like you were carrying twins?" Lu Kun asked cautiously. He knew full well that Liu Liping and her mother were at odds, and he even had a "contribution" to that through his past meddling.

"No. I don't want to get into a row with her. The baby is coming in a little over a month; if she comes, I won't have a single day of peace." Liu Liping’s face hardened slightly, and she turned her head away.

"Fair enough. In a couple of days, I'll take you to the hospital for a check-up. You've always been in good health; there's no reason the baby wouldn't be healthy," Lu Kun said, smoothing her hair to comfort her.

"Mm," Liu Liping rested her head on his chest and gave a soft affirmative.

"The gifts are here! The gifts are here!" Hearing the honk of a horn downstairs, Erya grabbed her older sister and dashed down.

Returning from Guizhou, one could be short on many things, but not fine liquor. Ji Keliang had sent plenty of premium spirits—all top-shelf items. Ji Keliang was a meticulous man; clearly, these bottles weren't just for Lu Kun to drink himself. Most likely, they were gifts intended for Lu Kun to use to grease the wheels of his social and professional connections. Lu Kun's trip to Guizhou hadn't been a secret; many in the provincial government knew of it. A mysterious phone call from Guizhou had already sent ripples through the official circles of Angui...

"Be careful, don't drop my liquor!" Lu Kun instructed the men helping move the crates.

"Don't worry, Boss!" The young men who had come to pick him up transformed into sturdy laborers, helping Lu Kun carry the cases of Moutai upstairs.