Old Master Lu spoke confidently with a tone of finality.

Ye Zhen looked at Mother Lu and saw that she had only straightened her back, but remained silent.

Mother Lu was always aware of her limitations. She didn't have the right to voice her thoughts in the Lu family. Just like how when Lu Beichuan had been unconscious and Lu Shaoren had brought home an illegitimate offspring, gave this illegitimate son a position in the Lu Corporation, and took away Lu Beichuan's power, she could only watch.

If her maiden family hadn't fallen in status, she would be able to help Lu Beichuan a bit. But now, it was already fortunate if she didn't become a burden to Lu Beichuan.

"Beichuan, what do you think?"

Lu Beichuan's emotions weren't in disarray. He merely calmly asked Old Master Lu, "Grandpa, are you going to have Lin Zhan recognize his ancestors?"

Although all of the blame could be laid at Lu Shaoren's feet, Lin Zhan's identity was very awkward. He wouldn't be able to escape the reputation of being an illegitimate child.

Lin Zhan was very prideful. If he could tolerate the reputation of being an illegitimate child, he could have returned to the Lu's and be accepted as a descendent earlier. However, in the novel, Lin Zhan had a deep hatred of the Lu's. Lin Zhan's mother had bore a grudge against Lu Shaoren to her dying days, which caused Lin Zhan to harbor resentment against the Lu's. Don't even mention recognizing his ancestors. He didn't even want to admit that Lu Shaoren was his father! But Lin Zhan had changed from his novel self.

Ye Zhen deeply looked at Lin Zhan. She could no longer predict what choice Lin Zhan would make.

Old Master Lu took a deep breath. "Beichuan, I can't be cold-hearted to the deceased Old Master Lin. I owe him for his kindness to me."

There was once something between Lin Zhan and Ye Zhen, and he was also her husband's illegitimate child. Mother Lu wouldn't feel good living under the same roof as him. It was obvious there would be conflicts between them. If Lin Zhan really moved in, what would her days be like?

"Sorry grandpa, I can't accept that." Lu Beichuan was extremely calm, and he didn't mince words. "I don't have a problem with you wanting to repay Old Master Lin's kindness. If Lin Zhan's father was someone else, then I would be happy to have him move into the villa. I could even become brothers with him. But his father is Lu Shaoren. If you let him move in, what kind of position are you putting my mother in?"

"Beichuan," Old Master Lu said in a deep voice, "Lin Zhan is innocent."

Lu Beichuan's stance was tough as always. "You say he's innocent. Is my mother not innocent? You want her to face her husband's illegitimate child every day. How do you want her to deal with that? What is she suppose to think?"

Mrs. Lu's expression was stained with anxiety. She slightly shook her head at him. "Beichuan!"

Lu Beichuan turned a deaf ear, and his tone and expression remained firm. "Grandpa, I definitely won't agree to this."

His words showed that he wasn't backing down or giving any leeway to negotiate.

On the side, Lu Shaoyan said, "Beichuan, don't defy your grandfather!" It was rare to see him looking serious.

However, Lu Beichuan didn't pay attention to Lu Shaoyan's words.

Old Master Lu tightly gripped his cane. "Grandpa wants to recognize his grandson. You really won't agree to that?"

Old Master Lu's words showed that he had also made up his mind.

Lu Beichuan and Old Master Lu were standing off. One party was a white-haired experienced old-timer and the other party was young and full of vigor with an imposing aura that couldn't be contained. Under the circumstances, no one dared to speak.

There was sweat between Ye Zhen's squeezed hands. This looked like it was a dispute about whether or not Lin Zhan could recognize his ancestors, but in reality, it was a confrontation between the previous patriarch of the family and the current one.

If Lu Beichuan gave in now, he would have to continue giving in in the future.

Of course, Lu Beichuan could understand this principle.

Not only was he the Lu's successor, he was also Lin Mei's son, Ye Zhen's husband, and their son's father. They needed him, so there was no room for him to back down.

The atmosphere in the study immediately tensed up. The pressure made it difficult to breath.

Old Master Lu loosened and tightened his grip on his cane. One could tell how furious he was from his sinking expression and the protruding veins on the back of his hands.

In contrast, Lin Zhan seemed like a bystander. He sat there expressionlessly, not showing how he felt about Old Master Lu mentioning that he could recognize his ancestors.

Lu Shaoyan had changed from his idle persona that he had shown earlier in the day. Acting more befitting to his status as an elder, he admonished Lu Beichuan and told him to not disobey Old Master Lu.

Mrs. Lu looked worried. She truly didn't want there to be any conflict between Lu Beichuan and Old Master Lu. Just as she was about to stand up and say a few words to persuade them, Ye Zhen grasped her hands and quietly shook her head towards her.

Ye Zhen was Lu Beichuan's wife. She naturally stood on Lu Beichuan's side and agreed with his position. He wasn't wrong. He couldn't agree to something like this. At the front, there was Lu Shaoyan. At the back, there was Lin Zhan. It didn't matter what role Lin Zhan played in the novel, in the context of the Lu's, he was Lu Beichuan's enemy. In addition, Lu Shaoyan had been the one to bring about this incident. There was no way that his intentions could be good. If they allowed a wolf into their home, life would become impossibly difficult.

Mrs. Lu didn't understand why Ye Zhen had stopped her. She questiongly looked at her, but Ye Zhen only gave her a “be patient” look.

Old Master Lu said in a sunken voice, "Everyone out except Beichuan!"

This matter had to be privately discussed.

Ye Zhen supported Mrs. Lu by the arm as they got up and left. Lu Shaoyan and Lin Zhan followed them in leaving the study.

The door to the study closed, only Lu Beichuan and Old Master Lu were left.

Lu Beichuan understood Old Master Lu's character. This was the grandfather who had watched him grow up and imparted his values. Old Master Lu also understood his grandson's disposition. Under the previous situation, there was no way that either side would back down first.

Now that there were only the two of them left in the room, Old Master Lu's words softened. "You won't agree. Why?"

"I've already said my reason, grandpa."

"That's only one of the reasons! You were raised by grandpa. Do you think grandpa can't tell what you're thinking?"

Lu Beichuan said in no uncertain terms, "Since you already know, why are you asking me?"

"You're making grandpa very angry. Are you not worried that I'll go look for a lawyer to change my will and leave my shares of Lu Corporation to someone else?"

"Grandpa, how you want to use and distribute your assets is your business. It's up to you. I don't have the right to interfere. Even if you don't leave me a single penny, that's perfectly fine. So why should I be worried?" He said these words lightly as if he truly didn't care about the assets mentioned by Old Master Lu.

Lu Beichuan didn't need to inherit Old Master Lu's assets to be successful.

In his opinion, connections and ability were the most important factors in determining victory or failure.

If there was enough money and assets to support his ambitions, that would be the icing on the cake. But if there wasn't, it wouldn't be a disaster for him.

There was nothing that couldn't be lost. The only things that belonged to yourself for a lifetime and couldn't betray you were your natural talents and ambitions.

The easiest thing to lose was money and worldly possessions, but the easiest thing to gain was also money and worldly possessions.

"Grandpa, if it's necessary, I can help you find a lawyer to deal with issues over your will. It's also your right to recognize any grandchild that you want. You didn't have to ask me about that at all. But since you asked, I expressed my position on it. In this matter, you won't hear the answer you want from me," Lu Beichuan answered decisively. His attitude was firm and unchangeable.

Originally, if his grandfather had wanted to recognize another grandson, he didn't need to ask his opinion at all. But since he asked, he should have been able to guess the outcome that he would get.