QTIMP -Chapter 90 Character Persona – Lazy (Part 38)

Si Qiu refilled the fruit plate on the table and grabbed another handful of sunflower seeds before speaking.

“I do have that idea. That’s why I asked my dad to try to find some discharged veterans. That way we can both help solve their employment issues and make things safer. After all, that place is indeed a bit chaotic.”

“Xiao Si, tell us your specific thoughts,” Uncle Lu said, noticing his father’s expression and asking more directly.

Si Qiu glanced back at Lu Hongjun and, after receiving a nod from him, was about to speak when Old Master Lu suddenly slapped the table.

“Why are you looking at him? Just say whatever you want. We’re family here, there’s no need for so many scruples. Don’t listen to his long-winded nonsense.”

Lu Hongjun spread his hands helplessly. Si Qiu smiled and began explaining in detail.

“Recently, what I’ve mainly been studying is the Soviet Union’s political and economic systems. The second thing is Japan’s economic situation and the influence of the U.S. and European countries on it. First, let’s talk about the Soviet Union…”

Combining what she had learned in her previous life with the overall trends of development, Si Qiu carefully analyzed the situations of both countries.

She then bluntly concluded that the collapse of the Soviet Union was an inevitable trend, and that Japan’s economic boom was a bubble created through manipulation.

Finally, she summarized:

“I want to make arrangements in advance through trade in the Soviet Union. If things really develop the way I think they will, then even if we don’t eat the meat, we can at least drink some soup. After all, I’m quite interested in their abundant mineral resources, advanced weapons, technological materials, and the creators behind those materials. Even if my judgment is slightly off, the current trade still won’t cause me any losses. I can accumulate some capital and later, when Japan’s economy truly fluctuates, make a profit from it.”

After hearing her words, Old Master Lu tapped his fingers on the table. Uncle Lu rubbed the teacup in his hand, while Father Lu glanced at his son.

“From now on, pay more attention to the family. Don’t delay Qiuqiu from doing serious work.”

Hearing this, everyone in the room nodded in agreement.

Old Master Lu frowned tightly. “If things really turn out the way you analyzed, it would be better to have someone from our own family stationed there.”

When Si Qiu heard this, her gaze subconsciously moved to Lu Hongjun and Lu Yaohua, the second grandson of Uncle Lu’s family. Among the Lu family members she had met, these two were the most suitable.

Both were skilled fighters, not rigid in their thinking, and even a bit scheming in a way that made them difficult to guard against.

The others also noticed where her gaze had landed, and eventually everyone’s eyes settled on Lu Yaohua. This made him pause just as he was about to pour tea for his Fourth Aunt.

He still finished pouring the tea and set the teapot down. As usual, he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“I think I’m quite suitable to oversee this project.”

“Have you thought it through? Your current position isn’t low. It would be a pity to give it up,” Uncle Lu asked in a deep voice.

Lu Yaohua curled his lips into a faint smile and looked at the elders present.

“I haven’t hidden anything from the family. You all know my situation. I don’t like women. If I stay in the country for too long, I might instead become a target for others to attack the Lu family. So this project is most suitable for me. As for my future—”

He glanced at Si Qiu.

“I believe that if I follow Fourth Aunt, my future won’t be small either.”

Si Qiu hurriedly waved her hands.

“No, no, don’t say you’re following me. At most, I’ll provide some funding and a general direction. If things really turn out the way I predicted, the situation there will only become more and more complicated…”

As she said this, her gaze swept across the faces of First Aunt and the eldest sister-in-law.

The meaning was obvious: there would be danger, and she was worried that as a mother and grandmother, they might blame her in the future.

“Nonsense,” Old Master Lu snapped.

“The Lu family has developed to where it is today, and I have already lost two sons. Your eldest aunt lost a son and a daughter, and your mother-in-law also lost a child. If there is anyone to blame, it’s those who caused us to lose our loved ones. Who among us has ever resented our own family? Choices go both ways. No one is forcing Yaohua to go.”

Although Old Master Lu was advanced in age and his body had grown weaker, his mind remained sharp and clear.

No one refuted his words, and the matter was roughly settled in that direction.

Of course, such a decision couldn’t be finalized based on Si Qiu’s words alone. After a series of investigations and discussions, Lu Yaohua would leave for the Soviet Union after the New Year.

Who would have expected that the old master would fall gravely ill? After lingering on for a while, he passed away in April. Soon after, the old madam followed him. After the family finished handling the funeral arrangements, Lu Yaohua didn’t leave until June.

The history of this parallel world had some minor differences, but in major events it had not changed much. When things truly unfolded exactly as Si Qiu had predicted…

The Lu family also entered a period of vigorous development. Unexpectedly, Lu Hongjun became the head of the family—a decision personally made by the eldest uncle.

“Mom, we’re back!”

Three seventeen- or eighteen-year-old boys, all over 1.8 meters tall, burst in noisily. But the moment they saw Lu Hongjun sitting on the sofa, they immediately fell silent and stood up straight one by one.

“Dad.”

“Dad, you’re back.”

“Hello, Dad.”

“Mm.” He nodded. “I heard today was your exam. How were the results?”

“It wasn’t the exam today—it was the end of the exam today,” Lu Yaohui muttered. But before he could finish speaking, a light glance immediately shut him up.

Lu Yaoguang grabbed his third brother and inwardly cursed his lack of awareness. Didn’t he see that the old man was cutting fruit?

It was obviously prepared for Mom. Causing trouble at a time like this would get him beaten in minutes.

Lu Yaoming stepped half a step forward. “Dad, we finished the exams. The three of us compared our answers, and it feels like we did pretty well.”

“Mm. I heard from your mother that you already have your own ideas about which schools you want to apply to.”

The three of them fell silent for a moment. Finally, Lu Yaohui stepped forward.

“The three of us discussed it. Big Brother will enter a military academy in the command department. Second Brother wants to become a diplomat. And I want to follow Second Brother Yaohua.”

As he finished speaking, he stubbornly lifted his chin, showing his determination.

“Alright. Do it according to your own plans.”

“Eldest, I’ll send you to train with your cousin Yaowen. Second, have your mother contact Professor Yu later. You’ll study with him this summer. Third, your cousin Yaohua will come to our house in a couple of days. You can go directly with him. Since you’ve made your choices, the three of you must do your best within them. Otherwise, don’t blame me if I refuse to acknowledge you.”

After giving these instructions, he simply picked up the prepared fruit and walked toward the room.

Lu Yaohui was about to say something and stepped forward, reaching out. But his two older brothers immediately grabbed him from both sides, covering his mouth and dragging him away.

“What are you two doing?!”

Lu Yaoming glared at him. “Do you have no sense at all? Dad just got back. This is exactly the time he wants to stick to Mom. If you go disturb them now, do you believe Dad will have the guards pack you up and throw you straight into the army?”

“Dad is totally lovestruck. As soon as he gets back, he clings to Mom.”

Lu Yaohui spoke in a leisurely tone, “With Mom’s personality, if Dad didn’t cling to her, she might not even remember he exists. If you want family happiness, just follow Dad’s lead and don’t disturb them.”

His words made the three people in the room fall silent. In the end, they all nodded together, agreeing with what he said.