90: Chapter 91 Meeting the Lu Family

Wherever his gaze swept.

The walls of each building were made of smart alloy.

They could be reinforced in real-time.

A wide, white central avenue ran straight through the entire estate.

Each floor tile on the avenue was specially manufactured.

Like individual computers.

Programmable.

Able to automatically adjust lighting.

It led directly to the cluster of buildings at the very center.

In front of the building cluster,

stood a stele composed of black alloy and metallic glass.

At its very top was installed the most advanced scanner from the human world.

Like the hour hand of a clock,

it slowly and elegantly scanned the entire estate.

And around the buildings,

were verdant lawns, flowerbeds, and groves.

Small drones, one after another,

hovered, their rotors precisely trimming branches and flowers.

Today,

the entire estate was on high alert.

All one thousand personnel were in motion.

Squad after squad of fully armed special forces patrolled the perimeter.

Each member wore the most advanced exo-limb carbon fiber suits.

To unleash greater strength and speed.

Automatic transport vehicles arrived one after another.

Unloading supply crates stamped with the Alliance seal.

Elsewhere,

technical teams worked overtime at every console.

Recalibrating, recompiling every metal brick and tile on the estate.

Until they gleamed.

All displaying their most radiant state.

Rows of uniformed maids and servants moved along the mirror-like walkways.

Their expressions hurried.

Going to and fro.

Their eyes were fixed on the holographic projections before them.

Arranging various flowers and ornaments.

While constantly adjusting the aromatherapy and music System.

In a corner of the plaza,

two young servants whispered nervously to each other.

Glancing again and again at the live projection feed from the command center.

Today was the first time Young Master Lu Chen was returning home.

When the supersonic aircraft appeared from the horizon,

the entire estate seemed to fall silent.

Its streamlined silver fuselage pierced through layers of clouds.

Descending at a perfect angle.

Blue-white flames erupted from its tail engines.

It hovered silently above the landing pad.

Below, a disciplined team had already positioned the gangway and platform.

A slight shockwave of air rippled out.

Immediately after,

the sound of hydraulic Systems hissed.

The aircraft landed smoothly.

The hatch opened.

Lu Daohong was the first to step out.

His gray-white hair fluttered gently in the wind.

Then the old man raised his eyes.

Gazing upon this familiar land he had managed for over half a century.

He let out a soft breath.

A trace of a satisfied smile appeared on his solemn face.

Behind him were Lu Yuan, Song Yue, and other members of the Lu family.

Shen Ci carefully held Luo Nianyin in her arms.

They paused involuntarily upon stepping out of the hatch.

Their eyes widening slightly.

Mingled with awe and disbelief.

Even though they had seen the lives of the wealthy on internet and television,

the scale and facilities of this estate gave them an intense sense of oppression and subversion.

As if they had arrived in another world.

Then came Luo Nianwei.

The breeze brushed through her hair.

Like dark silk, it flowed and spread behind her.

Seeing the scene outside,

she couldn't help but be stunned.

One hand instinctively covered her chest.

Her gaze swept curiously over the estate.

Finally, Lu Chen.

He wore a white top.

The well-fitted high-collared shirt outlined his tall frame.

The luxurious fabric refracted a myriad of colors under the sunlight.

Perfectly tailored trousers.

A silver stripe ran along each side seam.

The trench coat on his body fluttered in the wind.

A silver belt cinched at his waist.

The effect was immediate.

It accentuated his handsome face, making him appear even more elegant and noble.

His black, tousled hair fluttered in the breeze.

His expression was, as always, calm, reserved, and sharp.

Not a trace of unnaturalness.

As if he were simply returning home.

And this indeed was his home.

Just as the sole of his boot stepped out of the hatch,

and onto the gangway,

shouts rose from below.

"Welcome home, Young Master Lu Chen!"

Hundreds of voices came from all directions.

In perfect unison.

Resounding and powerful, piercing the sky.

At this moment,

the entire estate echoed with this magnificent sound.

Lu Chen's heart tightened.

For a moment, he even forgot to breathe.

His mouth opened slightly.

He turned to look at Song Yue.

Her expression was equally shocked.

Beside them, Luo Nianwei clung tightly to her mother's arm.

Also shocked, her mouth agape.

Meanwhile, Lu Daohong, who had orchestrated all this, blinked amidst the roaring welcome.

He had indeed requested something grand.

The highest ceremonial respect.

But he hadn't anticipated it would be to this effect.

Asgrand as welcoming an Emperor of the Empire.

Lu Chen was stunned.

His expression didn't change.

But his emotions churned incessantly...

What was going on?

Were the Lu family's ceremonies always this extravagant?

However,

he felt not the slightest aversion.

In fact,

there was an unexpected thrill.

A sense of a wanderer returning,

and receiving a welcome, a slight feeling of belonging.

He thought,

Life in the Lu family might not be so bad.

At that moment,

Lu Daohong walked to his side.

A warm, broad hand rested on his shoulder.

His voice was low,

carrying a steely timbre.

"This... is what you deserve."

Then,

they walked down the platform together.

The building at the center of the estate opened silently.

Revealing an interior space no less vast than the outside.

Gleaming white metal stone.

Soaring crystal pillars.

Lavish chandeliers.

Splendid and magnificent, yet not lacking a modern feel.

But more importantly,

were the rows of figures lined up and waiting in the hall.

Each one a member, a relative of the Lu family.

—Distant cousins, uncles, aunts, and their respective spouses.

They had gathered to witness this moment.

As Lu Chen entered,

the hall instantly fell silent.