Leng Qingqiu was summoned home by a call from her parents.
"Dad, Mom," she greeted.
The dining table was already set with food.
"Come, sit," Leng Tianhao said, his tone neutral. "Let's talk."
Leng Tianhao, his wife, and Leng Qingqiu sat down to eat. Leng Tianhao's face was impassive—not out of displeasure, but because he was naturally stern. Surprisingly, he picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and placed it in Leng Qingqiu's bowl, catching her off guard.
Her heart warmed. "Thank you, Dad."
Leng Tianhao gave a rare smile. "I heard Lu Chengwen caused a scene at your company today. Ruined a deal?"
Leng Qingqiu nodded. "Actually, he helped me."
"Oh? How so?"
"Jiao Shiheng was a con artist. He bribed one of my auditing VPs to tamper with the review materials. Somehow, Chengwen-ge found out and beat him up."
Leng Tianhao chuckled. "Jiao Shiheng's project was worth over 2 billion, wasn't it? That was close! The Leng family can't afford to have that kind of cash tied up right now—it'd be a deathblow. We need that money to turn a profit, or we're done for."
"I'm sorry," Leng Qingqiu said, lowering her head slightly. "I failed to vet my team properly."
Leng Tianhao waved it off. "I'm not blaming you. But how did Lu Chengwen know something you missed?"
"I don't know," Leng Qingqiu admitted. "He seems reckless, but he's sharp. Sometimes his methods are underhanded. I'm not surprised he pulled it off."
Leng Tianhao nodded approvingly. "That Lu kid's got potential. If he can steady himself, he'll shake things up one day." He paused. "Your engagement's set for the tenth of next month. Be ready."
Leng Qingqiu fell silent.
Her mother quickly placed food in Leng Tianhao's bowl, trying to appease him. As chairman, Leng Tianhao held most of Qianfeng Group's shares, even though Leng Qingqiu ran the company as CEO. This was typical for big families—Qingqiu called the shots at work, but at home, Leng Tianhao was the authority.
Her mother knew Leng Qingqiu fiercely opposed the marriage, and both father and daughter were stubborn, having clashed over this repeatedly. She braced for another argument.
Leng Tianhao continued, "Don't think I'm heartless. The Leng family's on the brink of collapse. You've done well these past few years, but we haven't turned things around. The company's got too many deep-rooted problems. You've worked hard."
"It's not hard," Leng Qingqiu said. "I'm confident I can lead Qianfeng back to its peak."
"I believe you," Leng Tianhao said. "But we need the Lu family's support. You need to get engaged soon. Once you're part of their family, everything changes—your challenges will be easier to handle, and the Lus will back us, at least financially, so we won't risk collapse."
Leng Qingqiu set down her chopsticks. Her mother tensed, glancing at Leng Tianhao, who also put down his chopsticks, his expression darkening.
"I've told you countless times," he said. "To achieve great things, you can't sweat the small stuff. You're my daughter, the CEO of Qianfeng Group, not some office clerk! You think you can meet a guy in sweatpants at a party, some gym rat who skateboards and listens to rock music, and marry for 'love'?"
"Your marriage affects the company's survival, the family's legacy. Hundreds of people are counting on you. One right choice is worth more than thirty years of hard work. Don't you get that?"
Leng Qingqiu's face remained neutral. "You're mistaken. It's not that I'm refusing—it's Lu Chengwen who doesn't want it."
Leng Tianhao and her mother froze.
Her mother blurted, "He doesn't want it? What happened? He chased you for three years! Did you… did he find out you're seeing someone?"
"No."
"Then why?" her mother pressed, frantic. "He was crazy about you. Why the sudden change?"
"I don't know," Leng Qingqiu said, her voice tight with suppressed emotion. "He hates me now. Wants nothing to do with me, like he'd rather die than see me again."
Her mother gasped. "How could this happen?"
Leng Tianhao frowned. "I noticed something off about him at the Lu family's place the other day. Something's up." He thought for a moment. "Here's the plan: I'll look into it. You, be proactive. Get closer to him. You're a woman—soften up a bit, don't always act so untouchable. He has feelings for you; it won't be hard to win him back."
Leng Qingqiu shook her head. "It's not that simple. But with or without the Lu family, I'll bring Qianfeng back to the top. Please trust me, Father."
She stood, excusing herself. "I'm full. Enjoy your meal."
Leng Tianhao's eyes narrowed as she defied him. "If you're not engaged by the tenth of next month, I'll call a board meeting to replace you as CEO. Freedom or your career—your choice."
Leng Qingqiu paused at the door for a few seconds, silent, then pushed it open and left.
Meanwhile, Lu Chengwen learned that while he was in jail, Xu Xuejiao had already stabilized Jiang Shihan's mother's condition. Jiang Shihan had wanted to bring a lawyer to bail him out, but Xu Xuejiao stopped her. The good news: the woman was safe. The bad news: Xu Xuejiao had conned him out of over 17 billion.
Meeting Xu Xuejiao at a business café, Lu Chengwen was in a foul mood. Anyone, even the world's richest, would be pissed after losing that kind of money. The Lu family's total assets were barely over 200 billion—17 billion was no small sum. Losing cash would've crippled their finances, but giving up the pharmaceutical factory's shares was, at least, bearable.
He marveled at Xu Xuejiao's appearance. Unlike Leng Qingqiu, who was always polished in business attire or elegant gowns, or Chen Mengyun, who favored traditional cheongsams or hanfu, Xu Xuejiao was a free spirit. She rarely bothered with business, preferring travel and photography. Her style was casual, carefree. Yesterday, she'd worn a JK uniform to the Chen family's; today, a pink princess dress, twintails, and a lollipop in her mouth. The dress screamed youthful energy and innocence, paired with short socks and brown casual shoes, making her look playfully adorable.
She smirked at him. "Sign it, rich boy."
Lu Chengwen scanned the contract thoroughly, gave a bitter smile, and said, "When the media asks about your biggest business win, don't forget this one."
"Mm-hmm."
Xu Xuejiao watched him read, a sly smile playing on her lips. Let's see how you wiggle out of this.
He nodded. "No issues."
"No issues?" she echoed, surprised.
"Nope."
He grabbed a pen, signed swiftly, and handed her the contract. Xu Xuejiao didn't need to check—she'd watched him closely. He'd signed his name and added his thumbprint, no tricks.
She stared at him, dumbfounded. Is he serious? He's actually giving me 17 billion in shares over a joke? Does he even realize what he's doing? Even the richest person in the world wouldn't be this reckless!
Any excuse, any claim it was a joke, and she'd have no leverage. He was a pro at dodging commitments like this, wasn't he?
Lu Chengwen noticed her frozen stare. What's with her? Why's she just sitting there?
"Hey? Yo!" He waved the contract. "Look at this, not me."
Xu Xuejiao's brow furrowed as she took it, still staring at his face. Gone was her playful, mischievous grin. Her delicate, doll-like face was now deadly serious. She glanced at the signature spots—everything was in order. With this contract, she'd net 17 billion in profit today, not to mention the future gains from controlling the Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory.
"Why?" she asked.
Lu Chengwen wiped the red ink from his thumb with a wet wipe. "What's 'why'?"
"This contract. Why sign it?"
"If I didn't, you'd say I don't keep my word, right?"
Xu Xuejiao studied him, searching for a hint of deception. But he was calm, unbothered, as if 17 billion was pocket change. Her frustration boiled over.
"Lu Chengwen! What's your game?" she demanded. "Spill it!"
He blinked, startled by her outburst. "What's with you? You make 17 billion and get mad about it?"