Leng Qingqiu drank.
She was in an awful mood.
She had struggled for years, and Qianfeng Group was finally about to get back on track. Yet at this moment, her own father had begun favoring an outsider and wanted to push her out.
Leng Qingqiu felt incomparably cold and despairing inside.
Between father and daughter, there were always only interests, never family affection.
Fueled by the alcohol, Leng Qingqiu went to Great Sage Group.
Leng Qingqiu's appearance at Great Sage Group was an absolute spectacle.
No one dared stop her. Everyone knew she was Lu Chengwen's goddess, his fiancée, and that they would be getting engaged next month.
So Leng Qingqiu strode through the place with imposing authority, carrying herself even more boldly than she did at her own company.
She charged all the way upstairs. Zhao Gang had received word long ago and hurried out to stop her.
"President Leng, President Leng, CEO Lu is meeting with an important guest. Please wait in the lounge."
Fueled by the alcohol, Leng Qingqiu snapped, "Bastard! When have I, Leng Qingqiu, ever had to wait to see Lu Chengwen? Move aside!"
Leng Qingqiu had been drinking. It had merely made her bolder and more impulsive; her intelligence was still intact.
One look at Zhao Gang's expression told her something fishy was going on.
After taking only two steps, she spun around and glared at him. Zhao Gang froze.
"If you dare tip anyone off, I'll make sure you die badly."
"Huh? I... I wouldn't..."
Leng Qingqiu leaned close to Zhao Gang. "Listen to me. I'm the most important woman in Lu Chengwen's heart. You know better than anyone how many tricks he's used over the past three years to marry me!"
"Yes..."
"Starting next month, I'll be the young mistress of the Lu Family. If you offend me, I'll whisper bad things about you in Lu Chengwen's ear every day. Let's see whether you survive that!"
Zhao Gang was scared silly.
No matter how close he was to Lu Chengwen, he was still just a lackey.
If he truly offended Leng Qingqiu, he definitely would not have an easy life from then on.
Seeing Zhao Gang's cowardly look, Leng Qingqiu laughed. "Get lost."
With that, she pushed open the door and walked in.
When she reached the outer office hall, she saw the secretary, Jiang Shihan. Jiang Shihan was just about to speak when Leng Qingqiu put a finger to her lips and warned darkly, "If you don't want to lose your job, don't make a sound!"
Jiang Shihan was frightened by those words. She was terrified of losing her job.
Besides, she knew better than anyone just how utterly without limits Lu Chengwen was when it came to Leng Qingqiu.
Leng Qingqiu felt very pleased with herself, a surge of exhilaration rising in her heart.
Being the young mistress of the Lu Family really did feel great!
She realized that she actually enjoyed this identity. Being able to throw her weight around in Lu Chengwen's company gave her an immense sense of accomplishment, and her vanity was deeply satisfied.
She could not help thinking, Lu Chengwen is mine, so everything he has is mine.
They're afraid of Lu Chengwen, so they have to be afraid of me too. Hehe. After all, I'm the young mistress of the Lu Family!
When she reached the inner suite, she found it completely empty.
What important guest was there!?
Then she heard people talking inside, and Leng Qingqiu immediately became alert.
Could he be keeping a mistress hidden away...?
Fine! He acts like he's pursuing me, but he's keeping some beautiful woman in the company!
At the entrance to the lounge, she found that the door was not shut, leaving a crack. Leng Qingqiu saw that it was actually her father, Leng Tianhao, speaking with Lu Chengwen.
Leng Tianhao sat in the seat of honor, looking extremely arrogant. "Cheng Wen, my intelligence network has investigated this from every angle. This shantytown redevelopment project has no chance of making any money at all. What exactly are you thinking?"
Lu Chengwen laughed. "Whether it makes money is secondary. Even if it loses money, we still have to develop the East District. Entrepreneurs should have a sense of social responsibility."
"Hmph! You've made one seriously wrong move. Let's be blunt. If you want to marry our Qingqiu, the price starts at ten billion. We agreed on that before."
At the doorway, Leng Qingqiu instantly felt dizzy and weak in the legs, nearly collapsing onto the floor.
What!?
Dad and Mom agreed to the marriage alliance with the Lu Family because Lu Chengwen offered a good price?
What am I? A commodity to be sold to the highest bidder?
Tears swirled in Leng Qingqiu's eyes.
I'm really worth a lot, huh!
But Lu Chengwen scratched his head and said, "I need to gather fifty billion in cash to put into the project right now. I don't have any money left."
Leng Tianhao abruptly stood up. "If you don't have money, don't even think about marrying my daughter! I hereby announce that your engagement is canceled!"
Lu Chengwen burst out laughing, rose to his feet, and shook Leng Tianhao's hand. "Thank you, Uncle. Please let Qingqiu know for me. I won't show my face."
"You... haven't you always liked Qingqiu?"
"She doesn't like me. You all know that."
"As long as you obediently pay up, I'll still let her get engaged to you."
The Lu Chengwen of a few days ago would definitely have obediently paid.
But the Lu Chengwen of today could not be persuaded even if someone begged him.
Lu Chengwen smiled. "No need. Qingqiu and I aren't cut from the same cloth. A forced melon isn't sweet. Let's each go our separate ways and be well from now on."
Leng Qingqiu was devastated.
What love, what admiration, what vows of never marrying anyone but her, what promises to remain true until the seas ran dry and the rocks crumbled...
Fake. It was all fake.
Business. It was all business.
Am I no longer worth anything now?
Lu Chengwen, you pursued me for three years and exhausted every sweet word you knew. Now you're being this heartless?
Heh. Is there anything more ridiculous than this? Is there anyone more pitiful than me?
My father is selling me like a commodity, and the man who groveled after me for three years has suddenly turned cold, tossing me aside like worn-out shoes...
Is there anyone in this world who still cares about me? Is there anyone who still treats me like a person?
I, Leng Qingqiu, am just a clown.
Leng Tianhao was also furious. "Lu Chengwen, don't get smug! Our Leng Family won't let you manipulate us however you please. Do you think tricking Qingqiu into investing in this rotten project means you can control the Leng Family? Dream on! Next week, I'll announce that Leng Qingqiu is being removed from her post. From then on, she'll have nothing to do with Qianfeng Group!"
Lu Chengwen was startled. "What did you say?"
"I am the chairman of Qianfeng Group! I have that authority!"
Lu Chengwen became anxious. "Don't! Hey, revitalizing Qianfeng Group is Qingqiu's dream. You're her father. You can't just take her dream away from her."
"What fucking dream? What I want is for Qianfeng Group to return to its peak! Whoever can fulfill my ambitions will be the president of Qianfeng Group!"
Lu Chengwen grew agitated. "Isn't this the same as taking Leng Qingqiu's life? You know perfectly well how hard she's worked these past years, how desperately she wants to prove herself to you. How is this any different from killing her? You're her father! At a time like this, you should be the one supporting her the most!"
"And aren't you her fiancé? Didn't you abandon her too?"
"How the fuck is that the same?" Lu Chengwen shouted. "I'm just an outsider! You know how much she looks down on me! Everyone in Xue City knows it! I can break up with her. Even if we got married, we could still divorce. But parents are not a choice. They're supposed to be there for life, to support her unconditionally, protect her, cherish her, and always stand behind her as her support! How are you fit to be a father acting like this!?"
"Oh? That sounded pretty righteous! Then why did you set us up?"
"I didn't set you up! I just... I didn't expect her to get involved. She misunderstood and thought I could make a fortune. I took on this deal intending to lose money!"
"Cut the act! I see you clearly now. You want to drag our three families into the water, make us all lose money, then deal with us one by one, right?"
Lu Chengwen anxiously paced in circles. "How could I be that kind of person? Uncle Leng, you can't treat Qingqiu like this. Her strength on the outside is all an act. She's actually very fragile, and she needs your love and support! It hurts me to watch her pretend to be strong all day long. You're her father. Why don't you feel anything at all?"
At the doorway, Leng Qingqiu's face was already covered in tears.
Lu Chengwen's words pierced straight into her heart.
Lu Chengwen, if you understand me so well, why didn't you say so sooner? Why did you pretend to be so slick and frivolous that I came to hate you?
If you care about me this much, why did you make a deal with my father and treat me like merchandise to be bought and sold?
If you can't bear to hurt me, why did you suddenly refuse to get engaged?
Why? What do you want from me before you'll let me go?
What kind of person are you? What exactly are you trying to do!?
Leng Tianhao said, "Stop feeding me that nonsense. We're both old foxes. I was telling ghost stories when you were still playing with mud!"
Lu Chengwen was furious beyond measure. "Is this because of the shantytown project? Fine. However much you invest, put it on my account! If it makes money, you take the profits. If it loses money, I'll cover it!"
"Oh?" The moment money was mentioned, Leng Tianhao became smug. "Don't just talk big!"
"I, Lu Chengwen, am not someone who only talks and never acts!"
"But let me remind you, this money isn't for marrying Qingqiu. Don't lump the two together."
Lu Chengwen stared at Leng Tianhao in astonishment. "I mean... is there anything in your eyes besides money? Why can't I feel even the slightest bit of a father's love for his daughter whenever you mention Qingqiu? Is your daughter a commodity? Money, money, money—don't you find yourself disgusting? You're her father. If Qingqiu heard you talk like this, do you know how heartbroken she'd be?"
"Stop with the nonsense. Just tell me whether you agree or not!"
"As long as you don't hurt Qingqiu, I agree!"
"Fine, then transfer the money!"
Lu Chengwen gritted his teeth. "This way, I'll directly give you ten billion. You can invest the remaining four point nine billion normally, and don't violate your agreement with the government! As for the remaining five point one billion, buy land if you want, do whatever you want with it. In short, you must not hurt Leng Qingqiu!"
"Oh? You're pretty generous!"
"Of course!" Lu Chengwen said. "And from now on, our two families will go our separate ways. Neither of us will interfere with the other!"
"No problem. Transfer the money, then!"
Watching Lu Chengwen, Leng Qingqiu was on the verge of breaking down.
She did not even know whether she should be sad or moved.
What is this man thinking?
Doesn't he like me? If he's willing to pay, he could use the opportunity to threaten my money-grubbing father and get me!
Then why is he saying he wants to draw a clear line between us?
What does this man want from me!?
Lu Chengwen grabbed the phone. "Li Meiqin, immediately transfer ten billion into Qianfeng Group's account. I fucking know! If I tell you to transfer it, then transfer it. If the sky falls, it's on me! What fucking procedures? Use the expedited process. Contact the bank directly. The transfer must be completed within five minutes!"
Lu Chengwen hung up. "There. Is that enough? Are you satisfied now?"
Leng Tianhao laughed heartily. "Young man, you're still too impulsive. Too green."
"Uncle Leng, consider it a favor to me. Don't hurt Qingqiu."
"Why? Didn't you say you wanted to draw a line between our families? Why do you care so much about her?"
Lu Chengwen was so angry that tears came to his eyes.
"Because I'm a human being. A human being of flesh and blood."
Leng Tianhao nodded. "Still, our agreement remains valid. Transfer another ten billion, and Qingqiu will definitely be yours."
Lu Chengwen gritted his teeth. "Take care. I won't see you out!"
Leng Tianhao laughed heartily and pushed open the door.
Before you continue