"By the way, you little brat, I have some good news for you, I got promoted!"
Lu Wanqing raised her head dramatically, like a proud peacock:
"Our company's bastard boss finally discovered my strengths, had a keen eye for talent, and promoted me directly to General Manager's Secretary."
And did you know that our company was just acquired by a Fortune 500 company?
My salary tripled! Isn't that amazing?
She spoke with great enthusiasm, a smug look on her face, her chin slightly raised, ready to receive Qin Meng's surprise and praise.
After all, in her eyes, this was a magnificent comeback from chicken to phoenix.
However, Qin Meng showed no surprise at all after hearing this.
She silently shifted her gaze from Lu Wanqing back to Zhang Yu's face, calmly uttering three words: "You did it?"
Zhang Yu was taken aback by her question, but then he realized what she meant.
This is Xu Xinwu the result of Xu Xinwu's behind-the-scenes manipulation.
Upon hearing this, Lu Wanqing's smug expression froze for a moment, and she looked at Zhang Yu with a puzzled expression:
"What's the meaning?
What do you mean he did it?
I did this all by myself... well, maybe with a little bit of luck and good looks... but mainly it's a demonstration of ability."
Qin Meng ruthlessly shattered her illusions:
"You think with your skills and a passable face, a Fortune 500 company would even notice you and make you their General Manager's Secretary?"
Someone definitely gave you preferential treatment behind the scenes.
As she spoke, she glanced at Zhang Yu again, her meaning quite clear.
Lu Wanqing wasn't angry at her niece's retort; instead, her eyes lit up, and her interest in Zhang Yu grew even stronger.
She walked halfway around Zhang Yu with great interest, then suddenly leaned close to Qin Meng, put her arm around her shoulder, and whispered in an exaggerated, gossipy tone:
"Hey!"
"Not bad, kid."
Her eyes darted around, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Zhang Yu and Qin Meng, her smile becoming ambiguous:
"He first tried to get close to you, and now he's 'helped' me... Hmm, could it be that he's trying to... date both my nephew and me at the same time?"
"Quite ambitious."
"Shut up, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Qin Meng irritably shook off her arm, rolled her eyes, and cut to the chase. "He's after my Eldest Brother."
"Your Eldest Brother?"
Lu Wanqing was taken aback at first, then a look of realization appeared on her face. The flippancy and playfulness in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a look of seriousness and scrutiny.
Seeing the change in Lu Wanqing's eyes, Zhang Yu knew he couldn't let the misunderstanding continue, and quickly waved his hand to clarify:
"Wait, Miss Lu, please don't misunderstand."
Your promotion and raise have absolutely nothing to do with me.
I..."
He was speechless for a moment; this was really hard to explain, since it was most likely that Xu Xinwu.
Staring at him by Qin Meng and Lu Wanqing's probing, scrutinizing, and strange eyes, Zhang Yu felt as if he were being pricked by needles.
He sighed, deciding to disregard any "plan" altogether, and shouted directly towards the shadows where Xu Xinwu and Zhou Hengliang were hiding:
"Old Xu, stop hiding, you've already been exposed."
He finally understood that playing those convoluted tricks with Qin Meng, this logical freak, would only make things worse.
Let's lay it all out on the table; Qin Meng has already guessed pretty much everything anyway.
Xu Xinwu in the shadows, naturally heard Qin Meng's accurate analysis and knew that there was no point in hiding any longer.
They've practically figured out the color of your underwear, what are you still hiding for?
Then, to the slightly surprised looks of Qin Meng and Lu Wanqing, Xu Xinwu emerged from the shadows of the alley, followed by Zhou Hengliang, who looked both nervous and curious.
Xu Xinwu's face showed a hint of embarrassment at being caught, but she quickly adjusted her expression.
He gave a smile that he thought was warm, but which actually carried the aloofness of a superior, and nodded to the group.
Good evening, everyone.
Lu Wanqing's face regained its wariness, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Xu Xinwu and Zhang Yu.
The newly appeared man had a more profound and reserved demeanor.
Although she was smiling, the oppressive feeling of being in a superior position, even when she tried to suppress it, still made her heart pound.
This person is definitely not simple!
Qin Meng remained relatively calm. She tugged at her aunt's sleeve and whispered quickly:
"Auntie, don't be nervous."
I've analyzed it, and these two guys most likely want to ask their Eldest Brother for help, but they're not comfortable or confident asking directly, so they're trying to find a breakthrough by asking us.
All of that... including your promotion, was probably a means for them to 'create conditions'.
Hearing Qin Meng's analysis, Lu Wanqing's tense nerves relaxed slightly, but her vigilance did not completely disappear.
She patted her ample chest and let out an exaggerated sigh of relief:
Oh dear, you should have said so earlier.
It made their heart pound so hard, they thought they'd encountered some bad guy with malicious intentions.
As she spoke, her gaze fell on Xu Xinwu again, this time with a stronger sense of scrutiny and... valuation.
"Tsk tsk,"
Lu Wanqing clicked her tongue, then surprisingly nodded, and commented as if talking to herself:
"Trying to get close to my nephew by seducing my mother?"
Hmm... it's not entirely out of the question.
She's... quite attractive, has a good figure, and a good presence...
She paused, then changed the subject, asking directly:
"If you want to pursue me, the requirements are not low."
How much savings do you have?
How many houses do you own?
What kind of car do you drive?
Xu Xinwu hearing this, was not annoyed at all; instead, he laughed.
He likes people who talk directly about terms, saving him from a lot of insincere pleasantries.
At this point, there's really no need to beat around the bush anymore.
He met Lu Wanqing's scrutinizing gaze, his tone calm, yet carrying an undeniable confidence:
"Money?
How much do you want? Just name your number.
House?
Which neighborhood do you like? I'll buy you a building there.
If that's not enough, even one neighborhood will do.
He paused, his gaze deepening as he looked at Lu Wanqing, and slowly said:
You can see my sincerity.
I just wonder, Miss Lu, how much influence do you have with your nephew?
Or, could you introduce us and get him to... listen to us for a few minutes?"
These words stunned not only Qin Meng and Lu Wanqing, but also Zhang Yu, who was standing to the side.
This old guy is indeed rich and powerful, and his style of doing things is also quite... domineering and direct.
Lu Wanqing was stunned for a long time by Xu Xinwu's words, which regarded money as dirt yet were full of temptation.
He just asks for a certain amount, offering to buy a whole building and give it to you...
This tone, this confidence, has exceeded her conventional understanding of wealthy people.
"I love this domineering CEO vibe!"
Lu Wanqing was stunned by Xu Xin's domineering declaration, her face filled with infatuation.
After a brief moment of astonishment, instead of being frightened away, their eyes lit up.
As if she had discovered some priceless treasure, she stepped forward and unabashedly took Xu Xinwu's arm, her movements as natural as if the two were already old acquaintances.
Didn't you ask my nephew to do you a favor?
Simple!"
Lu Wanqing tilted her head back, looking at Xu Xinwu defined profile, her voice sweet and seductive:
Marry me!
If you marry me, you'll be his uncle-in-law.
We're family, so let's not be formal. What can't we discuss when the time comes?
Even if he only helps you because of me, he still has to, right?
Her words were so quick and direct that Qin Meng, who was standing next to her, was completely dumbfounded, and Zhang Yu's lips twitched slightly.
This "aunt" really does things in a very unconventional way, with a unique way of thinking.
Xu Xinwu felt her arm linked with his, and the strong scent of her perfume and the warmth of her touch made him frown almost imperceptibly, but he did not push her away.
He's lived for over three thousand years; what kind of battle hasn't he seen?
Hearing this, he simply lowered his head, looking at Lu Wanqing with a half-smile, his tone tinged with amusement:
I wouldn't mind marrying you.
He changed the subject, glancing at Qin Meng beside him with a pointed look:
"I'm afraid your Divine Ability- powerful nephew won't want to suddenly have an 'uncle' like me."
"He dares?"
Lu Wanqing's almond-shaped eyes widened, feigning anger, but it sounded more like she was being coquettish. "That brat was raised by his mother from a young age, how dare he cause trouble for me?"
That's true. Qin Meng's parents died early, and her aunt dropped out of high school to raise them.
Lu Wanqing can be considered a second mother to the two of them.