Lu Chengwen was ready to curse his luck.
Of all the rotten timing, Long Aotian's personal guard, Hua Xuening, was lurking right where he'd chosen to climb the wall. His fall was almost certainly her doing—she'd hit his thigh with something, leaving it numb and him limping. Escaping over the wall was out of the question now.
The front door, then!
Long Aotian was probably already inside, so they wouldn't cross paths that way.
But after a few steps, Lu Chengwen tripped again, and the household staff spotted him. They swarmed around him like he was a celebrity, ushering him back to the living room.
In the study, Leng Tianhao sat in the host's seat.
Lu Chengwen and Long Aotian sat on the guest sofas, Long Aotian squinting disdainfully at Lu Chengwen, who plastered on a fawning smile to appease him.
Leng Qingqiu sat off to the side, musing to herself: Why is Long Aotian everywhere? Why is Chengwen-ge so wary of him?
Leng Tianhao spoke up. "Mr. Long, please elaborate on this matter."
Long Aotian began, "Dayu Group is a major conglomerate from Nanguo, as I'm sure you're aware, Mr. Leng."
"Of course," Leng Tianhao replied. "Dayu Group has built over forty large-scale amusement parks across more than thirty cities domestically. They're also involved in hotels, film investments, tourism complexes, art galleries, and more. Their assets are valued at around four trillion—a true heavyweight."
Long Aotian nodded. "This project has been under wraps for a while. They've scouted the location, and the details are top secret. But I can tell you they're about to start negotiations. If we act now and secure that land, we'll catch them off guard. Then we just sit back, and they'll come to us."
Leng Tianhao nodded, clenching his jaw, his heart racing with excitement. "With two billion, if we can secure that land, we could triple the price!"
Long Aotian shook his head. "No."
"You think that's too steep?"
"Too cheap."
Long Aotian smiled. "Selling the land is a one-time deal—boring. With that land in our hands, we can do so much more."
"Oh? Like what?"
"They have the funds and are already in the design and negotiation phases. They're ready, except for the land. If we hold it, we can negotiate with Dayu Group."
"Go on."
"First, we demand a stake—say, seven billion for a twenty percent share in the new amusement park, maybe even twenty-five percent or more if we play it right. Once it's built, the park will generate at least five billion in annual profits, meaning we'd get over a billion in dividends yearly."
"But that's a long-term profit chain," Leng Tianhao said, hinting at his concern. "The park will take years to build, and Qianfeng Group…"
He didn't finish, but the message was clear: they needed quick cash, not a drawn-out wait.
"Hahaha!" Long Aotian laughed. "Mr. Leng, you're missing the point. Long-term profits are one thing, but with the land in our hands, we're not just talking shares. Construction, materials, teams, procurement, marketing—we can pick two or three of those to include in the contract. You think we won't make money?"
Leng Tianhao slapped his thigh, thrilled. "Brilliant! If it works out, we could recoup a chunk of that two billion during construction alone. And if we get in on this project, the Leng family will be revitalized!"
"Exactly!"
Leng Tianhao turned to Lu Chengwen. "Chengwen, you're no outsider. You know Qianfeng's situation, and you're engaged to Qingqiu—you're family. I didn't hide this from you today. What do you think?"
Lu Chengwen was still rubbing his thigh, thinking: [What do I think? What's this got to do with me? This is Long Aotian's play to woo your daughter. This project is his giant stepping stone.]
[Just do what he says. He'll secure the land for you—free of charge. Aren't you thrilled? Aren't you touched? You'd have to cry to make this scene complete!]
[Plus, my relationship with Leng Qingqiu is shaky, so you'll betroth her to him. From now on, he's your guiding star—just follow his lead.]
Leng Qingqiu nearly spat blood in rage.
This jerk, still thinking I'm into Long Aotian! What makes you think I like him? I don't!
Why do you keep misunderstanding me?
I need to clear this up.
Wait… why do I care so much about Lu Chengwen's misunderstanding?
Leng Qingqiu was already smitten, but her pride made it hard to accept her feelings quickly. For a girl like her, pride and aloofness were her armor. At her age, who didn't dream of love? She just wasn't equipped to embrace her shifting emotions swiftly—it was her weakness.
Lu Chengwen stammered, "I… I think Brother Aotian's plan has merit…"
[Hold on!]
A spark of inspiration hit him.
[Why am I helping Long Aotian? I should be opposing him!]
The chapter isn't over yet! Please turn to the next page for more exciting content!
[This guy's here to show off! If everyone agrees with him, where's the thrill in that?]
[I need to stand up, go head-to-head, sing a different tune, and push back! That's how he gets his big moment to shine.]
[Yes! I'll give him a chance to dominate the room, let him feel like he's turned the tides and conquered all.]
[But I've got to be careful. Push too hard, and he'll crush me. Right, this is the way to go.]
Leng Qingqiu narrowed her eyes: Lu Chengwen, your thinking is downright bizarre.
If I couldn't hear your thoughts, who'd guess you're cooking up such twisted schemes?
What's your deal? You're passing up a chance to be the good guy just to play the villain?
What are you after? Are you insane?
Lu Chengwen stood. "I think, while Brother Aotian is clearly gifted, talented, and unparalleled…"
Long Aotian thought: Why's this guy so slimy?
"Hey, cut the flattery and get to the point!"
"Right, I disagree with Brother Aotian's idea."
"Oh?" Leng Tianhao was surprised.
This was an obvious opportunity. Asking Lu Chengwen's opinion was a chance for him to do a favor, to shine in front of Leng Qingqiu by pledging full support—money, resources, everything—to secure the land and join the project's operations. That was Leng Tianhao's strategy.
A seasoned businessman like Leng Tianhao knew the value of this intel and its importance to the Leng family. Big players always spoke with layers of intent, aiming for multiple wins with one move. Long Aotian's information was gold—any of the four major families would trade a lifetime of wealth for it.
But Leng Tianhao didn't want Long Aotian to take all the credit. He wanted to leverage the Lu family's resources, maybe even get them to chip in some funds. You don't put all your eggs in one basket, after all.
Yet Lu Chengwen, this cunning, rising star of a ruthless businessman, was playing dumb.
Leng Tianhao's face darkened. "Chengwen, why do you oppose this project?"
Lu Chengwen thought: [Hold on, Uncle, give me a second to make something up.]
Leng Qingqiu was ready to explode.
In the past three years, Lu Chengwen would've jumped at this chance, making a big show of taking charge. He'd have said he'd handle the land deal for free, cover half the cost, no interest, no shares, no strings attached—just let him get engaged to Leng Qingqiu. That was his old playbook; he was shameless enough to do it.
But today, he was dead set on cutting ties with her. He knew this deal was a goldmine, yet he wanted no part of it.
Despicable!
Utterly despicable!
Lu Chengwen thought for a moment. "First, that land will be hard to buy. If word gets out, the price will skyrocket."
Leng Tianhao thought: No kidding. Isn't that why we're discussing it?
"Second…" Lu Chengwen ran out of ideas and gave up. "Second, I think the shantytown redevelopment project in the suburbs is a better bet. I suggest we focus on that."
Leng Tianhao couldn't believe his ears.
Is Lu Chengwen insane?
What's this? Contradicting me?
Can't you see I've already made up my mind, and asking you is just a formality?
The old town redevelopment? I don't have the funds to throw at a dead-end project like that!
Leng Tianhao's expression grew uglier. "Oh." He forced a smile. "I think this project is worth a shot. Chengwen, I recall the Lu family has good ties with the Land Registry. Could you pull some strings, check on the situation, maybe set up a meeting with the auction manager? And on the funding side, lend us a hand. We're family—surely you won't refuse a small favor like that?"
Lu Chengwen was inwardly gleeful. [Uncle, you're right—I'm absolutely refusing!]
[Your family's future is firmly in Long Aotian's hands. I'm not getting involved.]
Lounging on the sofa like a big shot, he drawled, "Well, that's… not very convenient. I know the auction manager, but I'm really not sold on this project. As for funds, I'm strapped—way too tight, super difficult…"
Leng Tianhao was livid.
If not for the sake of maintaining civility between their families, he'd have unleashed a tirade.
You little punk! When you were chasing my Qingqiu, what did you tell me?
You said you'd do anything for her, that Leng family matters were your matters, that money, manpower, connections—it was all just a word away. You even said if Qingqiu married you, you'd take our surname and become Leng Chengwen!
You said all that shameless, sappy nonsense, and now you're acting high and mighty?!
Leng Tianhao gritted his teeth, forcing a diplomatic smile. "Fine, Chengwen. If that's the case, I won't press you. It's getting late—you should head back."
In his mind: Get out! Scram!
"Alright." Lu Chengwen stood to leave.
"Wait."
Leng Qingqiu couldn't take it anymore. She fixed Lu Chengwen with a cold stare, speaking defiantly. "Father, I think Chengwen-ge has a point. I plan to invest all our funds in the shantytown redevelopment project."
Lu Chengwen, halfway to the door, turned back in horror, staring at his nemesis.
[Big sister, are you out of your mind?!]
_
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