Leng Qingqiu strode up to Lu Chengwen, locking eyes with him, her face expressionless.
"Chengwen-ge, I think you're right. I don't trust anyone else—only you. Tonight, I'll call an emergency executive meeting to finalize the details for investing in the shantytown redevelopment project."
Lu Chengwen wasn't a fool. From her expression and the intensity in her eyes, he could tell she was picking a fight with him.
You want me to back the shantytown project? Fine, I'll do it.
Are you trying to screw me over, or are you ready to back down and play nice? Pick one.
Leng Tianhao, unaware of his daughter's inner turmoil, stood behind her, his face darkening.
Long Aotian was equally baffled. Shantytown redevelopment? Who in their right mind would touch that?
The government had been pitching it to no avail—none of Xuecheng's four major families would bite. It was a long-term, high-investment project with too many stakeholders and complex issues. One misstep could spell disaster. Every element was a potential death trap. Any major conglomerate would think twice about whether they had the resources and capability to handle it.
The first project manager, some southerner, had bailed halfway through, unable to cope. Three people had already jumped off buildings because of it. The shantytown project wasn't just a hot potato—it was a red-hot iron brand. Touch it, and you'd be scorched.
Long Aotian spoke up, "Qingqiu, I strongly advise against getting involved in the shantytown project. It's incredibly complex, and you don't have enough experience in infrastructure…"
Leng Qingqiu turned to him, her voice icy. "Do I need all that expertise? As long as I have Chengwen-ge's support, that's enough. Right, Chengwen-ge?"
Lu Chengwen: "Uh…"
Long Aotian pressed on, "The amusement park project is short-term, easy to navigate. Secure that land, and we're untouchable, with plenty of room to maneuver. The shantytown is a gamble with too many unknowns, and it's exhausting."
"So what? With Chengwen-ge backing me, I'm not afraid of a little hardship. Right, Chengwen-ge?"
Lu Chengwen: "Uh… hiss…"
Long Aotian grew desperate. "Qingqiu, don't you get it? I'm doing this for you. I don't want you jumping into a pit of fire or watching Qianfeng Group collapse. I know reviving Qianfeng is your dream, and I'm here to help make it happen."
Leng Qingqiu shot back, "Reviving Qianfeng? I'm a woman. A woman's greatest dream is to marry well. Chengwen-ge and I are getting engaged next month, married by year's end, and having kids next year… Right, Chengwen-ge?"
Lu Chengwen: "Uh… hiss…"
Long Aotian was floored. What kind of person are you?
You can't see this obvious opportunity? You're going to follow Lu Chengwen into that shantLazy town mess?!
What's wrong with Leng Qingqiu? Did her brain shrink overnight?
Leng Qingqiu fixed Lu Chengwen with a resolute gaze. "Chengwen-ge, I trust you. Look me in the eye and tell me, which project do you want me to pursue?"
Her intense stare made him squirm.
Lu Chengwen was at a loss for words. [Is this silly girl actually buying into the shantytown project? Big sister, you know I was talking nonsense—you're just messing with me, aren't you?]
[Damn it, I don't believe I can't handle one little girl!]
"Oh, of course," Lu Chengwen said, steeling himself. "I believe in this project, but Qianfeng's decisions are yours. I'm just offering a suggestion."
"Good!" Leng Qingqiu was firm. "Since you suggested it, I'll follow your lead."
Leng Tianhao couldn't stay seated. "Qingqiu, slow down. We need to discuss this…"
"No need." Leng Qingqiu, now furious, pushed open the door. "I'm calling the team now for an emergency meeting to discuss the shantytown investment plan. Tomorrow, we'll negotiate with the relevant authorities."
"You're being reckless!" Leng Tianhao roared. "This is a massive decision! How can you be so impulsive? I'm Qianfeng's chairman, and I don't approve!"
Leng Qingqiu turned to her father, her voice cold. "Father, you pushed for my engagement to the Lu family. You gave me full control and responsibility over Qianfeng. You told me my personal happiness and losses don't matter—Qianfeng's long-term success comes first. I, Leng Qingqiu, will follow my husband's lead. Since I'm engaged to Chengwen-ge, he'll be my husband. His word is law, his commands are absolute, and I'll obey them unconditionally. If he says to invest in the shantytown, I trust him."
Long Aotian jumped in. "Qingqiu, think this through. Lu Chengwen isn't worth that kind of trust."
Leng Qingqiu glared at him. "Is that so? Then tell me, who should I trust?"
Her eyes were red, brimming with tears. "In my entire life, I've never found a single person I could rely on."
"As a child, I idolized my father, emulating his decisive ruthlessness, his commanding presence, his merit-based leadership, his calm wisdom… But I realized he was stronger, colder than I could ever imagine."
"Every time I faced hardship or heartbreak, he never hugged or comforted me like other fathers. He only scolded me, humiliated me, looked at me with those cold, disappointed eyes, calling me useless!"
"As an adult, for the sake of the group, his own daughter had to be married off. In his eyes, Qianfeng is his true child—I'm just a useless daughter."
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"My only friend betrayed me, slipping drugs into my drink. When I confronted her, sobbing, she said she hated me. Hated my intelligence, my privileged background, my looks, my figure, my natural talent. She despised everything I was born with—everything she could never achieve. So she wanted to ruin me!"
"My one college romance—I poured everything into it. He was sunny, optimistic, an athlete. Not rich, but he was a light in my life. I thought I'd finally found someone I could trust."
"But on my birthday, he had three cameras set up in the hotel room we'd booked."
Leng Qingqiu laughed, tears streaming down her face, her smile bitter and desolate. "Three!"
Her voice trembled. "When I was ready to give him everything, he was planning to record it all from every angle, to control me, to get his hands on the Leng family's wealth."
Wiping her tears, she continued, "Family, friends, lovers—all so cold. Tell me, who can I trust? Is there anyone in this world who doesn't care about looks, money, or status, who genuinely likes me, cherishes me, protects me? Is there? Am I destined to be alone forever? Is this world so cold that the trust I crave doesn't even exist? Is it?"
Lu Chengwen's heart ached with guilt. [I'm sorry. I didn't know you had it so rough.]
[Sigh, no matter how much money you have, what people truly seek is inner happiness and fulfillment. It sounds like nonsense to some, but money really isn't everything.]
[Damn, what do I do? I feel so bad for her! If I weren't on a mission, I'd rush over and hug her right now.]
[No! I have to stay in control, can't let her know. From now on, I'll be kinder to her, in business and life. If she's in trouble, I'll help her quietly. This girl's had it too hard—it's making my heart hurt.]
Leng Qingqiu's tear-filled eyes snapped to Lu Chengwen, staring intensely.
Lu Chengwen, feeling guilty, lowered his head in silence.
Long Aotian saw his moment. "Qingqiu, I believe I'm that person! Yes, I'm here to like you, cherish you, stand by you, protect you! From now on, you can trust me with anything. I'm here to be the light in your life, shining only for you."
Lu Chengwen mentally hurled a pile of manure at him. [Pfft! That's disgusting! You're shameless, spouting sweet nothings like it's nothing!]
[Are you here for Leng Qingqiu's happiness? You're clearly after the Leng family's assets! And not just them—the Xu and Chen families too. And eventually, my Lu family.]
[Sigh, no choice. This is your fate. Get together—maybe it's the best outcome for Qingqiu.]
Leng Qingqiu glanced at Long Aotian. "I've made up my mind. I'll trust Chengwen-ge for the rest of my life. If he wants to ruin me, I'll let him. If he wants to harm me, I'll go along with it. If he wants to sell me for profit, I'll fetch a good price! Tomorrow, Qianfeng Group will officially invest in the shantytown project. Just watch!"
Lu Chengwen was losing it. [Big sister, what's with this temper?!]
[You know I'm talking nonsense, don't you? Did I mess this up again? Did I backfire?]
Lu Chengwen didn't realize Leng Qingqiu had completely read him, thinking he'd botched the plan.
He thought: Long Aotian offered her the right path, and I threw out a wrong one to contrast him. Normally, she'd pick his winning strategy, feel grateful, and their storyline would get back on track. I'd slip out to deal with the other heroines.
But now, like a wild card, Leng Qingqiu's long-suppressed emotions had erupted! Her rebellious streak had taken over!
The always calm, rational, infallible Leng Qingqiu was making a mistake—a catastrophic one—doubling down on his bad idea!
Leng Tianhao roared, "Leng Qingqiu! You're Qianfeng's CEO! Calm down! Is this how I raised you—to make decisions based on emotions?! I don't care how much you resent me or this world—I want your ability to lead Qianfeng back to its peak! The shantytown project is off-limits. Tomorrow, you're securing that land. Fail, and you're out of Qianfeng!"
Leng Qingqiu turned, giving her father a mocking sneer. "You gave me the power, so deal with the consequences. To revoke my authority, you need a shareholders' meeting and a formal dismissal. That takes a week to arrange. I can do what I want in that time."
"You…"
Leng Qingqiu stormed out, not looking back.
Lu Chengwen was drenched in sweat.
Oh crap, I completely screwed this up!
He felt the world spinning.
Leng Qingqiu, in a fit of defiance, had chosen a doomed path!
Leng Tianhao, thanks to his terrible idea, was glaring at him, furious beyond words!
Worst of all, Long Aotian's face was dark as a storm cloud, like he might explode any second.
This is bad. I'm done for!
_
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