Leng Qingqiu drank.
Her mood was utterly wretched.
After years of grueling effort to steer Qianfeng Group back on track, just when success seemed within reach, her own father began favoring an outsider, scheming to push her out. A chill of despair gripped her heart. Between father and daughter, there was only self-interest—no trace of familial warmth.
Fueled by alcohol, Leng Qingqiu stormed into Dasheng Group.
Her arrival at Dasheng Group was a spectacle in itself. No one dared to stop her. Everyone knew she was Lu Chengwen's heart's desire, his fiancée, set to be engaged next month. Here, she strutted with an air of authority, exuding more confidence than she ever did at her own company.
She charged straight to the top floor. Zhao Gang, having received word, hurried to intercept her.
"President Leng, President Leng, Mr. Lu is meeting with an important guest. Please wait in the lounge."
Emboldened by the liquor, Leng Qingqiu snapped, "Nonsense! When has Leng Qingqiu ever waited to see Lu Chengwen? Step aside!"
The alcohol made her bolder, more impulsive, but her sharp mind was still intact. One glance at Zhao Gang's evasive expression told her something was amiss. She took two steps, then spun around, glaring at him. Zhao Gang froze.
"If you dare tip him off, I'll make sure you regret it," she warned.
"Uh? I… I wouldn't…"
Leng Qingqiu leaned closer, her voice low and menacing. "Let me remind you, I'm the most important woman in Lu Chengwen's heart. You, of all people, know the lengths he's gone to win me these past three years."
"Y-Yes…"
"Starting next month, I'll be the young mistress of the Lu family. Cross me, and I'll whisper in Lu Chengwen's ear every night about how much trouble you are. You'll wish you were dead."
Zhao Gang was stunned, utterly cowed. No matter how close he was to Lu Chengwen, he was still just a lackey. Offending Leng Qingqiu would mean a lifetime of misery. Seeing his defeated look, Leng Qingqiu smirked. "Get out of my way."
With that, she shoved the door open.
In the outer office, she spotted the secretary, Jiang Shihan, who opened her mouth to speak. Leng Qingqiu silenced her with a sharp gesture and a cold glare. "Want to keep your job? Then shut up."
Jiang Shihan, terrified of unemployment, clamped her mouth shut. She knew better than anyone how far Lu Chengwen would go for Leng Qingqiu. Leng Qingqiu felt a surge of satisfaction, relishing the power her status brought. Being the future mistress of the Lu family was exhilarating. It fed her sense of accomplishment, her vanity soaring. Lu Chengwen is mine, so everything he has is mine too. If they fear him, they'll fear me. After all, I'm the young mistress of the Lu family.
But as she reached the inner suite, she found it empty. What important guest?
Then she heard voices. Her senses sharpened. Is he hiding someone? A mistress tucked away in his office?
Fuming at the thought of Lu Chengwen chasing her publicly while keeping another woman in secret, she crept toward the lounge. The door was ajar, revealing a shocking sight: her father, Leng Tianhao, sitting arrogantly across from Lu Chengwen.
Leng Tianhao's voice dripped with condescension. "Chengwen, my sources tell me this shantytown project has no profit potential. What are you thinking?"
Lu Chengwen chuckled. "Profit isn't the point. Even if it loses money, I'll develop the East District. As entrepreneurs, we have a social responsibility."
"Hmph! You're making a huge mistake. Let's cut to the chase. You want to marry my Qingqiu. As we agreed, it starts at ten billion."
Leng Qingqiu, eavesdropping at the door, felt the world spin. Her legs buckled, and she nearly collapsed. What? My parents agreed to this marriage because Lu Chengwen offered a good price? Am I just a commodity to be sold?
Tears welled in her eyes. I'm worth quite a sum, aren't I?
Lu Chengwen scratched his head. "I'm funneling fifty billion into the project right now. I don't have the cash."
Leng Tianhao shot to his feet. "No money, no daughter! The engagement is off!"
Lu Chengwen laughed, standing to shake his hand. "Thank you, Uncle. Please break the news to Qingqiu. I won't show my face."
"You… don't you love Qingqiu?"
"She doesn't love me. You all know that."
"As long as you pay, I'll make sure she marries you."
A few days ago, Lu Chengwen would've paid without hesitation. But now? He waved it off. "No need. Qingqiu and I aren't meant for each other. Forcing it won't work. Let's both move on."
Leng Qingqiu's heart shattered. All his talk of love, devotion, undying commitment… lies. It's all just business. Am I worthless now?
Lu Chengwen, you chased me for three years, said every sweet word in the book, and now you discard me without a second thought? Is there anything more laughable, anyone more pathetic than me? My father treats me like a product, and the man who fawned over me for years turns heartless. Does anyone in this world care about me? Does anyone see me as a person?
She thought bitterly, I, Leng Qingqiu, am nothing but a clown.
Leng Tianhao, furious, sneered, "Don't get cocky, Lu Chengwen. You think you can manipulate the Leng family by tricking Qingqiu into investing in this doomed project? Dream on! Next week, I'll announce that Qingqiu is out. She'll have nothing to do with Qianfeng Group!"
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened. "What?"
"I'm the chairman of Qianfeng Group. I have the authority!"
Lu Chengwen's voice rose with urgency. "You can't do this! Reviving Qianfeng is Qingqiu's dream. You're her father—you can't strip her of that. It's like killing her! You know how hard she's worked, how much she wants to prove herself. How is this any different from destroying her? You're her father—you're supposed to be her biggest supporter!"
"You're her fiancé, and you're abandoning her too!"
"I'm not the same!" Lu Chengwen shouted. "I'm just an outsider. You know how much she looks down on me—everyone in Xuecheng knows! I can break up with her. Marriages can end in divorce. But parents? They're forever. They're supposed to love, protect, and stand by her no matter what. How can you call yourself her father?"
Leng Qingqiu, tears streaming down her face, felt Lu Chengwen's words pierce her soul. Lu Chengwen, if you understand me so well, why didn't you say so sooner? Why act like a sleazy fool to annoy me? If you care so much, why treat me like a transaction? Why call off the engagement? What do you want from me? Who are you, really?
Leng Tianhao scoffed. "Spare me your nonsense. I've been playing this game longer than you've been alive."
Lu Chengwen, desperate, offered, "Is this about the shantytown project? Fine. Whatever you invest, I'll cover. If it profits, you take it. If it loses, it's on me."
Leng Tianhao's eyes gleamed. "Don't just talk. Prove it."
"I'm not all talk!" Lu Chengwen snapped. "But this money isn't for Qingqiu. It's separate."
Lu Chengwen's gaze hardened. "You… is money all you see? When you talk about Qingqiu, where's the love a father should have? She's not a product. Don't you feel ashamed, treating her like this? If she heard you, how heartbroken would she be?"
"Just answer me—do you agree?"
"If you promise not to hurt Qingqiu, I'll do it."
"Show me the money."
Lu Chengwen gritted his teeth. "Fine. I'll transfer ten billion to Qianfeng Group. Four billion follows the government's terms for the project. The rest, do whatever you want—buy land, anything—but don't harm Qingqiu."
"Generous, aren't you?" Leng Tianhao smirked.
"Enough!" Lu Chengwen said. "From now on, our families go separate ways. No more entanglements."
"Deal. Transfer the money."
Leng Qingqiu, watching Lu Chengwen, felt her emotions spiral. Was she heartbroken or moved? This man—what is he thinking? If he loves me, why not use this money to pressure my greedy father and claim me? Why push me away? What do you want?
Lu Chengwen grabbed his phone. "Li Meiqin, transfer ten billion to Qianfeng Group's account now. I know, just do it! If the sky falls, it's on me. Use the expedited process—contact the bank directly. Five minutes, get it done!"
Hanging up, he glared at Leng Tianhao. "Satisfied?"
Leng Tianhao laughed. "You're too impulsive, kid. Too green."
"I'm begging you, don't hurt Qingqiu."
"Why do you care? You're cutting ties with us."
Lu Chengwen's eyes glistened with tears. "Because I'm human. I have a heart."
Leng Tianhao nodded. "Our deal still stands. Another ten billion, and Qingqiu is yours."
Lu Chengwen clenched his jaw. "Get out."
Leng Tianhao laughed, pushing open the door and leaving.
_
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