Chapter 473: Things That Cannot Be Avoided
Li Qun and the Appraisal
Qu Youran, like the general public, was curious about Luke Shaw's sudden departure. In her understanding, Luke was not the kind of willful person.
Li Qun took a sip of tea and said calmly,
"Don't worry, here, he's absolutely safe."
That single word, "absolutely," implied many things.
Qu Youran knew Li Qun's true identity well. Since he stated that Luke was safe, it meant no attack had occurred. Still, thinking about the unsettling encounters of the past couple of days, she couldn't help but ask,
"Is Luke Shaw really that important?"
"Alright, I won't discuss this topic anymore. I haven't eaten. Come with me. It's been so long since we last talked."
With that, he got up and left the office, with Qu Youran quickly following.
The two left the office area and came to the restaurant. Along the way, many people quietly glanced their way. There was no shortage of beautiful women in the restaurant, but Qu Youran was the first with such refined and extraordinary elegance.
Li Qun quipped, "Walking with you, my old man's rate of turning heads has improved a lot."
Qu Youran smiled awkwardly, slightly dismissive.
Growing up, she had been secretly admired too many times—if not eight thousand, certainly ten thousand.
Not many people who worked there knew Li Qun's true identity, despite his being there all year round. Soon after the two sat down, the waiter came up and placed a bottle of expensive red wine on the table.
"Miss, this was sent to you by the gentleman at table 9."
Qu Youran didn't even raise her head and placed the red wine directly under the table.
Seeing this, the waiter had to shake his head, concluding that the rather handsome young man was about to be rejected.
Qu Youran's aloof behavior discouraged some people, but Li Qun shook his head inwardly. The girl's upbringing, capability, and loyalty were all fine. Her only flaw was her attitude: she was too proud, like a high-ranking white swan, and didn't know how to adapt at all.
"I'll help you order what you want to eat."
"Two vegetarian dishes, one bowl of porridge."
Qu Youran stood up and left. Li Qun took the opportunity to observe the expressions of the people around him. There were thirty-six men and eleven women in the restaurant. Twenty-seven men were secretly peering at them, and six women were secretly looking.
"Qu Yingjie raised a good daughter!"
Li Qun sighed deeply. "One really can't envy things like appearance!"
After lunch, Qu Youran said goodbye and left, and Li Qun slowly and leisurely returned to the office.
A middle-aged man with a three-and-seven-point comb walked into the office. When he saw Li Qun, he laughed.
"Well, how does it feel?"
"Can't take on big responsibilities."
Those five words represented Li Qun's comprehensive conclusion after observing Qu Youran. They were very pertinent, and the middle-aged man looked helpless.
"I know she's not suitable. The problem is that there is no other candidate. Luke Shaw is different from ordinary people. We can infer from the actions of his 'Young Master Gang' that he's a ruthless person. If we send anyone else over, they'll be destroyed. Although Little Qu has a poor mindset, her identity is a factor, and she is loyal enough."
"You're going to train her to be a middleman."
"There is no such thing as a cat that won't go near fish in this world. Faced with such a beautiful woman, I don't believe a vigorous young man can endure for long."
Li Qun shook his head slightly. "A bad move."
"Then you teach me a trick!"
The middle-aged man picked up the teapot, poured a cup of hot tea and put it on the table. "He's been pressed hard, and the boy is a character who is indifferent. We've hinted many times, but he's ignored it. You may laugh at me, but I still haven't figured out his card."
"Where is Old Shaw?"
"Tried it, but couldn't get through."
"That would be troublesome."
"Exactly. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to you. Only you have the ability to solve this matter."
Li Qun was immediately silent. He picked up the teacup, drank it casually, and said after a long time,
"What do you want to take away from me?"
The middle-aged man said three words: "Qin Ruchuan!"
Li Qun was not surprised by this request at all, so he opened the drawer and placed the documents he had already prepared on the table.
"I am old, and the future will depend on you after all."
"I hope you get your wish."
Qin Ruchuan's Denial
In recent times, life in the Qin family had been in complete disarray.
Qin Ruchuan and Li Qiaoyan argued day and night, and the former was so annoyed that he simply moved to his unit's dormitory.
After Qin Ya learned that Luke might be her half-brother, she was excited, nervous, and suspicious. She was in a trance all day long, constantly thinking. Under the encouragement of her friend Lin Yun, she couldn't help but seek out her father.
"Dad, let me ask you something. Don't be angry."
Qin Ruchuan rubbed his eyebrows and said patiently,
"What do you want to ask?"
"Well, besides Xiao hao, do you have a son?"
While talking, Qin Ya carefully observed her father's movements, but her father's expression was unexpectedly calm.
"Don't believe your mother. That's not the case."
"But..."
Qin Ya hesitated. "You didn't deny it that night!"
Qin Ruchuan smiled and said, "Not denying it doesn't mean confirming it. I just didn't want to argue with your mother any further."
"Since you asked, then I will tell you."
"Luke Shaw and I were old friends and worked as war correspondents in the Middle East together. I don't deny that I liked his mother, but it was just unrequited love...." He paused and said with a smile,
"I won't tell you the rest. In short, Luke Shaw and I are not father and son. I only have one son, Xiao Hao. As for you, don't dream about princesses all day long. That's unrealistic. Do you understand?"
Qin Ya's face fell instantly. To get such an answer after days of preparation was incredibly disappointing.
She didn't give up and asked,
"Dad, are you absolutely sure he's not your son?"
Qin Ruchuan said helplessly,
"It's unclear whether he's my son or not. I don't even know yet."
"You, put your mind to your studies. Studies are important. If I find out you're skipping school, I won't spare you."
Qin Ya pouted, said "Ah," turned around, and ran out of the study.
Qin Ruchuan changed his clothes and sent her to school, then went to work at his unit. But when he arrived, he found the office empty; there was no one there. He was a little confused and shouted several times, but got no response.
"No need to shout, Mr. Qin. There are only you and me here."
A middle-aged man with a three-and-seven-point hairstyle walked in, looking gentle with frameless glasses that gave him a distinctive air.
The middle-aged man extended his right hand, which was ungloved, and smiled.
"Dai Yunkai, nice to meet you."
Without shaking his hand, Qin Ruchuan frowned and said, "Where are the people who work here?"
"They have the morning off."
Qin Ruchuan's heart sank, and many suspicions arose in his mind.
Dai Yunkai made an inviting gesture.
"If you don't mind, let's talk in the conference room!"
Qin Ruchuan looked at him deeply, turned, and walked into the conference room.
The door closed, leaving only the two men sitting opposite each other in the large room.
Qin Ruchuan didn't want to get too entangled with him and went straight to the point.
"If the purpose of your visit is Luke Shaw, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Although I was acquainted with his mother, he is not my child."
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