Long Aotian lay in bed, tears slipping from the corners of his eyes.
There was no path left for the righteous. His own people had betrayed him, beaten him, and handed his money to Lu Chengwen.
Luo Shiyin entered, and Long Aotian quickly wiped his tears away.
"Young Master, are you crying?" Luo Shiyin asked, shocked.
"No, I'm not," he denied sharply.
Her heart ached. "It's all that Lu Chengwen's fault! That scourge can't be spared!"
Long Aotian leaned closer, his voice low and fierce. "Shiyin, I need to rest for a while. You have to go after Lu Chengwen."
"Understood."
He gritted his teeth. "Charm him. Drive him wild for you. I need his money—I want him to spit out what's mine!"
"Young Master, rest assured, Shiyin will not fail you!" she vowed.
Long Aotian's eyes burned red with hatred. "Lu Chengwen! What you've taken from me, you'll pay back double!"
The next day, Leng Tianhao was both elated and under immense pressure.
He was thrilled because Long Aotian had introduced him to a new conglomerate, Dongfang Group. Leng Tianhao had heard of their reputation but had never crossed paths with them. Now, their decision to invest heavily in the Northern Kingdom, with Qianfeng Group as their first partner, filled him with excitement.
But the pressure was crushing. Yesterday's financial battle saw Huo Wendong and Lu Chengwen each seize significant shares of Qianfeng Group—Huo with 29% and Lu Chengwen with 20%. Together, they held nearly half the company.
Qianfeng was now a four-way battlefield: Leng Tianhao, Huo Wendong, Lu Chengwen, and Leng Qingqiu. Yet, Leng Tianhao held the most shares. No one could control Qianfeng without his cooperation. Even a two-way alliance couldn't overpower him.
The financial war had driven Qianfeng's stock price sky-high, making it a hot commodity. Leng Tianhao knew that if he could win over just one of the three—Lu Chengwen, Huo Wendong, or Leng Qingqiu—he'd maintain control.
He summoned Leng Qingqiu home, preparing a lavish dinner. "Qingqiu, Qianfeng's stock soared yesterday! We made a killing! Eat, eat."
Leng Qingqiu sat still, her expression cold. "Father, just say what's on your mind."
"Huh? Oh, haha." Leng Tianhao felt awkward diving straight in but knew his daughter's no-nonsense nature. He sighed. "Qingqiu, a lot's happened lately. You stepped down as CEO, but you're still a shareholder."
"Get to the point," she said flatly.
"Fine, no beating around the bush," he said. "I want you to transfer your shares to me. Temporarily, of course. I'll put it in writing. I can't buy them outright now, but once I have the cash, I'll pay you back. When things stabilize, I'll return the shares. What do you say?"
Leng Qingqiu had seen this coming. She leaned back, hands in her pockets, and said calmly, "I'm going to take Qianfeng."
"What?" Leng Tianhao blinked, stunned.
"I won't give you my shares," she said. "I'll use every resource I have to seize Qianfeng back."
Leng Tianhao's anger flared. "Qingqiu, do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course," she replied. "Qianfeng can't stay in your hands. I have to take it back."
"Qianfeng is my life's work!" he roared, standing. "No one's taking it from me!"
"Then hold on tight," she said coolly.
"What the hell are you doing?" he demanded.
"I told you," she said. "You fight to keep it, I'll fight to take it. Let's see who wins."
"I'm your father!" he shouted.
Leng Qingqiu smiled. "I have a father now."
"What are you talking about?"
Her cheeks flushed as she recalled jokingly calling Lu Chengwen "Daddy" to tease him. She straightened, her voice firm. "I know you're working with Huo Wendong, but let me warn you: his goal is to swallow Qianfeng. Look at yesterday's transactions—it's clear."
"Hmph! He'd need a strong stomach for that!" Leng Tianhao snapped. "And Lu Chengwen? He's after our family's business too! They're all the same. This is a dog-eat-dog world. Every partner wants to be the top dog. But if we, father and daughter, join forces, no one can touch us!"
Leng Qingqiu shook her head slowly. "Years ago, even days ago, I thought the same. But now? I want to take Qianfeng and be the top dog myself."
Leng Tianhao's fury erupted. "Why? You're my daughter! How can you betray me like this? Lu Chengwen and Huo Wendong both want Qianfeng. If we unite, their shares mean nothing—never will! Why are you turning against me?"
She stood. "When you're ready to sell your shares, call me. I'll buy them with cash."
"Cash?" he shouted. "Where are you getting that kind of money?"
"I'll ask my father."
"Your father? That's me!"
Leng Qingqiu smiled. "I mean Lu Chengwen."
"What nonsense is this?"
"I'm his now," she said. "Everything I do will revolve around him. If he wants Qianfeng, I'll take it and give it to him."
"You're insane!" Leng Tianhao bellowed.
"Not yet," she replied calmly. "You always wanted me to marry him so he'd pour money into saving Qianfeng, right? Well, now I'm his. But it seems you didn't get his money—and you've lost a daughter."
"You lunatic! I raised an ungrateful wretch! You're… you're despicable!"
Her anger finally broke. She spun, shouting, "Yes, I'm despicable! I'm your daughter, and you raised a despicable woman!"
"You're sick!"
"I am sick!" Leng Qingqiu's face twisted with ferocity. "I've spent my life searching for someone who loves me, who sees me as human. Now I've found him—Lu Chengwen! From now on, I'm no longer the cold, proud Leng Qingqiu. I'm just a despicable woman by his side. For his ambitions, I'll personally take Qianfeng and hand it to him!"
"You… you…" Leng Tianhao stammered.
"Once I secure the majority of Qianfeng's shares," she continued, "I'll present it to him as a gift. He'll be pleased, he'll admire me, he'll call me a good girl and cherish me forever!"
"You… you…" Leng Tianhao was speechless.
"From today, we're enemies in the corporate arena," she declared. "Father, bring it on. Let's see if you can withstand the younger generation's assault!"
"I… I…" he faltered.
"I'll take Qianfeng from you with my own hands!" she vowed.
Leng Tianhao collapsed into his chair, staring at his frenzied daughter, too stunned to speak. Even after she stormed out, he remained dazed.
A servant approached. "Master, should we add more dishes?"
"Add what?" Leng Tianhao roared, flipping the table.
In his office, Lu Chengwen was teaching Jiang Shihan indoor golf. His arms wrapped around her, his face nearly pressed against hers, inhaling her scent and admiring her flushed cheeks. His mind raced. [This is the life! Holding my sexy secretary, copping a feel—this is what a CEO's supposed to do! Oh, she's pushing back with her hips! This girl's trouble!]
Jiang Shihan's face was crimson, but she felt no resentment. She relished her boss's playful flirting during work hours.
"Relax your arms," Lu Chengwen coached. "Yes, and your waist. Gently, follow the motion… like that…"
The door swung open, and Leng Qingqiu walked in. She immediately saw Lu Chengwen holding Jiang Shihan, ostensibly playing golf but clearly enjoying themselves, both flushed with excitement. His grin was sleazy, hers shy yet delighted.
Seeing Leng Qingqiu, Lu Chengwen quickly released Jiang Shihan. "Oh, Qingqiu, you're here! We were just… killing time, stretching a bit."
Leng Qingqiu huffed. "I spoke with my father."
"That's the spirit!" Lu Chengwen said, subtly patting Jiang Shihan's backside. She took the hint and headed out. "President Leng, President Lu, I'll make you some coffee."
With Jiang Shihan gone, Lu Chengwen sank into his chair. "No bad blood between father and daughter, right? With your shares combined, Huo Wendong can't make waves. Did he reinstate you at Qianfeng?"
"Your little secretary's quite the firecracker," Leng Qingqiu remarked dryly.
"Huh? Nah!" Lu Chengwen laughed awkwardly. "It's not what you think. We're pure as can be—like a big brother and little sister. I look out for her, she works hard. We were just sitting too long, needed to move…"
"No need to spin it," Leng Qingqiu cut in. "I've cut ties with my father."
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened. "Cut ties? What does that mean?"
"I laid it out," she said. "I'm going to fight him for Qianfeng."
He shook his head. "Why? You're family. What's there to fight over?"
"For you."
"For me?" His eyes nearly popped out.
"I told him I'm your woman now," she said. "I'm going to take Qianfeng and give it to you."
Lu Chengwen froze for a good six or seven seconds, speechless. [This is getting wild! What's going on? Father and daughter turning into enemies? What's in this girl's head?]
"I told you, I'm not interested in Qianfeng!" he said. "And since when are you my woman? When did I sign up for that?"
"Anytime," Leng Qingqiu said casually, toying with a desk ornament. "If you want, I'll play golf with you every day."
Lu Chengwen leaned back, stunned. "What are you talking about?"
She stepped closer, grabbing his tie and pulling him near, their faces almost touching. "If you want me, I'm yours anytime. Like golf? Holding someone close? I'll strip down and play golf with you."
He yanked his tie back, stuffing it clumsily into his suit. "You're… you're freaking me out right now!"
Leng Qingqiu laughed. "Why does everyone act like I'm a ghost? Am I that scary?"
Lu Chengwen nodded. "Stop messing around. I'm a coward, easily spooked."
She pushed his chair back slightly and sat on his lap, her curves pressing against him. "Wanna play golf?" she whispered.
Voices came from outside. Jiang Shihan, flustered, said, "President Xu, please wait. I'll check if President Lu is free…"
"Check what?" Xu Xuejiao snapped. "I'm his fiancée! I'll walk wherever I want in Dasheng Group! Move! Who's in there that's so important?"
Xu Xuejiao shoved the door open, freezing at the sight of a stunning woman on Lu Chengwen's lap, clearly flirting. Lu Chengwen leaned back, trying to distance himself. "It's not what you think!"
_
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