Chapter 72

Shen Yafang watched as Lu Xin looked at her with adoring eyes, and her resolve to teach him a lesson was greatly encouraged. She then posed a critical question to Lu Xin: "Are you here at Sanjiang Group to just get by, or do you want to become the head of Sanjiang Group?"

Lu Xin smiled and said, "Of course, I want to become the chairman of Sanjiang Group!" In front of Shen Yafang, Lu Xin had no need to hide his ambitions.

Shen Yafang blinked her eyes, and a mocking smile appeared on her beautiful face: "Do you think, starting as a maintenance worker, you can eventually become the chairman of Sanjiang Group?"

Lu Xin scratched his head in confusion: "It's up to the person. As long as I do my best, it should be possible!"

Shen Yafang shook her head gently: "Let me tell you, from the time Sanjiang Group was established in the 1950s to now, over the past sixty years, every head of the company has started in production management. None have started in equipment management. If you continue to stay in the maintenance department, at best, you will become the vice president in charge of equipment, ranking last among the nine leaders!"

"Ah," Lu Xin had not seriously considered this issue before. Hearing Shen Yafang's words, he began to understand why production management engineer Xie Fei looked down on him. There was probably this reason as well. Employees in equipment maintenance and management at Sanjiang Group, a large state-owned enterprise, perform auxiliary work, with narrow promotion paths and limited prospects. If he wanted to control Sanjiang Group in the future and make it a source of his wealth, his position could not be limited to the current maintenance role. He nodded to Shen Yafang: "Godmother, I understand your point, but how can I change my position?"

Shen Yafang smiled sweetly: "This is one of the reasons I told you to show weakness to Li Qiming. Only by resolving Li Qiming's hostility and getting his approval for your transfer can you truly take the first step toward the chairman's seat."

Lu Xin nodded in agreement. It seemed that whether it was for his regularization, promotion, or position adjustment, he needed the approval of Li Qiming, the factory manager. He would follow Shen Yafang's advice and use a delaying tactic to gain his trust, and then deal with him when his position was secure.

Shen Yafang's words had a significant impact on Lu Xin, guiding his path forward. Lu Xin was grateful to her.

However, he did not know that Shen Yafang had her own selfish motives. She had set a three-year delaying tactic not only to prevent the detested Li Qiming from marrying Jiang Xueqing but also to give her daughter Li Lu a chance to be with Lu Xin. She had great confidence in her daughter Li Lu. In the entire Jiangzhou City, the only person who could threaten Li Lu was Jiang Xueqing. As long as Jiang Xueqing did not get together with Lu Xin within three years, Li Lu could quickly capture Lu Xin after she entered university.

The reason Shen Yafang valued Lu Xin so much was not only because of his good education, good looks, good physique, and martial arts skills, but also because Li Lu liked him. Shen Yafang did not want her daughter's first love to end in failure. Moreover, after investigating Lu Xin's background all day, she found that both of his parents were dead, making him a suitable candidate to become a son-in-law in the Shen family. Additionally, Lu Xin was decisive and ruthless. If he learned more about political cunning and Machiavellian tactics, his future achievements would be limitless.

Lu Xin's impression of Shen Yafang had greatly improved. He no longer saw her as a woman with a large chest and no brains but regarded her as a wise and graceful goddess. In fact, Lu Xin was overreacting; his political struggle experience was too shallow. Shen Yafang was just telling him some basic political tactics, and he felt as if he had been summoned by the goddess Athena.

Shen Yafang handed the two necklaces to Lu Xin: "When you pass by Li Qiming's house, return these necklaces to him, apologize, and follow what I told you. Just like how Liu Bang dealt with Xiang Yu, show weakness to him. If he excessively tramples on your dignity, find Li Xiaoming, and he will advise his brother to be more restrained!"

Lu Xin took back the necklaces with some embarrassment and said with a forced smile: "Within a week, I will definitely give you even more beautiful necklaces!"

Shen Yafang put on a serious face and sternly looked at Lu Xin: "You only earn 2,000 yuan a month in the maintenance department. Where do you have the money to buy necklaces? Don't force yourself. When your salary increases and you have more gray income, you can buy them then!"

Lu Xin felt a bit embarrassed. He had originally intended to give this beautiful mother and daughter a pair of exquisite platinum diamond necklaces, but due to the reality of political struggles, he had to return them to Li Qiming, feeling ashamed in front of Shen Yafang and Li Lu. He said, "I have martial arts skills, and earning money is easy. I can go fight in underground boxing matches and earn 100,000 yuan per match!"

Clearly, he was exaggerating. He had no idea where to fight in underground matches and had no combat experience. His current fighting prowess was entirely due to his gold control ability.

"Underground boxing?" Shen Yafang quickly grabbed Lu Xin's hand and said seriously, "Those places are extremely dangerous, where you either die or become disabled. You don't need to risk your life for a little money. Listen to your godmother, work hard, and be obedient. If you need money, just tell your godmother. Even if you don't give me a necklace, I will still love you!"

When Shen Yafang's soft and tender hand grabbed Lu Xin's broad and sturdy hand, and when she said she loved him, their eyes met, and in that moment, Lu Xin felt as if he had been electrified by Shen Yafang, and Shen Yafang felt the same. A passionate current flashed in their eyes.

Just as the atmosphere became a bit romantic, Li Lu's voice came from the bathroom: "Mom, I forgot to get my towel!"

The budding intimate feeling between them instantly shattered. Lu Xin felt very embarrassed and was about to get up and leave.

Shen Yafang held his shoulder and gave him final instructions: "For Li Li and Liu Jianhui, you need to take good care of them now. Endure their insults with a smile and do not let anyone see your hatred. When you have a solid plan, you can take decisive action. After all, they are just small fry, and no one will care about their lives. As long as you have enough evidence to clear yourself of suspicion, you can act freely. But do not use the same method against Li Qiming!"

Lu Xin understood and nodded firmly to Shen Yafang, then turned and left her villa.

Walking to the gate of Li Qiming's villa, Lu Xin lowered his head and thought for a moment. He touched the two necklace boxes in his pocket, remembered Shen Yafang's advice, and made up his mind. He rang the doorbell.

When Li Qiming saw Lu Xin on the surveillance, he asked irritably, "Lu Xin, it's almost ten o'clock. What do you want at this late hour?"