Chapter 52

Chu Tianshu answered truthfully, "I have a female colleague whose mother is sick and needs 100,000 yuan for surgery. I promised to help her find a way."

Wu Mengdie asked, "What is she to you? Your girlfriend?"

"No! She's just a female colleague," Chu Tianshu shook his head.

Seeing that Wu Mengdie still had doubts, Chu Tianshu briefly explained Zheng Xiaomin's family situation. When he mentioned that Zheng Xiaomin was willing to sell herself to save her mother, Wu Mengdie's eyebrows twitched.

Chu Tianshu saw a glimmer of hope in Wu Mengdie's expression.

However, Wu Mengdie still refused Chu Tianshu's request. She said, "Xiao Chu, your actions are touching, but the Ling family wants to repay you, not encourage you to do more good deeds. That would lose the meaning of repayment. Besides, you are a government official; receiving money directly could be detrimental to you in the future."

Chu Tianshu was a bit disappointed but had to admit that Wu Mengdie's considerations were thorough.

Wu Mengdie pondered for a moment and then said, "If you insist on needing the money, then resign and join my company. I can pay you 100,000 yuan in advance as your annual salary."

"No!" Chu Tianshu rejected Wu Mengdie's suggestion. "Senior Sister, I don't need your charity. I promised to help someone, and I will find another way."

Wu Mengdie said, "I will keep what you said in mind, but I must tell you that a private company is not a charity. Any investment should generate benefits, at least potential benefits. If you are unwilling to join, I currently have no reason to give you 100,000 yuan."

"Senior Sister, I understand," Chu Tianshu said excitedly. "But have you thought about this: if I join your company, I might save Zheng Xiaomin's mother, but there are thousands of laid-off workers at the instrument factory. Who can help change their fate?"

Hearing Chu Tianshu's words, Wu Mengdie pondered for a while before saying, "Xiao Chu, your lofty aspirations are commendable. My grandfather and I underestimated you. I think the Ling family's repayment to you might consider a more meaningful way."

Chu Tianshu didn't fully understand the meaning behind Wu Mengdie's words, but he didn't dare to ask more. He looked down at Ling Rui and asked, "Ruirui, what did your grandfather ask you to give me?"

Ling Rui said happily, "A house, this very one. Do you like it?"

"Ah..." Chu Tianshu couldn't help but glance at Wu Mengdie.

Wu Mengdie nodded at him.

"This gift is too valuable..."

"Is it?" Wu Mengdie smiled faintly. "Do you know, Ruirui is the only legal heir of the Lingyun Group."

Lingyun Group?

Buy a cake! (Note: This is a Chinese expression of surprise or frustration.)

If Chu Tianshu hadn't done some research in the afternoon, he might not have known the weight of these four words. But the records were clear: this was a listed company with assets worth billions. Although this house was worth at least a million, it was just a drop in the bucket for the Lingyun Group.

Chu Tianshu was stunned. He looked at Ling Rui, feeling a bit dazed, as if he were walking on a cloud, feeling light and airy.

At this moment, Chu Tianshu was even a bit scared. If the impulsive action of yesterday had led to Ling Rui's misfortune, he would have been torn to pieces by his grandfather.

Wu Mengdie gave Ling Rui an encouraging look and then turned to Chu Tianshu, saying, "Xiao Chu, this is Ruirui's first decision. I hope you can support him and not discourage his confidence and enthusiasm."

"Thank you, Ruirui, and thank your grandfather on my behalf." Chu Tianshu shook hands with Ling Rui.

"Uncle Chu, if your girlfriend disapproves, you can exchange it for any property developed by the Lingyun Group. However, I must tell you in advance that it can only be valued as a second-hand property, and the renovation costs cannot be included."

At such a young age, he already had such economic acumen, truly a successor the Ling family could cultivate.

Chu Tianshu teased, "Ruirui, we are friends. Can you give me a special discount?"

Ling Rui said seriously, "My grandfather said that in business, there are only partners, not friends."

Amazing! Truly amazing!

Chu Tianshu picked up Ling Rui and lifted him over his head, intending to spin him around as he usually did with Zhang Yingying. But before he could move, he felt a numbness in his elbow, and his strength was suddenly gone. A dagger pressed against his throat.

Turning his head slightly, he saw a cold, icy face.

Leng Xue!

What agile movements!

When did she appear? Chu Tianshu thought he was quite quick-witted, but he had been caught off guard by Leng Xue without a sound.

Chu Tianshu struggled a bit but to no avail. He asked casually, "Leng Xue, what are you doing?"

"What? I am responsible for Ling Rui's safety," Leng Xue said coldly, her face expressionless. "Mr. Chu, this is a dangerous action that could endanger Ling Rui's safety."

"Leng Xue, don't be impolite." Wu Mengdie signaled Leng Xue to let go.

Leng Xue twirled the dagger in her hand, and before Chu Tianshu could see what happened, it was already back in its sheath at her waist, moving so fast it was unbelievable.

She let go, stepped back, and put away the dagger in one smooth motion, dazzling to watch.

Chu Tianshu thought to himself: This is no ordinary life assistant; she's a cold-faced killer!

Wu Mengdie took a file from the study and handed it to Chu Tianshu, saying, "Take a look. This is all the documentation for the house. You have two options: one, transfer ownership, and the house will be yours after the procedures are completed tomorrow; two, rent it, and we will sign a lease agreement, and you will pay rent on schedule. Think about it."

Chu Tianshu flipped through the documents, including the property deed and land ownership certificate, feeling very conflicted.

In China, almost every young person in the city struggles for a lifetime to own a house!

How many excellent young people like Fan Yibing have become house slaves, their backs bent by the ever-rising housing prices, even before they are old!

Accepting this house from the Ling family would save him at least twenty years of struggle.

Chu Tianshu hesitated and looked up, meeting Wu Mengdie's sharp gaze.

He remembered what Wu Mengdie had said earlier, "The Ling family's repayment to you might consider a more meaningful way." He suddenly understood that this was Wu Mengdie testing him again, to see if his lofty aspirations were just empty words in the face of great benefits.

Thinking of this, Chu Tianshu patted the file and said to Ling Rui, "Ruirui, Uncle Chu will keep this house for you temporarily. When you grow up, I will return it to you."

Ling Rui's playful expression returned, and he said with a smile, "Hehe, my task is complete. The rest is none of my business."

Chu Tianshu noticed that Wu Mengdie seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Her eyes were gentle and serene, and she said with a hint of satisfaction, "Good. We will sign the lease agreement. After you sign, the right to use the house will be yours. You can move in at any time from tomorrow. However, since it is a rental, I, as the landlord, have an additional condition: no women in the master bedroom overnight."

Chu Tianshu quickly said, "Senior Sister, don't worry. I will stay in the guest room and leave the master bedroom for you."

"That's not necessary. You can stay in the master bedroom. I just don't want the scent of other women in there. By the way, there is a Lingyunzhi in the garage. I will let you keep it temporarily, consider it borrowed. Understand?"

"Understood."

"Lingyunzhi" is a car brand developed by the Lingyun Group, a mid-to-high-end sedan.

"Alright, I will have someone send over the lease agreement. After you review it, you can sign it. Leng Xue, show Mr. Chu around, hand over the keys and the car, and we will return to Linjiang early tomorrow morning."

Hearing Wu Mengdie's instructions, Leng Xue said expressionlessly, "Mr. Chu, please follow me."

Downstairs, Chu Tianshu followed Leng Xue, checking the guest room, kitchen, bathroom, and storage room. The two-story house was simply and tastefully decorated, not as luxurious as a five-star hotel but definitely comfortable and bright.

Finally, they came to the garage, where a nearly new black Lingyunzhi was parked, with a Qingyuan City license plate.

"Listen, this car has been specially modified. Don't touch the equipment inside," Leng Xue said, throwing the garage and car keys to Chu Tianshu.

"Leng Xue?" Chu Tianshu called out.

"Is there a problem?"

"Yes!"

"Speak!"

Chu Tianshu took a step back and asked in a low voice, "Can you laugh?"

As soon as he spoke, Leng Xue grabbed his ear, her movements so fast they were unbelievable.

"Let go, let go quickly," Chu Tianshu cried, inwardly cursing. Among the girls he had met, Du Yufei and Xiang Wanqing were already unreasonable, but compared to them, Leng Xue was incomprehensible.

Leng Xue let go of his ear.

Chu Tianshu muttered, "I just asked, no one is forcing you to laugh."

"What does it matter if I laugh or not?" Leng Xue said with a stern face.

"A smile a day keeps the doctor away. What's wrong with that?" Chu Tianshu tried to avoid her but kept talking.

"Less talk, take good care of the car. If there are any problems when I come back, I won't forgive you."

"Hey, my senior sister said the car is lent to me. I can use it however I want. What can you do about it?"

"Try it if you don't believe me." Leng Xue ignored Chu Tianshu's argument, slicing her hand through the air. Chu Tianshu pretended to be very afraid and exaggeratedly shrank his neck.

Seeing Chu Tianshu's comical expression, Leng Xue couldn't help but laugh.

Although it was just a chuckle, Leng Xue's smile was quite cute.

Chu Tianshu said, "You look really good when you smile, did you know that?"

"I didn't know!" Leng Xue quickly returned to her cold demeanor.

"Look in the mirror, and you'll see."

"Less talk, I never look in the mirror."

Chu Tianshu didn't dare to speak anymore.

As they left the garage, Leng Xue suddenly said, "Also, the guest room is where I slept. No women are allowed to sleep there, understand?"

Ah? Chu Tianshu was a bit stunned.