Chapter 41

Leng Qingqiu drank some alcohol.

Her mood was terrible.

She had worked hard for several years, and just when the Qianfeng Group was about to get back on track, her father suddenly began to favor an outsider, planning to kick her out.

Leng Qingqiu felt an overwhelming coldness and despair in her heart.

Between father and daughter, it was always about interests, not affection.

Leng Qingqiu, emboldened by the alcohol, came to the Dashing Group.

Leng Qingqiu's appearance at the Dashing Group was a sight to behold.

No one dared to stop her; everyone knew she was Lu Chengwen's dream girl, his fiancée, and they were to be engaged next month.

So, Leng Qingqiu walked here with a commanding presence, even more assertive than in her own company.

She charged all the way up, and Zhao Gang, who had already received the news, hurried out to intercept her.

"President Leng, President Leng, President Lu is meeting an important guest. Please go to the lounge and wait."

Leng Qingqiu, emboldened by the alcohol, said, "Nonsense! I, Leng Qingqiu, want to see Lu Chengwen. When have I ever waited? Get out of my way!"

Leng Qingqiu had drunk alcohol, which only made her bolder and more impulsive, but her intelligence remained intact.

From Zhao Gang's expression, she knew something was amiss.

After taking a few steps, she turned and glared at Zhao Gang, who was stunned.

"If you dare to inform him, I'll make sure you die a horrible death."

"Ah? I... didn't..."

Leng Qingqiu leaned in close to Zhao Gang, "Let me tell you, I am the most important woman in Lu Chengwen's heart. You know better than anyone how many means he has used over the past three years to marry me!"

"Yes..."

"Starting next month, I will be the madam of the Lu family. If you offend me, I'll badmouth you to Lu Chengwen every day. Just see how you'll fare!"

Zhao Gang was terrified.

No matter how good his relationship with Lu Chengwen was, he was still just a lackey.

If he really offended Leng Qingqiu, he would have no good days ahead.

Seeing Zhao Gang's cowardly demeanor, Leng Qingqiu laughed, "Stand aside."

She then pushed the door open and walked in.

As she walked through the outer office, she saw Secretary Jiang Shihan. Just as Jiang Shihan was about to speak, Leng Qingqiu made a gesture for silence and warned with a stern face, "If you don't want to lose your job, don't make a sound!"

Jiang Shihan was frightened by this threat; she feared losing her job.

Moreover, she knew better than anyone how far Lu Chengwen would go for Leng Qingqiu.

Leng Qingqiu felt a sense of satisfaction and pride.

Being the madam of the Lu family was really quite enjoyable!

She realized that she actually enjoyed this identity, feeling a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in her vanity.

She thought to herself, "Lu Chengwen is mine, so everything he has is mine."

They fear Lu Chengwen, so they must fear me. Haha, who wouldn't, given that I am the madam of the Lu family!

When she reached the inner suite, she found it empty.

Where were the important guests!?

She heard voices inside and immediately became alert.

Could it be... he's hiding a beauty in there!?

How dare he! On the surface, he's pursuing me, but in the company, he's keeping a beautiful woman!

As she approached the door to the lounge, she saw that it was slightly ajar. Leng Qingqiu peeked inside and saw her father, Leng Tianhao, talking to Lu Chengwen.

Leng Tianhao, sitting in the seat of honor, was very arrogant, "Chengwen, my intelligence network has confirmed that this slum project has no potential for profit. What are you thinking?"

Lu Chengwen laughed, "Profit is secondary. Even if it means a loss, we must develop the East District. As a businessman, we must have a sense of social responsibility."

"Hmph! You've made a big mistake. To be clear, if you want to marry our Qingqiu, the starting price is one billion, as we agreed before."

Leng Qingqiu, standing at the door, felt dizzy and weak in the knees, almost collapsing to the ground.

What!?

So, my parents agreed to the marriage with the Lu family because Lu Chengwen offered a good price?

What am I? A commodity to be sold?

Tears welled up in her eyes.

I must be worth a lot!

Lu Chengwen, scratching his head, said, "I need to raise five billion to invest in the project. I don't have the money."

Leng Tianhao stood up abruptly, "Without the money, you can't marry my daughter! I declare that the engagement is canceled!"

Lu Chengwen laughed and stood up to shake hands with Leng Tianhao, "Thank you, Uncle. Please tell Qingqiu for me. I won't show up."

"You... You always liked Qingqiu, didn't you?"

"She doesn't like me, you all know that."

"As long as you pay, I'll still have her marry you."

A few days ago, Lu Chengwen would have paid.

But now, he wouldn't even if asked.

Lu Chengwen smiled, "No need. Qingqiu and I are not a good match. A forced marriage won't be sweet. Let's each go our own way."

Leng Qingqiu was devastated.

What about all the liking, all the admiration, all the vows of marriage, all the promises of eternal love...

It's all fake, all a lie.

It's all business.

Am I not worth anything now?

Lu Chengwen, you've pursued me for three years, said all the sweet words, and now you're so heartless.

Ha, is there anything more ridiculous than this? Is there anyone more pitiful than me?

My father treated me like a commodity, and the man who fawned over me for three years turned his back on me, discarding me like a used rag...

Is there anyone in this world who cares about me? Is there anyone who treats me like a person?

I, Leng Qingqiu, am just a clown.

Leng Tianhao was also furious, "Lu Chengwen, don't get too cocky! The Leng family won't let you manipulate us. You think you can trick Qingqiu into investing in this project and control the Leng family? Dream on! Next week, I'll announce that Leng Qingqiu will be dismissed, and she will have no connection with the Qianfeng Group!"

Lu Chengwen was shocked, "What are you saying?"

"The chairman of the Qianfeng Group is me! I have the authority!"

Lu Chengwen was nervous, "No, wait. Revitalizing Qianfeng is Qingqiu's dream. You're her father; you can't take away her dream."

"What dream? I want the Qianfeng Group to return to its peak. Whoever can achieve my ambition will be the president of the Qianfeng Group!"

Lu Chengwen was agitated, "You're killing Qingqiu! You know how hard she's worked these years, how much she wants to prove herself to you. How is this any different from killing her? You're her father; you should be the one who supports her the most!"

"You're still her fiancé, aren't you? Didn't you abandon her?"

"Can I be the same? I'm just an outsider. You know how much she despises me! Everyone in Xuecheng knows! I can break up with her, even divorce her after marriage, but parents are a lifelong commitment. They should unconditionally support, protect, and care for her, always standing behind her as her support. How can you be a father like this!?"

"Ha! You talk so righteously! Why are you trying to trick us?"

"I'm not tricking you! I just... I didn't expect her to get involved. She misunderstood, thinking I could make a lot of money. I took this project knowing it would be a loss!"

"Don't give me that! I see you clearly. You're trying to drag us all into this, making us all lose money, and then you'll clean up one by one, right?"

Lu Chengwen was pacing, "I'm not that kind of person! Uncle Leng, you can't do this to Qingqiu. Her strength is all an act. She's actually very fragile and needs your love and support! Seeing her act strong every day makes me heartache. You're her father; why don't you feel anything?"

Leng Qingqiu, standing at the door, was already in tears.

Lu Chengwen's words pierced her heart.

Lu Chengwen, if you understand me so well, why didn't you say it earlier? Why did you pretend to be slick and annoying?

If you care about me so much, why did you make a deal with my father, treating me like a commodity?

If you can't bear to hurt me, why did you suddenly break off the engagement?

Why? What do you want from me to let me go?

What kind of person are you? What are you trying to do!?

Leng Tianhao said, "Don't give me that nonsense. We're both old foxes. I was reading 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio' when you were still playing in the mud!"

Lu Chengwen was furious, "Is it because of the slum project? Here, whatever you invest, I'll cover it! You profit, you share; if there's a loss, it's on me!"

"Oh?" Leng Tianhao, hearing about the money, was pleased, "Don't just talk!"

"I'm not the kind of person who just talks!"

"But I remind you, this money is not for marrying Qingqiu. It can't be mixed together."

Lu Chengwen looked at Leng Tianhao in surprise, "Do you... do you have anything else in your eyes besides money? When you talk about Qingqiu, I don't feel any fatherly love. Is your daughter a commodity? Talking about money all the time, don't you find it disgusting? If Qingqiu heard you, she would be heartbroken."

"Don't give me that nonsense. Do you agree or not?"

"As long as you don't hurt Qingqiu, I agree!"

"Fine, then transfer the money!"

Lu Chengwen gritted his teeth, "Here, I'll transfer one billion directly. The other forty-nine billion, you invest normally, don't violate the government's agreement! The remaining fifty-one billion, you can use as you like, but you must not hurt Qingqiu!"

"Ha, quite generous!"

"Of course! And from now on, our families will be separate, no interfering with each other!"

"Fine, transfer the money!"

Leng Qingqiu, watching Lu Chengwen, was almost at her breaking point.

She didn't know whether to be sad or moved.

What is this person thinking?

If he likes me, and is willing to pay, he could have threatened my greedy father and gotten me!

Why is he saying he wants to draw a line between us?

What does he want from me!

Lu Chengwen picked up the phone, "Li Meiqin, immediately transfer one billion to the Qianfeng Group's account. I know! Do it when I tell you, or the sky will fall on me! What procedures? Use the fast track, contact the bank directly, and complete the transfer within five minutes!"

Lu Chengwen hung up the phone, "Is that okay? Are you satisfied?"

Leng Tianhao laughed, "Young man, you're still too impulsive and naive."

"Uncle Leng, I beg you, don't hurt Qingqiu."

"Why? You said you want to draw a line between us. Why do you care so much?"

Lu Chengwen was so angry that tears came to his eyes.

"Because I am a person, a person with feelings."

Leng Tianhao nodded, "But our agreement still stands. Transfer another billion, and Qingqiu will be yours."

Lu Chengwen gritted his teeth, "Goodbye, don't bother to see me out!"

Leng Tianhao laughed and pushed open the door.