Chapter 30: Leng Qingqiu’s Outburst

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Leng Qingqiu walked up to Lu Chengwen and looked into his eyes, her face expressionless.

“Brother Chengwen, I think what you said makes sense. I don’t trust anyone else—I only trust you. Tonight, I’ll call an emergency meeting of the senior executives and finalize the details of investing in the slum redevelopment project.”

Lu Chengwen was no fool. From the look in Leng Qingqiu’s eyes and the expression on her face, he knew she was deliberately acting out of spite.

You told me to invest in the slums, didn’t you? Fine, then I’ll invest in the slums.

Are you really trying to set me up, or are you going to change your mind and obediently back down? Pick one.

Leng Tianhao had no idea what was going through Leng Qingqiu’s mind. Standing behind her, his face had already darkened.

Long Aotian was dumbfounded as well.

Slum redevelopment? Who in their right mind would dare touch that?

Government officials had been going around trying to persuade people, yet not one of Snow City’s four great families had agreed to get involved.

It would take years, require enormous investment, involve countless interested parties, and be extraordinarily complicated. One wrong move could lead to disaster.

Each of those factors alone was deadly. Any major conglomerate would have to think long and hard before investing in a project like this, weighing whether it had the capital and ability to handle it.

The project’s first person in charge had been a southerner. He could not endure it once the project was halfway underway and had fled.

Because of this project, three people had already jumped to their deaths.

The slum redevelopment project was no longer merely a hot potato. It was a red-hot iron brand. Forget holding it in your hand—even touching it would leave you in unbearable pain.

Long Aotian said, “Qingqiu, regarding the slum redevelopment project, I strongly advise you not to get involved. The situation surrounding that project is extremely complicated, and you don’t know enough about the infrastructure industry…”

Leng Qingqiu looked at him coldly. “Do I need to know that much? As long as Brother Chengwen supports me, that’s enough. Isn’t that right, Brother Chengwen?”

Lu Chengwen said, “Uh…”

Long Aotian continued, “The amusement park project has a short development cycle and is easy to assess. As long as we secure that piece of land quickly, we’ll be practically invincible, and there will be plenty of room to maneuver. The slum project, on the other hand, is far too uncertain and will drain both your time and energy.”

“What’s there to fear? With Brother Chengwen supporting me, I’m not afraid of hardship or exhaustion. Isn’t that right, Brother Chengwen?”

Lu Chengwen said, “Uh…”

Long Aotian grew anxious. “Qingqiu, how can you still not understand? I’m doing all of this for you. I don’t want you to jump into a pit of fire, and I don’t want the Qianfeng Group to collapse. I know revitalizing Qianfeng is your dream. I came here for the sake of that dream.”

Leng Qingqiu said, “What revitalizing Qianfeng? I’m a woman. A woman’s greatest dream is to marry a good man. Brother Chengwen and I have already decided to get engaged next month, marry by the end of the year, and have children next year… Isn’t that right, Brother Chengwen?”

Lu Chengwen said, “Uh… Ow…”

Long Aotian thought, What kind of person are you?

How can you fail to see such an obvious business opportunity? You actually want to work with Lu Chengwen on some slum redevelopment project?!

What’s wrong with Leng Qingqiu? Has her brain suddenly shrunk?

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen, her gaze unwavering.

“Brother Chengwen, you’re the only one I trust. Look at me and tell me yourself—which project do you want me to take on?”

The way Leng Qingqiu looked at him made Lu Chengwen extremely uncomfortable.

For a moment, he had no idea how to answer her.

[This idiot isn’t seriously going to trust me and take on that slum redevelopment project, is she? Come on, you clearly know I’m talking nonsense. You’re just acting out of spite, aren’t you?]

[Dammit, I refuse to believe I can’t handle one little girl!]

“Oh, of course.” Lu Chengwen made up his mind. “I’m optimistic about this project. But the decision-making authority at Qianfeng belongs to you. I’m only making a suggestion.”

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“Fine!” Leng Qingqiu answered decisively. “Since that’s your recommendation, I’ll listen to you.”

Leng Tianhao could no longer sit still. “Qingqiu, there’s no need to rush. Let’s discuss this first…”

“There’s nothing to discuss.” Leng Qingqiu was furious by now. She pushed open the door and prepared to leave. “I’ll assemble the team and call an emergency meeting immediately to discuss Qianfeng’s investment and participation plan for the slum redevelopment project. Tomorrow, I’ll negotiate with the relevant officials.”

“You’re being reckless!” Leng Tianhao roared. “How can you act so impulsively over something this important? I’m the chairman of Qianfeng Group, and I do not approve!”

Leng Qingqiu turned to look at him.

“Father, you were the one who told me to marry into the Lu family. You were the one who gave me full authority and responsibility to manage Qianfeng Group. You were also the one who told me, in your own words, that my personal happiness, gains, and losses were unimportant, and that Qianfeng’s long-term interests took precedence over my personal happiness.

“I’m the kind of woman who follows her husband wherever he goes. Since I’m engaged to Brother Chengwen, he will be my husband in the future. My husband’s word is heaven. My husband’s word is law. I will carry out my husband’s orders unconditionally. If Brother Chengwen tells me to invest in the slum project, then I’ll trust him.”

Long Aotian hurriedly said, “Qingqiu, think carefully. Lu Chengwen isn’t worthy of your trust.”

Leng Qingqiu looked at him. “Is that so? Then tell me—who should I trust?”

Her eyes were bloodshot, her lashes wet with tears.

“In all my life, I’ve never found a single person I could trust.”

“When I was little, my father was my idol. I imitated him in everything. I learned his iron-fisted methods, his commanding confidence and decisiveness, his practice of employing people according to their abilities, his calmness and wisdom… But I eventually realized that my father was stronger and colder than I could ever have imagined.”

“Whenever I encountered difficulties or felt hurt and miserable, he never embraced me or comforted me like other fathers would. He only scolded and humiliated me. He would look at me with that merciless, disappointed expression and tell me I was useless!”

“When I grew up, the interests of the group demanded that his own daughter marry into another family. In his eyes, Qianfeng was his child. I was nothing more than a useless daughter.”

“My only friend secretly drugged my drink. When I cried and asked her why, she told me she hated me. She hated me for being smarter than her, for being born into a wealthy family, for being prettier than her, for having a slimmer figure, and for possessing an innate talent for learning! She hated me. She hated everything I had received from birth—everything she could never hope to achieve even after a lifetime of struggle. So she wanted to destroy me!”

“In college, I had only one relationship, and I gave it everything I had. He was sunny and optimistic, an excellent athlete. He wasn’t rich, but he was a ray of light shining into my life. I thought I had finally found someone I could trust!”

“However, on my birthday, he installed three cameras in the hotel room he had booked.”

Leng Qingqiu laughed, tears streaming down her face. Her smile was utterly wretched.

“Three!”

Her voice trembled.

“When I had finally resolved to give him my whole body and soul, all he could think about was recording everything from every possible angle so that he could control me and obtain the Leng family’s wealth.”

Leng Qingqiu wiped away her tears.

“My family, my friends, my lover—they were all this cold and heartless. Tell me, who am I supposed to trust?”

Leng Qingqiu suddenly screamed in fury.

“Answer me! Who can I trust?! Is there really anyone in this world who would sincerely like me, cherish me, and protect me without caring about my appearance, my money, or my background? Is there? Am I destined to spend my entire life alone? Is the world itself truly this cold and heartless? Does the kind of trust I long for simply not exist in this world at all?! Is that it?”

Lu Chengwen felt a stab of sorrow, his heart filled with guilt.

[I’m sorry. I had no idea you’d suffered so much.]

[Sigh. It seems that no matter how much money a person has, what they ultimately seek is happiness and fulfillment in their heart. A lot of people would dismiss that as nonsense, but money really isn’t everything.]

[Damn it, what am I supposed to do? My heart aches for her! If I weren’t carrying out a mission, I’d rush over and hold her right now.]

[No! I have to restrain myself. I can’t let her know. In any case, I should treat her better from now on. Whether in business or in life, whenever she runs into trouble, I’ll secretly help her. This girl has suffered far too much. It’s making me feel awful.]

Leng Qingqiu’s tear-blurred eyes abruptly turned toward Lu Chengwen and fixed on him.

Lu Chengwen lowered his head guiltily and said nothing.

Long Aotian felt that this was his moment to step in.

“Qingqiu, I think I’m that person! That’s right. I came here to like you, cherish you, accompany you, and protect you! From now on, you can trust me. You can trust me with anything. I’m willing to be that ray of light shining into your life! From now on, my light will shine for you alone.”

Lu Chengwen mentally hurled a pile of filth at him.

[Ugh! That’s disgusting! You really have no shame. You’ll say any sweet words that come to mind!]

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[Are you really doing this for Leng Qingqiu’s happiness? You’re obviously coveting the Leng family’s assets! And it isn’t only the Leng family—you’re also eyeing the Xu family and the Chen family. Then there’s my Lu family.]

[Sigh. It can’t be helped. This is your fate. Just be together. Perhaps for Qingqiu, that would be the best possible outcome.]

Leng Qingqiu glanced at Long Aotian.

“I’ve already decided. For the rest of my life, I’ll trust Brother Chengwen. If he wants to set me up, I’ll let him. If he wants to harm me, I’ll let him do it. If he wants to sell me for profit, I’ll even put a good price tag on myself! Tomorrow will be the day Qianfeng Group officially invests in the slum redevelopment project. Just you wait and see!”

Lu Chengwen was completely beside himself.

[What the hell is wrong with you, woman?!]

[Isn’t it obvious? I… I got it wrong again?! Did I somehow make things worse?!]

Lu Chengwen had no idea that Leng Qingqiu had seen through all his cards. He thought he had completely bungled everything.

This was how he believed things should have gone:

Long Aotian had offered Leng Qingqiu the correct path, while he had conveniently proposed the wrong one.

Under normal circumstances, he and Long Aotian would have formed a sharp contrast. Leng Qingqiu would have chosen Long Aotian’s correct investment plan and become grateful to him, allowing the plot to return to its proper course.

The leading lady would then begin advancing the story line shared by herself and the male protagonist.

Lu Chengwen, meanwhile, could withdraw from that story line naturally and move on to deal with the heroines in the other story lines.

But now, for some inexplicable reason, Leng Qingqiu’s long-suppressed psychological problems had erupted!

Her rebellious streak had surfaced!

Leng Qingqiu had always been calm and rational, never making mistakes. But when she finally did make one, it had to be a colossal one—a catastrophic mistake!

She had actually decided to throw caution to the wind and cling to the wrong investment plan!

Leng Tianhao said furiously, “Leng Qingqiu! You are Qianfeng Group’s chief executive officer! Calm down! Is this how I taught you to make judgments and decisions? By letting your emotions control you?! I don’t care how dissatisfied you are with me or how disappointed you are in the world. What I need is your ability—the ability to lead Qianfeng back to the top! You are forbidden from touching the slum redevelopment project. Tomorrow, you will secure that piece of land for me! If you can’t do this, there will be no place for you at Qianfeng Group!”

Leng Qingqiu turned her head and looked at her father coldly.

She answered with a mocking laugh.

“You gave me power. Now you’ll have to accept the consequences. If you want to strip me of my executive and decision-making authority, you’ll need to convene a shareholders’ meeting and formally announce my dismissal. According to the regulations, that meeting requires a week of preparation. I can finish everything I want to do within that week.”

“You…”

After saying this, Leng Qingqiu turned and walked out of the room without looking back.

Lu Chengwen was drenched in sweat from head to toe.

Damn it! I’ve completely ruined everything this time!

Lu Chengwen felt the world spinning around him.

Leng Qingqiu had acted out of spite and resolutely embarked on a dead-end path.

Because of his vile suggestion, Leng Tianhao was now so furious that he looked ready to tear him apart.

Most importantly, there was Long Aotian. His face had darkened to an extreme degree, as though he might erupt at any moment.

This was bad.

I’m going to die!