《Female lead鈥檚 Delusion of Starting Over》 Chapter 1 - The Scumbag System, Lets Perish Together Chapter 1 - The Scumbag System, Let''s Perish Together Chapter 1: The Scumbag System, Let¡¯s Perish Together ¡°Damn, damn, damn, to hell with this scumbag system, you¡¯re messing with me, huh? Come on, let¡¯s perish together.¡± It was initially agreed that as long as the nauseating script was performed, I could go home, leaving this novel world dripping with melodrama. Shedding my viin identity. But then the system imed there was a problem, the plot had deviated, and I had to do it all over again. Taking the gun from my drawer, I aimed it straight at my head. For a long time, I was led by the nose by this scumbag system, but not anymore, let¡¯s destroy it all! If you won¡¯t let me live, then let¡¯s die together. [Host¡ª¡ªCalm down, please calm down.]. The system¡¯s urgent cries rang out, severely underestimating the host¡¯s temperament. This wasn¡¯t what those system seniors told, was it? Weren¡¯t the systems supposed to be the boss between it and the host? ¡°¡­¡± The gun remained pressed against my head, waiting for the system¡¯s exnation. [The system promises, this is thest time. Justplete the plot, and the system can immediately free you from this world.]. Lu Li lowered his head, his eyes filled with gloom: ¡°Is that all you have to say, scumbag system?¡± [¡­]. ¡°You made me live like a scumbag for so many years, do you think I¡¯d still listen to your bullshit? Come on, let¡¯s perish together!¡± I thought this system could give me a reason. But it¡¯s the same old story of empty promises, does it really take Lu Li for a fool? ¡°Let¡¯s die in this damned world together!¡± Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger. [Host sustained unexpected injury, emergency protocol activated]. Time seemed to freeze at this moment, the bullet that hadn¡¯t left the barrel seemed jammed, unable to exit, and even the wind froze in ce, the curtain at the bedside caught by a breeze remained uplifted, unable to fall. It wasn¡¯t the bullet that was jammed; it was time that had frozen. [System, there¡¯s absolutely noparison, the system promises, no matter what, once this plot performance ispleted, I can definitely send you back to your original world.]. The system pleaded earnestly. Mocking it silently in my heart: ¡°You block me once, but are you confident you can block me every time? Do you really think I¡¯ll still believe your nonsense?¡± The fragile trust between the host and the system was already broken, regardless of whatever the scumbag system said, Lu Li no longer saw the need to believe it. ¡°You let me be humiliated by those women like a dog, over and over, do you really think I wouldn¡¯t get angry?¡± ¡°Or do you really think I enjoy being publicly humiliated and killed by those people?¡± [¡­]. Oh no, the host is truly desperate, those experiences from system seniors don¡¯t apply here! ¡°Release me, you block me once, but you can¡¯t block me the second or third time, I have countless opportunities to perish together with you, scumbag system.¡± Cold and bitter words full of resentment, against the oppressed life of his previous existence. A normal person, publicly humiliated by the female leads on various asions, faced ps, despised in various situations, God knows he endured it all with a frown in his past life. [¡­It really is thest time¡­] The system attempted to struggle once more. ¡°Let me go one more time,¡± he said coldly. [Host, next, I will unban the time on your arm, but all other time will remain banned. Just lower your hand, let the bullet fly somewhere else.]. ¡°Alright~~¡± [¡­Host, lower your arm!!!]. ¡°Unfreeze time, Imand you to unfreeze time.¡± [Host, if you lower your arm, then I can unfreeze it!]. ¡°Haha, I say, scumbag system, you¡¯re dreaming beautifully, giving me some little favors, do you think that¡¯ll make me obediently listen to you? I¡¯m determined to perish together with you today.¡± ¡°You can keep time frozen, but I want to see how long you canst.¡± A ghostly gaze met the system, deep and filled with utter darkness. [Host¡­ I know you¡¯re angry, but I couldn¡¯t help it, the rules are like this.]. The system, even being foolish, realized the host was definitely set on a mutual destruction course, it couldn¡¯t keep up for long! It panicked. ¡°Rules? Your rules have only brought me difort, I freaking care about your rules.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see who ousts whom.¡± System: ¡°¡­¡­¡± [Host, you can ask for anything, please put down the gun, the system has also given you quite a few benefits over the years, you can¡¯t do this to me!]. The system gave in, helplessly, scared by the host¡¯s posture of mutual destruction. ¡°Haha, benefits, those things are useless, then they are no benefits.¡± Lu Li sneered, indeed the system gave him many benefits, but when had he ever used them once, things with no practical use are trash. Chapter 2 - The Reborn Female Lead, Overjoyed Chapter 2 - The Reborn Female Lead, Overjoyed

Chapter 2: The Reborn Female Lead, Overjoyed

System: ¡°¡­¡­¡± It saw that the host was seriously rushed. What happened to the system being the boss? It¡¯s just that its host was a bit special. And¡­ the host indeed did a lot of things against his own will, things no normal person could endure¡­ [¡­¡­Host, whatever your demands are, I will fulfill them at all costs.] The somewhat defeated voice seemed to traverse time to reach Lu Li¡¯s ears. ¡°Hehe, I just want you dead.¡± Trying to please him now, what¡¯s the use? His mentality had already copsed. Dying together with this scumbag system was his greatest wish. [¡­¡­]. A prolonged silence. [Ding, the system has entered self-destruction mode, do you wish to stop it?]. ¡°Oh, starting to y tricks on me again? Continue, destroy it all, leave no remains.¡± Lu Li sneered. [Ding, destructionmand received, continuing destruction. After destruction ispleted, the host will retain all current skills, while the system will bepletely formatted, changing all current programs.] The mechanical voicecked any liveliness, just like a robot. [1%¡­¡­10%¡­¡­50%]. ¡°Hehe, continue, continue, I want to see what tricks you can still y.¡± Sneering, Lu Li spoke, unaware of how twisted his own expression had be. Between pathological satisfaction and anger. [100% System logoutpleted.]. [Goodbye, host. I am sorry for everything that happened, sorry for the harm I¡¯ve caused you.]. Really gone? A flicker of shock passed through Lu Li¡¯s eyes. After the system¡¯s repeated betrayals, he hadpletely lost trust in it. He instinctively thought these were just more of the system¡¯s tricks. But unexpectedly¡­ ¡°HAHAHAHAHA!¡± ¡°Very good, very good.¡± Heartache? Reminiscing? Suffering? Not at all. This scumbag system was his greatest enemy, arbitrarily bringing him to this shitty world, then forcing him to y some bullshit viin, giving him empty promises, and betraying him. This was the most disgusting thing Lu Li had ever seen. He only hated that this scumbag system wasn¡¯t human; he couldn¡¯t see its miserable appearance before death. ¡°Coming at me with a sentimental act at the end, thinking I¡¯ll soften my heart and forgive it, huh!¡± He scoffed disdainfully, feeling great satisfaction at the system¡¯s dissolution. [Ding, Viin System sessfully bound to host.]. ¡°As expected, still the same trick, changing to a strategy of self-sacrifice, huh.¡± Thought there could be something new, trying this with me? Slowly lowering the gun in his hand, Lu Li calmed down a bit. The moment his arm lowered, time instantly returned to normal. Bang! The bullet was fired, the loud noise echoing in the bedroom. A fresh bullet hole suddenly appeared on the clean wall. ¡°Scumbag system, want to throw another bullshit program at me? Huh, like acting out some drama, and if the plot is done well, I can go home or something?¡± [Detecting that the host haspleted system training, no further training is needed. This system is a Viin System, not a check-in system that requires the host toplete plots.]. ¡°Hehe!¡± Lu Li couldn¡¯t care less, once unfaithful, forever useless. This scumbag system, pretending to be stiff and cold, who is it trying to fool? ¡°Let me be direct, can I kill the protagonist now?¡± [As the viin, the host is naturally supposed to kill the protagonist, there is no doubt about it.]. Heh, the scumbag system is ying its part quite well. Whether it¡¯s really dead or just acting, Lu Li didn¡¯t care. Bang! The room¡¯s door was suddenly pushed open, a breathtaking face with deep concern burst into Lu Li¡¯s room, a face full of panic, obviously having heard the gunshot and hurried over in a fluster. ¡°Xiao Li, what happened, are you okay?¡± Lu Li¡¯s nominal sister, Lu Ya, in his past life, this woman, bearing the title of Miss Lu Family, along with the protagonist, humiliated Lu Li in public again and again! ¡°Don¡¯t give me that disgusting look.¡± The gun pointed at Lu Ya, this traitorous dog, a woman as lowly as theye, was the woman Lu Li hated the most, aside from the system and the first heroines. Whether in the plot or in his past life, she sided with the protagonist against the family that raised her. Teaming up with the protagonist to humiliate Lu Li. ¡°Xiao Li!?¡± Lu Ya¡¯s heart skipped a beat, somewhat incredulously looking at her brother. She had been reborn, returned to now, to the time when her brother hadn¡¯t died yet, when nothing had happened. In her past life, she, this misguided sister, hurt her brother time and time again. In her past, she always saw Lu Li as a wasteful yboy. Seeing him fawning over Zhang Ziqin made her ufortable, feeling he was a disgrace to the Lu family, and she looked down on this brother in her heart. But it was only after her brother¡¯s death that she suddenly realized she had actually fallen for him long ago. Doing the same humiliating things to her brother as Zhang Ziqin, because she couldn¡¯t help wanting to attract his attention in the same way as Zhang Ziqin. Her brother was never a wasteful yboy; he was quiet, but whenever he spoke, he could enlighten her whenever she was at an impasse. He was the true genius. He just never wanted topete with her. Laughably, she had never realized this. Always feeling it was because she wasn¡¯t the biological child, the parents were biased towards her brother. She wasn¡¯t even their biological child, why couldn¡¯t her parents be biased towards her brother? Why should she demand her parents to be absolutely fair? Because she was raised by the Lu family? Or because she couldn¡¯t match even a tenth of her brother¡¯s abilities? In this life, she would atone for her past life¡¯s sins. This misguided sister, in this life, must protect her precious brother well. She must not let him suffer the slightest grievance. And she definitely won¡¯t let Zhang Ziqin hurt her again. Even if she and Zhang Ziqin had teamed up to kill Lin Tian in her past life, she wouldn¡¯t forget how that woman humiliated her brother. Chapter 3 - Dont Disgust Me, Sharp Person Chapter 3 - Don''t Disgust Me, Sharp Person

Chapter 3: Don¡¯t Disgust Me, Sharp Person

The idea was beautiful, but as she hurried to her brother¡¯s room, eager to see her dearly loved brother, she was greeted by the sound of a gunshot. Without any hesitation, Lu Ya rushed in, only to be met with a pair of eyes filled with disgust. Her own brother was looking at her with such eyes!! Even in their previous lifetime, when their rtionship was almost irreconcble, her brother had never looked at her like this! Lu Ya didn¡¯t notice the gun aimed at her, she nervously took a few steps forward, wanting to touch Lu Li¡¯s face with the back of her hand to see if he was beside himself. That look¡­ That look¡­ It was as if he was looking at the most disgusting thing in the world, how could such a look appear in her brother¡¯s eyes when looking at her. It must be her illusion. ¡°Xiao Li, what¡¯s wrong with you, are you sick? Let your sister check on you.¡± Bang! ¡°Ah!¡± In pain, Lu Ya clutched her shoulder, unable to believe that Lu Li had shot her. She couldn¡¯t believe that her own brother had actually shot her. Her heart trembled wildly, the intense pain made her unconsciously step back, unable to ept the Lu Li in front of her. Holding her shoulder, Lu Ya forced a smile: ¡°Xiao Li, the gun must have misfired, right? The quality of these things is not good, you have to be careful, you can¡¯t end this.¡± Bang! ¡°Ah!¡± Lu Ya knelt on the ground, another shot went through her leg, the intense pain made her uncontrobly kneel. ¡°Xiao Li, move the gun away, it¡¯s dangerous.¡± Lu Ya couldn¡¯t ept the man in front of her, her lips trembling without her noticing. This sounded somewhat self-deceptive, the odds of misfiring twice are practically zero, but she still clung to that one in a million hope. ¡°Look at that cheap face of yours, as if saying e and get me, anyone will do¡¯.¡± The former Lu Ya, an adopted daughter, ambitiously showing off in front of him. Although as someone who reced the original, I shouldn¡¯t have such thoughts, but this body and its blood rtion to the parents are indeed there, I guess I spoke up for the original! Lu Ya¡¯s gaze flickered, unable to believe the wordsing from the Lu Li in front of her, mumbling: ¡°Xiao Li¡­¡± Bang! The bullet grazed Lu Ya¡¯s cheek and flew into the wall behind her. ¡°Don¡¯t call me with such a disgusting name, you whore!¡± A traitorous dog, a woman who could join the protagonist in opposing the Lu family that raised her for many years. Truly disgusting! Lu Ya bit her lip hard, the physical pain was nothingpared to the pain in her heart, Lu Li¡¯s disgusted look, his indifferent, disdainful, and revolting tone, was like a knife to Lu Ya¡¯s heart. Is this the price she has to pay? The price for everything from her previous life?! If so, she was willing to ept it. ¡°Xiao Li, what happened?¡± ¡°Xiao Li, put the gun down!¡± The parents hurried over, their eyes widening at the scene before them. ¡°Oh, everyone¡¯s here!¡± ¡°That¡¯s perfect, I really wanted to ask you, was it amusing to bring such a thing to trouble your own son?¡± Pointing the gun at Lu Ya, who was kneeling on the ground bleeding profusely, Lu Li¡¯s voice was very cold, even somewhat desperate. He had died once, mocked, insulted, cursed by everyone, and then died. What do you think Lu Li should care about now? ¡°Xiao Li, are you dissatisfied with your sister? Let¡¯s talk, don¡¯t use the gun!¡± Mom looked nervously at Lu Li. Dad had a serious face, not knowing what he was thinking. ¡°Since you¡¯re all here, let¡¯s do a multiple-choice question.¡± He smiled at them, his eyes devoid of any light. The gun once again aimed at his own head. ¡°Xiao Li!!¡± ¡°Xiao Li!!!¡± Seeing the parents¡¯ terrified expressions, a sense of satisfaction shed through Lu Li¡¯s heart: ¡°Do you want this whore, or your own son? Don¡¯t worry, if you choose this whore, I¡¯ll disappear from this world immediately.¡± Really, there¡¯s nothing left to care about, if there really is, it¡¯s only the unforgettable hatred. Just the thought of those damned female protagonists living happily tears me apart! ¡°Xiao Li, put down the gun, what exactly happened, let¡¯s talk.¡± Dad Lu Guofu looked nervously at his son. His daughter¡¯s condition worried him, but his son¡¯s state was really wrong. ¡°Heh!¡± Bang! ¡°Ah! Xiao Li.¡± That was Mom¡¯s scream. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Lu Guofu looked horrified at his son. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m joking with you? Just a simple multiple choice, A or B, is it that hard? Do you want me to choose for you!¡± Looking at his own pierced thigh, Lu Li¡¯s face didn¡¯t change at all, even colder. Once again, the gun aimed at his own head, his face even had a smile, but his eyes were unfathomably cold. ¡°Xiao Li!¡± Don¡¯t hurt yourself, it doesn¡¯t matter what happens to me, I know my sins, but please don¡¯t let yourself get hurt! Lu Ya shivered all over, her heart aching unbearably, she would rather the bullet had hit her again. ¡°Father, mother, please disown me, disown me.¡± Looking at Lu Li in despair, Lu Ya pleaded with her parents. ¡°Wow, what a bitchy thing to say, and then? These two old things disown you and then start resenting me, dissatisfied with me, what a plot.¡± Lu Li praised. ¡°Xiao Li!¡± Mom looked horrified at Lu Li. ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t get it wrong, I mean, your son and this whore, only one can live today, choose quickly, ten seconds, if you choose me, kill her, if you choose her, I¡¯ll end myself immediately.¡± ¡°Ten, nine, eight¡­¡± ¡°Xiao Li, what exactly happened, why do you want to do this, what did your sister do to you?¡± Dad¡¯s eyes also shed with horror. ¡°Seven, six, five¡­¡± ¡°Xiao Li, I¡¯ll die, I¡¯ll die, mom and dad, kill me, kill me quickly!¡± ¡°Four, three, two¡­¡± No matter what they said, Lu Li¡¯s countdown never stopped. Chapter 4 - Lu Ya: If Only My Brother Could Be Happy, That Would Be Great Chapter 4 - Lu Ya: If Only My Brother Could Be Happy, That Would Be Great

Chapter 4: Lu Ya: If Only My Brother Could Be Happy, That Would Be Great

¡°O n e . . . ¡± ¡°Put down the gun, I choose you, I choose you, Mom chooses you.¡± Mom¡¯s mental defensespletely copsed, she didn¡¯t understand why her son had suddenly changed so drastically. But she knew if she hesitated any longer, she would lose her son forever, her own flesh and blood. ¡°We will kill Lu Ya, put down the gun!¡± Dad¡¯s eyes also shed sharply, his tone grave. No matter what, he couldn¡¯t ept losing his son. After all, Lu Ya was just an adopted daughter. ¡°Now, go get your weapons, I want to confirm this whore¡¯s death with my own eyes.¡± His tone was cold, like a sage detached from the mundane world, yet also like the most terrifying ghoul. ¡°Xiao Li! What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Bang! Another shot to his own leg, Lu Li seemed to feel no pain at all, smiling at them: ¡°The next shot will be aimed at my head.¡± ¡°No, no, we will handle it right away, we will handle it right away.¡± Mom, wanting to approach but anxious she might lose her son in the next second, frantically nudged her husband: ¡°Hurry, go, do you want to see your son die in front of you?¡± Lu Ya paid no attention to what her parents said, stiffly raising her head, staring nkly at Lu Li¡¯s familiar face. He was smiling, yet it seemed to convey endless sorrow. As if he had no more attachments to this world. That indifference, deeply stabbed Lu Ya¡¯s heart. She understood, her brother must have been reborn too. Her brother was always the young master of the Lu family, he never needed her to make up for anything, didn¡¯t need her protection, only her death could bring him the greatestfort. Tears of sorrow slid down her cheeks, had her brother¡¯s disgust for her reached such a level without her realizing it? It was all because of her, all because of her! So much was left unsaid, so many regrets unaddressed, she had a chance to start over, but the best oue was to let her brother vent his resentment with her life. She was ready to meet her end. It¡¯s all karma, isn¡¯t it? Since you want my life, then take it! I just hope it can make you stop hating me. Her pale face showed a trace of a smile at this moment of life and death. Bang! ¡°I don¡¯t like seeing you smile, making it seem like killing you brings you joy.¡± Feeling the sharp pain on her face, Lu Ya knew her cheek had been torn. She understood what her brother needed. No matter what, if it could make her brother happy, she would do anything. ¡°Please, Xiao Li¡­ Mr. Lu Li, don¡¯t do this, I don¡¯t want to die, I don¡¯t want to die, please.¡± Her most humble gaze kneeling before Lu Li, Lu Ya embraced Lu Li¡¯s legs. If this could ease her brother¡¯s heart, she was willing. ¡°¡­¡± That¡¯s more like it. Lu Guofu also returned with Mom, they looked at Lu Li, as if making a final confirmation. But Lu Li never looked up at them, enjoying Lu Ya¡¯s humiliating state. So, the so-called female lead could also end up like this! Really¡­ so lowly! Others¡¯ opinions, even his parents¡¯, he no longer cared about. Thanks to this woman for everything she brought him in hisst life. She made him develop a heart of stone, thanks to Lu Ya¡¯s ancestors! Not hearing any word from Lu Li, Lu Dongfu finally understood Lu Li¡¯s determination, heaving a long sigh, raising the weapon in his hands with his wife. I¡¯m sorry, Father, Mother, sorry Xiao Li¡­ I¡¯m at peace! ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha, I knew it, I knew it, what adopted daughter, what Miss Lu of the Lu family, just a dog raised by your Lu family, you are a family, what am I, how dare I try to take over the She knew, this was what her brother wanted to see. She was willing to pay any price if it could ease her brother¡¯s pain. Lu Guofu frowned, hisst bit of hesitation broken. Bang! A sharp gunshot sounded, Lu Ya¡¯s rebirth was dered dead half an hourter. No idents, no fake death, just¡­ death. Lu Guofu heaved a long sigh, no matter what, she was the daughter he had raised, even if it were a cat or dog, years ofpanionship would have created affection: ¡°Alright, everything is done as you said, Xiao Li, do you need anything else?¡± Maybe adopting Lu Ya was a mistake, now it even caused his own son to harbor grievances. ¡°I wantplete control of thepany, and all of Lu family¡¯s power to obey me.¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Lu Guofu nodded. He didn¡¯t know why his son had suddenly changed so drastically, but this was a change he was pleased to see. Just Lu Ya, dead is dead! ¡°That¡¯s settled then.¡± Those women, he wouldn¡¯t let any of them go. Watching Lu Ya lose signs of life, Lu Li felt the grievances of hisst life quietly dissipate a bit. ¡°Son, son, let¡¯s go to the hospital, your leg.¡± Mom, wiping away tears, approached, worriedly looking at the blood oozing from Lu Li¡¯s leg, anxiously said. ¡°¡­I will.¡± They made their choice, and that¡¯s good. His gaze lingered on his parents,pletely unable to understand their thinking in the plot, was finding an adversary for their son fun? Not to mention Lu Ya was a white-eyed wolf. Living off the Lu family, using the Lu family¡¯s resources, and when ambition rose, she really thought she deserved to inherit the Lu family, conspiring with the protagonist to kill her brother. Truly a good wolf! And truly the protagonist¡¯s good dog. Thinking about it was sad, living together for over a decade, the Lu family raised that Lu Ya for so many years, only to breed resentment. Raising her until she thought inheriting the Lu family was her divine right. Heh. Such a thing should be dealt with by the people she trusted most collectively. The protagonist hasn¡¯t appeared yet, but the murderous intent can¡¯t be hidden! Before the big show, killing an annoying person to boost the mood is also okay, right? In front of his parents, Lu Li directly treated the wound on his leg, the Scumbag System gave him abilities, but he had never been able to use them. His skilled demeanor stunned them both for a moment. Though they didn¡¯t say it, they had epted that Lu Li was a wasteful young master, but today¡¯s Lu Li showed them a side they had never seen. ¡­ As everyone can probably tell, I don¡¯t really understand why in thest life, after being murdered, insulted, and having everything taken away by the closest people, the antagonist could still maintain an outsider¡¯s mentality. What I wanted to portray is the most normal reaction of a person after experiencing those things. Chapter 5 - Zhang Ziqins Past Chapter 5 - Zhang Ziqin''s Past

Chapter 5: Zhang Ziqin¡¯s Past

¡°Take this piece of rotten flesh and throw it out, find a secluded ce to bury it, and don¡¯t let me hear any news about you buying her a tombstone.¡± As if he had no sense of pain, Lu Li finished bandaging himself and stood up, walking out of the room, leaving the couple looking at each other in dismay. ¡°Old Lu, has our son been traumatized?¡± Mom asked, worriedly looking at her husband. ¡°Perhaps, Lu Ya has indeed been a bit too much recently, her ambitions wereid bare.¡± Lu Guofu nodded, ncing at the lifeless body of his daughter, ¡°Find someone to dispose of it, and make sure the secrecy work is done well afterward.¡± Their son making achievements was a good thing. As for Lu Ya, dead is dead. After enjoying the treatment of Miss Lu for so many years but still not being satisfied, she deserved her fate. Lu Li went straight to Lu Ya¡¯s room and took out herputer. The so-called password was trivial for Lu Li. Well, this woman actually used a childhood photo of her and Lu Li as the wallpaper. Was this supposed to be herst bit of conscience before bing heartless? Heh! Swiftly operating theputer, indeed, since Lu Ya took over thepany, she had done quite well. She had nted her own people everywhere in thepany. Should we say, as expected of the original female lead, truly a wolf that can¡¯t be tamed! Of course, these people couldn¡¯t be used, especially since they must have put in a lot of effort during Lu Ya¡¯s ¡®coronation¡¯ in the previous life. Sigh! They¡¯re all enemies. No need for pleasantries when dealing with them. ¡­ At this moment, in the grand and luxurious Zhang family estate, the well-mannered Zhang Ziqin was full of anxiety. As the host, she scanned the guests but could not find the one she wished to see. She was Zhang Ziqin, and she had been reborn¡­ Back to this heart-breaking day. In her previous life, it was at a party hosted by the Zhang family where she did something she would regret for the rest of her life. She would never forget that it was at this party, under Ye Chen¡¯s instigation, she publicly humiliated Lu Li, the man she loved the most. Rumors had always been circting that she detested Lu Li, thepdog, but the truth was the exact opposite; she had never hated Lu Li. She just¡­ didn¡¯t know how to face Lu Li¡¯s deep affection. As the daughter of the Zhang family, she had her own goals, to revive the Zhang family at all costs. Lu Li¡¯s persistent pursuit, never giving up, how could she not be moved? There was so much she wanted to say, but when the words reached her lips, they turned into the most hurtful words, as if only by doing so could she find somefort in her dark heart. She coborated with Ye Chen partly because her business could reach new heights with Ye Chen¡¯s resources, and reviving the Zhang family had always been her wish. On the other hand, she hoped she could make a name for herself without depending on Lu Li. Throughout those years, after she took over the Zhang family conglomerate and received a lot of financial support from Lu Li, she quickly doubled thepany¡¯s assets. At that time, she thought that Lu Li would eventually marry her, so his things were no different from hers. But having received too many favors from Lu Li over the years, she wanted to prove her own strength, that she wasn¡¯t just a woman who relied on her man. Moreover, she was favored and thus fearless. She firmly believed in Lu Li¡¯s affection for her. Since he loved her, he should trust her. Her coboration with Ye Chen was just business. This point was very clear to her; the only person she liked was Lu Li. Thus, Zhang Ziqin was not worried at all that she would lose Lu Li because of this. She never considered whether Lu Li could ept her working with another man. That day, at this party, Ye Chen showed up and offered her an irresistible price, and Lu Li, furious, made a scene at the party. His distrust made Zhang Ziqin feel humiliated. Why don¡¯t you trust me? The only person I love is you, and it¡¯s just business, why can¡¯t you ept it? Under such emotions, she made a decision she would regret for the rest of her life. In front of everyone, she humiliated Lu Li. When that ss of crimson wine was poured on Lu Li¡¯s face, Zhang Ziqin felt exhrated at that moment. To her, it was the right thing to do for a lover who didn¡¯t trust her. Although Lu Li¡¯s face was terrifyingly dark then, she didn¡¯t pay much attention. Nor did she think she was wrong. But since then, Zhang Ziqin suddenly realized that she and Lu Li were drifting apart; he was no longer the same. His visits became less frequent. At that time, Zhang Ziqin was only disappointed in Lu Li. Surely, no love is eternal, she never thought she might be wrong. Why couldn¡¯t he understand her? She and Ye Chen were just business partners; she only loved him. At that time, she had no idea that love doesn¡¯t have a progress bar. A man¡¯s love can be very strong, very overbearing¡­ but it also can be exhausted by disappointment after disappointment. Love has limits; when you keep depleting it, it¡¯s gone. Her cold treatment, calling him at her whim, had exhausted all of Lu Li¡¯s affection for her. When she realized it, it was toote. At that time, Zhang Ziqin was all about making the Zhao family business bigger and stronger. As for Lu Li, she thought she could just exin to himter. She naively believed Lu Li was just throwing a tantrum, being jealous. She was also heartbroken by Lu Li¡¯s distrust. Until that day, the news of Lu Li¡¯s death suddenly came, and she was stunned. How could this happen? Although she was heartbroken by Lu Li¡¯s distrust, he was still the man she loved. How could he suddenly¡­ That moment, Zhang Ziqin finally remembered, Lu Li hadn¡¯te to see her for a long time, but she always refused to believe it, subconsciously ignoring this fact. Zhang Ziqin panicked. When she got there, Lu Li¡¯s body was lying there quietly, no longer having a trace of life. Her knees hit the ground heavily as she knelt, wanting to scream but unable to make any sound. Zhang Ziqin beat her chest frantically, feeling as if it was torn, it hurt so much! Really, so much pain! It turns out nothing matters; she knows everything now, but it¡¯s toote. Why did things turn out this way? At that moment, Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t know what was left in her mind, like aputer that had crashed, only a bunch of garbled code. It really hurts, continuously hitting her chest, but still, it hurts so much she can¡¯t breathe. All her presumptions, at that moment, turned into bubbles. It was really just her being presumptuous. Chapter 6 - The Flustered Heroine Chapter 6 - The Flustered Heroine

Chapter 6: The Flustered Heroine

Even the chance to make amends was gone. She could make the right choice now, but there was no opportunity anymore. She wanted revenge! Zhang Ziqin kept investigating, only to find out that the murderer was her own business partner, Ye Chen. It was Ye Chen who killed the man she loved the most, Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t believe her own eyes. It was her fault, she let the wolf into the house. It was she who killed the man she loved the most. She attacked Ye Chen with all she had, revenge was sessful, but what of it? Could it correct her mistake, could it bring back her lover? Really, everything was gone. In thosest few years, Zhang Ziqin was like a walking corpse, suffering from everything she had done to Lu Li at the Zhang family estate, suffering from seeing Lu Li¡¯s shocked and grim expression. Every moment of every day was filled with constant torment, constant pain. In the end, she waspletely exhausted. Clutching her fists tightly, Zhang Ziqin looked back at the estate. Even now, recalling those initial moments, the cup of red wine sshed on Lu Li¡¯s face. Lu Li¡¯s shocked and incredulous expression. Still so painfully heartfelt¡­ In thest moments of her previous life, she kept wondering why things turned out the way they did, why Lu Li gave up on himself. Later, she understood, the biggest perpetrator who hurt Lu Li was herself! It was she who gradually eroded away Lu Li¡¯s love for her, unreciprocated love, like a movie with no end in sight. It was her presumption that drove Lu Li toplete despair. In his eyes, could she and Ye Chen really be so innocent? No! Fortunately, everything hasn¡¯t happened yet, she¡¯s been reborn, everything can start over. This time, she won¡¯t disappoint Lu Li again, she will be the best wife. ¡°Miss, it¡¯s time, the banquet is about to start,¡± reminded the assistant by her side. Today¡¯s miss is a bit strange, wondering why she ran to the door to wee guests. Is there some particrly important guest? The old master and madam passed away early, it¡¯s really not easy for the miss to achieve what others can¡¯t at such a young age. Compared to the old master and madam, they would be quiteforted! ¡°Are all the guests here?¡± Zhang Ziqin asked with some concern, holding her hands. ¡°¡­.The four from the Lu family have not arrived yet,¡± the assistant diligently looked at Zhang Ziqin. The miss is beautiful and capable, a perfect girl indeed, but that Mr. Lu Li from the Lu family, aside from his appearance, has nothing else, she feels he¡¯s not worthy of her miss. ¡°Howe?¡± Zhang Ziqin looked around anxiously, how could Lu Li note, today she wanted to express her feelings in front of everyone, especially in front of Lu Li, and her determination to fight Ye Chen to the death! In the previous life, Lu Li arrived early! Has something happened? Her heart suddenly tightened. The assistant looked at Zhang Ziqin with some confusion, ¡°Miss, are you waiting for¡­Mr. Lu Li? Did miss fall for Mr. Lu Li?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t hesitate at all, having experienced the previous life, she clearly knew what she wanted now, this time she would not hesitate. The assistant paused for a moment, not expecting Zhang Ziqin to actually answer, her gaze bing somewhatplex. Has that Mr. Lu Li from the Lu family finally seeded? ¡°Then you don¡¯t need to wait like this. Today is Zhang family¡¯s banquet, yet Mr. Lu Li has yet to arrive, this is too disrespectful to you,¡± the assistant said tactfully. She actually meant that by doing this, it would make Lu Li climb over Zhang Ziqin¡¯s head. Even if the two really got together, it should still be miss who calls the shots. ¡°p!¡± Zhang Ziqin suddenly pped the assistant across the face, the assistant was stunned, covering her face, looking at her miss in confusion. ¡°When did my affair with Lu Li be your business?¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face was icy cold, staring coldly at the assistant in front of her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss,¡± the assistant quickly apologized. ¡°Watch your mouth, if there¡¯s a next time, you know the consequences,¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s tone was stern, she wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to insult Lu Li. ¡°Yes!¡± The assistant bowed her head, answering in a fluster. She was almost scared to death, does Lu Li hold such a high position in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s heart? Then why was Zhang Ziqin so¡­harsh to Lu Li before? Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t speak anymore, she quietly waited, five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes, half an hour passed, and Lu Li still didn¡¯te. Not just her, all four invited from the Lu family didn¡¯te. Has something really happened? Her heart tightened, having experienced Lu Li¡¯s death, she was now sensitive to everything. Although Ye Chen, that maggot, hasn¡¯t met Lu Li yet, but what if, what if other situations urred, and also that Lu Ya, she also joined forces with her to humiliate Lu Li at the banquet. Could it be something happened? Lu Ya, even though we fought Ye Chen together in the previous life, if you dare to hurt Lu Li, I won¡¯t let you off. ¡°Bring me my phone.¡± She was wearing a dress because she wanted to see Lu Li early, Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t bring her phone. When the assistant brought the phone, Zhang Ziqin immediately dialed Lu Li¡¯s mobile number, but it wasn¡¯t answered, and after several attempts, it became ¡®busy.¡¯ What¡¯s happening, has something happened to Lu Li? She immediately dialed Lu Ya¡¯s phone, unexpectedly no one answered either. Unable to connect to both phones, Zhang Ziqin suddenly had a bad feeling. Chapter 7 - The Resentment in Lu Lis Heart Chapter 7 - The Resentment in Lu Li''s Heart

Chapter 7: The Resentment in Lu Li¡¯s Heart

¡°Jiang Ting, currently serving as the assistant to the general manager of the Lu Family Corporation, has been under Lu Ya¡¯s wing since she joined thepany, effectively bing Lu Ya¡¯s right-hand woman. I¡¯m not wrong, am I?¡± This woman is also an enemy. In the previous life, she teamed up with that white-eyed she-wolf, Lu Ya, and could be said to have mentally crushed and mocked Lu Li relentlessly. Relying on Lu Ya¡¯s backing, she spared no effort in her cold mockery and derision towards Lu Li. Truly a ssic of the Scumbag Novel world, an adopted daughter¡¯s assistant climbing over the head of the legitimate son, with the old father and mother turning a blind eye. What a marvelous setting indeed. The most amusing part? That she-wolf pup, Lu Ya, always felt that her parents were biased towards Lu Li! ¡°Yes, Lu Li¡­ Young Master!¡± Jiang Ting stood fearlessly in front of Lu Li, her toneced with indifference. After all, to her, he was nothing but a degenerate scion, a wastrel. Why should she, with her years of hard work, bow down to this useless trash? Moreover, she¡¯s now closely aligned with General Manager Lu Ya, making her disdain for this so-called young master of the Lu family even more pronounced. Her gaze, filled with undisguised disdain, seemed to say: Just a wastrel, what right does he have topete with General Manager Lu Ya for the Lu family¡¯s assets? The future of the Lu family is destined to be Lu Ya¡¯s, and this Lu Li will ultimately be nothing but a stepping stone under Miss Lu Ya¡¯s feet. ¡°¡­¡± Such looks, Lu Li was very familiar with¡ªfull of disdain, mockery, and a touch of contempt, really making one¡­ Furious! He is a normal person; he has faced too many things. The Scumbag System forced him time and again, making him suppress his anger within. But is it possible to get used to this? Others always look down on you, always disdain you, even anyone can bully you. If you can get used to it, it only indicates there¡¯s something seriously wrong with your mentality. And Lu Li is a normal person; he can be provoked, but can¡¯t vent out, he can detest someone, but can¡¯t voice it out. The anger from his previous life remains unresolved in this life. ¡°May I inquire, Young Master Lu Li, calling me here sote, do you have anything specific to discuss?¡± Looking at Lu Li coldly, Jiang Ting¡¯s beautiful face showed undisguised disgust. Calling her sote, what else could it be for, if not those matters? Hmph! Truly just a wastrel! Jiang Ting had already decided, no matter what Lu Li says, she would not agree. ¡°You are aware that Lu Ya isn¡¯t the biological daughter of the Lu family, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Young Master Lu Li, I¡­ What?¡± Jiang Ting was somewhat stunned, looking up at Lu Li. ¡°After all, the adoption was so long ago, it seems like everyone has forgotten about this matter. Lu Ya, she¡¯s just an orphan adopted by the Lu family from the orphanage.¡± His voice mncholic as he spoke those words. Jiang Ting¡¯s expression immediately turned cold. So, he¡¯s ying this game? ¡°Indeed, Miss Lu Ya is not the biological daughter of the Lu family, but so what? Miss Lu Ya has more right to inherit the Lu family¡¯s assets than you.¡± Looking down at Lu Li, Jiang Ting seemed like a righteous warrior at this moment, absolutely not going to submit to such a wastrel young master. ¡°Yes, yes, you¡¯re so right. So, you really want to get involved in the Lu family¡¯s internal strife?¡± Lu Li¡¯s tone was very indifferent, causing a slight shock in Jiang Ting¡¯s heart. This wastrel seemed not as bad as others said! But Jiang Ting quickly recovered, a strong sense of humiliation surging in her heart. She was actually intimidated by such a worthless wastrel. ¡°So what if I am? If Miss Lu Ya needs it, then I will help her.¡± Staring fiercely into Lu Li¡¯s eyes, she had already sent a message to Miss Lu Ya beforeing here. She believes Miss Lu Ya is watching Lu Li¡¯s every move from some corner right now. There¡¯s no danger for her. Fearless. ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha!¡± So, this is the female lead, these are the she-wolf¡¯s methods, truly impressive! ¡°What do you think about the saying ¡®cmity should not befall the family members¡¯?¡± Looking at the woman in front of him, Lu Li¡¯sughter gradually ceased. If it had been him from the beginning who became the antagonist, he might have thought of conquering these female leads, but he has already experienced one lifetime. That humiliating lifetime, Lu Li doesn¡¯t want to recall. Seeing these female leads, one by one, Lu Li only thinks about how to make them die horribly. He is not that kind of lowly man, won¡¯t be hurt again and again, only to be blinded by sweet words and degrade himself by tearing off a woman¡¯s clothes to beg for joy. Revenge must be taken. If everything doesn¡¯t return to the real world after all this ends, he decisively wants to perish together with the system. He¡¯s someone who has died once, what is there to be afraid of! What is there to fear? Jiang Ting frowned, not understanding the meaning of Lu Li¡¯s question at this time, but confident that Lu Ya was watching by her side, she was not afraid of Lu Li. ¡°Cmity should not befall the family members, that¡¯s entirely nonsense. Whatever you do, you have to do it thoroughly, otherwise, it will only cause more trouble for yourself!¡± Looking at Lu Li coldly, Jiang Ting¡¯s face was filled with disdain. ¡°Right, you¡¯re so right.¡± Contrary to Jiang Ting¡¯s expectation, Lu Li actually agreed with her idea. Typical cool male protagonist thinking, typical cool female lead thinking. Just then, Lu Li took out a remote control. The TV lit up, but no TV programs appeared. On the contrary, the other side showed a ce all too familiar to Jiang Ting. ¡°What have you done?¡± Jiang Ting red at Lu Li, her calm face finally showing shock and fury. Lu Li smiled gently, ¡°You said, ¡®cmity should not befall the family members¡¯ is nonsense. I¡¯m just acting ording to your idea!¡± ¡°Getting involved in the Lu family¡¯s affairs, you must have been prepared, right? Why act so surprised.¡± His voice, filled with barely concealed satisfaction, he had once fantasized that his sister wouldn¡¯t be like the one in the plot, and had invested his feelings in her. Sincerely treating her, only to be met with ruthless betrayal, when she repeatedly embarrassed him in various asions, when she repeatedly humiliated him, their rtionship had reached its end. Don¡¯t talk to him about misunderstandings, saying things like Lu Ya actually loves you. Saying love with their mouths, but their actions keep hurting. Such behavior is even more disgusting. And Zhang Ziqin, after years of pursuit in the previous life, Lu Li himself didn¡¯t know if he was just acting. Maybe he was too deep into the role, or maybe he really had feelings for Zhang Ziqin. To put it bluntly, even if you raised a dog for so many years, there should be some feelings, he had given so much for her, even if it was just acting, but there should be some reflection, right? But what did he get in return? It was a ss of red wine in the face at the Zhang family banquet. It was her and the protagonist Ye Chen¡¯s repeated mockery. It was the tragic end of dying with eyes wide open. Chapter 8 - Lu Li: This Is What You Told Me! Chapter 8 - Lu Li: This Is What You Told Me!

Chapter 8: Lu Li: This Is What You Told Me!

All his efforts did not bring a sliver of goodwill from them. After ying roles for so many years, Lu Li himself couldn¡¯t distinguish between reality and pretense. He couldn¡¯t help but ponder, what if Zhang Ziqin truly fell for him? What if Lu Ya genuinely considered him as a brother? Even if the next second that damned system decided to electrocute him or send a car to run him over, he might still choose to stay, right? But the appearance of the protagonist shattered all of Lu Li¡¯s fantasies. Watching Zhang Ziqin getting closer to him, watching Lu Ya, that backstabbing woman, team up with him, even knowing it was all scripted, how could Lu Li ept it? What followed, he himself didn¡¯t know whether he was still acting, or if he was genuinely furious. But in the end, those two sses of wine at the banquetpletely woke Lu Li up. From that moment on, he didn¡¯t care about anything anymore, mechanicallypleting the so-called plot, with his greatest wish being to escape from this damned world and return to reality. But even thatst wish was betrayed by the system. Since it¡¯s like this, then let¡¯s not let anyone off easy. ¡°Lu Li, what exactly do you want to do?¡± Jiang Ting red at Lu Li furiously, the respect she had managed to maintain before nowpletely gone. This waste, this damned yboy, how dare he do this. Just a failure destined to be defeated by his sister. How dare he? She¡¯s Miss Lu Ya¡¯s capable lieutenant! ¡°I thought you were prepared for this, seems like I¡¯m really disappointed!¡± Speaking in a mncholic tone, Lu Li savored her current state of disarray. That face, which used to look down on him, that mouth, which used to be so sharp against him, now clearly flustered. He relished this feeling. Seeing his enemy reveal their most disgraceful side in front of him. If Lu Li were to look in a mirror right now, he might even scare himself; a handsome face now revealing an indescribable expression. That expression, a mix of satisfaction and cruelty, along with a despair-inducing coldness, made Jiang Ting unconsciously shiver, then came a deep sense of shame. She was actually scared by such a waste who relied solely on his family background. ¡°Let¡¯s start!¡± Before Jiang Ting could say anything more, Lu Li spoke indifferently. The people on the other end of the TV immediately understood, nodded to Lu Li, and opened the gas canister. ¡°Lu Li, what exactly are you trying to do?¡± Jiang Ting panicked, looking at Lu Li in a fluster. Constantly looking around, wondering why General Manager Lu Ya hasn¡¯t shown up yet. Miss Lu Ya, hurry up, this waste is rebelling. ¡°In a moment, your home will be engulfed in mes, your parents will die in this fire,¡± Lu Li said, his voice as cold as ever. His gaze fixed on the diposed Jiang Ting. The hatred in his heart couldn¡¯t be dissolved, so once he returned to this time, he forced his parents to make a choice in the most extreme way. Even if it meant shooting himself, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate¡­ ¡°How dare you¡­¡± Jiang Ting red at Lu Li furiously, as if ready to pounce on him and tear him apart. ¡°Just an illegitimate child destined to be defeated by his sister.¡± ¡°You think so?¡± Facing the bewildered Jiang Ting, Lu Li even wore a gentle smile, like a refined young master discussing business, but in reality, he was breaking Jiang Ting¡¯s psychological defenses in the cruelest ways. ¡°It¡¯s impossible, absolutely impossible.¡± Panic filled Jiang Ting¡¯s eyes. How could Lu Ya be killed by such a waste? ¡°You can tell that to your parents.¡± Lu Li gestured towards therge TV screen, where two people tied up struggled futilely, their mouths gagged as if trying to say something, but they looked so powerless. ¡°¡­¡± Jiang Ting began to tremble uncontrobly, the struggle of her parents on the screen leaving her at a loss. She realized her mistake; the disputes of the wealthy were never something she should have been part of, not like the dramas on TV. Lu Ya was just an adopted daughter with no blood rtion to the Lu family, no one in the Lu family would care about her. Thinking she had aligned herself with Lu Ya meant aligning with the top-tier Lu family, she didn¡¯t expect to bring such disaster to her own family. Terrified, she looked at Lu Li, her body seemingly losing all its strength instantly. ¡°Lu Li, please spare my parents, I know I was wrong, I¡¯m sorry, I beg you, let them go, I can die, but please spare my family!!!¡± She wailed in agony, pleading. Lu Ya isn¡¯t going to show up, just as Lu Li said, she¡¯s already dead, otherwise why hasn¡¯t Lu Ya appeared by now? She¡¯s not my support. ¡°Really strange, Miss Jiang Ting, I¡¯m just doing what you told me to do, why are you dissatisfied?¡± Chapter 9 - Dog Eat Dog Among the Female Leads Chapter 9 - Dog Eat Dog Among the Female Leads

Chapter 9: Dog Eat Dog Among the Female Leads

¡°Lu Li Young Master.¡± The trembling voice uttered these words, Jiang Ting¡¯s heart was filled with fear. Now she knew, whether Lu Li was a waste or not, it wasn¡¯t for her to judge. Thinking about her previous behavior in front of Lu Li, Jiang Ting couldn¡¯t help but shudder all over. ¡°¡­please, I beg of you.¡± Why did she say that cmity shouldn¡¯t befall family members was nonsense? Why? ¡°Heh heh.¡± Lu Liughed, this time he trulyughed happily. Lu Ya left too quickly, way too quickly. Even if she showed a pleading look before her death, even if it was a sorrowful expression, until the hysterical end, but she still died too quickly. For this nominal sister, God knows how much affection his parents still had for her, he had to cut the Gordian knot, but this Jiang Ting in front of him was different. Taking a step forward, he viciously grabbed Jiang Ting¡¯s hair, dragging her forcefully in front of the TV screen with dominant strength. ¡°Keep your dignity, don¡¯t bow your head, you have to show your pride.¡± ¡°And then, watch closely, how your parents die because of your decision, I want you to see their miserable state after death, hear their wailing before they die.¡± ¡°No, no, don¡¯t!!!¡± Jiang Ting struggled desperately, but how could she break free from Lu Li¡¯s grasp. Ten minutester, everything calmed down, Jiang Ting slumped to the ground in despair, staring at the now dark screen as if she lost all perception of the outside world. ¡°¡­¡± Waving his hand, two security personnel entered, terrified, not daring to look at Lu Li, who could have thought, the young master who was once judged as a waste by the outside world actually had such means. Jiang Ting was taken away, the knot in his heart seemed to have loosened a bit, but only just a bit. This woman was just a minor character, too insignificant, the real cause of Lu Li¡¯s sorrow and even despair had always been the betrayal of those close to him. But her look of despair was truly satisfying! ¡­ Zhang family¡¯s estate, since the death of the Zhang family¡¯s elders a few years ago, Zhang Ziqin had be the biggest figure in this estate, taking on the heavy responsibility of the Zhang corporation at a young age. Under her leadership in these years, the Zhang corporation had be increasingly prosperous, and the people in the circle had a high evaluation of Zhang Ziqin. Outstanding ability, coupled with a stunning face and a good figure, she was praised by many as a goddess. And Lu Li, was just a humblepdog by the goddess¡¯s side. At this moment, Zhang Ziqin was somewhat distracted. After dealing with a few guests, her gaze kept wandering towards the entrance, hoping Lu Li would suddenly appear. ¡°Speaking of which, isn¡¯t that guy Lu Li the goddess Zhang¡¯spdog? He actually didn¡¯te today.¡± ¡°Really rare!¡± ¡°You guys think Lu Li gave up?¡± ¡°How could that be, he¡¯s the kind who would wish he could follow right behind goddess Zhang every day.¡± ¡°Not necessarily, every time, billions and billions given, and yet he hasn¡¯t warmed goddess Zhang¡¯s heart, who could keep going?¡± ¡°Really a profligate son, using his familypany¡¯s money to curry favor, and the key point is she doesn¡¯t even take the bait.¡± ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha!¡± In their eyes, Lu Li was just a joke, even aughingstock in the whole circle, years of pursuit got him nothing, despite spending so much, he was still despised by Zhang Ziqin. What else could such a person be, if not a joke? Everyone saw through it, only Lu Li himself couldn¡¯t. *** Liu Menghan PoV In a flowing red dress, her exquisite appearance exuded natural charm: ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Zhang Ziqin, you seem distracted, is it because you didn¡¯t see the person you wanted to see at the banquet?¡± Her gaze sharp, looking at this woman, it was because of her that Lu Li died in the previous life, because of her, she lost Lu Li. This cold-blooded, self-righteous, despicable bitch. Using Lu Li, and when he was no longer useful, kicked him away, and even after he killed Ye Chen, how was it, still that disgusting bitch, right? Zhang Ziqin¡¯splexion also turned cold: ¡°This has nothing to do with you, the loss between me and Lu Li, it¡¯s not your ce, an outsider, to point fingers, Liu Menghan.¡± This woman in the previous life helped her kill Ye Chen, but now, she is just someone who opposes her and Lu Li at every turn. ¡°Heh, men, once they give up on something, they absolutely won¡¯t turn back,pared to women¡¯s sensibility, men are more rational, although Lu Li indeed liked you very much before, lifting you to a height that didn¡¯t belong to you, did you really think that situation would continue forever?¡± Liu Menghan¡¯s face was cold, for this woman who indirectly killed Lu Li, killed the love of her life, she had no good feelings. It was here in the previous life, the moment that cup of red wine was poured, she saw Lu Li¡¯s gloomy face that made one¡¯s heart ache, like everything was shattered, a look of despair. Why didn¡¯t I stop this woman back then, why did I let that woman Lu Ya pour another cup. What was I thinking at the time, it seemed like ¡®As expected, this moment finally came for thispdog, truly apdog won¡¯t end well.¡¯ Really¡­disgusting! Myself back then. Later on, thinking about it, maybe it was because I saw so many years of Lu Li¡¯s tireless pursuit of Zhang Ziqin, this despicable woman, and felt frustrated. After that, a lot happened. I was calcted by Ye Chen, that bastard even worse than Zhang Ziqin, repeatedly caused trouble for Lu Li. Leaving their rtionship on the brink of destruction, afterwards, Lu Li seemed like he didn¡¯t care about anything, using the most indifferent tone, speaking words that seemed like lines from a script. In thest moments of the previous life, until her death, Liu Menghan couldn¡¯t forget the indifferent look Lu Li gave her, as if he didn¡¯t care about anything anymore. Why did I do that back then? Living another life, this woman won¡¯t be allowed to hurt Lu Li again, not only that, I will snatch Lu Li away, making him happy for a lifetime. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s fair fists clenched tightly, Liu Menghan¡¯s words touched the deepest guilt in her heart. It also touched the ce in her heart she least wanted to admit. Thinking about it now, it still hurts to the core. It was after that banquet in the previous life that Lu Li¡¯s attitude towards her changed, those pursuits became like mechanical tasks. How much must Lu Li have been hurt back then! Why was I so self-righteous. The favored, indeed have no fear! Relying on Lu Li¡¯s favor for me, I tested his limits again and again, until he waspletely disappointed in me. This time, I definitely won¡¯t let Lu Li be disappointed in me again. Chapter 10 - Zhang Ziqins Regret, Male Lead Steps In Chapter 10 - Zhang Ziqin''s Regret, Male Lead Steps In

Chapter 10: Zhang Ziqin¡¯s Regret, Male Lead Steps In

¡°Me and Lu Li naturally have our way of getting along; we don¡¯t need Miss Liu to intervene.¡± ¡°Heh, so your way of getting along is to take advantage of the funds Lu Li gave you, to build up your so-called reputation as a business queen, and then to heartlessly kick him aside?¡± Liu Menghan didn¡¯t hold back, even purposely raising her voice. If it weren¡¯t for theck of a microphone, she would really love to expose this woman¡¯s true face in front of everyone. ¡°You¡­¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°What do you think you are, without Lu Li, what do you have? Those hormone-driven guys treat you as a goddess, but you know what you rely on.¡± Liu Menghan spoke frankly. She wanted this woman, who had hurt Lu Li, to experience what Lu Li had gone through. Using Lu Li¡¯s money to establish her reputation, then kicking Lu Li away after achieving her goals, publicly sshing him with wine in front of a crowd, only to run off with that bastard Ye Chen afterward. How heartbroken must Lu Li have been at that moment! Thinking about this, Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t ept it; she wanted this woman¡¯s reputation destroyed. She wanted everyone to know that this woman only had her current reputation because of Lu Li. ¡°Are you trying to make the Liu family and Zhang family enemies?¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s expression turned cold; having been reborn, of course, she wouldn¡¯t let such a thing happen again. ¡°Enemies with the Zhang family? I¡¯m afraid that in the end, it might still be Lu Li who will have to intervene!¡± Liu Menghan¡¯s eyes were filled with undisguised mockery. She hated this woman¡¯s high and mighty demeanor. Without Lu Li, what does she have? It was Lu Li who raised her to the dazzling status of a business queen. Yet she threw Lu Li away because of Ye Chen. Don¡¯t talk about how this woman regretted itter and dealt with Ye Chen. What good did it do if she had dealt with Ye Chen? Lu Li was already dead, her regret only makes people sick. Even if in the previous life the two of them teamed up to deal with Ye Chen, she still found this woman nauseating. ¡°Come to think of it, it¡¯s true. If it weren¡¯t for Lu Li continuously providing funds for the Zhang Corporation, it probably would have been gone long ago!¡± ¡°What do you mean ¡®it¡¯s true¡¯, it is! It¡¯s only because Lu Li was fooled by this woman, otherwise, where would the Zhang Corporation be today!¡± ¡°Even starting from zero, with the funds provided by Lu Li, it should have be a Fortune 500pany by now.¡± ¡°Exactly, a billion at a time, a billion at a time, who couldn¡¯t soar!¡± ¡°I heard Lu Li also solved many difficulties for the Zhang Corporation.¡± ¡°Right, just a month ago, didn¡¯t the Zhang Corporation face a crisis? It was Lu Li who resolved it.¡± ¡°Tsk tsk tsk! Really a good man, it¡¯s just a pity¡­¡± ¡°Indeed¡­¡± The way everyone looked at Zhang Ziqin changed; they might not have brought it up, but they probably all forgot. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s sess was clearly a god-making project by Lu Li! The surrounding whispers were like the coldest knife stabbing into Zhang Ziqin¡¯s heart. Why did she choose to cooperate with Ye Chen in the first ce? Wasn¡¯t it because these people said behind her back that she could only survive because of Lu Li? Why was her previous self angered by such words, cooperating with Ye Chen, hurting Lu Li was something her previous self regretted for life, unable to let go until her dying breath. ¡°Can¡¯t say a word now? That¡¯s right, I hope you have some self-awareness, don¡¯t take what others give you for granted as your own ability.¡± Liu Menghan looked like a victorious phoenix, proudly holding her snow-white neck high, her red dress fluttering. She came here today because she was worried Lu Li would again receive insults from Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya. Since Lu Li hasn¡¯te, who would want to stay in this filthy ce any longer! Even breathing the same air as Zhang Ziqin feels disgusting. ¡°How interesting!¡± In a certain corner, a mboyantly dressed and eye-catching handsome man watched the scene unfold, the corners of his mouth lifting in a mischievous smile. It seems like even the protagonist has problems, always wearing inappropriate clothes at inappropriate times, as if that¡¯s the only way to highlight his uniqueness. Ye Chen didn¡¯t expect toe across such drama today. It really seems like even the heavens are on his side! Watching Zhang Ziqin, who seemed lost in thought, he lifted the ss in his hand and drained it. He slowly walked towards Zhang Ziqin; a beauty publicly humiliated is in need of proving herself, and his appearance would be Zhang Ziqin¡¯s opportunity. Once they strike a deal, how far could acquiring Zhang Ziqin be? Such a ravishing beauty, he has always coveted her. Of course, Liu Menghan too, but it¡¯s not the right time yet. Later, relying on his own conquest strategies, he¡¯s not worried Liu Menghan won¡¯t board his ship. ¡°Public humiliation, being looked at with strange eyes by everyone, really is so ufortable!¡± Zhang Ziqin silently spoke to herself, seemingly understanding what Lu Li had gone through on this day in her previous life. Another ice-cold knife stabbed into her heart. Why was her previous self so foolish, why did she say so many things that humiliated Lu Li? Why did she talk about cooperation with Ye Chen in front of him, without considering Lu Li¡¯s feelings at all? Her eyes reddening, an endless sorrow churned within her, filled with regret, sadness, pain, all kinds of emotions surged up. What must have Lu Li felt back then! Forcing him to understand me, arrogantly thinking Lu Li would always love me, doing things that hurt him again and again, I¡­ Just then, a voice rang out. ¡°Miss Zhang Ziqin, why bother listening to some idle chatter? They¡¯re all outsiders, how could they know your capabilities?¡± This is the time to stand united with her against the enemy, incidentally recognizing her abilities. ¡°A bunch of nonsensical babble from clueless people shouldn¡¯t affect Miss Zhang Ziqin. Besides, I don¡¯t think Miss Zhang Ziqin would fail without Lu Li.¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s gaze immediately turned cold; it was this guy, this bastard named Ye Chen, who killed the man she loved most in her previous life, an uncontroble killing intent seeped out from her heart. She wouldn¡¯t let Ye Chen go, even killing him once wasn¡¯t enough. The harm Ye Chen caused to Lu Li, an eye for an eye. ¡°Who are you?¡± Chapter 11 - The Frustrated Protagonist, Poisonous Thoughts Chapter 11 - The Frustrated Protagonist, Poisonous Thoughts

Chapter 11: The Frustrated Protagonist, Poisonous Thoughts

¡°Let me introduce myself, my name is Ye Chen, I¡¯m the manager of the overseas Dragon Flight Group.¡± Revealing just the right amount of a smile, Ye Chen announced his identity with confidence. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s indifference didn¡¯t bother him; it was just a previous setback, after all. ¡°So what!¡± Zhang Ziqin looked coldly at Ye Chen in front of her. Temporarily setting aside the emotions in her heart, if it wasn¡¯t for the timing, she would want to kill this man who had killed Lu Li right now. Hearing that this guy was some big shot, so what? She had killed him in her past life, and she could do it again in this life. ¡°I don¡¯t remember inviting you. How did you get into the Zhang family estate?¡± Ye Chen was slightly taken aback, this wasn¡¯t the reaction he was expecting! Why would Zhang Ziqin act like this: ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°I just felt that Miss Zhang Ziqin was being treated unfairly, so I thought, does Miss Zhang have any interest in coborating with Dragon Flight Group? Firstly, it can prove your capabilities to the public, and secondly, it can also let that wastrel, Lu Li, know that even without him, you are still the best.¡± ¡°Someone like Lu Li, a mere wastrel, truly doesn¡¯t deserve you.¡± Though somewhat unexpected, everything was still under control. What do people whose abilities are questioned need most? Naturally, it¡¯s proof of themselves. Ye Chen also wouldn¡¯t allow the woman he¡¯s set his sights on to be involved with other men. This round of instigation was quite good. ¡°¡­¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face remained expressionless, her eyelids lowered, her eyes filled with intense killing intent as she casually picked up a ss of red wine next to her. To empathize with her, to toast with me? A hint of surprise shed in Ye Chen¡¯s eyes, just as he was also thinking of grabbing a ss of wine. Suddenly, Zhang Ziqin applied force, and the crimson liquid sshed onto Ye Chen¡¯s handsome face. The act was so sudden, Ye Chen was thinking about where to get a ss of wine, he was caught off guard and didn¡¯t dodge. For a moment, he was stunned. ¡°What are you, even speaking about Lu Li?¡± Hearing insults about Lu Li from this bastard, Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t stand it. ¡°Someone, where¡¯s security? How did you let such a rat in, not throwing him out yet?¡± Intense killing intent shed in her eyes, Ye Chen¡¯s power was still intact for now, killing him would lead to many unsolvable problems, she just wanted to kill Ye Chen now. Just wait! Once I clean up your forces, your time of death wille. Her gaze full of murderous intent nced at Ye Chen once more before Zhang Ziqin turned and left. Soon, several security personnel came over and, under Ye Chen¡¯s astonished gaze, directly escorted him out. Coming back to his senses and looking at the brightly lit Zhang family estate, a visible gloom covered his face. A rat. Zhang Ziqin actually dared to call him a rat. After struggling abroad for so many years, his status was no longer ordinary, yet Zhang Ziqin dared to call him a rat, saying he¡¯s not worthy to speak of Lu Li. What a joke, just a wastrel. A waste. Comparing himself with Lu Li was an insult to Ye Chen, but now he was belittled by Zhang Ziqin like this. ¡°Zhang Ziqin, I will make sure you kneel before me, begging for my forgiveness. I will also let you watch how Lu Li dies at my hands.¡± Hisplexion was as dark as water, Zhang Ziqin was his predetermined coborator, he wouldn¡¯t allow his n to falter. Moreover, Ye Chen didn¡¯t think Zhang Ziqin truly fell for Lu Li, it was probably just because herpdog didn¡¯te and she got mocked by Liu Menghan, nothing more. But even so, insulting him was Zhang Ziqin¡¯s biggest mistake. Zhang Ziqin had no intention of paying any mind to Ye Chen¡¯s thoughts, her phone calls wouldn¡¯t go through, making her more eager to know Lu Li¡¯s current situation. He was supposed to attend tonight¡¯s banquet. But he didn¡¯te. No answer to her calls, what exactly happened, could it be that Lu Li no longer loves her? This thought brought an indescribable pain to Zhang Ziqin¡¯s heart. No, impossible, nothing has happened yet, Lu Li hasn¡¯t be disappointed in her yet, besides, in her previous life, until the end, Lu Li was still thinking of her. How could Lu Li not love her? But thinking of Liu Menghan¡¯s previous words, Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t help feeling panicked, hastily ending tonight¡¯s banquet and heading towards the Lu family estate. But the security strictly controlled the gate, not allowing anyone in. ¡°I am Zhang Ziqin, I need to see your young master right now, go notify him immediately.¡± Zhang Ziqin became even more frantic, ordering the security personnel. ¡°Sorry, Miss Zhang, per our young master¡¯s instructions, no one is allowed to disturb him tonight.¡± The security¡¯s words made Zhang Ziqin even more panicked, what exactly happened? In the end, she could only leave helplessly. *** The next day, when Lu Li sat at the conference table, in the seat that once belonged to Lu Ya, all the executives recruited by Lu Ya showed a hint of shock, exchanging nces. ¡°Cough cough, Young Master Lu Li, may I ask where General Manager Lu is?¡± Of course, he wasn¡¯t referring to Lu Li, but Lu Ya. ¡°Right in front of you.¡± Lu Li nced at the executive who spoke, who seemed to be some kind of deputy general manager, in any case, one of Lu Ya¡¯s people. ¡°What!¡± ¡°How is that possible.¡± Various uncertain voices filled the office, the executives all looking at Lu Li unfavorably. Eventually, the deputy general manager who first spoke stood up: ¡°Young Master Lu Li, perhaps you should exin.¡± ¡°Exin, yesterday there was another one like you asking for an exnation, named Jiang Ting, Lu Ya¡¯s assistant. Now, she¡¯s already gone due to a fire at home and a car ident on the way back, are you sure you want an exnation?¡± No wonder Lu Ya almost turned Lu Corporation into her privatepany. Really treating himself as an outsider, huh! An adopted daughter, so openly climbing over the head of Lu Li, her own son. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ncing around, Lu Li¡¯s mouth curled into a cold smile: ¡°I, Lu Li, the blood heir of the Lu family, not a bastard like Lu Ya, it¡¯s only right for me to inherit Lu Corporation, do any of you have a problem with that?¡± Chapter 12 - Zhang Ziqin Comes Looking, Get Out Chapter 12 - Zhang Ziqin Comes Looking, Get Out

Chapter 12: Zhang Ziqin Comes Looking, Get Out

¡°Lu Ya had a decent eye for talent, probably the only use she had as an adopted daughter. I won¡¯t be changing your positions, but it¡¯s best you don¡¯t harbor any unnecessary thoughts. The incident with Jiang Ting will be deemed an ident, a pitiful ident.¡± ¡°Do any of you wish to be the next ¡®ident¡¯?¡± Lu Li spoke these words casually, even with a hint of a smile on his lips, but his words sent a shiver down the spine of everyone present. As his words fell, the executives in the office felt a chill run down their backs. Who could have thought that the young master Lu Li, always seen as a wastrel andpdog by the outside world, could possess such a terrifying side? Exchanging nces again, their dissatisfaction had faded. They weren¡¯t as foolish as Jiang Ting to get involved in the grudges of a grand family like the Lu family. One misstep could lead to their demise. Wasn¡¯t Jiang Ting the best demonstration? ¡°Lu as the General Manager of the Lu Corporation is only natural. We¡¯re just employees; how could we have any objections?¡± The deputy general manager stood up and bowed respectfully to Lu Li, expressing his submission. The rest hurriedly followed suit, today they truly understood what real family disputes were like. ¡°Good, that¡¯s settled then. As for today¡¯s matter, let it end here. If anything unfavorable leaks outside, none of you will be able to escape.¡± Smiling briefly, Lu Li rose from his chair and exited the room. Not until Lu Li had left did the oppressive atmosphere in the room slightly ease. ¡°My god, is this the power of a real family¡¯s young master? Weren¡¯t they saying Lu Li was just a wastrel?¡± ¡°Better not say that anymore. You¡¯ve seen the methods of Manager Lu Li. This likely also reflects the intentions of the Lu elders. After all, Lu Ya was just an adopted daughter.¡± ¡°You changed your tune pretty quickly, huh?¡± someone mocked. ¡°You¡¯re wee to keep your opinion, but if you want to die, don¡¯t drag me into it,¡± the previous speaker retorted without hesitation. ¡°Enough!¡± The deputy general manager suddenly mmed the table and called out in a low voice, surveying the room. ¡°Regardless, the situation is set now. We¡¯re just employees; let¡¯s just focus on our jobs and not get distracted by other things.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°And, let today¡¯s matter stay buried. Otherwise, we¡¯ll all go down together!¡± Standing up: ¡°The young master of the Lu family, truly a scion of a grand family. Fires, car idents, I¡¯m sure none of you wish to experience it firsthand!¡± The room suddenly became solemn; honestly, who would seek death? They all knew Jiang Ting, who could have thought such a beautiful and promising woman would suffer such a fate overnight. With such a ¡®role model¡¯ at hand. All from notable backgrounds, who would dare to provoke further? ¡°In short, let¡¯s just work hard from now on. Manager Lu has acknowledged our abilities,¡± the deputy general manager concluded. He, for one, had no intention of rebelling. After settling everything, Lu Li headed to his office, packing up everything rted to Lu Ya and ordering it to be thrown out. His hatred hadn¡¯t clouded his judgment, in fact, it made him exceptionally lucid. Whether it was killing Lu Ya or dealing with Jiang Ting, it wasn¡¯t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Both of them, one the family¡¯s adopted daughter and the other Lu Ya¡¯s assistant, were quietly taken care of without causing any ripples. But the enemies that followed wouldn¡¯t be so simple. Zhang Ziqin, the head of Zhang Corporation, Liu Menghan, the young mistress of the Liu family¡­ None were simple characters. He could kill them, but what would follow? Endless troubles. These women were ones he had to deal with, but with flexibility. Lu Ya and Jiang Ting he could suppress, these few he couldn¡¯t. ¡°Manager Lu Li, Miss Zhang Ziqin hase to visit, shall we let her up?¡± The front desk called, it seems the previous few had already been warned. Very sensible. ¡°Let here up!¡± He told the front desk. Taking away what Zhang Ziqin cherished most and then disposing of her seemed quite interesting! Mentally torturing a person is far crueler than physically harming them. Silently picking up a document on the side, he began working, indifferent to the various voices within Lu Corporation. The people Lu Ya brought in had been dealt with. A new king, new followers. They were Lu Ya¡¯s supporters before, now with Lu Ya out, facing Lu Li, they needed to show full enthusiasm. Otherwise, the next to be made an example of might be them. Inadvertently, they too were drawn into the family struggle. Probably cursing Lu Ya in their hearts by now. Such an incapable person, easily dealt with, shouldn¡¯t have stirred trouble, damn it. Zhang Ziqin also arrived at the door of Lu Li¡¯s office, took a deep breath, and opened the office door. ¡°Get out, knock on the door.¡± Before Zhang Ziqin could even step in, a cold voice came through, causing her heart to panic, she had never heard such a cold tone from Lu Li before. ¡°Calm down, calm down, nothing has happened yet, Lu Li hasn¡¯t been disappointed in me yet, everything can still be salvaged.¡± Biting her lip, Zhang Ziqinforted herself internally. Closing the door, she knocked again. Only after receiving permission from inside did Zhang Ziqin breathe a sigh of relief and slowly opened the door to enter. ¡°Lu Li, I went to the Lu family estate, and they told me you¡¯ve started taking over thepany, why so suddenly, I had no idea.¡± A smile appeared on her face, trying her best to appear natural. But upon seeing Lu Li again, Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t suppress the turmoil in her heart, wishing she could rush up and embrace him right now. He was still alive, vividly appearing before her eyes. Her gaze softened looking at Lu Li, as if admiring her most cherished treasure. ¡°Miss Zhang is here to manage the Lu family affairs?¡± Lu Li¡¯s eyes slightly lifted, his smile ambiguous. This was the first time this woman hade looking for him of her own ord, huh. When I was tirelessly following you, you didn¡¯t care, and now that I¡¯ve stopped being apdog, youe knocking on my door. Lu Li understood Zhang Ziqin¡¯s mindset; it was just that her always-followingpdog wasn¡¯t around, making her ufortable. Truly¡­ disgusting! Chapter 13 - Zhang Ziqin: This Time, Let Me Pursue You Chapter 13 - Zhang Ziqin: This Time, Let Me Pursue You

Chapter 13: Zhang Ziqin: This Time, Let Me Pursue You

¡°No, it¡¯s not like that.¡± Zhang Ziqin panicked internally, meeting Lu Li¡¯s gaze that seemed to carry a hint of mockery, she quickly exined. ¡°I just wanted to ask if there¡¯s anything you need help with. I have many projects on hand; we could coborate.¡± ¡°I have no money, don¡¯t fantasize about getting money from me that doesn¡¯t belong to you.¡± Lu Li turned his head away, no longer looking at Zhang Ziqin¡¯s stunningly beautiful face. No matter how beautiful, the person before his eyes was repulsive to him. Looking at the woman before him, he sneered disdainfully: ¡°So, seeing me as the General Manager of Lu Corporation, fully in control of Lu Corporation, you couldn¡¯t resist trying to get new orders from me?¡± ¡°I can tell you directly, I, Lu Li, won¡¯t be yourpdog anymore, don¡¯t even think about getting any benefits from me.¡± ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, please leave. Lu Corporation does not wee you.¡± Seeing herself in the position of General Manager of Lu Corporation, she ran over immediately. The former me actually harbored the illusion that such a woman could genuinely fall in love with me, asughable as expecting Lu Ya to show me real familial affection. Both blinded by their own interests. When those two sses of red wine were sshed on his face in front of everyone, he saw the truth, not to mention the many things that happened afterward. His cold words were like a vast chasm separating them, leaving Zhang Ziqin truly panicked. Biting her lips, her eyes reddened, every word from Lu Li felt like a p to her face. She now clearly understood how she appeared in Lu Li¡¯s heart. A woman constantly asking him for money, scheming for the benefits of Lu Corporation, keeping him hanging yet dismissive of him, a green tea b*tch. Lu Li had given up on her, Lu Li no longer loved her. ¡°No, Lu Li, I really came to help you. I¡¯ve prepared several project proposals, just take a look, I¡¯m willing to give you fifty percent of the profits!¡± Zhang Ziqin was frantic inside, she had been reborn. Everything hadn¡¯t even started yet, but Lu Li had given up on her. ¡°There¡¯s no need to look, Miss Zhang, please leave. Also, don¡¯te to Lu Corporation again, I don¡¯t want to see you.¡± After speaking, Lu Li picked up a document. Seeing this woman was just to see if she had any more tricks. He had thought about continuing the act, then secretly causing Zhang Corporation to gopletely bankrupt, shattering Zhang Ziqin¡¯s lifelong wish. But he couldn¡¯t. Acting like a lovestruckpdog in front of this woman, just the thought disgusted him. ¡°Lu Li¡­¡± Zhang Ziqin was almost in tears. ¡°We haven¡¯t gotten to the point where you can call me by my first name directly. Please refer to me as Manager Lu in the future.¡± ¡°Someone, show the guest out.¡± Zhang Ziqin stood frozen in ce, feeling as if the knife in her heart was cutting through her insides once more. She remembered Lu Li from her previous life, the one who was repeatedly rejected by her, disying a disappointed yet forcibly smiling expression, her heart felt as if it was pierced by thousands of arrows. Is this what it feels like to be rejected? Not until she was politely shown out by the secretary did Zhang Ziqin snap back to reality. Returning to her car, tears fell like broken strings, the pain as if her heart was torn apart. She didn¡¯t me Lu Li; it was all her doing. In her previous life, all she thought about was how to expand Zhang Corporation, letting her deceased parents see their daughter could make it on her own. Facing Lu Li¡¯s kindness time and time again, she always took his sugar-coated bullets and fired nonexistent grenades back at Lu Li. Reborn again, she could see the disappointment in Lu Li¡¯s eyes, but each time she told herself, once Zhang Corporation was on the right track and thriving, she would make it up to him. How long had Lu Li pursued her? It seemed to begin in high school, right? Eight years of pursuit, all she gave Lu Li was coldness and heartbreak, no one can endure that kind of emotional abuse for so long. Afterward, she reached a cooperation with Ye Chen, and since then, Lu Li¡¯s pursuit of her became as mechanical aspleting a task. She still deluded herself, thinking it was normal for men to sulk, and that she could just coax himter. As her future man, not trusting her just because she cooperated with Ye Chen, having no magnanimity at all. And all her self-righteous thoughts. But now, she truly lost Lu Li. It hurts, it really hurts. Her heart felt as if it was torn apart, Zhang Ziqin no longer had the demeanor of an ice queen CEO. Her beautiful face twisted, resembling a hysterical shrew. She now felt the pain Lu Li once endured, such pain Lu Li bore for over a decade, Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t even begin to understand how he managed. ¡°Lu Li, I now feel the pain you once bore, I ept it. No matter what you do to me, I ept it, I owe it to you. From now on, let me be the one to pursue you, whether it¡¯s for a decade or two, even if it costs me my life, I won¡¯t give up.¡± Biting her lip tightly, Zhang Ziqin solidified her determination. She deserved it; she owed Lu Li so much, why should she expect Lu Li to ept her without any reservations? *** In her previous life. At the Zhang family estate, how could Lu Li possibly miss a banquet organized by Zhang Ziqin? Lu Li patted his cheeks; everything woulde to light today, whether his years of effort could change the so-called plot was to be determined today. Taking a deep breath, he got into the car. As for his sister Lu Ya, he had lost all hope. Zhang Ziqin represented hisst hope. For so many years, whether it was acting or truly falling for Zhang Ziqin, Lu Li no longer understood his own state of mind. Perhaps it was because he was too deep into the role. Like an actor unable to step out of character, showing the best side within the plot, the bitterness in his heart, he could only swallow down. Everything seemed like a dream. Over the years, he was like a puppet tightly controlled by the system. If he truly changed the so-called plot, regardless of what his dog system did, he would do everything in his power to pursue what he wanted. The Zhao family estate, it wasn¡¯t Lu Li¡¯s first visit. He was very familiar with it, even indifferent to the contemptuous gazes of some Zhao family servants, as if saying someone like him was dreaming of ¡°a toad lusting after a swan¡¯s flesh,¡± guing their miss. All of the dignity had long been lost in his prolonged puppet-like existence. Today was hisst chance. Chapter 14 - Memories of the Past, That Banquet Chapter 14 - Memories of the Past, That Banquet

Chapter 14: Memories of the Past, That Banquet

When Zhang Ziqin appeared on the high tform of the banquet, all the lights shone on her, making her, the goddess and business miracle, dazzlingly bright. Yet, Lu Li¡¯s heart was filled with inexpressible tension, his gaze not on Zhang Ziqin but instead on another man dressed in an unusual fashion. A shirt with mboyant colors, a pair of beach shorts, and flip-flops toplete the look. Truly worthy of a protagonist, no matter where he goes, he always exhibits the grace of a clown. Downing arge ss of red wine, Zhang Ziqin on the stage had finished her speech, receiving thunderous apuse from the audience, while Lu Li¡¯s heart became even more tense. It¡¯s starting, the plot is about to unfold. He saw Ye Chen approaching Zhang Ziqin, knowing this man was the protagonist, a nameless rage instantly ignited within him. He really couldn¡¯t distinguish whether he was too deep into his role or if he genuinely liked Zhang Ziqin; either way, seeing the protagonist Ye Chen getting close to her was unbearable. In the script, his role at this banquet was to obstruct the dialogue between the male and female leads, even if the system tried to stop him, it was a scene he needed toplete. ¡°Kid, dare to speak to Ziqin, don¡¯t you know she¡¯s the woman I like?¡± The furious voice overpowered all other conversations at the venue. Instantly, all eyes were on Lu Li. ¡°Here goes Lu Gongzi causing trouble again, he never thinks, how could Goddess Zhang possibly like him?¡± Whispers from the crowd surrounded him. ¡°Exactly, exactly, with just him trying to reach for what¡¯s out of his league, how could Goddess Zhang possibly fancy him!¡± Filled with disdain and contempt, Lu Li had grown ustomed to such words over the years, even managing to automatically filter them out, but to say he wasn¡¯t angry would be a lie. ¡°Just a yboy, what¡¯s the point of following Goddess Zhang every day, as if she could actually like him.¡± Lu Li didn¡¯t care about thesements; disrupting the so-called plot, not continuing the destiny dictated by his system was more important to him than anything. Stepping forward, he grabbed Zhang Ziqin¡¯s hand, Lu Li smiled warmly: ¡°Ziqin, why bother talking to someone like him? Look at his appearance, does he even match speaking with you? Let¡¯s go.¡± But Zhang Ziqin¡¯s expression was ugly, her almond eyes looking at Lu Li, an ominous premonition slid through Lu Li¡¯s heart. The next second, her premonition came true. The crimson liquid in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s hand was sshed onto his face. ¡°Lu Li, what are you making a fuss about? Is it fun?¡± Zhang Ziqin scolded. Disdain and disgust appeared on her delicate face: ¡°With this time, you might as well think about how to do business, instead of making trouble at my Zhang family¡¯s banquet.¡± Then, Zhang Ziqin turned to Ye Chen with an apologetic smile. ¡°Sorry, Mr. Ye, I¡¯m very interested in what you were saying about the cooperation, please continue.¡± After that, Lu Li couldn¡¯t hear the rest, only the endless mockery around him. He felt like a clown, actually hoping that Zhang Ziqin would like him. Howughable. He wanted tough, but the bitterness in his heart made it impossible even to twitch his face. Years of effort, and he was still pped in the face by the plot as scripted. Indeed, what was he expecting? She¡¯s the female lead, even if you became the best one, could she really like you? Before Lu Li could recover, another ss of cold red wine was sshed on his face, the crimson liquid dripping down from his hair. Lu Ya appeared in front of him at some point. ¡°Have you caused enough trouble? Do you have to disgrace the Lu family before you¡¯re satisfied?¡± Lu Ya looked at her brother with utter disgust, as if she was looking at the most repulsive fly in the world. Lu Li didn¡¯t speak, the light in his eyes seemed to disappear at that moment, the helplessness of all hopes dashed. Two sses of red wine extinguished all his fantasies. He must be the most ridiculous person in the world, right? Knowing he¡¯s the antagonist, yet still harboring fantasies about these female leads, fantasizing that Zhang Ziqin might truly fall for him. Fantasizing that Lu Ya, that woman, might show him a bit of familial affection. But with the fall of those two sses of wine, the warmth in his heart seemed to be extinguished at that moment. This is not his world. He didn¡¯t feel a bit of sadness, stepping out of the banquet hall, walking to his car. Not hating? How could that be possible? He¡¯s just a normal person, without a saint¡¯s heart, and not harboring the world in his bosom. But he couldn¡¯t do anything. How foolish, Lu Li! Why harbor any thoughts towards these people? Years of effort, even if it was acting, to put it harshly, even if it were a dog or a cat, there should be some feelings, right? But what about himself? In Zhang Ziqin¡¯s eyes, he was just a tool. In Lu Ya¡¯s eyes, just a brother bringing disgrace to their family. He didn¡¯t struggle anymore, mechanicallypleting all his scripted actions, just hoping to return to his world at the end. No matter the hatred, it had to be tucked away. *** Swiftly reorganizing the entirepany, just on the first day, almost everyone in thepany sensed the immense pressure of an impending storm, under such circumstances, no one dared to say more. Even some of Lu Ya¡¯s diehard supporters wouldn¡¯t make a sound under such conditions. This is also what Lu Li wanted. Of course, even if they did make noise, it would be useless now, Lu Ya was already dead, probably already been devoured clean by stray dogs by now! In the office, there was no longer any trace of Lu Ya¡¯s existence, everything rted to her was thrown away by Lu Li as garbage. There shouldn¡¯t be any traces of the disgusting Lu Ya in life. Later, when he returns, he¡¯ll burn her things as well! The Lu family elevated her to a position that wasn¡¯t hers, even maintaining aissez-faire attitude towards this sister who threatened Lu Li, wasn¡¯t this just encouraging her topete with Lu Li? In the end, she was just an adopted daughter, when it came down to choosing one of the two, those two at home wouldn¡¯t make the wrong choice. Lu Li just regretted that Lu Ya wasn¡¯t despairing enough before she died, looking at Jiang Ting¡¯s despair before death, that was truly heart death. That¡¯s enough, the sister she always thought of, her adoptive father, adoptive mother, it could be said a whole family joined hands to kill her, that level of despair was almost enough. Chapter 15 - Clean and Decisive Methods Chapter 15 - Clean and Decisive Methods

Chapter 15: Clean and Decisive Methods

It¡¯s unclear when it started, but Lu Li, who was once just a somewhat gloomy big boy, began to harden his heart. Perhaps it was from that banquet, or perhaps from the moment he was reborn. For someone who has already died once, there really isn¡¯t much left to fear. Having gone through so much, there¡¯s also not much left to care about. Dressed neatly, Lu Li walked out of his office. His handsome face, almost devoid of any emotion, silenced everyone in his path. Even a nce from Lu Li made people feel as if they were pricked by needles. ¡°Damn, who said Lu Li Gongzi is a wastrel? Stand out, I¡¯ll show you, calling that a wastrel.¡± ¡°The imposing manner is terrifying; it feels like Lu Li Gongzi has even more of a presence than General Manager Lu Ya.¡± ¡°Cough cough, what General Manager Lu Ya, that¡¯s Miss Lu Ya.¡± The person who spoke was suddenly shocked, quickly shutting his mouth. Thepany had already ¡®changed dynasties¡¯, and they, the minor characters, though not understanding the ins and outs, knew that it was now Lu Li Gongzi¡¯s era. At this time, still calling Lu Ya General Manager, isn¡¯t that asking for trouble? ¡°Alright, shut up, get back to your work. You all know the situation now; if you still want to work here, don¡¯t entertain any unnecessary thoughts.¡± The deputy general manager came out, stopping the quarrel, his expression stern. Sometimes, ignorance truly is bliss. He knew the truth, and now he couldn¡¯t extricate himself. The scene instantly fell silent, everyone swiftly returned to their seats. With a new official taking charge, who knows if Lu Li¡¯s fire would burn onto their heads. *** Now, Lu Li is the nominal general manager, but his parents have transferred all their shares to him, effectively making him the actual chairman. ¡°Ha ha ha ha, my wise nephew, long time no see. I didn¡¯t expect that when we meet again, you would have taken up such a position, truly makes your uncle happy!¡± An elderly man addressed Lu Li with a grin that was more of a grimace, while the five or six others also looked at Lu Li with doubtful eyes. The notorious name of the wastrel young master Lu Li resounded throughout Hang City, but overnight, such a person had risen above them, and they felt thepany¡¯s future had dimmed significantly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be insincere here. I am now thergest shareholder of Lu Corporation, owning more than fifty-one percent of the shares. Your sharesbined don¡¯t amount to as much as mine. ording to the rules, the operation of thispany is entirely under my control.¡± He scanned the crowd. The first to speak was a man named Lin Tianhai, considered a business partner who had struggled alongside his father. Calling Lu Li a wise nephew wasn¡¯t wrong. Unfortunately, he was someone who was never satisfied, always eyeing and colluding with otherpanies over the years, ambitious to control Lu Corporation himself. ¡°If you don¡¯t see a future for thepany, I can buy your shares right now. Let¡¯s keep things simple and notplicate them.¡± Lu Li nced at these shareholders. Taking control of thepany wasn¡¯t easy. The executives promoted by Lu Ya were just the tip of the iceberg. The real trouble was from these guys holding shares in Lu Corporation. It seemed they were taken aback by Lu Li¡¯s straightforwardness. Usually, talking to people like them involved a lot of pleasantries before getting to the point. Lin Tianhai¡¯s face darkened momentarily. This kid came prepared, disrupting his rhythm in an instant. Today¡¯s sudden board meeting was their attempt to challenge Lu Li. ¡°You jest, nephew. Perhaps you are not aware of our Lu Corporation¡¯s rules. Matters like shareholder meetings involve voting, majority rules, that¡¯s why Lu Corporation thrives.¡± Lin Tianhai sneered. This kid is too naive. ¡°I know what Lu Corporation used to be, but remember, the reason it¡¯s called Lu Corporation is because the controllers bear the surname Lu.¡± ¡°My dad was sentimental, knowing uncle, you struggled alongside him and chose some ways to keep youfortable. But the real rule is that Lu Corporation belongs to the Lu family, it¡¯s the dictatorship of thergest shareholder.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to give you face now, Uncle Lin, what can you do?¡± Mocking the old man in front of him, Lu Li didn¡¯t hide the irony in his eyes. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°Alright, I don¡¯t want to talk much with you. I¡¯m here to inform you, holding the shares you do, you all earn five or six billion a year from dividends. Don¡¯t do anything unnecessary, it would be unpleasant for everyone to lose face.¡± Lu Li directly interrupted Lin Tianhai¡¯s words. He knew his words were harsh, but he didn¡¯t need these guys to feel good about it. ¡°Also, some among us have been secretly involved with other groups. Don¡¯t think that can be hidden from everyone. I advise you all to behave yourselves.¡± His gaze fixed on Lin Tianhai, clearly referring to him. Immediately, all shareholders turned their gazes towards Lin Tianhai, their eyes filled with inquiry. Lin Tianhai¡¯s expression fluctuated, turning pale, then blue, a hint of malice shing in his eyes, thinking inwardly, does this kid really have something on him? ¡°Now, I will announce the future ns for thepany. First, all projects in cooperation with Zhang Corporation will cease. Second, Director Lin Tianhai, your previously managed bidding fornd with Zhao Corporation can also stop. Does anyone have questions?¡± His gaze directly targeted Lin Tianhai. ¡°Manager Lu, the cooperation with Zhang Corporation is currently our most profitable project. If we stop now, the short-term investments will be wasted!¡± ¡°Yes! Manager Lu, and this was a cooperation confirmed by General Manager Lu Ya before, we¡¯ve already invested a significant amount of money, we can¡¯t let this investment go to waste.¡± ¡°ording to the project department¡¯s estimates, thend we¡¯re auctioning off will be the focus of city development in the future. Getting it now is a surefire profitable deal.¡± ¡°Please reconsider, Manager Lu!¡± Several shareholders looked at each other, wasn¡¯t it said that this Lu Gongzi was Zhang Corporation¡¯s Zhang Ziqin¡¯spdog? Why did he cut ties with Zhang Corporation right away? This is too strange. Could it be that thepdog turned back, no longer fawning? Chapter 16 - Zhang Ziqins Sorrow, Encounter with the Female Lead Chapter 16 - Zhang Ziqin''s Sorrow, Encounter with the Female Lead

Chapter 16: Zhang Ziqin¡¯s Sorrow, Encounter with the Female Lead

¡°Director Lin Tianhai, do you have anything to say?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Lin Tianhai clenched his teeth. Lu Li¡¯s confident demeanor made him wonder if he had really been caught in some wrongdoing, but there were things he dared not gamble on. Should his wrongdoings truly be uncovered, facing Lu Guofu¡¯s methods, ending up penniless would be the best oue. ¡°I agree with Manager Lu¡¯s thoughts. As his uncle, naturally, I wouldn¡¯t hold Manager Lu back,¡± he forced a smile. Lin Tianhai¡¯s tone was rather bitter. The other shareholders¡¯ gazes towards Lin Tianhai changed. ¡°En!¡± Lu Li nodded. ¡°As for the future development direction, I will have control over it. I won¡¯t let the shareholders suffer losses. Of course, if anyone wishes to sell their shares, I personally would be willing to buy them at the current market price.¡± He didn¡¯t actually have any dirt on Lin Tianhai; having arrived a bitte in this world, he hadn¡¯t had the time, but that could change in the future. Unexpectedly, Lin Tianhai was so easily frightened. All the better. A meeting that was supposed to be a joint usation against Lu Li ended with little more than a whimper under Lu Li¡¯s pressure. They all realized, Lu Li was not a simple character, at least not the wasteful yboy as rumored by the outside world. *** Zhang Corporation, known as a major enterprise in Hang City, is a dreampany for many. Zhang Ziqin massaged her temples, the intense sadness and helplessness pressing down on her like a heavy hand. Lu Li¡¯s indifference, those decisive words, caused her a heart-wrenching pain. She felt Lu Li¡¯s pain. Such agony, Lu Li endured for eight years. A full eight years. ¡°What do you think, when a man likes a woman but the woman never responds, will the man give up?¡± she murmured the question. The assistant beside her had aplex expression. After Zhang Ziqin returned from Lu Corporation appearing distraught, she wasn¡¯t a fool; she knew what had happened. In the assistant¡¯s view, aside from being deeply affectionate, Lu Li was practically worthless and absolutely not worthy of their CEO. Their CEO, both beautiful and capable, had taken control of such argepany like Zhang Corporation at a young age, showing extraordinary ability. There wasn¡¯t a single aspect where Lu Li couldpare. As Zhang Ziqin¡¯s assistant, she had seen many times Lu Li being chased away by their CEO. Honestly, even if she felt Lu Li wasn¡¯t good enough for the CEO, seeing Lu Li¡¯s dejected look really made one feel pity. ¡°Miss Zhang, let me tell you a story!¡± The assistant hesitated for a moment and then spoke. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Once upon a time, a prince fell in love with a beautiful princess. But the princess set a condition. She told the prince, if youe to my castle every day to profess your love, then after one hundred days, I will marry you.¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s eyes lit up with interest: ¡°And then?¡± ¡°The prince went every day, rain or shine, he expressed his love to the beautiful princess until the hundredth day¡­¡± The assistant looked at Miss Zhang with aplex gaze, feeling that their CEO was like the princess in the story. ¡°What happened on the hundredth day?¡± Zhang Ziqin asked eagerly. ¡°On the hundredth day, the prince did not go anymore,¡± the assistant said. ¡°Why?¡± The assistant hesitated briefly before continuing. ¡°Afterward, the princess angrily confronted the prince, asking why he gave up when it was just one day short, just one more day and she would have married him.¡± ¡°But the prince told her, the previous ny-nine days, he proved his love for the princess, but he wouldn¡¯t go on thest day. He wanted to retain his dignity because love is not about blind devotion.¡± The assistant seemed reflective. Eight years, Lu Li Gongzi pursued their CEO for eight full years. How deep was that love! Hearing the story, Zhang Ziqin was stunned. Love is not about blind devotion! Well said, yet she failed to do so. Starting over, yet she still lost the person she loved the most. Because between her and Lu Li, it was always just Lu Li making the effort. Now, he¡¯s like the prince in the story, about to give up. He no longer loves her. Her heart felt as if it was pierced by a cold knife. ¡°Trouble ahead, Miss Zhang. Lu Corporation has announced the withdrawal of all coborative projects with us.¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s vision darkened, a tear-like pain almost making her pass out. Even knowing Lu Li no longer loved her, it deeply wounded Zhang Ziqin¡¯s heart. ¡°Do you hate me so much that you¡¯re unwilling to continue even business cooperation?¡± she thought sadly. *** The hustle and bustle, filled with the aroma of fireworks, everything seemed ordinary yet peaceful. This was what she had longed for in her previous life, but such simple things were unattainable for a viin like her. In her previous life, she pursued Zhang Ziqin day after day, only to meet such an end. How much did he yearn to simply live in this mundane world? But even such a modest wish was not something a viin deserved. ¡°What are you talking about, I clearly didn¡¯t touch her, she fell by herself, I was just helping her up. Why are you saying I knocked her down?¡± With an aggrieved voice tinged with anger, Lu Li nced over and saw a stunning figure enter his view. It¡¯s her! In the plot, there are many female leads who intersect with Lu Li, with grudges, but there are also a few Lu Li never interacted with. This female lead named Chen Xiaoyi before him was one of them. In his previous life, Lu Li had seen her in the protagonist Ye Chen¡¯spany, serving as Ye Chen¡¯s CEO, a strong support behind Ye Chen with her formidable business skills helping Ye Chen¡¯s corporation ovee one challenge after another. Chen Xiaoyi originally lived in a well-off family, her parents were just ordinary white-cor workers, but in this big city, they were a happy family with a house and a car. One could say Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s life was very beautiful. But at the age of eighteen, a sudden illness shattered this beautiful life. To treat her, the family spent all their money, borrowing from rtives as much as possible, making those rtives now avoid them like the gue upon seeing their family. After everything, just as Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s condition began to improve day by day, her parents were involved in a car ident on a rainy night on their way to the hospital. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s illness got better, but she lost her parents forever. In the days that followed, she juggled working part-time and attending university, also burdened with a huge debt, until discovered by the protagonist Ye Chen and became the CEO of hispany, which finally improved Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s living situation. What puzzled Lu Li was that, ording to the plot, Chen Xiaoyi and Ye Chen should be in that kind of rtionship. But in his previous life, it didn¡¯t seem like that was the case. Chapter 17 - Chen Xiaoyis Gratitude Chapter 17 - Chen Xiaoyi''s Gratitude

Chapter 17: Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s Gratitude

No matter what, this woman¡¯s abilities are worth Lu Li¡¯s effort to win over. ¡°Ow, ow, my leg hurts so much. This youngdy knocked me down and won¡¯t evenpensate me. Everyone, judge for yourselves, is this how things should be?¡± A sharp-toned olddy sat on the ground, sighing andmenting as if she had suffered a great wrong. ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense. I didn¡¯t even touch you. You were already lying there; I merely helped you up,¡± Chen Xiaoyi knew she had encountered a scammer and tried her best to defend herself. Panic and worry were written all over her delicate face. ¡°This youngdy, looking so pretty, I didn¡¯t expect her to do such a thing!¡± ¡°Exactly, exactly, looks good but with a bad heart, society these days!¡± ¡°Youngdy, if you didn¡¯t knock her down, why did you help her up? Don¡¯t deny what you did!¡± The surrounding crowd¡¯sments made Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes redden, almost on the verge of tears. After all, she was just a young girl who had just graduated from college, not yet hardened by society¡¯s harshness, unable to grasp the maliciousness of the world. It was clear this was a professional scamming gang, one person pretending to fall, the others stirring up trouble, using insults to break the victim¡¯s psychological defense, making a scene to extort money from the victim. Already burdened with a huge debt, Chen Xiaoyi was extremely sensitive to any turmoil, harboring an inferiorityplex within her. Suddenly encountering such a situation, despite trying to do a good deed, she was misunderstood. The psychological pressure she bore was unimaginable. ¡°Three thousand, without three thousand, I can¡¯t get up,¡± the spiteful olddy on the ground demanded. Chen Xiaoyi became utterly flustered; three thousand was equivalent to her monthly sry! ¡°Everyone back off, or I¡¯m calling the police.¡± ¡°Calling the police is good, let the policee and see,e and judge, hitting someone and notpensating, what kind of person does that!¡± The olddy became even more spirited, her expression almost saying, go ahead and call! It seemed quite a scene. But they dared not really call the police. Chen Xiaoyi, unaware of the truth, was actually intimidated. ¡°Alright, stop making a fuss. I¡¯ve already called the police. They said they wille soon,¡± Lu Li suddenly spoke up, holding his phone, surveying these people, his gaze lingering on Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face. Slightly thin, with a pallor possibly due to malnutrition or recovering from a long illness, wearing a washed-out cheap jacket, her beauty couldn¡¯t be concealed. This woman, he decided, was his to im in this lifetime. What, called the police? The faces of the people surrounding Chen Xiaoyi instantly filled with panic, especially the one lying on the ground who suddenly forgot to scream. But they quickly regained theirposure: ¡°Good, let the policee and judge, let¡¯s see what this youngdy has to say.¡± Threatening Chen Xiaoyi maliciously. ¡°If you don¡¯t give me three thousand now, I definitely won¡¯t forgive you when the policee,¡± the olddy on the ground also snapped back to reality, threatening Chen Xiaoyi viciously. As for the good Samaritan Lu Li who intervened, she showed no pleasant face. Chen Xiaoyi also snapped back to reality, though taken aback by theirbined onught, after all, she was a woman who would eventually take control of argepany, how could she not understand by now? Gratefully ncing at Lu Li, she turned back to the olddy on the ground and coldly said, ¡°I won¡¯t give you any money. Since the police areing, let them thoroughly investigate whether you¡¯re all in this together. There are plenty of surveince cameras here; you can slowly exin to them.¡± The scammers, seemingly unprepared for Chen Xiaoyi, who had always seemed soft and weak, to suddenly be so resolute, knew this scam had failed. They cursed a few times and dispersed; the olddy¡¯s agility as she ran was even better than some young people¡¯s. Tsk tsk! Not upset, but Lu Li gave them a few more looks of admiration. Well, these people were just scammers, not desperados. ¡°Sir, thank you. Cough cough.¡± Chen Xiaoyi approached and thanked Lu Li. Had it not been for this gentleman, she might still be bewildered. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just happened to pass by.¡± Lu Li smiled warmly, his gaze on the young girl in front of him, slender, with at least a developing chest, naturally beautiful without makeup. Perhaps due to recovering from illness or malnutrition, the girl had a fragile, willowy temperament. A truly elegant beauty. Chen Xiaoyi gave Lu Li a faint smile: ¡°Anyhow, thank you. I work nearby. Let me treat you to milk tea!¡± ¡°Milk tea? Sure.¡± Lu Li nodded, not refusing. After all, his goal was the girl before him. The two headed to a nearby milk tea shop. ¡°What would you like, sir?¡± ¡°Just milk tea, with double sugar for me. And stop calling me sir; my name is Lu Li.¡± Lu Li smiled faintly, finding a seat. Double sugar was a habit from his previous life; like him, a man filled with misfortune in his past life, liked to eat more sweets. Chen Xiaoyi was the only employee in the milk tea shop, the business seemed quite slow. Chen Xiaoyi gave Lu Li a curious nce but didn¡¯t say anything, starting to prepare the milk tea attentively. Soon after, ¡°Lu Li, isn¡¯t that the name of the young master of the Lu family? Heard he¡¯s quite the wastrel; must be a coincidence!¡± Chen Xiaoyi thought to herself, soon serving up a milk tea. ¡°Mr. Lu Li, your double sugar milk tea.¡± ¡°Thank you, I don¡¯t know your name yet?¡± Lu Li casually asked. ¡°My name is Chen Xiaoyi. Thank you for your help earlier, Mr. Lu Li. Cough cough!¡± Smiling, Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth, turning aside to cough twice. Lu Li couldn¡¯t help but frown, pulling over Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s hand. ¡°Mr. Lu Li, what are you doing? Let go of me.¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s expression changed, struggling. She hadn¡¯t expected this very handsome man to suddenly act so rudely; her goodwill towards him instantly plummeted. ¡°Stop moving.¡± Lu Li suddenly scolded sternly, his face serious as he looked at the ashamed Chen Xiaoyi: ¡°You¡¯ve been sick before, right? And it¡¯s thatplex heart disease.¡± ¡°How did you know!¡± Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help but exim. So, he had noticed, no wonder¡­ ¡°I know some traditional Chinese medicine.¡± That wasn¡¯t a problem. In his previous life, that damn system gave him a bunch of skills but never a chance to use them. He had the best business talent but nowhere to apply it, a wealth of medical knowledge but only letting it go to waste. Fully trained inbat arts, but couldn¡¯t even resist. It shows how frustrated Lu Li was in his previous life. Looking at Chen Xiaoyi with a serious face, Lu Li reproached: ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you, going out to work when you¡¯re still not fully recovered? Do you know such disregard for your health makes it easiest to rpse?¡± Chapter 18 - What Do You Want to Do Chapter 18 - What Do You Want to Do

Chapter 18: What Do You Want to Do

Words of reproach sounded like the most beautifulnguage to Chen Xiaoyi. After her parents passed away, every rtive turned into a wolf, crazily demanding she repay them. What could she do? Paying debts is only natural. Money at home was spent long ago during her illness. Toplete her college education, she relied on financial aid for impoverished students and worked part-time. Now graduated, burdened with huge debt, working multiple jobs was her only option. ¡°Getting sick and not properly recuperating, harboring frustration in your heart, your current condition is very dangerous!¡± Lu Li spoke frankly, furrowing his brows in concern. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s health was terrible, it was a miracle she hadn¡¯t copsed yet. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Lu Li, for your concern, but I¡¯m fine.¡± She smiled brightly, like a ray of warm sunlight. No matter how life battered her, she remained strong in this world. ¡°I can help you. Can you tell me what¡¯s causing you trouble? Sometimes, sharing can be a good way to heal the heart.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi fell silent, her strong gaze softening momentarily. For her, Lu Li, a stranger she had only known for a short while, showed a mysterious trust because of his previous help and seemingly reproachful yet caring words. ¡°Maybe, saying some things out loud does make one feel better.¡± Sheforted herself inwardly, indeed needing a ce to confide. ncing at the nearly empty store, Chen Xiaoyi took a seat in front of Lu Li. She began to speak slowly, recounting her illness, her parents¡¯ death, and the indifference of her rtives. By the end, the strong girl couldn¡¯t help but shed tears. ¡°I can cover your debts for you and provide the care you need, but of course, there are conditions¡­ I want you¡­¡± Lu Li¡¯s smile gradually turned sinister as he appraised the woman before him. Chen Xiaoyi, sensing Lu Li¡¯s gaze, felt a flush of shyness. The man¡¯s look seemed to pierce through her clothes, biting her lip in silent disappointment. Her voice cooled, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Lu Li, you¡¯re mistaken. I¡¯m not that kind of person.¡± If it weren¡¯t for Lu Li¡¯s previous help, she would have driven him away by now. She turned to leave but was once again grabbed by Lu Li. ¡°Hey, hey, hey, don¡¯t overreact. I was just joking.¡± Chen Xiaoyi looked at Lu Li, no longer as friendly as before, showing a hint of wariness. ¡°Indeed a heroine, with that die-hard attitude.¡± Just like Zhang Ziqin in his previous life, who would never love him no matter what. But now, he was no longer a puppet controlled by the system. ¡°You mentioned you graduated from the finance department of Zhejiang University? How were your grades?¡± Ignoring Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s wary seriousness, Lu Li suddenly became serious, causing her to pause. ¡°My grades were good. I received schrships.¡± Chen Xiaoyi responded truthfully. Perhaps she too was longing for a chance to change her fate but didn¡¯t mean she was willing to sell herself. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you apply for those bigpanies? With your grades, they should have wanted you.¡± Lu Li asked, puzzled. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s gaze shifted, then she lowered her head in dejection, ¡°Those bigpanies have several months of probation with low pay, not enough to support my daily expenses, let alone pay rent and debts.¡± ¡°I see, no wonder.¡± A girl in Hangzhou without even a ce to live, how could she afford to participate in such probation periods? ¡°Come work at mypany. I¡¯ll cover your debts first and find you a suitable position. Also, I can help you get some medical treatment.¡± Chen Xiaoyi abruptly looked up, ¡°Are you serious?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°¡­but why are you being so nice to me, especially when¡­¡± we haven¡¯t known each other for long. ¡°If I say it¡¯s not because I¡¯m attracted to you, you¡¯d probably find it hard to believe. Just think I find you pretty, unfortunate yet capable, and I want to give you a hand,¡± Lu Li said with a smile, offering a blunt truth. ¡°So, you do want my body.¡± Chen Xiaoyi nervously covered her chest, wary of Lu Li. But not as defensive as before. ¡°If you want to think that way, I don¡¯t mind. Here¡¯s my business card, you can report to mypany tomorrow.¡± Nonchntly cing down a business card, Lu Li checked his watch. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s about time for me to leave. You can think it over.¡± If he doesn¡¯t see Chen Xiaoyi tomorrow, Lu Li will decisively give up. If he can¡¯t win her over, she¡¯ll end up on the protagonist¡¯s side sooner orter. Best to resolve it early. ¡°Um¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi hadn¡¯t realized this matter would concern her very life, still ring at Lu Li with flushed, tearful eyes. Only after Lu Li left did Chen Xiaoyi pick up the business card on the table. ¡°Lu Li, General Manager of Lu Corporation.¡± Seeing the name on the card, Chen Xiaoyi was shocked, covering her mouth. She had thought it might be someone with the same name, but it turned out to be that Lu family¡¯s young master! There¡¯s only one Lu Corporation in all of Hangzhou. She didn¡¯t expect the Lu family¡¯s young master to be so sunny and handsome. Wasn¡¯t he said to be a wastrel? Chen Xiaoyi fell into thought. In her imagination, this bad young master should have been smirking, speaking rudely, indulging in debauchery. How could he be so¡­ good-looking? Lu Corporation? Biting her lip, the reputation of Lu Li, known throughout Hangzhou as a wastrel, still pressured her, but this could be her only chance to change her fate. ¡°Chen Xiaoyi, what are you thinking? Even if he helps you clear your debts, just work hard and repay himter. Could he really take your body?¡± she thought to herself, setting her bottom line. Unless it was someone she liked, she wouldn¡¯t give herself away. But deep down, wasn¡¯t there a sliver of hope? Even if the hope was slim, she wanted to try. Chapter 19 - Securing Chen Xiaoyi Chapter 19 - Securing Chen Xiaoyi

Chapter 19: Securing Chen Xiaoyi

Returning to thepany, he continued to deal with some matters. He had plenty of time. Although the n with Zhang Corporation was scrapped, causing manyints within thepany due to the significant investment and time already spent, no one dared to vent their frustrations directly at Lu Li. There were plenty of potential partners; Lu Li wasn¡¯t in a hurry at this moment. What he didn¡¯t expect was for Chen Xiaoyi to show up in the afternoon. ¡°I thought you would need more time to consider.¡± Lu Li said gently, smiling at the somewhat nervous girl before him. ¡°Mr. Lu Li is willing to help me with my debts and even offer me a job. It would be too unwise of me to dy,¡± Chen Xiaoyi also smiled lightly, albeit a bit tensely. ¡°Indeed¡­¡± Lu Li nodded nomittally, stood up, and poured a ss of water for Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°Have some water. Don¡¯t worry, I don¡¯t engage in forceful tactics with women. Rx a little.¡± ¡°¡­Mr. Lu Li, you seem different from what others say.¡± Whether it was helping her deal with the scammer or now, this man with a gentle smile and good looks didn¡¯t seem like a wastrel at all. ¡°Oh, is that how people describe me outside? I¡¯m quite curious to hear.¡± Embarrassed, Chen Xiaoyi yed with her hair, ¡°They all say, Mr. Lu Li, that you are an out-and-out wastrel.¡± ¡°Have there been any stories of my wastefulness spread outside?¡± Lu Li wasn¡¯t angry; instead, he rested his chin on his hands and observed the woman before him. ¡°Err¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi paused. Everyone said that the young master of the Lu family was a wastrel, but she had never really heard any specific tales of his wastefulness. She felt somewhat embarrassed looking at Lu Li now. ¡°Alright, go through the onboarding process. You¡¯ll be working in the finance department. I¡¯ll monitor your performance. If you do well, I¡¯m not old-fashioned; your promotion will be quick.¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s capabilities were indeed impressive in the plot. If she could truly be of use to him, Lu Li wouldn¡¯t be stingy. Besides, he was also thinking of winning her over by bringing her in. ¡°I¡¯ll have finance draft a loan agreement for the money I¡¯m lending you. Once you sign, the money will be transferred to you immediately,¡± Lu Li stated inly. Chen Xiaoyi bit her lip, thinking she might have upset Lu Li with her words. She had indeed been a bit presumptuous, but there was nothing to be said about that. ¡°Also, wait for me after work tonight,¡± Lu Li suddenly added. ¡°Eh!¡± Chen Xiaoyi was startled. ¡°To help you with your health,¡± Lu Li added, his gaze yful as he looked at Chen Xiaoyi, ¡°What, did you really think I¡¯d be interested in a little girl like you?¡± The normally pale and slightly sickly face of the girl blushed instantly, especially under Lu Li¡¯s gaze, making his words seem suggestive. ¡°I¡¯m not little! My figure is perfectly normal for my age!¡± After Chen Xiaoyi walked out, Lu Li¡¯s smile faded, and he returned to sorting through some paperwork. Not until after work did he leave the office, finding Chen Xiaoyi already waiting, quite obediently. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Greeting her, he led the way to the underground parking lot. Chen Xiaoyi pouted, rolling her eyes in displeasure, like a kid throwing a tantrum. Arriving at the Lu estate, the luxurious courtyard, the garage full of dazzling sports cars, and the ptial vi nearly blinded Chen Xiaoyi. She hadn¡¯t felt it at first, initially finding Lu Li very approachable and gentle, sometimes even cheeky. But now, an indescribable feeling surged in Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s heart, a sense of disparity. She had no concrete impression of families like the Lu family; to her, they were just households with bigger houses and more money. But now, seeing just the tip of the iceberg of the Lu family estate made Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s jaw drop. All of this, is it really not a dream? Biting her lip, she looked at Lu Li again, feeling an unreal sensation. The man who had helped her, teased her, suddenly seemed so distant. ¡°Scared by my family¡¯s house?¡± Lu Li, who had endured hardship in his past life, developed a keen ability to read people, a skill not granted by the system, but a realization from living in a world filled with malice. ¡°En!¡± Chen Xiaoyi noddedplexly, feeling the distance between herself and Lu Li, so far it seemed unreachable. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. It¡¯s just a normal family with a slightlyrger house.¡± Lu Li turned his head, raising his eyebrows, his yful expression instantly making Chen Xiaoyiugh. ¡°You live in such a house and call it a normal family, aren¡¯t you afraid someone will hear and beat you up?¡± ¡°No one heard it, did they?¡± Lu Li joked. ¡°I really want to hit you right now.¡± Chen Xiaoyi looked at Lu Li yfully, feeling the distance between them narrow again. ¡°Go ahead, I allow you to hit me.¡± Securing a heroine about to be won over, Lu Li was in a good mood, signifying a new beginning. He was no longer a puppet that couldn¡¯t do anything. ¡°p!¡± ¡°You really hit me!¡± Chen Xiaoyi said aggrievedly, ¡°You told me to!¡± ¡°Hitting the boss, tomorrow I¡¯ll deduct it from your sry.¡± Lu Li red at her fiercely, the woman before him not Zhang Ziqin, not Lu Ya, not Liu Menghan; she was a heroine, but Lu Li was sure in his previous life she hadn¡¯t had that kind of rtionship with the protagonist as described in the plot. Looking at this bright and sunny girl, his mood improved a lot. Walking into the house, Lu Li directly led Chen Xiaoyi to a room: ¡°Take off your clothes and lie on the bed.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Chen Xiaoyi was startled again. Lu Li raised his eyebrows, ¡°Don¡¯t ¡®ah¡¯ so much! I didn¡¯t tell you to strippletely, just take off your outer clothing and show your fat.¡± Chen Xiaoyi seriously doubted this man was doing it on purpose, always speaking half-truths, always to tease her, her face flushed with anger as she red at Lu Li. And what fat? This guy is ndering, insulting her as a pretty girl¡¯s figure. Chapter 20 - Chen Xiaoyis Treatment Chapter 20 - Chen Xiaoyi''s Treatment

Chapter 20: Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s Treatment

Lu Li certainly didn¡¯t expect anything to happen with Chen Xiaoyi right away. He knew that one has to eat one bite at a time, so he found an excuse to prepare some tools and left the room. He took out his silver needles from the room, tools that had just gathered dust in a drawer in his previous life. Despite knowing everything, he couldn¡¯t do anything, a feeling Lu Li never wanted to experience again. Returning to the room, Chen Xiaoyi was ready, her lower body hidden under the nket, leaving only her smooth, jade-like feet exposed, restlessly moving about. She even covered her head with a pillow. What a scene of hiding one¡¯s ears while stealing a bell! Her adorable appearance genuinely made Lu Liugh. ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous; it won¡¯t hurt.¡± Patting Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s buttocks, Lu Li wore a mischievous smile on his face, skillfully sanitized the silver needles, and gently touched Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s back. Somewhat frail, though not to the extent of skin and bones, but close enough. This was the result of Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s years of poor nutrition and excessive physical strain. Yet her skin remained so tender and wless, like the finest warm jade, strikingly pale. The moment Lu Li¡¯s hand touched Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s back, she couldn¡¯t help but stiffen her legs, her delicate toes clenching, biting her lip. She felt like she was going crazy,ing to the home of a man she had only met a day ago. Although it was for treatment, she should have been more skeptical! Chen Xiaoyi didn¡¯t even know why she ended up here, maybe because Lu Li urately described her illness back in the milk tea shop, she subconsciously wanted to trust him. And knowing about her tragic past also made Chen Xiaoyi unconsciously develop a bit of dependency on him. Or maybe it was his willingness to cover her debts and arrange a job for her that made Chen Xiaoyi unable to help but tell herself that this man was trustworthy. But soon, a warm feeling spread across her back, like a cozy little heater shining on her, making her flushed face under the pillow even redder. Thisfortable sensation made her want to cry out. Quietly lifting the nket that hid her ears from the truth, looking towards Lu Li, Chen Xiaoyi was somewhat stunned for a moment. They say a man is handsome when he¡¯s focused. Now she was starting to understand. Watching the man seriously performing acupuncture on her, her eyes flickered with something different. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that; be careful, you might fall for me.¡± Noticing Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s gaze, Lu Li teased with a smirk. ¡°Pfft¡­ conceited, who would fall for you!¡± Caught peeping, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment, loudly retorting. ¡°Chen Xiaoyi, what¡¯s wrong with you, you just met him today, and you¡¯re already having such thoughts.¡± Chen Xiaoyi internally cursed her own weakness. But gradually, Chen Xiaoyi sensed something was amiss, a foul smell wafted through, making her frown. This wasn¡¯t the scent of Lu Li; she hadn¡¯t smelled anything when they were in the car together. What was this smell? Could it be that Lu Li farted? So, even such a handsome guy farts. She couldn¡¯t help but smile a bit smugly, feeling like a little mouse who had stolen seeds, the distance between her and Lu Li seemed to disappear. ¡°Alright, go take a shower; you¡¯re going to stink me to death.¡± After finishing, Lu Li couldn¡¯t help but cover his nose, waving his hand dismissively at Chen Xiaoyi. Although he knew his treatment would be like this, watching the ck dirt emerge on Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s body, along with that foul smell, still made Lu Li frown. ¡°What, you¡¯re ming me for farting, but it was actually you. I didn¡¯t expect you to be such a face-saving man.¡± Chen Xiaoyi thought silently, touching her back which had been warm all this while. Now that the treatment was over, she wanted to touch it. But what she wiped off her back was a clump of ck muck. ¡°Ah¡ªwhat did you put on me!¡± Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t ept it, finally understanding why she felt the smell earlier. ¡°Talking nonsense, these things have all been brewing inside you for years. You¡¯ve been frowning and not taking care of your body every day; your body will umte all these negative elements, and this is it.¡± Lu Li smirked, watching Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s flustered appearance with amusement. (Nonsense, don¡¯t take it seriously) ¡°¡­you¡¯re saying, all these things came out of my body?¡± Chen Xiaoyi asked incredulously, half-believing, half-doubting Lu Li. ¡°What else?¡± Lu Li shrugged, waving his hand in front of his nose, ¡°Hurry up and shower; do you really want to stink me to death?¡± ¡°Ah¡ª¡± Chen Xiaoyi seemed to turn into a steam engine, her head almost smoking, her face blushing, she sprang up. Rushing into the bathroom, the sound of water soon came from inside. ¡°Shame on me, I thought it was Lu Li farting, but it was actually me¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi wanted to cover her face in shame. Lu Li chuckled lightly, freed from the system¡¯s maniption, his life had be much more interesting! Even having physical contact with the heroine. Lu Li knew the plot well; before meeting the protagonist, the heroines hardly had any man touch even their fingertips. He called the butler to buy some women¡¯s clothes. ¡°Master, if it¡¯s urgent, we can take Miss Lu Ya¡¯s clothes for thedy to wear,¡± the butler suggested. ¡°Shut up, I don¡¯t want to hear the name Lu Ya in this house ever again.¡± Lu Li¡¯s face instantly turned cold, as if the previous smile was just an illusion. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, master,¡± the butler instantly became fearful. ¡°Go clean up Lu Ya¡¯s room, burn anything rted to her, and if I catch any of you hoarding her stuff, consider the consequences.¡± With that cold remark, Lu Li made it clear, Lu Ya wouldn¡¯t appear in his life ever again. ¡°Yes!¡± The butler realized his mistake. With the young master¡¯s dislike for Lu Ya, how could he bear to hear her mentioned? Even the lord anddy hadn¡¯t mentioned Lu Ya these days, as if the Lu family never had such a person. Truly, out of sight, out of mind! It¡¯s Lu Ya¡¯s fault, why did she harbor such ambition? As an adopted daughter, living a good life wasn¡¯t a problem. What a pity! Chapter 21 - Chen Xiaoyis Official Authority Chapter 21 - Chen Xiaoyi''s Official Authority

Chapter 21: Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s Official Authority

Chen Xiaoyi realized a significant problem; she had no change of clothes. She felt like she was going mad. Coming home with a man she hadn¡¯t known for a day was one thing. Taking a shower at his ce could be excused, given the special circumstances; she definitely couldn¡¯t tolerate those disgusting things roaming around in sadness, could she? But now¡­ Hesitantly, Chen Xiaoyi wondered if she should just put her dirty clothes back on. It wouldn¡¯t be proper to have Lu Li bring her clothes; that would be too outrageous. ¡°Knock, knock, knock.¡± As she hesitated, a knock on the door suddenly sounded. ¡°Who is it?¡± Her cheeks flushed, she looked towards the door guardedly, thinking to herself, could it be that Lu Li was finally showing his wolven nature? ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± Hearing the girl¡¯s wariness, Lu Li didn¡¯t say much. Some things didn¡¯t need to be rushed. This woman had already done something against the essentialws of a Mary Sue female lead, which was a good start. The so-called Mary Sue Female Lead Laws state that the female lead cannot have any intimate contact with any man other than the male lead. ¡°What do you want?¡± Chen Xiaoyi asked guardedly. ¡°I¡¯ve left your clothes at the door. Come out and get them.¡± After speaking, Lu Li left. He wasn¡¯t going to sneak a peek; he wanted more. ¡°Chen Xiaoyi, oh, Chen Xiaoyi, can¡¯t you be a little less self-centered? You really think you¡¯re irresistible? Mr. Lu Li has been so helpful, treating your illness, arranging a job for you, and you still suspect him?¡± Chen Xiaoyi felt a twinge of shame in her heart. Carefully, she opened the bathroom door and brought the clothes in. Looking at the bright and beautiful clothes, Chen Xiaoyi bit her lip. It hadn¡¯t even been a full day, yet it felt like she had lived a week. It seemed she owed Lu Li more and more. Shaking her head to temporarily clear these thoughts, she slowly walked out of the room. Even though she had already seen the scale of the Lu family vi, walking inside it again still left her in awe. ¡°Miss Chen, Mr. Lu said to find him in the living room after youe out,¡± a maid told Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°Okay, thank you.¡± Chen Xiaoyi responded somewhat awkwardly. ¡°Miss Chen, you¡¯re too polite, please¡­¡± Arriving at the kitchen, the living room, the maid very perceptively left. Everyone knew about Lu Ya¡¯s incident, not discussing it openly, but also fearing this young master. ¡°I¡¯ve showered.¡± Eyeing Chen Xiaoyi, Lu Li couldn¡¯t help but admit she indeed had the beauty of a fresh lotus out of water. Though a bit on the thin side, it was just right, and her skin, even more milky-white after the bath, truly was a beauty to behold. He pouted angrily, signaling towards the small bowl on the coffee table: ¡°Drink this medicinal soup.¡± ¡°Ah, I have to take medicine!¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face fell. Her experience in the hospital had given her a natural aversion to some medicines. ¡°Nonsense, with your body condition, both acupuncture and dietary therapy are necessary. Can you cook?¡± Lu Li exined briefly, then asked. ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°That¡¯s good. From now on, you¡¯ll cook for yourself. I don¡¯t intend to cook for my employees, making it seem like I¡¯ve be the employee. This won¡¯t happen again.¡± Handing a paper filled with writing to Chen Xiaoyi, Lu Li subtly revealed that he was the one who prepared this medicinal meal. Being a nameless benefactor, in his view, was the most foolish thing. ¡°Um¡­ you actually cooked for me?¡± Chen Xiaoyi looked at the small bowl before her, her eyes reddening. Since her parents¡¯ death, she couldn¡¯t remember when shest felt care from someone else. Every day worried about livelihood and debt, even with a strong heart, she couldn¡¯t help but despair. Carefully lifting the small bowl, she looked at Lu Li with a hint of tenderness in her eyes. Chen Xiaoyi suddenly realized the medicinal soup in her hands wasn¡¯t bitter; instead, it had an indescribable taste. She couldn¡¯t help but nce at Lu Li in surprise. ¡°This is medicinal cuisine, not some herbal medicine.¡± Lu Li smiled, resolving Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s confusion. ¡°Your previousck of self-care, rushing back to work right after recovering from a serious illness, is taking your body as a joke. Like you, only slow nourishment with acupuncture and dietary therapy, in a month, you should be much better.¡± ¡°Um¡­ I had no choice!¡± she thought secretly, the warm medicinal soup warming her heart. Chen Xiaoyi herself didn¡¯t realize, a sweet smile was already curving on her lips. Watching Chen Xiaoyi finish the soup, Lu Li nodded in satisfaction: ¡°The room you just used, you can stay there. In the future, cook the medicinal soup yourself in the kitchen, continue for a month without break, otherwise, if anyplications arise and you need to see a doctor, of course, I will charge extra, all of which will be added to your debt.¡± ¡°Um¡­ you stinker, can¡¯t you let me be moved a bit more!¡± Chen Xiaoyi thought resentfully, although knowing Lu Li said that to not make her feel indebted, it still felt hurtful! ¡°I¡¯m staying here? That doesn¡¯t seem right!¡± her cheeks flushed. Isn¡¯t that akin to living together, moving in together without even knowing each other for a day¡­ Chen Xiaoyi felt smokeing out of her head. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? Do you expect me, your boss, to personally transport you here for treatment every day? Chen Xiaoyi, you have quite the official authority!¡± Lu Li looked at the woman before him with a yful smirk. ¡°Um¡­¡± aggrieved.jpg (tln : the actually raw) You¡¯re the boss; whatever you say is correct. Bang! A loud thump on the head. ¡°Um¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi covered her forehead. ¡°Finish drinking and quickly put the bowl back. Why are you really waiting for me to serve you? Don¡¯t get too carried away.¡± Lu Li teased with a silent chuckle; this businesswoman of the future now seemed quite cute! Always picking on her was really fun. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I wanted you to serve me, just bullying me, a bad person.¡± Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help butin inwardly, but her eyes were sparkling, the smile never leaving her lips. Under Lu Li¡¯s deft change of topic, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s move-in was confirmed, smoother than Lu Li anticipated. It could only be said that Chen Xiaoyi was pitiful enough that any bit of kindness made her desperate to cling on. Chapter 22 - How Do You Want Me to Feed You? Chapter 22 - How Do You Want Me to Feed You?

Chapter 22: How Do You Want Me to Feed You?

The next day. Chen Xiaoyi groggily opened her eyes, sat up from bed, and felt exceptionally refreshed, a sensation she hadn¡¯t experienced for years. Shezily stretched her jade-like arms. Looking around at the environmentpletely different from her rented room, her somewhat sickly pale face couldn¡¯t help but blush slightly with shyness. Up until now, she still felt everything was so unreal. Yesterday, as she walked on the street, she encountered a few scammers. Then she was saved, and the person who saved her was Hangzhou¡¯s notoriously wasteful Lu Li Gongzi. Afterward, she took him to a milk tea shop, he ordered a milk tea with double sugar ¨C really not afraid of it being too sweet. Then, he actually discerned her health condition. After learning about her situation, he offered to cover her debts and arranged a job for her. She somehow ended up staying at this Mr. Lu Li¡¯s house, still unclear why her vignce suddenly dropped so low. Maybe it was because Lu Li had helped her, the only man who had helped her in recent years. Looking at the clothes on her, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes flickered with tenderness. Losing her parents, being hounded by rtives for money, all the losses made Chen Xiaoyi feel very insecure. Every day, what she thought about was her livelihood, calcting how much she needed to keep for living expenses this month, the rest had to be used for repaying debts. Yet Lu Li¡¯s gentleness seemed like a pair of caring hands embracing her. Telling Chen Xiaoyi, ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m here.¡± Despite being in a strange ce, she felt unusually at easest night. This sensation made Chen Xiaoyi somewhat perplexed for a moment. Going to the kitchen, she found Lu Li, who was already sitting there, pouting at Chen Xiaoyi as she came down, ¡°Let¡¯s eat. It¡¯s your first day at work, if you wake upte, then you might as well not go to work at all.¡± Just one sentence immediately dispelled the touch of emotion rising in Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s heart, freezing her smile, ¡°This guy, can¡¯t he let me be touched for a moment?¡± She thought with a littleint in her heart. But Lu Li¡¯s words also eased Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s bewildered mood considerably. Sitting opposite Lu Li, but she didn¡¯t start eating. ¡°What, do you want me to feed you? I must tell you, I¡¯m the boss, and you¡¯re just a small employee.¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s cheeks reddened, ring at Lu Li, ¡°I don¡¯t want that!!!¡± Picking up the millet porridge in front of her, she began to eat in small bites. *** Zhang Family Estate, after the former head of the household and his wife were gone, Zhang Ziqin became the most significant figure in the home. After washing up and sitting at the head of therge table, where only she sat, Zhang Ziqin had grown ustomed to the solitude. The story of the prince and the princess her assistant told her yesterday left her restless. She had already recognized her mistakes from her previous life, not expecting her errors to be so egregious. Not expecting that in this life, Lu Li would abandon her at this time. The remorse, like a tidal wave, almost overwhelmed her yesterday when Lu Li terminated all coboration projects with Zhang Corporation. Does this mean Lu Li no longer wants any association with her? The princess has now fallen for the prince, but the prince no longer loves the princess. ¡°The prince waited for the princess for ny-nine days but didn¡¯t go on thest day. Lu Li pursued me for a full eight years and now wants to sever ties with me,¡± Zhang Ziqin thought somberly, hating her past self who was solely focused on her career. Eight years was enough to truly understand a person, yet it was only me who foolishly thought Lu Li would always like me, wishfully thinking he would always be waiting for me. After all that, what right did I have? The phone rang, pulling Zhang Ziqin from her heart-wrenching pain. She answered the call. ¡°Hello, it¡¯s Bing Qing, right? You¡¯reing back? That¡¯s great, when will you arrive? I¡¯ll pick you up.¡± ¡°The day after tomorrow? Okay, I have something I want to ask you.¡± A glimmer of joy shed in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s eyes. Perhaps this best friend could offer some help. Regardless, she would not give up on Lu Li. The prince gave the princess ny-nine days; she would also give the prince one hundred days. No matter if Lu Li despises or hates her, she would not give up, even if it meant sacrificing her life. These were all debts she owed Lu Li. *** In the following two days, Lu Li spent his time treating Chen Xiaoyi and working. Unrestrained, his business acumen was fully disyed, securing several deals that profited Lu Corporation greatly. Chen Xiaoyi also showed her talent. Even though still green, not yet fully matured, she still shone brilliantly. Lu Li took her on business negotiations where sometimes he didn¡¯t even need to speak; Chen Xiaoyi couldplete the task well on her own. Just two days in, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s reputation was established. While acknowledging her ability, there were also many sourments. For instance, the fact that Chen Xiaoyi and Lu Li, the general manager, shared a car ride home every day became widespread gossip in thepany. Many changed their views on Chen Xiaoyi. Lu Li didn¡¯t specifically stop this, even enjoyed seeing these developments. This was the effect he wanted. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s so annoying. Do you know everyone in thepany is now saying I¡¯m your lover, those big mouths.¡± Sitting in the passenger seat, Chen Xiaoyi waved her small fists,ining to Lu Li. While secretly observing Lu Li, feeling somewhat bashful. ¡°Just because you can¡¯t take a few words? I¡¯ve been called a wastrel for years; did you see mein?¡± Lu Li¡¯s peak moment in hisst life was being ridiculed by thousands! ¡°You wicked guy, it¡¯s not that I can¡¯t take it, can¡¯t you justfort me?¡± Chen Xiaoyi thought resentfully. Although being the subject of gossip in thepany didn¡¯t really bother her, Chen Xiaoyi found it somewhat strange, her eyes showing a different light when looking at Lu Li. Chapter 23 - Lu Lis Old Friend, Zhang Ziqins Bestie Chapter 23 - Lu Li''s Old Friend, Zhang Ziqin''s Bestie

Chapter 23: Lu Li¡¯s Old Friend, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s Bestie

The phone rang, and Lu Li slightly furrowed his brows, nced at Chen Xiaoyi, and answered the call. ¡°Yo, big bro, I¡¯ve arrived in Hangzhou. Hurry up and pick me up, hahaha!¡± A heartyugh resounded through the phone, coupled with a somewhat magicalughter. ¡°Howe, wasn¡¯t the Magic City enough for you to roam? What brings you to Hangzhou?¡± A smile appeared on Lu Li¡¯s face as he teased. ¡°Hahaha, I missed you, my big brother! Hurry up, arrange all the good food, good drink, and fun for tonight, or don¡¯t me me for not recognizing you as a brother.¡± ¡°What do you want to eat, fart? I have nothing here.¡± Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help but steal a few more nces at Lu Li. This was the first time she saw Lu Li joking so freely with someone, as if they had no barriers between them. ¡°Tsk tsk tsk, look at how stingy you are, juste pick me up.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t even say where you are, how am I supposed to pick you up?¡± Lu Li couldn¡¯t help but banter with the other party. ¡°Guess where I am. There¡¯s only one airport in Hangzhou. Where else could I be? Hurry up, I¡¯m waiting for you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be there in an hour. You¡¯d better wait outside the airport with a broken bowl. Who knows, you might even make some extra money!¡± Lu Li joked without any reservations with the caller. The caller was a scion of the Li family from the Magic City, also Lu Li¡¯s childhood friend whom he had grown up with. They went to primary school, middle school, and high school together, sharing a tight bond that could fit them both in the same pair of pants. He was the only one who avenged Lu Li after his death in the previous life. Lu Li remembered, in his previous life, his friend also came to Hangzhou around this time. But back then, he waspletely submerged in the shadow of a ¡®broken heart¡¯, without any hope, failing to spend quality time with him or even say a proper goodbye. Thinking back, Lu Li felt heartache. ¡°Get lost, just hurry over, or if you don¡¯te, I¡¯ll¡­ ¡± Li Gongzi started to get angry. ¡°Or what?¡± Lu Li smiled knowingly. ¡°I¡¯ll just stay at your ce, eating and drinking at your expense, until I bankrupt your family.¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Lu Liughed heartily, ¡°Wait for me; I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± After hanging up, Lu Li¡¯s face still beamed with a cheerful smile. Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help but feel that Lu Li¡¯s mood seemed particrly good now. ¡°We¡¯ll be homete tonight; first, I have to pick someone up,¡± Lu Li mentioned to Chen Xiaoyi, elerating the car, speeding through the streets like wind, deftly maneuvering through traffic. Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help but give him a sidelong nce. If it weren¡¯t for a man¡¯s voice, she¡¯d suspect¡­ ¡°Ptui, ptui, ptui, Chen Xiaoyi, what are you thinking? Even if it¡¯s a woman, that¡¯s Lu Li¡¯s business, what does it have to do with you!¡± she harshly scolded herself inwardly. (tln : ¡®Ptui¡¯ is an onomatopoeic expression used to mimic the sound of spitting. In Chinese culture, and thus often found in Chinese novels or conversations, spitting (represented by the sound ¡°ptui¡±) is a way to express disdain, rejection, or to ward off bad luck.) Perhaps she hadn¡¯t realized that during her time with Lu Li, she had be more and more rxed. ¡°Who are you going to pick up, Lu Li?¡± Still unable to curb her curiosity, Chen Xiaoyi asked. ¡°My best friend,¡± Lu Li simply replied. Indeed, his best friend, to the extent that if Lu Li wanted to murder someone, his friend would help keep watch and even hand him the knife, and vice versa. No matter the previous life or this one, always the best brothers. For some reason, Lu Li¡¯s words made Chen Xiaoyi unexpectedly nervous. Being referred to like that by Lu Li, the person must be very important to him. Chen Xiaoyi, you must behave properly! Li Zichuan, with sunsses covering half his face, couldn¡¯t hide his joy even if he tried, his fashionable appearance standing out in the bustling airport entrance. Holding a bottle of milk tea filled with pearls and coconut jelly, his aura shattered into pieces. Fiercely sipping the milk tea, indeed, milk tea without ice is the best! Suddenly, Li Zichuan seemed to see something, pulled down his sunsses, revealing a face too pale to be handsome, and took another look. Indeed, it really was! ¡°Damn, seeing this woman the moment I get off the ne, bad luck.¡± He cursed inwardly, turning his head away, just seeing that woman¡¯s face made him ufortable. No, disgusted! Tui! It¡¯s just my brother who can¡¯t see through you, falling for a thing like you, a woman who is nothing but pretty and selfish, a green tea woman. *** ¡°Bing Qing, why did you suddenly return to the country?¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face brightened with joy, seeing her best friend, her bestie, her mood uplifted. Although she didn¡¯t know why Su Bingqing came back earlier than in her previous life, having someone to help her made her happy. ¡°Ipleted my studies early, so I returned,¡± Su Bingqing also smiled, her gaze at Zhang Ziqin full ofplexity. She harbored a secret; she was reborn. A few days ago, she suddenly returned to this time point. She was ecstatic. If it was now, hadn¡¯t Lu Li¡¯s tragedy happened yet? This time, she wouldn¡¯t let the tragedies of her previous life ur again. No one would be allowed to hurt Lu Li again, not Ye Chen, for sure. And this best friend before her¡­ In her previous life, because of Zhang Ziqin, as a solidarity between women, she caused quite a bit of trouble for Lu Li on Zhang Ziqin¡¯s behalf, even humiliating Lu Li several times under Zhang Ziqin¡¯s instigation and Ye Chen¡¯s plots. Such things absolutely couldn¡¯t happen again. She said no woman could hurt Lu Li, including the best friend before her. If it hadn¡¯t been for Zhang Ziqin almost going mad to avenge Lu Li after his death, Su Bingqing wouldn¡¯t have known Zhang Ziqin actually loved Lu Li. It was just toote. Her previous self, unable to escape the shadow in her heart, died in her forties, sorrowful and weakened. This time, she absolutely wouldn¡¯t allow such things to happen again. She would protect Lu Li well. This time, no matter how Zhang Ziqin targeted Lu Li, she would be by Lu Li¡¯s side. Sooner orter, she would rece Zhang Ziqin in Lu Li¡¯s heart. Chapter 24 - If You Dont Cherish Him, Then I Will Chapter 24 - If You Don''t Cherish Him, Then I Will

Chapter 24: If You Don¡¯t Cherish Him, Then I Will

If you don¡¯t cherish Lu Li, then I will cherish him! In her previous life, Su Bingqing always saw Lu Li as an unforgivable viin due to Zhang Ziqin and Ye Chen¡¯s influence. She thought he was harassing her bestie, maliciously causing trouble between Zhang Ziqin and Ye Chen out of unrequited love. Butter, she realized how kindhearted Lu Li truly was. What Su Bingqing couldn¡¯t understand the most was her friend¡¯s behavior. At the time, including Su Bingqing herself, everyone thought Zhang Ziqin was dating Ye Chen, and Lu Li was the one love-stricken and spiteful. Onlyter did she learn that her friend had always liked Lu Li and that nothing had happened between her and Ye Chen. But who would believe it then? Even if Zhang Ziqin truly ended up with Lu Li, how would others view Lu Li? Would they see him as a fallback guy? Su Bingqing couldn¡¯t understand at all. If you didn¡¯t like Lu Li, that¡¯s one thing. After all, if you don¡¯t have feelings for him, and he keeps bothering you, any cruel rejection is justified. But you clearly liked him, so why torture him? Was it fun to make him lose face in front of many people repeatedly? Was it to satisfy your wicked tastes, Zhang Ziqin? Thinking of this, Su Bingqing¡¯s gaze towards Zhang Ziqin carried a bit more malice. This woman was like a spoiled child, wildly squandering Lu Li¡¯s love, wasting his deep affection time and again, breaking his heart repeatedly. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s actions were bound to push Lu Li further away. A man¡¯s love is finite. Once exhausted, it¡¯s gone¡­ Thinking of what Lu Li went through, Su Bingqing couldn¡¯t ept it. In her previous life, after Lu Li died, their rtionship had already shattered. Su Bingqing disdained to be sisters with such a woman. ¡°Bing Qing, let¡¯s find a ce to chat, I have something to consult with you,¡± Zhang Ziqin smiled at her sister in front of her. She could only turn to this sister. Her assistant had told her the story of the prince and the princessst time, making her realize her terrible mistake. But some things couldn¡¯t be shared with her assistant. After all, she was just an employee, not that close. ¡°Perfect, I also want to ask if anything interesting has happened to youtely.¡± Su Bingqing smiled too, but her smile concealed a knife. She wanted to see if the terrible oues had already begun. Truthfully, after understanding her friend¡¯s character, Su Bingqing had no desire to associate with her again. In her previous life, Lu Li might as well have been killed by Zhang Ziqin. Relying on Lu Li¡¯s favor, she mingled with Ye Chen, breaking Lu Li¡¯s heart. Then she used Lu Li¡¯s resources shamelessly. Tea leaves, twenty-one jin, how much do you, Zhang Ziqin, want! (tln : Tea leaves, twenty-one jin in this context, ¡°²èÒ¶¡± (tea leaves) metaphorically represents the resources or benefits being offered. so its just BingQin is upset with how gluttonous Zhang Ziqin) *** ¡°Are you waiting here, oring down with me?¡± Lu Li turned to look at the anxious Chen Xiaoyi, smiling gently. ¡°Maybe¡­ I¡¯ll just wait here for you guys. It¡¯s not good for me to join when you meet your friend,¡± Chen Xiaoyi didn¡¯t even know how forced her smile looked. Grasping Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s hand, which was rough from long hours ofbor yet as white as milk, ¡°What if I insist youe with me?¡± ¡°If you insist on me going, what else can I say?¡± Silently cursing inside, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s reluctantly smiling lips seemed to undergo a slight change. ¡°You¡¯re the boss; if you ask me to do something, can I even refuse?¡± Turning her head, her fair and bright cheeks slightly reddened. ¡°Let¡¯s go, why are you still standing there? Do you expect me, your boss, to open the door for you?¡± With a gentle smile, his wordscked any semnce of gentlemanly demeanor, shedding all pretense to act ording to his true will. This simple act, which gued Lu Li for an entire lifetime in his previous life, felt really good now. System, damsels! ¡°Tch, stingy boss.¡± She murmured softly, knowing her boss was especially unkind ¨C no, rather, unpretentiously kind ¨C but still felt somewhat upset. You rescued me like a prince on a white horse; can¡¯t you try a bit harder? Maybe if you were a bit nicer, I might fall for you! Casting a deep nce at Lu Li, aplex emotion surfaced in her heart. Lu Li, the renowned young master of the Lu family with exceptional abilities, and she was just a lucky girl. From any perspective, she wasn¡¯t a match for Lu Li. ¡°No, no, Chen Xiaoyi, what are you thinking about? When did you ever say you wanted to be worthy of Lu Li? It must be because the man treated you, you¡¯re just grateful, yes, just grateful,¡± Chen Xiaoyi panicked, hastily justifying herself internally. Bang! A resounding thump brought her back to reality. ¡°Ah! What are you doing?¡± She looked at Lu Li, aggrieved, holding her forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink; thinking too much will damage your brain. I, your boss, am still counting on you to make money for me. Can¡¯t have your brain going bad.¡± Lu Li spoke, tapping Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s forehead felt really good. Truly addictive! ¡°Money, money, all you know is making money, damn capitalist.¡± She cursed Lu Li fiercely in her heart. But that sense of loss and gain suddenly disappeared. Truly a deeply sinful man, always like this. Whenever she felt emotional, he¡¯d break it with a thump to her head. Not letting her feel upset at all. Bad man!!! But it really felt warm! Chen Xiaoyi herself didn¡¯t notice, the arc of her lips bing even more gentle. Exiting the car, they walked towards the airport. Knowing Li Zichuan¡¯s character, if Lu Li didn¡¯t go personally, that guy really could stubbornly refuse to leave. God knows who he learned that small temper from. Outside, this guy has a good reputation. But towards himself, all the problemse out, without any concealment. Chapter 25 - No Need for That Chapter 25 - No Need for That

Chapter 25: No Need for That

Suddenly, Lu Li¡¯s gaze sharpened, and his initially good mood soured instantly. Internally cursing his bad luck, he couldn¡¯t believe he¡¯d run into Zhang Ziqin in such a ce. And Su Bingqing too. Two women, two main female characters, double the disgust. In his previous life, these two women had teamed up powerfully, shaming Lu Li relentlessly as if participating in apetitive game to see who could defeat him first. Their relentless insults aimed at Lu Li were extreme, causing him to lose face in front of arge crowd time and again. It was as if their existence was solely for the purpose of publicly teaming up with the protagonist to p Lu Li in the face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Chen Xiaoyi noticed something off with Lu Li and, somewhat worried, tugged at his sleeve to ask. ¡°Nothing, just saw the person I used to ¡®lick¡¯ back when I was acting like a ¡®lick dog¡¯; it ruined my mood,¡± Lu Li didn¡¯t try to hide his feelings. In fact, whether he hid them or not didn¡¯t matter; everyone in Hangzhou knew about his infamous reputation as a ¡®lick dog¡¯. Haha, truly pathetic. Even after ying the role of a ¡®lick dog¡¯, exhausting all his methods, he couldn¡¯t get Zhang Ziqin, that woman, to show the slightest bit of affection. Perhaps he really did fall for Zhang Ziqin back then, too deep into the role, unable to get out, but all he received in return was endless humiliation. No matter how good you were to her, the main female character would rather die than submit! Tsk tsk tsk! ¡°Ah!¡± Chen Xiaoyi looked in the direction Lu Li was gazing, only to see two excessively beautiful women chatting together. Their fair skin, noble yet cold temperament made Chen Xiaoyi feel inferior, out of ce. ¡°Is this the person Lu Li used to like? Indeed¡­ she¡¯s really beautiful!¡± she thought with some reluctance, unable to hide her sense of loss. She had always thought Lu Li was after her body, butpared to the woman before her, how could Lu Li possibly be interested in her? ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. It¡¯s all in the past. That woman took a lot from me. You¡¯ll help me think of a way to make her spit out everything she took from me,¡± Lu Li said while rubbing Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s head, noticing her hair was somewhat dry and not well-maintained. Lu Li wasn¡¯t the type to forgive and forget easily. His heart was filled with towering hatred, shadows of death, and indignation from being humiliated, emotions that could never be dissolved. A spark of determination shed in Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes. These days, it was widely known in thepany that Zhang Ziqin had used the funds given by Lu Li to save Zhang Corporation, stringing Lu Li along while draining Lu Corporation. Now that Lu Li no longer liked her and didn¡¯t even attend the Zhang family¡¯s banquet, it was clear she was a bad woman, a green tea b*tch, utterly unworthy of Lu Li. Lu Li had pursued her for so many years without moving her heart. The look Chen Xiaoyi gave Zhang Ziqin carried a bit of hostility. ¡°General Lu , I will definitely make that woman spit out everything she took from you,¡± she said fiercely, looking earnestly at Lu Li. ¡°Not bad, not bad, this girl is pretty good,¡± Lu Li thought silently, nodding at Chen Xiaoyi. Things were developing smoother than he had anticipated. Walking past the two women with Chen Xiaoyi, Lu Li kicked a man in sunsses pretending to be cool: ¡°Where are you looking? Can¡¯t you see when people are right in front of you?¡± His handsome face beamed with happiness, the two nuisances unable to dampen Lu Li¡¯s joy at seeing an old friend. ¡°Damn, Lu Li, you bastard,¡± Li Zichuan, who almost fell, cursed as he turned around. ¡°My grandpa passed away years ago, are you looking to meet him?¡± Lu Li chuckled. ¡°Go to hell, you don¡¯t have a single nice word, do you! I came all the way to Hangzhou to see you, and this is how you treat me.¡± Rubbing his butt, Li Zichuan alsoughed, opening his arms and giving Lu Li a big hug. ¡°You came to see me, huh? If you tell me now you didn¡¯te for the Cao family¡¯s birthday banquet, today I¡¯ll arrange everything for you,¡± Lu Li sneered. That was an important plot point in the story, also the second time Lu Li got pped in the face. But by then, Lu Li waspletely hopeless, feeling nothing, just mechanicallypleting the plot. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Li Zichuan had nothing to say. ¡°Hahaha, let¡¯s not worry about those details. By the way, who¡¯s this?¡± ncing curiously at Chen Xiaoyi beside Lu Li, Li Zichuan knew Lu Li never interacted with any woman other than Zhang Ziqin. His gaze shifted behind Lu Li, and sure enough, those two women were still there, especially Zhang Ziqin, whose face looked particrly ugly. Lu Li is¡­ giving up? That¡¯s actually good news! ¡°Chen Xiaoyi, mypany¡¯s employee, now living with me,¡± Lu Li said with a resigned smile. ¡°Oh, living with you, huh!¡± Li Zichuan¡¯s eyes lit up, deliberately raising his voice loudly. ¡°No need for that,¡± Lu Li smiled helplessly, understanding Li Zichuan¡¯s intention to vent directly but seeing no need for it. Zhang Ziqin might be angry that she lost her ¡®lick dog¡¯, but he couldn¡¯t care less. ¡°Hahaha, sorry for overstepping, let¡¯s go eat,¡± Li Zichuan sincerely felt happy for Lu Li, seeing that he had truly walked out of that bottomless pit named Zhang Ziqin! That¡¯s right, what¡¯s so good about that Zhang Ziqin? In his eyes, she¡¯s not worthy of Lu Li at all, aside from being a bit pretty, what else does she have? There are plenty of beautiful women out there, why fixate on Zhang Ziqin? ¡°Let¡¯s go eat!¡± Lu Li nodded. *** ¡°This!¡± Su Bingqing was surprised by the scene before her. From the moment Lu Li arrived, she had noticed him, her heart leaping with joy yet also filled with worry, thinking Lu Li came for Zhang Ziqin. And the woman Lu Li brought with him made her wary. If she remembered correctly, in her previous life, that woman was a manager at Ye Chen¡¯spany, Ye Chen¡¯s right hand. But seeing the two walk past Zhang Ziqin, Su Bingqing was stunned. Zhang Ziqin closed her eyes in pain, knowing that Lu Li no longer pursued her, and the rumors of him being close with an employee in thepany she knew, but never dared to confirm. Maybe deep down, she still hoped it was just a rumor. But actually seeing Lu Li with another woman, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a heart-wrenching pain. Is this how Lu Li felt in his previous life when he saw her with Ye Chen? She truly experienced Lu Li¡¯s pain from his previous life. She epts, she is willing to ept. No matter what, she can ept everything about Lu Li, all of which she owes him. Chapter 26 - You Turned Him into a Joke Chapter 26 - You Turned Him into a Joke

Chapter 26: You Turned Him into a Joke

¡°Ziqin, this¡­¡± Su Bingqing hesitated as she looked towards Zhang Ziqin. The change in Lu Li was too drastic. ¡°As you can see, Lu Li no longer likes me.¡± Zhang Ziqin forced a smile, struggling to say these words, her eyes red with tears. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s find somewhere to talk!¡± Zhang Ziqin said dryly, forcing a smile at Su Bingqing, trying hard not to loseposure. Seeing Zhang Ziqin like this, Su Bingqing felt a bit of heartache, but she was more curious about what had happened. In her previous life, she returned to the country eventer than now, but Lu Li still liked Zhang Ziqin. Causing trouble at events attended by Zhang Ziqin and Ye Chen, although he seemed soulless, it was clear he was hurt by Zhang Ziqin. Why is it different this time? Could it be the butterfly effect? She was eager to know what had happened. Both were in a bad mood, not even bothering to find a cafe or simr, they just headed to the car. Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t maintain her CEO¡¯s cold demeanor any longer. Tears streamed down her face as she covered it with her hands, trickling through her fingers. Su Bingqing looked at Zhang Ziqinplexly. She really wanted to say Zhang Ziqin deserved it, but seeing her like this, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to be harsh. After all, they had been old friends for many years. Although their rtionship broke down in the previous life, Su Bingqing knew the pain Zhang Ziqin felt. To this point in this life, they were still best friends. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Bingqing, you had to see me like this right after we met,¡± Zhang Ziqin managed topose herself after a while, apologizing with a hoarse voice to Su Bingqing. ¡°It¡¯s okay, tell me, what happened?¡± Could it be that Lu Lipletely despaired of Zhang Ziqin at the Zhang family¡¯s banquet this time? That banquet was essentially the start of their fallout, which she also knew about from her previous life. ¡°Okay!¡± Zhang Ziqin began to recount slowly, from Su Bingqing¡¯s departure abroad to her recent visit to Lu Corporation, where Lu Li ridiculed her, everything wasid bare. Zhang Ziqin was detailed, even detailing everything Lu Li had done for her. After listening, Su Bingqing¡¯s expression also becameplex, silently sighing inside. She didn¡¯t know whether to pity Zhang Ziqin or despise her. Pity? Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t deserve pity. Lu Li had given enough, and in the previous life, Su Bingqing had no such feelings. But now, hearing everything so detailed, she could somewhat understand Lu Li¡¯s devotion. Eight years, how many eight years does one have in a lifetime? ¡°So, Lu Li didn¡¯t attend your banquet, and you were maliciously misinterpreted by Liu Menghan, saying you only got to where you are today because of Lu Li.¡± Su Bingqing immediately grasped the key point. Lu Li not attending the banquet meant the deepest conflict between them didn¡¯t ur, and Lu Li wasn¡¯t humiliated. ¡°Right!¡± Zhang Ziqin nodded. She didn¡¯t deny taking many resources from Lu Li, believing they would be family in the future. Zhang Corporation¡¯s sess today reliedrgely on her step-by-step efforts. But to others, it seemed she was just relying on Lu Li, stringing him along. Such heart-piercingments terrified Zhang Ziqin that Lu Li might take them seriously. She had always liked him and never strung him along! Once solely focused on reviving the Zhang family, so she¡­ Looking back, she had indeed strung Lu Li along, forcing him to wait for her sess, constantly taking resources from his hands. Lu Li must have thought so too. Thinking this, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s heart ached as if pierced by an arrow. ¡°Ziqin, have you ever thought, maybe separating is the best thing for Lu Li.¡± ¡°He has pursued you for eight years, and you¡¯ve never responded. That¡¯s enough to wear away any man¡¯s love, especially with such rumors spreading. And then you went to Lu Li for a coboration right after those rumors, in his eyes, wouldn¡¯t that confirm the rumors?¡± ¡°You turned all of Lu Li¡¯s previous efforts into a joke. How could he possibly continue to love you?¡± ¡°You¡¯vepletely depleted all the goodwill he had for you in his heart.¡± ¡°I know, I know, it¡¯s all my fault,¡± Zhang Ziqin nodded helplessly, her face filled with sorrow. ¡°But I can¡¯t be without Lu Li, really can¡¯t be without him, please Bingqing, teach me how to win Lu Li back.¡± Zhang Ziqin hated her naive self, who also loved Lu Li. Why did she treat him that way? The more she thought about it, the more she felt those people were right; she had benefited from Lu Li and then strung him along. Watching the sorrowful Zhang Ziqin, Su Bingqing bit her lip. ¡°This life¡¯s Lu Li has given up on Zhang Ziqin, do I really want to help Zhang Ziqin?¡± Seeing Zhang Ziqin¡¯s state, as an old friend, Su Bingqing felt heartache, but more so, she felt a sense of satisfaction. You treated Lu Li like that in your previous life, now it¡¯s payback. Patting Zhang Ziqin¡¯s shoulder, ¡°The situation started because of you. What good solution could others possibly have? I¡¯m just an outsider, I¡¯ve never been in a rtionship, how could I have a solution? Men and women are different. When a man decides to give up on a rtionship, it really is over.¡± Zhang Ziqin trembled slightly, her regret intensifying her pain. ¡°I know, but I just want to win Lu Li back. I know what I owe him, but I won¡¯t give up. I¡¯ll pursue him the way he pursued me.¡± ¡°And what then? A broken mirror can¡¯t be made whole again. Your rtionship has already developed cracks. Even if you really win him over, Lu Li won¡¯t love you the way he did before,¡± Su Bingqing shook her head helplessly. Only by truly losing did this princess, once spoiled by Lu Li¡¯s affection, finally lose her sense of invincibility? Truly tragic, why didn¡¯t you act sooner? Zhang Ziqin¡¯s heart was filled with sourness, the pain of her heart being torn apart resurfaced. Once, Lu Li loved her so much, yet she kept wearing down his love. Now, Lu Li waspletely disappointed in her. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. He was only ny-nine steps away from me, yet I refused to take thest step. The man who loved me most is leaving me!¡± She thought numbly. *** ¡°Hey, bro, are you really giving up?¡± Li Zichuan arched his eyebrows, quite surprised at Lu Li, ¡°How did you suddenlye to your senses? I¡¯ve told you so many times before, and you never listened. Howe you suddenly got it this time?¡± ¡°Hehe, don¡¯t want to chase her anymore, of course, I give up. I spent so much time on that woman, she probably enjoyed it, but I don¡¯t have the patience anymore.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Li Zichuan pped his thigh excitedly, ¡°That Zhang Ziqin isn¡¯t a good woman at all. If you marry her, you¡¯ll be the one suffering. It¡¯s a deal with no profits. Why bother with her?¡± Chapter 27 - So Sweet, Too Sweet Chapter 27 - So Sweet, Too Sweet

Chapter 27: So Sweet, Too Sweet

¡°Here, bought this for you, milk tea with double sugar. You really aren¡¯t afraid of high blood sugar!¡± Pulling out a cup of milk tea from his bag, he handed it over directly. ¡°Xiao Yi, hold this for a moment, will you? Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m driving?¡± He said to Chen Xiaoyi in the passenger seat, then gave Li Zichuan a re. ¡°Hehe, sorry, little miss, didn¡¯t know this guy would actually bring someone along today. Didn¡¯t prepare one for you,¡± Li Zichuan wasn¡¯t embarrassed at all, instead, he was quite cheeky as he gestured to Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°¡­It¡¯s, it¡¯s okay,¡± Chen Xiaoyi took the milk tea, turning her head away. For some reason, she always felt there was something odd about Lu Li¡¯s friend. It¡¯s like he has this inexplicable manic energy. So intimidating! Dropping Li Zichuan off at the Swan Hotel in Hangzhou caused a bit ofmotion from him, iming Lu Li was ditching friends for a girl, which even made Chen Xiaoyi blush. ¡°Stop your nonsense. I¡¯lle find youter. I need to take Xiao Yi home first. What a coincidence you picked today to arrive.¡± Lu Li rolled his eyes at Li Zichuan; he indeed had some matters to discuss with him. After saying that, he started the car again, taking Chen Xiaoyi with him. ¡°Xiao Yi, open that milk tea. I can¡¯t free my hands right now, feed me a sip,¡± Lu Li suddenly said on the way home. ¡°Ah!¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s cheeks flushed immediately. Isn¡¯t this what¡¯s known as feeding? ¡°Is Lu Li making such an intimate gesture because he really likes me?¡± She couldn¡¯t help but think shyly. But without much hesitation, Chen Xiaoyi inserted the straw into the milk tea and brought it to Lu Li¡¯s lips. Lu Li took a big sip and then frowned in confusion. It was indeed the milk tea with double sugar he used to drink, and he liked this vor too, but today, why did it feel so cloyingly sweet? ¡°Never mind, never mind, no more for me, it¡¯s a bit too sweet.¡± Waving his hand, Lu Li decided not to take another sip. Chen Xiaoyi hesitated for a moment, then took a sip herself. Indeed, it was very sweet, sickeningly so, but thest time she prepared milk tea with double sugar for Lu Li, he drank it just fine. Shaking her head, she decided not to dwell on this issue. Staring nkly at the milk tea straw, which Lu Li had just drunk from and then she drank from too, does this count as an indirect¡­ kiss? Her heart rate quickened, and looking at Lu Li¡¯s serious profile as he drove, she couldn¡¯t help but blush. ¡°Are you and this Mr. Li very close?¡± ¡°Yeah, friends since childhood. This guy had a rough time before, but now he¡¯s finally living the life he deserves,¡± Lu Li nodded. The warm smile on his face made Chen Xiaoyi feel a bit jealous. ¡°Damn it, Chen Xiaoyi, he¡¯s a man, what are you jealous about? He and Lu Li are just good friends,¡± she scolded herself harshly inside, unable to clearly define her own feelings now. ¡°What, are you jealous of a man now?¡± Lu Li teased, looking at Chen Xiaoyi. Her facial expressions practically spelled out her inner thoughts. ¡°Ptui, who would be jealous of you!¡± Chen Xiaoyi spat out, ring at Lu Li with a fierce look. ¡°Hahaha!¡± After sending Chen Xiaoyi home, Lu Li¡¯s expression darkened. Why would Su Bingqing suddenlye back at this time? The plot has changed! Regarding one of the main female characters, Su Bingqing, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s best friend in her previous life, she didn¡¯t spare Lu Li from humiliation either. He had nned to resolve the issue with Zhang Ziqin before her return. Now it seems it won¡¯t be so easy. Arriving at the Swan Hotel, Lu Li went straight to the presidential suite on the top floor. ¡°Yo, you came so quickly, huh? I thought you¡¯d at least dawdle with that girl for a while!¡± Li Zichuan teased Lu Li. ¡°Don¡¯t imagine me as brainless as you.¡± Lu Li gave the guy a stare. ¡°Hehe, sometimes, I really do wish you were a bit more brainless. You used to be so fixated on Zhang Ziqin, I even doubted if she¡¯d bewitched you,¡± Li Zichuan raised his eyebrows, clearly enjoying himself. ¡°That girl¡¯s not bad. It¡¯s obvious she likes you quite a bit.¡± Observing all the way, that girl named Chen Xiaoyi kept her eyes on Lu Li, her gaze so sweet it almost made him queasy. ¡°Like I need you to tell me!¡± A smile flickered across Lu Li¡¯s face. ¡°So, you came because of that old man Cao¡¯s birthday banquet, huh? Otherwise, why would the distinguished Li family scion from the Magic Citye to this little ce in Hangzhou?¡± ¡°Damn, calling me Li family scion, you¡¯re mocking me.¡± He pped Lu Li lightly, ¡°But indeed, I came this time for old man Cao¡¯s birthday banquet. My old man said I should represent the Li family this time.¡± ¡°Hehe, this is your moment of triumph, finally climbing up the ranks!¡± Lu Li genuinely felt happy for his friend, wondering if Li Zichuan in his previous life had helped him avenge as in the plot. He hoped not because, with Li Zichuan¡¯s capabilities, he could live a good life. Chapter 28 - The Banquet Begins Chapter 28 - The Banquet Begins

Chapter 28: The Banquet Begins

¡°Bing Qing, I¡¯m begging you, help me think of a way. I really can¡¯t lose Lu Li.¡± Zhang Ziqin looked at Su Bingqing pitifully, like a cat that had been abandoned. ¡°Is it only after losing him that you¡¯ve learned to cherish him?¡± Su Bingqing looked at Zhang Ziqin with aplex expression, feeling a bit of heartache. In her view, her sister had gone too far. In the previous life, Lu Li didn¡¯t give up, and she treated Lu Li like an old shoe. This life, Lu Li has given up, and she starts to cherish him. ¡°Now there¡¯s another girl by Lu Li¡¯s side, don¡¯t you care?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care, I don¡¯t care about anything, as long as Lu Li cane back to me.¡± Zhang Ziqin said firmly. Having lost Lu Li twice, what else could she possibly care about? Compared to losing Lu Lipletely, such matters are trivial. ¡°¡­Then go pursue him.¡± Biting her lip, Su Bingqing still gave her advice. ¡°Or are you too proud to let others know you like Lu Li?¡± ¡°No, of course not, it¡¯s just that I don¡¯t know how to pursue someone. And Lu Li seems to really dislike me now, I have no idea how to even talk to him.¡± ¡°Heh, as if you¡¯d know how to talk to Lu Li. In the previous life, even though you clearly liked Lu Li, every time you saw him, all you had for him were insults,¡± Su Bingqing couldn¡¯t help but sneer. ¡°What else can you do? Lu Li pursued you in the past, don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know how. Now, just use his methods to pursue him. I can¡¯t think of anything else.¡± This way, it¡¯s also a kind of revenge for Lu Li. ¡°No matter how he views you, if you¡¯re truly determined, then don¡¯t mind your pride. Don¡¯t forget, Lu Li pursued you for eight whole years, and how did you treat him?¡± Su Bingqing¡¯s expression was especially serious, touching the most painful part of Zhang Ziqin¡¯s heart. Yes, if she couldn¡¯t even let go of her so-called pride, what right did she have to chase after Lu Li? She had already decided, no matter how many years it would take, she would pursue Lu Li unwaveringly. Yet, she panicked and backed down just because Chen Xiaoyi suddenly appeared. That was too improper. ¡°Thank you, Bing Qing, I know what I should do now.¡± ¡°And¡­¡± Su Bingqing suddenly said. ¡°If you¡¯re sincerely wanting to pursue Lu Li, don¡¯t care about the other women around him. It¡¯s normal for him to give up on you and find someone else. In Lu Li¡¯s eyes now, you¡¯re barely a passerby.¡± The feeling of being cut by a knife surged again, and Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t help but tear up: ¡°I know, I know, I won¡¯t care.¡± Compared to those things, only losing Lu Li would truly terrify Zhang Ziqin. In her previous life, Lu Li had to watch her with Ye Chen, even if it was just for business cooperation. How heartbroken he must have been. Now, she¡¯s experienced it too. Why should she be the only one allowed to hurt Lu Li, and not the other way around? All of this is punishment for her. Su Bingqing fell silent, surprised that her proud friend was actually willing to make such a sacrifice. Maybe this life, Zhang Ziqin really is different. So¡­ humble. *** Two days flew by, and the banquet for old Mr. Cao finally began. Luxury cars, rarely seen on ordinary days, were parked in the courtyard. Even though Mr. Cao only came to Hangzhou for recuperation, his standard of living was still top-notch. ¡°Phew, old Mr. Cao really has a lot of face, huh? Looks like all the big families in Hangzhou sent someone!¡± Ye Chen couldn¡¯t help but marvel. A pale-faced man beside him smiled and exined, ¡°Old Mr. Cao isn¡¯t from Hangzhou; he¡¯s from the Cao family in the capital. His status is transcendental, and peopleing to his birthday banquet include not just from Hangzhou, but also people speciallying from the capital.¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± Ye Chen was nomittal. The scale of this event was muchrger than any previous banquet by the Zhang family. Wonder if that woman Zhang Ziqin wille back today. Ye Chen has had his eye on Zhang Ziqin. In his n, Zhang Corporation was the best front for him to enter the domestic market. On one hand, Zhang Corporation was trying to break into the international market, and on the other, he needed a family to back him up to enter the domestic scene, where it¡¯s tough to get a foothold. Not to mention Zhang Ziqin herself is a stunning beauty. A sh of eagerness crossed his eyes. Although Zhang Ziqin rejected himst time, after thinking it over, Ye Chen guessed it was probably because she was upset from being ridiculed by Liu Menghan that day. Otherwise, could it possibly be because of Lu Li? Don¡¯t make meugh. ¡°Let¡¯s go inside.¡± ¡°Mr. Lu Li from the Lu family has arrived,¡± suddenly a server announced, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. The Lu family¡¯s status in Hangzhou was no small matter, with few families able topare. ¡°Why is it Lu Liing? In such an event, shouldn¡¯t the Lu family send Lu Ya instead? Sending Lu Li, this waste, aren¡¯t they afraid of losing the Lu family¡¯s face?¡± ¡°Hahahaha, you¡¯re using outdated information. Who doesn¡¯t know, Lu Ya has been kicked out of the Lu family, now who knows where she¡¯s gone. Moreover, Mr. Lu Li, what waste? After he took over Lu Corporation, geez, it¡¯s a sight to behold.¡± ¡°Ah, Lu Corporation has be a mess under this prodigal son Lu Li?¡± ¡°Bullshit, I¡¯m saying those corporations targeted by him are the ones in a sorry state, terrifying, terrifying,¡± he shivered involuntarily. ¡°Cut it out, he¡¯s still Zhang Ziqin¡¯spdog in my eyes. I don¡¯t respect him.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the one with outdated info. These few days, the whole of Hangzhou has been abuzz. It was Zhang Ziqin using the resources given by Lu Li that allowed Zhang Corporation to repeatedly turn crises into opportunities. Now Lu Li has stopped pursuing her and retracted all cooperative projects with Zhang Corporation.¡± ¡°Ah, so much has happened?¡± The story of a rich man being a goddess¡¯spdog is too clich¨¦d. Thepdog turning around to devastate the goddess is the plot people love most! In the crowd, Zhang Ziqin bit her lip, the conversation around her not intentionally lowered in volume. Each word was like needles stabbing into her heart. Chapter 29 - Ye Chens Scheme Chapter 29 - Ye Chen''s Scheme

Chapter 29: Ye Chen¡¯s Scheme

Lu Li got out of the car and then walked to the passenger side to open the door, extending his hand. Soon, a delicate, fair hand was ced on Lu Li¡¯s, and a pair of sky-blue high heels and jade-like legs emerged from the car door. A stunning figure stepped out of the car with Lu Li¡¯s assistance. Her skin was creamy, and she wore a striking silver-white dress thatplimented her still youthful figure, giving her an appropriately sublime appearance. Her eyes, clear as autumn waters, looked somewhat nervous as she gripped Lu Li¡¯s hand a bit too tightly. Surrounded by dignitaries, she was just an ordinary employee¡­ ¡°Hey, it¡¯s really something else, me, the boss, actually serving my employee. You feeling honored? Want me to light up your ancestral grave too?¡± Lu Li raised an eyebrow, looking at Chen Xiaoyi with a teasing remark. ¡°¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi gave Lu Li a reproachful look. Even at a time like this, this bad guy was still joking with her. ¡°Lu Li is always so gentle, always able to see when I¡¯m nervous, using humor to ease the tension. So warm!¡± she thought foolishly, seeing a gentle affection in Lu Li¡¯s gaze. For a moment, Chen Xiaoyi felt as if she wasn¡¯t so nervous anymore. ¡°So, this is Lu Li!¡± Ye Chen squinted his eyes. The recent happenings between Lu Li and Zhang Ziqin had spread throughout Hangzhou! Looking at Lu Li holding hands with Chen Xiaoyi, for some reason, Ye Chen felt an inexplicable irritation rise within him, as if something that should belong to him was taken by Lu Li. An unnamed me seemed to burn in his heart. Zhang Ziqin tried to keep herself calm, holding back the tears that threatened to fall, maintaining her usual cold demeanor. ¡°Lu Li no longer likes me. I can¡¯t do anything that she would dislike.¡± She admonished herself internally. Forcing a smile, she stepped forward: ¡°Lu Li, you¡¯re here. Let¡¯s go in together!¡± Once, Lu Li would wait for her like this for any minor or major banquet, but she never gave him a good look. Now, it was her turn. Only by truly experiencing it did she understand how Lu Li must have felt back then. Chen Xiaoyi, worried, gripped Lu Li¡¯s arm tighter. She had no good feelings towards Zhang Ziqin, who had hurt Lu Li repeatedly. Taking from Lu Li, yet treating such a good man as a tool. This is a bad woman. ¡°Miss Zhang, I think I¡¯ve made myself very clear! What, yourpdog ran away, and you couldn¡¯t help but want to chase him back?¡± With a hint of mockery, Lu Li¡¯s expression turned a bit cold. ¡°No¡­ no, I never saw you as apdog. I just, just¡­¡± Struggling to smile, hearing Lu Li refer to himself that way, she couldn¡¯t help but feel more heartache. Everyone saw Lu Li as apdog, but he was the only one who tirelessly pursued her for so many years, including the previous life, even longer. All because of her! ¡°Enough, Miss Zhang. Why deceive yourself? Haven¡¯t you always treated me as your faithful hound? I admit I pursued you before, but now I don¡¯t want to anymore, is that not alright? I think I made myself very clearst time. Also, we¡¯re not that close, please don¡¯t directly address me by my name,¡± Lu Li scoffed internally. Putting on such a pitiful act for whom to see? It¡¯s just that I used to always be by her side, attending to her every need, and now that I¡¯ve suddenly stopped and forcibly terminated our cooperation, this woman panics, wanting to pull me back. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s current actions only disgust Lu Li. Only her despair could make Lu Li happy. Thinking of his past self, Lu Li found itughable, actually hoping to move this woman one day, to change his fate. ¡°It¡¯s not like that, not like that, Lu Li, listen to me¡­¡± Zhang Ziqin wanted to exin, but Lu Li had no time to discuss anything here, walking past her with Chen Xiaoyi. Seeing Zhang Ziqin in pain didn¡¯t bring Lu Li pleasure. He didn¡¯t want her crocodile tears; what Lu Li envisioned was far more ruthless than Zhang Ziqin¡¯s current demeanor. Stepping back to be forgotten, such an idea is nonsense to Lu Li. ¡°Seems like the unteral termination of cooperation by Lu Corporation has a bigger impact on Zhang Corporation than I imagined!¡± Ye Chen darkly thought. Looking at the distant, deste figure of Zhang Ziqin, Ye Chen¡¯s eyes shed with eagerness. His desire to possess her wasn¡¯t new. In his eyes, Zhang Ziqin must be somewhat unable to let go because herpdog had stopped licking her, coupled with the difficulties faced by Lu Corporation, leading her to make such an irrational move. Otherwise, could Zhang Ziqin fall for Lu Li, that waste? Haha, don¡¯t joke. ¡°Tsk tsk, such a beauty was never suitable for that waste Lu Li. Only a man like me is worthy of her.¡± With a sly grin, the perfect time for him to offer his concern was now; women would be moved immediately. Approaching, Ye Chen looked earnestly at Zhang Ziqin, ¡°Miss Zhang, you remember me, right? I¡¯m Ye Chen, we met at the Zhang family¡¯s banquet before.¡± But Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t respond, just nkly watched Lu Li and Chen Xiaoyi walk away, experiencing the pain once again. So, seeing the person you love with someone else hurts so much! Like a knife cutting one¡¯s heart repeatedly. What did I do in my past life!!! ¡°Miss Zhang, Lu Li doesn¡¯t care about you, even bringing another woman in front of you, truly heartless. Why bother feeling sad for him? It¡¯s not worth it! If you want to get back at him, why not use his method? Hold my hand, and we¡¯ll show him. He will definitely regret it, realizing your importance in his heart.¡± Ye Chen didn¡¯t care, continuing with his vile thoughts. ¡°Also, we can talk about cooperation. Coborating with my Dragonfly Group will bring far greater benefits than with Lu Corporation.¡± Giving an excuse, a reason, women in turmoil easily fall for it, especially when their vengeance rises, needing just an excuse like ¡®this is just a test for him¡¯ to act, Ye Chen was confident. Once Zhang Ziqin does this, she and Lu Li would bepletely cut off, and Ye Chen wouldn¡¯t allow his designated woman to still pine for another man. He really wanted Lu Li to see the woman he once loved fall into his arms! Chapter 30 - Tropes Not Even Trashy Movies Would Use Chapter 30 - Tropes Not Even Trashy Movies Would Use

Chapter 30: Tropes Not Even Trashy Movies Would Use

¡°Scram! I¡¯ve already said itst time, dirty rat, don¡¯t talk to me. Can you evenpare to Lu Li?¡± Zhang Ziqin looked at Ye Chen with disgust. This man, in her previous life, killed the man she loved most. Her eyes couldn¡¯t help but reveal a deep murderous intent, a stark contrast to the abandoned girlfriend facade she had just put on, as a cold aura enveloped Zhang Ziqin. Making Lu Li angry, making him regret, taking revenge on Lu Li, does this guy think I¡¯m a fool? Right now, Zhang Ziqin only wanted to win back her lover. ¡°Enjoy your few more days of life. Once I¡¯ve dealt with the forces behind you, your time of death will arrive.¡± Thinking murderously, Zhang Ziqin turned and walked into the banquet hall. Watching Zhang Ziqin walk away, Ye Chen¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Hahahaha, I say, Mr.¡­ Rat.¡± A teasingugh reached Ye Chen¡¯s ears. Liu Menghan, in a backless red dress, alluring and enchanting, finally spat out the most venomous words: ¡°Do you think you¡¯re incredibly smart, that all women should submit under your petty cleverness?¡± Liu Menghan knew Ye Chen¡¯s mentality too well. Always appearing sure of victory, his arrogance was nauseating. From him, one could always sense a disgustingly hypocritical vibe. He could unt his petty cleverness, but others couldn¡¯t defy it. In her previous life, she was actually tricked by such a creature. In a bid topete with Zhang Ziqin, she repeatedly opposed Lu Li, causing their rtionship to fracture. Her eyes shed with disdain as Liu Menghan¡¯s voice turned icy: ¡°When a man and a woman are arguing, and suddenly another man appears, telling the woman to make him jealous and engage in some intimate actions with him as a way to split the couple apart, so he can swoop in¡­ Heh!¡± ¡°The worst movies wouldn¡¯t even use such cliched plots, but Mr. Rat, you seem to have mastered it!¡± Sneering at Ye Chen, the murderer of Lu Li, Liu Menghan couldn¡¯t let him go. It turned out Zhang Ziqin surprised her this time. After being abandoned by Lu Li, she seemed to have smartened up. And the woman by Lu Li¡¯s side¡­ Liu Menghan¡¯s expression darkened. For some reason, Chen Xiaoyi had somehow ended up by Lu Li¡¯s side this life. Did that woman also reincarnate? No, it must be just the butterfly effect. She¡¯d have to keep an eye on her in the future. ¡°But Zhang Ziqin got one thing right. What are you, to evenpare with Lu Li?¡± Liu Menghan¡¯s gaze was filled with murderous intent, her face¡­ ¡°Miss Liu, you¡­¡± Ye Chen¡¯s face turned even darker, shocked and angered by Liu Menghan¡¯s words. Zhang Ziqin was one thing, but this woman, who always shed with Zhang Ziqin, also said he wasn¡¯t worthy ofparing himself to Lu Li. What a joke. cing Lu Li and him together was an insult to him. Liu Menghan, the Miss of the Liu family in Hangzhou, wielded considerable power, holding chilling ck forces in her hands, and had very close ties with a powerful family in the capital. Together, they dominated Hangzhou. Liu Menghan, naturally charming and already managing the Liu family¡¯s influence at a young age, was Ye Chen¡¯s designated woman before he returned to the country. But now she was speaking of him like that¡­ Having just witnessed a drama where thepdog turns against the goddess he licked, the spectators saw another fascinating y, their eyes gleaming with intrigue. Gazes turned towards Ye Chen, who failed to steal the chicken and lost the rice instead, as if watching a top-tier joke. Ye Chen felt the gaze of these wealthy onlookers, his eyes shing fiercely. ¡°Zhang Ziqin, Liu Menghan, you actually dare to humiliate me like this. Wait for it. I will make you kneel before me begging for forgiveness. And Lu Li, even though I don¡¯t know what happened, you¡¯re as good as dead.¡± The consecutive rejection by two women he had designated for himself had ignited Ye Chen¡¯s murderous intent. Chapter 31 - Ive Got My Eye on You, Prepare to Die Chapter 31 - I''ve Got My Eye on You, Prepare to Die

Chapter 31: I¡¯ve Got My Eye on You, Prepare to Die

Zhao Shaotian¡¯s face changed: ¡°¡­You!¡± ¡°I¡¯d really like to learn from Young Master Zhao Shaotian¡¯s eloquent speech, who managed to even bamboozle Lin Dahai, who started up with my father, into wanting to buy a worthless piece ofnd.¡± The person before him was the man behind Lin Dahai, thepany¡¯s secondrgest shareholder. Thend acquisition that Lu Li had halted was a joint scheme they concocted against the Lu Corporation. That piece ofnd was just a useless plot with no value whatsoever. Casting a nce at Zhao Shaotian, whose expression slightly altered, Lu Li scoffed, ¡°I¡¯m not sure if you think your Zhao Corporation can take on the Lu family, or if you believe that with just that piece of worthlessnd, you could decisively change the oue, making my Lu family utterly fall so you could take such bold action.¡± Frankly, if the Lu Corporation had really acquired thatnd in ignorance and built upon it, it would indeed rapidly deplete the Lu Corporation¡¯s liquidity. But to say it could shake the foundation of the Lu Corporation was nothing short of a joke. In his previous life, Lu Ya had resolved this minor issue, albeit with significant loss, but fortunately, it was arrested in time. Zhao Shaotian¡¯s face went through a series of changes, putting on an indifferent facade: ¡°What is Young Master Lu Li talking about? I don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°Heh, it doesn¡¯t matter if you don¡¯t understand. I¡¯ve made up my mind. Go back and tell your elders that you¡¯ve offended the Lu family, scheming against the Lu family. I really don¡¯t know where you got the courage from.¡± Zhao Shaotian was indeed Ye Chen¡¯s man, and Lu Li wouldn¡¯t let him continue breezily as in his previous life, especially considering his own humiliating journey, where this guy had been tirelessly working for Ye Chen. Lu Li turned back, looking at Chen Xiaoyi, who was ring at Zhao Shaotian. ¡°Now you understand what ¡®a knife hidden behind a smile¡¯ means in the business world. Remember, verbal skills are useless. Such petty cleverness will only make you aughingstock.¡± What a tailored teaching from a good mentor. ¡°I¡¯ve remembered,¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Li, her clear, milk-white face flushing red. ¡°Lu Li, you¡¯re so amazing, just a few words and you shut that annoying guy up.¡± Admiring Lu Li, she thought. Zhao Shaotian seemed stunned by Lu Li¡¯s unreasonable words, his usual eloquent speech rendered useless, his pale face showing intense shock and anger. How dare this worthless man¡­ Although the streets had been buzzing about Lu Li¡¯s recent maneuvers, he never believed mud could turn into gold. It was just the Lu family forcibly elevating their worthless son. But just now, he had actually been frightened by a worthless man. Furious with rage. ¡°What are you doing here, bro!¡± A sexy girl in a ck cut-out dress unting her figure, holding a drink, leisurely approached Zhao Shaotian: ¡°Old man Cao is about toe out, have you prepared your gift?¡± ¡°What old man, don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡± Zhao Shaotian nervously nced around, only rxing after noticing no one was paying attention to them. Looking nervously at his sister: ¡°Don¡¯t speak carelessly outside, getting heard by others won¡¯t end well.¡± ¡°Tch, look at you, so timid.¡± Zhao Lu disdainfully rolled her eyes. ¡°Yes, yes, I¡¯m not as brave as you. With all these people around, can you just behave a bit! My head¡¯s aching!¡± Zhao Shaotian waved his hand. ¡°What¡¯s there to be headache about, getting scared by Lu Li, hehe, back then you assured Dad and Mom, insisting that this time you would definitely make the Lu Corporation the big loser in taking thatnd!¡± Teasingly looked at Zhao Shaotian, Zhao Lu seemed quite happy to see her brother embarrassed. ¡°Dammit! I don¡¯t know if Lu Li was truly naive or pretending, but to think he found out about my n, now saying he wants revenge.¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s face was very ugly, swearing under his breath. ¡°Hmph, serves you right. The Lu family is at one level, and our Zhao family is at another. You just went and messed with them for no good reason. Even if they lost, it wouldn¡¯t hurt them much. If you were discovered, it¡¯s game over for you, go ahead and worry!¡± Laughing, Zhao Lu looked at Zhao Shaotian, taking pleasure in his misfortune. ¡°¡­¡± Twitching at the corner of his eyes, Zhao Shaotian was already troubled, and his sister¡¯s words didn¡¯t help. He just wanted to swindle some money from the Lu Corporation. As for some unrealistic stuff, Zhao Shaotian wasn¡¯t a fool. Zhao Lu¡¯s gaze shifted towards the distant tall figure. She also wanted to know if Lu Li suddenly changing his ways was genuine. *** In a quiet room next to the banquet hall, an elderly man sat in a wheelchair. Despite being in a wheelchair, hisplexion was rosy, his spirit vigorous. If not for the white hair and wrinkles on his face, no one would consider him an old man. Behind him stood a stunning woman in a light-colored dress, her skin creamy and her beauty breathtaking, her white dress adding a shining touch to her beauty. Elegant as a lotus flower is the best description for her. Her peerless beauty seemed to light up the entire room. The woman seemed to carry some sorrow, looking restless, asionally ncing in a certain direction. ¡°Girl, are you troubled by something?¡± Old Mr. Cao¡¯s face revealed an intriguing smile suddenly. ¡°You¡¯ve looked in that direction over thirty times now. Let me guess, there must be someone very important to my Ying¡¯er over there, a little boyfriend?¡± The old man¡¯s face wore a teasing smile not fitting his age, the fearsome man in the eyes of many wealthy people appearing like an old child in front of his granddaughter. ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t think nonsense, there isn¡¯t!¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s face turned red, protesting. Cao Yingying bit her lip. Not really a boyfriend, right? Until he died, they hadn¡¯t defined their rtionship. Sometimes Cao Yingying really couldn¡¯t understand why he liked such a woman, who was clearly so terrible, yet received such biased love. ¡°Hahahaha, I¡¯m curious now. Which family¡¯s boy has caught our Ying¡¯er¡¯s attention so much?¡± Old Mr. Caoughed heartily: ¡°Point him out to grandpater. If he doesn¡¯t satisfy me, that boy can¡¯t even dream of picking the most beautiful flower from the Cao family. ¡°Grandpa!¡± Cao Yingying called out in reproach. Chapter 32 - Lu Li and Cao Yingyings Past Life Chapter 32 - Lu Li and Cao Yingying''s Past Life

Chapter 32: Lu Li and Cao Yingying¡¯s Past Life

¡°Alright, alright, Grandpa won¡¯t say it anymore.¡± He looked at his granddaughter affectionately, secretly taking note of this matter in his heart. To him, it was all too clear what his granddaughter was thinking about. When ites to his granddaughter¡¯s lifelong happiness, Old Master Cao wouldn¡¯t be careless at all. Cao Yingying gazed longingly towards the next room as if she could see through the walls to the familiar figure. Could she finally see him again? ¡°This time, I will protect you properly. I won¡¯t let anyone hurt you again.¡± Her face, usually as serene as a pale green lotus, now seemed covered in ice that wouldn¡¯t melt for ten thousand years, with a hint of murderous intent shing through. ¡°You still owe me a confession. In this life, Lu Li, you have to make it up to me.¡± *** In their past life, it was the same banquet, at the same ce. Cao Yingying, pushing a wheelchair, apanied her grandfather to the banquet hall. With a calm smile, Cao Yingying seemed like the most proud snow lotus blooming at the banquet, refreshing and elegant, yet with an untouchable demeanor. In that moment, no matter how outstanding the other nobledies present were, they were all overshadowed by Cao Yingying¡¯s beauty. Her radiant beauty drew everyone¡¯s attention. But Lu Li seemed as if he felt nothing, merely ncing up before quietly lowering his head again. He knew all too well that this was just another plot for the protagonist to show off and p others in the face. After experiencing the Zhang family¡¯s banquet, Lu Li no longer harbored any hope of changing things. He just wanted the plot to end, no matter how it turned out. Of course, the most important part of the birthday banquet was the guests¡¯ gifts to Old Master Cao. Who wouldn¡¯t hope to catch Old Master Cao¡¯s eye? ¡°Zhao Corporation gifts a pair of jade Ruyi, wishing Old Master Cao good health and happiness as vast as the Eastern Sea.¡± ¡°Zhang Corporation gifts a Maitreya jade pendant, wishing Old Master Cao always smiles happily.¡± ¡°I, Ye Chen, representing only myself, gift Old Master Cao an antique Tang Sancai, wishing Old Master Cao and his granddaughter a peaceful life.¡± Ye Chen, with a smile on his face, presented his grand gift. His gaze couldn¡¯t help but measure up Cao Yingying standing behind Old Master Cao, a sh of eagerness in his eyes, albeit fleeting, but Cao Yingying noticed it. She frowned imperceptibly: ¡°Thank you, Mr. Ye Chen, for the gift. I ept it on behalf of my grandfather.¡± She handled it very politely. ¡°Lu Corporation¡¯s Lu Ya gifts Old Master Cao a string of Zitan wood beads, wishing everything goes smoothly for Old Master Cao.¡± Lu Ya also stepped forward. ¡°Thank you, Miss Lu Ya, I appreciate your concern on behalf of my grandfather.¡± With a perfectly polite smile, she maintained a distance as if to keep people at bay. Next was Lu Li. ¡°Lu Li of the Lu family, newly acquired a Song dynasty blue and white porcin bowl, especially wishing Old Master Cao good health.¡± Lu Li¡¯s voice was very calm, almost bafflingly so. His words of blessing were generic, and although Cao Yingying was curious, she didn¡¯t let her curiosity show too much. She was about to thank him when suddenly interrupted. ¡°Wait!¡± Ye Chen suddenly spoke up, shifting everyone¡¯s attention towards him. He stepped forward, scrutinizing the ¡®Song dynasty blue and white porcin¡¯ in Lu Li¡¯s hands. Laughing scornfully, his gaze mocking Lu Li: ¡°Young Master Lu Li, you say this is Song dynasty porcin? Hahaha, don¡¯t make meugh. Bringing such stall goods to Old Master Cao¡¯s birthday banquet, are you looking down on Old Master Cao?¡± Everyone cast doubtful looks towards Lu Li. Especially Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya, their expressions even more displeased, as if to say, couldn¡¯t you be a bit more sessful? But Lu Li seemed utterly unaffected, very nonchnt. ¡°How do you prove my item is fake?¡± In truth, no proof was needed; he was well aware the porcin was a fake, just a high-quality copy, mere plot fodder. But in Ye Chen¡¯s eyes, Lu Li¡¯s behavior was like a cooked duck ying tough. ¡°Humph, anyone with a bit of taste knows that Song dynasty blue and white porcin pieces typically have a characteristic ring foot at the bottom, and the patterns are mostly painted on the inner walls or the outer surfaces. What about yours, Young Master Lu Li? It¡¯s aplete counterfeit,¡± Ye Chen sneered, adding a mocking remark at the end. ¡°Young Master Lu Li, if you don¡¯t have the discernment, then don¡¯t dabble in antiques. In the end, you might just end up losing everything.¡± At his words, the entire banquet hall seemed to erupt, with Cao Yingying frowning, disliking Ye Chen¡¯s self-satisfied look. Although she was dissatisfied with receiving counterfeit items at her grandfather¡¯s birthday banquet, she wouldn¡¯t mock someone like that, not wanting to embarrass someone in public. ¡°Lu Li is too careless for such an important asion, making such a big mistake.¡± ¡°Hehe, Lu Li, Hangzhou¡¯s biggest yboy, isn¡¯t it normal for him to stir up trouble?¡± ¡°This time, the Lu family¡¯s face has been lost by him!¡± ¡°The Lu family really has bad luck having such a son. Better off with Lu Ya, the adopted daughter taking over. At least there won¡¯t be any disgrace.¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± A chorus of derisiveughter filled the hall, with Cao Yingying noticing the particrly ugly expressions on Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya¡¯s faces. They seemed to be ming Lu Li¡¯s embarrassing behavior. But Lu Li seemed¡­ overly calm. Cao Yingying could sense Lu Li¡¯s mood shift for an instant, but it quickly vanished. Lu Li surveyed his surroundings, a moment of anger ring within him, his teeth gritted with resentment filling him. But he quickly suppressed the emotion. ¡°Lu Li, what does getting angry achieve? It¡¯s just for these people to have a few moreughs. We¡¯ve already known the oue, haven¡¯t we?¡± He numbed himself internally. Even so, being ridiculed like this truly felt awful. For some reason, Cao Yingying found the ugly behavior of those around her particrly annoying, especially Ye Chen, who presented that Tang Sancai as a gift to her grandfather. Though she wasn¡¯t sure of the enmity between them, such disrespect in a public setting was too impolite. ¡°Have you all had enough?¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s elegant demeanor faded as she couldn¡¯t help but speak out against the man who seemed like still water. Chapter 33 - Lu Li and Cao Yingyings Previous Life 2 Chapter 33 - Lu Li and Cao Yingying''s Previous Life 2

Chapter 33: Lu Li and Cao Yingying¡¯s Previous Life 2

¡°Grandfather¡¯s birthday banquet is not a marketce. If anyone wishes to make noise, feel free to walk out the door,¡± Cao Yingying said coldly, with a frosty expression. She turned her gaze towards Lu Li, ¡°Although Mr. Lu made a mistake in selecting the gift, he did put effort into it. Mr. Lu, on behalf of Grandfather, I thank you for your thoughtfulness.¡± She bowed slightly to Lu Li, her smile free of any disdain. She could understand the difort in Mr. Lu Li¡¯s heart amidst the public mockery. After being pointed out about the antique issue, he didn¡¯t say anything. He didn¡¯t justify himself or curse anyone, silently bearing the humiliation from everyone. What strong willpower it must take! Clearly, Mr. Lu Li has realized his mistake. That Ye Chen clearly had some previous grudges with Mr. Lu Li. He could have picked another time to bring this up, but he chose such a public asion, using the most humiliating way to point it out, turning his and Grandfather¡¯s birthday banquet into his stage for revenge! Lu Li was somewhat surprised as he looked up at this supporting female character. He hadn¡¯t expected that Cao Yingying, the only woman in the plot not pursued by Ye Chen, who would be considered a ¡®hard to calm¡¯ character in any novel, would actually speak up for him. Ye Chen became anxious, ¡°Miss Cao, I am standing up for Grandfather Cao. His birthday banquet, and Lu Li actually brought a fake antique, this is an insult to Grandfather Cao.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Ye Chen, for your concern about my grandfather, but I think I understand my grandfather¡¯s feelings better than you,¡± Cao Yingying said, her tone somewhat cold, with a distant smile. Whether Mr. Lu Li¡¯s action was an insult to her grandfather, Cao Yingying didn¡¯t believe Lu Li did it intentionally, but the current Ye Chen was clearly insulting Mr. Lu Li. Publicly executing him in front of everyone. ¡¾Host, a deviation in the plot has been detected, please correct it as soon as possible, please correct it as soon as possible.¡¿The system¡¯s voice echoed in Lu Li¡¯s mind. Lu Li gave a bitter smile, so it¡¯s the same after all. What can be done about it? Since the Zhang family¡¯s banquet, he knew, there was no hope left. His fate was to be humiliated here, to finish the plot and leave this crappy world! Lu Li wouldn¡¯t think he could change the plot just because this supporting female character, Cao Yingying, said a few words for him. Things that eight years of effort couldn¡¯t change, everything would return to the starting point. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Grandfather Cao, Miss Cao, my mistake has turned Grandfather Cao¡¯s birthday banquet into this. I, Lu Li, apologize to both of you.¡± There was no nobility, his numb heart didn¡¯t even feel any humiliation. After simply saying these words, Lu Li turned his head and left, as if he didn¡¯t belong to this ce, dejectedly walking out of the room. Cao Yingying wanted to say something, but she didn¡¯t say anything in the end. She and Lu Li weren¡¯t familiar. *** Their second encounter was in a jewelry store, Cao Yingying came with her best friend, but that day, unfortunately, they encountered a robbery, and several men with knives barged in. ¡°Hand over all the money in your hands.¡± Cao Yingying frowned, born into the Cao family, even though she appeared delicate, in reality, a dozen ordinary men couldn¡¯t get close to her body. At that moment, she suddenly saw a familiar figure, it was Lu Li from the banquet that day. ¡°Kid, hand over the money,¡± the robber threatened fiercely. As Cao Yingying hesitated whether to help, Lu Li decisively took out his wallet, took out the ID, and threw it to the robbers. This act made Cao Yingying frown. But looking at Lu Li, he was still as numb as he was at the banquet, as if nothing around him could touch him. The robber got even more aggressive, waving the knife in front of Lu Li, ¡°Kid, you seem quite wealthy, huh? Got a lot of money in your card, right? How about, apany us to the bank, eh?¡± Greedily eyeing Lu Li. ¡°And that girl, youe too, or don¡¯t me me if my weapon gets personal,¡± pointing at Cao Yingying, his eyes full of malice. Cao Yingying frowned, already preparing to make a move, this robber had already made her unhappy. Going out for shopping and encountering this. ¡°Just take the money and leave, don¡¯t do anything meaningless,¡± Lu Li suddenly spoke up, his tone very calm, like a warning and a reminder. ¡°Ha, kid, now you¡¯re teaching me a lesson, looks like today if I don¡¯t let you see some color, you won¡¯t recognize the knife in my hand,¡± the robber sneered, continuously moving the knife. ¡°Today, you and that woman, both of you will apany me, you withdraw money for me, and that woman entertains me, otherwise¡­¡± Click. Before the robber could finish, Lu Li suddenly made a move, his swift and decisive actions even made Cao Yingying admire. He kicked the knife out of the robber¡¯s hand, knocked the robber down with a kick, and hit the robber¡¯s face, stomach, one punch, two punches, three punches, all solid hits. But his gaze was still numb, that look as if he had no hope for this world made Cao Yingying can¡¯t help but wonder, what exactly had this man experienced. The robber was knocked down, and Lu Li was taken away by the police who arrivedter. They were also taken to the police station as involved parties to provide statements. Whening out, Cao Yingying saw Lu Li again, he was following behind ady named Lu Ya, that seemed to be his sister, with Lu Ya¡¯s face full of contempt looking at Lu Li. ¡°How much trouble do you have to cause before you¡¯re willing to stop, huh? Do you know I have a big deal to discuss today? Coming to pick you up at this time is just wasting my time,¡± Lu Ya¡¯s scolding was harsh. ¡°Does she not know what Mr. Lu Li did today?¡± Frowning, Cao Yingying stepped forward. ¡°Mr. Lu Li, thank you for your help. If it weren¡¯t for you, I might have been in trouble today,¡± interrupting Lu Ya¡¯s scolding, Cao Yingying thanked Lu Li. Of course, this was a lie, even without Lu Li, she wouldn¡¯t have had any trouble. Lu Li turned his head, obviously surprised to see Cao Yingying, he had no idea who the robber was referring to just now, and never expected it to be Cao Yingying. Chapter 34 - Lu Li and Cao Yingyings Previous Life 3 Chapter 34 - Lu Li and Cao Yingying''s Previous Life 3

Chapter 34: Lu Li and Cao Yingying¡¯s Previous Life 3

Lu Ya was also stunned. She only thought whether her brother had caused some troubles, but she didn¡¯t expect that he actually made Cao Yingying, the prized daughter of the Cao family, to thank him personally. Then, had she misunderstood Lu Li before? ¡°No thanks needed, I wasn¡¯t doing it for you,¡± Lu Li¡¯s tone was very stiff, speaking the truth. He didn¡¯t even care about himself, why would he care about a woman who had nothing to do with him. Hearing this, Lu Ya was so angry she almost hit someone. This was a golden opportunity to connect with the Cao family¡¯s daughter, which could be hugely beneficial for the Lu Corporation, yet this kid¡­ ¡°Anyhow, I still want to thank Mr. Lu Li. I will personally visit tomorrow to express my gratitude for Mr. Lu Li¡¯s help,¡± Cao Yingying didn¡¯t mind and showed a graceful smile to Lu Li. After Cao Yingying left. Lu Ya excitedly grabbed Lu Li¡¯s shoulder, ¡°You little rascal, you actually helped the Cao family¡¯s daughter, do you know what this means¡­¡± Before Lu Ya could finish, Lu Li pped away the hand on his shoulder and left directly. He didn¡¯t notice the pained and regretful look in Lu Ya¡¯s eyes behind him. Perhaps Lu Ya¡¯s scolding had a deeper meaning¡ª¡¯Why get involved in such things, couldn¡¯t you avoid it? What if you got hurt?¡¯ But those words turned into cold scoldings at the moment of speaking. *** Back at home, Cao Yingying found information about Lu Li. ording to the information, this man named Lu Li was always called the loyal dog of President Zhang Ziqin, but after being publicly humiliated by Zhang Ziqin along with Ye Chen and Lu Ya at the Zhang family¡¯s banquet, he seemed to have changed. This exined why Lu Li was so indifferent; he was trapped by love! Betrayed jointly by family and lover. And that Ye Chen¡­ must be the man who publicly embarrassed Lu Li at Grandfather¡¯s birthday banquet! With just a thought, Cao Yingying sensed Ye Chen¡¯s intentions. Her eyebrows couldn¡¯t help but furrow,pletely unable to understand the mentality of Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin. A man so devoted, humiliated publicly by an outsider at the banquet, and they didn¡¯t show any reaction. Especially since one of them was Lu Li¡¯s sister byw. The other was the woman Lu Li had pursued for eight years. Why were they so heartless, even if not speaking for Lu Li, but they shouldn¡¯t look at him with such eyes! Thinking of Lu Ya scolding Lu Li before, Cao Yingying¡¯s expression was somewhat strange. *** The next day, Cao Yingying went to the Lu family¡¯s mansion. In the vast mansion, only Lu Li received her. Without dressing up, not even a decent lunch was prepared, and Lu Li was responding to her questions intermittently, looking very impolite. As if he had seen through the mortal world. This was very different from the people she usually interacted with. Until she was about to leave, Lu Li suddenly looked up. ¡°Strychnine, serpent skin, tortoise shell¡­¡± A long list of medicinal ingredients came out of Lu Li¡¯s mouth. He looked up at Cao Yingying, ¡°Combined with traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture, it could improve your grandfather¡¯s leg condition, showing effects within a month.¡± (tln : The author is making things up, don¡¯t take it seriously) Lu Li didn¡¯t know why he suddenly felt like speaking, maybe because at that banquet, this girl didn¡¯t join others in mocking him! The whole world, under the lead of the protagonist Ye Chen, mocked you, only she was the exception. Cao Yingying looked at Lu Li in surprise, but saw him still with an indifferent expression, even making one doubt if it was Lu Li who had spoken before. But Lu Li didn¡¯t speak anymore, as if everything hadn¡¯t happened. *** ¡°Girl, where did you get this weird remedy from? Stop troubling Grandfather, alright? Grandfather¡¯s legs are beyond help,¡± Grandfather Cao looked helplessly at his granddaughter. ¡°Grandfather, just give it a try, it won¡¯t take much time,¡± Cao Yingying said with a light smile, not knowing why she believed it, maybe it was truly a shot in the dark! A monthter, against all expectations, Grandfather Cao¡¯s legs actually gained some sensation and reacted to external stimuli. Cao Yingying was overjoyed. Grandfather Cao was extremely happy, ¡°Girl, where did you get this medicine from? It¡¯s actually effective, you must thank that doctor properly!¡± Cao Yingying hesitated to mention Lu Li¡¯s name, simply brushing it off. *** When she visited the Lu family¡¯s mansion again, she didn¡¯t see Lu Li. Facing the eager Lu Ya, Cao Yingying briefly greeted and then excused herself. She couldn¡¯t understand why a man as devoted as Lu Li had such bad luck, loved by none, and even his rtives were so mercenary. Luckily, she saw Lu Li again the next day. ¡°Thank you, because of your prescription, my grandfather is now getting better.¡± Tucking her hair, Cao Yingying¡¯s smile was sincere and beautiful. But Lu Li was still indifferent, ¡°Got it, if you came just to say this, you can go back.¡± *** Following that, not knowing why, perhaps wanting to thank Lu Li for his help with her grandfather, or maybe feeling a bit defiant. Despite being superior to Zhang Ziqin in everything, that Lu Li actually ignored her so. Gradually, she realized Lu Li had always been like that, still confessing to Zhang Ziqin, but his wordscked emotion, as if acting, bing a specific character at a specific time. Other times, Lu Li always liked to be alone and quiet. ¡°Hello, is anyone here?¡± She asked with a gentle smile. Lu Li looked up slightly, not understanding why this woman kept approaching him, but stood up anyway. ¡°No one¡¯s here now.¡± He didn¡¯t want to have any involvement with the female lead outside the plot anymore. Lu Li wouldn¡¯t narcissistically think Cao Yingying had a good impression of him. With the lesson learned, he wouldn¡¯t have any more of those false illusions. *** ¡°Yingying, do you like that boy from the Lu family?¡± Grandfather Cao, who could now stand up, watched his granddaughter with a mischievous smile, teasing her. ¡°Grandfather¡­ Not at all!¡± Cao Yingying was flustered by the sudden question, her cheeks blushing. ¡°Ha ha ha, these days you¡¯re dressing up, making up, even asking Xiao Zhang to help you match clothes, I, this old man, have never seen my Yingying so concerned before!¡± Grandfather Cao¡¯s teasing gaze made Cao Yingying¡¯s face turn even redder. ¡°That kid is not bad, young yet knowledgeable in medicine, will be a good match in the future. If my Yingying likes him, then go for it bravely, I don¡¯t believe my Yingying would lose to that ignorant girl Zhang Ziqin.¡± Grandfather Cao was very open-minded; the Cao family didn¡¯t need a marriage alliance. As long as Cao Yingying liked him, that was good enough. ¡°Grandfather, you knew?¡± Cao Yingying was surprised. ¡°Ha ha ha, you little girl thought you could hide it from me, you¡¯re still too green.¡± Chapter 35 - What Lu Li Didnt Know Chapter 35 - What Lu Li Didn''t Know

Chapter 35: What Lu Li Didn¡¯t Know

¡°May I sit here?¡± she asked, gazing softly at Lu Li in front of her. Her once prating gaze seemed utterly ineffective in front of Lu Li; she couldn¡¯t see through this man and sometimes didn¡¯t even understand him. At times, his every move felt mechanical, as if he was on a mission. Lu Li slightly lifted his head but didn¡¯t speak. Cao Yingying didn¡¯t mind and naturally sat down: ¡°My grandfather has recovered very well. The doctors said it¡¯s an incredible miracle. I wanted to ask you, what medicine is needed for his ongoing care?¡± This was the excuse Cao Yingying had been using to seek Lu Li out these days. ¡°¡­¡± Lu Li was annoyed. Even if you, the female supporting character, were not won over by the protagonist, why bother me, the viin? Falling in love with me. Heh! Impossible. He had spent eight years, but with the protagonist¡¯s appearance, Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin¡¯s gazes still inevitably turned to Ye Chen. The time spent, experiences, and feelings invested were all futile. What he failed to obtain despite giving his all, the protagonist could easily acquire just by being there. .Without getting a response, Cao Yingying wasn¡¯t upset but quietly ordered some dishes she liked from the waiter. *** The following days were much the same. Sometimes Lu Li sat alone on a park bench, with Cao Yingying reading beside him. Sometimes, Lu Li wandered aimlessly, and Cao Yingying would be by his side. Their interactions were minimal, hardly exceeding ten sentences, but even so, it gradually became a habit. Lu Li could even ignore the female supporting character by his side. If she liked to follow, then let her follow. Anyway, he would just pretend not to see. The atmosphere had a strange harmony. *** Until that day when Lu Li suddenly received a message, a smile bloomed on his face. His end hade. That day, Lu Li sat for an exceptionally long time, from dawn till deep into the night. Finally, he turned his gaze to Cao Yingying beside him. ¡°Goodbye, See youter!¡± Cao Yingying still remembered the expression on Lu Li¡¯s face at that moment¡ªthere was relief, resignation, and even a faint gratitude. His smile was warm, and for a moment, Cao Yingying was lost in it. By the time she snapped out of it, all she saw was the back of Lu Li walking away. Watching his departing figure, Cao Yingying smiled tenderly. ¡°See you tomorrow!¡± Perhaps Cao Yingying knew Lu Li couldn¡¯t hear her, but she still wanted to say it. What she didn¡¯t expect was that this would be theirst meeting. That goodbye was also thest thing Lu Li said to her. *** In a dark warehouse, she saw Lu Li, his handsome face dusted with dirt, his paleplexion reflecting the pain he had suffered before passing away. Beside him, Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya sobbed uncontrobly. Cao Yingying forcefully pushed them aside, knelt in front of Lu Li, ignoring the police¡¯s attempts to stop her, and caressed Lu Li¡¯s handsome face, tears falling like raindrops. The dusty concrete floor stained her pristine white skirt with Lu Li¡¯s blood, but she didn¡¯t care at all. ¡°We agreed to meet again, why did you break your promise? You haven¡¯t confessed to me yet, I haven¡¯t repaid you for helping my grandfather, how could you just die like that.¡± ¡°Please get up, please get up, okay? I know you¡¯re a man of your word, we agreed to meet again.¡± Cao Yingying could never have imagined that the night before, when Lu Li smiled and said goodbye, would be thest time she saw him. The man didn¡¯t speak; the dead don¡¯t speak, that¡¯smon knowledge. A sudden epiphany struck. Cao Yingying realized everything¡ªthat goodbye wasn¡¯t just for her, or rather, not only to her. He was bidding farewell to this world. Betrayed by his lover, backstabbed by his sister, they were once the closest to Lu Li, but they all turned against him, joining hands with his enemies. This drove Lu Li toplete disappointment with this world. Lu Li knew of his impending death, though it was unclear how he knew, but he epted it with a smile, perhaps considering death as an escape from this world filled with malice towards him. Hence, his smile that day was so¡­ warm. When rtives, lovers, betray you, what else in this world is worth clinging to? (tln : i¡¯m not crying, u guys crying) ¡°But you still have me, I¡¯ve always been here, and I won¡¯t leave.¡± She wanted to tell him that, but he could no longer hear her, she had lost the man she loved most, forever. After some time, Cao Yingying stood up, wiped away her tears, and carried Lu Li. Her cold gazended on Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya, now reduced to tears. ¡°What are you doing!¡± Zhang Ziqin red at Cao Yingying in front of her, not knowing when Lu Li had be acquainted with her. But she wouldn¡¯t allow this woman to desecrate Lu Li¡¯s body. ¡°Put down my brother, he belongs to the Lu family.¡± Lu Ya also shouted, struggling to stand up, trying to stop Cao Yingying¡¯s action. ¡°I won¡¯t kill you; after all, you were important to him, but you¡­ do not deserve.¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s face was as cold as frost, kicking these two women aside, her haughty gaze looking down upon them. The two women closest to Lu Li, one a rtive, one a love interest, were the ones who hurt him the deepest. Again and again. Their betrayal, their shameful betrayal, was the most despairing factor for Lu Li. *** Time returns to the present. ¡°Can I finally see him again? This time, I won¡¯t let anyone hurt you. You don¡¯t need to face death that way; that¡¯s not your ending.¡± She silently swore, ncing at the clock, her eager heart ultimately couldn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Grandfather, it¡¯s about time, let¡¯s go out!¡± Her usually calm heart seemed to beat violently at this moment. Grandfather Cao nced at the clock; there was still half an hour to the appointed time. You call this about time? This girl, truly fell in love, huh! Whose kid is it, even an old man like me doesn¡¯t know. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s about time. Let¡¯s go, girl, push Grandfather out,¡± Grandfather Cao teased Cao Yingying, smiling. That all-seeing gaze made Cao Yingying blush. ¡°Old man here is curious to see which family¡¯s luckyd caught my Yingying¡¯s eye,¡± Grandfather Cao chuckled, his whole being filled with joy. Cao Yingying¡¯s face turned even redder. Chapter 36 - Chen Xiaoyi Can Start Working Now Chapter 36 - Chen Xiaoyi Can Start Working Now

Chapter 36: Chen Xiaoyi Can Start Working Now

¡°Do you know much about Zhao Corporation?¡± Lu Li suddenly turned serious, looking earnestly at Chen Xiaoyi. A fully-fledged business genius, Chen Xiaoyi, was what he needed, not just a cute little girl. If this woman couldn¡¯t progress to the state he hoped for, he would have no choice but to apologize to her. No, not even an apology was needed. This woman still owed him money! It was only because in his previous life, Lu Li didn¡¯t have much contact with this Chen Xiaoyi. She hadn¡¯t humiliated him, and she was capable; otherwise, he would have dealt with her like Lu Ya. He was so certain because, in his previous life, Lu Li had never meddled in the affairs of the Lu Corporation. Even if there were any frictions, it was Lu Ya who handled them. Thus, he knew this woman was one of the few female leads who had no grievances with Lu Li. ¡°Zhao Corporation is the external business of the Zhao family in Hangzhou City and is the economic lifeline of the Zhao family. They mainly engage in real estate development and property management.¡± Chen Xiaoyi immediately presented everything she knew solemnly. Under Lu Li¡¯s supervision, she had been continuously improving. Being a top student, she naturally had her unique insights into business. ¡°Then let me ask you, if I have some dirt on Zhao Corporation, how should you act to maximize the benefits, or even bankrupt Zhao Corporation?¡± Having nurtured this girl for some time, it was time to put her to use. Lu Li was not running a charity. Every investment must yield returns, and treating Chen Xiaoyi gently was also an investment. Judging by Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s current attitude towards him, this investment was sessful. ¡°If it¡¯s dirt, then we can use it to incite public opinion, blow the issue up, and short-sell Zhao Corporation¡¯s stocks in the market to maximize the benefits. If we want to bankrupt Zhao Corporation, we can also dump our stocks at a low price in a short time, causing panic among the stockholders. Many steps are needed afterwards, requiring cooperation from various departments.¡± Chen Xiaoyi was earnest, meticulously answering Lu Li¡¯s question. Lu Li nodded in satisfaction; the female lead from the original story was indeed useful. ¡°I¡¯ll give you the dirt on Zhao Corporationter, and have thepany¡¯s departments cooperate with you. Try to take down Zhao Corporation in one go. With the size of the Lu Corporation, if you can¡¯t do it, it would be a huge disappointment to me.¡± This was the first time Lu Li showed his authority in front of Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°Yes, I promise toplete the mission.¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes sparkled with joy; anyone could tell that Lu Li was paving the way for her. Seeing Lu Li¡¯s authoritative demeanor, she felt somewhat intimidated, now understanding her boss¡¯s position. ¡°Good!¡± With a nod, devoid of frivolity, he had already given enough gentleness. From now on, this woman had to officially start working for him, no need for further indulgence. His gaze sneakily nced at Ye Chen next to him, noticing the guy looked as if he was about to breathe fire. Lu Li smirked at him, wrapping his arm around Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s slender waist, walking away. Anything that could frustrate his enemy was a source of joy for him. Lu Li understood Ye Chen, the protagonist of a wish-fulfillment novel, all too well. My woman can¡¯t be touched by anyone but me, including the women I fancy. Arrogant and self-centered, anything that defied him could enrage him. A hint of mockery shed in his eyes. Ye Chen¡¯s face darkened. In his eyes, Lu Li¡¯s smile was a clear mockery. ¡°This damn trash, daring to offend me like this, a mere yboy, wait and see, I will make you die in front of me.¡± Abroad, his status was extraordinary, having fought for many years to establish his own empire. How could he be humiliated by someone who relied on his family background? ¡°And Zhang Ziqin and Liu Menghan, I will make you kneel before me, watching how miserable Lu Li is under my hands.¡± A trace of ferocity shed across his handsome face, regarding those two women who were not as good as Lu Li as betrayal and humiliation to him. ¡°Grand Master Cao has arrived.¡± A loud announcement rang out, causing everyone including Ye Chen to stop talking. The doors opened, and a beautiful woman pushing an elderly man in a wheelchair slowly emerged. Ye Chen was momentarily dazzled, not expecting to encounter such a beauty. Apart from him, who else could be worthy of such a woman? She must be mine. He thought to himself, his gaze burning with passion. Securing her would mean gaining the support of the Cao family, beneficial whether for getting Tianlong Corporation into the domestic market or seeking revenge on Lu Li. Lu Li also looked towards the woman on the stage. This woman, who had apanied him until hisst moments in his previous life, he also had a fondness for her, although unclear of her thoughts. But that period ofpanionship was a rare light in the dark life of Lu Li¡¯s past life. Cao Yingying, pushing Grandfather Cao slowly to the center of the stage and standing firm, had an impable smile, surveying the entire hall. When she saw Lu Li¡¯s familiar figure in the crowd, her elegant face bloomed with a beautiful smile. ¡°Long time no see, Lu Li!¡± she said to herself. A trace of excitement and the joy of regaining something lost made Cao Yingying¡¯s eyes slightly red, but she suppressed her impulse. This simple smile made it seem as if all the colors in the hall were converging towards Cao Yingying. Lu Li¡¯s heart skipped a beat. In his previous life, he was numb, mechanically going through the motions of the plot, never really paying attention to Cao Yingying. Now, he seemed to understand how beautiful the only woman not won over by protagonist Ye Chen was. Her intellectual beauty was perfectly disyed, like a fairy gathering all the wonderful things, her almond eyes filled with wisdom, every frown and smile, every movement exuded intellectual beauty. Reason, wisdom, beauty, nobility. A woman who embodied all these virtues. ¡°Thank you all for attending Grandfather¡¯s birthday banquet. I, Cao Yingying, express my sincere thanks to all guests here,¡± she said, gracefully bowing slightly to the people below, dignified and proper. ¡°Your presence at Grandfather¡¯s birthday banquet amidst your busy schedules is an honor for the Cao family and for me, Cao Yingying, personally. Thank you for your sincerity.¡± With just a few simple words, all attendees¡¯ fondness for Miss Cao increased significantly. In the crowd, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s gaze at Cao Yingying on the stage wasplex. She bit her lip, blood seeping into her mouth, but she waspletely unaware. In her previous life, this woman took Lu Li away, preventing her from even seeing Lu Li¡¯sst moment. She didn¡¯t even know when Cao Yingying got entangled with Lu Li. Chapter 37 - Let Ye Chen Experience What Lu Li Went Through Chapter 37 - Let Ye Chen Experience What Lu Li Went Through

Chapter 37: Let Ye Chen Experience What Lu Li Went Through

The entire birthday banquet of Grand Master Cao was managed by Cao Yingying, including speaking on behalf of Grand Master Cao, which showed Grand Master Cao¡¯s affection for this girl. Among the numerous members of the Cao family, only Cao Yingying received such treatment. For the members of various major families, these were not important; the most crucial part was the birthday gift segment. Whoever could impress Grand Master Cao at such an asion and get a few more words of acknowledgement, their future would be smooth sailing. Cao Yingying dealt with each guest, her face wearing a gentle, wless smile that seemed to keep people at a distance. ¡°Zhang Corporation¡¯s Zhang Ziqin presents a jade Buddha pendant, wishing Grand Master Cao good health.¡± Zhang Ziqin bowed her head, not allowing herself to see Cao Yingying¡¯s face. In her past life, after Lu Li¡¯s death, this woman aggressively took over Lu Li¡¯s ce, not even giving her a chance for mourning. She didn¡¯t want to appear inferior in front of this rival in love. Cao Yingying¡¯s smile remained, but a hint of chill shed in her eyes. After Lu Li¡¯s death, this woman frenziedly attacked Ye Chen¡¯s forces, causing significant damage to them, which made it easier for them to eliminate Ye Chen. But what of it? Everything, the reason for it all, was this woman. And for the harm she caused Lu Li, those instances of public humiliation alongside Ye Chen, regardless of this woman¡¯s intentions, Cao Yingying had not a sliver of goodwill towards Zhang Ziqin. ¡°This life, you won¡¯t have a chance anymore, you don¡¯t deserve it.¡± she thought to herself. ¡°Thank you, Miss Zhang, for your blessings to Grandfather.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Zhang Ziqin silently retreated. In front of this woman, she felt crushed. Under any other circumstance, Zhang Ziqin could ept it, but she couldn¡¯t ept being crushed by a rival in love. ¡°I, Ye Chen, present an antique from the Tang dynasty to Grand Master Cao, wishing Grand Master Cao and Miss Cao Yingying a peaceful life.¡± Ye Chen¡¯s face showed a faint smile, his gaze towards Cao Yingying shing with fervor. Truly beautiful, this woman, a woman like her, apart from a chosen one like him, Ye Chen, who else could be worthy? She must be his. Cao Yingying¡¯s eyes briefly showed a hint of killing intent, fleeting, yet still caught by Lu Li, who was particrly sensitive to such things. What¡¯s going on? Cao Yingying actually showed killing intent towards Ye Chen? ¡°Thank you, Mr. Ye Chen, for your blessing, but I think, for such an asion, Mr. Ye Chen¡¯s blessing for my grandfather is enough. Blessing me, Mr. Ye Chen¡¯s intentions are quite puzzling!¡± Her tone turned cold, Cao Yingying¡¯s usually impable control over her expressions seemed to fail at this moment. Seeing the man who killed Lu Li before her, she couldn¡¯t calm down. It was Ye Chen who killed the man she loved most, and Ye Chen, along with those despicable women, caused irreparable harm to Lu Li. It was also because of this Ye Chen that Lu Li chose death to escape after enduring everything. She wouldn¡¯t let such a thing happen again. This Ye Chen, she was determined to kill. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Ye Chen¡¯s face stiffened, not expecting Cao Yingying to suddenly say such things. Feeling the strange looks from the people around, his face darkened. What exactly is happening today? From Zhang Ziqin, Liu Menghan, to now Cao Yingying, one by one, these goddesses made him lose face. ¡°Ha ha ha ha, where did this Ye Chene from, pulling this stunt, thinking a toad can eat swan meat.¡± ¡°What kind of person is Miss Cao? A guy whose background he dares not disclose, also harbors such thoughts.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t he look in the mirror to see his own face? What kind of person is Miss Cao? He dares to fantasize. Really thinks by stirring up some trouble he bes the boss.¡± ¡°Ha ha ha ha!¡± Mocking voices continuously rose, feeling the ridicule in the eyes of the rich around, Ye Chen¡¯s face grew colder. His expression gradually became ferocious, hatred almost spilling from his eyes, but he still retained his sanity. In such a situation, getting angry could lead to unimaginable consequences. ¡°Zhang Ziqin, Liu Menghan, Cao Yingying, and Lu Li, you all wait! Today¡¯s humiliation, I will never forget!!!¡± ¡°Hmph, first, let you experience what Lu Li went through in his previous life, consider it interest.¡± Cao Yingying was filled with killing intent. ¡°Mr. Ye Chen, if there¡¯s nothing else, you should leave first. You¡¯re blocking the way for others.¡± No one felt there was anything wrong with Cao Yingying¡¯s words, as Ye Chen¡¯s words were indeed rude, tantamount to public harassment. It¡¯s Grand Master Cao¡¯s birthday banquet, and he specifically blessed Cao Yingying, what¡¯s the meaning of that. Ye Chen also saw the situation clearly and left without a word, head bowed. Lu Li frowned watching the scene unfold, though unclear why things were a bit different from his past life, he wouldn¡¯t say anything. The so-called plot had long been shattered to pieces, he wouldn¡¯t dwell on such matters. After a while, it was his turn. Finally going to talk to Lu Li? Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t help but clench her hands, her teeth biting her lips, her eyes filled with intense emotion. Being able to see you again, how wonderful. Her eyes reddened as if looking at a treasured reunion, she really wanted to rush up and hug him. The happiness of regaining what was lost nearly overwhelmed Cao Yingying. But fortunately, she maintained herposure. ¡°Cough cough!¡± Grand Master Cao coughed lightly, signaling Cao Yingying to control herself. The old and wise man naturally noticed his granddaughter¡¯s unusual behavior. After scrutinizing the young man before him, who was quite handsome, not bad, not bad, it all depended on what gift you brought, kid. If it doesn¡¯t win my old man¡¯s heart, then don¡¯t me me for tripping you up. Noticing Grandfather¡¯s reminder, Cao Yingying blushed. ¡°Lu Li of the Lu family,es empty-handed, hoping Grand Master Cao and Miss Cao won¡¯t mind.¡± Cao Yingying was good to him in hisst life, he could feel it, even saying it was a rare light in his miserable past life. This life, the Cao family and Cao Yingying were also his targets to win over. Cao Yingying: ¡°???¡± Grand Master Cao: ¡°!!!¡± Li Zichuan: ¡°¡­Bro, don¡¯t mess around, this isn¡¯t a joke.¡± The scene erupted into chaos. ¡°Pfft, ha ha ha ha ha ha!¡± Ye Chenughed unabashedly: ¡°I¡¯m dying ofughter,ing empty-handed and still speaking so righteously, Lu Li, are you looking down on Grand Master Cao?¡± ¡­ Chapter 38 - Even a Lady Can Retort Chapter 38 - Even a Lady Can Retort

Chapter 38: Even a Lady Can Retort

Cao Yingying frowned, her almond eyes filled with sharpness: ¡°Mr. Ye Chen, I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯re aware of the word ¡®manners¡¯, or is it that mocking others satisfies your pitiful self-esteem?¡± Ady indeed, even in retort, she doesn¡¯t resort to foulnguage, yet somehow manages to infuriate even more. Ye Chen¡¯s mocking smile froze, his face nearly twisted, with thick hatred flowing in his heart. This was supposed to be an opportunity for Lu Li to be embarrassed, but with a single sentence from Cao Yingying, all attention shifted to Ye Chen. One by one, the wealthy guests looked at Ye Chen with dissatisfaction. In such a public setting, why did Ye Chen behave as rudely as a clown? ¡°Brother, who did you bring along? So noisy,¡± Zhao Lu also red at her brother with discontent. She had a good impression of Ye Chen before, but after being repeatedly embarrassed, Zhao Lu felt particrly disgusted. Zhao Shaotian: ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Biting his teeth, Ye Chen couldn¡¯t understand why things turned out this way. In his expectations, this banquet was supposed to be a great opportunity for him to make a name in the upper circles, not difficult with his abilities. Yet, it seemed cursed, with these women targeting him one after another. Cao Yingying turned her head to look at Lu Li, who frowned slightly, and smiled: ¡°It seems Mr. Lu Li hasn¡¯t finished speaking. Now that there are no unrted interruptions, you may continue.¡± The stark difference in treatment made everyone ponder, infuriating Ye Chen to almost bite his teeth to pieces. Why? What¡¯s with these women, all of them smiling at Lu Li but humiliating me this way? Lu Li is just a wasteful second-generation heir of a family. Lu Li admired the woman in front of him, indeed worthy of being the clever and elegant female supporting character in the story! ¡°Ordinary gifts, I¡¯m sure Grand Master Cao has seen plenty. Even valuable items might not pique his interest. So, I thought, how about I give Grand Master Cao a pair of legs that could stand?¡± Grand Master Cao¡¯s eyes widened sharply, speaking for the first time since his arrival: ¡°Young man, are you saying you want to cure my legs?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Lu Li replied calmly and confidently, showing no sign of being intimidated by the pressure from Grand Master Cao. ¡°Ha ha ha ha, you do have guts, young man. Many doctors have looked at my legs, but in the end, they couldn¡¯t be cured. Careful not to embarrass yourself by making such ims here.¡± Grand Master Caoughed heartily. With his status, he wouldn¡¯t publicly question a young man. Besides, for the man his granddaughter liked, Grand Master Cao paid special attention. ¡°Since I, Lu Li, have said so here, naturally, I am confident.¡± Lu Li smiled gently, his confidence radiating, captivating Cao Yingying, who was closest to him. She knew of Lu Li¡¯s abilities; in her past life, he had cured her grandfather¡¯s legs. This life, you¡¯re finally not hiding anymore? The soft glow in her eyes, the past Lu Li was numb, the only time she saw him genuinely smile was before his death. That smile seemed warm to Cao Yingying back then, but knowing it was his farewell to the world, she felt only sorrow. But now, Lu Li was cheerful, and such a change made Cao Yingying very happy. Her love should always be happy, not troubled by those detestable people. ¡°Ha ha ha ha, good, Yingying, bring this young man from the Lu family to meter.¡± Grand Master Cao teased his granddaughter with a wink. As a grandfather, it¡¯s time to see what my future grandson-inw is capable of. He trusted his granddaughter, and by extension, Lu Li as well. Cao Yingying blushed again under her grandfather¡¯s teasing gaze, shyly ncing at Lu Li. Leaving Lu Li somewhat puzzled; things were going smoother than he expected. From afar, Ye Chen scoffed disdainfully. How could Lu Li, this failure, know medical skills? It¡¯s just for show, howughable these women are, easily deceived. Sneering at Lu Li. ¡°I¡¯ll see how you¡¯ll handle it if you can¡¯t cure it. I don¡¯t believe it. If you offend the Cao family, those women will still stand by your side.¡± Zhang Ziqin bit her lips even harder. ¡°You actually know medical skills, and I didn¡¯t know at all. Do I really not understand you?¡± Lu Li knew all her preferences, but since she decided to actively pursue Lu Li under Su Bingqing¡¯s encouragement, she suddenly realized how little she knew about the man she deeply loved. Not even knowing how to pursue him. Do I really have the right to say I love him? Zhang Ziqin was sure of her feelings for Lu Li; she doubted herself. Not knowing what he likes to eat, what he likes to do, what he enjoys watching. She was used to him always being behind her, yet she knew nothing about him! Liu Menghan and Su Bingqing also turned their gaze to Lu Li, pondering when he learned medical skills. As for whether Lu Li could do it, that wasn¡¯t a consideration. Since Lu Li stated so, he must be confident. The banquet continued, Grand Master Cao curious if Lu Li could cure him, but he wasn¡¯t impatient like something. Lu Li continued to casually enjoy the banquet, determined to make up for what he missed in his past life. ¡°Say, bro, are you really confident about curing Grand Master Cao¡¯s legs? Don¡¯t mess around with this, be careful not to bring trouble upon yourself.¡± Li Zichuan looked at Lu Li with concern. Some things are better left undone, for mistakes can lead to misfortune. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if I weren¡¯t capable, would I speak recklessly?¡± Lu Li smiled. ¡°When did you learn medical skills? I had no idea.¡± Seeing Lu Li so certain, then looking at him seemingly sane, Li Zichuan heaved a sigh, smacking Lu Li annoyingly. ¡°What, do I have to report to you? ¡®Dear Brother Li Zichuan, your friend, I know medical skills, and I¡¯m top-notch at it.''¡± He joked solemnly. ¡°Get lost with your nonsense.¡± ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha!¡± ¡°Mr. Lu Li is really good at medical skills; he¡¯s been helping me recuperate recently.¡± Chen Xiaoyi interjected, frowning. Lu Li and Li Zichuan chatting as if she was an outsider was unpleasant. ¡°Oh ho, so talented, why didn¡¯t I see you offering to check me out, only looking after the youngdy, huh!¡± Li Zichuan raised an eyebrow, surprised at Chen Xiaoyi, andined to Lu Li. ¡°You¡¯re not sick, what¡¯s there to check?¡± Rolling his eyes at him, making trouble for nothing. ¡°Right, I¡¯m in perfect health, I eat well, how could I be sick!¡± Chapter 39 - If Not Given, Then Snatch Chapter 39 - If Not Given, Then Snatch

Chapter 39: If Not Given, Then Snatch

Zhao Shaotian and his party left with Ye Chen in a hurry, having lost face, Ye Chen naturally wouldn¡¯t stay any longer. Chen Xiaoyi was also sent away by Lu Li, given the dirt on Zhao Corporation to start preparing. This was Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s chance, if she couldn¡¯t satisfy Lu Li, then apologies, but Lu Li doesn¡¯t support the useless. The stage was set for her, armed with the best advantages; if she couldn¡¯t meet Lu Li¡¯s requirements, it would only mean this woman was different from her previous life. Lu Li needed a business elite female lead, not someone who would just throw tantrums at him. If she could meet the former, Lu Li might tolerate thetter. If not, it just meant Chen Xiaoyi was of no use, cannot let go, because Lu Li wouldn¡¯t watch the female lead run to the main character¡¯s side, then there was only one method left. ¡°Bro, I¡¯m leaving too, let¡¯s have a meal together when you¡¯re back, I¡¯ll be heading back to Modu soon.¡± Li Zichuan also left. Zhang Ziqin, Liu Menghan, Su Bingqing, the three of them left early, castingplex nces at Lu Li before leaving, especially Zhang Ziqin who seemed to want to say something but didn¡¯t utter a word in the end. The vast venue suddenly became empty, Lu Li casually picked up a champagne beside him, drank it in one gulp, only with taste, one knows the beauty of life, his previous self, lived the darkest days. ¡°Mr. Lu Li, sorry to keep you waiting.¡± Lu Li¡¯s gaze shifted, did this woman reapply her makeup? Different from the previous ethereal, almost otherworldly, cold fairy in a white dress, the current Cao Yingying, still in a white long dress, had her face lightly made up, her bright red lips seemed to emit endless allure, like thebination of an angel and a demon, ck high heels adding a few touches of proud demeanor, more serious too. It was like a high cold fairy descended, turning into a workce elite! Lu Li¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t help but sh with amazement, Cao Yingying¡¯s beauty was beyond doubt, that intellectuality, cold beauty radiating from inside out, and the contrast created by her makeup, more like a tempting poison. Feeling Lu Li¡¯s gaze, Cao Yingying smiled brightly: ¡°Lu Li, how about it, do I look good in this?¡± The tone, like coquettishly talking to a boyfriend. How does it feel a bit off! But Lu Li didn¡¯t mind, the female lead Lu Ya was already killed by him, this world¡¯s trajectory had long changed. ¡°It suits you very well.¡± He smiled gently, very gracefully. Cao Yingying¡¯s heart skipped a beat, her smile bing even more radiant, suppressing the joy in her heart, she knew that she and Lu Li had just met in this life, she couldn¡¯t be too familiar: ¡°Pleasee with me, let¡¯s go see my grandfather.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Arriving at the luxurious residence next to the banquet hall, Grand Master Cao had been waiting for a long time, his gaze towards his granddaughter also shed with a bit of amusement. A somewhat helpless smile. Then looking at Lu Li, heughed heartily: ¡°Ha ha ha ha, young man, you really are lucky, my granddaughter is ethereal, I¡¯ve never seen her dressed up like this.¡± ¡°Grandfather, what nonsense are you talking about!¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s cheeks reddened. Lu Li smiled, neither humble nor arrogant: ¡°Since it concerns Grand Master Cao¡¯s health, Miss Cao naturally is extra concerned.¡± ¡°En¡­¡± Grand Master Cao looked at Lu Li with suspicion. Then at his granddaughter, that forlorn look, the wise old eyes swept through a realization: ¡°Ha ha ha ha, yes, yes, my granddaughter is just so filial, gets serious when ites to my matters,e on, young man, take a look at this old man, if you really can cure it, I¡¯d be very happy.¡± Laughing heartily, his speech somewhat offbeat, seemingly without any dignity, appearing like an ordinary kind old man, a childlike figure. If ced outside, perhaps those unacquainted with the old man would hardly imagine his exalted status! Lu Li hadn¡¯t interacted with Grand Master Cao in his previous life, so he hadn¡¯t noticed anything. He didn¡¯t waste words, what he wanted was the Cao family¡¯s favor, the Cao family¡¯s status wasn¡¯t on the same level as the Lu family¡¯s, gaining the Cao family¡¯s favor was absolutely beneficial for his future development or revenge. ¡°This is the prescription I wrote, Grand Master Cao take it daily, after a monthbined with traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture, there¡¯ll be improvement, in three months you can move a little, and in half a year, I guarantee your legs will be as good as new.¡± Directly taking out the prescription he had prepared in advance, Lu Li had been ready. ¡°Oh, young man from the Lu family, won¡¯t you assess the situation first?¡± Grand Master Cao¡¯s eyes shed with surprise. ¡°No need, if I can¡¯t cure you, then it¡¯s my ipetence.¡± His face brimming with confidence, infecting Grand Master Cao as well. ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha, young people are indeed young people, good! Then I¡¯ll entrust myself to you, young man. Since you cane up with the prescription, you must know acupuncture too, right!¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Then I, this old man, will trouble you for the next half year.¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± Lu Li just wanted a favor from the Cao family, he hadn¡¯t nned toe over every day to interact with Grand Master Cao! ¡°What, you despise me, old man, huh!¡± Grand Master Cao chuckled, his prating gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny. ¡°The junior wouldn¡¯t dare, since Grand Master Cao has said so, the junior willply.¡± Indeed, old and cunning, such experienced old monsters are definitely not easy to deal with. But Lu Li didn¡¯t mind, it was just spending some more time in the future. The more he offers, the Cao family must give him more in the future, everything is clearly priced, if the Cao family doesn¡¯t give, Lu Li will snatch it himself. ¡°Young man from the Lu family, you are indeed a wonderful person.¡± Deeply looking at Lu Li, Grand Master Cao¡¯s smile slightly faded, uttering this phrase, unclear whether it was apliment or something else. ¡°Grand Master Cao jests, I¡¯m just a businessman.¡± Lu Li smiled lightly, still maintaining his carefree demeanor. ¡°Right, right, a businessman, a businessman, good, then let¡¯s start from now, Yingying, apany our businessman, young man from the Lu family to prepare, Grandfather¡¯s future is in your hands.¡± Praising Lu Li with a nce. Even with his insight, he couldn¡¯t decipher this young man¡¯s thoughts. Yet this young man just straightforwardly showed his intentions. Completely iprehensible! Chapter 40 - Grand Master Caos Teasing Chapter 40 - Grand Master Cao''s Teasing

Chapter 40: Grand Master Cao¡¯s Teasing

Cao Yingying¡¯s face was filled with joy. Grandpa¡¯s act indeed made her very happy. Grandpa asking Lu Li to treat him meant six months of time, ah, six months, she could spend every day with Lu Li. Good grandpa, otherwise she wouldn¡¯t know what reason to use to approach Lu Li. Now it¡¯s great, Lu Li cane every day, she can see him every day, and also help grandpa with his treatment. The Cao family truly lived up to its name. The medicinal herbs Lu Li needed were all collected within a few minutes. However, brewing the medicine was still a hassle. Theplexity of Chinese medicine meant that if the heat wasn¡¯t controlled properly, the whole pot could be ruined. Lu Li still needed to watch over it, and Cao Yingying also watched Lu Li, both of them silent, just quietly observing. This gave Lu Li a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu; in hisst life, she seemed to have always been there too. It¡¯s just that back then, he waspletely in a daze, his heart numb, indifferent to everything else. ¡°From now on, just brew the medicine like this; I¡¯ll only handle the acupuncture, the rest isn¡¯t my responsibility.¡± Looking at the woman he had a good impression of, Lu Li said seriously. ¡°Okay, thank you, Lu Li!¡± Cao Yingying smiled sweetly. She knew how superb Lu Li¡¯s medical skills were; in herst life, it was he who solved the problem of grandpa¡¯s legs that many top doctors couldn¡¯t. These intimate words¡­ Although the words themselves didn¡¯t seem close, Cao Yingying¡¯s tone was perhaps a bit too familiar, weren¡¯t they? Lu Li frowned, feeling puzzled as if something was not quite right, but couldn¡¯t pinpoint it, scrutinizing Cao Yingying. ¡°Do I have something on my face?¡± Cao Yingying touched her cheek, feeling a bit ufortable, her face slightly reddening. ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­¡± He shook his head silently, not noticing anything unusual. Very naturally, Cao Yingying acted as if everything was just as it should be. ¡°Let the old master drink the medicine, and we can start the acupuncture.¡± Lu Li didn¡¯t dwell on it; he knew his keen intention, as long as the final goal was achieved, everything was fine. The acupuncture was just the most routine kind, something any old traditional Chinese doctor would know. In essence, Lu Li¡¯s approach was primarily about the medication, the acupuncture merely a supplement. After finishing, Lu Li left the Cao family¡¯s small courtyard. ¡°Did the young man from the Lu family leave?¡± Grand Master Cao teased, looking at his little granddaughter. ¡°Yes, he left!¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s fair and bright face reddened, unable to withstand grandpa¡¯s seemingly all-seeing gaze. ¡°Yingying¡¯s ideal man is this Lu family¡¯s young man, right!¡± Grand Master Caoughed. ¡°¡­Yes!¡± Cao Yingying, holding back her shyness, nodded emphatically. ¡°But I heard, this young man from the Lu family seems to like that Zhang family¡¯s girl a lot, even pursued her for eight years, seems quite infatuated.¡± Grand Master Cao teased his granddaughter with a smile, his gaze yful. ¡°I know, but that woman doesn¡¯t deserve Lu Li!¡± Cao Yingying raised her head, her gaze firm. Zhang Ziqin can only hurt Lu Li, such a woman, what qualifications does she have. ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha, that¡¯s right, my Cao family¡¯s girl should be like this, like someone, go chase him. My granddaughter, can¡¯t she be better than a mere Zhang Ziqin.¡± Grand Master Cao ¡°Just right, I also heard the young man from the Lu family has already given up on Zhang Ziqin.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Cao Yingying looked at her grandfather in surprise. Grand Master Cao, with a knowing look, squinting, as if talking to himself: ¡°Last time, that Zhang family girl¡¯s banquet, the young man from the Lu family didn¡¯t attend, and also stopped all projects rted to Zhang Corporation.¡± ¡°Grandfather, are you telling the truth?¡± A glimmer of joy shed in her eyes. This life¡¯s Lu Li has already given up, huh! No wonder he seems so cheerful. ¡°It¡¯s false, Grandpa lied, oh.¡± Grand Master Cao teased, like a mischievous child. ¡°Grandfather~~¡± ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha!¡± *** ¡°Breaking News , Zhao Corporation¡¯s constructed houses have serious quality issues¡± ¡°Zhao Corporation, rich but unkind, used substandard materials for construction¡± ¡°Residents of houses built by Zhao Corporation speak out: ¡®They threatened me, saying if I caused trouble, they would make me disappear.''¡± ¡°Many victims have gathered at Zhao Corporation¡¯s building, demanding an exnation¡± ¡°Evidence of Zhao Corporation using substandard materials has been exposed by insiders¡± News like these dominated all major media channels within half a day, the speed was so fast, Zhao Corporation hardly had time to react. Zhao Shaotian¡¯s face was grim; he hadn¡¯t expected the Lu Corporation to actually retaliate, and so viciously at that, aiming to drive Zhao Corporation towards bankruptcy! ¡°Immediately buy back our dispersed stocks, also, take out the liquid funds, don¡¯t let the stock prices fall.¡± He roared a bit hysterically. ¡°Manager, it¡¯s toote, our dispersed stocks have almost all been bought up.¡± The manager responsible for this looked quite distressed. ¡°Our stock price is plummeting, it¡¯s about to break through the critical point.¡± Sweat poured down, tremblingly said. ¡°Damn it, Lu Corporation, you¡¯ve yed hard!¡± Zhao Shaotian cursed: ¡°Never mind the dispersed stocks, continue to put our liquid funds into the stock market, ensure the stock value doesn¡¯t continue to drop.¡± Doing so would make Lu Corporation the biggest winner, but Zhao Shaotian couldn¡¯t care less now, choosing the lesser of two evils, letting Lu Li make money is better than hispany going under. ¡°Yes!¡± The manager immediately responded, hurriedly running out. The next second, another person burst into the office: ¡°Manager, bad news, arge group of homebuyers has blocked thepany¡¯s entrance, they demand we¡­ we¡­¡± ¡°What do they want, say it quick¡­¡± Zhao Shaotian roared angrily. ¡°Want us to refund the money, saying our house quality has issues.¡± ¡°Damn, a bunch of troublemakers! Don¡¯t bother with them, sort out the financial market issues first.¡± Zhao Shaotian said irritably. A few hours ago, he was still at Grand Master Cao¡¯s birthday banquet in the Cao family¡¯s courtyard, never expecting to face such a problem in just a few hours. ¡°But they said¡­¡± ¡°What else!¡± Zhao Shaotian bellowed. ¡°Said¡­ if we don¡¯t refund, they will sue us.¡± The person trembled while speaking. ¡°Damn, troublemakers, all of them, do they know where the court is? Still suing!¡± Chapter 41 - Chen Xiaoyis Rising Edge Chapter 41 - Chen Xiaoyi''s Rising Edge

Chapter 41: Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s Rising Edge

The news spread rapidly, the speed of action was so swift that even Lu Li couldn¡¯t find any faults. As he walked out of the Cao family¡¯s courtyard, he was bombarded by an overwhelming barrage of news. Chen Xiaoyi truly lived up to her reputation as a business genius in the original story who helped Ye Chen master the business world. Although she seemed a bit naive, this series of bombardments indeed made Lu Li admire her. Let her continue. If anything goes wrong, he has the ability to remedy it in time. A cold smile curled on his lips. Zhao Shaotian, Zhao Lu, the entire Zhao family were objects of his revenge. Not to mention, Zhao Shaotian, this little dog raised by Ye Chen, was all over Lu Li on the road to humiliation in his previous life. Zhao Lu, one of the female leads, ording to the rules of wish-fulfillment stories, the protagonist¡¯s friend¡¯s sister must be one of the female leads. This woman also didn¡¯t spare Lu Li from humiliation. Once Zhao Corporation falls, these two will be at Lu Li¡¯s mercy. A faint smile appeared on his lips, feeling unexpectedly happy. He got into his car and headed towards thepany. *** ¡°Miss Chen, it¡¯s not the best time yet. Zhao Corporation should continue to inte their stock price. Selling now, we can¡¯t maximize the benefits.¡± Chen Xiaoyi, now just an ordinary employee at Lu Corporation without a formal title, but no one dared to underestimate her. In these days, who didn¡¯t know that Miss Chen and General Manager Lu Li always shared a car? Being an employee was just a temporary transition. Sooner orter, everyone would have to call Chen Xiaoyi ¡®General Chen¡¯. Under such circumstances, naturally, no one dared to be rude to Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°I know, but our goal isn¡¯t to make money, nor to maximize profits. It¡¯s topletely bring down Zhao Corporation. With this objective in mind, then think about profits.¡± Chen Xiaoyi had already shown her talent, her beautiful face cold as frost. ¡°This is also Mr. Lu¡¯s intention.¡± Upon hearing this, everyone was startled, then quickly got back to work. ¡°All the stocks in our hands have been sold off, Zhao Corporation¡¯s stock price has dropped again.¡± Chen Xiaoyi nodded, continuing to direct methodically: ¡°Don¡¯t wait for the lowest point, buy back now, and wait for Zhao Corporation¡¯s next move.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± People looked at Chen Xiaoyi with almost an admiring gaze. Previously, they thought this woman was only in Lu Corporation because of her rtionship with General Manager Lu Li, feeling somewhat unwilling to bemanded by her. But Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s maniption of the stock market in these few minutes was truly breathtaking. They had seen buying low and selling high for a quick profit, but this method of treating a stock like a renewable resource for continuous exploitation was a first for them. (Don¡¯t take it seriously, it¡¯s all made-up.) ¡°How¡¯s the public opinion?¡± ¡°Progressing smoothly. Zhao Corporation¡¯s issues were significant, but they had been suppressed before, causing many people¡¯s grievances. Now that it¡¯s been exposed, they have already gone to Zhao Corporation demanding an exnation, and the numbers are still increasing.¡± Chen Xiaoyi silently nodded: ¡°Keep a tight grip on it, inform me immediately if there¡¯s any situation.¡± Hermanding presence was disyed at this moment. Standing on her own stage for the first time, Chen Xiaoyi felt exceptionally at ease. Lu Li had prepared the stage for her, even provided so much dirt on Zhao Corporation. If she disappointed him, she probably couldn¡¯t face Lu Li. She absolutely couldn¡¯t disappoint Lu Li. This was Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s belief. Lu Li, quietly listening outside for a while, nodded in satisfaction and left without disturbing. Extraordinary ability indeed! Should I say, worthy of a female lead? *** ¡°What, the stock price has dropped again, what the hell does Lu Li want!¡± Zhao Shaotian roared in anger. If he wanted to make Zhao Shaotian suffer, it¡¯s already enough, right? He made so much money, all of it was covered by Zhao Shaotian using thepany¡¯s liquid funds! Roaring in anger, he couldn¡¯t help but sh a bit of fear in his eyes. Those dirty deeds he thought were cleanly done, this time were all exposed. To say it had nothing to do with Lu Corporation and Lu Li, Zhao Shaotian firmly didn¡¯t believe it. I just wanted you to take over a useless wastnd. You didn¡¯t take it, so Ipensated with mypany¡¯s funds as an apology, why haven¡¯t you stopped? He underestimated Lu Li. Lu Li was never a waste. On the contrary, when he made a move, it was ten times more ruthless than that woman, Lu Ya. The office door suddenly opened. ¡°Who is it, didn¡¯t I say not to disturb me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me, your father.¡± A voice filled with authority and anger sounded. ¡°Dad!¡± Zhao Shaotian quickly turned his head, seeing his father, his aura immediately dropped. ¡°Look at the good things you¡¯ve done.¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s father red at him. ¡°Dad, I didn¡¯t expect Lu Li would actually¡­¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t expect! So you let Zhao Corporation fall into this situation?¡± ¡°Dad, I¡­¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± An angry roar silenced Zhao Shaotian instantly. Whether it was to argue or anything else, he dared not say anymore. ¡°I just had a call with Lu Guofu. He said everything will be decided by Lu Li. What do you think that means?¡± As if knowing getting angry wouldn¡¯t help the current situation, Zhao Shaotian¡¯s father suddenly calmed down. ¡°What does it mean?¡± ¡°It means the Lu family, doesn¡¯t take our Zhao Corporation seriously at all. What do you think you are, with a bit of cleverness, you can provoke the Lu Corporation?¡± ¡°Heh, big mistake, a huge mistake. Our Zhao Corporation has now be the chicken used by Lu Li to warn the monkeys.¡± ¡°Dad¡­¡± Zhao Shaotian couldn¡¯t help but shiver, fear evident in his eyes. He finally understood the severity. ¡°What have I done, why would I do something so irrational.¡± Zhao Shaotian covered his head, speaking in fear. Ridiculously, he had mocked Lu Li at the Cao family¡¯s birthday banquet. ¡°It was a n I made when Lu Ya was still around, not against Lu Li!¡± ¡°Heh, do you think Lu Li needs your exnation? No matter when you offended him, you have offended Lu Li.¡± ¡°¡­Then what should we do?¡± ¡°What to do, let fate decide. See when Lu Li cools off. You don¡¯t think Zhao Corporation really has the power to go head-to-head with Lu Corporation, right? Doing so would only make Zhao Corporation, make us, die even faster.¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s fatherughed bitterly. ¡°Are we just supposed to ce our hopes on Lu Li¡¯s mood?¡± Zhao Shaotian spoke unwillingly. ¡°What else do you think, what else can you do? All the dirt on Zhao Corporation is controlled by Lu Corporation. With such ability, do you have a way to resist?¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s father sighed resignedly. Chapter 42 - "You Can Marry Me Too" Chapter 42 - "You Can Marry Me Too"

Chapter 42: ¡°You Can Marry Me Too¡±

Not long after shining in her actions, Chen Xiaoyi now stood in front of Lu Li with a face full of nervousness. ¡°General Manager Lu, did I do okay?¡± The once ice-cold business queen now resembled a little girl eager for praise from her parents. Chen Xiaoyi looked at Lu Li with hopeful eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t disappoint me.¡± Lu Li¡¯s lips curled into a smile, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s efficient execution telling him his investment was right. Hearing this, Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help but reveal a radiant smile. ¡°Just one thing, I¡¯ll remind you.¡± ¡°Please go on, General Manager.¡± In thepany, she would never call Lu Li by his name, Chen Xiaoyi was indeed very disciplined. ¡°If we¡¯re going to bankrupt Zhao Corporation, then you need to be a bit more ruthless. You could help those afflicted folk sue Zhao Corporation.¡± ¡°Do you mean I could have directed those people straight to the court? And let the official forces intervene directly?¡± Chen Xiaoyi thought to herself, admiringly looking at Lu Li, indeed, she still had much to learnpared to General Manager Lu. ¡°Yes, General Manager, I will definitely learn from this.¡± She nodded emphatically, determined not to disappoint Lu Li again, her resolve as visible as if she were waving a little fist. The Chen Xiaoyi who had stirred up the stock market just recently now seemed somewhat adorable. ¡°Good, keep working hard tomorrow. I want Zhao Corporationpletely bankrupt, focus on that!¡± Lu Li smiled gently at Chen Xiaoyi, his words, however, sent a chill down one¡¯s spine. ¡°Yes!¡± Chen Xiaoyi was full of fighting spirit. ¡°Also, head home early today, you¡¯ve been busy all day. Have some medicinal food early, it¡¯s good for your health.¡± He smiled gently, dispelling the serious atmosphere just moments ago. A warm current surged through Chen Xiaoyi, her eyes reddening, she yearned for Lu Li¡¯s casual tenderness: ¡°Thank you for your concern, General Manager Lu. Chen Xiaoyi guarantees toplete the task.¡± Holding back her tears, she didn¡¯t want to embarrass herself in front of Lu Li, vigorously nodded, and joked. ¡°Health is the most important.¡± Lu Li spared no expense with his tenderness, a few words, but this woman was the female lead, the business queen, impable in both appearance and ability, he was no saint. Today, Chen Xiaoyi had proved herself. Chen Xiaoyi left with high morale, while Lu Li continued to deal with some documents, quickly wrapping up and leaving thepany. Tomorrow Li Zichuan, that guy, would leave Hangzhou, today was sort of a farewell ceremony for him. Actually, it didn¡¯t need to be so grand, just friends having a simple meal, it¡¯s not like they won¡¯t see each other again. But Li Zichuan, that guy, is all about formalities, no matter what, the scene must be grand. ¡°Ha ha ha ha, brother, you¡¯ve reallye into your own after leaving that nonsense Zhang Ziqin, didn¡¯t I tell you? That woman was no good, she was suppressing your luck!¡± Li Zichuanughed heartily. His brother had finally walked out of the pit named Zhang Ziqin. ¡°Don¡¯t get superstitious.¡± Lu Li gave him a nce, what luck being suppressed, he just no longer needed to pretend after leaving the dog system. ¡°Cut it, anyway, that woman is no good, whoever gets involved with her is doomed. Brother, I won¡¯t say much, if you want to deal with Zhang Ziqin in the future, just give me a shout, I¡¯ll be there.¡± Li Zichuan waved his fist at Lu Li, swearing solemnly. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll definitely need the help of Li Zichuan, the great young master of Modu.¡± Lu Li alsoughed, Li Zichuan was a true brother. Not saying goodbye properly in hisst life was his greatest regret. But at that time, he deliberately distanced himself from Li Zichuan, not wanting to drag him down. ¡°Go to hell, thinking I¡¯m your brother, you actually want to marry me, and even want me to undergo surgery. Even if I can¡¯t bear children, you wouldn¡¯t despise me.¡± Lu Li joked. If there was anyone in this world he could let his guard down around, it was Li Zichuan. ¡°I¡¯m going, I thought you were my brother, you actually want to marry me, and even want me to undergo surgery.¡± Li Zichuan¡¯s face flushed red, ring at Lu Li. ¡°Otherwise, should I? It¡¯s also feasible, you can marry me too!¡± Lu Li teased. ¡°No way!¡± Li Zichuan¡¯s voice suddenly got louder. ¡°Then it¡¯s impossible between us, you won¡¯t go, I won¡¯t go, we just can¡¯t be.¡± Lu Li regretfully waved his hand. ¡°Get lost, haven¡¯t seen you for a few months, you¡¯ve be a pervert!!!¡± ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha!¡± Unknowingly, the topic of Lu Li hiding his medical skills was glossed over. ¡°Bro, tell me the truth, are you really confident about curing Old Master Cao¡¯s legs? You know the capability of the Cao family, if it¡¯s not cured¡­¡± Li Zichuan was still a bit worried. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, since I said it, of course, I¡¯m confident, my life is more precious than yours.¡± Lu Li confidently said. Li Zichuan heaved a long sigh: ¡°Then it¡¯s fine, as long as you¡¯re alright, everything¡¯s good.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to buy two cups of milk tea.¡± Li Zichuan stood up and waved his hand. ¡°Get lost, you can¡¯t take advantage of me for a day, can you?¡± Lu Li red. ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha, still double sugar, right, I get it, I get it.¡± Li Zichuan ignored. ¡°Just normal sugar.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°Right, no double sugar now, it¡¯s not needed anymore.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chapter 43 - No Need for Face-saving Projects Chapter 43 - No Need for Face-saving Projects

Chapter 43: No Need for Face-saving Projects

When a person feels bitter, they tend to eat more sugar, as if that could somehow improve their mood, but in reality, it doesn¡¯t help much. The bitterness remains just as bitter. Lu Li knew this all too well. His previous life was shrouded in darkness, with the few glimpses of light unable to dispel the gloom. The betrayal by his sister Lu Ya and that woman, Zhang Ziqin, numbed Lu Li. He once tried everything, using kinship and love to salvage his fate, but in the end, they were easily swayed by Ye Chen, the so-called protagonist. Decades of effort were rendered meaningless, a tragic, hateful, and pitiful existence that was Lu Li. However, when a person feels happy, eating too much sugar can seem sickeningly sweet. Free from that dog system, Lu Li¡¯s life is now beautiful and no longer bitter. Lu Ya is gone, executed in conspiracy with the parents who trusted her and their ¡®useless¡¯ son. The pitiful plea before her death was truly satisfying! With Chen Xiaoyi, the female lead, under hismand, there are bound to be some different mini-dramas. Lu Li won¡¯t hide his thoughts; he does harbor such ideas towards Chen Xiaoyi. His best friend is also by his side. What else is there for Lu Li to suffer from? Oh, right, Zhang Ziqin is still alive, which is quite ufortable. But no matter, it¡¯s just a matter of time. Don¡¯t let someone like Zhang Ziqin disturb your peace of mind! With a cup of milk tea each, what Lu family¡¯s son, what Li family¡¯s son, just best friends wandering aimlessly together. ¡°Tomorrow, I won¡¯t see you off. I¡¯lle to Modu to find you.¡± ¡°Sure, I ain¡¯t as stingy as you. I¡¯ll take good care of you.¡± Li Zichuan gave a thumbs up. He walked into the hotel, waving at Lu Li. Lu Li chuckled and returned to the Lu family manor. To his surprise, his parents, whom he hadn¡¯t seen in a few days, were waiting for him in the living room. ¡°Oh You just got back?, sit down. I sent that girl, Chen Xiaoyi, back to her room first. Let¡¯s talk,¡± Lu Guofu tried to appear as normal as possible. ¡°Is that necessary?¡± Lu Li raised an eyebrow. ¡°Son¡­¡± His mother looked at him worriedly, her eyesnding on Lu Li¡¯s legs: ¡°Your injury¡­¡± ¡°I can handle my own matters.¡± Lu Li interrupted them: ¡°Just speak directly. Since the estrangement has already formed, we don¡¯t need to pretend to be a harmonious family. There¡¯s no audience here.¡± Regarding these parents who, in the story and his previous life, chose an adopted daughter over their own son, Lu Li had nothing to say. This time, he forced them to make a choice with his life. Honestly, Lu Li wasn¡¯t sure they would choose to kill Lu Ya. If not, Lu Li¡¯s bullet would definitely head towards his own head. He truly didn¡¯t care. It was just about dying together with the dog system. After death, naturally, Lu Ya and these two would have their estrangement, a form of revenge. Regardless of the oue, he benefited. ¡°There¡¯s no estrangement,¡± Lu Guofu suddenly lifted his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you misunderstood, but to us, Lu Ya was just an adopted daughter, you are our biological son. Although I don¡¯t know why you hold such animosity towards Lu Ya, our choice should have satisfied you.¡± ¡°Yes, I shot my legs twice and pointed the gun at my head before you made that choice.¡± Lu Li smiled gently. What would the original have felt if he hadn¡¯t transmigrated? Lu Li felt it; he once considered these two as his biological parents, after all, it was over twenty years of affection. He even considered Lu Ya as his sister and was willing to love Zhang Ziqin, that woman. But the oue, even knowing the plot, led him to despair. The betrayal by Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya, the indifference of these two who clearly knew of Lu Ya¡¯s humiliation, it was heartbreaking! In the end, Lu Li stopped caring because he had be numb. But what about the original? He was a native resident, how desperate must he have been! Typically, when reading novels, seeing the antagonist isted and betrayed feels satisfying, but only those who have experienced it can truly understand the despair. Lu Li had been through it. Lu Li won¡¯t treat these elders as enemies, but he also no longer has any emotional attachment. Maintaining appearances is enough; these two had been avoiding him for the past few days! ¡°We need time. Though not biological, we raised her for so many years. Before you were born, your sister was our hope,¡± Lu Guofu didn¡¯t argue, calmly exining to Lu Li. ¡°I understand your feelings.¡± Lu Li nodded silently: ¡°So, we don¡¯t need to torment each other anymore.¡± ¡°¡­There¡¯s no torment. After calming down, your mother and I can see clearly. You are our child.¡± Lu Guofu was momentarily speechless, then added somberly after a pause. ¡°Is that so, then that¡¯s good!¡± Lu Li nodded, neither affirming nor denying. Anyway, Lu Ya was dead, his goal achieved. ¡°¡­¡± His mother anxiously grabbed her husband¡¯s arm. Her son¡¯s indifferent demeanor made her uneasy. She would rather have her son loudly protest their injustice. Indifference signifies letting go, and what Lu Li let go of was their familial rtionship. ¡°¡­¡± Lu Guofu sighed deeply, saying: ¡°I heard about your conflict with Zhao Corporation. You handled it well. Your vision is good too. Chen Xiaoyi is a capable girl and likes you a lot. Your mother and I are quite satisfied.¡± ¡°So, I think thepany can bepletely handed over to you. You will be the highest leader of thepany. Your mother and I will no longer hold positions there.¡± Lu Li was slightly taken aback; he could see their intentions. ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± He smiled lightly. ¡°Tomorrow, bring that girl Chen Xiaoyi for dinner. Let¡¯s all eat together!¡± Lu Guofu also smiled. The desperation Lu Li showed before, as if ready to sacrifice everything, including his own life, truly scared them. They hadn¡¯t realized it before, but upon reflection, Lu Ya indeed went too far. She was just an adopted daughter. He believed he treated the two children impartially, but in reality, his attention to Lu Ya indeed exceeded that to Lu Li. Lu Ya¡¯s excessive behavior was nurtured by them. An adopted daughter humiliating her biological brother, the thought itself was ridiculous. ¡°We don¡¯t need that. Since we¡¯ve talked everything through, that¡¯s enough.¡± Lu Li waved his hand, declining Lu Guofu¡¯s offer. He disliked such hypocritical face-saving efforts. Even if things are out in the open, he couldn¡¯t be like in his previous life. So be it! Chapter 44 - Bring Your Sister and Beg Lu Li for Forgiveness Chapter 44 - Bring Your Sister and Beg Lu Li for Forgiveness

Chapter 44: Bring Your Sister and Beg Lu Li for Forgiveness

Lu Corporation¡¯s actions were swift and fierce, with an overwhelming momentum. In just one day, the massive Zhao Corporation was already on the verge of copse. The meticulous preparations and the exposure of so much incriminating evidence all at once made people wonder if Lu Corporation had been nning to act against Zhao Corporation for a long time. Ye Chen¡¯s face was exceptionally unsightly. Although Zhao Corporation¡¯s scale was notrge and not his ideal partner, nor could it act as his entry glove into the domestic market, it was still his only supporter. Lu Li was clearly determined to go against him! A thick murderous intent shed in his eyes. Ye Chen¡¯s return to the country had beenpletely contrary to his expectations. Zhang Ziqin refused to cooperate, Tianlong Enterprise still hadn¡¯t touched the domestic market, his power couldn¡¯t be mobilized, otherwise, how could a second-generation rich kid like Lu Li, who only relied on his family background, catch his eye. Liu Menghan and Cao Yingying, these two women, for some insane reason, actually chose to stand by Lu Li¡¯s side. Everything seemed to be opposing him. Zhao Shaotian and his son werepletely at their wits¡¯ end, facingplete defeat in the stock market, continuous troubles from the public, and even official intervention in this matter. ¡°What exactly does Lu Li want before he is willing to let go? We¡¯ve already let him make so much money, isn¡¯t that enough?¡± Zhao Shaotian lost the dashing appearance he had at the Cao family banquet just yesterday, his messy hair showing his irritability. ¡°Hehe, you still don¡¯t understand, do you? Lu Li doesn¡¯t want money; he wants Zhao Corporationpletely ruined.¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s father said somberly. Even at over fifty, having experienced life¡¯s ups and downs, the imminent ruin of his life¡¯s work still left him in a sorry state. ¡°Why, just because I wanted him to buy a worthless piece ofnd, or because I mocked him at a banquet?¡± Zhao Shaotian yelled uncontrobly. ¡°Isn¡¯t that enough?¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s father retorted. ¡°¡­¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s expression froze. ¡°You thought the little tricks you yed before were ignored because, firstly, our Zhao family has some status in Hangzhou, and secondly, they wouldn¡¯t make a big fuss over small issues. But now you¡¯ve offended the Lu family, Lu Li, who needs prestige.¡± ¡°Father, what should we do now?¡± Zhao Shaotian trembled, scared. He couldn¡¯t bear the consequences of Zhao Corporation¡¯s bankruptcy. ¡°Bring your sister to the Lu family. Beg Lu Li for forgiveness, and then¡­ leave it to fate.¡± ¡°Father, are you suggesting¡­¡± Zhao Shaotian was shocked. ¡°Just do it!¡± ¡°¡­Yes!¡± *** ¡°What, you all want to apologize to Lu Li together? No, I disagree.¡± Ye Chen¡¯s eyes were filled with rage. If it was just an apology, Zhao Shaotian going alone would suffice. Insisting on bringing Zhao Lu clearly meant offering her to Lu Li as a plea for forgiveness! Ye Chen had his eye on the sexy and fiery Zhao Lu, and now the woman he fancied was supposed to humble herself before Lu Li, even possibly offering herself in plea, how could Ye Chen not be furious. ¡°Hehe, since when did my affairs be your concern?¡± Zhao Lu said mockingly, looking at Ye Chen with disdain. She felt deste for herself. The sins made by her brother, Zhao Shaotian, ultimately required her to pay the price in hopes of a sliver of survival. ¡°A freeloader, someone who only brings shame in front of everyone, when did you get to decide myings and goings?¡± Zhao Lu¡¯s heart suddenly surged with anger and hatred as she red at the two men before her. Ye Chen¡¯s face darkened. Faced with Zhao Lu¡¯s humiliation, he couldn¡¯te up with any retort. His Tianlong organization was still abroad and couldn¡¯t even establish a foothold domestically. Even if he wanted to help, he didn¡¯t know how to start. Right now, he was all alone. ¡°Heh!¡± With a look of disdain at the two men, Zhao Lu coldly said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, I still need to go seduce General Manager Lu Li. If it¡¯s toote, your Zhao Corporation will be gone.¡± Her words left Zhao Shaotian with no ce to hide, unable to meet his sister¡¯s icy gaze. Her words were like a knife stabbing into Zhao Shaotian¡¯s heart. Ye Chen clenched his teeth, murderous intent filling his body, wishing he could confront Lu Li right now. But thest bit of rationality told him that doing so wouldn¡¯t benefit him in any way. Was he really going to watch Zhao Lu, this fiery woman, throw herself into Lu Li¡¯s arms? Ye Chen¡¯s eyes were filled with rage. ¡°No, this absolutely cannot happen. It¡¯s still not toote. Lu Li absolutely cannoty a finger on Zhao Lu.¡± The woman he coveted, how could he allow another man to touch her? Just the thought of Zhao Lu blushing in Lu Li¡¯s arms, Ye Chen couldn¡¯t ept it. He took out his phone and dialed an international number. ¡°Hello, who is it? Sote at night, don¡¯t you know sleep is a woman¡¯s greatest enemy? Speak quickly if you have something to say.¡± A drowsy voiceced with a hint of allure answered. ¡°It¡¯s me, Ameng!¡± Ye Chen¡¯s heart warmed, somewhat embarrassedly said. ¡°Oh, what¡¯s up? Speak quickly, I¡¯m going back to sleep! It¡¯ste at night here, ever heard of jetg?¡± The alluring voice carried a hint of leisure. ¡°Can youe back to the country for a bit? I need your help with something.¡± He said apologetically. ¡°Oh, does someone need me to kill them? How much is the pay?¡± The voice on the other end perked up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, when have I ever shortchanged you.¡± Ye Chen¡¯s face broke into a smile; after so many years, this girl was still as money-obsessed as ever. ¡°Got it, got it, prepare my pay, I¡¯ming back right away.¡± ¡°Great, when you¡¯re back,e to this address to find me.¡± Ye Chen said, giving the address to Ameng on the other end. Chapter 45 - Youmeng and Her Big Brother Chapter 45 - Youmeng and Her Big Brother

Chapter 45: Youmeng and Her Big Brother

She was born in a poor mountainous area, the name of the vige has been forgotten, even her own name has been forgotten, or perhaps was never remembered. All she remembers is that she was the second daughter in the family, with a brother one year older than her. One day, her mother suddenly took her to a big city. The tall buildings, so different from the vige, dazzled her young eyes, and she didn¡¯t notice theplex look in her mother¡¯s eyes. When she looked back, her mother was nowhere to be seen. Being young, she couldn¡¯tprehend that she had been abandoned. Unable to find her mother, she stood on the bustling streets crying. The novel high-rise buildings and the endless stream of cars felt like beasts ready to devour her innocence. ¡°What¡¯s this, sitting in the middle of the road? Do you want to die? Where are your parents!¡± A furious voice rang out, making her cry even louder. ¡°Alright, Uncle Zhang, why get angry with a child?¡± A gentle voice intervened, stopping the man¡¯s scolding. The boy squatted beside her: ¡°Little sister, where are your parents? Why are you here alone?¡± As if there was magic in his voice, the young her instinctively felt a sense of dependence, clutching tightly at the big brother¡¯s coat: ¡°Mommy, mommy, can¡¯t find her, wah¡­¡± ¡°Oh, got lost, huh? Alright, Uncle Zhang, let¡¯s take her to the police station.¡± She vaguely remembered smearing her snot and tears all over the big brother¡¯s clothes, feeling somewhat embarrassed now at the memory of their first meeting. The big brother took her to a very clean ce, which Youmengter learned was called thew enforcement bureau. ¡°So, this was a premeditated abandonment?¡± It seemed the big brother was somewhat angry, but at that time, she didn¡¯t have the capacity to understand his words. ¡°Yes, it happens every year, and most of the abandoned are girls,¡± said a handsome uncle, also looking quite angry. ¡°How do you usually deal with such cases?¡± The big brother asked seriously. ¡°We can only register them first and then send them to an orphanage. If it¡¯s really a case of getting lost, it¡¯s fine, parents will usuallye looking. But if not¡­sigh.¡± ¡°I see.¡± The big brother seemed a bit dejected. At that time, knowing nothing, she tugged at the big brother¡¯s sleeve: ¡°Brother, don¡¯t be angry, being angry is not pretty.¡± Unaware that the big brother was saddened for her. ¡°You guys make the registration. I¡¯ll take this little girl to the orphanage.¡± ¡°But this child doesn¡¯t even know her own name, even if we wanted to register, we couldn¡¯t,¡± the uncle was troubled. ¡°At most, we can only register the address where she was found.¡± ¡°That will have to do, what else can we do!¡± The big brother shook his head helplessly. Then, the big brother once again took her to ride the big ck monster, talking to her along the way, saying things she should listen to in the future. At that time, she didn¡¯t understand, but seeing the big brother so earnest, she couldn¡¯t help but remember his words. The big brother brought her to a yard and after talking with an elderly grandma, knelt down to her. ¡°Alright, you¡¯ll live here from now on. Remember what I said, listen to the grandma here, okay?¡± At that time, she didn¡¯t understand anything, only knowing that this big brother, who made her feel safe, was leaving her here, she cried non-stop. But no matter how much she cried, the big brother still left. In the days that followed, she was very obedient, just as the big brother had said, listening to the headmistress. She also learned that everyone here had the same name. Called orphans. Children that mom and dad don¡¯t want. When she learned the meaning of this word, for the first time, she was disobedient and cried. She wasn¡¯t a child that mom and dad didn¡¯t want, she had mom and dad. She cried for a long time, her voice went hoarse. But it couldn¡¯t change the fact that she was an abandoned orphan. Crying and crying, she stopped thinking about it. Not knowing how long she stayed in the orphanage, the big brother came again, she was very excited, bouncing around the big brother, who gently stroked her head, asking if she had been obedient. ¡°I¡¯ve been very obedient!¡± She proudly boasted to the big brother. ¡°Good, keep it up.¡± The big brother said. ¡°If I keep listening to grandma, will big brothere to see me often?¡± She asked loudly. ¡°Of course, so be a good child!¡± The big brother tapped her nose, smiling beautifully. After a few months, when the big brother came again, she had a name, called Xiaomeng, given by the headmistress. She said she hoped her life would have dreams, a peaceful journey, although she didn¡¯t understand what it meant, the headmistress looked very happy when she said it, so it must be a good name. She said, when she grows up, she would find a surname for herself. She was very happy. Happily shared the news with the big brother. ¡°That¡¯s good, Xiaomeng, Xiaomeng, sounds nice.¡± The big brother smiled beautifully, it must be a very good name. ¡°Big brother, what¡¯s your name? Grandma said, people who are kind to Xiaomeng, I have to remember their names, she said when I grow up, I have to repay them. What does repay mean, big brother?¡± Xiaomeng asked innocently, biting her thumb. ¡°Big brother doesn¡¯t need Xiaomeng¡¯s repayment, so Xiaomeng doesn¡¯t need to know big brother¡¯s name.¡± That¡¯s what the big brother said. In the end, she never knew the big brother¡¯s name. Years passed, Xiaomeng looked forward to the days when the big brother came the most. The big brother seemed busy, onlying every few months, but that was also the happiest day for Xiaomeng. To have several happiest days a year! She was satisfied. Unconsciously, she grew up, but she never stopped missing the big brother. However, she never knew the big brother¡¯s name. Grandma said, the big brother was doing good deeds anonymously. But Xiaomeng wanted to know the big brother¡¯s name, no matter how much she asked, the big brother just wouldn¡¯t tell her. Sometimes, the big brother would ask her what her dreams were, and she would proudly say, she wanted to be a scientist when she grew up. But when she asked the big brother what his dreams were, he would just say he hoped to live a worry-free life in the future. Xiaomeng didn¡¯t understand, but she thought the big brother was very amazing. Later, the big brother¡¯s visits became less frequent. Was there a problem? Xiaomeng was very nervous. She really missed, really wanted to see the big brother! Day by day, waiting but never seeing the big brother again, it had been half a year since the big brother¡¯sst visit, and the little girl¡¯s heart was filled with anxiety. ¡°Big brother must have encountered something and can¡¯te. Since big brother can¡¯te, then I¡¯ll go find him!¡± With her belongings, including a toy bear given by the big brother, Xiaomeng sneakily slipped out of the orphanage. Of course, she didn¡¯t find him. In such a big city, it¡¯s hard to find a person, especially when she didn¡¯t even know his name. Clutching the bear, Xiaomeng passed out from hunger on the roadside. When she woke up, she was already on a ship heading overseas. The person who brought her over was called Ye Chen. Just like that, she became a member of Tianlong. She gave herself a name, Youmeng, because the big brother said Xiaomeng sounded nice, and grandma said, ¡°Having dreams¡± leads to a peaceful life. Chapter 46 - Youmeng: I Remember Now Chapter 46 - Youmeng: I Remember Now

Chapter 46: Youmeng: I Remember Now

And then¡­ On the ne, Youmeng suddenly woke up, tears streaming down her face, her body trembling uncontrobly, clutching her heart, her lips so dry she couldn¡¯t make a sound. But from her mouth shape, one could tell Youmeng was continuously saying something. ¡°Big brother¡­ I remember now, I remember everything.¡± Suddenly, Youmeng stopped trembling and sat up straight. The city she was abandoned in was called Modu. The orphanage she lived in was called Sunshine Orphanage. That big brother in her memories was named¡­ Lu Li. Lu Li from the Lu family of Hangzhou. *** Youmeng¡¯s Past In thest life¡­ Modu, Sunshine Orphanage. ¡°Are you¡­ Xiaomeng?¡± The hunchbacked headmistress, face full of surprise, looked at Youmeng before her. ¡°Yes, Headmistress, it¡¯s me.¡± Youmeng was also full of surprise, feeling like a traveler returning home, looking at the children in the yard as if she saw her younger self. ¡°You child, just ran off without a word, do you know how worried grandma was?¡± The headmistress held Youmeng¡¯s hand, her aged face beaming with excitement. Youmeng felt her nose tingle. ¡°Do you know how close you were to scaring me to death? A perfectly fine little girl suddenly vanished.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Grandma, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Ah, don¡¯t apologize to me. That big brother of yours, he went mad looking for you. You girl, never made it easy for your benefactor.¡± The headmistress sighed deeply. ¡°Where is big brother?¡± Youmeng¡¯s eyes lit up. Finding big brother was her most important goal this trip back to the country. No matter who he was, she wanted to marry him, to be his bride. It was her wish from childhood. ¡°Ah, after you left, that young master came a few times but gradually stopped. You were gone, what¡¯s the point in himing!¡± Holding Youmeng¡¯s hand, the kind headmistress sighed deeply. ¡°Is that so!¡± Youmeng was somewhat disappointed, hoping to learn about big brother¡¯s whereabouts. Over the years, she never stopped looking, but how could she find a big brother whose name she didn¡¯t know. ¡°Grandma, I¡¯m making money now, I want to donate to the orphanage.¡± Putting aside her emotions for the moment, Youmeng spoke to the headmistress. ¡°No need, no need. Now that you¡¯re making money, you should live well, take care of yourself. When you get married, there will be plenty of ces to spend money!¡± The headmistress smiled kindly. ¡°How could I do that? Grandma, you raised me, it¡¯s time for me to give back.¡± Youmeng said firmly, pulling out a bank card and trying to give it to the headmistress. But the headmistress was adamant. ¡°Alright, girl, no need. Since you came, Sunshine Orphanage hasn¡¯t been short of money. Your big brother, every time he would bring a lot of money. After you left, although the young master stoppeding, he still donates to the orphanage every year. We are not short of money.¡± Pushing the bank card back into Youmeng¡¯s hand. Youmeng was stunned for a moment, her heart warmed by the thought that big brother had been supporting the orphanage all along. ¡°Then, Grandma, do you know big brother¡¯s name?¡± She asked eagerly, wanting to find him. ¡°Nope, the young master always refused to say.¡± The headmistress shook her head. Youmeng bit her lip, disappointed. Without even a name, how was she supposed to find him? In the days that followed, Youmeng was distracted, ignoring even the high-paying assignments from Ye Chen, constantly searching for big brother¡¯s trace among Modu¡¯s wealthy families. But she never found him, making her wonder if big brother was avoiding her. Yet, she didn¡¯t give up, continuing her search. Until one day, she returned to the Sunshine Orphanage again. ¡°Xiaomeng, are you still looking for that young master?¡± The headmistress asked with a smile that bloomed across her face. Youmeng nodded: ¡°Yes, I will keep looking.¡± ¡°Hehe, if you hade back a day earlier, maybe you could have seen him.¡± The headmistress¡¯s words brought joy to Youmeng¡¯s heart. ¡°Grandma, you mean¡­ where is he, what¡¯s his name!¡± She asked excitedly, almost beside herself. ¡°Yes, the young master came back yesterday, even gave me a card, said he might not have the chance toe back in the future. A part of it is for use in the orphanage, and he said if youe back, to give the rest to you, for you to live well.¡± Youmeng¡¯s joy was uncontroble, eagerly holding the headmistress¡¯s hand. ¡°He said that was yesterday, of course, he¡¯s already left!¡± Youmeng¡¯s heart tightened: ¡°Then did big brother say his name?¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Youmeng felt a chill in her heart, was she going to miss him again? ¡°But, grandma, I, using the phone you bought, secretly took a photo of your big brother!¡± The headmistress said with a mischievous smile, pulling out the phone Youmeng had bought for her. Although she didn¡¯t know how to use it well, even finding contacts was a struggle, she had learned to take photos. Youmeng¡¯s sadness turned to joy, snatching the phone from the headmistress. With the photo, she could find big brother, finally know who he was. This answer that had troubled her for many years was about to be revealed, even Youmeng couldn¡¯t help but have her heart race. But when she saw the man in the phone, sitting on the grass where they used to enjoy most, staring at the sky, Youmeng froze. She had seen this man before, in the mission information Ye Chen sent her. This man was on Tianlong¡¯s hit list, initially tasked for her to kill, but she had been busy searching for big brother and ignored it. He is¡­ big brother? Ignoring the headmistress¡¯s calls, Youmeng frantically headed to Hangzhou, praying in her heart, faster, faster, and she could save big brother. But in the end, all she could see was a pool of blood in that dark warehouse, the only trace big brother left behind. He was dead! His body was taken away by the young miss of the Cao family. Youmeng felt the world darken, her vision cked out, and she faintedpletely. Chapter 47 - Transformed into the Shape Lu Li Likes Chapter 47 - Transformed into the Shape Lu Li Likes

Chapter 47: Transformed into the Shape Lu Li Likes

Big brother, gone, killed, it was Ye Chen who acted, boundless murderous intent emerged around her, That boy who was most precious in her heart, the boy who appeared in her dreams countless times, she finally found him, but he was no more. Pain sliced through Youmeng like a knife. Why didn¡¯t she know this news earlier? Why didn¡¯t she go to the Sunshine Orphanage yesterday? If she had known yesterday, would everything be different? What pained Youmeng the most was that she was actually an employee under Ye Chen, the murderer. She knew Ye Chen wanted to target her big brother but did nothing to stop it. Despairing cries echoed in the warehouse, the reverberating echoes sending shivers down the spine. ¡°It¡¯s all Ye Chen, he killed my big brother, he made me lose my big brother forever, I want him dead!¡± Sharp nails scratched deep red marks on her enchanting face, blood trickling down her fingers, the thick murderous intent in her eyes almost overflowing. How could Youmeng ept this cruel reality? Big brother was the light of her life, the sun that warmed her when she was lost and helpless in the middle of the road, the person she missed day by day in the orphanage, after being abandoned by her parents, big brother was the brightest light in her life, illuminating her path. He was the light she would chase for her entire life, Her longing for him during those nights abroad never ceased, always dreaming of one day returning to big brother¡¯s side, marrying him. But now¡­ She found her big brother, but she could never touch him again. She plunged the sharpest knife into Ye Chen¡¯s leg, hand, stomach, one stab after another, as if venting the crying pain in her heart through this method, the final stab, however, was snatched away by that Miss Cao from the Cao family. Afterward, Youmeng collected a lot of information about Lu Li, only then did she realize that her big brother had always had a hard life, especially after that damned bastard Ye Chen appeared, making big brother¡¯s life aplete mess. Time and again, looking at those files that seemed like records of big brother¡¯s sufferings, Youmeng empathized deeply, realizing what big brother had gone through. Even though he himself was suffering, he was still so gentle, giving his savings to the headmistress, not forgetting her, letting the headmistress give half of the money to her. Standing in front of her big brother¡¯s tombstone, erected by Miss Cao from the Cao family, who didn¡¯t allow those Lu family members unworthy of being big brother¡¯s rtives to interfere in big brother¡¯s affairs. Holding the now empty bank card in her hands like a treasure, pressed against her heart, this was thest gift big brother gave to her, Youmeng aimed the gun at her temple. The revenge was avenged, let herself atone for her big brother properly! *** A line of clear tears fell, a thick murderous intent shed across Youmeng¡¯s enchanting and beautiful face. ¡°This time, I won¡¯t miss it again, if anyone wants to harm you, I¡¯ll kill them!¡± She could never ept the despair of not being able to see Lu Li for thest time. That damned Ye Chen, who killed the person she loved most, didn¡¯t even allow her to see big brother for thest time. She swore, in this life, she wouldn¡¯t let Ye Chen harm Lu Li again. *** Zhao Lu and Zhao Shaotian silently made their way to the Lu family manor. Along the way, Zhao Shaotian couldn¡¯t face his sister¡¯s eyes, feeling like an ancient eunuch bearing the shame of delivering concubines to the emperor¡¯s side. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that disgusting look, does it make you feel better, to make me understand you a bit?¡± Zhao Lu frowned disdainfully at her brother. He caused the trouble, he recklessly offended Lu Li, and in the end, she had to sacrifice herself to atone for his sins, in the most humiliating way, begging Lu Li for forgiveness. ¡°Xiao Lu, I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Zhao Shaotian tried to exin but stopped, looking unwell. Now there was still a chance, he could take his sister and run away, but the cost would be Zhao Corporation being crushed by Lu Corporation, all past glories dissipating, Zhao Shaotian couldn¡¯t bear such consequences. Mocking her brother with a nce, Zhao Lu adjusted her hair and took a step forward. Zhao Shaotian followed with an ugly expression. Lu Li and Chen Xiaoyi were dining leisurely. Another sessful day for Lu Li, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry topletely finish off Zhao Corporation in just a couple of days. Zhao Corporation was, after all, a major enterprise in Hangzhou, not so simple to deal with. Of course, it wouldn¡¯t be too difficult. This slow approach of breaking down Zhao family¡¯s mental defenses, like boiling a frog in warm water, also served as a rehearsal for future revenge against Zhang Ziqin. ¡°Master, Zhao Shaotian and Zhao Lu from Zhao Corporation havee to visit.¡± ¡°Oh, a visit?¡± Lu Li raised his eyebrows and nodded to the servant, instructing them to bring them over. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face was full of joy: ¡°Is Zhao Corporation conceding?¡± ¡°Of course, and perhaps even more than just conceding.¡± Lu Li nodded, his smile carrying an enigmatic message Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t quite grasp. ¡°What should we do then?¡± Surveying Lu Li, his words would decide her next move. ¡°What do you think?¡± Lu Li smiled. ¡°Hmph, they want to act recklessly and then simply concede when unsessful. Where in the world does it work like that? Since they initiated it, I think we don¡¯t need to be polite.¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s brows furrowed, her tone cold. She would not forget Zhao Shaotian¡¯s insult to Lu Li at the Cao family¡¯s banquet. ¡°Yes!¡± Satisfied with Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s response, Lu Li saw that in these two days, the female lead hadpletely transformed into what he had hoped for! This fully realized female lead, the business queen, was exactly what Lu Li had always wanted. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Sensing Lu Li¡¯s gaze, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face flushed, feeling somewhat shy and unable to look directly at him. ¡°Because you¡¯re beautiful. I feel like I, on a whim, found a great treasure!¡± This female lead was very satisfying indeed! No odd sense of sympathy. ¡°Uh¡­ what great treasure, I¡¯m still young, how could I be a great treasure! Ah, Chen Xiaoyi, what are you thinking, I¡¯m so embarrassed.¡± Lowering her head, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face seemed about to steam, her delicate features flushing red. Chapter 48 - Is It Humiliation? Any Problem with That? Chapter 48 - Is It Humiliation? Any Problem with That?

Chapter 48: Is It Humiliation? Any Problem with That?

Zhao Shaotian and Zhao Lu walked in, led to the dining room of the Lu family estate, only to see the man smiling exceptionally gently, and Chen Xiaoyi sitting opposite him, who had almost dominated the recent fate of Zhao Corporation. This incident has indeed made Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s name well-known! Everyone knows that a business genius is by Lu Li¡¯s side. And this business genius has an unclear rtionship with Lu Li. ¡°Speak, you have two minutes.¡± It didn¡¯t really matter whether they spoke or not; Lu Li had no intention of letting Zhao Corporation off. The humiliation of thest lifey like poison at the bottom of his heart, and all those who humiliated him had to be dealt with to ease the pain. Zhao Shaotian was slightly taken aback by Lu Li¡¯s words, unsure of how to present his well-prepared speech. Taking a deep breath, he humbly bowed: ¡°Master Lu Li, please spare Zhao Corporation and the Zhao family. I apologize for my foolishness and disrespect towards you. I beg you, please spare the Zhao family.¡± At this point, Zhao Shaotian had nothing else to say. All the humiliation was suppressed in his heart, now the most important thing was to save Zhao Corporation. Even his father could only bring Zhao Lu along, what else could he do! ¡°Done?¡± Lu Li leisurely swallowed his food. ¡°If you¡¯re done, leave. Don¡¯t spoil my appetite.¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s face turned ugly. It was clear Lu Li didn¡¯t intend to let the Zhao family off, determined to torment Zhao Corporation to death! ¡°Master Lu Li, could we move to a private ce? My father has a few more words for you.¡± Zhao Shaotian hurriedly said, ncing cautiously at Chen Xiaoyi. He couldn¡¯t care less now, Zhao Lu was today¡¯s biggest gift, meant to express Zhao Corporation¡¯s apologies. ¡°Say whatever you have to say, Xiaoyi is my person.¡± Lu Li said leisurely. Hearing this made Chen Xiaoyi, who was slightly upset by Zhao Shaotian¡¯s words, instantly beam with joy. ¡°Lu Li says I¡¯m his person, is he confessing to me? Uh¡­ feeling shy!¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s face turned awkward, saying it in front of Chen Xiaoyi meantpletely losing face for the Zhao family! But at this moment, what other choice did he have. ¡°Master Lu Li, all faults are on the Zhao family. We are willing to pay any price to appease you. Zhao Lu, greet Master Lu Li properly.¡± He red fiercely at Zhao Lu at the end. Zhao Lu¡¯s face turned extremely ugly. Seeing her brother signaling her, she took a deep breath, calming her emotions. This time, she had no choice. The feeling of being sent off like goods was truly disgusting. ¡°Master Lu Li! Hello!¡± Lu Li ignored Zhao Lu¡¯s gesture, turning to Chen Xiaoyi: ¡°See, sometimes there are many underhanded tactics in this circle. This tactic is called ¡®selling women for glory.''¡± Chen Xiaoyi was no fool; with things having reached this stage, how could she not know what the Zhao family was up to? Seeing Zhao Lu, who had a first-ss figure and temperament, she couldn¡¯t help feeling tense. ¡°Shameless, it¡¯s just too shameless. Offending Lu Li, they actually want to use such a despicable method to make amends? Disgusting!!¡± She wanted to bite someone in anger. But hearing Lu Li¡¯s words, Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help butugh out loud. Zhao Shaotian and Zhao Lu¡¯s faces turned even uglier, seemingly not expecting Lu Li to openly bring up such a matter, stepping the Zhao family¡¯s face into the mudpletely! ¡°Lu Li, are you humiliating me?¡± Zhao Lu paused for several seconds, stepping forward angrily and ring at Lu Li. ¡°Look! This state is called ¡®not recognizing the situation.''¡± Teacher Lu Li seriously lectured his good student Chen Xiaoyi, who, being a top student, listened especially attentively. Zhao Lu¡¯s beautiful face twisted, her eyes filled with anger, ring fiercely at the man before her. Being sent off like goods, offered to a man known in Hangzhou as a ¡®debauchee,¡¯ was such a disgusting act. Even if the truth proved this man was not a debauchee, she couldn¡¯t ept it. For the sake of the family, she had gritted her teeth and endured, constantly telling herself it was like being gnawed by a dog. What she didn¡¯t expect was that she wasn¡¯t even liked by this Lu Li, who even publicly humiliated her. Her resentment soared. ¡°Lu Li, are you humiliating me?¡± Zhao Lu asked hatefully. ¡°Yes! Any problem with that?¡± Lu Li¡¯s handsome face revealed a shallow smile, mocking the female protagonist before him. Not hiding his contempt for this woman at all. How did this woman humiliate him in thest life? Ah! It was by standing behind the protagonist Ye Chen, looking at himself with a mocking face, spouting words that were irritating to hear. With Zhao Shaotian¡¯s standby support. Feeling his slightly quickened heartbeat, was this the thrill of revenge? A tit for tat, indeed a satisfying feeling! ¡°Lu Li! Don¡¯t go too far.¡± Zhao Lu, already humiliated, felt that being touched by Lu Li was a defilement to herself. Now, being humiliated, her temper red uncontrobly. ¡°Tsks, tsks, tsks!¡± Such a foolish thing could actually be the female protagonist, purely relying on the so-called protagonist¡¯s friend¡¯s sister status and that face, right? ¡°Time¡¯s up, security, please escort these two members of the Zhao family out.¡± Lu Li no longer felt like bantering. ¡°No, Master Lu Li, please listen to me, my sister, she¡¯s just¡­ she¡¯s just¡­¡± Zhao Shaotian was panic-stricken, trying to say something, but the security personnel didn¡¯t give him a chance, forcefully leading the two out. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Lu Li asked Chen Xiaoyi. Chen Xiaoyi looked puzzled, also looking towards Lu Li: ¡°That woman, is she an idiot?¡± Not recognizing the situation at all? Under such circumstances, she still had the courage to yell at Lu Li, the man who could decide the fate of Zhao Corporation. Is she crazy? ¡°Just a spoiled woman. With that temperament, she could y a major female lead role in a TV drama!¡± Lu Li joked. Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help butugh, seeminglymenting on those melodramatic TV shows. Chapter 49 - The Undercover Female Lead Chapter 49 - The Undercover Female Lead

Chapter 49: The Undercover Female Lead

Chen Xiaoyi was amused by Lu Li again, looking at him somewhat sentimentally: ¡°Miss Zhao Lu is also a great beauty, and yet you¡¯re not interested.¡± ¡°Do you want me to be interested? I can call them back right now,¡± Lu Li joked. Watching one¡¯s enemies, those who humiliated oneself in thest life, being humiliated in front of oneself, is truly a delightful thing! ¡°Uh¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi wanted to scream ¡®what does that have to do with me,¡¯ but for some reason, she didn¡¯t say it out loud, her gaze towards Lu Li carrying a hint of tenderness. ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha!¡± Lu Liughed heartily: ¡°After a good meal, my little employee should hurry over and massage my back, help me digest.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ is that what a little employee is for?¡± Chen Xiaoyi nced at Lu Li leisurely, the humble little employee, Xiaochen, thinking nderously. Yet, when Lu Li called, she verypliantly followed, gently pressing on Lu Li¡¯s shoulders. *** ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Ye Chen, waiting for Youmeng¡¯s arrival, saw Zhao Shaotian and Zhao Lu returning with dark expressions, feeling puzzled. ¡°Lu Li refused us,¡± Zhao Shaotian said, his face especially grim. ¡°Hmph!¡± Zhao Lu coldly snorted in annoyance. ¡°Thedy with the face of a flower, actually despised by that waste, Master Lu of the Lu family. What a Lu Li, daring to look down on me.¡± Her heart was full of anger. Ye Chen¡¯s face lit up with joy. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect Lu Li to be quite sensible.¡± ¡°What¡¯s so funny? Are you happy that our Zhao family is about to be ruined?¡± Zhao Lu red at Ye Chen petntly. Being messed around by Lu Li had already made her unhappy, and now she directed all her displeasure at Ye Chen, looking at him with disgust. ¡°Miss Zhao, rest assured, the Zhang family won¡¯t be ruined,¡± Ye Chen said with a smirk at the corner of his mouth. ¡°What are you, don¡¯t bloody talk nonsense here,¡± she coldly snorted disdainfully. ¡°Enough, Zhao Lu, haven¡¯t you made enough trouble?¡± Zhao Shaotian suddenly exploded in anger, ring furiously at Zhao Lu: ¡°Are you satisfied now? You¡¯ve angered Lu Li, and the Zhao family is about to be ruined. Do you think you can still be the miss of the Zhao family?¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you speak properly just now, don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know what Lu Li¡¯s attitude means for the Zhao family.¡± Pointing at Zhao Lu¡¯s nose, Zhao Shaotian cursed. ¡°It¡¯s not my business in the first ce. You, Zhao Shaotian, caused the trouble, and when you couldn¡¯t solve it, you wanted to send me to someone else¡¯s bed. Zhao Shaotian, you¡¯re not a man,¡± Zhao Lu looked at her brother with scorn. ¡°You¡­¡± Zhao Shaotian was furious, raising his hand as if he wanted to p his sister. He could ept his sister¡¯s willfulness at any other time, but this time, it was about the life and death of the Zhao family. Zhao Lu¡¯s behavior before was like pouring oil on the fire. ¡°Alright, alright, it can¡¯t change anything now. Don¡¯t worry, I assure you the Zhao family will be fine,¡± Ye Chen timely stopped Zhao Shaotian, assuring him confidently. ¡°It would be best if something happened, let Zhao Shaotian bear it,¡± Zhao Lu said venomously, turning her head and walking away. ¡°¡­¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s face turned ashen, wounded by his sister¡¯s words. ¡°Alright, in the end, it¡¯s all because Lu Li is too petty. What¡¯s the big deal? He made such a fuss over it. It¡¯s only natural for Miss Zhao to react this way,¡± Ye Chen consoled. ¡°Ye brother, it¡¯s useless to say anything now. The Zhao Corporation is doomed,¡± Zhao Shaotian said with a grim face, full of despair. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the Zhao Corporation will be fine!¡± Ye Chen assured him confidently. *** Youmeng soon arrived in Hangzhou, reaching the location designated by Ye Chen. ¡°Ameng, you arrived so quickly.¡± ¡°Speak, what kind of task is it?¡± Youmeng¡¯s gaze, unseen by Ye Chen, shed with thick murderous intent, fleeting. Youmeng understood Ye Chen¡¯s possessiveness towards those around him. Ye Chen appeared to be a gentleman but was filled with malice inside. Regarding herself, this guy always treated her as his forbidden fruit! This attitude disgusted Youmeng, her everything already belonged to her big brother. She knew what Ye Chen thought, but considering she could make money from him, she chose to ignore it, after all, she wouldn¡¯t really be taken advantage of. Now knowing Ye Chen was the murderer who killed Lu Li, Youmeng¡¯s hatred for Ye Chen deepened. ¡°You girl¡­¡± Ye Chen chuckled, shaking his head. He knew Youmeng wasn¡¯t interested in him, but that didn¡¯t stop him from treating Youmeng as his woman. In his view, Youmeng bing his woman was just a matter of time. ¡°I originally wanted you to kill a second-generation rich kid named Lu Li, but now the situation has changed. Just infiltrate his side and find some dirt on hispany,¡± Ye Chen said. There¡¯s no need to trouble oneself over a waste like Lu Li. Killing him is easy, but the aftermath would be troublesome. Fortunately, Lu Li knew his ce and didn¡¯t keep Zhao Lu, so let him live a little longer. Hearing Ye Chen tell her to kill Lu Li, Youmeng¡¯s gaze dropped, murderous intent almost driving her to act. Fortunately, histter words cooled her down slightly. She couldn¡¯t kill Ye Chen now, not with Tianlong¡¯s people possibly swarming in, potentially endangering her big brother. The best method was to unite with those women like in thest life and take down Ye Chen together. But that wasn¡¯t an option now. She had to go it alone. ¡°Undercover? Got it!¡± Youmeng nodded, brushing it off. Being closer to her big brother would allow her to protect him better. This time, she absolutely wouldn¡¯t let anyone harm her big brother. ¡°Be careful not to let Lu Li take advantage of you. That guy is no good,¡± Ye Chen added. Lu Li was tricky; all those women seemed bewitched by him, one after another siding with him. If it wasn¡¯t necessary, he really wouldn¡¯t want to send Youmeng to Lu Li¡¯s side. ¡°Okay, I got it.¡± If it wasn¡¯t for needing to maintain a facade with this guy, Youmeng found him revolting, barely restraining her murderous intent. The tone that treated her as his possession was particrly nauseating to Youmeng. Without further ado, Youmeng stood up and left. ¡°This girl¡­¡± Ye Chen smiled but didn¡¯t mind. In his view, Youmeng would eventually be his woman. He knew Youmeng¡¯s capabilities; probably just two days were needed to find dirt on Lu Li, and naturally, the crisis of the Zhao family would be resolved. Miss Zhao would have to regard him with new eyes. Ye Chen also coveted the voluptuous Miss Zhao. Chapter 50 - Grand Master Caos Assist Chapter 50 - Grand Master Cao''s Assist

Chapter 50: Grand Master Cao¡¯s Assist

¡°Is this where big brother grew up?¡± Looking at the vast estate in front of her, Youmeng¡¯s eyes gleamed with a hint of surprise. Finally able to see big brother again. In herst life, before she took her own life, she often returned here, as if she could still see the traces left by big brother. But no matter how she searched, she never saw that familiar person again. Her impression of big brother remained in the orphanage of her childhood and on those emotionless documents. Taking a deep breath, she slowly walked towards the gate. ¡°Miss, this is private property. If you have no business here, please keep your distance,¡± the security personnel naturally couldn¡¯t act as haughty as in those naive stories. Anyone associated with the Lu family belonged to the rich and powerful, not someone they could afford to offend. ¡°Hello, please tell big brother, I am Xiaomeng. I¡¯vee to see him.¡± With palpable excitement, Youmeng couldn¡¯t help but feel her heart racing. This search had begun in herst life, and now she had finally found him. Finally, she could see her big brother again. ¡°¡­Miss, what did you say?¡± the security asked, puzzled. ¡°Oh! It¡¯s Lu Li, big brother. Tell him, I am Xiaomeng.¡± She couldn¡¯t help butugh at herself, too excited, she had made such a basic mistake. How would others know who her big brother was! The security¡¯s gaze flickered, taking a closer look at the girl before him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss. The young master is currently at work. Could you pleasee backter?¡± Without Lu Li¡¯s confirmation, they dared not allow unrted individuals into the Lu family estate. ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait!¡± Youmeng smiled lightly, hearing Lu Li was not in, giving her a chance to calm her nervous heart. She didn¡¯t want to leave a bad impression on her big brother upon seeing him again. Since she imed she was here to see Lu Li, the security didn¡¯t say anything further, provided a chair, and left the rest to Lu Li when he got off work. *** Lu Li was no longer the general manager. Lu Guofu and his mother hadpleted the formalities, and now the entirepany was under Lu Li¡¯splete control. Chen Xiaoyi was still diligently causing storms in the stock market, the fully realized female lead proving very handy. ording to him, the Zhao Corporation had stopped trying to save their stock prices, probably having drained thepany¡¯s liquid assets by now. Today, they could almostpletely delist Zhao Corporation from the stock market. Not bad for the genius who helped Ye Chen take control of thepany in the original story, truly first-ss in execution. After this incident, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s position could be slightly elevated. ¡°Hello, I am Cao Yingying. I would like to see your general manager, Lu.¡± The sweet and generous smile made even the female receptionist have a hard time looking away. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss, do you have an appointment?¡± ¡°Yes, I have a private arrangement with Lu Li. Could you please notify him?¡± Cao Yingying smiled sweetly but with a detachment that kept people at bay. A private arrangement? The receptionist didn¡¯t dare dy, immediately contacting Lu Li¡¯s office. ¡°President, a Miss Cao Yingying ims to have an appointment with you. Shall I let her up now?¡± The receptionist knew about thepany¡¯s change of leadership; everyone had been walking on eggshells these days. President? Cao Yingying frowned slightly in confusion. Although this life was quite different from herst, ording to the information she had, Lu Li should still be the general manager. But she didn¡¯t dwell on it much. Whatever Lu Li¡¯s status, it didn¡¯t matter as long as he was Lu Li. After the call, the receptionist looked at Cao Yingying with much more respect: ¡°Miss Cao, our president said he will be down shortly. Please have a seat and wait for a moment.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Every move she made exuded effortless elegance. Soon, Lu Li came down. ¡°Miss Cao, why trouble yourself toe in person? I was about to visit you,¡± Lu Li said with a warm smile, grateful for Cao Yingying, who had apanied him in his final moments. ¡°One must visit in person when asking a favor.¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s smile became less distant and more intimate. Lu Li chuckled: ¡°Then let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± The two left thepany together. Though the Cao family¡¯s small courtyard might seem insignificant, even inferior to any Hangzhou family¡¯s estate, sometimes the value of a house is determined by the people living in it. Grand Master Cao¡¯s status was exalted; even if he lived modestly, it couldn¡¯t overshadow the stature of the house¡¯s owner. ¡°Ha ha ha ha, the young man from the Lu family hase, ah! My granddaughter has been looking forward to this, insisting on going to fetch you herself, unstoppable!¡± Grand Master Cao was as hearty as ever. Lu Li also said: ¡°Miss Cao¡¯s filial piety is indeed rare.¡± ¡°Oh! Filial piety!¡± He looked at his granddaughter with a teasing smile. Being teased by her grandfather made Cao Yingying blush. She knew she had rushed over eagerly to see Lu Li, unable to say a word the whole way, which left Cao Yingying feeling deted. She didn¡¯t know much about love, knowing she loved Lu Li but not how to pursue him. In herst life, she simply followed Lu Li around, barelymunicating. ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha, you two young people, calling each other ¡®Mister¡¯ and ¡®Miss¡¯ is too formal. From now on, young man, just call my granddaughter Yingying, and young people should be full of vitality.¡± No longer teasing his granddaughter, Grand Master Cao said. His well-cared-for little cabbage was about to run into the pig¡¯s mouth; as a grandfather, he had to give his granddaughter a push. Lu Li was slightly taken aback; something felt off. Grand Master Cao seemed overly enthusiastic. And the implication of his words seemed as if he was matchmaking him and Cao Yingying?! ¡°Right, Grandfather is correct. Lu Li, just call me Yingying from now on, and I¡¯ll call you Lu Li,¡± Cao Yingying said with a bashful blush. Yingying was a name reserved for her closest people. Cao Yingying hoped Lu Li would call her that. ¡°Then¡­ Yingying, please take good care of me in the future!¡± Lu Li smiled, changing his address directly. How could he not have thoughts about this female supporting character? What a joke. ¡°¡­¡± When the word ¡°Yingying¡± came out of Lu Li¡¯s mouth, Cao Yingying felt her heart stop for a moment, her eyes welling up with tears. Last time, she hadn¡¯t waited for him to say those words; this time, she did. ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha, alright, you two young people will have plenty of chances to interact in the future. In a while, Yingying, on behalf of me, invite this young man from the Lu family for a meal to express thanks. Now, young man, treat this old grandfather of mine!¡± With a teasing gaze at the two, Grand Master Caoughed heartily. Chapter 51 - Grand Master Caos Matchmaking Chapter 51 - Grand Master Cao''s Matchmaking

Chapter 51: Grand Master Cao¡¯s Matchmaking

¡°This sounds like¡­ something a pimp would say!¡± Lu Li couldn¡¯t help but twitch at the corner of his eye. He had little interaction with Grand Master Cao in hisst life and hadn¡¯t expected him to be like this in private. With Grand Master Cao speaking so directly, he had no good reason to decline, especially with Cao Yingying looking at him expectantly. He nodded, agreeing to it. But it still felt quite odd! The plot never showed Grand Master Cao setting up Cao Yingying and Ye Chen like this! Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t help but blush, gratefully ncing at her grandfather. She really had no idea how to pursue Lu Li. After thinking all day, she just came up with the excuse of him needing to treat her grandfather and ran to Lu Li¡¯spany. The daughter of a wealthy family, after falling under the spell of love, behaved no differently from an ordinary girl. Even if Cao Yingying was confident, elegant, and intelligent, she became uncontrobly flustered in front of the man she liked. The treatment was indeed very simple. After a brief session of acupuncture, today¡¯s treatment was over. ¡°Let¡¯s go to dinner, Lu Li!¡± Trying her best to present her best self in front of Lu Li, Cao Yingying¡¯s light makeup added a touch of gentleness to her expression. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Young people should act young. That¡¯s the spirit. You two have a good time, but of course, don¡¯t overdo it,¡± Grand Master Cao said cheerily as he settled back into his wheelchair. ¡°Grandpa¡­ what are you saying! It¡¯s embarrassing.¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s face turned even redder at his insinuating remarks. Cautiously ncing at Lu Li, she found him still wearing that calm smile, which couldn¡¯t help but dete her spirit. ¡°Does this big idiot not understand the implication of Grandpa¡¯s words? So dense, so dense!!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Lu Li didn¡¯t know how to respond to that. Being reborn, he could face anyone mercilessly, but he was at a loss in such situations! Facing Grand Master Cao, who was acting like a pimp, he was simply overwhelmed! *** ¡°Lu Li, I apologize for today. Grandpa knows there¡¯s hope for him to stand again after the treatment the past few days, and he¡¯s gotten a bit too excited,¡± Cao Yingying, her beautiful face tinged with red, couldn¡¯t help but speak to Lu Li. ¡°Although Grand Master Cao is old, he has a young heart, which is good for his treatment,¡± Lu Li also felt somewhat helpless,pletely unable to grasp Grand Master Cao¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Let¡¯s take my car. It¡¯s not right to ask ady to drive when she¡¯s treating you to dinner,¡± Lu Li changed the subject, recalling the awkward scene just now made him helpless. ¡°Alright, I have a special ce I¡¯d like us to go to today for dinner,¡± Cao Yingying smiled softly, her tender gaze full of affection as she looked at Lu Li. Lu Li¡¯s heart skipped a beat, ¡°Does this woman like me?¡± That shouldn¡¯t be! In this life, he had hardly any interactions with Cao Yingying, and even in hisst life, they barelymunicated. Shaking his head, he didn¡¯t want to think further. If Cao Yingying truly liked him, that would be a good thing for him. He genuinely had a good impression of this supporting character. When you¡¯re sessful, everyone around you is a good person, but when you¡¯re down and out, those who stay by your side are truly precious. In those numb days of his life, this woman was always there by his side. It was impossible for Lu Li not to feel touched. Cao Yingying directed Lu Li through turns, arriving at a nondescript small restaurant. This was where she first shared a meal with Lu Li in herst life. After Lu Li passed away, she came here alone many times but could never find the original taste again. Just like Lu Li would never appear before her again. Now that she was reborn, she could finally have a meal with Lu Li, just the two of them. Cao Yingying¡¯s heart was full of gratitude, her eyes brimming with tenderness as she looked at him. ¡°Do you like the food here?¡± The surroundings were tidy, showing the ce was well-kept, but the simple small restaurant seemed out of ce with Cao Yingying. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve always wanted toe here at a specific time to try the food,¡± Cao Yingying said, taking a seat in a corner with Lu Li, nodding and gazing at him. With you in this life, it¡¯s wonderful! ¡°If you don¡¯t like it here, we can go somewhere else.¡± Though she was hopeful, Cao Yingying was willing to change locations if Lu Li disliked it. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Since Yingying is treating, I¡¯ll go along with it,¡± Lu Li smiled, not particr about the food. He casually ordered a few dishes. Then, Lu Li¡¯s phone rang. It was Chen Xiaoyi calling. He apologized to Cao Yingying with a smile: ¡°Excuse me, I need to take this call.¡± Cao Yingying didn¡¯t mind. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Lu Li, aren¡¯t youing home for dinner today?¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s gentle voice came through the phone. Hearing a woman¡¯s voice on the other end, Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t help but look at Lu Li. ¡°Um, I won¡¯t being back. I¡¯m eating out with Miss Cao,¡± Lu Li said. ¡°¡­¡± There was a brief silence on the other end, then she spoke: ¡°I see. Also, a girl named Xiaomeng came looking for you. Security didn¡¯t let her in. Do you know her?¡± ¡°Xiaomeng?¡± Lu Li frowned. ¡°Ask her if she¡¯s Xiaomeng from Sunshine Orphanage?¡± There were many regrets left in hisst life, including not saying goodbye to Li Zichuan properly and not seeing that girl he had helped onest time. ¡°She said yes!¡± Chen Xiaoyi replied after a moment. A look of surprise appeared on Lu Li¡¯s face. He hadn¡¯t had much contact with that little girlst time. He didn¡¯t know if he could change his destiny this time, so to not make the little girl too sad, he never told her his name. And then the little girl went missing, impossible to find. But this time, she had found her way here. He had avoided her, not even daring to tell her his name. But now, it didn¡¯t matter. He had already dealt with one female lead and torn his face with the protagonist. What was there to fear? ¡°Let her in. She¡¯s someone I know. I¡¯ll have a good chat with her when I get back.¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Chapter 52 - Pretending to Be a Couple? Forget It Chapter 52 - Pretending to Be a Couple? Forget It

Chapter 52: Pretending to Be a Couple? Forget It

¡°Lu Li, is she your girlfriend? Coming to check on you now?¡± Cao Yingying asked tentatively, feigning curiosity. ¡°She¡¯s not my girlfriend. She is the future general manager and deputy general manager of mypany, the one who attended Grand Master¡¯s birthday banquet with mest time, whom you¡¯ve met. She had been ill before, and now she¡¯s recuperating at my ce.¡± Knowing Xiaomeng was still alive, Lu Li was genuinely happy. In his miserable life, only a few people were worth reminiscing about. Cao Yingying frowned slightly. She knew the Chen Xiaoyi who had attended the banquet with Lu List time. In her previous life, Chen Xiaoyi was unearthed by Ye Chen as a business prodigy, creating a lot ofmercial value for him. This life, for some reason, she had ended up at Lu Corporation, and was now living with Lu Li. ¡°No, if I hesitate, Lu Li will definitely be snatched away by another woman. If he really gets taken away¡­¡± Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t help but feel a strong sense of bitterness welling up inside her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Lu Li waved his hand in front of Cao Yingying¡¯s face a few times. Cao Yingying, the more he looked at her, the weirder she seemed. ¡°It¡¯s nothing!¡± Cao Yingying collected her thoughts and apologized with a smile. The meal was served, and Cao Yingying temporarily set aside her jumbled thoughts, looking at Lu Li, she started eating calmly. It was just a simple meal, but it made Cao Yingying feel a whirlwind of emotions. In her previous life, Lu Li sat numbly in front of her. Seeing here, he had no reaction, just eating by himself. Even when she stubbornly picked food from his te, he just looked up at her indifferently, saying nothing. What was Lu Li thinking back then, after experiencing so much betrayal, he must have stopped believing in anyone. Every time Cao Yingying thought of Lu Li¡¯s past experiences, it felt like a giant hand was squeezing her heart, so painful, so painful. Now he¡¯s in front of her, smiling so gently, a scene that could only exist in her dreams before. She wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to ruin it. Looking at Lu Li, her eyes shimmering with tears, this simple moment had finallye true, she fought back the urge to cry. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, are you okay?¡± Lu Li looked at Cao Yingying, who seemed off, confused. ¡°Sorry, I was just thinking about something, got a bit emotional,¡± Cao Yingying gathered her emotions. The meal was simple, three dishes and a soup. Neither of them was pampered growing up, and they enjoyed the meal. ¡°Lu Li, you don¡¯t have a girlfriend now, do you?¡± Cao Yingying suddenly asked, her flushed face making her exceptionally beautiful. ¡°No!¡± He shook his head, looking curiously at Cao Yingying. ¡°¡­My grandfather likes you a lot, I can tell. He¡¯s never smiled so happily in front of anyone else!¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s face seemed to redden even more. ¡°My grandfather has always been urging me to find a boyfriend. Since you don¡¯t have a girlfriend, how about we pretend to be a couple, to make grandpa happy?¡± Blurt it out, Cao Yingying raised her head, voicing words she couldn¡¯t believe she was saying, taking the initiative to confess to a boy, something she had never imagined doing. In her previous life, she liked Lu Li, but only quietly stayed by his side, apanying him in his daze or doing some meaningless things. This was Cao Yingying¡¯s first time pursuing a boy! Chen Xiaoyi had put a lot of pressure on her. ¡°Yingying, don¡¯t joke about this.¡± Lu Li was taken aback, surprised to hear such words from Cao Yingying, and seriously shook his head. Wanting tough, pretending to be a couple, isn¡¯t this a plot often found in urban romance novels? Now it¡¯s actually evolved to involve him, the antagonist. The plot has really changed quite a bit! The character of this female lead seems a bit off,ing up with the idea of pretending to be a couple, isn¡¯t this exactly the operation of a naive female lead in those stories? Cao Yingying became anxious: ¡°I¡¯m not joking. After pretending to be a couple, grandpa will support you in many things. It can make grandpa happy, and you can benefit too, why not!¡± Though shy, Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing Lu Li, now that Chen Xiaoyi had moved into Lu Li¡¯s house. Who knew what the future held? She couldn¡¯t bear the cost of losing Lu Li. This was the best solution Cao Yingying could think of, pretending to be a couple. After spending more time together, she could be more open in front of Lu Li, and Lu Li would gradually develop feelings for her. Eventually, the pretend could be real. ¡°Miss Cao¡­¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s heart sank at Lu Li¡¯s address, suddenly feeling a bad premonition. ¡°I¡¯ve said I¡¯m a businessman, and I¡¯ve never denied it. I agreed to treat your grandfather because I wantedpensation from your Cao family.¡± Lu Li spoke calmly, still wearing that gentle smile, but Cao Yingying sensed a distance. This made her uneasy. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, you can get without having to give¡­¡± Cao Yingying wanted to ¡°Right, but I won¡¯t trade on matters of sentiment.¡± Smiling simply, he admitted he really did have a good feeling for Cao Yingying. Grateful for herpany before the end of hisst life. But he knew what emotions were about, having his feelings trampled on by women like Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin in his previous life, which he never received any return for, so he valued them even more. ¡°I¡¯m not trading¡­¡± Cao Yingying blurted out in panic, instinctively wanting to exin something. ¡°Alright, Miss Cao, let¡¯s eat. After we¡¯re done, I¡¯ll take you back!¡± Lu Li stopped Cao Yingying¡¯s words. He intended to win over this woman, to make her fall for him because he also had different feelings for her. But now¡­ He helplessly shook his head, forget it! Don¡¯t let the beauty in his heart shatter, it¡¯s better to keep it forever in his heart. ¡°¡­¡± Cao Yingying bit her lip, feeling unwilling and somewhat aggrieved. She hadn¡¯t treated her feelings as a transaction! She just liked Lu Li, that¡¯s why she made such a request, but had no idea how to express it. Surely telling Lu Li, ¡°I liked you in my past life,¡± would make him think she was crazy. Lu Li¡¯s sudden coldness left her at a loss. Chapter 53 - Grand Master Caos Matchmaking Is Ruthless Chapter 53 - Grand Master Cao''s Matchmaking Is Ruthless

Chapter 53: Grand Master Cao¡¯s Matchmaking Is Ruthless

¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s exceptionally beautiful face showed a trace of grievance, her eyes couldn¡¯t help but redden. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, did the Lu family¡¯s young man bully you?¡± Grand Master Cao¡¯s eyes widened with concern as he looked at his granddaughter. His granddaughter, whom he couldn¡¯t bear to see sad, and here was this young man from the Lu family making Yingying cry. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Grandpa will teach him a lesson for you!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that, it¡¯s me, I think I said something wrong, and Lu Li was particrly cold towards me.¡± Cao Yingying shook her head, her eyes glistening. ¡°Hmm¡­ Tell me, what happened?¡± Grand Master Cao furrowed his brows. ¡°It¡¯s like this¡­¡± Cao Yingying recounted everything that had happened to her grandfather. After listening silently, Grand Master Cao sighed helplessly, rubbing his granddaughter¡¯s hair: ¡°You girl, everything is fine, but when ites to matters of the heart, you just can¡¯t see clearly!¡± ¡°Grandpa, why did Lu Li suddenly be so cold?¡± Cao Yingying still didn¡¯t understand. ¡°Ah, you, you! You¡¯ve been ensnared by that young man from the Lu family.¡± Seeing his granddaughter with tears in her eyes, Grand Master Cao couldn¡¯t help but sigh. His granddaughter had always been intellectual and beautiful, never once so heartbroken over a man. ¡°Well, let Grandpa tell you!¡± Cao Yingying dried her tears and began to listen attentively. ¡°You know about the young man from the Lu family pursuing that girl from the Zhang family for eight years, right?¡± Grand Master Cao didn¡¯t directly answer but instead asked Cao Yingying. ¡°Yes, I know, but that woman doesn¡¯t deserve Lu Li!¡± Mentioning Zhang Ziqin, Cao Yingying¡¯s eyes involuntarily shed with disapproval. Even though she had briefly allied with Zhang Ziqin against Ye Chen in her previous life, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s repeated humiliations towards Lu Li, breaking his heart time and again, were something Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t ept. Especially since that bastard Ye Chen was brought into the picture by Zhang Ziqin. Grand Master Cao looked at his granddaughter and sighed helplessly, realizing she truly cared deeply for the young man from the Lu family: ¡°Whether she deserves him or not, we¡¯ll talk about thatter. The young man from the Lu family pursued the girl from the Zhang family for eight whole years without giving up. What do you think of him?¡± Of course, Lu Li is the best! Whether it was through the lens of love or not, Cao Yingying believed so. The time spent with Lu Li in herst life let her know a lot about this man, things others didn¡¯t know, but she also realized her grandfather¡¯s words carried an unusual meaning. Hesitating a bit: ¡°Lu Li is someone who takes rtionships very seriously.¡± ¡°Exactly! Eight whole years. Even now that the young man from the Lu family has given up on the girl from the Zhang family, it¡¯s her fault. But the young man from the Lu family is truly affectionate!¡± Grand Master Cao looked at his granddaughter, sighed, and said: ¡°Yingying, you like the young man from the Lu family, then confess, pursue him. Why opt for pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend? The young man from the Lu family takes rtionships so seriously, do you think he would ept such a seemingly frivolous approach?¡± ¡°Um!¡± Cao Yingying realized her mistake. Right! How could someone who takes rtionships so seriously like Lu Li enjoy such a transactional approach? ¡°Then Grandpa, what should I do?¡± she asked nervously. ¡°Girl, you can¡¯t have anyone but the young man from the Lu family?¡± Grand Master Cao asked back. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve set my mind on him.¡± Cao Yingying confirmed without hesitation, having lost Lu Li once from herst life to this one, she couldn¡¯t lose him a second time. She hadn¡¯t fallen in love with anyone else but Lu Li, Cao Yingying knew her feelings for Lu Li. ¡°Ah, well, well, I really don¡¯t know if the young man from the Lu family has fed you some sort of love potion.¡± ring at his granddaughter, Grand Master Cao said irritably. ¡°Grandpa, I know you must have a way; please help me!¡± ¡°The next time the young man from the Lu familyes, talk to him properly, express your feelings,¡± Grand Master Cao said leisurely, teasingly looking at his granddaughter: ¡°How about it, got the courage?¡± ¡°Express¡­ everything?¡± A blush of shyness crossed the beautiful, intellectual face of Cao Yingying. ¡°Yes! If you like him, then say it openly. What fake boyfriend and girlfriend? You girl, are you out of your mind.¡± Grand Master Cao nodded, ring at his granddaughter irritably. ¡°Um!¡± *** What to say about Lu Li? A bit disillusioned, perhaps! But not much of a feeling either. Although grateful to Cao Yingying, after all, they hadn¡¯tmunicated much. In hisst life, although he didn¡¯t know why Cao Yingying stayed by his side during his final days. But Lu Li thought it must be because he had helped her treat Grand Master Cao. It was a not too big, not too small favor. Plus, he was numb at that time and indifferent to her, perhaps igniting Cao Yingying¡¯spetitive spirit. But at that time, he was genuinely not in the mood to pay attention to Cao Yingying. Not because of indifference, but because he was numbed by the torments of Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin. Although grateful, it didn¡¯t reach the extent of liking. As long as Cao Yingying didn¡¯t run to Ye Chen¡¯s side, and the Cao family owed him a favor, that was enough. Although Cao Yingying¡¯s proposal was indeed attractive, just pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend to get the Cao family¡¯s support, it would be tempting for any family, a shortcut to the top! It could save Lu Li several years of effort, but he didn¡¯t like it. He couldn¡¯t ept fake emotions. Having gone through hisst life, he epted it even less. Even if it was about love, he must be the one in absolute control. Lu Li wanted absolute control. Shaking Cao Yingying out of his mind, not thinking about her anymore, Lu Li didn¡¯t expect the little girl he had helped as a child to find him. To think, he hadn¡¯t even told her his name! How did that girl find him? He also didn¡¯t know how the girl had been these past few years. Initially running away from the orphanage, Lu Li thought she was probably doomed, not expecting there would still be a chance for her toe back. On the day before his final chapter in hisst life, he visited the Sunshine Orphanage again, giving all his bank cards to the kind headmistress. He heard Xiaomeng came back, but unfortunately, his final chapter arrived the next day, not allowing for onest meeting. Chapter 54 - Chen Xiaoyi and Youmeng, Welcome Back Chapter 54 - Chen Xiaoyi and Youmeng, Wee Back

Chapter 54: Chen Xiaoyi and Youmeng, Wee Back

¡°Miss Chen Xiaoyi, are you Big Brother¡¯s girlfriend? Are you here to check on him?¡± Youmeng asked, feigning curiosity, but was unable to suppress the sourness and awkwardness in her heart. In her previous life, this woman was one of Ye Chen¡¯s people, aiding and abetting Ye Chen. It was just that she didn¡¯t join Ye Chen in opposing her Big Brother. They merely had an employer-employee rtionship; otherwise, Youmeng would have dealt with her too. But in this life, how could she appear by Big Brother¡¯s side? ¡°Girlfriend!¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face flushed red, the sudden question causing her sharp mind to short-circuit for a moment, shaking her head repeatedly: ¡°Not yet.¡± Youmeng narrowed her eyes at the ¡®not yet.¡¯ This indicated that this woman indeed harbored such thoughts, which was uneptable. After finally finding her Big Brother, she wouldn¡¯t let another woman get ahead of her. A pure yet enchanting smile appeared on her face: ¡°Is that so? I thought Big Brother might have found a girlfriend in the years I was gone.¡± As if letting out a long sigh. Calling him Big Brother one after another, showing the closeness between her and Lu Li, while subtly observing this woman, Youmeng was certainly not as simple as she appeared. Years of struggle, moving on the edge of life and death, some skills were self-taught. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face changed, her gaze at Youmeng starting to be peculiar, as if suggesting she knew Lu Li longer. ¡°Could this girl also like Lu Li?¡± A sourness involuntarily surged in her heart, but then she firmed up. No matter what your rtionship with Lu Li was in the past, you¡¯ve been away for so many years, and now, I¡¯m the one by Lu Li¡¯s side. The two stopped talking, quietly observing each other. Until the sound of the door opening came from the entrance, and the vi¡¯s door was pushed open. Youmeng looked towards the neer. Even after several hours of calming herself, seeing the person in her heart appear before her again, she couldn¡¯t help her eyes from reddening. She stood up, somewhat ungracefully running to Lu Li¡¯s side. Looking at that familiar yet unfamiliar face, the boy she first met had now turned into a young man. The years of searching, a lifetime of pursuit, once unreachable and making her willing to risk it all, now stood before her. ¡°Big Brother, I¡¯ve missed you so much, I finally found you¡­¡± Youmeng, with tears streaming down her face, called out emotionally, wanting to tip-toe and offer her lips. But she was stopped by Lu Li. ¡°Are you Xiaomeng?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me!¡± Disappointed for not kissing Big Brother, Youmeng was still excited as she spoke. ¡°Then where did I first meet you?¡± Although the woman before him did resemble the Xiaomeng in his memory, Lu Li still wanted to confirm. ¡°On the road, Big Brother, you took me to find my mom, took me to thew enforcement bureau, and then to Sunshine Orphanage, telling me to listen to the headmistress.¡± Youmeng didn¡¯t wait for Lu Li to continue asking and poured out everything. Lu Li nodded silently: ¡°I gave you a gift once. What was it?¡± ¡°A little bear!¡± These memories had appeared countless times in Youmeng¡¯s dreams; how could she possibly forget? A smile also appeared on Lu Li¡¯s stern face, looking at the girl who once apanied him, he opened his arms: ¡°Wee back, Xiaomeng!¡± ¡°Big Brother¡­¡± Youmeng couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and threw herself into his arms. It was a reunion after many years, spanning a lifetime, how could she restrain herself? Tiptoeing, this time, she seeded, touching Lu Li for a moment, her tears unable to be held back any longer, falling onto the living room¡¯s floor. Lu Li was not one to stick to conventions. When a beauty threw herself into his embrace, why would he refuse? Watching the two, seeminglypletely ignoring her presence, a bitter sensation surged in her heart. She knew, and had anticipated, that Lu Li wouldn¡¯t only have her, but when this scene unfolded before her eyes, she couldn¡¯t ept it. The sourness in her heart churned wildly, her eyes brimming with tears. In the days by Lu Li¡¯s side, she felt like she had grown dependent on this man, perhaps because he provided her with a sense of security when she needed it most, perhaps because of his gentleness, but Chen Xiaoyi knew her own heart. ¡°No matter how many women you have by your side, I still want to be there!¡± Her heart dered, tears falling uncontrobly to the floor. She didn¡¯t leave, just watched, until the two separated. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s sit down and talk. You¡¯ve been standing for so long, you must be tired.¡± Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Chen Xiaoyi spoke. Youmeng couldn¡¯t help but nce at Chen Xiaoyi, confirming after an eye contact that she was a love rival, and a formidable one at that. *** Lu Li wasn¡¯t embarrassed at all, pulling Xiaomeng to sit on the sofa and also pulled Chen Xiaoyi over, a small gesture that revealed all his thoughts. ¡°What happened back then, howe you suddenly disappeared? Do you know how worried I was?¡± Xiaomeng¡¯s face was full of the happiness of reunion: ¡°Back then, Big Brother, you hadn¡¯te for so long, I went to find you, but I got lost.¡± ¡°Got lost? How have you been these past years, Xiaomeng?¡± Lu Li frowned, not expecting Xiaomeng was actually trying to find him. ¡°A lot happened, but slowly, I got through,¡± Xiaomeng smiled sweetly, indeed, a lot had happened, but fortunately, Big Brother, you¡¯re still here. No matter how bitter or tough, it¡¯s all worth it. Now she had the ability to protect her Big Brother; this time, she wouldn¡¯t let anyone harm him again. Lu Li could tell Xiaomeng didn¡¯t want to answer, so he could only helplessly shake his head. Gripping her hand withpassion: ¡°These years must have been tough. It¡¯s good that you¡¯re back.¡± Being able to see thepanion from his childhood again, Lu Li was genuinely happy. ¡°Being able to see Big Brother, Xiaomeng is really happy.¡± The pure yet enchanting eyes shimmered, Big Brother was still as gentle as before. ¡°By the way, Big Brother, I gave myself a name, Youmeng.¡± As if boasting, Youmeng shared with Lu Li, not wanting him to know about the hardships of these years, but some happy matters, she hoped to share with Big Brother. ¡°Youmeng!¡± ¡°Yes, Headmistress said she hoped Xiaomeng ¡®has dreams, safe and sound throughout life,¡¯ so I¡¯m called Youmeng now.¡± Xiaomeng nodded emphatically, excitedly unaware of the darkening expression on Lu Li¡¯s face. ¡°Have you been overseas these years? I¡¯ve been looking for you, but no news?¡± ¡°Uh-huh, I was taken abroad, working overseas all this time.¡± Youmeng didn¡¯t hide anything. Hearing that Lu Li had been looking for her filled her with happiness. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, Big Brother, I didn¡¯t pick up any bad habits from foreigners. I¡¯ve always been clean. I decided long ago that everything about me would be for Big Brother.¡± Holding Lu Li¡¯s hand, her gaze filled with tenderness, she couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. Chapter 55 - Lu Li: How Ridiculous I Am Chapter 55 - Lu Li: How Ridiculous I Am

Chapter 55 Lu Li: How Ridiculous I Am

¡°¡­¡± Lu Li let out augh, his eyes filled with indescribable meaning. Turning his head, he looked at Chen Xiaoyi, ¡°Xiaoyi, please arrange amodation for Miss You Meng who has returned from abroad!¡± ¡°Ah!¡± You Meng was stunned for a moment. Weren¡¯t her words clear enough? ¡°Indeed, big brother treats rtionships so seriously. There¡¯s no reason to be so impatient just upon meeting. You Meng, oh You Meng, why the rush? Big brother is right before your eyes now.¡± Chen Xiaoyi was also startled. She had been annoyed at the boldness of the woman before her, not expecting Lu Li to say that. She smiled at Lu Li, ¡°Alright, Miss You Meng, pleasee with me!¡± Some things were bound to happen, and Chen Xiaoyi had no power to stop them. She loved Lu Li, her entire heart devoted to him, supporting whatever he chose to do. ¡°Then, big brother, see you tomorrow.¡± You Meng was somewhat unwilling, but had adjusted her mentality. There was no need to hurry; she and big brother had many days ahead to slowly experience together. As Chen Xiaoyi led You Meng away from sight, Lu Li¡¯s gaze turned thoroughly gloomy. You Meng! He knew this name. In the story, it was You Meng who shot him. Aplex emotion shed in his eyes. Abroad, her name was You Meng, and she was an orphan. Everything seemed to fit. In the story, You Meng was picked up by Ye Chen and taken abroad, gradually bing his most sharp weapon. You Meng even harbored special feelings for Ye Chen. Lu Li, from his previous life, was all too familiar with the fate of women touched by the protagonist. Lu Ya, Zhang Ziqin were the brightest examples. He spent time, emotions, everything, trying to change his fate, yet he couldn¡¯t alter the oue of these two women¡¯s gaze turning towards Ye Chen after he appeared. He couldn¡¯t even earn a sliver of familial affection from Lu Ya or a bit of romantic feelings from Zhang Ziqin. Perhaps holding onto a sliver of hope in his heart, Lu Li picked up hisputer and began searching. After about fifteen minutes, he despaired. Slowly closing his eyes, was it painful? It seemed so. He thought that after experiencing those things in hisst life, he wouldn¡¯t feel this way again, that he was numb, but reality proved he couldn¡¯t control himself. ¡°Damned fate, do you really not rest until everything around me is shattered?¡± In those most numb of days, even Cao Yingying, who had always been by his side, was just a passerby. After all, his heart was numb then, unable to feel much. The only warmth in his heart was left for Li Zichuan and the little girl called Xiao Meng in the orphanage. No need to say more about Li Zichuan, his best brother, the only one who avenged him in the story, even risking his life. Lu Li wasn¡¯t a soul transmigrator; he truly lived a lifetime in this world, over twenty years, with emotions for Li Zichuan forged over time. Xiao Meng, the girl from the orphanage, was also his rarepanion. Unaware she was the female lead, Lu Li¡¯s affection for her was pure. Unexpected, indeed unexpected¡­ How much light does it take to illuminate someone numb? The answer is a sliver is enough. Lu Li had the most personal experience, knowing how much a desperate person yearns for that light. But now, was he about to be deprived of half of the only good left in his heart? Ridiculous that he, in the end, even left half of his inheritance to You Meng, the very person who killed him. He really was a colossal joke. One could imagine how You Mengughed unrestrainedly upon receiving his inheritance. Perhaps even mocking his generosity with Ye Chen. Lu Li slowly closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, only coldness remained. At that moment, Chen Xiaoyi returned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t look so good¡­mhm!¡± Before Chen Xiaoyi could finish speaking, she felt a powerful force pulling her over, the man in front of her doing the same thing he had just done with You Meng. Her face flushed, and her heartbeat suddenly quickened. She felt Lu Li¡¯s dominance, his kiss aggressive, like a sudden storm. Her first kiss was gone just like that, leaving Chen Xiaoyi somewhat at a loss, but gradually she adapted, slowly responding to Lu Li¡¯s storm. ¡°Was it You Meng¡¯s actions that made Lu Li realize his feelings?¡± Watching their light kiss previously, she was really jealous but couldn¡¯t speak up, fearing making Lu Li unhappy. She didn¡¯t know when it started, but the bold woman became more cautious in front of Lu Li, caring about him even more. After a while, the storm subsided, and Lu Li let go of Chen Xiaoyi, ¡°Go to sleep early; my little employee needs to continue working hard to earn money for me tomorrow, don¡¯t get too tired.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re only thinking about me earning money for you!¡± She silentlyined, casting a resentful nce at Lu Li before obediently returning to her room. Having released some emotions, Lu Li also emerged from his previous distress. Sitting quietly in the living room for a few hours, he slowly stood up. ¡­ In her room, You Meng carefully took out amunicator. Without havingpletely dealt with Ye Chen, she could only continue her deceit. ¡¾Infiltration sessful¡¿She sent a message to Ye Chen. ¡¾Good, just as expected from you. That young master Ye Chen didn¡¯t take advantage of you, right?¡¿Ye Chen¡¯s message came swiftly. Such possession made You Meng sick, but she endured the difort to reply. ¡¾No!¡¿But she had initiated a kiss with her big brother. Everything about her, You Meng, belonged to her big brother. What she did with her big brother was something Ye Chen could only fantasize about in this lifetime. Just the thought of being fantasized about by Ye Chen made You Meng nauseous. ¡¾That¡¯s good. If that young masterys a hand on you, don¡¯t hold back. If ites to it, just run back here.¡¿Ye Chen was very caring, having long considered You Meng as his woman. His woman, how could he allow other men to touch her. ¡¾Understood!¡¿ She replied dismissively, suddenly squinting her eyes. A long time spent in dangerous ces had honed her reflexes, letting her sense someone opening her door. Putting away themunication device, she tensed up. Quietly opening a slit in her eyes, she found the person entering was her big brother. ¡°Could it be that big brother can¡¯t wait to have me? Was it just because Chen Xiaoyi was there before? What is this, a night raid? Does big brother like this?¡± She couldn¡¯t help feeling joy, continuing to keep her eyes shut, quietly waiting for her big brother¡¯s approach. How should she act? Take the initiative or be shy to let big brother take the lead, or maybe slightly cooperate with big brother¡¯s initiative? She couldn¡¯t help feeling expectant and a bit flustered. ¡­ Chapter 56 - Yu Mengs Despair Chapter 56 - Yu Meng''s Despair Chapter 56: Yu Meng¡¯s Despair ¡°Tianlong Organization, codename Dark Moon, arrived in Hangzhou this morning and went to the Zhao family¡¯s estate to meet with Ye Chen before arriving at the entrance of the Lu family¡¯s estate.¡± Yu Meng, hesitating whether she should be more proactive or more reserved, was shocked when Lu Li lifted the quilt, her body convulsing involuntarily. ¡°Taking advantage of the fact that we had interactions when we were children to sessfully infiltrate the Lu family¡¯s estate, what are you here for? To kill me, or to steal information from the Lu Corporation?¡± Lu Li¡¯s voice was cold, like a chilly wind on this hot night. ¡°Big brother¡­ how did you know!¡± Yu Meng¡¯s eyes widened in shock, staring at Lu Li in front of her. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m stupid, that you and that Ye Chen can easily y me in the palm of your hands? Watching my disgraceful appearance makes your brother happy, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Lu Li¡¯s icy words rose again, his eyes showing uncontroble murderous intent. This woman treated him like a fool, and perhaps in herst life, she and Ye Chen even used him as a topic of ridicule in their spare time. Just thinking about it made Lu Li feel disgusted. He also didn¡¯t know if he was projecting his past self now. This woman, who killed him, yet he left half of his inheritance to her! (The plot has changed, Lu Li doesn¡¯t know) Yu Meng, looking at Lu Li with a voice and demeanorpletely different from before, felt an indescribable bitterness in her heart. ¡°It¡¯s not like that, big brother, I never thought about such things.¡± Yu Meng jumped up anxiously, wanting to throw herself into Lu Li¡¯s arms, her eyes already reddening. Her experienced body felt as if it had lost all its strength at this moment, and Yu Meng stumbled and fell heavily to the ground. Struggling to crawl over, she knelt in front of Lu Li: ¡°Big brother, I¡¯m not here to kill you, nor to be a spy, believe me, I won¡¯t pose a threat to you.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Lu Li walked over and picked up themunicator from under the pillow. ¡°¡­¡± Yu Meng¡¯s face turned pale, she opened her mouth but couldn¡¯t speak. ¡°Infiltration sessful! Then, do you want to exin, what does this mean?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that, not like that, big brother, I¡¯ve never intended to harm you.¡± Yu Meng was heartbroken, but she had no idea how to exin ¨C she couldn¡¯t just say that although she was helping Ye Chen, she actually wanted to protect Lu Li! With irrefutable evidence in front of her, any exnation seemed like an excuse. ¡°Tsksksk, Ye Chen really cares about you, huh? He¡¯s nervous about whether I would take advantage of you.¡± A few mocking shes passed through his cold eyes. He had already adjusted his mentality, betrayal was just that, not something he hadn¡¯t experienced before. Another female protagonist, just another life. ¡°Big brother, I don¡¯t have that kind of rtionship with Ye Chen, all these years I¡¯ve been looking for you, but I didn¡¯t know your name, I never found you, I¡¯ve never liked Ye Chen.¡± Yu Meng, with a pale face and tears blurred eyes, trembled and pleaded. If she had the chance now, she would definitely kill Ye Chen without hesitation, the damn guy, sending such a message, making big brother misunderstand her. ¡°Haha! Worthy of the legendary ¡®Dark Moon¡¯ known for their disguises, look at your pitiful little appearance.¡± Lu Li coldlyughed, his gun aimed at Yu Meng. Yu Meng¡¯s body trembled, unable to stop shaking. ¡°Big brother, believe in Xiao Meng, Xiao Meng never thought of harming you, and will never harm you.¡± Yu Meng said dryly, her eyes pleadingly looking at Lu Li. She wasn¡¯t afraid of death, but she didn¡¯t want to die misunderstood by her own big brother. ¡°Believe you? Believe a woman who has been with Ye Chen for so many years and doesn¡¯t know what happened?¡± Lu Li knew what kind of woman would catch the protagonist¡¯s eye. This time, he had the chance to turn things around; he had sessfully taken away Chen Xiaoyi, but what had this woman done in herst life! Killed him and then boasted to Ye Chen about the money she got from him, this big fool? ¡°I didn¡¯t¨C¡± Yu Meng roared out of control, full of bitterness and tears, looking at Lu Li: ¡°I also never had anything to do with Ye Chen, not before, and never will in the future, the moment big brother you rescued me, I had already decided, my body, my heart, everything, belongs to big brother!¡± ¡°Good acting! Even I can¡¯t see any traces of performance, very impressive.¡± Lu Li nodded in appreciation,pared to the initial explosive emotions of Lu Ya, he now had more time to appreciate these female protagonists¡¯ desperate struggles. ¡°I didn¡¯t, really, big brother, believe me, I wouldn¡¯t act in front of you.¡± Yu Meng hated her past self, the one known for her disguises. Such a self, even if she spoke the truth, in big brother¡¯s eyes, it would still seem like lies, right! She understood Lu Li¡¯s actions, with evidence before him, and knowing her identity, it was normal to think she came to his side under the guise of their past rtionship. But she really didn¡¯t! How could she betray her own big brother, in herst life she searched her whole life but never found him again, that was her biggest regret, how could she betray Lu Li, betray the big brother who picked her up on the streets and gave her warmth. She was just a little girl abandoned, Lu Li was the only light in her life! She would even die for Lu Li. Such a disy made Lu Li feel a bit strange, even ordinary people, at this point, should struggle a bit! Yu Meng, such a top assassin, actually did nothing. Hesitating for a moment, he slightly moved the gun away, giving her a chance to seize, as long as this woman made any move, Lu Li was confident he could subdue her in an instant. ¡°Are you telling the truth?¡± he said, with a bit of wickedness, nonchntly ying with the gun in his hand. Yu Meng suddenly looked up, like a drowning person who had grabbed a lifeline: ¡°It¡¯s true, it¡¯s true, big brother, you can examine me now, I¡¯m clean, I haven¡¯t been touched by anyone else!¡± Saying this, she was about to tear open her clothes. ¡°Stop, enough!¡± Lu Li said enigmatically, just as Yu Meng was about to remove herst barrier. ¡°Big brother!¡± After taking a deep look at Yu Meng, she had more than five opportunities to snatch the gun from his hand. If this was also acting, if this was a disguise, then Yu Meng¡¯s disguise was too wless. ¡°What do you want.¡± He looked at Yu Meng somewhatplexly. ¡°I don¡¯t want anything, big brother, I just want to be by your side!¡± This was her biggest wish in herst life and this life. ¡°Oh, a person sent by Ye Chen to scout information on me, wants to stay by my side, huh.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t help Ye Chen scout information, that bastard Ye Chen wants to move against you, big brother, I just want to protect you!¡± Yu Meng¡¯s tearful eyes carried an almost humble plea, kneeling in front of Lu Li, pulling at his pant leg. Her alluring face no longer had the coldness she showed to others. Chapter 57 - Lu Li: Go and Kill Ye Chen Chapter 57 - Lu Li: Go and Kill Ye Chen Chapter 57: Lu Li: Go and Kill Ye Chen ¡°Just want¡­ to stay by my side¡­ to protect me?¡± Murmuring this phrase, Lu Li spoke in a tone filled with intriguing implications. He had spent over a decade on Lu Ya, eight years on Zhang Ziqin, but what had he gained? What he received was their ruthless humiliation after Ye Chen appeared. It couldn¡¯t be considered a betrayal, because after all, he and Zhang Ziqin had nothing between them. But that humiliation, Lu Li remembered. As for Lu Ya¡­ she¡¯s already dead¡­ Yet, the Yu Meng before him, who had stayed by Ye Chen¡¯s side for so many years, imed she wanted to protect him. This selfless posture of devoting herself at any cost left Lu Li baffled. Was it all because of the bond they shared over the years? Especially the tenderness in her gaze made it really hard for Lu Li to discern the truth, because it seemed all too real. He was confident in his ability to read people¡¯s emotions; Chen Xiaoyi was one example. She had fallen for him, but in his presence, she showed a natural inferiorityplex, hesitating to get closer, afraid of being too forward ¨C all of which Lu Li saw clearly. But the woman before him was ¡®Dark Moon¡¯, a character known for her disguises in the story, an admirer of the protagonist Ye Chen, and the murderer who killed him in the end. He found it hard to be sure. ¡°Uh-huh! Big brother, believe me, Xiao Meng will always be your Xiao Meng, and will never betray you.¡± Holding onto Lu Li¡¯s legs, Yu Meng looked up at him, trembling. ¡°Alright, since you so wish to stay by my side, but I don¡¯t trust you, how about I give you a chance?¡± ¡°Big brother, just say it. Whatever you ask me to do, I¡¯ll do it.¡± Grasping at straws, Yu Meng couldn¡¯t bear to leave her big brother; she couldn¡¯t live without him! ¡°The head of your family now lives in the Zhao household, and both he and his family have wronged me. I want you to deal with those people now, especially your ¡®master¡¯. I want his head.¡± Guardedly, Lu Li whispered into Yu Meng¡¯s ear like a devil¡¯s whisper. With just a slight movement, Yu Meng could touch Lu Li¡¯s neck, presenting a perfect opportunity. As a top-notch assassin, Yu Meng couldn¡¯t possibly be unaware. Yet, there was still no movement from Yu Meng, causing Lu Li to frown slightly. ¡°Alright, big brother, I¡¯ll make sure to take care of those people in the Zhao household, and Ye Chen isn¡¯t my master, please don¡¯t misunderstand.¡± Looking up at Lu Li with some difficulty, Yu Meng nodded firmly without a hint of hesitation, and couldn¡¯t help but defend herself. What consequences, what schemes, none of that mattered now. Big brother had agreed to her, after dealing with those people from the Zhang family and Ye Chen, she could stay by his side. As long as she could prove herself, big brother would ept her. ¡°Now, get out of my house!¡± Pulling away the hand that Yu Meng had on his leg, Lu Li left the room with onest remark, his heart in turmoil. Even if he told himself that the woman before him was good at disguises, was Ye Chen¡¯s person, was the person who killed him in thest life, his eyes told him that everything Yu Meng said was true. He had presented her with opportunities to attack him repeatedly, but Yu Meng never touched him once. As an assassin, it was impossible not to notice. Was she so sure that he would consider past feelings and not harm her, or was it for some other reason? Is what she said true¡­? If it¡¯s true, what should he do? Yu Meng stood up shakily, fiercely wiping the tears from her face, her sad face breaking into a smile that was uncertain whether it was of happiness or sorrow. ¡°Big brother said, as long as I kill Ye Chen, I can stay by his side, he will forgive me. As long as I kill Ye Chen, he will forgive me.¡± ¡°Killing Ye Chen, I¡¯ll prove that there¡¯s nothing between Ye Chen and me, and I can stay by big brother¡¯s side. I want to prove to big brother, I belong to him, only to him, the person I love is only big brother.¡± Yu Meng picked up the clothes scattered around, dressed neatly, and left the Lu estate, her eyes shining with an almost unbearable murderous intent. Lu Li stood by the window, watching Yu Meng leave. Sending Yu Meng to kill Ye Chen seemed somewhat absurd; after all, he was the protagonist, how could he be so easily killed? If Yu Meng was insincere before, she wouldn¡¯t act against Ye Chen and would only increase Ye Chen¡¯s malice towards himself. But Lu Li wasn¡¯t afraid; when the timees, he¡¯d just have to deal with the two of them together. He and Ye Chen were sworn enemies; he longed for Ye Chen¡¯s hatred. Having your enemy despise you is a kind of pleasure. If Yu Meng¡¯s previous words were true, and she really acted against Ye Chen, perhaps she would be killed by Ye Chen. That would be Yu Meng¡¯s fate. Leaving the window, Lu Li no longer cared about Yu Meng and headed to Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s room. The fully evolved Chen Xiaoyi had already turned into the style he liked, and Yu Meng¡¯s arrival today had given Chen Xiaoyi a sense of urgency. It was time to puncture that window paper just right. ¡°Lu Li¡­ why are you here!¡± Timidly holding the nket, covering herself, her cheeks flushed red,pletely unaware of how tempting she looked. ¡°The night is long, and I¡¯m not sleepy. I just want to talk with you through the night and watch the sunrise together.¡± Smiling wickedly, he approached directly. In terms of adjusting the mood, Lu Li had it under control. Yu Meng¡¯s appearance not only made Chen Xiaoyi feel threatened. Regardless of the future, he had to reap his reward from this woman. ¡°Miss Yu Meng finally found you, after going through so much to meet you, aren¡¯t you going to spend time with her today?¡± A hint of jealousy shed in her eyes. But she didn¡¯t break away from Lu Li¡¯s strong grip. ¡°Don¡¯t mention her!¡± Lu Li¡¯s brow furrowed. This left Chen Xiaoyi somewhat confused: ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Yu Meng might be a spy sent by that Ye Chen, and that Ye Chen¡¯s identity is no simple matter!¡± He didn¡¯t hide it, his disdain in on his face. Chen Xiaoyi was deeply rooted in her feelings for him; he didn¡¯t deign topete like a monkey in a zoo for a woman¡¯s favor against the protagonist, ying those petty jealousy games. ¡°A spy!¡± Chen Xiaoyi was taken aback. ¡°Wasn¡¯t she the one you helped when you were young? How could she¡­¡± Having received Lu Li¡¯s help, but then turning around to help someone else against Lu Li, was that Yu Meng ungrateful? ¡°Not quite sure, but almost. It¡¯s true that she was sent by Ye Chen.¡± Chen Xiaoyi covered her mouth: ¡°This¡­¡± Regarding that Ye Chen who had aggressively pursued Lu Li at the old Mr. Cao¡¯s birthday party, she had no good impression. Now that Lu Li said he was no simple character. And even sent a spy to Lu Li¡¯s side. ¡°Damn bastard, if you dare harm Lu Li, I¡¯ll kill you.¡± Thinking this in her heart, a glint of murderous intent shed in her eyes. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not talk about those unhappy things. When Yu Meng kissed me before, someone seemed almost ready to cry, huh!¡± ¡°I was not¡­ mmm¡­¡± Before Chen Xiaoyi could defend her blushing self, Lu Li kissed her lips. Chapter 58 - Yu Meng: You All Deserve to Die Chapter 58 - Yu Meng: You All Deserve to Die Chapter 58: Yu Meng: You All Deserve to Die Yu Meng skillfully evaded surveince after surveince, infiltrating the Zhao family estate like a panther in the darkness. Her gaze, shadowy and somber, settled on the three people in the Zhang family¡¯s grand hall. ¡°Cherish yourst moments! Tomorrow, you¡¯ll be forcefully bankrupted, all your assets repossessed.¡± The family sat together, gloomy and despondent. Ye Chen was absent; as a guest, he couldn¡¯t involve himself in such matters. ¡°Dad, is there really no other way?¡± Zhao Shaotian asked, still not giving up hope. ¡°What other way could there be? You¡¯ve messed everything up,¡± Zhao¡¯s father coldly retorted, his gaze icy as he looked at his son. ¡°Exactly, why did you have to provoke Lu Li? Even if he¡¯s a nobody, he¡¯s still a young master of the Lu family. Can youpare to him?¡± Zhao Lu casually yed with her fingers, regarding her brother with disdain, as if he were trash. ¡°Zhao Lu, how dare you? When our family had a chance, why didn¡¯t you behave properly? How does the bankruptcy of the Zhao family benefit you?¡± Zhao Shaotian exploded in anger. ¡°Me? Deal with the mess you¡¯ve created? Zhao Shaotian, you¡¯re indeed the world¡¯s best big brother,¡± Zhao Lu sneered. ¡°Hmph! You¡¯re also a daughter of the Zhao family. It¡¯s your duty to contribute when the family is in trouble. My pampering you in the past doesn¡¯t mean you can act recklessly,¡± Zhao Shaotian grew angrier, eventually pping Zhao Lu across the face. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, how could our family have ended up like this? All you had to do was speak nicely to Lu Li, just listen to him obediently. That¡¯s all the use your flesh is good for, yet you couldn¡¯t even manage that.¡± ¡°Zhao Shaotian¡­¡± Zhao Lu, clutching her face, red at Zhao Shaotian with resentment. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that! From tomorrow on, you¡¯re no longer the Zhao family¡¯s young miss. You¡¯ll lose all your clothes, your bank cards will be canceled, and your cosmetics too. I remember you spending at least a few hundred thousand a month on them. Well, you won¡¯t have that chance anymore. What can you do? Oh, maybe you can find a ce among the stars, since you won¡¯tpensate Lu Li, go apany those old men you used to look down upon!¡± Zhao Shaotian sneered, entirely avoiding his own culpability. It seemed only now did Zhao Lu grasp the gravity of their situation, realizing what the bankruptcy of the Zhao family meant. Herplexion turned ashen. ustomed to a life of luxury, the thought of having her bank cards canceled, losing her clothes, and being forced to apany men she found repulsive was terrifying. Zhao Lu was frightened by Zhao Shaotian¡¯s words. ¡°Dad¡­¡± She turned, seemingly seeking some reassurance from her father. But Zhao¡¯s father, who had been silent since the argument began, merely nodded gravely. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to suffer beside Lu Li, then prepare to endure the hardships of life!¡± Zhao Lu¡¯s face was a ghastly white, her previously fiery demeanor copsing onto the floor. Yu Meng, having overheard everything, felt a chill in her gaze. ¡°Daring to offend my big brother, you deserve nothing less than death.¡± With that thought, she no longer concealed her presence, confident Ye Chen wasn¡¯t around, and revealed herself. ¡°Who are you? Don¡¯t you know the rules? Didn¡¯t we say no entry?¡± Zhao Lu, venting her fear, yelled at Yu Meng. ¡°And you dare to look down on my big brother?¡± The murderous intent in Yu Meng¡¯s eyes shed momentarily. ¡°You say¡­¡± Before Zhao Lu could finish, a sharp dagger had already shed across her throat, silencing her forever. Yu Meng dodged Zhao Lu¡¯s falling body with agility, her shadowy figure appearing before Zhao¡¯s father, swiftly delivering another blow without giving them time to react. Turning again, Yu Meng seized Zhao Shaotian by the neck, lifting him with tremendous force. The dagger that had just slit the throats of his father and sister bore no trace of blood. ¡°Is it with this filthy mouth that you mocked my big brother?¡± Zhao Shaotian¡¯s eyes widened in terror, unable to speak under her control. The strength of the woman before him was frightening; his tall frame was effortlessly lifted by her single hand. Realizing the reason for her visit, he understood she hade because of his mockery of Lu Li. In recent times, he had only mocked one person ¨C Lu Li, the very man who had driven the Zhao family to bankruptcy. This woman was Lu Li¡¯s person. With this realization, Zhao Shaotian trembled in regret. He shouldn¡¯t have crossed Lu Li. He had been wrong from the start; Lu Li was not someone the Zhao family could afford to offend. His attempt to benefit from Lu Li had already angered him, not to mention the mockery instigated by Ye Chen. ¡°Damn it, Ye Chen, you¡¯ve doomed me!¡± Zhao Shaotian was filled with resentment. Yu Meng didn¡¯t care for Zhao Shaotian¡¯s response. She hadn¡¯t expected one anyway. The grip on his neck ensured he couldn¡¯t make a sound, although missing the pleas was a pity. She had another target ¨C Ye Chen. The dagger plunged deeply into Zhao Shaotian¡¯s face, utterly destroying his once handsome features. Yu Meng could be the humble Xiao Meng sister in front of Lu Li, but to others, she was the cold-blooded assassin. When the disguise was stripped away, her enemies realized the terrifying nature of what they had provoked. Delighting in the horror that transformed Zhao Shaotian¡¯s arrogant visage, Yu Meng felt a rush of satisfaction. Those who threatened her big brother deserved death. Having made her point, she delivered the final blow to Zhao Shaotian. Surveying the chaos of the living room, Yu Meng¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile. She hadpleted half of the task assigned by her big brother. All that remained was to kill Ye Chen, and then big brother would ept her. She could prove her unwavering loyalty and remain by her big brother¡¯s side. Without bothering to clean the blood off her, Yu Meng headed to Ye Chen¡¯s room. The vast Zhao estate was eerily quiet, the servants likely having fled upon catching wind of what was happening. Yu Meng easily found Ye Chen¡¯s room and slowly opened the door. ¡°Who¡­¡± Ye Chen sensed her almost instantly. His survival wasn¡¯t just due to his erratic thinking or his self-absorbed vanity. He possessed the necessary skills, otherwise, how could he have won over those wild subordinates of his? ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± Yu Meng quietly concealed her dagger within her sleeve. ¡°Xiao Meng?¡± Ye Chen looked at her, surprised. Noticing the blood on Yu Meng, a dark shadow crossed his eyes. ¡°Did that second-generation idiot Lu Liy his hands on you?¡± Yu Meng was the woman he had set his sights on. Despite her consistent coldness towards him, Ye Chen had long regarded Yu Meng as his woman. That Lu Li dare to touch his woman. A glint of murderous intent shed in his eyes. Observing Yu Meng¡¯s current state, he instinctively thought Lu Li had made a move on Yu Meng, who then retaliated. ¡°Lucky for you, to insult me andy hands on my woman, you died too easily.¡± Chapter 59 - Yu Meng: I Am Now Lu Lis Woman Chapter 59 - Yu Meng: I Am Now Lu Li''s Woman Chapter 59: Yu Meng: I Am Now Lu Li¡¯s Woman ¡°Yes, I killed Lu Li.¡± Yu Meng knew of Ye Chen¡¯s strength. If she didn¡¯t lower his guard, taking him by surprise, she wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against him. This mission was fraught with danger for her, but to stay by her big brother¡¯s side, she was willing to break through any challenge, no matter the cost. She had already caused a misunderstanding with her big brother and needed to act to clear up his misunderstanding about her. If killing the despicable Ye Chen could clear up the misunderstanding, then his death would be worth it. It was all Ye Chen¡¯s fault, his actions had led to the misunderstanding with her big brother. By eliminating him, she could prove herself to her big brother. ¡°Really¡­¡± Ye Chen didn¡¯t doubt her words, letting out a resigned sigh, ¡°In that case, you should go back overseas for a while,y low until I take care of the mess.¡± Upon learning that Lu Li hadn¡¯tid a hand on Zhao Lu, Ye Chen momentarily abandoned his intent to kill Lu Li. After all, the Lu family was a renowned name in Hangzhou, and having them focus on him would only bring trouble. It wasn¡¯t fear, but considering he hadn¡¯t fully established himself domestically,plications could arise. So, he had only tasked Yu Meng with digging up dirt on the Lu Corporation. Now, with Lu Li daring to make a move on his woman and ending up dead, it was just one less problem. ¡°Ye Chen, I have something to tell you.¡± Suddenly, Yu Meng shed a stunning smile, her alluring face radiating charm, the murderous intent in her eyes fleeting. Ye Chen felt his heart skip a beat, then a wave of joy washed over him. Had Yu Meng finally been moved by him, confessing her feelings as they were about to part? Maybe tonight, the woman he longed for would finally be his. ¡°Cough, cough, go on, I¡¯m listening. I was indeed rash this time, I shouldn¡¯t have sent you to Lu Li. Whateverpensation you need, just say it.¡± His gaze, slick and greasy, fixed intently on Yu Meng. Even as her heart swelled with murderous intent, Yu Meng felt nauseated by Ye Chen¡¯s self-absorbed posture. Her heart, her body, belonged to her big brother. Being coveted by someone like him only disgusted her. ¡°I want to tell you¡­¡± Yu Meng lowered her head, reducing her volume. ¡°What?¡± Ye Chen had to lean in to hear her. ¡°I am now Lu Li¡¯s woman.¡± She sneered, delivering the words that shattered Ye Chen¡¯sposure. Yu Meng knew of Ye Chen¡¯s possessiveness over the people close to him. He could never ept that his woman had been with another man¡­ In an instant, Ye Chen¡¯s pupils constricted, as if his heart was about to burst, a torrent of rage swirling within him. At that moment, Yu Meng¡¯s dagger, previously concealed in her sleeve, was in her hand, shing mercilessly towards Ye Chen¡¯s neck. Caught off guard by Yu Meng¡¯s sudden attack and still reeling from the shocking news, Ye Chen could barely react. As he saw the deing, his pupils shook violently, and with no weapon in hand, he instinctively raised his arms to block Yu Meng¡¯s strike. A scream followed as Ye Chen¡¯s little finger and ring finger fell to the clean floor. ¡°Yu Meng, what are you doing¡­¡± Clutching his hand, ready to fight, Ye Chen growled at Yu Meng in shock and anger. ¡°As long as I kill you, big brother will ept me again, and I can stay by his side. Ye Chen, you must die!¡± Yu Meng, undeterred by her missed strike, lunged forward with her knife again. Without a weapon and caught by surprise by Yu Meng¡¯s sudden assault, Ye Chen could only defend himself awkwardly. Yu Meng, second only to him in skill within their organization, was not someone he dared im he could defeat under these circumstances. ncing around, and seeing Yu Meng about to attack again, he rolled out of the window, escaping. Despite his rage and sense of betrayal, he knew continuing this fight would only end badly for him. His instincts, honed on the battlefields of the Middle East, had saved his life more than once. Watching Ye Chen disappear into the night, Yu Meng¡¯s expression turned grim. Damn Ye Chen, damn Ye Chen. Why couldn¡¯t he just let himself be killed easily? His pathetic life was just a tool for me to regain my big brother¡¯s trust. ¡°Because of you, damn bastard, I was misunderstood by my big brother. You killed my big brother, Ye Chen, I will kill you.¡± Yu Meng remembered the despair of losing Lu Li in her previous life, a destion she didn¡¯t want to recall. Now that her big brother was still here, she would do anything to hold onto him. That day, on the bustling streets, that big boy who gently asked if she needed help, in the orphanage, when she covered big brother¡¯s eyes to ask when he woulde again, her big brother was the most beautiful light in the heart of her, a small orphan, something she wanted to grasp for her entire life. No matter what her big brother did, she would never me Lu Li. *** ¡°Looks like your body is recovering well, that¡¯s good, won¡¯t affect going to work.¡± Lu Li said quite gracelessly to Chen Xiaoyi at the breakfast table. ¡°Damn capitalist, calling me ¡®baby¡¯ yesterday, and today it¡¯s about not affecting work!¡± Chen Xiaoyi muttered under her breath as she delicately ate her breakfast, casting a gloomy nce at Lu Li. ¡°Drink more of this chicken soup; having the boss make soup for you, you¡¯re quite the lucky employee!¡± Lu Li suddenly chimed in. Chen Xiaoyi paused, feeling a warmth spread through her heart. Without a word, she got up, poured herself arge bowl of chicken soup, and drank it down. It was delicious! ¡°Look at you, eat up! After you¡¯re done, go wrap up the Zhao Corporation thing. Your position could be moved up a notch.¡± Lu Li smiled gently, his approach subtle yet impactful, aiming to touch her heart without leaving any trace. ¡°¡­Lu Li, it¡¯s not necessary, I¡¯m already doing well.¡± The man in front of her had covered her debts, provided her with care, and even arranged a job for her. He had done enough. ¡°Those people at thepany have their opinions.¡± ¡°Hmph, I¡¯ve had you busy for a month, I¡¯ve already done the face-saving work for them, who dares toin! The size of the role one should y aligns with their abilities, it¡¯s only fair.¡± What face-saving work? Lu Li had intentionally ced Chen Xiaoyi at the grassroots to test her, partly to check if she could reach the heights depicted in the story. On another note, it was also a reality check for Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re my woman now, is there a problem with me treating you a bit better?¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes welled up. For her, Lu Li¡¯s simple deration of ¡°my woman¡± meant more than any sweet nothings. Chapter 60 Chapter 60 Chapter 60: Hiring You Meng as the Nanny Upon arriving at the entrance of the manor, Lu Li found You Meng standing stiffly at the doorway, her eyes dark and red, sparkling with tears and looking sorrowful. ¡°Lu Li!¡± Chen Xiaoyi called out with concern. Lu Li had already disclosed to her yesterday that this woman was a spy sent by that bastard Ye Chen, so she harbored no good feelings towards You Meng. ¡°Xiaoyi, go to work by yourself today!¡± Lu Li got out of the car. Seeing Chen Xiaoyi looking at him worriedly warmed his heart. Everyone liked being favored like this, and he was no exception. It was what Lu Li yearned for, yet he could only helplessly shake his head. ¡°Forget it, take a day off today and let¡¯s hear what she has to say!¡± ¡°Mm!¡± Chen Xiaoyi red at You Meng, her heart filled with thoughts of her beloved man. Why should he suffer because of these bad women, whether it¡¯s that woman Zhang Ziqin or You Meng standing before them now. The car turned back into the manor, and You Meng followed them in. Just as they entered the Lu family manor and stepped inside the house, You Meng threw herself at them, her eyes brimming with tears as she choked up, ¡°Big brother, I really love you. I¡¯ve been thinking about you ever since we parted. Please, don¡¯t make me leave; I just want to stay by your side.¡± Her pitiful appearance made Lu Li¡¯s gaze flicker slightly. Even though his heart held a grudge against You Meng for killing him in his past life (in the story! It was Ye Chen who killed him), seeing the rare warmth in his heart begging so pitifully softened him for a moment. ¡°Did you aplish the task I assigned you?¡± He wouldn¡¯t be swayed by just a hug. ¡°Big brother¡­¡± You Meng knelt down in despair in front of Lu Li, ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with the people from the Zhao family, but, but Ye Chen escaped. I couldn¡¯t kill him¡­¡± Killing Ye Chen was big brother¡¯smand. You Meng was scared, fearing that she hadn¡¯tpleted the task given by big brother and that he wouldn¡¯t ept her. ¡°So, you mean you didn¡¯t aplish it?¡± Lu Li¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. To be honest, he was already surprised that You Meng actually managed to kill those from the Zhao family. This already proved that he hadn¡¯t misjudged her; the You Meng from yesterday wasn¡¯t acting. Hearing this, You Meng trembled and quickly took out two fingers wrapped up from her pocket, ¡°Big brother, I¡¯m ipetent. I could only cut off two of Ye Chen¡¯s fingers. Please, please don¡¯t send me away. Next time, I will definitely deal with Ye Chen. Xiao Meng just wants to stay by big brother¡¯s side.¡± ¡°Is this¡­ Ye Chen¡¯s?¡± ¡°Mm! Big brother, I promise, next time I will definitely kill Ye Chen. Please don¡¯t send me away, okay?¡± When had the famous ¡®Dark Moon¡¯ been so humble? In front of Lu Li, You Meng abandoned all her pride. Without responding to You Meng¡¯s words, Lu Li examined the fingers she held up, ¡°I¡¯ll determine whether these two fingers belong to Ye Chen.¡± If they truly belonged to Ye Chen, that would be an unexpected joy. He had never hoped for You Meng to actually be able to kill Ye Chen. ¡°Did you handle the aftermath with the Zhao family?¡± He looked at the woman before him with a deep gaze. Hearing Lu Li¡¯s question, You Meng nodded, ¡°I handled it. I put Ye Chen¡¯s fingerprints on the dagger. Everyone will believe Ye Chen killed the people from the Zhao family.¡± He silently nodded. This matter was easy to investigate. If You Meng used such a thing to deceive him, that would be too foolish. ¡°Are you sure, you weren¡¯t touched by Ye Chen?¡± If this woman had been touched by Ye Chen and only said she thought of him after seeing him, Lu Li would only feel disgust, repulsion. ¡°No, my body, my heart, my soul, they all belong to big brother. I have never been touched by any man.¡± You Meng shook her head nervously, as if afraid Lu Li wouldn¡¯t believe her and quickly added, ¡°I can prove it to big brother right now.¡± Lu Li slowly closed his eyes, and after a long while, he opened them and looked at the anxious You Meng, his voice slightly gentler, ¡°Get up!¡± ¡°Big brother¡­¡± ¡°I believe what you¡¯ve said.¡± Killing the female lead¡¯s family and moving against Ye Chen, these were things he could find out about right away. Although You Meng¡¯s words were extreme, disying an obsession that seemed to only exist in novels, he quite liked it. ¡°Then, big brother¡­¡± ¡°From now on, you¡¯ll stay at my house, as a nanny. I happen to need a servant.¡± ¡°Thank you, big brother, thank you so much.¡± You Meng¡¯s eyes welled up with excited tears. She had worked for Ye Chen for so long, and this time, even though she hadn¡¯t fulfilled big brother¡¯s request to deal with Ye Chen, big brother still allowed her to stay by his side. ¡°As long as I can stay by big brother¡¯s side, anything is fine.¡± Lu Li slowly closed his eyes again, his heart alsoplex. The murderer who killed him in his past life had nowe to his side this life, disying such a lovestruck appearance. Truly, life is full of uncertainties, a twist of fate indeed! He knew what he liked was this kind of favoritism, but if he forgave You Meng today, would he be able to forgive that bitch Zhang Ziqin next time? ¡°No, absolutely impossible. In my previous life, I indeed never mentioned my name in front of You Meng; her not recognizing me and what she did is understandable, but Zhang Ziqin¡­that woman is my sworn enemy. The humiliation time after time, that heart-wrenching pain, how could I let it go?¡± Remembering the day of the banquet, how Zhang Ziqin had poured that cold ss of red wine, leaving him aside to happily chat with Ye Chen, a surge of malevolence arose within Lu Li. No one dictated that Zhang Ziqin had to fall in love with him, but if she didn¡¯t love him, why hurt him? Enjoying the conveniences brought by him, relishing the emotions he had sacrificed everything to offer. To change his destiny, Lu Li had even fallen in love with Zhang Ziqin sincerely. But what did Zhang Ziqin do? While enjoying, she hurt him; possibly, she felt exhrated by the attention, perhaps even smug about having such a devoted follower! Heh! ¡°Lu Li¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi held Lu Li¡¯s hand worriedly. ¡°It¡¯s alright. But are you okay? You weren¡¯t scared, were you?¡± Stability returning to his tumultuous emotions, Lu Li stroked Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s hair. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± The moment You Meng mentioned she had killed the entire Zhao family, she was indeed frightened, not to mention the two fingers of Ye Chen. But You Meng adjusted quickly. As long as it was what Lu Li wished for, that was what Chen Xiaoyi intended to do. If it were her, she would also ruthlessly deal with those people. ¡°Throw these dirty things away to feed the dogs.¡± Hemanded You Meng, his tone neither gentle nor distant but carrying a trace of coldness. As the woman said, as long as she could stay by his side, anything was fine. Being a maid was also staying by his side. Chapter 61 Chapter 61 Chapter 61: Ye Chen in the Sewers ¡°Today, our city witnessed a major case. The bankrupt Lu Corporation suddenly suffered a tragic annihtion. ording to the investigation,w enforcement found a dagger at the scene. Based on the fingerprints on the dagger,w enforcement identified the murderer as a man named Ye Chen, who was reportedly in good rtions with the Zhao family and was invited to their home recently. As for the murderer¡¯s motive, it is still unclear¡­¡± ¡°My goodness, wasn¡¯t the Zhao Corporation about to go bankrupt? This is too tragic!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care about whether they were going bankrupt or not, I just want to know why that friend of the Zhao family would murder them.¡± ¡°It¡¯s definitely because the Zhao family treated him too well, and bred resentment. The Zhao family couldn¡¯t keep providing for him, so he grew to hate them.¡± ¡°Maybe so, gratitude turns to grudges, tsk tsk tsk!¡± ¡°This Ye Chen, looking all humane and decent, doing such inhumane deeds!¡± ¡°Beauty lovers, retreat, this is a battlefield¡­¡± Turning on the TV, mobile phones, news about Ye Chen¡¯s big face was stered everywhere, setting the stage for his infamy! Isn¡¯t Ye Chen always dreaming of breaking into the domestic market and making a name for himself? Now, his name is indeed known nationwide. Those two fingers were also confirmed to belong to Ye Chen. Lu Li¡¯s doubts about You Mengpletely dissipated. Unexpectedly, in this protagonist-centered novel world, Zhang Ziqin struck a deal with Ye Chen in just a few words, Lu Ya was coaxed into humiliating him time and again, eight years of affection, over a decade of kinship couldn¡¯t elicit a shred of emotion from them, yet there was still someone like You Meng, a clear stream. Although he didn¡¯t know how she found him in this life, since she was still looking for him now, it means she hadn¡¯t given up searching in her previous life. Compared to Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya, she indeed could be considered a clear stream. But sins do not diminish. In the story, this woman killed him, maybe because she didn¡¯t recognize the nail, and indeed, she had been working for Ye Chen, his enemy, for so many years. To say there were no grudges would be impossible. *** Ye Chen crawled out from the sewer, covered in foul smell, looking utterly wretched. Clenching his teeth, hatred nearly spewing from his eyes, his fists clenched, his fingernails digging into his flesh, blood dripping onto the ground unnoticed. You Meng made a move against him, even tried to kill him, something Ye Chen couldn¡¯t tolerate. Zhang Ziqin, Cao Yingying, those women were only coveted by him, and considered as his women, but You Meng had been by his side for so many years, he had long regarded her as his woman. Now, his woman had betrayed him, and even told him that she now belonged to Lu Li. This was utterly humiliating for Ye Chen. ncing at his right hand, two fingers were chopped off by You Meng, her decisive attitude nearly drove Ye Chen¡¯s rationality to burn away. He couldn¡¯t ept his woman¡¯s betrayal. All traitors deserve to die. A fierce light shed in his eyes, murderous intent uncontrobly sprouting in his heart. He, the esteemed leader of the Sky Dragon Organization, when had he encountered such a situation? ¡°Lu Li, what¡¯s the deal with this damned guy? Zhang Ziqin siding with him, Cao Yingying as well, and now even You Meng has run off to his side.¡± The humiliations he suffered these days were unprecedented in his life. Zhang Ziqin publicly rejecting his cooperation offer, the humiliation from Cao Yingying at the Cao family¡¯s birthday banquet, and now You Meng¡¯s betrayal. This was nothing like what he had envisioned upon returning to the country. In Ye Chen¡¯s n, after returning home, things were supposed to go smoothly, easily achieving cooperation, bringing his Sky Dragon Organization to the domestic scene, surrounded by beauties, full of high spirits. But reality pped him hard. The Zhao family was annihted, and he became the prime suspect, even the only source of his power, the Zhao family, was thoroughly ruined by that Lu Li. ¡°No, this can¡¯t go on. Hangzhou is no longer safe for me. First, go to the Magic City, and get rid of this criminal charge!¡± Hangzhou was only Ye Chen¡¯s nned first stop. His ultimate goal was the Ye family in the Imperial City. As the long-lost eldest son of the Ye family, he was determined to reim everything that belonged to him. ording to his original n, he was supposed to soar in Hangzhou, bringing his Sky Dragon Organization into the country through the connections of the Zhang family, and then move on to the Magic City. The Imperial City was supposed to be his final stop in the country, but all his ns were disrupted by that worthless Lu Li. Biting his teeth fiercely, his heart filled with murderous intentions towards Lu Li. ¡°Zhang Ziqin, Cao Yingying, you all wait for me. Today¡¯s humiliation, I will return it to you sooner orter. I will make Lu Li kneel and beg for mercy in front of you, and as for You Meng, I will let you know the consequences of betraying me.¡± Looking back at Hangzhou onest time, Ye Chen swore in his heart and headed in the direction of the Magic City. *** At Lu Corporation, wearing a ck pencil skirt, ck stockings, paired with fiery red high heels, holding a bouquet of bright roses, Zhang Ziqin approached the reception desk. ¡°Hello, I would like to see President Lu¡­¡± Even today, Zhang Ziqin still couldn¡¯t get used to this title, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Zhang, our president didn¡¯te to the office today,¡± the receptionist said politely, not her first time seeing Zhang Ziqin. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the President Zhang from the Zhang Corporation? Why is she running to the Lu Corporation?¡± Employees passing by whispered upon seeing Zhang Ziqin. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t make such a fuss. Who doesn¡¯t know shees here every day, always with roses,¡± a colleague remarked nonchntly. ¡°Ah! Shees every day, bringing roses? Wasn¡¯t it said that our President Lu was herpdog? This¡­¡± ¡°Cut it out, you¡¯re out of the loop. Now, who doesn¡¯t know this woman used to string our President Lu along, always asking for favors! If it weren¡¯t for President Lu asking Old President Lu for help, Zhang Corporation would have been finished long ago. This woman strung President Lu along for eight years, and now that President Lu stopped chasing her, she¡¯s running over here.¡± ¡°Ah, so Ms. Zhang is that kind of person? She doesn¡¯t look it!¡± ¡°Heh heh, you can¡¯t judge a book by its cover. Just learn your lesson!¡± ¡°So, why is she here now?¡± ¡°What else could it be? After President Lu took office, he terminated all cooperation with Zhang Corporation. This woman is panicking, trying to curry favor with President Lu again, but unfortunately! She used to ignore President Lu, and now our President Lu is out of her league!¡± The whispers of the employees were soft but still reached Zhang Ziqin¡¯s ears. These days, such voices never stopped, like countless swords piercing her heart. Zhang Ziqin slightly lowered her head. She didn¡¯t defend herself. She willingly bore all this, all the debts she owed to Lu Li. Initially, Lu Li woulde to herpany¡¯s doorstep every day, but she never let him upstairs. Just being rejected by Lu Li for a few days made Zhang Ziqin feel heart-wrenched. How disappointed must Lu Li have been back then! She too had experienced the feeling of being insulted. Chapter 62 Chapter 62 Chapter 62: It¡¯s All My Debt ¡°Thank you.¡± With a simple word to the receptionist, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s cold CEO demeanor couldn¡¯t manifest in the Lu Corporation that belonged to Lu Li. The receptionist looked at Zhang Ziqin with some disdain. When their President Lu was pursuing President Zhang, this woman was indifferent. Eight years, ah, wasn¡¯t President Lu¡¯s persistence enough to move heaven and earth? Yet, this woman, while enjoying the benefits requested by President Lu from Old President Lu, despised President Lu in every possible way. Now that President Lu had given up, stopped pursuing, and severed all cooperation with the Zhang Corporation, this woman came running back¡­ yed herself, didn¡¯t she? The string-alongpdog ran away, huh! Nowing with roses to feign deep affection, is this trying to disgust President Lu? So realistic. Zhang Ziqin silently left the Lu Corporation, got back into her car. These past few days weren¡¯t her first time here, but she never went inside. Closing her eyes in pain, in her previous life, she, in her ambition to expand the Zhang Corporation, ignored her lover¡¯s feelings. Lu Li, over the course of eight years, countless times came to herpany¡¯s door with flowers and lunch boxes, but she, focused solely on work, repeatedly coldly rejected Lu Li¡¯s kindness. She could see the disappointment in Lu Li¡¯s eyes; Zhang Ziqin felt some guilt, but these feelings were quickly pushed to the back of her mind as she continued on to the next task because she firmly believed Lu Li would never leave her. Always so fearless when favored! Then, Ye Chen appeared. Ye Chen¡¯s arrival was strong. At that banquet that Zhang Ziqin would regret for a lifetime, he approached her, presented an irresistible offer, making Zhang Ziqin, eager to prove she wasn¡¯t relying on Lu Li, tempted. Just then, Lu Li¡¯s voice rang out, angry, shouting at Ye Chen. Drawing all eyes to them, she was also very angry, feeling Lu Li¡¯s distrust was an insult to her, a loss of face. After that ss of red wine was thrown, everything seemed to change. She saw Lu Li¡¯s dejected departure from the Zhang family estate, silently apologizing in her heart, thinking Lu Li would understand her eventually. Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t believe for a second that Lu Li would leave her just like that. He had followed her for eight years without ever giving up; how could he abandon her over a coboration with another man? ustomed to Lu Li always being behind her, she unhesitatingly started the coboration with Ye Chen. It was just cooperation, Lu Li would understand! If he loved her, he should trust her. How foolish she was then! Afterward, Lu Li¡¯s pursuit seemed to cool down, bing routine, something everyone could see. Lu Li had given up, only she was still deluding herself that Lu Li loved only her. Ye Chen¡¯s appearance was like a spark that finally ignited all the bitterness of Lu Li¡¯s previous eight years. From that ss of red wine, from the start of her coboration with Ye Chen, everything changed. Back then, Zhang Ziqin never considered whether she was wrong. Maybe she knew, but she still went ahead. Because of being favored, so fearless! These days at the Lu Corporation, all being rejected by Lu Li, just these cold rejections made Zhang Ziqin feel as if her heart was being cut open. She couldn¡¯t even dare to believe how Lu Li had persisted for those eight years. Starting over, Lu Li still gave up on her. It was all her fault; she made Lu Lipletely lose hope in her. Tears fell like rain. Just hearing the rumors about Lu Li and that Chen Xiaoyi, she was unbearably distressed. In her previous life, she actually expected Lu Li to trust her. Such a Zhang Ziqin was pitiful and hateful, but not worthy of pity! ¡°Lu Li, I¡¯ve already felt the hardships you¡¯ve endured. I¡¯ll continue to feel them, no matter how long it takes, I must win you back. What I owe you, I¡¯ll make up for all of it.¡± Silent tears fell from her eyes as Zhang Ziqin silently told herself. Wiping away her tears forcefully, she drove towards the Lu family estate. Since Lu Li wasn¡¯t at thepany, then she would go to his home to find him. Compared to Lu Li, what was the Zhang Corporation! *** At the entrance of the Lu family estate, Cao Yingying took a deep breath, yet her heart couldn¡¯t calm down. Grandpa was right; if you like someone, you should tell them openly. Pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend is a desecration of love. But Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t help feeling nervous. Confessing like this was a first for her; usually, she preferred to express her feelings through actions, apanying Lu Li was her way. But in the end, she missed her chance. This made Cao Yingying reflect on herself. Perhaps she really needed the courage to speak her heart out, just like Grandpa said. But the problem was, in Lu Li¡¯s eyes, they hadn¡¯t known each other for long. She was someone who had returned from her previous life, having fallen in love with Lu Li back then, but Lu Li didn¡¯t know! In his eyes, she was just a woman he hadn¡¯t known for long. Would her sudden confession scare him? With myriad thoughts, Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t help but feel nervous. How do I look in this white dress? Will Lu Li like it? Is this lipstick shade too dark? Will Lu Li like it? ¡°Miss Cao, why are you here?¡± Just then, a voice full of surprise came. It was Zhang Ziqin. She looked at the woman in front of her with aplex face, as beautiful as her, even more so. After Lu Li¡¯s death in her previous life, Cao Yingying forcefully prohibited anyone from touching his corpse, even forbidding the Lu family from paying their respects because Cao Yingying felt they didn¡¯t deserve to, appearing before Lu Li would only make him ufortable. Like a wife, she took care of all Lu Li¡¯s affairs, not even allowing Zhang Ziqin to get involved. Even Lu Li¡¯s tomb was off-limits to her. Although they had teamed up against Ye Chen, Zhang Ziqin knew Cao Yingying disliked her, no, detested her, and knew her feelings for Lu Li. At this time in her previous life, Cao Yingying and Lu Li shouldn¡¯t have crossed paths yet, but now Lu Li was Cao Yingying¡¯s grandfather¡¯s doctor. Was this heaven¡¯s punishment for her? ¡°I naturally came to find Lu Li, but I don¡¯t know why Miss Zhang would be here?¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s tone was very polite, with a hint of hostility. Although they had fought against Ye Chen together, avenging Lu Li, the hurt this woman caused Lu Li made her feel no fondness for Zhang Ziqin. If not for Lu Li¡¯s feelings for her, Cao Yingying would have wanted to deal with Zhang Ziqin and Ye Chen together in her previous life. I wanted to protect Lu Li, but you hurt him so. The person I wanted to cherish, why should you treat him like that? ¡°I¡¯m also here to find Lu Li.¡± Zhang Ziqin looked at Cao Yingying somewhat hostilely. No matter what, Lu Li was the one she would not give up on. Chapter 63 Chapter 63 Chapter 63: Humble Zhang Ziqin Cao Yingying frowned, ncing at the bright red roses in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s hands with a hint of disapproval shing in her eyes. Lu Li had already given up on her, yet this woman was clinging onto him even more. It really was the same old pattern, not knowing the value of what she had until it was lost! In her previous life, this woman was so favored by Lu Li yet never knew how to cherish him. She could have easily held onto Lu Li if she had just reached out her hand, but she never did. After Lu Li¡¯s death, she was crying and screaming, repeatedly begging Cao Yingying to let her visit Lu Li¡¯s grave, putting on a show of deep love. Did she deserve it? Cao Yingying was only restrained by her good upbringing, otherwise, she would definitely have spat in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face in disgust. What use was her bted affection? Zhang Ziqin had so many opportunities when she was so close to Lu Li. If only she had seized one of them, the oue wouldn¡¯t have been the same. But this woman insisted on pushing Lu Li¡¯s limits time and again, being cold and indifferent, treating him like he was disposable, happily cooperating with that bastard Ye Chen and tossing Lu Li aside, never once caring about his feelings. Repeatedly teaming up with that Ye Chen to humiliate Lu Li, Cao Yingying found such behavior disgusting. If you say this is how you, Zhang Ziqin, show your love for Lu Li, Cao Yingying suggests you really need to check your brain. Withdrawing her gaze, Cao Yingying decided not to engage with this woman and said to the security personnel, ¡°Hello, I am Cao Yingying, here to see Lu Li.¡± ¡°Miss Cao, we will contact the young master right away.¡± The security personnel nodded respectfully. The more prestigious the family, the more measured their security staff acted, avoiding any possible disrespect to guests who might be from other influential families; they couldn¡¯t afford to offend. Zhang Ziqin opened her mouth but didn¡¯t say anything. She knew Lu Li¡¯s attitude towards her. If she tried to announce herself by name, she might not even see Lu Li. Silently lowering her head and following Cao Yingying, at least she could see Lu Li and speak a few words to him. Holding the roses tightly, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s emotions were mixed. Now, even seeing Lu Li seemed like a luxury, requiring the help of a rival to meet him. This feeling was unbearable for Zhang Ziqin. Her phone number was already cklisted by him; Lu Li simply didn¡¯t want to see her. This was all her retribution. Having been reborn, she still ended up losing Lu Li. Tears welled up in her eyes, and a profound sorrow surged in her heart. ¡­ ¡°The young master, this is the gatehouse calling. Miss Cao Yingying is here to see you, should we let her in?¡± The security personnel called Lu Li. ¡°Cao Yingying, why did shee to the Lu estate?¡± Lu Li frowned. If it was for treatment, it wasn¡¯t urgent at this moment; he usually treated Old Master Cao in the afternoon! Last time they had dinner together, he made their rtionship somewhat awkward. Did Cao Yingying have a particr reason to visit at this time? Nevertheless, Cao Yingying was the Miss of the Cao family, and he had to maintain enough respect for her. ¡°Have her wait a moment; I¡¯lle to meet her!¡± Lu Li said before hanging up the phone. The Lu family¡¯s estate was vast, taking about ten to fifteen minutes to walk across, so the estate was equipped with several garden cars for convenience. Arriving at the gate, Lu Li frowned upon seeing Zhang Ziqin there. ¡°Lu Li, you didn¡¯t have toe out personally; I could havee in by myself.¡± Cao Yingying stepped forward, speaking to Lu Li. She was still worried about Lu Li¡¯s lingering feelings for Zhang Ziqin, after all, at this point in their previous life, Lu Li hadn¡¯t given up on Zhang Ziqin yet! ¡°Miss Cao hase to visit; how could I not personally wee you?¡± Seeing Cao Yingying¡¯s nonchnt demeanor, Lu Li couldn¡¯t help but frown again, quickly saying in a softer tone. ¡°Lu Li, I¡¯ve told you, just call me Yingying. Grandfather also hopes you would call me that. I was rash yesterday; please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± She moved closer, casting a tender look, gently tucking her hair behind her ear. ¡°Uh¡­¡± After making things so awkward yesterday, this woman actually still wanted him to call her Yingying. Strange, it was truly bizarre. Cao Yingying¡¯s gaze made his heart skip a beat. ¡°Then¡­ Yingying, let¡¯s get in the car and talk inside.¡± Lu Li found himself calling her by that name involuntarily. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go!¡± Cao Yingying smiled brightly, her innate intellectual and elegant beauty shining through, her unreserved smile like a breath of spring, causing Lu Li to pause momentarily. ¡°Wait, Lu¡­ President.¡± Seeing them about to leave, Zhang Ziqin panicked, clutching the roses, and quickly approached Lu Li. ¡°President Lu, these are flowers I prepared for you. May I invite you to dinner?¡± She asked cautiously, the title ¡®President Lu¡¯ cutting her deeply. When did her rtionship with Lu Li be so distant? Even calling him by his name was now a luxury. Lu Li turned to look at Zhang Ziqin, observing the flowers in her hands, and smirked coldly. In his previous life, how many times had he stood with roses outside Zhang Ziqin¡¯spany, only to see her a handful of times? ¡°Can you note to mypany every day?¡± ¡°Are you annoying?¡± ¡°Invite me to dinner? I have to work.¡± ¡°See a movie? Go watch it yourself; I¡¯m busy!¡± These were Zhang Ziqin¡¯s responses, not exactly uniform but entirely disdainful. Now that hispdog had run away, Zhang Ziqin was actively seeking him out with flowers, an ironic situation indeed! ¡°Miss Zhang, I think I made myself very clearst time; you don¡¯t need to try getting from me anything that doesn¡¯t belong to you,¡± he said with a scornful nce. ¡°Lu¡­ President, I don¡¯t want anything; I just want to invite you to dinner¡­¡± Zhang Ziqin hadn¡¯t expected to be seen in such a light by Lu Li. The bitterness in her heart was overwhelming, tears welling up in her eyes. Except when Lu Li brought her new orders, she had never gone out with him. She didn¡¯t me Lu Li; she brought this situation upon herself. ¡°Inviting me to dinner? Ha! What, now that yourpdog has run away, you can¡¯t resist wanting to chase me back?¡± His scornful gaze fixed on Zhang Ziqin, who was putting on a pitiful act for whom? These past few days, this woman had been constantly visiting the Lu Corporation, rushing over as soon as he became the General Manager, and now that he was the President, she wasing every day. He had once focused all his efforts on this woman to break free from the system, but how had she acted? Now running over to invite him to dinner, don¡¯t make me sick. ¡°Stop making such disgusting gestures in front of me. I admit I once pursued you, but so what? I don¡¯t want to continue anymore, and I also ask you not to appear in front of me ever again. Seeing you makes me sick.¡± The only image he wanted to see of Zhang Ziqin was her death. ¡°Lu Li¡­ can you ept my flowers?¡± Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t help but grasp Lu Li¡¯s hand, showing an ugly smile, tears streaming down, imploringly looking at Lu Li. Chapter 64 Chapter 64 Chapter 64: A Different Cao Yingying ¡°Snap.¡± Forcefully shaking off Zhang Ziqin¡¯s hand, he also ended up throwing her to the ground in the process. Lu Li spoke with a cold tone: ¡°I¡¯ve said it before; we are not on terms to address each other by first names. Please show some self-respect, Miss Zhang.¡± Turning his head, he said to Cao Yingying: ¡°I apologize for the scene. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, after all, these are old matters from adulthood. If not handled well, they indeed can cause you trouble,¡± Cao Yingying said with a gentle smile. She had been worried that Lu Li still harbored illusions about Zhang Ziqin. Now it seems, when a man decides to give up on a rtionship, he indeed does so with absolute determination! Lu Li did right by treating Zhang Ziqin this way. Even though she knew she shouldn¡¯t think this way, seeing Zhang Ziqin in such a sorry state truly made Cao Yingying feel gratified. That¡¯s for humiliating and bullying Lu Li in the past. Now wanting to chase him back? Dream on. A woman who only knows to cherish after losing deserves nothing but continuous loss. You¡¯re not worthy of Lu Li¡¯s love! Sitting in the car Lu Li drove over, they left without looking back. Zhang Ziqin slumped to the ground, staring at the scattered rose petals around her. The fallen petals, much like her and Lu Li¡¯s rtionship, scattered, fallen, unable to return to how things once were. Even after preparing herself to return everything she owed Lu Li, to feel the pain he had gone through, to experience what he had endured, only by experiencing it could she know the feeling Lu Li once bore. In the past, she always did this, discarding Lu Li¡¯s flowers without a second thought, throwing them in the trash, casually tossing them away. She coldly rejected his invitations without sparing a moment¡¯s consideration, even humiliating him in public. Eight years of such treatment for Lu Li! Seeing Cao Yingying leaving happily with Lu Li, Zhang Ziqin thought back to her previous life when she always behaved simrly with Ye Chen, leaving Lu Li aside. What must have Lu Li felt back then! Perhaps Lu Li had already stopped loving her by then, as he stood numbly by the side, his pursuit of her turning mechanical, like fulfilling a task. The pain, it truly hurt. She couldn¡¯t ept it herself, yet in her previous life, she expected Lu Li to trust and understand her. How shameful! The heart-wrenching pain made it difficult for Zhang Ziqin to breathe. Experiencing Lu Li¡¯s suffering again, Zhang Ziqin felt more than ever that she owed him too much. Just this brief experience felt like her guts were being torn apart. How much more must Lu Li have suffered! After who knows how long, Zhang Ziqin collected herself, carefully gathering each fallen petal, holding them in her palms as if trying to grasp the love she lost, unwilling to let their rtionship wither like these petals. ¡°I won¡¯t give up, even if it costs me everything. I¡¯ll win you back. Perhaps it¡¯s impossible to mend what¡¯s broken, perhaps you don¡¯t love me anymore, but I still want to be by your side.¡± She reaffirmed her resolve silently. She couldn¡¯t break down; this was just the beginning, merely a fraction of what Lu Li had endured in the past. If Lu Li could persevere for eight years, then she would spend her lifetime making it up to him. Returning to her car, she cast a painful nce at the Lu family estate and silently drove away. She woulde back tomorrow. She wouldn¡¯t heed Lu Li¡¯s words unless it concerned not seeing him again. *** Lu Li felt rather upset. It was supposed to be a happy day, but Zhang Ziqin, that eyesore, showed up again. Maybe he should expedite his ns to have Zhang Ziqin die sooner. That thought barely crossed his mind before Lu Li dismissed it. Lu Ya died too easily, Zhao Lu too. Zhang Ziqin definitely couldn¡¯t be allowed to die so easily. ¡°Zhang Ziqin must not die just like that. I want her to experience all despair before dying miserably. You love business the most, I¡¯ll make sure you lose everything, be homeless, and have nowhere in the world to rest. Only after experiencing all this can you die.¡± A dense killing intent shed in his eyes. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s miserable state couldn¡¯t satisfy Lu Li; his goal had never changed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, did Zhang Ziqin¡¯s appearance upset you?¡± Cao Yingying asked worriedly. Although Zhang Ziqin¡¯s misfortune was satisfying, Lu Li¡¯s grim gaze still made her anxious. ¡°It¡¯s nothing much, just that I almost couldn¡¯t resist killing Zhang Ziqin just now. Do you think I¡¯m normal?¡± Adjusting his mood, since Cao Yingying, the female lead, has a discerning heart, nothing can escape her eyes, Lu Li decided to speak frankly. ¡°There¡¯s nothing abnormal about it. Miss Zhang disregarded your pursuit in the past, and now that thepany is facing difficulties, she immediatelyes to you. Such people are indeed disgusting,¡± Cao Yingying said with a soft smile, a hint of malice in her eyes. In her previous life, if not for Lu Li¡¯s sake, she would have wanted to deal with Zhang Ziqin herself. Bted affection, lower than weeds. If not for Zhang Ziqin insisting on cooperating with that scoundrel Ye Chen, how could Lu Li have ended up in that situation? Just the thought of Lu Li appearing numb after losing everything made Cao Yingying feel heartbroken. ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t expect Miss Cao Yingying to have such thoughts?¡± Lu Li looked at her surprisingly. The female protagonist, beautiful and intelligent, with the purity of a lotus, unexpectedly had such an extreme side. Cao Yingying responded with a smile, saying nothing. If Lu Li truly wanted to act against Zhang Ziqin, she¡¯d be the first to draw her sword. She might be elegant, but she wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to hurt Lu Li, the man she loved the most. As they entered the house, Cao Yingying saw two women inside and paused, slightly stunned. Chen Xiaoyi was there, which was not surprising since she hade with Lu Li to the Cao family¡¯s Hangzhou residence during the grandfather¡¯s birthday. Although Cao Yingying didn¡¯t know why Chen Xiaoyi would be by Lu Li¡¯s side in this life, with Lu Li¡¯s changed appearance, she attributed it to the butterfly effect and silently resolved to keep a close eye on her. The other woman¡­ she recognized her too. In her previous life, during her revenge against Ye Chen, this woman was the most crazed, stabbing Ye Chen dozens of times, deliberately avoiding vital spots to prevent him from dying easily. If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, this woman named You Meng should still be under Ye Chen¡¯smand. How did she end up here? And¡­ kneeling on the ground, was she cleaning the floor? Could it be the butterfly effect again, and she sessfully found Lu Li? Her gazeplicated: ¡°Lu Li, she is¡­¡± ¡°Oh, she¡¯s a little girl I used to help. Later, she went to Ye Chen¡¯s side, but after finding me, she wanted to stay by my side, so I found her something to do,¡± Lu Li said casually. He would need the Cao family¡¯s favor to deal with Ye Chen, there was no need to hide his enmity with Ye Chen. Chapter 65 Chapter 65 Chapter 65: The Strange Woman Is it the butterfly effect that allowed You Meng to find Lu Li ahead of time? Cao Yingying frowned slightly. She acknowledged You Meng¡¯s feelings for Lu Li; after all, when avenging Lu Li, You Meng had exerted a lot of effort. If it weren¡¯t for her acting as a spy inside, killing Ye Chen would not have been so easy. However, Cao Yingying still had reservations about You Meng working for Ye Chen for so many years. Of course, it was just reservations. After all, You Meng hadn¡¯t hurt Lu Li like Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin had. For some reasonable requests, she was still in agreement. You Mengmitted suicide at Lu Li¡¯s grave in the end, her departure was decisive and clean, which actually earned Cao Yingying¡¯s respect. Although You Meng had found Lu Li ahead of time, the fact that she had previously worked for Lu Li¡¯s enemy was undeniable. No wonder Lu Li made her a maid. You Meng also recognized Cao Yingying. Her feelings wereplex towards the person who stood by her ¡®big brother¡¯ during hisst moments and spared no effort to avenge him after he was killed by Ye Chen. Compared to Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin, Cao Yingying truly showed deep affection and righteousness to her ¡®big brother¡¯. She handled everything after his death, even preventing Zhang Ziqin and those from the Lu family from intervening. With just one nce, You Meng silently lowered her head. Being by her ¡®big brother¡¯s¡¯ side now was enough for her. Even if something happened in the future, she wouldn¡¯tpete with Miss Cao Yingying. She was the one who could truly help her ¡®big brother¡¯. And now, even though she was by her ¡®big brother¡¯s¡¯ side, she was still a ¡®little traitor¡¯ trying to redeem her sins. Ignoring You Meng for the moment, Lu Li led Cao Yingying to sit down in the living room. ¡°Alright, is there something special you came for today?¡± Chen Xiaoyi brought tea for both, pouring a cup for Cao Yingying and Lu Li. Lu Li looked at Cao Yingying somewhat quizzically. As far as he was concerned, his acquaintance with Cao Yingying was just that. Of course, her Cao family still owed him a favor, but that favor would only be realized after Old Master Cao was fully recovered. Besides, there was Old Master Cao¡¯s unexpected matchmakingst time. Lu Li could face all disturbances calmly, but facing an old man with no malice, even trying to match him with his granddaughter, left him truly unsure how to react. And then there was Cao Yingying¡¯s even more frightening proposal to pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend yesterday. Terrifying, truly terrifying! Cao Yingying, seeing Chen Xiaoyi brewing tea for them, couldn¡¯t help but frown. Chen Xiaoyi gave her the impression of a hostess entertaining a guest! Could it be¡­ A bad guess suddenly formed in her mind. ¡°No, it can¡¯t be. Even though the butterfly effect has urred in this life, Chen Xiaoyi, who was assisting Ye Chen in managing thepany in her previous life, didn¡¯t be Ye Chen¡¯s woman!¡± Cao Yingying was still convinced of Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s firm convictions. Lu Li certainly wouldn¡¯t force anyone either. He was so gentle that even when giving up all hope, he calmly epted his death. Even on the verge of death, he donated all his money to the orphanage. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± Cao Yingying took a deep breath, calming her emotions, and revealed a radiant smile. ¡°I came to apologize for my rashness yesterday. It was reckless of me, Lu Li, please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Lu Li waved his hand, his gaze growing even more peculiar: ¡°It¡¯s alright, Yingying. You were just looking out for Old Master Cao. Such filial piety shouldn¡¯t be tainted. It¡¯s me who should apologize for my tone yesterday.¡± With Cao Yingying being so magnanimous, what else could Lu Li say? ¡°I¡¯ll go cut some fruit¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi watched the two interact. As a woman, she just needed one look to know this woman was a love rival. Her identity and beauty were not something she couldpare with. She instinctively felt a bit sour and wanted to escape, but Lu Li stopped her. ¡°Alright, stop busying yourself. Sit down!¡± He pulled Chen Xiaoyi to sit beside him. ¡°Lu Li, you and Miss Chen are¡­¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s eyes flickered. Such intimate behavior clearly wasn¡¯t just between normal friends. ¡°Oh, Miss Cao, Chen Xiaoyi is the future vice president of mypany, and also my woman. I hope you¡¯ll look out for her in the future,¡± Lu Li said openly with a smile, making clear distinctions. He could see Cao Yingying¡¯s feelings for him, although he didn¡¯t know where these feelings came from, as if they had just appeared out of nowhere, which was very strange. But Lu Li could see Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s current restlessness even more. She was his woman. Even if he held a special favor for Cao Yingying, even harboring different ill intentions at times, he wouldn¡¯t hurt the heart of a woman unrted to him for another woman¡¯s sake. He enjoyed the favoritism shown by women, a favoritism he never experienced in his previous life. Now, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s favoritism towards him was very enjoyable, so naturally, he would lean towards her. ¡°¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi, with her eyes as serene as autumn waters, adoringly gazed at Lu Li, her heart filled with emotion. Nothing else mattered to her anymore. She might still feel jealous of other women close to Lu Li, but she knew Lu Li¡¯s status was not something she could match. His words were enough for her. ¡°Even if you have other women, I still want to stay by your side,¡± Chen Xiaoyi silently vowed in her heart, cherishing the security Lu Li provided. Cao Yingying¡¯s calm and beautiful smile stiffened for a moment. Even though she had spected, hearing Lu Li dere it so openly still made her heart surge with bitterness. She didn¡¯t me Lu Li, after all, he was unaware of their past life¡¯s connection, nor did he know what she had done for him. She only med herself for not being brave enough. If she had just boldly told Lu Li about her feelings yesterday¡­ Yesterday, Lu Li had said he didn¡¯t have a girlfriend, and Cao Yingying believed him. His sincerity in rtionships meant he wouldn¡¯t lie to her. So, they must have officially defined their rtionship justst night. Perhaps they had already be intimate¡­ Her heart trembled, and a deep bitterness enveloped Cao Yingying¡¯s heart. ¡°Calm down, Cao Yingying, calm down. In your previous life, you knew Lu Li loved Zhang Ziqin, and what did you do? Being reborn hasn¡¯t taken away your courage.¡± Taking a deep breath. If she fell for Lu Li, there was no chance of giving up. In her previous life, she knew Lu Li loved Zhang Ziqin, yet she still stayed by his side, regretfully, Lu Li never understood her intentions in the end. Gently looking at Lu Li with tender eyes, despite the sourness in her heart, she wouldn¡¯t give up on the man she loved the most. It was just Chen Xiaoyi, after all. Having lived two lifetimes, she wouldn¡¯t stoop to be angry with her. The only thing that somewhat upset her was that she had loved Lu Li for two lifetimes, only to be preempted by the woman who had assisted Ye Chen in managing thepany in her previous life. Chapter 66 Chapter 66 Chapter 66: Cao Yingying¡¯s Confession ¡°Did you hear that Ye Chen, who embarrassed you at the banquet that day, has now be a wanted criminal?¡± Cao Yingying diverted the topic. A confession was still in order, but now clearly wasn¡¯t a good time. ¡°Ah, I didn¡¯t expect that Ye Chen would turn out to be so utterly ruthless,¡± Lu Li responded with an indifferent attitude. ¡°Perhaps he was always off in the head, otherwise, how could he make such a scene at Grandpa¡¯s banquet?¡± A sh of murderous intent passed through her eyes. Ye Chen¡¯s misery pleased her, but what she wanted was his death. ¡°Hahaha, Yingying, you¡¯re somewhat different from what I imagined,¡± Lu Liughed heartily. Not just Ye Chen was sick; Zhang Ziqin, Lu Ya, those women, none of them were sane. Clearly, Ye Chen¡¯s flirting was disgusting, yet these women, as if brain-damaged, one by one, went on to coborate with him. In his past life, the only normal woman he encountered was Cao Yingying standing before him now. ¡°Then, in your eyes, Lu Li, what kind of person should Cao Yingying be?¡± Cao Yingying asked with a light smile, curious about Lu Li¡¯s impression of her. ¡°Rumors say, Miss Cao of the Cao family, intelligent, elegant, beautiful, is a woman like a green lotus. After spending a few days with you, I feel Yingying, you being intelligent, elegant, and beautiful is all true, but you also have a sense of¡­ youthfulness!¡± It¡¯s a bit like those particrly emotional young people. Lu Li thought to himself. ¡°Youthfulness!!!¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s face flushed imperceptibly. Was he saying she was young and beautiful? This was the first time Lu Li hadplimented her. In their previous life, their interactions were too scarce, mainly because she didn¡¯t know how to start a conversation. She could treat everyone politely, faultlessly, making everyone feel a refreshing kindness. Only in front of Lu Li did her eloquence seem to disappear. Lu Li was also numb back then and never initiated a conversation with her. ¡°Then, do you like this version of me?¡± Her gaze was tender as water. She didn¡¯t want to wait any longer. In her previous life, she missed out, leaving in sorrow alone. This life, she didn¡¯t want to miss again. Compared to losing Lu Li, Cao Yingying could ept anything else. ¡°Uh¡­¡± His words sounded like a confession, looked like a confession too! Cao Yingying¡¯s gaze, full of tenderness, made Lu Li¡¯s heart involuntarily tremble, solidifying the spection he had hardly dared to believe. Cao Yingying really liked him. But why? Just because he treated her grandfather? ¡°Of course, I like you.¡± It wasn¡¯t necessary for Lu Li to hide his fondness for Cao Yingying, just as he wouldn¡¯t hide that Chen Xiaoyi was his woman. Freed from the system¡¯s shackles, living anew, Lu Li only wanted to be happy. Killing Lu Ya made him happy, so he did it. Killing Zhang Ziqin would also make him happy; he would do it in the future too. Feeling Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s hand tighten around his, Lu Li patted her hand, signaling her to rx. Receiving Lu Li¡¯s response, Cao Yingying¡¯s stunning beauty blossomed with a radiant smile like the spring sun, a blush spreading across her face, too beautiful for words. At that moment, she almost felt moved to tears. From her previous life to this one, through countless days and nights of longing, in the depths of her dreams, she always saw that familiar figure. ncing at Chen Xiaoyi, she didn¡¯t care about anything else. Waiting across two lifetimes, even if she always ended up doing foolish things she couldn¡¯t believe when with Lu Li, it allowed her to disregard many things. Finally seeing Lu Li again, what else mattered? But to be Lu Li¡¯s wife, his queen, his main wife had to be her, no matter who it was, she had to fight for it. Cao Yingying spent the entire day at the Lu family estate, dining and lounging together. It was unexpected how well this intelligent and beautiful woman got along with Chen Xiaoyi, making it quite a rare sight. Lu Li was a bit puzzled. This woman liked him, and then got along so well with his woman? What kind of strategy was this??? It wasn¡¯t until around four in the afternoon that Cao Yingying left the Lu estate with Lu Li to treat Old Master Cao. If Lu Li cured her grandfather¡¯s legs, it meant the entire Cao family, especially her grandfather, owed him a huge favor, which would be absolutely beneficial for Lu Li. Cao Yingying was determined to seize this opportunity for Lu Li. As for her grandfather, he would also get to enjoy a healthy body. (Filial piety is powerful!) After the acupuncture session, Cao Yingying actively escorted Lu Li to the door. ¡°Lu Li.¡± Cao Yingying suddenly called out. Lu Li turned around: ¡°What is it? Is there something else?¡± A soft embrace caught him off guard as Cao Yingying suddenly hugged Lu Li, looking into his eyes with tender affection. ¡°Nothing much, I just wanted to tell you that I¡¯ll be visiting your house often.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ hmm¡­¡± Before Lu Li could say anything, a dominant kissnded on his lips. ¡°Also, I like you too.¡± Giving her first kiss to the man she loved the most in two lifetimes, Cao Yingying felt blissful, whispering softly in Lu Li¡¯s ear. Then she ran back into the house, leaving Lu Li almost in disarray. He certainly could have avoided Cao Yingying¡¯s actions, but he didn¡¯t, perhaps because of his fondness for her, or perhaps selfishly wanting to monopolize this beautiful woman, unwilling to dodge. ¡°Do you like me?¡± With a helpless smile, he headed to his car. Old Master Cao, watching his granddaughter peering cautiously out the window at Lu Li¡¯s departing figure, teased: ¡°Alright! Look at how happy you are, it seems you got what you wished for!¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Blushing, she nodded, her lips still feeling the warmth of Lu Li¡¯s. ¡°You, you, isn¡¯t this fine? If you like someone, you should boldly say it out loud. How would they know if you don¡¯t tell them?¡± Old Master Caoughed heartily. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Cao Yingying red at her grandfather in annoyance andint. But she knew her grandfather was right. In her previous life, she never confessed until the end. If it weren¡¯t for her rebirth, she might have really missed the chance with Lu Li. ¡°Look, look, even starting to act up with your grandpa, indeed love changes people!¡± Old Master Cao¡¯s robust voice teased, causing Cao Yingying to blush even more. ¡°That¡¯s right, keep it up, Grandpa loves it when Yingying is like this. I really need to thank that Lu boy!¡± ¡°Grandpa, stop it.¡± Cao Yingying fled, unable to endure her grandpa¡¯s teasing gaze anymore. Chapter 67 Chapter 67 Chapter 67: Ye Chen¡¯s Disdain After spending two full days, dodging through crowds, Ye Chen finally made it to Magic City. With disheveled hair and emitting a stench of the sewers, his dirty and tattered clothes made people around him cover their noses, unwilling to smell the overly pungent odor. ¡°Grandma, that uncle smells so bad!¡± A child, led by his grandmother, pointed at Ye Chen. ¡°Don¡¯t stare. Cover your nose. People like him are the trashiest,¡± the grandmother said with a face full of disdain, pulling her grandson away. ¡°Oh!¡± The little boy obediently covered his nose. Ye Chen heard their conversation loud and clear. They didn¡¯t even bother to lower their voices. His face, covered in grime, darkened, and a flicker of murderous intent passed through his eyes. He, the leader of the Sky Dragon Organization, when had he ever been so wretched? Even in those first few years abroad, he never experienced such indignities. Somehow, no matter what troubles he faced, it seemed like a force always helped him resolve them, allowing Ye Chen to turn dangers into safety, step by step, bolstering the Sky Dragon Organization into the behemoth it is now. Ye Chen believed himself to be the chosen one of this world, but ever since he returned to his homnd, it seemed like nothing went his way. Starting from the banquet at the Zhao family estate, those women, one after another, as if possessed, publicly embarrassed him, all for the same man. That worthless young master, Lu Li, whom Ye Chen looked down upon. Why would those goddess-like figures fall for a waste like Lu Li? Even though Ye Chen found it incredible, the reality was right in front of him. Indeed, those women liked Lu Li, and Ye Chen found himself outperformed by such a nobody in the eyes of these women. Whether it was Zhang Ziqin or Cao Yingying, they were women Ye Chen had set his sights on for their backgrounds, beauty, and the power behind them. You Meng, whom he had long considered his woman, became Lu Li¡¯s woman after spending just a few hours with him and even attempted to assassinate Ye Chen. And now they had all run off to Lu Li¡¯s side. This feeling of betrayal brought Ye Chen a sense of powerlessness he had never felt before. Thest time he felt this was when his parents were murdered, forcing him to flee abroad. This sensation made Ye Chen want to lose his mind and scream hysterically, to return to Hangzhou and perish together with them in his rage. Yet, thest shred of rationality stopped him. Currently, without the Sky Dragon Organization by his side, facing Lu Li alone would only result in his own loss. Silently lowering his head, Ye Chen endured the pointing and whispering of the crowd. After wandering for hours, he arrived at a luxurious estate on the outskirts, determined to seek revenge. He wanted Zhang Ziqin and Cao Yingying to kneel and beg for his forgiveness, to show You Meng the consequences of betraying him, and to make Lu Li die in the most miserable way in despair. ¡°Sir, this is a private property. If you¡¯re here to beg, please go somewhere else,¡± security personnel stopped Ye Chen from going further, their eyes filled with mockery. Ye Chen¡¯s face darkened, wondering when he had ever been mistaken for a beggar. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Mr. Chen. Tell him, myst name is Ye,¡± he said darkly, memorizing the face of the security guard who looked down on him. ¡°Sir, please don¡¯t joke. Leave now, or we¡¯ll have to take measures,¡± the security guard said, suppressing disgust at Ye Chen¡¯s filthy appearance. ¡°Just inform Mr. Chen, and you¡¯ll know,¡± Ye Chen gritted his teeth, ring at the young security guard, the humiliation burning in his memory. ¡°Sir¡­¡± ¡°Alright, sir, please wait. We¡¯ll notify Mr. Chen right away,¡± another, slightly older security guard came over and said to Ye Chen, shooting a fierce look at the younger guard. ¡°Chief, look at this guy¡¯s appearance. How could he possibly know Mr. Chen? He¡¯s clearly a scammer,¡± the younger guardined. ¡°Shut up. Do you have no discipline? When someone specifically names and asks for someone, and even gives their own name, you must report it. Whether Mr. Chen wants to see him or not is not for you to decide,¡± the chief scolded. ¡°Wearing this and looking for Mr. Chen, could he be Mr. Chen¡¯s rtive?¡± ¡°Hmph, what if? Are you willing to gamble on that ¡®what if¡¯ with your moment of satisfaction? Don¡¯t overestimate yourself. Just do your job, and if you offend someone, can you bear the consequences, or can I?¡± the chief red at the young guard. Now, the young guard had nothing to say. ¡°Let¡¯s go notify Mr. Chen!¡± *** ¡°Father, don¡¯t worry! Since there¡¯s no news yet, that¡¯s also a good sign,¡± a mature and beautiful woman in an elegant cheongsam stood beside an elderly man, trying tofort him. The old man looked worried: ¡°Ah, Xiaoya, your sister had a hard life! She¡¯s gone, and her only child was abroad for so many years. Now, he finallyes back to the country only to face such a situation.¡± ¡°Hmph, he deserves it for causing such a mess as soon as he returned,¡± Chen Ya¡¯s eyes shed with malice. If Ye Chen were to die, that wouldn¡¯t be too bad, sparing them from his disgusting antics. She harbored a secret she couldn¡¯t tell others: she was a reincarnated person. For some reason, she suddenly found herself back in the present. As for her nephew Ye Chen, Chen Ya was very disgusted by him ¨C no, repulsed. Murderous intent hid in her eyes. Old Master Chen sighed: ¡°This time, Xiaochen must have been framed. He couldn¡¯t possibly have killed that family over some petty revenge.¡± Chen Ya fell silent for a moment. Although she disliked Ye Chen, she knew him well enough to believe that such actions were not in his nature. It seemed this life had changed, and Ye Chen had offended even more people. Could she possibly get rid of Ye Chen sooner? She gave her father a deep look, of course, without letting him know. Her father had always doted on Ye Chen excessively because of his mother, Chen Ya¡¯s sister. ¡°Master, Miss¡­¡± Someone knocked on the door. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Someone outside is looking for Mr. Chen. He says hisst name is Ye. Should we let him in?¡± ¡°What, a Ye? Bring him in quickly,¡± Old Master Chen¡¯s eyes brightened, urgently requesting. Chapter 68 Chapter 68 Chapter 68: Ye Chen¡¯s Aunt When the disheveled Ye Chen was brought before Old Master Chen, the old man couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sorrow. Enduring the foul smell, he patted Ye Chen on the shoulder and said, ¡°Child, you¡¯ve had a hard time!¡± ¡°Grandfather¡­¡± Thinking of his recent ordeals, Ye Chen couldn¡¯t help his eyes from reddening. He felt an indescribable sense of injustice. He had intended to make a name for himself in Hangzhou before showing himself to his rtives, to let them know he had returned in triumph. Yet, he never imagined that his reunion with his grandfather would be in such a wretched state. When his parents were in trouble, it was this grandfather who had arranged for him to go abroad. Appearing before him like this, Ye Chen was overwhelmed with shame. ¡°It¡¯s alright, everything will be fine now. I¡¯ve been inquiring about your situation these past few days. I still have some influence and will help you sort things out.¡± ¡°Grandfather, it¡¯s all Lu Li¡¯s doing. He sent someone to kill the Zhao family and framed me,¡± Ye Chen said, holding back his tears but a fierce killing intent flickered in his eyes. This humiliation only solidified his determination to kill Lu Li. ¡°Lu Li, the Lu family¡¯s Lu Li?¡± Chen Ya suddenly spoke up. ¡°Yes, Auntie, that¡¯s right. It¡¯s him. He¡¯s been against me all along,¡± Ye Chen said through gritted teeth, the hatred nearly spilling out. Chen Ya¡¯s gaze narrowed slightly, a sh of murderous intent passing by. Although she didn¡¯t know why Ye Chen was at a disadvantage against Lu Li this time, his attitude toward Lu Li meant Ye Chen had to die. ¡°Such gall from the Lu family, to bully my grandson. Rest assured, I will avenge you,¡± Old Master Chen said furiously. ¡°Alright, Dad, let¡¯s have Ye Chen take a bath first. Let him rest properly, and we can talk about everything else tomorrow,¡± Chen Ya said softly, her voice soothing everyone¡¯s rage. ¡°Right, right. Xiaoya, make some food in the kitchen. Ye Chen, go take a bath. Have something to eatter and rest well. Whatever it is, I¡¯ll take care of it for you,¡± Old Master Chen said kindly. ¡°Thank you, Grandfather.¡± ncing at his aunt, Ye Chen hadn¡¯t taken a good look at her before. Now, seeing Chen Ya¡¯s appearance clearly, he was dazzled by her beauty, her curvaceous figure highlighted by the cheongsam she wore. This is my aunt?? A sense of astonishment shed in his eyes, and a strong wave of emotion surged in his heart. Such a beautiful woman was his aunt, igniting a fierce possessiveness within him. Chen Ya, suppressing her difort, felt her disgust growing stronger. In her previous life, she thought Ye Chen approached her, seeing her as a sister figure since he had lost his mother. Who could have imagined he harbored such disgusting thoughts? Luckily, he hadn¡¯t taken advantage of her; otherwise, Chen Ya might have been sickened to death, not knowing how to face Lu Li afterward. Even though she and Lu Li had no rtionship until their deaths, she had already set her heart on him. As she arranged for someone to prepare food for Ye Chen, Chen Ya¡¯s gaze flickered, tempted to secretly administer something to make Ye Chen disappear for good, but she restrained herself. His influence abroad was still strong. If Ye Chen died, his followers, iming revenge, would surelye after Lu Li. To deal with Ye Chen, she needed to first trim his wings. And her father¡­ How to deceive him was Chen Ya¡¯s most pressing concern. Now that her grandson had shown up, Old Master Chen felt relieved. He made some calls, using the favors he had umted to settle Ye Chen¡¯s issues. ¡°Father, those favors were hard-earned. To use them all for Ye Chen, is it worth it?¡± Chen Ya looked at Old Master Chen with aplex gaze. She found it difficult to imagine what it would be like to stand against her own father one day. ¡°It¡¯s worth it. He¡¯s your sister¡¯s only child,¡± Old Master Chen said decisively. ¡°Xiaoya, you should also look after Ye Chen more. He¡¯s your nephew, after all.¡± With such a nephew, filled with the disgraceful thoughts of ¡®riding on his aunt and obliterating his ancestors¡¯, Chen Ya felt it was indeed her honor. Just seeing Ye Chen¡¯s gaze made her feel sick to her stomach. ¡°I understand.¡± It seemed she needed to take control of the Chen family¡¯s power sooner rather thanter. Since her rebirth, she had been working towards this, fearing her father¡¯s bias towards Ye Chen after his arrival. Unexpectedly, Ye Chen had arrived in Magic City earlier this life, forcing her to elerate her ns. *** ¡°So, about Chen Xiaoyi bing the general manager, does anyone have any issues?¡± Sitting leisurely, Lu Li spoke calmly, his demeanor causing the senior managers present to lower their heads. With that attitude, it was clear he wasn¡¯t actually giving them a choice. Who dared to have any issues?! Who didn¡¯t know that Chen Xiaoyi and he came and went together every day? Of course, Lu Li had no intention of engaging further with them. If there were any problems, they could leave. He had spent nearly a month on face-saving measures, allowing Chen Xiaoyi to prove herself. Partly, he wanted to test Chen Xiaoyi, to see her level. And partly, it was just for show. A month¡¯s worth of face-saving work was done for them. Just catch it, and don¡¯t bother with anything else. ¡°No issues, that¡¯s good. I hereby officially appoint Chen Xiaoyi as the managing director of the Lu Corporation, taking over my previous position.¡± He then led the apuse. Chen Xiaoyi, standing proudly by Lu Li¡¯s side, looked at him with an indescribable softness in her eyes, ignoring the apuse. She knew her fate changed the moment this man appeared. Without Lu Li, there would be no her today. He trusted her, letting her handle the Zhao Corporation¡¯s affairs, and she didn¡¯t let him down,pleting the task he assigned. Lu Li¡¯s trust gave Chen Xiaoyi the impulse of ¡®a warrior would die for a friend who appreciates him¡¯. Of course, that was something men felt. Lu Li was a man, and she, Chen Xiaoyi, was a woman, so she had better ways to repay Lu Li. Chen Xiaoyi wasn¡¯t the type to fall in love out of gratitude. If it were to repay a debt, she would work hard, help Lu Li make money, or use other methods, but definitely not like this. She didn¡¯t know when Lu Li had taken over her entire heart. Since the death of her parents, she had never been so moved. He was the best person to her in this world, and she would spare no effort for him. Chapter 69 Chapter 69 Chapter 69: Preferring Such Favoritism After the meeting ended, Chen Xiaoyi was brought to the CEO¡¯s office, and as soon as she entered, she couldn¡¯t help but deliver her own passionate kiss. The temperature in the room seemed to soar instantly, and this statested for quite a long time. After who knows how long, the intense sensation gradually subsided. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of people gossiping, saying you became the general manager through unspoken rules?¡± Lu Li looked tenderly at the girl clinging to him like a ko. ¡°It¡¯s exactly that. I willingly let you ¡®exploit¡¯ me; let them say whatever they want.¡± Chen Xiaoyi pouted, not caring in the slightest. The appearances of Cao Yingying and You Meng brought her significant pressure. Let¡¯s not talk about You Meng, who has been parading in front of Lu Li as a white silk maid, a ck silk maid, day in and day out. It¡¯s clear what she¡¯s aiming for! But a small maid carrying a criminal¡¯s stigma really has no chance before Lu Li puts away his prejudices. As for that Miss Cao, it¡¯s more evident that, without fighting or grabbing, with her quiet demeanor, she even maintains a good rtionship with herself. Every time Chen Xiaoyi sees her, she feels immense pressure. That ¡®smile of the big madam¡¯ is really terrifying. Not to mention the high-ss temperament Cao Yingying developed over the years naturally makes Chen Xiaoyi involuntarily bow her head. Chen Xiaoyi truly worries that one day, Lu Li will forget her. That¡¯s the only thing she can¡¯t ept. ¡°You¡¯re quite forthright.¡± Lu Li chuckled, already quite familiar with Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to hide. In the future, I¡¯m your little darling, as we agreed. You¡¯re not allowed to go back on your word.¡± Staring at Lu Li with deep affection, her cheeks flushed a slight red. This was what Lu Li promised her the first time they were together. ¡°Why would I regret it?¡± Chen Xiaoyi, in many senses, ispetent and particrly obedient. Lu Li likes the kind of favoritism she shows him. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Just then, the office phone rang. Lu Li answered. It was from the receptionist. ¡°President Lu, Zhang Company¡¯s President Zhang and Miss Su Bingqing from the Su family are here. Should we let them up?¡± the receptionist asked tentatively. Even though Lu Li had previously instructed that Zhang Ziqin should be told to get lost whenever she came, today Su Bingqing was also with her, making it necessary for her to report. ¡°Again? Looks like it¡¯s time to take action against Zhang Company.¡± A hint of hostility shed in his eyes. Zhang Ziqin appearing at the Lu family estate¡¯s gatest time disgusted him, and now she dared to show up in front of him. ¡°Tell them to leave. From now on, no matter who Zhang Ziqin brings, there¡¯s no need to call me.¡± Lu Li replied coldly, not really ming the receptionist for such a minor matter but dismissing it with a cold statement. ¡°President, thedies said they have very important business matters and hope to coborate with you.¡± The receptionist paused, indicating Zhang Ziqin had said something. ¡°I won¡¯t repeat myself.¡± Annoyance shed in his eyes as he decisively hung up the phone. There are several female protagonists Lu Li is determined to deal with: Zhang Ziqin, Su Bingqing, Liu Menghan. All of them were most vehement in egging on Ye Chen when he insulted Lu Li, and none will escape. Among them, Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin disgust him the most. One, a rtive of many years, and the other, a long-time pursuit. Their insults were what truly chilled the previous Lu Li¡¯s heart. ¡°Don¡¯t get angry over those people. It¡¯s not worth it,¡± Chen Xiaoyi looked at Lu Li tenderly, worry in her eyes. She also hated Zhang Ziqin, especially knowing how she treated Lu Li. Lu Li was so good to her, helped her through herpany¡¯s crisis, and gave her so manypany resources. What envy-worthy affection! Such a gentle Lu Li was disdainfully pushed away by Zhang Ziqin. Now that Lu Li has achieved sess, she shamelessly sticks to him, truly disgusting. ¡°I know, so my little darling should work hard to bankrupt Zhang Company soon, and then I can deal with Zhang Ziqin once and for all,¡± Lu Li raised his eyebrows, knowing this woman would not go against his wishes. ¡°I will definitely do my best,¡± Chen Xiaoyi said determinedly, having promised to do anything for Lu Li. Not to mention her own full hostility towards that woman who repeatedly hurt Lu Li. ¡°Indeed, my good darling, let¡¯s talk about some of the groups we need to deal withter!¡± He loves this girl who shows him unconditional favoritism. It¡¯s just that one always longs for what theyck, and Lu Li loves this kind of favoritism. ¡°The two of you, our president is very busy. Please leave!¡± The receptionist hung up the phone, sweat beads forming on her forehead. Her one extra question might have already annoyed the president. It¡¯s all because of these two people in front of her. Su Bingqing¡¯s smile froze slightly. She hadn¡¯t expected Lu Li to be so decisive in cutting off ties, not willing to see them even when she, the Miss of the Su family, brought Zhang Ziqin along. A glee filled her heart. Since Lu Li had given up on Zhang Ziqin so thoroughly, could she pursue him without any reservations? Reincarnated for a second life, would she really miss out on Lu Li again because of Zhang Ziqin? For a moment, Su Bingqing felt a strong urge to leave Zhang Ziqin behind and go see Ye Chen by herself, but seeing Zhang Ziqin¡¯s abandoned kitten-like appearance, with tears about to fall, she ultimately softened her heart. ¡°Ziqin, don¡¯t be sad. You treated Lu Li the same way before. He¡¯s just returning to you the way you treated him!¡± Zhang Ziqin tried her best not to let her tears fall: ¡°I know, I know, this is all what I owe him. I don¡¯t me him, but I just want to see him once!¡± ¡°Lu Li probably wanted to see you once before, but it must have been difficult, right?¡± Su Bingqing said softly, though she felt pity, seeing Lu Li taking his revenge gave her a secret thrill. Zhang Ziqin bit her lip, her eyes reddening further, feeling the cutting pain more acutely, struggling not to lose herposure, her hands clenched, her fingernails digging into her palms, droplets of blood falling between her fingers. ¡°I have to keep trying. One day, Lu Li will see. What¡¯s happening now is nothingpared to what Lu Li has endured,¡± she silently cheered herself on. Feeling the pain she once caused Lu Li, if she didn¡¯t encourage herself, given Lu Li¡¯s current attitude towards her, Zhang Ziqin might indeed break down. ¡°Let¡¯s go. You won¡¯t see Lu Li today.¡± Chapter 70 Chapter 70 Chapter 70: You Meng: I Can Kill Them for You ¡°Big brother¡­¡± Right after work, You Meng, dressed as a maid, joyfully ran up to Lu Li, bent down considerately, and changed his shoes for him. Honestly, who could dislike such a woman? Even Lu Li found it hard to harbor any resentment towards her. But he was afraid¡ªafraid that if he forgave You Meng, then what would his hostility towards Zhang Ziqin and the others mean? Did it mean that as long as those women made a significant enough sacrifice, he could forgive them? That if they showed some guilt towards him, he would throw himself into their arms in eagerness? Lu Li couldn¡¯t respect such a version of himself. ¡°The bathwater is ready, and dinner is made. Big brother, would you like to eat first, or take a bath, or maybe¡­¡± With a finger on her lips, You Meng in her ck silk maid outfit looked at Lu Li with a seductive gaze, her youthful vitality brimming, yet irresistibly alluring. The words she uttered were even more intoxicating. ¡°Forget forgiveness for now! Why not enjoy the perks at hand?¡± Lifting You Meng¡¯s face, Lu Li gazed at her familiar features: ¡°Let the bathwater stay warm for now; we can eatter. I want to lie down for a bit.¡± ¡°Also, from now on, call me Master.¡± ¡°Yes, big brother, Master.¡± Submissively cing her cheek on Lu Li¡¯s palm, You Meng was like a docile kitten, obedient to Lu Li¡¯s every word, a hint of joy shing across her pure face. Does this mean big brother has initially forgiven me? She knew big brother harbored grievances against her, since she had always worked for Lu Li, but You Meng wouldn¡¯t me her big brother. Seeing him again was the best gift from heaven. In herst life, she regretted not saving her big brother in time, the biggest regret of her life. In this house, Chen Xiaoyi was big brother¡¯s first woman. In this life, being by big brother¡¯s side, she never did anything to betray him, deeply loved by him. Miss Cao Yingying was even more serene and gentle. Her protection of big brother in her previous life moved You Meng deeply. She couldn¡¯t afford to offend either of them. Being a good little maid for big brother was enough. Kneeling on the sofa, Lu Li rested his head on her silky legs. ¡°Did you watch the news today?¡± Lu Li asked. Gently massaging Lu Li¡¯s temples, You Meng responded, ¡°No, what happened?¡± ¡°Your former master, his news has vanished. Seems like he found a backer!¡± Lu Limented with his eyes closed, enjoying the fragranceing from You Meng. Had she sprayed perfume on purpose? You Meng¡¯s hand suddenly stiffened: ¡°Master, Ye Chen wasn¡¯t my master.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Opening his eyes, Lu Li looked at You Meng, nomittal, ¡°What do you think about his news disappearance?¡± ¡°Most of Ye Chen¡¯s power is overseas, within an underground organization called the Sky Dragon Organization. But domestically, Ye Chen has some connections too. I¡¯ve heard him mention that his maternal grandfather¡¯s family wields considerable power. Master, you have to be careful,¡± You Meng said, setting aside her personal feelings for a moment, her seriousness evident. ¡°Chen family of Magic City, Ye Chen¡¯s maternal family, the current head is Ye Chen¡¯s grandfather. The Chen family controls over half of the country¡¯s underworld forces. Birds of a feather flock together, truly living up to their reputation,¡± Lu Li wasn¡¯t surprised, well-acquainted with these matters. ¡°Master, I can go kill the head of the Chen family for you. Just say the word, and I¡¯ll do it,¡± You Meng¡¯s eyes shed with a murderous intent, viewing anyone harmful to her big brother as an enemy. ¡°There¡¯s no need; I have my ways for such matters. As for you, bring me a pair of scissors.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Obediently reaching for the scissors on the coffee table, she handed them to Lu Li. Lu Li flipped over, starting to cut along You Meng¡¯s ck silk-d legs. ¡°Mm¡­¡± Her pure face blushed unnaturally, You Meng covering her mouth tightly. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect big brother to like this? So¡­naughty! But I love it!!¡± How to handle You Meng was indeed troubling for Lu Li. Speaking of the previous life, aside from the possibility that this girl might have killed Lu Li without knowing he was her big brother, she didn¡¯t really do anything wrong. But one¡¯s life being ended by her? How could that be easily forgiven, not to mention she had worked for Ye Chen. Just that alone made him ufortable. Although You Meng proved her loyalty, and Lu Li was sure she was clean, he couldn¡¯t shake off the difort in his heart. Truth be told, this woman didn¡¯t fall in love with Ye Chen as the plot suggested; she might have been searching for him all along in her previous life. Lu Li was moved, but¡­ Sigh! Let it be for now. Maybe after dealing with Zhang Ziqin, he¡¯d be able to make a decision. What Lu Li feared the most was that once he forgave You Meng, he might also forgive Zhang Ziqin. That one point, he couldn¡¯t ept. If he forgave Zhang Ziqin, then what did solving Lu Ya mean? Wouldn¡¯t that all have been meaningless? You Meng¡¯s unhesitating favoritism, even stronger than Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s, was something Lu Li really enjoyed. ¡°Tell me, is the hatred from humiliating someone deeper, or from killing someone?¡± Looking at blushing You Meng, Lu Li suddenly asked this question. You Meng¡¯s eyes sparkled, her gaze filled with happiness. For her, waiting for Lu Li¡¯s return every day was the happiest thing. Looking at Lu Li, she exuded tender affection. ¡°Of course, the hatred from killing someone is deeper!¡± she answered without hesitation. ¡°Let¡¯s put it another way. Two people humiliate you, one is your rtive, the other is a woman you once did everything to treat well. And the person who killed you was a stranger at that time. Between these two situations, which breeds more resentment?¡± Lu Li¡¯s gaze shifted slightly, posing a more specific question. Frowning, You Meng thought of Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin. Their betrayal and humiliation of big brother made You Meng feel indignant on his behalf. ¡°In that case, it should be the humiliation from those closer to the person that brings deeper hatred. Their closer rtionship makes their humiliation more damaging,¡± her eyes shed with murderous intent. In this life, Lu Ya was expelled from the Lu family, but she better pray not to be seen by You Meng; she definitely wouldn¡¯t be courteous. ¡°Is that so¡­¡± No wonder his hatred for Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya was almost surpassing that for Ye Chen. Indeed, those who hurt you the most are always the ones closest to you. Chapter 71 Chapter 71 Chapter 71: Those Who Offended Him Are Now in College During dinner, Cao Yingying also came over. These past few days, she had been increasingly bold in her actions, making one wonder if she was nning to move in. ¡°Remember to wash the dishes.¡± Chen Xiaoyi red at You Meng,manding her. This infuriating woman, upon returning, was found lying on Lu Li¡¯s legs, and not just lying there but also doing things that made Chen Xiaoyi blush just by looking. This detestable woman, on her first day at work, couldn¡¯t leave early and let her take advantage. How detestable, truly detestable! You Meng, pouting, red back at Chen Xiaoyi without showing any weakness. She was willing to do anything for Lu Li, but that didn¡¯t mean she would submit to Chen Xiaoyi. She wasn¡¯t unaware that this woman, Chen Xiaoyi, also worked for Ye Chen in her previous life. The only difference was that Chen Xiaoyi continued to work for Ye Chen after reincarnating, but this woman managed to be found by her big brother ahead of time. But You Meng couldn¡¯t say much; Chen Xiaoyi was big brother¡¯s first woman, deeply loved by him, and now was an important employee under big brother, crucial to him. As someone still trying to make amends, You Meng couldn¡¯t afford to offend her. If she made big brother choose, he would surely abandon You Meng for Chen Xiaoyi. Pouting, she obediently started cleaning up. ¡°It¡¯s just washing dishes, right? There are also Lu Li¡¯s dishes inside. I¡¯m helping big brother wash them.¡± She consoled herself this way. ¡°Ye Chen¡¯s news has been suppressed.¡± Sitting next to Lu Li, Cao Yingying looked at him with a meaningful gaze. ¡°Yeah, I know. That guy has someplicated background, so it¡¯s expected.¡± Lu Li nodded, acknowledging it wouldn¡¯t be easy to deal with Ye Chen if he were just a normal protagonist. ¡°What do you n to do then?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t n to do anything. Let him develop his business in Magic City while I focus on mine here in Hangzhou. Am I supposed to be afraid of him?¡± ncing at the delicate hand resting on his, Lu Liughed heartily and pulled Cao Yingying into his embrace. ¡°After curing the old man¡¯s legs, I¡¯ll pay that guy a visit in Magic City.¡± Cao Yingying had already confessed her feelings and had beening to his house daily. To say Lu Li had no interest in the only female lead character not conquered in the plot would be nonsense. ¡°Yeah, I believe in you!¡± Cao Yingying smiled tenderly, her eyes full of trust. In her previous life, if not for the despicable actions of Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin, Lu Li wouldn¡¯t have been killed by such scum, even intentionally walking towards his own death. Thankfully, this time, Lu Li didn¡¯t continue down the dead-end with Zhang Ziqin. ¡°If you need any help, just tell me. I¡¯ll help you.¡± Lu Li slowly closed his eyes. Chen Xiaoyi was intentionally shaped by him into his preferred style, using a mix of kindness and authority. Now Chen Xiaoyi depended on him and showed him excessive favoritism. You Meng, someone he knew from before, was grateful and guilty towards him, and thus, was exceptionally obedient. But Cao Yingying¡­ this deep affection puzzled him, leaving Lu Li feeling somewhat overwhelmed. The scariest part was he felt he could no longer persist. Regardless of where this affection came from, Lu Li didn¡¯t intend to let it go unreciprocated. ¡°Ah!¡± Cao Yingying eximed as Lu Li suddenly picked her up and ced her on hisp. A soft kissnded on her, causing Cao Yingying to freeze. Reacting, she cooperated with Lu Li¡¯s actions and wrapped her arms around his neck. This woman, like a gentle lotus as depicted in the story, had lips that seemed to exude infinite charm, leaving asting impression. Suddenly, Lu Li felt a tug on his arm and opened his eyes to find Chen Xiaoyi by his side, looking at him with a pitiful expression. That forlorn look was indeed moving. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go treat the old man!¡± Lu Li stopped at the right moment, gently smiled at Cao Yingying, and with a free hand, gave Chen Xiaoyi a gentle noogie. What an unabashed yboy. ¡°Alright! Let¡¯s go!¡± With a charming smile at Lu Li and then at Chen Xiaoyi, seeing Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s tearful and pouting face, Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth and giggle. She disliked the drama of jealousy and envy. Fortunately, after spending some time together, Cao Yingying realized Chen Xiaoyi was deeply in love with Ye Chen, which was enough for her. Cao Yingying didn¡¯t want to engage in meaningless activities; she just hoped for Lu Li¡¯s happiness in this life. Anyone who could potentially threaten that happiness, she would ruthlessly eliminate. ¡°Wait for me to return!¡± Winking at Chen Xiaoyi, Lu Li said cheerfully. In a ce filled with favoritism towards him, his mood couldn¡¯t help but improve significantly. Chen Xiaoyi instantly brightened up, waving at Lu Li with a beaming smile. You Meng silently watched, disdainful of Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s weak demeanor in her heart, but in reality, she was almost dying of envy. When would she receive the same treatment as Chen Xiaoyi? After the treatment session, Lu Li had Cao Yingying bring him a small hammer, gently tapping on a few acupoints on Old Master Cao¡¯s legs. ¡°How does it feel, old man?¡± ¡°Nothing¡­ Lu, didn¡¯t you say it would take three months to see results? Why so eager now? You¡¯re not ying me, are you?¡± Old Master Cao chuckled, appearing like a typical old mischief. But anyone who truly saw him as merely an old mischief was foolish. In his youth, Old Master Cao was notoriously fierce, stirring up the entire capital and forcefully elevating the Cao family to one of the top four families in the capital. Back then, the Cao family wasn¡¯t even considered among the top four! However, such actions inevitably attracted resentment. The injuries to his legs came from that time, but those who harmed him are probably in college by now! ¡°Three months is for average traditional Chinese doctors. Now that this young Lu is treating you personally, it¡¯s normal to see faster results. Over here¡­¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Old Master Cao let out a cry of pain as a sharp ache emerged on his calf. ¡°This¡­¡± Old Master Cao was astonished, looking at Lu Li in shock. The pain in his paralyzed legs excited Old Master Cao. After so many years, his legs actually felt something. If he hadn¡¯t faced so many storms in life, he might have been moved to tears at this moment. Lu Li nodded with satisfaction: ¡°Looks like it¡¯s starting to take effect. Continuing this way, recovery will be much quicker than expected.¡± ¡°Grandfather, did you really feel it?¡± Cao Yingying, too, was excited and proud, looking at Lu Li with shared triumph. Although she always knew Lu Li would seed, she couldn¡¯t help cheering for him. ¡°Hahaha, Yingying, this time, you¡¯ve really brought a treasure back for your grandfather!¡± Old Master Caoughed heartily, overjoyed. He had given up hope for his legs, never expecting there would be hope for recovery. Chapter 72 Chapter 72 Chapter 72: Old Master Cao: Take My Granddaughter Away ¡°Grandpa, what are you talking about? I didn¡¯t bring Lu Li to you; it¡¯s your granddaughter who¡¯s going to marry Lu Li in the future.¡± Cao Yingying silently rebuked in her heart, cautiously ncing at Lu Li, only to find him looking back at her. Her face turned red, and she quickly looked away. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Old Master Cao¡¯s heartyughter filled the room, clearly conveying his happiness. It took a while before he could calm down. ¡°Lu, my boy, you¡¯re truly blessed. I¡¯ve had Yingying by my side for so many years, but I¡¯ve never seen her care so much for any man!¡± He teased, his gaze flitting between Lu Li and Cao Yingying, jokingly adding. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s my fortune to be favored by Yingying.¡± Lu Li nced at Cao Yingying and smiled slightly. ¡°In that case, I won¡¯t say much more, to avoid harboring any resentment against this old man. But I have just one request: don¡¯t let my Yingying suffer any injustice.¡± He looked deeply at Lu Li, his eyes that could usually read people unable to prate the young man before him. ¡°It seems Old Master Cao doesn¡¯t go out much but knows everything, though I¡¯ve never tried to hide it,¡± Lu Li thought to himself. Nodding towards Old Master Cao, he affirmed, ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯m old now and dare not offend you, the miracle doctor. Otherwise, if you refuse to treat me, it¡¯s this old man who¡¯d be at a loss.¡± Old Master Cao¡¯s gaze returned to its usual jovial, childlike demeanor. Lu Li is a smart man; Yingying has set her heart on him, so why should he, the old man, y the viin? ¡°Old Master Cao jests; I wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Lu Li alsoughed, pleased with the resolution. Lu Li understood, as did Old Master Cao, and naturally, Cao Yingying caught the meaning behind their conversation. The stunningly beautiful girl showed a hint of blissful smile, her grandfather¡¯s approval of her and Lu Li meant the Cao family would stand by Lu Li¡¯s side in the future. This was a beneficial situation for Lu Li. ¡°Right, my granddaughter will be living with you from now on. These days, she just sits in the living room, daydreaming. I, an old man, can¡¯t stand to see it anymore. It saves her from sighing in front of me every day. Of course, while I¡¯m still in Hangzhou, she must visit daily, that¡¯s the bottom line.¡± ¡°Grandpa¨C¡± Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t listen any longer, blushing even as she scolded her grandfather softly. Though she had thought about it, hearing her grandfather say it made her shy. Daydreaming? Although she did think about Lu Li daily, was it really that obvious? She blushed deeply and looked down. ¡°Old Master Cao, were you a matchmaker in the past? Why are you so keen on setting up your granddaughter?¡± Lu Li¡¯s expression turned odd. Proactively suggesting his granddaughter live with him, that¡¯s a bit¡­ disrespectful! ¡°What, you don¡¯t want to?¡± Old Master Cao¡¯s teasing gaze traveled between Lu Li and Cao Yingying. Lu Li: ¡°¡­¡± Cao Yingying: ¡°¡­¡± They really couldn¡¯t handle Old Master Cao¡¯s demeanor! Despite his good intentions, he always managed to say things that embarrassed them, leaving them clueless about how to respond. ¡°No objections! Then it¡¯s settled. Tomorrow, you¡¯ll move in with this young man from the Lu family.¡± Old Master Cao made the decision with a p on his thigh. Lu Li didn¡¯t know how he left the Cao family¡¯s residence, but his expression seemed to have run wild. What a formidable Old Master Cao! Cao Yingying was too embarrassed to send Lu Li off today. Her face was filled with reproach as she red at her grandfather. ¡°Grandpa, how could you say such things in front of Lu Li!¡± Her upset demeanor was a far cry from her usual aloof and self-satisfied appearance. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Didn¡¯t Grandpa just follow my Yingying¡¯s wishes?¡± Old Master Cao pretended to be aggrieved as he looked at his granddaughter. ¡°Grandpa¨C¡± Stomping her foot, Cao Yingying¡¯s face showed a trace of anger. ¡°Hahaha, alright, alright. You¡¯re not young anymore, and that Lu boy has two other young girls at home. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re not anxious.¡± Old Master Caoughed. Cao Yingying was at a loss for words. Though she had guessed her grandfather knew, hearing him say it outright still made her feel awkward. How could she not be anxious? You Meng was one thing; in Lu Li¡¯s eyes, she was just a little maid. But Chen Xiaoyi was now working in the same ce as Lu Li, spending too much time together, making Cao Yingying unavoidably jealous. ¡°Hurry up and live with that young man from the Lu family. Try to win his heart! Since you¡¯ve set your heart on him, I, your grandfather, have nothing to say. Grandchildren have their own blessings. I¡¯m afraid if I say too much, my Yingying will dislike me!¡± Old Master Cao¡¯s eyes twinkled with indulgence. ¡°Just one thing¡­¡± Cao Yingying looked up, seeing her grandfather¡¯s seriousness. ¡°You¡¯re my granddaughter, a child of the Cao family. If that young man from the Lu family dares to bully you, don¡¯t me this old man for ying the senior card.¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s eyes softened as she grasped Old Master Cao¡¯s arm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandpa, Lu Li won¡¯t.¡± ¡°You¡¯re really madly in love, aren¡¯t you!¡± Old Master Cao sighed helplessly. The little white cabbage he had raised for over twenty years was about to run off with the pig. ¡°But you¡¯re right, Grandpa. I really should live with Lu Li. After Lu Li treats you tomorrow, I¡¯ll go back with him.¡± Although shy, Cao Yingying knew her grandfather meant well. Some things she couldn¡¯t say herself, but seeing Chen Xiaoyi and You Meng living with Lu Li, to say she didn¡¯t feel sour was impossible. Her grandfather spoke for her. ¡°What, not mad at Grandpa now?¡± ¡°Grandpa~~¡± Cao Yingying pulled at Old Master Cao¡¯s arm, acting coyly. ¡°Hahahaha! That¡¯s right. Yingying, you were always so sensible that it pained this old man. I never thought that young man from the Lu family had such ability.¡± He ruffled his granddaughter¡¯s hair, his heart bursting with joy. As one grows old, the only hope is for the younger generation to be safe and happy. Although that young man from the Lu family had significant issues, his granddaughter liked him, after all! Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Chapter 73: Where to Stay Tonight Waking up from his grogginess, Ye Chen looked at his right hand, now missing three fingers, a shadow passing through his eyes. When had he ever suffered such a loss? His fingers were gone beyond recovery, and to prevent the entire hand from bing infected and necrotic, Ye Chen had no choice but to treat his wound. Him, the leader of the Sky Dragon Organization, had now be a disabled person. The fury inside him nearly burst forth, and his hatred for Lu Li grew stronger by the day. ¡°Lu Li, just you wait for me. The humiliation you¡¯ve brought me will be repaid a hundredfold.¡± Walking out of his room, he saw his grandfather in the dining room. ¡°Grandpa, where¡¯s my aunt?¡± he asked, scanning the room but not finding the stunning figure in a cheongsam, which somewhat displeased Ye Chen. ¡°She¡¯s gone to work. Your aunt has now taken over the Chen family¡¯s power. She¡¯s very busy these days, sometimes not evening home.¡± ¡°I see!¡± Ye Chen nodded, not saying much more, knowing there would be other opportunities to see his alluring aunt. ¡°Grandpa, I want to bring my Sky Dragon Organization over. Can you help me find a way?¡± Sitting down, Ye Chen eagerly asked. Feeling powerless without his own strength, Ye Chen was desperate for the Sky Dragon Organization. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± Old Master Chen set down his teacup and sighed, ¡°Xiaochen, you know, our Chen family has always dealt in the grey areas. Those people have always been watching us. The Chen family can¡¯t help you with this. Don¡¯t me me.¡± Knowing about Ye Chen¡¯s ventures abroad had made Old Master Chen happy; his grandson had made something of himself! But to bring the Sky Dragon Organization into the country was asking too much of the Chen family. ¡°Grandpa, how could I me you? I¡¯ll think of another way myself!¡± Even though he anticipated this, disappointment showed in Ye Chen¡¯s eyes. ¡°However, if you¡¯re looking for a front, I can still help you make some connections,¡± Old Master Chen suddenly offered. ¡°Really? Thank you, Grandpa.¡± ¡°Family doesn¡¯t need to say thank you! But Xiaochen, be prepared. Those families are all gluttons. If you can¡¯t meet their demands, it may not be so easy to negotiate,¡± Old Master Chen waved his hand. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll offer them enoughpensation.¡± Although Ye Chen didn¡¯t want to be taken advantage of, his hatred for Lu Li outweighed everything else. With the Sky Dragon Organization in China, he¡¯d have ways to torment Lu Li, the waste heir. Zhang Company was his first choice for coboration, always wanting to expand its business territory, aligning perfectly with his ns, especially Zhang Ziqin, a stunning beauty. But because of Lu Li, he hit a major snag. Thinking of Lu Li, Ye Chen couldn¡¯t suppress a surge of killing intent. ¡°Alright, Grandpa will make some contacts for you.¡± *** ¡°You¡¯re going to act against Zhang Ziqin¡¯s Zhang Company?¡± Cao Yingying looked at Lu Li in shock. ¡°Not just Zhang Company but also Su and Liu Companies. I¡¯ll take them all down before heading to Magic City,¡± Lu Li openly shared his ns with a gentle smile at Cao Yingying. ¡°As for why I¡¯m starting with Zhang Company, who can me Zhang Ziqin for having no parents? Easy to bully, right!¡± Zhang Company had a significant presence, but it was all in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s hands. ¡°Can you tell me why?¡± Cao Yingying wrapped her arms around Lu Li¡¯s, stunned by the news on her first day moving in with him. Although she despised Zhang Ziqin, Cao Yingying hadn¡¯t expected Lu Li to be the first to act against her. ¡°No particr reason, probably just to avenge myself, I guess. I had a dream¡­ a somewhat absurd dream. After waking up, I was enveloped in despair.¡± Holding the girl in his arms, Lu Li¡¯s unresolved feelings weighed heavily on him. ¡°A dream?¡± Cao Yingying lifted her head, her eyes wide in astonishment. Could it be that Lu Li also knew about the events of their previous life? Cao Yingying grew nervous; she didn¡¯t want Lu Li to know those things. ¡°Yeah, it might be considered a dream. In the dream, I went through many humiliations, faced confrontations, betrayals, and then¡­ murder,¡± he said bitterly, shaking his head. ¡°I don¡¯t think I did anything wrong. Loving someone isn¡¯t wrong, being kind to rtives isn¡¯t wrong, but why did they always see me as a mistake, filled with malice, joining others in humiliating me?¡± As Cao Yingying held Lu Li tighter, sadness filled her eyes. Lu Li had dreamt of those experiences, those memories of his past life manifesting in such a way in his life now. She, having been reborn, didn¡¯t doubt his ¡°dream¡± at all; she knew it was all real. ¡°You did nothing wrong. They are the ones at fault,¡± Cao Yingying silently said. Smiling gently, Lu Li caressed her hair, ¡°It¡¯s funny, isn¡¯t it? It was just a dream, and yet I believe in it so firmly.¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s gaze, full of sorrow, looked at Lu Li. She had seen everything Lu Li endured and felt sad for him. ¡°Do whatever you want to do; I¡¯ll help you,¡± she said firmly. ¡°Thank you!¡± ¡°We don¡¯t need to say these things between us.¡± Looking at Lu Li tenderly, Cao Yingying felt sad for him. He truly loved Zhang Ziqin, pursuing her for eight years, yet all she left him was endless harm. He was kind to his sister, Lu Ya, who betrayed him. Life brought him so much sorrow, but in the end, he didn¡¯t seek revenge on anyone, leaving with his kindness intact. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not talk about it anymore. Your room is ready. From now on, will you stay there, or will you stay with me?¡± The sudden change in topic made Cao Yingying¡¯s face go red: ¡°Isn¡¯t that too fast?¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Chapter 74 Chapter 74 Chapter 74: Preparing to Act Against Zhang Ziqin With Ye Chen, the protagonist, leaving Hangzhou, it¡¯s as if Zhang Ziqin¡¯sst lifeline has been severed. It¡¯s been heard that in this life, Zhang Ziqin has not yet managed to coborate with Ye Chen, which is curious. But that¡¯s none of Lu Li¡¯s concern; as long as he can deal with Zhang Ziqin, it¡¯s enough. ¡°What do you think? Any ideas yet?¡± Lu Li asked Chen Xiaoyi with a smile, having brought her over for this very purpose. Indeed, she¡¯s his best assistant! ¡°It¡¯s a bit tricky. Zhang Company is muchrger than Zhao Company, which we dealt with before. Even though our Lu Company has terminated all cooperation with Zhang Company, a thin camel is bigger than a horse. It¡¯s not easy to bring down Zhang Company.¡± Chen Xiaoyi, looking serious in her pencil skirt, little leather shoes, and zer, stood upright in front of him, perfectly embodying the demeanor of a businesswoman. Pity she wasn¡¯t wearing a pair of warm ck stockings; that would have been more pleasing to the eye for Lu Li. ¡°Dealing with Zhao Company wasn¡¯t easy, but we can take it step by step, like¡­ creating some difficulties for Zhao Company first, then taking the opportunity to acquire shares of Zhang Company.¡± Chen Xiaoyi hesitated. ¡°Do you want me to have dealings with Zhang Ziqin?¡± Lu Li raised an eyebrow. Chen Xiaoyi pouted, of course, she hoped not. Just thinking about what Zhang Ziqin did to Lu Li in the past could make her furious. But Chen Xiaoyi felt helpless! She spread her hands: ¡°That seems to be the most effective method currently. Zhang Company may notpare to our Lu Company, but it¡¯s not just anypany. The possibility of bankrupting Zhang Company at once is too small.¡± ¡°Ah, indeed!¡± Lu Li murmured ambiguously. Why else would Zhang Ziqin be the main female character chosen by Ye Chen to enter the domestic market? Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes shed with guilt. She walked over to Lu Li and started to speak apologetically. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for letting you down.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I can always take matters into my own hands!¡± Lu Li hugged Chen Xiaoyi, winking at her: ¡°How about you wear some ck stockings tonight tofort my soon-to-be wounded soul?¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face turned red: ¡°You¡¯re the president of Lu Company, behave yourself!¡± ¡°So what if I am? Can¡¯t the president¡¯s woman wear ck stockings for him?¡± he raised his eyebrows. ¡°Hmm¡­ You Meng would probably be willing to wear them.¡± Chen Xiaoyi deflected, her nature being more reserved, those kinds of things weren¡¯t for her. ¡°She wears them every day, but I want to see you in them.¡± ¡°You probably wish it was Yingying who wore them, right?¡± Chen Xiaoyi gave Lu Li a yful look. His bad intentions were so obvious she might as well have said them herself. ¡°You caught me, an intestinal worm you are!¡± Lu Li pretended to be shocked by her guess. Which man could resist the allure of ck stockings? That velvety touch, even the hands would fall in love with it! ¡°Hmm¡­¡± After some teasing, they returned to the topic at hand. ¡°Lu Li, are you really nning to act yourself?¡± Chen Xiaoyi thought Lu Li was going to proceed as she had suggested. The thought of Lu Li getting in touch with Zhang Ziqin made her somewhat uneasy. ¡°Of course! Just watch your boss¡¯s prowess. You have talent in business, but it¡¯s not enough. Watch closely, learn well. As my deputy, if you can¡¯t offer me strategies, that¡¯s not eptable!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Chen Xiaoyi was filled with regret but also realized that Lu Li wasn¡¯t nning to do what she had thought. Of course not, Lu Li didn¡¯t want any contact with Zhang Ziqin. Otherwise, he would have chosen to deal with her through deceit, which would have been quicker. He¡¯d rather choose a longer path than have any further contact with Zhang Ziqin. The treatment for Old Master Cao would need about three months. In those three months, after dealing with Zhang Ziqin, Su Bingqing, and others, he¡¯d head to Magic City. The Zhang Ziqin matter had dragged on for too long, but recent events had kept him busy. Now, Lu Li didn¡¯t want to wait any longer. He was very curious to see the expression on the face of the woman so focused on her business when Zhang Companypletely copsed. Zhang Ziqin, as the main female character in the story, had a very detailed description. Lu Li knew all about the challenges she would face, which of her subordinates were unfaithful, and who had dark histories. Over the years, Zhang Ziqin had diluted her shares in thepany to develop it rapidly, now owning less than fifty percent. Although still thergest shareholder, she was constrained in many ways. That afternoon, Lu Li directly met with the secondrgest shareholder of Zhang Company, bringing Chen Xiaoyi with him, saying he wanted her to learn well, so of course, she had to be by his side. ¡°Mr. Lu, it¡¯s been a few months, but your presence is asmanding as ever.¡± The somewhat bald middle-aged man knew Lu Li, who had made quite the stir in recent months. Especially after taking over Lu Company, his reputation as a spoiled young masterpletely vanished. How does that saying go? When you¡¯re sessful, everyone around you is a good person. Lu Li didn¡¯t like beating around the bush in business negotiations: ¡°I want all your shares of Zhang Company, and I¡¯ll pay one dor for them.¡± ¡°Mr. Lu, are you joking with me?¡± The man squinted his eyes. ¡°Although I know of Mr. Lu¡¯s capabilities, I, Zhang Hai, have also been in the business world for many years and am not a pushover. If Mr. Lu intends to use this kind of threat to take my shares, then Mr. Lu might just find himself cklisted by every business in Hangzhou, no, the entire country.¡± Chen Xiaoyi tensed up, not understanding what Lu Li was up to. She believed in him, but this was too outrageous ¨C offering one dor for more than twenty percent of Zhang Company¡¯s shares. Lu Li, unfazed, pushed theputer towards Zhang Hai: ¡°One dor, it won¡¯t go any higher. Think it over, Mr. Zhang.¡± Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s hand to y with. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s hands were not delicate; instead, they bore many calluses from hard work, a testament to her past struggles. Maintaining herposure through those hardships, Chen Xiaoyi was indeed remarkable. Facing Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s worried look, Lu Li gave her a reassuring nce. ¡°Mr. Lu, where did you get these things?¡± After a while, Zhang Hai shifted his trembling gaze from theputer screen, his voice quivering, addressing Lu Li with a hint of fear. ¡°I don¡¯t want to discuss meaningless things. One dor. Do you sell the shares or not?¡± Lu Li didn¡¯t want to engage in any more nonsensical talk with this old fox. They like to y the game ofpliments, with you saying a word and me adding another, and you might not even get to the point in an hour. Zhang Hai bitterly smiled: ¡°Do I have a choice?¡± Chapter 75 Chapter 75 Chapter 75: Chen Xiaoyi Confronts Her Rival An hourter, the transaction contract, in duplicate, was signed, and Zhang Hai left the caf¨¦ with a bitter smile on his face, clutching a one-dor coin. Chen Xiaoyi looked at Lu Li, utterly astounded, her eyes filled with admiration, which made Lu Li quite pleased with himself. ¡°If you want to ask, just ask. This was meant to be a lesson for you,¡± Lu Li said, raising his eyebrows yfully. ¡°Lu Li, President Lu, Brother Lu, how did you do it? That shareholder, Zhang Hai, actually sold those shares to you for a dor,¡± Chen Xiaoyi asked, clinging to Lu Li¡¯s arm, looking up to him as if he were a towering mountain. The sweet session of titles made Lu Li feel particrly appreciated. ¡°It was just a matter of showing him something on theputer that scared him enough to sell. Such a tactic, too brilliant.¡± ¡°What else could it be? I had something on him that could make his death ugly and lead to his family¡¯s ruin. Whether Zhang Hai was motivated by family or the instinct to survive, I don¡¯t know.¡± Lu Li shrugged nonchntly, then his expression turned serious as he looked at Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°Xiaoyi, you have a great talent for business; even I can¡¯t find fault with it. But remember, there¡¯s no bottom line for businessmen, and in business dealings, there are no limits to the methods used.¡± ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for the Lu family backing me, Zhang Hai wouldn¡¯t have let go so easily. Most likely, he would have fought to the death with me.¡± A ten percent profit drives people mad, twenty percent leads them to take risks, and beyond thirty percent, a businessman will risk his life. If it were an ordinary person, even with leverage over Zhang Hai, would he give up his shares because of a threat? Unlikely. Business matters are never just business. The hidden storms behind them are as turbulent as any battlefield. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s expression also turned solemn; she knew Lu Li was teaching her. She nodded seriously. Having weathered storms herself, she wasn¡¯t na?ve like a little girl. If Lu Li needed her to do those things, she would do them without hesitation. To Chen Xiaoyi, Lu Li was the brightest light in her dark life, someone she was determined to hold onto at all costs. Even if she didn¡¯t like it, if Lu Li needed it, she, Chen Xiaoyi, would help him achieve it. Seeing Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s reaction, Lu Li gave a tender smile. He truly adored these girls who showed him such favoritism. ¡°Now that we suddenly have twenty percent of Zhang Company¡¯s shares, we have much more room to maneuver. Now, Xiaoyi, do you think you can take revenge for me?¡± ¡°Yes, Brother Lu, I¡¯ll make sure Zhang Company goes bankrupt,¡± Chen Xiaoyi said firmly, knowing Lu Li had paved the way for her. Failing his task would be too disappointing. ¡°Ah, that ¡®Brother Lu¡¯ sounds really good,¡± Lu Li nodded, satisfied. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi blushed. After You Meng appeared, she had been wanting to change how she addressed Lu Li, just never finding the right moment. To hear that shameless woman You Meng immediately calling Lu Li ¡°big brother¡± andter ¡°Master Brother¡± was just too shameless. She was dying of envy! ¡°From now on, that¡¯s how you¡¯ll call me, no changes allowed,¡± Lu Li said with a beaming smile, clearly delighted. Outside, it was ¡°Brother,¡± and at home, it would be¡­ ¡°Daddy,¡± it seemed. He had just made the arrangements clear for Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°Okay!¡± Lesson over, and once back at thepany, Chen Xiaoyi started working feverishly. Taking revenge for Lu Li and bankrupting that green tea woman was all she could think about. Right, in Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes, Zhang Ziqin was nothing but a green tea woman. When Lu Li pursued her, she kept him hanging yet constantly took advantages from him. Later, when Lu Li stopped pursuing her, she shamelessly came back, clinging to him. If that¡¯s not the behavior of a green tea woman, what is? The team was ready, all top-notch professionals from Lu Company. With twenty percent of Zhang Company¡¯s shares and the dirt on Zhang Company Lu Li had prepared, failing to fulfill his request would be too shameful for Chen Xiaoyi. This time, they would make Zhang Ziqin spit out everything she had taken from Lu Li. *** ¡°Manager Chen, regarding the dirt, do we hire inte trolls, or do we handle it ourselves?¡± someone asked Chen Xiaoyi. Regardless of what they thought about her rise through Lu Li, Chen Xiaoyi had proven her worth. If she had been promoted to manager just through connections, she would have been ridiculed. But having the capability and Lu Li¡¯s support made it a match made in heaven. Now, aside from a few jealous women in thepany, no one dared to gossip about her and Lu Li. ¡°Both. We¡¯ll do it ourselves and also employ inte trolls. We must make sure the news spreads far and wide,¡± Chen Xiaoyi said with an icy tone, sending shivers down the spines of those listening. Employing inte trolls was to expand the influence, while Lu Company taking action was to show Zhang Ziqin they were serious about bringing her down, a warning and revenge for Lu Li. That damnable woman dared to treat Lu Li like apdog, calling him whenever she wanted and dismissing him just as easily. How dare she, when Chen Xiaoyi herself wanted to cherish him so dearly? Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face was a picture of frosty determination. ¡°Understood¡­¡± President Lu was really ruthless! To act against a woman he once liked this way, was it because of love turned into hate? Those under hermand thought to themselves. Shivering, they realized this was about hand-tearing a love rival. They couldn¡¯t afford to provoke her! Chapter 76 Chapter 76 Chapter 76: Zhang Ziqin: You Underestimate Me ¡°Hello, I¡¯d like to see President Lu. Could you please inform him?¡± At the front desk of Lu Corporation, Zhang Ziqin, with her stunningly beautiful face, wore a gentle smile, appearing very approachable. This once ice-cold CEO couldn¡¯t maintain her frosty demeanor anymore, trying hard to seem amiable. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, President Zhang, but President Lu is very busy. He won¡¯t see you without an appointment,¡± the receptionist said with a polite but distant smile. President Lu had already given strict orders to refuse Zhang Ziqin, regardless of who she brought with her. A glimmer of disappointment flickered in her bright eyes, although she had anticipated this oue. Still, she couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit unwilling. However, Zhang Ziqin quickly shook off that feeling and perked up. Zhang Ziqin had already decided to repay everything she owed to Lu Li. A few rejections were nothing. After all, Lu Li had pursued her diligently for eight whole years! Having been stopped at thepany¡¯s entrance repeatedly back then, she now understood all too well how that must have felt. ¡°Then¡­ will President Lue out for lunch? I can wait for him here.¡± She asked the receptionist, hopeful. With her status, when had she ever been so courteous to a mere receptionist? But Zhang Ziqin knew this receptionist must have been instructed by Lu Li, as she had done the same thing in the past to dismiss Lu Li when she didn¡¯t want to see him. ¡°If only I had known today, why the deeds of yesterday?¡± Watching the proud CEO showing such an expression, the receptionist couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit sorry for her, thinking to herself. She had been the most direct witness to Zhang Ziqin¡¯s transformation. From her initially icy demeanor to now, even speaking with a bit of ttery. Shaking her head silently, she thought if only Zhang Ziqin had seized just one opportunity back then, things wouldn¡¯t havee to this. Only after losing did she understand the value of what she had. Such people truly aren¡¯t worth pitying. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, President Zhang. President Lu doesn¡¯t wish to see you,¡± the receptionist said, though it was harsh, she spoke the truth. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face stiffened for a moment, and she stood frozen, fighting the urge to cry. She was well aware of Lu Li¡¯s current attitude towards her. It was not just ack of love but also hatred. She had always been unwilling to ept it, always harboring some hope. Maybe Lu Li just wanted her to apologize. Maybe he just wanted her to experience what he had gone through, or perhaps it was Lu Li¡¯s strategy of retreat. Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t mind and even felt a bit gleeful, thinking this might mean Lu Li still had her in his heart. She was willing to ept everything; these were all debts she owed Lu Li. At this point in her previous life, Lu Li hadn¡¯tpletely given up hope, but reality was cruel. It wouldn¡¯t leave any room for expectations. Shattering all her illusions, Lu Li had truly stopped loving her. Now by his side were Chen Xiaoyi, the girl, and Cao Yingying, the woman full of him. What was she, Zhang Ziqin? Just a woman who only hurt Lu Li, deserved to be abandoned. Clutching her heart, as if it were being torn apart, the intense pain made her struggle to pull herself together. ¡°Alright, I¡¯lle back tomorrow!¡± She managed to say before leaving Lu Corporation. ¡°One year, eight years, eighty years, I¡¯ll keep trying. One day, Lu Li will ept me again.¡± Wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes, Zhang Ziqin encouraged herself. If Lu Li could persevere for eight years, why should she give up? She wouldn¡¯t me Lu Li. The situation they were in now was all her own doing. The phone suddenly rang, irritation shed in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s eyes, but sheposed herself and answered the call. ¡°What¡¯s up!¡± The ice-cold CEO was back to her aloof demeanor. ¡°It¡¯s terrible, President Zhang. Arge amount of unfavorable online news about Zhang Company has suddenly appeared.¡± ¡°You should be able to handle such trivial matters yourselves, or are you saying you don¡¯t even have the capability to deal with this?¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s tone was harsh. ¡°It¡¯s not that, President Zhang. The situation about Zhang Company is making waves now. We suspect there¡¯s a maniptor behind the scenes, someone targeting our Zhang Company, and the stock price of Zhang Company has plummeted.¡± Zhang Ziqin frowned: ¡°I¡¯ll be at thepany right away.¡± During this time, all she thought about was how to win Lu Li back, barely concerning herself with Zhang Company¡¯s affairs. In her eyes, Lu Li was far more important than Zhang Company. Only after losing did she realize how precious Lu Li was to her. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s beautiful face looked grim, her icy tone showcasing her CEO demeanor. The secretary hesitated before replying, cautious of Zhang Ziqin¡¯s recent frequent visits to Lu Corporation. ¡°Speak,¡± Zhang Ziqinmanded with a cold gaze. ¡°President Zhang, those inte trolls came from nowhere, but Lu Corporation has been confirmed to be involved in this smear campaign against our Zhang Company, and even¡­ the board of directors suspects this was orchestrated by Lu Corporation.¡± The secretary put it politely. The executives and shareholders of Zhang Company were almost certain this was a targeted strike by Lu Corporation, but knowing her president¡¯s daily visits to Lu Corporation, she didn¡¯t want to be too absolute. ¡°Lu Corporation?¡± Her stern gaze turned nk. ¡°Uh¡­ They made no attempt to hide their actions, openly attacking our Zhang Company,¡± the secretary nodded, thinking maybe President Lu was acting out of spurned love, but hadn¡¯t President Zhang turned her affections back? A grown man being so petty. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face paled, bitterness shing in her eyes. ¡°Are you telling me there¡¯s no chance for us anymore? But I just wanted to see you!¡± In Zhang Ziqin¡¯s view, these recent attacks were warnings from Lu Li because she had repeatedly visited Lu Corporation, disturbing him. ¡°You underestimate me. You think attacking Zhang Company will make me give up? No way. Compared to you, what is Zhang Company? I owe you so much; consider this a partial repayment of my debts!¡± Misinterpreting the attack as a warning from Lu Li, she thought he didn¡¯t want her visiting Lu Corporation anymore, a mistaken assessment on her part. Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Chapter 77: Let Him Cook, Let Him Cook Humans, as creatures, always like to deceive themselves or rather, prefer to direct their thoughts towards what they hope for. Half a day¡¯s time should have been enough for Zhang Company to respond and potentially raise its stock price, but Zhang Company chose silence. Facing the overwhelming criticism online, not a single word was said. Chen Xiaoyi washed her face and returned to the office. ¡°How are things? Has Zhang Company taken any action?¡± she asked coldly. ¡°No, Zhang Company hasn¡¯t reacted at all. It¡¯s as if they don¡¯t care about our attack,¡± the assistant reported with a peculiar look. Just half a day¡¯s time, and their stock had plummeted. Did Zhang Company have a countermeasure, or did they simplyck the ability to resist? It should be the former; thetter seemed virtually impossible. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s brows furrowed. She couldn¡¯t understand Zhang Ziqin¡¯s thinking. It made no sense for her to be unaware of Lu Corporation¡¯s attack on Zhang Company, yet remain unresponsive. ¡°This must be an act, hoping Brother Lu still has feelings for her and will stop the attack on Zhang Company on his own!¡± Chen Xiaoyi scoffed. Since Zhang Company was behaving this way, there was no point in waiting any longer. ¡°Sell off the scattered shares we previously bought.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The subordinates immediately set to work. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s gaze was sharp as she sat at her desk. The attack was aimed atpletely ruining Zhang Company, not making a profit. However, if she didn¡¯t take this opportunity to bite off a chunk of Zhang Company, it would be a betrayal of Lu Li¡¯s trust in her. The stage had been set by Lu Li. Her role was not to disappoint him. Chen Xiaoyi wondered why Zhang Ziqin, after causing so much heartache for Lu Li, still expected kindness from him. It could only mean the woman thought too highly of herself. ¡°Manager Chen, all the stocks have been sold off, but the effect seems limited. The shares we sold were quickly snapped up by retail investors, and even Zhang Company¡¯s stock price has risen slightly.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. After all, Zhang Company is arge enterprise, and there are savvy investors among shareholders betting on its survival against our attack,¡± Chen Xiaoyi wasn¡¯t surprised. Given Zhang Company¡¯s size, it was believable that people wouldn¡¯t expect it to keep plummeting. Unfortunately, those investors were going to be disappointed this time. Being involved in such a significant business conflict usually meant they were prepared. A scornful smile curved Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s lips, unclear whether she was mocking those investors or Zhang Company itself. ¡°Zhang Ziqin, I really want to see how long you can endure, what your face will look like when you realize Lu Li won¡¯t spare you any mercy,¡± she thought maliciously. She had never despised someone so thoroughly. Zhang Ziqin was the first. She would not let off anyone who hurt Lu Li. ***. The secretary watched Zhang Ziqin sitting in the CEO¡¯s chair, admiration in her eyes. ¡°Truly worthy of being President Zhang. Even now, with things being so dire, she remains unaffected, seemingly unshaken by that man, Lu Li.¡± The secretary admired her deeply. ¡°What¡¯s the current situation?¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s cool voice snapped the admiring secretary back to reality, who then focused intently on Zhang Ziqin. ¡°The situation has stabilized. Despite massive sell-offs of Zhang Company¡¯s stock on the market, they were quickly bought up, and after an initial drop, the stock price has stabilized.¡± ¡°Is that so? Withdraw half of thepany¡¯s liquid assets and put them in the stock market to push up the stock price.¡± Lu Li had made his move, naturally, it was time for him to earn some profit. She intended to show Lu Li through her actions that she would not give up. ¡°Ah!¡± The secretary was a bit shocked, even doubting she had misheard. The stock price had already stabilized! ¡°Just do it,¡± Zhang Ziqin insisted with a piercing gaze, which made the secretary rush out to execute the order. Though the secretary didn¡¯t understand why Zhang Ziqin made such a seemingly irrational decision, there must be a deeper meaning that she couldn¡¯t grasp. After the secretary left, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s gaze started to drift. She thought back to some events of her past life. In the past, when had Lu Li ever attacked Zhang Company like this? He was always the man standing behind her, always supporting her. In her past life, after coborating with Ye Chen, Zhang Company also faced many challenges. *** ¡°Lu Li, Sunny Caf¨¦ in half an hour,¡± she demanded coldly over the phone, not worried that Lu Li wouldn¡¯te because she knew his feelings for her. So she was fearless. Recently, her coboration with Ye Chen hit a bottleneck. Ye Chen had offered a good deal, promising equal shares on both sides, with a huge return upon sess. But Zhang Company¡¯s current liquid assets were insufficient for the investment, prompting her to call on Lu Li. Ordering a coffee, she sat quietly, and within less than half an hour, Lu Li arrived, his face as expressionless as stagnant water, causing a flicker of concern in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s eyes. But she said nothing. ¡°I have a business deal to make and need about ten billion. How much can you contribute?¡± Without any pleasantries, not even a greeting, Zhang Ziqin stated her purpose as if the man before her was nothing more than an ATM. Lu Li¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile, as if taunting something: ¡°You¡­¡± ¡¾Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected in the host, leading to an action that vites the character setup. Please correct it immediately, or punishment will ensue.¡¿ An invisible screen appeared before Lu Li, disying a photo of a young You Meng and surveince footage of Li Zichuan. Lu Li¡¯s words froze mid-air, having experienced the system¡¯s ruthlessness. It could harm him, which Lu Li wasn¡¯t afraid of, but his greatest fear was something happening to the two most important people in his world. Once, Lu Li had defied the system and vited his character setup. That same day, Li Zichuan ended up in the hospital for unknown reasons and didn¡¯t wake up for a day and a night. ¡°I understand,¡± Lu Li gritted his teeth and left the caf¨¦, hisplexion dark, his humiliation almost tangible. Was this what it was? His crazy gift to Zhang Ziqin and Ye Chen for their wedding, wishing them a lifetime of happiness? Truly tragic! Watching Lu Li¡¯s retreating figure, Zhang Ziqin suddenly felt panicked, sensing she was losing something important. ¡°Did I speak too harshly, making Lu Li unhappy?¡± ¡°No, that can¡¯t be. Lu Li wouldn¡¯t be mad at me. I just need to appease himter, maybe take him out for a meal, and he¡¯ll definitely be overjoyed.¡± Chapter 78 Chapter 78 Chapter 78: You Want Me to Go Bankrupt, So I Will Go Bankrupt A deep bitterness and guilt surged in her heart. Zhang Ziqin, just how shameless do you have to be to stop? To what extent do you have to hurt Lu Li before you¡¯re willing to halt? Knowing well that Lu Li disliked your coboration with Ye Chen, you still chose to partner with him, even shamelessly asking Lu Li for money because of your coboration with Ye Chen. At that time, all you thought about was achieving sess as soon as possible. You were confident that Lu Li¡¯s feelings for you wouldn¡¯t disappear just because of your cooperation with Ye Chen. You even believed that you and Lu Li would be family in the future, and exchanging properties between each other wouldn¡¯t be an issue. But what would Lu Li think? A woman named Zhang Ziqin, entangled endlessly with that Ye Chen, now dares to ask me for money¡­ Yet, he still managed to secure that money for you. ¡°How heartbroken he must have been at that time. Even though I hurt him so deeply, he still chose to help me.¡± Regretful tears uncontrobly welled up. Knowing that Lu Li was acting against her, could Zhang Ziqin really not feel sad? How could that be possible? Even if she felt that Lu Li was warning her, wanting to sever ties with her, Zhang Ziqin felt so agonizingly twisted inside, struggling to breathe. What mindset must Lu Li have been in to lend her the money? Zhang Ziqin dared not think further; the guilt seemed to grow even thicker. Using the desk phone, she made a call to her secretary. ¡°Pour all the liquid assets into the stock market.¡± It was the only way she could somewhat alleviate her guilt. ¡°But President Lu¡­¡± ¡°Shut up, just go do it, and tell them it¡¯s my, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s, decision.¡± The secretary tried to say something but was abruptly cut off by Zhang Ziqin¡¯s irate interruption. No matter the loss this time, she epts it; it¡¯s all what she, Zhang Ziqin, owes Lu Li. Dejectedly lowering her head, letting tears fall from her eyes, the reawakened memories suffocated Zhang Ziqin with guilt. ¡°Manager Chen, Zhang Company¡¯s stock price has experienced a significant surge,¡± the assistant excitedly informed Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°I know.¡± Chen Xiaoyi nodded calmly. Such an exaggerated curve of increase. It seemed that Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t sit still after all! In the business battlefield, the two stood like dueling fighters, seeing who would lose their patience first. Clearly, she had won. After losing Lu Li, whatever reputed business genius Zhang Ziqin once was, whatever brightest business queen she was dubbed, became a huge joke. ¡°Sell all our shares of Zhang Company in one go. Now Zhang Company has almost used all their liquid assets to keep up the appearance of their stock price; they¡¯re done for.¡± This all-in tactic, even Lu Corporation wouldn¡¯t dare to face head-on. But in her hands were twenty percent of Zhang Company¡¯s shares! Using your shares to press down on Zhang Company, with almost zero cost. After all, these shares were obtained by Lu Li for just one yuan. Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help but marvel at Lu Li. The current situation was probably all within his calctions. She even suspected that Zhang Ziqin¡¯s reputation was all Lu Li¡¯s doing. ¡°Manager Chen, you mean all of it?¡± Almost everyone stopped their work, looking incredulously at Chen Xiaoyi, shocked by her boldness. ¡°Yes, everything. Sell it all at once. Now is the critical moment for Zhang Company¡¯s survival or demise.¡± And they could also make a fortune, truly thankful for Zhang Ziqin¡¯s foolishness! Today was truly a heart-pounding day for Zhang Company. In just one day, they went from heaven to hell, back to heaven, and then plunged back into hell. The dramatic twists left everyone in awe. ¡°President Zhang, this recent stock price drop is highly unusual, almost as if¡­ our shareholders were selling off their shares,¡± the secretary said with an indescribable expression, doubting there could be such foolish people. Continuous development versus a one-off ughter ¨C which yields more, such a simple logic anyone would understand. But aside from this exnation, she could find no other reason. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s expression darkened, the developments beyond her expectations. Just then, apany executive rushed in: ¡°President Zhang, the shareholders are here.¡± ¡°Have them gather in the conference room,¡± Zhang Ziqin, exhausted, waved her hand. She knew why the shareholders hade. Momentster, in the conference room, Zhang Ziqin surveyed the room: ¡°Director Zhang Hai isn¡¯t here?¡± The shareholders looked at each other; they hadn¡¯t seen Zhang Hai, thepany¡¯s secondrgest shareholder. ¡°Please contact Director Zhang Hai for me. Once everyone is here, I¡¯ll give you all an exnation,¡± she told her secretary, then turned to the shareholders with her usual aloof demeanor. Under her gaze, not a single aged shareholder dared to speak. Zhang Ziqin sat quietly in her seat. ¡°Although I don¡¯t know what happened, Lu Li must have earned a lot by now, right? He should understand my determination by now, but such methods won¡¯t drive me away.¡± She thought resolutely. But soon, the message the secretary brought back turned Zhang Ziqin¡¯s world cold. ¡°President Zhang, Director Zhang Hai said he has sold all his shares, and the shareholder meeting of Zhang Company has nothing to do with him anymore,¡± the secretary looked grim. ¡°What¡­?¡± Zhang Ziqin turned around in shock. ¡°To whom did Zhang Hai sell the shares?¡± A sharpness shed in her eyes. ¡°He sold them to¡­ President Lu Li of Lu Corporation,¡± the secretary replied,plex emotions in her gaze. Who could have imagined that from the beginning to the end, it was all orchestrated by Lu Li, who once loved President Zhang? In an instant, Zhang Ziqin¡¯splexion turned pale. Even if she wanted to deny it, she couldn¡¯t anymore. Lu Li was not merely warning her to retreat; he was fully prepared to ensure Zhang Company¡¯s total ruin! Closing her eyes in pain, she trembled uncontrobly. ¡°Is this your purpose? Why bother at all? Whatever you wanted, if you had just told me, wouldn¡¯t I have given it to you? I could give you everything I own, but doing so is like stabbing a knife into my heart!¡± Even knowing Lu Li no longer loved her, when faced with his relentless efforts to bankrupt her, Zhang Ziqin was still deeply hurt. ¡°Do you really despise me that much?¡± Her fists tightened on herp, fingernails digging into flesh, but Zhang Ziqin was numb to it, a sense of hopeless despair consuming her. ¡°If you want me to go bankrupt, then so be it!¡± Opening her eyes, she smiled weakly at all the shareholders: ¡°I¡¯ve decided to sell all my shares. Of course, they might not sell now. Things havee to this, there¡¯s nothing more to say. Zhang Company is finished. I¡¯ll announce it immediately.¡± If her bankruptcy was what Lu Li wanted to see, then she would grant his wish. Chapter 79 Chapter 79 Chapter 79: Zhang Ziqin¡¯s Humble Descent into the Mud ¡°Is this what you wanted to say, President Zhang? We came here seeking solutions to our problems, not to hear that thepany is going bankrupt,¡± a shareholder stood up agitatedly, ring at Zhang Ziqin. Zhang Ziqin opened her eyes, her gaze bing exceptionally serene for a moment: ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, but there¡¯s no way out. My misjudgment has led to thepany¡¯s demise. If any of you present have a solution, I am willing to resign from the president position.¡± She was even smiling, only this time, she truly went along with Lu Li¡¯s wishes, hadn¡¯t she? That¡¯s good, at least she did one thing to make him happy. ¡°Everyone, please think for yourselves, the end cannot be changed.¡± Speaking indifferently, Zhang Ziqin looked like a Daoist priestess who had seen through everything, appearing very leisurely. After saying this, Zhang Ziqin left the meeting room under the gaze of all the shareholders. She stopped the secretary who wanted to follow her, walking out of the Zhang Corporation building alone. Looking back at the vast Zhang Corporation, she once obsessed over restoring its former glory, yet she neglected Lu Li, and in the end, she even lost him. If Lu Li wished for Zhang Corporation to go bankrupt, then let it be. Without Lu Li, Zhang Corporation wouldn¡¯t havested until now. If its bankruptcy could make Lu Li happy, then it was worth it. Today was her second visit to the Lu Corporation. ¡°Please contact President Chen Xiaoyi for me,¡± she said indifferently to the receptionist, even with a smile. The receptionist was a bit surprised by Zhang Ziqin¡¯s request, not expecting her toe not for President Lu this time, but to see President Chen ¨C it was a meeting between rival lovers! ¡°Just a moment, I¡¯ll check for you.¡± She picked up the phone to call Chen Xiaoyi. President Lu had instructed to send Zhang Ziqin away immediately if she came looking for him, but this time she was here for President Chen! Soon, the receptionist hung up the phone. ¡°Please wait a moment, President Chen said she wille down soon.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Zhang Ziqin smiled tranquilly, sitting quietly on the side. The news of Zhang Corporation going bankrupt tomorrow seemed to have no effect on her. Even in her heart, Zhang Ziqin felt a sense of relief. Without Zhang Corporation, it was like paying back what she owed to Lu Li, and in the future, she would no longer be bound by Zhang Corporation. In her past life, it was because she valued Zhang Corporation too much and neglected Lu Li¡¯s feelings. It might be better to go bankrupt, so she could spend more time trying to mend her rtionship with Lu Li. About ten or so minutester, Chen Xiaoyi appeared in the resting area. ¡°President Zhang, you¡¯re not dealing with Zhang Corporation¡¯s matters and are looking for me? If I¡¯m not mistaken, Zhang Corporation is already in big trouble, right?¡± Faced with this woman, even the normally gentle Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t hide her disdain. ¡°I will dere Zhang Corporation bankrupt to the court tomorrow.¡± Zhang Ziqin lowered her head, looking at the woman cherished by Lu Li, suddenly finding herself unable to look her in the eye. The woman who was once held dearly by Lu Li, but now, Lu Li¡¯s affection that once belonged solely to herself was given to another woman. That deep love, which the former Zhang Ziqin could easily reach, was not cherished. Lu Li had walked ny-nine steps towards her, yet she did not take the final step, instead continuously pushing him away until shepletely lost him. The unspeakable pain seemed to tear her heart apart, a hint of agony appearing on her beautiful face. Seeing the Zhang Ziqin in front of her, Chen Xiaoyi suddenly felt a surge of satisfaction. This hateful woman deserved it. However, thinking about what this woman had done to Lu Li, Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t ept it. ¡°So, what do you want from me? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re hoping for my mercy!¡± Mocking the hateful woman, Chen Xiaoyi spared no effort in her scorn. Zhang Ziqin shuddered, suddenly raising her head: ¡°I want to see Lu Li. Can you convey a message to him for me?¡± Even the desire to see Lu Li had to rely on this rival in her eyes. ¡°Heh, wanting to see Lu Li, you¡¯re probably hoping he would invest money in you like before.¡± Disdain filled her heart; in Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s view, Zhang Ziqin was attempting to use her past rtionship with Lu Li to evoke his sympathy, even after she had personally contributed to Zhang Corporation¡¯s downfall, hoping he would help lift it up again. ¡°See Lu Li, what do you want to do? Continue to humiliate him, hurt him like before? How did Lu Li treat you in the past? He gave his whole heart to you, and what did you do? You humiliated and mocked him, you even made it so he couldn¡¯t step into Zhang Corporation again. Now, Lu Li wants to sever ties with Zhang Corporation, with you, and here you are, rushing over as soon as you see Lu Li seeding!¡± Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t hold back and vented all her pent-up frustration. Fully devoted to the man she cared about, Chen Xiaoyi had watched him pursue Zhang Ziqin deeply in love, but this woman treated Lu Li so poorly. It¡¯s one thing not to love, but why harm him? Even if she didn¡¯t cherish him, why humiliate Lu Li to such an extent, constantly pushing him into the mire? As for helping her meet Lu Li, what a delusional thought from this woman. ¡°I¡¯m not, I¡¯ve always loved Lu Li, more than you, more than anyone!¡± Zhang Ziqin burst out emotionally, tears uncontrobly falling. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes grew colder; she already despised the woman in front of her, now finding Zhang Ziqin even more detestable. ¡°So, your love for Lu Li is to humiliate him repeatedly, mock him, and deny him even the entrance to Zhang Corporation? Your love for Lu Li is truly unique and unparalleled!¡± In Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes, Zhang Ziqin was using this as a tactic to stir Lu Li¡¯s sympathy due to the situation with Zhang Corporation. Zhang Ziqin copsed on the floor, unable to respond to Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s mockery, not even able to utter a word in her defense, her tears of agony slowly falling. ¡°Speak up, you were so eloquent before. Come on, exin how your love for Lu Li is supposed to make sense.¡± Chen Xiaoyi mocked Zhang Ziqin. ¡°What¡¯s going on, why themotion?¡± A gentle male voice came through, and instantly, both Chen Xiaoyi and Zhang Ziqin involuntarily shifted their gaze. The man¡¯s handsome face was adorned with a slight smile, his well-fitted clothes entuating his upright figure, making him stand out wherever he was. Lu Li had arrived without them noticing. Chapter 80 Chapter 80 Chapter 80: Not What Lu Li Wanted to See ¡°Lu Brother¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s heart panicked, fearing that her recent confrontation with Zhang Ziqin was witnessed by Lu Li, which would be terribly bad. ¡°Lu¡­ President.¡± Zhang Ziqin also panicked, struggling to stand up and wiping away the tears on her face, leaving faint traces. Her pear-blossom-with-rain appearance could stir the protective instincts of many men. Lu Li didn¡¯t look at Zhang Ziqin but walked over to Chen Xiaoyi, gently caressing her hair: ¡°This time was clean and decisive, well done. I¡¯ll give you a big red envelopeter; go rest for now!¡± ¡°But¡­¡± While relieved, Chen Xiaoyi hesitated, ncing at Zhang Ziqin. ¡°Trust me.¡± Lu Li nodded seriously at Chen Xiaoyi: ¡°Go rest in my office; I¡¯lle to take you hometer.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Although Chen Xiaoyi sometimes acted petntly towards Lu Li, she never disobeyed him. Since he asked her to trust him, she would. She refused to believe that Zhang Ziqin, that green tea woman, could humiliate her man again. After giving Zhang Ziqin a fierce re, Chen Xiaoyi left in her high heels. Once Chen Xiaoyi was gone, Lu Li¡¯s warm gaze gradually turned cold, looking at Zhang Ziqin, who was still trembling, with an ambiguous smile. ¡°Let¡¯s go! Didn¡¯t you want to see me? Let¡¯s talk.¡± His tone wasn¡¯t gentle, but itcked the previous coldness. Without waiting for Zhang Ziqin¡¯s reaction, he headed for the main gate of Lu Corporation. It¡¯s true that Lu Li didn¡¯t want to see Zhang Ziqin, except under special circumstances, like now. With Zhang Corporation¡¯s copse, the dream that woman cherished vanished, and her despair was exactly what Lu Li wanted to see. Zhang Ziqin hurried to follow, opening her mouth but finding herself at a loss for words after this long-awaited meeting. Thest time they met at the Cao family banquet was the most recent time Zhang Ziqin saw Lu Li. Seeing him again filled her with excitement, but she didn¡¯t know what to say. They found a nice restaurant and reserved a private room. Lu Li even ordered a bottle of expensive red wine, feeling that happy times should be enjoyed to the fullest. The swift copse of Zhang Corporation was beyond his expectations. He thought it would take half a month or even a month, even with shares in Zhang Corporation. Who would have thought Zhang Ziqin would be stupider than he imagined, with Zhang Corporation copsing entirely in just one day. It seems not every female lead is genuinely capable! ¡°Speak up, didn¡¯t you tell Xiao Yi you wanted to see me? Now you have.¡± Swirling his wine ss, he sipped the red wine leisurely, enjoying the woman¡¯s conflicted expression. The copse of Zhang Corporation made him happy, and Zhang Ziqin¡¯s despair made him happy. The frustration building up in him seemed to dissipate quite a bit. Now, Lu Li was in a great mood, even wanting to see Zhang Ziqin¡¯s death throes. Even though he had guessed what Zhang Ziqin wanted to say, he still wanted to hear her say it. Whether Zhang Ziqin looked down on him, demanding money to save Zhang Corporation like before, or desperately begged him to spare Zhang Corporation, it would only amuse Lu Li. The Zhang Ziqin before him was like a toy in his hands, her every action, like a clown in a circus, only served to make Lu Liugh heartily. Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t help trembling, having so much she wanted to say to Lu Li, but when he was truly in front of her, she shockingly found herself unable to speak. Looking at the man leisurely tasting his wine across from her, a silk-like tenderness shed in her eyes. ¡°Lu¡­ President, Zhang Corporation is gone. Tomorrow, Zhang Corporation willpletely disappear from this world.¡± ¡°I know, I did it. Made quite a profit too.¡± He looked at the woman before him with mockery. Zhang Corporation was Zhang Ziqin¡¯s life; she was obsessed with how to grow Zhang Corporation. Now that Zhang Corporation died at the hands of Lu Li, her once devoted follower, what would she be feeling? Despair, pain, anger? Lu Li loved any of those emotions. They suited Zhang Ziqin best. Seeing such emotions on Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face delighted Lu Li! ¡°Didn¡¯t you always love using work as an excuse to refuse me? Now, the career you cherished has beenpletely destroyed by me, your once loyal follower. How does it feel, Miss Zhang?¡± Lu Li thought to himself, looking up at Zhang Ziqin, hoping to see something that would please him. However, Lu Li was disappointed. He didn¡¯t see a trace of discouragement on Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face, let alone despair. In fact, Zhang Ziqin was still wearing a faint smile, her formerly cold gaze now filled with softness, just looking at Lu Li. Lu Li felt a surge of difort, an unpleasant gloom rising in his heart. This was not the Zhang Ziqin he wanted to see. He wanted to see Zhang Ziqin in despair, angry yet powerless, the pitiful sight of her after her cherished career was destroyed. He didn¡¯t want to see Zhang Ziqin smiling! ¡°So, are you happy now?¡± Her tender gaze fixed on Lu Li. A mere Zhang Corporation, what does it matterpared to Lu Li? If the bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation could make Lu Li a bit happier, then its downfall was worth it. ¡°Why can you smile like that?¡± Lu Li put down his wine ss, his deep eyes fixed on the woman before him. Zhang Ziqin should be regretful, pained, resentful, and desperate. The Zhang Corporation she wanted to flourish has been destroyed. Why could she still smile? Hearing Lu Li¡¯s question, Zhang Ziqin trembled, sadness shing in her eyes as she lowered her head: ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve done many bad things. I know you¡¯re very angry with me, President Lu, and you dislike me. If the bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation can make you a bit happier, I¡¯m d.¡± Although initially saddened by the news that Lu Li wanted Zhang Corporation to go bankrupt, Zhang Ziqin would have willingly handed over Zhang Corporation if Lu Li had simply asked. Why did he have to do it this way! But she soon came to terms with it. If the bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation could make Lu Li happy, she was willing to cooperate. ¡°¡­¡± The bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation was never Lu Li¡¯s goal, just part of his n. What he truly wanted was the pain and despair of Zhang Ziqin, the woman. ¡°So, are you trying to y the tenderhearted strategy today, or do you think just by showing a little emotion, I¡¯ll obediently lie down in front of you like a good dog, as before?¡± A trace of mockery shed in his eyes, not believing a word Zhang Ziqin said. It was nothing more than maniption, hoping for his sympathy. ¡°I¡­ No, I just hope you¡¯re happy.¡± Zhang Ziqin waved her hands frantically, desperately defending herself. Chapter 81 Chapter 81: Zhang Ziqin: I Do Love You With a gaze full of tender affection yet tinged with nervousness, facing such a look, an unnamed me of anger ignited within Lu Li. ¡°What is this expression for? What¡¯s with this damned look? I wanted to see your despair, your anger, your hysteria after being bitten back by the once bootlicking dog. What¡¯s with this expression?¡± Furious anger surged from within Lu Li. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s expression seemed to mock him, as if all he had done was meaningless; her tenderness felt like an insult to him. Constantly reminding him that his actions couldn¡¯t even make her angry. As for the affection in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s eyes, even if it was real, Lu Li didn¡¯t care. Those affectionate words made him sick. Lu Li was regretting it; he had seen Zhang Ziqin too early. He should have waited until he was ready to kill her before seeing her. ¡°Lu Li¡­ I want to tell you a story¡­¡± Lu Li steadied his emotions. After all he had been through, he wasn¡¯t going to lose control of his feelings. ¡°Go ahead!¡± He tapped the table lightly, his tone still indifferent. Zhang Ziqin bit her lip, her gaze full of deep affection towards Lu Li. ¡°Once, there was a girl, cherished and loved by her parents, and at school, there was a boy who loved her too. Her life was surrounded by the world¡¯s most beautiful things.¡± ¡°That girl met the boy who loved her in junior high. Without any reason, perhaps it was love at first sight, he fell in love with her. This lovested for a long time, even after the sudden death of the girl¡¯s parents, the boy stayed by her side.¡± ¡°But the girl was always cold towards the boy, maybe because everyone around her said the boy was a bootlicker, the girl stubbornly believed she would never fall for a bootlicker.¡± Tears uncontrobly broke through as she clenched her fists tightly, falling onto her hands. ¡°Maybe because the boy was always by her side, the girl got used to being treated gently by him regardless of what happened. She gradually adapted to this life and, maybe wouldn¡¯t admit it, but she fell in love with the boy too. But she had a dream, hoping to expand her parents¡¯ legacy.¡± ¡°Because of this, even though the girl had fallen for the boy, she never had the courage to say it out loud. But she believed that the boy would understand her¡­¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s voice trembled even more. ¡°And so, she did many things the boy disliked. The cherished girl tested the boy¡¯s limits over and over until¡­ the boy stopped loving her entirely.¡± With a miserable smile, Zhang Ziqin¡¯s voice broke, her wordsing out in sobs. She thought of her past life, how she coborated with Ye Chen against Lu Li¡¯s wishes, and in the end, lost the man she loved the most. ¡°By that time, the girl finally understood what was most important to her. She wanted to win him back; she wanted to tell the boy thatpared to you, everything else is trivial.¡± Lu Li listened quietly to the end, his smile turning more scornful. ¡°So, this is why Zhang Ziqin, in her past life, went against my wishes to coborate with Ye Chen, pinning all the me on her efforts!¡± What Zhang Ziqin did in her past life, Lu Li knew all too well. She pushed him aside, happily interacting with Ye Chen. If he hadn¡¯t been reborn, if he hadn¡¯t taken control of Lu Corporation, if he hadn¡¯t made Ye Chen run away, Lu Li was sure that everything that happened before would y out in front of him again. The Zhang Ziqin before him would still brazenly coborate with Ye Chen, continuing to treat him like a bootlicker she could summon and dismiss at will. Now that I¡¯ve stopped pursuing her, she says she¡¯s loved me all along. And she mes all the past incidents on my favoritism towards her, what a way to shirk responsibility. Truly disgusting! To say she loves me, her way of loving someone is to happily coborate with other men, leaving her loved one aside, asionally pulling him out to humiliate? Lu Li scoffed. ¡°You left out a part.¡± His gaze turned cold as he looked at Zhang Ziqin. ¡°After her parents died, the girl repeatedly took it for granted to take orders from the boy¡¯s home, hoping to turn her parents¡¯ business around, and while taking those orders, she didn¡¯t forget to humiliate the boy who favored her. When that boy became the head of the family business, the girl was the first to approach, hoping to get orders not meant for her once again.¡± In his past life, he really hoped that by making Zhang Ziqin fall in love with him, he could break the so-called timeline and avoid continuing the damned plot. Lu Li even convinced himself he really fell in love with Zhang Ziqin. But what did he get in return? No need to say more. Zhang Ziqin trembled, biting her lip hard, bitterness swirling in her heart. So, this is how Lu Li has always seen her, but she couldn¡¯t refute him. She couldn¡¯t say it was because she thought they would be a family one day, so she took the orders Lu Li begged from his parents, right? After getting those orders, she indeed said many hurtful things; she couldn¡¯t argue against that. Zhang Ziqin hated her past naive self. Her many careless actions caused irrepairable harm to Lu Li. Even after being reborn, asking Lu Li for cooperation was only seen as her wanting to bite off a piece of Lu Corporation again. ¡°Lu Li, Zhang Corporation is gone. I¡¯ve truly lost everything now; I only have you. Could you¡­ could you not abandon me? I can do anything for you, just to stay by your side.¡± Her stunningly beautiful face was full of intense bitterness. When Lu Li recounted her past actions without emotion, Zhang Ziqin felt as if her heart was being torn apart. In her past life, she did even worse things to Lu Li. How much pain must he have felt back then! Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t want to defend herself. She didn¡¯t deserve to. After so much preamble, it finally came down to this! Unable to maintain that disgusting smile any longer! Is this Zhang Ziqin¡¯s goal? Toe back to me, the foolish benefactor, after losing everything. Lu Li quite enjoyed Zhang Ziqin¡¯s current look. This despair and sadness were what he wanted to see. Admiring Zhang Ziqin¡¯s current state, a wave of joy surged from within him. Thest time he felt this emotion was when Lu Ya, his sister, was killed. Chapter 82 Chapter 82: A Fine Comedy Skit Lu Li, with narrowed eyes, quietly savored Zhang Ziqin¡¯s look of despair. The misery of an enemy is always a delight. The once high and mighty Zhang Ziqin, now pleading before him like this, truly fills him with joy! Though there was a slight miscalction, he misjudged the significance of Zhang Corporation to Zhang Ziqin. Perhaps, just as Zhang Ziqin had said, she was once favored, and this time Lu Li abandoned her early, preventing her from being as willful as in her previous life. Heh! A scornful sneer curled up on Lu Li¡¯s lips. So, the most important thing to Zhang Ziqin now is no longer Zhang Corporation, but¡­ me, Lu Li? Reaching this conclusion, Lu Li couldn¡¯t help but feel a mix of amusement and irony. What is this, when you¡¯ve exhausted all means to pour everything into a woman who couldn¡¯t care less about you, and only when you give up, she starts to cherish it. Is she treating me as herst resort? He carefully observed the emotion known as despair on Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face. ¡°Why, or rather, when did I be yours? Just because you¡¯ve only got me left, I have to take you in?¡± ¡°The Zhao family¡¯s assets are quite substantial. Thepany¡¯s bankruptcy won¡¯t starve you.¡± He mocked, already knowing this woman¡¯s mental changes; if he had known earlier, he would¡¯ve taken action himself regarding this woman¡¯s so-called ¡®love¡¯ for him! Lu Li didn¡¯t care one bit. He could tell Zhang Ziqin was speaking the truth; in that regard, he trusted his eyes. But so what? Being true, does it represent anything? Lu Li is not interested. He is very petty and cannot demean himself. In his past life, he had no choice, but now he chooses for himself. Repeated public humiliations, and in his past life, openly engaging with Ye Chen in front of Lu Li, that¡¯s her way of loving Lu Li! He drained the ss of red wine. Having enjoyed enough for today, if this woman¡¯s weakness truly is himself, perhaps there are better ways to torment her? Since Zhang Corporation isn¡¯t Zhang Ziqin¡¯s most important thing and its downfall didn¡¯t drive her to despair, perhaps it¡¯s time to think of a n. Lu Li didn¡¯t want this woman to leave as cleanly as Lu Ya did; that would be letting her off too easily. But honestly, dealing with such a hypocritical and snaky woman, Lu Li would really feel disgusted. It¡¯s a matter of feeling disgusted after pursuing a moment of satisfaction. The good part is pushing Zhang Ziqin into the abyss of despair; the downside is Lu Li himself would feel disgusted. Better to make a quick decision, appreciate it now, and then, once her poprity fades, appreciate Zhang Ziqin¡¯s despair before sending her off. Hearing Lu Li¡¯s words, Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t hold on any longer; tears fell drop by drop from her reddened eyes. She knew Lu Li no longer loved her, but his words were like needles piercing her heart. Standing up, she walked over to Lu Li. Zhang Ziqin, the proud and cold ice queen, actually knelt before him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I know sorry is useless, but I still want to say it, you¡¯re all I have left, only you¡­¡± ¡°Miss Zhang, I have a sentence for you.¡± Pouring another ss of red wine for himself, Lu Li¡¯s heart remained unaffected, even enjoying Zhang Ziqin¡¯s demeanor. The past him spared no effort to please this woman, even degrading himself to the point of being trampled underfoot by her time and again. Now, how the tables have turned, this lofty woman is kneeling before him. ¡°Bted affection is worthless, don¡¯t make such a pitiful appearance in front of me; it¡¯s disgusting.¡± Lu Li decided not to stay any longer, having had his fill of enjoyment for the day. ¡°Also, when did I allow you to call me by my name? I should have told you, we are not that close, no, there¡¯s absolutely no rtionship between us. But since you entered this private room, you¡¯ve been calling me by my name, are you deliberately trying to close the gap between us or testing my limits?¡± After walking out the door, Lu Li turned back, mocking Zhang Ziqin. Without waiting for Zhang Ziqin¡¯s response, he simply walked out. Zhang Ziqin reached out as if trying to grasp something, but with Lu Li¡¯s decisive words and the door closing behind him, it was like thest straw that broke the camel¡¯s back. As Lu Liid bare the past, Zhang Ziqin felt her past shamelessness even more acutely. Besides knowing in her heart that she loved Lu Li, what had she done? In the eyes of outsiders, in Lu Li¡¯s eyes, she was just a green tea woman, stringing him along, treating him like a bootlicker. The overwhelming guilt and regret burst forth as she knelt, her tears falling non-stop. She thought the bankruptcy of Zhao Corporation might make Lu Li slightly happy, even if just a little, as a way to repay what she once owed him. But now, Zhang Ziqin realized she could never repay her debt to Lu Li. Not in this life, and even less in her past life. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lu Li, really, I¡¯m so sorry, but I won¡¯t give up. I love you, that¡¯s the one thing I won¡¯t give up on. Whatever I owe you, I¡¯ll repay in this lifetime, no matter the years, I¡¯ll persist.¡± She knew Lu Li now hated seeing her, not seeing him anymore would be the best for Lu Li. But this one thing, she wouldn¡¯t indulge Lu Li¡¯s wishes. The phone rang, and Zhang Ziqin, holding back her sobs, answered the call. ¡°Ziqin, what happened? I heard Lu Corporation took action against Zhang Corporation?¡± Su Bingqing¡¯s anxious voice came through. ¡°Bingqing, can youe pick me up?¡± Zhang Ziqin pleaded. ¡°Ziqin, you¡¯re crying! Where are you, I¡¯lle right now.¡± *** Returning to thepany, Lu Li directly picked up Chen Xiaoyi, and they went home together. Being the presidentes with such whims, and following the president, the beautiful girl, with her capabilities, can also afford to be whimsical. ¡°What¡¯s up, you seem especially happy!¡± Chen Xiaoyi, seeing Lu Li also rxed, asked. ¡°Yeah, I just listened to an idiot ramble on and on, saying a bunch of hrious stuff. Got to enjoy a freeedy skit, of course, I¡¯m happy.¡± Lu Li touched his face, was it that obvious? But he wouldn¡¯t hide it; he indeed was happy, seeing Zhang Ziqin¡¯s despairing and painful little facade was more refreshing than drinking c in summer. What do they say, karma¡¯s a bitch, right? The pent-up resentment in his heart dissipated a bit more, and thest of it, well, that¡¯ll be gone once he¡¯spletely dealt with Zhang Ziqin. ¡°Hey, Xiaoyi, what would you think if someone told you they hurt you, humiliated you, all because they loved you?¡± Chen Xiaoyi was momentarily taken aback, her expression turning a bit strange: ¡°I¡¯d think that woman is crazy? Who does that! That¡¯s even more brainless than ¡®you only lost your legs, but she lost love¡¯!¡± What mindset did Zhang Ziqin have to say such things! ¡°Ha ha ha ha, exactly, so you see, wasn¡¯t I treated to a fineedy skit?¡± Chapter 83 Chapter 83: Once Given Up, It No Longer Matters Su Bingqing looked at her friend withplex eyes. Once, they were inseparable best friends, and even after Su Bingqing went abroad for several years, upon her return, they remained close. However, after Zhang Ziqin¡¯s rebirth, their rtionship wasn¡¯t as pure as before. Seeing Zhang Ziqin¡¯s current state, she truly felt sorry for her, but she couldn¡¯t help feeling somewhat pleased. This woman obviously likes Lu Li, so why did she treat him that way? Not liking him is one thing, but liking him and still hurting him, and not just decisively but also humiliating him. ¡°Alright, Ziqin, Lu Li¡¯s attitude is already very clear, give up!¡± This life, Lu Li has awakened earlier, which is good. Although the methods he used for revenge were chilling, it thoroughly cleared the boundaries between him and Zhang Ziqin. ¡°No, I will absolutely not give up,¡± Zhang Ziqin suddenly raised her head, shouting lowly. ¡°What else do you want? Lu Li has even bankrupted your Zhang Corporation, clearly showing he doesn¡¯t wish to have anything to do with you anymore.¡± Su Bingqing was somewhat choked up, looking at Zhang Ziqin with an inevitable touch of pity. Once, this woman was proud, always appearing as if she had everything under control. This confident beauty made her the center of attention, but she was also foolish. Clearly liking Lu Li, yet only tormenting him, and it wasn¡¯t simple torment. It can¡¯t just be described as not knowing how to love. The coboration with Ye Chen in her past life was like nailing Lu Li to a pir of shame. Only after losing did she learn to cherish, just like her past life, but the you of the past life indirectly caused Lu Li¡¯s death! ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know, I don¡¯t know, but I won¡¯t give up. If Lu Li wants Zhang Corporation to go bankrupt, then let it be. Whatever Lu Li wants, I¡¯ll give it to him.¡± Zhang Ziqin also knew she really didn¡¯t have anything left. With Lu Li¡¯s current disgust towards her, even if she were to stand naked before him, Lu Li wouldn¡¯t be moved in the slightest. This was what saddened Zhang Ziqin the most. The Lu Li of the past liked her so much that even a simple smile would excite him immensely. Now, no matter what she does, she can no longer capture that man¡¯s attention. Sorrow arises from the heart, bitterness from within. Such disregard, that¡¯s what hurt Zhang Ziqin the most. It was as if, for Lu Li, she was less than a stranger he had once met. No, wrong, he saw her as an enemy. She wouldn¡¯t me Lu Li; this is her retribution, the retribution for indirectly killing the man she loved the most in her past life. This is the karma she created. She repeatedly pushed away the hand Lu Li extended. Her actions doomed her to today¡¯s fate. ¡°¡­¡± Su Bingqing fell silent, finding Zhang Ziqin¡¯s current state of humility unexpected. If only she knew what would happen today, why did she do what she did in the past? She sighed silently, ¡°I¡¯ll leave a position open for you at Su Corporation. If you want toe, thene. At least you¡¯ll have something to do.¡± *** In Hangzhou, at Old Master Cao¡¯s small courtyard. ¡°Well yed,d. You don¡¯t take action often, but when you do, it¡¯s earth-shattering! Zhang Corporation has been declining in recent years, but that girl from the Zhang family is not a simple character. You actually managed to deal with her just like that.¡± Old Master Cao looked at Lu Li admiringly. Lu Li shrugged: ¡°It¡¯s just that Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t live up to her reputation. It¡¯s not really about my abilities.¡± ¡°Not living up to her reputation, huh? That¡¯s not necessarily the case.¡± Old Master Cao teased Lu Li, thinking to himself, but he wouldn¡¯t say it out loud. There¡¯s no reason he, as a grandfather, would find a rival in love for his granddaughter. ¡°But you were quite ruthless,d. You used to pursue that girl from the Zhang family, right? To actually be able to take such drastic measures.¡± This time, Lu Li indeed gave the old man a fright. Although he didn¡¯t oppose his granddaughter¡¯s involvement with Lu Li, Old Master Cao didn¡¯t want his granddaughter to end up with a heartless man. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Cao Yingying called out in protest. Lu Li smiled lightly, unfazed: ¡°I did pursue her, yes, but since I¡¯ve stopped pursuing, that means I¡¯ve given up. And since I¡¯ve given up, it no longer matters. So, there¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t let go of¡­¡± Old Master Cao was silent for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. ¡°You sure live life clearly,¡± as long as there¡¯s no rtionship, there¡¯s no need for courtesy. It¡¯s easy to say, but how many can truly do it? ¡°Being clear is better. I¡¯ve been confused for eight years, only to finally see clearly now!¡± Lu Li said reflectively. ¡°Ha ha ha, the old man here shouldn¡¯t have said anything. Alright, young Lu, proceed with the treatment. Once you¡¯re done, take this granddaughter of mine, who¡¯s always bending my ear, back home. The happiness of the children and grandchildren is their own to find, the old man here won¡¯t interfere.¡± Old Master Caoughed heartily. Regardless of how Lu Li was, as long as he was good to his granddaughter, that was enough. As for the rest, he, an old man, couldn¡¯t manage anymore. Cao Yingying¡¯s cheeks flushed, embarrassed by her grandfather teasing her in front of Lu Li. She¡¯s not thick-skinned enough to handle that. On the way back, Cao Yingying couldn¡¯t help but speak, ¡°Lu Li, grandpa doesn¡¯t know your situation, don¡¯t mind him, okay?¡± Old Master Cao not knowing Lu Li, how could that be possible? He probably investigated Lu Li from top to bottom during the time Lu Li and Cao Yingying were together. But what he learned was about the past Lu Li, a persona Lu Li himself didn¡¯t want to look back on. Gently pulling Cao Yingying¡¯s hand and kissing it affectionately: ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how I am, as long as you understand me, that¡¯s enough.¡± Lu Li genuinely didn¡¯t care about others¡¯ opinions anymore. There aren¡¯t many people in this world whose opinions he cares about. He just needs the support of those few, craving their favor. ¡°Whatever you want to do, I¡¯ll help you,¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s soft and elegant demeanor showed a trace of determination. ¡°That¡¯s enough for me. Grandpa just cares about you; I understand.¡± He smiled gently. He said before that he likes girls who are biased towards him; maybe it¡¯s because he never had it before, so he desires it more. ¡°Umm¡­ What do you mean ¡®our grandpa¡¯? We¡¯re not even married yet, and this bad guy likes to talk nonsense.¡± Biting her lip, her eyes filled with tender love. Life now is beautiful, but there are some displeasures. For instance, that woman, Chen Xiaoyi, actually having a rtionship with Lu Li, which is infuriating. After waiting for two lifetimes, does she have to continue waiting? Chapter 84 Chapter 84: You Meng: I Will Take Her ce Life is such that when you¡¯re in a suffocating environment, you¡¯ll never be happy. But when surrounded by people who love you, no matter what, you¡¯ll feel blessed. Now, for Lu Li, three major enemies¡ªone temporarily absent, another gone for good, and thest securely in his grip¡ªawaiting the final act of revenge was merely a matter of time. The gloom he carried from his past life had brightened significantly. After driving Zhang Ziqin¡¯s Zhang Corporation to bankruptcy, Lu Li hade to terms with his own feelings. Malicious humiliation was, to him, more unbearable than death. You Meng, too, had been searching for herself in her past life; it¡¯s just that she hadn¡¯t left her name, and without knowing what she looked like as an adult, her actions were understandable. Not to mention,tely, You Meng has been trying exceptionally hard, from cooking to serving as Lu Li¡¯s knee pillow, and even wanting to indulge in feeding y if Cao Yingying and the others weren¡¯t around, though Lu Li declined! As for more, You Meng was willing, but Lu Li didn¡¯t give her the chance. This attitude of You Meng, wanting to atone and please Lu Li, truly paid off for him. Assigning You Meng to handle some security issues turned out to be like entrusting her with an important mission. In just a few days, she had the entire Lu estate security tightened, elevating the security level by several notches. And all without needing to pay her a wage¡ªthis girl was more than happy to work for Lu Li. Such a fun and useful You Meng was indeed too precious. The lingering frustration in his heart dissipated after sessfully avenging himself on Zhang Ziqin. Compared to Zhang Ziqin, You Meng truly didn¡¯t count for much. It¡¯s funny how the person who humiliates you and the person who kills you, logic dictates you should be more hostile towards thetter. Yet, reality is often the opposite. The factors involved are numerous. Anyway, the situation is what it is, and Lu Li was happy to ept it. ¡°Why sozy today?¡± Cuddled in Lu Li¡¯s arms, Cao Yingying squinted her eyes, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of being cherished. ¡°With Zhang Corporation dealt with, I¡¯ve left the aftermath to Xiao Yi. Of course, I¡¯m taking it easy now, giving those people some breathing space.¡± He was truly too kind, giving people the chance to say theirst words when he could have just wiped them out directly. With Zhang Corporation out of the way, next are the Su and Liu families. Once they¡¯re handled, his list of enemies would be essentially cleared. But towards these two families, Lu Li didn¡¯t harbor the same intense hatred as he did for Zhang Ziqin, willing to ughter her immediately if possible. Mainly because, in his past life, at most they were just supporting Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya in humiliating him. Most importantly, unlike Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya, he had no emotional ties to these families; they were just outsiders. Only the betrayal by those closest to you can truly hurt; everything else isn¡¯t that big of a deal. But it was enough for Lu Li to hold a grudge. ¡°Ah, you! Just keep bullying Xiao Yi!¡± Cao Yingying yfully tapped Lu Li¡¯s forehead, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Chen Xiaoyi was great, wholeheartedly devoted to Lu Li, and capable of assisting him in business matters. Her gentle nature did notpromise her effort to protect Lu Li; truly a good girl! ¡°What do you mean I¡¯m bullying her? Isn¡¯t it obvious I¡¯m giving her a chance to shine?¡± Lu Li kissed Cao Yingying¡¯s cheek,ughing. ¡°Ah¡­ My face still has toner on it!¡± Cao Yingying looked at Lu Li with tender eyes. ¡°Toner, on my Yingying, sweet and fragrant.¡± You Meng, cleaning nearby, practically had mes in her eyes. That wretched woman, even ying hard to get with Big Brother now, surely delighted in her heart! ¡°Just wait; one day, I will rece you and be the woman in Big Brother¡¯s arms.¡± With determination in her heart, she silently wiped the floor with her rag, her elegant figureplemented by ck silk, a maid outfit. If it weren¡¯t for Cao Yingying¡¯s presence, You Meng was confident she could make Big Brother dizzy while cleaning. Then she could even offer him a knee pillow! s! Even if she was unwilling, You Meng knew she was at a stage of earning redemption and couldn¡¯tpete with that vile woman, Cao Yingying. If forced to choose, Lu Li would definitely not pick her. So, of course, she had to behave. *** Zhang Corporation, arge family business built over generations, saw its shares evaporate and dered bankruptcy in just one day. When Ye Chen heard the news, he was momentarily dumbfounded. Especially knowing it was Lu Li¡¯s doing, he couldn¡¯t help grinding his teeth, a strong killing intent shing in his eyes. ¡°Hmph, serves Zhang Ziqin right for not knowing better. If she had cooperated with me back then, with my help, Lu Li wouldn¡¯t have had the chance. Now, look, the Lu Li you¡¯ve been obsessed with has personally destroyed your foundation. Happy now? I¡¯d love to see your face right now!¡± Zhang Ziqin¡¯s bankruptcy pleased Ye Chen, but it also meant Lu Li¡¯s power was growing, something Ye Chen didn¡¯t want to see. ¡°Wait for it, Lu Li. Enjoy your arrogance for now! Once my Tianlong organization enters the country, your end wille.¡± Still, Zhang Ziqin must be heartbroken and in a mess right now. If he appeared before her at this moment, perhaps just a bit of constion would make that beautiful woman obediently submit to him! Pity, he can¡¯t return to Hangzhou now. Though his estimation of Zhang Ziqin¡¯s capabilities has been revised down, making her unworthy of being his coborator, he still covets that stunningly beautiful woman. He¡¯d love for Lu Li to see the woman he once pursued in my arms. That would be incredibly entertaining. But he didn¡¯t have time to consider these matters now, primarily because the beautiful woman in a cheongsam beside him had be his new target. Chapter 85 Chapter 85: Truly Skilled Within just a month, both Zhao Corporation and Zhang Corporation were taken down by Lu Corporation, making everyone realize the terror of Lu Corporation. Being able to prosper in Hangzhou for so many generations, it certainly wouldn¡¯t be a simple family. The newly appointed Lu Li also swept away the past infamy of being frivolous and useless, using iron-fisted methods to make those who were thinking of stretching their hands towards him after his appointment quickly retract them. Even now, some people privately murmur about Lu Li¡¯s good luck, iming that the fall of the Zhao and Zhang Corporations was all thanks to Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s business genius, and no one would be foolish enough to believe otherwise. It¡¯s clear to discerning eyes that Chen Xiaoyi is merely a woman Lu Li wants to push forward. In the grand scheme of things, it¡¯s definitely Lu Li who¡¯s in control. To be so ruthless towards a woman he pursued for eight years truly shows he¡¯s not someone ordinary people would dare to provoke! ¡°It¡¯s a pity, really. We adopted the bankruptcy strategy towards both Zhao Corporation and Zhang Corporation. Otherwise, Lu Corporation would have definitely grown by more than double by now,¡± Chen Xiaoyi sighed with a bit of regret. She could understand Lu Li¡¯s actions; honestly, she felt quite exhrated. Zhao Corporation plotted against Lu Li and openly humiliated him. And Zhang Ziqin from Zhang Corporation, even less needs to be said. All of them were enemies! Chen Xiaoyi was just expressing her sentiments. ¡°Otherwise, what? You wanted to invest in these two and then control their enterprises to help Zhao Shaotian and Zhang Ziqin make money?¡± Lu Li teased Chen Xiaoyi, speakingnguidly. ¡°Yikes¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi frowned in disgust. If she really gained control over Zhang Corporation, wouldn¡¯t that mean she¡¯d have to make money for Zhang Ziqin! The thought alone made her scalp tingle. ¡°Alright, stop thinking about that. There are still the Su and Liu families to deal with next, and you¡¯ll have plenty of opportunities to show what you¡¯re capable of. This time, we can be a bit more polite.¡± Lu Li carried Chen Xiaoyi onto hisp, his hands bing mischievous. Being so ruthless towards Zhang Ziqin was the right approach, and Zhao Corporation was just unlucky to be caught at a time when Lu Li needed to establish his authority, or else Lu Li might not have been so severe. These two operations were sessful; the first time, they managed to bring down Zhao Corporation while making a tidy profit, and the second time was a cost-free start. Chen Xiaoyi bit a big chunk out of Zhang Ziqin¡¯s assets at the end, but they hadn¡¯t maximized the benefits. The only pity was that Lu Li demanded the bankruptcies, not acquisitions. For the remaining two families, Lu Li nned to be more courteous. Acquiring them would yield greater gains, and with most of his grievances vented, he could now approach matters more rationally. ¡°Um¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi blushed, covered her mouth, and just by lowering her head, she could see Lu Li¡¯s neatly arranged hair strands, unable to resist hugging his head. ¡°Naughty guy, naughty brother, why do I feel like you¡¯ve changed somehow?¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s crossed legs fidget unconsciously as she sized up Lu Li. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was just her imagination, but it seemed like Lu Li had be much brighter, yet the Lu Li of the past was also very gentle! ¡°Yeah, my dear Xiao Yi helped me deal with that detestable Zhang Ziqin, the heavy stone on this brother¡¯s heart has been removed, of course, I¡¯m happy now.¡± Lu Li, focusing on his meal, looked up and shrugged his shoulders, clearly feeling the change in himself. His mood has brightened! No longer feeling like there¡¯s a dark cloud pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe like when he first arrived. ¡°Um¡­¡± she hadn¡¯t realized before that Lu Li could be so bad. Knock, knock! Suddenly, a knock on the door caused Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face to panic, and she quickly adjusted her clothes. ¡°Don¡¯t panic; who in thepany doesn¡¯t know about us?¡± But that¡¯s not the same! She gave Lu Li a fierce re. It¡¯s true that people might be aware, but that doesn¡¯t mean she wants others to witness her in such a state! ¡°Alright, alright, if you¡¯re so anxious, then hide for now!¡± Lu Li surely knew Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s thoughts; how could he let others see what was solely his? Lu Li wasn¡¯t someone with peculiar preferences. ¡°Hide where?¡± Chen Xiaoyi asked in a fluster. Lu Li was helpless; he hadn¡¯t expected Chen Xiaoyi to be so nervous. But then again, she was quite conservative. He pulled her hand, gesturing towards the spacious area under the table, more than enough to hide a person. Chen Xiaoyi was somewhat stunned. She wasn¡¯t some naive little girl, and this scenario reminded her of some movies she had seen before. ¡°Naughty guy, naughty brother, always taking advantage.¡± Blushing and indignant, she red at Lu Li but obediently hid. ¡°Come in!¡± Lu Li called out to the person outside. As he spoke, a woman in professional attire and a pencil skirt walked in, also a young executive at Lu Corporation, talent scouted by Ye Chen and Lu Ya from university. She was incredibly handy to use and, after being disciplined, became exceptionally obedient. Lu Ya did some good after all! ¡°President Lu, the earnings from dealing with Zhang Corporation have been tallied. We¡¯ve made a total of 3.86 billion,¡± the woman announced excitedly, having participated in the takedown of Zhang Corporation, the bonus she¡¯d receive this time might exceed her annual sry of several years. ¡°Good¡­¡± Lu Li paused. This sensation¡­ German hot dogs! Bread with hot dogs! Bear devouring! (tln : you know what it mean) If the person in front of him were You Meng or Cao Yingying¡­ That would be a scenario ripe for a little romance! ¡°What¡¯s wrong, President Lu?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, the earnings this time are quite impressive, exceeding the total of the past few years,¡± he said tly, whether it was genuinely t only Lu Li and Chen Xiaoyi knew. Now, Lu Li had to take back what he said about Chen Xiaoyi being conservative. ¡°Yes, President Lu, you¡¯ve created a miracle,¡± the young executive¡¯s eyes sparkled with different colors as she looked at Lu Li. Although she was originally brought into Lu Corporation by Lu Ya, she had to admit that this Mr. Lu, the male president, was more capable than the former female president. ¡°That kind of talk is unnecessary. I don¡¯t care how you were before; work hard now, and you won¡¯t be mistreated. Don¡¯t harbor any unrealistic fantasies. You epted Lu Ya¡¯s invitation, stepping into the Lu family¡¯s strife. I¡¯ll be watching you.¡± Lu Li¡¯s calm gaze made the young executive¡¯s heart tighten, nearly cursing Lu Ya to death. Without the capability, not being his own, why recruit me? Competing with President Lu, now look, my life and death are in the hands of this President Lu. She was just a money-maker, not a die-hard follower of Lu Ya like Jiang Ting. Chapter 86 Chapter 86: The Improper Chen Xiaoyi ¡°President Lu, rest assured, I will keep a close watch on those people.¡± The woman solemnly pledged her loyalty, making clear no one doubted Lu Li¡¯s past threats anymore. If anyone dared cause trouble, those loyalists from the meeting would be in trouble. But she¡¯s smart, showing her loyalty to Lu Li in this manner is her way of dering herself as Lu Li¡¯s staunch supporter now. ¡°Good, you can go,¡± Lu Li nodded satisfactorily. Lu Li could clearly sense that when the woman was speaking, the hidden Chen Xiaoyi suddenly paused, then became considerably more aggressive. ¡°Uh¡­ President Lu, how about I treat you to dinner sometime? Just the two of us, and I assure you Ms. Chen won¡¯t know.¡± The female executive threw caution to the wind, leveraging her own advantages over those men. ¡°Get out,¡± Lu Li¡¯s hand stiffened, ncing coldly at the woman. Saying Chen Xiaoyi won¡¯t know? Chen Xiaoyi already knows, and she¡¯s already starting to sulk with me. ¡°Yes¡­¡± A bit frightened, the young female executive, despite her broad experience, was taken aback by President Lu¡¯s gaze. Former President Lu Ya, you lost fairly! President Lu can withstand even this! She retreated obediently. ¡°You naughty thing.¡± Lu Li flicked Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s forehead. ¡°Um¡­ don¡¯t tell me you didn¡¯t enjoy it.¡± Chen Xiaoyi, covering her forehead, knew this naughty guy was ying this game. Now that she¡¯s indulged him, he turns to me her, huh? Hypocritical naughty brother. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes glinted, ¡°I thought you¡¯d lose yourposure, and then that woman would ask if you¡¯re sick, suggesting you see a doctor, but you¡¯d say it¡¯s just a minor illness, no need, and then there¡¯d be a struggle!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been reading too many novels!¡± Lu Li was momentarily speechless, certain that Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s reading material wasn¡¯t exactly proper. ¡°How could I not like it? You thinking I would lose myposure is far-fetched!¡± How could he not enjoy it? He hadn¡¯t expected Chen Xiaoyi to go to such lengths, surpassing his imagination! Chen Xiaoyi pouted, feeling somewhat unhappy. Tonight, I¡¯ll buy a bunch of bananas, cucumbers, just you wait. After a pause, it seemed a bit inappropriate. Perhaps buying thoserge eggnts would be better! Her man, and someone she deeply cares for, Chen Xiaoyi didn¡¯t think there was anything to be embarrassed about. ¡°Go rinse your mouth, I want a kiss.¡± He tapped Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s forehead, knowing he definitely couldn¡¯t kiss her now. Tui! Filthy man, you¡¯re just a big yboy. Chen Xiaoyi leaned in close, wanting him to see just how big her rolling eyes could get. After some yfulness, Lu Li held Chen Xiaoyi in his embrace, and she rxed against this naughty guy, feeling truly grateful to Zhang Ziqin at times. With Lu Li¡¯s feelings for her, if Zhang Ziqin had been even slightly¡­ not even nicer to Lu Li, just normal, they could have been happy together. It¡¯s a pity she didn¡¯t cherish it, choosing to realize it only after losing him. She got what she deserved. But if Zhang Ziqin had been normal, then she wouldn¡¯t have had her chance. Now, being cherished by the man she deeply cares for, Chen Xiaoyi really has to thank Zhang Ziqin! Without that bad woman, the green tea girl Zhang Ziqin, Lu Li¡¯s life has been wonderful. Miss Cao Yingying, a woman everyone likes, also deeply loves Lu Li, and even You Meng deeply loves him. Now working diligently, hoping to earn her redemption and eptance by Lu Li soon. And herself¡­ she didn¡¯t know when it started, but she fell in love with this man, her thoughts, care, and desires all for him. The three of them wish to cherish the same man, who was not treasured by Zhang Ziqin, truly despicable. In summary, she should thank Zhang Ziqin for the good days brought about. With a hint of happiness in her eyes, Chen Xiaoyi asked, ¡°What do you n to do with the Liu and Su families? The same as before?¡± ¡°No need. Though underhanded tactics work, they¡¯re prone to failures if others are prepared. These two families aren¡¯t much different from Zhao Corporation; direct force to make them beg for mercy will do.¡± Lu Li lounged back in his chair. He had given the chance; if those folks are as foolish as Zhao Corporation¡¯s idiots and miss it, they can¡¯t me him. ¡°Really? Okay, I won¡¯t disappoint you, Brother Lu.¡± Chen Xiaoyi nodded seriously. Though she had her achievements in these two victories, she knew it was all because Lu Li supported her. ¡°I¡¯m still too naive for the battlefield that is the business world. It¡¯s not so much my operation as it is Lu Li guiding me, giving me a chance to learn.¡± ¡°My little treasure is so sweet, I¡¯ll reward you when we get back, and I¡¯ll give you a big red envelope.¡± Lu Li¡¯s hand caressed Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s belly,ughing. To him, Chen Xiaoyi was too precious, having been right to bring her to his side. ¡°Geez, Brother Lu, you¡¯re doing this on purpose. I still owe you money!¡± Chen Xiaoyi snuggled closer to Lu Li, giving him a sidelong nce. ¡°Hey, hey, we¡¯re family now. Talking about owing money seems a bit distant, doesn¡¯t it!¡± Lu Li raised his eyebrows. Chen Xiaoyi huffed, ¡°Just this once, we must be clear. The money I owe you is a debt, and you still need to pay me a proper sry in the future.¡± Chen Xiaoyi was particrly sensitive about money. She had to repay what she owed Lu Li. And of course, Lu Li had to pay her a good sry in the future. It might seem distant, but that¡¯s her way of life. Of course, it was only about money because she didn¡¯t want to feel like she was being kept. As for what she owed Lu Li otherwise, she¡¯d have to repay with herself. A soft affection shone in her eyes. Lu Li could somewhat sense Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s thoughts. Although it seemed a bit like burying her head in the sand, he understood. ¡°Alright, alright, it¡¯s all up to you. Come here, let¡¯s check your body to see if you¡¯re fully healed, but you still need to recuperate properly.¡± Pulling Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s creamy wrist, Lu Li smiled. ¡°Stop it, Brother Lu, you¡¯re never serious when you check¡­¡± Chapter 87 Chapter 87: Stirring Trouble for Ye Chen Although Liu Corporation and Su Corporation couldn¡¯tpare in scale to Zhang Corporation, dealing with them required much more effort. Heaven knows what got into Zhang Ziqin, the first female lead in the plot; her actions were akin to someone holding a bad hand at the gambling table yet insisting on going all in. One could only say that this woman¡¯s reputation was undeserved. Even without knowing what hidden moves Lu Li had, she should¡¯ve at least yed it safe! However, this was a good thing for Lu Li. Who wouldin about their opponent being foolish? But thinking about how he had foolishly fallen for such a stupid woman in his past life was quite annoying! Let¡¯s not dwell on that for now. As for the attacks from Liu Corporation and Su Corporation, Lu Li had fully entrusted them to Chen Xiaoyi. After two rounds of trials, this woman had shown satisfactory results and handling things on her own was not a problem. Just like what Lu Li said, they just needed to crush Liu Corporation and Su Corporation with brute force. Chen Xiaoyi was capable of that. As for Lu Li, he now had the time to prepare to deal with Ye Chen. Even though Ye Chen had just returned to the country, heaven knows what the original author was thinking by giving him a bunch of powerful backers, probably for the sake of showing off and pping faces! During his time in Hangzhou, it was actually the segment where Ye Chen started from scratch the most. Even though he could rely on the people behind him, he chose toe to the unfamiliar city of Hangzhou, who knows what the author was thinking. The Chen family in Modu, that¡¯s the power behind Ye Chen now. Unlike typical families, the Chen family controlled over half of the country¡¯s gray industries, making them a family ordinary people wouldn¡¯t want to provoke, and the upper ss wouldn¡¯t dare to provoke. It¡¯s not that they couldn¡¯t be provoked, but the Chen family and those families also had connections. They¡¯ve helped other Modu families handle some dirty work, maintaining a peaceful coexistence. The Chen family wouldn¡¯t provoke those families either, keeping a tacit bnce. But now¡­ The protagonist is a kind of creature that causes trouble wherever he goes, which can be utilized. First, stir up conflicts between the Chen family and other families. It won¡¯t take time, nor will it cause any loss. Solving Ye Chen might be impossible, but causing him some trouble is also good. Currently, he couldn¡¯t get away himself, unable to go to Modu. Even if he were to go to Modu, he should enter with a posture that all Modu families would dread. Liu Corporation doesn¡¯t have that capability yet, but after swallowing Liu and Su, it would be almost there. The banquet was held as scheduled. As the new generation ck Queen who now controlled the Chen family, any family in Modu would give her face. Looking at the people below the stage, Chen Ya¡¯s gaze lingered on Ye Chen a few more times, a trace of imperceptible chill flowing in her eyes. ¡°Cough cough, Xiaoya, you speak!¡± suddenly said Grandfather Chen. ¡°Father¡­¡± Chen Ya was slightly startled. This was a guest invited in the name of the Chen family, and the person opening the speech was usually the one in power. ¡°It¡¯s okay, you speak!¡± Grandfather Chen smiled kindly. He had only two daughters in his life. The eldest daughter was married off early and met with misfortune, leaving only this younger daughter to take over the family business. Paving the way for Chen Ya in this life, she had alreadyrgely taken control of the Chen family¡¯s forces, but she still needed an opportunity to confirm her status in front of all family members. ¡°Right, Auntie, just listen to Grandpa, this is what you deserve.¡± Ye Chen, standing by the side, also chimed in. Today, Chen Ya, in a purple cheongsam, perfectly showcased her slim figure, coupled with that stunning appearance, saying a smile could charm all living beings was not an exaggeration. A sh of heat passed through her eyes. Chen Ya frowned slightly, quite repelled by Ye Chen¡¯s gaze, but didn¡¯t say anything, at least not letting her father notice anything. She knew, because of her sister¡¯s incident, her father felt indebted to Ye Chen, transferring all the guilt towards her sister onto Ye Chen. Thus, he was extremely indulgent. If not for Ye Chen not bearing the Chen surname, Chen Ya even suspected her father would have let Ye Chen inherit the Chen family. Thinking about it was indeed infuriating, this feeling of being stuck between her father and her enemy was truly unpleasant. ¡°Wee everyone to the Chen family. This is my, Chen Ya¡¯s, honor, as well as the Chen family¡¯s pride¡­¡± Her lengthy speech didn¡¯t make people feel impatient. Chen Ya¡¯s enchanting face carried a faintly charming smile. Even women were momentarily mesmerized by her, not to mention the men. ¡°My aunt is actually such a beautiful woman, damn, why is she my aunt¡­ but actually, it seems not impossible.¡± After all, Ye Chen couldn¡¯t ept his aunt lying in someone else¡¯s arms. His eyes were filled with a strong sense of possession. On the stage, Chen Ya appeared like a radiant queen, her delicate features enhanced by light makeup, highlighting all her beauty, the cheongsam outlining her, giving this enchanting woman a ssic beauty, that strong impact made Ye Chen swallow a few times unconsciously. His heart was ame. Such a woman, who else but him deserves to have her. ¡°Thank you, everyone.¡± Chen Ya finished her speech, and the venue burst into warm apuse. Anyone slightly older and wiser could see what it meant for Chen Ya to represent the Chen family today, and of course, they were willing to give Chen Ya face. ¡°Damn, it¡¯s this guy.¡± Li Zichuan was also in the crowd, touching his chin, his face extremely unsightly as he watched Ye Chen beside Grandfather Chen. Thest time he saw Ye Chen was at the Cao family¡¯s banquet, and this guy wanted to publically humiliate his brother. Fortunately, Miss Cao Yingying was sensible and didn¡¯t fall for his lowly insinuations. ¡°This guy is not simple!¡± Touching his chin, a hint of malice shed through his eyes. Lu Li¡¯s enemy was his, Li Zichuan¡¯s, enemy. The brotherhood from childhood was solid. ¡°Li Shao, who is that person?¡± The woman clinging tightly to Li Zichuan¡¯s arm, as if wanting to cling to his thigh. ¡°What else can he be, just a rtive of the Chen family.¡± Li Zichuan shrugged indifferently: ¡°Go get me some food, I need to make a call.¡± He met this woman this morning at the Heaven and Earth Club. Women who hang around there, although money-loving, were quite tactful. Li Zichuan brought her just to make a presence. Now, he had to call Lu Li and inform him. It seems this Ye Chen guy is really not ordinary! Gotta be careful. Chapter 88 Chapter 88: My Aunt is Just Cold on the Outside but Warm on the Inside ¡°Hey, bro, guess who I saw at the Chen family banquet?¡± Li Zichuan excitedly called Lu Li. ¡°Ye Chen!¡± ¡°Man, are you a fortune teller or what? How could you guess that?¡± ¡°Hehe, I¡¯ve been keeping an eye on that kid. He¡¯s trying to pull one over on me, if I don¡¯t get back at him, then I might as well take his surname. Anyway, don¡¯t provoke him for now. I¡¯ll be heading to Modu in a few days, and I¡¯ll deal with him then.¡± Lu Li reminded, not wanting Li Zichuan to be targeted by Ye Chen. Having a protagonist around is like dealing with something unscientific. Even if Lu Li looked down on him in his heart, he¡¯d still take it seriously. Li Zichuan is more important than Ye Chen. ¡°And you¡¯re telling me this now? I¡¯ve been waiting for your signal these past few days, ready to take down Zhang Ziqin¡¯spany. And here you are, having handled it all by yourself.¡± Li Zichuan suddenly felt dissatisfied. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Zhang Ziqin to be that idiotic.¡± Lu Li felt helpless. He had indeed intended to let Li Zichuan get involved, but who knew Zhang Ziqin would act so foolishly. ¡°Hehe, true. But if Zhang Ziqin is an idiot, then what does that make you, having chased her for eight years¡­ Hmm?¡± Li Zichuan teased ambiguously, with a sly smile. ¡°If you can¡¯t speak properly, then shut it!¡± Lu Li darkened, that was a sore point. ¡°Hahaha, well, you¡¯ve moved on now, props to you. I¡¯ll throw you a party when you get to Modu.¡± ¡°Fine, just don¡¯t mess with that guy until I arrive,¡± Lu Li said with a slight smile. ¡°I¡¯m not stupid. Why would I offend the Chen family for you? You¡¯re not even a beauty,¡± Li Zichuanughed too, sensing Lu Li¡¯s concern. Though he said that, if anything serious happened, he would be the first to step up. Lu Li didn¡¯t mind; bantering like this was not new, but he knew what kind of person Li Zichuan was. After hanging up, Li Zichuan took a deep look at Ye Chen on the stage. Since Lu Li said so, he must have made arrangements, so he decided not to trouble him for now. ¡°Li Shao, do you like what I¡¯ve brought?¡± The woman he brought smiled, holding a tray, wisely waiting until he had finished his call. Li Zichuan nodded silently, as he said, these women, though gold-diggers, had their limits. After all, they were looking for rich and powerful men. Acting recklessly could lead to undesirable consequences. Li Zichuan sighed while looking at the food brought by the woman. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Li Shao? Does it not suit your taste? I can get something else.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine, give it to me!¡± He took the te from her hands, sighing, ¡°It just reminded me of the past when she used to prepare food for me like this.¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± The woman didn¡¯t know how to respond. ¡°Let¡¯s just enjoy the party today; these kinds of banquets are rare. Have fun, and then you can go back!¡± He pulled out a card, unusually generous for him. Normally, he would just buy women small gifts, although they were also quite valuable. After all, wooing women also had its costs. ¡°¡­¡± The woman didn¡¯t say anything further, taking the card and leaving wisely, knowing that pestering him wouldn¡¯t end well for her. Li Zichuan shrugged, no longer interested in staying. He wasn¡¯t one to pretend with someone destined to be an enemy. ¡°Is Li Gongzi leaving already? I¡¯m sorry if the banquet wasn¡¯t up to par.¡± Chen Ya swirled her wine ss, her high heels tapping crisply on the floor, sounding like the prelude to a storm. ¡°Sorry, President Chen, something urgent came up at home, and I need to deal with it.¡± Li Zichuan offered a simple smile, politely excusing himself. Before things turned sour, he wouldn¡¯t make a spectacle of himself. Lu Li had said to wait for him, so he would! ¡°Is that so.¡± Chen Ya didn¡¯t expose Li Zichuan¡¯s lie, just nodding slightly in acknowledgment: ¡°Then, I won¡¯t keep Li Shaoye.¡± Chen Ya knew about Li Zichuan, her beloved¡¯s best friend. In the previous life, Li Zichuan was the first to seek revenge for Lu Li¡¯s death, though his methods were somewhat foolish. While they were still uncovering the truth, Li Zichuan directly targeted Ye Chen, charging at him with a gun despite the huge gap between them, only to fail, of course. Even Chen Ya was moved by the brotherhood between Li Zichuan and Lu Li. In this materialistic world, such rtionships were indeed rare. ¡°Please, stay, President Chen.¡± Li Zichuan left without further ado. He had no good feelings for the sessor of the Chen family, just a future enemy. ¡°Aunt, who were you talking to?¡± Ye Chen approached, having seen Chen Ya talking to another man, which displeased him. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just a business partner who had to leave early and came to say goodbye.¡± Chen Ya¡¯s tone was cold; she didn¡¯t want any interaction with Ye Chen. ¡°Why are you here? You should be with the younger crowd. Father asked me to look after you. I don¡¯t know what you were like abroad, but here, if you want to make connections, it¡¯s best to start with the younger generation.¡± Her tone was distant, Chen Ya giving Ye Chen a cold side nce. Ye Chen didn¡¯t mind, assuming his aunt was just like that. But this side of Chen Ya only fueled his desire! A beauty cold as ice; he really wanted to see what a passionate Chen Ya would be like! ¡°Sorry, aunt, I just wanted to ask if you have any rmendations for people I could meet.¡± Chen Ya¡¯s gaze shifted slightly. If she could make Ye Chen cause a bit of trouble, letting her father see his true colors and give up on him would be ideal. She knew her nephew Ye Chen well: a daring womanizer who caused trouble everywhere. If not for his sufficient capabilities, he would have been killed countless times. With his propensity for trouble, Chen Ya didn¡¯t even need to do much. She just hoped her father would see through him soon. Now that Chen Ya had almost entirely taken over the Chen family¡¯s power, she really didn¡¯t want Ye Chen to cause a rift between her and her father, even if¡­ In a few months, Lu Li woulde to Modu, and this time, she was determined to protect him, even if it meant confronting her father. ¡°The Wang and Lin families in Modu are the strongest, fitting your criteria.¡± She spoke coldly, then turned to leave, not wanting to see this nephew even for a moment longer. The Wang and Lin families were indeed powerful, not even considering the Chen family seriously. The representatives they sent today were just two prodigal sons; let them deal with Ye Chen first! Watching his aunt Chen Ya¡¯s retreating figure, Ye Chen couldn¡¯t help swallowing, his heart aze with desire. Her figure, it must be great to hold. Although his aunt was cold to him, she was just cold on the outside but warm on the inside. There¡¯s plenty of time in the future, and with his methods, he was sure he could make his aunt take the initiative. Chapter 89 Chapter 89: Chen Ya Sets a Trap for Ye Chen Halfway through walking away, Chen Ya¡¯s eyes narrowed. While Ye Chen¡¯s character would surely lead to a sh with those two wastrels, she felt it was a bit risky. What if Ye Chen and those two idiots hit it off, given they¡¯re all birds of a feather? With that thought, Chen Ya¡¯s lips curved slightly, and she turned back, walking towards Ye Chen again. The dirty little schemes Ye Chen harbored towards her, though disgusting to even think about, could still be used to her advantage. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Aunt? Why did youe back?¡± Ye Chen¡¯s eyes brightened; he knew his cold-on-the-outside but warm-on-the-inside aunt had a soft spot, and now he had found it. Could he use this to his advantage in the future? ¡°It¡¯s nothing. You¡¯re new here, so let me introduce you to some people. After all, father told me to look after you.¡± Suppressing her disgust, Chen Ya managed to smile slightly at Ye Chen. ¡°Really? Aunt, you¡¯re so kind.¡± Ye Chen¡¯s attempt to sound grateful was so oily it could disgust anyone. As he spoke, he even tried to grab Chen Ya¡¯s hand. Chen Ya smoothly evaded Ye Chen¡¯s hand, her heart filled with disdain for his pretentious act. A sh of killing intent passed through her eyes ¨C did this guy really take her for a fool, thinking he could use his status this way? Did he really think she couldn¡¯t see through his act, simr to those scumbags pretending to be pitiable to arouse her maternal instincts? Having been pursued by countless men, Chen Ya had seen all sorts of tricks. Ye Chen couldn¡¯t possibly y any new tricks on her. It was only in her previous life that she was fooled by the ¡®nephew¡¯ title. Although Ye Chen had never physically harassed her, she had indeed felt a bit of pity for him. Upon reflection, Ye Chen¡¯s intentions were tantly obvious; she was just too naive. In her previous life, every time Lu Li targeted Ye Chen, it seemed as if he was targeting her as well. But now, looking back, Lu Li must have seen through Ye Chen¡¯s vile intentions and tried to warn her in various ways. Unfortunately, she was too foolish to understand Lu Li¡¯s intentions. Lu Li had seen through Ye Chen early on and tried repeatedly to pull her out of the mire. Yet, she misunderstood him, pushing Lu Li away time and again, until Ye Chen, unable to maintain his facade under Lu Li¡¯s pressure, was forced to kill him to preserve his disguise. Only after Lu Li¡¯s death did she realize the depth of the actions Lu Li took against Ye Chen. He was trying to help her see Ye Chen¡¯s true face, to warn her! Lu Li himself was the one who was hurt the most! His own sister, Lu Ya, and Zhang Ziqin, whom he pursued for eight years, foolishly pushed away his helping hand, choosing instead to believe the deceitful and lowly Ye Chen. Even though nothing happened between them and Ye Chen, it was still a shameful betrayal. Lu Li saw through everything and wanted to help them recognize Ye Chen¡¯s true nature, but both Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin harshly rejected him. These two women, the closest to Lu Li, chose to believe an outsider over Lu Li, who genuinely cared for them. It was sad, pitiful, and hateful! Even after joining forces with them to deal with Ye Chen, Chen Ya felt no fondness for those two women. Lu Li was too kind. He was the most hurt by Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin¡¯s actions, yet he repeatedly tried to help her. She thought about how unnecessary Lu Li¡¯s kindness was; he could have just let those ungrateful women fend for themselves, including herself. Without Lu Li, she might have already fallen victim to Ye Chen¡¯s schemes. The thought was terrifying. To Lu Li, she was just a stranger, and yet he chose to help her despite her being rted to Ye Chen. Lu Li could have just watched her self-destruct due to her own foolishness. Having suffered from Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin¡¯s betrayal¡ªhis own family and the woman he liked¡ªit¡¯s unimaginable how much pain Lu Li must have felt. Yet, he still chose to help her see Ye Chen¡¯s true nature. It was just that she was too foolish in her previous life to realize it until after Lu Li¡¯s death. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± she said coldly, turning away. She couldn¡¯t show her murderous intent just yet. Having lived this life again, many things had changed. One of those foolish women had been expelled from the Lu family and disappeared, while the other had herpany go bankrupt due to her own stupidity. But that wasn¡¯t enough. Chen Ya was searching for Lu Ya¡¯s whereabouts. Once found, she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to ensure Lu Ya¡¯s deathes first, followed by Zhang Ziqin. And then there was Ye Chen, the man who had personally killed Lu Li. She would never let him go. Disappointed at not having been able to grab Chen Ya¡¯s hand, Ye Chen sighed. He realized his aunt¡¯s conservative personality, which he saw as advantageous for him. His gaze towards Chen Ya¡¯s retreating back was filled with dark thoughts. Chen Ya led him to the notorious prodigals of the Wang and Lin families. These wastrels were famous in Modu for their appalling characters, hardly respected by anyone. Their families, unbothered by their behavior since neither was set to inherit the family business, had indulged them. Sending these two to the Chen family banquet was a clear sign of disdain from their families towards the Chen family. Initially, Chen Ya was somewhat offended, but now, she saw them as tools to use against Ye Chen. Spotting the two surrounded by people in a corner, Chen Ya scoffed internally but greeted them with a charming smile, ¡°Wang Gongzi, Lin Gongzi gracing my Chen family¡¯s banquet is truly an honor. Thank you foring.¡± Her enchanting face and every smile were enough to drive any man wild, especially with her deliberately lowering her stance. Ye Chen could feel the gaze of every man turning towards them, even hearing some gulp. He felt displeased, knowing his aunt was helping him make connections, something he needed. But seeing Chen Ya, the woman he had set his sights on, acting ¡®subservient¡¯ in front of other men made him ufortable. Wang and Lin Gongzi exchanged looks, smirks of triumph on their faces. ¡°Originally, my father thought this gathering would be boring and didn¡¯t want toe. But I figured we should at least give Miss Chen some face,¡± Wang Gongzi said, his eyes roving over Chen Yasciviously, licking his lips with desire. ¡°Yes, Miss Chen¡¯s face is definitely something we should give respect to,¡± Lin Gongzi chimed in, their eyes filled with lewd thoughts. Chen Ya internally despised them. If not for needing to use them, she would¡¯ve taught them a lesson right then. Maintaining aposed smile, she said, ¡°Then I¡¯m truly ttered by your kindness.¡± Their simple minds were already overheated, thinking Chen Ya was ttering them out of fear of their families¡¯ power. Chen Ya knew how to stir people¡¯s emotions. With just a few words, she made them feel on top of the world. ¡°This is a family member of mine. I brought him here today to meet you both. I hope you can offer him your support in the future!¡± Seeing them pumped up, Chen Ya timely introduced Ye Chen. Chapter 90 Chapter 90: Chen Ya: Do I Need His Rescue? ¡°Hehe, sure, sure, Miss Chen Ya, being such a beauty, we will definitely take good care of your family member,¡± Wang Gongzi readily assumed Chen Ya was there to forge connections for Ye Chen behind her, his eyes burning with eagerness. It seemed their family¡¯s power had indeed grown, even Chen Ya felt the need to please them deliberately. In such a situation, lust sprang from their audacity. Already slightly intoxicated, Wang Gongzi staggered to his feet, reaching out towards Chen Ya. ¡°Miss Chen has spoken, of course, we must listen. Rest assured, Miss Chen, from now on, we and this¡­ brother are all one family.¡± Lin Gongzi, in a simr state, also reached out towards Chen Ya. A flicker of coldness passed through Chen Ya¡¯s eyes. How could she possibly allow these two filthy men to touch her? Yet, things proceeded smoother than expected. Indeed, the next second, Ye Chen, unable to contain his anger, rushed to Chen Ya¡¯s side. Without uttering a word, his fists flew, hitting both men¡¯s arms with full force. ¡°Argh~¡± ¡°Ahh!¡± Two screams, followed by a crisp crack sound, echoed. Ye Chen didn¡¯t hold back at all. Daring to touch his woman, they were bold indeed. With Lu Li far away in Hangzhou and his Dragon King Hall yet to enter the country, settling scores wasn¡¯t feasible yet, but teaching these two wretches a lesson was well within his means. Having seeded in his attack, Ye Chen had no intention of holding back. Before anyone could react, he unleashed a powerful sweeping kick, aiming not just for a sweep but directly at the knees. ¡°Gah!¡± Two more cries of pain and the sound of bones cracking, as well as bodies hitting the ground, were heard. Wang and Lin Gongzi, before the audience could fully grasp the situation, were already writhing in agony on the floor. A flicker of satisfaction shed through Ye Chen¡¯s eyes, having vented the frustration bottled up for so long, giving him a refreshing feeling. Turning back to see Chen Ya¡¯s stunned look, he felt even more triumphant. ¡°Indeed, no woman can resist the ¡®hero saves the beauty¡¯ routine. It¡¯s a bit clich¨¦ but effective. I was careless; I should have let those two hit me a few times first. Maybe that would have made Aunt even more sympathetic!¡± Pleased with himself, he immediately put on a worried expression: ¡°Aunt, are you okay? Don¡¯t worry, with me here, they can¡¯t do anything to you.¡± Hearing Ye Chen¡¯s words, Chen Ya seemed to snap out of her shock, her expression immediately soured. Ye Chen chuckled inwardly, thinking Chen Ya was just scared. After all, she was a woman, and sometimes they do need a man¡¯s protection. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Aunt, they won¡¯t bother you anymore. I won¡¯t let them touch you,¡± Ye Chen dered earnestly, his attempt at appearing gentlemanlying off as greasily smug. Chen Ya looked at Ye Chen with a very unpleasant expression, coldly asking, ¡°Do you know what you¡¯ve done?¡± ¡°I just taught a lesson to two scumbags who intended to make a move on you, Aunt. A trivial matter,¡± Ye Chen replied, feeling Chen Ya¡¯s response was somewhat off from what he expected but assuming she was just shocked. Chen Ya inwardlyughed, but her face remained grim as she turned and addressed the stunned crowd. ¡°I¡¯m very sorry for the unpleasant memories this evening¡¯s event may have caused. Due to an urgent matter within the Chen family, I regret to inform you that our banquet will end early.¡± Without waiting for Ye Chen¡¯s reaction, she hurriedly left. Ye Chen felt he had perfectly aplished what he had set out to do, exactly as expected! Arrogant, foolish, and disgusting, he carried an inexplicably nauseating air of self-proimed handsomeness. Chen Ya hoped her father could see through Ye Chen¡¯s true face, or else¡­ A sharp look shed in her eyes. No matter what, she would deal with Ye Chen, and nothing could change that, not even if it meant breaking ties with her own father. Even Ye Chen, as foolish as he was, realized something was amiss now, his face showing displeasure. After all he had done for Chen Ya, she hadn¡¯t even given him a smile. Temporarily setting Ye Chen aside, Chen Ya approached her father, Elder Chen, and recounted the incident, omitting certain details to present a less favorable story. The truth remained, but without certain elements, it sounded far less appealing. ¡°Father, I¡¯ve already contacted the hospital. Should we reach out to the Wang and Lin families?¡± Watching her father¡¯s face darken, Chen Ya felt a sinister satisfaction. If possible, she preferred not to confront her father. Disappointing him with Ye Chen would be ideal. ¡°Sigh, Xiao Chen acted rashly this time,¡± Elder Chen sighed deeply, ¡°Contact those families. We can¡¯t hide this.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Chen Ya nodded, hesitating before adding, ¡°And Ye Chen¡­¡± ¡°Although he was a bit hasty, it¡¯s rare for him to act on behalf of his aunt. We can¡¯t be too harsh. Let himy low for a while.¡± ¡°Father, are you sure? Ye Chen could bring disaster upon our family!¡± Chen Ya¡¯s expression darkened slightly. Elder Chen¡¯s face turned cold, his voice stern, ¡°Xiao Ya!!¡± ¡°Ye Chen is your nephew, your sister¡¯s only child. Do you realize what you¡¯re saying?¡± ¡°For him to act on my behalf? Father, when have I ever needed someone to act on my behalf? Having been in this circle for so many years, don¡¯t I know how to handle such men? Ye Chen taking matters into his own hands is meddling. He¡¯s either foolish or dumb, and he¡¯s caused such a mess.¡± In this circle, if she, Chen Ya, didn¡¯t have the means, she would have been devoured long ago. Let alone Ye Chen ying the hero; she saw him as nothing but a fool. And he even went as far as breaking those two young masters¡¯ limbs. Though this was indeed the oue she had envisioned. In their social stratum, it¡¯s permissible to hit or shout at someone for being rude first; you can even leave them with a bruised face. However, breaking limbs is absolutely not allowed; it¡¯s akin to pping the families in the face. Yet, despite this, her father still insisted on protecting Ye Chen, making Chen Ya¡¯s expression turn sour. ¡°Keeping such a person in the Chen family will only bring us disaster.¡± Elder Chen¡¯s expression changed, his voice growing severe, ¡°Xiao Ya!!¡± ¡°Ye Chen is your nephew, your sister¡¯s only child. Do you understand what you¡¯re saying?¡± Chapter 91 Chapter 91: Chen Ya Seeks a Help At this moment, Ye Chen approached, his face somewhat gloomy. The reaction of his aunt, Chen Ya, was unexpected. He had helped her, preventing those two wastrels fromying their filthy hands on her. Yet, Chen Ya didn¡¯t even offer a word of thanks and hurriedly left. ¡°Grandfather, Aunt!¡± Regardless of his inner thoughts, Ye Chen still put on a respectful demeanor like a well-behaved child. ¡°Hmph!¡± Chen Ya, in a bad mood, snorted coldly, turning her head away to avoid looking at Ye Chen¡¯s face, which she found repulsive. On the other hand, Elder Chen was all smiles: ¡°Xiao Chen, although what you did was a bit overboard, you did well standing up for your aunt. You should take care of your aunt more in the future!¡± Ye Chen¡¯s face lit up: ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandfather, I will definitely take care of my aunt.¡± As for how he would take care of her, he naturally had his own ways. Seeing his grandfather¡¯s reaction, Ye Chen naturally assumed that Chen Ya had spoken highly of him to their grandfather, making him happy. So, in addition to being cold on the outside but warm on the inside, Aunt Chen Ya was also tsundere! ¡°I don¡¯t need your care. Who do you think you are? Do you think you did something impressive by teaching those two a lesson? Do you think I, Chen Ya, am a woman who can¡¯t handle trouble? If I couldn¡¯t handle this kind of trouble, how do you think I¡¯ve survived in this circle until now? It¡¯s not your ce to save me.¡± Chen Ya¡¯s expression was stern. She had yed her part, yet her father still favored Ye Chen over her. Despite her usually calm demeanor, she couldn¡¯t continue to pretend. Simr incidents had urred in her previous life, and it was precisely because of this that Chen Ya was certain Ye Chen would intervene with those wastrels. In her past life, Chen Ya simply thought Ye Chen was a protective family member and was touched by her nephew¡¯s actions, even though she never needed his help. It was the thought that counted. After all, aside from Lu Li, who could have imagined Ye Chen harbored such scheming intentions? Now, her father had fallen into the same misunderstanding as she had in her previous life. Ye Chen, embarrassed by Chen Ya¡¯s scolding, didn¡¯t show any anger. He sensed his aunt was ming him for being impulsive, a sign of her concern for him. Feeling touched, he thought: ¡°Aunt, rest assured, those two good-for-nothings are no match for me. I won¡¯t let them trouble you. If they dare to disrespect you, they¡¯ll have to get past me first.¡± His face beamed with a smile, almost misunderstanding Chen Ya¡¯s intentions. Chen Ya was not like Zhang Ziqin or Cao Yingying. She was his aunt! Naturally, she stood by his side. ¡°You¡­¡± Chen Ya, frustrated and angered by Ye Chen¡¯s ignorance, didn¡¯t know what else to say. ¡°Goodd, Grandfather hasn¡¯t misjudged you. As for cooperation, take it easy; we¡¯ll find the right family eventually,¡± Elder Chen said, openly admiring Ye Chen¡¯s words. ¡°Grandfather, we¡¯re family. Protecting my aunt is what I should do.¡± ¡°Good child, good child.¡± Watching this harmonious grandfather-grandson scene, Chen Ya suddenly calmed down. If possible, she truly didn¡¯t want to break ties with her father. But for Lu Li¡¯s sake, everything was worth it. She had let down everyone in her previous life, especially Lu Li, who had tried to save her. Lu Li was killed by Ye Chen, and even if they managed to kill Ye Chen afterwards, it wouldn¡¯t bring Lu Li back. Now, Lu Li was alive and well, and she would protect him at any cost. ¡°Have it your way then!¡± she said indifferently to them. ¡°Tomorrow, I have to make a business trip. This incident has gotten too big; we need some external intervention to make the Wang and Lin families cautious,¡± she stated, providing a solid reason but actually wanting to avoid further pretense with Ye Chen. She was heading to Hangzhou to see the man she loved. ¡°Aunt, let me apany you!¡± Ye Chen quickly offered. ¡°No need. You better stay home and cool down!¡± Chen Ya gave Ye Chen a cold look, her eyes filled with an indissoluble chill. She turned and left, leaving Ye Chen awkwardly standing there. ¡°Xiao Chen, beware of open spears and hidden arrows. Stay indoors these next few days. The Wang and Lin families won¡¯t let this go easily. Rest assured, your aunt is no ordinary person. Even if you hadn¡¯t intervened, those two guys couldn¡¯t have done anything to her,¡± Elder Chen said with a chuckle, stroking his beard. ¡°Don¡¯t me your aunt; that¡¯s just her personality.¡± ¡°Grandfather, I know my aunt means well. How could I me her!¡± Ye Chen replied, his affection for his cold-on-the-outside but warm-on-the-inside aunt growing. Though he didn¡¯t believe the Wang and Lin families could harm him, he epted his aunt¡¯s concern. He had indeed been too impulsive, knowing Chen Ya had been navigating this turf for years and was fully capable of handling wastrels. Yet, he couldn¡¯t help himself; he wouldn¡¯t allow any man to harm his woman. Yes, in Ye Chen¡¯s eyes, Chen Ya was already his woman. ¡°Good, good, you¡¯re both good children,¡± Elder Chen was very pleased. Returning to her room, Chen Ya¡¯s expression turned ice-cold. She hadn¡¯t expected things to escte to this point, with her father still so biased towards Ye Chen. Sometimes, blood rtions were indeed troublesome. Chen Ya understood her father¡¯s perspective, having thought the same in her previous life. But she had hoped that offending the Wang and Lin families would at least make her father wary of Ye Chen. Unexpectedly, her father only saw Ye Chen¡¯s actions as ¡®caring for family.¡¯ Nonsense, caring for what? Does your grandson know he¡¯s thinking about how to sleep with your daughter? But these reasons were something she couldn¡¯t directly exin to Elder Chen. How could she say she knew Ye Chen was scum because she had been reborn? Such ims wouldn¡¯t be believed. ¡°With things having reached this point, I have no choice. Sorry, Father. If you don¡¯t want me as your daughter, I¡¯m not afraid to sever ties with you. Ye Chen must die.¡± Chen Ya¡¯s eyes zed with murderous intent. She wouldn¡¯t wait until tomorrow; she¡¯d go to Hangzhou today to find Lu Li. She hadn¡¯t met Lu Li immediately to gain control over the Chen family¡¯s power more quickly, nning for the future, all for Lu Li. The longing that had spanned two lifetimes was already a torrential river. After packing her belongings, she walked out of the Chen family¡¯s gate. She now fully controlled the Chen family¡¯s power, even her father couldn¡¯t wrest it back from her hands. This was her capital. Chapter 92 Chapter 92: Cao Yingying¡¯s Bold Move and Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s Indignation ¡°Do you really just enjoy tending to these flowers and nts every day, without ever going out for a walk?¡± Lu Li looked around the garden, which had transformed into a beautiful sight after Cao Yingying¡¯s arrival. ¡°At this rate, the gardener is going to be out of a job!¡± Embracing Cao Yingying, whose rtionship with him was now confirmed, Lu Li could feel the love she harbored for him. Turning her head, Cao Yingying wrapped her arms around Lu Li too, gazing at him adoringly, ¡°Then let the gardener be out of work. It¡¯ll save some money.¡± She had always loved flowers and nts, even back at the Cao residence. ¡°You! How about I just pay you the gardener¡¯s sry?¡± Lu Li shook his head, joking. ¡°Okay! But make sure you calcte my sry properly!¡± Cao Yingying smiled brightly. Lu Li shook his head helplessly, a yful smile on his lips, ¡°But who would have thought that our noble and elegant Miss Cao Yingying, who loves her flowers and nts and seems like a fairy, could also be so cunning as to get rid of Xiaoyi! Wanting to monopolize me, huh?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s face flushed. ¡°How about it, do you really love me that much?¡± Last night, Lu Li was quite taken aback by Cao Yingying¡¯s boldness. It wasn¡¯t just about sneaking into his bedroom at midnight ¨C after all, their rtionship was confirmed ¨C but more about Cao Yingying¡¯s actions, prompting him to caress her smooth, fair cheek. She was truly beautiful! Lu Li felt fortunate. As the person involved, he had seen and experienced more beauty and desired to possess it all entirely. Somehow, he felt honored, as if he had brought down a fairy from the heavens into the mortal world. Cao Yingying looked up, her eyes full of adoration as she smiled, ¡°Yes, I love you that much. Do you have a problem with that?¡± Despite her girlish coquettish tone, she exuded a sense of nobility. ¡°Or is it that a certain bad guy doesn¡¯t like it? I¡¯ve heard that sometimes you like to be with You Meng in the living room, and with Xiaoyi in the office¡­¡± ¡°Cough, cough, that¡¯s enough, no need to say more.¡± Lu Li quickly interjected. As a man, how could he not like it? He was blissfully happy! Aren¡¯t men¡¯s hobbies all about that? Seducing virtuous women and rescuing damsels in distress. He had done more; he brought the celestial-like Cao Yingying into his world. ¡°Jerk, pervert!¡± Cao Yingying red at him. She wasn¡¯t really embarrassed; after all, she too had lived through two lifetimes. Some things that once seemed outrageous now weren¡¯t so uneptable. The key point was, she wouldn¡¯t lose to You Meng or Chen Xiaoyi. Leaving You Meng aside, who was still humbly making amends, Chen Xiaoyi was a formidable rival! Hearing about those things made Cao Yingying blush, then she decided she couldn¡¯t wait any longer and boldly stormed into Lu Li¡¯s bedroom¡­ ¡°Hehe, that¡¯s a man¡¯s true nature.¡± To test a man¡¯ssciviousness, you only need to check if he¡¯s still breathing. If he is, then he¡¯s surelyscivious. Yes, as long as a man breathes, he is lustful. Of course, excluding those like Liu Xia Hui or those not interested in the opposite sex. Conversely, women are lustful too! Cao Yingying was clearly after his good looks. What a bad woman. Let¡¯s leave this topic here; the two wandered through the garden together. ¡°Grandfather¡¯s condition is improving, his subconscious reactions are bing more evident, he¡¯ll be getting better soon.¡± ¡°Of course, I personally took care of it. How could there be any idents? After all, I couldn¡¯t possibly harm our grandfather!¡± Lu Li said affectionately, curling a lock of Cao Yingying¡¯s hair around his finger,ughing. ¡°Who said you would harm grandfather?¡± Cao Yingying yfully red at Lu Li. ¡°Right, right, my mistake. Anyway, it¡¯s time to eat, let¡¯s go back!¡± Turning around, they saw Chen Xiaoyi standing at the door, looking as sour as if she had bitten into a lemon, almost overflowing with jealousy. Seeing this made both of them smile. Chen Xiaoyi was even more upset. ¡°That damn woman, saying she wanted to talk about Lu Li and then coaxing me to sleep with her, but as soon as I fell asleep, she ran off.¡± Chen Xiaoyi felt wronged. She had sensed something was wrong when Cao Yingying wasn¡¯t there during a nighttime trip to the bathroom. That bad woman, that bad woman!!! It¡¯s infuriating! Although she had been prepared and didn¡¯t harbor illusions about being with Lu Li forever, Chen Xiaoyi couldn¡¯t help feeling bitter when it actually happened. ¡°Xiaoyi, thank you. Indeed, everything you mentioned is what Lu Li likes!¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s grateful smile only added to Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s frustration. Feeling wronged but unable to voice it, she looked pitifully at Lu Li. Lu Li couldn¡¯t help butugh, also embracing Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s slender waist. Ah, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s soft waist feltfortable. Cao Yingying was more delicate, each had their charm! ¡°Master Brother, both sisters, dinner is ready.¡± The professional assassin turned into a professional maid, enduring Lu Li¡¯s impudence, dealing with the jealousy of three people, and cooking and cleaning for them. You Meng wanted to cry! She was the most aggrieved one, serving her sentence without having killed Ye Chen, a little maid without rights. Neither ck nor white stockings could capture her big brother¡¯s heart, and these two wicked women had stolen everything from her. Chen Xiaoyi, you conservative woman, even learning to wear stockings now. And Cao Yingying, what happened to the elegant goddess, unspoiled by the mud? Resorting to such tactics. How envious¡­no, how despicable! ¡°Once grandfather¡¯s treatment is over, you¡¯ll be heading to Modu, right?¡± Cao Yingying asked. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s about time. After treating the old man and dealing with the Zhang and Su family issues, it¡¯s time to head to Modu to solve those problems,¡± Lu Li nodded. Every day the enemies are happy is a day of suffering for Lu Li; Ye Chen must die. Of course, before heading to Modu, Zhang Ziqin needs to be dealt with. It¡¯s almost time; she¡¯s been obedient enoughtely, not sullying Lu Li¡¯s eyes when she appears before him. ¡°Ah! Lu Brother, you¡¯re going to Modu?¡± Chen Xiaoyi was shocked, suddenly bing anxious. What would she do if Lu Li left? You Meng couldn¡¯t hide her joy: ¡°Master Brother, I haven¡¯t visited the orphanage to see Grandma since I returned to the country. Can Ie with you?¡± Opportunity knocked! You Meng felt she had to seize it; Modu was where she first met her big brother, and the Sunshine Orphanage held their unique memories. Soon, the term ¡®Master Brother¡¯ would be a sweet endearment between them. Cao Yingying was the mostposed, not saying a word. She came to the Lu family estate for Lu Li, and if Lu Li wasn¡¯t home, she certainly wouldn¡¯t stay. After all, wherever Lu Li was, she¡¯d follow. Don¡¯t think she¡¯s just staying in the Lu estate all day; in fact, this is her biggest protection for Lu Li. ¡°As long as there are no idents on your end, Xiaoyi, the Lu Corporation¡¯s focus will eventually shift to Modu. Of course, you¡¯ll have toe with me. After all, I need a worker to help me solvepany problems!¡± Lu Liughed. Chen Xiaoyi pouted. ¡°What worker? I¡¯m clearly your little cutie, as you yourself said.¡± She thought indignantly. But Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s mood brightened instantly. Chapter 93 Chapter 93: Su Bingqing and Zhang Ziqin¡¯s Worries Su Corporation. In the office, Su Bingqing looked troubled. With the advantage of her rebirth, she should have been able to develop the Su Corporation to a levelparable to the Lu Corporation and the former Zhang Corporation in a short time. Whether it was the stock market or future directions for growth, she had a considerable understanding and could have taken the lead. However, all these advantages assumed there was no one contesting Su Corporation. Perhaps due to the butterfly effect of her rebirth, Lu Li had given up pursuing Zhang Ziqin early on, and Zhang Ziqin also quickly realized her feelings for Lu Li. The tangled fate that once existed between them had now shifted direction. Freed from Zhang Ziqin¡¯s clutches, Lu Li thrived like a fish in water, leaping over the dragon¡¯s gate. The former Lu Ya had been disowned by the Lu family, her whereabouts unknown, and Lu Li now controlled everything in the Lu Corporation. His capabilities were fully demonstrated under the sunlight. Facing Zhao Corporation with overwhelming power, ingeniously dealing with Zhang Ziqin and the Zhang Corporation in business wars, he altered Hangzhou¡¯smercialndscape, making the Lu Corporation supremely dominant. Zhang Ziqin, Su Bingqing¡¯s close friend, was undoubtedly trusted for her business acumen, but she had been utterly defeated in Lu Li¡¯s battle, her former prestige reduced to history. Though there might have been some oversight on Zhang Ziqin¡¯s part, a loss was a loss, and people wouldn¡¯t care about the reasons. The fact was, Zhang Corporation went bankrupt and became history. Su Bingqing had hoped to first develop Su Corporation and then take over its control, potentially assisting Lu Li in his fight against Ye Chen without being a burden. Looking back, her initial thoughts seemed naively ridiculous. Lu Li had never needed her help. Like the sun shining brightly, the stars would merge indistinguishably with the bright sky under its brilliance. She was merely a star, and Lu Li never needed her protection¡­ She smiled bitterly at the thought. Knock, knock! The sound of knocking broke her train of thought, and Su Bingqing slightly adjusted her expression before saying, ¡°Come in.¡± Zhang Ziqin, still in her professional attire, entered with a worried look: ¡°Lu Corporation still hasn¡¯t agreed to negotiate. The call was vague.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Su Bingqing lifted her head, offering a faint smile. She could see Lu Li¡¯s intentions but felt powerless to stop it. Zhang Ziqin hesitated, biting her lip, ¡°Is it¡­ because of me? Because he knows I¡¯m here, Lu Li is doing this? Should I leave?¡± She didn¡¯t want to bring trouble to the Su family because of herself. Su Bingqing sighed deeply, ¡°It¡¯s not because of you. It¡¯s not just Su Corporation; Liushimeng¡¯s Liu Corporation is also under attack by Lu Corporation!¡± Zhang Ziqin felt a pang of disappointment. She had even hoped Lu Li was targeting Su Corporation because of her, which would mean he still harbored feelings for her, even if it was just hatred¡­ Not even deliberately targeting her anymore, did it mean she had be as irrelevant to Lu Li as a stranger seen only a few times? ¡°We have no choice. If Su Corporation continues to resist, it¡¯ll only lead to a broken capital chain and inevitable bankruptcy. I think my parents must have already made a decision,¡± Su Bingqing said with a sigh. Although Su Corporation hadn¡¯t gone bankrupt like Zhang Corporation, it was now reduced to a vassal of Lu Corporation, perhaps a somewhat better oue. Even if she managed to develop Su Corporation, it would at best reach the former scale of Lu Corporation, let alone help Lu Li or kill Ye Chen. It would likely only hold Lu Li back. Looking at Zhang Ziqin, Su Bingqing felt a mix of satisfaction and pity, ¡°Ziqin, it seems we might have to work for Lu Corporation and serve Lu Li.¡± Zhang Ziqin looked up, her eyes glistening with tears before dropping again, ¡°He won¡¯t want to see me.¡± ¡°The same, I won¡¯t give up either. Even if we are worlds apart now, I still want to try to bring Lu Li back to my side. One day, when Lu Li sees my change, he¡¯ll ept me again,¡± Zhang Ziqinforted herself. This belief was her greatest conviction. In her previous life, she was dragged down by Zhang Corporation, ignoring the man who had always been behind her, loving her. This life, Lu Li had already helped her remove her biggest obstacle. Su Bingqing remained silent. Fairly speaking, Lu Li¡¯s approach was normal, not just because of past events but because Zhang Ziqin had done even more excessive things in her previous life. Even if Su Bingqing didn¡¯t like Lu Li back then, she thought her friend¡¯s actions were too much. Even if you don¡¯t love someone, you can at least not harm them, right? And why torment him when you clearly love Lu Li? But¡­ Sighing helplessly, Su Bingqing couldn¡¯t bear to see Zhang Ziqin so dejected after losing Lu Li. Why didn¡¯t she cherish him when she had the chance? He loved you so much! If Lu Li hadn¡¯t given up on Zhang Ziqin early this life, would the tragedy of her previous life repeat? Probably, because Zhang Ziqin only valued something after losing it. ¡°You can go as my secretary. I think Lu Li won¡¯t object,¡± Su Bingqing was willing to give Zhang Ziqin this chance, understanding her sister¡¯s longing somewhat. But this didn¡¯t mean she had given up; she was ready for a fairpetition with Zhang Ziqin. ¡°Thank you, Bingqing.¡± Zhang Ziqin felt warmth in her heart. Her status didn¡¯t matter; being near Lu Li was enough. ¡­ At the residence where Cao Yingying¡¯s grandfather lived, Lu Li began testing the old man¡¯s leg reactions after another acupuncture session. ¡°Grandfather, how does it feel? Any pain?¡± Using a medical hammer, Lu Li tapped lightly. ¡°A little, but not distinct,¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s grandfather struggled to remainposed, feeling his legs gradually regaining sensation. Lu Li nodded, ¡°And here?¡± He tapped below the knee. ¡°It moved, it moved,¡± Cao Yingying cheered, rarely showing such girlish excitement. She had seen her grandfather¡¯s legs reflexively lift. The old man felt it too, his face brightening. Lu Li remained serious, ¡°It seems I underestimated before.¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s grandfather tensed. Cao Yingying looked at Lu Li in shock, ¡°Is there a problem? That shouldn¡¯t be; in the previous life, without Lu Li¡¯s intervention, grandfather was cured.¡± ¡°Lu family kid¡­ is there something special?¡± Cao Yingying¡¯s grandfather asked, trying to contain his panic. ¡°Yes,¡± Lu Li nodded. With both looking on, he suddenly smiled, ¡°Last time I said it might take three more months forplete recovery. I was wrong. It¡¯s been less than a month, and the old man should be able to try walking in another week.¡± Chapter 94 Chapter 94: Lu Li¡¯s Woman Comes Knocking? ¡°Good job, you Lu scamp, ying tricks on me, huh!¡± Cao¡¯s grandfather, unable to contain hisughter, pointed at Lu Li after a brief moment of worry. He had thought there was a problem with the treatment! ¡°Lu Li~~¡± Cao Yingying yfully scolded Lu Li with a roll of her eyes. Her eyes sparkled with joy, delighted to see Lu Li bing more open and cheerful than ever. It was such a contrast to his previous life, where he had been constantly hurt, leading to a numb existence. Now, he could even joke around. ¡°Haha, you¡¯re happy, right!¡± Lu Liughed heartily, genuinely content. This level of happiness was something he had never experienced in his previous life. Cao¡¯s grandfather was a kind man. Lu Li was aware that if it hadn¡¯t been for the elder¡¯s tacit approval in his previous life, Cao Yingying might not have been by his side during his final days. The elder¡¯s indulgence towards Yingying and his kindness towards Lu Li made him a respectable figure, worthy of admiration by both Lu Li and Cao Yingying. ¡°You little Lu fellow!¡± Cao¡¯s grandfather, still chuckling, pointed at Lu Li once more. After a moment of yful banter, Cao¡¯s grandfather couldn¡¯t hide his joy. ¡°Little Lud, you once said you¡¯re a businessman. So, tell me, what do you want this old man to do for you? As long as it¡¯s within my power, I won¡¯t refuse.¡± Cao¡¯s grandfather suddenly got serious: ¡°I heard you¡¯re nning to head to Modu. Do you need me to help you make some connections?¡± ¡°Grandfather~~¡± Cao Yingying frowned, puffing up her cheeks in disapproval. Lu Li smiled warmly, squeezing Cao Yingying¡¯s hand: ¡°Grandfather, you¡¯re being too formal. You¡¯ve already given me the most precious thing. How could I ask for more?¡± Cao Yingying, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at holding hands in front of her grandfather, tried to pull away, but Lu Li¡¯s grip was firm. She yfully red at him, her heart swelling with sweetness. ¡°Ah, my Yingying being in love with you doesn¡¯t count as something I¡¯m giving to you. I haven¡¯t stooped so low as to trade my granddaughter for my legs,¡± Cao¡¯s grandfather dered with authority. Lu Li had proimed himself a businessman, and the treatment was indeed a form of ¡®business.¡¯ However, his granddaughter would never be part of any deal. That was a line that couldn¡¯t be crossed! ¡°Little Lud, now that you and Yingying are together, the future of the Cao family will stand behind you. But let¡¯s first settle our ¡®business.''¡± It might have sounded unnecessary, as Cao¡¯s grandfather¡¯s words implied future support, effectively dissolving the so-called ¡®business¡¯ into thin air. Lu Li could somewhat understand Cao¡¯s grandfather¡¯s perspective, feeling a bit helpless. How could he have known he would end up with Cao Yingying! ncing at Cao Yingying, who nodded softly at him, Lu Li felt a surge of warmth. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, perhaps Grandfather could prepare a wedding dress for Yingying, the best one, along with a diamond ring.¡± Cao¡¯s grandfather chuckled at Lu Li¡¯s words, thenughed heartily: ¡°You little rascal, you¡¯ve got me wrapped around your finger, haven¡¯t you? Alright, I concede.¡± Indeed, if Lu Li faced trouble, could he just stand by and watch? Even if there was no trouble, how could he refuse to help Lu Li! ¡°However, I¡¯m not fond of those Western wedding gowns. A phoenix robe and crown, that¡¯s our people¡¯s finest. Yingying wearing that for her wedding will be beautiful.¡± Cao¡¯s grandfather waved his hand, dering confidently. ¡°Thank you, Grandfather.¡± Lu Li appreciated the thought. Cao Yingying, stunned by the man beside her, felt the warmth of his hand on hers. Even after being reborn, she felt moved to tears. ¡°You rascal, if only you had been like this earlier, perhaps we could have been together in our previous life.¡± Her eyes reddened slightly, overjoyed to finally hear Lu Li¡¯s confession. ¡°What now, still calling me grandfather? After preparing a phoenix robe and crown for Yingying, isn¡¯t calling me grandfather a bit too formal?¡± Cao¡¯s grandfatherughed heartily. ¡°Grandfather!¡± Lu Liplied smoothly. Cao Yingying, her cheeks blushing, bowed her head shyly, her heart brimming with warmth and tears of happiness sparkling in her eyes. Life was truly beautiful. She had received Lu Li¡¯s love, and even if that love was now shared, it was equally precious. With her family¡¯s blessings and her lover by her side, she cherished her quiet protection of her. This life, Cao Yingying would not allow anyone to disrupt. Anyone who dared to harm Lu Li would have to contend with her first. A chill shed in her eyes as she remembered Ye Chen, who had killed Lu Li in her previous life. This time, he wouldn¡¯t seed. She would work alongside Lu Li to deal with that bastard Ye Chen. ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha, very good, very good!¡± Cao¡¯s grandfather¡¯s series of ¡®good¡¯ showed his satisfaction. Although Lu Li was somewhat of a yboy, his granddaughter liked him. Aside from his phndering, Lu Li had no other faults and possessed capability. Most importantly, his granddaughter had epted his phndering. Her happiness was paramount. ¡°Take good care of Yingying in the future. Don¡¯t let her suffer.¡± Of course, as a grandfather, he still had to advocate for his granddaughter¡¯s interests. ¡°Grandfather, rest assured, I couldn¡¯t bear to.¡± Lu Li looked at Cao Yingying tenderly. How could he bear to see her suffer? ¡°How dare you, you rascal, you sure have a way with words. That¡¯s how you charmed away my Yingying!¡± Cao¡¯s grandfather huffed, his tone bing unfriendly. ¡°Cough, grandfather¡­ it was me who pursued Lu Li.¡± Cao Yingying raised her hand, her cheeks blushing, softly speaking. ¡°That¡¯s because this rascal bewitched you.¡± Cao¡¯s grandfather stiffened, stubbornly insisting. *** At the Lu family estate, Chen Ya arrived overnight, eager to see Lu Li, the man she had been longing for. Her arrival, even knowing it wasn¡¯t polite, stemmed from her desire to see the man she loved. Things had changed significantly, perhaps due to the butterfly effect of her rebirth. Lu Li wasn¡¯t struck down by Ye Chen and had given up on that wench Zhang Ziqin. Although there was now Chen Xiaoyi, Chen Ya still had confidence in herself. ¡°Hello, madam, may I ask who you are looking for?¡± The security guard diligently performed his duties. ¡°I¡¯m looking for Lu Li,¡± Chen Ya said, her nervousness mounting. In her previous life, she had visited the Lu family estate, but Lu Li was no longer there, except for Lu Ya, the wretch. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, the young master has not yet returned. Please allow me to inform them.¡± ¡°Go ahead, tell your young master his woman hase for him.¡± Her mature charm radiated from her elegant cheongsam, the perfect backdrop for her mature beauty. The security guard was stunned. Did thisdy just say she¡¯s the young master¡¯s woman? Could this be one of the young master¡¯s romantic entanglementsing to call? With two Mrs. Lus inside, was this the start of a domestic inferno? For a moment, the security guard didn¡¯t know whether to inform them or not. Chapter 95 Chapter 95: A Frightening Confrontation? ¡°Darling, could you pass me the phone?¡± Lu Li asked with a gentle smile, gazing at Cao Yingying whose cheeks were still flushed with color. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Show that same energy you had when you barged into my roomst night! You¡¯ve got to stand up for yourself!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that, don¡¯t you dare!¡± Cao Yingying, blushing with embarrassment and annoyance, red at Lu Li, her eyes shimmering with modest shyness. ¡°Hahahaha, what¡¯s there to be shy about? Grandfather even encouraged us to work hard to give him a great-grandchild soon!¡± The elder was indeed too cheerful, like a child at heart. His words made everyone feel at ease, though sometimes they were embarrassingly frank. But it was all good-natured; if anyone else had said those words, they wouldn¡¯t have gotten away with it around Lu Li. ¡°Um¡­ go and answer your phone!¡± Cao Yingying, pulling the phone from Lu Li¡¯s pocket, connected the call and ced it to his ear while turning her head away. ¡°Lu Brother, you¡¯re out flirting again!!!¡± Before Lu Li could respond, an exasperated and slightly aggrieved voice came through the phone. It was Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s voice. Lu Li, with a knowing smile, nced at Cao Yingying, who was eavesdropping, and replied: ¡°Absolutely! Your Yingying is right here beside me. But is Yingying a flower or a weed?¡± He misunderstood Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s words, thinking she was just feeling jealous because he had spent some extra time with Mr. Cao today. Cao Yingying, holding the phone to Lu Li¡¯s ear and catching his gaze, gave him an annoyed look. ¡°It¡¯s not about Sister Yingying¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s voice wasced with jealousy, which Lu Li could sense even through the phone. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°A woman came to our house iming to be your woman and wanted toe in. The security has just informed me.¡± Chen Xiaoyi responded, with You Meng¡¯s precedent in mind; she wouldn¡¯t let anyone in without Lu Li¡¯s approval. Last time, You Meng was sent by that scoundrel Ye Chen and turned traitor, which put her in danger. Learning from that, Chen Xiaoyi was being cautious and needed to confirm with Lu Li first. ¡°She said she¡¯s my woman? What¡¯s her name?¡± Lu Li frowned, certain that his women were only Chen Xiaoyi and Cao Yingying. Chen Xiaoyi was calling him, and Cao Yingying was holding his phone, so there couldn¡¯t be any confusion there. ¡°She didn¡¯t give her name!¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s tone became serious after detecting Lu Li¡¯s unusual demeanor. ¡°Tell the security¡­ no, have You Meng detain that woman; lock her up until I return. I don¡¯t have any other women!¡± Lu Li was sure; he never had a habit that could lead to such a mistake. Now, a woman was iming to be his at his doorstep. ¡°Master brother, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll capture that woman immediately.¡± You Meng¡¯s voice came through the phone, indicating she was right beside Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ming back now!¡± Lu Li¡¯s expression turned serious as he sped up the car. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Cao Yingying, seeing Lu Li¡¯s changed expression and after hanging up, asked worriedly. ¡°Did something happen?¡± ¡°A woman iming to be mine has shown up at our house.¡± Lu Li¡¯s face was grim: ¡°Don¡¯t ask; I¡¯m certain, besides you, I have no other women. This person is likely sent by someone to cause trouble.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Cao Yingying didn¡¯t even ask. She knew her man well; if he were to stray, he¡¯d be straightforward about it. A sharp look shed in her eyes; it might indeed be Ye Chen¡¯s doing, sending someone to disrupt their rtionship. cing her hands over Lu Li¡¯s on the steering wheel, Cao Yingying looked at him with firm, soft eyes. Lu Li¡¯s heart skipped a beat, touched by her unconditional trust. He wouldn¡¯t get upset even if doubted. The worst Cao Yingying might do, like Chen Xiaoyi, was to pout and yfully scold him for being a flirt, having epted so much already. But he hadn¡¯t expected such unwavering faith from her. Truly, the favor of a beautiful woman was a heavy burden. Returning the firm grip, he nodded solemnly at her. They rushed back to the Lu family estate, attracting the watchful eyes of the security guards as they entered. The guards marveled. The young master, apanied by Mrs. Lu, had left earlier, amon urrence. However, shortly after, a beautiful woman, though slightly older than the young master, arrived iming to be the young master¡¯s woman. This could be a ssic case of a love triangle. Before long, You Meng, in herbat gear, stepped out, exuding a fierce aura. She quickly subdued the suspected mistress and tied her up. Was this the feared confrontation everyone talked about? The guards were terrified! They knew You Meng was formidable, but they hadn¡¯t expected her to be this powerful. She dislocated the woman¡¯s arm in a few swift moves. The entire operation unfolded so quickly, the guards could barely keep up. The young master truly lived up to his title as the heir of the Lu family. Such formidable women were at his beck and call, handling conflicts directly. Chen Ya, enduring the pain in her arm, stared nkly at the two women before her. One was Chen Xiaoyi, who had managed to stay by Lu Li¡¯s side in this lifetime and gained his deep trust. The other, surprisingly, was You Meng! In her previous life, You Meng was still working for that scoundrel nephew of hers! It wasn¡¯t until after Lu Li¡¯s death by Ye Chen¡¯s hands that she realized Lu Li was the man she had been searching for. If it hadn¡¯t been for You Meng¡¯s surprise attack on Ye Chen, their final showdown wouldn¡¯t have been so easy. But why, in this life, had she found Lu Li so early? Could this also be a result of the butterfly effect? ¡°Chen Ya, the young mistress of the Chen family from Modu, the future head of the family, Ye Chen¡¯s aunt, if I¡¯m not mistaken!¡± You Meng stood coldly in front of Chen Ya, her tone icy. Though she appeared vulnerable to Lu Li, Cao Yingying, and Chen Xiaoyi, one shouldn¡¯t forget she was the second-best assassin in the Celestial Dragon organization after Ye Chen! She could afford to be soft and gentle to earn her redemption in Lu Li¡¯s eyes, but that didn¡¯t mean she¡¯d treat Lu Li¡¯s enemies the same. Any threat to Lu Li, she would eliminate. Chapter 96 Chapter 96: Lu Li: You Meng, Where¡¯s Your Maid Outfit? Chen Xiaoyi was stunned on the side, having gotten used to You Meng¡¯s usual subdued demeanor; she almost forgot that this woman used to work under Ye Chen, Lu Li¡¯s adversary. And she was a ruthless assassin! The way I¡¯ve been ordering her around¡­ Surely, You Meng doesn¡¯t hold a grudge, right? Fortunately, Chen Xiaoyi had been through a lot and was no ordinary person. Anyway, her man would never let her be bullied. Besides, it was all You Meng¡¯s own choice. Regardless of her inner thoughts, she stood calmly by You Meng¡¯s side, casting a wary nce at Chen Ya. So this woman was Ye Chen¡¯s aunt. What was she doing here, iming to be Lu Li¡¯s woman? Was she trying to drive a wedge? ¡°Indeed, I am Chen Ya, from the Chen family, and Ye Chen¡¯s aunt.¡± Chen Ya didn¡¯t try to hide her identity. There was no intention to conceal it in the first ce. These were things she intended to discuss with Lu Li. The only unexpected part was Lu Li not being home and You Meng recognizing her immediately. ¡°Good, you¡¯ve admitted it. Now tell us, what are you doing here? And why im to be Lu Li¡¯s woman?¡± You Meng coldly scrutinized Chen Ya. Even though in a previous life they ended up fighting Ye Chen together, it didn¡¯t mean You Meng had any fondness for her. On the contrary, You Meng disliked her. In a previous life, Chen Ya could be said to be Ye Chen¡¯s best partner. From her investigations, she coborated with Ye Chen in humiliating her ¡°big brother¡± multiple times. Despite Lu Li¡¯s repeated warnings, she was oblivious and even considered Lu Li the viin. The fact that this woman previously imed to be Lu Li¡¯s woman infuriated You Meng. I haven¡¯t even be his woman yet, what right do you have? Chen Ya was displeased by the condescending tone, ¡°Why should I exin to you? Who do you think you are? Don¡¯t think I¡¯m unaware of your identity.¡± Chen Ya and You Meng were on equal footing, yet now she was being interrogated in such a manner. ¡°My identity? I have many identities. Currently, I am the little maid of big brother¡¯s house. If you¡¯re trying to use my past actions under Ye Chen against me, save your breath. I¡¯ve already confessed everything to big brother and proved my loyalty.¡± You Meng¡¯s gaze was icy, softening only when mentioning big brother. Her hostility towards Chen Ya intensified, suspecting that Ye Chen had informed her about You Meng¡¯s betrayal. Given her understanding of Ye Chen, he wouldn¡¯t readily share such information since it would damage his pride. Unless he trusted Chen Ya greatly. Chen Ya, surprised by You Meng¡¯s assertiveness, watched as the scene unfolded. You Meng wouldn¡¯t lie in front of Chen Xiaoyi, unless they were conspiring. But with Lu Li returning soon, lying would serve no purpose. This meant You Meng¡¯s fate had changed this lifetime, finding Lu Li early on. Chen Ya suspected You Meng was responsible for Ye Chen¡¯s condition. Regretting not seeking Lu Li immediately after her rebirth, she allowed these two women to gain the upper hand. Not to mention Cao Yingying. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you speaking? Go ahead, exin why you¡¯re here iming to be Lu Li¡¯s woman.¡± You Meng and Chen Xiaoyi pressed her for answers. ¡°I will speak, but I¡¯ll wait for Lu Li to return.¡± Chen Ya lowered her head, her tone neutral but firm, enduring the pain of a dislocated arm without showing weakness. At that moment, the door swung open, and Lu Li entered with Cao Yingying, immediately noticing Chen Ya, bound securely. ncing between You Meng and Chen Xiaoyi, Lu Li¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°Master brother, as you instructed, I¡¯ve detained her. She¡¯s associated with the Chen family and rted to Ye Chen by blood.¡± You Meng¡¯s frosty demeanor melted away to a more humble stance as she approached Lu Li. The drastic change in attitude left Chen Ya somewhat baffled. Whether it was You Meng¡¯s cold-blooded killer persona or her recent interrogation demeanor, she had always been icily resolute. Yet here she was disying a different side. Moreover, she referred to Lu Li as¡­ Chen Ya was taken aback. ¡°Your outfit?¡± Lu Li nced at You Meng¡¯s attire, not immediately addressing Chen Ya¡¯s situation but instead focusing on something seemingly trivial. Chen Ya, whom he recognized from numerous encounters in his previous life, had always been on Ye Chen¡¯s side, opposing him. ¡°Your outfit?¡± You Meng paused, confusedly ncing down at her clothes, then flushed with panic: ¡°I¡¯m sorry, master brother, I changed into this outfit when I went out. I forgot to change back due to the rush of questioning her.¡± ¡°You should change back,¡± Lu Li stated tly. ¡°Yes, right away!¡± You Meng hurried upstairs to change, having broken a rule set by Lu Li. She was still in the phase of proving her loyalty, and after finally getting closer to Lu Li, she couldn¡¯t afford another mistake. Cao Yingying pushed Lu Li yfully, using him of picking on the maid, suspecting he had a particr fondness for the maid outfit. She believed it was thetter. Chapter 97 Chapter 97: Why Trust With You Meng gone to change her outfit, Lu Li finally turned his attention to Chen Ya, who was tied up thoroughly. With just one look, he could tell that both her arms were dislocated. You Meng was indeed a gem, obedient and proficient in her tasks. Seated on the sofa, facing Chen Ya thrown onto the ground, Lu Li¡¯s expression cooled. ¡°Ms. Chen Ya, is it? Where are your bodyguards?¡± Lu Li coldly scrutinized the woman before him. ¡°Also, iming to be my woman, what¡¯s your purpose?¡± He had thought it was someone from the Dragon Group sent by Ye Chen, but it turned out to be a big fish indeed! With his cold tone and icy demeanor, Chen Ya felt a tremor in her heart. She knew that in Ye Chen¡¯s narrative, she was just Ye Chen¡¯s aunt, and Ye Chen was on bad terms with Lu Li. His treatment of her was justifiable, but it still left her with a bitter taste in her mouth. From luxury to simplicity is hard. In her memory, Lu Li was always the one trying to warn her, even at great costs. He appeared indifferent on the surface, but his heart was tender. Now, Lu Li¡¯s coldness, emanating from within, made Chen Ya somewhat ufortable. Biting her lip, she tried to calm herself: ¡°Isn¡¯t it said, ¡®Is it not delightful to have friendsing from distant quarters?¡¯ Lu Li, I came without bodyguards, hoping it would prove myck of hostility. Is your current attitude not overly rude?¡± ¡°Rude?¡± A hint of chill shed in Lu Li¡¯s eyes. ¡°Perhaps I shouldn¡¯t waste words with you. Maybe it would be more appropriate to send your head directly to Ye Chen.¡± He stood up, pulling Chen Xiaoyi and Cao Yingying to leave. Dirty work was You Meng¡¯s favorite; he¡¯d let her take care of it cleanlyter. ¡°Wait a moment!¡± Chen Ya panicked, sensing the seriousness in Lu Li¡¯s words: ¡°I¡¯vee to seek a coboration with you.¡± Lu Li¡¯s current state clearly showed he wasn¡¯t inclined to discuss further with her. Without a reasonable exnation, he would indeed follow through on his words. No matter how eloquent she was, it was useless against Lu Li, like a schr encountering soldiers. ¡°Coboration? Let¡¯s hear it!¡± Lu Li raised an eyebrow. ¡°I know you and Ye Chen are enemies. Ye Chen is now favored by my father within the Chen family. He¡¯s ambitiously trying to usurp my position and has even set his sights on me. I need your help. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?¡± Lu Li remained nomittal, eyeing the woman before him with interest. He had noticed Ye Chen¡¯s designs on her, amendable observation. In the narrative, she was one of the female protagonists, a strong woman who, unfortunately, was led astray by Ye Chen¡¯s constant calling of ¡®Auntie,¡¯ losing her vignce until it was toote. Last lifetime, she was somewhat foolish. ¡°Why should I help you? You and Ye Chen share blood ties. Why should I trust you? Your Chen family is already in chaos. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to join forces with the Wang and Lin families to thoroughly destroy the Chen family?¡± His voice echoed in the living room, Chen Xiaoyi and Cao Yingying watching Chen Ya warily. ¡°I can offer the Chen family¡¯s power for your use.¡± Chen Ya lowered her head, her voice tinged with difficulty. This was her n, but the butterfly effect had brought too many changes. Cao Yingying was by Lu Li¡¯s side, as was You Meng, and Lu Li had be uncharacteristically cold. Chen Ya was worried. It wasn¡¯t that she disliked Lu Li¡¯s current demeanor; she just wished he wouldn¡¯t show it to her. She couldn¡¯t me him, given her unbreakable blood rtion with Ye Chen. His wariness was understandable, but the bitterness was overwhelming. Lu Li nodded: ¡°That¡¯s quite appealing, but how can I be sure you¡¯re not here on Ye Chen¡¯s orders, ying a game of deception? You, the renowned underworld queen, known for your versatility, could easily manage that.¡± Chen Ya¡¯s face stiffened for a moment, surprised to be seen in such a light by Lu Li. Feelings of injustice, difort, and bitterness surged, leaving her speechless. ¡°Perhaps¡­ this is retribution for my past life!¡± she thought bitterly. This misunderstanding mirrored her past actions towards Lu Li ¨C well-intentioned gestures misinterpreted, doubted, and even insulted. Wasn¡¯t this all what she had done to Lu Li? Cao Yingying watched Chen Ya, having no fondness for anyone who had hurt Lu Li. The alliance between Zhang Ziqin and Ye Chen had caused Lu Li distress and aided Ye Chen¡¯s rise. She despised Lu Ya for betraying her own brother. Su Bingqing, Liu Menghan ¨C all had harmed Lu Li, including Chen Ya. But after Lu Li¡¯s death, they suddenly had a change of heart. What good was that? You Meng earned Cao Yingying¡¯s respect for not troubling Lu Li in her previous life and for her decisive end. That woman was extraordinary. ¡°Master brother, let¡¯s just kill her. I can make it clean. Even without her, we can deal with Ye Chen,¡± You Meng, now dressed in her maid outfit, suggested with a cold killing intent that contrasted her cute appearance. Chen Ya, observing You Meng¡¯s attire, despite her inner turmoil, was taken aback. Was this the same ruthless assassin? Not only did she call Lu Li ¡°master brother,¡± but she also wore such attire willingly! Her confession was certain, but it seemed there were conditions to her staying. Yet, it appeared You Meng was more than willing. Chapter 98 Chapter 98: Chen Ya¡¯s Bitterness, Handing Over Leverage Regardless of the bitterness in her heart, Chen Ya knew she had to suppress it for now. Facing the scrutinizing gaze of Lu Li, the murderous aura of You Meng, and the simrly sharp looks from the other two women, Chen Ya realized that without a satisfactory exnation, she might lose her life today. She wasn¡¯t afraid to die, but what would be the point of her rebirth then? The man she loved deeply in her previous life, who she couldn¡¯t make amends with, was right in front of her. How could she allow herself to die now? ¡°I have a way to prove my intentions!¡± She lifted her head, her gaze firm as she looked at Lu Li, a hint of tenderness in her eyes. Lu Li frowned, uninterested in Chen Ya¡¯s gaze. So what if Zhang Ziqin looked at him the same way? Whatever. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it.¡± ¡°The Chen family has several secret bases in Hangzhou, hiding many secrets of the Modu families. I can bring those to you now. You¡¯re nning to expand into Modu, right? Those things would be very useful to you,¡± Chen Ya said earnestly, looking at Lu Li. These were supposed to be gifts for Lu Li, but now she had to present them under such circumstances. Chen Ya felt ufortable, but she understood her association with Ye Chen wouldn¡¯t easily earn Lu Li¡¯s trust. That damned blood rtion was enough to disgust her. Thinking about her actions towards Lu Li in her previous life, Chen Ya didn¡¯t me him. After all, what goes aroundes around. Why wouldn¡¯t Lu Li have the right to scorn her? Lu Li¡¯s expression slightly shifted. This indeed sounded like a significant offer. The secrets of the Modu families wouldn¡¯t be trivial, but Chen Ya was not someone easily trusted. Even if she made sense, Lu Li wouldn¡¯t believe her. Who knows if she was ying a game of deception, using truth to cover lies? This woman, known as a powerful figure in the underworld, was capable of such maniption. ¡°Number 1 **Main Street, Number 2 ** Road 321, Number 3 *** Lane 20; these are the locations, right? If you¡¯re talking about those secrets, I can get them myself.¡± Chen Ya¡¯s gaze sharpened, incredulous that Lu Li already knew about the Chen family¡¯s secret bases in Hangzhou. ¡°If you can¡¯t offer anything more, you can leave today. Are you naive or just foolish toe here, to Lu Estate, on your own? Or do you think you¡¯re the only smart person in the world, devoid of any caution?¡± Lu Li¡¯s mocking tone was sharp as a knife. Such a look, like a sharp de, stabbed deep into Chen Ya¡¯s heart. She came with goodwill and love, only to be rejected by Lu Li. At this point, Chen Ya was desperate. No one hated the blood rtion with Ye Chen more than she did. Just thinking about it disgusted her, and now it was the reason Lu Li distrusted her. With a hint of grievance in her eyes, Chen Ya bit her lip: ¡°Is my body enough?¡± She wanted a beautiful love story with Lu Li, but now it seemed she was asking for too much. Lu Li only harbored suspicion towards her, rooted in the blood ties she couldn¡¯t escape. Although she wasn¡¯t sure how You Meng gained Lu Li¡¯s trust, it surely couldn¡¯t have been harder than her own situation. It was just a matter of what she offered. Cao Yingying narrowed her eyes! Another enemy coveting her man. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes widened; another poacher was here. You Meng red at Chen Ya, furious. She hadn¡¯t even had her chance, and now Ye Chen¡¯s aunt was trying to get ahead of her. ¡°I have no interest in your body.¡± Lu Li paused, slightly amused by the woman before him. Chen Xiaoyi, Cao Yingying, and You Meng, eagerly awaiting their turn, were all Lu Li liked. What he desired was a treasure; what he didn¡¯t, was rotten meat to him. Chen Ya¡¯s heart grew even more bitter. Her most precious offering was so trivial in Lu Li¡¯s eyes, even disdainful. This feeling was unbearable. If it were anyone else, she would have severed ties and even sought revenge. But facing Lu Li, Chen Ya couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it. After all, he was her goal in this rebirth. ¡°Enough. We¡¯ve wasted enough time. You Meng, take her away and deal with it cleanly. We¡¯re not afraid, but it¡¯s better to have fewer troubles!¡± Lu Li stood up, no longer interested in this pointless conversation. Some people really have no limits when cornered. Chen Ya, a protagonist, now driven to desperation by him, spoke out of turn, even if it didn¡¯t align with the narrative setting. After all, aren¡¯t protagonists supposed to remain untouched? How else would it be a light-hearted story? ¡°Alright, master brother.¡± You Meng¡¯s eyes lit up. Seeing Chen Ya, she was filled with murderous intent, further aggravated by Chen Ya trying to seduce her ¡°big brother.¡± ¡°Then, you may take photos, various kinds. If I ever go back on my word, you can destroy me. Is that sufficient?¡± Chen Ya lowered her head, her voice subdued. ¡°Hmm!¡± Lu Li frowned, considering. It seemed she was indeed determined to coborate against Ye Chen, offering such terms indicating her resolve. Destroying someone could be more painful than killing. Cao Yingying, Chen Xiaoyi, and You Meng were all taken aback, understanding what this meant. Especially for someone from a prominent family like Chen Ya, reputation meant everything. Their eyes turned to Lu Li, awaiting his judgment on Chen Ya¡¯s fate. ¡°Onest question!¡± Lu Li settled back into the sofa. Chen Ya breathed a sigh of relief, knowing her life was spared. She feared death but didn¡¯t wish for it, especially not with misunderstandings about her blood ties with Ye Chen. ¡°Why did you im to be my woman?¡± Chen Ya smiled bitterly: ¡°If I hadn¡¯t said that, I doubt I would have been allowed into the Lu estate.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. Bring those documents tomorrow. Take her to get photographed, and make sure to take some artistic shots.¡± Lu Li ordered, addressing Chen Ya before turning to You Meng. This woman¡¯s attitude had shifted, confirming their new rtionship. Handing over such leverage was akin to pledging loyalty in ancient times. Thetter part of his instruction was directed at You Meng. Chapter 99 Chapter 99: You Meng Was Moved Chen Ya left the Lu family¡¯s estate with a mix ofplex emotions. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Lu Li¡¯s disdain towards her, even after she hadid all her cards on the table and even offered herself as a sacrifice, she still wasn¡¯t regarded with any significance by Lu Li. There was a sense of humiliation, akin to what people often describe as being a ¡®lickspittle¡¯¡ªand frustration too. She came bearing her love, only to be coldly rejected by Lu Li. No, not rejected. It was as if Lu Li had thrown her on the ground and trampled on her a few times. Normally, anyone who dared to treat her this way would find themselves turned into a concrete pir by the next day. But when it came to Lu Li¡­ She wasn¡¯t stronger than him, to begin with, but the real issue was her inability to harm him. It seemed she now understood what it meant to chase after someone only to find oneself in a fiery pit. This life had seen Cao Yingying appearing by Lu Li¡¯s side ahead of time, as did You Meng; then there was Chen Xiaoyi. All three seemed to have a special rtionship with Lu Li. It was likely as she had feared. A sourness welled up in her heart, and the consecutive blows had Chen Ya doubting whether she still had the confidence to pursue Lu Li. Nheless, as the underworld queen, she quickly shrugged off this moment of despair. ¡°No matter how many women you have, I also want to stay by your side. I¡¯ve missed the chance once; I won¡¯t miss it again,¡± she thought silently. If her rebirth couldn¡¯t fix her past mistakes and fulfill her regrets, what was the point of being reborn? Lu Li wasn¡¯t as familiar with her yet, and indeed her actions might have been too rash, especially given her blood rtion to that bastard Ye Chen. It was normal for him to doubt her, but eventually, he would see her sincerity. Maybe he wasn¡¯t as gentle as in the past, but that was also good. At least he wouldn¡¯t be hurt by those despicable women like Zhang Ziqin anymore. Thinking of the humiliation she had inflicted on Lu Li in her previous life, aplex feeling of guilt appeared on Chen Ya¡¯s mature and alluring face. Silently, she left. *** Lu Li, looking at the photos handed over by You Meng, was impressed despite himself. Setting aside other factors, Chen Ya was undoubtedly beautiful, and her figure was explosive. Dressed in a cheongsam, she exuded elegance and grace. Without it, her allure was tantalizing. She was like a high-quality piece of natural white jade. ¡°Keep these photos. If she ever steps out of line, let the whole country see them,¡± Lu Li said without a hint of embarrassment. Even though he now believed Chen Ya wasn¡¯t lying, caution was still necessary. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to take a closer look?¡± Cao Yingying teased Lu Li with a hint of jealousy. ¡°You¡¯re prettier and more attractive than she is, and you¡¯re right here in front of me. Why would I need to look at these photos?¡± Lu Li replied with a smile, appeasing Cao Yingying¡¯s jealousy. ¡°Just sweet-talking me. I saw your eyes almost popping out just now,¡± Cao Yingyingughed, satisfied with Lu Li¡¯s response. Chen Xiaoyi also took her ce beside Lu Li, feeling a pang of jealousy at the sight of Chen Ya¡¯s photos, surprised by Lu Li¡¯sment. ¡°Um¡­ master brother, you haven¡¯t seen mine yet, how do you know I¡¯m prettier than Chen Ya?¡± You Meng cautiously approached Lu Li, her voice filled with a grievance and a hint of hope. Immediately, three pairs of eyes turned to You Meng, causing her to tense up. She couldn¡¯t afford to offend either Chen Xiaoyi or Cao Yingying, lest they whisper in Lu Li¡¯s ear, negating her efforts thus far. ¡°Not bad, not bad! You did well!¡± Lu Li¡¯s gentle voice reassured You Meng as he ced a hand on her head. Opening her eyes, You Meng saw Lu Li¡¯s warm smile, her heart skipping a beat. This was the first time Lu Li had shown her such kindness since their reunion, filling her with joy. Every day, seeing him affectionate with Chen Xiaoyi and Cao Yingying, did she not feel distressed? Of course, she did. But she knew Lu Li was discontent with her earlier silence about her work for Ye Chen. You Meng wouldn¡¯t argue; she admitted her mistake. She was willing to do anything for Lu Li, just to stay by his side. She always thought about advancing their rtionship, but only dared to dream. With Lu Li not saying a word, she didn¡¯t have the courage to speak up. Seeing Lu Li before her, You Meng felt transported back to their shared childhood. Those days in the orphanage, when Lu Li would tousle her hair and gaze at the sky, lost in thought, and she would bounce around him, irked by his silence. What beautiful times! Tears glistened in her eyes. Just as You Meng was about to throw herself into Lu Li¡¯s arms, Cao Yingying spoke up. ¡°That¡¯s enough, no need to put on a show of affection in front of me. I¡¯m not fond of it,¡± Cao Yingying said, her gaze on You Meng tinged with disapproval. She knew of You Meng¡¯s feelings for Lu Li and had no intention of stopping her. Cao Yingying did harbor thoughts of monopolizing Lu Li, but knew it was unrealistic. After all, Chen Xiaoyi had been by his side even longer. Buttely, Lu Li had been hers alone. Having just deepened their rtionship and received her grandfather¡¯s approval, her possessiveness was more intense than ever. You Meng¡¯s actions froze¡­ ¡°Hahaha, alright, alright, stop picking on her. We can now be sure that You Meng is one of us!¡± Lu Li smiled and took You Meng¡¯s hand. So much time had passed, the rift in their hearts had healed. Lu Li was no longer the vengeful man he once was upon his return. You Meng, covering her mouth, barely resisted the urge to hug Lu Li, moved by his warmth and acknowledgment. ¡°One more ¡®You Meng,¡¯ and she might have just leaped into his arms,¡± she thought, touched by his affection. Chapter 100 Chapter 100: Su Bingqing Arrives, So Does Zhang Ziqin Chen Ya delivered the materials the next day. It has to be said, they were incredibly detailed. If exposed, not just Modu but all national media would revel in the scandalous news. Many secrets could adversely impact numerous families, big and small, potentially leading them to bankruptcy if leveraged well. ¡°Ms. Chen Ya, you really have shown sincerity. But I have to ask, facing your nephew, your father¡¯s grandson, can you truly act against Ye Chen, who is your nephew?¡± Holding the documents, which were evidence-backed, Lu Li understood why these families had always coexisted peacefully with the Chen family. Chen Ya gave Lu Li a grievous look, frustrated that even after going to such lengths and even risking herself, Lu Li still seemed to overlook her efforts. ¡°He intends to act against me. I do not acknowledge such a nephew,¡± Chen Ya dered firmly, her face serious. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s make the deal. Tell me your n!¡± Lu Li nodded nomittally, not caring about Chen Ya¡¯s rationale. He now had the upper hand in their cooperation, effectively making Chen Ya his subordinate. From the moment she arrived at the Lu Estate carrying the same bloodline as Ye Chen, Chen Ya had no other choice¡ªdeath orpliance. ¡°I n to¡­¡± Chen Ya did not hold back,ying out her original intentions. After hearing her out, Lu Li gave Chen Ya a peculiar look: ¡°So, you¡¯re basically going to turn against your father. Can you really do that?¡± ¡°Yes, my father¡¯s favoritism towards Ye Chen will lead to the Chen family¡¯s downfall. I¡¯m trying to prevent that from happening.¡± Chen Ya looked at Lu Li tenderly, knowing that even now, if she confessed her feelings for him, he wouldn¡¯t believe her. To Lu Li, they had only known each other for a few hours; where could life-long lovee from? Moreover, Lu Li had a poor impression of her. Chen Ya could only use such reasoning to alleviate his suspicions. ¡°Heh! Understood, I¡¯ll cooperate with you.¡± Lu Li scoffed, mocking the notion. Was this a grand rebellion against her father? Chen Ya was proud, unyieldingly pursuing her convictions. Regardless, Chen Ya¡¯s idea wasn¡¯t bad, and there was no loss for him. ¡°Thank you.¡± Chen Ya looked at Lu Li mournfully. After everything that happened yesterday, she still felt ufortable, as it was entirely different from what she had anticipated. In her mind, she might have to persuade Lu Li of her sincerity before gradually getting closer through their coboration. Relying on what she knew, she hoped to engage deeply with Lu Li, perhaps seizing an opportunity after a drunken night to win him over. But life is unpredictable, as they say! ¡°Mr. Lu, Su Corporation¡¯s Ms. Su is here, asking to speak with you.¡± Chen Xiaoyi entered, maintaining her decorum in the presence of an outsider. ¡°Finally can¡¯t bear it any longer, huh? Alright, let¡¯s meet!¡± Lu Li responded. ¡°Ms. Chen, please make yourselffortable!¡± Lu Li was indifferent to Chen Ya¡¯s reaction. The power dynamics in their cooperation were very clear. Even though the specifics remained unknown to him, stranger things had happened. Chen Ya, Ye Chen¡¯s aunt, and a protagonist whose character was dismantled¡ªLu Li didn¡¯t care. Chen Ya¡¯s face stiffened momentarily, feeling abandoned. What had this life¡¯s Lu Li experienced to be so different? Even his personality had changed. It must be the influence of Cao Yingying, Chen Xiaoyi, and that You Meng. Feeling indignant, Chen Ya thought it wasn¡¯t altogether bad. At least Lu Li wouldn¡¯t be bullied anymore, but the challenge of winning him over had significantly increased! Wait, Lu Li said she could ¡°make herselffortable,¡± right? That meant she could follow them, right? With the added difficulty in winning him over, every opportunity must be seized. She was aware of Su Bingqing and that wicked woman, Zhang Ziqin¡ªthe best friends who had never made Lu Li¡¯s life easy in the past. Without hesitation and not one to dawdle in fear, which only spoils things, Chen Ya acted. Although Lu Li¡¯s ¡°make yourselffortable¡± was a polite way of suggesting she could leave, she chose to interpret it literally, believing Lu Li couldn¡¯t fault her for it. ¡°Mr. Lu, what if Su Corporation refuses our terms?¡± Chen Xiaoyi was somewhat uneasy, considering Su Corporation was a significant enterprise, though it had been somewhat battered by Lu Li recently. ¡°If they don¡¯t ept? Then let them go bankrupt. It¡¯s a simple matter, no need toplicate it.¡± Lu Li said with augh, affectionately ruffling Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s hair. The warning was clear, as was the reminder: Su Corporation had no bargaining power. Submission and eptance of Lu Corporation¡¯s acquisition was their only way out. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes sparkled with admiration for Lu Li. Her Lu Brother was so domineering. The excitement made her want to pounce on Lu Li right there for a fierce battle. Fidgeting with her Office Lady skirt, Chen Xiaoyi suppressed such thoughts, at least until they were back in the office¡­ ¡°See you in the office, don¡¯t bete!¡± Lu Li hinted, clearly seeing through Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s state. He was not opposed to his women behaving this way in front of him. ¡°Um¡­¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s cheeks reddened, facing Lu Li¡¯s teasing nces; she defiantly met his gaze, as if mes were burning in her eyes. ¡°Haha! Let¡¯s go meet this Su Bingqing and see if she¡¯s ready to capitte or still hopes to resist.¡± Lu Li¡¯s expression became stern as he led Chen Xiaoyi towards the meeting room. The meeting room door opened, revealing two people waiting inside¡ªone seated, the other standing behind her. ¡°My instructions were clear, weren¡¯t they? I said Zhang Ziqin wasn¡¯t allowed in.¡± Lu Li¡¯s brow furrowed. The seated person was undeniably Su Bingqing, and the woman standing behind her was Zhang Ziqin. It was said that after the copse of Zhang Corporation, Zhang Ziqin secured a high-ranking position in Su Corporation¡ªtruly, best friends indeed! ¡°Mr. Lu, while it¡¯s understandable you refused to meet Zhang Ziqin before due to personal reasons, this time we both represent Su Corporation, here to discuss the matter you desire. It¡¯s official business,¡± Su Bingqing said, her eyes revealing a mix of disappointment andplexity. Chapter 101 Chapter 101: Why Can¡¯t We Forgive? ¡°President Su isn¡¯t ready yet, huh? Let¡¯s talk next time!¡± Lu Li said, his face betraying neither joy nor sorrow as he smiled at Su Bingqing, deliberately avoiding Zhang Ziqin¡¯s gaze. He didn¡¯t catch the pained and regretful look that shed across Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face. Lu Li was feeling somewhat irritated. In Hangcheng, everyone was aware of his and Zhang Ziqin¡¯s past, so what was Su Bingqing ying at by bringing her here today? To disgust him? Well, she seeded. Lu Li was thoroughly disgusted. Who would¡¯ve thought Zhang Ziqin would still manage toe out and be a thorn in his side? Originally, he had nned to deal with her after taking over the Su and Liu families, when no one in Hangcheng could protect her. Now, Lu Li regretted not getting rid of this annoyance earlier. Wouldn¡¯t it have been better to remove this eyesore sooner? Chen Xiaoyi shot Su Bingqing an annoyed re, then turned her disgust towards Zhang Ziqin. What was Su Bingqing thinking, bringing Zhang Ziqin to Lu Li at this moment? Was it a disy of power? Or was she hoping Lu Li still harbored feelings for Zhang Ziqin and would show mercy? Dream on! ¡°Wait, President Lu, I¡­¡± Before Su Bingqing could finish her exnation, the conference room door was firmly shut, silencing everything. Su Bingqing was stunned. She didn¡¯t expect Lu Li to be so upromising, not even willing to give her face. At that moment, she felt as Chen Ya had before. Since her rebirth, Su Bingqing had hardly seen Lu Li, only hearing rumors of him and Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s intimate rtionship. His tolerance for Zhang Ziqin had vanished, reced by an indescribable disgust. ¡°Bingqing, I shouldn¡¯t havee. I¡¯ve caused trouble, I¡¯m sorry!¡± Zhang Ziqin could no longer keep up her facade of pride and aloofness. Lu Li¡¯s cold indifference cut her deeply. If not for Su Bingqing¡¯s support, Zhang Ziqin might have already broken down. Su Bingqing forced a bitter smile, ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Ziqin. I insisted on bringing you here. I¡¯m sorry.¡± She was torn. On one hand, Zhang Ziqin was her close friend who had truly changed for the better. Wasn¡¯t the destruction of the Zhang Corporation enough of a price to pay? Even Su Bingqing harbored some resentment towards Lu Li. But sympathy for Zhang Ziqin? That was a stretch. Su Bingqing, having lived through the past, knew the future pain Zhang Ziqin would cause Lu Li. ¡°Well, it seems we can¡¯t talk today. I¡¯ll try scheduling another meeting tomorrow!¡± Su Bingqing sighed, shaking her head. Clearly, Lu Li had a significant grudge against Zhang Ziqin. ¡°I won¡¯te tomorrow. I don¡¯t want to be a burden,¡± Zhang Ziqin said, her head low, tears threatening to fall. Su Bingqing remained silent, knowing Zhang Ziqin was right. The Su Corporation was on the brink; merging with Lu Corporation was theirst hope for salvaging anything. ¡°Annoyed already?¡± Lu Li quipped, catching Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s disgruntled look, a hint of amusement in his smile. ¡°Brother Lu, Su Bingqing knows well how you feel about Zhang Ziqin, yet she dared to bring her here. She¡¯s challenging you openly!¡± Chen Xiaoyi was livid, unable to ept Su Bingqing¡¯s audacity. ¡°There¡¯s no need to get angry. Just another lesson needed,¡± Lu Li said calmly, his annoyance easing as he caressed Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s face. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on something pleasant instead. My eyes need cleansing after seeing that woman.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Chen Xiaoyi agreed, feeling the need for some purification herself after the encounter. But as they made their way to Lu Li¡¯s office, an unexpected call disturbed them, causing both to frown in displeasure. Chen Xiaoyi, feeling a mix of excitement and disappointment, readjusted her clothing and smiled softly at Lu Li, ¡°Lu Gege, business first. We have plenty of time.¡± Lu Li exhaled deeply, drawing Chen Xiaoyi into a hug, ¡°Whoever is calling had better have a good reason.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Lu Li answered the phone with a tone that brooked no nonsense. ¡°President Lu, Liu Menghan from Liu Corporation is here to see you,¡± the receptionist¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°Inform her I¡¯ll meet her in the conference room shortly,¡± Lu Li responded, suspecting a coordinated effort. Perhaps Liu Menghan¡¯s decision was influenced by Zhang Ziqin¡¯s actions. ¡°Let¡¯s prioritizepany matters,Brother Lu¡± Chen Xiaoyi whispered, ever understanding. ¡°Sigh, let¡¯s wrap up with Liu Menghan within an hour and return,¡± Lu Li decided, setting aside personal time for business once more. As Liu Menghan awaited Lu Li¡¯s arrival, she couldn¡¯t help but notice the departing figures of Su Bingqing and Zhang Ziqin, their expressions telling of an unsessful meeting. ¡°Predictable,¡± she thought, ¡°Everyone knows Lu Li has no fondness for Zhang Ziqin. Su Bingqing¡¯s audacity in bringing her along is astonishing.¡± ¡°President Liu, President Lu asks that you wait in the conference room,¡± informed the receptionist. Liu Menghan nodded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait.¡± The chess pieces were moving, and she was keen to see how the game would y out. Chapter 102 Chapter 102: Is This the ¡°Beauty Trap¡±? After a long time, upon seeing Lu Li again, Liu Menghan couldn¡¯t help but show a slight smile. Having returned from rebirth, she was determined to protect Lu Li better this time around. Yet, to date, she hadn¡¯t had a proper conversation with him. At the banquet hosted by Zhang Ziqin, Liu Menghan rushed over, intending to stand up for Lu Li in case Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya embarrassed him. However, neither Lu Ya nor Lu Li showed up. That was awkward. It was supposed to be her perfect opportunity to win Lu Li over! The next time she saw Lu Li was at the Cao family banquet. Normally, she couldn¡¯t find any reason to approach Lu Li, especially since their rtionship had been poor for the past few years. She had been confrontational with Zhang Ziqin and was jealous of Lu Li¡¯spliance towards Zhang Ziqin, while he was indifferent to her, which led her to trouble Lu Li on more than one asion. This directly resulted in Lu Li having a very poor impression of her. At the Cao family banquet, she didn¡¯t manage to say a word. She noticed the change in Lu Li, who used to be cautious in his previous life, now seemed willing to expose himself. He was such a gentle person. In his previous life, he didn¡¯t want topete with Lu Ya, so he hid his true self. Yet, it seemed no one deserved his gentleness. Lu Ya was shameless, and Zhang Ziqin was even more disgusting without any shame, and then there was herself¡­ Thinking about what she had done to Lu Li under Ye Chen¡¯s maniption in her past life, and Lu Li¡¯s numb expression as if he didn¡¯t care about anything, Liu Menghan felt as if her heart was being cut open. Their rtionship was on the verge of breaking due to her repeated troubles¡­ No, perhaps it was already broken. Lu Li never had a good impression of her, and she wasn¡¯t favored by him like that detestable woman, Zhang Ziqin. So¡­ even if she targeted him as manipted by Ye Chen in her past life, he was just numb, not speaking a word to her, was it because of this reason? Biting her lip, a hint of grievance appeared in her eyes. Why! Why was this guy so gentle towards that detestable, damned woman, Zhang Ziqin, but towards me¡­ She used to enjoy opposing Lu Li for reasons unknown. At the time, she thought she was just discontent with Zhang Ziqin. Whatever Zhang Ziqin could do, she believed she must do too. Only when Lu Li died did Liu Menghan realize that what she cared about was never Zhang Ziqin. She was just jealous of Lu Li¡¯s partiality towards Zhang Ziqin, and her opposition was also to take away what was most precious to her. But no one could see it. She knew it toote herself. By the time she realized it, she couldn¡¯t even see Lu Li for thest time. ¡°Fortunately, it¡¯s not toote now. Since I¡¯ve been reborn, I won¡¯t let such things happen again. I will protect Lu Li, and nobody else will hurt him!¡± Liu Menghan thought to herself. Although Lu Li now seemed powerful and didn¡¯t appear to need her protection, as a reborn person, she knew better. Ye Chen¡¯s methods were far more than what she had shown. Lu Li needed her help. Even if he now had Cao Yingying as a backer, it wasn¡¯t guaranteed that the despicable Ye Chen wouldn¡¯t y tricks. Seeing such a look again, a mixture of nostalgia and tenderness, these past few days, Lu Li had seen such emotions in the eyes of many. Everyone seems a bit off. Are we that closely connected for you to be nostalgic? And as for tenderness, that¡¯s even more absurd. We had no prior rtionship; do I need your tenderness? Lu Li doubted if something was wrong with the world. But he wouldn¡¯t ask. What he wanted was Liu Menghan¡¯spany to strengthen the Lu Corporation. It was just that in hisst life he wasn¡¯t familiar with Liu Menghan, focusing all his attention on Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin, and really didn¡¯t care about others. Otherwise, just based on what Liu Menghan did in his past life, Lu Li would have let her follow in Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya¡¯s footsteps. ¡°Let¡¯s skip the nonsense. Tell me your decision directly.¡± Having just been disgusted by Su Bingqing, Lu Li was in a bad mood. Holding the upper hand, he didn¡¯t need to engage in vague conversations with Liu Menghan. Liu Menghan¡¯s expression stiffened for a moment, seemingly not expecting Lu Li to be so direct, but she quickly adjusted, a slight smile appearing on her cold face: ¡°President Lu doesn¡¯t really give us a choice, does he?¡± ¡°But you can choose¡ªto survive or go bankrupt.¡± ¡°I thought President Lu would say ¡®to survive or to be destroyed¡¯!¡± Liu Menghan covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, looking at Lu Li with tender eyes. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. Now, tell me your decision.¡± Lu Li only has three enemies; one is already dead, one is about to die, and another will die sooner orter. Liu Menghan in front of him is not yet hated by him. ¡°I have no choice but to follow President Lu¡¯s lead,¡± Liu Menghan said with a light smile, pulling out the documents she had prepared in advance from her bag. ¡°Prepared thoroughly, better than Su Bingqing!¡± A sh of surprise crossed Lu Li¡¯s eyes, his mood improving slightly. He appreciated those who could read the situation. Taking the documents from Liu Menghan, he handed them to Chen Xiaoyi, the solemn-looking temporary assistant standing beside him. This kind of matter was something Chen Xiaoyi could help review. Liu Menghan¡¯s eyes flickered. She noticed Lu Li only mentioned Su Bingqing, not even bringing up Zhang Ziqin¡¯s name, even though the two hade together. ¡°Zhang Ziqin, ah! Never thought you¡¯d have today; it¡¯s all your own doing.¡± Liu Menghan thought triumphantly. As long as it wasn¡¯t Zhang Ziqin, she believed she couldpete with anyone else. Lu Li¡¯s little assistant, the general manager Chen Xiaoyi, not to mention, how long has Cao Yingying known Lu Li now? Shepletely had a chance toe from behind. Lu Li once loved Zhang Ziqin most, the one he pursued for eight years. But unfortunately, that woman didn¡¯t grasp it. In thest life, she even indirectly caused Lu Li¡¯s death by coborating with Ye Chen. This life, she deserved to be abandoned. Liu Menghan wanted to say more, but it was clear Lu Li had no intention of speaking further, so she had to keep quiet. She didn¡¯t want to cause a bad impression on him. This life¡¯s Lu Li was different from thest. His capabilities were now apparent. Chen Xiaoyi seriously reviewed the treaty set by Liu Menghan, surprised by the generous conditions offered, cleaner and more decisive than she had imagined, leaving almost no room for them to raise the price. Noticing Liu Menghan¡¯s gaze towards her man, Chen Xiaoyi seemed to understand something. Is this¡­ a beauty trap? Chapter 103 Chapter 103: Liu Menghan: I Am Better Than Zhang ¡°President Lu, this is eptable!¡± Chen Xiaoyi nodded. Lu Li nodded back and turned his gaze towards Su Bingqing, ¡°I will have the contract ready by tomorrow. Come over to sign it.¡± After saying this, he was ready to leave but was stopped by Liu Menghan. ¡°President Lu, considering this is a significant coboration, shouldn¡¯t we, as partners, have a meal together, toast to celebrate?¡± With a smile brimming with warmth, Liu Menghan¡¯s eyes held an unmasked tenderness towards Lu Li. ¡°Ms. Liu, let me remind you, our interaction is not a coboration but a full acquisition of Liu Corporation by Lu Corporation,¡± Lu Li frowned. Why does this woman seem happy about it? Their interaction wasn¡¯t some business cooperation; it was Liu Corporation being absorbed into Lu Corporation! And it was a forced, low-priced acquisition at that. ¡°Liu Corporation not going bankrupt like Zhang Corporation is already President Lu showing mercy. Plus, I¡¯ll be under President Lu as an employee from now on, naturally, I should curry favor with my superior,¡± Liu Menghan said, her smile unchanged, seemingly unbothered by the acquisition. Perhaps this was better for her. ¡°Then there¡¯s no need for that. Just focus on doing good work.¡± With a major deal concluded, Lu Li¡¯s face rxed a bit, no longer as stern as before. After all, Liu Menghan would be his employee in the future. Aside from everything else, if used well, this woman could be very capable. Taking Chen Xiaoyi with him, Lu Li left, wanting to continue what had been interrupted earlier. A momentary loss flickered through Liu Menghan¡¯s eyes, sighing somewhat resignedly once Lu Li and Chen Xiaoyi had left the meeting room. She hadn¡¯t managed to score an invitation! ¡°Never mind, at least I am better than that disgusting woman, Zhang Ziqin. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future. I¡¯m not worried about not being able to fit in. Zhang Ziqin has been directly abandoned by Lu Li. No matter what she does now, Lu Li won¡¯t spare her another nce. She brought this upon herself!¡± Liu Menghan thought scornfully to herself, her lips curling into a slight, mocking smile. Men and women are different. Once a man gives up, he truly gives up. Thinking back on how Zhang Ziqin used to act, and now her pitiful¡­ still, ridiculous antics, Liu Menghan couldn¡¯t help butugh. How Lu Li treated her was obvious to anyone, even to those unaware of the situation, it was known Lu Li was Zhang Ziqin¡¯s pdog¡¯ ¨C wasn¡¯t that once a deep proof of Lu Li¡¯s love! But how did Zhang Ziqin repay him? Without considering Lu Li¡¯s feelings, she coborated with Ye Chen, tantly trying to cuckold him! Not to mention, after starting the coboration with Ye Chen in her previous life, she even took money from Lu Li ¨C damn, that woman was truly disgusting. Then, pretending to love Lu Li ¨C what nonsense! You love Lu Li, so you let others think you betrayed him for Ye Chen? You love Lu Li, so you humiliated him time and again? Pfft! Whether it was Zhang Ziqin¡¯s previously cold, aloof demeanor or her so-called title of business queen, all of it disgusted Liu Menghan. Although she hadn¡¯t always been pleasant towards Lu Li, it¡¯s not like he liked her either! Thinking about it was still a bit depressing! And her grudge against Zhang Ziqin, the things I yearned for but couldn¡¯t have, you took for granted and squandered. Seeing Zhang Ziqin¡¯s current plight gave Liu Menghan a deep sense of satisfaction. That¡¯s right, this was the fate Zhang Ziqin deserved. Their rtionship had always been poor, not to mention Zhang Ziqin¡¯s actions in her past life that directly led to Lu Li¡¯s death. Old and new grievancesbined! She didn¡¯t kick Zhang Ziqin while she was down only because Liu Menghan didn¡¯t have the time. Otherwise, if she didn¡¯t make Zhang Ziqin utterly ashamed, wishing for death, it would be due to herck of eloquence. ¡°Communicating with someone who recognizes reality is indeedfortable.¡± Lu Li also reviewed the documents Liu Menghan handed over, which outlined requirements for the merger. For example, Liu Menghan would join the board of directors as a shareholder. Furthermore, after the merger, the direction of the now Liu Corporation wouldpletely align with Lu Corporation. Liu Menghan joining the board was inevitable. This merger was akin to a financing round where all shareholders, including Lu Li, would have their shares diluted. The math isn¡¯t just about the dilution; the benefits brought by the merger must also be considered. Even with diluted shares, the shareholders would definitely gain more than they currently have. ¡°Hmm, Ms. Liu seems to have an odd look in her eyes when she looks at you,¡± Chen Xiaoyi said,zily snuggling up to Lu Li, her arms wrapped around him lovingly. ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ve climbed above someone who used to look down on me and would constantly trouble me. Now, I¡¯ll be her boss. Of course, Liu Menghan is anxious, but luckily, she¡¯s smart.¡± She didn¡¯t do anything foolish; otherwise, Lu Li would have to deal with her. Thankfully, the plot from third-rate novels where the protagonist suddenly rises to prominence and those who looked down on hime over to mock him didn¡¯t y out in his life. In Lu Li¡¯s view, Liu Menghan and Zhang Ziqin were in the same boat, surpassed by someone they once looked down upon. Whether acquired or driven to bankruptcy, even if they were furious inside, they couldn¡¯t show it. Fantastic!!! He loved seeing their forced smiles despite their dissatisfaction. ¡°What, Liu Menghan used to look down on you, Brother Lu?¡± Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s eyes widened, a hint of displeasure shing through them. ¡°Forget it, forget it. There were many who looked down on me in the past. I don¡¯t care anymore. Anyway, Liu Menghan will be under us from now on. She won¡¯t dare to say much, and there¡¯s no need to make our rtionship too stiff,¡± Lu Li said, smiling as he stroked Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s hair. He could guess the thoughts of this dear girl without even thinking. How wonderful! He loved his little wife¡¯s protective affection! ¡°Hmph! Since Brother Lu said so, shall we let her off?¡± Chen Xiaoyi pouted, a sh of dissatisfaction in her eyes. Her Brother Lu, with Cao Yingying at home and her continuous efforts, was someone they all wanted to cherish. Although she couldn¡¯tpare to Cao Yingying in terms of ability, she was striving hard. There was also Yu Meng, eyeing a higher position. How could they allow bad women to look down on him? ¡°Let¡¯s go! It¡¯s about time we head back. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll teach Su Corporation a lesson. If they back down, print a copy of Liu Menghan¡¯s document for her. If not, let her go bankrupt!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Chen Xiaoyi nodded firmly. Today, Su Bingqing bringing that woman, Zhang Ziqin, disgusted Lu Li and also her. Now, Chen Xiaoyi had no good feelings towards Su Bingqing. Chapter 104 Chapter 104: Chen Ya: You Wouldn¡¯t Want to¡­ ¡°On your body, on your clothes, on your arms, and even¡­ Open your mouth!!!¡± Cao Yingying sniffed around Lu Li, staring at him like a little cat that had caught a cheating partner, then directly pried open Lu Li¡¯s mouth, nting a fierce kiss on him. While Lu Li was still puzzled, Cao Yingying let go, her eyes sharp: ¡°I knew it, it¡¯s Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s scent. What have you been up to behind my back?¡± She was like a little woman who had caught her boyfriend cheating, which was, in fact, the truth! Lu Li felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead: ¡°Um¡­ Yingying, how do you know Xiaoyi¡¯s scent?¡± Don¡¯t tell me?! It felt like his head was suddenly crowned with something he really didn¡¯t appreciate!! ¡°Having meals together every day, how could I not know your and her scents.¡± She red at Lu Li menacingly: ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject. My dear Mr. Lu, ying around quite boldly, huh? In the office, huh!?¡± Her tone was ominous, sour even. Cao Yingying regretted being such a homebody, not expecting the meek-looking Chen Xiaoyi to be so bold. Knowing he hadn¡¯t added any more ¡®hats¡¯ woven by his two women to his collection, Lu Li breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn¡¯t that kind of dreadful misunderstanding, Lu Li believed he could keep them satisfied. No need for any false pretenses. He was possessive, enjoying the favoritism from Cao Yingying and others, and had no desire to share that affection, even among themselves. ¡°Care to exin¡­¡± Cao Yingying narrowed her eyes. ¡°Cough cough, it¡¯s exactly as you think, Xiaoyi has been a bit jealous recently.¡± Clearing his throat, although it was known, having these office matters exposed by another of his women made Lu Li unbearably awkward. ¡°I¡¯m not angry, I¡¯m not angry. Anger is the devil, stepping back opens up vast horizons, anger is bad for health, it causes wrinkles in women, brings on menopause early. My man, no matter what, I have to endure. Damn it, I just can¡¯t!¡± Cao Yingying initially tried tofort herself, but her mood worsened the more she thought about it. Damn it! She hadn¡¯t even experienced the office with Lu Li, yet Chen Xiaoyi beat her to it! Damn, damn, damn!!! She didn¡¯t know that Lu Li and Chen Xiaoyi had already¡­ coughed in the office. ¡°I¡¯ll visit yourpany tomorrow. Make time for me.¡± Cao Yingying red at Lu Li, pinned him against the wall with a role-reversed kabedon, issuing amand like a queen. ¡°Ah!!!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? I¡¯ming to yourpany tomorrow.¡± Her petite ears turned slightly red as Cao Yingying turned her head away. The implication of her words was too bold for her. Never in her life had Cao Yingying thought she¡¯d make such a request, visiting Lu Li at thepany, for what, well, you know. Lu Li¡¯s lips twitched involuntarily, realizing the girl from the original story, pure as a lotus, was utterly corrupted now! His own masterpiece! This was too¡­ unexpectedly guilt-inducing, but more so, an inner satisfaction. See? The once celestial being, I¡¯ve pulled her down to earth. Jealous, aren¡¯t you? Heh, too bad, she¡¯s mine now. ¡°Master brother, Yingying sister, dinner is ready.¡± Yu Meng looked at them with sour eyes. They started kissing as soon as they returned, now a wall m, ah! So envious! When will it be my turn to rise? I also want to kiss with Brother Lu! Damn Chen Xiaoyi, why hasn¡¯t she dealt with the Liu and Su families¡¯ matters yet? Hurry up, so I can head to the Magic Capital with my Brother Lu, visit the orphanage for a trip down memoryne, and take my chance to win Brother Lu¡¯s heart in one fell swoop. Yu Meng had it all nned out. Climbing over Cao Yingying and Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s heads wasn¡¯t something she dared to imagine, just her experience working under Ye Chen meant this matter was unreachable for her, not to mention hiding her past from Lu Li after arriving by his side. She couldn¡¯t just say she was reborn, previously deceiving Ye Chen, hoping to secretly help Brother Lu take him down! Too nonsense, no one would believe it. Moreover, Chen Xiaoyi was Brother Lu¡¯s first woman, and as for Cao Yingying¡­ Brother Lu¡¯s feelings for her were visible to everyone, and considering her family background, even Ye Chen from her past life who had brought the Heavenly Dragon organization into the country tread carefully! Knowing it¡¯s foolish yet proceeding is stupidity, Yu Meng was 100% sure, if she made a fuss now, she¡¯d be kicked out in the next second. She didn¡¯t want to think about the rest, she just wanted to hurry and rise in rank as the little maid. She wanted to kiss her Brother Lu too! She also wanted to whisper sweet nothings every night in the same room! *** Chen Ya didn¡¯t know what mood she had returning to the Magic Capital; anyway, it wasn¡¯t particrlyfortable. Not a single task she intended to aplish was done, even directly arousing Lu Li¡¯s suspicion. So depressing! And she couldn¡¯t even say anything, her damned blood rtion with Ye Chen doomed it all. She was Ye Chen¡¯s aunt. Absolutely infuriating. Even more vexing was her failed attempt to deliver the handle into Lu Li¡¯s grasp, the guy showed no interest, missing such a great opportunity for the grand art of photography, delegating Yu Meng instead. Alright! After all, he had Cao Yingying and Chen Xiaoyi by his side at the time; it was understandable Lu Li wanted to avoid suspicion. But still so frustrating! Leaving Chen Xiaoyi aside, Yu Meng didn¡¯t bother mentioning, but Cao Yingying, what a formidable foe, shamelessly moving into Lu Li¡¯s house. Where¡¯s the dignity of Miss Cao? Did you flush it down the toilet? Sharing a man with other women, does the Cao family know? Less than 24 hours gone, but the annoyances kepting, making Chen Ya doubt if she had offended the gods, or if this was punishment for her past life¡¯s foolishness. Punishing her past life¡¯s stupidity! But¡­ Lu Li must have seen her photos by now! Her physique is superior to those women¡¯s; surely, Lu Li can¡¯t take his eyes off them. A bit of delight surged in her heart, seeing it as her advantage. A fully developed perfect physique, neither Cao Yingying nor Chen Xiaoyi couldpare. Wondering if Lu Li might sneak peeks at night! Her heart fluttered, not the least bit unhappy about her ¡®handle¡¯ being in someone else¡¯s grasp; she trusted Lu Li. As long as she did nothing to betray him, didn¡¯t stand against him, those photos would be for his eyes only. After all, she would be his woman in the future. If others saw, it¡¯d be Lu Li who¡¯d lose out! Surely, Lu Li wouldn¡¯t want that!! Chapter 105 Chapter 105: Chen Ya Makes a Decision ¡°Aunt, you¡¯re back!¡± Ye Chen¡¯s face lit up upon seeing Chen Ya return. Having left just a day ago and already back would surely raise suspicions, so Chen Ya deliberately stayed in her external residence for two days to adjust her mood. She had originally nned to stay at the Lu family estatest night! ncing sideways at Ye Chen, Chen Ya couldn¡¯t hide her disgust. After being suspected by Lu Li due to her blood rtion to Ye Chen, she found Ye Chen increasingly unbearable to look at. The more she saw him, the more repulsed she felt, not to mention his disturbing thoughts towards her. Ye Chen¡¯s face stiffened, a shadow passing over his eyes. Although he knew his aunt was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, he was not ustomed to being disregarded like this. Yet, he couldn¡¯t voice his grievances; his actions of beating those two men might have been satisfying, and his grandfather might have approved, but his aunt did not think so. Her argument was rational; being experienced in their circle for so many years, she had her own ways of handling things. If she couldn¡¯t handle those two on her own, she would have been devoured by wolves long ago. But to say this outright felt like a p in his own face, tantly telling him his actions were meaningless and had only caused trouble for the Chen family. Even if he was in the wrong, it shouldn¡¯t be like this. He was doing it for his aunt, after all! Shouldn¡¯t he be praised for valuing family over power and privilege? He wished for such acknowledgment from his aunt like the approval he received from his grandfather. Biting his lip, Ye Chen approached Chen Ya. ¡°Never mind, never mind. Auntie is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Though she speaks harshly, she still cares for me deep down. She was just upset because I acted impulsively,¡± he reasoned with himself. Given the situation, and considering the special ce his aunt held in his heart, he was willing to tolerate her whims. Elder Chen still sat leisurely by the living room window, basking in the afternoon sun¡ªa beneficial activity for the elderly. Seeing Chen Ya approach, he showed a hint of surprise. ¡°Back so soon?¡± Elder Chen inquired. ¡°Yes, the partner I found this time is quite efficient and decisive. It¡¯s normal for them to work quickly,¡± Chen Ya said, her eyes betraying aplex sentiment. ¡°Their family has significant clout and deep ties with the capital, which is why they asked for a high price,¡± she continued somberly. Who would have thought, Miss Cao of the Cao family, would actually be at the Lu family estate! Lying involves mixing truth with falsehood, a method Chen Ya often used effectively. However, this time, in front of Lu Li, her ¡®art ofnguage¡¯ seemed to failpletely, all thanks to Ye Chen. If possible, she wouldn¡¯t want to stand against her own father! ¡°This time, we nearly gave up thirty percent of our current assets to have them¡­ offer us protection without any direct benefits,¡± Chen Ya said, watching her father¡¯s expressions closely. Elder Chen¡¯s face showed concern upon hearing that engaging Chen Ya¡¯s chosen partner for the Chen family¡¯s protection cost them thirty percent of their assets. Thirty percent! This meant a significant reduction in the Chen family¡¯s holdings. But hearing of the partner¡¯s connections with the capital, Elder Chen sighed in resignation. ¡°Well, if it¡¯s thirty percent, so be it! Having received benefits, we¡¯ve also established a connection with them. This transaction, in some sense, is not a loss.¡± True to his experienced nature, even amidst the sting, he saw opportunity. Chen Ya¡¯s expression flickered briefly. What if she faced someone other than Lu Li? What would she do if the partner had different demands? Would she have to use her body to pay for Ye Chen¡¯s mistakes? Of course, there were no ifs. If it weren¡¯t Lu Li, she wouldn¡¯t have taken such actions. The title of ¡®Underworld Queen¡¯ wasn¡¯t just for show. Yet, seeing her father like this, she couldn¡¯t help but think: ¡°In my father¡¯s eyes, am I, his daughter, less important than Ye Chen, his grandson?¡± ¡°Father, do you still think what Ye Chen did was right? Things I could have handled on my own were messed up by him. Do you still believe he was right?¡± Elder Chen smiled gently: ¡°Protecting family is never wrong.¡± ¡°Even if the aftermath brings greater harm to oneself, would you still think so?¡± Chen Ya¡¯s eyes shed coldly, tempted to reveal everything she had gone through. She wondered if her father would maintain his stance if he knew, without understanding her feelings, what had happened to her. Elder Chen looked up, his gaze soft: ¡°Xiaochen is your sister¡¯s only son. Our family, our Chen family, has an obligation to protect him, and you have a duty to protect your nephew.¡± Chen Ya closed her eyes, feeling a pang of pain. Yes, Ye Chen was her sister¡¯s son, a loved one by proxy. But I¡¯m also your daughter! Why must I ept this unjust moral burden? Opening her eyes, she smiled faintly: ¡°Father, you¡¯re right. Xiaochen is my only nephew, and I should protect him, being my sister¡¯s only bloodline.¡± Her father¡¯s biased words broke Chen Ya¡¯s equilibrium, fostering a hint of resentment towards him. Perhaps not intense now, but certain things could be fatal. ¡°You thinking this way is good. A family should be like this!¡± Elder Chen nodded, smiling: ¡°Though Xiaochen still has his shorings, his care for family is correct¡ªamendable trait!¡± ¡°Indeed, themendable Ye Chen even hasmendable improper thoughts about me, his aunt.¡± A mocking light flickered in her eyes, but outwardly, Chen Ya nodded seriously. ¡°Father, I was wrong before!¡± She apologized sincerely, feeling as if something inside her had shattered. Was it her expectations of her father? Upon her return, he hadn¡¯t asked what happened to her, only insisting she help her nephew¡­ Chapter 106 Chapter 106: Su Bingqing Comes to a Realization In just a day¡¯s time, the financial situation of Su Corporation shrank again, teetering on the brink of copse. It could be said that bankruptcy was merely a moment away. Under such circumstances, unless a significant amount of capital, along with a powerful backer, fell from the sky, and this backer had to be at least on the same level as the Cao family from the capital, there might be a chance to pull Su Corporation back from the edge. Su Bingqing once again visited Lu Corporation, keenly sensing a different atmosphere. Last time she came, regardless of anything else, at least the formalities, including those by Lu Li and others at Lu Corporation, were all in ce. But now, she could feel the coldness, even from the receptionist. Was it¡­ because she brought Zhang Ziqin with herst time? Biting her lip, Su Bingqing wondered if Lu Li now detested her by association with Zhang Ziqin! ¡°President Su¡­¡± A cold voice came from behind. Su Bingqing turned to see Chen Xiaoyi, who seemed to have appeared beside her at some point. ¡°President Chen¡­¡± Su Bingqing called out with aplex tone. Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s reputation had risen significantly in Hangzhou¡¯s elite circles recently! Discovered by Lu Li from obscurity, she demonstrated near-perfect business tactics in her firstmercial battle, leading to the bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation. Now, her targets included the Liu and Su families. Su Bingqing admitted she couldn¡¯tpare to this woman. Of course, Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s most talked-about aspect was her rtionship with Lu Li. People said that after Lu Li climbed out of the deep pit that was Zhang Ziqin, he was blessed to find his true match. Chen Xiaoyi and Lu Li were seen as a perfect match, both talented and well-matched. Su Bingqing had seen Chen Xiaoyi working for Ye Chen in her previous life and knew of her capabilities, though not to this extent. The current situation likely meant Chen Xiaoyi was being pushed to the forefront by Lu Li, or perhaps Lu Li was creating fame for her. In any case, it was evident that Lu Li trusted Chen Xiaoyi immensely. Even the usually gentle Chen Xiaoyi treated Su Bingqing with no warmth, clearly holding a grudge for bringing Zhang Ziqin to Lu Corporation, which was an apparent attempt to disgust Lu Li, and by extension, disgust her. After speaking with Cao Yingying at home about this, Cao Yingying was also angered. They all thought they had been too kind to Su Bingqing, who was nearly bankrupt yet dared to show such arrogance in front of Lu Li. Chen Xiaoyi didn¡¯t bother with further conversation, clearly in a bad mood. Su Bingqing, in a rush, called out, ¡°President Chen¡­¡± ¡°Sign or go bankrupt!¡± With those words, Chen Xiaoyi left without looking back, indifferent to Su Bingqing¡¯s choice. Su Bingqing stood frozen, taking a while to regain herposure before sighing dejectedly, her eyes reddening. Lu Li didn¡¯t evene out to see her! Even Chen Xiaoyi refused to speak more than necessary with her. Su Bingqing¡¯s efforts to reconcile Lu Li and Zhang Ziqin were scorned by everyone. She had even med Lu Li for being petty, thinking he hadn¡¯t lived through the previous life and should ept the changed Zhang Ziqin. Now, she realized how na?ve she had been. She achieved nothing but earned Lu Li¡¯s dislike, with Su Corporation on the edge of a cliff. She wasn¡¯t Lu Li; why did she feel the past was irrelevant and that Lu Li should forgive? She was truly presumptuous! She was like this in her previous life, and nothing changed in this life! No wonder Lu Li detested her. She really deserved it! Despite her affection for him, why did she involve Zhang Ziqin, whom he disliked? Shouldn¡¯t she, reborn and knowing better, be the one to despise Zhang Ziqin the most, yet she ¡®forgave¡¯ her for being pitiable this life? What about Lu Li¡¯s experiences in the previous life? Were they just deserved? Her mind seemed to clear, though it was a bitte. She seemed to understand many things. Picking up the document, Su Bingqing walked out of Lu Corporation¡¯s doors. ¡°I¡¯m okay now!¡± Cao Yingying, with a radiant glow,zily nestled in Lu Li¡¯s embrace, ying with his hair and whispering sweetly in his ear. Chen Xiaoyi, that annoying girl, had been sneaking around with Lu Li behind her back! Now that she had her turn, she felt much more bnced, finding a unique feeling in the office experience with Lu Li. Cao Yingying didn¡¯t dislike it! Feeling the attack on his ears, Lu Li shivered slightly, looking tenderly at Cao Yingying with a yful smile on his face. The adult flirtation filled with a hint of sensuality was immensely pleasing. Whether it was the sense of achievement in bringing Cao Yingying, a celestial being, down to earth, or her affection for him, it greatly satisfied Lu Li¡¯s vanity as a man. Such vanity exists in all men, perhaps even more so in Lu Li, given his past deprivations. He felt he had made up for what wascking in his previous life, with interest. ¡°I¡¯m not okay yet!¡± He whispered back in Cao Yingying¡¯s ear, his advances yet to cease. After a while, they concluded their intimate moment. ¡°Chen Xiaoyi must have settled the matter with Su Corporation by now!¡± Lu Li casually mentioned as he helped Cao Yingying fasten her buttons. ¡°Hmph, Su Bingqing had no other choice, and Chen Xiaoyi isn¡¯t a fool. She surely has handled it. But it¡¯smendable she didn¡¯te to disturb us today!¡± Cao Yingying chuckled, turning to smile sweetly at Lu Li. Still a bit upset! Just learning from Lu Li that he and Chen Xiaoyi had had their escapades many times before. ¡°It¡¯s maddening! Chen Xiaoyi managed not only to win Lu Li¡¯s heart first but also to beat me to it in these matters. It¡¯s infuriating.¡± Even fairies can be jealous. Chapter 107 Chapter 107: The One Who Blundered Should Pay The Price ¡°It¡¯s impossible. That kid Lu Li is delusional,¡± the middle-aged woman angrily tossed aside the document in her hand. ¡°Not even Lu Guofu would make such an impudent request. How dare Lu Li, a young upstart, propose such a thing!¡± Su Bingqing¡¯s father echoed the anger. They had both reviewed the document, finding its terms as egregious as those unequal treaties signed in thete Qing dynasty. No, they didn¡¯t involve matters as grave, but the principle was the same. Lu Li was essentially nning to bleed their Su Corporation dry! ¡°Uncle Lu is Uncle Lu, Lu Li is Lu Li,¡± Su Bingqing suddenly interjected coldly: ¡°Mom, Dad, haven¡¯t you grasped the reality yet? Lu Li has left us with no room for rebuttal.¡± Sheughed at herself mockingly, realizing she too had failed to see reality before. Su Bingqing¡¯s father¡¯s face darkened: ¡°Is Lu Li seeking to destroy us both? Fine, I¡¯ll teach him that there¡¯s more to business than just transactions.¡± His ominous words made Su Bingqing look at her father, understanding some of the implications. She had used simr tactics in her previous life, usually just needing to give the order without dirtying her own hands. But hearing her father¡¯s grandiose statement, she scoffed in disdain. ¡°Father, have you lost your mind? Of course, you can mobilize the power of the Su family, but why do you think Lu Li can¡¯t use the power of his Lu family? Between the Su family and the Lu family, who is stronger, who is weaker, can¡¯t you see clearly?¡± A scornful smile yed at the corners of her mouth. The fact that Lu Li was keeping this a business matter was already a fortunate situation for the Su family. Su Bingqing¡¯s father fell silent, his face growing somber. He had indeed lost his sense of reason. The Su family had its means, but did that mean the Lu family wouldn¡¯t have theirs? Comparing the Su family with the Lu family, the current situation spoke volumes about who was stronger and who was weaker. ¡°What do we do now?¡± ¡°Agree. Agree to all the conditions. Otherwise, it¡¯s bankruptcy. Given our current situation, we¡¯ve essentially offended Lu Li. After bankruptcy, we can only wait for Lu Li¡¯s retribution.¡± Su Bingqing¡¯s voice was somber, her eyes filled with a mncholic resignation. She admitted the current Lu Li was impressive, a far cry from the gentle man she knew in her past life. She knew, given Lu Li¡¯s disdain for Zhang Ziqin and her previous folly of bringing Zhang Ziqin before him, that if she displeased Lu Li now, she might as well quietly await her demise. The man she once loved now seemed most likely to be her executioner. How could Su Bingqing not feel bitter? Her parents fell into a heavy silence. After a while, Su Bingqing¡¯s father seemed to age a decade, his body slumped as he waved a hand dismissively: ¡°Fine, Bingqing, you see things more clearly than we do. The matter is yours to handle from here.¡± Resignation was all that was left. What else could be done when stubborn resistance could only lead to ruin? ¡°Understood!¡± Su Bingqing nodded and turned to leave. She had to let go of Zhang Ziqin too. They might have been best friends, but she couldn¡¯t say Lu Li was wrong. If Lu Li was wrong now, then the Zhang Ziqin of her past life deserved a thousand deaths. Stripping away that thinyer of friendship, perhaps only Su Bingqing herself knew how much she detested the person who had once caused Lu Li¡¯s death. Why should she incur Lu Li¡¯s dislike over her? *** .. ¡°Go to the finance department to settle your sry for this period, and then you can leave!¡± Su Bingqing said coldly to Zhang Ziqin, her voice devoid of warmth. Zhang Ziqin waspetent, and her time as the marketing department manager hadn¡¯t yielded significant achievements, but that wasn¡¯t her fault. Her performance was just a microcosm of the entire Su Corporation under the pressure of Lu Corporation. Zhang Ziqin was momentarily stunned, forcing out a bitter smile. She knew this day woulde. Maybe Su Bingqing had seemed resolute before, but some things were beyond her defiance. ¡°I understand. It¡¯s because of Lu Li, right? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll leave soon and won¡¯t make things difficult for you,¡± Zhang Ziqin said, her smile tinged with indescribable sadness. Did Lu Li dislike her so much? After Su Bingqing¡¯s visit to Lu Corporation and returning not long after to confront her, Zhang Ziqin could guess some of the underlying issues. Lu Li¡¯s reaction during theirst visit to Lu Corporation said it all. Su Bingqing frowned, looking at Zhang Ziqin without warmth. Indeed, she had decided to let Zhang Ziqin go because of Lu Li, but she didn¡¯t expect Zhang Ziqin to immediately me Lu Li once things went awry. It seemed all her musings were just wishful thinking; this woman had not changed. She was no different from her past life! In the past, Zhang Ziqin took advantage of the money and orders provided by Lu Li, reaping profits. But at the first sign of failure, she would instinctivelyin about Lu Li. Such behavior, ultimately interpreted by Zhang Ziqin as love for Lu Li, allowing her to act capriciously, was disgusting! ¡°It wasn¡¯t Lu Li¡¯s idea; it was mine. I once thought that since you had regretted and paid a price, Lu Li should forgive you.¡± Su Bingqing looked coldly at her once best friend, her voice emotionless: ¡°But I was wrong. Those who make mistakes should pay the price. Lu Li has no reason to forgive you.¡± Su Bingqing had been too presumptuous, thinking Lu Li should forgive. Why had she forgiven Zhang Ziqin so easily? Was everything she had experienced in her past life so insignificant? Did Lu Li¡¯s death mean so little to her? Of course not. She cared, she suffered, but when faced with Zhang Ziqin¡¯s abandonment and loss of the Zhang Corporation, and her apparent deep affection for Lu Li, she had foolishly softened. She shouldn¡¯t have! Zhang Ziqin was stunned, truly stunned this time. Every word from Su Bingqing cut deep, underscoring truths Su Bingqing was unaware of¡ª the greater injustices Zhang Ziqin hadmitted against Lu Li. Her rebirth was her biggest secret, one she wouldn¡¯t share with anyone. Chapter 108 Chapter 108: Zhang Ziqin Loses Everything Zhang Ziqin understood what Su Bingqing meant. She was cutting ties with herpletely! It was not because of Lu Li that she was being fired, but rather to sever all connections with her. ¡°Leave as soon as you can! There¡¯s still quite a bit left from your Zhang family. Find a ce and live out the rest of your life quietly,¡± Su Bingqing said, looking at Zhang Ziqin¡¯s dejected figure. Realizing everything, Su Bingqing felt her previous life¡¯s dislike and loathing for Zhang Ziqin resurface, no, it returned to where it belonged. Thetter part of her statement was a final reminder, for the sake of their past friendship and the fact that Lu Li had once cared for her. The office door mmed shut, and Zhang Ziqin clutched her chest. Her beautiful face twisted in immense pain. The reopening of her deep wounds, coupled with another cut, brought her unbearable agony. She gasped for air, as if trying to alleviate her suffering. Holding her face, tears fell like rain. She had lost everything: her parents had died early, the business that meant everything to her in her previous life was gone, her best friend was leaving her, and even the man who loved her most was driven away by her actions. Truly, she had lost everything. Unspeakable pain echoed in her heart, everything was lost. In the past, she had taken advantage of Lu Li¡¯s favoritism, believing he would never leave her, which led her to be willful and capricious, repeatedly disappointing and hurting him. Now, she finally understood how Lu Li felt, experiencing the feeling of being abandoned by the world, the excruciating pain of a heart shattered. Everything she had inflicted on Lu Li hade back to haunt her. It was all her own doing. She didn¡¯t me Lu Li, nor Su Bingqing. This retribution was deserved. But it still hurt so much! Curled up in her chair, the pain continued to erode her soul. Only those who had experienced it could understand what Lu Li had gone through in his previous life. His dejected expressions after being rejected, the destion after she threw wine in his face at that banquet and partnered with Ye Chen, how terrible he must have felt! She always said she loved him, but her actions only hurt him. Did she truly deserve Lu Li? Su Bingqing told Zhang Ziqin to leave quickly but also showed a bit of mercy by not forcefully expelling her. Several hourster, Zhang Ziqin finally recovered, staggering to her feet to gather her belongings. Once proud and radiant, her eyes were now lifeless, like a walking corpse. Su Bingqing¡¯s advice to leave Hangzhou was for her own good, Zhang Ziqin knew. This was probably Su Bingqing¡¯sst act of kindness. But this was the one thing she couldn¡¯t do. Even battered and rejected, unable to attain love, she wanted to stay by Lu Li¡¯s side. She no longer harbored illusions of returning to their past rtionship. She just wanted to be near Lu Li, willing to endure anything to stay by his side. What did a few failures matter? Even if Lu Li didn¡¯t want to see her now, she would persist. One day, she hoped to move Lu Li again. Now, she really had nothing left to lose, except for Lu Li, who she couldn¡¯t afford to lose. To this day, Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t ept the reality of losing Lu Li. *** When Su Bingqing handed the signed contract to Chen Xiaoyi, Lu Li finally sighed in relief, having secured his rearguard. All of Hangzhou¡¯s families recognized one thing: the Lu family was unstoppable. Those who were reaching out quickly retracted their ws. Peace ensued, and Lu Li could now lead aid-back life if he wished. But clearly, it wasn¡¯t enough. There were still enemies in the capital waiting for him to settle old scores, especially Lu Ya, Zhang Ziqin, and Ye Chen, who would soon be left alone. But there were others Lu Li intended to ¡®entertain¡¯ as well. After the Zhang family¡¯s banquet, Lu Li became numb, shutting himself away, but it didn¡¯t mean he had forgotten. Some deeds by a few female leads were enough to make even the numb Lu Li contemte murder! This was a terrible world; only fair legs paired with alluring stockings could bring somefort to Lu Li! Unable to resist, he indulged in the soft touch, unwilling to let go. ¡°Little maid, hand me the scissors¡­¡± He turned, looking up at You Meng with a mischievous smile. You Meng shivered slightly, her eyes shimmering. Thest time she experienced this was¡­ Finally¡­ was it happening again? ted! She reached for the scissors on the coffee table and handed them to Lu Li. She had felt his growing tenderness towards her, though he sometimes appeared brusque. It was more like yful banter. Though he hadn¡¯t truly made a move, Lu Li wasn¡¯t averse to intimate gestures. The day she could rise to a higher position seemed closer than ever! Ecstatic! If only the pantyhose came in ck and white, Lu Li would have loved them even more. Covering her mouth, she gazed at the exquisite crystal chandelier overhead. So beautiful! Suppressing any movement, the assassin¡¯s discipline wasmendable. Tonight, You Meng had an important task, so Lu Li rewarding her seemed only fair. Of course, with this reward, You Meng was overjoyed, and Lu Li was more than willing to exert some effort. Worth it! ¡°Are you going to act against Zhang Ziqin?¡± Cao Yingying covered her mouth. Was this meant for her ears? The man wasn¡¯t hiding anything! ¡°What, disillusioned? I¡¯m not the good man you imagined. Too bad, it¡¯s toote. Once you¡¯re on my ship, there¡¯s no getting off!¡± Lu Li tapped Cao Yingying¡¯s leg leisurely. Her leg was slightly whiter and smoother than You Meng¡¯s. Truly delightful. Cao Yingying swatted away Lu Li¡¯s yful hand with annoyance, shooting him a re. When had she ever wanted off his ship? ¡°You¡¯re really willing, aren¡¯t you!¡± Cao Yingying knew her stance on Zhang Ziqin. She wished for nothing more than Zhang Ziqin¡¯s swift demise. She might appear as pure as a lotus, but that didn¡¯t mean shecked emotions. ¡°What else can I do? Should I engage in a love-hate drama with you, while maintaining a lingering attachment to Zhang Ziqin?¡± Lu Li shuddered: ¡°Keep that melodrama far away from me!¡± Chapter 109 Chapter 109: The Impending Finale for Zhang Ziqin ¡°Do what you want to do. I don¡¯t care about others; I will always support you.¡± Gazing tenderly at Lu Li, Cao Yingying¡¯s voice was like a spring breeze gliding over a calmke, stirring gentle ripples. Lu Li¡¯s heart fluttered. He adored this feeling of being favored, though his gaze still held a hint of suspicion. ¡°When you say ¡®others¡¯¡­ are you referring to You Meng?¡± While the sentiment was touching, he couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that there was a catch. ¡°Um¡­¡± Knowing was one thing, but voicing it out loud? Cao Yingying was uniformly kind to everyone, but she harbored significant hostility toward You Meng, the little maid who alternated between ck and white stockings. She couldn¡¯t stand such shamelessness and even suspected the woman would dly clean without wearing anything at all. Too risky! ¡°Ha-ha-ha, no need to worry. You Meng is my top general. Right now, she¡¯s in charge of capturing Zhang Ziqin!¡± Lu Liughed heartily. The sight of Cao Yingying, a woman as pristine as a high-mountaintop snow lotus, showing such jealousy was truly¡­ blissful! A full sense of male achievement. Cao Yingying sighed helplessly: ¡°You really are¡­ making full use of everything, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t use me. It was You Meng¡¯s own wish, and I¡¯ve rewarded her for it,¡± Lu Li waved his hands in defense. Cao Yingying said no more, her gaze remaining tenderly on the man before her, her man, who was indeed gentle. His treatment of Zhang Ziqin showed immense malice in this life, but wasn¡¯t that also a form of tenderness for her? If Lu Li did nothing, Zhang Ziqin, now without any support, faced a bleak future, Cao Yingying knew well. The numerous enemies Zhang Ziqin had made over the years would seek vengeance, perhaps more fiercely than one could imagine¡­ Even if she despised Zhang Ziqin, as a woman, she couldn¡¯t help but feel some empathy! The ringing of a phone interrupted their moment. Lu Li answered and, with a smirk curling at his lips, stood up: ¡°Alright, once we¡¯ve dealt with this trouble, we¡¯ll head to the Magic City to meet that nephew abandoned by his aunt, Ye Chen!¡± ¡°Uh-huh!¡± Cao Yingying watched Lu Li leave tenderly. She appreciated the changes in him. Although he seemed more ruthless than in his previous life, he remained the gentle man she loved. She was sure he was her Lu Li, not someone possessed as in some novels. As for dealing with Zhang Ziqin, Cao Yingying had no objections. She harbored her own desires to kill Zhang Ziqin, so Lu Li taking action personally was perfect, severing the karmic ties from their past. It was also a way for the Lu Li of her previous life to vindicate himself! With Cao Yingying¡¯s support, Lu Li¡¯s smile was unguarded. What others said didn¡¯t matter; having the understanding of the person he liked was enough. Chen Xiaoyi, Cao Yingying, and his first mate and maid, You Meng, were his realm! Truthfully, Lu Li felt conflicted. If he really wanted Zhang Ziqin to understand true fear, the best way would be to do nothing. Many despised and coveted Zhang Ziqin; coupled with her numerous enemies, the oue was predictable. Sometimes people areplex. Even though he wished for all sorts of tragedies to befall Zhang Ziqin, he couldn¡¯t bear the thought of anyone other than himself being the cause. It sounds odd, right? Just like Lu Li¡¯s current situation. But one thing was clear: he would never engage in some melodramatic plot with Zhang Ziqin. His goals were always clear, unaffected by any pitiful disy from her. He was not the kind of man who lost dignity over a woman¡¯s slight affection. His heart was colder than what he could feel. Had Su Bingqing wasted any more time, she might have been on the brink of death. Should You Meng or Su Bingqing do anything to displease him in the future, the oue would be ¡®death¡¯ without hesitation from Lu Li. Driving to a secluded cottage in the outskirts, You Meng had been waiting for a while. Seeing Lu Li arrive, her eyes brightened: ¡°Master, everything is ready.¡± Dressed in ck, her hair tied in a ponytail, the usually meek maid now exuded a sharp aura, quite different from her usual demeanor. ¡°Well done!¡± Lu Li praised, rubbing You Meng¡¯s head. As the moment approached, Lu Li became calmer. Lu Ya was gone, having met a miserable end. There was no reason Zhang Ziqin shouldn¡¯t receive the same treatment. Rather than leaving it to chance, Lu Li preferred to have Zhang Ziqin die by his hand, ensuring peace of mind. You Meng beamed, trying to get closer to Lu Li¡¯s hand but, unfortunately, it was a fleeting touch. ¡°Stand guard at the door. This will be over soon,¡± Lu Li said, his expression chilling as he entered the dpidated house. Today, he would mark the end of one-third of the past¡¯s grievances and pain. ¡°Okay!¡± You Meng nodded firmly, filled with a sense of duty. *** . Where am I? Struggling to move, Zhang Ziqin found herself bound tightly, unable to escape. Darkness enveloped her, obscuring her vision. Kidnapped! Realization struck her, apanied by a surge of fear. Unlike the sheltereddies of high society, Zhang Ziqin, having taken control of Zhang Corporation early, was forced to mature quickly. Aware of the ugliness in the world, she still couldn¡¯t suppress her trembling when faced with such a predicament. She couldn¡¯t ept it, considering it a betrayal of Lu Li, even if forced. Regardless of Lu Li¡¯s indifference, she was determined to remain chaste for him. Her body, her soul, everything she had belonged to Lu Li, and she wouldn¡¯t allow anyone else toy a finger on her. Struggling against her restraints, she knew her captor¡¯s intentions were vile, but she was prepared to die rather than let them seed. Would Lu Li shed a tear for her after her death? Maybe so¡­ Chapter 110 Chapter 110: Lu Li: What a Waste of Time As Zhang Ziqin struggled, a rustling conversation could be heard outside the door. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face paled; she knew her captors wereing. The thought of being touched by those people filled her with an unspeakable sense of disgust. ¡°No matter what, they can¡¯t be allowed to seed. Everything I am belongs to Lu Li.¡± Escape was no longer possible. Zhang Ziqin pondered how she could free herself. Suddenly, the dark door swung open, letting in moonlight. Through the light, Zhang Ziqin saw a familiar silhouette, one etched in her heart. Before she could call out, the dim room was flooded with bright light. ustomed to the darkness, Zhang Ziqin couldn¡¯t immediately adjust to the harsh brightness and instinctively shut her eyes. But her heart leapt with joy. She knew who that silhouette was ¨C only he could be there for her. Lu Li hade to save her. The unspeakable happiness made her try to open her eyes, cursing herself for being dazzled by mere light. Finally, she opened her eyes and saw the figure she had longed for. One moment, she contemted ending her life for him; the next, he appeared like a deity, making her want to cry. ¡°Lu Li¡­¡± She called out with a hoarse voice. ¡°It seems you have something to say. Go ahead!¡± Pulling over a dust-covered chair, Lu Li was willing to give a dying person a chance to speak, even if she couldn¡¯t change anything. Dying was inevitable. Lu Li didn¡¯t rmend wasting time. Facing the man she had once lost, then lost again, the man she loved most, Zhang Ziqin knew this might be herst chance. His arrival meant he still cared, but it didn¡¯t mean he still loved her. Hesitating for a moment, with tender eyes fixed on Lu Li, Zhang Ziqin began to reveal her biggest secret: ¡°I once had a very strange dream.¡± She seemed lost in memories, gazing at the man before her: ¡°In that dream, nothing between us had changed. But at that banquet you didn¡¯t attend, I did¡­ something unforgivable, humiliating you in front of everyone. From that moment, our rtionship changed!¡± Lu Li frowned, aplicated feeling rising inside him, but he didn¡¯t interrupt Zhang Ziqin, listening intently. ¡°In the dream, I coborated with Ye Chen, making you angry. But dream-me thought it was a normal transaction, assuming you would understand and forgive me, oblivious to the growing distance between us.¡± At this moment, Zhang Ziqin felt as if she was reliving her past life¡¯s agony. Tears blurred her vision ¨C tears of regret and despair. ¡°So much happened, and dream-me remained so presumptuous,pletely destroying any chance between us¡­¡± She trembled violently; this life was not the first time she had been abandoned by Lu Li. In her previous life, Lu Li had already despaired of her, while she naively believed he would never leave her. How pitiful and tragic. Was it a past life or just a story? Lu Li continued listening to Zhang Ziqin¡¯s tale, surprised that wasting a bit of time could such a big fish. He couldn¡¯t guess what Zhang Ziqin was thinking. Was this a deathbedment? eptable. ¡°Ye Chen killed me?¡± Lu Li asked, noting a discrepancy with the story. ¡°Yes, that bastard. Be careful of him, please.¡± ¡°And then?¡± His curiosity piqued. He thought he was killed by You Meng, ording to the story. In the story, he was supposed to be taken out by You Meng, not Ye Chen. At his death, he believed he was backstabbed, always assuming his killer was You Meng as per the storyline. But hearing something different from Zhang Ziqin was unexpected. Seeing Lu Li¡¯s indifferent face, Zhang Ziqin felt a wave of bitterness, continuing her story: ¡°After¡­ you died, I investigated and found that Ye Chen had killed you. I spared no effort in seeking revenge for you. Many joined me ¨C me, Cao Yingying, You Meng, and many others. After we killed Ye Chen, I wanted to see you but didn¡¯t dare. From beginning to end, I was the one who wronged you. I didn¡¯t know what to say or how to face you.¡± Unable to leave as cleanly as You Meng, Zhang Ziqin didn¡¯t know how to present herself to Lu Li. In her previous life, even at her wits¡¯ end, a small handguny under her desk, ready to end her life at any moment. Without Lu Li, nothing mattered. But every time she raised the gun, she couldn¡¯t pull the trigger. Zhang Ziqin wasn¡¯t afraid of death; she just didn¡¯t know how to face Lu Li. Tears streamed down her face, making the already beautiful Zhang Ziqin, with her pearlescent tears, irresistibly endearing. The once cold and proud woman was now showing such vulnerability. A sardonic satisfaction shed through Lu Li¡¯s heart. He was sure; the Zhang Ziqin before him was a reborn individual. He could tell, even though she hadn¡¯t outright said it. Having observed the world in his past life, Lu Li had learned quite a bit. Excellent. This made his revenge all the more perfect. As for Zhang Ziqin¡¯s ims of loving him and seeking revenge on his behalf, did that conflict with her direct role in his death? No. Lu Li was already dead then. He refused to acknowledge such a disgusting ¡®favor¡¯. ¡°So, because of this¡­ dream, you changed? Witnessing my death made you regretful?¡± Lu Li stood up, whispered in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s ear, his breath causing her to shudder. ¡°You¡¯ve made me even more disgusted! Look at yourself. When you had everything, you didn¡¯t cherish it. Now that you¡¯ve lost it¡­ heh, what¡¯s it to you?¡± Was being tsundere really that cute? With a coldugh, he looked at the woman before him, whom he had once loved at all costs. What did he get in return? Humiliation¡­ No, love on one side, humiliation on the other. Beautiful! Truly splendid. ¡°¡­¡± Pain flickered in Zhang Ziqin¡¯s eyes as she bit her lip and lowered her head. She epted everything as her just deserts. ¡°Once, I thought destroying your beloved business would cause you unbearable pain. I was wrong. It turns out I am now the most important thing in your heart!¡± ¡°If I had known, I wouldn¡¯t have wasted all that time.¡± Chapter 111 Chapter 111: Zhang Ziqin¡¯s End, Bted Affection, Worth Less than Grass Lu Li had thought, and firmly believed, that the Zhang Corporation meant everything to this woman, so he intended to deprive her of everything he could. Lu Li assumed that bankrupting the Zhang Corporation would cause Zhang Ziqin immense pain and mental breakdown, so he did just that. However, hearing Zhang Ziqin¡¯s confession-like words, he realized he was mistaken. He shouldn¡¯t have viewed a¡­ reborn individual with old eyes! His mistake was not paying enough attention, which led to him missing this fact. Even if he had realized it, Lu Li would¡¯ve thought their previous life together would continue in the same vein after his death, without any deviation from the script he expected. Had he known earlier that he was the most important thing to the current Zhang Ziqin, he wouldn¡¯t have expended the effort to dismantle the Zhang Corporation. To the current Zhang Ziqin, the most painful thing would¡¯ve been for him to kill her personally. As for her caring most about him¡­ Well, sorry, but Lu Li doesn¡¯t care. Killing you has nothing to do with you! ¡°Moved, aren¡¯t you! To avenge your beloved after his death, to kill your former¡­ partner, how selfless!¡± ¡°Now you stand before me, having moved yourself with your own story.¡± His smile was filled with sarcasm. While destroying the Zhang Corporation didn¡¯t distress her, nor did his open mockery, he finally saw the expression he longed for on Zhang Ziqin¡¯s face after consecutive disappointments. Indeed, what¡¯s vengeance without sorrow or despair? Even if he killed Zhang Ziqin, it would only be a failed revenge. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Zhang Ziqin murmured. She had never been moved by those actions; seeing Ye Chen¡¯s corpse brought her world crashing down, covered in an endless regret. The only thought in her mind was avenging Lu Li, not self-congrattion. Her actions weren¡¯t about amends or atonement; she didn¡¯t even deserve to try. She was the primary cause of Lu Li¡¯s death, her refusal to listen, her arrogance, led her to lose Lu Li forever. But the oue couldn¡¯t be changed; in the end, she was responsible for the death of the man who loved her most, the man she loved most. Her repeated coborations with Ye Chen had already broken Lu Li¡¯s heart. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, whatever.¡± Lu Li shrugged, indifferent. Complicated feelings? A bit, perhaps! The thrill of impending vengeance mixed with past nauseating love made Lu Li¡¯s current mood indescribable. What a thrill! ¡°Let me tell you onest thing, bted affection is worth less than grass. You think you can redeem yourself, but what makes you think I would ept you, the person who killed me!¡± What did Lu Li do wrong? Nothing. He just loved this woman. Yes, yes, the Lu Li in the story did foolish things for Zhang Ziqin, opposed the protagonist, but he never used any methods against her. Observers might have felt satisfied seeing Lu Li¡¯s demise. Damn it, daring topete with the protagonist for a woman. But having experienced the story firsthand, Lu Li could feel that sadness! The person you love the most is the one who hurts you the deepest! His gaze, almost tangible with killing intent, turned Lu Li¡¯s contemtion into action, his cold words piercing Zhang Ziqin¡¯s heart. ¡°Did you bring me here?¡± Thest glimmer of hope in her eyes faded after Lu Li¡¯s words, but Zhang Ziqin still asked, perhaps clinging to some unrealistic fantasy. ¡°Otherwise? Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡± This woman didn¡¯t think he came to save her, did she? That would indeed be ludicrous. How big of a face does she think she has, to believe he would still dote on her as before? Zhang Ziqin understood, thest bit of light in her eyes extinguishing. Facing the man sharpening his knife before her, she harbored no resentment, not even when denied the chance to end her own life. The wrongs shemitted against him couldn¡¯t bepensated for with her life. She only hoped, if there was another life, not to be so foolish. Even if she had killed Ye Chen in her previous life, could it bring back Lu Li? She was a waste, seen as such by everyone, especially by Lu Li. Perhaps, in the previous life, he had already concluded she was in league with Ye Chen. It was all her fault, entirely her fault. She knew it, should have known it, yet she made mistakes, detestably so. Tears of despair fell. Zhang Ziqin forced her eyes open, wanting to see Lu Li a fewst times. Her tearful eyes, filled with tenderness, couldn¡¯t sway Lu Li a bit. The sound of a silencer-equipped gun followed by the sight of a woman, now devoid of any spark, made Lu Li smile. Chapter 112 Chapter 112: In Front of Zhang Ziqin¡­ ¡°Clean up, I¡¯ll wait for you!¡± Walking out the door with a smile, Lu Li fiercely kissed You Meng on the lips. Zhang Ziqin, even in her dying moments, proved to be somewhat useful. You Meng was stunned. Aside from their initial encounter, when she caught him off guard with a sudden attack, there had never been a time when her Lu Brother had kissed her like this. Their rtionship was unique; Lu Li had feelings for her but also held reservations. Despite what they had done together, You Meng could feel a distance between them. She felt like a doll ced in a disy window, taken out by Lu Brother when he needed her and left aside when he didn¡¯t. But even so, You Meng was satisfied. Even if he only liked her body, even if she was only seen as a ymate, at least she could still be by Lu Brother¡¯s side. This kiss left You Meng frozen; it wasn¡¯t something that belonged between her and Lu Brother! Unspeakable joy surged in her heart, her heart racing with excitement. Despite her longing to rise in status, all she really wanted was for Lu Brother to truly do something with her. If Lu Brother liked her body, she¡¯d take it as love. But now, this kiss was a symbol of affection, meant for lovers. The surprise, so sudden, left You Meng momentarily speechless, her pretty face looking foolish as she stared at Lu Li. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, aren¡¯t you going?¡± Lu Li blinked, his tone much gentler than before: ¡°If there¡¯s a problem, we can talk when you return. First, help me tie up some loose ends!¡± ¡°Yes, Master Brother, I¡¯ll go right now.¡± The excitement was evident on her face. Although she didn¡¯t understand what happened, Lu Brother was in a good mood, which meant her chance hade. Could today, in this deste ce, mark a real breakthrough between them? Lu Li¡¯s lips curved into a smile, watching You Meng¡¯s departing figure. Despite his lingering resentment towards You Meng for once aiding Ye Chen, he was no longer as conflicted as before. In the previous life, it was Ye Chen who killed him, not this little girl, You Meng. This was indeed good news. Lu Li had initially thought his previous life ended by You Meng¡¯s hand without recognizing him. How unexpected! He had sessfully changed the story. Though the changes hadn¡¯t altered his intent to kill Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin, knowing they avenged him after his death wouldn¡¯t change his stance towards them: they must die. But things with You Meng, the little girl, could be put to rest. She hadn¡¯t killed him or wronged him in any way. What a wonderful day! But he wondered if You Meng was also reborn? Rubbing his chin, considering Zhang Ziqin¡¯s revtion of being reborn, Lu Li naturally thought along those lines. He and this life were indeed different. Knowing Zhang Ziqin was reborn made him ponder the possibility of others, like You Meng, Cao Yingying, even Chen Ya or Lu Ya being reborn as well! Chen Xiaoyi could be ruled out. She was the first woman he met, living a miserable life, easily flustered by scammers ¡ª definitely not reborn. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have been so naive. Even with memories from a previous life, she wouldn¡¯t be afraid of a few elders. ¡°Forget it, why worry? If they¡¯re reborn, so be it. All I need to know is their feelings for me.¡± Stretching, Lu Li was content with his lot. Venturing down dead ends isn¡¯t what wise men do. The feelings of Cao Yingying, Chen Xiaoyi, and You Meng for him were clear, and he enjoyed their affection. Why trouble himself unnecessarily? His job was to eliminate all other enemies and secure his happiness. Right, that¡¯s it. Leaning against his car, Lu Li looked up at the stars, his mind exceptionally clear. The two biggest knots in his heart had been untangled by his own hands, clearing the negative emotions. Only Ye Chen remained. He felt refreshed. About ten minutester, You Meng returned, looking timidly at Lu Li. She was still a bit dazed, doubting whether the kiss earlier was a hallucination. ¡°Master Brother, I¡¯ve taken care of it, leaving no trace.¡± A faint blush appeared on her face as You Meng fiddled with the hem of her dress, standing in front of Lu Li. ¡°Hmm¡­ Did you wear the ck or white stockings I like under your clothes?¡± Lu Li stroked his chin, pondering a celebration for the good news. ¡°I did¡­ wear them.¡± You Meng¡¯s charming face flushed with shyness, nodding. She always wore them, knowing Lu Brother liked them. ¡°Good, I¡¯ll im themter, and your lips too¡­ Let¡¯s leave that for another day. I want to keep them for kissing.¡± Opening the car door, he gestured for You Meng toe in. The warm and hearty smile momentarily overwhelmed You Meng, causing her to pinch herself hard. Ouch, it hurt, not a dream! Lu Brother truly intended to kiss her, and it was real before. How happy she was! The thought of sharing mutual affection with Lu Brother was something You Meng had long desired! She was about to rise in status, Lu Brother had feelings for her. Unexpectedly, even after Zhang Ziqin¡¯s death, there were benefits. That detestable green tea deserved her fate. With a radiant smile, unable to hide her joy, You Meng wished Zhang Ziqin coulde back to life so she could bury her a few more times, perhaps uncovering more unexpected gains! ¡°What are you dawdling for? I said I¡¯d im some things from you, so get in already.¡± Lu Li rolled down the window, beckoning to You Meng. With no more reservations in his heart, some matters naturally resolved themselves. Today was a good day, and You Meng was his feast. Still, it was a pity; thinking back, he felt letting Zhang Ziqin die so easily was too kind! He truly was a devilish man! Chapter 113 Chapter 113: Cheering for Friends, Bidding Farewell to Enemies Life is a wonderful thing, with loved people by your side and disliked ones disappearing from view. Those hated are resolved in the most desperate of manners. Hmm¡­ That Lu Ya seemed like a reborn individual too, and thinking about her final appearance, it really did resemble Zhang Ziqin¡¯s. Could it be another person who realized they loved me after my death? Tui! Disgusting. Had I known this earlier, I would have acted myself, making Lu Ya¡¯s departure even more despairing. Being soft-hearted, engaging in tender love with those who killed me, is not something Lu Li would do. He had ced all his hopes in his previous life; the current him¡­ is cruel! Aside from a few girls who have entered his heart, he harbors no mercy for others. Anyone who offends him faces vengeance, deadly vengeance. Oh right, there¡¯s also that darn Li Zichuan! A good brother, no exnation needed. Unexpectedly, even after deliberately distancing himself in his previous life, Li Zichuan still considered him his best brother, the first to avenge him, paying with his life. That¡¯s a true brother from another mother! That dead woman, Zhang Ziqin, actually provided useful information before her death. Make the most out of it! ¡°Are you in a good mood?¡± Gazing at Lu Li, Cao Yingying shed a bit of resentment. Damn it, she never thought she¡¯d be outshined. This guy came back, grabbed her, and ran off without saying anything. Chen Xiaoyi, covering her face, shyly stole nces at Lu Li. She could tell, Lu Li was truly happy today, happier than he¡¯s ever been. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m in a good mood. You¡¯re all by my side, and my enemies arepletely finished. How could I not be?¡± Lu Li tactfully responded, knowing Cao Yingying understood more, but Chen Xiaoyi still had much to learn. Best to take care of her now! Of course, Chen Xiaoyi must learn in the future too. ¡°You just be smug. I¡¯m telling you, I put up with you today, but don¡¯t expect it in the future!¡± Cao Yingying poked Lu Li¡¯s forehead. She knew he was in high spirits now and had refrained from spoiling it earlier, but that didn¡¯t mean she liked this. ¡°Ha-ha-ha, then I¡¯ll go find Xiao Yi and You Meng. Let them team up against you, the big boss.¡± Lu Liughed heartily. ¡°No way!¡± Chen Xiaoyi popped her head out, brandishing her fist at Lu Li in protest. Embarrassed to death, this bad guy. ¡°Wait, from what you¡¯re implying, you want to promote the maid?¡± Cao Yingying sharply caught the hidden meaning in Lu Li¡¯s words, squinting her eyes. ¡°Well¡­ not entirely. You Meng will still cook and handle cleaning,¡± Lu Li exined. Knowing it wasn¡¯t You Meng who killed him in his previous life left Lu Li in good spirits. But considering she had worked for Ye Chen, the protagonist of the story, Lu Li naturally harbored some bitterness. Ye Chen was the protagonist, and though the story changed because of Lu Li, the thought of You Meng having worked under the protagonist left him somewhat resentful. ¡°You really are petty!¡± Cao Yingyingughed helplessly. Jealousy aside, she wasn¡¯t one to hold grudges, especially against other women. A little temper towards Lu Li for fun was enough; she wouldn¡¯t extend it to others. ¡°Petty, so what? Hmph!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t disgust me. How old are you? Do you still think acting coy is cute?¡± Cao Yingying yfully red at Lu Li, who was suddenly acting spoiled. ¡°Ew, Lu Brother, act normal.¡± Chen Xiaoyi chuckled, feigning disgust. ¡°Alright then, you all want to rebel, huh? See how I deal with you¡­¡± Lu Li, like a bandit descending from the mountains, menacingly scooped up both. ¡°Ah, Lu Brother, calm down¡­ don¡¯t do it~~¡± ¡°Lu Li, you better behave!!¡± Amidst the yful banter and joy, Lu Li began to delegate tasks for tomorrow. ¡°Alright, now that everything is settled, I¡¯m heading to Magic City tomorrow. Xiao Yi, arrange thepany matters ande over. Yingying, are youing with me, or¡­¡± ¡°My grandfather has started exercising again these past few days, regaining his strength. I need to stay with him for a few more days, or those people can¡¯t manage him.¡± Cao Yingying sighed. Her grandfather, now able to walk again, was overjoyed, and she needed to keep an eye on him, lest he attempt somersaults. ¡°It¡¯ll just be a few days. Grandfather will soon bepletely recovered once he calms down.¡± Lu Li nodded understandingly: ¡°Then, I¡¯ll go ahead and settle the real estate there, and you can just move in when you arrive.¡± Chen Xiaoyi frowned slightly: ¡°Lu Brother, are you really in such a rush to go to Magic City? The Su and Liu families have just merged into Lu Corporation. If there¡¯s unrest now¡­¡± ¡°If they¡¯re inclined to act, no matter how long I suppress it, it will eventually happen. If not, they¡¯ve already epted it. Don¡¯t worry, Yingying will still be here for a while. If you have any issues, ask her, or just call me!¡± Lu Li smiled reassuringly. Would the Su and Liu families cause trouble? Perhaps, but it wouldn¡¯t amount to much. Cao Yingying rolled her eyes at Lu Li, exasperated. What was he on about? Clearly, he was setting her up to be the bad guy, to guide Chen Xiaoyi. Speechless! Having one¡¯s woman guide another, only he coulde up with such a n. But then again, Chen Xiaoyi was also destined to help Lu Li manage his empire, so she might as well lend a hand! ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate Yingying. There are things you still don¡¯t understand, but Yingying does.¡± Seeing Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s furrowed brows, Lu Li reminded her. ¡°Lu Brother, I understand.¡± Chen Xiaoyi nodded seriously. Despite Cao Yingying¡¯s usual unassuming appearance as she tended the gardens of the Lu family estate, she truly was more capable than Chen Xiaoyi, a fact Chen Xiaoyi had to acknowledge. The future firstdy, the legitimate wife in Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s view, was definitely going to be Cao Yingying. ¡°Phew!¡± Lu Li nodded again, pulling both into his embrace: ¡°Then I¡¯m off with You Meng first. Don¡¯t make me miss you too much.¡± ¡°Get lost, trying to annoy me, right? Let me tell you, have You Meng be careful. If she ruins you, see how I deal with her.¡± Cao Yingyingughed warmly, her threatscking any real menace, merely yful banter. Cute, so cute!!! Al!!! Chapter 114 Chapter 114: Trouble in Magic City Right After Arrival Living by the principle of immediate action, Lu Li set off for Magic City the next day, apanied by a little maid in new clothes, pulling arge suitcase behind her. The contents were prepared by Cao Yingying and others, as Lu Li initially nned to buy everything new upon arrival in Magic City. ¡°How could we do that? It¡¯s always better to use your own things. New purchases might not always suit your needs!¡± Cao Yingying hinted, her eyes full of deeper meanings! Are we not family now? Why speak in riddles? Chen Xiaoyi didn¡¯t want to be left behind: ¡°Lu Brother, you¡¯re unfamiliar with life in Magic City, and we won¡¯t be by your side. Having things from home can make you feel morefortable.¡± There goes another riddler. Isn¡¯t it just a way to remind me not to flirt around? Can¡¯t you just say it directly? Lu Li knew Magic City like the back of his hand; after all, Li Zichuan lived there. Why did he often visit if not for Li Zichuan? He didn¡¯t voice this thought, though. With two jealous women, they might even get jealous of Li Zichuan. That would be absurd. Alright! It¡¯s normal for Chen Xiaoyi and Cao Yingying to feel jealous since one couldn¡¯t leave and the other was assigned tasks by Lu Li, and now, Lu Li was departing with You Meng. Shaking his head helplessly, Lu Li gestured to You Meng to follow as he headed towards the airport exit. You Meng, pulling therge suitcase, was filled with warmth. Magic City was where her dream with Lu Brother began, where she was abandoned and then found by Lu Brother and the matron. So much had happened, but Lu Brother had always been there. This life, she wouldn¡¯t let anyone hurt him again. ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Big Brother!¡± A hearty voice called out as Li Zichuan, holding two cups of milk tea, waved excitedly at Lu Li. Lu Li¡¯s lips curled up; there weren¡¯t many people in this world he cared about, but Li Zichuan was one of them. ¡°Regr sweet milk tea, damn, my taste suddenly changed, caught me off guard, man!¡± Handing a cup to Lu Li, Li Zichuan grumbled and gesticted. ¡°Thanks!¡± Lu Li took a sip through the straw, appreciating the perfect level of sweetness. He was no longer that pitifulpdog who needed extra sugar to feel better. ¡°Hey, you brought a girl with you? Who¡¯s this? You didn¡¯t give me a heads-up!¡± Li Zichuan eyed You Meng behind Lu Li, frowning. This wasn¡¯t the same girl he sawst time he visited Hangzhou, was it? Had Lu Li started living it up after giving up on Zhang Ziqin? ¡°You Meng, the one from the orphanage I mentioned before, who disappeared and has nowe back,¡± Lu Li exined, gesturing slightly. ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re the little Meng!¡± Li Zichuan¡¯s eyes lit up, waving at You Meng: ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about you from Old Lu. Your disappearance really worried him.¡± You Meng smiled lightly, nodding and giving Lu Li a tender look. So much had happened, but ultimately, there was a good oue. She also knew about Li Zichuan, Lu Brother¡¯s best friend, who was the first to confront Ye Chen for revenge in Lu Brother¡¯s previous life. ¡°Hey, hey, hey, keep your hands off her, okay!¡± Lu Li pped Li Zichuan jokingly. ¡°Damn, what are you saying? Do I look like I¡¯d touch your woman? I don¡¯t have the damn legacy of Wei Wu; how could I touch your woman?¡± Li Zichuan red fiercely at Lu Li, cursing under his breath. ¡°But you really treatdies like that, making them carry luggage?¡± Li Zichuan frowned, calling Lu Li out. ¡°My little maid, doing some chores is none of your demon business!¡± Lu Li raised his eyebrows, looking somewhat proud. ¡°Damn, Lu Li, you bastard, showing off your Versailles syndrome here. And who are you calling a demon?¡± ¡°Whoever responds, I guess!¡± ¡°Lu¨CLi¨C¡± Watching the yful banter, You Meng¡¯s eyes shimmered with warmth. Lu Brother was genuinely happy! And he even got jealous for her sake! Her heart raced with joy. ¡°Is everything arranged for our stay?¡± Lu Li casually asked as they walked out of the airport. ¡°Nonsense, I¡¯m not heartless like you. Of course, everything¡¯s arranged. You and¡­ You Meng can stay at my ce for now, we¡¯ll figure out the restter. I cleaned up a room for you.¡± Li Zichuan waved dismissively, clearly annoyed at Lu Li. That guy, when Li Zichuan visited Hangzhou, actually arranged for him to stay in a hotel. Heartless! ¡°Stay at your ce?¡± Lu Li frowned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Would your dad agree?¡± In his previous life, Lu Li hadn¡¯t seen much warmth from the head of the Li family towards him! Li Zichuan scoffed disdainfully. ¡°Pfft, my dad¡¯s just a snob, looking down on the poor and sucking up to the rich. Knowing you¡¯re in charge of the Lu family and Lu Corporation, he hinted, no, strongly hinted, that I should get closer to you.¡± Li Zichuan had no respect for his father¡¯s attitude. As a child, he didn¡¯t notice much, as his father seemed friendly enough to Lu Li. But as they grew and Lu Li didn¡¯t take over the Lu Corporation, his father¡¯s attitude cooled. And now, he wanted Li Zichuan to rekindle their friendship. The hypocrisy! ¡°So, by calling your dad a snob, what does that make you? A little snob?¡± Lu Li teased. Li Zichuan rolled his eyes at Lu Li: ¡°You bastard, picking fights with me?¡± Theyughed together, and then Lu Li gestured dismissively: ¡°I won¡¯t stay at your ce. Arrange a hotel for me, a presidential suite. I don¡¯t want to put on airs with your dad.¡± ¡°Really not staying? You haven¡¯t been here for so long, my mom misses you.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t go. Arrange a time tomorrow, and I¡¯ll visit your aunt. Let¡¯s not ruin our friendship over this.¡± Thinking of his father¡¯s behavior, Li Zichuan nodded solemnly, agreeing with Lu Li. As they reached the airport entrance, a sharp voice suddenly pierced the air. ¡°I¡¯ve told you so many times, can¡¯t you stop pestering me? Haven¡¯t you had enough? Get lost, don¡¯t block my way.¡± Chapter 115 Chapter 115: A Punch for Each, Straying from the Script A young couple, seemingly out of nowhere, stopped beside the trio. The man looked handsome and well-dressed, obviouslying from a wealthy family. However, his actions exuded restlessness, making him seem out of ce. The woman appeared young, pretty, and pure, with a sunny disposition, a graceful figure, and skin like frost, her eyes as bright as stars. Yet, she seemed impatient with the man before her. ¡°Xiao Han, I¡¯m sincere about you. After all these years, can¡¯t you see my feelings?¡± ¡°Both our families want us to marry. It¡¯s beneficial for both sides.¡± ¡°Most importantly, I truly love you. You¡¯re my fianc¨¦e.¡± The man insisted, pressing himself closer to the woman. The woman, addressed as Xiao Han, shed a hint of impatience and growled, ¡°Shut up. I don¡¯t recognize the engagement arranged by my parents. Go talk to them, not me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m telling you, I have a boyfriend now.¡± ¡°You have a boyfriend?¡± The man was shocked, then regained hisposure: ¡°Impossible. You¡¯ve never interacted with any other men. How could you have a boyfriend?¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s stop arguing. It¡¯s rare for us to be back in Magic City, let¡¯s go see your parents.¡± Xiao Han¡¯s face showed embarrassment and anger, unsure of how to respond. Suddenly, her gaze fell on Lu Li and hispanions, and her face lit up with joy. She quickly walked towards them, astonishing the man by heading straight for Lu Li. ¡°See? My boyfriend came to pick me up. Go wherever you want!¡± While saying this, she attempted to link arms with Lu Li, believing that someone like her could never be refused. Lu Li frowned and dodged the woman¡¯s hand. He wasn¡¯t a fool; he had seen and lived through too many such clich¨¦d scenarios, mostly ending up as the antagonized viin. He certainly didn¡¯t expect to encounter such a scene just afternding. This woman was actually trying to use him as a shield. ¡°Kid, who are you? Better back off, or you¡¯ll face consequences you can¡¯t handle,¡± the man said, ncing at the distinguished-looking Lu Li and Li Zichuan, envy shing in his eyes. He also cast a lustful nce at You Meng behind Lu Li. ¡°Heh¡­ you!¡± Li Zichuan was amused, hardly believing someone was actually threatening them. Bang! Before Li Zichuan could utter another word, Lu Li took action, delivering a solid punch straight to the woman¡¯s face. The force sent her tumbling to the ground before she could even register the pain. The sudden turn of events left not only Xiao Han and the man stunned but also Li Zichuan and You Meng. Lu Li casually withdrew his hand, turning to Li Zichuan with a bemused expression: ¡°Do you know these two?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen them once. The woman is Zhang Binghan from the Zhang family, and the man is Xiao Lin from the Xiao family,¡± Li Zichuan replied, still bewildered. ¡°Alright! Remember this: one threatened me, the other ogled my little maid, and the woman tried to use me. Take action against their familiester, announcing my arrival in Magic City. See if they¡¯ll help or not!¡± Lu Li smiled warmly, entirely ignoring the woman and the furious man on the ground. ¡°Pfft¡­ you¡¯re making a request, how could I not help? Just two small families, small businesses, I¡¯ll arrange it,¡± Li Zichuan couldn¡¯t help butugh, feeling exceptionally good. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Lu Li nodded. ording to typical storylines, Lu Li was expected to respond to the woman¡¯s plea, leading to a show of bravado or a dark horse triumphing over the wealthy antagonist. But sorry, Lu Li was the viin! Using the hero¡¯s tactics on the viin was a bold move. A punch to the delicate female lead was sure to make her cry for a long time. Lu Li had confirmed that Zhang Binghan was one of the heroines of the story, and the man shared his viinous role. The rest¡­ personalities, etc., well, not so important! Just stepping stones to him. Who cares where they end up after being pushed aside? Women like Zhang Binghan, centered on themselves with clich¨¦d tactics, never considering the chosen ¡®shield¡¯s¡¯ well-being, Lu Li was sure that if that woman wasn¡¯t selected by him, or if it wasn¡¯t Lu Li but a regr person, would she protect him after troubles were resolved? Hah, unlikely. Just look at the man¡¯s posture! Clearly, it was a fight to the death! Disgusting! Those so-called aloof and icy heroines in novels, upon reflection, are nothing but troublemakers, little princesses! ¡°Ah¨C¡± Finally regaining her senses, Zhang Binghan, clutching her swollen face, let out a heart-wrenching scream, her venomous gaze fixed on Lu Li and his friends. Obviously, they had made an enemy of her, as she memorized their faces. ¡°Xiao Lin, teach them a lesson!¡± Zhang Binghan pointed at Lu Li and his friends,manding the man. Xiao Lin, thrilled yet furious, immediately blocked their path: ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve hit my girlfriend. Now she¡¯s very angry. You must pay the price¡­¡± Bang! Lu Li couldn¡¯t be bothered to listen to such a standard viin¡¯s monologue, having said too much of it himself in his previous life, making him nauseous at the sound. An already annoyed stepping stone dared to spout nonsense in front of him. Shaking his fist, Lu Li gave Li Zichuan a look of disbelief: ¡°Your fame isn¡¯t enough, eh? These two don¡¯t recognize you and even dared to threaten us.¡± And they¡¯re stupid. Li Zichuan had mentioned their names, yet they still brazenly confronted them, clueless! ¡°Cut it out. I¡¯ve barely seen them, remembering their names only because my old man forced me to. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t even know who they are. They¡¯re not worthy of knowing me,¡± Li Zichuan waved dismissively, also angered. He couldn¡¯t believe these two had made it this far in life. These two weren¡¯t even qualified to appear at a banquet at the Li residence. He remembered their names only because he knew all the rich kids, even those he didn¡¯t cooperate with. Chapter 116 Chapter 116: Chilling Realization, The Malevolent Heroine ¡°But dude, let me ask you for a second. What was going through your mind when you raised your fist? Can you share with me? Was it because seeing those two interact touched a nerve, reminding you of the past, or did those two just conveniently give you an excuse to set an example, so you took the opportunity?¡± Li Zichuan, making a microphone gesture with his fist, held it up to Lu Li¡¯s mouth. You Meng couldn¡¯t help but sweat a little, thinking Li Zichuan was being too bold. Zhang Ziqin¡¯s matter was a taboo topic for Big Brother, even at home where they dared not speak much about it unless Lu Li brought it up himself. Although Zhang Ziqin was now gone, who knew what Lu Li was feeling right now! Lu Li gave Li Zichuan, who was ying around, an annoyed look. How childish for someone his age! Fixing his hair, Lu Li sat up straight: ¡°First off, reminiscing about the past is just nonsense; the past is the past, it¡¯s gone with a ¡®Poof Poof,¡¯ and there¡¯s really nothing to dwell on. I, Lu Li, walk an upright path and sit straight. I¡¯m definitely not the type tosh out at the world because of personal misfortune.¡± ¡°Big Brother isn¡¯t angry?¡± You Meng was shocked and couldn¡¯t help but reassess the rtionship between the two men. ¡°Oh my, Chen Xiaoyi, Cao Yingying, and now me, can¡¯t lose to a man!¡± She thought, feeling a bit uneasy. ¡°Secondly, it¡¯s not because those two gave me an excuse to take down their families. The reason I did it is because I can put myself in others¡¯ shoes. This¡­ ¡®reporter friend,¡¯ think about it. If that woman had chosen someone ordinary instead of me, what would have happened?¡± Li Zichuan was momentarily caught off guard by Lu Li¡¯s serious demeanor and asked, ¡°What would have happened?¡± ¡°That man just said he¡¯d make me regret it. If it were an ordinary person chosen by that¡­ ¡®princess,¡¯ and targeted by that ¡®prince,¡¯ geez, that would be tragic!¡± Lu Li smiled warmly: ¡°Of course, if the woman had chosen someone not so ordinary, maybe the situation would be different. The man could have been attracted by her beauty and then engaged in a jealous rivalry with the ¡®prince,¡¯ leading to a clich¨¦d love triangle with the ¡®princess.''¡± ¡°Either scenario is disgusting!¡± ¡°And that woman actually wanted me to be the male lead in such a clich¨¦d drama. Of course, I wouldn¡¯tply with her wish.¡± Lu Li concluded. This scenario was prevalent in many novels from the previous era, where the poor male lead gets brought home by an aloof female CEO to fend off an unwee fianc¨¦. It seems thrilling at first¡ªshowing off and turning the tables. But think about it: what if the male lead wasn¡¯t really the lead? The horror! Yet, the ¡°lead¡± doesn¡¯t realize this issue, perhaps feeling honored to be used by the goddess, eagerly acting as apdog. It¡¯s baffling! Clearly a tiger, yet willingly stooping to y the dog. He, too, had been thatpdog in his previous life, a fact Lu Li wouldn¡¯t deny. But he did it to defy fate, whereas others? For the heart of a beauty? Or her body? Heh! Utterly speechless. Li Zichuan fell into contemtion, seemingly grasping Lu Li¡¯s point of view. Returning to the Li family, his perspective allowed him to see problems from a higher standpoint. Hearing those two sh, even pulling Lu Li into it, Li Zichuan found it amusing¡ªjust two clowns. But as Lu Li said, what if it hadn¡¯t been Lu Li today? What would have happened? A sh of fierceness crossed his eyes. He knew hardship too well; if not for Lu Li¡¯s aid, he and his mother might not have survived. Realizing the implications of today¡¯s incident, something amusing for an ordinary person might spell disaster. A third party paying for the quarrels of two lovers! ¡°When shall we act? Shall I clean them up first?¡± Li Zichuan looked at Lu Li eagerly! ¡°Very soon. Most of the preparations are ready; just need to buy apany, assign some people, and bring a few over from Hangzhou. We¡¯ll act shortly,¡± Lu Li said with a smile. ¡°Alright, just let me know when!¡± Li Zichuan nodded. You Meng gazed adoringly at Lu Li. Perhaps this was why Big Brother had always been so gentle¡ªthinking from others¡¯ perspectives. A simple concept, yet rarely achieved. Wasn¡¯t she, an orphan, captivated by his gentleness from the start, unable to shake off his image? If not for that woman¡¯s excessive desire to use her Big Brother as a shield, You Meng would have treated it as a trivial matter. Strong and fearless, she was confident she could escape any threat. Listening to Lu Li dissect the details revealed the horror and cruelty beneath the ¡®trivial¡¯ matter, hidden by the woman¡¯s ruthlessness. Li Zichuan¡¯s expression softened, smiling slightly: ¡°But dude, you¡¯ve had a pretty good life to think about problems from others¡¯ perspectives.¡± Surprised, he eyed Lu Li. In his mind, Lu Li was supposed to be exceptionally lucky. How could he have such a pessimistic viewpoint? ¡°Cut it out. That¡¯s how Lu Ya, the non-biological daughter, was treated, not me, the biological son. I was practically invisible to those two, humiliated by Lu Ya without anyone stepping in,¡± Lu Li scoffed, dismissing Li Zichuan with a nce. Thinking about it left him speechless. Even if he had been somewhat pathetic, he was still their flesh and blood. He couldn¡¯t understand their mindset. Li Zichuan gaped, incredulous at Lu Li¡¯s revtion. He didn¡¯t think Lu Li would lie, meaning what Lu Li said was true. He hadn¡¯t realized Lu Li¡¯s past was like that. No wonder Lu Li remained silent about his family. Li Zichuan had thought Lu Li didn¡¯t want to reopen old wounds, but now¡­ You Meng¡¯s eyes also brimmed with sympathy. What did her Big Brother endure in his past? ¡°The closest people, the ones he loved, his parents¡ªeach one like that!¡± ¡°Ah, ah, ah, don¡¯t give me anyforting words. I don¡¯t need them. I¡¯m doing great now, wielding power. Forget about Lu Ya; let those who dare touch me try. I¡¯ll overturn their tables,¡± Lu Li waved dismissively, ufortable with their pitying looks. Li Zichuan¡¯s expression darkened: ¡°You should have told me earlier. Even if I couldn¡¯t do much then, as a brother, how could you keep it from me!¡± He was angry and guilty. Lu Li had always been there for him during his family¡¯s hardships, but when Lu Li needed him most, he wasn¡¯t there. ¡°Enough, enough, stop with the mushy talk. It¡¯s disgusting!¡± Chapter 117 Chapter 117: Li Zichuan¡¯s Sister, Aunt Su¡¯s Dominance ¡°Alright, a five-star hotel, the presidential suite for you. I¡¯ll pick you up tomorrow. Let¡¯s¡­ forget it, we won¡¯t go to my ce. Let¡¯s have dinner outside. My mom has been talking about you for years!¡± Li Zichuan had everything arranged perfectly. He initially nned to bring Lu Li to his house, but unfortunately, his annoying father was too much of a strain on their friendship. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it tomorrow! If there¡¯s something to report, do so; if not, you may leave,¡± Lu Li dered, sprawlingfortably on the plush sofa and waving his hand dismissively. ¡°Damn, you¡¯re kicking me out already?¡± Li Zichuan pointed at Lu Li, annoyed. ¡°What else? Look at me, then look at my little maid here. Don¡¯t you think your radiance is a bit too strong for this ce?¡± Lu Li pulled You Meng into his embrace, teasingly looking at Li Zichuan. Li Zichuan was speechless. A mistake in choosing friends! Shaking his head helplessly, Li Zichuan walked out,menting the room he prepared so early in the morning for Lu Li, which now remained empty. Seeing Lu Li emerge from the abyss that was Zhang Ziqin genuinely made him happy. Li Zichuan had advised Lu Li many times, but for some reason, Lu Li was like a man possessed, fixated on Zhang Ziqin. As a bystander, Li Zichuan repeatedly warned Lu Li that Zhang Ziqin was not a good woman, but merely a green tea. From his perspective, Zhang Ziqin was indeed full of the aroma of green tea, yet Lu Li couldn¡¯t see through her. Unable to see how disgusting and dark that woman was! Watching Zhang Ziqin repeatedly betray Lu Li nearly killed him with frustration, yet Lu Li remained stubborn until the bitter end. Now, finally, Zhang Ziqin had paid the price, spitting out everything she took from Lu Li. The bankruptcy of herpany was delightful to think about. Shrugging, he returned home. Just as he opened the door, a dignified woman approached him. Time seemed to bypass this woman, leaving little mark on her, her beautiful face mature in ways a young girl could not fathom. ¡°Where¡¯s Xiao Li? Why are you alone?¡± The woman, of course, was Li Zichuan¡¯s mother, Su Linya. She looked at Li Zichuan with confusion. ¡°Old Lu didn¡¯t want toe. That old man is too annoying for him to bother seeing!¡± Li Zichuan waved his hand nonchntly, exining, ¡°I arranged a hotel for them. Just got off the ne, let them rest for a day, and you¡¯ll see him tomorrow when we have dinner.¡± Su Linya frowned, then sighed in understanding, nodding, ¡°Alright, then we¡¯ll meet tomorrow!¡± She didn¡¯t want to see him either. ¡°Mom, enough with the fussing over Lu Li. I am your son, you know. How about paying some attention to your son¡¯s feelings for a change!¡± Li Zichuan rolled his eyes, looking sourly at his mother. ¡°Stop it. Whether others know if you¡¯re my son, don¡¯t you know yourself? Anyway, my son is only Xiao Li!¡± Su Linya tapped Li Zichuan¡¯s forehead, not amused. ¡°He has a mom!¡± Li Zichuan muttered. ¡°That woman isn¡¯t fit to be a mother, what trash!¡± Su Linya spoke harshly of Lu Li¡¯s mother, worry written all over her face, ¡°We¡¯ve been in Magic City for years, and the chances to see Xiao Li have diminished. He didn¡¯t even have a peaceful ce to stay.¡± Although rumors painted Lu Li as a wasteful young master, Su Linya trusted her own eyes. She had spent time with Lu Li and knew what kind of person he was. Li Zichuan¡¯s expression darkened, ¡°Mom, do you think we made a mistake? Maybe if we hadn¡¯t moved to Magic City¡­¡± Hearing Lu Li¡¯s story, even in a few words, Li Zichuan felt distressed. He really didn¡¯t know how Lu Li had survived these years. Su Linya¡¯s eyes also showed pain. She had long considered Lu Li her own child, pondering whether their move to Magic City for a sense of vindication, taking Li Zichuan away from Hangzhou, was the right decision. ¡°Big brother, didn¡¯t you say you were going to pick up a friend? Where¡¯s Lu Li?¡± At that moment, a youthful and vibrant girl approached, her youthful beauty dressed in a luxurious gown, her hair meticulously styled, representing the best years of youth. She looked around nervously. ¡°Lu Li didn¡¯te!¡± Su Linya¡¯s eyes shed with disdain. Li Run wasn¡¯t her child. In her youth, she was deceived by Li Fu¡¯s sweet words and married him against her family¡¯s wishes. Following the marriage and the birth of their child, which nearly severed ties with her family, Li Fu grew distant. Falling into a trap of love, the naive girl was cheated by an ambitious scoundrel. Clich¨¦, yet realistic. If that was all, Su Linya could have epted her fate, determined to walk her path despite the tears. But Li Fu was aplete scoundrel, engaging with another wealthy girl while Su Linya was pregnant. Fleeing to Hangzhou with her pregnancy, she endured the hardships without ever bowing to Li Fu. Only when Li Fu¡¯s new wife gave birth to a girl and suffered multiple miscarriages, leaving her unable to bear children, did that damned man remember he had a child, wanting to bring Li Zichuan back to maintain the family line. Initially, Su Linya refused, filled with hatred for Li Fu. However, after some consideration, she agreed, bringing Li Zichuan back to Magic City. Not wanting to deprive Li Zichuan of his future out of spite, she couldn¡¯t bear to separate him from his son¡¯s future. Li Run, Li Fu¡¯s daughter with his previous wife, wasn¡¯t targeted by Su Linya, but she certainly wouldn¡¯t receive any warmth. ¡°Ah! He hasn¡¯t arrived yet? I¡¯ll go touch up my makeup!¡± Li Run¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement, misinterpreting Su Linya¡¯s words and bouncing back to her room. As for her nominal mother¡¯s cold attitude, she didn¡¯t care, believing her ¡®mom¡¯ to be tough on the outside but soft on the inside. ¡°Hmph, truly birds of a feather, the daughter is just like her father!¡± Su Linya¡¯s eyes shed with scorn, suspecting Li Run was only dressing up because of Lu Li¡¯s achievements. ¡°Mom, what are you saying!!¡± Li Zichuan frowned, irritated by the broad usation. ¡°Didn¡¯t say it was you, why the rush!¡± Su Linya retorted. ¡°Tell me, has Xiao Li lost weight?¡± ¡°Pfft, he¡¯s living the life now, even brought his personal maid with him.¡± Li Zichuan grimaced, ¡°Now he¡¯s turned into a phnderer, switching girls in just a few days.¡± Su Linya red at Li Zichuan, ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. Xiao Li is so outstanding; it¡¯s normal for more girls to like him. Of course, he needs to choose carefully.¡± ¡°¡­¡± That¡¯s not the attitude you had towards my dad! Treating Lu Li like her own son, so indulgently¡­ *** ¡°What are you staring at? Go change your clothes,¡± patting You Meng¡¯s bottom, Lu Li found the maid outfit too irresistible. He was especially fond of it. ¡°Big Brother, I¡¯ve prepared something else today¡­¡± Blushing, You Meng whispered into Lu Li¡¯s ear. Lu Li¡¯s eyes gradually brightened. Yes, Devil is me; I am Devil.. Chapter 118 Chapter 118: Lu Li and Li Zichuan, Brothers in Misfortune Life is beautiful away from all the chaos and mess. Lu Li felt the beauty of life, and the little maid truly cherished her time alone with Lu Li, or perhaps the little maid was unwilling to remain just a ¡®little maid¡¯ forever. Lu Li had thought about these varieties but only entertained the idea. Though Cao Yingying was warm and passionate, unlike her depiction in the story, Lu Li didn¡¯t think she would be willing to partake in such. Chen Xiaoyi deeply loved Lu Li too, but at her core, she was a shy and timid girl. If Lu Li requested, she would agree, but then avoiding eye contact wouldn¡¯t be any fun. A sheer veil, a tail, a pair of ears, resembling a demon, sounding like a spirit. Lu Li could totally rte to King Zhou¡¯s feelings. ¡°When did you prepare all these?¡± Lu Li mused, ying with the fluffy fox tail, thinking city folks sure knew how to have fun. ¡°I¡¯ve prepared them long ago. I couldn¡¯t take them out with my sisters at home.¡± You Meng bit her lip, her eyes alluring. Taking this step today was the right move for her. Unlike Cao Yingying and Chen Xiaoyi, one being Big Brother¡¯s first woman and the other being his favorite, You Meng was just a helpless little maid, still redeeming herself. Of course, she had to seize every opportunity. Now that she was the only one by Big Brother¡¯s side, when could there be a better time? Having sessfully advanced her position, the next step was to address Big Brother¡¯s concerns about her. The best way would be to personally eliminate Ye Chen, but she didn¡¯t want to risk her life for it; she intended to spend a lifetime with her Big Brother! For someone like Ye Chen, it wasn¡¯t worth it. Of course, if Big Brother, likest time, wanted her to kill Ye Chen, You Meng would execute the order without question. She had said, all she was belonged to her Big Brother. And she didn¡¯t lie about it. ¡°Well done!¡± Lu Li offered high praise. Inherently seductive, You Meng, with that young yet mature face, every smile and frown was breathtaking! Lu Li could sense You Meng¡¯s deliberate efforts to please, even cautiousness, but honestly, he quite enjoyed it. Sitting up leisurely, he turned down You Meng¡¯s invitation for more, mindful of what Cao Yingying had told her about taking care of his health: ¡°Get dressed, order some food. Tomorrow, no, the day after tomorrow, let¡¯s visit the Sunny Orphanage to see the matron.¡± Tomorrow was the day to meet Aunt Su. Lu Li missed that beautiful woman who treated him like her own son. In his previous life, realizing he couldn¡¯t change anything, he deliberately distanced himself from everyone close to him, including Aunt Su, hoping the distance would lessen their sadness. But he thought too much. False rtionships can¡¯t be maintained, but true feelings can¡¯t be forgotten, no matter the distance. He might have been too presumptuous back then! He shook his head with a wry smile. ¡°Hmm!¡± As You Meng was dressing, her delicate hands paused, and she turned to Lu Li, offering a sweet smile. That was where her life with Big Brother truly began! Only there, she was closest to Big Brother. Just a day apart in her previous life felt like worlds apart. After ordering the meal, Lu Li, half-reclining on the bed, fell into deep thought. His feelings for this city were mixed with love and hate. This city housed people he loved¡ªLi Zichuan, Aunt Su¡ªbut also those he despised. Chen Ya goes without saying, and Ye Chen¡¯s rtive, one of the heroines. This life, whether she was reborn or whatever, he¡¯d judge whether to kill her based on her actions. Then there¡¯s Li Zichuan¡¯s sister, Li Run, causing Lu Li a headache. No doubt, the viin¡¯s sister, another heroine. Lu Li and Li Zichuan, truly brothers in misfortune, one falling to the protagonist, the other losing his sister and sister-inw to him. Lu Li fared worse, betrayed by a non-biological sister in cahoots with the protagonist, losing everything. Li Run¡­ at least she was of his own blood, and the family assets didn¡¯t fall into outsiders¡¯ hands. Flesh rots in the pot, but at least it¡¯s their own. So, how should he treat Li Run when the timees? Forget it, let¡¯s see how things go! Li Run is Li Zichuan¡¯s sister after all. Hopefully, she¡¯s not as active as Chen Ya. ¡°Brother, hasn¡¯t Lu Li arrived yet?¡± After dressing up again, Li Run, proud of her makeup, still saw no sign of Lu Li, frowning in confusion. ¡°Didn¡¯t mom say Lu Li didn¡¯te? I was about to ask; how did you know Lu Li was supposed toe?¡± Li Zichuan narrowed his eyes, his tone questioning. ¡°Uh¡­ Brother, don¡¯t misunderstand. After seeing you and mom tidying up so early and preparing a room, I figured someone special must being. And who else could make you and mom care so much but Lu Li?¡± Li Run waved her hand, a bit guilty. She knew her brother suspected her of spying on him, but she hadn¡¯t. Li Zichuan eyed his sister skeptically but didn¡¯t press further. Li Run took a deep breath, adjusting her mindset: ¡°Brother, you mean Lu Li hasn¡¯t arrived today?¡± ¡°Noting. He doesn¡¯t want to visit the Lis. Your little shenanigans won¡¯t work on Lu Li. I don¡¯t know what dad told you, but you better not set your sights on Lu Li,¡± Li Zichuan seemed to think Li Run was sent by their father to engage with Lu Li. His dad was all about business, even using his daughter if the price was right. Li Run stiffened. Indeed, she had Lu Li in mind, but she assured it wasn¡¯t what Li Zichuan thought. Given her dad¡¯s disdain for women, he probably wouldn¡¯t send her to Lu Li¡¯s side¡­ wait, this life might actually be different! With Lu Li¡¯s capabilities and her father¡¯s business-first mentality¡­ Could this be a stroke of luck? Seeing Li Run¡¯s expression change, Li Zichuan felt he hit the mark, scoffing coldly and ignoring his sister. Although he didn¡¯t know why she had changed so much recently, he couldn¡¯t care less. He returned to the Li family partly for his mom and partly to see the man who abandoned her. As for the Li family, Li Zichuan didn¡¯t care at all. ¡°I warn you, don¡¯t go after Lu Li,¡± he said coldly. Li Zichuan could tolerate a lot and even act obediently in front of their father. But Lu Li was his bottom line. He had few important people: Lu Li and his mom. Anyone threatening them would face Li Zichuan¡¯s wrath. Li Run¡¯s eyes twitched painfully. She harbored a secret: she was a reborn individual. Having returned several months ago, she tried to mend her rtionships with her brother and ¡°mother,¡± but it seemed all her efforts were in vain. Chapter 119 Chapter 119: Li Run¡¯s Previous Life, The Darkness of That Day Li Run, despite being the young mistress of the Li family, neglected and her mother abandoned, was never bullied. Su Linya, her stepmother with a tough exterior but a soft heart, and Li Zichuan, her brother, mostly just ignored her. Her life was quite pleasant, and logically, she didn¡¯t need to go out of her way to please them. If they didn¡¯t care for her presence, it was fine by Li Run. She had seen too many dramas where stepmothers bullied children without their own mothers, and considered herself lucky inparison. In her previous life, full of grievances towards her ¡®mother¡¯ and brother, harboring resentment, believing theirck of pampering was neglect. It was as if they were mistreating her by not kowtowing to her every whim. They didn¡¯t love her, but they never harmed her either. Looking back, Li Run found her past selfughably ridiculous and deserving of her lonely, dismal end. Everything was her own fault. Her brother, Li Zichuan, though stern, was gentle by nature and never oppressed anyone. The stepmother, Su Linya, though strict and disgusted with her, never deliberately suppressed her. They were kind people, and she was fortunate. But back then, she was like someone suffering from persecution delusion, feeling mistreated, as if the whole family despised and looked down on her, a colossal humiliation. Recalling those thoughts, Li Run found herself ludicrous. After being reborn, she strived to build good rtionships with her mother and brother, partly to make amends, and for today. Her mother and brother hold unparalleled ces in Lu Li¡¯s heart; to each other, they are irreceable. If they were willing to help her, winning over Lu Li would be a breeze. This life had seen significant changes from the moment she was reborn. Lu Ya being expelled from the Lu family and Lu Li taking over seemed normal to others, but Li Run knew it was far from normal. The Lu family¡¯s parents were clearly delusional, neglecting their son in favor of an adopted daughter. Could sane people do such a thing? Subsequent developments diverged from her previous life, most notably the bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation and Lu Li¡¯s public appearances with Chen Xiaoyi. That Lu Li would do such a thing was unimaginable to the reborn Li Run. Aware there must be issues, she simultaneously worked on her rtionships with her mother and brother while keeping an eye on the situation. Fortunately, many things had changed, but Lu Li¡¯s arrival in Magic City still urred. She had been waiting for this day! Lu Li breaking ties with Zhang Ziqin was more than wee, saving her the effort of driving a wedge between them. In her previous life, when Lu Li came to Magic City, he stayed at the Li residence. That day, her usually serious brother and tirelessly working mother, under pressure from their father, dropped everything. They didn¡¯t let the servants interfere, personally preparing a room for Lu Li to stay in. Li Run felt fury and disdain as they treated this wastrel with such regard, degrading the Li family¡¯s reputation. Before Lu Li¡¯s arrival, she overheard their joyful conversations, an unfamiliar happiness permeating the Li estate, which Li Run found irritating. She watched her brother and ¡®mother¡¯ eagerly waiting at the door. The moment Lu Li appeared, the dignifieddy, who never smiled,ughed for the first time as she embraced the notorious yboy. Her brother¡¯s face lit up with excitement, despite hisints about ¡®mom,¡¯ unable to hide his joy even from a distance. And when ¡®mom¡¯ released Lu Li, her brother couldn¡¯t wait to hug him tightly. They were allughing, transformed at the sight of Lu Li, while Li Run clenched her fists in indignation. Why the hate, she didn¡¯t know, but it was there. Perhaps it was a spiteful desire for no one to be happy because she wasn¡¯t. A miserable and pitiful mindset indeed! Lu Li stayed at the Li residence for a few days¡­ not long, but she did interact with this infamous yboy, albeit not amicably. Always observing him coldly when her ¡®mom¡¯ and brother weren¡¯t around. ¡°What are you doing in Magic City? Trying to prove something?¡± ¡°Disgusting, you don¡¯t even know basic manners. No wonder the Lu family raised such a wastrel.¡± ¡°A wastrel will always be useless.¡± These were the words she said to Lu Li, disgusting even to herself and regretted for life. What annoys her most is that she never said such things in front of her ¡®mom¡¯ and brother, acting like someone who only bullies the weak. Regardless of what she said, Lu Li always maintained a nonchnt demeanor, at most offering a polite smile, which only fueled her anger. A mere wastrel, daring to look down on her. Her past self was pitifullyughable! Her feeble pride is amusing in retrospect. Her words grew more cutting¡­ more malicious¡­ This scenariosted a few days until Lu Li moved out, despite ¡®mom¡¯ and brother¡¯s protests. Back then, sheughed happily, considering it her victory. A mere wastrel dared to ignore her¡­ Overall, not a noble thought. Life went on uneventfully; her brother remained serious, ¡®mom¡¯ still cold, their affection seemingly taken with Lu Li when he left. Everything returned to the starting point. But for some reason, Lu Li¡¯s voice kept echoing in her mind, unable to be dispelled, causing great irritation. That smile, seemingly indifferent yet carrying a hint of bitterness, puzzled her yet remained unforgettable. But there was no chance to probe further. Their worlds became parallel lines, never to intersect again. Perhaps on sleepless nights, she still thought of that man, but never saw him again. Then, she beganpeting with her brother Li Zichuan, initiated by meeting Ye Chen. After being swayed by him, she med all the pain from being ignored by her father on her ¡®mother¡¯ and brother. She wanted to prove herself, to fight, to oppose the so-called ¡®brother¡¯ and ¡®mom.¡¯ Days like thesested a long time¡­ Until one day, news came: Lu Li was dead. She saw ¡®mom¡¯ and brother panic; her heart seemed to be gripped tight. Brother, frantic, ran out of the house, returning a dayter, his face numb with shock. That day, ¡®mom¡¯ and brother embraced, crying for a long time, long time. She too knelt on the ground, engulfed in indescribable pain. Then the next day, ¡®mom¡¯ saw brother off. Just half a dayter, news came: Li Zichuan had attempted to assassinate Ye Chen of the Tianlong Group but was killed instead. That same day, dad flew into a rage, cursing ¡®mom¡¯ viciously. She remained silent, calmly handling brother¡¯s death procedures, opting for immediate cremation. That day, ¡®mom¡¯ hanged herself in her room, leaving behind a will. ¡®My two children are gone. There¡¯s nothing left in this world for me. Die with your wealth!¡¯ Chapter 120 Chapter 120: Li Run¡¯s Grand n, Adding Kinship to Kinship At that moment, Li Run understood why her ¡®mother¡¯ was so calm; she had been prepared all along. Ridiculously, she had even mocked her for being heartless. It was only herself who was truly heartless. And what was she doing at the time? Being influenced by Ye Chen, sharpening her knives to snatch the Li family¡¯s fortune. Howughable, ming her ¡®mother¡¯ and brother for wanting to take what was hers, due to her father¡¯s favoritism towards males. ¡®Mother¡¯, brother, and¡­ Lu Li, none of them really cared about the so-called fortune. Only she, with a viin¡¯s heart, measured others by her own narrow standards. Despicable and low! Holding her heart, Li Run reminisced about the days spent with her ¡®mother¡¯ and brother, and that man who had taken up residence in her heart, despite only a few days of actual encounter. She realized that unexined feeling was called ¡®fall in love¡¯¡ª Her past self must have seemed so ridiculous in Lu Li¡¯s eyes! Furiously mocking him, thinking she had made him utterly faceless, leaving in defeat. But Lu Li was just toozy to deal with her, making her the most ridiculous, like aughable clown. After her brother¡¯s death, she ¡®seeded¡¯. Even though her chauvinistic father eventually made her the heir,cking any other choice, was she happy? Not at all! It felt like a heavy burden, suffocating Li Run, making her feel even more despicable and lowly than they. In their eyes, what she coveted was perhaps never truly valued. Compared to them, obsessed with possessions, she seemed so¡­ pitiful! However, it was not without benefits. Being the heir, she finally had some capacity to avenge Lu Li, her brother, and ¡®mother¡¯. But the end result couldn¡¯t be changed. The dead couldn¡¯t be brought back to life. She deserved her lonely, dismal death as punishment for her despicable actions. Now reborn, she wouldn¡¯t vie for anything. She only wished to be a good sister, a good daughter, and¡­ a good wife. Her brother, ¡®mother¡¯, and their rtionship with Lu Li weren¡¯t biological siblings but were closer than that, not mother and son but more than that. She wanted to make their rtionship even ¡®closer¡¯. Like¡­ bing Lu Li¡¯s wife as his sister¡­ hehe!! But now wasn¡¯t the time to think about these things. With Zhang Ziqin out of the picture, a major enemy gone, it was a relief as much as it was satisfying, considering Lu Li¡¯s rtionship with Zhang Ziqin and his feelings for her in the past¡­ Who wouldn¡¯t shake their head! Now, with Zhang Ziqin gone, she¡¯d fight anyone. But Ye Chen was still alive! How could that bastard who killed Lu Li, her brother, and drove ¡®mother¡¯ to death continue living in this world! That guy had also faced a change this life, living miserably, which was a refreshing piece of news, s, only to hear he had fled Hangzhou afterward and vanished (unknown to Li Run); otherwise, she might have tried convincing her brother to take care of him first. Time returned to the present. Facing her brother¡¯s questioning, Li Run struggled to exin. She knew she liked Lu Li, but how many times had they met this life? As a child, Lu Li did visit the Li residence a few times, but it was always a brief visit, barely speaking, and at that time, she disdained speaking with Lu Li. Lu Li never paid attention to her either. As adults, Lu Li¡¯s visits became scarcer, and even when he came, he¡¯d call ¡®mother¡¯ and her brother out, not visiting the house. It was all because of her dad¡¯s troublesome nature. Recalling the only time Lu Li stayed at the Li estate, she never thought, after living another life and changing so much, that Lu Li would not visit the Li estate. ¡°Brother, I assure you, I have no ulterior motives. No matter what father wants me to do, I won¡¯t do it. I just, just¡­ want to meet the person you and ¡®mother¡¯ care about so much.¡± She smiled softly. ¡°I¡¯ll introduce you when there¡¯s a chance,¡± Li Zichuan said stiffly, his expression uncertain as he dismissively spoke after a moment. Though his sister had changed a lot recently, her transformation was¡­ inexplicable. He was on edge, wary of this woman who used to look at him as if she wanted to kill him. Li Run, of course, understood the perfunctory nature of Li Zichuan¡¯s words, her smile stiffening. She understood her brother¡¯s position; she deserved it but didn¡¯t want to miss this opportunity. ¡°What¡¯s losing facepared to having ¡®mother¡¯, brother, and Lu Li around, with the situation so favorable? If you don¡¯t seize this chance, you¡¯ll regret it if they all leave your life again. What a great opportunity; if you miss it, you¡¯ll regret it,¡± Li Run thought. This time was an excellent chance to improve rtions with her brother, ¡®mother¡¯, and to get close to Lu Li. She couldn¡¯t let it pass. Having lived another life, she understood some things were worth fighting for. Biting her lip, Li Run stepped forward, grabbing Li Zichuan¡¯s sleeve like a sister trying to coax her brother: ¡°Brother, please take me to meet Lu Li! I just want to know what kind of person has left you and ¡®mother¡¯ so concerned.¡± Performing such an act was truly embarrassing given her current psychological age. Not to mention her current physical age was awkward enough. ¡°You let go¡­¡± Li Zichuan was dumbfounded. He was almost scared into goosebumps. This woman was definitely not normal. ¡°Brother~~¡± Her soft, tender voice made Li Zichuan¡¯s scalp tingle. Too damn disgusting. This woman was way better off being cold or even hateful towards him! Drivers should never take their hands off the steering wheel, not just for their own safety, but for the safety of others on the road. As aw-abiding young man, Lu Li, of course, wouldn¡¯t defy such an order. Usually, if he needed to use his phone while driving, he¡¯d use the hands-free feature. But now, let¡¯s talk about the human phone holder. You Meng obediently held the phone to Lu Li¡¯s ear, like a maid presenting delicacies to an emperor, yet yearning for favor, her eyes tender and longing. ¡°What, barbecue in broad daylight? You sure about this? My first meal in Magic City, and you¡¯re treating me to this?¡± Lu Li was brimming withughter. ¡°Quit your yapping and get over here, we¡¯re waiting just for you.¡± ¡°Li Zichuan, damn you, talking about me being stingy!¡± Despite his words, Lu Li¡¯s smile never faded. Chapter 121 Chapter 121: Family from the Past, Reunion in This Life ¡°I¡¯m definitely not stingy. Look, the barbecue ce is all booked out, see?¡± Li Zichuan grinned, looking quite proud of himself. ¡°Are you an old man?, who eats barbecue at noon? It¡¯s normal to have no one there at this time,¡± Lu Li couldn¡¯t help but mock. Finding a barbecue ce open at noon was indeed¡­ quite a feat. ¡°Heh heh!¡± Li Zichuan wasn¡¯t embarrassed at all: ¡°Let¡¯s go! My mom¡¯s waiting, and yeah, my¡­ sister¡¯se too.¡± ¡°Your sister? Li Run?¡± Lu Li frowned. ¡°Who else could it be? She actually tried to act cute and coquettish with me, wanting me to take her out. Can you believe it?¡± Li Zichuan shivered at the thought. Just yesterday, Li Run¡¯s behavior nearly made him vomit. If she had other motives¡­ Well, it¡¯d be best if she didn¡¯t. Otherwise, what she did would be utterly unbearable to him. ¡°Since she¡¯s here, she¡¯s here. Just a lightbulb. Just to be clear, I¡¯m not going to pay her any mind!¡± In his previous life, Lu Li followed the storyline to Magic City and temporarily stayed with the Li family. Li Run was quite vicious in her mockery towards him. Regarding this woman, Lu Li had chosen to simply ignore her then. But Li Run was also one of the heroines, a point to be cautious about. ¡°I¡¯m not nning to either. Let¡¯s just do our own thing,¡± Li Zichuan nodded in agreement. Li Run¡¯s change wasn¡¯t a pleasant surprise for him but rather a source of fear. Scared the life out of a person. You Meng obediently followed behind Lu Li, her mind telling her it¡¯d be wise to be invisible during the meal. Thinking about it was truly pitiful. At home, she was oppressed by those two, and now in Magic City, finally alone with Lu Li, there¡¯s another Li Zichuan. Mmp, must they be so intimate? Don¡¯t ruin my Big Brother! If he turns gay, those two at home will make me pay with my life! ¡°Xiao Li¡­¡± As they walked in, a joyous figure rushed towards them, and Lu Li¡¯s highly trained body did not react in any way. He grimaced, and in the next second, Li Zichuan was pushed aside, and a warm embrace enveloped Lu Li. ¡°You dead child, haven¡¯t visited Magic City to see auntie for years. Heartless kid, you don¡¯t even call.¡± Su Linya¡¯s eyes were teary; she had always seen Lu Li as her own son. ¡°Auntie hasn¡¯te to Hangzhou either, nor called me.¡± Lu Li felt a sour nose, happy to see Su Linya again. His eyes slightly reddened, but he forced back the tears. From Zhang Ziqin¡¯s ¡®confession¡¯ before her death, he learned a lot. Li Zichuan died avenging him, and this aunt before him had taken her own life after their deaths. It turns out he had be the very person he hated most, presumptuously thinking that distancing himself from them would make them forget him, and that they could live on after his death. But he had overlooked that genuine feelings can¡¯t be severed by time or distance. Back then, he was a wastrel despised by his parents, with only Lu Ya, the adopted daughter who brought them glory, in their eyes. But he was never alone; he had Li Zichuan and the aunt before him, Su Linya. Su Linya considered Lu Li her son, and he thought of her the same. ¡°You didn¡¯t call auntie, how could auntie call you!¡± Su Linya was teary-eyed, ming herself. Treating Lu Li as her son, she didn¡¯t know his thoughts. Even if she was strong, she wouldn¡¯t want a child she saw as her own to look down on her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s my fault.¡± Lu Li apologized sincerely, for his past actions and for distancing himself. ¡°No apologies allowed, auntie is the one who should be sorry.¡± Su Linya¡¯s eyes welled with tears, regretting their move to Magic City. No mother wants to see her child suffer. Lu Li wasn¡¯t her child, but no matter what he thought, she considered him hers. ¡°Enough! Mom, let¡¯s not make it so weepy. You¡¯ve been nagging about Lu Li, not even calling, and now that you¡¯ve finally seen him, please don¡¯t cry!¡± Li Zichuan rubbed his shoulder. He had just been shoved into a chair by his own mother. Ouch! That really hurt! His mom had never been so nice to him. It seems long separations do lead to estrangement!!! ¡°Right, Xiao Li, sit down. Li Zichuan, this dead kid, of all ces to choose, he brings you to a barbecue. Talking about reliving the past, he¡¯s just bizarre.¡± Su Linya gently ushered Lu Li to sit, ring at Li Zichuan. Su Linya was quite dissatisfied with Li Zichuan¡¯s choice of venue. Now that they were better off, while it¡¯s good not to forget their roots, there¡¯s no need to be so impractical! After finally seeing Xiao Li again, regardless of anything else, she couldn¡¯t let him be wronged! ¡°Yep, this guy¡¯s a bit odd. Last time he came to Hangzhou, I took him out for barbecue, and today he¡¯s returning the favor!¡± Lu Li also hid the tears in his eyes,ughing. Su Linya red hard at Li Zichuan, pulling Lu Li to sit down. Li Zichuan awkwardly scratched his head. Although he did say that, he genuinely missed the days of enjoying small barbecues with Lu Li! Li Run had not spoken a word from the beginning to the end. Her eyes were moist, quietly wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes. She had witnessed this scene before. In the Li family estate, but in her previous life, she had only watched from a distance, sensing ¡®mom¡¯ and brother transform into different people. Now truly seeing it, the familial affection between the three of them was truly touching. She might have understood the desire to avenge Lu Li at all costs, even sacrificing their lives, and ¡®mom¡¯s¡¯ decision tomit suicide after their deaths. Because they¡­ were a family! Li Run regretteding. In this small private room, she felt out of ce. Right¡­ there was also You Meng, now awkwardly looking at Su Linya, feeling like a daughter-inw meeting her mother-inw. Scared, so scared! ¡°Mom¡¯s right, though. Lu Li, you really are ungrateful. After I called youst time, you would¡¯ve forgotten about us. We took such good care of you in Hangzhou.¡± Li Zichuan was also resentful. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡± Su Linya chided Li Zichuan, ¡°Back in Hangzhou, it was Xiao Li who took care of us. If it weren¡¯t for Xiao Li, we mother and son might not have survived.¡± It was embarrassing. Su Linya considered Lu Li her son, but it had always been the young Lu Li who took care of them. When Su Linya first arrived in Hangzhou, unable to do much, it was Lu Li who ensured their survival. Without him, she might have taken drastic actions with Li Zichuan. ¡°You took care of me, Auntie.¡± Lu Li said with a smile. At home, with Lu Ya looming over him, and forced to be Zhang Ziqin¡¯spdog outside, enduring humiliation, only with Su Linya and Li Zichuan could Lu Li find a moment¡¯s peace. Chapter 122 Chapter 122: ck History? The Best of Times! ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡± Su Linya scolded gently, holding Lu Li¡¯s hand tenderly: ¡°Don¡¯t think of your aunt as a fool. Back then, I could only manage odd jobs, earning just enough for tuition and rent. If it weren¡¯t for you insisting on taking Zichuan out to eat every day and making sure he brought food back home, we might have starved to death.¡± Su Linya looked at Lu Li, her eyes filled with tenderness: ¡°And you always ordered so much, worried that your aunt wouldn¡¯t have enough to eat, right?¡± At that time, Li Zichuan was on a poverty schrship. What could be considered a ¡®ck history¡¯ was spoken by Su Linya with the gentlest tone. She didn¡¯t care at all; in her eyes, Lu Li was her child. Feeling guilty for needing her child to take care of her, Su Linya felt only remorse. Lu Li scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. Life had been tough for Auntie and Zichuan in Hangzhou. He hadn¡¯t thought much of it, but hearing Auntie blurt it out now made him a bit shy! ¡°Ha ha ha, this guy Lu Li, right after school, he¡¯d drag me off to eat, iming he didn¡¯t want to eat at home. I actually believed him at the time,¡± Li Zichuanughed as well. He wasn¡¯t embarrassed; he and his mother had indeed struggled. Without Lu Li¡¯s support¡­ well, they probably would have died before his father came looking for them. ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re slow!¡± Su Linya red at Li Zichuan, clearly contemptuous. ¡°Ha ha, indeed. But I didn¡¯t stay slow for long. Every New Year¡¯s, this guy would stuff money into red envelopes for me, always bulging, and he¡¯d avoid us until after the holiday was over. Even if I was slow, it was obvious,¡± Li Zichuan reminisced about the past, his gaze on Lu Li softening with an affection that couldn¡¯t be contained, his usually seductive eyes glistening with unshed tears. This wasn¡¯t ck history. If they considered these moments as such, it would be a betrayal of Lu Li. Wrapping an arm around Lu Li¡¯s shoulders, heughed heartily: ¡°But you don¡¯t need to anymore. Next time, just give me a check.¡± ¡°Ha ha ha, alright, I¡¯ll write you a check this New Year,¡± Lu Li joined in theughter. The group chatted away, their joyful reunion making it seem as if they were cut off from the rest of the world. Lu Li and Li Zichuan shared a deep friendship, perhaps merely a brief mention in the story, but having lived through it, their rtionship from childhood to adulthood, the depth of their bond couldn¡¯t be summarized in a mere sentence. Li Run sat quietly, everyone knowing of her brother¡¯s solid friendship with Lu Li, the infamous yboy from Hangzhou, but no one knew why their rtionship was so strong. Now, she seemed to understand a bit. How ridiculous she had been in her past life, always feeling aggrieved by her ¡®mother¡¯ and brother, hating them, thinking she¡¯d be better off without them, not realizing they too had endured such a terrifying existence. Compared to them, she was nothing but a pampered Persian cat. Spoiled and ungrateful, not hating the instigator but resenting fellow victims. Truly¡­ hateful, and pitiful. Head bowed, she fought back regretful tears. Today was a happy day for everyone, and she couldn¡¯t be the one to disrupt their peace. She seemed to understand why, after Lu Li¡¯s death, they acted as they did. Did her brother not know he was no match for Ye Chen? Everyone knew how strong Ye Chen was, yet he still went. ¡®Mother¡¯ didn¡¯t stop him, choosing instead to apany them in leaving. For her, Lu Li and her brother were her whole world. Without them, she naturally had no reason to continue living. You Meng looked at Lu Li with pride. Yes, her Big Brother was indeed a gentle man. His gentleness had captivated her. Holding her heart, her cheeks flushed with an unusual redness. ¡°Damn it! Calm down, don¡¯t ruin the mood now!¡± she thought fiercely, but her racing heart refused to listen. Such a gentle Big Brother should have been surrounded by all the gentleness in the world, but he met the wrong people: unkind parents, a wicked sister, and even the previously beloved Zhang Ziqin turned out to be a damned green tea. The barbecue arrived, not self-serve but skewers prepared by the staff after ordering. ¡°Auntie, I remember you don¡¯t like greasy foods,¡± Lu Li said, noticing Su Linya picking up a skewer of pork belly, frowning slightly. ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as likes or dislikes. What kind of days haven¡¯t I lived through? Back then, there was no room for choice,¡± Su Linya pursed her lips, smiling gracefully. Mentioning it casually, she didn¡¯t expect Lu Li to remember. Li Zichuan handed Lu Li a beef skewer, exining: ¡°My mom¡¯s not picky. It was just poverty back then; she wanted to leave the greasier meats for me. Who knew you¡¯d get wind of it and order vegetables every meal.¡± The best mother, the best Lu Li, Li Zichuan¡¯s heart had room only for these two people. Everyone else meant nothing to him. Even now, with a better life, his world still revolved around just these two. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Lu Li was taken aback. Was it because of that? ¡°Heh heh.¡± Li Zichuan hugged Lu Li¡¯s shoulder, winking: ¡°Three of us, I was the only one who didn¡¯t understand. Now I do.¡± ¡°Good boy!¡± ¡°Good my ass! Don¡¯t talk to me like I¡¯m a kid!¡± Li Zichuan cursed. ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha!¡± Su Linya gentlyughed at their banter. Lu Li was gentle, and Zichuan was cheerful. Even under such harsh conditions back then, he hadn¡¯t changed. On the contrary, it was aftering to Magic City that he became a bit more somber. Honestly, she really regretted taking Li Zichuan away from Hangzhou. For a moment of pride, she made both her children suffer. ¡°Xiao Li, how long will you stay in Magic City this time?¡± Su Linya asked with concern. ¡°I¡¯ll probably stay quite a while. I n to shift thepany¡¯s focus here. I¡¯ll be house hunting in the next couple of days,¡± Lu Li said. Visit the orphanage tomorrow, house hunting the day after, and then wait for Chen Xiaoyi and Cao Yingying to arrive. ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± Su Linya¡¯s eyes lit up. She wished Lu Li could always be within her sight. ¡°When you go, let auntie apany you to check out the ces.¡± Li Zichuan also raised his hand: ¡°I¡¯ll go too, I¡¯ll go too!¡± ¡°You¡¯re staying put. Lu Li just got here, and you¡¯re already cking off. Go work tomorrow,¡± Su Linya scolded Li Zichuan sternly. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Li Run watched the domineering ¡®mother¡¯ Su Linya and the wronged brother Li Zichuan, surprised to see them acting this way in front of Lu Li. Indeed, they were a real family. Perhaps not by blood, but in their hearts, they were truly a family. Chapter 123 Chapter 123: Li Run: Messed up, yed it Wrong Lu Li, of course, would ept Aunt Su Linya¡¯s kindness and was grateful for her help in turning down Li Zichuan. The new house would eventually be home to Cao Yingying and Chen Xiaoyi as well. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t trust Li Zichuan, but¡­ having another man in the ce where he and the women would live just didn¡¯t sit right with him. Lu Li¡¯s personality did indeed have a dominant side. ¡°Right, Aunt Su, let me introduce you. This is You Meng, little Meng.¡± Well, now he remembered he had brought someone along. A certain miss You Meng, looking pitiful, had been sitting in the corner, head down as if she had ¡®I am a mushroom¡¯ written on her forehead. Adorably cute. ¡°You Meng? Little Meng?¡± Su Linya reacted: ¡°Is that the same little Meng? The little girl you found?¡± Lu Li nodded: ¡°Yes, that¡¯s¡­ little Meng. Amazing, right? The person who was lost has been found.¡± You Meng gave a shy smile, happy to understand more about Big Brother but feeling awkward being left out. Facing Su Linya, she even felt like a daughter-inw meeting her mother-inw. In the Lu family estate, those two women had basically stopped interacting with Big Brother, knowing their ce and not bothering him further, clearly drawing a line. Since they didn¡¯t make amends before, they couldn¡¯tin about what happened after. But this aunt before her clearly had an extraordinary rtionship with Big Brother! And she knew of this aunt¡¯s deeds from before; both Li Zichuan and Aunt Su Linya were very important people to Big Brother. Facing such people, You Meng naturally felt nervous! ¡°Hello, Auntie!¡± You Meng greeted with a lightugh. ¡°A pretty and sensible girl, and you have a connection with Xiao Li, which is nice.¡± Su Linya smiled elegantly, her smile less radiant than when facing Lu Li. But showing a smile to an outsider was quite a step for Su Linya. You Meng¡¯s cheeks flushed, and she shyly looked down, pleased with theplimenting from Big Brother¡¯s ¡®real¡¯ rtive. What an act! Li Run¡¯s gaze shifted to You Meng for the first time, annoyed by this once coborator who, in this life, had be her romantic rival. Too much had changed; You Meng had found Lu Li early this life. And Chen Xiaoyi, it was infuriating! She had been biding her time to act, but those two had already made their move (Cao Yingying was still unknown to her). ¡°Right, right, look at this mess, I forgot to introduce you. This is the Li family¡¯s young miss, Li Run.¡± Li Zichuan then seemed to remember the cornered Li Run. Lu Li¡¯s brow subtly furrowed, noting Li Zichuan introduced her as ¡®the Li family¡¯s young miss¡¯, not ¡®his sister¡¯. His gaze shifted to Li Zichuan, who could only shrug helplessly. With Li Run acting so shamelessly, what could he do? Having her here today indeed dampened the mood. ¡°Miss Li, hello!¡± Lu Li offered a polite smile and nodded slightly towards Li Run. There¡¯s a problem! But no matter, too many things were problematic; Lu Li couldn¡¯t be bothered. If this woman had changed, either from being reborn or something else, Lu Li would spare her. After all, she was Li Zichuan¡¯s sister, Aunt Su Linya¡¯s nominal daughter. Still, he needed to keep an eye on her. In the story, Li Run was one of the heroines who joined hands with Ye Chen to contend for the family fortune! If she had changed, Lu Li would ignore her. If not, sorry, but please die first in respect. ¡°Lu¡­ Brother, hello, I¡¯m Li Run, Li Zichuan¡¯s sister.¡± Li Run stood up, her pale face flushing with a nervous introduction. In her previous life, they hadn¡¯t even spoken properly. Because of her ignorance and foolishness, Lu Li had always politely ignored her. His smile was courteous, his silence, a dismissal. So foolish, she had missed her chance. Meeting Lu Li again, hearing him greet her, even if just a formality, Li Run felt tears welling up. She responded awkwardly, a blush spreading across her face: ¡°Lu Brother, just call me Xiao Lan, ¡®Miss Li¡¯ is too formal.¡± Lu Li frowned, confirming this woman had issues. Was it because of rebirth? Or because he was no longer the wasteful yboy of rumors? Lu Li believed it was thetter. Zhang Ziqin was reborn, and her regretful demeanor upon return was understandable, despite her issues, she had spent a significant time with him. iming feelings had developed was somewhat unexpected but not imusible for Lu Li, though meaningless to him. But Lu Li hadn¡¯t interacted with Li Run at all in his previous life, making it far-fetched to say she had feelings for him. Li Zichuan also frowned, his gaze unweing. As expected, this woman had been sent by that old man! Her behavior was a tant attempt at seduction. Su Linya¡¯s smile faded. Today was supposed to be a family gathering. Li Run¡¯s presence was tolerable, but her actions were displeasing. You Meng frowned as well, her gaze unfriendly. After receiving a royal decree, the queen consort had tasked her with ensuring Lu Li¡¯s well-being, especially regarding moderation in certain areas. Bluntly, she was forbidden from letting Lu Li flirt. This woman had some nerve! The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Li Run felt a cold sweat. ¡®Messed up, I was too impatient, causing misunderstandings.¡¯ She internally cursed, knowing her brother already suspected her of harboring ulterior motives at their father¡¯s behest. She couldn¡¯t exin; her father was exactly that kind of person, and she had previously been unkind to her ¡®mother¡¯ and brother. iming her change was due to rebirth was out of the question! Most importantly, Lu Li¡¯s impression of her was now marred. Their first meeting was¡­ too frivolous. Such an overly intimate address wasn¡¯t appropriate for a first meeting! She wasn¡¯t a little girl, and she didn¡¯t have a long friendship with Lu Li. Introducing herself that way was no different from those ¡®princesses¡¯ at nightclubs. She admitted she panicked upon seeing You Meng, blurting out words, but You Meng and Lu Li had a past, while she had never even met Lu Li before. ¡°Auntie, Zichuan, You Meng, Miss Li, let¡¯s eat! The skewers here are great, but even the best skewers aren¡¯t good when they¡¯re cold.¡± Lu Li suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence. No matter what Li Run was like, it didn¡¯t matter to him. But today was his reunion with Aunt Su Linya, which shouldn¡¯t be ruined by anything else. ¡°Right, right,e on, have a beef skewer. This beef sizzles with oil, delicious!¡± Li Zichuan¡¯s face lit up with a smile again. ¡°Xiao Li, you too, eat some. Boys should eat more beef, it¡¯s good for the body, makes you strong as an ox!¡± Su Linya said softly, smiling. Chapter 124 Chapter 124: Su Linya: I Can Handle One with Each Hand The group tacitly ignored Li Run, likening the situation to enjoying a pot of exquisite seafood congee only for a rat to suddenly appear and defecate in it right before their eyes! Utterly disgusting. Li Run bit her lip, feeling their alienation but unable to me them for her own overly frivolous behavior. It was her first meeting with Lu Li, and she behaved as if she was about to throw herself at him, exactly like the role her father assigned her to approach Lu Li, as described by her brother. The atmosphere remained dense. After excluding Li Run, although slightly disheartened, everyone refused to let external factors interrupt their cherished moments. The small barbecue was delicious, inexpensive, yet filled with the warmth of everyday life, reminiscent of their days in Hangzhou with the same three people. Li Zichuan, looking at his mother and brother, remembered those tough times when the most important people were by his side. Magic City is wonderful, where he¡¯s recognized as the heir of the Li family, no longer needing to live in poverty. Everyone respects him, but Li Zichuan knows they respect not him but the title of the Li family¡¯s heir. Fake smiles abound, along with rumors belittling him, suggesting he¡¯s just lucky to be the old man¡¯s son. Ha! What luck it is to be that man¡¯s son. To Li Zichuan, all the genuine luck was used up in Hangzhou, meeting Lu Li. He doesn¡¯t care about being the Li family¡¯s heir at all. Li Zichuan would happily return to Hangzhou with his mother to live their previous impoverished life. He doesn¡¯t believe Lu Li would let him and his mother starve. He¡¯s confident in that. But he had to fulfill his mother¡¯s long-held wish! During their meal, Aunt Su Linya suddenly expressed her desire to apany Lu Li for a walk in the afternoon. After some thought, they decided to visit the orphanage, initially nned for tomorrow, a day early. Aunt Su Linya was very interested in the orphanage Lu Li had been supporting. She never did such things herself, not caring for a good reputation. Others¡¯ criticism didn¡¯t bother her, but seeing Lu Li¡¯s kindness made her very happy. It¡¯s not that she liked kindness, just that she liked Lu Li. She had no intention of providing for the world; like Li Zichuan, Su Linya¡¯s heart could only hold two people, Lu Li and Li Zichuan. Watching the group leave, Li Run tried to follow but was stopped by Li Zichuan. ¡°You¡¯ve already met Lu Li, isn¡¯t that enough?¡± Li Zichuan¡¯s gaze was cold, confirming his suspicion that this woman was sent by their conniving father. ¡°Brother¡­¡± Li Run¡¯s eyes reddened, feeling wronged but unable to voice it. ¡°Just stop there. Go where you want, but don¡¯t follow us, or try me¡­¡± Li Zichuan had indeed ignored this so-called sister, but that didn¡¯t mean she could challenge his bottom line. Plotting against Lu Li was something Li Zichuan couldn¡¯t tolerate. Turning to catch up with the group, Li Zichuan couldn¡¯t be bothered to look back at Li Run. Li Run bit her lip, feeling an indescribable grievance. She swore she hadn¡¯t epted their father¡¯s task to approach Lu Li! Couldn¡¯t she just be¡­ love at first sight? Alright! That sounds indeed far-fetched, even more reasonable to call it lust at first sight. That can work too! How handsome Lu Li is, tall and slim, a true man! Her father is hateful, tormenting her in her previous life, and now, indirectly sabotaging her, making his daughter a schemer. Alright, she indeed was a schemer, unable to refute even if she wanted to. In her previous life, she caused trouble behind her brother¡¯s back¡­ *** ¡°Auntie, I¡¯m not a kid anymore.¡± Trying to break free from Aunt Su¡¯s hand, Lu Li¡¯s face reddened a bit, feeling embarrassed to be treated like a child at his age. Struggling a bit but not breaking free¡ªnot that he couldn¡¯t, but he couldn¡¯t seriously resist Aunt Su! ¡°No matter how old you get, you¡¯re still a child in Auntie¡¯s eyes, still a kid who doesn¡¯t know how to call!¡± Aunt Su didn¡¯t care if Lu Li felt awkward or not; having not seen him for so long without talking, she deserved to show affection to her ¡®son.¡¯ He was such a gentle person! He really knew how to take care of others. When he brought food for her and Zichuan, he¡¯d find a reason to take Zichuan out. During holidays, he¡¯d give them a big red envelope, afraid of them returning the favor, only appearing after the holiday was over, his gentleness touching. Su Linya wasn¡¯t a fool; she saw through Lu Li¡¯s ¡®little schemes.¡¯ But this gentleness was also what harmed Lu Li. Just look at Zhang Ziqin, that vile woman who blinded Lu Li. Su Linya hadn¡¯t been able to speak openly before, but she didn¡¯t know how many times she had Li Zichuan talk to Lu Li in secret. The naive boy was bewitched by that woman. She almost died of worry and anger at Lu Li, who seemed ensnared by Zhang Ziqin. Of course, she wouldn¡¯t me Lu Li for anything. It was all Zhang Ziqin¡¯s fault. Having received something so precious, she didn¡¯t know how to cherish it. Now, Zhang Ziqin had paid the price; that was karma! As a ¡®mother,¡¯ Su Linya couldn¡¯t ept her ¡®son¡¯ being harmed. She¡¯d rather he hurt others. Don¡¯t call her cruel; she¡¯s a woman who¡¯s been through too much. Naive times no longer belonged to her. She understood some things clearly; only those by her side were the most precious. ¡°Mom, tone it down, will you? People who don¡¯t know might think you and Lu Li are a couple, they will think you going after a younger man!¡± Li Zichuan joked with a smile. ¡°Then that¡¯s fine. Zichuan, stretch out your hand!¡± Su Linyaughed. ¡°For what?¡± Li Zichuan extended his hand, puzzled. The next second, his hand was also caught by his mother, Su Linya. ¡°This way, with one of them, they might misunderstand. With both, let those women be green with envy!¡± Su Linya beamed. Lu Li¡­ Li Zichuan¡­ You Meng¡­ Damn woman, holding your son¡¯s hand is enough, let go of my Big Brother!!! She was about to explode with rage; this woman actually held Big Brother¡¯s hand, how dare she. Li Zichuan¡¯s eye twitched, knowing his mom was happy to see Lu Li, and he was too, but could they tone it down? His mom was always cold-faced, making him nervous, but Lu Li¡¯s arrival changed everything, her happiness andughter making him feel inferior to Lu Li. Alright! He understood his mom¡¯s current mood. It was like a son working abroad finally returning¡­ That kind of feeling! Knowing Lu Li would be staying in Magic City for a long time, he was overjoyed too. Chapter 125 Chapter 125: Returning to the Orphanage ¡°Right, I gave those two a little warning yesterday as a lesson, just to set things straight. Let me know when you make your move!¡± Li Zichuan suddenly mentioned to Lu Li. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s all set, in just a couple of days. But your ¡®lesson¡¯ won¡¯t make that young master realize his faults. It¡¯s more of a wasted effort.¡± Given the female lead¡¯s stubborn character, how could she possibly prioritize the survival of thepany over her own interests! Only when facing bankruptcy and unable to maintain her former lifestyle will she panic! Su Linya, puzzled, furrowed her brows upon overhearing their conversation, naturally catching every word exchanged between the two while holding their hands in the middle. ¡°What happened?¡± she inquired. Li Zichuan waved it off: ¡°Nothing serious, just that yesterday¡­¡± After recounting the unpleasant incident from the previous day, Su Linya listened quietly, her beautiful face darkening with anger by the time Li Zichuan finished. She smacked Li Zichuan¡¯s head: ¡°You dead boy, Lu Li just arrived in Magic City and you¡¯ve already let him be wronged. Those two dared to bully him, and you haven¡¯t sorted them out yet?¡± Her eyes shed sharply; Su Linya has never been one to turn the other cheek. Anyone daring to mess with Lu Li won¡¯t get off easily. ¡°Mom! It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t help! It¡¯s because Lu Li said he¡¯s entering Magic City and wanted to use them as an example, so I didn¡¯t act.¡± Li Zichuan looked at his mom with his big, watery eyes, somehow managing to look aggrieved. My god, is this guy flirting? Li Zichuan, you¡¯ve got issues! Lu Li¡¯s mouth twitched. A grown man, actually pulling this stunt. They hadn¡¯t spent much time together over the years, and it seems this guy has really gone off the deep end! Well, not really. He¡¯s always been like this. But it seems he only acts this way in front of him and Aunt Su. ¡°Xiao Li, is that so?¡± Su Linya turned to Lu Li. ¡°Yes, Auntie, I just arrived in Magic City and ran into those two. They might as well serve as my stepping stone.¡± Lu Li chuckled and nodded. Su Linya then nodded in understanding: ¡°Alright, if that¡¯s what you want, Xiao Li, then it¡¯s fine. Zichuan, when it¡¯s time, you follow his orders and make yourself useful.¡± Lu Li smiled and agreed; Aunt Su¡¯s kindness could not be wasted! Li Zichuan pouted, knowing his mom doted on Lu Li and understood her feelings. But, Mom, why do you think when Lu Li needs help, I would back down? Am I that kind of person? Do I need a reminder to help Lu Li?! Soon, they arrived at the orphanage entrance. Lu Li had been supporting the orphanage annually without fail. Some things he wouldn¡¯t do, like donating all his assets, that was for saints, and Lu Li was no saint. But for those worth helping, he was willing to lend a hand! This orphanage also harbored the happiest memories of his youth. The old caretaker had always been under his watch, not in a rude way, but to ensure his donations reached the intended recipients. And the Caretaker never let him down. Otherwise, Lu Li would have cut off support long ago. You Meng stepped forward, taking Lu Li¡¯s other hand, smiling sweetly at him. This orphanage represented the best days of her childhood. In her previous life, she and Big Brother were separated by just one day, a perpetual ache in You Meng¡¯s heart. Thankfully, in this life, everything was fine. It¡¯s no longer about whether or not she can save Big Brother. After escaping from Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya, what¡¯s a Ye Chen to worry about? If it weren¡¯t for those two despicable women, Lu Ya and Zhang Ziqin, conspiring with Ye Chen while stabbing Big Brother in the back, disturbing his peace of mind, Ye Chen would never have been a match for Big Brother. ¡°Are you here to adopt a child?¡± An elderlydy approached them, her smile kind. ¡°Caretaker Grandma.¡± You Meng couldn¡¯t help but hug the olddy: ¡°I¡¯m You Meng! Don¡¯t you remember me?¡± ¡°You Meng?¡± The Caretaker was surprised, examining the young woman before her. After a few seconds, her face broke into a wide smile: ¡°You Meng, you¡¯re back! Where did you run off to? We couldn¡¯t find you, and your Big Brother, that young master, was so worried.¡± Her tone was a bit scolding, but the joy in her words couldn¡¯t be hidden. ¡°Grandma, a lot happened back then. I went abroad to work these past few years.¡± You Meng smiled gently, her tumultuous life summed up as ¡®working abroad.¡¯ ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything¡¯s fine!¡± The Caretaker looked at You Meng reassuringly and nodded: ¡°That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good. Coming back is what matters.¡± Every child from the orphanage was raised by her hand, treated as her own. When You Meng disappeared, she worried for a long time. ¡°Mmm!¡± You Meng nodded firmly, tears glistening in her eyes. Su Linya nodded silently. Though she wouldn¡¯t say it, she liked You Meng, who knew gratitude. Maybe she couldn¡¯t interfere with Lu Li, but she hoped he could be happy. He had been misled once; that was enough. There was no need for a second time. Lu Li also stepped forward: ¡°Caretaker Grandma, long time no see!¡± Although he had always supported the orphanage, it had indeed been many years since hest visited. Hisst visit was before his death in his previous life, when he handed over his assets to this kind olddy. There are too many people in the world blinded by greed, but not thisdy before him. From middle age to old age, she had always guarded this orphanage, her integrity unassable. ¡°You are¡­ the young master!¡± The Caretaker stared at Lu Li for a few moments, her aged eyes lighting up: ¡°Did the young master find You Meng?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the other way around; this girl found me!¡± Lu Li joked. Discovering that one of the heroines he was supporting turned out to be You Meng had nearly knocked him out. Fortunately, You Meng proved herself, and even Zhang Ziqin, in her dying words, revealed a past different from the storyline. ¡°It¡¯s all the same, all the same. Seeing you both well makes me relieved, relieved.¡± The Caretakerughed heartily. ¡°These years, I must thank you, young master, for supporting our orphanage. Without it, I don¡¯t know if the children could have had a warm meal.¡± Moved, she held Lu Li¡¯s hand, her voice trembling. Some people are willing to give their all because of their kindness. The Caretaker is such a person. Lu Li doesn¡¯t want to be that kind of person, but he respects those who are. Chapter 126 Chapter 126: Even Viins Have Good Luck The orphanage hasn¡¯t changed much. The old, small building looks like it has undergone some waterproofing and windproofing renovations, but that¡¯s about it. The patch of grass at the entrance is still as natural as ever. Some trimming has been done, but it¡¯s still unable to change the situation of weeds everywhere. Yet, it somehow gives off a clean and tidy vibe, probably because people often y on it. ¡°Big brother, look, look, the tree is still there!¡± Yu Meng excitedly pulled Lu Li¡¯s hand. Although things weren¡¯t exactly as expected,ing back to this ce full of memories with Lu Li made Yu Meng¡¯s heart leap with joy. Lu Li also smiled. It¡¯s been years since hest came here. The once small tree has grown up too! Thecaretakerughed heartily, ¡°When people get old, they be nostalgic! They don¡¯t want to change. The children are all napping right now, otherwise, I would have had them line up and thank you, our benefactor.¡± Lu Li chuckled and shook his head, not knowing how to respond. He had been here before, surrounded by a bunch of little runny-nosed kids saying thank you, which, to be honest, wasn¡¯t too bad. Of course, after getting familiar with the ce, that wasn¡¯t necessary anymore. He only came to the orphanage to check on a certain girl he had sent here. Rubbing Yu Meng¡¯s head, he thought, ¡°She¡¯s grown up, huh? Cute and pretty, have I yed a different kind of nurturing game?¡± Yu Meng tiptoed, rubbing her head against Lu Li¡¯s hand like a cat that¡¯s always craving its owner¡¯s touch, pretty and adorable. That pretty face, capable of charming hundreds, showed an infatuation that was truly endearing. Su Linya smiled, not having seen Lu Li, this brat, for years, and now he¡¯s be ady-killer! Hearing from Li Zichuan, this wasn¡¯t the same as thest time he went to Hangzhou. Really¡­ Your own child, of course, it¡¯s better the more girls like him! As long as he doesn¡¯t let them down, it¡¯s fine. Not letting Li Zichuan get involved in Lu Li buying a new house was also from this consideration. Xiao Li is gentle but also a man. A man¡¯s thoughts, Su Linya knew, especially about possessiveness, every man has it. The new house, obviously, Xiao Li intended to use it as a love nest, it wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for Li Zichuan, a man, to go there. Just¡­ Her gaze towards Li Zichuan was filled withplexity. Did she really make a mistake? Perhaps, initially¡­ it would have been better! They didn¡¯t stay at the orphanage for long, after all, they were just there to see thecaretaker. The kids from Yu Meng¡¯s time had all left. Besides, this girl didn¡¯t have many friends at the orphanage; it was quite pitiful. Yu Meng, however, was reluctant to leave, promising the caretaker that she woulde back to see her in a few days. ¡°Speaking of which, what kind of luck do you have, toe to Magic City and even meet a little girl, and so pretty at that, and she evenes back to repay you when she¡¯s grown up?¡± Li Zichuan draped his arm around Lu Li¡¯s shoulder, speaking boldly. ¡°When I was little, I even met you, the young master of the Li family, why don¡¯t you mention that!¡± Lu Li retorted with a re at Li Zichuan. ¡°Damn, that¡¯s true, you¡¯re really blessed by the heavens! Besides your family issues and the previous unhappy love affair, everything else for you is just bursting with good luck!¡± Li Zichuan eximed, holding his head: ¡°Does this mean when one door closes, another opens?¡± ¡°Pssh!¡± Lu Li snorted. Unhappiness from family matters was definitely the most heart-wrenching, the hurt from those closest to you was the most unforgettable. Anyway, now that Lu Li had dealt with Lu Ya, he had resolved one of his worries. ¡°Back then, I was so down and out, I didn¡¯t even know I was the young master of the Li family, but you still sponsored me and my mom. Then suddenly, I became the young master of the Li family, bizarre, really freaking bizarre!¡± Li Zichuan stroked his chin, bing more amazed as he spoke, his face full of astonishment. Thinking about it, it was truly amazing! Saving an abandoned child, who grows up to be a beauty and repays him, and oneself also bing a dandy that can help Lu Li in various ways, is this normal? ¡°¡­¡± Lu Li shrugged helplessly. He knew what was going on. Initially, he was aware of Li Zichuan¡¯s identity. As for sponsoring him, it was initially just for the plot, being forced by the system. Later, seeing Li Zichuan¡¯s situation, he genuinely felt pity and then developed feelings through their interactions, brotherly love¡­ it wasn¡¯t as good as Li Zichuan thought. These things, it¡¯s enough that Lu Li knows in his heart. If the feelings are real, that¡¯s all that matters. ¡°But you should also thank me, when you came to Magic City, it was because of me!¡± Li Zichuan suddenly became excited again, patting Lu Li¡¯s shoulder. That wasn¡¯t wrong. Lu Li didn¡¯t have any friends in Magic City. Initially, he came to find Li Zichuan. At that time, they were already very good friends. Lu Li was worried about him being mistreated upon his arrival at the Li family and came to support him. But obviously, he worried too much. Given the Li family head¡¯s attitude of valuing males over females, there was no way they would mistreat him when Li Zichuan was the only son. ¡°Damn, did I actually y matchmaker?¡± His eyes widened, suddenly feeling somewhat gloomy. ¡°Xiao Meng, the matchmaker is here, let¡¯s pray together. If it wasn¡¯t for this guy, we might not have met!¡± Lu Liughed. Is this what they call a step in the right direction, winning the whole game? Because of his concern for Li Zichuan, he came to Magic City and met Yu Meng, unknowingly changing the plot. ¡°Ah!¡± Yu Meng tilted her head, puzzled. Talking to Yu Meng, Su Linya also looked over. Lu Li grinned, pointing to Li Zichuan beside him: ¡°The day I picked you up, I was actually looking for this guy. So, does he count as our matchmaker or not?¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Yu Meng. ¡°Ah!¡± Su Linya. Both widened their eyes, not expecting this kind of fate between them. If you put it that way, Yu Meng and Lu Li¡¯s matchmaker was indeed Su Linya and Li Zichuan. ¡°Hehehehe, Xiao Meng, you and Xiao Li really have a fate decreed by the heavens!¡± Su Linya couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth and giggle. Yu Meng¡¯s eyes sparkled with sweetness, looking tenderly at Lu Li: ¡°Yes, everything is fate.¡± Having encountered something as miraculous as reincarnation, what else could she not ept? She and Big Brother really have a destined connection! After all twists and turns, they finally met and got together. Li Zichuan: ¡°¡­¡± Damn, why do I talk so much nonsense! Suddenly feeling so annoyed! Chapter 127 Chapter 127: Su Linya: Aunty Will Provide for You Dinner was a jovial affair for the four of them. Su Linya¡¯s constant smiles throughout the meal seemed to surpass the sum of her smiles over the past few years. Her ted mood made her beauty and kindness shine even brighter, enhancing the warmth of home. It was utterly beyond understanding how anyone could give up such an outstanding woman like her because of her family background, especially after being pursued by her. It made it seem as though Aunt Su Linya wasn¡¯t even good enough for him. One could only say that Aunt Su Linya¡¯s family saw things clear and harshly, cutting ties so decisively, as if Aunt Su Linya never existed as their daughter. Lu Li lounged back in his chair, leisurely digesting his meal, experiencing a unique sensation where no amount of food seemed enough because ¡®mom¡¯ felt you hadn¡¯t eaten enough. Aunt Su Linya kept adding more food to his bowl relentlessly. It was all out of love, and Lu Li forced himself to finish it all. A faint smile of loneliness appeared on his lips. Love had knocked on his door, and he had his own family love; he had managed to reim everything he oncecked. ¡°Master brother, since we¡¯ve returned, there have been people secretly keeping an eye on our room,¡± Yu Meng approached and said. Privately, she still addressed Lu Li as ¡®master brother,¡¯ not daring to change it without his permission. Besides, this title had essentially be a little romantic secret between the two of them. Whether it changed or not didn¡¯t really matter anymore. Today, Yu Meng was officially taken by Big Brother to meet the elders, sessfully gaining their approval, and even surpassing Cao Yingying and Chen Xiaoyi. ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s just Li Zichuan being overly cautious, sending someone over because I offended those two families as soon as I arrived, worrying about potential troubles,¡± Lu Li waved it off. Honestly, he was rather hoping those two families would try something, giving him a more legitimate reason to set an example and prevent any bacsh from those ns. Not that Lu Li was afraid, of course. So, he wouldn¡¯t reject the kind intentions of Li Zichuan and Aunt Su Linya. ¡°The little maid¡¯s vignce ismendable, deserving of a reward!¡± Lu Li looked at Yu Meng with a smiling gaze. Truly worthy of being the top assassin, a charm against disasters by his side! And importantly, cute and cuddly, perfect for sleeping with. A flicker of delight passed through Yu Meng¡¯s eyes as she tiptoed to Lu Li¡¯s side, clutching her skirt hem bashfully. By the way, she had put on that maid outfit again. It seemed Yu Meng had figured out that her Big Brother had a particr fondness for special costumes. Thinking about those two women in Hangzhou, only she followed Big Brother to Magic City this time, she was ecstatic. ¡°By the way, Yingying said she coulde over the day after tomorrow. She was nning toe tomorrow, but Xiaoyi has some troublesome matters to deal with, so they thought it best to handle everything beforeing together.¡± Just as Yu Meng was basking in happiness, Lu Li suddenly spoke, and in an instant, her smug smile froze. How could it be so soon! Cao Yingying, didn¡¯t you say your grandfather was a bit crazy these days and needed persuading? How did you manage in just a day? And Chen Xiaoyi, why the rush! Hope it¡¯s not just to hurry over to Magic City without properly handling your tasks! ¡°Lu Brother, actually, I¡¯ve prepared some other clothes, like a cherry blossom schoolgirl swimsuit, do you like it?¡± Instead ofining, why not seize the moment? The exclusive time is too short; cherish the present! Once those two women arrive, she won¡¯t be as happy. A cherry blossom schoolgirl¡­ swimsuit??! Lu Li was taken aback. Was this the legendary¡­? Damn, was he beingpletely manipted by Yu Meng?! That kind of outfit wasn¡¯t cooling at all, wrapped up tight, not as refreshing as some outfits, but¡­ that tightness¡­ cough cough! Anyway, who hasn¡¯t fantasized before! ¡°Cough cough, go change into it. Since you¡¯ve prepared it, I can¡¯t let your efforts go to waste.¡± Lu Li straightened his back, his face the picture of a handsome, upright gentleman. ¡°Hehe, Master Brother, wait a moment.¡± Yu Meng fully understood Lu Li¡¯s pretense of modesty. And Lu Li understood Yu Meng¡¯s mischievous intentions. Right, it was Lu Li¡¯s pretense of modesty, Yu Meng¡¯s scheming, nothing wrong with that. How could Lu Li possibly be scheming? Impossible, absolutely impossible. It was obvious Yu Meng was trying various ways to tempt Lu Li. Look at how considerate Yu Meng is, knowing Lu Li¡¯s little thoughts. She doesn¡¯t speak, just shows it directly. Truly a good sister to her brother! But when Yu Meng walked in with her white socked feet, head down, face flushed, the shy beauty made Lu Li¡¯s eyes light up. What¡¯s a gentleman¡¯s demeanor again??? Yu Meng was naturally petite, and with this outfit, there was no sense of discordance at all. Maybe it¡¯s worth considering having Cao Yingying and Chen Xiaoyi try it on sometime. After all, they¡¯re tall, maybe they could bring out a different kind of emotion! Not sure if you dare to stir emotions, but Lu Li was truly moved! Really moved!! *** The next day, as nned, he went to view houses with Aunt Su. Instead, the aunt took Lu Li directly to a manor near the Li family estate. This ce once belonged to a small family, but after they went bankrupt and couldn¡¯t afford to keep the house, and with no buyers, it was put up for sale. ¡°Although the omen here isn¡¯t great, it¡¯s still a manor. In the entirety of Magic City, you won¡¯t find another unupied one. Building a new one would take too much time,¡± Su Linya said, frowning. If possible, she didn¡¯t want Lu Li living here, considering it was a manor of a bankrupted family. Most people would be quite averse to that. Lu Li smiled, ¡°What¡¯s with good or bad omens? I don¡¯t believe in that. This ce is great, and it¡¯ll be convenient to visit you, Auntie.¡± Lu Li had faced tougher challenges. What¡¯s so fearful about so-called feng shui? He¡¯s taken down big corporations before; merely a bankruptcy wouldn¡¯t scare him. He makes others go bankrupt. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t mind, Xiao Li,¡± Su Linya smiled gently. ¡°Auntie, let¡¯s call the agent then! I¡¯ll buy it, no need to look further.¡± Lu Li initially thought of getting a small vi, but Aunt Su went straight for a manor. The manor was nice, just a bit of tidying up and it would be a great ce. Lu Li was quite satisfied. ¡°Agent? What agent?¡± Su Linya chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ve already bought this ce, Xiao Li. I¡¯ll just transfer it directly to you. The agency fee is expensive; we shouldn¡¯t waste that money.¡± Lu Li froze, his eyes widening, ¡°Auntie, you¡¯ve already bought it?¡± And by the sounds of it, she intended to give it to him! Su Linya, with just one nce, understood Lu Li¡¯s expression and smiled, gently ruffling his hair, ¡°Keep your money to yourself. I¡¯m spending that dog of a man¡¯s money, might as well not waste it. Aftering to Magic City, that guy surely said he wanted to treat me well and gave me a lot of money. I didn¡¯t care about it. If it can help Xiao Li, then it¡¯s worth spending.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare refuse!¡± She red fiercely at Lu Li, wanting to do some motherly things once in a while. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Lu Li twitched, suddenly feeling like he was being kept as a pretty boy by his aunt. I¡¯m supporting you with my husband¡¯s money, huh! Chapter 128 Chapter 128: The Revenge That Ended Before It Even Began For two consecutive days, Zhang Binghan and Xiao Lin hadn¡¯t made any moves, which left Lu Li somewhat surprised. Could it be that they were warned by Li Zichuan, or did they realize that his background was not ordinary? Li Zichuan hadn¡¯t warned them but had assigned some people to protect Lu Li. The eldest young master of the Li family did have some clout, after all. Although Lu Li had expressed his intention to make an example out of those two families, Li Zichuan wouldn¡¯t let them actually trouble Lu Li. Since Lu Li hade to Magic City, it was natural for Li Zichuan to take responsibility for other issues. Well! Li Zichuan didn¡¯t realize that Yu Meng, who was with Lu Li, was the best security measure. Lu Li had already handed the transfer order to Chen Xiaoyi, and she would help arrange everything. Not to mention, all the executives promoted by Lu Ya were transferred over by Lu Li. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that killing too many people at once would attract attention, Lu Li would have preferred to eliminate them as well. But these people werepetent and, after being threatened by Lu Li and seeing Chen Jiao being made an example of, they became very obedient. Don¡¯t me Lu Li for being ruthless. Getting involved in the internal strife of such major families and betting on the wrong side, one couldn¡¯t expect toe out unscathed. Making an example out of someone is always the most effective strategy. The newly purchasedpany building was located in the busiest CBD area of Magic City. The skyscraper, spanning hundreds of floors, once belonged to a reputable enterprise. In a ce like Magic City, where opportunities and crises coexist, with crises often outweighing opportunities, there are many who be overnight sesses, and just as many who lose everything and leap from tall buildings. By the way, Aunt Su had helped prepare this skyscraper, and Lu Li hadn¡¯t spent a single penny, not even the transfer fee, which was also covered by Aunt Su. In Aunt Su¡¯s words, it was all money from that old man of the Li family, so why not spend it? It would only bother her to keep it, and since Lu Li worked so hard to earn money, he should learn to save. Truthfully, it was touching, but also somewhat speechless. But what could he do, unable to decline Aunt Su¡¯s generous offer? All in all,pared to the troubles in Hangzhou, aftering to Magic City, aside from a brief moment of annoyance right after getting off the ne, the rest of his time had been quitefortable! Looking around at the executives who had already arrived, Lu Li¡¯s gaze was sharp, and everyone in the room felt a chill, perking up immediately. They were the ones who had been threatened by Lu Li and had seen him make an example out of someone. Facing this domineering President Lu, they didn¡¯t even dare to speak loudly. ¡°The documents have been distributed to you. The strategy against the Zhang and Xiao families is the Lu Corporation¡¯s first move since arriving in Magic City. We must execute it wlessly,¡± Lu Limanded directly, since Chen Xiaoyi hadn¡¯t arrived yet, he decided to take matters into his own hands. The outside world had been spreading some sour words, saying that his sess was all thanks to Chen Xiaoyi. Frankly, Lu Li didn¡¯t care, just a bunch of people who only dared to speak sourly behind his back. He didn¡¯t need to prove anything to them. But it seemed Chen Xiaoyi cared quite a bit. Unable to refuse the small request from the cute and affectionate girl, Lu Li had no choice! Fighting a beautiful battle was just to make Chen Xiaoyi happy. ¡°Yes, President Lu!¡± Everyone spoke in unison, some even trembling slightly. They had the most direct understanding of how terrifying Lu Li could be. People cherish their lives, and they certainly didn¡¯t want to end up foolish like Chen Jiao. ¡°Very well!¡± Everyone started busying themselves. Lu Li tapped his finger lightly, watching the captions on therge screen with a cold smile on his lips. His arrival had indeed been low profile. Seizing this opportunity, it was time to announce his arrival to the major families of Magic City! Oh, and there was Ye Chen! Imagining his face upon learning of Lu Li¡¯s arrival in Magic City brought a smile to Lu Li¡¯s face. Everything Ye Chen had once brought upon him was about to be returned. Zhang Ziqin thought that just because the events of the past life hadn¡¯t happened in this one, she could start over as if nothing had ever happened. Lu Li had already told her it was wishful thinking. A woman who had cooperated with Ye Chen, especially against his objections, couldn¡¯t expect Lu Li to pretend nothing had happened in this new life. Ha! Forget about generosity. No one needed her so-called self-righteous generosity. Why should he change before anything happens? Why couldn¡¯t he take down those who had caused him deep pain? Lu Li wasn¡¯t a professional actor; all his ¡®acting¡¯ came from genuine emotions. Shaking his head to clear those thoughts, why think about disgusting things on a happy day? Turning his gaze back to the big screen, Lu Li wasn¡¯t short on funds. After toppling the Zhang and Zhao families and absorbing the Su and Liu families, the Lu Corporation¡¯s funds had swelled like never before. Money was the least of his worries. Even if it meant operating at a loss against the Xiao and Zhang families, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Just getting the name out there and building momentum was enough. Ordinary people couldn¡¯t pull off such a feat. Bankrupting others sounds easy, but the cost is irrecoverable, which is why no one usually bothers. The Zhang and Xiao families, having offended Lu Li and especially at a time when he was looking to make an example out of someone, were simply unlucky. In Magic City, the Zhang Corporation, a rising business in recent years, had made quite a name for itself,rgely thanks to the chairman¡¯s daughter, who had caught the eye of a young master from the Xiao Corporation. Therge orders from Xiao Corporation had catapulted them to new heights. But now, the once triumphant Chairman Zhang was troubled. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why is our stock price soaring like this?¡± While rising stock prices are good, such a surge was abnormal. ¡°Chairman, it seems someone is targeting ourpany¡¯s market, maliciously inting the stock price,¡± the financial advisor immediately responded, his face equally grim. ¡°Who is it?¡± Chairman Zhang¡¯s face was extremely dark. ¡°Chairman, now¡¯s not the time to focus on that. Please prepare thepany¡¯s liquid assets immediately. Regardless of who it is, a big move ising. If we can¡¯t stabilize the stock price, given the opponent¡¯s investment, we might not be able to recover¡­¡± Before he could finish, Chairman Zhang had already grasped the advisor¡¯s implication. Bankruptcy¡­ Just the thought made Chairman Zhang¡¯s face turn exceedingly grim. He believed he had wronged no one, so why would someone suddenly target Zhang Corporation¡¯s stock? ¡°Go prepare. I need to make a call.¡± In this situation, he nned to involve Xiao Corporation as well, since the two families had a good rtionship due to their children. But before he could dial, a call from Xiao Corporation came first. Chairman Zhang¡¯s face brightened, thinking that Xiao Corporation had learned of his plight and was offering help. What a reliable inw. He answered the call. ¡°Old Zhang, do you have any liquid assets left, emergency¡­¡± Chairman Zhang felt as if he had fallen into an ice cer! Chapter 129 Chapter 129: Forgiveness Is for the Protagonist, I¡¯m the Viin The offensive against the Zhang and Xiao families was far simpler than it had been for the Zhang Corporation. If it hadn¡¯t been for Zhang Ziqin¡¯s moment of folly and poor judgment, with the Zhang family¡¯s foundation, they could have held out longer. These two families were nowhere near the scale of the Zhang family, not evenparable to the Liu and Su families. With massive amounts of capital poured in without regard for cost, their downfall was swift. Sighing somewhat uninterestedly, it wasn¡¯t long before Li Zichuan¡¯s call came in. ¡°Damn, you actually did it, took down those two families just like that.¡± Li Zichuan¡¯s tone was full of surprise, aware that his big brother¡¯s capabilities had been severely hampered by Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya before. Seeing Lu Li stir up storms in Hangzhou, Li Zichuan was genuinely happy. Without those two disasters, his brother had soared high. But he hadn¡¯t expected Lu Li to be so effective! It had only been a few hours since work began, not even a full day, and those two families were already gone. ¡°Made a loss for the sake of a shout-out, didn¡¯t earn a penny!¡± But there wasn¡¯t a loss either, at most, he had to pay these executives a bit more for their work, since they were helping him out. But in the face of such a glorious victory, a little extra sry was really a non-issue. No, not even an issue at all. If he took his time, he certainly could have made a good profit from it, something Chen Xiaoyi managed when she first entered the workforce. There¡¯s no reason Lu Li couldn¡¯t do it, only better. But he pursued speed, opting for a swift and shocking impact. ¡°Damn you, finishing off tworge corporations in a day is already a miracle, and you still want to earn, no wait, you didn¡¯t earn? You didn¡¯t lose money?¡± Li Zichuan cursed before stopping abruptly, incredulously asking. ¡°Well, not really, since I still have to pay sries to my employees!¡± Lu Li smirked, enjoying the feeling of showing off to a friend. ¡°Go to hell, Lu Li!¡± It took Li Zichuan a while to squeeze out such a sentence. ¡°Hahahaha! Alright, I¡¯m short on people right now. Help me find Xiao Lin and Zhang Binghan, send them a message for me!¡± ¡°Tell Xiao Lin, ¡®Didn¡¯t you say you wanted me to pay?''¡± ¡°To Zhang Binghan, say, ¡®Weren¡¯t you trying to use me and have your boyfriend teach me a lesson?¡¯ No need to specify names, they¡¯ll definitely remember.¡± People might forget everything about the protagonist and the heroine, but they¡¯ll never forget their grudges. It¡¯s been two days, and they still haven¡¯t found out about me, utterly useless. They¡¯re still putting on airs, thinking about using me! As a viin, how could I not kick them while they¡¯re down? Forgiving and sparing people is something protagonists do. You¡¯re bankrupt now, just live with it! That¡¯s something for protagonists. Lu Li¡¯s kindness was reserved for the right people, Aunt Su, Li Zichuan! As for others, sorry, not my concern! Dealing with Zhang Ziqin, I¡¯ve already been too kind, letting her off easy, otherwise, who knows what she¡¯d go through! ¡°Lu Li, you¡¯ve even taken the pandas¡¯ food, you know?¡± That¡¯s too awesome! But¡­ really damn satisfying. Li Zichuan wouldn¡¯t think it¡¯s too much. His world is small, only big enough for two people, his mom and Lu Li. The rest, he doesn¡¯t care about. ¡°Quit your yapping, will you help or not!¡± ¡°You¡¯re the one yapping, you¡¯ve already said it, how can I not help!¡± Li Zichuan rolled his eyes. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s have dinner together tonight and take those people you arranged to protect me away. My people are arriving tonight, don¡¯t let them cause any trouble.¡± Lu Li grinned, he had said before, he liked the feeling of being favored. With no father¡¯s love, no mother¡¯s care, and a sister who always schemes against him, the little viin also has someone who loves him! Squinting his eyes, hefortablyy back in his chair. ¡°Damn, I just asked them to be a bit more careful, to protect you secretly, and you still found out.¡± Li Zichuan eximed in surprise. ¡°Heh heh, the girl by my side is no ordinary person! She¡¯s an assassin, a very badass one, those little security details you arranged can¡¯t even hide properly.¡± Speaking of Yu Meng, she¡¯s currently at home starting to deal with the security issues of the manor, hmm, truly a nice girl. In every aspect! ¡°You¡¯re lying, how can you even say that with a straight face, an assassin? Why not im she¡¯s the number one martial artist in the world!¡± Lu Li frowned: ¡°Hmm¡­ it¡¯s almost the same, the world¡¯s second-best assassin!¡± ¡°Go to hell! You¡¯re getting more ridiculous!¡± Li Zichuan said irritably, still the world¡¯s second, still an assassin, Yu Meng? That girl who blushes just being held by Lu Li is supposed to be that? ¡°¡­¡± Does nobody believe the truth these days? Yu Meng is indeed the world¡¯s second-best assassin after Ye Chen! You¡¯re Li Zichuan, and I¡¯m telling you, yet you don¡¯t believe! ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll withdraw the people, but you be careful, my dad¡¯s looking for me, I¡¯m hanging up!¡± Li Zichuan said and didn¡¯t wait for Lu Li¡¯s response before hanging up. Lu Li shrugged and put down the phone, standing up. Time to pick up the wife! *** ¡°Lu Li! Lu Li!! LU LI!!!¡± Three cries of Lu Li, each louder and more venomous than thest. Ye Chen¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, his tone filled with hatred and darkness, all because of this man, he was forced to flee from Hangzhou to Magic City like a dog kicked out of its home, because of this man, he lost his fingers, bing aplete cripple. All because of Lu Li. A hatred so deep it couldn¡¯t be shared under the same sky made Ye Chen¡¯s eyes burn with rage, wishing he could confront Lu Li right now. ¡°Calm down, Xiaochen!¡± An old and authoritative voice sounded. ¡°Grandpa!!¡± Ye Chen¡¯s eyes were filled with an indescribable intent to kill. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to take your revenge like this,¡± Old Master Chen sternly eyed his grandson, caring deeply for the bloodline his daughter left in this world. ¡°Huff, huff!¡± After taking two deep breaths, Ye Chen managed to suppress the rampant murderous intent in his heart. ¡°This Lu Li is not an easy target. Just entering Magic City, he¡¯s already connected with that Li Zichuan, meaning he¡¯s in with the Li family, one of the top families in Magic City, not so easily dealt with. If you want to go against Lu Li, you must first sever their rtionship,¡± Old Master Chen analyzed calmly. Chen Ya, standing behind him, had a sh of cold light in her eyes. Even the Chen family is mostly owned by Lu Li now, and you¡¯re still thinking about going against him. Ironically thinking, her heart couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit sorrowful. Lu Li hade to Magic City and hadn¡¯t looked for her. Did she seem that insignificant? She could help Lu Li too, okay! Chapter 130 Chapter 130: Chen Ya: Sister Is the Best Given her father¡¯s steadfast decision to follow Ye Chen to the end, Chen Ya no longer cared. She had advised and been disappointed. Since Ye Chen¡¯s appearance, her father increasingly neglected both her and the Chen family¡¯s assets. After dealing with Ye Chen, she could im some credit and request Lu Li to spare her father¡¯s life. Afterward, whatever happens will happen. Chen Ya had decided not to interfere anymore. Life is tough, even for a queen of the underworld. What beautiful thoughts she had! Heading to Hangzhou to start a coboration with Lu Li, while embarking on a sweet romance. But Lu Li simply didn¡¯t see her that way. The women by his side, not to mention Chen Xiaoyi, Yu Meng had found Lu Li earlier, and Cao Yingying had also shown up by his side sooner. Either of those women was difficult to deal with. Now, she only hoped to pick up the scraps they left behind. Her biggest fear was not even getting those scraps, as Lu Li showed no interest in her at all. Damn, was it because she was a bit older? Sister is the best, you know! No taste at all. A sister could cherish you, love you, and give her life for you. Could those little girls do that? Chilled to the bone!! But that little man was too impressive. In just one day, he wiped out two enterprises. Even though she didn¡¯t regard those so-called enterprises highly, she wasn¡¯t confident she could resolve them in such a short time. Yet, Lu Li handled it with such ease! However, Lu Li was still a bit too merciful. Those two had offended him so much, and he only made them go bankrupt. If someone dared to offend her little darling, Lu Li might be merciful, but Chen Ya wouldn¡¯t. After discovering that Lu Li had acted against those two families, Chen Ya also did some investigating and was furious enough to want to kill. Those damned women, using such a clich¨¦d plot on Lu Li. And that man, even wanting Lu Li to pay a price. She hadn¡¯t directly dealt with them because she knew Lu Li was already handling it. Chen Ya misunderstood, though. Lu Li could indeed have taken out those two, but sometimes, not dying is the worst. For Zhang Ziqin, who he had once loved in a past life, he didn¡¯t want to see her ruined, so he left her a way out to die, while the Zhang family members were lucky. Lu Li needed them to test Yu Meng¡¯s loyalty and to let Ye Chen take the me, making their deaths clean. But for these two, Lu Li was not to be trifled with, nor did they have any value to be used. Let them endure the scolding of their rtives, watch their enemy triumph, and even be humiliated by those they once looked down upon. Living was hell on earth for them! *** ¡°Lu Li!¡± ¡°Lu Brother!¡± Two tender calls came, and two beautiful women who attracted all the male¡¯s attention the moment they appeared, rushed into Lu Li¡¯s arms. The surrounding area was filled with the sound of breaking hearts, as the two stunning beauties naturally became the center of attention at the airport. But now, both women threw themselves into Lu Li¡¯s embrace. The fantasy didn¡¯tst long before it shattered. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s hug at home. Look at the people around, they want to kill me!¡± Lu Li¡¯s face also showed a gentle smile. He had missed them in just two days and was even in the mood to joke with them. ¡°I don¡¯t care about them!¡± Chen Xiaoyi huffed, clinging to Lu Li as if afraid he would suddenly disappear. Though it was only two days, for a girl in the throes of love, it felt too long. A day apart felt like years! Cao Yingying intended to let go after a big hug, which would have soothed her longing for the past two days, but being reborn, she held a bit moreposure. But hearing Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s words, a tender feeling shed through her heart. Smiling softly at Lu Li, she tightened her grip. Her troublesome grandfather had been too happy after being able to walk again, not heeding any advice. She could only block him at home; otherwise, she would havee to Magic City with Lu Li two days earlier. ¡°Alright, alright, then I¡¯ll carry you two out.¡± When the girls said so, Lu Li had nothing toin about. He lifted each of his own women in his arms like children. This prompted another wave of gasps from the surrounding crowd. He didn¡¯t look particrly muscr, yet he had such strength. For a moment, the women also stared, and a few even licked their lips and crossed their legs with ill intent. ¡°Ah, Lu Brother!¡± Chen Xiaoyi blushed as she nestled against Lu Li¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You bad guy.¡± Cao Yingying whispered into Lu Li¡¯s ear, her breath as sweet as orchid, causing Lu Li to stiffen for a moment. Decided, he would deal with her when they got back! Cao Yingying felt Lu Li¡¯s stiffness and a smile flickered in her eyes. Being reborn wasn¡¯t for nothing. She wouldn¡¯t repeat the same naive mistakes, ending up unable to express her feelings like in her previous life. Swinging her legs in the air, she felt secure. ¡°Big brother is busy right now, he has no time.¡± Yu Meng looked scornfully at Chen Ya in front of her. Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re up to, you dead woman. You¡¯re lusting after my big brother¡¯s body, you shameless! The two days of good times came to an end the afternoon big brother walked in with Cao Yingying and Chen Xiaoyi in his arms. Now they¡¯ve all left her behind, heartbroken. She remained the powerless little maid in front of those twodies, unable to stand up for herself! But she could stand up in front of Chen Ya, a woman being ckmailed and rted by blood to Ye Chen. Who knows how much of her talk about cooperation with big brother was true. ¡°But I really have important news.¡± Chen Ya was also annoyed, sneaking out to pass on a message only to be stopped by a little maid. Last time in Hangzhou, it was Yu Meng who dislocated her arms. ¡°Then wait for me. Your news is probably just about Ye Chen nning some petty scheme again, nothing urgent.¡± Yu Meng sneered disdainfully. As long as Ye Chen can¡¯t bring the Dragon Group into the country, he¡¯s just a toothless stray dog. Even if he barks, he¡¯s not a threat. Although reluctant, Miss Cao Yingying¡¯s background indeed gave her a lot of confidence. With her helping big brother, it¡¯s like riding on a dragon¡¯s back. ¡°You¡­¡± Chen Ya was frustrated. Lu Li didn¡¯te to find her, so she took the initiative, only to be stopped by this little maid. Taking a deep breath, trying to calm down, Chen Ya said, ¡°We¡¯re in the same boat now. If Lu Li fails, I won¡¯t fare well either.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t fail. Even if you don¡¯t fare well, I won¡¯t fail,¡± a detached voice suddenly said. Chen Ya and Yu Meng looked up to see a celestial man, Lu Li, wearing a simple robe yet exuding an indescribable sense of fitting. Chapter 131 Chapter 131: Are Protagonists Really That Dumb? The three settled down. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it! What was Ye Chen¡¯s reaction after he found out I was here? What kind of bizarre methods has hee up with now?¡± Lu Li¡¯s tone was mocking, as if he didn¡¯t take Ye Chen seriously at all. Of course, Lu Li wouldn¡¯t underestimate Ye Chen; after all, he was the protagonist of another world. But to say he had a high opinion of Ye Chen now? Absolutely not. Yu Meng had broken two of his fingers, the protagonist¡¯s invincibility had already been shattered, and the Heavenly Dragon Organization hadn¡¯t made it into the country. Lu Li didn¡¯t need to be overly cautious. Chen Ya¡¯s expression changed subtly, her eyelids lowered, feeling a bit ufortable with Lu Li¡¯s indifferent attitude. ¡°Ye Chen, after knowing you¡¯ve arrived, was very angry, furious even, and wanted to kill you directly for revenge,¡± she said earnestly. In front of Lu Li, she had no initiative. ¡°Good!¡± Lu Li nodded, pleased. The anger of one¡¯s enemies was the bestpliment. Yu Meng smirked with disdain. That Ye Chen actually thinking of killing his way in? Wishful thinking. If he truly dared, Yu Meng herself would deal with him directly. ¡°And then¡­ on my father¡¯s request, Ye Chen calmed down. They¡­ they want to host a banquet, inviting all the elites of Magic City, including you, Lu¡­ Total, intending to embarrass you publicly, while also trying to win over some families against you,¡± Chen Ya gritted her teeth and said. In the previous life, Lu Li had attended this banquet hosted by the Chen family. He was ridiculed and embarrassed, including by her, and everyone mocked him, leading to his hasty departure. Including Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya, those two women. She remembered, in the previous life, only that young master from the Li family stood by Lu Li¡¯s side, ring at them, and eventually left with Lu Li. It felt like her heart was being squeezed. Her biggest fear was history repeating itself. ¡°Heh, inviting me! Really sees himself as someone with a divine mandate to rule from on high!¡± Lu Li said mockingly. ¡°He invites me, and I¡¯m supposed to go?¡± Did he take me for a fool? Ye Chen really hasn¡¯t grown at all! In the previous life, it was because of the plot. This time, why should I go? To engage in a verbal battle with them? Winning would only serve to embarrass Ye Chen, but would it expand mypany¡¯s scale? No, it would just make me look like a clown. Chen Ya was stupefied! Lu Li didn¡¯t n to attend the banquet? That might be for the best, at least no matter what schemes Ye Chen and her father prepared, they couldn¡¯t be used. As for them winning over those influential figures, Chen Ya was confident she could handle it. ¡°Yu Meng, if I forget tomorrow, remind Xiaoyi to make some moves with the Chen family assets we hold. Since the Chen family has made a move, it¡¯s our turn,¡± Lu Li suddenly said. Yu Meng was momentarily stunned, then shed a bright smile: ¡°Okay, Brother Lu, I¡¯ve got it.¡± They were going after the Chen family! Brother not caring about Chen Ya at all was great news, she thought. That woman was detestable. ¡°No, President Lu, you mean to¡­¡± Chen Ya¡¯s face turned pale as she tried to say something, clearly sensing the chilling intent in Lu Li¡¯s words. ¡°Since your Chen family has made that decision, I suppose it¡¯s okay for me to bring down your Chen family, right? Or does Miss Chen think only officials are allowed to start fires, andmoners can¡¯t even lightmps?¡± Lu Li stood up, his tone somber. ¡°Wanting both fame and benefits, there¡¯s no such good thing in the world. And don¡¯t treat me like a fool. If I have a trump card, why wouldn¡¯t I y it? Am I supposed to wait for you to dilly-dally with your little undercover games?¡± If the Chen family is now Ye Chen¡¯s support, then blowing up that mountain seems to be a good option. Was Lu Li supposed to really cooperate with Chen Ya, waiting for her to make a choice, waiting for her to betray Ye Chen before he reluctantly made a move? The best strategy not used, but opting for the worst! Lu Li wasn¡¯t stupid. Chen Ya was dumbfounded. Lu Li was forcing her to make a choice: side with her father and Ye Chen, or cooperate with him. Choosing the former meant the ruin of the Chen family and the end of any rtionship with Lu Li, possibly even losing her dignity. Choosing Lu Li meantpletely severing ties with her father, but the Chen family could remain intact. This was the choice Lu Li presented. ¡°Yu Meng, see the guest out!¡± Lu Li had no time to waste with Chen Ya. His two sweethearts were in the midst of a heartfelt reunion, and Chen Xiaoyi was particrly aggrieved, even though Cao Yingying said the big picture mattered more and let Lu Lie down first, her eyes also held some grievances. Chen Ya¡¯s shouting downstairs had spoiled the mood, as if being forced to hold back midway through a bathroom break. ¡°Yes, Master Brother!¡± A hint of amusement shed in Yu Meng¡¯s eyes. ¡°Miss Chen, please!¡± Turning around, Yu Meng¡¯s face was now a cold mask, her gaze icy as she looked at Chen Ya. ¡°No, President Lu, please listen to me¡­¡± Chen Ya struggled to say something but was forcefully pulled out by Yu Meng. Lu Li shrugged, feeling fortunate and peaceful with Yu Meng at home. Leisurely walking upstairs, the unfinished business was now to bepleted. *** Chen Ya sat stunned in her car, driven out by Lu Li again like an unwanted stray dog, her mood inevitably a bit unbnced. Since you don¡¯t want my help, I¡¯ll be your enemy, let you see the consequences of offending me. Such a defiant mood shed through Chen Ya¡¯s mind, then disappeared. What right did she have to act that way? Not to mention whether she had the ability, once she handed over all her leverage to Lu Li, the oue was sealed. Besides, could she really bring herself to oppose Lu Li? He might no longer be the naive boy who wanted to expose Ye Chen¡¯s true nature, but he was still an exceptional man. The man she loved. With a wry smile, she realized she was indeed wrong. As Lu Li said, wanting both fame and benefits was too presumptuous. To have Lu Li eliminate Ye Chen, then she could inherit the Chen family without worries, without doing anything, even her father couldn¡¯tin. A bitter smile emerged. She had no such intentions, but subconsciously, that¡¯s what she wanted to do. That¡¯s always been her approach, just¡­ a habit. The truth was, Lu Li had no reason to do all this for her. Chapter 132 Chapter 132: Chen Ya: Ye Chen, You¡¯re an Idiot ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You seem a bit unhappy,¡± Cao Yingying propped herself up, looking at Lu Li with concern. Lu Li didn¡¯t hide his feelings, saying, ¡°Yeah, some dead woman actually wants to use me as a tool. I just can¡¯t understand, I have her by the balls, and if necessary, the survival of the Chen family could be decided in a moment by me. What right does that guy have?¡± ¡°Is it Chen Ya? What happened?¡± Cao Yingying was curious. Lu Li recounted the events, leading Cao Yingying to frown and shake her head with augh, ¡°Really a true businesswoman, huh? Even at this time, she hasn¡¯t rified her stance, still ying little games!¡± A glint of coldness shed in her eyes, scheming against her man. ¡°What do you n to do?¡± Cao Yingying asked. Lu Li shrugged and smiled lightly. He had been negligent, bringing such negative emotions into the room, making his girl worry with him. It wasn¡¯t right; it really wasn¡¯t. ¡°Give her a day. If Chen Ya still can¡¯t make the right choice, then both she and her assets are done for.¡± Holding a royal flush, it¡¯s time to y it when necessary. This time, he was somewhat annoyed by this so-called heroine. He never had much fondness for her to begin with, and now, seeing her fail to grasp the situation and even thinking of using him, his patience had worn thin. The terms wereid out clearly; whatever choice this woman makes, Lu Li couldn¡¯t care less. The initiative would always be in his hands. Although Lu Li didn¡¯t despise Chen Ya as much as he did Zhang Ziqin and Lu Ya¡ªafter all, by the time Chen Ya appeared, he was already numb, just acting toplete the mission¡ªstill, to say he had no dislike for someone who humiliated him would be a lie. ¡°Mhm!¡± Cao Yingying nodded silently. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s gettingte, let¡¯s sleep. Look, Xiaoyi has already passed out. After all that fuss, aren¡¯t you tired?¡± saying so, Cao Yingying yawned too. They had indulged a bit too much today. Although Lu Li was young, there should be limits! Some things need to be considered for the long term! Lu Li assured her there was no need to worry, his body had been enhanced to beyond human limits by that damn system. He wasn¡¯t tired at all, even ready to take Cao Yingying for a 10-kilometer night run. *** The next day, around noon, the sun shone brightly. The Chen family¡¯s estate was bustling with visitors, many of whom had set aside their own affairs to attend. The Chen family still had face. This was true before, and even more so now. Despite being targeted by two major families, the Chen family emerged unscathed, adding ayer of mystery to their already infamous reputation in the underworld. Nobody knew what kind of powery hidden behind the Chen family, and the unknown was the most awe-inspiring. ¡°Auntie, has Lu Li not arrived yet?¡± Ye Chen¡¯s eyes were haughty, but deep hatred lurked within as he asked. ¡°Why should hee? Knowing full well this banquet is a trap, do you think Lu Li is stupid? Or do you believe you¡¯re the only smart person in this world?¡± Chen Ya nced at Ye Chen with disdain, her lips curling into a slight smile. After today, she would be seen as an unfilial daughter by everyone. And Ye Chen¡­ hmph, without saying more, there wouldn¡¯t be a ce for him in the Chen family anymore. She had been too presumptuous, thinking she could just use a few words to make Lu Li take the lead without giving anything in return. It was utterly despicable. Know your ce! At best, her rtionship with Lu Li was one of cooperation, and Lu Li didn¡¯t have a good impression of her. She couldn¡¯t afford to upset him anymore. Yes! That¡¯s it. With all the leverage in his hands, even if it was just for her own sake, for the Chen family¡¯s survival, she had to do it. Ye Chen¡¯s mockery of Chen Ya¡¯s ridicule passed with augh. His aunt was always cold on the outside but warm on the inside. ¡°Just a coward, no matter. It¡¯s even better if he backs down. Though we can¡¯t embarrass him publicly, our chances of working with the Zhong family to deal with him are greater now.¡± Coward? Chen Ya¡¯s scornful gaze flicked over Ye Chen. Still as overconfident as ever! Lu Li doesn¡¯t even consider you, let alone the Chen family. Where does your confidencee from? Turning her head away, Chen Ya couldn¡¯t bother to look at her bothersome nephew any longer. Today was the day she would show her determination to Lu Li. She had to act on her own to regain the favor she had lost in front of Lu Li. He clearly disliked her, even loathed her, all because of this damned blood rtion. Today, she would sever what should have been severed in the previous life. ¡°Wee to the banquet at the Chen¡¯s. In just a month, we¡¯ve had the honor of your visit twice, and for that, my family is grateful,¡± Chen Ya was the first to speak at the event. Her words were pleasant, and the guests were all smiles. ¡°Miss Chen is too polite. Attending the Chen¡¯s banquet is our honor.¡± ¡°Indeed, what inconvenience? We¡¯re honored to be here.¡± ¡°Miss Chen is being modest¡­¡± ¡°Miss Chen¡¯s radiance makes it a privilege for us just to see her.¡± Various polite remarks came from around, to which Chen Ya responded with a sweet smile, her manners impable. Having been in this circle for many years, she knew exactly what expression to wear at any given time. ¡°Today¡¯s banquet was specifically requested by my father. The reasons behind it, I dare not share in front of our esteemed guests. Let my father¡¯s proxy, Mr. Ye Chen, exin to everyone!¡± The trap was set, waiting for someone to fall in. Ye Chen¡¯s face lit up with joy. His aunt was setting the stage for him! Raising his profile, making it easier for him to converse with these influential figures. Old Master Chen also showed approval, satisfied with his daughter¡¯s performance. The guests, however, were slightly frowning. They had heard about Ye Chen offending two major families, but at this time, the Chen family chose to let Ye Chen speak. Was this a sign of change in the Chen family? Whispers filled the air. Chen Ya¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile as she stepped down from the stage. ¡°Auntie, thank you!¡± Ye Chen said softly as he passed by Chen Ya. See? His aunt was cold on the outside but warm inside. This wasn¡¯t pre-arranged; his aunt was indeed advocating for him! Chen Ya smiled faintly, ¡°Make sure you perform well!¡± Chapter 133 Chapter 133: Chen Ya: The Clown Performance by Ye Chen ¡°Xiaoyi, take action!¡± Lu Li lounged back into his chairzily, thinking to himself that Hangzhou and Magic City weren¡¯t all that different. Life remained leisurely, and having Chen Xiaoyi, who had been charmed with little effort, was proving extremely useful in every sense. ¡°Understood, President Lu!¡± Chen Xiaoyi spoke softly, turning to face the executives with an expression so stern it sent shivers down their spines. ¡°Everyone get ready now! Begin the operation immediately.¡± Under her cold gaze, the executives, who had just experienced Lu Li¡¯s ruthless handling of the Xiao and Zhang enterprises, felt a chill run through them. Ms. Chen was even more terrifying than Director Lu! One by one, they sat up straight and focused intently on theirputers ahead. Lu Li admired Chen Xiaoyi¡¯s efficiency. ¡°Not bad at all, worthy of being my woman, bing more and more captivating.¡± He thought to himself. He decided there and then that tonight, Chen Xiaoyi would wear her professional attire and share her insights with him! Ah! Wait, why wait until night? Such matters were just as feasible during the day. So, right after wrapping up here, he would take Chen Xiaoyi to his office! His gaze shifted towards the window. The Chen family¡¯s banquet must have started by now. Lu Li could pretty much guess Chen Ya¡¯s choice, but he wouldn¡¯t joke about his reputation and the downfall of the Chen family. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have sought cooperation in the first ce. Chen Ya had no choice but to stand by him now, which was destined the moment she approached him in Hangzhou. But knowing that, Lu Li was still unhappy about the prior events. It was time to teach her a lesson, to let Chen Ya understand who was superior and who was inferior, and to simply behave from now on. While he didn¡¯t detest her as much as Zhang Ziqin or Lu Ya¡ªafter all, by the time Chen Ya entered the picture, he was just acting toplete his mission¡ªfeeling no dislike would be a lie. ¡°Everyone must have heard about yesterday¡¯s incident, right? That guy called Lu Li,ing from Hangzhou, directly wiped out two major enterprises with ruthless methods, his heart deserves condemnation!¡± The outraged tone made the guests unconsciously frown. Lu Li¡¯s aggressive move to annihte two enterprises upon his arrival had indeed scared them. ¡°His actions are a provocation to our Magic City families. Arriving here and not keeping a low profile, instead doing such things, is a deration of war against us.¡± ¡°Now it¡¯s the Xiao and Zhang families, but who says we won¡¯t be next?¡± The fluctuating tone made the dignitaries in attendance furrow their brows. As Ye Chen continued, ¡°Today, my Chen family also extended an invite to Lu Li, but he didn¡¯te. What does this indicate?¡± His voice suddenly grew louder. ¡°That Lu Li, clearly doesn¡¯t regard our families seriously. He did so with my Chen family; for you, does he even consider you at all?¡± The furious shout, filled with lethal intent, showed Ye Chen knew how to manipte emotions, exaggerating and twisting Lu Li¡¯s actions, making everyone feel a shared enmity. Chen Ya looked at Ye Chen with a bit of surprise, not expecting the scoundrel to have such eloquence. Should she say it was no wonder he could organize the Heavenly Dragon Group? But no matter how well he spoke, it was useless. Today¡¯s oue was already sealed. Her phone rang, and after listening to the caller, Chen Ya¡¯s dignified face clouded with worry. Lu Li had started to move aggressively, seemingly determined to annihte all of the Chen family¡¯s assets. Chen Ya knew it was a warning from Lu Li. Because of yesterday¡¯s incident, she had to pay a price. With a helpless shake of her head, why did she still naively use past methods on Lu Li? He wasn¡¯t the same Lu Li from the previous life; she was just another pawn in his game now. One wrong step led to more mistakes. Originally seeking cooperation with Lu Li as Ye Chen¡¯s aunt was doomed to distrust, yet she thought Lu Li¡¯s character wouldn¡¯t mind, forcibly linking the Lu Li of the past to the present, resulting in such consequences. Even just waiting for Lu Li¡¯s arrival wouldn¡¯t have led to this! Doubted, arranged, and treated as air by the one she loved most¡ªany of these was unbearable for Chen Ya. Closing her eyes, she hid all her pain. When she opened them again, Chen Ya was still that fearsome queen of the underworld. Everything was still salvageable; she still had a chance to make amends. If she could end up with what she wanted, what was the current hurt? It was as if she was atoning to Lu Li for her past life. On stage, Ye Chen continued manipting everyone¡¯s emotions: ¡°Lu Li disregards us, my uncles, brothers, can we ept this? Today the Xiao and Zhang families fell, but who¡¯s to say Lu Li won¡¯t target us tomorrow?¡± Ye Chen¡¯s eloquence was undoubtedly excellent, rallying a crowd was routine for him, especially since the Heavenly Dragon Group also needed his pep talks before battles. His words couldn¡¯t be discounted just because he was Lu Li¡¯s enemy. After his speech, the guests indeed looked troubled. ¡°Yes! Lu Li disregards us like this, who knows, we might be next!¡± ¡°Right, an outsider like Lu Li dares to disregard us.¡± ¡°Ha, just the Xiao and Zhang enterprises, does Lu Li think he can scare us by bankrupting them?¡± ¡°But I heard Lu Li has some unusual rtionship with that young master from the Li family!¡± someone voiced their doubts. ¡°The Li family! That¡¯s a problem!¡± ¡°Backstabbing scum, teaming up with outsiders.¡± Murmurs and whispers were clear to Ye Chen, seeing the mood shift, he couldn¡¯t help but smile satisfactorily. How long had it been since things went smoothly for him? This was more like it, controlling the pace, turning these dignitaries into his own power. ¡°My friends, we all know Lu Li¡¯s ambitions and capabilities. His strength is not to be underestimated!¡± He feigned a sigh, immediately prompting inquiries. ¡°So, Mr. Ye Chen, what does the Chen family n to do? Gathering us here must mean you have some ideas!¡± Ye Chenughed heartily: ¡°It¡¯s time for us all to unite against this external threat. Today, my Chen family gathered you to propose we all join forces against Lu Li, to show this damned outsider our strength!¡± ¡°Let him know, Magic City is not a ce for him to wreak havoc.¡± ¡°And the Li family, we¡¯ll also let them know there are consequences for coborating with outsiders against us.¡± Lu Li, Li Zichuan, I wonder how you¡¯ll respond this time! Ye Chen sneered inwardly. Chapter 134 Chapter 134: Ye Chen¡¯s Overconfidence Faces Another Blow ¡°Everyone, in this battle against Lu Li and the Li family, my Chen family is willing to lead the charge. If we seed, the credit and benefits will be shared among us all. If not, my Chen family is ready to bear Lu Li¡¯s wrath.¡± The atmosphere of shared enmity was skillfully stoked by Ye Chen¡¯s timely deration. His righteous demeanor, surprisingly, had its own appeal. The dignitaries¡¯ interest was piqued. If Ye Chen¡¯s instigation had initially made them somewhat eager, histest statement had truly moved them. After all, having been in the business world for many years, they wouldn¡¯t be easily swayed by mere words to trouble Lu Li! At most, they¡¯d curse in private, but no one would risk their enterprises. But with Ye Chen speaking like this, they were genuinely intrigued. The prospect of profit, especially a substantial one, was enough to incite them to take risks, even in the face of danger. Everyone coveted the industries of the Li family and Lu Li. Who wouldn¡¯t want a piece of that pie? Who wasn¡¯t afraid of Lu Li and the Li family, though? The Li family¡¯s status in Magic City was well-known, and Lu Li¡¯s swift elimination of two enterprises upon his arrival in Magic City spoke volumes of his menace. But now, someone was willing to be the scapegoat, bearing the brunt for them, allowing them to reap the benefits from the sidelines¡ªof course, that was something everyone would love. Ye Chen¡¯s smile grew more radiant. He knew exactly what these businessmen wanted. What harm was there in promising them the moon to unite against Lu Li? Once Lu Li was dealt with, they would be the first on his list to settle scores with. All he needed was the momentum and influence these businessmen could bring. Looking at his grandfather, Ye Chen found reassurance in his approving nod, boosting his confidence to its peak since returning to the country. Humiliated, ignored, betrayed¡ªall because of that Lu Li. He was determined to reim everything he had lost. Cao Yingying would learn the consequences of humiliating him. Making the wrong choice could be terrifying. And Chen Xiaoyi, reportedly talented, was wasted on Lu Li. And¡­ Yu Meng, that damned traitor. He would make them watch as Lu Li groveled before him in the most degrading way, showing them how low the man they chose could be. These women would eventually kneel before him, begging for his forgiveness. ¡°Ha¡­ Ha ha ha ha, ha ha!¡± A clear, alluringugh echoed in the hall, stirring an irresistible itch in the hearts of those present. Ye Chen furrowed his brows. The atmosphere was perfect, emotions charged¡ªhow dare someone disrespect him at this moment? Old Master Chen also frowned, turning his gaze to his¡­ daughter. The out-of-ceughter drew all eyes in the banquet hall to Chen Ya, whose phoenix eyes gleamed with undisguised mockery. No need to hide anymore, she had made her choice, a decision that had been inevitable. Chen Ya followed her heart. With everyone¡¯s astonished gaze upon her, Chen Ya began to speak at Ye Chen¡¯s moment of triumph, pushing him into the abyss. It would surely be most gratifying! Let¡¯s find out. ¡°Just now, the Chen family¡¯s assets, both overt and covert, suffered a loss exceeding twenty percent, and this number is still increasing.¡± Her somber words sent chills down the spine. A twenty percent loss of the Chen family¡¯s assets was significant, even surpassing the entire wealth of some present. Ye Chen¡¯s face also showed shock, with only one name in his mind. Lu Li! It must have been him acting behind the scenes, that despicable man! Why did that damned man ruin his n again? Why would those women choose him over siding with me? Old Master Chen¡¯s gaze narrowed, feeling the unusual turn of events, with his daughter acting strangely, just as he had anticipated. Chen Ya pped her hands, and suddenly, a group of armed ck-clothed figures stormed the hall, their presence causing a panic among the dignitaries, calming the stirred emotions. They surrounded Ye Chen and Old Master Chen on the stage. ¡°Auntie, what are you doing?¡± Ye Chen asked in shock and indignation. Old Master Chen¡¯s expression changed, his murky old eyes seemingly realizing something as he stared at his daughter. ¡°Nothing much, just making the right choice to prevent you two from further harming the Chen family,¡± Chen Ya said lightly, her actions in public bound to be the biggest scandal in their circle. Regardless, her pointing the gun at her own father was an indelible stain. She didn¡¯t need to cleanse it. Fear me, respect is unnecessary, fear is sufficient. ¡°Auntie, are you also¡­¡± Ye Chen¡¯s eyes were filled with rage. Other women had already dealt him a severe blow, and if his aunt also sided with Lu Li, it would be a dagger to his heart! Ye Chen, always considering himself exceptional, believed he could turn any situation to his advantage, convinced he was chosen by fate. But since returning to the country, nothing had gone his way. From Zhang Ziqin to Cao Yingying, even Yu Meng had betrayed him. Now, even his aunt¡­ Why? Why did these women choose to stand with Lu Li? Why are these women so despicable!! ¡°Last time, your chaos forced me to seek strong support to help the Chen family through the crisis. Guess who was capable of helping us, in the end!¡± Chen Ya¡¯s sweetughter indicated she enjoyed seeing Ye Chen¡¯s helpless fury, something she had longed for. In the previous life, this man had treated Lu Li the same way, with the help of these despicable women, pushing Lu Li into the dust. Now, she personally shattered Ye Chen¡¯s dreams, avenging Lu Li. Had she known it was this simple, she wouldn¡¯t have let their rtionship be so strained! How foolish she had been. Just as she said, she had long controlled the Chen family, responsible for everything. Without her consent, what could her father do? *** Chen Ya sat in her car, stunned, driven out by Lu Li again like an unwanted stray dog. Her mood was inevitably unbnced. Since you don¡¯t want my help, then I¡¯ll be your enemy, let you see the consequences of offending me. This defiant thought shed through Chen Ya¡¯s mind and then disappeared. What right did she have to act this way? Not to mention whether she had the capability, as soon as she handed over all her leverage to Lu Li, everything was predetermined. Besides, could she really afford to oppose Lu Li? He indeed was no longer the naive young man who wanted to expose Ye Chen¡¯s true nature, but he remained an outstanding man. The man she loved. With a wry smile, she realized she had indeed been wrong. As Lu Li said, wanting both fame and benefits was too presumptuous. To have Lu Li eliminate Ye Chen and then inherit the Chen family without worries, without doing anything, not even her father couldin. Bitterlyughing, she had no such intentions, but subconsciously, that¡¯s what she wanted to do. That¡¯s always been her approach, just¡­ a habit. In truth, Lu Li had no reason to do all this for her. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!