Chapter 465: Xiao Qi’er Knows Him!
Right now, maintaining the status quo was the smartest move, especially allowing Lu Qianqian to become the new person-in-charge of Lu Holdings. As long as she would cause enough trouble, she would eventually be kicked off the board—would that not be more convenient than having Zhongteng interfere?
“So? Are you going to insist on holding custody of Qianqian’s inheritance?”
Mama Lu was clearly issuing a threat at that, and one must say that she had caught the youngest Lu uncle’s weak point.
In the end, he had underestimated her, convinced that she was just a decoration, a flower vase.
He did not expect her to be so ruthless in her moves.
“I give up my custody.”
“If that’s so, then my daughter and I shall split all of my late husband’s a.s.sets between ourselves. Do any of you have anything else to say?”
Every uncle of the Lu family shook their heads. That was the least they could do to keep Lu Holdings in the control of their own family and away from outsiders.
It was a pity that the youngest Lu uncle walked away with nothing despite the stunning performance he had put together.
“If that’s so, Youngest Brother, please sign this agreement that you relinquish all manner of custody.”
The youngest Lu uncle could only do as he was told, but the cold sneer on his face never vanished, and he even threatened Mama Lu. “I will make you suffer.”
Mama Lu remained unconcerned, however, and turned to the brothers when the agreement was in her hands. “Don’t be in a rush to leave, I still have something else to say: Even though my daughter and I are alone now and have no one to rely on, whereas the rest of our very own family could not wait to devour us, I hence decided to turn my stake to Zhongteng as well.”
“That said, Zhongteng had also promised me that they would only hold the stocks in custody, and refrain from interfering with the company’s management. However, that might not be the case if any of you attempt to usurp Qianqian’s place.”
The brother’s eyes were bulging at that.
“Isn’t that no different from selling off the company, Eldest Sister?”
“Letting the company fall into Zhongteng’s hands would be better than letting it fall into the hands of the likes of you, is it not?”
“You…”
But did the brothers have anything to counter that? Absolutely none.
Mama Lu was doing that to secure Lu Qianqian’s place at Lu Holdings as well as their safety. She would do it even if these brothers would hate her to the core.
The condition to keep Lu Holdings was to protect Qianqian.
That was what Papa Lu had been most concerned with when he was alive.
“I’ll see how Lu Qianqian would run the company into the ground!”
“That’s none of your concern. Do your best, brothers.”
Hence, the uncle of the Lu family all returned in dejection despite how thrilled they had been when they came to Lu Manor. That was especially the case for the youngest Lu uncle, who spent a fortune to bribe Papa Lu’s lawyer to fabricate a will, only to end up checkmated by Mama Lu in retaliation.
Watching as her uncles left red-faced, Lu Qianqian promptly hugged her mother. “This is the first time I see how valiant you could be, Mommy.”
“Mothers are strong. To help you, I still have much to learn.”
“But the Crown Prince wouldn’t be helping us for nothing, could he?” Lu Qianqian guessed then—even if she was besties with Qiqi, the Crown Prince had no connection to her at all. And now that he had helped them so extensively, how could there be no dues? After all, the Crown Prince was shrewder than anyone else!
“Of course. The stocks would be pa.s.sed to Zhongteng below the current market price, but it’s a win-win trade now that they are protecting us.”
Papa Lu’s lawyer could not help feeling guilt and terror at that.
And when he saw that the rest of the Lu family was gone, he promptly dropped to his knees in front of Mama Lu. “Missus Lu, I did not betray you on purpose… I was simply possessed in the heat of the moment. I hope you won’t sue me; I still have a family to feed.”
“Then have you thought about how Qianqian and I would end up if you and Youngest Brother’s plan succeeded? Why should I forgive you?”
“I’m kowtowing to you. Please, for the sake of my years of service to Mister Lu, spare me. I beg you.”
“Then get out of my sight. I won’t be so kind the next time I see you.” Mama Lu showed mercy for the sake of her late husband.
Moreover, that sc.u.mbag would not survive the legal scene now. As such, they have no need to stomp a rat and dirty their own feet.
“Hurry on, tell Mu’an about what happened so that he could stop worrying. However, Qianqian, although I managed to fight for you today, you could only count on yourself on the board meeting two days later.”
“Trust me, Mommy.” Lu Qianqian told Mama Lu with a chest full of hope. “I’ll have those uncles see me in a different light.”
Mama Lu nodded. “Then we’ll just have to wait until your act!”
While the matter of the will had been resolved, Lu Qianqiqan and her mother’s safety were not a.s.sured yet.
And although Mama Lu was uneasy about relying on Zhongteng, Sheng Xiao had sent some people to them on his own accord.
“A gift from Lin Mu’an.”
Mama Lu did a double take, and wondered how Mu’an had managed that.
***
Lu Qianqian lay on her bed after she returned to her room, and told Lin Mu’an about all the drama in the afternoon. While there had been some suspense, the issue itself was ultimately resolved.
Once Lin Mu’an saw her message after cla.s.s, he promptly gave her a call. “I have half-a-day off at the weekend. Let’s bring the Crown Prince and Mu Qiqi to dinner as a way of thanks. Are you pleased with your boyfriend’s arrangements?”
“That’s what I have in mind too.”
“But I still find it unreal even now, Mu’an. Whether it’s the moment with you at noon, or the reading of the will in the afternoon, I find both really unbelievable.”
“Don’t let your imagination run wild now.”
“Qiqi and the others still don’t know that we’re together. We have to tell her when the time comes.”
That said, was there anything that Sheng Xiao would not know?
This silly girl. If he was not aware, why would he send his people to them for protection?
Later, after they hung up, Lin Mu’an’s roommates told him, “Word is that the transfer student is returning to her previous school. You won’t be bothered now, Bro Lin.”
“There’s no telling if she found her conscience or because of something else. Well, as long as she’s gone.”
Lin Mu’an said nothing, and merely exclaim inwardly at how Sheng Xiao’s efficiency was unmatched.
***
Meanwhile, Sheng Xiao himself had acquired more information about Miss Hu, studying her lifestyle, habits, and hobbies. Even so, that girl with the IQ of an eleven-year-old who enjoyed her manga, handicrafts, and flower arrangements appeared to have no issues on the surface.
But in truth?
Even if Hu Ran could fool most, she would never be able to pull wool over Sheng Xiao’s eyes.
Still, anything could only be tested to unravel the truth, and only then could his major suspicion be proven.
Even as he thought that, Xiao Qi’er entered his study, clutching an anatomical dissecting chart, frowning when she found him studying Hu Ran’s data. “Is there a problem with Miss Hu?”
Xiao Qi’er really knew him!