Chapter 45

Shen Qingfeng, wearing sunglasses, couldn’t catch the flicker in Xu Zhiyi’s eyes when she heard “avenging Shang Tongxu successfully.”

Xu Zhiyi didn’t bother to gauge her reaction; her goal was merely to unsettle her opponent’s mind.

Shen Qingfeng chuckled, “Then I’ll see you at the family dinner. It’s windy; I’ll take my leave for now.”

She pulled out a long, sun-protective shawl from her bag, shaking it open and tying it around her waist.

The satin shawl cascaded over her black dress, not only weighing down the hem but also adding a vibrant touch.

The incident with Shang Tongxu seemed to have no effect on her. She moved gracefully, adjusting her windswept hair in the makeup mirror as she walked.

After spending so long on her hairstyle, she shouldn’t have lingered in the courtyard.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a deep blue figure approaching.

Shen Qingfeng put away her mirror and looked up; her husband was waiting for her.

Lu Jianliang, cigar halfway burned between his fingers, eyed the elegantly dressed woman. “Even if you didn’t wear that, he wouldn’t glance at you today.”

Instead of being irritated, Shen Qingfeng smiled widely. “If I didn’t wear it, I’d worry you wouldn’t be happy.”

Lu Jianliang snorted, taken aback.

“You really don’t understand your fourth brother. He’ll definitely look at me today, not just to annoy you, but because he wants to.”

Shen Qingfeng smoothed her hair, finally looking presentable. She didn’t have time to banter with him in the courtyard. “I’ve already secured the Yu family’s card for you. Unless Xu Zhiyi has exceptional patience and doesn’t confront Jiang Sixun, once she brings up Yu Rui, Jiang Sixun will inevitably distance himself from the Yu family.”

“Remember to keep your promise.” The woman left, her silhouette elegant and poised.

Whether it was creating tension between Jiang Sixun and Xu Zhiyi or gradually distancing him from the Yu family, Lu Jianliang had promised to hand over a project between the Lu and Shang families for her to oversee.

The scandal wasn’t born from his paranoia; it was Jiang Sixun’s ambition to seize the position of the next decision-maker in the Lu family.

He had to be cautious.

In Hong Kong, there was no escaping collaboration with the Yu family unless one was willing to sacrifice substantial interests.

The board of directors wouldn’t allow it; that would be utterly foolish.

With the Xu and Yu families involved, Jiang Sixun would have to choose one, but how could he allow his nephew to have it all?

Lu Jianliang stubbed out his half-finished cigar and strode into the villa.

In the left courtyard, the mountain breeze was wild today, and Xu Zhiyi adjusted her shawl once more.

Zhuang Bo sent someone to bring her a cup of hot tea. The maid asked, “Miss Xu, aren’t you cold?”

“I’m not cold; I’m afraid of heat.”

Xu Zhiyi cradled the teacup, gazing at the bay before her. The mountains embraced the sea, and on a calm, sunny day, this spot would be a breathtaking view.

She picked up her phone from the low table and called Secretary Cai. “I’d like to know more about the Yu family.”

Secretary Cai replied, “Including Yu Rui?”

Xu Zhiyi laughed, “Probing for information? You’re even better at it than Shen Qingfeng.”

Secretary Cai was momentarily speechless.

“Well, let’s find out everything then.”

“The Yu family holds considerable power in Hong Kong. You should know, Xu. They’re on par with the Ning family, and the Lu family has a close partnership with them. If you want to become the decision-maker in the Lu family, you’ll need to balance and maintain good relationships with all the prominent families.”

“Yu Rui is two years younger than Jiang Sixun, thirty this year and unmarried. She broke off her engagement with her fiancé before the wedding. Both families suppressed the news, and the reasons for canceling the wedding remain unclear to outsiders. If you need me to dig deeper, I can.”

Xu Zhiyi replied, “No need for that.”

Secretary Cai continued, “Yu Rui is a career-focused woman. After canceling her wedding, she publicly announced her decision not to marry. Her father controls the family’s power, and last year, she entered the core business sector of the group. She’ll inevitably have dealings with the Lu family moving forward.”

“I’m not sure about the specifics of her relationship with Jiang Sixun, but she was very close to him in the past. Apart from Xu Ningwei, she was the only one Jiang Sixun celebrated birthdays for seriously—not like the perfunctory way he treats Ning Yun.”

The phone fell silent. Secretary Cai hesitated, “Did I say too much compared to Shen Qingfeng?”

Xu Zhiyi joked, “That’s why I said you’re better at poking around than Shen Qingfeng.”

“Sorry.”

Secretary Cai suddenly grew cautious, worried about overstepping.

Xu Zhiyi redirected the conversation. “It’s fine. Even if you don’t say it, Shen Qingfeng will eventually let it slip. She loves to play the long game, dulling the blade before striking.”

She then asked Secretary Cai, “Was it this Yu family young lady who set up the family fund to pursue someone?”

“Yes. But I’m not sure how it became such a hot topic; she’s quite low-profile.”

“Got it. Thank you.”

“Xu, is there anything else you’d like me to find out?”

Xu Zhiyi decided to ask everything at once: “What’s Yu Rui’s favorite color?”

This caught Secretary Cai off guard. “I’ll get back to you in ten minutes.”

After a little longer—sixteen minutes later—Secretary Cai replied: [Lavender. Of the ten dresses, five are lavender, and she loves lavender orchids. Even her coffee cups are that color.]

Xu Zhiyi replied: [Thank you.]

She set down her phone and took another sip of tea, which had already cooled.

Since Shen Qingfeng had mentioned Yu Rui, it was clear that the Yu family’s young lady was more than just a simple figure. The lavender coffee cups weren’t the main focus; it was Yu Rui herself, who had been part of Jiang Sixun’s life before and would continue to intersect with him as he took charge of the Lu family business.

If she confronted Jiang Sixun, Shen Qingfeng’s scheme would succeed.

If she held back, she’d be bottling up her feelings, which could only lead to harm over time.

No matter whether she accepted or rejected this “gift,” Shen Qingfeng would come out on top.

Just as Xu Zhiyi lifted her teacup to her lips, someone snatched it away.

“Didn’t you notice I was coming?” A man in a black shirt squatted down in front of her. Today, sitting in the chair, she was taller than him.

Jiang Sixun set the cold tea down on the table, resting his hands on the armrests of her chair. “Isn’t it chilly sitting in the wind? Did I blow your brains out?”

Xu Zhiyi shot back, “It’s the wind you brought that’s muddling my thoughts.”

He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her from behind, pulling her close. “What kind of wind did I bring? Hmm?”

Xu Zhiyi wrapped her arms around his neck and teased, “The kind that’s darkening my heart.”

“What did Shen Qingfeng stir up for you?” Jiang Sixun asked, his gaze locking onto hers. He knew that typical provocation wouldn’t work on her, and Shen Qingfeng wouldn’t use the same low-level tactics she applied to Xu Ningwei.

Jiang Sixun lowered his voice, “Why the silence? Is it something to do with me? It’s fine; just say it. The only thing that can provoke me is if you stop loving me. Nothing else can touch me.”

Xu Zhiyi leaned closer, her cheek brushing against his.

He instinctively tightened his hold on her.

Silence enveloped them, her proximity seemingly soothing him.

Jiang Sixun could only think of one possibility: “Did Shen Qingfeng try to turn me against my dad again? Is she hinting that I have a half-brother or sister out there?”

Xu Zhiyi was speechless.

She hadn’t expected him to consider such dramatic scenarios.

“Only something like that could truly divide my father and me. If we fell out, my uncle would be thrilled.”

He released her, “It’s cold outside; let’s head inside.”

He added, “If there’s a brother or sister out there, you can ask my dad directly to save my uncle the trouble of scheming.”

Xu Zhiyi felt the warmth of the man’s hand pulling her back. “At your grandfather’s house, be careful.”

Jiang Sixun turned to look at her. “Zhuang Bo has already noticed our relationship. Do you think my grandfather is blind?”

“Only my parents haven’t caught on.”

“Because I’ve lived at your place longer than you have, taking care of you from the start and always bringing you along.”

Xu Zhiyi grasped his fingers in return. “Shen Qingfeng is not just a simple provocateur; she has a knack for making people exhaust themselves endlessly.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “That’s why my mom decisively divorced back then.”

Xu Zhiyi suddenly halted. “I can’t afford to waste time with her.”

Jiang Sixun stopped as well, sensing a change in her resolve. “Think it over for a few minutes.”

“No need.”

She immediately called Li Ke, instructing her not to leave Hong Kong for the time being.

The gift she had prepared for Shen Qingfeng lacked the necessary weight; it needed to be amplified with maximum sincerity.

On the other end, Li Ke cautioned, “Xu, calm down. If you reveal to Shen Qingfeng that KEVE is yours during the family banquet, she’ll go crazy.”

“Exactly. I want her to go crazy—then she won’t have time to exhaust me further.”

After briefing Li Ke, she hung up and turned to Jiang Sixun, her expression apologetic. “Your family dinner is destined to be anything but harmonious.”

The pretense of civility would be impossible.

Jiang Sixun shrugged. “It’s fine. Let my dad stir the pot first. If my grandfather is upset, he’ll only blame my dad.”

Xu Zhiyi was left speechless.

As they reached the front courtyard, her cousins’ cars rolled in one after the other.

Xu Zhiyi glanced over; the first car let out a man roughly Jiang Sixun’s age, his features reminiscent of Lu Jianliang.

From the second car emerged two women who were clearly Lu Jianliang’s daughters, molded from the same mold.

Formalities demanded a polite nod and a few pleasantries exchanged.

The eldest cousin, clearly displeased to see him, merely greeted him before quickly leaving with her younger sister.

Years ago, she had teased him, laughing, “You’re getting a new mommy, your fourth uncle is marrying that vixen.”

Who could have imagined that two decades later, the joke would circle back around?

In the end, her own father married that vixen, making Shen Qingfeng their new mother.

With all the elders present, the younger generation came without their partners or children. The lack of children’s chatter made the expansive dining room feel unusually quiet.

Jiang Sixun was the only exception among the younger generation, bringing Xu Zhiyi along.

In the dining room, Xu Zhiyi encountered Shen Qingfeng again.

Shen Qingfeng smiled elegantly, asking as they brushed past each other, “You’ve verified the authenticity of your gift, right? It’s quite sincere, without any fillers?”

She added sweetly, “And what about your gift for me? I can’t wait to unwrap it. You may not know this, but I thrive on surprises; dull days are just too tedious for me.”

Xu Zhiyi smiled. “I’ll present it promptly after dinner.”

Shen Qingfeng responded, “I’m looking forward to the surprise gift from Miss Xu.”

Lu Jianliang shot her a glance, reminding her that at family dinners, no one dared to act out of line. She needed to tone it down.

As Xu Zhiyi walked past, Shen Qingfeng’s smile vanished in an instant. Twenty-eight years and three months—who had managed to discover such a precise detail?

And how had they calculated it so accurately?

Everyone settled down, but a seat remained empty beside Jiang Sixun.

Xu Zhiyi whispered, “Where’s Uncle Lu?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “He doesn’t like to wait for anyone. He’s always the last to arrive for meals. He even makes my grandfather wait, aside from waiting for me and you.”

Xu Zhiyi was stunned, slightly flattered, recalling her first meeting with Lu Jianbo in London, where she had kept him waiting for nearly half an hour.

As the dishes were served, the familiar voice of Zhuang Bo mingled with another in the living room.

Shen Qingfeng couldn’t help but sneak a glance, her attention drawn to the man finally arriving in a sleek black suit, taking his time despite everyone waiting for him.

Once everyone was seated, Jiang Sixun was the first to pick up his chopsticks and dig in.

Old Lu watched in a mix of annoyance and resignation as his youngest son and grandson started eating, exchanging hushed words while everyone else listened to his reprimands.

For others, it was about following orders; for them, it was about enjoying a meal.

Xu Zhiyi sampled a small piece of cake she had never tried before—soft, sticky, and not overly sweet, perfectly suited to her taste.

Being an outsider at the family dinner didn’t hinder Old Lu’s tirade, as she didn’t understand Cantonese and could only catch a word or two.

The man beside her turned, passing her a pair of chopsticks, and served her some food. “Eat first; whatever my grandfather is saying doesn’t concern you.”

Xu Zhiyi could only respond with silence, taking the chopsticks from him.

At the table of over twenty, Old Lu was in full swing, while everyone else either lowered their heads to their plates or sipped from their glasses to feign indifference.

Even Shen Qingfeng quietly sipped her warm water.

Yet, there they were—his family of three, relishing their meal.

Shen Qingfeng glanced at the man sitting diagonally across from her, unable to see if his suit had dark stripes due to the distance.

Then she stole another look at Jiang Sixun, who shared the same refined demeanor.

The reason this father-son duo felt free to misbehave while the other sons and grandchildren stayed respectful was that Lu Jianbo didn’t depend on his father’s money. Old Lu had no hold over them; all the wealth of the other sons and grandchildren came from him, leaving them too intimidated to act out.

Lu Jianliang’s only act of unfilial piety was to defy his father’s wishes by directly registering his marriage with her.

However, after getting the certificate, he still went to his father to seek forgiveness, enduring his father’s scolding.

But that wasn’t enough; his father took part of the telecommunications business from his eldest son and handed it to the second and third sons to teach him a lesson.

As for how much wealth Lu Jianbo possesses now, he probably couldn’t count it himself.

After making his first fortune in his youth, he invested in a racing team and European football clubs. In retirement, he was often seen at Grand Prix events and major league games.

Jiang Yue Ru was the most astute; she raised her children, then sent them to Lu Jianbo to spend their father’s money.

Thinking of her children made Shen Qingfeng tighten her grip on her glass.

On the other side of the table, three of them were still eating.

Zhuang Bo sighed and personally went over to serve them dishes.

“Thank you, Zhuang Bo,” Xu Zhiyi whispered.

Jiang Sixun placed food onto his father’s plate with casual nonchalance. “Eat up; you’ll need your strength to deal with your love interest tonight. You might not be in the mood for dinner later.”

As soon as he spoke, a large hand pressed down on his shoulder. Zhuang Bo quietly reminded him, “No talking while eating.”

After picking some of their favorites, Zhuang Bo returned to his own duties.

Lu Jianbo glanced at his son. “You know who my love interest is, and yet you want to address it?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “Since she isn’t your sister-in-law, best to keep it to yourself. It’s better not to say anything.”

Lu Jianbo was stung by the mention of “sister-in-law,” losing his appetite. He could tolerate others’ disdain, but even his own son was now adding to it.

After eating for a while, Jiang Sixun set down his chopsticks just as his grandfather finished speaking, announcing it was time to eat.

“Grandpa, I heard I have a biological brother or sister. Do you know about this?”

This statement detonated a bomb.

The most animated response came from Shen Qingfeng, who fixed her gaze on Lu Jianbo.

Old Lu was left bewildered, looking at his reckless younger son.

Lu Jianbo turned to his son. “Who said that?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “Just answer whether it’s true or not.”

Lu Jianbo countered, “Where did that come from? Was it generated by AI?”

Everyone at the table nearly choked.

Finally, Lu Jianbo slowly explained to Old Lu, “Sixun was a premature baby. Yue Ru’s health wasn’t great, and I had no intention of having a second child, so I got a vasectomy.”

Shen Qingfeng paused for a few seconds, then self-deprecatingly laughed and downed half her glass of red wine.

Her previous performances in front of him now felt like a joke.

Lu Jianliang looked at her and offered another glass. “If that’s not enough, I have more here.”

Across the table, Xu Zhiyi picked up her juice to steady her nerves. So Jiang Sixun’s claim about his due date being later than Xu Hang’s was true, not just a random fabrication.

She glanced at the man, who happened to look back. “What’s wrong?”

Xu Zhiyi laughed. “You were a premature baby, yet you’re this tall.”

Jiang Sixun chuckled, speechless.

At that moment, Lu Jianliang turned to his younger brother and quipped, “No wonder! I was wondering how you ended up only having Sixun.”

The sarcasm was palpable to everyone.

Lu Jianbo smiled lightly and raised his glass. “Your life seems better, brother—four children mean more blessings.” He made a gesture of toasting across the table.

“Four children mean more blessings” struck like thunder.

Xu Zhiyi glanced at her cousins; there were only three of them.

She leaned closer to Jiang Sixun, whispering, “Do you have other cousins who didn’t come?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “They’re all here; just the three of us.”

Xu Zhiyi was at a loss for words.

This was a direct revelation of an illegitimate child by his own brother.

Lu Jianliang’s expression stiffened momentarily. “Fourth brother knows how to joke.”

Lu Jianbo replied, “I may not joke as well as you, but I’m a better father than you; I care for my son. Even if my son changes his surname, I won’t have to worry about his father denying him.”

This hit Lu Jianliang hard.

Old Lu took a bite of a pastry made specially for him, which was nearly devoured by Xu Zhiyi.

He knew well the character of his eldest son but didn’t expect him to have affairs outside. If the fourth son pointed it out, it must be because he had solid proof.

“Zhiyi, what do you think of this pastry?”

With that question, the tension between the brothers dissolved.

Xu Zhiyi smiled, “It’s delicious; I’ve eaten a lot.”

Old Lu grinned, “I’ll have the kitchen make more for you tonight.” He added warmly, “You’ve been away for so long; why don’t you help the family? Your father hasn’t cut your allowance, has he? If it were me, with your disobedience, I would have frozen your card long ago.”

Having weathered many storms, he managed to remain unruffled upon discovering he had an unexpected granddaughter.

Xu Zhiyi replied, “My dad wouldn’t dare to cut it; my mom wouldn’t let him.” Just as she was settling in, she added, “I’m not only working for Mr. Jiang; I also have my side business.”

Old Lu was intrigued by this perceptive young woman. She would initiate conversations, making it easy for him to engage.

“What side business? Care to share? Let’s get rich together.”

Xu Zhiyi smiled, “Just a small venture; I’m afraid you wouldn’t think much of it.”

Under the table, she lightly kicked Jiang Sixun.

Jiang Sixun continued, “She’s been influenced by Professor Shang and has been interested in AI medicine since she was young.”

“Professor Shang?” Old Lu paused, trying to remember.

“Zhiyi’s adoptive father.”

Old Lu nodded thoughtfully.

Jiang Sixun continued, “Uncle Xu has been giving her an allowance, which she saved up to invest in a medical technology company. They currently specialize in 3D printing bones and skin, and they’re planning to focus on 3D printing hearts in the future. The company has grown quite a bit and has just entered the domestic market.”

Shen Qingfeng felt a rush of anxiety at the mention of 3D printing. She tried to suppress thoughts about Lu Jianbo’s vasectomy. The way Jiang Sixun spoke made it sound as if he were talking about KEVE.

Her heart raced, pounding in her throat.

Old Lu remarked, “Sounds like it’s a decent size.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “In your eyes, it might not seem like much, but this is a non-listed company with a market valuation of around $1.5 billion. Zhiyi is the largest behind-the-scenes shareholder.”

Old Lu perked up. “What’s the name? I need to show my support when it goes public.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.” Xu Zhiyi responded warmly, “The company is called KEVE Medical Technology.”

Suddenly, there was a loud crash as a glass shattered on the ornate black marble table, red wine splattering everywhere.

Shen Qingfeng fought to maintain her composure. “I’m so sorry; I accidentally knocked it over.”

Wine splashed onto her legs as she quickly said to Lu Jianliang, “I need to use the restroom.”

Grabbing her bag, she couldn’t contain her rising panic.

She rushed to the restroom farthest from the dining area, nearly slamming the door behind her. After fumbling for her phone, she managed to pull it out.

The phone rang less than two seconds before it was answered.

“Li Ke here. I’ve been waiting for your call.”

Shen Qingfeng’s voice trembled in disbelief. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve transferred most of my shares to Xu Zhiyi. Apart from Yuanwei, the shares from several other venture capital firms were also transferred to her name earlier this year.”

Li Ke emphasized, “These are in her personal name. The pocket money given to her by Xu Xiangyi for the first twenty years and the New Year money from He Yi’an—she invested it all in KEVE’s shares.”

Even Shen Qingfeng, who was usually unflappable, couldn’t maintain her calm. KEVE was her life’s work; how could she hand it over to someone else, especially Xu Zhiyi?

For six years, she had been tirelessly pushing KEVE into the domestic market, only to end up making a wedding dress for someone else.

Shen Qingfeng felt a surge of rage, wishing she could tear Li Ke apart. Turning on the faucet, she gritted her teeth and hissed, “Li Ke, how dare you!”

Li Ke was indifferent to the consequences; some things were inevitable.

After walking on eggshells for six years, tonight she could finally sleep soundly.

As Shen Qingfeng gripped the faucet, her freshly done nails scraped against the metal, water flowing silently through her fingers.

“I’ll be sure to settle this score with you today.”

Li Ke, remaining calm, replied, “The paperwork is still with your secretary. As for how much Xu Zhiyi spent to turn your secretary against you, I don’t know, but it must be an astronomical figure.”

“Oh, and it was Lu Jianbo and Secretary Cai who discovered your connection with KEVE. If it weren’t for his understanding of you, nobody else would have been able to piece together such scant clues.”

Each word felt like a sharp knife piercing her. Shen Qingfeng suddenly laughed at her reflection in the mirror, familiar yet strange. Just how much did Lu Jianbo hate her? How could he be so ruthless?

She rummaged through her bag for a tissue, dabbing at the red wine stains on her legs.

“Tell Xu Zhiyi I won’t let her have it easy.”

Li Ke responded coolly, “That’s the message Xu wants me to pass on to you too.”