Chapter 20: Second Update

Zhong Hejing let out a laugh, though only she knew how much self-mockery was behind it.

“Before meeting you, I’d never seen someone so contradictory,” she said.

“What should we do then?” Qiao Wu also smiled. “Why not trust your intuition?”

Seeing that Qiao Wu wasn’t as easy to fool now, and since the other party had already spoken so directly, Zhong Hejing decided not to beat around the bush either. Honestly, she was feeling somewhat drained. “My intuition tells me that you didn’t call me here just to talk about this. Right now, Old President Lu is in the hospital, Lu Jinzhi hasn’t returned to the country, and as for the others… their minds probably aren’t on the company. So, what do you need from our family?”

Beyond that, she couldn’t think of anything else.

Qiao Wu was amused by her serious demeanor. Seeing that Zhong Hejing no longer viewed her the same way as before, she pushed the prepared pastries toward Zhong Hejing and began flipping through the workbook on the table again. “If it were a work-related matter, I wouldn’t have chosen to talk to you here in this manner, nor would I have brought up any so-called sentiment. That would be too informal. I invited you here in my personal capacity, so of course, it’s just a private matter.”

Earlier today, she had received a call from Teacher Lu Ning, asking if Lu Ning had left her homework at home.

So, Qiao Wu went to her room to check and, sure enough, found the homework.

The call must have been on speaker, because Lu Ning’s voice immediately came through, full of confidence: “I told you I did it!”

It was the first time the Young Miss had diligently completed her homework. Although she hadn’t understood a single question, she had filled every page of the workbook.

Who would have thought that she’d been in such a rush the next morning that she forgot the workbook was still on the table? When she arrived at school, the teacher had kindly said it was okay.

But it couldn’t be okay!

If she’d done it, the teacher had to know, otherwise it would have been a waste of effort!

So, she insisted that the teacher call home to verify.

After learning the whole story, Qiao Wu was both amused and exasperated. To fulfill the child’s wish, she opened the workbook, planning to take a photo of the completed page and send it to the teacher.

But she discovered that every single exercise was wrong.

Thankfully, she hadn’t let her join the international class, or she might not even have been able to read the questions and would have just copied the prompts.

So, Qiao Wu had been correcting Lu Ning’s homework during her free time while waiting.

She flipped through a couple of pages and noticed that Zhong Hejing still hadn’t made any move to leave. She understood.

This was the second time she had brought up a private matter. If Zhong Hejing wasn’t leaving, it meant she was open to continuing the conversation.

In truth, Zhong Hejing wasn’t overthinking it. Watching Qiao Wu naturally check the homework, she felt as though she had simply come to a friend’s house for afternoon tea. The rare sense of ease made her reluctant to leave just yet.

Even though she had said before coming that she wasn’t very familiar with the person in front of her.

She found herself with a rare appetite and picked up a pastry from the table, eating it slowly.

The atmosphere was so harmonious that she finally let go of all those chaotic thoughts.

“From what I know, Zhong Shixia isn’t the type of child who would deliberately pick fights,” she brought up a light topic. “It was probably just a misunderstanding with Lu Ning.”

Qiao Wu asked, “You don’t dislike them?”

“They’re just kids who haven’t grown up yet,” Zhong Hejing recalled the slap. “I can’t say I dislike them.”

That was the truth. She just felt powerless.

If she had a healthy body, these problems wouldn’t exist.

“Was your health already poor before they arrived?”

Zhong Hejing: “Yes.”

Her illness wasn’t a secret.

At first, it was just insomnia and anxiety, but later, some physical symptoms appeared.

Zhong Hejing had gone to the hospital for a check-up, and the doctor only said she was overworked, under a lot of stress, and had a heavy psychological burden, which triggered various physical reactions.

She had been controlling it with medication and regular visits to a psychologist.

But now, even though she had reduced her workload, her immunity was plummeting. Not only were there physical reactions, but she also lacked the energy for daily life.

“Actually, after seeing you yesterday, I was very worried about you,” Qiao Wu said honestly. “If you don’t mind, would you like to go to the Lu Family’s hospital for a check-up?”

Zhong Hejing had already been through too many shocks today.

Many people had expressed concern for her, but in the end, it always came down to one thing: worrying that she couldn’t inherit the company, or worrying that she could.

It was all quite straightforward.

Was Qiao Wu in the former or the latter category?

“The Lu Family isn’t so poor that they’d covet our company, right?”

Qiao Wu chuckled: “I already said it has nothing to do with the Lu Family, it’s just me.”

Zhong Hejing reflexively asked: “You covet it?”

“…”

Realizing what a foolish thing she had just said, Zhong Hejing couldn’t help but laugh.

In truth, it didn’t matter where she went for a check-up. She knew she had some psychological issues, and perhaps reaching this point was fate.

“You don’t seem like the type to let your guard down easily,” Qiao Wu said. “Even when you’re sick, you’d still be suspicious. If you don’t want to go, then I suggest looking for reasons not just within yourself, but also in others. The medications, supplements, even your family doctor, servants, and nannies—all of them should be thoroughly checked.”

Zhong Hejing’s body suddenly stiffened. Her expression turned serious as she looked at Qiao Wu with a probing gaze: “Are you saying my illness might be man-made?”

“There’s no harm in checking. Living in such a complex environment, being more cautious doesn’t hurt.”

“Why do you feel this way?”

“Perhaps because… your will to live is very strong,” Qiao Wu pointed at the pastries on the table. “So I believe you have a very strong heart. If nothing unexpected happens, you won’t be easily defeated by minor issues.”

Qiao Wu had studied psychology. Every action and gesture Zhong Hejing made indicated she was someone with an extremely upward mindset. The so-called psychological issues might exist, but they wouldn’t be severe.

And in the original plot, Zhong Min had been drugged by his so-called father, using the same method.

At this moment, Zhong Hejing finally understood the purpose of Qiao Wu’s invitation to meet.

It was a clear reminder.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Qiao Wu didn’t continue the topic: “If you like these pastries, feel free to come by often.”

Just as Zhong Hejing was about to speak, she heard the sound of hooves behind her.

She turned around and saw someone riding a black horse straight towards them.

Lu Yingchi?

Zhong Hejing had heard many people’s opinions about Lu Yingchi. He was becoming increasingly difficult to control, a true worthless son of a rich family, often driving Old President Lu to curse in anger.

Last year, he had even jumped off a building.

 Thinking of this, she turned her head back. She had just disciplined her younger brother at home yesterday and didn’t want to see anything annoying today.

“I heard there’s a guest,” Lu Yingchi said as he rode his horse closer, squinting to see who was in the pavilion.

When he returned, he hadn’t heard clearly, but he heard that Qiao Wu had let someone in and even allowed them to drive directly to the inner residence. This infuriated him.

Besides the Lu Family, was she also serving others outside?!

Was she Nezha?! Did she have three heads and six arms?!

She’s practically an octopus now! No, a centipede!

He gritted his teeth secretly, determined to see who this person was.

Qiao Wu put down the homework she was holding and looked up, “So this is how you greet guests?”

Lu Yingchi thought to himself: It’s already good enough that I didn’t let Princess trample that person. Don’t expect me to be polite.

Qiao Wu said, “Get down.”

Seeing that the other person seemed to be a woman, Lu Yingchi frowned and dismounted from his horse.

What a waste to have ridden Princess out.

Qiao Wu frowned, “I remember you have classes this afternoon.”

“Don’t look at me like that, I didn’t skip class!” Lu Yingchi tied up his horse and walked over, explaining with a sour face, “The teacher changed the class schedule this afternoon.”

“Then come and say hello.”

“Say what…”

Lu Yingchi walked over and finally saw who was sitting there, “Zhong Hejing?”

Qiao Wu rolled up her homework and tapped his arm, “Call her ‘sister.'”

Lu Yingchi dodged, “Don’t push your luck!”

Since Qiao Wu told him to greet her, he figured he should listen, so he pulled out a chair and sat down, “Why are you here? The Old Man isn’t home.”

Lu Yingchi didn’t pay much attention to business matters, but he vaguely remembered that Zhong Hejing had already taken over her family’s company and become the CEO. So she must be here to discuss business.

“I invited her,” Qiao Wu said, “She’s my guest.”

“Your guest?”

Lu Yingchi was even more puzzled.

He didn’t know about others, but wasn’t it common knowledge that Qiao Wu and Zhong Hejing didn’t get along?

Qiao Wu nodded, “So if you’re going to be rude, please leave.”

“…”

Lu Yingchi clicked his tongue.

Choosing between leaving and infiltrating the enemy camp, he reluctantly chose the latter and muttered, “Sister.”

Zhong Hejing was so startled that she took a sip of water to calm herself, “Hello.”

This was too bizarre.

If Lu Yingchi weren’t so tall and strong now, she would have suspected that she had transmigrated back more than ten years, when Lu Yingchi used to follow Qiao Wu around like a shadow.

Why had he become so obedient?

“What’s this?” Lu Yingchi picked up the practice problems on the table and flipped through them casually, then started ranting, “Damn, what kind of terrible handwriting is this? I could write better with my foot. Can she even read it herself? And are there any correct answers here? She managed to miss every single multiple-choice question? Does she even have a brain?”

Qiao Wu simply tossed the unfinished workbook to him, “Since you’re free, why don’t you help her correct it?”

“Why me?” Lu Yingchi was unhappy, “My time is precious. I can’t waste it on looking at this garbage.”

“She stayed up late last night doing her homework, very seriously,” Qiao Wu said, “But she forgot to bring it today, and when the teacher called me, she was very upset. I think she’s just trying to make a good impression at her new school.”

Lu Yingchi: “…”

“You can’t even solve middle school problems now?” Qiao Wu looked at him suspiciously. “They say intelligence declines after getting into university…”

Lu Yingchi grabbed the pen on the table and, without even looking, drew a big red cross on the homework: “Shut up.”

Qiao Wu curved her lips: “Remember to be more careful.”

“Today, I must make her understand what the gap in intelligence really means!”

So Qiao Wu forked a piece of cake and handed it to him: “Then, good luck.”

She originally intended for Lu Yingchi to take it himself, but he didn’t even look up and ate it directly from her hand.

Qiao Wu’s movement paused almost imperceptibly, but she didn’t make a big deal out of it.

Feeding him cake was nothing; feeding him meals and water had been common before.

Zhong Hejing, who was beside them, was dumbfounded.

Was she so ill that she was hallucinating? Qiao Wu feeding Lu Yingchi?!

Lu Yingchi was still looking down at the homework, seemingly unfazed by the recent action.

But only he knew that his eyes were filled with the red crosses on the homework paper, not reading a single word. Those few seconds felt like years to him, and countless thoughts raced through his mind.

What’s up with Qiao Wu?

Why did she hand-feed him cake? He’s old enough, doesn’t he have hands to eat by himself!

If he didn’t eat in front of others, wouldn’t it be disrespectful to her?

But if he ate, wouldn’t he lose face!

By the time he realized it, he had already eaten the cake.

And! Directly! From Qiao Wu’s hand!

Realizing this, Lu Yingchi’s whole body burned, his peripheral vision lingering on that fair hand on the table.

Qiao Wu didn’t seem to intend to continue feeding him. The fork that belonged to him was placed in his direction, still smeared with cream.

So sweet.

When did the family’s pastry chef start making desserts this sweet!

Lu Yingchi didn’t look up, gripping the pen: “I want some tea.”

Qiao Wu glanced at him, seeing he was still diligently correcting Lu Ning’s work, so she poured him a cup of tea.

This time, however, she pushed the teacup towards Lu Yingchi. Lu Yingchi’s mind was a bit muddled, and seeing the hand approach, he instinctively leaned his head down.

Only when someone tapped his head did he snap out of it.

Seeing his chin almost touching the table, Qiao Wu was puzzled: “Where are your hands?”

Lu Yingchi was stunned for a moment, then immediately reached out to take the tea, drank it all in one go, and then placed the cup on the table with a clatter. He grabbed the homework from the table and stood up to leave.

Qiao Wu was used to his erratic behavior: “Take Princess back.”

Lu Yingchi, who had walked several steps away, turned back silently, untied Princess, and led her away.

Zhong Hejing also didn’t understand: “What’s wrong with him?”

Qiao Wu thought about it from his perspective: “Probably couldn’t solve those problems and went to look up the answers.”

That was the most likely possibility.

“Is Lu Yingchi getting along well with Lu Ning now?”

“They’re family, how could they not get along?”

“He seems to get along well with you too.”

Qiao Wu picked up the cup that Lu Yingchi had knocked over on the table and chuckled lightly: “To me, they are also family.”

Their way of interacting didn’t seem fake.

Zhong Hejing nodded thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, Lu Yingchi, who was leading Princess away, walked in a daze, grabbing Princess’s ears and muttering incessantly: “Princess, she fed me cake, why do you think that was?”

“Trying to please me?”

“Laughing to death, am I that easy to please? She’s dreaming.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t hand you over to her just because of this piece of cake for now.”

“You also think it’s too cheap, right? It should be worth several pieces.”

Princess, utterly annoyed, tossed her head and walked forward with pride.

On the other side, Zhong Hejing had been keeping Qiao Wu’s reminder in mind, so she didn’t stay long before getting up to leave.

Qiao Wu saw her off to her car.

Just as the two reached the road, a black Porsche sped over.

Although knowing the other party wouldn’t harm anyone, Qiao Wu instinctively reached out to pull Zhong Hejing aside: “It’s Lu Xuan.”

Zhong Hejing thought to herself, besides him, there probably isn’t anyone else in this family.

But this does fit his persona. While Lu Yingchi is still at school, his news can only be known within the circle, but Lu Xuan frequently makes it to the hot searches.

Although none of the headlines are favorable to him, in all fairness, Zhong Hejing feels most of them are telling the truth.

After all, Lu Xuan is indeed a rather arrogant and unruly rich second generation who acts unpredictably, and his temper becomes more elusive as he grows older. His arrogance is because he is indeed a big shot, and his acting skills are poor with a bad temper.

Not a single accusation is unjust.

The Porsche screeched to a halt beside them.

After getting out of the car, Lu Xuan didn’t even glance at who was standing beside him, heading straight for Qiao Wu.

He gritted his teeth: “Are you going to manage Lu Jinzhi or not?”

Qiao Wu feigned ignorance: “What’s wrong with him?”

“What’s wrong?” Lu Xuan pointed at his phone, “I can’t use any of my cards!”

As he spoke, his hands trembled with anger: “I’ve never in my life heard the words ‘insufficient balance’!”

Today, Yu Xiu brought the new agent to the company, saying he felt sorry for what happened last time and invited him to lunch.

Lu Xuan originally didn’t want to go, but thinking it was the first day after all, and this was the path Qiao Wu had paved for him, he went.

He has always been generous with money and never cared how much he spent. He never let others pay when going out to eat, let alone his agent. It would be inappropriate to let someone else pay.

But his cards were frozen.

Every single one of them!

And the card he signed the contract with the company, the meager earnings on it had long been spent without him knowing when, and he never carried money on him.

So today, he didn’t even have enough balance on WeChat to pay for the meal!

Not enough!

Lu Xuan will never forget the look Yu Xiu and the new agent gave him.

Yu Xiu even mocked him while settling the bill: “It seems your money isn’t even enough to buy jewelry for your housekeeper.”

What a disgrace!

What’s even more infuriating is that Lu Jinzhi actually blocked him!

“Either you manage Lu Jinzhi now, or…” Lu Xuan raised his hand, made a throat-slitting gesture, and said sinisterly, “Or I’ll be waiting at the airport to assassinate him the day he returns to the country.”

Zhong Hejing looked at Lu Xuan, then at Qiao Wu.

There’s a lot of information in his words, can Qiao Wu really manage Lu Jinzhi?!

Qiao Wu suppressed a rising smile: “Isn’t this a good thing?”

“What do you mean?”

“This way, you can prove you have the strength to compete with Lu Jinzhi, and you can prove you can afford to hire me.” Qiao Wu spread his hands and said, “If you want to be the first in line, it seems this is the only way.”

Zhong Hejing thought that if such nonsense were presented to Zhong Shixia, even that child would hesitate for a few seconds.

But the anger that had been rising in Lu Xuan suddenly faltered.

Zhong Hejing, who witnessed it firsthand: …

Unpredictable temper?

No, how could he believe that?!