Chapter Ten: Worthless Creature

After Old Master Lu’s expression shifted several times, his voice emerged deep and hoarse with age: “Jinchuan, is it only if you kneel and enter from outside that you’ll be willing to take over the Lu family business again?”

Xie Jinchuan gazed at him mildly, his eyes fathomless, and said nothing.

Old Master Lu rose to his feet, only to be held back by Lu Ziyi. “Where are you going?”

“Didn’t you hear what your third uncle just said?” Old Master Lu, now with anger but nowhere to vent it, glared fiercely at him. “Aren’t you going to kneel?”

Lu Ziyi wanted to object, to refuse, but was intimidated by the old man’s gaze.

In the end, after much inner turmoil, the two finally made up their minds. Yet just as Lu Ziyi knelt down, the door was slammed heavily shut.

Unable to contain his pent-up fury any longer, Lu Ziyi burst out, “Grandfather, I’ve told you, someone like him would never help us! Why do you insist on humiliating yourself like this?”

In all his years, Old Master Lu had rarely faced such disregard, except for that one time years ago when the Lu family weathered a financial crisis and he had to swallow his pride.

But now, he was helpless before Xie Jinchuan. He brought his cane down hard on Lu Ziyi.

“This is all your fault!” Old Master Lu fumed, his anger growing by the second. “If you weren’t so useless, turning all those projects into chaos, would I have to come here in person to beg for help?”

“Whose fault is it that our family’s reputation has been so thoroughly disgraced?” Veins bulged on the old man’s forehead as he raged. “Good-for-nothing!”

Lu Ziyi felt he’d suffered enough humiliation for one day and shot a venomous glare toward the living room before leaving.

Inside the house.

“Such a temper?” Xie Jinchuan lightly traced her hand with his thumb, his voice gentle.

Shen Qingli’s cheeks flushed as she murmured, “They’re just too much.”

“Will you go back to the Lu family business?” she suddenly asked.

Xie Jinchuan’s gaze was languid. “That depends.”

The next day.

After shopping at the mall, Shen Qingli was heading to the restroom when someone suddenly seized her.

She turned and saw it was Li Yunlan. Had she not reacted quickly enough, she might have missed the glint of green that flashed in the woman’s eyes.

“Madam Lu, what business do you have?” Shen Qingli frowned.

Li Yunlan stepped closer, teeth gritted. “You ruined me—don’t think you’ll get away unscathed!”

As she spoke, a faint, unpleasant odor reached Shen Qingli’s nose—the same as before.

“Whatever happens to you is your own doing. What does it have to do with me?” Shen Qingli suppressed her suspicion and raised an eyebrow teasingly.

At the same time, she urgently messaged Greenie Parsley: [Power Pill! Hurry!]

A soft chime sounded.

A small purple pellet, the size of a pea, appeared in her hand.

Li Yunlan’s eyes fixed on her, and suddenly she licked her lips with her tongue.

Shen Qingli was startled.

What is going on?

“I’m going to kill you!” Li Yunlan’s eyes flashed green again as she reached out and gripped Shen Qingli’s neck.

The speed was inhuman.

Shen Qingli quickly swallowed the Power Pill. The moment she forced it down, strength flooded her limbs.

Li Yunlan’s grip tightened, her eyes ferocious. “You die today!”

Enduring the pain, Shen Qingli grabbed her arm in return and threw her over her shoulder.

A wretched scream echoed through the restroom as Li Yunlan writhed on the ground in agony. “You wretch!”

Shen Qingli crouched beside her, noticing the foul odor on Li Yunlan had vanished without a trace. She pinched the woman’s chin, sneered coldly, “You’re not nearly strong enough to take me on.”

“This is the last time, Madam Lu,” Shen Qingli’s voice was icy. “If there’s a next time, whether it’s paralysis or amputation, it’s up to you.” With that, she dusted off her hands and walked out.

Once outside, she couldn’t help but ask Greenie Parsley: [Am I the only demon in this world?]

Greenie Parsley nodded: [That’s right, Host. There aren’t many, but do be cautious.]

Shen Qingli’s expression grew pensive. Clearly, some demon had gotten close to Li Yunlan and Luo Yu; otherwise, how could two ordinary people have such a scent, let alone display such strange behavior?

Back at the shop, Xie Jinchuan was waiting. When he saw the faint red mark on her neck, his eyes darkened.

“What happened?” Shen Qingli thought for a moment, glossed over the stranger details, and merely recounted Li Yunlan’s actions.

Xie Jinchuan’s expression turned frigid.

Her gaze softened as she took his hand, her voice gentle, “I’m fine, A-Jin. I’m sure Madam Lu just lost her head for a moment. I doubt she’ll try again.”

As expected, his expression grew even grimmer at her words.

“It’s my fault for not protecting you.” His grip tightened around her palm, and for some reason, she felt an unfamiliar sense of security.

The consequence was that, from then on, wherever she went, bodyguards followed at a distance.

Shen Qingli was perfectly happy with this arrangement.

After all, if trouble arose again, she wouldn’t have to fight alone.

Over the next few days, Shen Qingli remained at home, while Xie Jinchuan became increasingly busy with work, rarely at home.

The Lu family’s stock continued to plunge, and public opinion turned sharply against them.

Shen Qingli watched the news and clicked her tongue softly.

Serves them right.

The next moment, the butler informed her that Old Master Lu had arrived.

“Tell him A-Jin isn’t home. He should come another day,” she said.

The butler hesitated. “The old master said… he’s here to see you, miss.”

“To see me?” Shen Qingli raised her brows. “Very well, show him in.”

As Old Master Lu took a seat opposite her, Shen Qingli asked, puzzled, “What brings you here?”

Old Master Lu, practiced in both pride and humility, said, “You’ve seen the Lu family’s situation. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before we fall apart.”

Shen Qingli nodded. “That’s true. But I know nothing about finance—I can’t help.”

Old Master Lu clenched his jaw, forcing himself to swallow his pride. “I know Jinchuan listens to you now. Miss Shen, could you…”

“It’s Mrs. Xie.”

Shen Qingli lazily corrected him.

Old Master Lu’s face alternated between pale and livid, swallowing his anger. “Mrs. Xie, could you speak to Jinchuan? The Lu family truly needs him.”

Shen Qingli gave a soft, derisive laugh. “And why should I whisper sweet words on your behalf?”

His face instantly darkened, teeth clenched in fury, and he could only force himself to endure. Had this been the past, he’d have slapped her by now.

“You’re married to Jinchuan, so you’re a Lu family member now. Can you really stand by and watch us collapse?”

A faint, confident smile curved Shen Qingli’s lips as she looked him in the eye. “I can.”

Old Master Lu was so incensed, he was speechless for a long time.

Seeing his mustache bristle with rage, Shen Qingli thought for a moment, then added, “I married Lu Qingchuan, not your Lu family. So if you want to save your family, I suggest you follow my husband’s advice.”

“Shen Qingli, don’t go too far!”

“If you feel bullied here, Grandfather, you’re welcome to leave. Someone, see our guest out.”

Two bodyguards appeared at Old Master Lu’s sides, their imposing presence suppressing whatever anger he had left.