Chapter Nine: Lady Xie

“Such a grand announcement just for this woman?” Old Master Lu’s face darkened. At the time, his incessant sneezing forced him to go to the hospital, and he had embarrassed himself—a memory he wished he could forget.

Xie Jinchuan said nothing, only instructed his assistant, “Bring it over.”

In a moment, a memorial tablet was set on the dining table, its presence causing the expressions around the table to shift.

“What are you trying to do?” Lu Hao averted his eyes from the tablet, his face stern as he questioned.

Shen Qingli gazed at the words engraved on the tablet, her expression unchanged.

Xie Jinchuan ignored the questions. He took out a marriage certificate and placed it before the tablet. “Mother, you have a daughter-in-law now.”

His tone was light, but Shen Qingli felt uneasy hearing it. Still, she followed suit, calling softly, “Mother.”

“Absurd!” Old Master Lu slammed his palm on the table, making the dishes and cutlery rattle.

Luo Yu’s lashes quivered at the sight of that glaring marriage certificate, resentment and anger brewing within her.

“I don’t need anyone’s guidance in my affairs,” Xie Jinchuan said, his tone brooking no argument, his voice cold as frost.

“How could I have raised such a disgrace for a son? I do not approve of this marriage!” Lu Hao’s words were laced with fury.

“And what right do you have to disapprove?” Xie Jinchuan’s gaze was sharp. “You abandoned my mother when she needed you most. You stood by, did nothing, and now you dare to interfere?”

Old Master Lu’s hand shook as he gripped his cane. “You are now the head of the Lu family. How can you treat the matter of marriage so carelessly?”

Lu Ziyi clenched his fists, casting a scathing glance at Shen Qingli. “Not only did Third Uncle steal her from me, but he’s also indifferent to Lu Corporation’s future. He should hand over control!”

Shen Qingli shot him a look of disdain. “Who would have thought that in Young Master Lu’s eyes, the future of the Lu Corporation depends on a woman’s stability?” Her sarcasm was unmistakable.

“Very well.” Xie Jinchuan’s sudden agreement stunned everyone. He instructed his assistant, “From now on, assist him. Organize the project files and hand them over.”

Lu Ziyi hadn’t expected him to agree so readily to his offhand remark.

At the side, Li Yunlan’s eyes flashed with hatred.

Old Master Lu’s expression improved somewhat after those words, but he continued to put on airs. “It’s just as well. Ziyi should take the reins and prove himself.”

Shen Qingli, both surprised and tense, discreetly squeezed his palm, only for the man to hold her hand even tighter.

“Let me make this clear: She is now Mrs. Xie. Should anything happen to her, none of you will be spared.” His words were brazen, a blatant warning.

Old Master Lu’s anger surged again, but before he could say another word, Xie Jinchuan took her hand and left, taking the memorial tablet with them.

On the way back, Shen Qingli grew anxious.

“Jinchuan, you really didn’t have to do all this for me…” She faltered, unable to continue, weighed down by sorrow. Handing over the company for her sake wasn’t worth it.

Xie Jinchuan gently stroked her thumb, his smile languid. “It’s the perfect excuse to spend more time with you.” An ambiguous emotion began to stir within Shen Qingli.

[Main storyline updated! Host, please kiss Xie Jinchuan.]

Shen Qingli: [??? Aren’t the instructions a bit too specific now!]

Green Cilantro nodded encouragingly. [Don’t worry, Host. This will help increase your progress points!]

Shen Qingli: […]

Green Cilantro: [If you don’t complete the task, you’ll stay stuck here!]

Gritting her teeth, Shen Qingli looked into the man’s deep, gentle eyes. Her gaze slid downward, and after silently reminding herself that she was just kissing a block of tofu, she leaned in and lightly pecked his lips.

[Ding—Congratulations, Host, you’ve completed the task and earned fifteen progress points.]

Green Cilantro had barely finished speaking when Shen Qingli saw the shadow deepen in his eyes—and noticed his Adam’s apple bob.

Before she could react, her neck was seized firmly and the man’s cool lips pressed down on hers.

It was like rain after a long drought.

Before long, she was left dizzy and breathless, slumping into his arms.

Shen Qingli: [Cilantro, you did this on purpose!]

Green Cilantro: [Playing dead.jpg]

She had thought there would only be one or two such tasks, but the entire following week was filled with them.

Every time, Shen Qingli tried to accomplish the tasks as cautiously as possible, yet every time, she ended up being outmaneuvered.

The only saving grace was that things never progressed to the final step.

With her progress points reaching two hundred, she unlocked a new store, which differed from the previous one in two ways:

First, the duration was doubled.

Second, the purchase value tripled.

Shen Qingli couldn’t help but grumble. Just as she was growing used to being outmaneuvered by Xie Jinchuan, Old Master Lu showed up with Lu Ziyi in tow.

“Let’s talk about the company privately,” Old Master Lu said, face grim.

Shen Qingli prepared to leave, but Xie Jinchuan pulled her to his side. “She’s not an outsider.”

Old Master Lu’s expression shifted several times. Seeing Xie Jinchuan’s unwavering stance, he begrudgingly sat down. “Ziyi has just taken over the company’s high-dimensional project. The details are complicated—”

“Get to the point,” Xie Jinchuan said indifferently.

Old Master Lu was so angry he nearly hurled his cane. “Ziyi is still young and inexperienced.” He paused, then added, “The Lu Corporation needs you.”

“So?” Xie Jinchuan feigned ignorance.

Old Master Lu’s face was ashen. He shot a glance at his grandson.

Lu Ziyi gritted his teeth, unwillingly conceding, “Third Uncle, please come back. I was wrong before.”

Shen Qingli raised an eyebrow, suddenly understanding why he had so easily handed over power that day.

But Xie Jinchuan was unmoved. “When the Lu family was in crisis, I single-handedly turned things around. Not only did you not appreciate it, you tried to seize power.”

Old Master Lu gripped his cane tightly. “It was my failing, but the Lu Corporation truly needs you now.”

Shen Qingli clicked her tongue softly in her mind.

Xie Jinchuan’s expression was cold, his tone devoid of warmth. “And what does that have to do with me?”

Old Master Lu and Lu Ziyi were left stunned.

“Jinchuan, you are a Lu by blood. Can you really stand by and watch the company fall?”

A subtle, unreadable smile curved Xie Jinchuan’s lips. “If you want me back, crawl in on your knees.”

Lu Ziyi clenched his fists, grinding out, “Third Uncle, this is too much.”

Xie Jinchuan lifted his eyes lazily, his voice dark. “Is it?”

The memory of that day still burned in Shen Qingli’s mind, and she couldn’t help but speak up in his defense.

“When you forced Jinchuan to hand over control, did you worry about fairness then? Now that you’ve failed to manage things and come begging for help, you accuse him of being unreasonable? With Jinchuan’s ability, he doesn’t need the Lu Corporation’s support—it’s the Lu Corporation that needs him. I hope you understand that.”

Lu Ziyi was rendered speechless by her words. Trying to regain his footing, he turned to Xie Jinchuan. “Third Uncle is still a member of the Lu family. Would you really let the company decline?”

Shen Qingli squeezed his palm, signaling him not to respond just yet. “My dear nephew, is that how you ask for help? Does Jinchuan owe you or the Lu family anything? Your brain is for thinking, not for decoration—remember that.”

Lu Ziyi was so infuriated that veins bulged on his forehead, but he dared not utter a single harsh word.