L&H - 40

Passing by the bank headquarters, both Yu Qing and Fu Jichen instinctively glanced over.

Fu Jichen took out his phone, preparing to record a short video for Yu Qing to check in. As he filmed the building, he frowned. “Chairman Yu isn’t here.”

“That’s odd. My dad left home around the same time I did.”

She had gone to pick up Fu Jichen while her father headed to the company; by this time, her father should already be busy at his computer.

Yu Qing glanced at the rearview mirror, merged the car into the lane closer to the roadside, and slowed down.

Fu Jichen confirmed, “The lights aren’t on.”

Yu Qing could only think of one possibility. “He must have forgotten some important documents at home and went back to get them.”

The car accelerated, passing by the bank headquarters.

Early in the morning, when Yu Shaohong had just left the house, he received a call from the old master, asking him to return to the old residence. Yu Jingze also went back with him.

Bang! A delicate ivory porcelain cup was smashed on the living room tiles, instantly shattering into pieces. The piercing sound echoed throughout the Yu family’s old house.

Fragments of the cup scratched across the glazed surface of the tiles.

The floral pattern now bore fine scratches.

Green tea water flowed all over the floor.

Inside the house, the only sound was that of the servants quietly cleaning up the fragments from the floor.

The air was as silent as death.

Yu Shaohong leaned on the armrest of the sofa, pinching the bridge of his nose, without saying a word.

Yu Jingze gazed at the large floral tile design, which was the pattern their grandmother loved—a whole painting covering most of the living room.

The glaze was damaged.

Repairing it would surely cost a lot of money again.

Grandpa Yu sat there like a clock. The cane he picked up in his hand eventually slowly descended. His arm kept trembling, causing the end of the cane to lightly scrape against the tiles, making a faint rubbing sound.

“I’d like to see how you plan to indulge her! Why don’t you just hand the company over to her so she can ruin it?!”

After the servants cleaned up and dried the floor, they quickly retreated to the kitchen.

At six o’clock in the morning, while most people were still dreaming, the Yu family began the day with an argument.

Last night, Grandpa Yu received a call from an old friend congratulating him on finding a good match for his granddaughter.

That’s when he learned that Yu Qing and Fu Jichen hadn’t broken up yet.

Grandpa Yu looked at his son. “Do I need to spell out the implications here? What exactly are you and Jingze trying to achieve?”

Speechless.

Yu Shaohong remained silent.

So did Yu Jingze.

Grandpa Yu sighed. “You let Yu Qing run wild! Has Fu Jichen ever been careless in business? When has he not ambushed us?”

They continued to remain silent, letting Grandpa scold them.

Grandpa Yu had never lost his temper like this before.

He had long retired to the background and rarely interfered with the company.

But recently, he had been overwhelmed with anger.

Especially last night, when he couldn’t sleep at all.

“In the beverage market, Duo Xin has already posed a threat to our Lemong.”

“In the technology sector, Fu Group has started to suppress us, specifically investing in companies with core competencies similar to ours. The market demand is limited, and next, they will be dividing and seizing the market. When have they ever made things easy for us?”

“When it comes to land auctions, Fu Jichen hasn’t relaxed one bit.”

“He and Chairman Feng have always maintained strategic cooperation. No matter how strained their relationship gets, they’ve never broken the balance. They continue to cooperate as usual.”

As he spoke, Grandpa Yu patted his chest.

That feeling of frustration welled up again.

“Have you ever thought about why the elder Mr. Fu indulges Fu Jichen in pursuing Yu Qing? It’s because Fu Jichen doesn’t take business lightly. Even if he wants to pursue a relationship, profit always comes first. He’ll never lose his head at any time.”

“If Yu Qing could think this way for the family, she could do whatever she wants.”

“But what has she done!”

Yu Jingze stood up and poured a glass of warm water for his grandfather.

His grandfather being this upset was partly his responsibility.

Always, business and doing as one pleases are irreconcilable contradictions. To make Yu Qing happy, he and his father had indeed abandoned some principles.

But Fu Jichen hadn’t.

Grandpa Yu: “Not just you two, Qin Moling has started acting foolishly too. His grandfather almost died of anger. Duo Xin infringing on Lemong’s trademark, and he actually wants to settle with Fu Jichen.”

Yu Jingze knew about this incident.

He also understood why Qin Moling backed down—to avoid making Yu Qing feel awkward in the middle.

Qin Moling suddenly showing such consideration shocked him.

“I have already united with several other shareholders to hold the board accountable for Qin Moling, treating business as a game, disregarding the company’s interests, and doing as he pleases!”

Grandpa Yu took a few sips of warm water to calm himself.

“If he’s capable, he should work hard. If he’s not, he should resign!”

Yu Shaohong wanted to say a few more words but, considering his father’s blood pressure, he closed his mouth.

What angered Grandpa Yu the most wasn’t the settlement of the trademark infringement case, but the tech company.

Grandpa Yu tapped the stack of documents on the coffee table with his cane. “Don’t tell me you all don’t know. Yu Qing is currently helping Fu Group invest in and acquire tech companies. She’s aiding our competitors against us.”

Concerning his daughter, Yu Shaohong couldn’t help but defend her. “Dad, you can’t blame Yu Qing for this. This is a project her team took on. Taking someone’s money means doing their job. One must have principles. I can’t let her act against her conscience and principles.”

Grandpa Yu snorted coldly. Angry as he was, he didn’t continue to reprimand Yu Qing.

If Yu Qing insisted on not marrying, how long Fu Jichen could persist was uncertain.

By constantly giving in to Fu Group, if Fu Jichen married someone else one day, their losses wouldn’t be minor.

Other shareholders would also have opinions then.

In business, emotional decisions are the biggest taboo.

After considering, Grandpa Yu decided: “Once Yu Qing finishes this project, have her return to our own participating companies. Then, I’ll discuss with Old Qin. Lemong Beverages and Lemong Technology will be handed over to Yu Qing and Qin Moling. She needs to understand how Fu Jichen suppresses us. Don’t live in a dream thinking money grows on trees!”

Yu Jingze disagreed: “Let her do whatever work she likes.”

“I know you’re siding with your sister, not wanting her to feel awkward between our family and Fu Jichen.” Grandpa Yu’s attitude was firm. “There’s no such luxury. Our family’s wealth includes her share. Enjoying rights necessarily entails corresponding obligations.”

All of the Yu family’s wealth, he divided into three parts.

Half of it went to Yu Jingze, and the remaining half was split between Yu Qing and Yu Jingxin.

He didn’t favor anyone; in fact, he even slighted Yu Jingze. After all, most of the company’s affairs, big or small, were handled by Yu Jingze—it was only fair that he got more.

As for the two granddaughters, they simply enjoyed the fruits of others’ labor, waiting to collect dividends.

In families with boys, no one arranged their assets this way—basically giving the granddaughters dowries while leaving everything else to the grandsons.

But he didn’t do that.

The children had grown up without much parental affection. By giving them family assets, he wanted to ensure that no matter what, they would always have pride and capital.

When it came to Yu Qing’s lack of consideration, he felt deep anguish. “She has no feelings for this family at all. An ungrateful wretch.”

Yu Shaohong: “Dad, it’s not her fault.”

Grandpa Yu continued, “I’m not blaming her. I’m just stating a fact. How many times did I tell you not to leave Yu Qing with the Li family? Children raised by the Li family rarely have any human warmth. Her two uncles fought each other over control of the company.”

He shook his head, saying no more.

It would only spoil the mood.

Yu Shaohong hadn’t thought of bringing Yu Qing back to Beijing when she was three or four years old. But Yu Qing’s grandmother couldn’t bear to part with her. When she heard he was planning to take Yu Qing away, she cried in front of him.

What could he say to an elderly woman?

He understood her actions; she feared that if he remarried, no one would care for Yu Qing.

Yu Shaohong looked at Grandpa Yu, “Dad, Yu Qing is a bit selfish.”

Sometimes she was heartless and lacked empathy.

“But her heart is still kind, and she’s slowly changing. We need to give her some time. The personality she developed over twenty years can’t be changed in just a few days.”

Grandpa Yu: “But our competitors won’t give us time.”

Yu Shaohong opened his mouth but couldn’t argue further.

Outside, the morning light became clear, and day broke.

________________________________________

Tea break time.

Yu Qing had just poured coffee and returned to her seat when an unexpected guest arrived at the office.

Earlier, she passed by her father’s office, and he wasn’t there.

Now, during work hours, Yu Jingze came to find her.

Her professional instincts told her it was related to Fu Jichen’s high-profile public declaration about her last night.

“President Yu, long time no see.”

Yu Jingze closed the door, isolating the outside noise.

He draped his trench coat on the back of the chair. “The situation is dire, and you still have the leisure to sip coffee and eat cookies?”

Yu Qing chewed slowly and took another sip of coffee. “My eyebrows are tattooed on; they’re not afraid of burning.”

Yu Jingze: “...”

Yu Qing wiped her hands with a wet wipe. “Did Grandpa come to settle accounts with you and Dad?”

“What do you think?” Yu Jingze asked in return.

This outcome was within Yu Qing’s expectations.

The issue between her and Fu Jichen wasn’t just about love; it also involved the interests of both families.

“Qin Moling will also face accountability.” Yu Jingze truthfully informed her of the seriousness of the situation.

Yu Qing meticulously wiped her fingertips. Now she had become the person who committed grave offenses.

There were two cookies left on the plate, and she pushed them towards Yu Jingze.

Yu Jingze didn’t eat sweets, especially cookies that were sweet yet bitter. He moved the plate to the three Maneki-neko figurines, rearranging them to sit around the plate.

Yu Qing glanced at him. “What message did Grandpa send you to convey to me?”

“Complete the current project and return to the company. Work with Qin Moling to manage Lemong Beverages and Lemong Technology, and additionally, you’ll oversee legal affairs.”

Yu Jingze feared that her stubbornness might lead to a direct confrontation with Grandpa. “If you really don’t want to go back, talk to Grandpa after some time, once he’s calmed down.”

“Alright. I’ll go back.”

Yu Jingze paused, unable to believe it.

He stared at her.

Her expression was serious, her eyes normal—not joking.

“So enlightened?”

“Why shouldn’t I be?”

Yu Jingze still felt uneasy. “Don’t suppress yourself.”

“Am I that kind of person?”

Yu Qing picked up another cookie to eat.

This was her breakfast.

Busy all morning, she only remembered to go to the cafeteria when it was well past mealtime.

Yu Jingze: “How did you suddenly come to this realization?”

“This isn’t about whether I understand or not. As long as they don’t force me to get married, I can handle it. You know, I’ve always stood for interests.”

Yesterday, when Zhao Shuqun’s wife came over, it served as a wake-up call.

Giving away emotions blindly and sacrificing oneself wouldn’t bring eternal happiness.

Yu Jingze confirmed again, “Are you sure?”

Yu Qing nodded. “Fu Jichen gives me money, and I can wholeheartedly solve his problems. Not to mention helping you alleviate your worries.”

Initially, upon returning to the country, she had this plan.

If Fish Spirit (her brother) couldn’t handle everything alone, she was willing to spare some energy to help him.

Who knew that Grandpa would insist on her marriage, leading to an unpleasant breakup.

“When I chose to specialize in non-litigation, following the team to do cross-border mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and equity swaps, wasn’t it to gain experience for use in our own company?”

Yu Jingze was astonished.

He increasingly felt that he didn’t understand her at all.

After all, among the family members, he spent the most time with her.

Yu Qing spoke of the past: “Whenever a project ended, I would reflect and write tens of thousands of words of insights, then ask myself, how should our own company leverage strengths and avoid weaknesses if it ever entered this field in the future? And how to let various departments and even cooperating enterprises check and balance each other.”

Sometimes she wrote through the night.

Headaches from exhaustion.

“I relieve stress through shopping.”

Yu Jingze: “Mm, I understand. You’re trying to say you’re an insightful money shredder.”

Yu Qing: “...”

After a couple of jokes, Yu Jingze got back to the point. “Soon, you’ll stand side by side with Qin Moling, facing Fu Jichen and Feng Mai.”

Yu Qing naturally understood.

This way, things would be more grounded, and they could walk a longer path.

“Qin Moling and I will deal with him and Feng Mai. In our irreconcilable opposition, we’ll achieve what we desire.”