Xu Xuejiao's actions served as a safety net for Leng Qingqiu.
Even if she couldn't retain her shares today, there was still an external plan waiting for her, allowing her to make a final windfall by leveraging Qianfeng Group's stock.
But this was anything but good news for Huo Wendong.
Last night, he had spoken with Leng Qingqiu on the phone.
If Leng Tianhao was determined to sell his shares, then holding onto Leng Qingqiu's stock would be meaningless.
She wouldn't have the final say in Qianfeng Group—she'd just be another shareholder.
Moreover, the future of Qianfeng Group would be uncertain, beyond her control or influence.
Transferring all her shares to Huo Wendong was, in fact, a last resort.
She could secure a hefty sum of cash and start anew elsewhere.
Huo Wendong thought he had Leng Qingqiu cornered and could lowball her for her and Leng Tianhao's shares. But now, things had gotten complicated—a competitor had emerged.
Huo Wendong didn't want the Xu family involved. Their entry signaled trouble.
The Xu family wasn't the Leng family.
They were a wealthy, influential local powerhouse. If they were truly determined to compete with him, things would become extremely messy.
For Huo Wendong, the first priority was acquiring Leng Qingqiu's shares at a low price.
The second priority was ensuring the Xu family didn't get their hands on too much of Qianfeng Group's stock.
Xu Xuejiao entered the VIP lounge, which was completely closed off—only service staff could enter. One of Huo Wendong's secretaries stood guard near the lounge, keeping a close watch.
The negotiations dragged on interminably.
Leng Qingqiu began to waver, and Lu Chengwen officially transferred all his shares to her, signing the contract and having it notarized.
What had been a four-way battle had now become a three-way standoff.
But Leng Tianhao seemed dead set on selling his shares to Huo Wendong.
Leng Qingqiu and her father treated the matter purely as business, with no familial warmth or pleasantries.
Lu Chengwen leaned in close to Leng Qingqiu. "Does your dad seem… off to you?"
"I noticed earlier. He doesn't seem mentally stable."
Lu Chengwen nodded. "Let's sabotage them."
Leng Qingqiu stood up. "I propose the board grant shareholders time and space for private discussions, allowing share transactions to proceed privately and return to the main meeting room for notarization once completed."
Everyone was taken aback, quickly calculating their own interests.
Huo Wendong narrowed his eyes. He knew Leng Qingqiu wanted to meet with Xu Xuejiao.
He immediately objected. "I oppose! All contracts must be signed here, on the spot."
Leng Qingqiu said coolly, "Then I declare my withdrawal. You can inform me once you've reached a decision."
Huo Wendong shot to his feet. "Leng Qingqiu! What the hell are you playing at? Think you're untouchable just because the Xu family's backing you?"
Leng Qingqiu looked at him, utterly calm. "Yes."
Huo Wendong was stunned. He'd expected her to say something evasive, but she'd outright admitted it.
His secretary hurriedly whispered, "Don't let her leave. If she walks out, she'll definitely strike a deal with the Xu family."
Huo Wendong thought it over. "Fine, I agree with President Leng's proposal. And I'd like to have a private chat with her myself."
The meeting promptly divided into several smaller negotiation areas, with each faction retreating to their own space.
Huo Wendong loosened his tie irritably. "Damn Xu Xuejiao, who does she think she is? Once I've dealt with the Leng family, the Xu family's next!"
His secretary said gravely, "Leng Tianhao seems fully committed to the share transfer. You should prioritize securing Leng Qingqiu. If the Xu family gets involved, things will get messy."
"I know!" Huo Wendong snapped. He strode to Leng Qingqiu's negotiation room and knocked.
Several people entered.
"President Leng, haha, let's not joke around! We agreed on everything over the phone yesterday!"
"Until the contract is signed, I always have a choice."
"Fine!" Huo Wendong said. "What terms did the Xu family offer that have you so tempted?"
---
Leng Qingqiu and Huo Wendong began their negotiations. Huo Wendong had to undercut Xu Xuejiao's offer to secure Leng Qingqiu, and the two of them dragged the discussion out.
Meanwhile, Long Aotian, Hua Xuening, and Luo Shiyin stayed with Leng Tianhao.
Leng Tianhao stroked Luo Shiyin's hand. "Shiyin, you're so beautiful."
Luo Shiyin smiled faintly. "Am I?"
"Mhm. Once I sell Qianfeng and get the money, we'll travel the world! I have enough for us to live comfortably for the rest of our lives. We'll go to Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Ukraine… anywhere you want."
Long Aotian, weak and frail, called out, "Shiyin."
Luo Shiyin gripped Leng Tianhao's neck, and he slowly fell asleep.
Long Aotian ordered, "Go keep an eye on Huo Wendong. No mistakes are allowed in this matter."
"Understood."
Luo Shiyin turned and left.
Hua Xuening asked, "Young Master, are you worried Leng Qingqiu will cause trouble?"
"I'm not sure if it's Leng Qingqiu or Xu Xuejiao. Both women are too cunning."
At that moment, with the office door slightly ajar, a figure slipped out and whispered something to Lu Chengwen at the door.
Long Aotian's eyes widened. "Copper King!"
Hua Xuening was instantly furious. Copper King was the villain who had once severely injured Long Aotian!
The memory of Long Aotian being beaten to a pulp by Copper King made her blood boil.
She marched to the door, yanked it open, and Copper King instinctively turned around. Their eyes met.
Hua Xuening snarled, "Copper King! Finally found you!"
Copper King turned and bolted like a rabbit, with Hua Xuening hot on his heels.
Long Aotian sensed danger. "Xuening! Don't chase him!"
He was fuming inwardly.
Hua Xuening was brainless. Now he was left without protection!
He quickly dialed a number. "Silver King! Get up here now and protect me!"
Just then, Lu Chengwen walked in with a smile and closed the door behind him. "Senior Brother, long time no see. Your performance in the meeting earlier was truly impressive!"
Long Aotian frowned. "What are you scheming now?"
"Me? Scheme?" Lu Chengwen laughed. "Since becoming sworn brothers, we've never shared a drink. How about it? Once today's business is settled, you'll be rolling in profits—let's have a toast?"
Long Aotian smirked. "Sure. We can also discuss future collaborations between Qianfeng Group and Dasheng Group."
"Hahaha!" Lu Chengwen laughed heartily as Jiang Shihan entered with a bottle of wine.
She smiled at Long Aotian. "Brother Aotian."
Long Aotian narrowed his eyes. "You… you're with Lu Chengwen now?"
Jiang Shihan blushed and nodded. "Brother Aotian, I heard you and President Lu are martial brothers and even swore an oath of brotherhood. I'm so happy for you. I hope you two remain as close as true brothers and share prosperity."
Jiang Shihan obediently opened the bottle and poured wine for both men.
Long Aotian's eyes burned with rage.
Jiang Shihan—his dream girl, the star of his harem fantasies—had been snatched away by Lu Chengwen, that bastard!
As Jiang Shihan turned to leave, Lu Chengwen pulled her into his arms. "What's the rush? My senior brother isn't an outsider."
"President Lu, stop it! It's embarrassing with Brother Aotian watching…"
"Tsk, don't play innocent. Weren't you wild last night?"
Long Aotian shot to his feet. "Lu Chengwen!"
Lu Chengwen feigned innocence. "Ah, Senior Brother, did Master visit you last night?"
Long Aotian thought of his injuries and the fact that Lu Chengwen was no longer a pushover—he was now a martial artist. If Long Aotian fought now, the secondary damage would be catastrophic.
Gritting his teeth, he suppressed his fury.
"Didn't Master visit you?"
"He came to me first!" Lu Chengwen said. "It was terrifying! He said he'd teach me martial arts, but first, he had to 'reforge my bones'—can you believe it? He wanted to break every bone in my body and shatter all my tendons! How could I let him do that? Senior Brother, you don't look so good…"
Long Aotian was seething. "I'm fine."
"Oh, good." Lu Chengwen held his wine glass in one hand while the other wandered over Jiang Shihan's body, making her squirm and blush, too flustered to meet Long Aotian's eyes.
"You have no idea—Master's insane! He pinned me down and tried to force it. I said, 'Master, I never wanted to be a martial arts master! Just let me go!' He cursed me out, called me a worthless piece of trash. Well, trash or not, I just want to make money and live well."
Lu Chengwen looked at Long Aotian. "Senior Brother, Master praised you endlessly. Said you're a martial arts prodigy, a genius among geniuses. I envy you. I told him, 'Why come to me? Go to my senior brother! He's the one destined for greatness! That 'Great Sun Revival Pill' would be wasted on me—Senior Brother should be your top priority!'"
"So it was you!" Long Aotian gnashed his teeth. "You set me up!"
"Senior Brother!" Lu Chengwen said. "How is that setting you up? I know a thing or two about martial arts. Reforging your bones is to help you reach new heights! Are you mid-Fourth Level now? To reach the upper Fourth Level, reforging is essential!"
"Dammit, I was already upper Fourth Level! I only fell back to mid-Fourth Level after exhausting my energy in a battle at the border! All I needed was… cough!"
Long Aotian coughed violently.
He couldn't afford to lose his temper now!
But he couldn't help it!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got!
Lu Chengwen and that old bastard had teamed up to screw him over!
Lu Chengwen pushed Jiang Shihan aside and approached Long Aotian, taking his wine glass. "You shouldn't be drinking right now. You should change into fresh clothes, enjoy a good meal, and listen to some uplifting music. Senior Brother, the Great Sun Revival Pill is a rare treasure. You must absorb its power fully. With your talent, I'm sure you'll break free from your cocoon and soar like a dragon."
Long Aotian clutched his chest, his eyes bloodshot. "That bastard didn't even have the Great Sun Revival Pill! He shattered all my bones and ran off!"
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened in feigned shock—then he burst out laughing.
One couldn't hold back his anger; the other couldn't hold back his laughter.
Both were struggling.
And the effect was mutual.
The harder Lu Chengwen tried not to laugh, the angrier Long Aotian became.
And the more Lu Chengwen laughed at Long Aotian's furious face, the more Long Aotian raged…
Finally, Lu Chengwen couldn't take it anymore. He laughed until tears streamed down his face. "Master's too much! No revival pill, just shattered your bones and ran off… hahahaha!"
Long Aotian watched Lu Chengwen laugh hysterically—and finally, he couldn't take it anymore.
He spat out a mouthful of blood.