Shen Qingqing calmly said, “Dad, Mom, I’m working at Lu Corporation now. Auntie Second has been very supportive of me, so I’ve been promoted to manager of the Sales Department Two.”
“But as you know, my sales performance isn’t that great. Everyone says ‘don’t let outsiders benefit from your resources,’ so please help your daughter buy some stock from me, boost my performance a bit.”
“Besides, if I do this, I’ll also speak highly of you in front of Auntie Second. Then a strategic cooperation between the Shen family and the Lu family isn’t impossible, right?”
Shen Qingqing said this while pretending to be magnanimous, ignoring past grudges.
It left the couple momentarily stunned.
Isn’t this a good thing?
Shen Jing’s face lit up with joy, and he asked, “Wait, you said your relationship with the current president of Lu Corporation’s biological mother is…”
“I have the best relationship with Auntie Second; she dotes on me so much” Shen Qingqing suddenly dropped her cold demeanor and put on an exaggerated, coquettish act.
Ye Zhi saw this and finally breathed a sigh of relief she realized that Shen Qingqing could never actually be that clever.
After hearing Shen Qingqing, Shen Jing’s face fell into deep thought. The Lu Corporation was undergoing internal restructuring.
Lu Kai had been dismissed by the old master and replaced as president by Lu Hongcai, the old master’s second son.
What did this mean? It meant that the senior management of the Lu family and the future heir had all changed!
It also meant that all of the Shen family’s previous investments were in jeopardy.
That was why Shen Jing had been so anxious.
But now, hearing that Shen Qingqing had a connection with the current president’s mother, Zhou Liuer, Shen Jing’s heart leapt with delight.
He secretly thought that if they could leverage Shen Qingqing’s connection with Zhou Liuer, life for the Shen family could be much easier.
Even if Lu Corporation was struggling, even after further setbacks, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse, and a centipede never truly dies!
With that in mind, Shen Jing’s smile, which had been barely noticeable, now spread fully across his face.
There was even a faint trace of flattery and eagerness to please. In a very gentle voice, he said, “Qingqing, I’ve heard what you said. Your sales performance I’ll help you achieve it. But…”
“Could you help me by letting me meet your Auntie Second, Zhou Liuer?”
Ha! Don’t see the rabbit and shoot the eagle, Shen Qingqing mocked inwardly. Outwardly, she remained composed, speaking with a tone of reluctant acquiescence while secretly ecstatic “Sure. But Dad, can you really help me with my sales performance?”
She pretended to look worried.
Seeing this, Shen Jing’s doubt about Shen Qingqing faded considerably, and he quickly replied, “Qingqing, I’m your father how could I possibly trick you?”
“Besides, your achievements will also bring honor to me. Isn’t that right?”
“Which parent doesn’t hope their child does well?” Ye Zhi interjected opportunely.
Shen Qingqing felt the sarcasm sting.
Oh, so some people actually scold themselves and aren’t even ashamed of it!
Shen Qingqing lowered her gaze, masking her emotions, and slowly said, “Oh, then thank you very much, Dad and Mom!”
“I just suddenly remembered something I need to do, so I won’t continue to show filial respect here. I’ll go first.”
Run quickly, run quickly if she didn’t leave, she’d be disgusted to death!
Having said that, Shen Qingqing didn’t wait for Shen Jing or Ye Zhi to respond. She quickly walked out.
As she reached the door and opened the villa entrance, Shen Qingqing accidentally bumped into a broad chest.
Looking up again, her eyes slightly red, she said softly, “Qianshan, why are you at the villa entrance? You almost hurt me!”
She spoke in an exaggeratedly delicate manner.
Lu Qianshan saw her pitiful expression and thought she was kind of cute.
He had assumed that Shen Qingqing had been mistreated by the stubborn Shen parents inside. But as he entered, he only heard Shen Qingqing questioning them.
And from the tone, she didn’t sound like she was being bullied.
Turns out, the “big villain” had been eavesdropping outside.
Ah, she’d rushed the act a bit too much she should have seemed weaker, more innocent, even more pitiable!
Shen Qingqing suddenly realized she had underestimated Lu Qianshan’s affection for her.
It hadn’t been that long, and already…
But then she reminded herself: as the original story’s “big villain,” his character was designed to be a lonely, tragic, yet strong person, extremely deprived of love.
Someone living in darkness like that, when they encounter a beam of light, will hold onto it fiercely.
Shen Qingqing suddenly felt a little sorry for the “big villain.”
Meanwhile, inside the Shen family villa.
Shen Baiyun slowly descended the stairs, watching his parents’ expressions shift uncertainly.
Some of the conversation seemed half-spoken. He had overheard all of Shen Qingqing’s earlier questions and subsequent dialogue from upstairs.
His parents’ sudden change in attitude left Shen Baiyun uneasy and anxious.
What’s going on? Weren’t Dad and Mom supposed to hate that wretched girl?
Why are they acting differently now?
Could it be…?
Shen Baiyun suddenly remembered a conversation he had overheard long ago, and his chest tightened.
That country bumpkin had actually seized leverage over Dad and Mom.
Shen Jing and Ye Zhi had no idea that this seemingly innocent daughter had already turned her mind a thousand times in an instant.
Ye Zhi gently raised a hand and called, “Baiyun, come over here!”
Shen Baiyun immediately hid his resentment toward Shen Qingqing and quickly approached his parents.
She gently held Ye Zhi’s hand with one hand, and with the other tapped Shen Jing’s shoulder lightly.
Because the pressure was moderate, Shen Jing said, “Our Baiyun is so sensible and obedient.”
Ye Zhi, dissatisfied, said, “Then why were you still so harsh with that little girl…”
“That was just testing her,” Shen Jing quickly explained.
Shen Baiyun, seizing the opportunity, interjected, “Dad, Mom, sister didn’t say anything bad just now, right? I was really worried you’d be angry and blame her!”
Shen Jing closed his eyes briefly before responding, “Blame Shen Qingqing? No need for that.”
Then he turned and glared coldly at Shen Baiyun. “Baiyun, you’ve always told me and your mother that you can move about freely in the Lu family. Do you even know why Shen Qingqing and Zhou Liuer became so close?”
Shen Baiyun froze.
She didn’t know!
But she quickly pieced things together based on recent events and said, “It’s just a matter of mutual benefit!”