Chapter 29: Killing Without Compensation

Lu Chengwen really wanted to curse.

Of all the bad luck, Hua Xuening, the personal guard of that guy Long Aotian, was hiding right where he was climbing over the wall.

When he fell from the wall, it was probably her who hit his thigh.

Now his thigh was numb, and he was limping as he walked. There was no way he could escape by climbing over the wall again.

The main gate!

By now, Long Aotian should already be inside the house, so he wouldn't run into him if he went through the main gate.

But after just a few steps, Lu Chengwen tripped and fell again, and the people in the mansion noticed him. They quickly surrounded him like stars around the moon and helped him back to the living room.

In the study.

Leng Tianhao, of course, was sitting in the main seat.

Lu Chengwen and Long Aotian were sitting on the guest sofa. Long Aotian narrowed his eyes, looking at Lu Chengwen with disdain.

Lu Chengwen, on the other hand, had a flattering smile on his face as he looked at Long Aotian.

Leng Qingqiu sat on a chair to the side, thinking to herself: Why is Long Aotian always around? Why is Brother Chengwen always so afraid of this guy?

Leng Tianhao said, "Mr. Long, could you please elaborate on this matter?"

Long Aotian replied, "The Daewoo Group is a super conglomerate in the southern region. I assume Mr. Leng is aware of this?"

"Of course," Leng Tianhao said. "The Daewoo Group has over forty large amusement park projects in more than thirty cities domestically. They are also involved in hotels, film investments, tourism development, art museum construction, and various other projects. Their asset valuation is around four trillion, making them a truly massive corporation."

Long Aotian nodded. "They've been secretly surveying this project for a long time, and the location has already been chosen. The information is, of course, top secret. But I can tell you that they are about to start negotiations. If we act now and buy that piece of land, we can catch them completely off guard. At that point, we can sit back and wait for them to come to us."

Leng Tianhao nodded, biting his lip, his heart filled with excitement. "Twenty billion! If we can secure that land, we could even triple the price!"

Long Aotian shook his head. "No."

"Do you think I'm asking for too much?"

"It's too cheap."

Long Aotian smiled and said, "Selling the land is just a one-time deal, not very interesting. With that land, we can do so much more."

"Oh? For example?"

Long Aotian said, "They have the funds, and they're already in the design and negotiation phase. Everything is ready; they just need the land. Once we have it, we can use it to negotiate with the Daewoo Group."

"Please elaborate."

Long Aotian continued, "First, we can demand a stake in the project. Based on a valuation of seven billion, we could secure a 20% or even 25% stake in the new amusement park. Once the park is built, the annual net profit will be at least five billion, meaning our annual dividends could exceed one billion."

"But that's a long-term profit chain. It will take years for the amusement park to be completed, and our Qianfeng Group..." Leng Tianhao didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

They needed quick money and couldn't afford to wait.

"Hahaha!" Long Aotian laughed. "Mr. Leng, why are you still confused? The money from the later stages is for later. With the land in our hands, we can negotiate more than just the stake.

Construction, materials, teams, procurement, marketing... we can pick two or three of these to include in the contract. Won't we make money then?"

Leng Tianhao slapped his thigh in excitement. "Brilliant! If that's the case, we can make back a significant portion of the twenty billion during the construction phase. And once we're involved in this project, the entire Leng family will be revitalized!"

"Exactly!"

At this point, Leng Tianhao turned to Lu Chengwen.

"Chengwen, you're not an outsider. You know the situation with Qianfeng, and since you and Qingqiu are about to get engaged, you're practically family. That's why I didn't keep this matter from you. What do you think about this?"

Lu Chengwen was still rubbing his thigh.

He thought to himself:

[What do I think? What does this have to do with me? This is Long Aotian trying to woo your daughter. This project is just a big stepping stone for him.]

[You should just listen to him obediently. He'll help you secure the land, and it won't cost you a dime. Aren't you excited? Aren't you moved? If you don't cry in front of him, it won't be a proper ending!]

[Plus, with my relationship with Leng Qingqiu being tense, you'll have no choice but to marry her off to him! From then on, you'll have to follow his lead in everything.]

Leng Qingqiu was so angry she almost spat blood.

This idiot! At a time like this, he still thinks I like Long Aotian! When have I ever shown any interest in him!?

Why do you keep misunderstanding me!? I need to find a way to make him stop misunderstanding.

Wait... why do I care so much about Lu Chengwen's "misunderstanding"?

Leng Qingqiu had already developed feelings for him, but she was too proud to quickly accept her own emotions.

For a girl like Leng Qingqiu, pride and aloofness were just her protective shell. At her age, who isn't a pure-hearted girl? Who doesn't yearn for love?

But Leng Qingqiu couldn't quickly accept the changes in her heart.

She didn't have the ability to do so; it was her flaw.

Lu Chengwen stammered, "I... I think Brother Long's idea makes sense..."

[Wait!]

Lu Chengwen suddenly had a flash of inspiration!

[Why am I helping Long Aotian? Why am I pushing things along?]

[I should be opposing Long Aotian!]

[This guy is here to show off! If everyone agrees with him, how can he show off? The impact won't be as strong!]

[I need to stand up and oppose him, clash with him, go against him! That way, his moment will be even more impressive.]

[Right! I need to give him a chance to dominate the room, to feel like he's turned the tide and saved the day.]

[But I need to be careful! If I go too far, he might kill me. Yes, yes, that's what I'll do.]

Leng Qingqiu narrowed her eyes: You're really something, Lu Chengwen. Your thought process is way too twisted!

If I couldn't hear your inner thoughts, who would know you're plotting something like this?

What on earth are you trying to achieve? Are you out of your mind?

Lu Chengwen stood up and said, "I think, although Brother Long is exceptionally talented, handsome, and unparalleled in his brilliance..."

Long Aotian thought to himself, this guy is so disgusting.

"Hey, hey, stop with the flattery. Get to the point!"

"Right, I disagree with Brother Long's idea."

"Oh?" Leng Tianhao was surprised.

This was clearly a business opportunity. By asking Lu Chengwen's opinion, he was actually giving him a chance to do a favor.

Leng Tianhao wanted to hear Lu Chengwen strongly agree, actively show his support in front of Leng Qingqiu, and say he would fully back the project, offering both financial and logistical help to secure the land and participate in the subsequent operations.

This was Leng Tianhao's strategy.

Leng Tianhao, having been in the business world for so long, was a seasoned veteran.

Didn't he know the commercial value of this information? Didn't he know how important this project was to the Leng family?

Big shots always speak with hidden meanings, always aiming to kill multiple birds with one stone.

Long Aotian's information was worth a fortune. He could walk into any of the four major families and secure a lifetime of wealth.

But Leng Tianhao didn't want Long Aotian to take all the credit. He wanted to leverage the Lu family's resources, preferably getting the Lu family to chip in some money.

You shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, after all.

But Lu Chengwen, a rising star in the business world, was playing dumb at this moment.

Leng Tianhao's face showed displeasure. "Chengwen, why do you oppose this project?"

Lu Chengwen thought to himself:

[Uncle, hold on, I need to think. I need to make something up.]

Leng Qingqiu was so angry she almost spat blood.

If this had happened three years ago, Lu Chengwen would have jumped at the chance to make a big deal out of this.

He would have said he'd help negotiate the land deal, offer to pay half the cost, no interest, no shares, no strings attached, just so he could get engaged to Leng Qingqiu.

That was definitely the old Lu Chengwen's style. He was shameless and would absolutely do something like that.

But today, he was determined to distance himself from her. Even though he knew this deal would make money, big money, he wanted to stay out of it.

How infuriating!

Absolutely infuriating!

Lu Chengwen thought for a moment and said, "First, the land is hard to buy. Once the news leaks, the price will skyrocket."

Leng Tianhao thought to himself, isn't that obvious? That's what we're discussing here!

"Second..." Lu Chengwen felt he couldn't come up with anything better, so he decided to just wing it. "Second, I think the suburban slum redevelopment project is a better deal. I suggest we focus on that instead."

Leng Tianhao couldn't believe his ears.

Was Lu Chengwen out of his mind?

What was he doing? Opposing me!?

Couldn't he see that I already had a plan and was just asking him as a formality?

What's this about old city redevelopment? Where would I get the money to invest in such a godforsaken place?

Leng Tianhao's expression grew darker.

"Oh," he forced a smile. "I think this project is worth a try. Chengwen, I remember your Lu family has good connections with the Land and Resources Bureau. Could you help me pull some strings, get some information, and arrange a meeting with the person in charge of the auction? We could discuss it. And later, if you could provide some financial assistance, that would be great. We're family, after all. You wouldn't refuse to help me with this, would you?"

Lu Chengwen was almost bursting with joy inside.

[Old man, you got it right! I'm going to refuse!]

[Your family's future will be firmly in the hands of Long Aotian, the great Buddha. I won't get involved.]

Lu Chengwen sat on the sofa like a boss, speaking slowly:

"Well, this... isn't very convenient. I do know the person in charge of the auction, but I'm really not optimistic about this project. As for financial assistance, I'm also in a tight spot, very tight, very tight..."

Leng Tianhao was so angry he could barely contain himself.

If it weren't for the need to maintain face between the two families, he would have already started cursing.

You little brat, when you were chasing my Qingqiu, what did you say to me?

You said you'd do anything for Qingqiu, that the Leng family's matters were your matters, and that you'd provide money, people, and connections at the drop of a hat. You even said you'd change your surname to Leng if Qingqiu married you.

You shamelessly spouted all that nonsense, and now you're acting all high and mighty!?

Leng Tianhao clenched his teeth, trying to maintain his diplomatic demeanor, and forced a smile. "Alright, Chengwen, if that's the case, I won't push you. It's getting late, you should head back."

In his heart, he was thinking: Get out! Just get out!

"Alright."

Lu Chengwen didn't waste any more words and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Leng Qingqiu couldn't take it anymore. She looked at Lu Chengwen with cold eyes and said angrily:

"Father, I think Brother Chengwen makes a good point. I plan to invest all our funds in the slum redevelopment project."

Lu Chengwen, who had already reached the door, turned around in shock, looking at this troublesome woman.

[Are you out of your mind, sister!?]