Chapter 30: Leng Qingqiu's Outburst

Leng Qingqiu walked up to Lu Chengwen, looked into his eyes, and said expressionlessly, "Brother Chengwen, I think what you said makes sense. I don't trust anyone else, only you. Tonight, I will urgently convene a high-level meeting to finalize the details of investing in the shantytown renovation project."

Lu Chengwen was no fool. From Leng Qingqiu's expression and gaze, he could tell she was venting her frustration on him.

You told me to invest in the shantytown, so I will.

Are you really trying to screw me over, or will you back down and admit defeat? The choice is yours.

Leng Tianhao, unaware of Leng Qingqiu's inner turmoil, stood behind her with a dark expression.

Long Aotian was also confused.

Shantytown renovation? Who in their right mind would touch that?

Government officials had been lobbying everywhere, but none of the four major families in Snow City had agreed to it.

The project was time-consuming, required massive investment, involved numerous stakeholders, and was extremely complex. One misstep could lead to disaster.

Each of these factors alone was enough to be a deal-breaker. Any major corporation considering such a project would have to carefully weigh whether they had the resources and capability to pull it off.

The first person in charge of this project was a southerner who couldn't handle the pressure and fled midway.

Three people had already jumped to their deaths because of this project.

The shantytown renovation project was no longer just a hot potato—it was a red-hot iron brand. Forget holding it; even touching it would burn you!

Long Aotian said, "Qingqiu, I advise you not to get involved in the shantytown renovation project. The situation is too complicated, and you don't have enough experience in the infrastructure industry..."

Leng Qingqiu looked at Long Aotian coldly, "Do I need to understand all that? All I need is Brother Chengwen's support. Right, Brother Chengwen?"

Lu Chengwen: "Uh..."

Long Aotian continued, "The amusement park project has a shorter cycle, and the situation is easier to assess. As long as we secure that piece of land quickly, we'll be in an unbeatable position, with plenty of room to maneuver. The shantytown project is too uncertain and will be exhausting."

"What does it matter? With Brother Chengwen's support, I don't mind the hard work. Right, Brother Chengwen?"

Lu Chengwen: "Uh..."

Long Aotian grew anxious, "Qingqiu, why can't you see this? Everything I've done is for you. I don't want you to jump into a pit of fire. I don't want Qianfeng Group to collapse. I know reviving Qianfeng is your dream, and I came here for that dream."

Leng Qingqiu replied, "What dream of reviving Qianfeng? I'm a woman. A woman's greatest dream is to marry into a good family. Brother Chengwen and I have already decided to get engaged next month, marry by the end of the year, and have a child next year... Right, Brother Chengwen?"

Lu Chengwen: "Uh... ouch..."

Long Aotian was baffled. What kind of person was this?

Such an obvious business opportunity was right in front of her, and she wanted to follow Lu Chengwen into the shantytown renovation project?!

What was wrong with Leng Qingqiu? Had she suddenly lost her mind?!

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen with determination, "Brother Chengwen, I trust you. Look at me and tell me directly, which project do you want me to take on?"

Her gaze made Lu Chengwen extremely uncomfortable.

He didn't know how to respond.

[Is this silly girl really going to trust me and dive into the shantytown renovation project? Big sis, you're just mad at me for talking nonsense, right?]

[Damn it, I refuse to believe I can't handle a little girl like you!]

"Of course," Lu Chengwen finally made up his mind, "I do think this project has potential, but the decision is ultimately yours. I'm just offering a suggestion."

"Good!" Leng Qingqiu said decisively, "Since you suggested it, I'll follow your advice."

Leng Tianhao couldn't sit still any longer, "Qingqiu, let's not rush this. We should discuss it first..."

"No need for discussion," Leng Qingqiu, now furious, pushed open the door to leave, "I will immediately gather my team for an emergency meeting to discuss the investment plan for the shantytown renovation project. Tomorrow, we'll negotiate with the relevant officials."

"You're being reckless!" Leng Tianhao roared, "How can you make such a impulsive decision on such a major matter? I am the chairman of Qianfeng Group, and I do not agree to this!"

Leng Qingqiu turned to look at her father, "Father, you were the one who arranged my marriage to the Lu family. You were the one who gave me full authority and responsibility over Qianfeng Group. You were also the one who told me that my personal happiness and gains are insignificant compared to the long-term interests of Qianfeng. I, Leng Qingqiu, will follow my husband's lead. Since I'm engaged to Brother Chengwen, he will be my husband in the future. His word is law, his word is absolute, and I will unconditionally execute his commands. Brother Chengwen told me to invest in the shantytown project, so I trust him."

Long Aotian quickly interjected, "Qingqiu, think carefully. Lu Chengwen isn't worth your trust."

Leng Qingqiu looked at Long Aotian, "Oh? Then tell me, who should I trust?"

Her eyes were red, tears welling up, "In my entire life, I've never found a single person I could trust."

"When I was young, I idolized my father. I tried to emulate him in every way—his decisive actions, his commanding presence, his merit-based appointments, his calm wisdom... But I realized that my father was far more powerful and cold than I had ever imagined."

"Every time I faced hardship, every time I was heartbroken and sad, he never comforted me like other fathers would. He only scolded me, humiliated me, and looked at me with that cold, disappointed gaze, telling me I was worthless!"

"As I grew older, for the sake of the group's interests, his own daughter had to be married off for an alliance. In his eyes, Qianfeng was his child, and I was just a useless daughter."

"My only friend was caught slipping drugs into my drink. When I tearfully asked her why, she told me she hated me. She hated me for being smarter than her, for being born into a wealthy family, for being more beautiful, for having a slimmer figure, for my natural talent for learning! She hated everything I was born with, everything she could never achieve no matter how hard she worked. So she wanted to destroy me!"

"My one and only relationship in college—I gave it my all! He was sunny, positive, an athlete. Though he wasn't wealthy, he was a ray of light in my life. I thought, finally, I had found someone I could trust!" (Note: No toxicity here, Leng Qingqiu is still pure. Too many readers complained, so I'm clarifying.)

"But on my birthday, he had set up three cameras in the hotel room we booked."

Leng Qingqiu laughed, tears streaming down her face, her laughter filled with bitterness.

"Three cameras!"

Her voice trembled, "When I had decided to give myself to him completely, all he could think about was recording every angle, so he could control me and seize the Leng family's wealth."

Leng Qingqiu wiped away her tears, "Family, friends, lovers—all so cold. Tell me, who should I trust?"

She shouted in anger, "Speak! Who can I trust?! In this world, is there even one person who could genuinely like me, cherish me, protect me, without caring about my looks, my money, or my background? Is there? Or am I destined to be alone forever? Is this world just inherently cold and heartless, and the trust I seek simply doesn't exist?! Is that it?"

Lu Chengwen felt a pang of guilt, filled with self-reproach.

[I'm sorry, I didn't know you've had such a hard life.]

[Sigh, it seems no matter how much money one has, what people ultimately seek is inner happiness and fulfillment. Though many might think this sounds like nonsense, money really isn't everything.]

[Dammit, what should I do? I feel for her! If I didn't have a mission to complete, I'd rush over and hug her right now.]

[No! I need to restrain myself. I can't let her know. Anyway, I'll treat her better from now on, both in business and in life. I'll secretly help her when she's in trouble. This girl has suffered too much, and it's making me really uncomfortable.]

Leng Qingqiu's teary eyes suddenly turned to Lu Chengwen, staring at him intently.

Lu Chengwen, feeling guilty, lowered his head and remained silent.

Long Aotian felt it was his turn to step in.

"Qingqiu, I believe I am that person! Yes, I came here to like you, cherish you, accompany you, and protect you! From now on, you can trust me. You can trust me with anything. I am willing to be that ray of light in your life! From now on, my light will shine only for you."

Lu Chengwen mentally threw a pile of dung at him.

[Ugh! Disgusting! You really have no shame, spouting such sweet words so easily!]

[Are you really doing this for Qingqiu's happiness? No, you're just after the Leng family's assets! And not just the Leng family—there's also the Xu and Chen families. And finally, our Lu family.]

[Sigh, there's no helping it. This is your fate. Be together, maybe it's the best outcome for Qingqiu.]

Leng Qingqiu glanced at Long Aotian, "I've already decided. For the rest of my life, I will only trust Brother Chengwen. If he wants to screw me over, I'll let him. If he wants to harm me, I'll let him. If he wants to sell me for profit, I'll set a high price for myself! Tomorrow will be the day Qianfeng Group officially invests in the shantytown renovation project. Just watch!"

Lu Chengwen was completely panicked.

[Big sis, what kind of temper is this?!]

[You clearly understand, don't you? I... Did I mess up again?! Did I achieve the opposite effect?]

Lu Chengwen didn't realize that Leng Qingqiu had completely figured him out, thinking he had just made a mistake.

He thought the situation was: Long Aotian had chosen the right path for Leng Qingqiu, while he had suggested a wrong one.

Normally, he and Long Aotian would form a stark contrast, and Leng Qingqiu would choose Long Aotian's correct investment path, feeling grateful to him. This would bring the plot back on track.

The female lead would then start her storyline with the male lead.

He, on the other hand, could gracefully exit this storyline and focus on other female leads.

But now, Leng Qingqiu's long-suppressed psychological issues had erupted!

Her rebellious side had emerged!

The always calm, rational, never-mistaken Leng Qingqiu was about to make a huge mistake—a catastrophic one!

She had decided to go all-in on his wrong investment path!

Leng Tianhao roared in anger, "Leng Qingqiu! You are the CEO of Qianfeng Group! Calm down! Is this how I taught you to make decisions—based on emotions?! I don't care how much resentment you have toward me or how disappointed you are with the world. What I need from you is the ability to lead Qianfeng back to its peak! You are not to touch the shantytown renovation project. Tomorrow, you will secure that piece of land! If you can't handle this, there will be no place for you in Qianfeng Group!"

Leng Qingqiu turned to look at her father, her expression cold.

She responded with a mocking smile.

"You gave me the power, and now you must accept the consequences. To revoke my executive and decision-making authority, you need to convene a shareholders' meeting and formally announce my dismissal. According to the rules, this meeting requires a week of preparation. I can accomplish what I want within that week."

"You..."

Leng Qingqiu turned and walked out the door without looking back.

Lu Chengwen was drenched in sweat.

Oh no! This is a complete disaster!

Lu Chengwen felt the world spinning.

Leng Qingqiu, in her anger, had resolutely chosen the path of self-destruction!

Leng Tianhao, furious at his terrible advice, was now glaring at him with uncontrollable rage!

And most importantly, Long Aotian's expression had darkened to the extreme, as if he was about to explode at any moment!

This is bad. I'm done for!