Chapter 39 That's not you

This was the first time Qiao Wu had heard this term, and he asked in confusion, "What does it mean to take off your glasses and speak?"

"The mouth can lie, but the eyes cannot."

So that's how it is.

Now Qiao Wu finally understood why Lu Jinzhi's gaze was always so direct and oppressive. He was like that when they were kids, and he always scared people to tears.

This is how he understands other people's emotions and feelings.

"I understand," she said with a smile. "I wouldn't lie to you."

Those dark eyes turned and stared at her for a long while. Qiao Wu met his gaze without any attempt to hide it, until he left after getting a satisfactory answer: "Mm."

"Is there anything else on today's meeting agenda?"

Lu Jinzhi went around to the back of the desk. His computer was in standby mode, and when he opened it, there was a document. He had been working here before he learned that Qiao Wu had returned, but he had temporarily stopped working to go downstairs for a meal.

He looked up, about to speak, but found that Qiao Wu was still standing there.

Lu Jinzhi's gaze swept around the room, and he frowned slightly.

He straightened up: "Come on."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Wu walked around and stood beside him.

Lu Jinzhi moved the only chair back a step, his gaze still fixed on the computer screen, but he tapped lightly on the back of the chair with his index and middle fingers: "Sit."

Qiao Wu: "?"

She glanced down at him, then looked at Lu Jinzhi with a puzzled expression.

"This is your chair."

Lu Jinzhi leaned over, moving the mouse with one hand. After hearing this, he turned to look at her and said, "I told you to sit down, not to move out."

Is this a matter of sitting or moving?

You're the boss!

But Lu Jinzhi clearly had no intention of continuing to talk to her, and turned his gaze back.

Is this the thought process of a genius?

Regardless of their past relationship, Qiao Wu still felt she had a bit of a housekeeper's mentality and was embarrassed to let her boss stand while she sat, so she pulled her chair back and leaned over to stand with Lu Jinzhi in front of the computer to look at the document.

The chair was moved, and Lu Jinzhi's fingers, which had been resting in the air, twitched slightly. He glanced at the person approaching out of the corner of his eye, but didn't say anything.

On the computer were a letter of appointment for directors of Lu's charitable foundation, a proposal for public welfare activities, and an invitation to a charity forum.

Qiao Wu immediately understood the key to it.

As a listed company, Lu's Group has been engaged in philanthropy and assuming social responsibility for many years. This helps to establish a positive public image for those in power. Lu Jiang has always been a regular on the list of philanthropic billionaires, but in recent years, due to poor health, he has rarely traveled for work, and Xie Yi has mostly taken over this task for him.

After Lu Jinzhi returned to China, Xie Yi also retired. Now, this work should be completed by Xu Chao, who has just been promoted to chief secretary, in collaboration with Lu Jinzhi.

Lu Jinzhi pushed the mouse in front of her: "The director of the charity foundation was originally my father, but now he has stepped down. The board of directors needs to choose a new executive director. Would you like to try for the director position?"

Qiao Wu looked at him in surprise.

“My father used to be autocratic and dictatorial. Many of his decisions in the group over the past two years have been problematic, and now we have to clean up his mess.” Lu Jinzhi showed no awareness of speaking ill of his father, and obvious dissatisfaction appeared in his eyes. “There are many meetings to attend every day and many people to meet, so I won’t be traveling frequently or for long periods of time in the short term.”

He added, "Although Xu Chao is responsible and conscientious, he lacks composure and decisiveness. Right now, you are the only person I can trust."

Believe her?

Qiao Wu remembered that in the original story, "she" also wanted to take this opportunity to gain a voice in the foundation.

After all, although the money belongs to the Lu family, if they can control it, it is not a small amount of money. The shares of the Lu family alone are worth tens of billions, not counting personal donations, but Lu Jinzhi has never given up.

But Lu Jinzhi has only been back in China for a few days now.

Qiao Wu originally thought that the established rules were the greatest leniency Lu Jinzhi could give her, and his non-rejection attitude towards her was the best outcome she had anticipated.

I never expected this to happen.

Qiao Wu stared at him intently.

In fact, beneath his gentle yet ruthless facade, Lu Jinzhi is inherently cold and rational. He speaks in a low voice, yet there is no trace of hesitation or probing.

He was simply calmly recounting something he had already weighed the pros and cons of.

"Those dogs at home can't hold you back." The light and shadow on the screen shone on Lu Jinzhi's face, making it appear even more pale and cold. He turned around and said, "Since you're thinking of changing careers in five years, do you want to fly out into the world?"

Do you want to fly outwards?

Qiao Wu had lived two lives, and she had long since become indifferent to life and death.

Except for the day she regained her body, she hardly felt any tension or other emotions when facing anyone, no matter how powerful or wealthy they were.

But in Lu Jinzhi's empty and quiet room, she seemed to hear the sound of a heartbeat.

It was so intense that it almost ruptured her eardrums.

If it weren't for those plot points, how would her life have changed if she had grown up peacefully and healthily in that environment?

She will become lifelong friends with Lu Jinzhi and his brothers, and she will also fly high and far to see a wider world.

She didn't need a lot of money, nor did she have much ambition. She never coveted a single penny of the Lu family's wealth, but she needed an opportunity to be free to do what she wanted.

So when Lu Jinzhi asked the question, she nodded almost without hesitation: "Yes."

Lu Jinzhi chuckled: "Then you are."

When Lu Ning said that Zhong Hejing wanted to poach Qiao Wu, Lu Jinzhi began to think about a question: how to keep Qiao Wu.

Later, he received a call from Qin Lian, who wanted a butler like Qiao Wu.

He never took Qin Lian's impolite request seriously, because he knew Qiao Wu wouldn't go.

Because Qiao Wu is not a housekeeper.

He never treated Qiao Wu as a housekeeper, neither when they were children nor now.

No butler or servant was allowed to enter his room without permission, including Qiao Wu's father.

He only accepts her position as a housekeeper now, but he would accept any other job she has in the future, whether it's a boss, a celebrity, or any other title.

He was never Qiao Wu's boss, and no one in the Lu family dared to restrict him with rules, nor would he be willing to.

At the welcome-back party, he didn't need to tell those strangers with whom he had no connection that he was back. In any business setting, those people would find out about the news in various ways later.

When he raised his glass and saw the people on the second floor, he felt that they were the people he could tell.

Like a friend you haven't seen in a long time.

He and she clinked glasses remotely.

So when he received Qiao Wu's career plan, he finally found a suitable balance on the scales.

He didn't want to keep the butler, nor anyone who would assist him; he wanted to keep this person.

Even if she leaves the Lu family and flies away five years later, she will still keep in touch with him, be his friend, and still call him Lu Jinzhi.

He thought about it carefully all night and finally found a bargaining chip that could keep her.

It's not that he'll stay, because he'll fly away with her.

Lu Jinzhi felt that this was how it should be between him and Qiao Wu.

As for the puppies, let them stay in their kennel and bite each other.

Dog food is plentiful.

This answer put Lu Jinzhi in a very good mood: "After the appointment of the executive director and board members is completed, you will need to attend the annual charity forum meeting. Lu's year-end charity press conference will also be held. Xu Chao will communicate with you about the details. There are quite a few things to do, so you should find an assistant."

Besides family matters, she also needs someone to help her with external matters.

Qiao Wu knew the necessary steps, and her eyes held a hint of eagerness: "Okay."

Although the files would be sent to him, Qiao Wu couldn't resist picking up the mouse and scrolling down to look at them. He got so engrossed in reading that he forgot where he was.

She rested her elbows on the edge of the table to support her weight, her eyes fixed on the screen, completely unaware of the smile she was giving.

Seeing that she made no attempt to hide her joy, Lu Jinzhi smiled and straightened up: "The meeting is over. Do you have anything to add?"

"I didn't finish reading it." Qiao Wu's back was a little sore. She rubbed it and stood up, glancing at the only chair. "Why did you remove the sofa too?"

Lu Jinzhi smiled and said, "If no one is sitting here, we'll take it away."

After get off work, he only works on his computer and goes straight to bed. He doesn't need to display any extra things that might be an eyesore.

Qiao Wu's impression of him was refreshed once again: "I thought you didn't like people coming into your room."

"Yes, I don't like it." Lu Jinzhi made no attempt to hide his feelings.

"Then we can talk downstairs later."

"No need," Lu Jinzhi said casually. "You can come in."

Qiao Wu was stunned for a moment: "Me?"

However, Lu Jinzhi clearly didn't understand why she was so surprised: "Didn't you come in before?"

"I thought you were just trying to avoid Lu Xuan in a moment of panic."

Lu Jinzhi scoffed, "Then I'll throw you out with me."

"..."

But at this point, Lu Jinzhi finally understood why she hadn't come to see him since that time; it turned out she felt he didn't like other people entering his room.

He chuckled: "If others can't, you can."

“The sofa will be put back together,” he said. “You can come find me.”

Qiao Wu still couldn't react: "Why?"

"Hard to understand?" Lu Jinzhi raised an eyebrow. "I don't dislike you, so it's fine."

It's actually quite simple.

Qiao Wu was not a brainless person; Lu Jinzhi treated her better than he treated his younger brothers.

But clearly this preferential treatment wasn't for "her" from the previous month, since he hadn't replied to a single message back then.

With a brain as sharp as Lu Jinzhi's, she couldn't possibly fail to see the contrast between her before and after, and she had never deliberately tried to hide it.

"Lu Jinzhi," Qiao Wu suddenly asked him, "what do you think has changed about me?"

In the empty room, Lu Jinzhi's presence was very strong. He had his back to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and behind him were dark curtains that were tightly closed, which made his eyes appear even more profound.

He just stood there, his gaze nakedly fixed on her, and after a few seconds his eyes curved slightly.

"No," he said with a smile, "you haven't changed at all."

The Lu brothers each have their own unique characteristics, but without exception, they are all exceptionally good-looking.

At first glance, others might be captivated by Lu Xuan's alluring appearance or struck by Lu Yingchi's unruly nature, but Qiao Wu realized at this moment that Lu Jinzhi was actually the one who was hiding his true abilities.

He wasn't particularly striking in appearance, but just by standing there quietly, he could draw attention away from those who weren't initially drawn to him, until they finally saw him.

Setting aside the usual smile that barely reaches his eyes, when his deep, rational eyes are filled with genuine laughter, it is far more captivating than the allure of Lu Xuan's physical appearance.

Qiao Wu's heart skipped a beat when he saw Qiao Wu's gaze: "What if things change?"

“Then it’s not you,” Lu Jinzhi said.

Don't get too close to smart people.

This was Qiao Wu's first thought upon returning to his room.

But for some reason, after Lu Jinzhi saw through her, she didn't feel as fearful and worried as she had thought in the past; in fact, she was quite happy.

She was now grateful that Lu Jinzhi was such a perceptive person, so when he saw the real her through her appearance, she felt a joy like meeting an old friend after a long journey.

That's why Lu Jinzhi trusts her so much.

Qiao Wu finally felt relieved.

-

Lu Jinzhi remains the executive director of the Lu family's foundation, but many people still don't understand or even question the sudden addition of a chairman.

“Mr. Lu.” At the board meeting, one of the shareholders stood up. “We know that Miss Qiao is the Lu family’s housekeeper. When Mr. Qiao was alive, she never interfered in the group’s affairs. Miss Qiao is only in her early twenties. No matter how impressive her resume is, she has no experience. Public matters are public matters and private matters are private matters. We hope you will carefully consider our suggestion.”

Lu Jinzhi, seated in the main seat, replied gently, "I've considered it."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines. They had considered his feelings, yet he was still so domineering!

“Not only did I consider it, but I also adopted your suggestions.” Lu Jinzhi gestured for Xu Chao to produce the company’s profit and loss ratio and stock price fluctuation ratio over the past two years. “This is the answer you’ve given me over the past two years.”

He then presented a similar comparison from his two years of experience developing his business abroad: "This is my answer."

Everyone present was immediately speechless.

“I’m also in my twenties.” Lu Jinzhi always had a faint smile on his face. “But what about you old folks who are a decade or two older than me? What experience do you have? Do you dare to question me?”

I dare not.

No one dared to question Lu Jinzhi.

Even his father is no good.

Besides his abilities, he also wielded absolute power.

This is the Lu family's company, which says it all.

After glancing at the dusty-looking crowd, Lu Jinzhi slowly and calmly said, "Since you tolerated Lu Jiang's arbitrary decisions in the past, you have no right to question me now. If you don't dare, don't try to use your seniority here." "Also, from the moment I took this position, I am the only President Lu here, without any prefix." He smiled, "If there are no objections, the meeting is adjourned."

Two years ago, Lu Jinzhi was still a young man sitting under Lu Jiang, the heir.

But after two years, when he sat here again, he was simply Lu Jinzhi.

At this moment, all the directors and shareholders finally realized the problem.

When everyone fell silent, Lu Jinzhi stood up and said, "After you leave here, Qiao Wu will just be Qiao Wu in the company. She will not be your housekeeper. Do you understand?"

"It's clear, it's clear."

Qiao Wu had no idea what had happened at the board meeting.

Before the appointment letter arrived, she spent two days learning about the details of the foundation and communicating with Xie Yi, finally getting all the cooperation channels, project departments and past management models sorted out.

The day she received her appointment letter, she held a meeting with various departments of the foundation.

Although Xie Yi was retired, she was accompanied by Mr. Lu, who had instructed her to stay by his side.

Lu Jiang had previously intended to groom Qiao Wu to assist the successor, but he never imagined that the second son would give her such great power.

After all, the foundation is linked to the Lu family's image, and Lu Jinzhi, as the executive director, is naturally also linked to his image; they are inextricably linked.

But just as Lu Jinzhi said, Lu Jiang is no longer in a position to make decisions for anyone.

I can only ask for some help from Xie Yi.

"I've sent you the information on the key employees." On the way to the meeting room, Xie Yi couldn't help but check on Qiao Wu's condition and found that he didn't seem nervous or uncomfortable at all, as if it were his first time on stage.

This reassured me a lot, and I added, "Some people had different opinions when the board of directors made the appointments, but President Lu suppressed them. So if you encounter any difficulties, you can tell me at any time, and I will handle it."

"Okay, thank you."

Qiao Wu had already prepared herself mentally. When Lu Jinzhi said "Then you are it" without any hesitation in his room that day, she guessed that Lu Jinzhi would take care of the people above her.

As for the rest, that's up to her.

Xie Yi opened the meeting room door, giving her the utmost respect.

Qiao Wu nodded and walked straight in, sitting in the center.

The moment she stepped inside, everyone's eyes were drawn to her, and their initial doubts and disdain turned into astonishment.

These people are not qualified to witness the handover of senior management positions within the group, nor can they participate in the board of directors; they can only hear snippets of information from others.

The person who came was a man in his early twenties, and I heard he was the Lu family's butler.

No one could deny Lu Jinzhi's abilities, but no one could understand his purpose this time; it was simply laughable.

But it's different from what everyone else thinks.

The person who walked in was not the kind of polite, rigid butler dressed in a suit and uniform.

The woman wore red-soled high heels, a red outer shirt tucked into brown trousers, and a deep sapphire necklace, exuding sophistication and aloofness.

What immediately draws people in is her composed attitude and demeanor; even when she's not smiling, her eyes and brows exude a sense of authority.

When her gaze swept over them, everyone subconsciously abandoned their previous casual attitude, sat up straight, and became quiet.

She's so good-looking and so young.

Mr. Lu is still protecting her like this, could it be because she has connections?

The conference room wasn't large. Qiao Wu glanced around and saw fewer than twenty people, each of whom looked at her with a different expression.

She glanced at them briefly before looking away, a smile spreading across her face: "Hello everyone, I am Qiao Wu, the new chairman."

Sparse applause broke out from the crowd as they came to their senses.

Qiao Wu then sat down. She didn't care how others viewed her, and simply said, "I believe everyone has already seen my resume. If you have any objections to my appointment, please feel free to raise them."

It was the normal procedure, and everyone subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

But then they heard the other person's smiling voice: "You can question my abilities, and I will prove them to you. But if you use ridiculous excuses to question me, such as my age, my appearance, my identity, or my connections, then I'm sorry."

She stopped, and only when everyone looked over did she say gently, "I will change your job. If you still don't want to, I can also approve your resignation letter."

Everyone stared at her in shock.

Even Xie Yi was somewhat surprised; Qiao Wu's methods exceeded his expectations.

"Are you surprised?" Qiao Wu said calmly, "But the truth is that no leader will use someone who has ulterior motives. If you are not good enough, there are plenty of people who can replace you."

She waited a few seconds to make sure no one spoke, then took out the prepared materials: "If there are no objections, then our meeting can begin today."

She raised her eyebrows slightly: "Let me introduce myself again. My name is Qiao Wu. It's a pleasure to work with you all."