Chapter 40 (Second Update)

After the meeting, Xie Yi went to the hospital to pick up Lu Jiang and recounted what had happened at the meeting. Lu Jiang was very surprised: "She really said that?"

After a pause, she wasn't too surprised: "It works too."

Although Qiao Wu was busy during this time, he would still find time to visit her in the hospital, and he always spoke to her with tact and discretion.

Lu Jiang had also witnessed her actions during the company handover and imagined the scene of Qiao Wu suppressing everyone in the conference room, silencing them: "How did this child grow up? I've never seen her with such methods and courage before."

Is it possible to learn so much in just two years abroad?

I should have thrown those rebellious sons out of the country too.

"What about her?" Lu Jiang asked. "Hasn't she come back yet?"

“She’s still proofreading the details,” Xie Yi said. “And I heard she needs to hire an assistant, so she’ll be back a little later.”

She had already started sending out recruitment information for the assistant before the meeting. Qiao Wu has always been very efficient, even Xie Yi, a veteran who has worked for many years, is ashamed of his own efficiency in this regard.

Lu Jiang nodded.

The car stopped in front of the main house. Xie Yi got out of the car, pushed out the wheelchair, and helped Lu Jiang sit in it.

Lu Jiang looked up at the place he hadn't been back to for several months and sighed almost imperceptibly: "Let's go in."

Although I was faking my illness before.

But I hope that coming back won't turn out to be a real problem.

As soon as he entered the main house, he saw two extra items on the first floor, along with a very rhythmic knocking sound.

A tall figure sat at the table with his back to him, hammering away, the yellow hair on his head swaying in rhythm.

The maid was the first to notice the wheelchair at the door and hurriedly said, "Master is back."

The hammering stopped abruptly.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Lu Yingchi stood up, leaned against the table, and raised his small hammer: "Oh, you've finally decided to come back."

The hammer tapped lightly in his palm, and he raised his eyebrows, looking quite threatening.

"Thanks to you guys, he's still alive." Lu Jiang maneuvered his wheelchair forward, and as he passed him, he noticed a bowl of walnuts on the table.

"..."

I was eating walnuts before the college entrance exam, why am I still eating them now?

He strongly suspects that when he had his first child, he used up all his remaining intelligence on his second son, which is why his two sons are both rather dim-witted.

"That's enough," Lu Jiang said. "It's already a powder keg; eating it will only make it worse."

Lu Yingchi clicked his tongue lightly: "Have you been too comfortable in the hospital?"

Lu Jiang ignored him; he was looking at the rules and regulations, and the personal goals at the end.

To be fair, during the past month that Qiao Wu has been at home, he's been eating well at the hospital and hasn't had any worries at home.

Besides having several unruly sons regularly visit him at the hospital every week to upset him.

At first, he didn't understand why they all came over and just sat there playing games without saying a word.

Now he knows that it was Qiao Wu who sent him.

Sure enough, the bond of growing up together is more important; his words carry more weight than those of his father.

Seeing Lu Yingchi's goal, he frowned: "Is that all you're aiming for?"

"What do you mean by 'this little bit'?"

"Is it really that hard to pass the final exams?" Lu Jiang asked. "Your second brother did it around this time..."

"stop."

Lu Yingchi interrupted him coldly: "If you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all. It sounds irritating. And don't compare me to others. That's right, that's all I have to achieve. If you don't like it, then don't look at it."

"What kind of attitude is this? Would you have gotten into college today without me?"

"You're the most amazing one. You drove your second son abroad, your third son to run away from home, and your fourth son to break his leg." Lu Yingchi clapped his hands dramatically. "If it weren't for you, the eldest..."

Enraged, Lu Jiang stood up from his wheelchair and slapped him hard across the face: "Shut up!"

Lu Yingchi pressed the hammer against his slapped face, chuckled roguishly, and looked down at his legs: "A medical miracle, huh? The old man's quite the actor."

"you……"

The girl's clear voice broke the tense atmosphere in the room: "Lu Yingchi! I'm back!"

Lu Jiangteng sat back down immediately.

Lu Ning hadn't expected there to be other people in the house. Oh no, not just anyone.

The smile on her face froze instantly. She stood trembling at the door and called out softly, "Grandpa."

Lu Jiangping suppressed the anger in his chest and said, "Hmm."

“Call them what they should be called.” He added, “What kind of manners are you to call your elders by their names?”

Lu Ning immediately pursed her lips, not daring to speak.

"I'm happy to listen, what's it to you?"

"Lu Yingchi, who's your father?!"

Seeing the two arguing, Lu Ning was startled. She gripped her schoolbag strap tightly and said softly, "Uncle, let's go do our homework."

Lu Jiang's anger faltered.

What is she saying? Who is she asking to do their homework?

Lu Yingchi didn't say anything. He turned around and swept all the walnuts on the table into a large bowl, then strode out the door.

Lu Ning looked left and right behind him, said "Grandpa, I'm leaving," and quickly followed him out the door.

Lu Jiang was left alone in his wheelchair.

"What's going on?" Lu Jiang asked.

The question asked about the changes in several children, as well as the sudden outburst.

Xie Yi dared not say anything wrong about his boss. The main house was where the Lu family lived, and he usually did not come in. The servants would report to him and then he would relay the information to Lu Jiang.

However, he hadn't heard of anything happening at home recently, and with the second young master returning to the country, Lu Jiang had focused his energy on the company and neglected the changes at home.

In his opinion, the children should have become more well-behaved, so why are they still so disobedient?

Xie Yi didn't dare to say anything wrong to her boss, as he never liked being disobeyed. So she could only say, "I don't know either. Why don't you ask Miss Qiao when she gets back?"

Lu Jiang turned his gaze back to those rules and goals.

I heard that the third brother has been working diligently lately and has also participated in some TV programs.

The entertainment industry... tsk.

"Where did Lu Ning and Lu Yingchi go?" he asked the maid.

The maid immediately said, "In the library, the fourth young master has been tutoring the young lady after school lately, and he's even cracking walnuts for her."

Is this what you mean by doing homework?

Lu Yingchi, who used to struggle with studying to the point of attempting suicide, is now tutoring others.

Lu Jiang wanted to follow them to check, but then he felt that if he impulsively slapped them earlier, he might end up in the hospital if he followed them.

Let's wait until Qiao Wu comes back before we talk about it.

Meanwhile, Lu Ning, like a little quail, quietly followed Lu Yingchi to the library.

Lu Yingchi didn't say a word, but sat down and started cracking walnuts.

His eyes and expression looked like he wanted to knock her head off. Seeing Lu Yingchi's red face, she put down her schoolbag and pursed her lips: "I need to go to the toilet."

"What?" Lu Yingchi didn't even look up, and said coolly, "Do you expect me to guard your door?"

"Need not!"

Lu Ning turned and ran away quickly.

There was a toilet in the library, but Lu Yingchi wasn't in the mood to care where she went.

Lu Ning, who had run out, took a deep breath and then secretly called Qiao Wu with her phone.

"Hello?"

Hearing the familiar voice on the other end, Lu Ning almost cried. She gripped her phone tightly: "Qiao Wu, when are you coming home? Lu Yingchi and Grandpa got into a fight."

Qiao Wu frowned: "A fight? How are they now?"

“I dragged Lu Yingchi to help me with my homework, but Grandpa doesn’t know,” Lu Ning said. “Lu Yingchi got hit by Grandpa. The handprint is huge, and his face is swollen. He looks so ugly.”

"I'll be right back," Qiao Wu said gently. "Go find the family doctor and ask him for some medicine to apply to your uncle."

"oh."

Qiao Wu comforted her, "It's okay, sweetie, don't be afraid."

Lu Ning, who had been on tenterhooks, felt as if her head had been gently smoothed out in an instant: "Mmm."

After hanging up the phone, she quickly ran to the maid to get the family doctor's contact information.

At this moment, Qiao Wu, who was still at the fund company, turned around and asked the people next to him, "How many people are left?"

After the warning of dismissal, at least for now, no one dares to openly express any dissatisfaction with the new chairman.

Moreover, during the meeting, everyone deeply realized that Director Qiao's claim that she could prove her abilities was not just empty talk.

She has thoroughly analyzed and organized all the projects and collaborating organizations within the company, including a clear plan for future collaboration and development. She has also thoroughly understood the functions of each employee in advance, and can articulate the pros and cons for both individuals and tasks.

So now no one in the company dares to say anything. When she asked the question, they quickly replied, "There's one last one. If you have something to do, we'll have him come back next time."

"No need." Qiao Wu tidied up the things on the table. "I'll go to another place for the interview. Where is he?"

"Wait outside."

Qiao Wu hummed in agreement, casually flipped to the next interviewee's resume, and then paused slightly in his steps.

At the same time, the employee opened the door and called out, "Guo Liyan."

The young man sitting on the chair outside immediately stood up, and his pupils suddenly contracted when he saw the woman walking out of the conference room.

"Miss Qiao!"

“This is Chairman Qiao,” the employee corrected him, “and he’s also your interviewer.”

Guo Liyan was even more shocked.

He never expected that the person he was interviewing for would be Qiao Wu's assistant.

He was so nervous that he started stammering, "I...I..."

Qiao Wu: "Something came up unexpectedly."

Guo Liyan immediately fell silent.

The initial nervousness turned into confusion and an unspoken disappointment: "Then I'll make another appointment..."

"If you don't mind, we can conduct the interview in the car," Qiao Wu said with a smile. "I'll have the driver take you back later."

It will take some time to get back to my residence from the company, so I have plenty of time for the interview.

Guo Liyan immediately replied, "I don't mind!"

"Let's go then."

Qiao Wu walked ahead, and it took Guo Liyan two seconds to realize what was happening and hurriedly followed.

He dared to observe her from behind, and seeing her looking down at her resume, a deep sense of inferiority and a secret expectation welled up from the bottom of his heart.

Qiao Wu was here on official business today, so he called a driver when he left, and didn't have to drive himself.

After getting in the car, she naturally said, "I've seen your resume. Although you graduated from a prestigious university, the only things you can show for yourself are your grades during your time there. Your school experience in your freshman and sophomore years was quite rich, with experience in organizing school public welfare clubs. However, you had no work experience in your junior and senior years, as well as in the year after graduation."

"Hmm." Guo Liyan lowered his eyes. "I'm helping out at home."

Qiao Wu nodded: "So what I mean is, why did you choose to work for a company outside your home a year later?"

If she remembered correctly, Guo Liyan had come to Lu Yingchi to get a chance to get close to the Lu family, which meant he was still working hard for his family's business. But obviously, he left without even seeing Lu Jinzhi's face at the party.

Although the Guo family's business is not as impressive as the Lu family's, it's still better for their own children to inherit it than to work for someone else.

Having already witnessed all of Guo Liyan's disheveled state through Qiao Wu's eyes, Guo Liyan had nothing left to hide and therefore nothing to conceal.

Originally, he just wanted to give himself a chance; if it wasn't here, he would have tried somewhere else.

But now he's changed his mind. If he could work alongside Qiao Wu, he'd have ten more motivations to climb the ladder.

“My choice of work has nothing to do with my family,” Guo Liyan said. “It’s solely my own decision.”

Qiao Wu raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“My brother and father run the family business; it has nothing to do with me.” Guo Liyan knew what she was worried about, and added, “I can guarantee that I have no ulterior motives for joining Lu’s Group. I just want to find a higher stepping stone and see how high I can climb if I try my best.”

When he returned from the banquet that day, unsurprisingly, his father and Guo Yangzhou were furious about his lack of achievement, as if he were truly a useless good-for-nothing.

Guo Liyan knew that as long as Guo Yangzhou was around, he would never be able to enter the company, nor would he gain any real power at home.

His financial situation is actually just so-so. If it weren't for the need to get close to those people he needs to climb the social ladder, he wouldn't actually earn much money. His family would restrict his car use, so starting his own business would be unrealistic.

Therefore, if he wants to move up the social ladder, he has no choice but to leave the Guo family.

Without a doubt, the Lu family is a great stepping stone. The larger the environment, the more he is likely to learn. He wants to climb up step by step.

Qiao Wu nodded slightly.

Judging from Guo Liyan's situation, his past circumstances were not very optimistic.

But Qiao Wuting admired his ability to be flexible and resilient, and to stand up again.

Compared to other applicants, Guo Liyan has one advantage: although he is a young master from a wealthy family, he is in an awkward situation. He knows the joys and sorrows of ordinary people and has also experienced the cruelty of the upper class. Moreover, Qiao Wu knows him a little more than the others.

She asked more work-related questions. Guo Liyan was indeed a graduate of a prestigious university, with strong organizational and language skills. He answered questions logically and spoke in an orderly manner, except that he seemed a little nervous and not very confident.

Qiao Wu took the initiative to ease the tension: "What are your thoughts on wages?"

"No, experience is more important."

That salary was really nothing to him.

Qiao Wu nodded: "The probation period is one month. When can I start work?"

Guo Liyan's eyes lit up: "Anytime is fine."

"I'll have someone let you know when you start work when we get back." Qiao Wu closed the file and extended her hand to him. "I hope we can get along well."

Guo Liyan's palms seemed to be sweating. He took a few deep breaths before gently taking her hand, but asked uncertainly, "Are you really not worried?"

"Why should I care?" Qiao Wu naturally withdrew his hand. "I believe in my own judgment, and I will bear the consequences of my choices. If you are talking about your background or what you have done, actually, if I see someone who can persevere and muster the courage to work hard for themselves, that is what I admire. I don't care about your past; what matters is the future."

These words warmed Guo Liyan's heart, making him feel as if he had been pulled from the brink of death time and time again.

"Thank you, Chairman Qiao."

"You're welcome," Qiao Wu said with a smile. "When I get off the bus, tell the driver your destination."

"Just leave me anywhere, I can go back by myself!"

"After all, you'll be my assistant for a month for now," Qiao Wu chuckled. "It's only right for a boss to treat you well."

Be nicer to me...

Guo Liyan felt that since meeting Qiao Wu, his life had become full of hope.

And he was indeed reluctant to get off the bus, so he silently agreed and stayed with her for the rest of the journey.

Returning to the Lu family home, he no longer felt the trepidation and unease he had before. Instead, after watching the woman's figure disappear, he felt an unprecedented sense of anticipation for leaving and for the arrival of the next day.

Upon returning to the Lu residence, Qiao Wu went straight to the library.

When the door was opened, it was still quiet inside. Lu Ning was doing her homework at the table, while Lu Yingchi was leaning against her with his back to her. He had stopped cracking the walnuts and was playing with the small hammer in his hand.

There were ointments and cotton swabs on the table, but they were clearly unused.

Qiao Wu sighed silently.

The old lady passed away early, so Lu Jiang was never restrained and became increasingly competitive. Lu Ning's father was strictly controlled by him, and in his view, all the children of the Lu family should be able to shoulder responsibilities.

However, Lu Ning's parents died in a car accident during a business trip, and Lu Jiang aged a lot overnight.

His relationship with his other sons was also strained.

In Lu Yingchi's view, Lu Ning's parents were forced to work every day by Lu Jiang, which is why they had a car accident while on a business trip in the middle of the night.

The eldest brother has always been a respected figure in the family, the pillar of the family. Even Lu Jinzhi in the past would obediently call him brother.

From then on, the relationship between father and son became strange and increasingly strained.

Qiao Wu knocked gently on the door: "I'm back."

The two people at the table looked up simultaneously. Lu Ning almost instantly put down her pen and rushed towards her. She lowered her voice and said, "He's finished. I told him I wanted to eat walnuts, and he didn't even crack them open."

"Lu Ning," Lu Yingchi's voice was sinister, "Do you think you're being quiet?"

"You call that quiet?" Lu Ning turned around in surprise. "What kind of ears do you have?"

"Alright." Qiao Wu rubbed her head. "You've done great. Go to your room and do your homework. I'll come back and check it for you in a bit."

In the past, Lu Ning would have hesitated a bit, but today she was hesitant: "Okay."

She obediently returned to the table to pack her things, clutching her schoolbag and looking back every few steps. When she reached the door, she couldn't help but go back and snatch the hammer from Lu Yingchi's hand: "I'll knock it for you."

Then he grabbed the hammer and ran away.

After the door closed, Qiao Wu stepped forward, picked up the ointment and cotton swabs on the table, and walked around to Lu Yingchi.

The latter was like a spinning top; he would go wherever she went, but he would never look at her directly.

Qiao Wu finally stopped moving and laughed, "Either you obediently apply it now, or I'll have security guards come in and make you apply it."

Lu Yingchi stopped moving, and as if he had eyes in the back of his head, he snatched the ointment from Qiao Wu's hand without turning his head.

It seems he was hit pretty hard, otherwise he wouldn't be afraid of her seeing it.

Qiao Wu didn't insist on watching, but instead sat down behind him: "Did you fight him?"

Lu Yingchi sneered: "He's in a wheelchair before we've even made a move; if we do, won't he be thrown into the incinerator?"

"..."

You brothers are all ruthless.

She smiled and said, "Do you want a reward?"

Lu Yingchi, who was engrossed in squeezing out ointment, paused and turned his head slightly: "A reward?"

"Didn't we say when we set the family rules that there would be rewards for doing well?" Qiao Wu said gently. "Lu Ning can go shopping if she studies hard, so of course you can too."

Lu Yingchi looked unusually bewildered: "What did I do?"

"Article Six prohibits inappropriate words and actions towards family members. You've demonstrated responsibility and accountability, and you've been able to control your emotions." Qiao Wu looked at the back of his head. "How could you be useless? You're amazing now."

"actually……"

Their words and actions were also inappropriate.

He really hit his father where it hurts.

But if there's a reward, then pretend he didn't say anything.

That's what the old man deserves.

“You’re right,” he said confidently. “What reward will I get?”

"Want me to go for a run on the Zero Loop?" Qiao Wu said. "You haven't been in a long time, have you? We'll run at night tonight."

Lu Yingchi didn't care about anything else. He squeezed out half of the ointment with force, and even though it fell on his clothes, he didn't care. He turned around instantly: "Really?"

He was really feeling incredibly stifled today and desperately wanted to find a way to vent, but remembering his promise to Qiao Wu, he stayed put.

Qiao Wu's gaze fell on his profile, and his smile faded slightly.

It seems Lu Jiang really went all out; most of his face was swollen, and there were very obvious handprints.

She nodded and said, "Apply the medicine first."

Lu Yingchi then realized that he had been hiding for a long time, and now he had been completely exposed.

He didn't seem to mind, and haphazardly smeared the medicine that had fallen on his clothes onto his fingertips and then applied it to his face: "Is it better now?"

Qiao Wu picked up a cotton swab, leaned slightly over the table, and reached out to spread the mess of medicine evenly: "Take this and rub it in."

Lu Yingchi stared at her, somewhat stunned.

Unlike when she was feeding him, now he felt that her hand was only a few millimeters away from his face, and he subconsciously wanted to turn his head and rub against her fingertips.

Her hands always seemed cool; touching her face would relieve the burning sensation.

But as soon as he raised his hand, Qiao Wu stopped and handed him the cotton swab.

Lu Yingchi suppressed the inexplicable melancholy in his heart, took the cotton swab, and seeing that she wasn't smiling as much as she had when she arrived, he scoffed, "Feeling sorry for my handsome face now?"

"Hmm." Qiao Wu smiled faintly. "A little."

"..."

Lu Yingchi subconsciously looked away, his breathing became erratic for a moment, and he poked his face hard with a cotton swab, muttering, "So if I were to enter the entertainment industry, what chance would Lu Xuan have?"

Then, he asked warily, "You said you'd give me a reward, you won't go back on your word, will you?"

Qiao Wu laughed and said, "No, I'll go change now. See you in the garage."

This time, Lu Yingchi stopped rubbing and rushed out with the cotton swab in hand.

Since the Zero Ring Road has existed for so long, it must have certain safety measures in place. It is a legal track for off-road vehicles and motorcycles, and the area around the track has undergone reasonable and legal safety inspections. When there are no competitions, it is a training ground, but illegal racing is prohibited. Therefore, people generally do not call it racing, but rather running laps. People who like to have fun enjoy playing some thrilling sports that are close to the edge.

Qiao Wu drove the same modified car as last time, while Lu Yingchi changed to an off-road vehicle this time.

The two drove out one after the other.

They just happened to brush past Lu Jinzhi, who was returning.

After he entered, he saw Lu Ning peering out the door, practically sticking her head out of the main house to the front gate.

"You're blocking the way."

"Second Uncle."

After their last chat, Lu Ning felt much less afraid of her second uncle. She moved to the side, feeling quite annoyed. "Qiao Wu took Lu Yingchi out to play. He took him to the Zero Ring Road."

She wanted to go too, but Lu Yingchi said that minors were not allowed to enter.

Zero loop?

The last time Qiao Wu called to ask for his boss's phone number, it was from that place. Where did Qiao Wu take Lu Yingchi? And in a car?

Lu Jinzhi suddenly realized that his chance to understand Qiao Wu after he grew up had come.

So he didn't even go inside, and turned around and left.

"Second Uncle!" Lu Ning was really curious. "Are you going to find them? Take me with you. I'm too scared to stay home with Grandpa. I've finished my homework."

Lu Jinzhi glanced upstairs and said calmly, "Follow me."