Chapter 77 (Second Update)

Qiao Wu stood patiently waiting at the door, when he heard a noise behind the door.

When the door was opened again, Guo Liyan's parents and brother were crowding in the doorway. Guo Liyan, who had been behind the door, was pulled behind by the three of them and stepped on the broken glass and water stains. His eyes were very deep when he looked over.

Having worked alongside Qiao Wu for so many days, Guo Liyan knew her personality well: she was decisive and had her own calculations before doing anything, so she wouldn't be blinded by superficial things.

When they recruited him, they said they didn't mind that he was a member of the Guo family.

But that is, on the condition that he doesn't cause her any trouble.

Guo Liyan didn't expect Guo Yangzhou and his group to come to the company. He hadn't gone back to live there since he refused their request to see Qiao Wu last time.

It just so happens that he chose to submit his resignation letter while Qiao Wu was at the company.

When Guo's father saw Qiao Wu, his eyes lit up. It was the first time he had seen her in person, and she was even more radiant than in the news, and had a great presence.

They were initially interested in currying favor with the Lu family, but given the Guo family's current situation, it would be too difficult to see Lu Jinzhi. So they had no choice but to settle for Qiao Wu. Qiao Wu was very capable, and now that he was the chairman of the foundation, he must be very powerful.

But ultimately, she was not the master of the Lu family.

From their own perspective, although the foundation was under the Lu family's name, it was ultimately a public welfare organization, so apart from her salary, she did not receive the benefits that the Lu family headquarters provided.

Furthermore, Qiao Wu is the Lu family's butler and a friend of Lu Jinzhi. His status is not low, but it is not extremely high either. He is exactly the kind of person they can get close to, which is why they have been trying to get to know Qiao Wu through Guo Liyan.

But that clueless idiot is still playing the same old trick of running away from home and not replying to messages, so they'll just have to come in person.

Upon seeing Qiao Wu in person, Guo's father and Guo Yangzhou exchanged a glance, both of them having already made up their minds.

Guo Yangzhou is not married yet. They have been looking for a suitable marriage partner who can bring benefits to the Guo family, and now there is one right in front of them.

Qiao Wu is the housekeeper in the Lu family, but Guo Yangzhou is the rightful heir of the Guo family. Once she marries into the Guo family, she will become the mistress of the Guo family.

With her abilities and her relationship with the Lu family, why would she worry about not being able to climb up to their level?

Guo Yangzhou's heart immediately fluttered with excitement, and a smile spread across his face: "Chairman Qiao, my name is Guo Yangzhou, and I'm Guo Liyan's older brother. I heard that you've taken good care of him, so I've always wanted to visit and express my gratitude, but he's too young and doesn't understand, so we haven't had the chance. Now that we've finally met, how about we get to know each other? I've heard of you for a long time and have always admired you..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Qiao Wu walk past him and look directly behind them: "Assistant Guo, come here."

The expressions on their faces froze for a moment.

Guo Liyan didn't expect Qiao Wu to see him in such a sorry state again. He hesitated for a moment, but then he thought that he had to hand in his resignation letter tomorrow and it seemed that there was no chance left, so he walked over to her.

Then he heard Qiao Wu ask with a laugh, "Why didn't you call security?"

"No!" Guo Yangzhou exclaimed anxiously upon hearing this. "We are his family, why are you calling us security guards!"

“Mr. Guo.” Qiao Wu then turned his gaze to him and said calmly, “This is our workplace. Guo Liyan is my assistant. If you need to visit or cooperate with anyone, you need to make an appointment with me in advance through him.”

Guo Yangzhou didn't understand what she meant, but went along with her words: "That's right, but he hasn't let us see you."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Wu chuckled and said, "Then we shouldn't have met."

"……What?"

“I have a lot of work every day, and I can’t see everyone who wants to see me. Screening these people is his job. Since he thinks I don’t need to see you, why should I see you?”

This conversation completely baffled the three people at the door.

They saw in interviews or news reports that Qiao Wu was a very good-tempered person, but they never expected her to say such blunt things in a gentle tone.

Guo Yangzhou couldn't save face: "I'm his older brother."

"I'm sorry, it may be a bit presumptuous, but..." Qiao Wu tilted his head slightly, "What does it have to do with me?"

She glanced at the mess in the office and said, "This is a company. You should discuss your family matters at your own homes. I will have someone compile a list of compensations for these broken appliances and send it to your residence."

Today, the whole family came forward. In the past, no matter what the situation was, they would never be too embarrassed. But the other party's chairman made them lose face like this and was so unyielding. Mr. Guo felt like he had been slapped hard in the face.

He stepped forward and said, "Chairman Qiao, we are here as Li Yan's family to visit and thank you. You don't need to say such things."

Qiao Wu laughed again, but instead of responding immediately, she looked at Guo Liyan and asked, "Can he represent you?"

"No."

“Look,” Qiao Wu said to Guo’s father, “You may not know why I hired him as my assistant in the first place. It was because I thought he had suffered and endured hardship in your family and was able to humble himself and take courage. It wasn’t because of you, so I don’t understand what you mean by thanking me on his behalf.”

The three were shocked that Guo Liyan would say such things, and they glared at him in fury.

“For him, having the surname Guo is a disadvantage when he comes to work for me.” Qiao Wu took a step forward. “So your presence here won’t get you any benefits from me by using his name. On the contrary, I will get tired of him and fire him. Don’t you understand?”

This is the first time in all these years that someone has to say to Guo's father that he is a negative point for his son.

That's a joke.

His face turned ashen: "You're just someone who works for the Lu family, what makes you think you're so high and mighty?"

"Aren't you aloof or not?" Qiao Wu looked at him with a puzzled expression and a hint of mockery. "Didn't your eldest son also say he admired me?"

No wonder they've come this far; someone whose defenses are so easily broken by just a few words can't be any good.

"I'll give you five minutes." Qiao Wu glanced at Guo Liyan. "Come to my office after you're done, or don't bother coming to work tomorrow."

Guo Liyan took three seconds to understand what she meant, which seemed to be that they could continue to stay?

He blinked gently: "Okay."

Qiao Wu didn't look at the others again, and turned back to his office.

My phone suddenly rang during the journey. I picked it up and saw that it was a message from Lu Jinzhi.

Lu Jinzhi: "I'll wait for you in the parking lot."

Here we go again!

Qiao Wu wondered, "Are CEOs all this free these days?"

She typed, looking down: "Aren't you working overtime today?"

If this continues, even the family driver will lose his job.

Lu Jinzhi: "Work can be done at home, but people can only be picked up now."

President Lu is very good at balancing the importance of both.

Qiao Wu: "..."

Qiao Wu: "Wait a few minutes, it will only take a few minutes."

Lu Jinzhi: "No rush."

He put down his phone and took out his laptop to start working overtime.

Qiao Wu sent a message to the driver to go home first, and then sat down in the office. She originally planned to go straight home, but judging from Guo Liyan's appearance, he probably already had a way out for himself.

But for her, one thing is one thing, and she won't combine a person's nature with their environment.

Therefore, spending a few minutes to give employees psychological training can be helpful for their future work.

But just as she sat down, there was a knock on the office door. She thought it was Guo Liyan, but it turned out to be Lu Xuan.

Qiao Wu was taken aback: "Why are you here?"

"Just passing by." This was Lu Xuan's first time visiting the foundation company and the first time seeing Qiao Wu's office.

The desk was spotless, with some documents and contracts on it.

He understood it even less than he did at the group headquarters last time.

It was also much more obscure and detailed than the documents he held in his hand.

He bypassed Guo Liyan directly and naturally listened to the whole thing from the back.

He remembered Guo Liyan. When he called Lu Yingchi, Qiao Wu didn't know him. She only said that she didn't dislike people who would do anything to achieve their goals.

But now Guo Liyan has stood by Qiao Wu's side and has received her protection.

Although those people talked about Qiao Wu on the surface, in reality, Qiao Wu was still someone they could never reach no matter how hard they tried. So it was perfectly acceptable for Qiao Wu not to open that room door and not to meet those people.

The reason she pushed open the door and said those things was to give Guo Liyan confidence.

This is her indulgence towards her own people.

It is one of her many inclinations.

Lu Xuan always felt that he was looking at Qiao Wu, but the other party was looking at many people at the same time. He kept fighting and grabbing, but he ignored the fact that Qiao Wu's indulgence towards him was because he was Lu Xuan.

The indulgence of others stems from approval.

He was somewhat afraid, afraid that one day the name Lu Xuan would no longer be recognized.

But when he looked back, he realized that he was just Lu Xuan.

This is what truly terrifies him.

He composed himself and handed over the document he had been holding: "I'm going to audition for the lead male role."

"Yes." Qiao Wu nodded. "Yu Xiu told me."

Lu Xuan was not surprised; on the contrary, he couldn't help but laugh at himself.

Just as Jiang Qi said, this is entrusting an orphan to someone.

He looked at her: "What's your opinion?"

Qiao Wu gently shook his head: "I want to know what you think."

"Haven't you made a decision yet?"

Qiao Wu chuckled: "I said I'd let you make the decision, so of course your considerations come first. I want to know why you want to make this decision?"

Put him first...

Lu Xuan gently licked her lips and couldn't help but sit up straight.

"The content is alright," he said. "It's not a big production, so it has a chance to be the top contender. The main character isn't that deep, but I can still handle him. The original script with a transparent production team won't cause too much controversy, and the audience's expectations won't be too high, so there's room for error."

Qiao Wu seemed slightly surprised.

These were all things she would consider when discussing development plans with Lu Xuan's acting teacher and Yu Xiu. He also used these ideas when he participated in the show, so it seems he kept them in mind.

This is indeed why this plan is suitable for Lu Xuan at this stage.

Good books should be kept out of the public eye.

If you pass the audition, just film quietly and wait for the results. There won't be any overwhelming marketing during that time.

"What are the downsides?" she asked.

"The worst outcome is simply a quiet collapse." Lu Xuan had clearly anticipated this, and smiled. "I didn't expect it to make me an overnight sensation."

A successful drama depends not only on the right people but also on the right timing and location.

This applies to everything.

Qiao Wu asked curiously, "Then what are you hoping for?"

Lu Xuan looked at her quietly for a while, then said softly, "Lu Jinzhi has always thought I'm brainless. Actually, it's not just him; everyone thinks that way."

The old man thought he was stubborn and inflexible, and Lu Ning and Lu Yingchi also regarded him as a fool. Those who had once tried to curry favor with him thought that alcohol would be enough to appease him.

He himself knew that he wasn't cut out for studying, nor did he have the ability to mess with his family's company. Sometimes he couldn't even tell who would benefit more, the client or the service provider.

So he felt it was alright.

They could still get by.

Anyway, things will just be the same from now on; it feels like there's no end in sight, yet it also feels like you can see the end at a glance.

Only Qiao Wu, only she, firmly believed that he was a diamond in the rough and that he could succeed.

Lu Xuan paused, blinked almost imperceptibly, and suppressed the sting in his eyes.

He lowered his eyes and said, "I read this plan on my own and I think it's something that can be done. So even if it fails, I can take responsibility for it from beginning to end, so I'm not too stupid, right?"

He wasn't exactly the good-for-nothing Meng Xingxing described.

At least they still have the ability to distinguish right from wrong.

He sniffed: "And there's no guarantee I'll even get the role."

Even with a small budget, it's still a top-tier product.

Qiao Wu leaned forward, placed his hand on the table, and asked with a smile, "What if you really don't get the role in the audition?"

Lu Xuan stiffened for a moment before finally looking up: "I'm not that bad... then forget it."

"Why are you crying?" Qiao Wu handed him a tissue. "I have no objection."

Lu Xuan was slightly taken aback: "What?"

“I said, I have no objection, I support you,” Qiao Wu said gently. “I’ve said from the beginning that as long as you can take responsibility for yourself, even if you’re not number one, you’re still amazing.”

Lu Xuan wiped his eyes with a tissue.

She tried to hold back, but couldn't help herself and smiled, her lips pursed.

It seems he's finally done something right.

So this is what it feels like.

After a pause, he said, "It's late today, let's eat out."

Qiao Wu: "Hmm?"

“I still have a little bit of my salary left,” Lu Xuan said. “I’ll treat you.”

Yu Xiu's words were harsh, but he certainly didn't use his own money to buy anything for Qiao Wu. He definitely couldn't afford to buy jewelry with the remaining money, but he could afford to have a meal with her.

Consider it a celebration that he made a decision for himself for the first time and received Qiao Wu's approval.

It was something he had wanted to achieve since he was a child, and it was a milestone in his life, so naturally he wanted to have dinner with Qiao Wu.

Without those two loudmouths who bicker and argue while eating, and those foul mouths that have been tainted with arsenic.

In the past, Qiao Wu would have definitely agreed.

Since Lu Xuan is currently actively trying to quit, eating a meal is no big deal for him.

The main thing is... there's another one in the parking lot.

Having already been reading the documents for ten minutes, Lu Jinzhi had a strong sense of time. Not having received any message from Qiao Wu about a delay, he opened the car window in advance so that she could see him as soon as possible.

As soon as I opened it, I heard the voices of several people talking behind me.

"Is Guo Liyan insane?! He dares to ask me for the vice president position! Does he really think he can do anything just because he's close to Qiao Wu?"

The three of them had just been kicked out of the company by Guo Liyan's security guards, and now they were all slinking away in shame and furious.

“Yang Zhou, if we really want to establish a relationship with the Lu family, giving him a vice president position is not out of the question.”

"Just for Qiao Wu?" Guo Yangzhou was very unwilling. "Father, no matter how powerful she is, she is just a chairman of the board and the Lu family's butler. Who knows if her friendship with Lu Jinzhi is just a lie to deceive the media. Look at her arrogant attitude, does she really think I would be interested in her? Is she some kind of celestial being that everyone likes?"

Before Guo's father could speak, a leisurely, smiling voice came from the side.

"yes."

The three of them were startled and turned to look.

A black Maybach rolled down its window, and a face they had been longing to cling to was seen smiling at them from inside.

But that smile was chilling no matter how you looked at it.

Mr. Guo had never expected to see Lu Jinzhi in the parking lot. He was stunned for a moment, then stammered, "Mr...Mr. Lu?!"

Lu Jinzhi opened the car door and got out. His dark eyes swept over the three people in front of him, and he suddenly realized that there was a reason why he disliked the man surnamed Guo.

He lowered his eyes slightly and smiled, "It seems I've disturbed your conversation."

Why did he have to hear it?

Mr. Guo's hands were trembling: "No!"

"Well, no." Lu Jinzhi's smile faded slightly. "After all, only humans can speak."

This is a roundabout way of criticizing them!

"Mr. Lu, it's a misunderstanding, we..."

"I'm not here to hear your explanations," Lu Jinzhi interrupted him slowly. "I just want to clarify a few points for you."

"First of all, she is indeed a celestial being."

"Secondly, she and I are indeed not friends."

“Third,” he said, raising an eyebrow and smiling as he looked at Guo Yangzhou, who had just spoken so arrogantly. “I like it.”

Guo Yangzhou was in a daze and thought he had misheard.

What did you say?

Lu Jinzhi was exceptionally patient: "Qiao Wu and I were in a relationship where I was pursuing her."

At that moment, the three people in front of them broke out in a cold sweat.

Lu Jinzhi, he!!!

How can he be so natural!

What I just said...

Lu Jinzhi asked with considerable composure, "Now do you know what kind of relationship you have with me?"

What kind of relationship is that? It's an enemy relationship.

It's over.

Mr. Guo hurriedly pulled Guo Yangzhou aside and apologized, "President Lu, we really didn't mean it, we're so sorry."

Lu Jinzhi didn't even look up, and calmly replied in a message: "Instead of wasting time, why don't you go back and figure out if your meager assets are enough to make up for these few words of apology?"

A few seconds later, his phone rang.

Upon seeing the message, he clicked his tongue in slight impatience, looked up at the three people in front of him who were already stunned with fear, and his smile completely disappeared.

Standing before the three, he not only exuded a height advantage but also a commanding presence, his eyes filled with cold indifference.

At this moment, the three members of the Guo family finally understood how Lu Jinzhi, at such a young age, could sit so firmly in this position, and none of them dared to say a word.

His voice fell calmly: "Get lost."

When Qiao Wu brought Lu Xuan to the parking lot, Lu Jinzhi was leaning against the car. Almost the instant she looked over, he raised his head, his previously indifferent expression vanished, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Lu Xuan, who was standing next to her, was still in a daze: "Can I ask you something? What's this monkey doing here again?"

And this time he was driving himself again!

He wasn't drunk today; he didn't drink a drop of alcohol!

Lu Jinzhi couldn't possibly have come to pick him up!

"Work," Qiao Wu said without changing his expression. "We like to talk about work on the road."

Lu Xuan frowned. This heartless capitalist!

"Go to the labor bureau and report him."

"..."

Qiao Wu ignored his rambling and was thinking about paying for everyone to go out to eat.

As soon as she walked up to Lu Jinzhi, she heard him ask, "Are you going to have dinner together?"

Before coming, Qiao Wu had already sent a message to Lu Jinzhi saying that Lu Xuan had arrived, so she nodded subconsciously.

Lu Xuan, standing to the side, chattered, "I don't have much money left, and you're not used to eating at ordinary restaurants."

Lu Jinzhi gave a casual "hmm".

“It’s alright, don’t worry about me.” He looked at Qiao Wu quietly and said gently, “I can drive back by myself.”

Qiao Wu felt that something was off about what he was saying.

The next second, Lu Jinzhi said, "Of course, after all, I'm just a pursuer..."

Her eyelids twitched, and she quickly covered his mouth.

Lu Xuan hadn't finished listening yet: "Chase what?"

Qiao Wu took a deep breath: "Ambitious young people chasing their dreams."

Lu Jinzhi let out a soft laugh.