When someone gets engaged, all they receive are heartwarming blessings.

The marriage between Lu Yi and Gu Keke was barely on the horizon when the entire internet turned on them, ready to break them up.

"Lu Yi remained steadfast amidst so many rumors and gossip, but unexpectedly, his engagement caused everything to fall apart."

"Hilarious! Why choose a lunatic over so many rich and beautiful women!"

"No wonder Lu Yi doesn't like me, now I finally know why!"

"All-knowing netizens, do you think it's possible that Lu Yi did this on purpose, so that he wouldn't be pressured to have children if he married someone like this?"

"What the person upstairs said makes sense, but I still feel like things aren't that simple!"

"I heard that the Lu family's adopted son has gotten into big trouble again... and this time it's related to the Lin family's illegitimate daughter!"

Looking at the malicious speculations circulating online, Lu Zhengming got out of the car with a face as dark as ink.

As soon as Qin Fengying saw him enter, she quickly hung the birdcage on a gnarled branch.

"You're back... You went straight to the company as soon as you got back a few days ago. Is Han'er doing alright over there?"

Lu Zhengming glared at her.

"All you ever think about is Han'er, Han'er. Don't you know him better than anyone else?"

Qin Fengying put down her teacup and nervously touched her ear.

It remains to be seen whether the Lu Group, currently facing numerous challenges, will truly be delisted and go bankrupt.

If that's the case, what should the Lu family do?

Selling off the funds and stocks on hand might help them hold on for a while, but the Lu family's reputation would be completely ruined.

"I'm asking you, during the time I was at the company, did you actually visit Yi'er?"

Qin Fengying stammered, "I went to see him, but you know him..."

Snap!

Lu Zhengming overturned the teapot and put it on the ground.

Scalding water mixed with the unfurled tea leaves spilled all over the floor.

"He doesn't like you, so why don't you ask that old bastard Fan Shenglun what kind of evil intentions he's harboring?"

"Yi'er is just the Fan family's godson; his marriage is not his place to decide!"

In fact, Lu Zhengming had known about the Fan family's arrangements for Lu Yi for a long time.

But at that time, he was leading his team in a video conference with He Mingbo to revise the contract terms...

No matter how many times he changed it, that guy would nitpick like he was walking a dog.

Almost a week has passed, and the cooperation has still not been finalized.

He wanted to go home to clear his mind, but when he opened his phone, he was met with a barrage of sarcastic and cynical comments, which shattered his last bit of patience.

"Zhengming, now you know you're blaming me?"

"Who was it that not only didn't try to dissuade Yi'er from leaving home, but also added fuel to the fire?"

"I wanted to organize his coming-of-age ceremony, but who was it that made all sorts of excuses and let the Fan family beat me to it?"

Qin Fengying also felt wronged.

The loss of Lu Yi was not solely her fault; she tried her best to win him back but received no support from anyone.

Now, everyone is blaming her alone. What's going on?

Lu Zhengming had also been to the Gu family and was well aware of Gu Yan's attitude. He kept steering the conversation toward the Fan family. Wasn't that obvious enough?

"You cry, you cry, you've ruined our family! Besides crying, can't you come up with any decisive solutions to the problem?!"

Exhausted, Lu Zhengming angrily prepared to go upstairs.

Seeing the shards scattered on the floor, he sighed and turned to go into his study.

Before the door closed, he said coldly, "When Baofei returns, have her come to see me!"

Qin Fengying stood there, stunned.

Aunt Wu came over and cleaned up the trash, then hesitated and said, "Madam, the fish in the backyard pond are floating belly up. What should we do?"

"What!"

Qin Fengying suddenly came to her senses.

I ran through the living room and into the backyard.

...

When Lu Baofei saw the car in the courtyard, her brows furrowed involuntarily.

It seems her father is willing to give her a chance to explain.

I went to his company to look for him before, but he avoided me. My messages to him went unanswered. We agreed to meet up at home today.

Lu Baofei originally only wanted to come back to try her luck, without having much hope.

But seeing the light in the study, I still gathered my thoughts and knocked on the study door.

Lu Zhengming got straight to the point and frankly told her about He Mingbo's collaboration.

"So, as long as Mr. He invests, the Lu family can be saved?"

Lu Zhengming was reluctant to admit that he regarded He Mingbo as his only lifeline.

But she nodded nonetheless.

"I see no problem with the terms, so what is Father worried about?"

Lu Baofei read it over and over again twice.

The terms and conditions are relatively fair, with no hidden unfair terms or traps.

She's been sparring with Huo Jingxi day and night lately, and the tips her lawyer gave her are still fresh in her mind; she can't be mistaken.

Seeing her father's worried expression, she cautiously said, "Is there a problem with the company's legal team? I'll have a lawyer review it!"

The withdrawal of investment by Lu's shareholders pushed the first domino in a chain reaction.

Subsequently, the legal team, logistics support staff, procurement personnel, middle management, and so on all rushed to switch jobs.

The wave of resignations has had an impact on the Lu Group that is no less significant than the impact of shareholders withdrawing their investment.

Lu Zhengming didn't care at first.

But now he realizes that he has no one he can rely on or trust.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have suppressed her hatred for her daughter and gone to discuss it with her.

"That's fine, but you need to use your own people. As for the Huo family..."

Lu Zhengming shook his head, then changed the subject, "You're all grown up now, and your father is getting old. I can't keep up with your way of thinking. You figure it out!"

Upon noticing the white hair at his temples, Lu Baofei felt a lump in her throat.

My father is such a proud man, and now he's been ruined beyond recognition. It was my own fault for not thinking things through!

Just as he was about to get up and leave, Lu Zhengming spoke again.

"Baofei, you should have found out about the illegitimate daughter of the Lin family, right?"

He stood by the window, looking out.

Lu Baofei couldn't see his expression, but judging from his tone, he probably knew.

"Yes... it's very tricky, but as long as the Lin family is willing to save people, it's not impossible."

The implication was that she was acting as a go-between for the Lin family.

The study was dimly lit, and the atmosphere inside was cold and oppressive, making one feel somewhat suffocated.

"Han'er doesn't have the heart to harm anyone, he just doesn't have the brains!"

Lu Zhengming's seemingly random remark caused Lu Baofei's hand, which was resting on the door, to suddenly stop.

"Dad, do you have someone you suspect?"

She immediately thought of Lu Yi's teasing gaze.

At this moment, Lu Zhengming turned around.

He stared at Lu Baofei with his bloodshot eyes.

"You've been seeing him quite a bit lately, don't you know what he's been up to?"

"Furthermore, at this critical juncture, he deliberately made Gu Keke's matter known to everyone, clearly showing off to us!"

"That unfilial son, I shouldn't have brought him back in the first place, giving him a ladder to climb up to the powerful!"

Lu Zhengming gritted his teeth.

It was as if they wanted to devour Lu Yi alive.

Lu Baofei quickly explained.

“Yi’er is very busy. He has a heavy academic workload and also has to attend that foreign tutor’s classes. Many things at the Fan family require his decision-making, so he probably won’t be able to…”