Chapter 6 Precise Strike: The Two Siblings She was unwilling, but I didn't force her. ...

When Zhu Qingzhi arrived at Chaoxing, Dani had not yet arrived, so she sat on the sofa in the lobby for a while.

Chaoxing is a new company, but it is located in the CBD, in a 32-story building. The rent is not a small amount. So what is Chaoxing's background?

Before she could investigate further, she heard the sound of high heels pounding on the ground, approaching from afar.

"It's you."

Zhu Qingzhi raised her eyes expressionlessly and saw Lu Yizhao, dressed in the latest season's black sweater dress from F brand, with a bright red scarf around his neck. He had fiery red lips, wavy hair, and was looking down at her with raised eyebrows.

This outfit looks familiar. Zhu Qingzhi frowned. Was Lu Yizhao trying to ride the coattails of last night's news?

Lu Yizhao clearly sensed her displeasure and scoffed, "LR's global ambassador, and you dare to condescend to come to Chaoxing? Don't you have any other tricks up your sleeve?"

Zhu Qingzhi was quite surprised to see Lu Yizhao here, as she didn't remember Lu Yizhao's name being on the list of artists signed by Chaoxing.

Two years ago, she and Lu Yizhao collaborated on a performance variety show, where they played rivals in love. Due to differences in their performance styles, they disliked each other on the show.

Later, due to Lu Yizhao's many outrageous actions on variety shows, she has remained relatively unknown for many years. The two of them have also never worked together again because of their different acting styles. But judging from Lu Yizhao's expression, she probably still remembers what happened two years ago.

Zhu Qingzhi didn't give her a friendly look either: "Aren't you being a bit too nosy?"

"I'm just trying to be helpful. This little temple of Chaoxing can't contain a Buddha like you." Lu Yizhao sat down opposite her, tore off a piece of candy and threw it into his mouth. "If you had come, do you think Zhou Qifeng's name would have been written after yours on the New Year's greetings list?"

Zhu Qingzhi knew perfectly well what Lu Yizhao was implying. He was just mocking her for lacking resources and talent, and for being reduced to competing for top billing with veteran artists.

She looked away, too lazy to pay any attention to Lu Yizhao.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Lu Yizhao threw the candy wrapper on the table and exploded, "Are you pretending to be high and mighty? Don't think I don't know how you got the LR endorsement."

The candy wrapper was light and floated down to Zhu Qingzhi's feet as Lu Yizhao moved. Lu Yizhao's words, like the candy wrapper, had no deterrent effect whatsoever.

She bent down slightly, picked up the candy wrapper, and raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Tell me about it. I'm quite curious."

"It's just about men and women! Even with your relationship with Director Xu, you still didn't get selected for 'Beauty.' This lesson hasn't taught you a lesson, and you've already found a new sugar daddy. Aren't you afraid of falling even harder?"

What were baseless rumors and malicious speculations sounded like undeniable facts and solid evidence in Lu Yizhao's words.

"Have you ever considered that if my new big shot can secure the LR endorsement, how crazy would you be to mess with me?"

For such people, reasoning with facts is ineffective; fighting fire with fire is the simplest and most effective approach.

Zhu Qingzhi showed a hint of pity and sighed, "Alas, it's just a pity that some people can't even get close to powerful figures. How pitiful."

Lu Yizhao's expression visibly turned cold.

That girl is so stubborn! She's putting on an act right in front of her!

It's true that Zhu Qingzhi secured the LR endorsement, but after terminating her contract with Shangya, she could only sign with a small company like Chaoxing. It's clear that the capital used the LR endorsement as a breakup fee. She's been abandoned by the capital; how dare she still act like she has a trump card?!

Lu Yizhao rolled her eyes, not wanting to waste any more words with Zhu Qingzhi. She stood up to leave, but unexpectedly, her scarf got caught on her exaggerated gold tassel earrings, and she couldn't help but hiss.

Zhu Qingzhi was no pushover either, and she was adept at poking where people were uncomfortable: "You can't even bear this little bit of pain? Then I advise you not to mess with me."

She tossed the candy wrapper into the trash can, leaned back, and comfortably squinted her eyes. "You know, my action scenes are professional." She then added fuel to the fire with a affected wink.

Lu Yizhao was so angry he was practically fuming, and he raised his arms as if he wanted to have a martial arts contest with her. Zhu Qingzhi immediately stepped back and smiled at Lu Yizhao's back, saying, "Good morning, Director Yang."

For a moment, Lu Yizhao was caught in a dilemma: whether to retract his raised hand or not. In the end, he could only touch his head and turn away with a forced smile.

The lobby was deserted. Only two receptionists stood there, seemingly oblivious to everything around them.

So she was tricked?

But Lu Yizhao calmed down and realized that this was a public place after all, and she couldn't make a move.

So when Zhu Qingzhi left, the soles of her canvas shoes stepped over her newly bought patent leather high heels, and Lu Yizhao didn't dare to get angry.

*

The two parties had finalized the contract several times beforehand, and many matters had already been agreed upon. Chaoxing only added one condition at the last minute, which was to have Zhu Qingzhi participate in a variety show.

It's a dating reality show, scheduled to start filming on Christmas. Chao Xing is an investor and hopes she can support it. There's nothing fishy about it, and she had no reason to refuse, so she agreed.

The signing process went very smoothly and was completed around 11 a.m.

Yang Qing added Zhu Qingzhi on WeChat and then added her to the company's large group chat for signed artists, announcing that Zhu Qingzhi had joined the Chaoxing family effective immediately.

Zhu Qingzhi was very supportive and posted a sincere self-introduction. In the afternoon, she even treated the entire company to afternoon tea.

Later that day, Asahi also announced Zhu Qingzhi's joining Asahi on various social media platforms.

The activities of A-list actresses are always closely watched. Moreover, she had just experienced negative news such as being replaced in a film and having her contract terminated by her company, putting her in a low period, yet she almost seamlessly transitioned to securing the top title of global brand ambassador for LR.

Online discussions about her remain heated, with various rumors circulating and speculations about whether she has changed her backer. However, it turns out she has only signed with a small company.

In a short time, the discussion surrounding Chaoxing on Weibo exceeded 100 million views.

Meanwhile, she and Dani held a long meeting in the conference room with the heads of Chaoxing's human resources department, marketing department, and other departments to discuss her future development plans.

Yang Qing was quite humane; after glancing at her phone, she told her to go back first and prepare for the promotional photoshoot tomorrow.

It was already 6 PM. Zhu Qingzhi's phone showed a message from Lu Yao sent an hour and a half earlier: "Where are you? I'm downstairs."

She didn't dare to delay, so she followed the flow of people out of the elevator and immediately returned a call: "Brother, I was busy just now."

Lu Yao sat in the car with the driver's side window half open, his gaze fixed on the bustling revolving door: "I saw the news about you joining Chaoxing. Are you going to move back to Beijing from now on?"

"Yes, that's right."

She sounded listless. Lu Yao paused for a moment, then honked the horn.

Zhu Qingzhi was startled by the sudden honking of the horn. When she looked up, she saw the Lamborghini parked not far away. Lu Yao was sitting in the driver's seat, wearing a pair of black sunglasses, and he raised his chin at her.

Good heavens! Brother, could you be any more conspicuous?! This is on the street! Even if she's fully disguised, she still risks being recognized!

Also, how did she end up on the first floor in such a confused state?

Zhu Qingzhi decisively pretended not to see it, immediately turned around and went into the building: "Go to the underground parking lot to pick me up!"

Gritting his teeth, he looked kind of cute, and Lu Yao's lips curved into a smile.

This car was really eye-catching; passersby would all look at it, and when it suddenly honked its horn, even more people turned to look.

Lu Yao didn't care about any of that; he had simply forgotten that he was there to pick up Zhu Qingzhi.

I'd forgotten who she was, but how did she end up on the first floor in such a daze? Did something happen that made her so distracted?

He slowly rolled up the car window and turned around to enter the underground parking lot.

It was rush hour, and the underground parking lot was quite crowded. Zhu Qingzhi had just arrived at Chaoxing today and had visited almost every office. So even though she was fully disguised, quite a few people recognized her.

Lu Yao originally wanted to drive over to pick her up, but she intimidated him with her eyes, so he had no choice but to park in a secluded corner and wait for her.

Ten minutes later, Zhu Qingzhi came running over with a shifty look on her face. As soon as she got in the car, she started venting her dissatisfaction.

"You're trying to get me killed! I feel like if I move to Beijing, my identity will be exposed!"

"Oh my god, thank goodness I reacted quickly, otherwise I would have been on the news again!"

She rambled on and on, but Lu Yao only caught one key point: "Again? What news?"

Being a CEO really makes a difference; he can pinpoint pain points perfectly every time. But judging from his reaction, he probably didn't see the news this morning.

"It's nothing, go ahead and drive!" Zhu Qingzhi opened the partition, skillfully pulled a hat out of the storage compartment, closed her eyes, and calmly changed the subject, "I'm so sleepy, I want to sleep."

Judging from her condition, it doesn't seem like something has happened.

But Lu Yao wanted to know the details of last night: "Did you and Wen Qi go home last night?"

Zhu Qingzhi choked for a moment: "...Yes."

"He proposed it?"

"right."

Why don't you go home?

"It's too late."

Lu Yao was almost amused by her answer: "So you went home with a strange man?"

Did she think Wen Qi was a good person? It was Wen Qi who broke the news of the marriage alliance between the Wen and Lu families while he was away from the country.

None of his friends were good people; they were all cunning and treacherous. That's why he hadn't introduced Zhu Qingzhi to them—he didn't want his little guinea pig to be snatched away by these foxes.

The opportunity for this marriage between the Wen and Lu families arose when Lu's overseas branch suddenly went bankrupt and urgently needed funds. Wen's family injected capital at the first opportunity, solving Lu's immediate crisis.

He had assumed it was their long-standing brotherhood that prompted Wen Qi to offer his help, but who knew that the kid would ask for Zhu Qingzhi instead.

He still remembers Wen Qi visiting him with gifts, saying in a very gentlemanly manner, "If she is unwilling, I will not force her. The Wen family will consider this money as an investment."

A strategic retreat, how insidious! If it hadn't been discovered that the overseas company's financial crisis had nothing to do with the Wen family, he would have suspected that Wen Qi had deliberately orchestrated all of this.

He was the first to disagree with this marriage, while Zhu Qingzhi was the first to agree. This little girl even said it was only three years, and she didn't care. Did she really think marriage was child's play? Did she really think she could escape after entering a den of wolves?

Because of this, he hasn't given her a kind look for two months.

"He's a good person." Zhu Qingzhi thought of Wen Qi's actions last night and still said something on his behalf.

...Do you really think Wen Qi is a good person? Ha, it hasn't even been three years yet, and this little girl's heart is already blind.

Lu Yao sighed, refusing to waste any more words on her, and simply gripped the steering wheel tightly.

They arrived at the Lu residence at 7:30 p.m.

The round spotlights in the courtyard were all on, and the ground was swept clean, with only patches of snow remaining on the spruce trees. A thin layer of ice covered the pond, and the koi carp beneath it swam about, creating a scene reminiscent of a vivid oil painting.

A rapid, urgent bell rang, and a little white dog came running.

Uncle Zhao had been waiting at the door. When he saw the two of them return, he greeted them excitedly: "Dinner is ready. Young master and young lady, please come in."

Lu Yao walked ahead, and as soon as he entered, he saw Wen Qi sitting on the sofa flipping through a magazine. His brows furrowed immediately: "Why are you here?"

Hearing the noise, Wen Qi closed the magazine, stood up, and smiled, "Why can't I come?"

After all this, Lu Yao knew exactly what Wen Qi was thinking. He didn't point it out, but that didn't mean he agreed with it.

Uncle Zhao noticed that the atmosphere between the two of them wasn't very good, so he left, hugging the wall.

"Mom called me over for dinner."

That one word, "Mom," was really too much for Lu Yao to handle. Even with his reserved personality, he couldn't help but retort to Wen Qi, "It's not even close to happening yet, don't go too far."

Wen Qi didn't say anything, but took a long stride and walked around from the sofa: "I'll listen to you, brother."

A blatant provocation.

Lu Yao scoffed, raised his hand and patted Wen Qi's shoulder, his eyes as cold as ice blades in the dead of winter.

Wen Qi didn't dodge and took the blow head-on.

Zhu Qingzhi played with Xiaobai at the door for a while, but she couldn't stand the cold anymore, so she covered her ears and went inside. The first thing she saw when she entered was Lu Yao bullying her.

"Brother, why are you bullying people?" She didn't see clearly who was standing opposite Lu Yao, and she didn't speak up to defend him. She just wanted to stand on the moral high ground and deliver a heavy blow to Lu Yao.

As soon as she finished speaking, the figure opposite Lu Yao suddenly staggered. Zhu Qingzhi seized the opportunity and stepped forward. "He's a guest!" Her smiling eyes froze when they landed on Wen Qi.

Zhu Qingzhi finally understood what it meant for a triangle to be stable. The three of them stood there for a while, none of them saying a word.

A note from the author:

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Qingzhi [melted]: 55555 Who understands!

Wen Qi [pitifully]: Hmm.

Brother [shrugs]: I'm very angry!

Author (online tutorial): [Dog head carrying a rose][Dog head carrying a rose]