Luo Yao gazed at Lin Ran with pleading eyes, "A-Ran..."
"Shh! I know what you want to say, but remember—you’re my treasure. Do you recall what you told the Chen family that time?"
"You said, ‘To the world, A-Ran might be a nuisance, but to me, he’s my entire world.’ Well, you’re my entire world too."
"Looking back now, the way you once went crazy for me was actually quite endearing. It’s just that I was blind..."
Luo Yao slid into Lin Ran’s arms, adding an ellipsis to their love story.
...(Relatives always seem to be the chasm blocking true love.)
Meanwhile, Liu Meng embarked on her mission.
Luo Yao had assigned this task to Liu Meng to test her capabilities.
Liu Meng was highly capable, but whether she could handle a major challenge would be determined this time.
Failure? Impossible. Luo Yao had a backup plan.If Liu Meng couldn’t hold her ground, Luo Yao would step in herself.
But Liu Meng would also lose her chance at a complete transformation—a fact even she was aware of.
At the same time, in the palatial main hall of the Lu Estate, Lu Youqi hosted the heads of the Li and Wang families as guests.
Over tea, they engaged in leisurely conversation, exuding the refined demeanor of high society—harmonious on the surface.
"With Luo Yao and Lin Ran out of the picture, the world feels so much quieter," Lu Youqi remarked.
Li Chifen, though insincere, chimed in with flattery: "You’re absolutely right, Master Lu. Even President Park—despite Samsung’s greater assets—is just a small-country businessman with a petty mindset. It was wise not to invite him for tea today."
Though they spoke these words, they knew full well that Samsung’s deference in China was only due to their reliance on the three families for market access.
On the global stage, Samsung alone could crush all three families combined.
Their real agenda today was to discuss this very issue.
Learning that Luo Yao had secured funds and a follow-up plan, they grew anxious.
But with Samsung’s delayed financial commitment, they grew bored and decided to stir up trouble for Luo Yao elsewhere.
Lu Youqi poured tea himself and said, "Luo Yao is truly formidable. She managed to snipe at Samsung while bidding for the same project. Even if our three families joined forces with ample funds, we might not pull it off."
Wang Xiaolin sighed, wondering why Luo Yao wasn’t born into the Wang family.
"Indeed, Luo Yao’s strength is undeniable. No matter how we unite, we must acknowledge her prowess."
Lu Youqi appeared refined to outsiders, but within the Lu family, he was known for his volatile temper and violent tendencies.
"First, let’s leak some scandals about Luo Corporation to annoy that damn girl. Then we’ll wait for President Park’s funds. If he fails to transfer the money by the deadline, we’ll cover the shortfall ourselves and cut ties with him completely."
With Samsung under Luo Yao’s attack, no one could guarantee their financial stability, making contingency plans necessary.
Li Chifen, however, voiced doubts.
"We still need Samsung’s technology. If they’re out of the picture, finding another partner won’t be easy. And covering Samsung’s share isn’t a small sum—won’t it strain us?"
Wang Xiaolin nodded in agreement.
If they had to cover the funds, he’d suffer the most, as his Wanwan Group’s finances were already stretched thin.
Lu Youqi smirked confidently, a look that underscored his disdain for Li Chifen.
"I never said we’d stop cooperating—just that we’d sever diplomatic niceties."
Though older, Li Chifen was still the junior in Lu Youqi’s eyes.
Wang Xiaolin took a sip of tea, savoring its rich aroma.
"So, Master Lu means to pressure Samsung into offering better terms?"
Li Chifen realized that among the three families, he seemed the least scheming—even Wang Xiaolin appeared steadier.
Despite Wang’s declining assets and struggles, Wang Xiaolin carried himself with unshakable poise.
Such resilience wasn’t common.
Most others in his position would’ve been ousted by now—proof of Wang Xiaolin’s shrewdness.
This thought only fueled Li Chifen’s resentment.
Appearances were deceiving; he was the true mastermind.
"What if Samsung refuses?"
Lu Youqi’s gaze turned icy.
"If they’re truly ungrateful, I have a backup plan."
"You know LG, right? They’ve been itching to take Samsung down."
Wang Xiaolin clasped his hands in admiration.
"Master Lu’s foresight is truly remarkable."
Lu Youqi waved it off modestly.
"Hahaha, you flatter me, Master Wang..."
Li Chifen, watching them bond like kindred spirits, felt like a third wheel and grew even more irritated.
"Old Wang, your son’s always spouting nonsense. You should rein him in before he causes real trouble."
Wang Xiaolin sighed helplessly.
"What can I do? The boy’s beyond my control. If he’s in a good mood, he’ll talk to me; if not, he just walks away."
Li Chifen, dissatisfied with Wang Xiaolin’s dismissive tone, bit back his frustration.
He couldn’t keep complaining about Wang’s son without seeming petty.
Besides, the Li family’s entertainment ventures relied on Wang Xiaolin’s Wanwan Cinemas as strategic partners.
"Enough of this. Let’s focus on dealing with Luo Yao. Scandal material on Luo Corporation is scarce, after all."
Lu Youqi and Wang Xiaolin: ???
You brought it up, now you want to drop it? Make up your mind!
Lu Youqi toyed with his teacup, amused.
"Whether the scandals are real or even exist doesn’t matter. What matters is that we create enough noise to distract Luo Yao."
"For example, I could spread rumors that Luo Yao and Lin Ran are siblings—or even claim Lin Ran underwent a sex change. Everyone knows it’s false, but guess how they’d react?"
Li Chifen narrowed his eyes. "They’d..."
Just then—
"Master, bad news!" A servant in his thirties rushed in.
Had Luo Yao been present, she’d have recognized the servant’s true identity.
"What’s the panic? Can’t you see I have important guests?"
Lu Youqi’s usual refinement vanished, replaced by the stern authority of a family head.
Different company demanded different demeanors.
"My apologies, Master."
Lu Youqi glared at his servant, exasperated.