Chapter 40

Chapter 40

As Luo Hefeng stormed into the main residence in a fit of rage, Luo Qianjian was basking in the evening sun in the courtyard with a swing set.

"Luo Qianjian!" Luo Hefeng shouted from a distance.

The butler and servants blocking him wore bitter smiles. "Young Master, don't make things difficult for us... Third Young Master, we really couldn't stop the Young Master..."

"It's fine, just go about your business. Call over two security guards, just in case Big Brother gets too impulsive," Luo Qianjian said calmly from his seat on the swing.

Luo Hefeng felt even more infuriated seeing his smile, finding it deeply ominous.

Approaching closer, Luo Hefeng directly questioned him, words tumbling out in a rush. "What's the deal with that video? Why do you still have it when the camera was smashed? And you were filming in the private room as well? Why did you send the video out! Do you know how it's been spreading! Not just within our circle, but people have posted it online elsewhere!"

Luo Qianjian answered composedly. "Isn't it already resolved? The video I sent an hour ago is gone now; it didn't spread for long. Netizens aren't familiar with our family affairs; they'll forget it soon enough. Big Brother, don't worry."

"Ordinary netizens might not know, but what about others in our circle! And is this even the main issue!" Luo Hefeng, who usually presented himself as cold, now mirrored Luo Chen's past image of being beside himself with anger.

They were more like father and son now.

Luo Qianjian blinked. "Then what's the key issue? Oh, the video. Second Young Master Li smashed the camera, but I had the memory card safe and sound. You never asked me for it, nor did anyone warn me not to post anything. So I edited it on a whim and shared it. For this, I even learned video editing software; it was quite interesting."

Luo Hefeng gritted his teeth. "You're invading our privacy!"

"It does seem wrong. My apologies then. Whatever Big Brother wants, I'll comply." Luo Qianjian responded good-naturedly. "Money... Big Brother isn't short of it. Perhaps you want a public apology? I can post another status on my social media, saying that I accidentally sent the previous one and apologize for taking up public resources and causing trouble?"

"Luo Qianjian! Are you determined to cause chaos in the family until it falls apart?" Luo Hefeng still couldn't understand why his good third brother had suddenly changed so much.

As if the Luo family's disintegration would bring him some immense benefit!

Luo Qianjian raised an eyebrow. "Big Brother, while an elder brother is like a father, you shouldn't be too much like Dad, or you might end up like him, paralyzed."

Luo Hefeng felt deeply humiliated. "Luo Qianjian!"

"You're becoming more and more like Dad, equally unreasonable." Luo Qianjian sighed lightly. "Big Brother, ask yourself honestly. Which of the current family issues wasn't caused by you?"

"I haven't done anything wrong, at most I've exposed what you've done. How can you blame me for causing chaos in the family? If you all behaved properly, my actions would merely be promoting good deeds. But given the result... If I spread rumors and caused such a disastrous impact, you should report me to the police."

Luo Hefeng couldn't help grinding his back teeth, choking for a moment before throwing out, "Fine, since you don't want to reason and don't care about brotherhood anymore, there's nothing left to say."

Luo Qianjian watched as Luo Hefeng turned and walked away, his tone helpless. "Look, when you have no argument, you resort to the banner of family ties."

Luo Hefeng's back carried even more resentment, his steps quickening.

Having just seen off his big brother, Luo Qianjian returned indoors when he heard the butler say, "Third Young Master, Second Miss has come, insisting on seeing you. Though she didn't barge in like the Young Master, she refuses to leave. Would you see her?"

Luo Qianjian was in a good mood. "Let's see her then. It's only right to waste a little time for family."

Luo Gongyou, however, was in a terrible mood. "Qianjian, I have something to ask you—"

"Hold on, Second Sister. If you're here to question me about the video on my social media, you can return to the side residence and exchange information with Big Brother. I don't want to repeat myself." Luo Qianjian interrupted her, unhurried.

Luo Gongyou frowned. "I almost forgot about that video... Never mind, Mom and Big Brother will handle it with the Li family. I'm not here to ask you about that. What's the deal with the Yun Ling contract? Don't you owe me an explanation!"

To Luo Gongyou, the video Luo Qianjian sent out related to her only in that her new lover was slept with by her mother, her old lover by her big brother, and she herself slept with her big brother's lover.

Luo Gongyou never hid her affairs, though if she could choose, she wouldn't want others to see the family's chaotic state. But since it happened, Luo Gongyou remained relatively calm, far more indifferent than Luo Hefeng, who always wore a cold, ascetic expression, discreetly sought substitute lovers, and only lost his composure in front of his "true love" from his first love.

In comparison, the matter with Yun Ling angered her more—despite her unstable personal life, Luo Gongyou was mostly serious about work.

Otherwise, even with the Luo family as a backing, she couldn't have risen to the top in the entertainment industry, an area the Luo family hadn't previously ventured much into, in just seven to eight years. She wouldn't have made the internationally renowned musician Yun Ling decide to sign with Star Entertainment upon returning to the country, where he had many options.

Unfortunately, Luo Gongyou wasn't very serious about Luo Qianjian's internship at Star Entertainment. She casually handed over the ace project of Yun Ling to Luo Qianjian to manage, and afterward, to show absolute trust in Luo Qianjian, she never inquired again, opening the door wide for Luo Qianjian to stir up trouble.

Everyone in the company knew Luo Qianjian's identity, so even if they had complaints about the arrangements regarding Yun Ling—especially the fact that the brokerage contract was never signed, with Luo Qianjian always claiming he was still negotiating with Yun Ling himself, at most ensuring Yun Ling signed a relatively sloppy, unbinding contract to ensure the concert could be hosted under the name of Star Entertainment—their reports to higher-ups were couched in polite terms.

Layer upon layer of politeness reached Luo Gongyou, making the issues seem insignificant and trivial.

Thus, Luo Gongyou's lack of inquiry equaled support for Luo Qianjian's approach. Subordinates didn't criticize further, assuming their boss had a plan and wasn't afraid of Yun Ling leaving.

A week ago, Yun Ling's concert was held, and at the time, Luo Gongyou praised it as unprecedentedly successful, completely unaware that Yun Ling and Star Entertainment hadn't signed a brokerage contract.

Only today did Yun Ling's assistant politely inform them that since Star Entertainment had no intention of signing a formal contract, Yun Ling would choose another company that had repeatedly invited him. This wasn't a negotiation; it was a decision Yun Ling had already made.

Luo Gongyou then realized that Luo Qianjian had only let the company's legal department draft a business contract!

The content of the contract was that Star Entertainment would host a concert for Yun Ling, and Yun Ling agreed to let Star Entertainment represent him for promotion that month!

Even without mentioning the brokerage contract, this contract was inadequate as a mere business contract! It was practically a charity contract!

"Luo Qianjian! Do you know how important Yun Ling is, how much trust I placed in you by entrusting him to you! Is this how you repay me!" Luo Gongyou clenched her teeth.

Luo Qianjian apologized obediently. "I betrayed Second Sister's trust in me and messed up this job for you. I'm truly sorry."

Luo Gongyou: "...Luo Qianjian! You! I... I really can't figure out what I did to offend you. It's one thing to embarrass me repeatedly, but now you're messing with work. Do you know the huge loss you've caused my company!"

Luo Qianjian smiled faintly. "That serious, huh? Then I'll resign in disgrace. I'll intern at the Luo Corporation next."

Seeing his unresponsive, uncommunicative demeanor, Luo Gongyou grew angrier but was powerless, leaving behind, "Do whatever you want! You can do as you please!"

Luo Suiyun, Luo Wenhuan, and Luo ShanTin didn't come to question Luo Qianjian about the video on his social media. They lacked the courage, fearing ridicule from Luo Qianjian, and thought that since Mother and Big Brother and Second Sister were above them, if they couldn't control Third Brother, then approaching him themselves would be useless...

Among them, Luo Suiyun was relatively peaceful—in contrast, she felt she hadn't lost much face.

Luo Wenhuan was mainly furious that her marriage to Li Jifeng seemed unlikely now. As for losing face... she wasn't among those caught cheating in the hotel that night, although she did participate in catching the cheaters, but she certainly wasn't as embarrassed as Luo ShanTin, and she wasn't pregnant.

Luo ShanTin cried the hardest, feeling as if the sky had fallen, believing she'd never have the face to go out in public again.

However—

In less than a day, after Luo Hefeng, representing the Luo family, and Ruyan worked together to finalize a response strategy with the Li family, Luo Shanting stopped crying.

This was because both families publicly announced that there was no truth to Li Jifeng and Luo Wenhuan's supposed marriage plans, nor any secret arrangement for Luo Shanting to quietly give birth to a child for them. There was also no confusion about the paternity of Luo Shanting's unborn child. The video in question had been taken out of context, capturing only the initial panic when both families learned of a man's pregnancy, leading to irrational statements that couldn't be taken seriously.

The two families had decided that the child's father, Li Zhijin, would marry Luo Shanting, legitimizing their relationship which was already engaged.

-Though this explanation had its flaws, it managed to appease the public eye. As long as no one deliberately questioned it, the social interactions wouldn't become too awkward.

To demonstrate their "determination," Luo Shanting was promptly brought to the Li family residence to "nurture her pregnancy."

Luo Shanting was naturally delighted: "My baby can now be born with legitimacy. I will marry Brother Zhijin, and I'm so happy."

Unfortunately, Li Zhijin was the least pleased. He had no desire to have anything to do with Luo Shanting. His previous engagement was merely a temporary solution, but now, for the sake of the families' reputation, his brother forcefully insisted he accept the marriage to Luo Shanting. Li Zhijin felt nauseous every time he saw Luo Shanting.

He couldn't help but suspiciously ask Luo Shanting, "Did you make your third brother release that video? To force my family to take you in!"

When that video was exposed, Li Zhijin was undoubtedly among those most affected—outside of the circle, the entire upper echelons of City A likely knew that the Second Young Master of the Li family had been intimate with a man!

Being involved with a man was one thing, but being the passive partner was another. How could he face others now!

In this regard, Luo Shanting's initial thoughts coincided with his—she couldn't show her face in public either!

However, once she was assured of her impending marriage, Luo Shanting no longer harbored such thoughts. She didn't even consider that her fiancé, Li Zhijin, wasn't exactly a catch.

Li Zhijin, on the other hand, became increasingly resentful.

Three days later, the Luo and Li families jointly announced that Li Zhijin and Luo Shanting's wedding would take place in a month.

This announcement was formal, unlike the previous news of Li Jifeng and Luo Wenhuan's marriage, which left room for retraction.

Luo Wenhuan was displeased. Thinking about how Luo Shanting's wishes were fulfilled while she remained uncertain about her future in the Luo family's side residence, she became so irritable that she no longer feared the pet snakes that had recently returned to the side residence. She casually grabbed one and began playing with it as if it were a string game, causing the snake to eventually flee.

On the same day, Ruyan visited the Luo family's main residence to see Qianjian.

Ruyan and Luo Chen were legally married. Even though she had moved out of the main residence, as long as she and Luo Chen didn't divorce, no one would question her identity as a member of the Luo family. Previously, she had planned to divorce and thus didn't stay in the side residence to avoid "humiliating" herself. Now that the divorce was off the table, she didn't need to return to the main residence to assert her status as a Luo family member.

Moreover, Qianjian had previously stated that once someone moved out, they shouldn't expect to return. Therefore, Ruyan still lived elsewhere with her young lover.

She came to the main residence specifically to discuss important matters with Qianjian.

Qianjian looked at the young man accompanying Ruyan with interest. "Mom, you've moved on so quickly?"

Keeping a lover was something Ruyan wasn't yet adept at. She nodded slightly uneasily and explained, "The previous one, Xiao Qi, helped me finish dealing with the Liu Ruo family. I felt he had worked hard and had been by my side for some time without much reward from me. He's young and an actor, so I asked You You to find him a film crew. It's better for him to work honestly..."

In reality, after spending a month together, the initial infatuation-induced delirium began to fade. With the revelation of Liu Ruo's years-long "scheme" against Luo Chen, Ruyan finally realized that Zhou Qi's "sincerity" towards her was just surface-level politeness. Thus, she was no longer as deeply immersed in the relationship.

However, Zhou Qi had indeed made her very happy, and she hadn't suffered any losses. Ruyan didn't feel deceived; after all, in such situations, most people understood that it was just a performance, not actual deceit.

But continuing with the sweet-talking Zhou Qi no longer felt comfortable for Ruyan. She decided to act kindly and have Gongyou arrange good resources for Zhou Qi, ending things cleanly.

Gongyou not only arranged resources for Zhou Qi but also sent Ruyan a new young man on the day Zhou Qi left, claiming this one was better than Zhou Qi—more sincere in his words and cleaner in character.

Ruyan accepted him somewhat embarrassedly.

Gongyou's actions were intended to please Ruyan, but not solely for her happiness. They were also related to the division of assets—

Since Luo Chen's cerebral hemorrhage and hospitalization over ten days ago, all the Luo children except Qianjian had been busy showing filial piety to Ruyan and urging her from various angles about the necessity of dividing the assets immediately, advising her on how to do so.

Now, Ruyan hesitantly told Qianjian, "Qianjian, Mom has thought about it. If your father suddenly passes away one day, that mother and son from the Liu family will surely come to cause trouble. Compared to risking their nuisances, I'd rather trust the children I raised myself."

"But regarding how to divide the assets, I've been struggling... Qianjian, during this time, your brothers and sisters have all come to be especially close to me. Why haven't you visited?"

Qianjian chuckled lightly. "To appear unique, aloof, and detached. Look, they're all flattering you for the assets, but I won't. But if you don't give me the assets, I might cause a scene. An unfilial son, what a sight, Mom."

Ruyan choked. "You, my child, your words are becoming more and more... Never mind, let's not argue. I didn't come here to fight with you. About the assets, this is what Mom plans. Between the six of you siblings, your father and I's joint assets will be equally divided among the five of you excluding your eldest brother. However, the shares of Luo Corporation under your father's name will be inherited by your eldest brother."

Qianjian raised an eyebrow. "So biased, Mom. Have you discussed this with Second Sister and the younger brothers and sisters?"

The other assets combined were far less valuable than the shares under Luo Chen's name.

Ruyan sighed. "I was afraid they would think I, as their mother, was being unfair. That's why I wanted to talk to you first. If you agree, You You and the others probably won't have many objections..."

Qianjian looked at Ruyan with a half-smile.

Ruyan pursed her lips and continued, "Qianjian, A'Feng was right. For the stability of Luo Corporation, the shares shouldn't be too scattered. Concentrating them would be more beneficial for the Luo family's control over the company. Otherwise, one day, Luo Corporation might change hands... And A'Feng has always been recognized as the successor of the Luo family. He has managed your father's shares for so long and is more familiar with them. The board would recognize him."

"Mom doesn't know why you suddenly have such a big issue with the family these past few months, nor do I want to dwell on the mess you created before. But since it concerns Luo Corporation, it's significant. Let's not create more trouble, okay?"

"You already have ten percent of Luo Corporation's shares, the main residence of the Luo family, and the joint assets between your father and me, excluding the shares, are also substantial when divided. Qianjian, you don't need to care about those shares. Although they have high market value, it's not like you can sell them for cash. It's just annual dividends..."

After listening, Qianjian calmly asked, "Mom, did Eldest Brother teach you these words?"

Ruyan paused. "I..."

"You're right. I don't need to fixate on the shares in Dad's hands. I don't plan to take over Luo Corporation and exhaust myself. The assets I have now are enough for me to indulge in." Qianjian raised an eyebrow. "But, Mom, if you only use these grandiose words to deceive me, I won't let you and Eldest Brother have your way. You want me to give up competing for the shares, yet you're unwilling to tell me the truth? What did Eldest Brother promise you to make you so confident?"

"How did you..." Ruyan was surprised. "How did you know that your eldest brother made additional promises to me..."

Qianjian chuckled lightly. "Mom, you fought with Dad for assets for so long that you dragged it until his cerebral hemorrhage without divorcing. This shows that you understand the importance of assets in hand. Yet, it hasn't been long, and you're willing to divide the assets without hesitation, giving away so many shares. Guess why I'm suspicious?"

After a moment of silence, Ruyan said, "Alright... I'll tell you the truth. I... Of course, I believe that you kids won't turn your backs on me, your mother, after taking the assets. And even if you do, as a Luo family member, I have a foundation that will provide money, so I won't be destitute."

"But... Qianjian, decades of feelings between your father and me have deteriorated to this point. Mom can't trust you wholeheartedly without hesitation, can you understand? Even with the foundation as a safety net, asking me to simply divide all the assets among you, I indeed..."

"Your eldest brother understands this concern of mine. So, he signed another contract with me, privately. It states that after obtaining your father's shares of Luo Corporation, he will unconditionally gift all the shares, including the five percent he currently holds and all newly acquired ones, to me, your mother."

"This is a private agreement, temporarily kept confidential. Your eldest brother promised that after getting the shares, he wouldn't impose any restrictions on me. I can spend money as I wish. Otherwise, I can initiate the gift agreement, leaving him with nothing..."

Qianjian understood. "No wonder you chose to believe Eldest Brother, Mom. It's akin to transferring risk. You don't have to worry about losing out, but instead, Eldest Brother must fear you suddenly reversing course and taking all the shares, right?"

He Ruyan said, "Of course I wouldn't do that... This is also the trust your eldest brother has in me as his mother."

"But, Mother, are you sure you can outplay Eldest Brother? You could be said to have only a superficial understanding of business matters," Luo Qianjian asked softly.

He Ruyan furrowed her brows. "I've had lawyers look at it, and that gift contract is valid. And I've consulted several lawyers..."

Luo Qianjian replied indifferently, "Alright, then as long as you're happy, Mother."

He Ruyan felt a bit stifled but was relieved by Luo Qianjian's agreeableness: "Then... Qianjian, there's a board meeting at the Luo Corporation the day after tomorrow. At that time, I'll transfer the shares to A'Feng on-site. Some of the old members of the board have requested that all the children be present to witness it, and they hope that you, as a biological child of the Luo family, can sign the documents too. After all, your father is unable to take care of himself and cannot appear... Will you attend?"

Luo Qianjian nodded. "Certainly, for such an important moment in Eldest Brother's life, I will definitely be there to witness it."

He Ruyan also mentioned that after the board meeting, since everyone would be gathered together, she would call in the lawyer to distribute the remaining family assets to the five other children besides Luo Hefeng. At that time, she would let Luo Qianjian choose which assets he wanted first.

Luo Qianjian still wore a smile, nodding in agreement.

He hadn't been idle during this time, always "caring" about his eldest brother while secretly gathering quite a few interesting pieces of information. He was contemplating when and where would be best to expose them, and the upcoming board meeting was like a pillow for someone who was sleepy.

An economic criminal was about to emerge, and Luo Qianjian mourned silently for the Luo family's reputation.