Lu Chengwen switched his phone to speaker mode.
Leng Tianhao's line was dead. Leng Qingqiu was still unconscious in the hospital. The Leng family had no one left to take charge.
Lu Chengwen quickly called Iron King's team, ordering them to head to the Xu family's private hospital under Xu Xuejiao's name to protect Leng Qingqiu in the VIP ward. He then contacted Li Meiqin, instructing her to monitor the market and drive up the Leng family's stock price to disrupt the hostile takeover. He called the police, reporting Leng Tianhao's disappearance and linking it to the takeover attempt. Finally, he reached out to Mayor Zhao, explaining the stakes and urging him to coordinate with the province to restrict share transfers for the Leng family.
Every possible call was made. Lu Chengwen knew the key was Leng Tianhao. As Qianfeng Group's chairman, he held over 50% of the shares. Finding him was critical.
Chen Mengyun immediately mobilized her family's tech company, assembling a team of experts to track Leng Tianhao's location. Soon, they had a lead on his whereabouts.
Stepping out, Lu Chengwen addressed Bronze King. "I've got an address. Go there immediately and rescue someone."
Bronze King, thrilled at the quick assignment, said, "Young Master, we'll get it done!"
"There are skilled fighters there. I can't show my face. Be extremely careful—Lu Chengwen might be there too."
"Don't worry, Young Master. If we fail, we'll offer our heads."
As they turned to leave, Lu Chengwen stopped them. "Wait! Do you even know what to do?"
"We storm in, take out everyone, and save the target."
Lu Chengwen snapped, "Are you pigs? They're bold enough to kidnap someone, so they'll have heavy defenses, not just a few amateurs. Launch a surprise attack, catch them off guard, and take down their strongest fighter first to cripple their resistance. Then rescue Leng Tianhao. Your mission is to save him, not kill. Killing's pointless. Save him, and you'll earn your first merit!"
"Yes, sir!"
"One more thing—hand over your phones. Zhao Gang on the first floor will give you new ones. From now on, you answer only to me. No one else has authority over you. You're no longer Red Guards—you're my elite under Long Aotian. Understood?"
The three were stunned, tears streaming down their faces. "Young Master, your kindness is higher than mountains, deeper than seas, like a storm sweeping the world…"
"Enough chatter! Time's tight. Move!"
"Yes!"
They surrendered their phones and headed to the first floor.
In the elevator, the skinny one rubbed his hands excitedly. "Big Brother, we did it! We're the Young Master's personal guard now!"
Bronze King nodded. "Red Guards? Screw that! From now on, Red Guards will call us masters. We'll live in luxury and make those still in the organization green with envy."
"Big Brother, when do we get that 20 million? We wanna live it up too."
"Idiots!" Bronze King snapped, feeling invincible next to the Young Master and his women. "Why rush? The Young Master's word is gold—would he go back on it? The money's in our hands; we decide when to take it. This is our first mission. Stay sharp! This is our shot at a lifetime of wealth and status. Succeed, and we'll be lords in the city under the Young Master!"
The two chorused, "Don't worry, Bronze King. We'll give it our all, through fire and water!"
"Good brothers! Finish this, and we'll transfer the funds immediately!"
Lu Chengwen was now the mastermind.
He didn't know the full details of Long Aotian and Huo Wendong's plan, but he'd pieced together the basics. Huo Wendong was likely enthralled by Luo Shiyin and had teamed up with Long Aotian. With the four major families' daughters all aligned with Lu Chengwen, Long Aotian lacked leverage. So he used Luo Shiyin to control Huo Wendong.
First, they knocked out Leng Qingqiu to sideline her. Then they kidnapped Leng Tianhao, leaving Qianfeng leaderless. This allowed Long Aotian, as the new president, to aid Huo Wendong's takeover. Their first target was the weakened Leng family—a ruthless but effective move. If Qianfeng fell, Long Aotian could then target the Chen and Xu families, leaving the Lu family isolated and vulnerable. As for Huo Wendong? He'd stay under Luo Shiyin's spell, eventually handing over his northern assets—or Long Aotian would find a way to seize them.
The Leng family had to hold.
Lu Chengwen summoned Jiang Shihan to manage operations from the hotel. Chen Mengyun had cleared the entire floor for his safety. He wasn't sure, but if Long Aotian was making his move now, he might confront Lu Chengwen directly. As his junior, Long Aotian couldn't kill him outright, but who knew their true relationship? And even if he didn't act himself, he had plenty of others who could.
Staying here was risky, but it could delay Long Aotian from pinpointing his location. He likely wouldn't expect Lu Chengwen to remain in the hotel.
His biggest worry was Leng Qingqiu. He couldn't show his face—Hua Xuening might be lying in wait. He ordered Zhao Gang to have someone drive his car around monitored areas to create a decoy.
This was the final battle. If Long Aotian was striking, Lu Chengwen had to fight to the end.
You're the Child of Destiny? Well, I'm the Child of Destiny's father!
Bring it on!
Li Meiqin's voice crackled through. "Mr. Lu, they're coming hard. They're determined, throwing over 20 billion into the market!"
"Match them."
"But… this is insane. It defies business logic. The Leng family isn't worth that much!"
"Did I ask your opinion?" Lu Chengwen snapped. "I'll sign remotely. Whatever they throw, we counter. If they get over 50% of Qianfeng's shares, we're all finished."
"Yes, sir!"
He hung up, and the police called. Officer Zhang Shener said, "Lu Chengwen, we've confirmed Leng Tianhao's disappearance. What's going on? Where are you? I need to see you now to understand this case."
"I can't disclose my location. Contact Zhao Gang—he'll bring you to me."
"What's with the cloak-and-dagger? I'm a cop, working a case. You're obligated to cooperate!"
"I don't know if anyone in your precinct is leaking to the enemy. I trust only you. Come if you want, or don't."
"Hey—"
He hung up.
The hospital called next. "Young Master, some shady guys tried to sneak Leng Qingqiu out. We chased them off."
"Good work. Protect her, and it's a major win. Bronze King's on another job, so don't worry."
"What?!" Iron King was stunned. "He mistook you too?"
Lu Chengwen grinned. "He's loyal to me now and cut off from the branch."
"Mr. Lu, you're incredible!"
"I'm feeling it, Iron King. You made the right choice. This time, I'll beat Long Aotian."
"Yes! We're with you, Mr. Lu!"
"Is Xu Xuejiao there?"
"Just arrived, checking on Miss Leng."
"Keep them safe."
"Don't worry! We'd lose our heads before letting anything happen to Miss Leng or Miss Xu."
Jiang Shihan screamed, "Mr. Lu! Look at this!"
He hung up and rushed to her laptop. She pointed excitedly. "They've stopped! Look—here, here, and here. Those shell companies halted their acquisitions. They're out of steam."
Lu Chengwen narrowed his eyes. "No… Huo Wendong's not this cautious. He and Long Aotian wouldn't stop at 20 billion to take Qianfeng. Tell Li Meiqin to keep buying and pushing the price up—no openings!"
"Yes!"
Time ticked by.
Only Lu Chengwen and Jiang Shihan remained in the hotel. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, wine glass in hand, gazing at the cityscape.
Jiang Shihan, finally catching a break, glanced at him. The boss is so handsome! How is he this cool?
I've been with him so long, and only now do I see who he really is. Noble, upright, pure, wise, brave, caring for the weak, humorous, charming, compassionate, just, selfless, and open-hearted…
Lu Chengwen, staring out, thought, [Damn, now that the adrenaline's fading, I keep replaying earlier. I really want to go wild.]
[That devil woman, full of schemes, seducing me! She's no good, but she's got my lower half itching!]
[I'm jealous of Chen Moqun right now. If I had a sultry beauty in stockings to play with, I'd be in heaven. Once this is over, I'm finding him—he's treating.]
Jiang Shihan froze. Mr. Lu's thinking… that?
She hesitated, then mustered her courage and approached. "Mr. Lu, are you tired? Want me to massage your legs?"
"Hm? Oh, no need."
"Come on, don't be shy. Lie down here—my technique's great."
Lu Chengwen looked at her, his heart stirring. [What a sweet little beauty. Why not enjoy it?]
He reclined on the chaise, closing his eyes. Jiang Shihan began massaging.
His inner voice purred, [Higher, yes, there. Keep going, girl. So good. These hands… nice!]
[A bit more, almost there—damn, this is heaven!]
Jiang Shihan, smiling, followed his mental cues, moving higher until she reached the spot. Lu Chengwen's eyes snapped open. "Whoa, what are you doing?"
"Don't you… like this?" Her hands didn't stop, and she grinned. "It's fine, I'm willing. You're exhausted, Mr. Lu. Let me help you relax."
Lu Chengwen was floored. [This girl's seducing me?!]
_
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