Cutting Start

The next day, in the CEO's office of Lu Corporation.

Lin Yuan and Zhang Qi stood before the massive desk, their expressions grave. They had already heard about the turmoil at the Lu family banquet the previous night.

"Lin Yuan, how are the registration and site selection for the new company coming along?" Lu Chenyuan cut straight to the point.

"President Lu, everything is settled. The company is named 'Yuanlong Technologies,' registered in Jingzhou High-Tech Park. The office space has also been leased and is ready for immediate occupancy," Lin Yuan replied swiftly.

"Good." Lu Chenyuan gave a slight nod before turning to Zhang Qi.

"Zhang Qi, starting today, you will officially take over as my executive assistant. Lin Yuan will hand over all his responsibilities to you within a week. The legal department, risk control department, and my direct investment teams will all be under your coordination. Your only task is to stabilize the core operations—no disruptions before I leave."

"Yes, President Lu!" Zhang Qi's gaze was unwavering. He understood this wasn’t just a job but a weighty trust placed upon him.

Lu Chenyuan then addressed Lin Yuan again.

"Lin Yuan, once the handover is complete, you will assume the role of CEO at Yuanlong Technologies. Your first task is to assemble a top-tier team for the new energy vehicle battery project as quickly as possible. Money is no object—but the people must be the best."

"Understood!" A fire ignited in Lin Yuan's eyes.

Just then, a knock sounded at the office door.

"Come in."

The door swung open, and Lu Mingshi strode in with an air of arrogance. He hadn’t brought his secretary, and his face bore a smug, almost taunting smile.

"Chenyuan, you’re really embracing the CEO persona these days. Even meeting you requires an appointment now."

Without waiting for an invitation, Lu Mingshi plopped onto the sofa and crossed his legs.

Lu Chenyuan gave Lin Yuan and Zhang Qi a meaningful glance, and the two promptly bowed and exited the office.

"Did you need something, Second Uncle?" Lu Chenyuan's tone remained indifferent.

"Of course I do!" Lu Mingshi pulled a document from his jacket and tossed it onto the coffee table.

"This is an asset loss assessment report I had prepared. Thanks to your interference with Shengtian Real Estate, I lost a full 80 million! So, how do you plan to compensate me? Surely you don’t expect your uncle to pay for your recklessness?"

His expression was that of a man who believed he had the upper hand. Confident that after the old patriarch’s "mediation" the previous day, Lu Chenyuan would be forced to tread carefully and couldn’t afford to be as unyielding as before.

Lu Chenyuan looked at him and suddenly smiled.

It was a faint smile, yet it sent an inexplicable chill down Lu Mingshi’s spine.

"Second Uncle, do you really think that just because Grandfather has your back, I can’t touch you?"

Lu Chenyuan stood and slowly walked over, looming above him.

His gaze was no longer its usual calm but carried a piercing coldness—and something akin to pity.

"You—what are you trying to do?" Lu Mingshi felt a prickle of unease under that stare.

"I’m not trying to do anything." Lu Chenyuan pulled out the chair opposite him and sat, leaning forward slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

"I just want to tell you one thing. The money you invested in Shengtian Real Estate—it wasn’t through legitimate channels, was it? Let me guess… it was funneled through an offshore company called 'Hengtong Global'? And the actual owner of that company is Li Xiujian."

The color drained from Lu Mingshi’s face in an instant.

The feud between the Lu and Li families dated back to Lu Chengsi’s generation.

Ever since then, the elite circles of Jingzhou had avoided dealings with the Li family.

After all, in the eyes of the city’s aristocracy, the Lis were known for their unscrupulous methods.

Not that the other families were saints themselves.

If Lu Chengsi ever found out Lu Mingshi had secretly colluded with Li Xiujian, he’d strip Lu Mingshi of all his positions the very next day.

"Second Uncle, did you really think your underhanded dealings with Li Xiujian could stay hidden forever?" Lu Chenyuan’s voice was as biting as a winter wind.

"How did you know?!" Lu Mingshi stared at him in disbelief.

"There are no real secrets in this world—only questions of how much it costs to uncover them."

Lu Chenyuan cut him off, reclining in his chair and resuming his composed demeanor.

At the mention of "cost," Lu Mingshi briefly wondered if Li Xiujian had betrayed him.

"Now, let’s discuss your losses. Whether it’s 80 million or 800 million, I can afford to compensate you. But do you dare take it?"

Lu Mingshi sat frozen on the sofa, his expression shifting between emotions.

Seeing that the pressure had done its job, Lu Chenyuan abruptly softened his tone.

"Still, Second Uncle, we are family. I don’t want to push this too far and make things difficult for Grandfather."

Lu Mingshi’s head snapped up, as if grasping at a lifeline. "What… what do you mean?"

"I’m tired." Lu Chenyuan allowed a trace of weariness to seep into his expression.

"Like you’ve all said, I’m too domineering, too autocratic. This CEO position holds no appeal for me anymore. Since you all believe you can take Lu Corporation to new heights without me… why don’t I step aside?"

Lu Mingshi’s mind went blank.

Had he heard correctly?

Lu Chenyuan… was willing to relinquish his position as CEO?

Was this a stroke of luck—or another trap?

"Don’t… don’t mess with me!" he said warily.

"Mess with you?" Lu Chenyuan scoffed. "Second Uncle, do you really think I’d bother at this point?"

He stood and walked to his desk, retrieving a shareholding document.

"These are my personal shares in Lu Corporation. I’m prepared to transfer them to you."

"What?!" Lu Mingshi’s heart nearly leaped out of his chest.

Lu Chenyuan’s personal shares, combined with those of his father Lu Mingye, represented the controlling stake of the main family branch. If he could secure Lu Chenyuan’s shares, his influence on the board would skyrocket.

"What… what are your conditions?" His voice trembled with excitement.

"My terms are simple." Lu Chenyuan’s gaze was profound.

"First, I want cash. I plan to use it to pursue my own interests—start a small company of my own and leave the Lu family’s mess behind."

"Second, this must be done discreetly. I don’t want Grandfather or the rest of the family to know, lest it stir up more trouble."

"Third, if Li Xiujian approaches you to take over Shengtian Real Estate, you agree."

"Take over Shengtian?" Lu Mingshi was stunned.

"Exactly." The corner of Lu Chenyuan’s mouth curled into a meaningful smile.

"Li Xiujian is desperate to offload this mess right now. In Jingzhou, you're the only one with both the resources to take over Shengtian Real Estate and the connections to him. He’ll offer you a price you can’t refuse. Then, you can leverage Lu Corporation’s resources to repackage Shengtian and relist it… Uncle, I don’t need to explain how massive the profits would be, do I?"

"However, Uncle, let me remind you—because of Lu Corporation’s earlier pressure, Li Xiujian is in a hurry to sell. So even if you have the funds, drag it out. Wait until he comes to you a third time."

Lu Mingshi’s heart pounded wildly.

Greed instantly overwhelmed fear.

He could already see a golden path leading to the pinnacle of power and an ocean of wealth.

Lu Chenyuan was tired of internal strife and wanted to cash out—that made perfect sense.

And handing Shengtian over to him? A stroke of genius!

Not only would it allow him to recoup his losses with interest, but it would also give him a chance to prove his capabilities to the old man and the board—a monumental achievement!

This was the perfect plan, tailor-made for him!

It never crossed his mind that his own nephew could be setting up such an "elaborate" trap.

"Deal! I’m in!" Lu Mingshi stood up excitedly, his eyes gleaming.

"As for the price, I’ll sell you my shares at market value, minus a 10% discount. How’s that for generosity, Uncle?" Lu Chenyuan smiled faintly.

"More than generous! Absolutely perfect!" Lu Mingshi rubbed his hands together eagerly, already envisioning himself seated in the CEO’s chair, steering the Lu empire toward a glorious future.

Unaware, he was stepping deeper into a grave meticulously dug for him.

When Lu Mingshi left the office as if in a dream, his face was a mix of shock, exhilaration, disbelief, and the burning ambition of a man about to seize his destiny.

Lu Chenyuan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching his uncle’s triumphant figure disappear into the elevator.

His eyes held no warmth—only an icy, bone-chilling detachment.

Hope you enjoy the "gift" I’ve prepared for you, Uncle.

Use your own money to buy my shares. Then use your own money to take over Shengtian—that ticking time bomb.

When it all blows up, Grandfather, what choice will you have?

At that thought, Lu Chenyuan’s gaze darkened briefly, a flicker of remorse passing through.

But just as quickly, his expression hardened again.

He picked up the phone, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Lin Yuan, inform the finance department. A substantial sum will be coming in soon."