Each with their own hidden agenda

Jingzhou, Ziyunxuan Teahouse.

This was Li Xiujian’s private domain—an exclusive, members-only club reserved for his most important guests.

Inside the private room, atop a rosewood table, a set of Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain teaware emitted delicate wisps of steam, filling the air with the rich aroma of premium Da Hong Pao tea.

Li Xiujian personally poured tea for Lu Mingshi, who sat across from him, a sly, fox-like smile playing on his lips.

“Brother Mingshi, the business scene in Jingzhou has been quite turbulent lately,” he remarked, his tone laden with implication.

“All thanks to my dear nephew,” Lu Mingshi replied, lifting his teacup with a smirk, unable to conceal a hint of smugness.

“Young people—too impulsive, too eager to show their edge. Sooner or later, they’ll pay the price.”

His demeanor was that of a man who already saw himself as the future ruler of the Lu family, his words dripping with condescension toward Lu Chenyuan.

Li Xiujian observed his expression with a cold inner laugh but outwardly nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, President Lu is young and capable, but his methods are rather heavy-handed. Look at the mess he’s made of Shengtian Real Estate—throwing everything into chaos, even affecting your investments. I can’t help but feel responsible.”

“Hmph, his approach is nothing but a fool’s game—killing eight hundred enemies at the cost of a thousand of his own,” Lu Mingshi scoffed, leaning back in his chair with an air of confidence.

“Oh? How so?” Li Xiujian pressed, steering the conversation exactly where he wanted it.

His purpose for meeting Lu Mingshi today was singular: to offload the hot potato that was Shengtian Real Estate.

And Lu Mingshi was the perfect candidate—motivated, backed by the Lu Corporation, and ripe for manipulation.

“President Li, you’re a smart man. I won’t beat around the bush,” Lu Mingshi said, adopting a cryptic tone as he tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

“My nephew’s autocratic style in the group has long stirred discontent within the family. This time, to crush Shengtian, he even leveraged the corporation’s resources—crossing a line. The old man himself has stepped in to reprimand him.”

He paused, locking eyes with Li Xiujian before delivering the final blow:

“His days at the Lu Corporation are numbered.”

A glint flashed in Li Xiujian’s eyes.

This was exactly what he wanted to hear. The fiercer the infighting within the Lu family, the better his chances to profit from the chaos.

“In that case, Brother Mingshi, let me speak frankly,” Li Xiujian said, his expression turning earnest.

“Shengtian may seem like a sinking ship now, but its foundations are solid, and its core assets remain intact. Once the storm passes, with the Lu Corporation’s resources backing it, it’ll turn a profit within six months—maybe even outperform its past.”

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

“Personally, I’m shifting my focus overseas. Shengtian is more than I can handle now. I’m looking to sell my entire stake. Brother… are you interested?”

Here it was!

Lu Mingshi’s heart raced with excitement, but his face betrayed nothing.

He remembered Lu Chenyuan’s “advice”—not to appear too eager.

Frowning, he feigned reluctance.

“President Li, it’s not that I don’t want to help. But… you know I’m in the middle of a major project myself. My funds are tied up. It’s a bit tight right now.”

The “major project” he referred to was, of course, his bid to acquire Lu Chenyuan’s shares.

To amass the astronomical sum required, he had been frantically liquidating his properties, stocks, and art collections.

But to Li Xiujian, his words carried a different meaning.

“A major project? Tight on funds?”

Instantly, Li Xiujian connected these dots to “taking over Shengtian.”

In his eyes, Lu Mingshi was putting on an act—playing the pauper to drive down the price!

And his so-called “major project”? Nothing less than acquiring Shengtian to cement his authority within the Lu family and pave his way to power.

Add to that the reports from his spies planted near Lu Mingshi, confirming the man’s recent asset sell-offs, and Li Xiujian was utterly convinced of his own deduction.

This Lu Mingshi was ambitious, ruthless—and exactly the pawn he needed.

With this realization, Li Xiujian relaxed, his smile widening.

“Brother Mingshi, no need for formalities between us. Price won’t be an issue—I’ll make it worth your while. Take your time gathering the funds. I’ll wait. In all of Jingzhou, who else but the great Second Master Lu has the vision and means to take Shengtian off my hands?”

The perfectly delivered flattery left Lu Mingshi glowing with satisfaction.

“We’ll talk soon,” Lu Mingshi said, draining his teacup with an air of triumph.

At this moment, Lu Mingshi was at the peak of his confidence.

……

Since his “private discussion” with Lu Chenyuan, Lu Mingshi’s behavior within the Lu Corporation had grown increasingly brazen.

No longer content with scheming in the shadows, he now openly meddled in every department’s affairs.

One day, he demanded financial reports on core projects from the accounting team; the next, he micromanaged HR’s recruitment plans.

Though he held no executive authority, he carried himself like a CEO-in-waiting, stirring up turmoil and unease across the corporation.

Many of Lu Chenyuan’s loyal managers felt the pressure mounting, and some of the weaker-willed among them had already begun covertly courting Lu Mingshi’s favor, hedging their bets.

Administrative Director’s Office.

Ren Qian stared at the quarterly budget report in her hands, its margins slashed with red ink by Lu Mingshi’s “revisions,” her fingers trembling with fury.

“Absurd! This is utterly absurd!”

Not only had Lu Mingshi halved the administrative budget at a stroke, but he had also ordered the dismissal of two of her most capable subordinates, citing “inefficiency and idleness.”

This was no mere overreach—it was a naked power grab, a deliberate humiliation.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Ren Qian picked up the intercom and dialed the top-floor CEO’s office.

“President Lu, it’s Ren Qian. May I come up?”

Receiving permission, she snatched up the report and strode toward the executive elevator, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

Knock knock.

“Enter.”

Pushing open the heavy oak door, Ren Qian found Lu Chenyuan standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to her as he gazed out at Jingzhou’s glittering skyline.

His posture was calm, unshaken, as if the chaos outside could not touch him.

“President Lu,” Ren Qian said, placing the report on his desk, her voice carefully controlled.

“This is the administrative budget ‘reviewed’ by Vice Chairman Lu this morning. For your reference.”

Lu Chenyuan turned, sparing only a glance at the document before fixing his gaze on Ren Qian’s face—her anger barely restrained beneath a professional mask.

“Did he give you trouble?”