Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Getting Something for Nothing

The person from the Gong Family is Gong Yan, the woman who has the same face as Gong Ting, but a completely different personality.

Old Mr. Lu was invited to visit an old friend’s house, and Gong Yan had waited from the afternoon until dusk in the Lu Mansion for Qiao Yi and Lu Yanchuan.

“Mr. Lu, Mrs. Lu, long time no see.”

Although she had waited for over four hours, there was not a hint of discontent on Gong Ting’s face as she warmly greeted Qiao Yi and Lu Yanchuan upon their arrival.

She acted as if she were the owner of the mansion.

Such patience alone made this woman not to be underestimated.

“Miss Gong, you should really enjoy your time in Capital City. I’ve heard Miss Gong has been living abroad for many years; you shouldn’t miss out on the beauty of our homeland.”

Gong Yan was enthusiastic, and Qiao Yi was even more so, affectionately taking Gong Yan’s hand and sitting her down on the sofa together.

“Actually, I…”

“Oh, haven’t Miss Gong had dinner yet? What a coincidence, today Aunt Zhang made cream of mushroom soup which is absolutely superb. Miss Gong, you must try it!”

As Qiao Yi was calling the servants to start the meal, she pulled Gong Yan towards the dining room, not giving Gong Yan a chance to speak.

Lu Yanchuan did not participate in the women’s conversation, but how could Gong Yan let Lu Yanchuan off so easily? Seeing Qiao Yi divert the topic further and further, Gong Yan quickly spoke up.

“Mrs. Lu! I’m not hungry yet. I think we should discuss the important matters first!”

The conversation would definitely be led away by Qiao Yi if it continued.

She never knew this woman could talk so much!

“Isn’t eating important too? Does Miss Gong have something else to discuss?”

The curiosity on Qiao Yi’s face showed no trace of pretense, making even Gong Yan wonder if this woman was pretending to be foolish or was really foolish.

“Mr. Lu should know what I’m referring to!”

Gong Yan turned her gaze to Lu Yanchuan, “Although Old Madam Gong mentioned on her deathbed that she wanted Mr. Lu to manage her entire inheritance, there remains ten percent of Gong Family’s shares under Old Madam Gong’s name, which are very important to the Gong Family. I am willing to purchase these shares from Mr. Lu at a price which is ten percent above the market rate.”

“May I ask Mr. Lu for your thoughts?”

Gong Yan said everything in one breath, fearing that she would be interrupted by Qiao Yi again.

If interrupted once more, she feared she might lose her composure.

Gong Yan had already anticipated various reactions from Lu Yanchuan and Qiao Yi and had prepared responses for each.

However, contrary to her expectations, both of them showed no reaction, as calm as if she’d just mentioned wanting to drink cream of mushroom soup that evening!

“Mr. Lu!”

“I don’t hold any shares, and there were no shares in the teacher’s inheritance. If the Gong Family continues to persist in this manner, I cannot guarantee what I might do.”

Lu Yanchuan glanced at Gong Yan and then casually sat down beside Qiao Yi to wait for the meal.

Gong Yan was choked up, and her expression finally changed.

“I think Mr. Lu doesn’t really lack that 10% of shares. In Mr. Lu’s hands, those shares are just passive income, but they are very important to me.”

When being tough doesn’t work, try the soft approach. Gong Yan’s constantly maintained mask of elegance began to crumble bit by bit. When Gong Yan sat opposite them, she no longer looked like the perfect Gong family’s daughter but a troubled, innocent girl.

Qiao Yi was stunned by her tactic!

If she doesn’t go into acting, it would be a waste. Her acting skills could easily overshadow those young stars in the entertainment industry!

“That’s Miss Gong’s business, it has nothing to do with me.”

Lu Yanchuan was as infuriatingly indifferent as always, prompting Qiao Yi to internally give him a thumbs-up.

“Mr. Lu might not be interested in the Gong Family’s shares, but surely he would be interested in the old butler of Qu Mansion?”

Gong Yan illustrated a lively lesson on coercion and temptation to Qiao Yi. Such strategies; she really couldn’t compete!

“Mr. Lu must have found out that the butler died of a heart attack caused by fright on the street, right? But I have a report here that completely contradicts Mr. Lu’s investigation findings.”

The old butler is dead?

Ever since leaving Tian City, Qiao Yi hadn’t paid much attention to the affairs between Old Madam Gong and the Gong Family, let alone news of the old butler.

Facing Qiao Yi’s surprised and puzzled gaze, Lu Yanchuan nodded. It wasn’t a happy matter, so he hadn’t told Qiao Yi.

“I can give this report to Mr. Lu, but I have a request…”

“If it’s about the shares, don’t bother asking.”

Every time Lu Yanchuan spoke, it choked Gong Yan, making her struggle to not throw her soup bowl at his face. She composed herself before continuing.

“Since Mr. Lu is so sure the shares aren’t with you, I can only ask Mr. Lu to help find where this 10% of the shares have gone.”

“Of course, I won’t let Mr. Lu act without compensation. Consider the autopsy report of the old butler as my deposit. Once the shares are recovered, I will gift Taikou Villa to Mrs. Lu as a belated birthday present.”

Qiao Yi finally realized why Gong Yan and Gong Ting valued that 10% of shares so much.

The Gong Family was using this method to decide the heir!

Although Taikou Villa was just a leisure and vacation villa, it was still a significant asset for the Gong Family. Only the Family Head of the Gong Family had the power to decide its fate so easily!

“Okay.”

While Qiao Yi was lost in her thoughts, Lu Yanchuan and Gong Yan had already reached an agreement.

Just for a villa? Lu Yanchuan agreed to help just like that? That didn’t seem like his usual style at all!

Gong Yan got the answer she wanted, took a document from her bag, placed it in front of Lu Yanchuan, then stood up and left as if fleeing from something.

“Aren’t you the one who hates trouble the most? Why did you agree to help her investigate the whereabouts of the shares?”

Qiao Yi leaned over to glance at the document, saw the words “autopsy report,” and immediately stopped looking further.

Not even Lu Yanchuan had the mood to look at an autopsy report while eating, so he set the document aside and continued his meal.

“Teacher indeed had shares, but these shares weren’t listed in the teacher’s legacy. I’ve been investigating this matter, but I didn’t expect Gong Yan would come to me proposing cooperation.”

Qiao Yi was shocked. Lu Yanchuan played his cards well, extracting information about the old butler from Gong Yan and even ended up with a villa!