Chapter 22: Go Bring Me Some Footbath Water

"What are you talking about, sixteen billion?" Lin Zhongtang looked utterly bewildered.

Lin Zhongze shot Lin Bei a glare full of disappointment, then gently recounted the events of the day to Lin Zhongtang.

At once, Lin Zhongtang's mustache bristled and his eyes widened. He pointed at Lin Bei and barked, "Hey, you little wastrel!"

He cursed as he chased after Lin Bei, aiming a kick at his backside.

Lin Bei was so aggrieved he nearly broke down, wailing, "Dad, it's not my fault—Lu Ye set me up!"

Lin Zhongtang halted, casting Lu Ye a meaningful glance. "Your second uncle explained everything to me. Dr. Lu didn't set you up; you just insisted on walking right into his trap."

Even Lu Ye couldn't help but applaud, laughing, "Haha, you really are a wise man!"

Looking at Lu Ye, then at his foolish son, Lin Zhongtang sighed helplessly. "Lin Bei, you really should learn from this!"

"When we get home, you're grounded for a week. You’re not going anywhere. Stay put and reflect on your mistakes!"

As for the sixteen billion, Lin Zhongtang actually didn't care much. After decades in business, he'd weathered every storm. Money was nothing more than a string of meaningless numbers; he even paid the eight million eighty-eight thousand that Lu Ye had requested without hesitation.

He genuinely admired Lu Ye: not only were his methods clever and ruthless, but he was so young. His future was boundless.

Lin Zhongtang would rather suffer a little loss now to befriend Lu Ye than let things develop into bitter rivalry later.

He looked at Lu Ye with a smile. "Dr. Lu, my brother tells me you two are sworn brothers. Would you mind adding another elder brother to your ranks?"

Lin Zhongtang thought to himself: after spending so much money, surely the young man would grant him this favor.

But Lu Ye remained unmoved, replying, "I mind."

Lin Zhongtang took it in stride, smiling calmly. "If you mind, then forget it. It's no matter."

Lu Ye stretched lazily and said to Lin Zhongze, "Brother, your cousin is fully recovered. Moreover, I took the liberty of unblocking a few of his long-blocked meridians. He'll live another ten or twenty years at least."

"Thank you, brother," Lin Zhongze said.

Lu Ye waved it off. "No need. We're off now."

Outside the entrance of Yue Ming Restaurant, Lu Ye greeted Meng the Beauty and her entourage, then parted ways. He sent Su Qianqian back to the car, leaving only Zhang Yunjie at his side for a private conversation.

Zhang Yunjie lit him a cigarette. Lu Ye took a deep drag and asked, "So you've decided to join me?"

"Yes, that's my father's wish as well."

Lu Ye said, "When you go back, tell your father this: Lu Ye is Lin Zhongze's subordinate."

Zhang Yunjie was momentarily puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Just repeat my words to him. He'll understand."

"Alright."

Crushing out the cigarette, Lu Ye returned to the car, started the engine, and drove off, taking a route opposite to the direction of Yiren Group.

Su Qianqian asked, puzzled, "Where are you taking me?"

Lu Ye replied, "Let's go have some wedding photos taken. The ceremony is just a few days away—if we wait any longer, we might not make it in time."

"But we're only marrying for appearances. You don't have to take it so seriously. Besides, now that Zhang Yunjie is your sidekick, he wouldn't dare make a move on me."

"Lu Ye, why don't we cancel the wedding altogether?"

Screech!

Lu Ye slammed on the brakes, nearly causing Su Qianqian to hit her head. She scolded him, annoyed, "I told you to be prepared for being dumped at any time. Why are you so dramatic?"

Lu Ye gripped the steering wheel. "I don't mind, but your dad has already sent out the invitations. Your mom has introduced her future son-in-law to all her old friends. If we cancel now, where would their dignity go?"

His tone was forced, his gaze dejected, and even he couldn't hide it from himself, let alone from Su Qianqian.

Unexpectedly, Su Qianqian felt her heart stir...

Oh no, he really seems to be in love with me!

Am I being too heartless? Using him and then discarding him seems cruel. Will people call me a heartless woman?

Su Qianqian hesitated for a few seconds, then made a major decision in her heart.

The marriage must go ahead!

I can't let anyone accuse me of being a heartless woman!

Worst case, I'll act domineering and unreasonable around him, bully him every day, show him a bad temper until he can't stand it and asks for a divorce himself—then I can turn around and call him a scoundrel!

Hahaha!

I'm so clever—truly worthy of myself!

Yes, that's the plan!

Su Qianqian smiled sweetly. "You little rascal, I was only joking."

Lu Ye's face finally lit up. "Old lady, I knew you couldn't bear to leave me!"

Su Qianqian laughed. "Wishful thinking! I just realized that if we cancel the wedding, I'd have to return the twenty million bride price to you."

"Hmm... For the sake of the bride price, I'll grudgingly marry you now. At worst, we'll divorce later."

Lu Ye mused, "Does 'later' mean we won't divorce at all?"

"Damn!"

Unable to withstand Lu Ye's soft coaxing, Su Qianqian finally allowed herself an afternoon off and went with him to the studio to take several sets of wedding photos.

When they returned home that evening, Su Qianqian's attitude took a one-eighty. She bossed him, "Lu Ye, I'm exhausted from the photo shoot. Go bring me some water to wash my feet!"

She sprawled on the sofa, thinking, with your intolerant nature, you'll surely refuse to fetch water for me.

But Lu Ye replied without hesitation, "Alright, I'll get it now!"

To her astonishment, he quickly brought out a basin of water.

No way—is he really this obedient?

Skeptical, Su Qianqian pressed further, "So you just bring the water and that's it? Aren't you going to wash my feet?"

Lu Ye returned, knelt before her, rolled up his sleeves, and without a word, grasped her delicate foot and pressed it into the water!

The intimacy was far greater than she'd imagined. Su Qianqian instinctively pulled her leg back, blushing. "No, let me do it myself!"

"Alright, then I'll head back to my room."

Lu Ye rose expressionlessly, went upstairs, closed the door, and couldn't help but laugh.

Trying to play mind games with me? Master Lu can turn into a doting fool anytime, until you question your own life!

Downstairs, Su Qianqian absent-mindedly soaked her feet, not even noticing Su Shiming had returned.

Su Shiming was in a fantastic mood today! Thanks to Lu Ye, Lin Bei had gone to Su Group that afternoon and returned all the remaining fifty percent of shares to him. Now Su Group was completely under his control, and the weight he'd carried for years was finally lifted.

Seeing Su Qianqian alone in the living room, soaking her feet, Su Shiming asked, "Qianqian, where's my son-in-law? I want him to join me for a drink to celebrate!"

When his daughter didn't respond, he called again, "Qianqian?"

"Dad, you've been married to Mom for years—have you ever washed her feet?"

Her sudden question startled Su Shiming. He paused, then answered, "No! She has hands and feet; why should I wash them for her?"

"Isn't it because you can't let go of your pride as a man?"

Su Shiming thought for a moment. "That’s part of the reason, I suppose. Why are you asking?"

Su Qianqian shook her head, dismissing the stray thoughts. "Nothing. Lu Ye is in his room. Go find him."

"Alright, off to find my super-awesome son-in-law for a drink!"

Carrying two wine glasses and a bottle of Feitian Maotai tucked under his arm, Su Shiming went upstairs to find Lu Ye, while Su Qianqian continued to daydream...

Soon, Li Shuqi returned from outside. "Oh, Qianqian, soaking your feet?"

"Yes, Mom, do you have a moment? Sit down and chat with me!"

Li Shuqi hurriedly replied, "No time, no time! Where’s my dear son-in-law? I need to talk to him!"

Watching her mother dash upstairs as if escaping, Su Qianqian was dumbfounded.

What the—

The two of you...

Am I even your real daughter?

Neither of you pays me any mind; you just rush off to Lu Ye!

Alright, you little rascal, so you’re winning everyone’s hearts?

Let’s see how this plays out!