Chapter 140: Something's Wrong

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Unfortunately, Master Lu had no intention of intervening back then. The person in charge of the Cao family at the time, who was also Lu Qi’an’s maternal great-uncle, was already in poor health. The blow from the Cao family’s defeat only worsened his condition, and he passed away within a few years after being unable to hold onto the family legacy.

“At that time, I—”

“Grandfather, back then Grandma had such a close relationship with the Caos, yet you still resolutely refused to help. So why would you think I’d be threatened by the Liang family into helping them? As for the Liangs, they wouldn’t dare threaten me with Miao Yu’s name!”

Had it not been for Su Yikun’s abduction of Qin Miaoyu, the Liang family might have actually attempted such things. But now, with Su Yikun’s case as a warning, the Liangs would never dare repeat such actions.

Several days passed, and the Liang family grew anxious as no word came from Master Lu. They originally intended to approach Qin Miaoyu to plead for her support, but before they could make contact, Lu Qi’an’s call arrived.

The call came through on Liang Siquan’s phone.

Hearing Lu Qi’an state his name, Liang Siquan was delighted, thinking that Master Lu had agreed to send Lu Qi’an to assist them.

But to his surprise, Lu Qi’an was calling to threaten them.

“Liang Siquan, have you forgotten who currently controls the Lu family? You can beg Master Lu all you want, but if I don’t agree, it’s useless no matter who you plead to. However, if you want the Liang family to disappear immediately, I might be quite interested in that!”

“Lu Qi’an, you—” Even without facing him, Liang Siquan felt humiliated.

Lu Qi’an sneered coldly: “What if I were you? I’d sever ties quickly to save myself instead of clinging to some false hope of a savior pulling you from misery. If you keep dragging this out, the Liang family will either be completely destroyed or torn apart and lose autonomy. Think carefully about that!”

With that, Lu Qi’an hung up.

The call wasn’t an act of sudden goodwill; he knew that if the Liang family collapsed entirely, it would spell great trouble for both Qin Miaoyu and Liang Siyuan. It was better to warn them.

Indeed, Lu Qi’an’s words were a sobering wake-up call for Liang Siquan.

He immediately conferred with his father, Liang Huiyi, and in the end, they managed to preserve several of the Liang family’s core industries.

But that was a matter for later.

At this moment, Qin Miaoyu was rather overwhelmed.

There was trouble at the studio again.

The layout plan she had designed for a client had somehow been leaked!

The next day, she rushed to the studio to discuss the matter with Xu Xiaoqi.

Their first suspect was—Chen Xuanyu.

Qin Miaoyu had caught Chen Xuanyu eavesdropping near the office door several times before. The studio had been busy recently, and she had returned briefly to South City, so she hadn’t had time to deal with Chen Xuanyu.

Besides eavesdropping, they found no other suspicious behavior.

But today, they felt it necessary to investigate thoroughly.

However, nothing unusual was found. Whether recent activities or surveillance footage, all indicated Chen Xuanyu had been acting normally.

Xu Xiaoqi murmured, “Could we be suspecting the wrong person again?”

Qin Miaoyu shook her head, “I still think Chen Xuanyu is involved! The new account that first used our renderings to create basic effects is closely linked to that wedding company!”

The wedding company was the one Chen Xuanyu had approached. He had also described the company’s on-site situation, but was everything he said true?

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The wedding company claimed their employees privately took side jobs from clients who ordered from the studio. But now, an account strongly connected to that wedding company had appeared and posted design plans from their studio.

It was obvious something was wrong with the wedding company.

Where was the problem exactly? The company itself? Or some individual?

If it was a person, Chen Xuanyu was the only one who had openly contacted that wedding company. Could he be uninvolved?

“But he seems completely normal. If Chen Xuanyu is the one causing trouble but shows no abnormal behavior, it means someone else might be assisting him!”

When Pei Yixue arrived, Qin Miaoyu and Xu Xiaoqi were nearly finished discussing the matter.

Seeing their hesitation, Pei Yixue asked, “Is there something you feel reluctant to say?”

Qin Miaoyu nodded, “It’s related to Chen Xuanyu.”

Pei Yixue pulled out a chair and sat down, looking a bit puzzled. “What’s so hard to say about something involving him?”

Qin Miaoyu thought, if it were good news, there’d be no problem sharing. But since it was bad, and given Pei Yixue’s previous ambiguous relationship with Chen Xuanyu, she and Xiaoqi felt awkward.

Pei Yixue seemed to sense this and smiled nonchalantly.

“My relationship with Chen Xuanyu ended long ago. When I thought he was good, I really thought so. Now, there’s nothing between us. He’s just an ordinary person. Besides, I heard he’s chatting up a girl from the design department and they might soon get together.”

Before Xu Xiaoqi could clarify the nature of the issue involving Chen Xuanyu, she shifted to inquire.

“Who from the design department?”

Pei Yixue thought for a moment. “I think it’s a girl surnamed Deng, fresh out of school, very innocent.”

Qin Miaoyu and Xu Xiaoqi exchanged a glance and immediately thought of someone.

Qin Miaoyu briefly recounted the previous incidents for Pei Yixue.

She continued, “We suspected Chen Xuanyu was behind this, but since he’s been acting perfectly normal, there must be someone else helping him! We had no idea who, but Yixue, you’ve just given us a breakthrough!”

Those with the easiest access to effect and design drawings would naturally be the design department staff.

Pei Yixue frowned. “If it’s really Chen Xuanyu, I must have been blind to hire someone like him!”

“Let’s check the surveillance first, then decide our next step.”

Meanwhile, Lu Qi’an visited Grandma Cao Xiuhua again.

Cao Xiuhua was delighted to see her grandson and glanced behind him. “Where’s Miaoyu? Why isn’t she here?”

Lu Qi’an smiled wryly. “She’s mad at me.”

Cao Xiuhua immediately asked, “What did you do? Miaoyu has such a good temper, you can’t be harsh with her!”

Lu Qi’an supported his grandmother as they walked inside.

“Grandfather went to see Miaoyu and said something…”

Cao Xiuhua’s eyes flashed angrily. “That old devil! He can’t bear to see you doing well, can he?”

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“So, Grandma, I came to ask for your help. Grandfather dislikes Miaoyu, but you surely like her, and Miaoyu also adores you. If you can help me, things will surely be much easier to resolve,” Lu Qi’an said.

He was at a loss on how to make Qin Miaoyu give up the idea of divorce. Coming to Grandma was his only hope since Miaoyu cared for her deeply and might listen to her.

“What exactly did that old devil say to make Miaoyu angry? It must have been serious, not trivial nonsense,” Cao Xiuhua pressed.

Lu Qi’an nodded and briefly described the situation.

Even with his summary, Cao Xiuhua instantly recalled the past—the fallen glory of the Cao family and her late brother. Her eyes moistened.

Seeing her saddened, Lu Qi’an stopped speaking. Over the years, Grandma rarely mentioned it, and he thought she was slowly letting go.

Only now did he realize the memory she seemed to have released had never truly left her.

He comforted her: “Grandma, don’t be sad. Our maternal uncle’s family is doing well now. Zi Qun is quite successful too. I heard his startup company is on track.”

Hearing Zi Qun’s name, Cao Xiuhua’s face brightened.

“Zi Qun really has your great-uncle’s spirit.”

“Yes, I chatted with him recently. He’ll be returning to Jing City soon and plans to visit you then.”

Cao Xiuhua smiled warmly. “Good, good. You come too; it’ll be lively with everyone together.”

While eating, Qin Miaoyu received a video call from Grandma Lu.

Seeing what she was eating, Cao Xiuhua couldn’t help but say, “Miaoyu, do you eat such simple meals alone?”

Qin Miaoyu felt a bit embarrassed.

She seldom ate so casually, but this time happened to be witnessed by Grandma Lu.

“Grandma, I’ve been busy these days, so I just grabbed something quick.”

Cao Xiuhua looked concerned. “Then have Qi’an cook more often. If he ever upsets you, he should especially do so.”

Qin Miaoyu didn’t expect Grandma Lu to suddenly bring up Lu Qi’an and was momentarily silent.

Then she said, “Grandma, he didn’t upset me.”

Cao Xiuhua didn’t press further but asked, “I get lonely at home. Miaoyu, when you have time, would you come visit this old lady?”

Qin Miaoyu quickly replied, “Grandma, you’re not an old lady at all. I’ll have some days off soon; I’ll come see you then.”

Cao Xiuhua beamed. “Good, good. I’ll be waiting at home for you!”

After hanging up, Qin Miaoyu sighed with relief but lost her appetite.

She suddenly recalled the dinners Lu Qi’an used to cook for her.

His culinary skills were excellent. Thinking of the flavors of the dishes he often made, the noodles before her suddenly seemed tasteless.