Chapter 192: Taking Care of Business

"Yes, I came as Gao Qingqing's 'boyfriend'," Qin Miaoyu said.

Hearing the words "Gao Qingqing's boyfriend," Lu Qi'an felt a subtle sense of discomfort.

"What is Gao Qingqing bringing Li Qixiao along for?"

"She said it was to dispel my doubts and let me know that her boyfriend also agrees to have a dark-style wedding, so that we would put even more effort into the design."

"She seems to have a deep obsession with this dark-style wedding thing," Lu Qi'an frowned and said.

Qin Miaoyu shrugged. "Is she only obsessed with the wedding?"

Rather than being obsessed with the wedding, it was more like she was obsessed with a person.

"So, you really need to be careful yourself, and don't end up falling into her trap!"

Because of this remark, Lu Qi'an felt the urge to joke. "If I fall into her trap, will you come to rescue me?"

"If I know about it, of course I'll come to rescue you. But there's not much I can do other than notify your family to save you."

Lu Qi'an said, "Not just my family. You can also reach out to Uncle Tongguang; he might have a clearer idea of where I am."

Qin Miaoyu laughed in spite of herself. "Alright, you make it sound as if something is really going to happen. Just pay more attention to your own safety."

After sitting for a little while in Qin Miaoyu's studio, Lu Qi'an left.

Downstairs, he originally intended to go meet Li Qixiao, but upon learning that Li Qixiao had suddenly left, he returned to the company.

Li Qixiao had been summoned back to the Li family residence.

As soon as he stepped through the door, he saw Li Deyong, Madam Li, and Madam Li's twins all sitting in the living room.

He walked over to the sofa with a nonchalant, swaggering gait, sat down, and asked, "What did you call me back for?"

Li Deyong spoke up, "Drinking outside all day long—have you finished the task I assigned you?"

Li Qixiao shook his head flatly. "No."

Li Deyong slammed his hand on the table. "You didn't get the job done, yet you still have this kind of attitude?"

"What's wrong with my attitude? If you think it's so simple, why don't you try it yourself? Anyway, it's been rumored in Jincheng for so long that you are Old Master Lu's biological son; maybe they'd recognize you instead?" Li Qixiao's face was full of scorn.

Of all people in this Li family, the one he loathed the most was Li Deyong!

Li Deyong pointed at Li Qixiao, wanting to continue his scolding, but Madam Li stopped him.

"Alright, if you have something to say, say it properly. Stop pointing fingers and yelling back and forth."

Li Deyong withdrew his hand and paused for quite a while before speaking.

"Put that matter on hold for now. I have a task for you to handle. There is a real estate project in the Li family that needs investment. Go find Old Master Lu later, bring this up to him, and make sure you get him to agree to it."

Li Qixiao leaned lazily against the sofa and asked, "If I successfully negotiate this project, what benefits will I get?"

"Benefits? Don't forget who secured this current identity for you! So you damn well better get this done for me! Don't let me ask you about it later and find out you've done nothing again!"

"I have just one question: if the deal goes through, what's in it for me?"

Li Deyong stared at Li Qixiao. "Wang Minghui, I find your appetite is getting bigger and bigger. I don't know who gave you the nerve!"

Li Qixiao laughed. "Who gave me the nerve? Isn't it you guys? And Old Master Lu, too! I've already helped the Li family secure two partnerships, but I haven't gotten anything in return. As for Old Master Lu, I had to rack my brains trying to persuade him. Doing something with zero reward makes it really hard to find any motivation!"

Li Deyong was too angry to speak, but Madam Li chimed in, "Qixiao, how about this: if you successfully negotiate it, we'll arrange a position for you in the Li family's company. You can follow along to get some training and practice. Once you have some achievements, we'll promote you. How does that sound?"

Li Qixiao didn't think it sounded good at all. "Before, when I said I wanted to join, you wouldn't let me. Now I feel like getting into the Li family's company isn't such a big deal after all, yet you're using this as bait to make me willingly slave away for the Li family's business. You really know how to calculate!"

"Then what do you want?" Li Deyong asked.

"What do I want? Getting paid every time I finish a task isn't too much to ask, right? I don't even want extra—just make it the same as their two allowances. That's not an unreasonable request, is it?"

Li Qixiao pointed his finger at the twins, his words carrying a profound meaning.

The twins were still young and had been born after Madam Li put in a tremendous amount of effort. They were deeply doted on in the household, so even at their young age, their regular allowances were quite substantial.

Madam Li's expression turned displeased. How could someone unrelated to the Li family even dare to think of comparing their allowance to that of the legitimate grandsons of the Li family?

Just as she was about to voice her refusal, Li Deyong unexpectedly agreed on the spot.

She immediately pinched Li Deyong hard, but Li Deyong pressed her hand down and patted it twice.

Madam Li understood that this meant she should not interfere.

She stopped talking immediately, leaning back against the sofa instead, wanting to see what on earth Li Deyong was up to.

"Fine, then we'll follow their allowance amounts. If you finish the task well, we can increase it for you then. How's that?"

"Of course that's fine, as long as you're not swindling me. I hate being lied to more than anything!"

Li Deyong clearly saw the mockery in Li Qixiao's eyes. Meeting that pair of suddenly sharp-looking eyes, Li Deyong uncomfortably looked away.

"Rest assured, it won't be shorted."

Observing the scene before her, Madam Li was filled with doubt and suspicion, wondering if Li Qixiao had somehow gotten hold of some leverage against Li Deyong to make him adopt this attitude.

Since everything had been settled, Li Qixiao went to see Old Master Lu that afternoon as Li Deyong requested.

Naturally, his meetings with Old Master Lu did not take place at the Lu family's main residence; they usually met at alternative locations or at Madam Li's house.

Today, they had arranged to meet at a small private manor owned by Old Master Lu.

The manor was well-maintained. Although small, it was exquisitely crafted to the extreme, causing even someone devoid of artistic sense like Li Qixiao to linger and gaze around for quite a long time.

After walking Li Qixiao around the manor once, Old Master Lu had him help him sit down at a stone table.

Having known Li Qixiao for so long, Old Master Lu had grown somewhat accustomed to his true nature and directly asked, "Are you still hanging around in bars lately?"

Li Qixiao nodded. "Apart from bars, there's nowhere else to go."

Old Master Lu quickly said, "What nonsense. If you're not happy staying with the Li family, come live here at the manor. The facilities here are complete, and there are dedicated people in charge of maintenance. Living here is very comfortable."

Li Qixiao nodded perfunctorily and then asked, "Grandpa, do you plan to just keep me idling away in the Li family like this? Can't I return to the Lu family?"

Old Master Lu fell silent.

Naturally, he felt deep affection for his grandson Li Qixiao, but he could not consider Li Qixiao alone.