Chapter 193: Helping the Li Family

Back when Elder Master Lu divorced his wife, he completely infuriated his son, Lu Fuling, who nearly disowned him as a father.

It was only after the elder promised never to have any other children and swore that Madam Li would never be allowed to enter the Lu family that Lu Fuling stopped short of taking extreme measures.

Despite his divorce from Cao Xiuhua, his regard for his son Lu Fuling remained unaffected. Although he had privately acknowledged Li Qixiao as his grandson, Elder Master Lu had no intention of bringing him back to the family estate to meet the others.

Therefore, Elder Master Lu said, "The Li family is also your family, and your grandmother will surely care for you. When the time comes, I will pull a few strings for the Li family to help them advance further. For the sake of these interests, the others in the Li family will treat you well."

This implied that he would not be taking Li Qixiao back with him.

Li Qixiao was not surprised by this outcome, having already foreseen it through Elder Master Lu's previous behavior.

Besides, according to his own wishes, he had no real desire to enter the Lu family anyway—he had plans of his own!

Nevertheless, maintaining his persona on the surface, he wore a look of desolation and said, "Grandfather, can I really not return to the Lu family? I thought you would eventually let me meet my older brothers and the others."

Elder Master Lu stared fixedly at the grape trellis not far away. Arranging a meeting was difficult; if possible, he hoped both sides would live well, but he also preferred that the two sides maintain zero contact so as to preserve a peaceful status quo.

"There will be a chance," Elder Master Lu merely replied.

Li Qixiao pressed his lips together and brought up the matter Li Deyong had instructed him with: "Grandfather, speaking of pulling strings, I heard that the Li family recently has some real estate project that needs investment. I was thinking, if you are also optimistic about this project, wouldn't it be better to invest some money and secure a position for me in the Li family's company?"

Upon hearing this, Elder Master Lu inquired about the details of the project.

"I heard they plan to buy a plot of land to build some kind of high-end homestay."

Hearing Li Qixiao say this, Elder Master Lu's gaze turned slightly cold. "They don't even have the land yet?"

"It seems so. I heard they have their eyes on a few suitable plots, but haven't decided which one to take."

Elder Master Lu snorted. Over the years, he had gained a clear understanding of the Li family's situation. Hearing this from Li Qixiao, he knew the Li family was attempting to make him solve the land acquisition issue as well!

His gaze shifted to Li Qixiao, and he let out a slight sigh. "Have Li Deyong decide on a plot of land, and then submit the project proposal. If there are no issues, I can help with the land acquisition. But let me be clear, this land matter is the first and last time!"

Li Qixiao nodded. "Alright, Grandfather, I will pass the message along."

"Mm. But why haven't they made arrangements for you to join the company yet? I told them long ago to have you enter the company to gain some experience, and then transfer you to a better position later. Why hasn't it been done yet?"

"Not yet. I brought it up before, but my dad and the others said it wasn't the right time, so that's why every day I..."

Remembering how the Li family always told him that Li Qixiao lacked ambition, preferring to carouse and drink rather than work and gain experience in the company, Elder Master Lu instantly grew angry.

"How dare the Li family be so two-faced!"

In the past, the cooperation funds he provided to the Li family were not considered substantial in his eyes; he mainly gave them out of consideration for Yufeng, hoping that if the Li family did better, Yufeng's life might be a bit easier.

Now, however, pumping tens of millions into a project was entirely for Li Qixiao's sake.

Since it was inconvenient to officially acknowledge Li Qixiao, his plan was to simply let Li Qixiao remain in the Li family indefinitely. Much like Yufeng, if the Li family prospered, Li Qixiao's life would be better too. After a hundred years, he would leave a portion of his assets to Li Qixiao, ensuring the young man could at least live out the second half of his life in comfort.

However, if the Li family refused to know what was good for them and still wanted to make exorbitant demands through Qixiao, he would have no choice but to give Qixiao a different identity!

Li Qixiao smiled. "Grandfather, do you know a rumor that's been circulating outside?"

Curious, Elder Master Lu asked, "What rumor?"

"Many people say that my dad is probably the biological son of you and Grandmother, which is why you've kept helping the Li family all these years."

Elder Master Lu flared up instantly. "How is that possible! Only your biological father is the child of your grandmother and me. Li Deyong is a proper member of the Li family by blood; how could anyone spread such an absurd thing? If Li Deyong really were my son, would he be living like this now?"

Listening to the elder's angry words, Li Qixiao felt his heart sink. Before, hearing the words of his idle friends, he had actually believed that Li Deyong was also Elder Master Lu's son. Who would have thought it wasn't true at all!

If the truth ever came to light, there would be no one in the Li family capable of holding their ground!

Pondering this, Li Qixiao felt it imperative to reassess his plans. Since he had stepped up to assume this identity, he certainly had no desire to return to his former lifestyle!

However, he needed to carefully figure out how to go about it!

Elder Master Lu assumed Li Qixiao was troubled by the friction between himself and the Li family, and advised him, "The Li family is the Li family, and you are you. It is the Li family begging you; you don't need to beg them."

Hearing this, a genuine smile appeared on Li Qixiao's face. "Alright, Grandfather, the next time the Li family asks me to do anything, I will flat-out refuse them!"

Li Qixiao accompanied the elder in chatting and walking for a good while just like usual, and then returned to the Li family residence.

Knowing he was back, Li Deyong immediately came downstairs and asked, "How did it go? Is the matter settled?"

"Grandfather said you should decide which plot of land you want, and then submit a project proposal. If there are no problems, he can help resolve the land acquisition."

Li Deyong was deeply disappointed. "Didn't he mention just giving you a plot of land outright?"

Li Deyong knew Elder Master Lu owned a prime piece of real estate, and he had sent Li Qixiao over this time hoping Elder Master Lu would gift that land directly to Li Qixiao. He hadn't expected Elder Master Lu not to bring it up at all.

Li Qixiao was amused by his unrealistic delusions. Even someone as unknowledgeable as himself understood the immense value of real estate, let alone land that the Lu family chose to keep for themselves, which was bound to be extraordinary.

Yet Li Deyong actually expected Elder Master Lu to hand over a valuable plot of land to the Li family simply because of a grandson?

"Dad, you are thinking far too grandly! Just because people outside are spreading rumors that you're the elder's son, do you actually think you're his son?"

Sensing his hypocrisy exposed, Li Deyong grew slightly annoyed and defensive. "You unfilial brat, how are you talking? Of course I know I'm not the elder's son!"

If he really were the elder's son, how could he possibly have been content staying cooped up in the Li family?

Sometimes, upon hearing rumors outside, Li Deyong even wished he truly were the elder's biological son, but as it happened, he was not!

Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to dig up Li Qixiao to play this part. Lu Qi'an's resolute refusal to cooperate last time had made him realize that if he didn't find a way to squeeze another sum of money out of Elder Master Lu, he would likely never get another chance!