Lu Chengwen went into full phone mode.
Leng Tianhao's phone was unreachable;
Leng Qingqiu was still unconscious in the hospital.
The Leng family had no one left to take charge.
Lu Chengwen immediately called the Iron King's team of five, ordering them to head straight to the Xu family's private hospital and protect Leng Qingqiu in the VIP ward under Xu Xuejiao's name.
Next, he called Li Meiqin, instructing her to monitor the stock market, drive up the Leng family's stock prices, and disrupt the hostile takeover.
He then called the police to report Leng Tianhao's disappearance, suggesting it might be linked to the hostile acquisition.
At the same time, he contacted Mayor Zhao, explaining the stakes and urging him to coordinate with the provincial authorities to restrict the Leng family's stock transfers at the exchange...
After making all the necessary calls, Lu Chengwen knew the key lay with Leng Tianhao.
The old man was the chairman of Qianfeng Group, holding over 50% of the shares. He had to be found.
Chen Mengyun quickly reached out to her family's electronic information company, assembling a team of tech experts to track Leng Tianhao's whereabouts.
Soon, they received word: Leng Tianhao's location had been pinpointed.
Stepping out, Lu Chengwen addressed the Copper King: "There's an address. You need to get there immediately and rescue someone."
The Copper King hadn't expected a mission so soon and was thrilled.
"Young Master, rest assured, we'll complete the task!"
"The other side has experts. I can't show my face, so you must be extremely careful. Lu Chengwen might also be there."
"Young Master, don't worry. If we fail, we'll bring you our heads."
As they were about to leave, Lu Chengwen stopped them: "Hold it! Do you know what to do?"
"We charge in, take everyone out, and rescue the person you want us to save."
Lu Chengwen scoffed, "Are you idiots? If they dared to kidnap someone, they're definitely heavily guarded, not just a bunch of amateurs. You need a surprise attack, catch them off guard, take down their strongest fighter first to neutralize the threat. Then rescue Leng Tianhao. Remember, the mission is to save someone, not kill. No killing—it's pointless. Get him out, and you'll have earned your first merit!"
"Yes!"
"Also, hand over your phones. Zhao Gang on the first floor will give you new ones. From now on, you take orders only from me. No one else has authority over you. Starting today, you're my, Long Aotian's, personal elite. You're no longer Red Guards. Understood?"
The three men were stunned, then tears streamed down their faces.
"Young Master, your kindness is as vast as the heavens, as deep as the oceans, like a whirlwind sweeping through, like a typhoon scouring the earth..."
"Enough blabbering! Time's tight. Get to work!"
"Yes!"
They handed over their phones and headed to the first floor.
In the elevator, the skinny one rubbed his hands excitedly: "Big bro, we made it! We're the Young Master's personal guards now!"
"Yeah," the Copper King nodded. "Red Guards? Screw the Red Guards! From now on, those Red Guard bastards will have to call us 'sir'! We'll live in luxury, make those still in the 'big organization' die of envy."
"Big bro, hehe, when… when will that 20 million be transferred to us? We… hehe, wanna live it up too."
"Moron!"
The Copper King felt like, aside from the Young Master and his women, he was now the most powerful man in the world, so his temper had grown accordingly.
"What's the rush? The Young Master keeps his word—he won't go back on it. Besides, the money's already in our hands. When we take it is up to us. This is our first mission. Both of you, keep your eyes sharp! This is our first mission—success is the only option. Whether we spend the rest of our lives in riches, whether we get to strut around the city like lords, depends on this!"
The two replied in unison: "Copper King, don't worry. We brothers will give it our all, go through fire and water!"
"Good brothers! Once the mission's done, the transfer happens immediately!"
...
Lu Chengwen became the mastermind.
He didn't know how Long Aotian and Huo Wendong had set things up, but he'd pieced together the general plan.
Huo Wendong must have been ensnared by Luo Shiyin and was now collaborating with Long Aotian.
The young women from the three major families were all on his side, leaving Long Aotian with no leverage.
So he controlled Luo Shiyin, who controlled Huo Wendong…
First, they drugged Leng Qingqiu to keep her from interfering. Then they kidnapped Leng Tianhao, leaving Qianfeng Group leaderless so Long Aotian, as the new president, could assist Huo Wendong's hostile takeover.
Their first target was still the weakened Leng family—a dirty move, but one that would yield immediate results. If Qianfeng was acquired, Long Aotian would gain a foothold to gradually swallow up the Chen and Xu families. Eventually, the Lu family, standing alone, would fall into his hands.
As for Huo Wendong?
He'd remain obsessed with Luo Shiyin's beauty, eventually handing over all his assets in the northern region. Or Long Aotian might find another way to take him out. Either way, it was possible.
So the Leng family couldn't fall. Absolutely not.
Lu Chengwen summoned Jiang Shihan to assist him with work here.
Chen Mengyun had cleared out the entire hotel floor to ensure Lu Chengwen's absolute safety.
Lu Chengwen wasn't certain, but since Long Aotian had chosen to act now, he'd likely burn bridges.
He was Lu Chengwen's senior brother and couldn't kill him outright, but who knew about their relationship?
Besides, even if he didn't act personally, he surely had others who could.
Staying here was risky, but it would buy time, making it harder for Long Aotian to pinpoint his exact location.
He'd never expect Lu Chengwen to still be here.
Lu Chengwen's biggest worry was Leng Qingqiu. He couldn't show his face now—who knew where Hua Xuening might be lying in wait?
He had Zhao Gang send people to drive his car around areas with surveillance cameras.
This was the final battle!
Since Long Aotian had made his move, Lu Chengwen would see it through to the end!
You're the chosen one? Well, I'm the chosen one's daddy!
Bring it on!
Li Meiqin was swamped: "President Lu, their offensive is fierce—they're going all in. They've already poured over 20 billion into the stock market!"
"Then we pour in too."
"But… this is insane. It defies business logic. The Leng family isn't worth that much!"
"Did I ask for your opinion?" Lu Chengwen snapped. "I'll authorize it remotely. However much they throw in, you match it! Remember, if they get over 50% of Qianfeng's shares, we're all screwed."
"Yes!"
Lu Chengwen hung up, only for the police to call.
Zhang Shen'er said, "Lu Chengwen, we've confirmed Leng Tianhao's disappearance. What's really going on? Where are you now? I need to see you immediately. I need the full story."
"My location's confidential. Contact Zhao Gang—he'll bring you to me."
"Stop with the mind games! I'm a cop working a case. You're obligated to cooperate!"
"I don't know if there are leaks in your department. You're the only one I trust. Come or don't—your choice."
"Hey, you—"
Lu Chengwen hung up.
The hospital called next: "Young Master, some suspicious people just showed up, trying to sneak Miss Leng out. We sent them packing."
Lu Chengwen nodded. "Good work. Protect her, and it'll count as a major merit. I sent the Copper King elsewhere, so don't worry."
"What!?" The Iron King was shocked. "He mistook you too?"
Lu Chengwen chuckled. "He's loyal to me now and has cut ties with the branch."
"President Lu, you're invincible! You're a legend!"
Lu Chengwen smiled. "Iron King, I'm starting to think you made the right choice. This time, I can still beat Long Aotian."
"Yes! We brothers are with you, President Lu!"
"Is Xu Xuejiao there yet?"
"Just arrived. She's examining Miss Leng now."
"Keep her safe."
"Don't worry! We'd rather lose our heads than let Miss Leng or Miss Xu get so much as a scratch."
Jiang Shihan suddenly squealed, "President Lu! Come quick!"
Lu Chengwen hung up and rushed to her laptop.
Jiang Shihan was ecstatic. "They've stopped! Look here, here, and here—these shell companies have halted their acquisitions. They've hit their limit."
Lu Chengwen narrowed his eyes. "That's not right… Huo Wendong isn't this cautious. If he and Long Aotian want Qianfeng, they wouldn't stop at 20 billion. Tell Li Meiqin to keep buying, keep driving the price up. Don't give them an inch!"
"Yes!"
Time ticked by.
Only Lu Chengwen and Jiang Shihan remained in the hotel.
Lu Chengwen stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, drink in hand, gazing at the view outside.
Jiang Shihan finally had a moment to rest and turned to look at him.
Her heart swelled with admiration: *The boss is so handsome! How is he this good-looking?*
*I've been with him for so long, yet only now do I truly know the kind of person he is.*
*He's noble, magnificent, pure, wise, brave, compassionate, humorous, charming, protective of women, upright, selfless, and magnanimous…*
Meanwhile, Lu Chengwen's thoughts were:
**[Damn, now that the chaos has died down, remembering everything that happened makes me wanna go out and have some fun.]**
**[It's all that demon woman's fault—full of schemes but still seductive! She's no good, but she's got me all worked up!]**
**[I envy Chen Moqun right now. If only I had a sexy little beauty in stockings to play with in my arms—how perfect would that be? After this is over, I'm finding him and making him treat me.]**
Jiang Shihan froze. *President Lu… is thinking about that?*
She hesitated, then mustered her courage and approached him. "President Lu, are you tired? Should I massage your legs for you?"
"Huh? Oh, no need."
"Come on, don't be shy. Lie down here—I'm really good at it."
Lu Chengwen looked at Jiang Shihan, his heart racing.
**[What a cutie. Tsk tsk tsk, why not enjoy it?]**
He lay back on the recliner and closed his eyes.
Jiang Shihan began massaging him.
In his mind:
**[Higher, yes, keep going. Ah, this feels good, these little hands… nice!]**
**[A bit higher, almost there. Oh damn, this is amazing!]**
Jiang Shihan, smiling, followed his mental cues, moving upward until she finally reached…
Lu Chengwen jolted awake. "Whoa! What are you doing?"
"Didn't you… like this?"
Her hands were still mischievously active as she grinned at him. "It's fine. I'm willing. You're exhausted, President Lu—let me help you relax."
Lu Chengwen was stunned. *This girl! She's coming onto me!?*