Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 579 - Chapter 579 Chapter 579 Professor Qiao could it be... Qiaoqiao

Chapter 579: Chapter 579: Professor Qiao, could it be… Qiaoqiao? Chapter 579: Chapter 579: Professor Qiao, could it be… Qiaoqiao? “Where?”

The old master was discussing the future development path of the conglomerate with Lu Rui, and when he heard Su Mian speak, he subconsciously looked over.

“Is it Qiaoqiao who has returned?”

The old lady lifted her eyes to look at the main entrance, but there wasn’t a single person in sight, so she turned her gaze back to Su Mian, “You, are you having auditory hallucinations?”

“Have you been too tired lately?” Lu Rui asked with concern, “We had many guests today, it must have been hard on you to entertain them all.”

“It’s not that.” Su Mian’s expression was a bit strange, and she didn’t know how to explain it to them, so she asked tentatively, “Did you see the live broadcast from Shengqiao Group?”

Lu Rui asked, “What live broadcast?”

Su Mian then told them about the online live broadcast of the Zhou Family’s affairs by Pei Ya.

Upon hearing this, the three of them became immediately interested and hurried over to watch together, just as Lu Xian returned.

Seeing the four of them with their heads huddled together, he asked curiously, “What are you watching?”

The old master called out, “We’re watching a good show.”

Lu Xian raised his eyebrow and leaned in to watch as well.

When they learned that the explosion of the smart butler was caused by an accident manufactured by employees of Shengqiao Group bribed by the Zhou Family, the old master sighed, “When I was young and met Mr. Zhou for the first time, I felt that he was no ordinary man. I didn’t expect his ambition to be so great, daring to set his sights on Shengqiao Group. How could the Zhou Family compare to Shengqiao Group?”

Lu Rui nodded, “Fortunately, we have no business dealings with the Zhou Family. Doing business with such people would be very troublesome.”

The old lady exclaimed that it was terrible, “In business competition, yet innocent people are getting involved; they should all be arrested.”

“But this is a good thing. Once the old Mr. Zhou falls, the business landscape is going to change again.” Since Qin Huan incident, Lu Xian had become more acutely aware of business dealings.

Su Mian, seeing that they were enthusiastically discussing but not focusing on the key point, couldn’t help but say, “Haven’t you noticed that Professor Qiao’s voice is exactly the same as Qiaoqiao’s?”

The four of them looked bewildered, too busy condemning the Zhou Family to notice.

After Su Mian mentioned it, when Professor Qiao’s voice was heard again in the live broadcast, their expressions shifted subtly, and then there was a long silence.

Finally, the old lady spoke with some astonishment, “Am I getting senile, or does it really sound just like Qiaoqiao?”

“Right? I said it’s exactly the same.” Su Mian had a very incredible idea forming in her mind.

Could it be…

No way?

It can’t be, can it?

For real?

How could that be?

She looked conflicted and confused, slowly saying, “This Professor Qiao, couldn’t possibly be… be Qiaoqiao, could she?”

The old lady looked bewildered.

Lu Rui’s eyes were very complex, as if he had something to say but hesitated.

The old master pondered for a moment and declared, “It must be a coincidence, maybe the voices are the same, it can’t prove anything. Besides, how could Qiaoqiao possibly be Professor Qiao? Don’t think such nonsense…”

Before he could finish, he suddenly paused.

He suddenly remembered that Lu Jingzhi and Lu Zhanxing, despite having no relation to Professor Qiao, still so assertively took sides with her. The muscles on his cheeks twitched fiercely.

But still, this couldn’t prove anything.

“Dad, have you thought of something?” Su Mian asked, seeing that something was off with the old master’s demeanor.

The old master’s face was full of shock, but he quickly waved his hands, “No, no, I must be getting confused, how could it be possible…”

That’s Professor Qiao, who has made significant contributions to scientific research and is the main person in charge of Tianqi Research Institute, and a student of the legendary leading figure in the academic circle, MR.Q.

To this day, no one has seen her true face; whether she is male or female remains unknown, but certainly, she must be an elderly person with a compassionate face and radiating wisdom from head to toe.

If it weren’t for the incident with the Zhou Family this time, perhaps no one would even know what her voice sounds like.

How could such a pillar of the nation possibly be his well-behaved eighteen-year-old granddaughter?

Keep in mind, the military’s AI war system was only completed five years ago; it can assist the military in combat when foreign invaders attack.

At that time, his granddaughter was only thirteen!

The more the old man thought about it, the more impossible it seemed, until he finally concluded with certainty, “It must only be that the voice is similar; it’s absolutely impossible that it’s Qiaoqiao!”

Su Mian hesitated and said, “I couldn’t possibly mistake my own daughter’s voice.”

Qiao Yun’s voice actually had a very distinct quality–void of any emotion, sounding soft, but when speaking seriously, it carried an immense authority as if only someone accustomed to high positions could have such a presence.

“Dad, did you forget who Qiaoqiao is by blood, and what the Qiao Family does?”

Lu Xian’s expression grew solemn; he too had thought of something–last year, he had taken Qiaoqiao and Shengyang High School shareholder Cheng Xue to meet.

Back then, Cheng Xue was extremely attentive to Qiaoqiao, and he had thought it was because Cheng Xue was impressed with Qiaoqiao’s academic performance.

Now that he thought about it, everything seemed peculiar.

The old man’s expression faltered.

The Qiao Family is a lineage of scientists, and growing up in such a family, Qiaoqiao might have been influenced by what she heard and saw…

Moreover, the headquarters of Tianqi Research Institute is in Yuncheng, and they had brought Qiaoqiao back home from Yuncheng.

When all these coincidences came together, they became intriguing.

Seeing them guessing back and forth, Lu Rui, with a somewhat headache, pinched the bridge of his nose before speaking gravely, “Actually, I have always had suspicions… ever since I found out that Qiaoqiao was raised by the Qiao Family, I have been suspicious.”

All eyes turned to Lu Rui, filled with shock and disbelief.

Lu Rui spoke with a complex tone, “Years ago, there was a rumor that a very young professor emerged from the Qiao Family, who was also a student of MR.Q, but later on, this matter wasn’t confirmed, and it faded away. I thought rumors were just rumors, but it seems that’s not the case.”

He had always had his speculations, but he never sought to confirm them.

He was avoiding confronting these speculations.

If Qiao Yun was indeed Professor Qiao, then she must have had no childhood, growing up only with research as her company.

The emotion of feeling heartache for his own daughter even surpassed his reverence for Professor Qiao.

But now, it seemed he had to face it.

The old master felt somewhat dizzy, his mind in disarray, and even his hands trembled with excitement before he could finally squeeze out, “How could the Lu Family deserve this.”

The old lady said helplessly, “Just ask, and you’ll know.”

At her words, everyone turned to look at her with expressions of disbelief.

The old lady: ???

“Then let’s ask.”

Lu Rui agreed to the proposal, but after hesitating for a moment, possibly due to some inner turmoil, he chose to call Lu Jingzhi, who was at work.

The call was answered quickly on the other end, and Lu Rui turned on the speakerphone directly.

“Dad, is something the matter?”

Before Lu Rui could speak, the old man rushed to ask, “Jingzhi, did you see the live broadcast by Shengqiao Group?”

There seemed to be a pause on the other end before responding, “I saw it.”

“I want to ask you, the voice of Professor Qiao in the live broadcast, did you find it very familiar?”

Su Mian’s hands grasped Lu Rui’s arms, her expression tense.

Lu Jingzhi was stunned, hearing the slightly anxious voice on the other end; he seemed to grasp something, his tone inexplicably asking, “Do you all know already?”

“Know what?”

The old master snatched the phone away, scolding furiously, “Unfilial grandson, are you hiding something from us?”

Lu Jingzhi: “…”

He hadn’t hidden it; in the midst of his family’s anxious anticipation, he said word by word, “Yes, Professor Qiao is my younger sister.”

The old master’s pupils constricted, and his hand holding the phone trembled slightly, nearly unable to maintain his expression, screaming internally once again: Lu Family, by what virtue and capability, ah!!

Su Mian clutched Lu Rui’s hand, silently screaming, her entire demeanor showing extreme excitement.

It really is Professor Qiao!

Her daughter, really is Professor Qiao!

Lu Rui was also excited; he had only guessed before and had not expected to guess correctly.

The old master calmed down somewhat, cursing, “Unfilial grandson, did you know already? Knowing it, you actually didn’t tell us! If we had known earlier that Qiaoqiao was Professor Qiao…”

If they had known earlier, what could they have done?

The old master furrowed his brows, realizing that’s not right; if they had known earlier, of course, they would have protected her.

No, the point is, she’s only eighteen years old!

Being this impressive at eighteen, is that not a bit unscientific?

Lu Jingzhi said distantly, “Grandpa, if you had known from the start that my sister was Professor Qiao, could you have been as close to her as you are now?”

Lu Jingzhi’s words left the still excited members of the Lu Family collectively silent.

Because they knew, Lu Jingzhi was right.

If they had known Qiao Yun’s true identity when she first returned, they would have been even more cautious with her.

After all, this was Professor Qiao, if she were to get hurt or bruised, they would be guilty of the gravest sin.

“So, not knowing was the best,” sighed Lu Jingzhi, “but now that you know, I hope that when you interact with my sister, you won’t be too… cautious.”

Su Mian said irritably, “So what if she’s Professor Qiao, she’s still my daughter, a piece of flesh that fell from my body, why would I need to be cautious.”

“Your mother is right; you think we are like you.”

The old master forced a calm snort, “You’re not needed here anymore, go busy yourself.”

He then ended the call somewhat guiltily.

Lu Jingzhi: “…”

He looked at the phone, his expression somewhat difficult to describe.

Grandpa was right; ever since he knew Qiao Yun was Professor Qiao, he would indeed unconsciously reflect whether he had made any mistakes in his interactions with her.

He also felt increasingly guilty and uneasy for his past actions.

He knew this was not right and was trying hard to ignore the distance that the change in her identity brought; of course, this would take some time.

After the call ended, the living room became quiet.

Everyone was stunned by the news.

It was too hard to believe.

Qiao Yun felt like a puzzle, the more they solved, the more astonishing it was.

After a while, the old lady took the lead, “I don’t understand all this, but Qiaoqiao is a professor, isn’t it very tough?”

Hearing the old lady say so, the atmosphere fell silent again.

The old man was still somewhat bewildered, “We never noticed you being exceptionally clever, how did you end up having a daughter so extraordinary?”

Lu Rui laughed, “Dad, I have reason to suspect you’re implying something about us.”

“Can’t even speak the truth now. Generations back, it’s the first time the Lu Family has seen such an impressive figure, and so young, too. If the paternity test hadn’t been clear, I would have doubted whether Qiaoqiao was really born to you.”

Su Mian suddenly thought of something and turned to ask Lu Rui, “Old Lu, could Hill Music Academy have hired me because of Qiaoqiao? You don’t know, the day I took Qiaoqiao to the academy, the principal was extremely courteous to her.”

Lu Rui didn’t deny it, “It must have been Qiaoqiao; she wanted to make you happy.”

At the time, he guessed it was because of Qiaoqiao, and now that her identity was confirmed, there was no need to guess anymore.

No wonder Pei Ya had been protecting her since Qiao Yun returned home. Shengqiao Group and Tianqi Research Institute had a collaborative relationship.

But Su Mian felt a bittersweet emotion, “Qiaoqiao, she has given too much for this family.”

“Qiaoqiao also wants you to be happy, don’t think too much about it,” he said.

Lu Rui was also feeling rather heavy-hearted.

Having an accomplished child is what every parent hopes for, but they felt both joy and worry, fearing they weren’t worthy of being her family.

Lu Xian, seeing them alternating between joy and sorrow, reminded them, “This matter mustn’t be known to others, Qiaoqiao would be in danger.”

Reminded of this, they began to worry about Qiao Yun’s safety again, since the Zhou Family’s drama was still unfolding.

Their emotions really were like riding a roller coaster, full of ups and downs.

The old man said excitedly, “It’s a pity we can’t show her off, otherwise I would definitely host a grand banquet, so that everyone knows my granddaughter is the illustrious Professor Qiao, and make them envious, jealous, and hateful.”

“Dream on, even though I don’t really understand, but Qiaoqiao must have worked hard to become Professor Qiao. Who knows how much hardship she has endured, and who knows how many people like the malicious Zhou Family are watching her. And you still want to show off?” the old lady said worryingly.

Lu Rui said emotionally, “If only Qiaoqiao hadn’t been lost…”

He abruptly closed his mouth, subconsciously glancing at Lu Xian.

That was close, he almost hurt his brother again.

Lu Xian had also realized this and felt a rush of guilt.

If she had not been lost, Qiao Yun would just be a carefree little girl. He could never make up to Qin Huan for all these mistakes in his lifetime.

Knowing that Qiao Yun was Professor Qiao, their excitement hadn’t subsided before they quickly turned their attention to the live broadcast.

The old man now found everything about the Zhou Family displeasing, wishing he could pick up his cane and have a fight with Old Master Zhou.

Let him falsely accuse his granddaughter again!

Su Mian, who was previously relieved she had not bought a smart home system, now wished she could get one for free to prove to everyone that the smart home system was trouble-free.

Yes, that’s quite the double standard.

Qiao Yun didn’t know her identity as Professor Qiao had been exposed by her family, and upon returning home, she was immediately greeted by their intense gazes.

Qiao Yun paused, first checking herself before looking up, her eyes clear and piercing, “Did I do something wrong?”

The Lu Family collectively shook their heads.

They looked again at the innocent and pure child with a clear gaze and petite stature, frowning in confusion as she eyed them.

Talking about it, no one would believe this was Professor Qiao.

More like a delicate little doll.

So, it wasn’t surprising they hadn’t guessed it before; it was truly hard to guess.