Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 641 - Chapter 641 Chapter 641 Its Qiao Yun Is she a ghost Always

Chapter 641: Chapter 641: It’s Qiao Yun! Is she a ghost? Always lingering! Chapter 641: Chapter 641: It’s Qiao Yun! Is she a ghost? Always lingering! Lu Shiran stopped laughing and touched his chin, “Sister, do you think the old man could be Granny’s friend?”

Qiao Yun replied indifferently, “I don’t know.”

Speaking of Granny, Lu Shiran couldn’t help but sigh, “Granny was so beautiful when she was young, just unlucky enough to meet a scumbag.”

According to Grandpa, Granny was forced into becoming the other woman because of the scumbag, and she was someone who held herself to high moral standards.

Because of this, she became depressed and passed away early, and her son also died from an accident.

In short, it was quite a tragic family.

During festivals and holidays, Lu Shiran was always asked by Grandpa to bow and offer incense to Granny’s family.

Although he never understood why out of so many family members, only he was asked to do this, and neither Lu Zhanxing nor Lu Jingzhi were seen bowing and offering incense every year.

Despite this, he still did it.

It’s hard to explain why, having never met them, but he felt a deep sense of kinship just by looking at Granny’s family photos.

Lu Shiran defined this feeling as possibly having a fate with Granny?

“Let’s continue our visit.” Lu Shiran didn’t dwell on it, treating it merely as an episode.

After enough rest, the group continued viewing the exhibit.

After they had seen enough, they went out to eat, and then Lu Shiran took Qiao Yun back.

In the house at that time, only Su Mian was alone. Seeing Qiao Yun return, she greeted her with a smile, “Qiaoqiao, was the exhibit fun?”

Qiao Yun responded, “Yes.”

“Then next time, shall we all go together?”

Previously unaware of the technicalities of science, once she learned of Qiao Yun’s identity, Su Mian specially went online to search.

Of course, she also reviewed Qiao Yun’s activities over the years.

Seeing that Professor Qiao had won another award and developed another new product, and was so highly esteemed by many, while feeling proud, she also sympathized with Qiao Yun’s efforts over the years, thinking of getting to know Qiao Yun’s world better.

Thinking that Su Mian was interested, Qiao Yun didn’t hesitate and said, “Sure, I’ll take you to the research institute to play.”

Su Mian’s mouth twitched, um… Is it really good to ‘play’? Can science be used for playing?

Qiao Yun had intended to take them back during New Year, but then Li Nanfeng’s incident happened, and it was postponed.

Now, with only a little over a month left until the college entrance exams, they could go back during the summer vacation.

Thinking this, Qiao Yun turned to Su Mian with a serious expression, “We’ll go back to see Grandpa.”

Su Mian smiled warmly, “Good, we should really thank your Grandpa.”

She thought to herself, wanting to take them to meet Professor Qiao, must mean that Qiaoqiao has fully accepted them.

Su Mian, delighted, immediately took out her phone and transferred a large sum of money to Qiao Yun.

“This is the pocket money Mom is giving you,” Su Mian especially insisted, “You mustn’t refuse.”

Qiao Yun: “…”

The Lu family’s behavior of transferring money at the drop of a hat, and her habit of giving gifts on a whim, really were akin in an intriguing way.

…

The Lu family’s old mansion.

When Lu Shiran came home, he saw his grandfather feeding the parrot. He was about to go upstairs when he abruptly paused, a thoughtful look flashing across his face, then turned and walked over to the old man.

Lu Shiran displayed a clever smile, “Grandpa, I have a question to ask you.”

The elder glanced at him, “What is it, tell me.”

Lu Shiran said, “Do you know my auntie’s friend?”

The elder felt a subconscious panic when he heard Lu Shiran mention Lu Wan, thinking that someone had approached Lu Shiran, and his voice immediately rose, “Why are you asking about your auntie? Did someone tell you something? Who was it? Where are they? Let me tell you, no matter what they said, you can’t believe it, do you understand?”

“Grandpa, what do you mean by that? I don’t understand,” Lu Shiran’s eyes showed surprise. He was just curious, why was his grandfather so agitated?

He quickly said, “I just wanted to ask if you knew someone named Qin Su. I just met an old man who was looking for someone named Lu Wan. I suspect that this person might be my auntie’s long-lost friend.”

The words the elder was about to say got stuck in his throat, and he spoke irritably, “You little rascal, can’t you speak clearly? You know your grandfather is too old for scares.”

Lu Shiran narrowed his eyes, “Grandpa, you’re acting a bit strange.”

The elder coughed lightly, “What’s strange? Did you finish your homework?”

“I finished it long ago.” Lu Shiran pouted, “Do you know this person or not?”

The elder said impatiently, “I don’t know! Where do these nonsensical people come from?”

“Alright then,” Lu Shiran thought. It seems like he’s not my auntie’s friend. Satisfied with his curiosity, he said, “I’m going upstairs now.”

“Go on, go on,” the elder waved off Lu Shiran.

After Lu Shiran had gone upstairs, the elder played with a bird for a while, but as he played, his hand suddenly trembled.

Wait a minute…

Isn’t the real name of the Qin family patriarch Qin Su?

How could it be such a coincidence?

Just when old man Qin is looking for an illegitimate child, just when he knows a person named Lu Wan, just as his own sister gave birth to an illegitimate child for a scoundrel.

The elder’s aged face cracked, and the bird food in his hand clattered to the ground.

He could still hear the parrot’s cries.

“Dumb, dumb…”

The elder’s temples bulged with veins, “Stupid bird, shut up.”

“Dumb, dumb…”

The elder: “…”

Looks like it’s bird meat for dinner tonight.

Later, when Lu Xian came back, the elder anxiously brought up the matter.

After pondering for a while, Lu Xian sighed, “Dad, we still don’t know the truth, let’s just see how things unfold.”

He thought, a bit sadly, if this could happen, could it really be because they are related by blood?

The elder then sighed, “At this point, that’s all we can do. We should start by investigating the Qin family.”

The Qin family had always been abroad, and they didn’t know much about them.

Lu Xian rubbed his forehead and said, “Dad, there’s something you might not know. At a recent party held by the Qin family, Miss Qin suddenly accused Qiaoqiao of stealing her ring, trying to ruin her reputation.

The elder snapped, “How preposterous! This is outrageous!”

Lu Xian voiced his concern, “If all the Qin family members are like Miss Qin, I’m worried Shiran might be in danger.”

The elder’s expression turned blank, and after a moment of thought, he understood.

The Qin family is not easy to deal with.

Other members of the Qin family probably wouldn’t want someone suddenly appearing who is related to the Qin family by blood.

Despite Lu Shiran’s aversion to inheriting family properties, akin to fearing snakes, who would believe that?

The elder spoke gravely, “Whether Shiran and the Qin Family are related by blood is just our speculation, but just in case, we should get more people to protect Shiran and do it covertly. Don’t let Shiran know, the kid definitely wouldn’t want anyone following him.”

Lu Xian initially wanted to say that it might be overcautious, but out of his affection for Lu Shiran, he agreed to this approach.

At that time, Lu Xian did not know that he would soon be very grateful for their foresight.

…

While the elder and Lu Xian were still speculating, Mrs. Qin was also having a hard time.

Especially when old Mr. Qin was going upstairs to rest, he specifically reminded Qin Yuan, “Remember to check the child’s family information. As soon as possible.”

Mrs. Qin held back for a while but couldn’t help saying, “Dad, you don’t think that young man could be your child, do you?”

Old Mr. Qin furrowed his brows, “I feel a strong sense of kinship when I see that child, perhaps…”

“Impossible!” Mrs. Qin refuted, “He looks just in his teens, how could he possibly be your child! It must be a mistake.”

Old Mr. Qin explained, “So many years have passed, your brother must have settled down by now, what if he is his child, my grandson?”

Mrs. Qin, seeing her father’s nostalgic expression when he mentioned his illegitimate child, gritted her teeth inwardly.

Old Mr. Qin gathered his thoughts and scrutinized Mrs. Qin, “You seem a bit strange today.”

Mrs. Qin stiffly twitched the corners of her mouth, “I…”

Old Mr. Qin interrupted her, “Don’t you want your brother to come back?”

“I don’t,” Mrs. Qin forced a smile, “Dad, you’ve misunderstood, I’m just worried you’ll be disappointed for nothing.”

“Really?” Old Mr. Qin’s oppressive gaze fixed on Mrs. Qin.

Mrs. Qin’s eyes reddened, “Dad, how can you question me, I’ve always tried my best in finding my brother.”

The elder looked at her for a while and warned, “You’d better have, no matter what, he is my blood and must return to his rightful lineage.”

Mrs. Qin sneered inwardly.

Why now?

Is it just because the elder brother is gone, and you fear there’s no one else to carry on, that you think of finding the illegitimate child?

Mrs. Qin thought resentfully, after having served for so many years and even changing her children’s surnames to Qin.

Qin Yuan had devoted himself to the Qin Family over the years, and that never-before-seen illegitimate child, why should he reap the benefits!

After old Mr. Qin went upstairs, Mrs. Qin, unable to contain her anger, drank a large gulp of ice water to calm herself a bit.

She fumed, “Now that the person hasn’t even been found, he’s already so concerned. What will happen to our place if he is found?”

Qin Yuan sat on the sofa, his voice lazy, “Mom, you’re being too anxious.”

“How can I not be anxious?” Mrs. Qin said coldly, “Believe it or not, once the person is found, grandfather will surely have no eyes for us.”

Qin Yuan killed his smile, “So what if he does.”

Mrs. Qin looked at him.

Qin Yuan said leisurely, “Whether he can return is not yet certain, and even if he does, it doesn’t matter. He won’t be able to touch the core of the Qin Family, Grandpa is already gradually delegating his authority to me. Once I secure the collaboration with the Tianqi Research Institute, Grandpa will rely even more on my capabilities.”

Mrs. Qin, always trusting in Qin Yuan, felt reassured, “Mom believes in your abilities. The Qin Family is ours, and I absolutely won’t allow it.”

Qin Yuan tapped his fingertips on the armrest of the sofa and smirked lightly, “Don’t worry, no one can take it from us.”

Mrs. Qin suddenly remembered something and asked with a questioning tone, “Tell me honestly, do you know that child from earlier?”

Qin Yuan’s tone was inexplicable, “I’ve investigated him, his name is Lu Shiran, a member of the Lu Family and Qiao Yun’s cousin, but he’s clearly the legitimate son of Great Uncle Lu, how could he have anything to do with an illegitimate child.”

Mrs. Qin, now hearing Qiao Yun’s name made her furious, if not because of Qiao Yun, she wouldn’t have lost face, and Qin Xuan wouldn’t have become a laughingstock in their circle.

Now knowing that Lu Shiran is a relative of Qiao Yun, she almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

What cursed fate is this?

Before Mrs. Qin could even speak, an angry voice erupted.

“It’s Qiao Yun again! Is she a ghost? Always lingering around!” Qin Xuan furiously ran down the stairs, “I will absolutely not allow anyone associated with Qiao Yun to enter the Qin Family’s doors!”

Mrs. Qin frowned, “What are you doing down here?”

Qin Xuan’s face twisted, “Mom, I heard everything. Qiao Yun’s cousin is the child of grandfather’s illegitimate child, isn’t he?”

“That’s not certain yet,” Mrs. Qin pinched the bridge of her nose.

“What if it is?” Qin Xuan was already delirious with anger because of Qiao Yun, “What if it’s true? Should we acknowledge him as a family member? I am not willing!”

“This is an adult matter, don’t interfere,” Mrs. Qin warned her not to overthink, “We need to wait for the investigation results to know for sure.”

Qin Xuan said menacingly, “Might as well be done with it once and for all…”

“Qin Xuan!” Mrs. Qin scolded her, “This is China, not America!”

Qin Xuan pouted, “What’s there to be afraid of? Even though Qiao Yun has cozied up to Brother Li, he certainly wouldn’t antagonize the Qin Family for the Lu Family. Even if he were willing, would the other members of the Li Family agree?”

“The Lu family has no backing, and even in China, they can’t touch our Qin Family. Maybe knowing their family has relations with the Qin Family, they’d eagerly try to ingratiate themselves, like we’ve seen with many others,” Qin Xuan speculated.

“Alright, your brother and I will handle this. You just stay out of trouble during this time,” Mrs. Qin thought Qin Xuan was still too naive.

Would her father not be suspicious if Lu Shiran suddenly had an accident?

Unless a perfect accidental scene was created.

Qin Xuan bit her fingertip, her gaze fierce.

She did not know who Lu Shiran was, and she held no grudge against him; her hate was directed at Qiao Yun, who had ruined her reputation.

If…

If Lu Shiran had an accident, Qiao Yun would definitely be distressed. Her mother wouldn’t have to worry, with people vying for the inheritance.

Qin Yuan glanced at Qin Xuan lightly, then chuckled inwardly.

Foolish.

…

Elder Mr. Qin had ordered an investigation, and Qin Yuan would certainly investigate; he too wanted to know if Lu Shiran was a member of the Qin family.

But his thoughts were not like Qin Xuan’s.

This was his responsibility, and even if it turned out Lu Shiran was indeed a Qin family member, he could manipulate the results and switch them.

The day after, at nine o’clock in the morning, Qin Yuan arrived on time at the Shengqiao Group headquarters.

He needed more authority and must achieve results to secure a place in the Qin Group.

After stating his purpose to the receptionist, Qin Yuan’s secretary was led up to the top floor to the chairman’s office.

It was Pei Ya’s assistant who came out to greet them, apologizing, “Mr. Qin, our chairman Pei is still in a meeting, please wait a moment.”

The agreed time was nine o’clock, yet the meeting was prioritized; Qin Yuan was displeased but being in need, naturally didn’t express it outright and waited in the guest room.

Then, an hour went by…

Two hours went by…

Three hours went by…

During this time, not even a glimpse of Pei Ya’s assistant was seen, let alone Pei Ya himself.

Qin Yuan’s expression grew darker by the minute, and he couldn’t help but think, could he have been made a fool?