Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 677 - Chapter 677 Chapter 677 Its Time to Make a Move

Chapter 677: Chapter 677: It’s Time to Make a Move Chapter 677: Chapter 677: It’s Time to Make a Move Qin Yuan grew increasingly curious about Qiao Yun, he couldn’t believe that he couldn’t uncover the secrets she held.

“If it weren’t for Li Hanzhou backing her up, she would be nothing.”

Lady Qin’s disdainful voice snapped the absent-minded Qin Yuan back to reality.

Qin Yuan said indifferently, “With Li Hanzhou around, provoking Qiao Yun will only bring trouble to the Qin Family, and grandfather will be even more upset.”

Moreover, he had been humiliated by Pei Ya last time because of Qiao Yun, and up until now, his family still thought that it was because Qin Xuan had offended Qiao Yun, leading to Pei Ya’s dissatisfaction.

“Right, now that Pei Ya has a grievance against you, how will you handle the partnership with Tianqi Research Institute?” Lady Qin worried, knowing that if this deal could be accomplished, the old man would definitely value Qin Yuan more and wouldn’t always think of Lu Shiran.

Qin Yuan said, “There is a technological conference tomorrow, and I plan to try my luck there, perhaps I can meet someone from Tianqi Research Institute.”

Lady Qin quickly said, “You must succeed in this.”

“I know.” A chilling glint flickered through Qin Yuan’s eyes.

What was his couldn’t be taken away by anyone.

Lady Qin then spoke with a flickering gaze, “Whether or not this can be done, we had better prepare early. Mother is now afraid that your grandfather, due to his old age, might foolishly treat that bastard as the heir.”

Qin Yuan’s lips curved slightly, confidently stating, “I have it under control.”

His confidence finally settled the unease in Lady Qin’s heart.

…

The next day.

Qin Yuan, dressed in a proper suit, left the Qin residence to head to the conference venue. Before leaving, Qin Lao Ye specially instructed him to pay attention to the attendees and strive to connect with someone from Tianqi Research Institute.

Qin Yuan confidently assured Qin Lao Ye that it wouldn’t be a problem. However, before he even arrived at the conference venue, Qin Yuan received a call from his assistant.

“President Qin, it’s bad news. Li Group has announced that they will be entering into a deep partnership with Tianqi Research Institute, concerning the very project we’re interested in.”

Qin Yuan’s expression darkened, “Is the news reliable?”

“Absolutely. Li Group has already released a statement online. This is the first time Tianqi Research Institute is collaborating with a group other than Shengqiao, causing quite a stir. Li Group seems to place great importance on this partnership, creating a lot of buzz.”

Qin Yuan clenched his phone, venom in his eyes like a poisonous snake.

For a moment, he suspected that Li Hanzhou was possibly flaunting it in front of him on purpose.

Qin Yuan furrowed his brows, his voice devoid of emotion, “I got it, keep a close watch on this matter, and report back to me with any updates.”

“Yes.”

Qin Yuan’s face was cold.

The Qin Family had hoped to officially expand their business in the domestic market through the collaboration with Tianqi Research Institute but got intercepted by Li Hanzhou.

He couldn’t help remembering that the G*M Research Institute he had invested in four years ago was sabotaged by Li Hanzhou.

And now, Li Hanzhou was also competing with him for Qiao Yun.

With old grudges and new grievances combined, even the shrewd Qin Yuan was now incensed.

Li Hanzhou, unaware that Qin Yuan was close to exploding, deliberately spread the news about the collaboration with Tianqi Research Institute, intending to provoke Qin Yuan. He wanted to show him that whether it was Qiao Yun or the partnership, both were his, and Qin Yuan shouldn’t foolishly compete with him.

…

Qin Lao Ye still didn’t know that the partnership had fallen through; he was actively trying to meet with Lu Shiran, wanting to explain Lady Qin’s impetuous behavior.

Mainly so that he wouldn’t be blamed, since he truly hadn’t known about it and would have definitely prevented his daughter from meeting Lu Shiran if he had.

Lu Shiran hadn’t picked up any of Qin Lao Ye’s calls, but Qin Lao Ye didn’t give up and kept dialing him with different numbers.

This caused Lu Shiran’s phone to constantly ring, ringing so much that the old man couldn’t help but go and look at him.

“Who is calling you? How many calls have there been? Why don’t you answer?”

Lu Shiran mentioned casually, “Just that someone from the Qin Family.”

The old man’s face turned cold in an instant, “With today’s situation, could it be that this isn’t the first time?”

Feeling inexplicably guilty, Lu Shiran’s voice softened, “He has always wanted to meet me, but I refused.”

The elder exclaimed angrily, “You rascal, such a big matter, why didn’t you say something sooner, that shameless old man, after what he did to my sister, still has the face to meet you!”

“Grandpa, I just didn’t think it was a big deal,” Lu Shiran said, carefully watching the old man’s expression, “Besides, I didn’t agree to meet him.”

The elder expressed his frustration, “Continuing like this isn’t a solution, I guess he won’t give up.”

“Simple.” Lu Xian, who had returned at some point and overhear their conversation, said calmly, “Instead of dragging this on, better to tell him straightforwardly to his face.”

The old man showed hesitation, clearly, he didn’t want Lu Shiran to have any contact with anyone from the Qin Family.

Lu Shiran didn’t mind much, “I have no problem with it, but… Dad, do you really want me to go meet him?”

“It’s not like seeing him once means you’ll run off with someone from the Qin Family.”

“Oh.” Lu Shiran touched his nose, “Then you can’t be secretly unhappy.”

Ever since the Qin Family appeared, the whole house’s atmosphere had become somewhat gloomy; Lu Shiran had been avoiding the Qin Family to keep his family from feeling down.

Lu Xian’s eyes twitched, “What kind of storms have I not seen?”

The grandfather said worriedly, “I’ll go with Shiran.”

Lu Xian tried to persuade him, “Dad, Shiran is already a big boy, we can’t always protect him under our wings; let him solve some things by himself, I believe Shiran has his own judgment.”

Even though he said this, he was still worried.

Lu Shiran straightened up and puffed out his chest, “Grandpa, I can handle it, you don’t need to worry.”

The grandfather looked reluctant, but ultimately did not object.

Once Lu Shiran made up his mind, acting swiftly and decisively, he immediately sent a message to old Mr. Qin, telling him he was willing to meet.

Old Mr. Qin was quite surprised and promptly arranged a meeting place, then hurried over.

…

The two agreed to meet in a tea house.

Old Mr. Qin arrived early, and the moment he saw Lu Shiran, his eyes brightened, full of enthusiasm, “Shiran, you’re finally willing to see your grandpa.”

Lu Shiran showed little reaction and just sat down.

Old Mr. Qin didn’t mind and kept sizing up Lu Shiran, explaining, “About Wanwan coming to see you, Grandpa didn’t know about it, I’ve already scolded her so don’t be angry.”

Lu Shiran was indifferent, “Scolding her is your matter, whether I am angry is mine.”

Thinking Lu Shiran was still angry, old Mr. Qin handed the menu to him, “You must be hungry after coming here in such a hurry, see if there’s anything you’d like to eat?”

Lu Shiran didn’t move, and said straightforwardly, “No need, I met with you because I have something I want to say.”

“What is it?” Old Mr. Qin thought to himself, could it be that he wants to acknowledge him now?

Lu Shiran kept a stiff face, trying his best to appear ruthless, “I just want to tell you, although we are related by blood, I will not recognize you, and you should not come to see me anymore.”

These words instantly extinguished the joy in old Mr. Qin’s heart. He paused for a moment, then said, “If you’re still not appeased, I can send your aunt back to the U.S, so she won’t bother you.”

“No,” Lu Shiran said fervently, “In this life I am born a Lu, and in death I will be a ghost of the Lu Family, I will not recognize…” He paused, swallowing back the rest, “I will not recognize you.”

Old Mr. Qin’s expression grew increasingly unsightly, but he quickly regained his composure, “It seems there are many misunderstandings between us.”

Lu Shiran was blunt, “I have never considered you family, what misunderstandings can there be? The person you really should take back is my real dad, who might be reincarnated and my age by now; maybe you should find him and ask if he’s willing to forgive you?”

Old Mr. Qin: “…”

“That’s all I wanted to say,” Lu Shiran stated dryly, then took a big sip of tea from his teacup, stood up, and said, “I’m going back.”

He had rejected it so coldly and ruthlessly that he probably wouldn’t come looking for him again in the future.

The old man’s face, covered in wrinkles, betrayed no thoughts. When he saw Lu Shiran was about to leave, he finally spoke, “I understand now, since this is what you want, I won’t force you.”

Lu Shiran showed surprise; he had thought that the old man would be more persistent.

The old man sighed, “These years, I’ve always felt guilty. When I was young, I was forced by my family into an arranged marriage, so I ran away from home, and that’s when I met your grandmother. It was love at first sight, and we loved each other deeply.”

He said nostalgically, “I had intended to go back home to divorce and then marry your grandmother, but who could have expected that she would find out. Your grandmother was stubborn and simply disappeared. No matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find her. I’ve always missed her.”

Lu Shiran was unmoved, “No matter what you thought back then, the fact is you deceived my biological grandmother.”

The old man frowned secretly, thinking that after hearing his story, Lu Shiran would understand that he had also been forced into his actions.

He sighed again, “You are right, it’s my fault.”

Now that Lu Shiran had made his point clear, he didn’t want to stay. After he left, the old man’s face cleared of any sorrow.

He slowly stood up and walked out of the teahouse.

When the driver saw the old man coming, he hurriedly opened the car door for him.

The old man got into the car and then asked the person sitting in the front,

“How is the matter I had you arrange coming along?”

“Old master, it’s almost ready.”

The old man spoke enigmatically, “When the time is right, you may proceed.”

“Yes.”

The old man continued, “Xiaozhang, since your dad hasn’t been released yet, I’ll leave the next arrangements to you.”

Since the old man’s personal butler had been detained for falsifying evidence and hadn’t yet been released, the person now accompanying the old man was the butler’s son, Uncle Zhang.

“Don’t worry, old master, I know what to do.”

“Very good.” The old man squinted his eyes, a hint of scheming flashing in them.

It was always he who rejected others, not the other way around.

…

Since the old man had agreed so readily not to bother him anymore, Lu Shiran, although finding it strange, didn’t think too much about it.

He thought that the matter was resolved and, upon returning to the ancestral home, boasted, “Grandfather, I told you to leave this matter to me, no problem at all. The Qin family won’t bother me anymore.”

The grandfather said skeptically, “Just like that?”

“Yes, yes, just like that.”

“That doesn’t seem right.” The grandfather’s brows knitted together, “That old man, how could he give up so easily?”

Lu Shiran spread his hands, “Maybe because I made my stance very clear.”

“Hopefully, he has truly given up.” The grandfather thought, having a grandson too excellent can also be a problem; there’s always someone wanting to snatch him away.

After a moment of reflection, he asked, “My dear grandson, have you considered becoming a poor student?”

Lu Shiran: ??? Is this something a real grandfather would say?

…

Lu Shiran believed he had accomplished a great feat on his own and proudly shared it with the entire family.

“Sister, am I not very reliable?”

Qiao Yun praised him: “Reliable.”

Lu Shiran climbed up the greased pole: “See, you have such a reliable brother here, do you still need a boyfriend? How about considering breaking up?”

Qiao Yun: “…”

Lu Shiran issued a soulful question: “Does a boyfriend smell as good as a brother?”

Qiao Yun said awkwardly, “Both smell good.”

Lu Shiran nearly choked on his words.

Qiao Yun added, “Only children make choices, adults want it all.”

“Who says that?”

“Miaomiao said it.”

“Isn’t there also the saying that you can’t have your cake and eat it too?”

Qiao Yun logically responded, “But you are not a fish, and Zhouzhou is not a bear’s paw.”

Lu Shiran was confused, “Who’s Zhouzhou?”

“Han Zhou. I’ve heard his family call him that.”

“…” Hey, hey, hey, calling him with such intimacy, your brother here might get jealous.

Qiao Yun was straightforward; she was dating Han Zhou. Calling him by his full name felt too distant, and after much thought, she remembered that Mrs. Li used to call Han Zhou Zhouzhou.

A somewhat cute nickname.

So, Qiao Yun also decided to call Han Zhou, Zhouzhou.

Of course, she hadn’t called him that to his face yet.

So, over the weekend, when Han Zhou came to pick up Qiao Yun,

The first thing Qiao Yun said was, “Zhouzhou.”

Han Zhou: “…”

Han Zhou asked amusedly, “What did you call me?”

Qiao Yun repeated, “Zhouzhou.”

Han Zhou didn’t know what expression to use to face Qiao Yun. He suggested tactfully, “Do you want to consider a different nickname?”

Calling him Zhouzhou gave him the strange impression that Qiao Yun was calling for a baby.

Qiao Yun stayed silent, her clear and innocent eyes looking at Han Zhou.

After a moment of eye contact, Han Zhou sighed, “Alright, call me whatever you like.”

Qiao Yun quickly answered, “Okay, Zhouzhou.”

“…”

Han Zhou gave up struggling, remembered the unfinished goodnight kiss from the other day, unconsciously licked his lips, tilted his face, and propped his chin, saying, “Qiaoqiao, the goodnight kiss experiment wasn’t successful, do you want to try a meeting kiss?”

Qiao Yun’s eyes moved slightly, and she nodded without any discomfort, “Yes.”

Han Zhou’s Adam’s apple moved up and down; he couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “You really are obedient.”

He took a shallow breath, about to act, but Qiao Yun’s phone rang inopportunely.

Someone had sent Qiao Yun a message.

Han Zhou: “…” Damn.

Qiao Yun picked it up and, expressionless, set the phone down and said to Han Zhou, “Let’s go somewhere.”

Although Qiao Yun’s face was expressionless, Han Zhou just felt like Qiao Yun was up to no good.

He hooked his lip with interest, “Where to?”

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