Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 696 - Chapter 696 Chapter 696 Its Over Its All Over

Chapter 696: Chapter 696: It’s Over! It’s All Over! Chapter 696: Chapter 696: It’s Over! It’s All Over! “You’ve given so much to this family, they ought to show their gratitude in front of you.”

If it weren’t for Professor Qiao helping them this time, the Lu Family might have faced some turmoil.

Qiao Yun’s gaze drifted, and she felt somewhat embarrassed.

It was her first time being so… serious in front of her family.

She wondered if she had frightened them.

Usually, she wasn’t so serious, only when she was scolding someone.

Qiao Yun mumbled, “They are very busy, I didn’t want to disturb them.”

“I see,” Pei Ya didn’t press on. How could he guess what Professor Qiao was thinking?

He told Qiao Yun, “I’ve handed all the evidence we found to Uncle Lu already. I trust he will know what to do with it. We are not needed anymore.”

Although Qiao Yun had offered her help, she hadn’t planned to take charge of everything.

She believed that one should handle their own affairs. She could only help up to this point.

Pei Ya mentioned, “As for that photo we got, the folks at the research institute are looking into it. They’re using the institute’s latest big data screening software, so they’ll definitely be able to track it down.”

Pei Ya was quite confident about that. The software created by Professor Qiao was no joke.

With Pei Ya in charge of this, Qiao Yun felt quite relieved. She told him, “I need to go see Grandfather.”

“Okay, I’ll take you there.”

“Alright.”

The car started and headed toward Shengqiao Hospital.

Suddenly, Pei Ya remembered something, and his eyes stealthily darted toward Professor Qiao, his face hesitant to speak.

Qiao Yun glanced at him, “Is there something you want to say?”

Pei Ya cleared his throat lightly, “Well, boss, did you see Li Hanzhou’s statement?”

At the mention of this, Qiao Yun’s expression softened a bit, then she nodded, “Yes, I saw it.”

Seeing Qiao Yun’s reaction, Pei Ya smirked. Damn Li Hanzhou really knew how to seize an opportunity to show off.

So he deliberately said, “Who knows what he’s really after. Maybe he’s trying to use this situation to make demands.”

Qiao Yun just responded with an “Oh,” defending Li Hanzhou, “He didn’t ask for anything. I want to reward him myself.”

Pei Ya asked subconsciously, “What reward?”

Qiao Yun looked out the car window and didn’t answer.

Kisses and such… how could she bring herself to say it out loud.

Although Qiao Yun was naive about these matters, she knew that this kind of thing shouldn’t be discussed casually with others.

After all, she was dating Li Hanzhou.

Pei Ya knew Qiao Yun all too well.

He was always guarding against letting the ‘cabbage’ be scooped up by the ‘pig.’ Now, not only had the ‘cabbage’ grown legs and run to the ‘pig’ by herself, she even prepared herself and jumped right into the pig’s mouth. What was going on?

Pei Ya sighed deeply.

Although he wasn’t pleased inside, since this was Professor Qiao’s choice, all he could do was watch helplessly.

…

Once they arrived at Shengqiao Hospital, Pei Ya didn’t follow Qiao Yun inside, instead watching as she walked in.

Leaning his chin on his hand, Pei Ya thought absentmindedly.

Professor Qiao was a very earnest person, straightforward in her thinking.

Once she believed in something or someone, she wouldn’t change her mind, which was why he was so reluctant when he found out she was planning to stay with the Lu Family.

He was worried that the Lu Family might change their attitude toward Qiao Yun and upset her.

Thankfully, up to now, the Lu Family genuinely had Qiao Yun’s best interests at heart and were worthy of the commitment Qiao Yun had made to them.

Otherwise… if they dared to betray Professor Qiao’s intentions.

Pei Yao said, “Hehehe.”

Qiao Yun walked to the door of the ward and pushed it open.

In the ward, Lu Shiran had said something to the old man that made him smile from ear to ear, completely void of yesterday’s gloom.

Seeing such a harmonious scene.

Qiao Yun thought to herself that as long as they were happy, all her efforts were worthwhile.

The old man, seeing Qiao Yun coming over, waved at her, “Qiaoqiao, come here.”

Qiao Yun walked over as Lu Shiran stood up, giving his seat to Qiao Yun.

The old man said affectionately, “Why did you come over? Aren’t you tired from running back and forth?”

Looking into the old man’s concerned eyes, Qiao Yun shook her head and said, “I’m not tired. Get well soon, Grandfather.”

The old man smiled, “Grandpa is already fine. The doctor just said I can be discharged tomorrow, Qiaoqiao, are you happy?”

“I’m happy.” Qiao Yun nodded obediently, paused for a moment, and added seriously, “I’m not a child, I don’t need to be coddled.”

The old man burst into laughter, not sure what made him do so, and said, “In Grandpa’s eyes, no matter how accomplished you are, you’re still a child who needs to be pampered.”

Qiao Yun pursed her lips.

Lu Shiran said, “Exactly, sister, you just need to let us pamper you.”

Qiao Yun was at a loss for words.

How could Professor Qiao be happy about being treated like a child? That was definitely impossible.

She still cared about her dignity.

Well…

Actually, being coddled by her family did make her a little happy.

Yes, just a little bit.

The old man suddenly sighed, “I don’t know what it’s like out there now.”

The old lady, worried that the old man would worry too much, had confiscated his phone and warned everyone in the family not to tell him about the outside events, leaving him completely cut off from the outside world.

Qiao Yun held the old man’s hand, her eyes serious and clear, “It will be alright.”

The old man said, “I hope so.”

Lu Shiran was worried himself and didn’t know how to comfort the old man.

Lu Shiran was torn between wanting Qin Family’s old master’s help and not wanting his help, a battle of conscience with no clear winner.

Fortunately, the old man quickly realized he shouldn’t discuss such matters in front of his children.

He then switched topics with a cheerful demeanor.

At the same time.

While the old man was still worrying, Lu Jingzhi was at the main gate dealing with the media frenzy.

It was no secret that Lu Jingzhi was a young master of the Lu Family, and as soon as he appeared, the media swarmed around him like wolves on the prowl.

Their eyes glinted like they wanted to devour him alive.

“Mr. Lu, are you here to offer an explanation or an apology to the workers?”

“Did Lu Group really use substandard building materials?”

“What do you have to say to the families of the innocent victims involved?”

“Do you have any deal with Shengqiao and Li Group, otherwise why would they speak for you?”

Lu Jingzhi hadn’t said a word, but the reporters’ clamor was already giving him a headache.

Seeing this, the secretary quickly tried to maintain order, “Please, everyone, calm down.”

The reporters did not quiet down but became even more agitated.

Since the incident occurred, Lu Group had issued only one statement, promising to investigate and give everyone an account, but they had not produced any evidence to date.

“You heartless business, give my father’s life back, even if I die here today, I will seek justice for my father.”

The son of the deceased who triggered everything waved his arms vigorously, making a fervent plea to Lu Jingzhi.

The relatives brought by the man all chimed in, “Justice must be served! Corrupt enterprises should shut down!”

Lu Jingzhi narrowed his sharp eyes and glared at the man with displeasure, sneering, “We will be holding a press conference later and explain everything about the incident. If you have any questions, they will be answered there.”

The man was displeased and said, “What press conference? I think you just want to escape the issue! Looking for excuses!”

Lu Jingzhi looked at him, “Of course, that includes you, so don’t run away then.”

Confronted with Lu Jingzhi’s dark and profound eyes, the man inexplicably felt intimidated and couldn’t help but step back a few steps.

He was panicking inside but quickly thought that it was the Lu family who had erred, and he had nothing to fear.

So he became even more self-righteous, “Why should I run? I didn’t kill anyone, it’s you who should be running.”

Lu Jingzhi spoke with a tone of scorn, “I hope you remember what you’re saying now.”

After saying that, he left under the protection of security.

The reporters were still making a fuss behind him, but with the security present, they couldn’t even touch a sleeve of Lu Jingzhi’s clothing.

Finally, to gain attention, reporters quickly posted statements online.

They stated that the Lu Group would soon hold a press conference and would also have a face-to-face discussion with the family of the deceased.

They would follow the event from start to finish and asked netizens to tune into their live broadcast.

With the Lu family’s issue brewing like wildfire, people who were already following the matter soon knew about the upcoming press conference, as did the uninvolved bystanders who were just there for the spectacle.

The press conference had not even officially started yet, but every journalist’s livestream who had the credentials to enter was already crowded with viewers.

When Lu Zhanxing saw the messages, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt somewhat uneasy.

After thinking it over, he made a call to Lu Jingzhi.

“Big brother, why the sudden decision to hold a press conference?”

On the other end of the phone, Lu Jingzhi told him, “It’s time to settle some matters.”

“Do you need my help?”

“No need, take care of yourself first. You’ve been implicated because of the family issues this time, so just stay out of it.”

“Alright, I understand.”

The reputation of the Lu family was clouded now, indeed impacting his career.

After all, if he became a disreputable artist, many projects he was involved in would have to be shelved, and the loss to the production teams would be immeasurable.

Lu Zhanxing even saw some celebrities, who usually didn’t interact much with him, kicking him while he was down to garner fame.

While he understood it, it still left a bitter taste.

When you’re popular, everyone holds you up; but the moment you fall, everyone seems eager to step on you to climb higher.

Such is the entertainment industry.

Through this ordeal, young as he was, Lu Zhanxing decided to quit being in the limelight and work behind the scenes instead.

A single crisis led to a significant change in the mindset of the whole Lu family.

Even Qiao Yun, for the first time, truly understood what it meant to pull together.

“By the way…” Lu Jingzhi’s voice brought Lu Zhanxing back from his thoughts, “Thank you for looking after my sister.”

Lu Zhanxing chuckled, “Why thank me? She is my sister, and protecting her is what I should do.”

Lu Jingzhi did not tell Lu Zhanxing.

If he had not been so blind before, Lu Ting would not have become arrogant and used his trust to target her sister at every turn.

There wouldn’t have been such a debacle.

In the end, he was the person who owed his sister the most in the whole Lu family.

Unaware of Lu Jingzhi’s thoughts, Lu Zhanxing laughed, “Besides, you’ve sacrificed your own reputation. Now everyone is criticizing you for being blind, saying you don’t deserve to be a brother. If it had been before, you would never have sacrificed the family’s honor.”

Lu Zhanxing’s tone still had a bit of schadenfreude.

Lu Jingzhi was somewhat at a loss for words.

This brother of his really deserved a beating.

…

Qin Family.

As time passed, impatience visibly crept onto Elder Qin’s face, prompting him to inquire again from Xiaozhang.

“Any news yet?”

“Master, there’s still no news, the shareholder meeting might not have ended yet.”

Elder Qin pinched the bridge of his nose, a bad premonition always lurking in his heart.

Could there have been a change in plans?

But that was impossible…

His plan couldn’t go wrong.

For this takeover of the Lu Family, he had planned for so long, considered nearly every risk at each stage, and made the corresponding preparations.

Furthermore, who could guess that Director Xia of the Lu Company had already been won over by him?

After all, Director Xia was a veteran figure, adept at playing both sides, and should not have been exposed.

Now, all he needed was to wait a bit longer…

Once Lu Xian was removed from the position of general manager, he could make his move on the Lu Group.

As for the online public opinion, it was no longer important.

Successfully holding the shareholder meeting was his ultimate goal after all these maneuvers.

Just as Elder Qin was wildly speculating, the phone rang.

Elder Qin perked up.

It was here!

His face flushed with excitement, he quickly signaled Xiaozhang to answer it.

Xiaozhang hurriedly pressed the answer button.

Elder Qin anxiously awaited the caller to share the good news, but instead, he heard an angry roar from the other side, “It’s over! All is lost!”

Elder Qin frowned, “What do you mean ‘all is lost’?”

“I mean, everything is ruined! The plan has been completely exposed, and my actions have been discovered, that ungrateful Lu Xian is actually suing me! And Professor Qiao…”

Elder Qin was shocked, “What does it have to do with Professor Qiao?”

“She bought shares in the Lu Group, exposed me at the meeting, transferred the shares to the Lu Family, and even collaborated with Shengqiao and the Lu Family to save Lu Xian!”

Director Xia panted over the phone, “Now the entire group can be said to be under the Lu Family’s dominion!”

Elder Qin’s pupils constricted, his face filled with disbelief, his lips even trembling a bit.

How could this have happened?

His carefully planned takeover was ruined by Professor Qiao, who had suddenly intervened!

“Are you sure it’s Professor Qiao from the Tianqi Research Institute?”

“Who else could it be? Do you have any idea, Pei Ya from Shengqiao actually made a personal appearance!”

Elder Qin felt as if struck by lightning.

Although he knew that Pei Ya and Miss Lu had a good relationship, he had never expected him to go to such lengths for the Lu Family.

“Who the hell are you to dare scheme against me!” came the roar from the other side of the phone.

Elder Qin had no desire to waste words with Director Xia now that he had no further use for him; he immediately instructed Xiaozhang to hang up the phone.

His mind was racing.

Elder Qin hadn’t linked Professor Qiao with the Lu Family before; in his eyes, how could the Lu Family possibly know the renowned Professor Qiao.

He believed it was Pei Ya who had moved Professor Qiao, and this whole talk of Professor Qiao buying shares in the Lu Family, in his view, was really Pei Ya buying them.

A sudden realization crossed Elder Qin’s mind, and he abruptly stood up from the sofa.

He got it, Pei Ya’s actions for Miss Lu were out of true love; that was why he’d gone to such extents!