Happy 2024 everyone!
I’ll be out of town next week, so releases will resume a normal 1x weekly schedule after Jan 15. Thanks for your patience.
-k
“It’s not hard.” Shu Wen laughed.
Seeing the two children in front of him, his perennially pale face finally turned rosy.
Shi Jinpeng’s face completely darkened. The invitation letter from the Lu family… also clearly stated Shu Wen’s name. If he wasn’t worried about not being able to justify his absence in front of the Lu family, it would be impossible for him to allow his omega to come out to participate in this kind of public event.
Lu Feng obviously introduced him just now, but Lu Yunye completely ignored him. Instead, he looked over there and greeted his omega, and he couldn’t do anything at all.
Seeing this, Shi Yi stood up, and looked at his alpha father with eyes full of vigilance.
Shi Jinpeng suppressed his breath, smiled, and said to Lu Yunye, “Shi Yi is also a member of the Lu family. There is no need for our two families to be so formal with each other. Just treat me and Shu Wen like your own parents.”
“Well, our Lu family’s hospital in the west of the city has just been built. Why don’t I take Uncle Shu to have a checkup?” Lu Yunye suggested.
“Your Uncle Shu’s health issue is an old problem. We have our own doctors, no need for you to worry.” Shi Jinpeng gave Shu Wen a hard look at the same time, suggesting that he say something.
Shu Wen only looked forward with a calm expression, and did not express his opinion.
“It depends on who the doctor is.” Lu Yunqing walked over gracefully, pinching a grape with her nail-studded fingers and putting it in her mouth. “We’ll send him over, and have people watching. You don’t have to worry about him running away by himself.”
“You…” Shi Jinpeng choked, almost losing his composure in public.
The second son, Shi Du, walked over from the side and persuaded, “Dad, Ms Lu is right. We’ll bring him back after Uncle Wen finishes his treatment.”
Shi Du held his father’s arm tightly, as a shrewd calculation flashed in his eyes.
He and Shi Yuan’s omega father passed away when they were young. Over the years, they have also noticed Shi Jinpeng’s enthusiasm for Shu Wen.
After all, Shi Jinpeng is getting old. He is frequently susceptible due to his relationship with his omega, but still unwilling to let go of his reins in the company, running it in a confused manner. On the other hand, his elder brother, Shi Yuan, is notorious because of his involvement with Feng Muqing, and wasn’t invited today.
Now is the best time for him to seize power. The Lu family will play a key role, and he can’t ruin his future because of the old man’s stubbornness.
“Look, it’s still Shi… What’s your name again? It’s still this young man who has a quick mind.” Lu Yunqing patted Shi Du’s shoulder and pointed out.
Shi Du smiled stiffly, stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Shi Jinpeng’s expression suddenly changed. He shook off Shi Du’s hand, “I’m not confused yet! It’s not your turn to make decisions yet!”
Despite Lu Yunqing being from the younger generation, everyone knows the temper of the eldest lady of the Lu family, making it difficult for them to step in. Besides, Mr. and Mrs. Lu hadn’t spoken, let alone Shi Jinpeng, who had no right to speak.
The guests watched the excitement with curious or probing eyes. The Lu family didn’t make a statement, only Lu Yunqing was smiling, while the father and son of the Shi family obviously had their own ulterior motives.
“Ah, you’re father and son. You should be more harmonious.” Lu Yunqing spoke up again, just at the right time. “Anyway, we will be a family in the future, and will do our best to help the Shi family with any difficulties.”
Shi Jinpeng had been waiting for this sentence. Knowing these youngsters were more difficult to provoke than the previous one, he turned to Lu Feng and said, “Our Shi Yi was weak and in poor health since he was a child. Raising him wasn’t easy… There’s a small problem with our business’s capital chain, I hope Brother Lu can help with.”
Lu Feng took a sip of tea unhurriedly, “Shi Yi is now our family, so helping is natural. It’s just that I, an old man, have long since ignored outside affairs. These are all managed by Yunye.”
Lu Yunye nodded, and asked someone to bring over a document, “This is a medical project jointly invested by the Lu family and the Shi family. When the Lu family withdraws, the Shi family will hold all the shares.”
Shi Jinpeng glanced at the contract. It is the latest seaweed drug research and development project, which has gone through several rounds of financing and will be listed soon. The Lu family and the Shi family have both invested in this company, fighting over the acquisition and business rights.
The pharmaceutical sector has been very popular recently, and such innovative companies are all hotly fought over. The Lu family had always been the dominant player in the field, and them choosing to quit at this time is equivalent to giving up on 2x the profit.
As long as this company goes public, the Shi family can immediately sell their shares. Not to mention the capital chain problem, their annual numbers will look much better too.
“You mean that the Lu family is going to give up the bid for the Zaoyi Capsule?” Shi Jinpeng immediately beamed with joy. “Yunye has the bearing of being a family member at a young age; you can’t go back on what you said.”
“I won’t.” Lu Yunye said lightly. “I have already signed the letter of commitment, and will have someone send a copy to your company later.”
“Father,” Shi Du frowned, “let’s go back and think about it.”
Although Zaoyi Capsule is about to be launched, the results of the third phase of the clinical trial are not yet known. A large amount of research and development expenses has been invested, but the results are not known.
With the current capital chain issue, if something goes wrong, their family may not be able to support it.
“What?” Shi Jinpeng raised his eyebrows ferociously, still harboring suspicions about his own son after hearing Lu Yunqing’s words. “Can’t you wait until I die to get the shares of the Shi family?”
Hearing such words in public, even Shi Du, who had thicker skin, couldn’t hold back, and his face changed from blue to red.
Lu Yunye was obviously not interested in the conflict between father and son, and continued, “After marriage, the assets under Shi Yi’s name will be owned by the Lu family, and Feiyi will be acquired and merged into a subsidiary of Yunye Media.”
This time, not only Shi Jinpeng, but Shi Yi was also taken aback for a moment, and raised his head.
Lu Yunye’s face remained unchanged and he said, “The Shi family should also transfer their equity in Feiyi to Yunye Media to complete the handover.”
After hearing this, Shi Yi clenched his fists and understood Lu Yunye’s plan.
Feiyi was originally just a small studio opened by Shi Jinpeng for Shu Wen. Even if it became bigger, Shi Jinpeng still held 50% of the shares. Shi Yi only inherited 30% from Shu Wen, so although he is the CEO of Feiyi in name, the company is still controlled by the Shi family, and he has no say on the board.
After so many years, Feiyi has made a lot of profit, all of which was consumed by Shi Jinpeng for various reasons to support the rest of the Shi family.
On one side is a tepid fashion company, and on the other side is a venture capital project that is about to make huge profits. Shi Jinpeng quickly made a decision, “No problem, I’ll ask someone to draw up a transfer letter when I go back!”
Shi Yi took a deep breath, feeling his eyes prickle. Finally – he no longer needs to be controlled by the Shi family. Feiyi has been under the name of the Shi group for these years, and has been unable to get the best resources in the industry because of it.
The group of designers who opened the studio with Shu Wen have almost left, and those left behind are all Shi Yi’s seniors, who know Shi Yi better, and rely on him to resist the pressure.
He never thought that Lu Yunye would do this.
“Okay, now that the contract is settled, let’s get ready for dinner.” Xiao Ting came over and took her son’s arm lightly. “Xiao Yi come, I’ve has prepared a big red envelope for you.”
“Go.” Shu Wen let go of Shi Yi’s hand. “Dad is fine here, don’t worry.”
“En.” Shi Yi stood up and walked to Xiao Ting’s side. “Thank you, auntie.”
“Oh, why are you still so shy.” Xiao Ting laughed. After a moment, she really took out a big red envelope from her bag. It was wrapped in a specially customized red envelope, with the word “Lu” written in sparkling gold.
“This…” Shi Yi subconsciously looked at Lu Yunye, not sure if he wanted to accept it.
After all, they were only married by agreement in private, and the Lu family’s parents didn’t know about it.
“Just take it.” Lu Yunye said.
“Then,” Shi Yi received the envelope and said again, “Thank you, auntie.”
“Don’t worry, you don’t need to ask for permission.” Lu Yunqing laughed twice, and put her hands on Shi Yi’s shoulders. “Being kind to omegas is written into our Lu family’s family law. If he dares bully you, he will be punished.”
“Sister,” Lu Yunye looked at Lu Yunqing’s hand, slightly dissatisfied.
“Tch, see?” Lu Yunqing took her hands away and said to Shi Yi, “Look at this kid. He acts so fierce, but he’s actually soft-hearted. He protects his weaknesses to death, so don’t be afraid of him.”
But Shi Yi’s mind was thinking about another matter. Punishment? He thought of the thick and dense scars on Lu Yunye’s body… were they caused by family law?
The wounds have faded somewhat, but because the post-injury treatment wasn’t done well, some traces were still left behind. It needs to be rubbed with safflower oil to heal it.
He was often injured in the Shi family, and after dealing with such wounds often, he recognized it at a glance.
“Hey, cutie, what are you thinking?”
“Huh?” Shi Yi reacted abruptly, only to realize that both siblings of the Lu family were looking at him, and said with a smile, “Understood, thank you sister.”
Remembering how Lu Yunqing spoke up for him before, he couldn’t help but say, “I’ll ask the company’s designer to prepare a few sets of clothes for you later. When you have the time, please come to Feiyi to measure your size.”
“Oh, so cute!” Lu Yunqing said with emotion. “How did my stinky brother pick up such a cutie?”
Xiao Ting also came over when she heard the words, “What clothes? Do you have auntie’s share?”
“Yes, both.” Shi Yi laughed, with two small smile crinkles at the corners of his eyes.
“Ting’er! Don’t forget about your sisters!” An older omega looked over from not far away.
Seeing that Shi Yi was about to be surrounded again, Lu Yunye raised his eyebrows, pulled Shi Yi up and turned to leave.
“Don’t be shy, brother!”
Lu Yunqing’s loud laughter came from behind.
Dragged away by Lu Yunye to a place with fewer people, Shi Yi finally heard him say, “My relatives are all like this. If you’re not used to them, tell me.”
“It’s okay, auntie and the others are very nice,” Shi Yi said. “I like them very much.”
Lu Yunye: “I saw you in Yunye Building before, and thought you didn’t like these things.”
“You saw me?” Shi Yi’s eyes widened. That night was unforgettable to him for various reasons, but he didn’t recall seeing Lu Yunye in the banquet hall.
“I was behind the screen.” Lu Yunye said.
Shi Yi: “Then you must’ve discovered that something was wrong with Feng Muqing, which is why…”
“I smelled it later,” Lu Yunye inadvertently sniffed his nose. “He stinks too much.”
Higher level alphas are also more sensitive to pheromones, so he was able to detect Feng Muqing’s pheromones that night.
“Thank you.” Shi Yi lowered his eyes slightly. “I am also very grateful for your help on Feiyi’s matter. I never thought that Shi Jinpeng would let go so easily.”
“This is my marital obligation,” Lu Yunye said sternly. “I have a responsibility to our marriage for the next three years.”
“I understand.” An inexplicable emotion rose up in Shi Yi’s heart.
He was ignored as a child in the Shi family. His older brothers bullied him, and even the servants ignored him. Coupled with his defective glands, he knew early on that he was different from others.
Shu Wen loved him wholeheartedly, but he was still cautious, and worried about his omega father.
Shi Yi will instinctively resist other people’s unreasonable kindness, so hearing Lu Yunye’s rationale made it much easier for him to accept it.
Although Lu Yunye doesn’t seem approachable, he is actually kinder than most people. Shi Yi remembered what Lu Yunye said about waiting for someone, and was a little curious about the person he missed.
When his thoughts drifted back, Lu Yunye had already returned to the banquet hall. People kept coming to talk to him, and Shi Yi suddenly felt relieved.
Why is he thinking it about so much? Their agreement only lasts 3 years, and after that he can find a place to live with Shu Wen in peace.
ML’s sister (Lu Yunqing) is a rockstar
Don’t forget to rate and leave a review on novelupdates. Want to support SABL? Buy me a ko-fi for faster releases (add’l release status is tracked on my ko-fi page).
