YA Ch70: Shameless

Ming Yan walked into the tea house at a leisurely pace.

He was dressed in a high-end vintage suit today, with a pocket watch in his suit pocket. The long chain of the watch fell gracefully, making an elegant arc. He looked extremely noble, like the young master of the Ming family who ran an overseas business in the Republican era.

Pushing open the door to the private room, there was only a tea table inside, and behind the tea table sat a middle-aged man. Hearing the sound of the door opening, the man looked up. It was Lu Zhenni’s father, Lu Shuangcheng, the second uncle of the Lu family, who had appeared on television recently.

The Lu brothers came from humble beginnings. When they were young, their names were quite rustic. The elder brother was named Lu Dacheng, and the younger brother was named Lu Shuangcheng. After Lu Dacheng became wealthy, he thought his name was too plain and changed it to Lu Jincheng, believing that “where gold is sincere, even stone opens up.” Lu Shuangcheng did not change his name and kept it.

Seeing Ming Yan like this, Lu Shuangcheng’s expression darkened. He despised people from the Ming family who had some heritage, as if they were so high and mighty. When he was starting out in business, these people seemed cultured on the surface, but their gazes were full of disdain.

“Young Master Ming, still as radiant as ever,” Lu Shuangcheng said with a smile, raising his hand to indicate Ming Yan to take a seat.

Ming Yan smiled faintly, sat down opposite, and lifted the cup of tea in front of him, slowly pouring it out. Then, he turned the cup upside down in the tea tray, took a new cup, filled it seven-tenths full, and poured half a cup for Lu Shuangcheng as well.

After completing these actions fluidly, Ming Yan finally spoke slowly, “Mr. Lu, you’re too polite. The tea was filled up before the guest even arrived.”

Tea should not be poured before the guest arrives. Tea would get cold, and there was also the suspicion of serving leftover tea. Lu Shuangcheng, who had been in the business world for so many years, should have known the rules.

By pouring the tea this way, it meant serving Ming Yan cold tea.

Lu Shuangcheng did not deny his rudeness. He picked up the tea Ming Yan had poured for him and took a sip, “Young Master Ming, quite a skill. In this age of advanced technology, you managed to cut off all contact with Lu Yu.”

Ming Yan did not deny his obstruction either and maintained a polite smile, “The project is busy lately. I don’t want anyone disturbing him. If Mr. Lu has any matters, just let me know.”

“Hmph,” Lu Shuangcheng sneered lightly, as if finding this statement very ridiculous. He put down his cup and looked at Ming Yan with a strange expression, “The acquisition of DCM has restarted. Didn’t he always want to be involved? Now he’s acting like a busy person?”

On the other side, Lu Yu bid farewell to Que De and prepared to head to the tea house to see what was going on.

Que De saw him off to the clinic’s lobby and asked with concern, “Can you go alone? I have no appointments this afternoon. Do you need any help? I’ve learned free fighting, and you only need to pay for a home visit adjustment!”

Lu Yu glanced at him.

The enthusiastic Dr. Que had a glint of mischief in his eyes.

The front desk staff couldn’t stand it anymore and reminded them, “Dr. Que, you still have three scheduled patients.” It wasn’t, as he said, there were no appointments.

Lu Yu was quite speechless, “I don’t need you.”

After leaving the regretful Dr. Que, Lu Yu jumped into his car and sped towards the tea house.

In the tea room, Lu Shuangcheng placed a document in front of Ming Yan.

Ming Yan did not rush to flip through it and continued to drink tea leisurely. The room was very quiet, with only the background music of a guzheng playing the sound of flowing water.

“This matter, in fact, concerns you as well,” Lu Shuangcheng said, urging Ming Yan when he didn’t look, “It’s fine to tell you.”

Ming Yan put down his tea cup, opened the document, frowned slightly, and his eyes were full of surprise.

It was a project proposal from the Lu family, including the acquisition of DCM Smart Brain Manufacturing, binding Chenyu Technology’s smart assistant, and handing over 50% of the smart brain bracelet production business to Tomorrow Watches.

Tomorrow Watches?

“If this succeeds, your Ming family’s assets will be revitalized, and you, Young Master Ming, will still be the heir of the century-old rich family,” Lu Shuangcheng said the latter part with a hint of sarcasm.

Ming Yan ignored his sarcastic tone, his eyes devoid of emotion, and casually closed the proposal, tossing it aside, “The 50% bracelet production, is this Lu Yu’s idea?”

His focus was actually on the bracelet production business. Before today, Ming Yan had no idea about this plan. But by asking this way, Lu Shuangcheng would think he was inquiring about the 50% ratio, thus assuming he knew the background of the matter.

Lu Shuangcheng sneered, “Of course not. That kid is very greedy, wanting 100% of the business. In business, although we’re relatives, the ratio still needs to be negotiated.”

Ming Yan clenched and relaxed his fingers under the table, looking at Lu Shuangcheng with a half-smile, “Since we’re talking business, let’s be honest. You’ve been privately contacting Lu Yu; what are you trying to negotiate?”

“This business is a sure win. There are many companies making smart assistants, and there are many better than your Chenyu. I don’t have to cooperate with you.” Lu Shuangcheng did not directly answer Ming Yan’s question but used the usual tricks of middle-aged businessmen in the market. First, he talked about a lot of irrelevant things, then mystically said a series of intonations, “The so-called fat water does not flow to outsiders. I also hope to support my relatives. But the premise is that he must be our Lu family member.”

Ming Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, listening to Lu Shuangcheng’s continuous nonsense.

How his brother and sister-in-law had been very sad over the years, and hoped Lu Yu would return to apologize to his parents; how the Lu family valued their image, and if Lu Yu continued to be hostile towards the Lu family, they couldn’t cooperate with him…

Listening to the implications, Ming Yan remained silent for a while and suddenly let out a sneer. He slowly raised his head and looked at the now finished performance of Lu Shuangcheng, “If I’m not mistaken, the key to the DCM acquisition business is repairing the relationship with Lu Yu, right?”

Although, due to a lack of information, the middle part lacked necessary logic, that was indeed the case.

Ming Yan stared at Lu Shuangcheng’s eyes and saw the seasoned old fox’s pupils tremble uncontrollably, and the smile at the corner of his mouth gradually widen.

Lu Shuangcheng’s expression did not change. After a pause, he said, “To be honest with you, DCM can only be sold to our Lu family. Only we have the Smart Alliance’s qualification certificate. Other companies, even with the support of Hongxiao Capital, cannot obtain the qualification. No matter how rich Hong Wenzhao is, he can’t get the qualification. Even if they buy DCM, they’ll end up having to sell it to me at a low price!”

He seemed to be quite agitated, speaking at length, and finally added, “I’m not in a hurry. But if you want to save your family’s dying watch factory, you should persuade Lu Yu.”

Ming Yan remained unmoved. After Lu Shuangcheng finished his long speech, he suddenly asked, “Is this a requirement from the issuer of the qualification certificate?”

Lu Shuangcheng’s hand, which was reaching for the teacup, trembled as if it had been scalded. He sneered, “As expected of a century-old wealthy family, you have some insight. That’s right. We applied as a family business. Now it’s a crucial moment. Lu Yu’s screw-up means we can’t get the qualification. No one can expect to succeed.”

Having been guessed correctly by Ming Yan, Lu Shuangcheng didn’t hide anything and revealed his trump card.

Lu Yu, following Lu Dongdong’s hint, found this tea house smoothly. Stepping inside, he confidently said, “Room 333, I have an appointment.”

“Your friend is already here. Please follow me,” the waiter said without suspicion and led him upstairs to the corresponding private room.

Lu Yu stopped at the door and waved the waiter away. This tea house had high privacy; each room’s door was separated by partitions, so one couldn’t see into another.

After the waiter went downstairs, Lu Yu did not rush in but quietly leaned against the door to eavesdrop.

The thick, carved wooden door had excellent sound insulation; he could only hear that there were two people but couldn’t make out what they were saying.

Lu Yu, anxious, placed the smart brain device at the door gap, allowing Lu Dongdong to increase the volume, and put on headphones to listen carefully. Ming Yan’s voice came through the headphones.

“So, what do you want me to persuade Lu Yu about?”

Lu Shuangcheng said somewhat urgently, “He unilaterally terminated the adoption relationship back then, and now it’s too late to reapply. So, you should divorce Lu Yu and persuade him to marry Zhenni. This way, we’ll still be a family.”

Ming Yan was stunned and incredulously repeated, “You mean Lu Zhenni?”

Regardless of whether the document for terminating the adoption relationship was effective, Lu Zhenni was nominally Lu Yu’s cousin!

Before Ming Yan could say anything else, the door to the tea room was abruptly kicked open by Lu Yu.

“Lu Shuangcheng, are you out of your mind? Do you even understand that cousins can’t marry? Ugh—” Lu Yu clutched his chest, bent over, and genuinely gagged. He quickly rushed to the tea table and spat on Lu Shuangcheng’s face, “Pah! Do you even know how to write the words for propriety, righteousness, and shame?”

Ming Yan was still a bit dazed and reflexively added, “It’s four characters.”

Lu Yu pointed at Lu Shuangcheng’s nose, “It’s three characters, because he’s shameless!”

Lu Shuangcheng swatted Lu Yu’s hand pointing at him, “Lu Yu, calm down. This is business! You and Zhenni have no blood relationship; what’s there to be afraid of?”

Furious at such disregard for ethics, Lu Yu pointed at the watch on his wrist, “I’ve recorded your earlier statement. If I hear you say another word of this kind that taints Ming Yan’s ears, I’ll post the recording online and let everyone in the country judge what kind of business you’re running!”

Lu Shuangcheng’s chest heaved violently, “Don’t be impulsive. If it gets out, it’s not just me who’ll be embarrassed.”

Seeing that staying any longer might lead to trouble, Ming Yan pulled Lu Yu out, “There’s no room for discussion about marrying Lu Zhenni. Mr. Lu, you should wake up and think carefully before speaking.”

Lu Shuangcheng’s eyes reddened, and he anxiously said, “Lu Yu, if you really dislike Zhenni, then your younger brother will do…”

“Damn your grandfather! Why don’t you say I should marry your grandmother and be your grandfather?!” Lu Yu turned around and grabbed a vase from the door, throwing it at Lu Shuangcheng. Ming Yan held him tightly around the waist, preventing him from directly attacking Lu Shuangcheng.

Ming Yan used all his strength to drag Lu Yu downstairs, holding the trembling Lu Yu and repeatedly comforting him, “It’s okay, it’s okay. They’re just talking nonsense. We don’t need to listen.”

After a while, Lu Yu finally calmed down.

Lu Yu pulled away from the comforting embrace, his eyes filled with sadness, and stared at Ming Yan, “Why did you come to see him?”

He had originally thought Ming Yan was coming to see some inconvenient past lover but was surprised to find he was meeting Lu Shuangcheng.

Ming Yan, at a loss, held Lu Yu’s hand, “I…” didn’t know how to explain why he had met Lu’s family behind Lu Yu’s back.

In Lu Yu’s clear eyes, there was visible grievance, pain, and unwillingness. He asked with a tight voice, “Does that mean I’m not getting this week’s benefits?”

Panicked, Ming Yan replied, “…”