Chapter 33 Part 1

Lu Ningshuang: “…”

Was this definitely not going to crash the party?

According to the original plot—

She knew, but according to her current “persona,” she shouldn’t know.

Qin Yushu was a clever and perceptive person. If she detected any clues…

Lu Ningshuang exhaled inwardly.

Forget it. She would just follow the procedure.

So, Lu Ningshuang asked again, “What’s the relationship between this Old Master Huo and your family?”

Qin Yushu: “He had some connections with my grandfather’s generation. The relationship… used to be pretty good.”

Lu Ningshuang caught the subtle implication. “And now?”

“Later, the old master passed away.”

Qin Yushu spoke indifferently, but Lu Ningshuang could still discern a hint of unusual emotion in that cool detachment.

Back at the company, Lu Ningshuang had heard from the gossip—

That Qin Yushu had become the new head and heir of the entire Tian Sheng Group largely thanks to this old master’s strong support.

Looking at President Qin’s expression, the Alpha said very gently, “My condolences.”

Seeing Little Dog so cautious and mindful of her feelings, Qin Yushu smiled instead.

Lu Ningshuang: …Was this laughing through grief?

Qin Yushu said, “He’s been lying in the public cemetery for several years now. It’s long past the time for condolences. Over these years, we haven’t even burned paper money, cars, or houses for him. Some filial descendants even burned wives and entire companies. I imagine he’s living quite comfortably down there.”

Lu Ningshuang: …Huh?

Was it really okay to be so irreverent?

And wasn’t this granddaughter’s attitude a bit too “filial”?

Qin Yushu noticed the Alpha’s expression. “You seem very puzzled?”

Little Dog hesitated, then nodded honestly but timidly. “A little.”

“There’s nothing strange about it.”

Qin Yushu’s attitude was very relaxed. “You might have heard some rumors outside…”

Lu Ningshuang nodded repeatedly.

“They’re fake.”

Qin Yushu said, “Or rather, not entirely true.”

Now it was the glamorous President Qin debunking rumors online?

Lu Ningshuang thought dazedly, only to hear that pleasant yet indifferent latter half come from beside her.

“The old master… he wasn’t that good to me.”

—At least at eighteen, when she unexpectedly differentiated into an Omega, he had considered abandoning her completely and propping up those useless Alphas instead.

Even though she had been groomed as the heir for over a decade by then, even though those Alphas had nothing comparable to her except their gender…

That night, Lu Ningshuang had awakened to the plot.

But the plot she knew revolved around the male and female leads’ emotional line.

Anything unrelated was completely ignored.

If it advanced the protagonists’ romance, it might get a passing mention—but just a line, often without beginning or end, skipping most details.

So Lu Ningshuang only knew that Qin Yushu had secured the position of head and heir, but it wasn’t stable. Plenty of people below eyed it covetously, watching like hungry wolves.

The Qin Family was full of infighting and all sorts of extreme relatives.

—The kind that could star in a face-slapping era drama.

Thinking about it, being a domineering CEO wasn’t easy.

And now, Qin Yushu was mentioning the Qin Family situation to her for the first time. Though brief, it showed things weren’t rosy inside.

Should she organize some comforting words now…

But President Qin didn’t seem fragile. Would being too obvious touch a nerve?

That might not be good.

Or directly comment on the old master—“Good riddance~”? But that seemed even more disrespectful.

Besides, Qin Yushu had said “not that good,” implying it had been “good” for a time before. No need to go overboard.

Qin Yushu turned her head and saw Little Dog’s conflicted expression.

The doggy’s intent to cheer up her owner was all too obvious… Qin Yushu even wanted to pat Little Dog’s head as a reward.

But remembering the Alpha’s specially styled hair for today, she held back.

Little Dog looked so harmless that she involuntarily shared a bit more about herself.

Fine.

She was taking her to a formal occasion today anyway. The Qin Family’s messy nonsense would reach Little Dog sooner or later. Giving her a heads-up in advance wasn’t bad.

It would prevent her from being foolishly deceived later without realizing.

But today’s dose was enough. The rest could wait for a leisurely day, or until Lu Ningshuang dug it up herself.

Having held a high position for so long, most of the time others tiptoed around her emotions.

Qin Yushu didn’t give Lu Ningshuang a clear response and directly shifted the topic back.

“After the old master passed, the Huo Family was under their heir Huo Dashao’s leadership at the time. After several reform measures were rolled out, the entire Huo Family was on an upward trajectory, a period of booming development.”

“At the same time, the Qin Family underwent a leadership change, leaving it unstable and on the verge of collapse.”

“Though the two old men had some past acquaintance, with one gone, it wasn’t appropriate for the other to interfere in family affairs. Over time, the relationship faded.”

Lu Ningshuang nodded after listening.

Got it!

Your Huo Family was ascending to the heavens, while the Qin Family hadn’t even wiped its own ass clean. No poor relatives tagging along!

Qin Yushu: “Then in recent years, the Qin Family stabilized a bit, while the Huo Family’s supposed heaven’s proud son and dragon among men heir met with trouble…”

“Wheel of fortune turns!” Lu Ningshuang jumped in immediately.

Qin Yushu smiled. “Right.”

Wasn’t it just thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—karma turning?

Lu Ningshuang glanced at Qin Yushu’s expression.

She actually wanted to say that under Qin Yushu’s leadership these years, the Qin Family hadn’t just stabilized—it was like a ferocious tiger devouring its way forward relentlessly.

And with a bunch of troublesome relatives dragging her down, President Qin was even more impressive!

Impressive enough to make one’s heart ache!

She recalled the times she’d seen Qin Yushu—aside from special periods, she was always busy with company matters. For an enterprise, group, or family to thrive, it required the behind-the-scenes leader’s tireless day-and-night efforts.

With the background briefed, Lu Ningshuang could finally rephrase her inner knowledge into a question.

“So, Old Master Huo’s birthday invitation this time—is it aimed at you?”

Qin Yushu’s expression was calm. “One-third, maybe.”

Part of it was that seventy marked a rare auspicious age, worth a grand celebration to dispel the recent bad luck hanging over the Huo Family.

And also.

Huo Yunyi, the illegitimate son and now the Huo Family’s only choice, had handled several matters handed to him recently quite well, beautifully even. This was a perfect chance, with guests gathered, to formally push him into the spotlight.

Since Huo Dashao’s unexpected death, the circle had heard rumors of this illegitimate son Huo Yunyi rising.

But hearing wasn’t the same as acknowledging.

The old master was old; managing the vast Huo Family took a toll on his energy.

This occasion was ideal to legitimately hand over inheritance rights and remaining authority, letting Huo Yunyi get some practice. Once adapted, the full power could be transferred.

The birthday banquet’s main purpose was Huo Yunyi’s grand debut, setting an example in everyone’s minds.

If he could find a suitable Omega of equal status and outstanding ability right now, it would be killing three birds with one stone.

Lu Ningshuang’s brain worked well when needed. She asked again, “Was there some marriage alliance or betrothal between Old Master Qin and Old Master Huo back then?”

Qin Yushu: “Verbally, yes.”

Lu Ningshuang: “…”

Qin Yushu: “It was just a casual joke at the time, and no one took it seriously then or later.”

Lu Ningshuang: “…………”

President Qin, you didn’t have to leave such huge pauses!

She quickly realized.

Now Old Master Qin was dead, and as the saying went, the dead couldn’t testify. So Old Master Huo was holding this big birthday banquet.

Lu Ningshuang tensed immediately. “Will he bring up the old matter and use it to pressure you publicly?!”

Qin Yushu: “Possible.”

And quite possible.

In the past, Old Master Huo valued his face and pride; he wouldn’t stoop to forcing someone.

But with the Huo Family’s troubles now, Huo Yunyi’s illegitimate background was still too low. He’d made achievements in the past half-year, but the time was short, he was young, and starting from a deficit—it wasn’t enough to convince everyone in the circle.

At such a time, Old Master Huo might act decisively, even recklessly.

To enter this circle, Huo Yunyi desperately needed a stepping stone.

And what could be more perfect than an outstanding Omega, granddaughter of an old acquaintance, with the massive “dowry” of the Qin Family behind her?

Seeing the happy Little Dog start to worry, Qin Yushu finally said, “But those tricks won’t work on me.”

Lu Ningshuang: “Huh?”

No matter how well they schemed.

Qin Yushu said, “I have Miss Lu.”

She couldn’t resist in the end. Unable to pat Little Dog’s head, she pinched Lu Ningshuang’s cheek instead.

The Alpha hissed.

Not because it hurt—Qin Yushu hadn’t used any force—but the impact of the gesture was extraordinary.

Too… intimate.

Qin Yushu: “Miss Lu is my Alpha. We’ve marked each other and married. There’s no room for a third party.”

“I won’t allow it.”

She stated firmly.

The Alpha gazed at Qin Yushu’s noble and elegant face nearby, now looking at her with vibrant beauty laced with tenderness.

But Lu Ningshuang couldn’t help recalling what Housekeeper Nangong had said before they left—

“Madam, why don’t you bring the marriage certificate just in case!”

Lu Ningshuang: “Huh?”

Housekeeper Nangong: “I’ve seen plenty. Whenever a domineering CEO’s delicate wife attends these banquets, some blind fool mocks her. Then you just slap the marriage certificate in their face and shut them down…”

Lu Ningshuang had dazedly thought to say the certificates were both with Qin Yushu for safekeeping—where was she supposed to get one?

Throwing out the marriage certificate—what had it done wrong? QAQ

Suddenly, Housekeeper Nangong stopped.

“I got it wrong.”

Lu Ningshuang: ?

“This is the miss’s role. You’ve already handled the miss’s part—how are you supposed to show off your love in public now!”

At that moment, Housekeeper Nangong felt enlightened. “No, absolutely not. Madam, don’t even ask me for it. Oh, and have fun out there.”

Lu Ningshuang: “…”

Knowing someone was about to mock her soon, how could she have fun? 🙂

…

Looking at Qin Yushu now, the good-for-nothing live-in Alpha finally perked up. “I’ll do my best to cooperate!”

Qin Yushu: “Hm?”

“Stay by President Qin’s side as your spouse Alpha, show off our love fiercely, and fend off those pesky suitors!”

Housekeeper Nangong’s subtle indoctrination had influenced Lu Ningshuang somewhat.

Qin Yushu thought, I didn’t say those last two lines.

But it was rare for Little Dog to be so motivated.

“Mm.”

She pinched Lu Ningshuang’s cheek again, leaning close with a smile, her lips nearly brushing the Alpha’s face.

“My chastity is in your hands, Miss Lu.”

Little Dog’s cheeks and ears flushed bright red instantly, her fists secretly clenching!

“Definitely!!!”