TLSOTMTKOGAYWHTDI Chapter 113

Chapter 112: The Old Man Relents

In the glass greenhouse of the rose garden, Qi Yanwang impatiently loosened his tie.

Miss Lin stood opposite him, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her skirt.

“Miss Lin, how have you considered it?”

Qi Yanwang adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. “As long as you agree to the marriage alliance, the Lin family’s shipping routes in Northern Europe will immediately receive funding support from the Qi family.”

Miss Lin bit her lip. “But… the one I like is Yanwang *gege*…”

“Heh.”

Qi Yanwang sneered, “Do you think the third brother would give you a second glance? He only has that Zhuo in his eyes.”

Outside the glass flower room, Zhuo Huaimo happened to be passing by.

Through the half-open door, he saw Miss Lin’s eyes were red, and Qi Yanwang was pressing closer and closer.

“I… I can’t…”

Miss Lin took two steps back, her back against the flower stand. “Father said that business marriages should also be consensual…”

“Consensual?”

Qi Yanwang suddenly grabbed her wrist. “Do you think this is a fairy tale movie?”

“Let go of me!”

Miss Lin struggled, the diamond bracelet on her wrist reflecting a dazzling light in the sun.

Zhuo Huaimo pushed the door open and entered. “Director Qi, forcing a lady is not what a gentleman does.”

Qi Yanwang released her hand abruptly, and when he turned around, he had already put on a perfect fake smile. “Director Zhuo has misunderstood. We were just discussing cooperation.”

“Is that so?”

Zhuo Huaimo walked to Miss Lin’s side and handed her a handkerchief. “Miss Lin doesn’t look too good. Should I call a doctor?”

Miss Lin took the handkerchief, her fingers trembling slightly. “No… no need…”

Qi Yanwang’s gaze behind his glasses was cold. “Director Zhuo is very fond of meddling.”

“Just doing what’s right.”

Zhuo Huaimo smiled. “Oh right, the old man seems to be looking for you.”

After Qi Yanwang left in anger, Miss Lin suddenly squatted down, covering her face and crying.

“He… he said that as long as I agreed to the marriage, he would help me deal with you…”

She sobbed, “But I don’t want to do this…”

Zhuo Huaimo was a little surprised. “I thought you hated me.”

“I do hate you!”

Miss Lin raised her tearful eyes. “You stole Yanwang *gege*… but I don’t want to use such despicable means…”

The sunlight shone down through the glass roof, illuminating her face with smeared makeup.

Zhuo Huaimo suddenly felt that this spoiled young lady wasn’t so annoying after all.

“Miss Lin,”

He squatted down. “Actually, Qi Yanwang never liked anyone until he met me.”

Miss Lin was stunned.

“So it’s not that you’re not good enough,”

Zhuo Huaimo said softly, “It’s just that the person he was waiting for happened to be me.”

Miss Lin’s tears welled up again. “You… you guys are really annoying…”

But this time the tone had less hostility.

That night, Miss Lin packed her luggage and returned to Switzerland.

Before leaving, she stuffed a letter to the housekeeper, asking him to pass it on to Qi Yanwang.

In the study, Qi Yanwang finished reading the letter, and his brows gradually relaxed.

“She apologized,”

He handed the letter to Zhuo Huaimo. “She also said she would persuade her father to continue cooperating with the Qi family.”

Zhuo Huaimo scanned the letter. “She’s not bad at heart, just spoiled.”

Qi Yanwang suddenly pulled him into his arms. “Thank you.”

“Thank me for what?”

“Thank you…”

Qi Yanwang kissed the top of his head. “For not taking the opportunity to kick me when I’m down.”

Zhuo Huaimo chuckled. “If I were that kind of person, would you like me?”

Outside the window, Qi Lin Yuan stood in the shadows, watching the two hugging in the study, his fists clenched white.

“Third Young Master,”

The housekeeper walked over. “The Old Master has asked you to go to the ancestral hall.”

Inside the ancestral hall, sandalwood incense swirled, and the Old Master Qi faced away from the entrance, twirling the ancestral sandalwood prayer beads in his hand.

“Satisfied now?”

The Old Master’s voice was hoarse. “The Lin family has called off the engagement, and your eldest brother’s plan has also fallen through.”

Qi Yanwang stood before the ancestral tablets, his expression calm. “Although the result is as I wished, I didn’t instigate this.”

“You’re still quibbling!”

The Old Master turned around abruptly, the prayer beads hitting the offering table with a crisp sound. “If you hadn’t brought a man back…”

“Grandpa,”

Qi Yanwang interrupted him. “Do you think the Lin family would accept a gay son-in-law? Even without Huaimo, this marriage wouldn’t have worked out.”

The Old Master was choked, his white beard trembling with anger. “Then what are you going to do now? The Qi family’s cooperation with the Lin family…”

“Business cooperation shouldn’t rely on marriage alliances.”

Qi Yanwang looked directly at the Old Master. “I will personally go to Switzerland to meet with Chairman Lin.”

The Old Master narrowed his eyes. “You? With your reputation as it is now?”

“By virtue of my status as the CEO of the Asia-Pacific region of Qi Corporation.”

Qi Yanwang’s tone was firm. “Moreover, Huaimo has some connections at the Swiss Film Festival that can help make introductions.”

The Old Master was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “What do you really think about inheriting the family business?”

Qi Yanwang lowered his eyes. “My ambition doesn’t lie there.”

“Bastard!”

The Old Master picked up the teacup beside him and smashed it on the ground. “The Qi family’s century-old foundation, will it end with you?”

“Grandpa,”

Qi Yanwang knelt down on one knee. “Eldest brother is more suitable than me to manage the group. If you’re worried that he’s unscrupulous, you can set up a family trust…”

“Bullshit!”

The Old Master coughed violently. “Your eldest brother… he can’t even tolerate his own younger brother, how can he tolerate the entire Qi family!”

Outside the ancestral hall, the housekeeper hurriedly led Zhuo Huaimo over.

Hearing the argument inside, Zhuo Huaimo paused.

“Mr. Zhuo,” the housekeeper said in a low voice, “the Old Master has asked you to come in.”

Zhuo Huaimo took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Qi Yanwang immediately stood up and blocked him. “Grandpa, you can just talk to me.”

The Old Master sneered. “What, are you afraid I’ll eat him?”

He beckoned to Zhuo Huaimo. “Come here, child.”

Zhuo Huaimo went around Qi Yanwang and bowed respectfully. “Uncle Qi.”

“I heard,”

The Old Master asked slowly, “You want to take Yanwang back to China?”

Qi Yanwang hurriedly interjected. “It’s my own decision!”

“Shut up!”

The Old Master glared at his grandson and continued to ask Zhuo Huaimo, “What do you think about inheriting the family business?”

Zhuo Huaimo glanced at Qi Yanwang, who was full of anxiety, and said softly, “I think… Yanwang’s wishes should be respected.”

The ancestral hall was so quiet that the sound of incense ash falling could be heard.

“Continue.” The Old Master’s eyes were piercing.

“Yanwang has made great achievements in the film industry,”

Zhuo Huaimo was neither humble nor arrogant. “The documentary he produced has won international awards, and the film and television company he founded is already valued at over a billion.”

He paused. “Of course, these may not be anything in the eyes of the Qi family…”

“It counts! Why wouldn’t it count!”

The Old Master suddenly slapped the table. “I just want to know why he would rather engage in those actor-related activities than take over the family business!”

“Grandpa!” Qi Yanwang shouted angrily.

Zhuo Huaimo held his hand and continued, “Uncle Qi, Yanwang is not resisting responsibility, but has found a career that he truly loves.”

He looked directly at the Old Master. “Just like you gave up your royal position to go into business back then.”

The Old Master was stunned.

“Moreover,”

Zhuo Huaimo smiled. “Who says that inheriting the family business must mean sitting in the headquarters? Yanwang can fully participate in decision-making as a shareholder, while continuing his career.” He looked at Qi Yanwang. “Of course, that depends on his wishes.”

Qi Yanwang’s eyes lit up. “I can accept this plan.”

The Old Master snorted. “You wish!” But his tone had softened a lot.

The incense in the incense burner had burned out, and the Old Master personally replaced it with three new incense sticks.

In the curling green smoke, he sighed a long sigh. “Forget it, I, an old man, can’t control the affairs of you young people.”

Qi Yanwang looked at Zhuo Huaimo in surprise.

“But!” The Old Master suddenly said sternly, “Three conditions.”

“You say.” Qi Yanwang immediately straightened his expression.

“First, return to headquarters at least four times a year for board meetings; second, you must come back to take over the business before the age of thirty-five; third…”

The Old Master looked at Zhuo Huaimo, his gaze complicated. “You two must have a child.”

Qi Yanwang almost choked on his saliva. “Grandpa!”

“Medicine is so advanced now,”

The Old Master waved his hand. “Surrogacy, in vitro fertilization, anything is fine. In short, the Qi family cannot be without descendants.”

Zhuo Huaimo’s ears were red, but he still nodded. “We… will consider it.”

Only then did the Old Master reveal his first smile of the day. “Alright, get out.”

He turned to face the ancestral tablets, his voice suddenly choked up. “I want to apologize to the ancestors…”

Walking out of the ancestral hall, Qi Yanwang picked up Zhuo Huaimo and spun him around. “How are you so amazing!”

“Put me down!”

Zhuo Huaimo thumped his shoulder. “Someone will see…”

“So what if they see.”

Qi Yanwang kissed him heavily on the lips. “Now the entire Qi family knows that you are my person.”

Under the moonlight, the shadows of the two holding hands were stretched out very long.

In the distance, Qi Lin Yuan stood in front of the attic window, the red wine in his hand reflecting a scarlet light.

In the bedroom, Qi Yanwang was pressing Zhuo Huaimo onto the soft big bed, his fingertips lightly scratching his waist.

“Stop it…”

Zhuo Huaimo laughed, unable to catch his breath, and the collar of his pajamas opened a bit as he struggled. “There’s a birthday banquet to attend tomorrow…”

“The birthday banquet is not as important as you.”

Qi Yanwang leaned down and bit his collarbone, leaving a shallow tooth mark.

The phone suddenly vibrated.

Zhuo Huaimo reached out to grab it, but Qi Yanwang grabbed his wrist. “Don’t answer it.”

“It might be urgent…”

Zhuo Huaimo struggled to get the phone, and the name on the screen made him pause. “Lin Jianhe?”

Qi Yanwang immediately released his hand, his brows furrowed. “What does she want from you?”

Zhuo Huaimo opened the message, and his expression gradually became serious. “Director Zhuo, my father suddenly flew to Country L, possibly to reach a cooperation with Qi Lin Yuan. Be careful.”

“Looks like your eldest brother hasn’t given up.” Zhuo Huaimo handed the phone to Qi Yanwang.

Qi Yanwang glanced at it and sneered. “The Lin family wants to hedge their bets?”

He made a call. “Check the flight information of Chairman Lin.”

After hanging up the phone, Qi Yanwang put Zhuo Huaimo in his arms. “Don’t worry, I’ll send more people to the birthday banquet tomorrow.”

Zhuo Huaimo leaned against his chest, listening to the steady heartbeat. “Are you going to tell the old man?”

“Not for now.”

Qi Yanwang gently kissed the top of his head. “Before the end of the birthday banquet, don’t let these things affect his mood.”

Outside the window, a bright moon hung high.

Qi Yanwang’s fingers were unconsciously drawing circles on Zhuo Huaimo’s shoulder, his eyes gradually becoming sharp.

“What are you thinking about?” Zhuo Huaimo looked up at him.

“Thinking…” Qi Yanwang hooked his lips. “How to give you a surprise at the birthday banquet tomorrow.”

Zhuo Huaimo raised his eyebrows. “As long as it’s not a fright.”

Qi Yanwang chuckled and turned over, pressing him under his body. “Now, let’s get the ‘main business’ of tonight done first…”

The moonlight shone through the gauze curtains, casting the intertwined figures on the wall.

In the distance, a private plane was landing at Country L’s international airport, the Lin Group’s logo on the fuselage gleaming coldly in the night.