Chapter 28 (1/2): Takeover

“How about deleting the speech from the program?”

Xu Assistant cautiously watched Lu Lin’s expression.

The CEO hated speeches most, never gave closing remarks at important events, and sometimes the Chairman would make an appearance instead.

But now, the Chairman basically no longer intervened in company affairs and had gradually disappeared from the public eye.

“Leave it as it is.”

Lu Lin reluctantly accepted the speech draft.

He also had the butler keep an eye on Bai Xia, then walked out of the banquet hall, not sure where he was going.

Bai Xia continued building blocks where she sat.

When she finished, Lu Jinnian had also returned.

Apparently, his heart was feeling a bit unwell, so he couldn’t talk much more.

At this time, the host also took the stage and began speaking about the company’s development history.

Bai Xia carried a glass of water to the elderly man.

“Great-grandpa, since you’re not feeling well, let me accompany you back. Health is most important; the other uncles will understand.”

“That’s right. Health comes first. You’re our pillar. Only with your health and longevity can the company continue to thrive.”

A director unobtrusively flattered him.

Others chimed in eagerly.

“Your presence today is already an inspiration to the younger generation of the company. We believe they’ll inherit your entrepreneurial spirit and achieve new glory under President Lu’s leadership.”

It seemed Lu Jinnian had heard too many of these hollow words.

He just waved his hand.

“Maybe it’s just old age. I can’t handle lively occasions anymore. But it’s good to have Xia Xia with me—seeing her makes me feel more spirited.”

He couldn’t help but pat his great-granddaughter’s head, then picked up a block castle to amuse her.

“Xia Xia is so clever. Great-grandpa will buy you a real castle when we get home, okay?”

Others had strange expressions.

It was said that affection skips a generation—how true, especially when it skips two.

No wonder the Chairman had brought his great-granddaughter out early to build momentum.

“No need. I can buy it myself. Next time, I’ll buy you a small courtyard, so you can fish at the gate every day.”

Bai Xia blinked.

Hearing his great-granddaughter’s words, Lu Jinnian couldn’t hide his smile.

His chest, which had been tight, now felt clear and light.

What thoughts could a child have?

Sure enough, his great-granddaughter was the most filial, unlike the other boys who didn’t care if the old man lived or died.

“Xia Xia is more caring than your father.”

Lu Jinnian laughed cheerfully.

The others exchanged looks.

Indeed, for the Chairman at his age to suddenly have a sweet, adorable great-granddaughter who knew how to coax people, who wouldn’t be enchanted?

They might even pluck the stars from the sky for her.

Then it was time for the annual summary speech.

The moment Lu Lin appeared, the entire venue fell silent.

They’d never seen the CEO deliver an official summary before.

Today was truly rare.

Bai Xia sat drinking milk and noticed the male lead spoke for only two minutes, compressing the lengthy speech draft into a few sentences.

Yet, thunderous applause erupted below.

The male lead had one principle: never force himself.

Today, because Lu Jinnian felt unwell and because she was watching, he reluctantly went through the motions.

Otherwise, he would’ve deleted the speech entirely.

Others had already started eating, but before she even picked up her chopsticks, her bowl was full.

Lu Jinnian also had the butler pick out fish bones for her, while the rest started raising glasses.

When Lu Lin sat down, everyone began toasting.

When it was Bai Xia’s turn, he even clinked her milk glass.

“Uncle toasts Xia Xia.”

“Thank you, uncle. I wish you good health and happiness.”

She raised her milk cup.

The others laughed good-naturedly.

To them, a little girl was no big deal.

But when they saw Lu Lin coaxing her to eat, their expressions shifted.

It seemed the Lu family power dynamic was set.

“I’m full.”

She took out a wet wipe and wiped her mouth.

“Then, shall Great-grandpa take you back?”

Lu Jinnian looked at her kindly.

Bai Xia glanced at the bustling banquet hall, then nodded.

A brief appearance was enough; otherwise, it might last hours until the event ended.

Everyone watched as the old man led the girl away, suspecting the Chairman attended today solely for his great-granddaughter.

After Lu Jinnian left, those at the table glanced at Lu Lin and didn’t dare toast, talking only about trivial company matters.

With Bai Xia’s persuasion, Lu Jinnian finally agreed to get a hospital checkup.

After all, family doctors couldn’t match hospital equipment.

She then followed the butler back to the villa.

But there wasn’t a single servant on the first floor.

Instead, she smelled a delicious aroma.

Changing shoes, she followed the scent to the kitchen.

There, she saw Lu Shuo crouched on the floor gnawing on a leg of lamb, surrounded by shrimp shells.

He’d clearly been there a while.

“Is it tasty?”

A sudden voice came from the doorway.

Lu Shuo was startled, hastily hiding the lamb behind his back.

When he realized it was the little girl, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Please, go away quickly. Don’t let Great-grandpa see this. I’ve been starving for days. My eyes are about to go blurry.”

He pleaded with both hands clasped.

Bai Xia was speechless.

“If I don’t tell, others won’t know?”

“You made a mess. Others aren’t blind.”

“Can you think ahead when you do things? Do you know what this is called? Covering your ears while stealing a bell.”

Lu Shuo looked at the shrimp shells on the floor, immediately grabbed some tissues to wrap them up for the trash.

“You think they won’t see it if you throw it in the trash? How can you be so stupid?”

Bai Xia walked over and handed him a garbage bag.

“Put it in here, hide the trash, and toss it in the school bin tomorrow. If you throw it at home, it’ll definitely be found. Also, wipe the floor; it’s all greasy.”

Hearing this, Lu Shuo was instantly enlightened, feeling her words made perfect sense.

Bai Xia couldn’t be bothered anymore, turning to leave the kitchen and go upstairs.

Children really don’t use their brains.

There were surveillance cameras everywhere; did he think the butler wouldn’t notice him stealing food?

Besides, if something went missing from the kitchen, the chef would certainly notice.

He couldn’t even eat secretly, and after a month of dieting, he’d probably gain five kilos.

Lu Jinnian would only control his diet more strictly.

That night, Lu Lin didn’t return.

Lu Jinnian, feeling unwell, rested in his room.

Only Yao Yun had dinner at home, watching her son eat vegetables obediently.

She found it odd; before, eating greens was like a death sentence for him.

“Have some duck. You need balanced nutrition.”

She lovingly placed a piece in his bowl.

Lu Shuo firmly blocked it with his chopsticks.

“I’m a person of willpower. How can I give up halfway? Give it to Xia Xia instead; she still needs to grow.”

After speaking, he paused, then stood to give Bai Xia a chicken leg.

“You eat meat.”

He realized this little brat was quite smart.

He cleaned the kitchen today, and indeed, no one discovered his food theft.

“I don’t eat meat. Next time, don’t take fatty cuts. Balance meat and veggies, understand?”

Bai Xia sternly admonished him.

“Understood. Don’t worry; I know what to do.”

Lu Shuo made an OK gesture.

Yao Yun watched the two children playing house and didn’t bother interfering.

As long as her son could make the top ten in exams, the old man would see his potential.

The next day, Bai Xia didn’t go to school.

She needed to attend the ancestral memorial with Song Yuehua.

The Song family had many relatives, mostly Song Yuehua’s brothers.

Upon hearing she would be entered into the family register, none looked happy.

But perhaps because she was just a child, they didn’t make a fuss.

They probably thought she just took a place in the lineage—one more or less didn’t matter, especially since Song Xun would have children in the future.

As for the male lead agreeing to her entry into the Song family register, Bai Xia also found it odd.

But ever since he communicated with the female lead, he had changed.

He no longer drank and focused on work.

Still, when hearing the word ‘Song family’, his face would darken uncontrollably, clearly not fully letting go, merely pretending to be calm.

The midterm exams arrived as scheduled.

Lu Shuo climbed from fifth from the bottom to fifteenth from the top.

The teacher even gave him a Progress Star award, which he flaunted for two days before slacking off to play basketball again.

“My dad came back yesterday. He said he’s taking me abroad to study. I might not return next semester.”

At lunch, Wang Yiyi announced with teary eyes, her food suddenly losing its flavor.

He Yuehua looked up from her meal in shock.

“Then what? Are you transferring schools?”

Wang Yiyi shook her head.

“I don’t know. Will you forget me in the future?”

“You have a phone, don’t you? Oh, you really don’t. I can give you one. They’re not expensive. We can video call. It’s no big deal.”

Qi Mo waved generously.

“Everyone has their own life path. That’s what makes it exciting. We can call, meet as adults, and you must learn to protect yourself. If you’re unhappy, call me. Don’t suffer alone. Be brave and say no to injustice.”

Bai Xia looked her in the eye seriously.

Wang Yiyi nodded with red eyes.

She’d never had friends since childhood.

Bai Xia was the first to play with her.

She didn’t want to leave school but couldn’t persuade her parents.

“Then… will you forget me if you make other friends?”

She looked up shyly.

Bai Xia smiled.

“How could I? We’ll always be best friends.”

“That’s right!”

He Yuehua wrapped her arm around both of them.

Qi Mo quickly raised his hand.

“Me too!”

He wanted to be Bai Xia’s best friend!

He Yuehua glared at him.

“Aren’t you ashamed? You’re a boy and want to be sisters with us?”

“Who wants to be sisters with you? I have my own brothers!”

He looked at the person beside him.

Lin Yan picked up his rice bowl and left.

Brothers in need, strangers otherwise.

He was clearly the type to value romance over friendship.

“Hey—”

Qi Mo hurried after him with his bowl.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Bai Xia suddenly asked.

Wang Yiyi thought seriously.

“I don’t know.”

“I want to be a designer like your mom and let everyone wear my creations!”

He Yuehua said with longing.

Bai Xia took a sip of water.

“Then I’ll be a big boss and run the world’s largest charity, opening many, many schools.”

“Then I’ll be a big boss too!”

Wang Yiyi’s eyes lit up.

The three laughed, then continued eating.

This time, Lu Shuo finally learned to balance meat and veggies instead of just meat and drumsticks.

Looking at the pure smiles of the two children, Bai Xia couldn’t help but smile.

Talking with kids never required worrying about gains or losses.

You could say whatever you wanted.

But people always grew up and had to enter society.

She only hoped everyone could do what they loved.

With their family backgrounds, as long as they didn’t fall for the wrong men, they should be fine.

Of course, in wealthy families, one must be careful—who knew when a crowd of siblings might suddenly appear to cut you down?

That was the real danger.

***

Spring passed, autumn came.

Morning sunlight filled the room, lighting up the bountiful breakfast table.

Servants busily tidied the villa carpets, looking energetic and truly devoted to their work.

Wages had increased five times, and after ten years, one got a house.

As long as they could move, they’d work till they dropped.

Yao Yun adjusted her new silk scarf, carrying her bag downstairs.

As she neared the dining room, harsh game effects blared.

She frowned and, sure enough, saw her son playing games on his phone at the table.

“Where’s Xia Xia?”

She glanced around.

Lu Shuo lounged on the chair, a bun in his mouth.

“Don’t know. She left early. Maybe for a classmate gathering.”

He mumbled.

Yao Yun frowned, walked over, and knocked on the table.

“Can you be more serious? All you do is play games. Xia Xia graduated university at eighteen, and might join the company tomorrow. You’re still playing games all day. Soon you’ll be drinking the northwest wind.”

At this, Lu Shuo’s eyes widened, and he swallowed his bun.

“Who can compare to her? She skipped so many grades. I’m already lucky to graduate university. Besides, how could I be penniless? I started my own company, and this is game testing, not playing.”

Yao Yun inhaled.

“How much did you invest?”

She knew her son’s abilities.

Start a business?

Him?

He must’ve been tricked by some bad friends.