After the incident with Wu Chong, life went on peacefully for quite some time.
Lu Heng remained as busy as ever, but the company’s performance was steadily improving. The matters in F City had been settled, and his hard work was finally paying off.
He still stayed at the company until ten most nights. Sometimes he would ask Jiang Yunxing to come over and spend the night with him in the lounge.
As they spent more nights there, Lu Heng replaced the bed and improved the comfort of the lounge. On days when he felt too lazy to go home, he could stay there by himself.
He also found time to get his driver’s license, so he finally stopped having to hail taxis every day.
Everything seemed to move along quietly until the company’s hundred-day celebration, which coincided with Lu Tian’s coming-of-age banquet.
Lu Shenghua set the time for Saturday at 2 PM, and by then, many invited guests had already arrived.
As the main planner for this banquet, Lu Heng arrived at the venue early to ensure everything was properly prepared before greeting guests at the entrance.
He had put a lot of effort into this event recently. The venue needed to be decorated, invitations had to be checked and sent out one by one. Although the banquet was supposed to be a birthday celebration, the attendees were all business elites, so there was no room for error.
The greeting process was tedious, filled with pleasantries and introducing himself dozens of times.
When people learned that Lu Heng was the Omega of the Lu family, they often showed strange expressions, but he wasn’t surprised by this.
Among the hundreds of attendees and various staff members, he was the only Omega.
Even Lu Corporation’s wife, Gu Lanzhi, wasn’t present.
The banquet started promptly at two. Everyone raised their glasses and began mingling. Lu Heng also poured himself a drink while searching for his target in the crowd.
His goal today was clear: He Zhenting, the CEO of Chang Yang Group. They were planning to expand into the suburbs, and if he could secure a partnership, Lu Corporation’s stock would see a significant rise.
In reality, He Zhenting had been quite familiar with Lu Heng. He often invited him out for drinks and was much better than Zhang Pu in many ways.
But in this world, He Zhenting’s personality was different. Lu Heng spotted his target from afar and approached with his glass. He waited until He Zhenting finished talking with others before clinking glasses with him.
“Mr. He,” Lu Heng greeted with a smile.
He Zhenting looked at Lu Heng, taking a moment before recognizing him. “Lu Heng?”
“Yes, I’m surprised you remember me.”
He Zhenting laughed. “I’m not senile yet. You just introduced yourself earlier, how could I forget?”
Lu Heng smiled without commenting. Although he had introduced himself to everyone during the reception, few had actually paid attention.
Today’s main character was his brother Lu Tian, and even as the organizer, he was still an insignificant figure here.
He Zhenting wasn’t one to beat around the bush. After some brief small talk, he got straight to the point: “You came to find me specifically to discuss cooperation?”
Lu Heng said, “I heard you’re considering expanding into the suburbs. As it happens, our company has similar intentions. I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss it with you.”
He Zhenting had a good eye. The suburban land was desolate now, but in reality, its value increased more than tenfold after two years. Lu Heng hadn’t missed this opportunity in reality, but he hadn’t been bold enough then. He only took a small stake. Now that he knew the outcome, he naturally wanted to do better.
The piano music in the hall had changed three times by the time Lu Heng finished explaining the pros and cons, waiting for He Zhenting’s response.
He Zhenting seemed lost in thought until Lu Heng delivered his final pitch. Then he smiled, “I’d be very pleased to cooperate with Lu Corporation. However, I’m curious about something. This suburban land deal is neither too big nor too small, so why send an Omega to negotiate with me?”
Again with the Omega thing.
Lu Heng suppressed his irritation and replied calmly, “My father carefully considered before entrusting me with managing the branch company. Although I haven’t been in charge long, my track record has been quite impressive.”
Over the past month and a half, Lu Heng had thrown himself into work, maximizing profits in every partnership. Although the short-term results weren’t immediately visible, he had paved the way. In a few years, the company would reach heights others couldn’t imagine.
This rapid progress had made a name for the company. Even if He Zhenting didn’t know him personally, he should be aware of the company’s current strength.
“I’ve heard about your company’s recent development. Your capabilities are indeed remarkable,” He Zhenting said. “I’ll consider the partnership, but I’d like to say something off-topic. You’re just an Omega, you won’t inherit Lu Corporation in the future. Is all this worth your effort?”
He Zhenting was still smiling, but there was an ambiguous gleam in his eyes, like a predator eyeing his prey.
Lu Heng recognized that look all too well. Suppressing his disgust, he replied, “Just focus on considering the partnership, Mr. He. Since this is off-topic, I believe I have the right not to answer?”
He Zhenting laughed heartily but said nothing more. Lu Heng had said all he needed to say, so after clinking glasses with He Zhenting, he turned and left.
With the discussion concluded, Lu Heng had nothing else to do and found a corner to drink alone.
In reality, he would never have had a moment’s peace in such situations. People would have surrounded him, trying to toast with him, persisting even after being rejected, pestering him for hours on end.
Lu Heng quite enjoyed this current situation.
After three hours, the banquet reached its climax as Lu Shenghua arrived with Lu Tian.
As today’s protagonist, Lu Tian wore a formal suit with perfectly styled hair. He took after his mother in appearance, showing both strength and gentleness. His serious expression now gave him an air of dignity that Lu Heng had never seen before.
In Lu Heng’s mind, Lu Tian had been nothing but a troublemaker who excelled only at crying while clinging to Lu Heng’s legs. Seeing Lu Tian like this now gave Lu Heng a moment of gratification.
The feeling lasted only an instant before Lu Heng regained his composure. After being in this world for so long, he had faced reality.
When he first arrived, he tried hard to find similarities between these people and those he knew in reality. But not anymore.
Now he understood better than anyone that these people merely wore familiar faces but were essentially strangers.
Lu Shenghua led Lu Tian onto the stage, and everyone below stopped talking to look up.
Lu Heng raised his glass and stood straight to watch.
“Today marks both our company’s hundredth day since going public and my son Lu Tian’s coming of age. Thank you all for being here,” Lu Shenghua finished his pleasantries with a smile and raised his glass.
Everyone raised their glasses in unison and took a sip.
Lu Heng raised his glass and drained it in one go.
Lu Tian’s expression was stiff, and he looked nervous. Lu Heng watched from afar with a calm mind.
Lu Shenghua gave another speech about the company and his newly-adult son. Finally, he got to the main point, “Now, I have an announcement to make.”
Everyone who had been spacing out snapped back to attention, focusing on Lu Shenghua once again.
Lu Heng lowered his eyes and gently swirled his wine glass.
“As a coming-of-age gift, I’m giving Lu Tian the subsidiary company under Lu Corporation.” Lu Shenghua’s joyful voice echoed throughout the venue. “Lu Tian, from today onwards, this company is yours.”
–
The banquet was still ongoing when Lu Heng left early.
Although Lu Heng had anticipated this, hearing it in person still made him feel uncomfortable.
In reality, Lu Heng’s life wasn’t that miserable. He grew up in a wealthy environment without worrying about anything, had a gentle and kind mother, and siblings who cared about him.
His only source of pressure was Lu Shenghua.
Lu Shenghua’s expectations for him were too high, placing all burdens on his shoulders. His education methods were almost twisted, only wanting to cultivate him into a cold-blooded businessman.
But at least in reality, he wasn’t left with nothing, unlike here where everyone looked at him like prey, as if he wasn’t even human.
He hated this place.
Lu Heng drove unconsciously until he reached No. 2 High School’s gate.
He parked by the roadside and stared at the school for a while before taking out his phone to text Jiang Yunxing.
Saturday classes ended early. Lu Heng didn’t wait long before hearing the dismissal bell.
Jiang Yunxing replied quickly, but Lu Heng didn’t bother reading it as he soon spotted the familiar figure at the school gate.
Lu Heng lowered the car window, then paused when he saw two familiar faces behind Jiang Yunxing.
Lin Yao and Zhou Qi.
After not seeing them for one month, they hadn’t changed much. Lin Yao still wore his gentle smile while Zhou Qi had his usual scowl.
Zhou Qi split off at the gate, and Jiang Yunxing got into the passenger seat. “Ge.”
“Mm.” Lu Heng responded, looking out the window where Lin Yao was still standing.
Jiang Yunxing followed his gaze and turned to explain, but Lin Yao spoke first, “I came here on my own, it has nothing to do with Yunxing.”
Lu Heng’s eyes were cold. For some reason, hearing Lin Yao call Jiang Yunxing by his name now irritated him slightly.
Lin Yao ignored Lu Heng’s attitude and asked, “May I get in?”
Lu Heng remained silent as Lin Yao got into the car without waiting for his permission.
After their last conversation, Lin Yao disappeared from Lu Heng’s sight, but that dialogue still lingered in his mind.
He let Lin Yao sit in the back and started the car but didn’t move further. Although he came to pick up Jiang Yunxing on impulse, he hadn’t thought about where to go.
He didn’t want to return to the company. After a moment’s thought, he asked Jiang Yunxing, “Can we go to your place?”
Jiang Yunxing hesitated, “My mom’s probably at home…”
Knowing Mrs. Jiang had a bad impression of him, she likely wouldn’t let him in. But he still wanted to spend more time with Jiang Yunxing and wasn’t ready to send him home yet.
They could get a hotel room, but he didn’t want Lin Yao tagging along.
Just as he was about to ask Lin Yao to leave, Lin Yao spoke up, “Want to check out my place? No one’s home right now.”
Reluctance flashed in Lu Heng’s eyes, but he didn’t immediately refuse.
“You remember I mentioned needing your help, right?” Lin Yao said, “It’s about time I explained everything clearly.”
Lu Heng leaned against the seat, one hand on the steering wheel. “Then tell me here.”
Lin Yao smiled, “That’s too casual. Let’s go to my place. You spent so much last time, now I want to properly host you both.”
“I told you before, I won’t help you,” Lu Heng glanced at the rearview mirror. “If you need my help so badly, give me a compelling reason why I must.”
Lin Yao’s expression remained unchanged as he fell silent, as if weighing his options.
Lu Heng waited patiently. Lin Yao was the protagonist of this book, and from their conversations, he seemed to have changed somewhat. His request for help came with apparent confidence.
Lu Heng was genuinely curious about Lin Yao’s true identity.
Finally, Lin Yao spoke, “Remember I brought you both here?”
Lu Heng’s lips twisted, “Of course. You also said you could bring us in and send us away, but you weren’t sure if we’d return to reality or disappear.”
Despite his harsh tone, Lin Yao’s smile grew wider.
“I only said that to threaten you back then.”
Lu Heng’s heart skipped a beat as an idea formed, but he couldn’t be certain.
Keeping his cold expression, he asked, “So?”
“That speech was embellished. Half true, half false,” Lin Yao explained. “I did bring you here, and I can send you back. The part about not knowing where you’d end up was just to scare you. I can guarantee your safe return.”
“But first, you neead to do me some small favors.”
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