Chapter 87: The Beloved Grandchild of the Family

Lin Susi clearly knew her son’s habit of sleeping late and only came at noon.

She personally cooked a full table of delicious dishes for the father and daughter.

Just after lunch, Bai Lu received a call from Gao Fanqin.

She did not bother to avoid her father or grandmother. “President Gao, I only want to hear good news.”

Gao Fanqin said, “I am not sure whether this counts as good news.”

“Then tell me.”

“Vice President Chen from the Gu Group had someone bring me a message. He meant that the development rights to Mount Qin are something President Gu is determined to win. No matter who I am working for, President Gu will not hand them over. But if I am willing, President Gu does not mind sharing this fat piece of meat with me. Xiao Lu, why do I feel that Gu Pianran has already figured out that the person behind me is you?”

“Oh, that...” Bai Lu said, “The Gu Group probably is not doing this for my sake, but for Ye Jingyan’s. That is why they are willing to share this with us. Ignore them, President Gao. Just keep contacting the other bidding companies.”

“Xiao Lu, what exactly are you up to?” Gao Fanqin could not help asking. “If you have your eye on the development rights to Mount Qin, then you should agree to the Gu Group’s terms. The Gu Group is the strongest contender for the bid. Only by working with them can you get a piece of this fat meat. The other companies are nowhere near—”

“President Gao, we already agreed on this,” Bai Lu interrupted him with a smile. “You do not ask too much, and I do not interfere with your actions. We each do our own part.”

Gao Fanqin was silent for a few seconds before saying, “I understand.”

After hanging up, Bai Lu secretly glanced at her father and grandmother.

They must have heard her conversation with Gao Fanqin.

And yet neither her father nor her grandmother even looked at her; the two of them were playing Snake with great concentration.

Bai Lu asked shamelessly, “Grandma, you’re not even going to ask me?”

Lin Susi said, “What is there to ask? If you want to do business, then go do it. It’s not a big deal to lose a little money. Our family has plenty of it. Spending some to buy you experience is nothing.”

Bai Lu was deeply moved.

Being rich really did mean being able to do whatever one pleased, sob sob sob.

Lin Susi said, “Ting’er, find all the television dramas Xiao Lu has acted in for me. I want to watch them one by one.”

Bai Lu, who had the soul of someone resigned to death, was speechless.

Here it came again, did it not?

She had known she could not escape this trial.

And so Bai Lu endured a whole afternoon of public execution.

By evening, Lu Cheng also came.

At the dinner table, Lu Cheng asked her, “Xiao Lu wants to do business? How about coming to the Lu Group? You can help and learn by Grandpa’s side first. Once you have some experience, Grandpa will hand over a subsidiary to you.”

Bai Lu said, “...No need, Grandpa. I want to rely on myself.”

Lu Cheng said, “Good backbone.”

Lin Susi said, “Xiao Lu is very clever. Doing business following Pianran around means steady profit without loss.”

But Lu Cheng frowned. “The tourism development of Mount Qin is indeed a fat piece of meat. But after all, it is the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties. No one knows how many ancient tombs are buried underground. One wrong move, and you could lose everything, with losses beyond measure.”

If an ancient tomb were discovered during development, the project would certainly be forced to stop.

That could mean a few years, or as many as more than ten.

Every day the project stopped would mean devastating losses.

And considering the weight of history beneath the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, once something was unearthed, it would very likely be a tomb of immense historical and research value.

Then the tourism project would be shut down outright.

All the early investment would be flushed down the drain.

Even the Gu Group might not be able to bear such losses.

Lu Yiting could not stand hearing a single bad word about Gu Pianran from Lu Cheng. He lifted his brows. “Since the local city government can put the development rights to Mount Qin up for bid, they must have already checked and found no problems. For a project worth billions, Pianran would never go in without first doing proper research. There is absolutely no ‘what if.’ Dad, I think you are just getting old and overly cautious, always hesitating in business and looking ahead and behind.”

Lu Cheng’s expression darkened.

The atmosphere turned taut in an instant.

Seeing Lu Cheng open his mouth, Bai Lu quickly fed him a bite of food. “Grandpa, eat more dishes.”

Lin Susi also stuffed a chopstickful of food into her son’s mouth. “No talking business at the dinner table. If you want to talk, talk privately. Don’t do it in front of me. I do not like listening.”

Thus, a father-and-son quarrel was smoothed over just like that.

Lu Yiting had been sharp-tongued toward Lu Cheng, but in his heart he valued Lu Cheng’s opinion very much. After dinner, he went to the balcony to call Gu Pianran.

“The old man has spent so many years in the business world; his eye is still sharp. Send someone to inspect Mount Qin again. Deeper, and more carefully.”

Gu Pianran said, “Don’t worry. For such a large investment, I would not dare be careless either. It will probably take two months to get results. The bid meeting is after the New Year, so there is plenty of time. Once we confirm there are ancient tombs beneath it, the Gu Group can pull out at any time.”

“That’s fine.”

The two of them chatted about other matters for a while longer.

Bai Lu tiptoed back into the living room. “Grandpa, Dad is reminding Uncle Gu to send people for another survey. He really values your opinion!”

Lin Susi pulled her into her arms. “Your father is just all sharp tongue and soft heart. Just like your grandfather.”

Bai Lu nodded. “Exactly. It must be hard for Grandma to have to soothe two childish men.”

Lu Cheng: “........”

Lin Susi tapped the tip of her nose. “Everyone is afraid of your grandfather, but only you are not. And you still dare call him a childish man.”

Bai Lu stuck out her tongue. “Grandpa only looks fierce. Actually, he is very easy to bully.”

Lin Susi reached out and pinched her husband’s face. “Yes, yes, very easy to bully. Soft and squishy.”

Bai Lu reached out too. “He really is so soft.”

When Lu Yiting came back after finishing his call, he saw his own daughter kneading Mr. Lu’s face and stared.

His old-fashioned, patriarchal, straight-laced father who fit the mold of a feudal head of household did not get angry at all—he was even smiling happily?

Damn it!!!

A miracle indeed.

Lu Cheng and Lin Susi stayed at 886.

In just a few days together, Bai Lu successfully pushed her father aside and became the favorite child of Lin Susi and Lu Cheng.

Seeing how neglected her father was, Bai Lu even persuaded her grandparents to spread the favor around a little, but her grandparents insisted on spoiling only her.

Sigh!

This was the trouble of being too adorable.

In the blink of an eye, the day arrived for Bai Lu to set off to film the reality show.

Lin Susi could not bear to part with her precious granddaughter and packed Bai Lu’s backpack full of snacks.

Lu Yiting said, “Mom, stop packing. The production team will definitely confiscate them.”

Lin Susi began to wipe her tears. “I heard that show is so poor it’s practically broke. What will my precious granddaughter do if she is such a greedy eater?”

Lu Cheng looked at his son. “You are the father. Why can’t you find your precious granddaughter a lighter, easier show? If you cannot find one, then invest in a show yourself. I will put up the money.”

Lu Yiting: “........”

Bai Lu almost could not hold back her tears.

So this was what it felt like to be cherished and pampered like the jewel in one’s relatives’ hands.