Qin Hongying pushed forward, her plump red lips curving upwards with a hint of rudeness.
"Withdraw your investment if you want. Don't forget that behind my son stands the entire Lu family!"
Lu Qi didn't expect Qin Hongying to actually show up. His eloquence from just now instantly deserted him, leaving him at a loss.
Oh no!
Wang Yong, seeing Qin Hongying, was shocked. He never thought that Lu Qi's mother, who opposed his involvement in the antique - smuggling business, would come!
Instantly, Wang Yong's arrogant demeanor vanished, replaced by an obsequious smile on his face.
"No, we were just joking with Lu Qi.
"We were testing if he, as the store manager, has a mature mind and can stick to what he believes. And the result shows that Lu Qi has leadership qualities, so we'll continue our investment."
"Pfft!"
Hearing Wang Yong's shameless words, Qin Hongying spat directly at him. Her imposing aura was palpable.
"Do you think I'm deaf? I heard every word you said outside. Just because you've invested a bit of money, you think you can control my son? Dream on!"
Qin Hongying took out a black credit card from her bag and slapped it down on the table boldly.
"You want compensation? All my assets are in this card. I'll pay back every cent you invested, including the interest!
"But from now on, you have nothing to do with my son!"
Lu Qi never expected that his mother, who had originally opposed him, would take out the black card to support him. He was momentarily at a loss.
Lu Chuanbai was afraid that he'd be stupid enough to refuse, so he quickly walked around to Lu Qi's side, stuffed the card into his hand, and prompted him, "Hurry up and thank Auntie."
"Thank you, Mom."
Lu Qi blurted out the words of thanks before he could react.
"You don't need to thank me. It's only natural for Mom to support you." Qin Hongying was overjoyed to hear Lu Qi's thanks.
She was determined to make up for all the things she owed Lu Qi in the past.
After saying that, Qin Hongying glared at the stunned shareholders. "What are you still standing there for? Get out! Don't let me see you again!"
The shareholders had no face to stay. They all slunk away, full of complaints.
Well, now they had lost both their investment and their dignity. Their attempt to threaten Lu Qi had failed, and they had even lost their shareholder status completely.
Meanwhile, Lu Qi remained unscathed, and they had only managed to incur his enmity!
After the shareholders left, Lu Qi seemed to wake up from a dream. He raised his hand and returned the black card to Qin Hongying, his face looking grim.
"I don't want your money."
When Qin Hongying had kicked him out, he had sworn that he would make it on his own in this lifetime and would not accept anyone's charity.
Qin Hongying was a bit hurt by his words. She took the initiative to apologize to Lu Qi. "Lu Qi, I'm sorry. Don't be mad at Mom anymore. Mom really knows she was wrong.
"Just take this money."
"I won't take it." Lu Qi turned around coldly and walked into the dim part of the antique store.
Qin Hongying looked at Xu Qingqing and Lu Chuanbai helplessly. "What should I do? He won't accept me..."
"Auntie, go after him quickly. Lu Qi is actually easy to coax, but you need to put in the time. As long as you make up for your mistakes, he will definitely feel your sincerity!" Xu Qingqing sincerely advised.
"Right." Lu Chuanbai nodded in agreement.
"Really?"
Qin Hongying sighed. Thinking that she had come this time to apologize to Lu Qi, she was determined to make her son forgive her.
"Thank you both."
Qin Hongying nodded and lifted the hem of her dress, chasing after Lu Qi's back.
"Lu Qi, Mom really knows she was wrong!"
Hearing the echoing voice in the corridor, Xu Qingqing and Lu Chuanbai glanced at each other and smiled helplessly.
The rest was none of their business. This was all they could do.
"Let's go." Lu Chuanbai gently held out his hand to Xu Qingqing.
"Your father sent a message asking us to go home and prepare for the New - Year shopping."
"Okay."
Xu Qingqing wrapped her arm around Lu Chuanbai's.
Counting the days, it seemed that the New Year was only three days away. It was really time to buy New - Year goods.
"Where shall we spend the New Year this year?"
"Back to the old villa. It's close to your parents' home. My dad and Lu Fenglin will also move there."
"That's great." Xu Qingqing smiled contentedly.
With people who could accommodate each other, there was no need to worry about which family to spend the New Year with.
They picked up the two kids and drove to Xu's parents' home.
The streets on both sides of the road were decorated with lanterns and were extremely lively. Every household had bright red Spring Festival couplets on their doors, and some people were setting off firecrackers.
Xu Qingqing and the two kids pressed their faces against the car window and looked out.
The two kids had never seen such a lively Spring Festival since they were born. The warm, prosperous, and festive atmosphere was truly exhilarating.
The car drove into the neighborhood and turned onto the street where Xu's parents' villa was located.
The Xu family saw a hilarious scene even before they got out of the car.
Seven or eight chickens were scurrying around in Xu's parents' yard. Some were standing on the roof on one leg, while others were running around, luring Xu's parents to catch them.
Just as Xu's parents were about to catch them, the cunning chickens flapped their wings and flew onto their heads, making a proud clucking sound.
While trying to catch the chickens, Xu's mother shouted angrily at Xu's father, "I told you to buy chickens for the New - Year food. Who told you to buy live ones!
"And you bought so many. Do you even know how to kill a chicken!"
Xu's mother was fuming, and a chicken feather was floating on her head. She angrily flung the feather at Xu's father.
Xu's father was sweating profusely from chasing the chickens but still managed to defend himself.
"I thought that Yiyi and An'an were coming for the New Year, so I wanted to buy some old hens to nourish them..."
These chickens had been well - behaved in the cage. Who would have thought that once he opened the cage, they would go wild!
The car stopped in front of the villa. The two kids couldn't wait to get out of the car and rushed towards Xu's parents.
"Grandpa, Grandma, we're here!"
"Ah, my darlings are here!"
Hearing the kids' innocent voices, Xu's mother's face immediately lit up, and she happily rushed to greet them.
"Grandma, I want to set off firecrackers too." Xu An'an had seen people setting off firecrackers on the way here and was eager to try.
"Grandma bought a lot of fireworks and firecrackers. We'll set them off on New - Year's Eve." Xu's mother reached out and tapped Xu An'an on the nose, coaxing her with a smile.
Bang!
Before they knew it, New - Year's Eve had arrived. Xu Yan and Lu Fenglin took the two kids outside to set off fireworks, while the others were making dumplings in the room.
"Yiyi, An'an, cover your ears tightly."
Lu Fenglin held the two kids in his arms and helped them cover their ears. From a distance, they watched as Xu Yan used a lighter to light the fuse of the fireworks.
Whoosh—
The fireworks shot up into the sky and exploded instantly. The colorful fireworks in the sky were like beautiful flowers, lighting up the earth as bright as day. It was truly a sight to behold.
"Wow!"
Hearing the noise, Xu Qingqing in the room immediately put down the dumpling wrapper in her hand, grabbed Lu Chuanbai, and rushed out to watch the fireworks.
"Chuanbai, look!"
Xu Qingqing excitedly pointed at the fireworks in the sky. Her eyes were filled with happiness. "The New Year is so wonderful. Let's be together every year from now on."
Lu Chuanbai looked at Xu Qingqing lovingly and nodded firmly.
"Okay."
They would always be together, forever.