Yet the truth is, often kinship is worthless in the face of profit. The Lin family had been feasting on a banquet built from her flesh, blood, and bones, then hypocritically sighed a few words and shed a couple of tears for her afterwards, proclaiming themselves as deeply affectionate and devoted.
Such relatives were utterly unworthy of her attachment.
Xu Qingqing's gaze was resolute, refusing to retreat even half a step before the Lin family. Her stance was so firm that even Xie Lianqing, standing beside her, couldn't help but glance at her in surprise.
Xie Lianqing had always known Xu Qingqing to be naive, simple-minded, and someone who cherished every relative around her, caring deeply for her maternal grandparents.
That's why he had come along this time specifically to protect Xu Qingqing, worried she might be easily fooled by the Lin family.
However, he never expected Xu Qingqing to be so clear-headed. Recalling how, months ago, even he, Aunt Xu, and others hadn't detected Lin Donghan's scheme, yet Xu Qingqing had foreseen it, he felt he still didn't understand his girlfriend well enough.
Although Xu Qingqing was willful, she held firmly to her principles in certain matters.
As Xie Lianqing pondered, Uncle Lin's look towards Xu Qingqing turned unpleasant. He said meaningfully, "Qingqing, you have no siblings. In the end, won't you still have to rely on your cousins?"
Uncle Lin's original intention was merely to intimidate and tempt Xu Qingqing, but as he tried to persuade her, he himself became tempted. Once his son and Youlan's affair became reality, and the Lin family's ties with the Xu family grew closer, if Xu Qingqing really married into the Xie family, wouldn't it be better for them to manage the company on her behalf rather than handing it over to the Xies?
After all, one's maternal family is always more reliable than a husband, right?
Thinking this, Uncle Lin deliberately looked at Xie Lianqing behind Xu Qingqing and provocatively asked, "Of course, I'm just raising the point. I wonder if President Xie believes that Qingqing's company must also be handed over to the Xie family for management after marriage?"
If it were another girl who was close to the Lin family and trusted her relatives, she might indeed be swayed by his words, starting to doubt Xie Lianqing's feelings and intentions.
Because this was a family matter between Xu Qingqing and the Lin family, Xie Lianqing's current position and identity made it inconvenient for him to intervene, so he hadn't uttered a word from beginning to end.
Now, deliberately targeted by Uncle Lin and hearing his shameless words, he merely frowned slightly and said calmly, "Chairman Xu is still young and will likely manage Xu Corporation for decades to come. Even if Chairman Xu wishes to step down in the future, the company could always be entrusted to professional managers."
Xu Qingqing and his relationship was practically at the engagement stage. So many people witnessed the discussions between the Xie and Xu families at her birthday banquet. For Uncle Lin to bring this up now, who did he think he was fooling?
Uncle Lin's face darkened. "Entrusting the company to outsiders is never as reliable as keeping it with family."
Xu Qingqing, listening nearby, couldn't help but laugh. "Not necessarily. This world is full of ungrateful, heartless relatives. Compared to people who can even forget their own sister's death, it seems outsiders might be more trustworthy."
Did these people think she was stupid, living in some bygone era where family businesses could only be inherited independently? Professional managers these days are far more reliable than doing it oneself, certainly better than blindly messing up and ruining the family fortune.
She'd rather donate or throw away her money than let it benefit people like Lin Donghan and Bai Youlan.
Moreover, the Lin family's third generation was a bunch of freeloading good-for-nothings. They couldn't even manage their own family's business properly; them "helping" her would probably lead to bankruptcy faster.
Hearing Xu Qingqing's sarcasm, the Lin family immediately thought of Bai Youlan, guessing she was deliberately mocking them.
Instantly, the Lin family's expressions turned ugly. Some were guilty, some were dismissive, and others were furious—like Uncle Lin, who felt Xu Qingqing was practically pointing her finger at him and calling him someone who "forgot his own sister."
But without exception, none of the Lin family expected Xu Qingqing to be so ruthless this time. To say such heart-piercing words, it seemed she intended to tear off the facade completely, not leaving them even a shred of dignity.
Before, although Xu Qingqing was somewhat willful, she had actually been quite decent to the Lin family, rarely bothering with such trivial matters.
So in the eyes of the Lin family, Xu Qingqing was just an easy-to-manipulate little girl. Because she was close to Grandma Lin and others, they even believed Xu Qingqing was dependent on their Lin family. Unnoticed, she had already grown up.
Grandpa Lin's face also looked grim. Xu Qingqing's earlier remark seemed aimed only at Uncle Lin, but in fact, her eyes had been fixed unblinkingly on him!
Wasn't she saying he could set aside his own daughter's death for the sake of profit? Grandpa Lin, feeling both angry and worried, wondered if Xu Qingqing knew something.
But what Bai Youlan had produced was very secretive; even the people he sent hadn't uncovered anything. He didn't believe Xu Qingqing—a girl still in school who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun—could possibly be aware.
Seeing Uncle Lin's flushed face, about to say something, Grandpa Lin said sternly, "Enough. Qingqing has grown up, and her mind is made up. We can no longer make decisions for you."
Xu Qingqing smiled. "It's not that my mind is made up; it's that some people's hearts have changed."
She had no mood left to continue acting out this farce with the Lin family. After speaking, she glanced at Lin Donghan, who was being helped up by his mother, and casually said, "Looks like Grandpa isn't planning to continue disciplining Cousin. I'll head back then. I rushed over to watch the show today and haven't even eaten."
She didn't plan to stay any longer. After saying this, she turned and walked out.
Xie Lianqing also picked up his coat and stood, smiling at the Lin family in the room. "Qingqing is honest by nature and can't tell lies. Please forgive her."
A head popped in from the doorway. Xu Qingqing, already halfway out, shouted impatiently, "Xie Lianqing, are you coming or not? Why say so much to them? Waiting for them to invite you to dinner?"
Deliberately ignoring the Lin family's ugly expressions, Xu Qingqing raised her voice, "Don't wait! They just suspected you of wanting to swallow up our Xu family. If I were you, I'd never pay them any mind for the rest of my life."
Just listen to that remark. How cutting. She left the Lin family not a shred of face.
Xie Lianqing lowered his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting. Looking up, he nodded to Grandpa Lin and then went after his girlfriend.
The Lin family, infuriated by Xu Qingqing's blunt remark that laid everything bare, were about to chase after her and argue when Grandpa Lin hissed in a low voice, "Let her go!"
If not for having to consider the conditions Bai Youlan had initially proposed, they wouldn't have humbled themselves to put on this act and be mocked by a young girl.
Xu Qingqing was just a little girl. If not for Xu Corporation, who would pamper her like this? So ignorant of her own limits.
After leaving the Lin residence, Xu Qingqing called her assistant and instructed them to sell off all assets and shares related to the Lin Corporation that she held.
Although she didn't know what benefits Bai Youlan had offered the Lin Corporation, Bai had been suffering continuous defeats at her hands recently, and her luck points were almost depleted. For the Lin family to partner with her at this time was undoubtedly boarding a sinking ship.
Under such circumstances, Xu Qingqing had absolutely no confidence in the Lin Corporation's future development.
Xu Qingqing had repeatedly taken action against Bai Youlan. Recently, she had been investing in a film directed by someone in the entertainment industry, each time borrowing the secretary from her aunt's side. Over time, Aunt Xu simply assigned a dedicated assistant to her.
When Chairman Xu and his wife found out, they generously went a step further and arranged a suitable team for their granddaughter all at once to handle financial matters.
So now, Xu Qingqing no longer needed to seek help from Xie Lianqing or her aunt's secretary to get things done. She could simply give her own orders, and her requests would be quickly fulfilled.
Xie Lianqing remained by her side. In fact, after witnessing the Lin family's drama, even he couldn't fathom the Lin family's choice.
Xu Qingqing was the Lin family's biological granddaughter, backed by the Xu family's resources, and it was clear she would soon have the Xie family's support as well. The benefits of being on good terms with her were countless.
Bai Youlan, on the other hand, was the daughter of the person who had caused the death of a Lin family member. Aside from the useless Xu Changshan, she had no backing and could bring no benefits to the Lin family.
Any sensible person would know which choice to make. Yet, between these two, the Lin family collectively seemed to have lost their minds and chosen the latter.
With Xu Qingqing around, the Lin family could maintain their familial connection with the Xu family and seek benefits. If they angered Xu Qingqing, it would only bring harm and no advantage to the Lin family.
And yet, the Lin family still did it.
For some reason, Xie Lianqing thought of what the master had said when he sought the jade for Xu Qingqing, about a spirit creature defying fate and causing chaos. Could it be someone from the Lin family?
Xie Lianqing frowned. His first thought was Lin Donghan, who was currently lying half-dead on the ground from the beating. After all, among the Lin family, he was the only one with a motive to do such a thing.
But even if Lin Donghan, for Bai Youlan's sake, wanted to deal with Xu Qingqing by defying fate, he wouldn't use a method that merely made her ill.
The master who gave him the jade bead had also said that the other party's method could only make Xu Qingqing sick, not kill her.
Xie Lianqing also knew Lin Donghan to some extent. If he had such means, he would definitely use them for greater purposes, not just to make Xu Qingqing fall ill—an act that served almost no purpose other than venting anger.
So, Xie Lianqing quickly ruled out the Lin family from the list of potential spirit creatures. If such means were in the hands of the Lin family, the Lin Corporation wouldn't have ended up in its current state over the years.
Instead, from this train of thought, he thought of Bai Youlan.
Before this, he had hardly paid any attention to Bai Youlan. His understanding of her was limited to her being someone Xu Qingqing disliked. Yet, as a stepdaughter of the Xu family with no real support, she had managed to incite the Lin family to turn against Xu Qingqing.
Xie Lianqing's eyes darkened. He decided that after today, he would order someone to keep an eye on Bai Youlan's movements.
Although Xu Qingqing had said she wanted to eat, after leaving the Lin family, she didn't go to a restaurant. Instead, she had Xie Lianqing drive directly back to the Xu family's old mansion.
She couldn't wait to go home and tell on them.
An hour later, at the Xu family's old mansion.
Chairman Xu and his wife sat solemnly at the head of the table. Aunt Xu, who had been urgently summoned back by phone, sat to the side, not daring to make a sound. Xu Qingqing and Xie Lianqing sat at the dining table, eating their belated lunch.
The next second, Grandma Xu slammed the table and stood up. "This is too much! They're bullying us! Utterly shameless!"
After Aunt Xu and the others learned about the Lin family approaching Xu Qingqing, Grandma Xu had flown into a rage at home, convinced her granddaughter had been wronged.
She said through gritted teeth, "I always knew the Lin family was no good! That Lin Donghan seemed decent before. I thought he got along well with Qingqing. Who would have thought he wouldn't help his own cousin, but instead help an outsider harm her!"
"What kind of rubbish is he?!" She was full of vigor, cursing loudly.
Chairman Xu gingerly moved to sit next to his daughter, lining up with Aunt Xu. They were originally very angry too, but in the face of the furious Empress Dowager, father and daughter were like quails, neither daring to speak for fear of drawing fire and getting scolded themselves.
Xie Lianqing had specifically accompanied Xu Qingqing home. When Chairman Xu and his wife learned they hadn't eaten yet, they warmly invited him to stay for the meal.
However, although Xie Lianqing was present, he was an outsider. Both the Lin and Xu families were Xu Qingqing's relatives, so it wasn't appropriate for him to voice his opinion at such a time.
Thinking of this, Xie Lianqing sighed inwardly. He wondered when he would finally be able to officially take up his post, to rightfully stand by Miss Xu's side as her fiancé. Xie Lianqing fell into deep thought.
Everyone present looked grave and serious. Only Xu Qingqing was the most relaxed, happily eating her meal while raising her hand to praise herself, "Grandma, I'm fine. I was really impressive today."
If not for the limited space, she really wanted to reenact the scene and perform for everyone how she had left Uncle Lin, Grandpa Lin, and the others speechless.
Thinking of this, Xu Qingqing felt some regret. She had forgotten to record the scene of Grandpa Lin beating Lin Donghan.
If Lin Donghan and Bai Youlan really did end up together, she could have given them that recording as a wedding gift.
Ah, what a miscalculation.
Feeling frustrated, Xu Qingqing couldn't help but ask her grandmother, "Grandma, what are they thinking? You, Grandpa, and Aunt are all still here. They're thinking way too far ahead!"
Never mind that Xu Qingqing's grandparents and aunt were all still around, and it wasn't her turn to run the Xu Corporation. Even in the future, she'd rather give the company to Xie Lianqing—at least he wouldn't covet her money. If she handed it over to the Lin family, that would be truly uncertain.
Moreover, what exactly was the Lin family thinking? Did they think that by marrying Bai Youlan, they would be qualified to take over the Xu family's assets? Even if she were willing, there was still Xu Tianbao in between.
Although she didn't care for that brat, compared to Bai Youlan, at least Xu Tianbao was a child of the Xu family.
Thinking this, Xu Qingqing found it strange. In the original story, after her death, the Xu Group was seized by Bai Youlan. What Xu Tianbao could get was probably very limited. And Xu Changshan didn't even protest?
Of course, he most likely protested but to no avail. After all, without her grandparents and aunt, and with Bai Youlan having the Lin family's help, that useless Xu Changshan probably wasn't a match for the others.
It was a pity Xu Changshan had schemed for Xu Tianbao for so long and had also cared for Bai Youlan. Last time, he even came to the old mansion to demand Xu family shares for her... If Xu Changshan knew Bai Youlan's target wasn't just some measly share dividends, but the entire Xu family, it would be quite a spectacle.
Xu Qingqing pondered whether to leak this information to her dear father. But she had no evidence now, so after some thought, she decided to forget it. As long as she didn't die, whatever Xu Changshan and Bai Youlan were dreaming of would remain just that—a dream.
Hearing her granddaughter's question, Grandma Xu sneered, "If everyone had self-awareness, there wouldn't be any fools in this world!"
What kind of nonsense, daring to covet their Xu family's business? Did they think she and the old man were reincarnated Bodhisattvas of mercy?
"I've always said the Lin family is no good. Back then, when they persuaded Jiang Xue not to divorce, it was the same old tune. Over the years, they've become even more brazen, actually setting their sights on us."
She turned and glared at Aunt Xu, saying, "And you're still cooperating with them on projects. 'Inviting the wolf into the house' is exactly what describes someone like you!"
Aunt Xu didn't want to take the blame and argued in a low voice, "Mom, that project was initially pushed and finalized by Dad back then..."
Grandpa Xu coughed on the spot, "Ahem, that's not important. What matters is how to resolve this."
Grandma Xu said angrily, "Not important? So it wasn't you, you old fool, who got called to the Lin family to be bullied, it was my granddaughter, right?"
Everyone fell silent.
Xie Lianqing rubbed his nose, beginning to wonder if it was too late for him to excuse himself now. What if Chairman Xu held this against him someday and postponed his engagement to Xu Qingqing even further?
Grandma Xu was still lecturing, but the content that followed wasn't suitable for Xu Qingqing's ears. The Lin family had truly gone too far this time. Before, the Xu family had only been cold to Lin Donghan on the surface, actually trying to save face for both families and hoping the Lin family would discipline their own offspring.
They never expected the other side would try to deceive Xu Qingqing. The Xu family all felt it was time to teach the Lin family a lesson.
Over the years, the Xu and Lin families had maintained a cooperative stance. The Xu family unanimously decided to start by cutting into the projects they jointly operated with the Lin family. Taking advantage before the Lin family could react, they would gradually push them out and draw a clear line.
The Xu family didn't even consider whether the Lin family would tear up all pretense of cordiality over this. If they had that kind of nerve, they wouldn't have bullied a young girl like Xu Qingqing by pulling rank as elders.
Even if they woke up and saw through the Xu family's intentions, it didn't matter. After all, the Lin family was in the wrong in this matter.
Once the family reached a consensus, Aunt Xu immediately accepted the task and left.
The Lin family didn't have many capable people to begin with, and the ones they sent to meddle in the project were even more incompetent. If the Xu family were less scrupulous, it would be normal to swallow them whole.
Since the Lin family had climbed onto a high branch and had other schemes, the Xu family wouldn't stand in their way.
In the past, if the Xu family took action, they might have had some reservations, guarding against the Lin family causing trouble behind their backs. After all, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Although the Lin family hadn't developed well in recent years, with Grandpa Lin holding the fort for so long, a worn-out ship still has three thousand nails—they weren't that pathetic.
Pushing them too hard might provoke a counterattack, potentially hurting both sides. However, now that Xu Qingqing and Xie Lianqing were practically in a business marriage alliance, solidifying the two families together, Aunt Xu wasn't afraid of a single Lin family anymore.
By the time Bai Youlan got the news, it was already the next day.
The cup in Bai Youlan's hand shattered into pieces. "I went through so much trouble to instruct the Lin family, telling them not to fall out with Xu Qingqing over such a small matter. How could they mess this up? Are these people idiots?"
The Lin family believed that with your pills, they could seek greater benefits and could completely kick out Xu Qingqing and the Xu family.
Hearing the system's words, Bai Youlan was furious.
Ever since her failed comeback in the entertainment industry, she had painstakingly devised a new plan targeting the Lin family to complete her tasks.
The system's rule was that as long as she gained favor/love points from people important to Xu Qingqing, she could obtain luck points. And the more important the person was to Xu Qingqing, the more luck points she could get from them.
The Lin family was Xu Qingqing's maternal family, and they had a good relationship with her. Their importance to Xu Qingqing was self-evident. Previously, due to the secret of the system, she hadn't wanted to take this step. She had only casually increased Lin Donghan's affection level and never considered getting close to the Lin family.
After all, exposing the system could threaten her life, and Bai Youlan had no desire to be sent to a laboratory. However, after her failure in the entertainment industry, Bai Youlan had no choice but to turn her attention to the Lin family.
Actually, compared to the Lin family, the relatives more important to Xu Qingqing should be Chairman Xu and the President of the Xu family. Bai Youlan had considered the Xu family as well, but after witnessing how they doted on Xu Qingqing, she seriously doubted they would abandon Xu Qingqing even if they saw the props produced by the system.
Moreover, because of Chairman Xu and his wife's attitude towards her and her mother, Bai Youlan was extremely displeased and didn't want to give them the good stuff from the system at all. So Bai Youlan chose the Lin family without hesitation.
Yet she never expected the partners she had so painstakingly selected to be so useless! She specifically told them to maintain good relations with Xu Qingqing, and instead, they directly ruined it!
Lin Donghan frowned, not understanding why Bai Youlan was so furious.
She had special pills. Couldn't they do whatever they wanted? Why bother with one Xu Qingqing? If they could mass-produce these pills or offer them to some important figure, the benefits they could gain might even allow them to swallow up the entire Xu family.
Bai Youlan knew exactly what they were thinking. She was irritated and couldn't be bothered to deal with these people.
She had considered these ideas herself. However, the items could only be exchanged from the system mall, couldn't be mass-produced, and the exchanges relied on Xu Qingqing's luck points.
She had also considered offering them to important figures to bring down the Xu family or Xu Qingqing. But even if someone with power and wealth liked her, it was useless to her.
Because they weren't important to Xu Qingqing. If they weren't important to Xu Qingqing, their affection for her couldn't help her quickly obtain large amounts of luck points. And that little bit of luck points would be gone after exchanging for one pill. This plan simply wouldn't work!
Bai Youlan looked at the frowning Lin Donghan beside her and sneered inwardly. If such a good thing were possible, why would she need to cooperate with these greedy, insatiable people from the Lin family? She could manage alone!
Bai Youlan took a deep breath and decided she didn't want to see anyone from the Lin family for a while. The Lin family had no sincerity. She had gritted her teeth and exchanged several pills to give them, but for some reason, she only received favorability and affection points from Chairman Lin and Lin Donghan. The other Lin family members showed no reaction at all.
Lin Donghan's mother even put on airs as a wealthy mother-in-law in front of her.
If Bai Youlan didn't still want their favorability points, she would probably have told this old woman to get lost. This ignorant woman had no idea of the value of what she had provided.
Bai Youlan didn't know that Grandpa Lin had kept the matter of the pills completely secret, never telling the other members of the Lin family. These people, unaware of the value of what she possessed, naturally looked down on her, a stepchild who entered the Xu family with her mother, let alone give her any affection.
Hearing Lin Donghan's tactful conveyance of Grandpa Lin's desire for more pills, Bai Youlan decided to rethink her plans and had no intention of contacting Grandpa Lin and the others for the time being.
She now had only a little luck point left, which she needed to use sparingly for herself, and had no desire to give any to the Lin family. Not to mention their talk about wanting to open a factory and cooperate.
Bai Youlan was unaware that it was precisely this unintentional decision of hers that allowed her to narrowly avoid the people Xie Lianqing had sent to monitor her during this period.
Meanwhile, Xu Qingqing, on the other end, knew nothing about the dispute between the Lin family and Bai Youlan, nor did she know she had inadvertently ruined Bai Youlan's plans.
She was lying in bed, lost in thought, trying hard to recall the plot from her dream that night.
A great deal of time had passed, and since the book had been flipped through quickly, it primarily focused on the affairs of the male and female leads, glossing over everyone else with just a few strokes. So now, Xu Qingqing needed to think very carefully to recall the descriptions of the Xu family in the book.
In the book, after her own accidental death, Grandma Xu, upon hearing the news, was overcome with grief, took a bad fall, and passed away on the spot. Grandpa Xu, weighed down by sorrow, followed her within a few days.
The ending for Aunt Xu wasn't written, but it probably wasn't good either. After all, if Aunt Xu were still around, with her decisive and efficient methods, there was no way the Xu family could have ended up in Bai Youlan's hands.
Xu Qingqing still had great faith in her aunt. She was a woman of clear likes and dislikes who had always looked down on Xu Changshan and his family. If she had truly discovered that Xu Qingqing's accidental death was orchestrated by Bai Youlan and the others, she would have probably preferred to donate the Xu family fortune or even take matters into her own hands to have a child herself, rather than let Xu Tianbao and Bai Youlan get their hands on the Xu family.
