Chapter 134: Misplaced Positioning

Liang Xiujin’s glance made Qiao Jiu’s heart skip a beat. She couldn't explain why, but that strange, inexplicable thought from before surged up once more.

This time, however, Qiao Jiu forcefully suppressed it.

How could that be? How could it possibly be?

Madam Liang looked at Liang Xiujin. "You knew? That A-Cheng has someone in his heart?"

Liang Xiujin quickly replied, "I was just guessing. But does it even need to be said? A-Cheng isn't that kind of person."

Madam Liang shot him a look. "If you're just guessing, then keep quiet."

Liang Xiucheng also spoke up, "Mom, don't worry so much. I'm not into men; I just don't like the women you keep arranging for me."

Madam Liang’s face remained cold. After a few seconds, she turned to look at Mr. Liang. "You’ve been silent this whole time. Say something."

Mr. Liang was a formidable figure in the business world, but he lacked backbone in front of Madam Liang. "Didn't you tell me to shut up?"

Madam Liang glared at him, and he immediately turned to Liang Xiucheng. "If it weren't for the trouble your brother caused before, do you think anyone would care about you?"

He was likely referring to the situation between Liang Xiujin and Xu Yi.

Qiao Jiu glanced at Guan Wei, who kept her eyes cast down, as if she hadn't heard a thing.

Madam Liang took over the conversation. "Your brother won't be settled anytime soon. Your grandfather is getting on in years, and we don't know how much time he has left. His only wish now is to see the next generation. He called a while ago, rambling about how his health isn't what it used to be. You should understand what that implies without me having to explain it to you."

Liang Xiujin said, "Mom, I..."

"Shut up," Madam Liang said without even looking at him. "Sort out your relationship with Xu Yi first. Stop making reckless promises and wasting other people's time."

The atmosphere turned sour, and everyone fell silent.

Fortunately, a waiter pushed the door open to serve the dishes, providing a brief distraction.

After the waiter left, Liang Xiucheng spoke about his life abroad. He had indeed met many people with same-sex partners; he didn't discriminate, but he didn't necessarily approve either. His own orientation was quite normal, and he urged Madam Liang not to let her imagination run wild.

He then added, "As for my own life, I have a feeling my brother will settle down before I do, considering he already has a girlfriend."

He smiled. "My brother has nothing going on with Xu Yi. Don't worry; anyone with eyes can see that Xu Yi is the one clinging to him."

These words were clearly meant to appease Guan Wei, but she simply pursed her lips, remaining unresponsive.

Madam Liang’s voice was flat. "It better be nothing. Otherwise, he’ll be the first one I kick out of this house."

Mr. Liang sighed. "Alright, that's enough. Let's eat."

For the first time, Qiao Jiu understood the saying that even an honest official finds it hard to settle family disputes. Mr. Liang was a man of his word in the workplace; many in the company feared him, calling him stern, meticulous, and difficult.

But looking at him now, no matter how temperamental he was, he didn't dare to breathe too loudly in front of Madam Liang.

The meal began under a strained atmosphere and remained joyless. Everyone ate in silence, trying not to make a sound.

Madam Liang, however, didn't care about the atmosphere. With her free-spirited nature, she asked whatever came to mind.

Midway through, she asked about the current relationship between Qiao Jiu and Lu Fengzhou.

Qiao Jiu blinked, unsure how to answer. She thought of the car parked outside.

What was their relationship now? They weren't lovers, nor were they exactly paramours.

Friends with benefits?

That slightly derogatory term seemed more fitting for them.

But she certainly couldn't tell the truth. "The company has a partnership with his, so I suppose Mr. Lu and I are business partners now."

...

Lu Fengzhou didn't wait long outside the restaurant before driving back to the company.

Having lost his appetite, he skipped lunch entirely and headed straight back to his office.

Mondays were always busy. After a brief pause, he pulled out a file from the side.

Back when he worked under the elder Mr. Qiao, he saw the old man working around the clock every day.

He hadn't understood it then—how could someone so wealthy still be so unsatisfied?

Now that he sat in that position, he understood everything he hadn't grasped before.

When you occupy a position, you must fulfill its duties and complete its tasks. There was no way around it; he couldn't stop.

He had only read two pages of the file when, well before working hours, a commotion broke out outside.

The door to Lu Fengzhou’s office wasn't closed tightly, and he could vaguely see colleagues rushing past.

He hesitated, then stood up and walked to the door. Just as his special assistant passed by, Lu Fengzhou asked, "What's going on?"

The assistant stopped, his expression complex. "It’s Manager Ding. She’s fighting with the deputy manager downstairs."

Lu Fengzhou raised an eyebrow. "They came to blows?"

"Yes, they did," the assistant said. "The receptionists couldn't stop them, so they called us to go down and separate them."

It was lunch hour, and the security guards were likely eating, too. Women fighting usually required men to intervene, as other women often couldn't pull them apart.

Lu Fengzhou nodded. "Go ahead."

He had no interest in watching women fight. It was always the same—scratching faces, pulling hair, or screeching. It wasn't like he hadn't seen it before.

He turned back and sat at his desk. Not long after, a knock sounded at the door.

The assistant entered, followed by two women with disheveled hair.

One of them burst into tears the moment she walked in, while the other, Ding Mei, stood with her face taut, chin held high, maintaining a haughty posture.

Lu Fengzhou looked at them both, his tone indifferent. "You two are quite talented."

The deputy manager wiped her tears. "Manager Ding is bullying me too much. Mr. Lu, you specifically requested that I attend last night’s business dinner. Manager Ding has been making trouble for me all morning because of it. She was the one who started the fight; I couldn't just stand there and let her hit me."

Lu Fengzhou gave a noncommittal hum. "Go back and tidy yourself up. See if you're hurt; if so, go to the hospital. If not, go rest. Come to work as usual tomorrow. I will give you a fair explanation for this."

His voice was cold, but no one was a fool; it was clear he was favoring her.

The woman smoothed her hair and turned to leave, casting a disdainful look at Ding Mei on her way out.

The assistant hesitated but followed her out.

Once the door was closed, Ding Mei’s tears finally fell. "You’re going to fire me, aren't you? I knew it when I decided to throw those punches."

She sounded clearly unwilling to accept it. "I don't understand. Is this why you’ve been sidelining me, forcing me to snap—simply because I went to find Miss Qiao and said some things I shouldn't have?"

Her voice rose. "But you’re divorced! You made her leave with nothing, you let her be vilified by everyone—didn't you hate her? What is the meaning of backing her up now?"

Lu Fengzhou scoffed. "What does that have to do with you?"

His voice was icy. "How things are between her and me is our business. Since when is it your place to point fingers? Manager Ding, I thought you were a smart woman, but I clearly overestimated you. You have mistaken your position."