LHKE Ch21
by soapa“Boss, Shen Zhengqing is here again…”
Hearing the name Shen Zhengqing, Shen Li immediately wanted to hang up the phone. “What does he want?”
“He said he has something important to discuss with you,” Le An replied, sounding troubled.
Shen Li’s voice was cold. “Tell him I’m not at the bar. If he causes trouble, have the security throw him out.”
Le An lowered his voice. “He said if you don’t see him, he’ll go find Mr. Lu…”
In fact, Shen Zhengqing’s original words were much harsher, filled with threats. If it weren’t for the involvement of Lu Changting, Le An wouldn’t have felt so conflicted.
“Mr. Lu?” Shen Li frowned. “Which Mr. Lu?”
What madness was Shen Zhengqing spouting now, dragging someone from the Lu family into this…
“He mentioned the CEO of the Lu Group. It should be Mr. Lu Changting.”
Shen Li’s grip on his phone tightened suddenly. He spoke slowly, enunciating each word: “Tell him to wait.”
When it came to his father, Shen Zhengqing, who never showed up without a hidden agenda, Shen Li couldn’t help but suspect the worst.
Over the years, Shen Zhengqing hadn’t given a cent in child support for Cheng Zhao and had never fulfilled his responsibilities as a father. If they had just stayed out of each other’s lives, it would have been fine. But after Shen Li built up “Gu Jiu,” Shen Zhengqing started showing up at the bar, bringing friends for free food and drinks. All the while, he insulted Shen Li’s sexual orientation, yet greedily asked for money under various excuses.
At first, Shen Li gave in a few times out of familial duty. But as Shen Zhengqing’s demands increased, along with his hypocritical advice to “walk the right path” and “change,” it became too much. He even tricked Shen Li into going on a blind date.
Shen Li had long since given up any hopes regarding his father. He just wished that Shen Zhengqing would cause less trouble, so they could maintain some semblance of a father-son relationship. But Shen Zhengqing was never satisfied.
Thankfully, Cheng Zhao was currently on a research trip with her mentor in Z City. If she found out he had gone to meet Shen Zhengqing, she’d be furious.
By the time Shen Li arrived at the bar, Shen Zhengqing had already finished a glass of Black Label.
He was lounging casually on the sofa in a private booth. When he saw Shen Li, he smiled warmly, as if they were close. “Xiao Li.”
Shen Li sat down opposite him, skipping the pleasantries. “What do you want?”
The smile on Shen Zhengqing’s face didn’t waver. He called a waiter over, ordered another glass, and poured Shen Li a drink with a show of enthusiasm. “It’s been a while since we father and son sat down for a drink together…”
“I don’t drink anymore,” Shen Li said blandly. “It’s bad for the stomach, and you’re not getting any younger. You should take care of yourself too.”
The words sounded like concern, but Shen Zhengqing knew that his temper flared when drunk, and he easily resorted to violence. Stung by the jab, he awkwardly set the glass aside. “Let’s get to the point, then.”
“Son, I really had no choice but to come to you today.”
“You know my company’s in trouble. We’ve been struggling with cash flow, and now the tax bureau is investigating us… We owe back taxes and penalties. If we can’t pay, the company will go bankrupt, and I’ll be blacklisted.”
After listening, Shen Li responded calmly, “How much do you need this time?”
“Not much, just over five million.”
Shen Li chuckled in disbelief. “Five million isn’t much? Do you think money just falls from the sky for me?”
With a sheepish grin, Shen Zhengqing said, “But you’re connected to the Lu family now. Just one word from Mr. Lu, and the company’s problems would be solved…”
Shen Li shot him a warning glance. “Mr. Lu is Mr. Lu. I am me. What connection do we have?”
The smile on Shen Zhengqing’s face faded slightly. He knew Shen Li wasn’t willing to help, but to brush him off with such flimsy excuses was a bit much.
“Aren’t you two dating? That day at Wangjiang Tower, Cheng Zhao was practically boasting about it in front of me.” He took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone less aggressive. After all, he needed Shen Li’s help. “I used to think your liking men was a sickness, but you’ve never had a real relationship, so I hoped you might change.”
“But now that you’re with Mr. Lu, I have no objections.” He paused before continuing. “But you have to understand, with a family like the Lu’s, Mr. Lu is bound to marry eventually. You and he won’t last. It’s better to take advantage of the situation while you can. You need to think about your future.”
Shen Li was stunned for a moment, taking a while to process the words.
He looked at Shen Zhengqing for a long time, then shook his head, pulling out a few bills from his wallet and placing them under the glass on the table.
“Dad, delusional disorder is an illness, and you need treatment.”
“I can’t help you with the company, but I’ll pay for this,” Shen Li said earnestly. “The psychiatric department at S City’s Neurological Hospital is quite well-known…”
“What nonsense are you talking about!” Shen Zhengqing roared.
“I’m just returning your words to you,” Shen Li said calmly, his gaze steady. “You know how Mom likes to joke around. One day Mr. Lu is my boyfriend, the next day Mr. Fu is my boyfriend. To spite you, any rich and successful man in S City could be my boyfriend.”
Shen Zhengqing froze for a moment. That was indeed something Cheng Zhao would do, but that day, Lu Changting hadn’t denied it… Now he wasn’t sure if Shen Li really had nothing with Lu Changting or if he was just trying to distance himself to avoid helping.
“I have nothing to do with Mr. Lu. Not before, not now, and not in the future,” Shen Li said with a slight edge to his voice. “You know what kind of family the Lu’s are. If you provoke him, you’ll face the consequences.”
Shen Zhengqing’s eyes widened as he stared past Shen Li, his pupils shrinking in shock. “Lu… Mr. Lu.”
“Mr. Shen, we meet again.”
A deep voice interrupted, and Shen Li turned around. His heart skipped a beat before racing uncontrollably.
When had Lu Changting arrived?
How much had he heard?
Lu Changting, who had arrived just in time to hear Shen Li say, “I have nothing to do with Mr. Lu, not before, not now, and not in the future,” swallowed his bitterness and calmly took a seat beside Shen Li, intruding into the father-son conversation with quiet authority.
“Ms. Cheng told you last time that Shen Li won’t help with your company. As for any ideas of a marriage alliance, forget it. So, why are you pestering him again, hmm?”
“Mr. Lu!” Shen Zhengqing’s anger flared up completely. “What exactly is your relationship with Xiao Li? And why do you keep interfering in my family affairs?”
Lu Changting gave a casual smile. “For now, no relationship.”
He added, “I’m still in the process of pursuing him.”
Shen Zhengqing, overwhelmed by Lu Changting’s imposing presence, struggled to respond, his confidence wavering. “Since you two aren’t together yet, you have no right to meddle in the affairs between me and my son.”
“But you’re troubling him,” Lu Changting replied seriously, his voice steady. “Helping out the person you care about is a rare chance to score some points.”
Shen Li’s surprise deepened.
For a moment, he almost believed Lu Changting’s words.
But he didn’t dare to believe them.
He’s probably just helping me out of a tough spot…
Lu Changting was really good at lying, not even blinking when he said something like that. Just two days ago, he had brought a date to the bar, and now he sat next to him saying he wanted to “pursue him.”
But Shen Li’s heart raced at those words, beating so fast it drowned out the bar’s music and the chatter around him. All he could hear was Lu Changting’s phrase—the person you care about.
Suddenly, Shen Zhengqing realized the shift in the situation. He smiled again, his tone completely different from his earlier anger. “Mr. Lu, you see, I’m Xiao Li’s father, and the problems with my company are also causing him a lot of distress.”
Lu Changting looked at him, frowning slightly. “Then why are you using your company’s troubles to burden Xiao Li? It’s your company, not his.”
Having run the Lu Corporation for only a short time, Lu Changting had never encountered someone so shameless and difficult to deal with. He forced himself to be patient, seeing this as a learning experience.
Shen Zhengqing, at a loss for words, his face alternating between pale and flushed, finally retorted, “So, in the end, Mr. Lu just refuses to help.”
“Why should I help you?” Lu Changting asked in return.
Shen Zhengqing let out a cold laugh, dropping his facade of civility, frustration creeping into his voice. “Fine, don’t help. But I can also oppose you being with him.”
“That’s your right,” Lu Changting said indifferently. “Just as it’s Xiao Li’s right to choose who he’s with.”
“You’re twisting words! This is ridiculous!”
Their argument attracted the attention of several tables nearby. Shen Li, having remained silent until now, felt utterly disheartened. He didn’t want to hear another word from Shen Zhengqing.
“Have you had enough?” Shen Li interrupted, his voice low. “You just want money, right? I’ll give it to you.”
“I’ll give you three million at most. The rest, you figure out yourself.”
Shen Zhengqing, still unsatisfied, stammered, “Just—just three million? That’s not enough.”
“Sell the house and car you bought for your mistress. You can scrape together another one or two million.” Shen Li’s gaze was icy. “Your company is in such bad shape, stop supporting your mistress. Auntie has been with you for so many years and even raised a child for you. It hasn’t been easy for her.”
Shen Zhengqing’s face turned ashen. “What nonsense are you spouting? What mistress?”
Shen Li’s tone remained cold. “How many have you had, and how many properties have you bought under the table? Do I need to list them out?”
“This is the last time.” Shen Li’s voice grew even more frigid. “And—don’t even think about messing with the Lu family.”
Shen Zhengqing wanted to say more, but Shen Li’s icy gaze silenced him. He didn’t dare to truly offend Lu Changting, so he reluctantly accepted the result.
Three million was better than nothing.
As for Shen Li saying this was the last time, he didn’t take it seriously at all. Shen Li would always soften up and wouldn’t let him go under.