Shen Ying hung up the phone and immediately sent a car to pick up Shen Yao. After the previous incident, the people at the estate were now at her beck and call.
Such a trivial matter was handled swiftly, and within less than an hour, Shen Yao—his wounds still fresh—was brought to her.
The moment Shen Yao saw his sister, he couldn’t hold back his tears of grievance—
“I don’t even know what happened. I was just standing there peeing, not doing anything wrong, when suddenly five or six guys surrounded me, saying I splashed them. They pinned me down and just started beating me up.”
“With their size, even if I squeezed my bladder dry, I couldn’t have splashed them all over! They framed me~~~”
Shen Ying cupped his face and cooed, “Oh, my heart aches for you! How could those people be so cruel? They must’ve been jealous—jealous of how handsome you are, how likable, and how you’ve got a whole eight hundred in pocket money.”
Shen Yao froze for a moment before it dawned on him. “Ohhh, so that’s why! Good thing I held on tight and didn’t let them snatch my phone and steal the money.”
Shen Ying sighed in disappointment. “What a shame. They should’ve taken it.”
“Sis?”
She quickly reassured him, “Silly, if they’d stolen it, we could’ve sued for thousands of times the amount.”
This was beyond Shen Yao’s comprehension, but his sister had already moved on, carefully inspecting his injuries.
She examined him thoroughly, pressing here and there to ask if it hurt.
Finally, she concluded, “Nothing serious, just superficial wounds. But we need to hurry.”
Shen Ying glanced at her foolish little brother’s face—now a pitiful sight.
His eye was blackened, his lip split, his cheek marked with fingerprints, and his cheekbone scraped.
She ruffled his hair even messier, and paired with his reddened eyes and tear-streaked face, he looked even more wretched.
Shen Ying snapped a few quick photos of him before handing him a pack of tissues and a fruit platter.
“Eat this first. I’ll make a few calls, then take you to get patched up.”
Shen Yao nodded obediently as his sister dialed a number.
The first call rang for a while before being answered.
Qiao Mingyue’s bright voice came through the phone: “Hello?”
Pressed for time, Shen Ying skipped the pleasantries.
She went straight to the point: “My parents lost their jobs—fired from the factory they’d worked at for over twenty years. My brother was beaten up, targeted for no reason.”
Qiao Mingyue immediately recognized her voice, first wondering how this woman had gotten her number.
But hearing the content of Shen Ying’s words, she burst into delighted laughter: “HAHAHAHA, thank you for calling to share the good news!”
Shen Ying replied coolly, “You’re welcome. Once you’re done laughing, Miss Qiao, kindly settle my parents’ unemployment compensation and my brother’s medical expenses.”
Qiao Mingyue sneered. “You must be out of your mind, trying to extort me. Your family’s misfortunes have nothing to do with me. If you want to shake someone down, bring evidence.”
Shen Ying countered, “Does it matter? Even if you didn’t personally lift a finger, tracing it back would lead straight to the Qiao family. Besides, you just threatened me yesterday, and today my entire family is targeted—that’s too much of a coincidence, don’t you think?”
Qiao Mingyue remained unshaken. “So what? Where’s your proof? Our Qiao family has plenty of enemies—you’re not even on the list. Should every unlucky soul blame us now?”
She was confident. She’d looked into this woman’s background—before meeting Lu Linwei, she’d been a nobody with no feuds.
This was likely just someone in her family taking action after seeing her humiliated. Crushing her relatives’ lives was as easy as lifting a finger for someone like her.
But even if she knew it was her family’s doing, so what? For small fries like this, sometimes a hint, a glance, was enough. No concrete evidence would ever surface.
Qiao Mingyue wasn’t worried in the slightest.
Then Shen Ying spoke again: “Then let me rephrase. Either you compensate me immediately, Miss Qiao, or I’ll have Mr. Lu personally call and demand it from you.”
Qiao Mingyue stiffened. “Who do you think you are? You think Linwei would bother with your family’s trivial nonsense? He doesn’t even care about his own family’s affairs, let alone yours.”
Shen Ying chuckled. “I assume you’ve done your homework on me, Miss Qiao?”
“While Mr. Lu was staying with my family, my brother waited on him hand and foot. That kid isn’t just his girlfriend’s beloved little brother—he’s practically his half-benefactor. And today, he was beaten for no reason.”
“You really think that wouldn’t warrant Mr. Lu demanding answers from you personally?”
Qiao Mingyue still clung to her defiance. Even if Lu Linwei questioned her, without proof, what could he do?
But then Shen Ying added, “I believe in settling scores with the right person—no substitutes accepted.”
“If Lu Linwei can’t get my compensation from your Qiao family, I won’t accept him covering it himself.”
“Miss Qiao, you can expect Mr. Lu’s call soon. I’ll be right beside him, supervising the whole process. Honestly, I’m looking forward to seeing you two argue over pennies while I watch.”
Qiao Mingyue’s scalp prickled. She and Linwei had never humiliated themselves over money before.
If they fought over something else, fine. But for such a petty sum? And with this woman gleefully spectating?
She’d probably even coach Lu Linwei on how to twist the knife. Qiao Mingyue had no doubt this woman was capable of it.
Taking a deep breath, Qiao Mingyue made a last stand. “As if Linwei’s word would make me bend to your will. I’d sooner throw my money into the ocean than give you a cent.”
Shen Ying shrugged. “The outcome doesn’t matter. As long as Mr. Lu tries.”
“He’ll be home in half an hour. The moment he arrives, I’ll have him call you. If you change your mind, you’ve got thirty minutes to decide.”
With that, she hung up—no hesitation, no lingering.
Shen Ying didn’t waste much energy on Miss Qiao. Given the Qiao family’s influence, crushing the Shen family wouldn’t even require direct action. She was simply banking on Qiao Mingyue’s unwillingness to engage in an endless, relationship-damaging feud with Lu Linwei over something she hadn’t personally ordered.
The payoff wouldn’t be huge anyway. If Qiao Mingyue held firm, Shen Ying wouldn’t be disappointed—it was just a side attempt.
But now, the main event began.
Shen Ying swiftly dialed Lu's father’s number—obtained earlier from the butler.
The moment the call connected, her tone shifted dramatically from the detached professionalism she’d used with Qiao Mingyue.
In a voice thick with sorrow, she said, “Uncle Lu, I know you disapprove of me, but is it really necessary to strip people of their livelihoods and dignity like this?”
Lu's father, who had just taken his blood pressure medication after their last encounter, frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Shen Ying’s voice trembled with anguish. “Just now, my parents were fired from the factory they’d worked at for over twenty years. My brother—who’s always been well-liked—was beaten and bullied. Just because I’m dating your son, is this the treatment my family deserves?”
“Their livelihoods destroyed, their dignity trampled, their safety violated—is this how the Lu family deals with an unsuitable daughter-in-law?”
After hearing this, Lu's father was so furious he nearly had a stroke: "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think I orchestrated this? If I were to act, would it be something this stupid and beneath contempt?"
Shen Ying replied indignantly, "If not you, then who? The Qiao Family? Even if it was them, they're outsiders—what can I possibly do?"
"Just some outsiders can bully and harass the family of Lu Family’s future daughter-in-law without consequence? If word gets out, people might think the Lu Family is so weak they have to kowtow to the Qiao Family."
"If I were the project manager, I’d certainly reconsider the balance of power between the two families."
Lu's father slammed the table in rage. "Are you threatening me? Do you think Linwei’s current precarious position gives you the right to act like this?"
Shen Ying countered, "So what you're saying is, the men of the Lu Family not only can’t stand up for their women but also forbid them from venting their grievances?"
"Now I see—what’s the point of keeping such useless men?"
Lu's father sneered. "Then why don’t you break up with him?"
Shen Ying declared firmly, "I will. But my precious little brother didn’t suffer for nothing—someone has to pay."
"My brother is covered in injuries. Why should Lu Linwei’s brother walk away unscathed?"
"If Lu Linwei wants to win me back without making amends for this, he’d better break his own brother’s legs first. Only when both sides are even will I even consider forgiving this."
Hearing this, Lu's father nearly blacked out, inwardly cursing his unfilial son for spilling all the family’s dirty secrets to this woman.
He did have an illegitimate son, but ever since Lu Linwei took control of the family, he’d kept the boy out of sight—and Lu's father had turned a blind eye.
Given how shamelessly his son had been groveling for this woman’s favor lately, Lu's father had no doubt Lu Linwei would happily break both of his half-brother’s legs if it meant placating her.
Clenching his teeth, Lu's father growled, "You wouldn’t dare."
Shen Ying replied coldly, "My brother is the lifeblood of the Shen Family. Anyone who dares mess with him will have to face me—I’ll fight to the death if I have to."
In the end, Lu's father didn’t dare take the risk. If this mess drew Lu Linwei’s attention to his illegitimate son, it would only bring unnecessary trouble.
He seethed at the Qiao Family’s arrogance—earlier words echoed in his mind. No matter how much he disliked her, she was still Lu Linwei’s woman.
How dare the Qiao Family bully her so blatantly? Did they think the Lu Family was beneath their notice? And now he had to clean up their mess at his own peril—what a joke!
Finally, Lu's father ground out, "Your parents’ unemployment compensation and your brother’s medical expenses will be transferred to your account shortly. The amount will satisfy you—consider it compensation for their distress."
"You’d better know what to say—and what not to say—in front of Linwei."
Instantly, Shen Ying’s face brightened with a smile. "On behalf of my parents and brother, thank you, Uncle. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure Lu Linwei never remembers anyone he shouldn’t."
"Hmph!" Lu's father hung up with a sharp slam.
Just then, Shen Ying’s phone buzzed with a notification. She glanced at it—it was a transfer from Qiao Mingyue.
Shen Ying arched an eyebrow. Looks like she’d managed to squeeze something extra out of this mess.
Tucking her phone away, she noted that Lu Linwei would be home soon.
Sure enough, before she’d even finished a glass of water, the gilded sheep himself appeared in her line of sight.
Shen Ying immediately set down her cup and rushed over, tearfully exclaiming, "President Lu, I can’t stay here anymore—I quit!"
Lu Linwei had been pleased by her rare enthusiasm, but his mood soured instantly.
"What did you say?"
Shen Ying wailed dramatically, "I knew working for you would come with emotional damage, but I never expected physical injuries too!"
"Are the people around you all gangsters? First, they humiliate me to my face, then they stab me in the back—and now they’re cutting off my family’s livelihood and beating up high schoolers half to death?"
She grabbed the dazed Shen Yao and pointed at his bruised face. "Look what they did to my brother!"
Only then did Lu Linwei notice Shen Yao, startling at his battered appearance.
Realizing something serious had happened, he frowned. "What’s going on?"
Shen Ying repeated the whole story and concluded, "They say my family suffered because I offended someone—this was clearly aimed at me!"
"President Lu, forget it. I won’t even ask for worker’s compensation. I know when I’m outmatched."
Lu Linwei stared at her—this woman who had brazenly provoked him countless times without fear—and thought, *Who are you trying to fool?*
Still, he had to admire her performance, even if her wailing lacked actual tears.
His voice turned stern. "Just tell me—how much do you want this time?"
Shen Ying declared righteously, "What are you implying? This is the lifeblood of the Shen Family—your half-benefactor. Double the usual."
Without hesitation, Lu Linwei agreed. "Fine."
Shen Ying pressed, "And my parents’ jobs—"
"I’ll arrange it."
Shen Ying: "And the school bullies who hurt my brother—"
"I’ll handle them."
Shen Ying beamed. "They’re just kids—it’s the adults who failed to teach them better."
Lu Linwei understood her implication—the real culprits were the ones pulling the strings behind those high school bullies, who weren’t important enough to act on their own.
Whether it was their parents or some gang leader, they’d have to pay.
He nodded. "I know what to do."
Shen Ying finally brightened. "I knew President Lu would come through."
But Lu Linwei wasn’t satisfied. He looked at her and said, "Don’t worry—I’ll make sure justice is served."
"Whoever did this will—"
Before he could finish, Shen Ying waved him off. "No need. I’ve already gotten compensation from the others before you came back."
Besides, stirring up trouble now would only scare off her golden geese—she’d barely started fleecing them.
Lu Linwei: "…"
Seeing he was about to argue, Shen Ying hastily added, "Don’t go picking fights—just let it go."
"Otherwise, it’ll look like I took their money and didn’t keep my word."
Lu Linwei finally understood—this woman had already shaken down every suspect before he’d even arrived.
And here he was, ready to charge into battle for her.
Of course, Lu Linwei wasn’t the only one stunned. Shen Yao, who had witnessed the entire exchange, stood frozen in disbelief.
In just a short time, he’d watched his sister rake in multiple hefty payouts. He never imagined he’d be so valuable—one beating had made all these big shots tremble and cough up cash.
He poked Shen Ying. "Sis, do I get at least a thousand out of this?"
His sister didn’t forget him. "Don’t worry—I’ll give you an extra eight hundred, plus a bunch of gourmet leftovers from the kitchen."
Shen Yao’s injuries stopped hurting at the thought of the high-end food that would make his friends call him "Daddy" for a week.
Lu Linwei, watching the boy grin ear-to-ear, couldn’t bear to look. He quickly had a staff member take him to the family doctor for treatment.
Shen Ying refused to give the teenager too much cash but was generous in other ways—when sending him back to school, she stuffed the car’s trunk full of snacks and drinks.
(All courtesy of the Lu Family, of course.)
After settling the Shen Family’s affairs, Lu Linwei finally found time to tell Shen Ying—
"I’m going abroad for a couple of days. You’re coming with me."
Shen Ying’s heart skipped a beat. "Is it time for *that* plotline?"
