Lan Lan was not surprised by this. Liang Yu Feng was not trying to hide anything, so it was likely that the Tai Corporation was also aware of their "scandal." Furthermore, Shang Ting had met with her many times. How could the Xu family not know of her existence?
However, Lan Lan did not dwell on it. She and Liang Yu Feng were not in a relationship that was heading towards marriage. As long as it did not affect his alliance with Shang Ting, why would the Xu family waste their time looking for her?
Therefore, when Gu Xiao reminded her, Lan Lan did not take it to heart.
Yet, the following work week, Xu Zheng Xi actually sought her out.
During lunch break, Lan Lan was working on reports when her superior suddenly came to find her, saying an important person outside wanted to see her. Lan Lan was led by her superior to the coffee shop downstairs, where she met the legendary Xu Zheng Xi.
Liang Yu Feng did not resemble his biological father, Xu Zheng Xi, but Lan Lan guessed his identity immediately. She was not intimidated and sat down boldly in front of Xu Zheng Xi.
Xu Zheng Xi did not speak to her either. His eyes scanned her as if he were evaluating a commodity. Lan Lan was accustomed to being scrutinized and did not flinch, meeting his gaze openly.
Xu Zheng Xi did not expect this woman to be so bold. He asked, "Do you know who I am?"
"Liang Yu Feng's father," Lan Lan replied.
Xu Zheng Xi: "You are quite clever."
"Thank you for the compliment. I also know I am clever," Lan Lan said, her tone not very polite.
This displeased Xu Zheng Xi slightly. Normally, no junior dared to speak to him like this. "Since you are so clever, why don't you try to guess why I've come to see you today."
"I am clever, but I'm not a mind reader. You came to me, so why should I guess why you're here? If I don't guess correctly, will you not tell me?" Lan Lan retorted with a smile.
Cornered, Xu Zheng Xi was rendered speechless. His expression turned grim. After a long pause, he asked her, "Is it with this sharp tongue that you attracted Liang Yu Feng?"
Ah, Lan Lan understood. Xu Zheng Xi had indeed come to her about Liang Yu Feng. Was he planning to offer her money?
"You should ask him that question. I don't know how I attracted him," Lan Lan said, flirtatiously tucking her hair behind her ear. Her casual gesture was incredibly alluring. "Go ask him what he likes about me, and I'll change."
These words were akin to slapping Xu Zheng Xi across the face. She was clearly telling him that she didn't care about Liang Yu Feng at all!
Xu Zheng Xi, an old fox, quickly devised a plan after his initial anger. He looked at Lan Lan探究ly and asked, "From what you're saying, is it that he refuses to let you go?"
"If you have time to come see me, why not manage your own son? What do you think?" Lan Lan did not even use a respectful title for Xu Zheng Xi, which was not her usual demeanor. Having been in this industry for a long time, she could flatter people she didn't like. But Xu Zheng Xi was different. Perhaps it was because she knew what he had done to Jiang Wan and Liang Yu Feng in the past. Not scolding him was already an achievement; respect was out of the question.
Xu Zheng Xi was accustomed to being flattered. Even someone of Shang Ting's background had to be respectful to him. Lan Lan's dismissive attitude angered him greatly.
However, before he could say anything, Lan Lan continued, "Oh, I get it. Because you can't control Liang Yu Feng, you have to come find me. Isn't that bullying the weak and fearing the strong?"
"The Xu family would never allow someone like you to enter our gates," Xu Zheng Xi said sternly. "Shang Ting is the daughter-in-law I've chosen. No matter what you do, you cannot shake her position. Don't think that just because Liang Yu Feng protects you, you can do as you please. His position was given by me. Can't I control him?"
"Pfft." Lan Lan burst into an ungraceful laugh, her short laughter filled with teasing, mockery, and disdain.
Xu Zheng Xi's expression grew even more somber. Lan Lan picked up her coffee and said, "Can you really control him? If you could, he would have dumped me long ago as you wished. Why else would you be here looking for me?"
Lan Lan's sharp wit exceeded Xu Zheng Xi's imagination. He took a breath and calmed himself to negotiate with her. "Tell me, what do you want? How much money will it take for you to break up with him?"
As expected, this question finally came. Lan Lan's playful mood intensified. Under Xu Zheng Xi's gaze, she began to think seriously.
Seeing her earnestness, Xu Zheng Xi finally regained a sense of control, though he felt disdain. No matter how sharp-tongued a woman was, she could ultimately be bought with money. Liang Yu Feng didn't understand this simple truth!
"How about this," Xu Zheng Xi pondered, and Lan Lan finally made up her mind. "You and Liang Yu Feng can hold an auction. Whoever bids higher, I'll break up with him. If he bids higher, I'll stay with him."
"You!" Xu Zheng Xi finally realized he had been toyed with by her!
"Don't you think that's a good idea?" Lan Lan said. "You're his father, so you must be richer than him, right?"
In the end, Xu Zheng Xi was angered away by Lan Lan.
Before leaving, Lan Lan did not forget to remind him, "Don't forget to pay for the coffee!"
After Xu Zheng Xi left, Lan Lan did not rush to leave. She sat in her seat, drinking her coffee and finishing the small dessert that had been served earlier.
She was not someone who would let herself be taken advantage of, and she certainly would not tolerate being wronged without reason. She was different from Shang Ting; she had no intention of marrying Liang Yu Feng and did not need to curry favor with his parents.
Being kind to Jiang Wan was out of affection and respect. Xu Zheng Xi did not deserve that. If offending him was the consequence, so be it.
Lan Lan knew that Liang Yu Feng was now powerful, and Xu Zheng Xi could not control him, which was why he had come to her.
Lan Lan had no immediate plans to end her relationship with Liang Yu Feng. It wasn't out of reluctance, but because she knew that unless Liang Yu Feng ended it, they wouldn't break up.
If she acted recklessly, she would be the one to suffer. Since she didn't want a relationship right now, she might as well maintain the status quo.
Xu Zheng Xi seemed to have recorded something earlier? She wondered if he would play it for Liang Yu Feng.
Xu Zheng Xi was furious with Lan Lan. His original plan to sow discord could not proceed, as the recording from earlier was useless!
While Xu Zheng Xi was still fuming about Lan Lan, the news of his visit to Xin He to find Lan Lan had already reached Liang Yu Feng's ears.
When work ended that day, Liang Yu Feng went to Xin He. Lan Lan was still working overtime in her office, so he pushed the door open and barged in.
At that moment, another member of Lan Lan's team was in her office discussing work with her.
"Mr. Liang, Mr. Liang..." The colleague was extremely awkward. "I'll leave now. You two discuss."
"Why are you here?" After the colleague left, Lan Lan turned off her computer. Her work was almost done.
Liang Yu Feng did not answer her question. He strode forward and blocked her path. Lan Lan was pinned against the desk by him. The man cupped her face, repeatedly checking her as if confirming something.
"What are you doing? You're going to break my neck," Lan Lan said, lightly patting his arm. In her heart, she wondered if Liang Yu Feng had come to settle scores with her.
"He came to see you," Liang Yu Feng finally spoke. "What did he do to you?" It wasn't an accusation, but rather a tone of concern.
So, he didn't know she had bullied his own father yet?