The abandoned daughter of the Lu family turns around and marries a celibate tycoon.

Lu Xiran hid under the covers, the faint, cool scent of cedar emanating from Gu Yanshen still lingering in her nostrils.

She buried her face in the soft pillow, but the scenes from last night kept replaying in her mind—his arms holding her firmly, his eyes looking down at her, and the warm skin beneath the collar of his pajamas…

Just thinking about it makes my ears burn again.

Later, he gently placed her on the bed, and the two of them tacitly stopped speaking.

Gu Yanshen turned and went to the living room outside the suite, leaving her with a quiet darkness and an indescribable sense of peace.

She fell into a deep sleep, and when she opened her eyes again, it was already noon.

Now she only maintains one-way contact with Gu Yanshen.

Unfold the pages, and you'll find records of all the important dates associated with the Lu Group and "Yunyuji".

In three days, it will be the 50th anniversary of Yunyuji.

But the store announcement she saw was like a thunderbolt—Yunyuji was about to be publicly auctioned and transferred.

Lu Xiran couldn't believe it.

Lu Hao's finances have become so strained?

But how could he sell Yun Yu Ji? That was where his grandfather started his business, the shop where his mother grew up. The water from the ancient well in the backyard of Yun Yu Ji was the secret ingredient behind all the signature dishes.

Last time, when she made soup for Grandma Gu, she specially asked Lin Chen to find a way to bring back some well water.

Below the announcement, there is already a long list of bidding companies.

Yun Yu Ji is Lu's most valuable asset at present, and almost all the well-known companies in the food and beverage industry have participated in it.

Lu Xiran paced around the room several times before finally mustering up the courage to gently push open the study door.

"Uncle?"

"Hmm?" Gu Yanshen looked up from the documents, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Afraid to sleep alone?"

He glanced at his phone. "It's only eight o'clock. Tired?"

"No, no, no," Lu Xiran's face flushed instantly, and she waved her hands repeatedly, "I'm not sleepy... I can do it..."

"Is your foot better?" He put down his pen, stood up, and walked towards her.

Lu Xiran unconsciously stepped back, her waist almost hitting the doorknob behind her.

Gu Yanshen reached out and pulled her gently into his arms again.

"I...I didn't mean to..." She lowered her head, her voice barely audible, her breathing slightly disordered.

Gu Yanshen looked at her bright red earlobes, stopped teasing her, and sat down on the sofa next to her. "What's wrong?"

"Could you... do me a favor?"

"explain."

"Help me register for the bidding."

Gu Yanshen looked at her but did not answer immediately.

Lu Xiran secretly glanced up, and could only continue to explain in a low voice, "I know this is a bit excessive... but I can't use my own name right now. That's the root of my grandfather's business, and I can't watch it fall into someone else's hands."

She paused, then her tone became serious: "Moreover, the entire bidding process will be broadcast live, which might... be a great opportunity for exposure."

Gu Yanshen's gaze was calm. "Perhaps, this is also a good opportunity to 'lure you into the game'."

Lu Xiran was stunned.

—This was something she had never thought about.

"But the live stream is public; they wouldn't dare do anything to me openly, would they?"

"What if the purpose of the live stream is to lower your guard?"

Lu Xiran couldn't answer.

"But I can't hide here forever." She curled her fingers slightly, her voice soft but firm. "There's no better opportunity than this. I can't stand by and watch Grandpa's hard work be wasted."

"Maybe……"

"Uncle, I know you want to protect me." Lu Xiran raised her eyes and looked directly at him. "But I can't hide behind you forever. I have to go."

"I had a merger and acquisition deal that day, so I couldn't get away."

Lu Xiran was taken aback, then shook her head: "I don't need you to come with me, I..."

"I'll arrange for a few people to follow you," he interrupted her, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Three days later.

Lu Xiran, wearing a brown wig, light makeup, and glasses, entered the venue as Wu Lu's assistant.

Upon arriving at the venue entrance, we were informed that only two people from each company were allowed entry. The others were directed to a nearby room to rest.

Since the applicant was Wu Lu, only she and Lu Xiran were allowed to enter.

Shortly after entering the venue, the people accompanying him tried to send a message to Gu Yanshen, but found that there was no signal at all.

Inside the Gu family's meeting room, the merger and acquisition negotiations were at a stalemate.

The other party's representative was stalling with complicated data when Gu Yanshen suddenly raised his hand and tapped lightly on the tablet.

"The cash flow model on page 37 shows a growth rate that deviates by 12% from your company's first-quarter financial report." His gaze still swept across the phone screen—that person was still not in the live stream. "Based on this, the basis for the performance-based agreement is no longer valid. Please refer directly to Appendix Three for alternative solutions."

During the brief pause in the other party's expression, he tapped his fingertips on the table. "The revised scope of the asset divestiture has been sent. Two key points: eliminate all assets potentially involved in litigation; adopt a tiered payment system for patent licensing, based on actual market penetration." He spoke quickly and clearly. "Accepted. Complete the process in thirty minutes. Objections—"

He glanced at his watch. "My assistant will stay and continue."

"Mr. Gu, isn't the time too tight?"

"The data is clear, and so are the choices." He had already stood up, his coat draped over his arm. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

At the door, Lin Chen walked towards us, silently shaking his head.

Gu Yanshen's eyes turned cold, and the composure he had displayed at the negotiating table vanished instantly. He merely gestured to Lin Chen before striding away.

The car drove out of the underground parking garage. Gu Yanshen stared at the live stream on his phone, his face ashen.

Inside the venue, Lu Xiran quietly took Wu Lu's hand.

She carefully examined the people from the bidding companies around her, only to find that many of them were unfamiliar faces.

Her heart tightened, and she tried to pull Wu Lu away, but they were blocked from leaving.

"Lu Xiran." Lin Li slowly emerged from behind the crowd, her smile mocking. "You think you can just walk away?"

Lu Xiran shielded Wu Lu behind her, saying, "This has nothing to do with her. Let her go first."

"Heh," Lin Li chuckled, "You still have the leisure to worry about others?"

"Lin Li!" Lu Xiran looked directly at her. "She's from the Gu family. You don't want to be enemies with the Gu family, do you?"

"Besides, your target is me, isn't it?"

Lin Li gave a signal, and one of them silently circled behind Wu Lu and swiftly knocked her unconscious.

"Lin Li!" Lu Xiran tried to rush over, but was held back by the two.

"Don't worry, as long as you cooperate obediently, I'm not stupid enough to touch anyone from the Gu family," Lin Li said coldly. "Take her away. Release her in two hours."

Lu Xiran watched helplessly as Wu Lu was dragged away.

"You," Lin Li walked up to her, raising her chin, "is there anything else you want to say?"

Where is my dad?

"Want to talk to him?" Lin Li raised an eyebrow smugly. "I might be able to pass on your message."

"If you kill me, won't he hate you?"

"Heh." Lin Li looked at her as if she were a joke.

"Aren't you afraid?" Lu Xiran stared intently at her, enunciating each word clearly, "If one day you get in his way, how will he treat you?"

Lin Li's face suddenly turned pale.

"You should worry about yourself first!" She suddenly pulled out a syringe and walked towards Lu Xiran.

Lu Xiran used all her strength to break free from her restraints, grabbed a decorative bottle from the side and threw it at the wall, then staggered backward along the wall.

But in the end, they couldn't withstand the encirclement of more than a dozen burly men.

She was pressed down hard again.

A ruthless glint flashed in Lin Li's eyes, and the needle tip gleamed coldly under the light.

"You can't escape."