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nIn the Ling Group building, Mr. Ling, who had seen the news, was so angry that he slammed his hands on the conference table.

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nMr. Ling scolded the public relations department and ordered them to immediately think of a way to control public opinion.

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nHe walked around the office with his hands on his hips and gritted his teeth. Mr. Ling growled at his assistant, “Where is that bastard?”

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n“Send him overseas to hide for a few days. Make sure to keep an eye on him and make sure that he doesn’t cause any more trouble for me!”

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nAt the same time, the people in the Qu family villa also saw the news.

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nMr. Qu panicked and wanted to contact the Ling family, but no one picked up the phone.

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nThe Qu family and the Ling family were currently collaborating. If the Ling family collapsed, they would definitely suffer huge losses!

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nIn the living room, Mr. Qu was anxiously rubbing his hands as he tried to think of a solution. His face was filled with frustration and anxiety as he grabbed the few strands of hair on top of his head.

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nQu Qi narrowed her eyes as she sat on the sofa, deep in thought. She had a vague feeling that Qu Xiao had something to do with Ling Chi’s incident.

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n“Dad, the Ling family signed the collaboration contract with us through official channels. Even if their group collapses, we can still claim compensation from them.”

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n“Since things have already happened, let’s think about whether we find another path? We can’t rely entirely on the Ling family, right?”

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nQu Qi moved closer to Mr. Qu and gently held his arm as she said with a somewhat encouraging expression, “It’s your birthday this weekend. Why don’t we call Qu Xiao back? Her relationship with Shang Yan seems to have eased up. The Shang family’s status in the financial world is incomparable to the Ling family’s. Why don’t we consider collaborating with the Shang family?”

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nMr. Qu saw through her intentions and pondered with a frown. “But the Shang family’s relationship with us has never been good.”

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n“Only when Shang Yan and Qu Xiao got married did they give us a few profitable projects. If we want to meet Shang Yan, we need to make an appointment in advance. Will he help us?”

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nMr. Qu knew his own intentions very well. Qu Qi tilted her body and picked up two grapes. She used her fingernails to peel off their flesh as she said, “We can steal them.”

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nQu Qi’s lips curled into a contemptuous and disdainful smile. “Qu Xiao lives with Shang Yan, so it’s easy for her to get information.”

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n“She helped Ling Chi, so why can’t she help us?”

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n“You’re her biological father who gave her life. If she dares to disobey you, we can expose her…”

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nCountless vicious tricks emerged in Qu Qi’s mind. She gently pushed Mr. Qu’s arm and urged him.

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nMr. Qu hesitated for a long time. He took a deep breath and picked up his phone to call Qu Xiao’s number.

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nThe phone rang for a long time. Qu Xiao lazily stretched out her hand from under the blanket. She picked up the call without seeing the caller ID clearly. She put the phone to her ear and said, “Hello, who is this?”

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nMr. Qu paused and tried his best to say in a kind and amiable voice, “Xiao Xiao, this is Dad.”

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nQu Xiao was instantly jolted awake. She sat up with her messy hair and asked with a frown, “What’s the matter?”

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nMr. Qu glanced at the calendar and threw out an invitation.

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n“This weekend is my 50th birthday. You and Shang Yan should come visit me at the old mansion. The bosses of the financial world and your uncles will all be present. Remember to dress up. Don’t embarrass me! If Shang Yan doesn’t show up, I will tell everyone about how unfilial he is!”

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nHe finished speaking as if he was giving an order and decisively hung up the phone. Qu Xiao did not even have time to refuse.

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nShe scratched her hair in a daze and habitually picked up the honey water placed by the bedside. She took two sips and walked downstairs.

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nIn the living room, Shang Yan was neatly dressed as he sat in his wheelchair. When he heard her movements, he raised his head and greeted indifferently, “Good morning.”

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nQu Xiao pursed her red lips and nodded. When she saw Li push him out, she could not help but think of her father’s request.

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nShe opened her mouth and called out to Shang Yan, “Wait.”

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nShang Yan stopped and turned around to look at her, “Do you have something to tell me?”

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nQu Xiao rolled her eyes and hesitated for a moment. The corners of her lips curled up as she shook her head, “Come back soon.”

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nIn the business car outside the villa, Li kept turning his head to look at Shang Yan. Shang Yan’s head was lowered as he flipped through his work report and itinerary. He looked up at him impatiently and asked, “You want to resign?”

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nLi was so scared that he burped and hurriedly explained, “CEO Shang, have you been resting well recently?”

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n“Is there something wrong with your body? You look terrible. Do you want me to take you to the hospital for a checkup?”

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nEver since the week started, Shang Yan always looked very tired, and the dark circles under his eyes became more obvious.

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nShang Yan turned his head to look at his reflection in the brown glass and sighed silently. Thinking of Qu Xiao who hugged him restlessly every night, the image of her slender and fair legs wrapped around him under her skirt surfaced in his mind, and his lower abdomen felt a little hot.

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nHis eyes darkened as he rolled down the car window and said softly, “Drive the car!”

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