Chapter 171: The Old Master's Favorite
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Xuan said that to warn the others against saying anything that could upset the old master.
Seeing Qiao Jing and Qiao Ze's silent concurrence, the old master's rising anger dissipated.
Qiao Yi was the first to protest, "Dad, even if you favor Qiao Yue, you can't do this. Which descendent of the Qiao family didn't get exposure to the family business until after graduation? What do you mean when you give Qiao Yue exposure just like that?"
"Dad, second brother is right. Although you like Qiao Yue, you can't do this!" The first madam chimed in, unaware of Qiao Ren's frown when she said that.
The old master looked at the two of them with an unfriendly expression. The first madam felt a little guilty under his gaze and turned her head away, avoiding his eyes. In fact, her two sons were already of age, so it wasn't her place to meddled in this matter. However, she couldn't stand watching Qiao Yue get whatever he wanted.
Before the old master could speak, Qiao Jing, who had been silent all this while, spoke up, "Mom, I have no opinion on this matter. The company belongs to Grandpa, and it's his decision to let whoever he wants join the company. If Xiao Yue joins the company, Grandpa can let him work under me first."
It was rare for Qiao Jing to utter such a long sentence. On the surface, it looked like he was being submissive to the old master, but in fact, he was protecting Qiao Yue.
Qiao Xuan echoed Qiao Jing's sentiment with a smile. "That's right! Mom, Xiao Jing is right. Besides, Xiao Jing and I both have our own careers. Why do you have to meddle in this?"
The two brothers spoke one after another until the first lady couldn't get a word in and their father staring at them.
The old master was quite happy with his grandsons' reaction. He tapped the ground with his walking stick and said, "Qiao Yi, Xiao Ze also has his own career and is hardly home. I've made the same offer to Xiao Ze before, but he declined. Let me ask Xiao Ze again if he wants to work at the company."
Qiao Ze shook his head like a rattle-drum when he heard his grandfather turn his attention to him.
"Grandpa, you still don't know me? I've never liked doing business. Besides, I'm so busy that I'm hardly home, so I don't have time to manage the company."
Qiao Yi glared at Qiao Ze, but the latter pretended not to see him. Qiao Ze didn't get along with Qiao Jing purely because he didn't like him. Besides, their parents were always fighting each other for the family inheritance. As for the company, he really couldn't be bothered.
Seeing that Qiao Ze had failed to live up to his expectations, Qiao Yi continued, "Dad, no matter what, isn't it a little too much for you to favor Qiao Yue like this? Qiao Yue hasn't been here for long, and you're already prepared to expose him to the Qiao family business. Do you expect us to work for him in future?"
Qiao Yi's words weren't polite at all, directly exposing the old master's intentions. It was true that the old master didn't bring Qiao Yue over just for an inspection. If possible, he would very much like to give Qiao Yue a job, so that he could learn the ropes of the family business.
The old master looked at his disappointing son, feeling resentful that he had failed to live up to his expectations. Why did he have cash flow problem? Why did his own son refuse to give him any financial aid? Didn't he already know? If the Qiao family business were to be handed over to him, he would probably squander it away in less than two years!
Before the old master could refute, the third family's husband and wife looked at each other. Qiao Li said, "Dad, how about this? Let's call Xiao Yu, Xin'er, Ying'er, and the rest over. We'll go to the company together and let them see what it's like inside."
Qiao Yue raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard this. The third family really resented her. But looking at the current situation, her grandfather had indeed favored her.
Qiao Yue smiled and gave the old master a playful look before turning to Qiao Yi. "Second uncle, third brother has his own career and can't take care of the family. Why do you have to force him? As for fourth brother, he's in school now. His results are excellent and he's the president of the student council. You know Harvey better than me. If we reduce his time at school and force him to spend time at the company, his relationships with his classmates will become estranged and he will lose his connections. Isn't it worse off for him?"
Qiao Yi looked at Qiao Yue with disdain. "Xiao Jing and Xiao Yu don't have the time, but I can take over. It's better than the old master handing the company to an outsider like you."
As soon as Qiao Yi said this, the old master's face darkened. He never let his family mention that Qiao Qing was adopted. His third son had really spoken without thinking this time.
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Chapter 172: A Warning
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Yue didn't mind Qiao Yi's words. She smiled and said, "Grandpa hasn't even said anything about me working at the company. The company belongs to Grandpa, so he has the final say. Why are you intervening?"
Qiao Yue said nonchalantly. She didn't care about the Qiao family business, but she felt it a pity if the old master's blood, sweat and tears fell into the hands of such a useless person. Qiao Xuan and her other brothers held more promise but none of them wanted to inherit the Qiao family business. Perhaps it was up to Qiao Yu, if he had any interest in the company!
"You!" Qiao Yi was so angry at Qiao Yue that he pointed at her with a trembling hand.
"You're the one who's intervening! I'm your grandfather's son. Who do you think you are? You're just an outsider who's not even related to us by blood! So was your mother. None of you outsiders should have a place in the Qiao family!" Qiao Yi was so angry that he blurted out whatever that popped into his mind.
The old master's eyes widened in anger and Qiao Yue's eyes turned cold.
"Qiao Yi, I'm only calling you second uncle because of Grandpa and my mother. Don't be so ungrateful. Let me remind you, if you keep coveting things that don't belong to you, be careful not to lose what you already have." Qiao Yue said expressionlessly.
Qiao Yue wasn't speaking loudly but her words drew the attention of the old master, her third uncle Qiao Li, even Qiao Jing. Qiao Yi's face turned pale at Qiao Yue's words.
He suspected that Qiao Yue knew about his businesses overseas. He didn't even reveal that one of them went bankrupt recently, so how did Qiao Yue know?
Qiao Yi didn't quite believe that Qiao Yue was capable of finding out his background, so he said, "What are you talking about? What else have I got to lose? Don't speak ill of me just because you want to get a piece of the Qiao family business."
Qiao Yue was unperturbed by Qiao Yi's denial. She moved closer to Qiao Yi and said something in his ear that changed his expression in an instant.
"How did you know?" Qiao Yi dared not raise his voice and growled softly at Qiao Yue.
Qiao Yue smirked. "You don't need to know how I know. I'll close one eye if you kept things overseas, but if you dare to extend your hands into the Qiao family business here, I'll chop them off."
Qiao Yi's eyes were filled with shock when he heard this but the anger on his face didn't subside. His expression looked extremely strange.
Qiao Yue continued, "Grandpa, if you'd like me to accompany you for an inspection, I'm more than happy to accompany you. However, if you'd like to hand the business over to me, please forgive me for my incapability to take over, ever. But I'll say this – the Qiao family business belongs to Grandpa. I'll support whoever Grandpa hands it over to. However, if anyone tries to force Grandpa using improper means...."
Qiao Yue scanned the elders around her and sneered, "Then don't blame me if you encounter anything bad."
Qiao Yue's words were both a warning and a threat. Although her elders didn't like what they heard, they didn't refute after they saw what happened to Qiao Yi.
The atmosphere was tense. The old master looked at Qiao Yue disapprovingly, but Qiao Yue looked back at him with a bright smile.
With such an interlude, the inspection trip to the company was naturally cancelled. Qiao Yue helped her grandfather back to his room to rest. As soon as she was on her way back to her own room, Qiao Jing stopped her.
"Brother." Qiao Yue called out with a smile at the sight of Qiao Jing's unfriendly expression.
"Let's talk inside," Qiao Jing said as he looked at Qiao Yue indifferently.
"Oh, okay." Qiao Yue responded in a low voice.
Qiao Yue observed Qiao Jing carefully as she opened the door. As soon as her eyes met Qiao Jing's, she trembled and quickly opened the door.
After the door was closed, Qiao Yue walked up to Qiao Jing with a fawning look and asked, "Brother, do you need something from me?"
"Were you the one who did that to Qiao Yi?" Although Qiao Jing was asking a question, Qiao Yue felt that he already knew the answer.
"Brother, I don't really understand what you're talking about." Qiao Yue mumbled her denial.
Qiao Jing didn't answer and just stared at her.
Qiao Yue cleared her throat and said, "I'm not that capable. I only made an anonymous call to the police. Public security is everyone's responsibility."
Qiao Jing sat down at the desk and knocked on it, signaling for Qiao Yue to sit across from him.
"Mahad." Qiao Jing repeated what Qiao Yue had said to Qiao Yi.
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Chapter 173: Question
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Yue didn't expect Qiao Jing to hear her when she spoke so softly just now.
Mahad was a famous casino in D-Country. It wasn't just in the gaming business; it also dealt with prostitution and drugs.
Qiao Yi's years abroad weren't for naught. He somehow managed to know the second-in-command of Mahad. Qiao Yi's human trafficking in C-Country this time was instigated by Mahad's second-in-command.
This was one of the data points YQ had given to Qiao Yue. She had memorized it and didn't expect to use it so quickly.
"Brother, you have really good hearing." Qiao Yue shrugged as she said.
"I didn't hear you. I read your lips." Qiao Jing didn't hide from Qiao Yue that he knew how to lipread.
Qiao Yue's eyes widened in surprise. Her brother had so many skills.
"Brother, don't you know that I have some influence? I found the information." Qiao Yue said indifferently after she recovered from the shock.
Qiao Jing stared at Qiao Yue and drummed his fingers rhythmically on the table, making Qiao Yue a little flustered.
"The CIO of KA was able to find this information?" Qiao Jing asked.
Qiao Jing's question stunned Qiao Yue, and she frowned. Her brother had already found out so much. If he could find KA, it's a matter of time before he found out that she's the behind-the-scenes boss of KA.
Qiao Yue started to doubt her brother's identity. Many people had done background checks on her, but Qiao Jing was the first person who manage to trace her to KA. Who then was her brother? She didn't think that Qiao Jing was just someone running a company.
"Xiao Yue, I told you not to use your methods with the Qiao family." Qiao Jing said.
Qiao Yue's face turned cold when she realized that Qiao Jing was here to criticize her.
"Brother, you heard what Qiao Yi said just now. If I don't have any other means, should I just let them gossip about my mother? Let them accuse Grandpa?"
Qiao Jing frowned. He knew that his mother and the elders from the other two families were hostile to Qiao Yue. However, if Qiao Yue exposed herself, there's no saying that they wouldn't gang up against her.
"No," Qiao Jing sighed.
"I just don't want you to get into unnecessary trouble. With Grandpa favoring you, those who are after the Qiao family business will investigate you till the end if they find out that you have other authority."
Qiao Jing didn't finish what he was trying to say but Qiao Yue already understood. Once they found out who she was, they would eliminate her.
Knowing that Qiao Jing was just concerned about her, Qiao Yue smiled and said, "Brother, you make it sound like they won't attack me if I don't have other authority."
"If you give up the Qiao family business as you did today, they won't do anything to you. I can also protect you." Qiao Jing said quietly.
If Qiao Yue was just an ordinary younger brother, Qiao Jing would naturally protect her since she had caught his eye. However, Qiao Yue's identity was special. Even if he wanted to protect her, he was afraid that he couldn't. After all, he still had to worry about his parents.
Qiao Yue's eyes softened when she heard Qiao Jing's words. Qiao Jing was right. If she was just an ordinary person, he would be able to protect her, but she was not.
Qiao Yue got up with a smile, walked over to Qiao Jing, and squatted down beside him.
"Brother, you're already protecting me."
Qiao Yue was powerful, so powerful that even if all of them worked together, they wouldn't be able to touch her. However, she still craved kinship and wanted someone to truly care about her.
Qiao Jing didn't say anything and just looked down at her.
Qiao Yue looked into Qiao Jing's eyes and suddenly wanted to ask if he was the one who saved her the other night.
Qiao Yue opened her mouth, but when the words were at the tip of her tongue, she suddenly changed the question. "Brother, if one day your mother decides to come after me, what would you do?"
This wasn't a stupid question like who he would save first if his wife and mother fell into the sea at the same time. It was a question about which side he would stand on if their grandfather and the first madam had different opinions.
The old master's favoritism towards her was obvious to all. If Qiao Jing only wanted to help his biological mother, she would prepare herself and not put Qiao Jing in a difficult position. She was also curious about Qiao Jing's stand.
"I won't let mother have the opportunity to go after you." Qiao Jing said seriously, looking into Qiao Yue's eyes.
"What if she secretly ganged up with the other two families?" Qiao Yue probed.
After a moment of silence, Qiao Jing said, "If my mother was the one who incited them against you, I will not side with her and will do my best to protect you. However, if my mother's safety is threatened, I will not stand by and do nothing."
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Chapter 174: Mahad
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"What if you must choose between the two?"
Qiao Yue regretted immediately when she asked this question. Because this question made it look like she was asking the stupid question about saving the mother or wife first if both of them fell into the sea at the same time.
Qiao Jing looked at her and was about to speak when Qiao Yue interrupted, "It's getting late, I'd better go back."
Qiao Yue took a deep breath before she said, "Even if you need to sacrifice me to protect your family one day, I'll understand."
She had known Qiao Jing long enough to know the kind of person he was. He was calm, rational, and big-picture oriented. How could he give a biased answer to such a question?
Qiao Yue had just turned around when Qiao Jing suddenly hugged her from behind.
Qiao Yue covered her chest with her hands and pushed Qiao Jing away.
"Second brother, I know what you mean, but we're two grown men, so let's not be so mushy."
Qiao Jing smiled and avoided Qiao Yue's touch.
Qiao Yue still didn't know that the man in front of her had already found out that she wasn't a boy.
The atmosphere in the room became a little awkward. After a long time, Qiao Jing said, "Go to bed then. You'll be back in school in a few days."
Qiao Yue nodded, turned and walked out of the room.
Back in her room, Qiao Yue reread the file on Mahad.
The information that YQ was able to find included a few transactions between Qiao Yi and Mahad.
Qiao Yi's business was in healthcare. Unfortunately, he didn't inherit Old Master Qiao's business skills, but he was extremely ambitious.
He had exported a batch of illegal herbs, hoping to deceive the quality inspection center overseas. However, he didn't expect that he would fail to trick the quality inspection center overseas, who then detained his expensive herbs.
Qiao Yi's faced cash flow problem after and borrowed heavily from loan sharks.
It was at this time that Mahad extended a helping hand and paid for the batch of illegal herbs. However, in exchange, Qiao Yi had to be their human trafficking partner.
Qiao Yue felt her hands balled into fists when she read this.
She flipped through the rest of the information, which was about the women trade Mahad dealt in.
Trafficking women, abusing them... Mahad didn't only sell them to high-ranking officials and wealthy families, but also to thugs who could not find wives.
There were also many photos taken inside the casino in the file.
A woman in playboy bunny costume surrounded by big men, with a disgusted expression but powerless to refuse...
There was also a girl who seemed to be drugged being surrounded and toyed with by a few people...
Qiao Yue had always hated people who used women's bodies and lives for business. People in such business were often protected by officials to keep their illegal supply chain running and the women's complaining or resisting mouths shut.
Qiao Yi probably wanted to use this method to make friends with the higher-ups in D-Country, and thus protect his business of selling illegal herbs.
Although Old Master Qiao had no intention of helping Qiao Yi, he would find a way to continue his business and find ways to stop Qiao Yue from interfering in the Qiao family affairs.
The next thing would not be easy to deal with.
Qiao Yue massaged her forehead but she wasn't worried. She was able to make KA so big, so she wouldn't care about the Qiao family assets. She was protecting the Qiao family to fulfill her mother's wish. After all, Old Master Qiao wouldn't want the family business ruined under his watch.
After reading the file, Qiao Yue was ready to take a shower and go to bed.
"Rat-tat-tat." Someone suddenly knocked on her door. Qiao Yue put her clothes back on and walked to the door.
She opened the door and saw Qiao Ze's smiling face. He had with him a dozen beers. Although he was smiling, he looked tired.
"Fifth brother, how about having a few drinks with me tonight?"
Qiao Yue looked at him and nodded.
Although she had just recovered from her injuries, she could still have a few drinks.
"I have something to show you." Qiao Ze brought her to the family theatre where they had watched a movie together with Qiao Yu before.
The two of them sat on the sofa in family theatre, holding beers. The servants had prepared a lot of snacks in the room. Qiao Ze started to adjust the projector.
"A new movie?" Qiao Yue asked curiously.
"No."
The lights in the family theatre dimmed, and a video appeared on the wall.
It was a very soothing song, with a city pop feel, which reminded Qiao Yue of her days in the countryside.
It was an MV of Qiao Ze, which was also directed by him. It was a simple love story, shot tenderly in a refreshing way.
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Chapter 175: Qiao Ze's Worries
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
It was a music video, so it was quite short.
It was over before they could finish half their can of beer.
Qiao Ze cocked an eyebrow at Qiao Yue and asked, "How was it? It's the first MV I directed."
Although Qiao Ze was now an actor, he was learning many other things, such as producing, directing, and even composing.
The beat of this song was produced by Qiao Ze.
Looking at Qiao Ze, Qiao Yue was reminded of his father.
Qiao Ze wasn't interested in the family's assets, but Qiao Yi fought for a piece of the family assets to keep his own business afloat despite his angry father. Old Master Qiao had four very capable grandsons, but why did he have a useless son like Qiao Yi?
"It's not bad. Even though I don't watch these things often, I still feel it's quite good."
"It's just a demo, so it's still quite unpolished. Fifth brother, you're too kind." Qiao Ze picked up his beer and finished it in one gulp.
He didn't have his usual cheeky smile and he looked exceptionally serious.
"I'm in the process of setting up my own studio and company. I don't plan to use the Qiao family's influence in any of it."
Qiao Yue nodded. She had some understanding of Qiao Ze's inspirational story of pursuing his dreams in the entertainment industry.
It was the story of a rich man's son who hid his real identity to find his place in the entertainment industry. After running into many obstacles, he was taken under an unrelenting manager's wing. Together, the two of them earned back an entire building for their company.
"Although our company is doing well, not everyone wants to do well." Qiao Ze said with his head lowered, like he was in deep thought. "Qiao Yue, if there's any unflattering rumor about me one day, do you think my fans will believe me?"
Qiao Yue shook her head. She didn't know anything about the entertainment industry. "You should ask your fans, not me."
"Fans are generally swayed by public opinion. If there's any unflattering rumor about me, they will leave me."
"I think that as long as you're sincere and produce good work, there shouldn't be any problem." Although Qiao Yue didn't know how celebrities connect with their fans, she felt that one shouldn't go wrong with sincerity and good work.
Qiao Jing smiled bitterly. "I'm relieved to hear you say that. I just need to do my own thing and not care about what others say or do."
Qiao Yue looked at Qiao Ze. He had always been unruly, but tonight, she saw a different side of her third brother.
She felt that Qiao Ze must know something.
"I know what my father did. He didn't stop when he kidnapped the female student and even hurt Qiao Yu. I know that he's beyond help."
"He doesn't represent the entire Qiao family, and he doesn't represent you."
Qiao Ze smiled bitterly.
Qiao Ze knew what his father had done, but he could not expose him. He could only watch from the sidelines.
Qiao Yue took a sip of her beer. "You'll always be my third brother. I won't associate you with your father, and neither will fourth brother."
Qiao Ze nodded. "If you need to deal with my father, you can go ahead." After a moment of silence, he continued, "If second brother wants to do something, that's fine too."
Qiao Yue was slightly shocked. Qiao Ze and Qiao Jing had never gotten along. Qiao Ze even thought that Qiao Jing was someone who would do anything to please their grandfather. But now, Qiao Ze actually said that he would let Qiao Jing deal with his father.
Qiao Ze's act of placing righteousness before family clearly showed how disappointed he was with Qiao Yi.
"Okay, I'll let Qiao Jing know." Qiao Yue figured that Qiao Ze wanted her to pass the message to Qiao Jing.
Qiao Ze opened another can of beer, and his eyes seemed misty. He finished the beer in one gulp and crushed the can with his hand.
Qiao Yue followed suit and finished her beer as well. The beer tasted bitter, just like Qiao Ze's worries that he had just shared.
Looking at the young man in front of him, Qiao Ze felt an indescribable sadness in his heart.
Qiao Ze had heard the conversation between his grandfather and father today. He came home to see his parents, but he got an earful of Qiao Yi's complaints. Qiao Yi had even told him to stay away from Qiao Yue.
What was even more outrageous was that he even asked Qiao Ze to contact his company overseas to see if there was any way to transport the people he was going to sell.
It was completely deranged.
It was ridiculous that the first thing he said to his son, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, was to ask him to help with illegal human trafficking.
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