Chapter 816
Identity Mystery Shocks the Entire Audience
Then, he slowly and methodically straightened his slightly disheveled suit cuffs and collar, which had become a little messy from his earlier movements, and patted off non-existent dust from his hands.
After doing all this, he slowly raised his head, his gaze calmly meeting that of Park Chang-beom, whose face was ashen and body was trembling slightly. A faint, almost polite smile even appeared on his lips.
"Alright, now it's quiet."
"Mr. Park... right?"
"What were you trying to say just now? Please continue."
Park Chang-beom watched helplessly as his own nephew, Park Bu-sung, was knocked unconscious by Qin Luo's clean and decisive punch before he could even finish speaking. He collapsed to the ground like a dead dog. His slightly chubby face turned from ashen to deathly pale, then flushed red again due to extreme anger. His eyelids twitched uncontrollably, and his temples throbbed!
What a slap in the face! This is a blatant and undisguised slap in the face! They completely disregarded Park Chang-beom and these three veterans of Anbang!
He has been a prominent figure in Fujian for decades, following in the footsteps of Old Master An through thick and thin. What storms hasn't he weathered? What kind of people hasn't he dealt with? Even the powerful An Ruoxi and Qiu Qinyun now have to respectfully address him as "Uncle Park"!
This young punk in front of him, even with the title of "princeling," was nothing more than a greenhorn, a lucky one relying on his skills and the old man's will! How dare he be so arrogant?!
Park Chang-beom took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to immediately order someone to take action.
He knew that in this situation, force was not the first choice, especially given the ruthlessness and strength the other party had just displayed, as well as the title of "Crown Prince".
He wanted to use a more direct and lethal approach to dismantle the opponent's foundation!
He stared intently at Qin Luo, his voice hoarse with a metallic quality, tinged with suppressed rage, as he questioned him, word by word.
"Young man! Good! Very good! Arrogant enough! Ruthless enough! However, in Anbang, ruthlessness alone is not enough! Let me ask you one question—are you really Old Master An's biological son?! Did you bestow this title of 'Crown Prince' upon yourself?!"
His question was extremely sharp, like a poisoned dagger piercing straight to the heart!
Even now, Qin Luo's status as the "crown prince" is largely based on Old Master An's shocking will and Daofeng's attitude. As for whether Qin Luo is Old Master An's illegitimate son, it has always been a private speculation within the group, and there has never been any substantial evidence! Old Master An was also vague about this during his lifetime, only saying that it was "an old matter and a personal promise."
Park Chang-beom's question instantly enlightened many people present!
Exactly! What if Qin Luo wasn't Old Master An's illegitimate son at all? Then why would he inherit 75% of the shares? Could it be that the old man was confused due to his illness, or... that someone tampered with the will?
If Qin Luo's identity is in doubt, then the ownership of these massive shares becomes a hot topic! Perhaps... these veterans, and even An Ruoxi and Qiu Qinyun, will have a chance to get a share!
"Hiss... Mr. Park is right!"
"Is Qin Luo really the old man's son? Is there any evidence?"
"The old man only said it was a gift for Qin Luo, but he didn't say why!"
"What if... what if he isn't? What about the shares..."
"Perhaps the old man has been deceived?"
"I find this kid's background very suspicious; he just suddenly appeared!"
The surrounding murmurs rose again, this time no longer with simple awe or fear, but with more suspicion, scrutiny, and a lurking greed. Many people looked at Qin Luo with a different kind of meaning. Seventy-five percent of Anbang Group's shares—that was a huge pie that could drive anyone mad!
Qin Luo stood in the center of everyone's attention, his expression calm, even serene. He remained completely unmoved by Park Chang-beom's questioning.
He knew better than anyone that his father was Chen Xuanlong and his mother was Feng Yajun, and that they had no blood relation whatsoever with An Shouye.
The title "Crown Prince" is just a misconception spread by outsiders, which Daofeng followed, and he himself was too lazy to correct it.
He even found it somewhat amusing that these people were really racking their brains for profit.
An Ruoxi stood aside, observing coldly.
She saw through Park Chang-beom's intentions—his real aim wasn't the shares, but the 75% stake! As long as Qin Luo's status as an "illegitimate child" couldn't be proven, the legitimacy of these shares would be seriously questioned, inevitably leading to a bloody power struggle within the group.
She quickly calculated in her mind, deciding to remain inactive for the time being and observe the situation from the sidelines to see how Qin Luo would respond and how much trouble this situation could get stirred up.
Rose and Wu Yufeng were both anxious. They wanted to speak up for Qin Luo, but seeing that An Ruoxi had not expressed her opinion, and also wary of the prestige of the three elders, they did not dare to speak rashly for a moment, and could only worry inwardly.
Qiu Qinyun maintained her perfectly measured expression of "worry" and "putting the big picture first," but a hint of pleasure and calculation flashed in the depths of her eyes, unnoticed by anyone.
She was eager for Park Chang-beom to make a big fuss and subject Qin Luo's identity to the widest possible scrutiny.
In this way, the muddier the water, the more advantageous it is for her.
Seeing that Qin Luo did not answer immediately, Park Chang-beom assumed that he had been stumped, so he became even more aggressive, took a step closer, and raised his voice.
"What? You're afraid to answer? Or... you simply can't answer?! Let me tell you, Anbang Group was built by the old man and us old brothers with our blood and sweat! It's not some random Tom, Dick, or Harry who can come here with a will of dubious authenticity and start pointing fingers and dominating the world!"
His words were highly persuasive, especially among the long-time members of Anbang, who were more likely to resonate with him. Many neutral senior members of the group also looked at Qin Luo with suspicion.
Just as the atmosphere became tense again, and Park Chang-beom was preparing to press his advantage and force Qin Luo to publicly "prove his identity" or produce evidence—
"Alright, Uncle Park."
Qiu Qinyun finally spoke. She moved gracefully between the two of them, a helpless smile on her face, her tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable interruption.
"What day is it today? It's the day of the old man's funeral! His body is barely cold, and we're making a scene here, even resorting to violence. What kind of behavior is that? Won't that make the old man rest in peace?"
She first bowed slightly to Park Chang-beom to show respect, then looked at Qin Luo with a complicated expression.
"Mr. Qin, no matter what, you're here today to bid farewell to the old man. Whatever the matter, let's sit down and talk it over calmly and properly after he's laid to rest, okay?"
Her words were reasonable and logical, standing on the moral high ground of "considering the overall situation" and "respecting the deceased." They not only calmed the emotionally agitated Park Chang-beom but also temporarily relieved the direct pressure on Qin Luo, and postponed the solution to the problem "later."
Although Park Chang-beom was still furious, he knew that Qiu Qinyun was right. Today was definitely not the time to completely break off relations.
He snorted coldly, glared fiercely at Qin Luo, his eyes seeming to say, "Kid, we'll see!" Then he waved his hand behind him.
"What are you all standing there for? If you can't help him up, go down and treat his injuries!"
Immediately, Park Chang-beom's confidants stepped forward, hurriedly lifted the unconscious and pitifully disheveled Park Bu-sung, and rushed away from the scene.
The incident was temporarily "suppressed" by Qiu Qinyun. But everyone knew that the conflict was not resolved, only postponed.
Qin Luo's identity is like a time bomb, its fuse already hissing.
……
About ten minutes later.
Behind the Xishan Villa lies a secluded bamboo grove, with a clear stream flowing gently along its edge. Beside the stream stands an antique-style octagonal pavilion. Far from the hustle and bustle of the front yard, this place is exceptionally tranquil, with only the babbling of the stream and the occasional birdsong.
Inside the pavilion, Qin Luo and Qiu Qinyun sat facing each other. A set of exquisite purple clay teaware sat on the stone table. Qiu Qinyun had dismissed her bodyguards and servants outside the bamboo grove; only the two of them remained around the pavilion.
Qiu Qinyun personally held the teapot and brewed the tea with skillful and elegant movements.
She used top-grade Wuyi rock tea. When hot water was poured in, the aroma of the tea immediately filled the air, mixed with the fresh scent of the bamboo forest, which was very refreshing.
Qin Luo leaned against a pillar in the pavilion, calmly watching Qiu Qinyun's smooth tea-making movements. He neither urged her nor admired her; he simply waited.
The tea was ready. Qiu Qinyun picked up a cup, and because the stone table was wide, she had to lean forward slightly to place the teacup in front of Qin Luo.
Today she wore a relatively conservative black plain cheongsam with the collar buttoned up tightly, but the cheongsam itself still perfectly outlined her mature, voluptuous, and curvaceous figure.
As she leaned forward, her full breasts tightened slightly, and the curves of her waist and hips were fully revealed.
Time seems to have been exceptionally kind to this woman. Even in her forties, her skin remains fair and firm, with only a few faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes that are barely noticeable. Far from diminishing her charm, this has added a mature elegance and unique temperament that young girls cannot match, a charm honed by experience.
This allure, like a ripe peach, should have attracted countless suitors, but because of her status as "Madam Yun" of the Anbang Group, there are virtually no men in Fujian who dare to have designs on her.
At that moment, she seemed unaware of the "benefits" her unintentional action had given to the young man opposite her, or perhaps she was aware but didn't care.
She gently placed the teacup in front of Qin Luo, then sat back down on her stone bench and poured herself a cup as well.
"Mr. Qin, please try this. This is the rock tea that the old man loved most when he was alive."
Qiu Qinyun picked up her teacup, smiled slightly, and spoke in a gentle tone.
Qin Luo did not touch the cup of tea.
He spoke bluntly, breaking the deliberately created tranquility.
"Those three old guys, you arranged it, didn't you?"
It's not a question, it's a statement.
Qiu Qinyun paused slightly in her cup, then put it down, her smile unchanged, even more composed.
"Mr. Qin is indeed intelligent. Indeed, I had someone subtly remind Uncle Park and the others at the right moment about some... questions that might exist regarding your identity."
Qin Luo was somewhat surprised by her straightforward admission.
"why?"
Qin Luo asked.
Qiu Qinyun did not answer directly. Instead, she picked up her teacup, gently blew on the steam, took a small sip, and then slowly spoke.
"Mr. Qin, what do you think would have happened if you had actually attacked Uncle Park and the others just now, or even... killed them?"
Qin Luo's eyes turned slightly cold.
"Destroying them would be a piece of cake. I didn't make a move earlier because I wanted to see who was pulling the strings behind the scenes."
"Yes, with Mr. Qin's skills, killing them would not be difficult."
Qiu Qinyun nodded, her tone remaining calm.
"But what happens after you kill them? You'll become the target of everyone's hatred. Everyone will think that you were guilty and afraid of being exposed, so you killed them to cover it up."
"By then, even if you hold that will in your hands, even if the blade is still on your side, who in the Anbang Group will truly obey you? Who will believe a 'crown prince' of unknown origin who murdered the elders?"
She put down her teacup, looked directly at Qin Luo, and her beautiful eyes gleamed with shrewdness.
"Daofeng is protecting you because he believes you are the old man's son, the old man's chosen successor, and the hope for Anbang's future."
This is his loyalty to the old man, and also his responsibility to Anbang.
She paused, her tone becoming firm, even carrying a hint of sharpness.
“However, Mr. Qin, I am absolutely certain—you are definitely not the old man’s illegitimate son.”
Qin Luo raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
Qiu Qinyun leaned forward slightly, her voice low but clear.
"If one day, Blade finds out about this, or when everyone believes you are not the old man's bloodline and the legality of that will is widely questioned... do you think Blade will still protect you as unconditionally as he does now?"
"Having lost the halo of 'the old man's bloodline,' and without Blade's absolute support..."
Qiu Qinyun's lips curled into a complex smile.
“Mr. Qin, your 75% stake may still be valid on legal documents, but on Anbang Group's land... it may just be a pile of worthless paper with numbers printed on it. No one will obey your orders, and you will... lose everything.”
The air in the pavilion seemed to freeze for a moment because of Qiu Qinyun's blunt, almost confrontational analysis. The babbling brook and rustling bamboo leaves only accentuated the somewhat oppressive silence.
Qin Luo tapped his fingertips lightly twice on the cool stone table, making a soft tapping sound. The initial surprise in his eyes had long since disappeared, leaving only a bottomless calm.
"After going through such a long and complicated process, from instigating the elders to publicly launching an attack..."
Qin Luo spoke slowly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, but his gaze was fixed on Qiu Qinyun's exquisitely made-up face as if it were a tangible object.
"Just to tell me that I, the Crown Prince, am a bubble that could be burst at any moment? Madam Yun, what are you trying to achieve by going to so much trouble for me?"
Whether you and An Ruoxi share this Anbang pie, or fight it out, doesn't seem to concern me, an 'outsider,' much, right? As long as I receive my dividends on time every year, does it matter to me who takes the helm at Anbang? (End of Chapter)