My Villain Is Super Sweet (GL) - CHAPTER 68

Family dramas are always messy and never-ending — as long as you’re still breathing, the story isn’t over.

After dealing with the clingy and relentless He family, Lin Lang had already given up hope for a quick and clean break. She was ready for a long, drawn-out battle.

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, she hadn’t expected Old Master He to move this fast.

In March, the government encouraged strong businesses to take the lead in organizing a conference meant to foster partnerships between companies and researchers, in hopes of finding new areas for economic growth.

Simply put, research burns money — a lot of it. Turning research into real-world products also takes a huge investment of people and resources. But once successful, the monopoly over new technology could rake in profits like picking up money off the ground.

Big companies have deep pockets, but what they lack are good, new, profitable projects.

Originally, Gu Qingci wasn’t supposed to be qualified to attend something like this. Her company had a promising future, sure, but it was still just getting started — they hadn’t even released their first quarterly financial report yet.

It just so happened that both she and Yuan Ying had been invited to Huada University’s 120th anniversary celebration, thanks to their status as notable alumni.

Since they were featured on the “Notable Alumni” list, their old professors noticed their recent accomplishments. Both mentors decided to treat them like accessories — taking them along to the big conference to let them gain experience, meet important people, and expand their networks.

How could they refuse their teachers’ kindness? Of course, they had to accept, smiling all the way.

This whole thing had nothing to do with Lin Lang — after all, even Gu Qingci and Yuan Ying were just tagging along as extras. Lin Lang didn’t even come close to qualifying.

But then, things took an unexpected turn: the organizers suddenly sent Gu Qingci a formal invitation — the kind that allowed her to attend on her own and even bring guests.

Yuan Ying sat in Gu Qingci’s office, staring at the invitation, completely stunned.

“This doesn’t make sense. If it were for some ‘Rising Star Company’ award, maybe I could believe it. But for a conference at this level? We don’t even come close.”

When it came to research achievements, they had a few small successes, sure. But realistically, they were still rookies.
As for business strength? Maybe after a few more years they could barely qualify — right now, they were nowhere near the level of those attending.

Every other company invited easily had an annual profit of over 5 billion yuan.

The gap was enormous.

It was weird — even if they stacked ten pillows under their heads and dreamed as hard as they could, they wouldn’t dare imagine something this good happening.

Gu Qingci didn’t seem surprised at all. Tapping her fingers lightly on the invitation, she smiled, “Maybe someone wants us to be there?”

Yuan Ying frowned and thought for a while. “Sounds like it’s not going to be good.”
If someone genuinely wanted to help them, they would’ve just brought them along quietly, like their professors did. They wouldn’t shove a formal invite into their hands and make them stand out — basically painting a target on their backs.

Big shots would not be pleased seeing two nobodies getting the same treatment as them. It would definitely piss people off.

And nobody likes being shown up.

Yuan Ying sighed. No matter who was pulling strings behind the scenes, whether it was to help or sabotage, they had no choice but to go.

After all, they had received a formal, legitimate invitation — turning it down would be a slap in the face to the organizers.

Since Gu Qingci and Yuan Ying were already part of their professors’ group, Lin Lang was tasked with leading the company’s representatives instead.

March in Beijing was starting to show signs of spring, but the chill still lingered.

That didn’t stop everyone from dressing to impress — sharp suits, glamorous dresses filled the venue.

Among a crowd of seasoned, older big shots, the young and dazzling Gu Qingci stood out like a bright flame, capturing everyone’s attention instantly.

Lin Lang couldn’t help but stop in her tracks, stealing a few more glances at her.
Gu Qingci noticed the lingering gaze. Her eyes lit up, and she returned a small, graceful nod, smiling slightly.
That smile was like the sudden bloom of spring — breathtaking and impossible to look away from.

Their eyes met across the room, neither willing to look away, a connection pulling between them.

Only when her professor gently tapped her arm did Gu Qingci finally break eye contact, returning to her polite, distant demeanor.

Lin Lang smiled quietly to herself, watching her beloved handle the crowd with ease, even among so many power players.

Her sharp ears picked up some nearby whispers — people were trying to figure out who brought this beautiful woman.

The smarter ones, after a second glance, realized that this wasn’t someone they could casually approach.

The research and corporate worlds were quite separate, with people mostly sticking to their own circles.

Gu Qingci and Yuan Ying, following behind their mentors, naturally got a bit of attention. Out of respect for their professors, even the big shots would exchange a few words, ask about their projects, and offer some polite compliments.

A little conversation here, a little praise there — it left a good impression, planting seeds for future connections.

Because they had mentors leading them, they would likely gain something valuable from this experience.

Lin Lang, on the other hand, knew she was just there to show up, be polite, and gain some insight. Nothing more.

They weren’t at the level to force their way into conversations. Better to eat some good food than get humiliated by chasing after people who didn’t care.

While Lin Lang was quietly enjoying the refreshments, she caught sight of an older man with gray hair, still energetic and upright, striding purposefully toward her with a group following behind.

This guy looked like he could absolutely dominate a plaza dance competition.

People greeted him along the way, calling him “Chairman He.”

Old Master He didn’t waste time. He made a beeline straight for Lin Lang.

Someone from the organizing committee, walking beside him, followed his gaze to Lin Lang and immediately understood, smiling knowingly:
“So this is the young lady you specially asked us to invite?”

Old Master He laughed heartily.
“That’s right! There were some misunderstandings before. She’s not willing to meet family at home, so I had to get creative and use this opportunity to see her.”

The organizer was very tactful and said no more:
“Alright then. I’ll let you two catch up. We can chat later.”

People nearby caught on too and subtly glanced over.

Lin Lang didn’t have to guess — she knew what those looks meant.
Stuff like: “Wow, Chairman He really spoils this kid,” or “Look at that — even this random newcomer has connections.”

She gritted her teeth internally.

So this was the real reason behind the invitation.
Of course.

The He family might be struggling, but they hadn’t completely collapsed yet. Until they did, their influence still carried weight.

Even if it was falling apart, a broken ship still had three thousand nails holding it together.

Old Master He’s way of operating — charging in, forcing a “we’re family” narrative — made Lin Lang’s skin crawl.

Ugh! Shameless. Who the hell is your family?!

She had fought so hard to cut ties with those vultures, and now they wanted to swoop back in and claim her success?

The nerve!

Old Master He politely thanked the organizer and sat down heavily across from Lin Lang.

The people around them tactfully drifted away, sensing this was “family business” and not wanting to get involved.

Lin Lang: …

No need. Seriously. We are not family.

Old Master He sat there, imposing as ever.

Lin Lang didn’t react, pretending to be deaf and blind.

After all, some things you just couldn’t avoid. Running wouldn’t solve anything.

Since she couldn’t dodge it, she might as well face it head-on without showing weakness.

Old Master He, still as sharp and domineering as ever even in his seventies, didn’t bother with small talk.

He went straight to the point:
“Seems like you already know. I’m your grandfather.”

Lin Lang swallowed her pastry slowly, then finally raised her head to meet his eyes.

“Old man, you must be joking,” she said calmly. “I’m an orphan. My household registry says it loud and clear — I’m the only one left.”

Old Master He didn’t even flinch. Decades in the business world had given him the patience of a mountain.

Completely unfazed, he continued:
“Your father made a mess of things. I’ve already dealt with him.”

“I didn’t know what was happening before, and you suffered for it. But now that fraud has paid the price, and your father’s been handled too, it’s time to set things right. The He family doesn’t cling to old traditions — we don’t insist that only sons can inherit.”

“Look at your uncle — he’s in the company, sure, but he’s not in charge because he doesn’t have what it takes.”

Maybe realizing how ridiculous his words sounded, since neither of his daughters had been given real power either, Old Master He added:
“Your two aunts didn’t join the company because they’re not capable, easily influenced by others, and generally unreliable.”

His gaze softened slightly, pride flashing across his face:
“But you’re different. You survived tough circumstances, got yourself into college, and even built a business from scratch. You’ve got the same spirit I had back in the day!”

In just a few sentences, he had assigned her a whole family — father, uncle, aunts — all neatly arranged.

Lin Lang was impressed.
Some people talked to get things done. Others just liked to hear themselves talk.

Since Old Master He insisted on pulling the “We’re family!” card,
Lin Lang decided — fine, two can play this game.

She didn’t respond to any of his statements. Instead, she smiled sweetly and asked, full of fake concern:

“Old man, are your ears okay?”

She spoke very clearly, enunciating every word:
“I said, I’m an orphan.”

“No father, no mother, no grandparents, no relatives — everyone who ever shared a drop of bl00d with me is long gone to the afterlife.”

“An orphan.”

Come on! Let’s hurt each other!

If you want to force a family bond, you’re going to have to ‘die’ first — one dead household registry at a time!

Let’s see if you’re scared now!