chsdbacks Chapter 49 The Capitalist's Love
Chapter 49 The Capitalist's Love
Some plot to kick someone when they're down, while others cling to their last shred of decency. Beneath the glittering facade lies the cold-blooded truth of human nature, a complex web of self-interest.
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No sooner had Zeng Jia left the Civil Affairs Bureau than she called a moving company to head straight to the villa. The two were already divorced, and she had to stuff all of Zhang Zhishan's belongings into another 300-square-meter luxury apartment.
This land was secretly transferred to her by Zhang Zhishan a long time ago, without even his little lover Nuonuo being kept in the dark, making it seem like an underground party meeting.
Zhang Zhishan wasn't particular about daily routines; as long as things were roughly right, it was fine. He watched Zeng Jia directing the workers to arrange the furniture, complaining that the wardrobe was crooked one minute and instructing them to handle it gently the next, like she was playing with building blocks—it was endless. He impatiently beckoned her to the balcony, took a sip of tea, and started talking about serious matters.
"The divorce came quite suddenly, but as the old saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. With Yu Li's fiery temper, she'll explode at the slightest provocation. She'll definitely fight that lousy little website that broke the news to the bitter end. Keep a close eye on things and see if we can snatch something from them and make some profit."
Zeng Jia was a little surprised, but after thinking about it again, she realized it might actually work. The old lady had just secured a few small investments at her birthday banquet, which certainly wasn't enough to expand her business, but taking advantage of the situation and making a small profit was still a sure thing.
"Don't worry, Mr. Zhang, I'm keeping a close eye on things, I won't miss a single opportunity." Zeng Jia replied readily.
Zhang Zhishan nodded slowly, then changed the subject, "Those two reporters who broke the news, we have to deal with them ruthlessly. But Yu Li's scandal can't be put off; you have to find a way to make it burn even brighter. In my opinion, we should find someone to sensationalize her affair with Wang Haowen—photos, rumors, the more outrageous the better. We must use this media war; we absolutely cannot be soft on it."
Zeng Jia was momentarily stunned. Just three hours ago, the two of them were acting out a melodramatic scene outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, tearfully saying things like, "I'll marry you again once this storm has passed." And now, in the blink of an eye, they've turned on each other faster than flipping through a book, determined to tear apart any baseless photos?
"Mr. Zhang, I have to disagree with this." For the first time, Zeng Jia didn't go along with Zhang Zhishan. "I think we shouldn't add fuel to the fire right now. Instead, we should try to make this a small matter. That's the right thing to do for Tianyi Company and for ourselves."
She harbored resentment and even hatred towards Wang Haowen, but no matter how much she hated him, no matter how ugly their relationship became, she would never stoop to such malicious slander and dirty tricks! No matter how despicable Wang Haowen was, he shouldn't be unfairly labeled like this; she had her own bottom line.
Zhang Zhishan frowned deeply, genuinely surprised. "You're so indecisive at this crucial juncture? This isn't like you, Zeng Jia."
"It's not that I'm indecisive, it's just that you can't bury a dead child in the snow, and you can't hide the truth forever. If you really let President Yu find out that you were the one who tripped you up and smeared her behind her back, knowing her personality, she'll definitely fight you to the death, and both of you will suffer losses. In that case, the company will suffer, and we won't get anything good either. It's a complete loss." Zeng Jia said rationally and crisply.
Zhang Zhishan's gaze was fixed on Zeng Jia's face like a searchlight. "Yu Li not only secured the financing, but also got the Song family in Shanghai involved. If we don't use some drastic measures now, we'll be sitting ducks. Besides, are you really that sure they're not involved?" He dragged out the last word meaningfully.
"I'm absolutely certain that this is baseless; Mr. Yu is just trying to set him up with Song Yaxuan." Zeng Jia said firmly, her back ramrod straight. "Besides, Mr. Zhang, don't you even think about Zihao?"
If Zhang Zihao really breaks ties with Yu Li, exposes her flaws to the bitter end, and maliciously smears her, what will he be doing caught in the middle? His own mother is being treated so cruelly by his own father—isn't this like stabbing a knife into his heart? If that stubborn brat really acts up, will he even want this son anymore?
Zhang Zhishan could be as cold and indifferent as ice to everyone, but he still harbored a sliver of warmth towards Zhang Zihao—his only weakness. Zeng Jia's words were like a slap on the wrist; he immediately wilted after hearing them.
"Well... let's wait and see for a few more days... Don't think I'm heartless. That woman Yu Li is incredibly cunning; she might just stab me first, even faster than I am. The Spring Festival is just around the corner, and after that, there's only a month left. Zeng Jia, we really don't have enough time."
Zeng Jia gasped, swallowing back the words that were on the tip of her tongue. If Zhang Zhishan hadn't mentioned wanting to kill Yu Li, she might have believed that Yu Li's reluctance during the divorce was genuine. But now? Forget fairy tales; that last bit of hope in her heart had long since shattered like dumpling filling.
"Mr. Zhang, if you actually want to postpone the betting period, I have a terrible idea..."
Meanwhile, Wang Haowen also arrived at Yu Li's villa.
The villa had just been renovated. With Zhang Zhishan's half of the country gone, the entire mansion was so empty that horses could run through it, and even your voice echoed.
Yu Li had just seen the lawyer off, her face etched with exhaustion that seemed to say "keep away." She didn't even bother to lift her eyelids. She lay sprawled on the sofa and waved to Wang Haowen, "Sit wherever you like, make yourself at home."
Wang Haowen sighed, his eyes glued to the Ragdoll cat playing hide-and-seek. The food bowl was spotless, more so than a dog had licked clean, and the litter box probably hadn't been cleaned in days. What good was this cat living in a big villa? Its owner didn't care for it; it lived a life less carefree than those sleek, unkempt stray cats in the alley. He clicked his tongue; this cat's life was just too miserable.
"This was arranged by the lawyer; it's all our joint property." Yu Li pointed to the thick stack of documents on the coffee table and sneered, "The house has already been transferred to Zeng Jia's name. Does he think we don't know? Does he think we're idiots?"
Wang Haowen picked it up and flipped through it, a bitter taste rising in his throat. No wonder Zeng Jia was so devoted to Zhang Zhishan, even putting all the properties in her name. Anyone would be willing to do anything for her in that situation.
"Have you dug up any dirt on Zeng Jia yet? I'm going to use this house issue to tear off Zhang Zhishan's fig leaf as well!" Yu Li's face hardened, her eyes like knives. "Otherwise, at the shareholders' meeting in three days, if they keep harping on the news, we'll be completely at a disadvantage!"
Wang Haowen shook his head, his tone quite resolute: "President Yu, I don't think we can do this. Zeng Jia is at most a nominee shareholder, and we don't have any solid, irrefutable evidence. It's like trying to swat flies with a rolling pin—just a waste of time."
Yu Li raised an eyebrow, looking him up and down: "Oh, I didn't realize you were such a romantic. But have you ever considered whether she'd show any mercy when she killed you? When she gets ruthless, you won't even be left with a bone fragment!"
Wang Haowen's nails were digging into his flesh. Ever since he received Yu Li's message, he had mentally calculated this a hundred times. Even if he and Zeng Jia had broken up now, and he was filled with resentment and wished he could never speak to her again, he would rather lose his job than do such a despicable thing to Zeng Jia!
"I still disagree with taking action against Zeng Jia. Even if we're going to dredge up old grievances, it shouldn't be her. President Zhang has plenty of affairs outside, any one of them is better than Zeng Jia. Besides, the shareholders won't even bat an eye at such baseless moral accusations. Our luxury goods line is all set, we're just waiting for the performance-based agreement to end before we win. Why are you adding unnecessary complications at this crucial juncture?" Wang Haowen argued forcefully, his words quite direct.
Yu Li stared at him for a long time, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She hadn't expected Wang Haowen, who rarely disobeyed her, to be so assertive.
"What if I insist on doing it?"
"Then I'll resign." Wang Haowen straightened up, speaking solemnly, "I don't want to pay the price for your momentary impulse. I'm not getting involved in this mess."
Yu Li pursed her lips, but ultimately waved her hand impatiently, dismissing the matter: "Fine, fine! This is the plan from the legal department. Take a look. That little website that attacked me—from the boss to the janitor—must be punished. They must all be sent to jail! Wang Haowen, you remember this: I absolutely cannot lose. Showing mercy is like hammering nails into your own coffin! Do you understand?!"
When Zeng Jia left Zhang Zhishan's upscale apartment, it was already completely dark. She glanced at the time; it was 9:30.
Her stomach rumbled loudly, like an empty city strategist. It wasn't that she wasn't hungry, it was that Zhang Zhishan wasn't hungry! If the boss wasn't hungry, how could she, as his secretary, possibly prepare a special meal for him?
She was thinking about finding a place to grab a bite, and stood by the roadside hesitating between a bowl of hot beef noodles or two skewers of grilled squid. Since she was the only one eating and the rest of the family wasn't hungry, she could do whatever she wanted.
While I was pondering this, my phone suddenly buzzed twice.
She took it out and saw it was Zhang Zihao? She quickly answered the phone; she had really forgotten about this guy.
As soon as the call connected, Zhang Zihao bombarded her with three words: "Sis, have you eaten?"
With that shout, Zeng Jia's ravenous hunger miraculously subsided by more than half. "Where? Hurry up and send me the address!"