Chapter 39 - 1#
With the unexpected interlude of Mo Man, the progress of the Chi Corporation on the 0202 Dock Project was instead accelerated.
At the same time, the official website of the Zhang Group released a major personnel change—
Effective immediately, the former Chairman, Mr. Zhang Aode, would no longer hold the position due to personal reasons. Following a unanimous decision by the entire board of senior executives, the current Executive Chairman position would be taken over by Ms. Zhang Yazhi.
The fewer the words, the bigger the matter.
As soon as this personnel change was announced, it immediately attracted widespread attention in the Macau and Hong Kong circles.
Zhang Aode stepped down just like that?
The chairman position wasn’t passed to the biological son of his second wife, but instead was taken over by the eldest daughter, who was not particularly close to him? Wasn’t this bound to cause an uproar?!
Zhang Yazhi’s abilities were outstanding, but the annual shareholders’ meeting held at the beginning of the year hadn’t changed the structure yet. How had she managed to win over so many shareholders’ trust in just half a year?
In a short time, all kinds of rumors spread.
Some said that Zhang Yazhi had reached an agreement with Zhang Aode and his current second wife, and that on the surface she was the Executive Chairman, but in reality she still had no real power.
Others said that Zhang Yazhi had caught hold of a weakness of her half-brother Zhang Mingxuan, forcing her father Zhang Aode to step down from the chairman position.
There were even more absurd rumors that Zhang Yazhi had reached a marriage alliance with Chi Gui from Haishi, and that with the Chi Corporation as her backing and support, she was able to win the victory in the otherwise stagnant shareholders’ meeting of the Zhang Group.
The media gossip in the Macau and Hong Kong region was the most exaggerated.
In just three days, Jing Shun had lost count of how many “exposés” he had seen pushed to his phone.
Chi Gui? Zhang Yazhi? Family marriage alliance?
Jing Shun took a sip of milk, finding it impossible to imagine the two of them in such a scenario. Besides, he had never formally met Zhang Yazhi, but from just a brief glance at the banquet, he could feel it—
She was a girl with a very strong core. How could she become a subordinate accessory to a marriage alliance as others claimed? It was utterly nonsense!
“…”
Perhaps Jing Shun’s sneaking glances were too obvious, Chi Gui couldn’t help but ask, “What are you looking at?”
“Nothing.”
Jing Shun didn’t intend to bring up the boring gossip, but he was still curious and pressed further, “I’ve been hearing people say that Ms. Zhang securing the position of Zhang Group chairman was done with your hidden help?”
Chi Gui didn’t deny it. “Consider it a resource swap.”
Over the years, the Zhang Group had relied mainly on “dock freight” as its primary source of profit, and its expansion into other business areas had never gone smoothly. Chi Gui, on the other hand, had plenty of project resources and network connections.
“Zhang Yazhi needed more substantial benefits to persuade the shareholders to take her side. I needed the Zhang Group’s local freight advantages to allow the Chi Corporation to settle in and carry out the dock project with ease.”
So, the two of them had quickly reached a cooperation.
Jing Shun understood after hearing this explanation. “So that means the project is pretty much set?”
Chi Gui nodded. “We’re already discussing the final details. We plan to hold the project launch conference next Monday. Once things are settled here, I can go back to Haishi with you.”
Even while busy with work, Chi Gui hadn’t forgotten about Jing Shun’s health condition. “Next month, you’ll have your second surgery.”
“Mm.”
Jing Shun gave a slight smile, no longer as confused as before but filled with anticipation instead. “After the second surgery, I can start rehabilitation.”
In fact, after the first surgery, he had gradually felt changes in his body—
His legs were no longer in a state of constant numbness and gradual atrophy. Occasionally, they would tingle, ache, or even show faint pain.
He had asked Professor Song, who said this was a good sign and a necessary process.
Wei Di reminded, “Sir, the car is ready. It’s time to leave.”
“Mm.” Chi Gui wiped his hands with a wet wipe and asked Jing Shun before leaving, “What are you planning to do this afternoon?”
Jing Shun thought of the new friend he had made. “Later, I’ll take Gou Bao to see Yu Zhen and Eone.”
Chi Gui heard the name that had been appearing frequently over the past week. He recalled the background check he had secretly conducted but didn’t stop him. “Alright, I’ll be off then. Contact me if anything comes up.”
“Okay.”
…
The afternoon sun was just right. Without the restraint of leashes, Gou Bao and Eone were running happily on the backyard lawn.
“Jing Shun! Come here!”
Yu Zhen brought out a carefully prepared spread of food with the help of the household staff.
Jing Shun asked, “Isn’t this a bit too lavish?”
Yu Zhen told the staff to leave and sat down in the opposite seat. “Take your time. We’re both free today anyway.”
He handed a glass of juice to Jing Shun. “Here?”
“Thanks.”
Jing Shun took it and clinked glasses with him.
Yu Zhen said, “I’m really glad I met you. Otherwise, I would’ve been bored to death lately.”
Jing Shun smiled and asked back, “You don’t need to go to work now?”
“Ah, well, I originally convinced my partner to let me work every now and then.”
But it wasn’t really serious work—more like a way to get out and move around so he wouldn’t stay cooped up at home and get bored.
Yu Zhen explained, “But you know, even in the most legitimate casinos, you can still run into all sorts of shady players. I had a little accident at work a while ago.”
Jing Shun pressed, “What happened?”
Yu Zhen said, “I ran into a card player who was cheating.”
Jing Shun felt the plot sounded oddly familiar, stirring up a suspicion he had just managed to suppress.
However, Yu Zhen didn’t intend to let Jing Shun know about the unpleasantness that had already passed—
After being caught and warned by Yu Zhen, that player not only refused to admit it, but flew into a rage, flaunting his own prominent status to put pressure on him and vented all his anger on Yu Zhen.
Yu Zhen snapped back to the present and simply said, “That day, I was so angry my heart ached. When my partner found out, he strictly forbade me from working again.”
“But aside from this, he doesn’t stop me if I want to go out and do other things.”
Just as Yu Zhen finished speaking, the two dogs playing around let out a couple of barks—
“Woof!”
“Awoo-woof!”
Jing Shun immediately shifted his gaze, and then he heard Yu Zhen’s invitation, “Oh, Jing Shun, there’s a dog gathering this Sunday. Do you want to bring Gou Bao along and have some fun?”
“Before I met you guys, I used to go alone with Eone. It happens every half month. Dogs need friends just like us humans do.”
Yu Zhen looked at Gou Bao rolling on the grass. “Your little guy is still young, so you should let him make friends.”
Jing Shun’s heart stirred. “Is it outdoors? Can we join?”
“Of course!”
Seeing his interest, Yu Zhen pulled out his phone and found the WeChat group. “Check it out—the dogs can play freely in a designated area, and there will be professional photographers to record it. After the event, they’ll share the photos in the group.”
Jing Shun saw the photos of other dogs in the group and was thoroughly tempted.
But then he remembered his own physical condition. “I don’t think it’s very convenient for me.”
“What’s the big deal? I’ll stick with you the whole time, won’t I?” Yu Zhen remained enthusiastic. “After the event, we can even grab dinner together. Didn’t we say we’d make plans ages ago?”
Jing Shun thought it over and agreed. “Then how about I treat you to dinner on Sunday night?”
Yu Zhen didn’t stand on ceremony. “Sure.”
After confirming the time and location of the dog gathering, Jing Shun pulled out his phone and sent a report text to Chi Gui.
Yu Zhen couldn’t help but laugh. “I never imagined—your partner has such a strong need for control? You even have to report a simple outing like this?”
“…”
Jing Shun was momentarily dazed.
Was this considered a strong need for control?
Anyway, the agreement had stated so, Chi Gui had demanded it, and he had accepted it quite well. After all, it was better than his previous life, where no one even knew when he was in trouble.
Jing Shun still sent the report message. “I’m used to it. I don’t see a problem. Isn’t it the same for you?”
Yu Zhen took a sip of juice and answered confidently, “No need. In my house, I call the shots.”
Jing Shun chuckled inwardly. “You’re impressive.”
“Of course.”
…
In the blink of an eye, the sun had set.
Soft sunset light filtered in through the windows into the lavishly decorated mansion. But at this moment, the place felt lifeless.
Bang!
An antique vase worth tens of thousands smashed against the wall and shattered into countless pieces on the floor.
Zhang Mingxuan, who had just walked in, was startled. He looked at his father, Zhang Aode, whose face was full of rage, and said, “Dad, what are you doing? You almost hit me.”
Zhang Aode was in a bad mood, his eyes blurred with alcohol, filled with hostility. “You useless piece of trash! It would serve you right if I smashed you to death!”
Zhuang Qiu, standing by, was displeased and couldn’t hold back. “I’ve had enough of you!”
“It was your eldest daughter who teamed up with the other shareholders to take your position. You never get your act together—gambling, womanizing—did you ever put any real mind into the group?”
“Oh, and now that you’ve been kicked out by your own daughter, you feel humiliated, so you take it out on us?”
Ever since the shareholders’ meeting, Zhang Aode’s temper had been terrible. At home, it was thunderclouds every day.
Zhang Aode glared fiercely at his wife after her blunt outburst.
Zhuang Qiu wasn’t afraid of him at all. She adjusted her silk shawl and said, “Even if you kill me today, I’m going to say it! Haven’t I put up with enough of your mistresses and that ex-wife and her daughter all these years?”
If she had known the Zhang Group’s chairman position would fall to Zhang Yazhi! She might as well have divorced Zhang Aode early. Maybe then she could have gotten more property and shares!
Seeing his parents about to start another fight, Zhang Mingxuan quickly stepped in. “Dad, Mom, stop arguing. Let’s talk about the important stuff. Guess what I found out?”
Zhang Aode snorted out a mouthful of alcohol vapor. “You’re never home. What could you possibly be looking into?”
“Dad, aren’t you curious how Zhang Yazhi got the capital and conditions to sway the shareholders?”
Zhang Mingxuan was twenty-six this year. He had spent two or three years training at the group headquarters. Though he wasn’t as famous as Zhang Yazhi, he had some brains compared to his incompetent father.
“I’ve already privately confirmed with a small shareholder that Zhang Yazhi has reached a cooperation with the Chi Corporation…”
Zhang Mingxuan roughly explained the cooperation details. “The Chi Corporation’s project launch conference for the 0202 Dock is scheduled for next Monday.”
“Dad, if we can stop that conference from happening and force Chi Gui to end his cooperation with Zhang Yazhi, and then spin it as Zhang Yazhi selling out the group’s interests…”
Zhang Mingxuan’s eyes gleamed with calculation. “What do you think the shareholders—who always prioritize benefits—will do?”
The current Zhang Group was long gone from the days when the old man was in charge. There was no sentiment involved anymore. Everyone lived for profit.
Since they had voted in favor for the sake of profit, they would surely also reject Zhang Yazhi if they saw a loss of profit. That was just human nature.
“Easier said than done.”
Zhang Aode understood the principle perfectly well.
But what could they do now to stop Zhang Yazhi and Chi Gui’s cooperation?
“Dad, Grandfather used to say when he was alive—”
“To catch a snake, you hit its head. To force someone into submission, sometimes you just need to find their weakness and squeeze hard enough.”
Zhuang Qiu, hearing her son’s words, still had doubts. “Isn’t that Chi Gui from Haishi? Where are we going to find his weakness on such short notice?”
Zhang Aode sobered up a bit and suddenly caught on. “There might be one.”
At this point, they had to treat a dead horse as if it were still alive!