Lin Wanqing nodded immediately:
"Okay, I'll contact you right away and we should be able to arrange an urgent phone interview.
Jianguo, you... tell him carefully, after all, you are father and son, he may..."
"Father and son?" Zhao Jianguo sneered and interrupted her, his eyes cold.
"Does he still see me as his father? I think he wants me to die there so he can take everything for himself!"
Lin Wanqing said no more, but felt a little calmer in his heart.
The angry Zhao Jianguo is the Zhao Jianguo she needs.
As long as this "patriarchal" anger can be burned on Zhao Chen, even if it just creates some trouble and delay, her goal will be achieved.
Half an hour later, an emergency call made from City Detention Center and monitored by recording was connected to Henglong Group Chairman's Office.
On the screen of Zhao Chen's mobile phone, a strange number from a "special channel" flashed.
When the special call from Detention Center ended, Zhao Chen slowly put down the phone and placed it on the cold desk surface.
He didn't speak immediately, but sunk deeply into the back of the chair, raised one hand, and pressed hard between his frowning eyebrows.
The gap between the eyebrows is deeper than when dealing with any Board of Directors struggle or public opinion crisis, as if it is carrying a heavy burden that cannot be explained to outsiders.
The sound of a pindrop could be heard in the office, except for his slightly heavy breathing.
Su Wantang was organizing the weekend briefing at the coffee table a little further away, and she noticed the change in his aura almost immediately.
It was heavy, depressing, even with a hint of rare... embarrassment, which was completely different from the Zhao Chen she knew so well, who was as calm as a rock in any Business War.
She put down the documents in her hands and walked closer quietly.
"What's wrong?" Her voice was very soft, as if she was afraid of disturbing someone, "Is it... him?"
Zhao Chen did not open his eyes, but nodded almost imperceptibly, his Adam's apple rolled, and he let out a dull "um" from his nasal cavity.
Su Wantang's heart sank slightly.
Sure enough it is Zhao Jianguo.
The only person who could make Zhao Chen show such an expression was his biological father who was in jail but still haunts him.
She could almost guess the content of the phone call - it was nothing more than reprimands, threats, exerting pressure as a father, trying to hinder Rights Issue, and maybe even making more extreme demands.
Zhao Chen can deal with Lin Wanqing's conspiracy, market fluctuations, and fierce public opinion without changing his expression, but the ties of blood and the shackles of love are another softer knife, cutting in more secret places.
She looked at the tired shadow under Zhao Chen's frowning brows and his tight jawline, and a strong, almost sharp heartache seized her.
She knew why he was in such trouble.
From a distance, one can calmly view Zhao Jianguo as an opponent, a chess piece, or even an obstacle that needs to be cleared.
But once we really face it, the identity of the "father" and the indifferent but real nurturing relationship for twenty years will become an invisible network.
It is a temporary compromise and hidden danger;
If the talks collapse, it will be a complete and public break between father and son. There will be no change from now on, and there will be possible social comments.
She didn't want to see him fall into this dilemma.
With almost no hesitation, Su Wantang walked to his side and stretched out her hand, not to massage, but to gently cover his clenched fist.
Her hands were slightly cold, but they carried a strange stabilizing power.
"Let me go."
Her voice was calm but firm as iron, as if she was saying a trivial matter that was taken for granted.
"I'm going to see him. You already have enough opponents to face, you shouldn't add this one."
Zhao Chen suddenly opened his eyes and turned to look at her, his eyes full of surprise and shock.
He knows that Su Wantang is supporting him behind his back, taking care of trivial matters for him, sharing the pressure, and even taking risks.
But at this moment, she actually offered to face the most difficult, unbearable, and most likely to hurt Zhao Jianguo on his behalf? Just to prevent him from being embarrassed?
An indescribable, hot emotion instantly broke through the cold dam in his heart.
He held her hand with his backhand and held it tightly.
"No." He shook his head, his voice a little hoarse due to emotional fluctuations.
"That's my business. My... father. I will face it sooner or later. I can't escape it."
He couldn't let her endure Zhao Jianguo's possible humiliation, abuse, and even more dirty plans.
That is his battlefield, his destiny.
Su Wantang did not withdraw his hand. Instead, he leaned forward slightly and gently put his other hand around his shoulder, holding his head toward her in a completely protective manner.
Her movements were gentle but with undeniable strength, as if she wanted to block out all the wind and rain.
"I know I can't hide."
Her voice was right next to his ear, her warm breath brushed his temples, but the determination in her words was as cold as a blade.
"But we can face it together. Not hiding, but side by side."
She stepped back slightly, held his face in her hands, and forced him to look at her.
Her eyes were crystal clear, with no fear or hesitation in them, only an almost burning, pathological focus and desire to protect.