Despite being badly beaten, Jin Renwei remained defiant. "Grandpa, I'm doing this for the Jin Family's sake. The Zhang Family has become incredibly arrogant these past few years, relying on our cooperation. I'm just teaching them a lesson, letting them know that the Jin Family isn't to be trifled with."
Old Master Jin trembled with rage, slamming his scepter down again. "A lesson? You've dug your own grave! The Zhang Family has operated in City A for many years, with deep connections. How dare you provoke them so easily? Now look what's happened, the Jin Family's reputation has plummeted, and partners have all turned against them. Are you satisfied now?"
Despite his advanced age, Old Master Jin was still vigorous. Jin Renwei was beaten to the ground, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth, yet he still sneered, "Reputation? Can reputation feed us? As long as our Jin Family is strong enough, those people will come begging to us sooner or later."
Old Master Jin laughed angrily, "Strength? You still have the nerve to talk to me about strength? The Jin Family's businesses have expanded under your leadership over the years, but what about people's hearts? Look at us now, who would dare to cooperate with the Jin Family?"
Jin Renwei remained silent. He knew he had indeed caused a huge disaster, but he didn't regret it. He just hadn't expected the Zhang Family to be so resolute, willing to go to any lengths to sever ties with the Jin Family.
"This whole thing might be related to the Ji Family... I'm sure they've set me up!"
"How dare you bring that up! Even if you were tricked by them, it's your fault for being stupid!"
**
The Ji Family watched from the sidelines.
When Ji Wangchen received the news the next day, he suddenly felt that his father's decision not to let his younger brother choose finance as his major was a great loss.
"Big brother, where's the reward?" Xie Zhuzhou was still waiting for his older brother to give him some money to go on his dating journey. He didn't want Chu Little Yan to be the one paying for everything; otherwise, what would become of his reputation as the head of the family?
Where is your money?
"I invested it all in investments. You can't put all your eggs in one basket. I invested in some profitable projects, and now I only have 500,000 yuan left."
Ji Wangchen: "..." Who's as shrewd as you?
"Is five million enough for you?"
"It's enough." Actually, it wasn't quite enough, but since his older brother had recently allowed him to slack off, Xie Zhuzhou didn't say anything more.
He liked the reward; he earned five million without lifting a finger, and he wanted to split it equally with his third brother.
Xie Zhuzhou discussed splitting the money equally with Ji Wangyan, but Ji Wangyan patted his head and said, "No need, you can keep it for yourself. This whole thing is actually beneficial to me."
Xie Zhuzhou assumed that his third brother looked down on the 2.5 million yuan, so he accepted it all.
What Xie Zhuzhou didn't know was that Ji Wangyan and Ji Wangyun had less money at their disposal than Xie Zhuzhou, who had only been back in the Ji Family for less than a year. This was because the eldest branch of the family wanted to take over the Ji Group, and almost all their money was used to buy stocks with other shareholders.
Moreover, Xie Zhuzhou's assets were all acquired through his side business of extortion, which he had previously entrusted to Ji Wuqiu for management. However, as a father, Ji Wuqiu could not possibly take his son's things, so after helping Xie Zhuzhou organize them, he returned them to Xie Zhuzhou.
"Okay, you really don't want it?"
"No need, there's nowhere to spend money." Ji Wangyan felt a pang of regret; he had invested all his share dividends in financial products, and didn't have much liquid cash on hand.
But considering that he usually gave his younger brother too few gifts, he declined.
"Okay, then I'll use it as money for my trip with Chu Little Yan."
Ji Wangyan: "..."
at the same time
Wen Shuming and the others were watching Chu Yanzhang work in the office, and Chu Yanzhang thought they were really too idle.
"Didn't I tell you to create a surprise for the Jin Family? Why are you still here?" Chu Yanzhang was very dissatisfied. He had been dissatisfied with his employees for a long time! What kind of employees made their boss clock in on DingTalk?
"Are you sure? The Jin Family isn't easy to deal with; they're also involved in shady businesses."
"What does this have to do with industry?"
Didn't you say we shouldn't do illegal or criminal things?
Chu Yanzhang paused, his hand gripping the pen to sign, and looked up at them. "There are also many that don't violate the law. Didn't Divine Sea select some special projects? Why not just give them one or two?"
Wen Shuming: "..." How ruthless! Truly ruthless.
"That would damage the reputation of the Divine Sea."
"They don't necessarily need us to give it to them; if they want it, they can steal it themselves," Chu Yanzhang with a slight smile.
Wen Shuming: "..."
Chu Yanzhang ran away in the afternoon, and his car was gone too.
Wen Shuming sighed and smiled wryly, "Everyone, let's get back to work. The meeting will proceed as scheduled..."
After escaping, Chu Yanzhang went home to change his clothes and appeared downstairs at Radiant Moon. Once he had done it before, he picked up Xie Zhuzhou, who had left early, and they went to a restaurant for dinner. After dinner, they went to Crescent Lake, a famous scenic spot in City A.
" Zhouzhou, you look so handsome today..." Chu Yanzhang hugged Xie Zhuzhou and walked closer to him step by step.
Xie Zhuzhou moved mechanically along the cobblestone path, as if carrying a large accessory. "Hmm, do you have to tell me? Oh, by the way, I'm going to Sunset Island for a show in two weeks. You need to take good care of yourself while you're at home. If someone knocks on your door in the middle of the night, don't open it, understand?"
Chu Yanzhang rested his head on Xie Zhuzhou's shoulder. " Zhouzhou, I want to go with you, is that okay?"
Xie Zhuzhou immediately refused, saying, "No, you're too delicate; you definitely won't be able to adapt to the environment there."
Chu Yanzhang: "..." He really isn't weak, how do you explain this...?
"Besides, it's dangerous there. There might be snakes, insects, and the like." Xie Zhuzhou completely treated Chu Yanzhang like a fragile vase.
"Don't be afraid, I definitely won't be a burden to you, Zhouzhou, just let me go..."
Hearing Chu Yanzhang's voice, Xie Zhuzhou almost couldn't help but smile. He thought to himself that he should tone down his charm. He had almost made Chu Little Yan crazy, following him everywhere like a little tail.
"Tsk, what a hassle. Oh well, I'll take care of you once we get to the island. Go if you want," Xie Zhuzhou said reliably.
After achieving his goal, Chu Yanzhang gave Xie Zhuzhou a hard kiss on the cheek.
Xie Zhuzhou touched his face, and before he could say anything, Chu Yanzhang gently kissed his lips.
The lakeside was shrouded in a hazy night, and the dim yellow lights cast long shadows of the two people.
The lake water was rippling in the wind.
After some time, the two elderly men fishing by the lake couldn't hold it in any longer and started coughing.
"Ugh, these young people nowadays, they walk like conjoined twins, aren't they ashamed at all!"
Another old man nodded in agreement. "Yeah, why not find a perfectly good girlfriend instead of being a gigolo! Doesn't he mind the mess!"
Chu Yanzhang and Xie Zhuzhou were startled by the old man's voice and quickly separated. Xie Zhuzhou's face instantly turned bright red, his lips red, and he didn't know what expression to make for a moment.
For a moment, he genuinely forgot there were people around him.
Chu Yanzhang, however, remained calm, though inwardly he was already plotting revenge against those two clueless and gossipy old men. He said, " Zhouzhou, are you tired? Shall I carry you?"
Xie Zhuzhou looked at him suspiciously. "You?"
Chu Yanzhang: "..."
"Then... let's keep going."
Xie Zhuzhou nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. The two continued their stroll along the lake, as if the two old men from before had never existed.