Lu Sangning was just about to say something to the reporters when she suddenly spotted Zhang Yong rushing over, a group of security guards chasing behind him.
"No! I don't agree to breaking off the engagement!"
Zhang Yong rushed to the foot of the stage. He was just about to climb up when the security guards caught up, pinned his shoulders, and dragged him back.
Helpless, Zhang Yong craned his head high and struggled desperately.
He shouted at Lu Sangning on the stage, "Sangning, baby, I don't want to break off our engagement! I want to be with you!"
"I want to marry you! I want to be with you forever and ever!"
Lu Sangning looked coldly at the bedraggled Zhang Yong below the stage. The way he was behaving now earned none of her sympathy; it only made her loathe him more.
If you knew it would come to this, why do it in the first place?
No one should mistake this show of devotion for the real thing. He was actually afraid the Lu Family would cancel all cooperation with the Zhang Clan.
If the Zhang Clan could no longer do business, it would be finished for good.
That was what Zhang Yong feared most.
His pleas for her to stay had nothing to do with love.
At the press conference, Zhang Yong's arrival was like pouring half a ladle of water into a still wok of oil, setting off a crackling eruption.
Most of the reporters stayed to press Lu Sangning for her views on the matter.
A smaller number of reporters and independent content creators rushed outside to interview Zhang Yong, whom the guards had thrown out of the hotel.
Zhang Yong patted his dust-covered clothes and said through tears:
"I know I made the mistake every man in the world makes. I was seduced by my secretary, Zou Nana, and slept with her. But from beginning to end, the only person I've ever loved is my fiancée, Sangning.
I deeply regret hurting Sangning now. I don't want to leave her. I only hope she can forgive me. As long as she's willing to forgive me, I'd even die for her."
The reporters and independent content creators publicized Zhang Yong's pitiful speech.
For a time, it caused quite a stir online.
Netizens split into two camps.
One supported Lu Sangning's decision to break off the engagement and end all cooperation with the Zhang Clan.
They despised scumbags like Zhang Yong most of all, clamoring to drive the Zhang Clan out of Jing City and out of Hua Country.
Even off the earth and out of the universe.
The other camp disagreed, believing Zhang Yong was a good man because he recognized his mistakes and was willing to change.
As the saying went, a man did not shed tears lightly. Zhang Yong's willingness to cry before the entire internet proved he was genuinely repentant.
Lu Sangning ought to forgive him, and the Lu Family should not be so ruthless. They certainly should not end their cooperation with the Zhang Family and then forbid other companies from working with them too.
Wasn't that denying people a way to survive and forcing them down a road to ruin?
The press conference ended.
Lu Yuanqing had something to attend to and left first.
By the time Lu Sangning left, the heavens refused to cooperate, suddenly unleashing a torrential downpour.
As soon as Lu Sangning emerged from the hotel, she saw Zhang Yong standing bedraggled at the entrance, holding a bouquet of roses amid the curtain of rain.
He was already soaked through, his clothes plastered tightly to his body.
Rain had plastered his hair haphazardly across his forehead and streamed down his cheeks in thick rivulets.
Seeing Lu Sangning come out, Zhang Yong took a few steps forward and pleaded desperately, "Sangning, I really, really love you. Please, don't leave me, all right?"
Lu Sangning regarded the scumbag before her coldly.
Folding her arms, she said loudly with scorn, "Zhang Yong, put away that hypocritical face of yours. If you knew it would come to this, why do it in the first place? Why put on this devoted-lover act now? Who are you performing for?"
The driver brought the Bugatti to the hotel entrance, and her secretary, Qin Yi, held an umbrella over Lu Sangning.
Lu Sangning walked toward the car with cold, aloof strides.
Zhang Yong suddenly rushed over, thrusting the dripping roses in front of Lu Sangning.
Wiping the rain off his face, he said, "Sangning, baby, time will prove I love you. I won't give up on you!"
Lu Sangning gave a look, and the bodyguard beside her kicked Zhang Yong far away.
"You shameless wretch!"
After that remark, Lu Sangning climbed into the luxurious Bugatti.
In the car, Qin Yi asked Lu Sangning, "President Lu, do you think he's genuinely remorseful?"
Lu Sangning sneered. "Remorseful? He just saw that the media were still there and put on a devoted-lover act to win sympathy. He wants to turn the Zhang Clan's losses into profits? In his dreams!"
Qin Yi nodded.
As expected of President Lu, who dared to love and hate. No matter how deeply she loved, she still kept a clear head.
She would no longer believe the scumbag's sob stories or fall for his manipulations.
"President Lu, but Zhang Yong's devoted-lover persona will swing public opinion entirely to his side. Everyone will support him." Qin Yi was somewhat worried about this.
Lu Sangning snorted coldly and said, "It's just public opinion, isn't it? If Zhang Yong can play the devoted lover to stir up public opinion, why can't I?"
Realization dawned on Qin Yi.
"Haha! You're wise as ever, President Lu."
Lu Sangning's expression remained icy.
"Qin Yi, Zhang Yong will definitely meet Zou Nana in secret again. Have someone watch him at all times. Take plenty of videos and post them online. Get him trending."
"Also, keep an eye on the Zhang Family. Stir up public opinion over anything you can. Have someone secretly investigate the Zhang Clan's businesses. Once they find evidence, report it to the police immediately and leave it to them."
Qin Yi said happily, "Rest assured, President Lu. I'll get it done."
She immediately made a call. "Investigate the Zhang Group's finances."
The person on the other end replied calmly, "Understood."
After hanging up, Qin Yi told Lu Sangning, "President Lu, the Zhang Group will disappear from Jing City within a week."
Lu Chi went to school for his afternoon classes but did not see Su Yunian.
He asked Guagua, [Where's Su Yunian?]
Guagua: [Campus Belle Su? She's at the police station right now.]
Lu Chi: [What's she doing at the police station?]
Guagua: [What else? It's about someone tampering with her mother's car, of course! The police have taken statements and arrested the suspects, Su Jingang, Zhao Min, and Old Wu.]
Lu Chi: [All right. That icy woman finally won't have to be a motherless child.]
Afternoon classes ended.
Lu Chi went to the cafeteria to eat as usual.
After eating, he returned to the classroom for evening self-study.
He had barely sat down when he noticed something was off.
A murmur of whispers drifted through the classroom.
"Who would've thought? Seriously, who would've thought! Lu Chi actually bullied his younger brother, Lu Jiyang, like that."
"What an incorrigible young master. He's only just returned to the Lu Family, and he's already so ruthless. Isn't that bullying?"
"Lu Jiyang got beaten so badly. His face was covered in bruises. I heard his dad took all his money back and won't even give him an allowance anymore."
"That's so pitiful! Sigh, even if he isn't their biological son, they raised him by their side. They must have built a deep bond over all those years. Lu Chi came back and ruined their father-son bond. He's really gone too far."
His classmates' voices were neither loud nor soft, just enough for Lu Chi to hear.
Lu Chi could not be bothered with them and pursed his lips.
I beat Lu Jiyang up at noon, and now the whole class knows.
Who else could have spread it around but that damned dog, Lu Jiyang?
Let him spread it. I don't care anyway.
Reputation and all that is nothing but wispy clouds on the horizon to me.
It doesn't hurt or itch. Having it is no different from not having it.
There were still fifteen minutes before self-study began.
Better hurry up and get a good, comfortable sleep.
Lu Chi was just about to lie down on his desk for a proper nap.
Then he saw Lu Jiyang limp into Class 2's classroom and walk all the way over to him.