Zhao Rong's voice was loud, and the soundproofing of the lounge wasn't very good. As soon as Zhao Rong spoke, the door in front of him seemed to cease to exist, revealing how furious he was.
Jiang Chu Bi was even more curious about how Zhao Jiang He would react. How could someone so self-conscious yet so arrogant tolerate such belittlement? However, the anticipated confrontation did not materialize. Zhao Jiang He remained silent. Jiang Chu Bi couldn't hear his voice or see his expression, unsure of his state.
Zhao Rong, likely growing impatient, continued to question him, "Back then, I brought you out from under your useless father and brought you into the Zhao family, giving you a life of wealth and status. Is this how you repay me? You're more trouble than you're worth!"
"I asked you to kill those two brothers back then, and you repeatedly said it was no problem. In the end, you only killed one, leaving Xing Zheng, a menace. This time, with the Zhao Corporation in trouble, it's definitely related to the Xing family. If you had dealt with him back then, why would so many things have happened!"
Zhao Jiang He glanced towards the lounge before speaking to Zhao Rong, "Do you think I coveted everything in the Zhao family? If it weren't for meeting my mother, I wouldn't have acted like a subordinate in the Zhao family for so many years. You call me useless, but how are you any better? Have you ever defeated the Xing family?"
Inside the lounge, before Jiang Chu Bi could even react to this statement with surprise, she heard Zhao Rong say, "So what if you meet her? She doesn't remember you anymore. Do you and your useless father deserve to be remembered by her?"
Jiang Chu Bi's eyelids and heartbeat began to synchronize. She had vaguely heard that Xie Qin Jia had experienced memory loss in her youth, and now she realized it was true. The period she had forgotten was likely the time she gave birth to Zhao Jiang He with Liu Qin Ye.
Zhao Jiang He must have gotten carried away in the argument. Realizing she was in the lounge, he went to the conference room to confront Zhao Rong. However, the content of their conversation was already enough for Jiang Chu Bi. She placed the voice recorder into a compartment of her bag.
Recently, rumors of the Zhao Corporation's bankruptcy had been circulating. Lin Mei, Lan Lan, and Feng Feng were discussing the matter while at a pub.
As seasoned professionals in the industry for several years, Lan Lan and Feng Feng had witnessed countless companies, once glorious, go bankrupt. They were immune to such events and were simply relieved, "Fortunately, I didn't buy any Zhao Corporation stock, or I would have lost my underwear."
When the Zhao Corporation secured the laboratory project, Lan Lan had considered buying its stock, but Feng Feng had stopped her. Recalling this, Lan Lan raised her glass to Feng Feng, "I still have to thank you, Mr. Feng, for stopping me. I'm treating tonight."
Lin Mei became curious, "Why did Mr. Feng stop you?"
"I also considered buying it. Shen Su hinted at it a few times," Feng Feng recounted his previous conversation with Shen Su to the two of them, adding, "I suspect the laboratory project was a setup from the very beginning."
Lin Mei immediately thought of her colleagues' discussions. She had initially dismissed them as wild speculation, but now Feng Feng thought the same. "What makes you say that?"
"Do you remember the rumors back then? Many people suspected Jiang Chu Bi stole the proposal, causing Rong Shi to lose the project," Feng Feng deduced. "The trap was set back then. Jiang Chu Bi is a mole planted by Xing Zheng beside Zhao Jiang He. Their goal is to bring down the Zhao Corporation and Zhao Jiang He."
"The relationships between those three families are very complicated; it's not something we can figure out."
Although Feng Feng had made many deductions, he didn't believe he could see the whole picture. The relationships within powerful families were so intricate that even insiders couldn't always untangle them, let alone outsiders like themselves.
Feng Feng was just glad that Lin Mei had ended her relationship with Xing Zheng in time, otherwise, getting entangled in these affairs would have made it difficult to stay out of trouble.
Lan Lan shared the same sentiment as Feng Feng, "Cherish life, stay away from wealthy families. Only fools would want to become young mistresses of such families, constantly scheming. They have to check if their food is drugged before eating!"
Lan Lan patted Lin Mei, "Xu Ying is much better. He comes from a simple background, is young and handsome, and capable. You are truly blessed!"
Lin Mei smiled. Xu Ying was indeed excellent. Although she hadn't developed a passionate love for him yet, their relationship was peaceful and stable, especially after experiencing Xing Zheng's unpredictable moods. She cherished this tranquility even more.
Lan Lan, curious, inquired about Xu Ying, "What do Xu Ying's parents do? Where is he from?"
"He's from Lu Cheng," Lin Mei realized, if not for Lan Lan's question, how little she knew about Xu Ying. "I haven't asked about his parents."
She hadn't asked, and Xu Ying hadn't mentioned it. They rarely discussed such topics.
Lan Lan was surprised, "Are you dating or just hooking up? You've already brought him home to meet your parents, and you still don't know what his parents do?"
Lin Mei fell silent. She hadn't noticed anything amiss before, but after Lan Lan's comment, it did seem inappropriate.
Feng Feng pondered for a moment before asking Lin Mei, "He hasn't brought it up with you proactively either?"
"No, he's very independent. It seems he earns his own tuition," the only time Xu Ying had mentioned anything related to his family was when they were discussing racing. He said he stopped asking his family for money in high school, and everything he had now was from race winnings and brand collaborations.
"There's a problem, definitely a problem!" Lan Lan adopted a detective's demeanor. "You've just had too few men. From my observation, men who avoid talking about their families are either 'phoenix men' with a family of vampires draining them, or they have complicated backgrounds that they're afraid to reveal lest they scare people away. Of course, the former is more common."
"Be more observant," Lan Lan cautioned Lin Mei. "Go back and ask Xu Ying clearly. If his family truly has a bunch of vampires, you should urge him to cut ties with them as soon as possible. If he refuses, you two should break up quickly."
"Okay, I'll talk to him." Lin Mei also gradually realized the importance of this matter.
"Lu Cheng, surname Xu, Ms. Lan, does that remind you of anything?" Feng Feng suddenly asked.
"You mean, Yong An Energy?" Lan Lan was skeptical. "There are many people named Xu in Lu Cheng. How could Xu Ying be related!"
Feng Feng remained silent, only saying to Lin Mei, "Have a good talk with Xu Ying."
After drinking a few glasses of champagne, Lin Mei went to the restroom, her mind preoccupied with what Lan Lan and Feng Feng had said. She decided she really needed to ask Xu Ying properly when he returned from this race...
Lin Mei walked absentmindedly and accidentally bumped into someone. The other person was also in a hurry, and their bodies collided violently. Lin Mei quickly looked up and apologized, "I'm sorry."
After speaking, she realized the person in front of her was Jiang Chu Bi.
She was wearing an exquisite suit, and the bag in her hand was a limited edition that was priceless. She looked at Lin Mei with her usual disdain and contempt. She was certainly not going to respond to her apology and turned to leave.
A moment later, Lin Mei was about to leave when she stepped on something under her foot.