Zhan Jiayi's initial confidence evaporated under her words, revealing Zhang Yuyun as a formidable character.
Zhao Jianhua's current success was inseparable from Zhang Yuyun.
Zhan Jiayi steeled herself and said, "Yes, he threatened me. But his goal was to get me back and for me to divorce you. His tone was full of disdain for you, saying you were a washed-up housewife..."
"You don't need to repeat those words," Zhang Yuyun said, rising and picking up her bag. "He means nothing to me anymore. I only see him as a business partner. Your little trick won't disrupt the business relationship between him and me."
With that, she walked out of the coffee shop.
Zhan Jiayi remained seated, unmoved by Zhang Yuyun's words.
She could see the anger and nervousness in her.
Zhang Yuyun might have been utterly disappointed with Zhao Jianhua long ago, but she still cared about her interests being threatened.
If Zhang Yuyun believed Zhao Jianhua was secretly planning a divorce, she would undoubtedly strike first against him, and that would be enough trouble for Zhao Jianhua!
Zhan Jiayi just had to wait and watch the show.
...
Susu received news from Su Kangxi that Yang Shasha and Yu Wei were viciously accusing each other during their interrogation.
Yang Shasha's conviction was a certainty, but Yu Wei had also revealed some of their wrongdoings abroad.
The police department had contacted their foreign counterparts, and it remained to be seen if extradition would be necessary for trial abroad.
Susu was completely relieved and felt it was time to share this news with Zhan Jiayi.
Su Kangxi, however, did not seem to be ending the call. He asked, "Sister Susu, I went to the hospital yesterday but didn't see Jie Jie. The nurses there said he had already been discharged and picked up."
"Yes, Tianyi sent someone to pick him up. He has recovered and is fine," Susu replied.
Kangxi asked, "Sister Susu, are you and President Qin planning to adopt him?"
Susu found it difficult to explicitly state Tianyi's intentions, so she said, "We are still discussing this. Tianyi has arranged for the child to be sent to an orphanage in another province, changed his name, and ensured the Xie family cannot find him."
Kangxi responded with an "oh," a thought lingering in his mind.
Susu continued, "Tianyi said that if the child's name isn't changed, he fears the Xie family might harm him for the sake of appearances."
"President Qin's consideration is also correct. Changing the child's identity will allow him to grow up more safely. He's still young; with time, he'll forget these things and won't know who his original parents were. It's better for him to never know."
"We think so too. Let him stay in the orphanage for a while first."
Kangxi finally asked, "Sister Susu, what do you think about me and Yanan adopting this child?"
"Have you thought it through? Is Yanan willing?" Susu asked casually. "That would certainly be the best."
Kangxi said, "It's my own idea. I'll discuss it with Yanan during this time."
"Alright, you still need to respect Yanan's wishes," Susu said, recalling how An Jing's adoption of Xiaoxiao had severely impacted the marital relationship between An Jing and Lan Yu, fearing a similar situation might occur.
Therefore, she believed that a child and parents, even adoptive parents, shared a connection.
If such a connection didn't exist, living together forcefully would not be good for the child.
"Of course. After Yanan and I discuss it, we'll see how to adopt this child."
Susu hummed and said, "If you need me to help you and Yanan discuss this matter, just let me know."
"Okay, I understand."
After her call with Kangxi, Susu thought about how Yanan had always been outspoken and had mentioned that not having children always made her feel something was missing at home.
Yanan would likely agree.
Susu called Zhan Jiayi when she got off work, but the call wasn't answered.
She sent another text message, asking Zhan Jiayi to call her back when she had time.
She knew that Zhan Jiayi was no longer the same person she was before; she had become the acting chairwoman of Xie Corporation and was likely very busy every day.
Besides, this matter wasn't urgent. They could discuss it when Zhan Jiayi had free time.
...
Huangfu Sishu investigated the Bai family's company, a subsidiary of Xie Corporation, as Zhao Jianhua had instructed.
Initially, Xie Zhendong had helped the Bai family with their finances. After clearing the Bai family's external debts, he had reshuffled the Bai family's company.
Bai Chengyi no longer held any real power in the company. Xie Zhendong had also removed the Bai family's influence and appointed his confidantes to control the Bai family's financial company.
Bai Chengyi became a nominal branch manager, yet he dared not speak out despite his anger.
At least to outsiders, the Bai family maintained its original dignity, but in secret, they longed to reclaim the Bai family's company from Xie Zhendong.
Bai Chengyi had engaged in many illicit activities under the name of Xie Corporation, but these actions were not enough to cause Xie Corporation's downfall.
Huangfu Sishu knew that Bai Chengyi's objective was the same as theirs, but his capabilities were too poor. Bai Chengyi could easily be used as another pawn in the acquisition of Xie Corporation.
He had discussed his thoughts with his elder brother, Huangfu Sisong, and after receiving Huangfu Sisong's tacit approval, he sent someone to contact Bai Chengyi.
Upon meeting Bai Chengyi in person, Huangfu Sishu was deeply disappointed. The descendant of such a once-prominent family in Lancheng had become so incompetent.
The decline of the Bai family should have begun with Bai Yicheng's father's generation. At that time, the Bai family had not chosen Bai Yicheng's father as the heir; there was someone else.
Reportedly, his father's cousin should have been the heir, but this heir to the Bai family gave up everything for a woman and left the country.
Only then did Bai Yicheng's father become the person in charge of the Bai family, and from then on, the Bai family's fortunes plummeted.
Bai Yicheng did not expect people from Huangfu Group to specifically ask to meet him. In fact, he agreed without knowing what they wanted.
He had been looking for an opportunity to turn things around, and now the opportunity had truly arrived?
Before meeting him, Huangfu Sishu had a thorough understanding of him and the Bai family, so he got straight to the point, expressing his hope that Bai Chengyi would cooperate with their acquisition of Xie Corporation.
Once successful, the Bai family's company would be returned to him, and it would not be a subsidiary of Huangfu Group.
Bai Yicheng readily agreed to everything Huangfu Sishu said, and even took the opportunity to curse Xie Zhendong's perfidy in front of him, saying he would even betray his own son-in-law.
Huangfu Sishu did not wish to hear him ramble on, but he outwardly agreed, occasionally adding fuel to the fire.
Bai Yicheng also sought to curry favor with Huangfu Sishu, saying, "If your Huangfu Group acquires Xie Corporation, our Bai family is willing to become your cooperative company. In international finance, our Bai Corporation has the longest history in Lancheng and can surely help your group achieve greater glory in the financial industry."
Huangfu Sishu gave a perfunctory reply, as he truly looked down upon the current Bai Corporation.
In reality, for the Bai family's company to become a subsidiary of Xie Corporation was already the best outcome. Bai Yicheng was overestimating himself and harbored such great resentment towards Xie Zhendong.