"Miss Zhan... Miss Zhan." I was used to calling her Secretary Zhan, but remembering how much she disliked that title the last time we met, I changed my address.
Zhan Jiayi unceremoniously snatched the briefcase from my hand and opened it. It contained only a sketch and a few blank papers; nothing suspicious. She asked again, "What are you doing here?"
Su Su calmed herself and, thinking quickly, said, "Nothing. I saw the new cultural wall here on the news. The designs sparked my imagination, so I came to experience it firsthand. Why are you here? What are you doing now?"
Zhan Jiayi curled her lips and sneered, "What I do is none of your concern. I have no relation to your Shu family or Shu Corporation anymore."
The last time I saw her was in a crowded mall, and some things were inconvenient to ask. Now that no one was around, I couldn't help but ask, "You were pregnant with my father's child before. What about the child? Didn't you keep it with you?"
Hearing this, Zhan Jiayi's expression grew colder, and she said hatefully, "Don't mention children to me. There was never any child."
"No child? How can that be, but..."
"Miss, what are you pretending to be foolish for? Don't you know how heartless and powerful Shu Zhongze is?" Zhan Jiayi laughed. "Wasn't it you who instigated him on how to deal with me? You won, and I lost completely. Why flaunt it in front of me?"
Su Su knew that some misunderstandings couldn't be explained clearly. Judging by Zhan Jiayi's demeanor, she likely hadn't kept the child, and her ambition for her own child to inherit Shu Corporation had fallen through. She was blaming me for it all.
I said calmly, "You are actually very capable. You didn't have to be like this. You chose the wrong path by seeking shortcuts, and that's why you have nothing."
Zhan Jiayi, however, smiled and said, "You won in the succession of Shu Corporation, but that doesn't mean you'll win forever. One day, you too will taste the bitterness of losing everything."
Su Su said calmly, "Then we shall see. As for you, you're still treading the old path. Don't you understand that relying solely on men means they will eventually lose their novelty. Women should live with dignity."
"Gu Susu!" Zhan Jiayi was so angry she raised her hand to hit me.
Su Su directly grabbed her wrist and said, "If we really fight, you can't beat me. I'm a member of the boxing club now. Want to try?"
Zhan Jiayi angrily shook her off, her entire body fuming. She couldn't win the argument, nor could she win the fight.
Their confrontation attracted the attention of nearby workers. Su Su noticed someone walking towards them.
I knew why I was here and didn't want to waste any more time with Zhan Jiayi. I said, "I've seen the design of the cultural wall clearly. I have to rush back to the studio. Goodbye."
With that, I calmly brushed past Zhan Jiayi and strode towards the exit.
Zhan Jiayi watched Su Su's retreating figure, her fists clenched tightly. A foreman walked up to her and asked, "Assistant Zhan, did CEO Xie have anything to convey by your visit?"
"Your access control here is too lax. How did you let such idle people in?" Zhan Jiayi said angrily. "Do you know what that woman who just left does?"
The foreman shook his head inexplicably, "I'm sorry, Assistant Zhan. I'm not quite sure. I'll go ask the security at the entrance later. We usually manage entry and exit very strictly here. Many enthusiastic citizens who wanted to visit were turned away."
"You need to be more stringent in the future." Zhan Jiayi then stated the purpose of her visit and asked, "Where is Director Zhao? Is he in his office at the construction site?"
The foreman replied, "He's not here now. Director Zhao came by this morning and has already left."
Zhan Jiayi thought, no wonder the management here is so lax. Zhao Jianhua isn't supervising here properly. Isn't he afraid of his shoddy work being discovered?
"Then please tell Director Zhao that CEO Xie will be coming to the site with the quality supervisor in a couple of days, so he should be prepared."
"Okay, okay."
After giving her instructions, Zhan Jiayi also left. She knew that Zhao Jianhua had definitely cut corners on this project.
This was because Zhao Jianhua had transferred a sum of money to her a couple of days ago, asking her to cover for him with Xie Zhendong.
He was clearly trying to save money on this non-profit project and didn't see the need to invest the full budget.
Zhan Jiayi knew his actions were problematic, but she was under his control and couldn't fall out with him. She had no choice but to follow his lead and cover this matter up for now.
...
Su Su returned to the car, her heart still beating a little fast. She thought Zhan Jiayi probably hadn't seen through her real intention.
"Why did you take so long inside?" Tianyi was worried something had happened to her. If she hadn't come out soon, he would have forced his way in.
Su Su didn't explain to him and said, "Drive, let's get away from here first."
Tianyi immediately started the car. Only after they had driven far away from the area did Su Su speak, "I'm sure the paint on the cultural wall is of poor quality, and a lot of sand was mixed into the cement used to build the wall. I'm afraid the wall might even collapse when the flood season arrives."
"That's great, that's really great!" Tianyi exclaimed excitedly. "I never expected someone as shrewd as Xie Zhendong to make such a foolish mistake."
"I ran into Zhan Jiayi inside, which delayed me. She was only focused on arguing with me and probably hasn't realized that we've discovered the problem with the project's quality," Su Su said with relief.
Tianyi suddenly turned his head, stretched his neck, and kissed her. "My dear wife, you're amazing. You've helped me out so much!"
"Hey, what are you doing? Drive properly, are you trying to risk our lives?" Su Su laughed and pushed him. She saw that he was driving towards Aoxiang Group.
Tianyi looked at the road ahead, feeling as if a new path had opened up.
Su Su laughed at him, "Who was it last night who said work is never-ending and asked me to take leave to rest with you? And look at you now?"
"It was me, and I deserve it. I'm slapping my own face," Tianyi laughed. "I'll make it up to you tonight. I need to rush back to the group and call a meeting about this significant discovery."
"I don't need you to make it up to me. You focus on your work," Su Su said pragmatically. "When we get to Aoxiang, I'll drive back myself. I'll have Xiao Lin pick you up tonight. I can't waste the rest of today either. I'll go back and start decorating for Christmas."
Tianyi said with great joy, "Everything in our home is up to you. I really want to kiss you again."
Su Su playfully chided, "Drive properly." Knowing she could help him, she was very happy. She thought that if he won this bid, he wouldn't have to come home looking worried every day.
She returned home alone and placed all the gifts she had bought in her room, planning to bring them out on Christmas Eve to surprise everyone.
Looking at these gifts, she thought she still had to secretly prepare a special gift for Tianyi. Everyone should have a surprise, and he should too.