Chapter 52

Chapter 43: The Confrontation of the Despicable

"Is it you?" Ji Zheng was deeply impressed by the boy who had burst in without a word and taken his daughter away. The suppressed anger when he kicked the door open, and the solid back that protected Ji Su as they left, made Ji Zheng feel, in that moment, as if he had lost his daughter forever.

He understood Ji Su. From a young age, she had been obedient and sensible, intelligent and quick-witted, with a gentle and open-minded personality. As long as he communicated with her sincerely later, explaining his unavoidable difficulties, she would gradually forgive him, and even agreeing to Gu Wenyuan's request wouldn't be too difficult. Even if their relationship couldn't return to what it was before, it would still be better than being strangers.

But before he had the chance to explain, Ji Su was taken away by this young man. Seeing her cling to him as if she had found a support, Ji Zheng felt a strange sense of melancholy. Unconsciously, the man who had protected her from the wind and rain had become someone else, while he, who had always nurtured her growth, had done the most hurtful thing to her.

The world is always so full of irony!

Wen Liang walked behind the table and sat down next to Zuo Yuxi. He stared at Ji Zheng's stern, square face and smiled, saying, "Factory Director Ji, I think our intentions have been clearly explained by Sister Zuo. If you have any questions, you can ask now, and I will try to give you satisfactory answers!"

Ji Zheng was silent for a moment and then said, "Director Zuo, I don't think there's any need for us to continue this conversation. If the cooperation you speak of can involve a child of this age, my choice will not change in any way."

"Don't jump to conclusions so quickly," Wen Liang maintained his smile. "Factory Director Ji, with your extensive knowledge, don't you know how many great deeds young people have accomplished throughout history? In business, it's important to compare offers. If you're going to sell, why not sell for a better price?"

Zuo Yuxi reached out from under the table and pushed Wen Liang's thigh. Although they had known each other for a short time, this sixteen-year-old boy had always given her the impression of being calm and composed, adept at handling worldly affairs. It was rare to see him speak so rudely. Zuo Yuxi was afraid that he might lose his head over Ji Su's matter and say something impolite, which would not only be unhelpful but could also make Ji Zheng angry and ruin their plans.

Wen Liang, without changing his expression, caught her small hand and drew an "=" on her palm, not letting go. He held her hand on his thigh, waiting for Ji Zheng's response. Zuo Yuxi tried to pull her hand away several times but failed. Afraid of being noticed by Ji Zheng, she had to let Wen Liang be so bold. A blush crept up behind her ear, hidden by her black hair.

"His words are my words, Factory Director Ji. Do you think I would go to such lengths in the middle of the night just to chat with you?" Zuo Yuxi's beautiful face was cold. Who would have thought that in public, under the table, her soft, smooth hands were being rubbed by a boy on her thigh?

"You're right. Wang Mian, Gan Luo, Wang Bo, Li He, and Yan Shu all achieved great things at a young age. I spoke out of turn just now," Ji Zheng said. Being scolded by a child in such a manner, he was not angry but seemed to have developed some interest in Wen Liang because of Zuo Yuxi's firm tone. "Since it's a business deal, we need to see everyone's sincerity. I'll be frank. Mu Zechen has already negotiated a price. Not only will I be released without charges and retain my position, but after the Qinghua Factory collapses, I can transfer to the committee as a researcher. After a year or two, I can become a deputy in the planning commission or another department. The only cost I have to pay, as you know, is very reasonable. I have no reason to refuse. What can you offer to convince me?"

Hearing Ji Zheng's offer, Zuo Yuxi frowned. Mu Zechen's intervention at this time undoubtedly added many variables to Wen Liang's plan. In Qingzhou, Xu and Zhou were evenly matched, and both sides were engaged in a comprehensive struggle in various fields and levels, using the Qinghua Factory as a starting point. With Gu Shitong's influence, no matter which side he joined, it would give the other side a decisive advantage. This was a situation no one wanted to see, and Gu Shitong knew it. Therefore, before the situation became clear, he stayed in Guanshan and ordered Mu Zechen to be cautious, not to support either side but also not to offend them, using ambiguous words to get through this period. This was also the main reason why Qi Shu was left in Qingzhou to oversee the situation.

To achieve this, it wasn't that Gu Shitong's power was so great that he could remain neutral in Qingzhou without fear. The main reason was that the Minghua Group's main business was concentrated in Guanshan. Although Qingzhou was important, it was no longer trapped in the situation like those poor people. Whoever truly controlled Qingzhou would not be foolish enough to settle old scores with Gu Shitong. After all, this was a time when officials wanted to achieve political results and were least willing to offend the wealthy, who could go wherever they wanted. If they were pushed too far, there were many places in the country that wanted to attract investment. At that time, they would be counting money and taxes while cursing the officials in Qingzhou.

But now that Mu Zechen had suddenly appeared, Zuo Yuxi couldn't help but be on guard. In the political arena, there were no small matters, especially at such a sensitive time. Any slight change could lead to a series of unpredictable and serious consequences. If this was a signal that Gu Shitong had finally abandoned neutrality and joined forces with Zhou Yuanting, Zuo Yuxi would have to immediately give up the idea of revenge and leave Qingzhou to join Zuo Jing in Lingyang, waiting for the right opportunity to seek revenge.

But seeing the favorable situation that Wen Liang had created, which was about to succeed, she couldn't let it all go to waste!

A fierce look flashed in Zuo Yuxi's eyes, and she was about to offer a higher price when Wen Liang suddenly laughed and said, "Not bad, not bad. Mu Zechen indeed has good judgment, saying what I was going to say. Here's my offer: you'll be the factory director of a large factory first, and after three years, you'll become a deputy in the planning commission. How far you go from there depends on your own abilities!"

Seeing Wen Liang's serious expression, Ji Zheng felt both strange and wanted to laugh out loud. Had the times changed, or was his understanding of the world wrong? When did a half-grown child start to act like a feudal lord, pointing at the map and saying, "Here, this land is yours..." as if it were a favor?

Zuo Yuxi was also surprised. How could such an offer move Ji Zheng, who had already decided to join the Gu family? Even if she were to choose, under the same conditions, she would prioritize Gu Shitong, who seemed to have a larger and more powerful family! This was a misjudgment caused by information asymmetry. Zuo Yuxi couldn't guess Ji Zheng's bottom line or Mu Zechen's intentions. She didn't believe that all this was because Gu Wenyuan wanted Ji Su, even as a woman, she knew that for people like them, women were just a joke!

Her body stiffened, her palms sweated, and her tense fingers betrayed her. Wen Liang gently stroked her hand, signaling her to relax, assuring her that everything was under control.

Ji Zheng had already decided to end the conversation and said with a joking tone, "Oh, this offer sounds good, but since it's similar to Mu Zechen's, why should I choose you?"

Wen Liang looked at him calmly and said, word by word, "Because you're lying!"

By observing his words and actions, Wen Liang, who had lived two lives and knew many things others didn't, could tell that the person in front of him was an ambitious and determined hero, but one who lacked opportunities!

A hero lies in wait, hidden deep underground, waiting for the right moment. Once the opportunity is seized, he will rise to the heavens and wreak havoc.

Since his rebirth, Wen Liang had met all kinds of people, but few were as calm and composed as Ji Zheng, who remained unperturbed even in a desperate situation, and who could sell his daughter for his own benefit without showing any emotion. His decisiveness, his insight into the big picture, and his ability to seize fleeting opportunities were all top-notch.

Why say this? Because at the moment Ji Zheng decided to have a serious conversation with Wen Liang and make an offer, he had used a trick!

If not for his two lives, Wen Liang might have been deceived. In his previous life, after Ji Zheng was rescued by Gu Wenyuan, he not only lost his position at the Qinghua Factory but was also dismissed from his public office. It wasn't until two years later, when Fan Hengan was investigated, and the Qinghua Factory's affairs were exposed, that Ji Zheng reappeared, delivering a fatal blow to Yuan Dazhu, sending him to prison, and indirectly causing Fan Hengan's downfall and Zhou Yuanting's departure.

In other words, in his previous life, Ji Zheng only gained his freedom, and nothing else was included in the agreement. This was understandable, given Yuan Dazhu's character. Even under the pressure of the Gu family, he wouldn't let Ji Zheng return to the Qinghua Factory, where he could be a ticking time bomb.

But to be fair, in his previous life, there might not have been a scene where Ji Zheng forced his daughter to submit to Gu Wenyuan. On that day on the rooftop, as long as Gu Wenyuan promised to rescue Ji Zheng and expressed his affection, and hinted that it was all for her, Ji Su, in her state at the time, would have had no choice but to accept his conditions, whether out of being moved or out of necessity.

If not for Wen Liang, Ji Su might not have experienced tonight's heart-wrenching pain. Therefore, no matter what, he had to bring Ji Zheng to his side to prevent the tragedy between father and daughter from truly happening.

"You're lying!"

Wen Liang suddenly stood up, both hands on the table, leaning forward, and staring into Ji Zheng's eyes with absolute pressure. "Apart from rescuing you, Mu Zechen can't give you any guarantees!"

Despicable is the passport of the despicable. If he could sell out the first family, he wouldn't care about selling out several more. Once he abandoned principles, the only thing that could influence his choice was interest. In a negotiation filled with conflicting interests, the most important thing was the bottom cards of both sides. Wen Liang knew nothing about Ji Zheng's bottom card, but Ji Zheng's everything was in Wen Liang's grasp. The outcome of this confrontation was already decided!