Chapter 19: Supporting a Useless Brother? Not Happening!
Upon hearing her question, Lin Zhifeng’s mind began to race.
Zhao Jiaoyue cared deeply about Wang Tingmei. Four years ago, upon learning that she was not doing well, she definitely wouldn’t have stood by and done nothing.
Zhao Xiao’s lack of action indicated that he had concerns.
As the second-largest shareholder of Hengrui, every move he made was under the scrutiny of Qin Li and Ai Lin. Any rash action could risk exposing Wang Tingmei’s identity.
He could only use the excuse of leading development projects to pretend he was working for Qin Li and Ai Lin’s benefit, while secretly building his own power within Hengrui. That way, he had a reason to stay in the county.
If he asked around just a little, he’d know that Wang Tingmei was sincerely devoted to Xie Yaozu. If anyone tried to persuade her to leave, she’d think they were trying to hurt her.
Zhao Xiao was caught in a dilemma and could only secretly raise Wang Tingmei’s salary without making any conspicuous moves.
He had poured a great deal of energy into eliminating dissenters, and judging from his recent bold actions, it seemed to be yielding results.
“With your level-headedness, you’d definitely support a slow and steady approach. You wouldn’t risk everything just because of longing. Showing up recklessly would only put her in danger, so there must be a reason you had no choice but to come.”
Zhao Jiaoyue nodded in satisfaction. “Go on, explain it in detail.”
“If my reasoning is correct, Qin Li is probably dying,” Lin Zhifeng said with 99.9% certainty, leaving the remaining 0.1% out of humility.
A smile spread across Zhao Jiaoyue’s face, like melting snow in spring—warm and full of light. “As expected of my granddaughter. Qin Li is seriously ill and doesn’t have much time left. That information is top secret. How did you figure it out?”
“Qin Li is seriously ill. The Qin family is bound to fight over the 70% of shares he controls. Ai Lin is his legal wife—if they have children, she’s guaranteed to get 60%. But if a legitimate daughter suddenly appears, 20% of that could be taken from her.”
At most, Ai Lin could secure 40% of the shares. Meanwhile, Zhao Xiao already holds 30%. Add Wang Tingmei’s potential 20%, and Zhao Jiaoyue’s side would have a firm grasp on control.
If they could also unite with Qin Jiaming, they’d be able to completely corner Ai Lin in no time.
“You’re absolutely right,” Zhao Jiaoyue said, “but there’s one thing you didn’t foresee—Qin Li has an illegitimate son who hasn’t been dealt with. His name is Qin Jiaming. With Xiao’s help, he’s already been settled here. This boy has a sharp mind and is quite close to Xiao in private.”
Lin Zhifeng thought to herself, ‘Of course. She’s still as sharp as ever. No—she is brilliance incarnate.’
“Xiao told me about the Xie family situation. We absolutely cannot let Nini find out, or she’ll tell them. Then Xie Yaozu and his mother would never let her go. I’m her biological mother. No matter the reason, I must come persuade her to return.”
Zhao Jiaoyue turned once more toward the inpatient building, her gaze cold and tinged with disgust.
“If the Xie family dares to get in the way, I won’t go easy on them. The Wang family at least gave Nini a roof over her head—I can offer them some compensation. But the Xie family? They’re nothing.”
She turned to look at Lin Zhifeng.
“You don’t like the Xie family, do you?”
“More than that—I don’t even like your Nini,” Lin Zhifeng replied bluntly. “Honestly, even your presence here won’t help. Unless you move the entire Xie family to Guocheng, there’s no way this ends peacefully.”
She made no effort to hide her distaste—it had been obvious from the start.
Zhao Jiaoyue remained unfazed and responded lightly, “Then I’ll just kidnap her precious son. She’ll come with me willingly after that.”
Lin Zhifeng: “…”
Finally! A human being she could actually communicate with. She was so relieved, she was nearly speechless.
“Xie Guibao likes to hang out at an illegal internet café called Free Space, tucked away in Liu Family Alley. He usually goes there after dinner.”
Zhao Jiaoyue: “…”
What a refreshingly straightforward granddaughter. This trip had definitely been worth it.
“The Wang and Xie families are both terrible. How did you turn out so well?”
“Because I have a soul that refuses to give in.”
Lin Zhifeng’s words were layered with meaning. She knew Zhao Jiaoyue wouldn’t grasp her true intent.
“Good. As long as you’re not resigned to your fate.” Zhao Jiaoyue reached out and awkwardly patted her on the head in a gesture of affection. “Come upstairs with me. The Xie family and Nini are both there. Let’s see if she’s willing to leave with me.”
Lin Zhifeng waved her off, turning down the invitation. “I was planning to go up, but there’s no need now. I’ll head home to take care of Laidi. We can talk more some other time.”
A flicker of confusion flashed in Zhao Jiaoyue’s eyes, but she didn’t press the issue. She simply nodded and left. The four bodyguards standing nearby by the garden immediately followed her at a respectful distance as she walked toward the inpatient building.
“Looks like Zhao Jiaoyue and Zhao Xiao still don’t know about the daughter-s*lling plan. Otherwise, with their capabilities, they would’ve shut down the deal long ago.”
Lin Zhifeng had no intention of telling them. She preferred the thrill of handling things herself.
“Seems like she’s going to the Wang family to discuss compensation. Knowing how the Wangs are, they’ll probably play hard to get, test her sincerity, and then make outrageous demands.”
Too bad they don’t realize that someone like Zhao Jiaoyue only pays a visit once. She won’t come a second time. The Wangs could have used this opportunity to rise in the world, but now they’ll get absolutely nothing.
Lin Zhifeng walked out of the hospital and was just about to flag down a three-wheeler to go home when a low-key silver sedan stopped in front of her. The driver got out and opened the back door for her.
“Miss Lin, Director Zhao asked me to take you home.”
The moment she saw his scar-covered face, Lin Zhifeng recognized him—he was the one who had spared Wang Tingmei’s life all those years ago.
She nodded and got into the car. The scar-faced man remained silent the whole ride and dropped her off at her building. Only after she went upstairs and turned on the lights did the car slowly pull away down the street.
Xie Laidi was asleep on the couch. When the light came on, she slowly woke up.
“Sister… They didn’t start fighting, right? Why did you come back alone?”
Lin Zhifeng didn’t bother hiding anything from her and told her about running into Zhao Jiaoyue.
Xie Laidi sighed repeatedly, clearly moved by how tangled and complicated the situation was. She didn’t feel any excitement about being linked to a wealthy family—instead, she simply felt sorry for Zhao Jiaoyue.
“Let’s just get some sleep. They’ve still got a long night of talking ahead,” Lin Zhifeng said. She didn’t want to lose sleep over any of this. The more she slept, the stronger her stamina.
Xie Laidi had trouble falling asleep at first, but after hearing that, she nodded obediently and went to her room. She tossed and turned in the dark for a while before finally feeling sleepy deep into the night.
—
The next morning, Lin Zhifeng rubbed her sleepy eyes and walked into the living room, only to find Li Amei looking furious while Wang Tingmei stood nearby, trying to pacify her.
“Mom, don’t worry. I belong to Yaozu in life and in death. And besides, I still have Guibao—how could I ever leave him for that woman?”
“And what if she wants to take Guibao too? My precious grandson—she better not even think about it!”
Leaning against the wall, Lin Zhifeng couldn’t help but snort with laughter.
“You really think Xie Guibao’s some kind of golden egg, huh? Even if he were, people like her don’t need this particular one.”