So Jiang Xiaojiang really did have a weakness in Cui Yuelan's hands. That's why Jiang Xiaojiang had no choice but to frame Shen Qi. After all, compared to going to prison, a lifetime ban from competition was far more comfortable. She could give up being a designer and pursue another career. But once she went to prison, her life would be stained, and she'd likely never marry into a good family for the rest of her days. So it was no surprise that Jiang Xiaojiang chose to collude with Cui Yuelan and aid her in her evil deeds.
But who taught Cui Yuelan this trick? Now that everyone couldn't bring phones or computers and had no contact with the outside world, the only way was to come here in person... And the only people who could come here were a few CEOs and chief designers. So who was that person? Who possessed such deep cunning and scheming? Could it be He Yining?
The moment this thought crossed her mind, Shen Qi couldn't stop her mind from wandering. For some reason, the more she thought about it, the more the hidden figure resembled He Yining. When it came to being black-hearted, He Yining was top-notch. When it came to tactics, his ruthlessness and decisiveness were also top-notch. Most importantly, only He Yining had a reason to seek out Cui Yuelan... But if he wanted to deal with her like this, why go through such a roundabout way? She wasn't someone who clung to a marriage and refused to divorce. If he brought her the divorce papers, she would sign them on the spot and wouldn't ask for a single cent from him. So why was this happening?
Shen Qi felt her heart tangled up like a ball of yarn—impossible to unravel, and cutting it only made it messier.
Liu Yi noticed Shen Qi's unusual expression and reached out to press her hand. Shen Qi snapped back to reality, hearing the conversation next door continue.
"Alright, this hundred thousand is my final gift to you. Don't bother me anymore, or I'll call the police," Cui Yuelan said calmly, sealing Jiang Xiaojiang's fate with one sentence.
"Cui Yuelan, who told you this idea? Were you planning to use me from the very beginning with those small favors?" Jiang Xiaojiang finally asked the question everyone wanted to ask. Yes, who taught Cui Yuelan this plan? Was it Madam He? He Yining? Or someone else?
Cui Yuelan didn't answer directly. She just smiled and said, "A mantis trying to stop a chariot—overestimating yourself. Do you have the right to ask about my affairs? From the start, I didn't plan to use you, but you were too greedy. Those things didn't match your status at all, yet you still wanted them. So don't blame me. Alright, I've said all I need to say. You can leave now."
Jiang Xiaojiang was silent for a long time, struggling deeply inside. She had to admit that Cui Yuelan was right. Cui Yuelan had background and support. Her adoptive parents were her greatest backing. Even though He Guoxiang wasn't the direct head of the He Group, just being He Yining's father and the biological son of the old Madam He meant his position was unshakable. So Cui Yuelan's support was equally unshakable. Jiang Xiaojiang came from poverty and was just an ordinary person. Even if she knew she was being used and manipulated by Cui Yuelan, what could she do? Who told her to be greedy in the first place? If she hadn't been greedy back then, maybe things would be completely different now.
After sorting out the cause and effect, Jiang Xiaojiang finally picked up the hundred thousand and left the room. An ant trying to shake a tree—the outcome was predictable. So she chose to endure. Or rather, she had no choice but to endure.
After Jiang Xiaojiang left, Cui Yuelan quickly followed. Listening to the emptiness next door, Shen Qi finally let out a slow breath and said, "This battle has just begun. Cui Yuelan is no longer the same person she used to be."
Liu Yi nodded in agreement: "That woman is going all out to take everything from you."
Shen Qi gave a bitter smile: "There's no helping it. He Yining's status, wealth, and looks are all right there. I doubt there are many women in this world who wouldn't be tempted. I'm not clueless—if He Yining brings me the divorce papers, I'll let them be together. Why does Cui Yuelan have to be so relentless?"
With that, Shen Qi shook her head and sighed: "You're right, I'm too tired living like this. Once this competition is over, no matter the result, I need to get away and relax. When I go home with you, don't you dare reject me!"
"Nonsense, how could I?" Liu Yi laughed heartily. "Don't worry, my whole family will welcome you like a princess. Especially my mom—she loves daughters like you! You have no idea how rough I had it as a kid! Those frilly little skirts and hair clips were all limited editions my mom brought back from abroad. But it didn't matter—I only liked big T-shirts and flip-flops."
Shen Qi burst out laughing: "I really do feel sorry for you!"
As the two chatted, a conversation was also happening in the room next door.
"Did you really not do this?" someone questioned Feng Manlun.
Feng Manlun gave a bitter smile: "I'm not that idle. These past few days, He Yining has been pressuring me step by step, and I've had enough on my plate. Otherwise, I wouldn't have missed Feng Kexin getting involved in this. By the time I noticed, she was already in too deep. That's why He Yining came to me, did me a favor, and let Feng Kexin off. Otherwise, why would I willingly bow to He Yining?"
The other person nodded: "I see. So now I'm curious too—who's been coaching Cui Yuelan?"
"I'm curious as well," Feng Manlun couldn't help but sigh. "Whoever's coaching her must be deeply versed in psychology and leadership. Otherwise, a willful and arrogant young lady wouldn't have changed so drastically in such a short time. This person's black-hearted nature is no less than He Yining's!"
"Indeed," the other agreed. "I almost thought it was He Yining's doing. But all signs point to him protecting Shen Qi, so this can't be his plan. What a mystery!"
Feng Manlun nodded.
"So what price did you pay this time?" the other asked curiously.
"Three percentage points of the Feng family's stock. But one point is registered under Shen Qi's name. My little junior sister probably has no idea her net worth keeps rising, does she?" Feng Manlun chuckled lightly. "He Yining tried to outsmart me, but I wasn't unprepared. Of course, I wouldn't willingly hand over all the Feng family's stock to him. He only holds two points, so even if he joins the board, he's just there to listen."
"Feng Shao, your cunning is no less than He Yining's," the other sighed. "You two are evenly matched. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes."
"The outcome is still unknown," Feng Manlun's eyes darkened. "He Yining is smart too. Knowing I wouldn't agree, he proactively suggested using Shen Qi as a stepping stone."
"So?" the other raised an eyebrow at Feng Manlun.
"If Shen Qi divorces He Yining and marries me instead, then those stocks would come back, wouldn't they?" Feng Manlun said lightly.
The other looked at him in surprise: "I thought you were a never-marry type."
"Yeah, I am. Anything that hinders my career, I eliminate. But if marriage benefits my career, I don't mind stepping into the grave once," Feng Manlun chuckled. "Do you think there's a woman out there who can tie me down?"
The other shook his head: "Unlikely. Someone like you is too terrifying—you'd never be moved by any woman. Whoever marries you is in for a bad time."
Feng Manlun laughed softly but said nothing more.
At the He family mansion, the old Madam He watched Shen Qi's entire defense process carefully and nodded: "This girl surprises me. That steadfast spirit is indeed fitting for a matriarch. It seems growing up under Shen Gang's oppression taught her quite a bit."
Butler He stood to the side, head bowed: "So, old madam, do you think this was the lady's doing?"
"It's hard to say. That rascal Guoxiang always dotes on his wife without limits, so I can't rule out my son's involvement," the old Madam He said. Though she disliked her daughter-in-law, she was still lenient toward her son.
Butler He smiled: "The He men are all devoted—it's a family tradition. The master took after the old master. Back then, the old master's family clamored for him to take a concubine, but he stood firm against all pressure and refused, living harmoniously with you all his life."
The old Madam He laughed: "That's true. When I hadn't yet given birth to Guoxiang, the He family put immense pressure on me, even threatening to strip the old master of his inheritance. Back then, the second master had four sons in a row, and our branch nearly got cut off."
Butler He continued: "In the end, it was your good fortune, old madam. You came through and gave birth to the master. The old master secured his position as heir, didn't he?"
The old Madam He nodded: "That's the logic. So if that girl Shen Qi gives the He family a child, I can finally relax. Even if her troublesome mother-in-law nitpicks, she can't overstep the He family's rules."
"It seems you truly like this girl, old madam, always thinking of her," Butler He handed over a cup of tea.
The old Madam He accepted it with a smile: "Sensible children are liked by everyone. This girl has a bit of my style from when I was young."
"It seems the young master is serious about this girl too," Butler He added. "Look at how tense he was. It's been years since I've seen him so nervous."
The old Madam He smiled even more: "I couldn't decide on my daughter-in-law, but this time, I'm making the call on my granddaughter-in-law!"
"So that's why you contacted the Commerce Department and facilitated the exchange between the young master and Feng Shao?" Butler He asked. "I thought you said you wouldn't get involved in these matters anymore."