Closing the door to Donglin, Li Zhonglou decided to go home first.
Since his mother was hospitalized, he had been staying at the hospital. He hadn't returned to the house he shared with Jiang Yuxin since their marriage.
After Jiang Tao was brought to justice, his mother-in-law hadn't caused any further trouble for the time being.
It was time to check on things.
Jade Garden Estate.
Building 6, Room 608.
Jiang Yuxin sat curled up on the sofa, hugging a pillow, her head buried, silent.
Liu Zhiru, her mother, said with concern, "Yatou, what happened?"
"Weren't you supposed to go for the bid today? Why are you back now?"
Seeing her mother's concern, Jiang Yuxin looked up and forced a smile. "It's nothing. Grandfather sent Second Uncle."
"Perhaps he was afraid I'm too young and might mishandle things."
These words were meant to comfort her mother, but she knew the truth very well.
Jiang Hongwei, using the excuse of prioritizing family interests, took the opportunity to seize power. His grandfather, being old and feeling guilty due to Jiang Tao's incident, had no choice but to agree.
This incident truly showed her the ruthlessness of family infighting.
The Jiang family was already in turmoil, yet they still had the energy for such schemes. Taking credit for her work was one thing, but if this deal fell through, all her previous efforts would be in vain.
"The old man is crossing the river and demolishing the bridge! He knows it was because of you that we connected with Lu Group and secured this opportunity. Now he's sending Jiang Hongwei? What if something goes wrong?" Liu Zhiru understood the intrigue immediately. She was no stranger to schemes and manipulations.
It was Jiang Hongwei's doing that her husband was sent away in the past.
And now, this.
"No, I have to go talk to the old man and get this sorted!"
"Just because Jiang Hongwei has that unfilial offspring who dug up his ancestors' graves, he shouldn't replace you."
Saying this, she prepared to get up and demand an explanation.
But Jiang Yuxin grabbed her hand. "Mom, what's the use of you going? Second Uncle has already submitted the bid to Lu Group."
"The only hope now is that he can successfully negotiate the deal."
"Let's put personal grievances aside and prioritize the family."
*Knock, knock, knock.*
Just as she finished speaking, a knock sounded at the door.
"Who is it?" Liu Zhiru asked with a dark expression.
"It's me, Hongwei. Is sister-in-law home? Open the door, I'm here to talk to my eldest niece." Jiang Hongwei's smug voice came from outside.
Hearing this, Liu Zhiru, suppressing her anger, opened the door with a grim face.
Jiang Hongwei, dressed in a suit, his hair meticulously slicked back, entered with his hands behind his back, carrying a small leather bag.
Upon seeing Jiang Yuxin, he immediately put on a sarcastic smile. "Eldest niece, I've just returned from Lu Group."
"I've fulfilled my mission. The negotiations were very pleasant."
"That's good," Jiang Yuxin forced a smile. "Since everything went smoothly, Second Uncle, is there anything else you need to discuss with me?"
"I'm here for your own good," Jiang Hongwei's smile became even more hypocritical. "You've been working tirelessly for this matter these past few days. Since the old man has handed everything over to me, you can take a rest."
"Starting tomorrow, I'll have your cousin, Jiang Shujun, take over your position at the company."
"He's a man, after all. At this crucial juncture, he can handle the pressure better than a young lady like you."
Jiang Yuxin's pretty face turned pale. "Second Uncle, are you firing me from the company?"
It sounded nice, talking about her well-being and letting her rest.
Everyone knew that Jiang Shujun and Jiang Tao were inseparable since childhood. Although not Jiang Hongwei's biological son, he was definitely loyal to Jiang Hongwei.
At this time, having Jiang Shujun take her place, what did that imply?
She would no longer need to be involved in any of the subsequent matters.
All her past contributions and hard work would be nullified.
If the Jiang family's cooperation with Lu Group succeeded in the future, she would have no part in it.
She never expected Jiang Hongwei to be so ruthless, leaving her no room to maneuver.
"Jiang Hongwei, you've gone too far!" In the next moment, Liu Zhiru's furious voice erupted. She pointed at Jiang Hongwei's nose and scolded, "How dare I call you Second Uncle, my own family. You'd do anything for the family fortune!"
"My Yuxin worked so hard on these matters. It's one thing for you to steal the credit, but you even want to drive her to a dead end."
"Are you even human?!"
Jiang Hongwei waited for her to finish her tirade, then his smile vanished, replaced by a cold sneer. "Sister-in-law, if you want to blame someone, blame your good son-in-law."
"If it weren't for him, how could my son have been sentenced to so many years?"
"Family? You speak so nicely. I'm only kicking her out of the company, not out of the family. I've already shown mercy."
"I'm here to inform you today, not to discuss it with you."
"This matter is decided."
"Go home and rest well."
After leaving Lu Group, he had been thinking about how to get revenge on Jiang Yuxin's family.
His visit was purely for the purpose of打击报复.
Seeing the angry expressions on Jiang Yuxin's and Liu Zhiru's faces filled him with immense satisfaction.
It was a pity that the useless son-in-law wasn't here. Otherwise, it would have been so satisfying.
Just as he finished speaking, a handsome and tall figure appeared at the doorway.
Li Zhonglou's voice, calm and measured, rang out, "Your unfilial son, who was not sentenced to death, was already showing mercy. How dare you come here to show off so brazenly?"
His voice was not loud, but it was filled with mockery.
Jiang Hongwei's face instantly changed, his eyes blazing as he glared at Li Zhonglou. "It's you, you little bastard! I was wondering where to find you, and you've come at the perfect time!"
Jiang Yuxin and Liu Zhiru also changed their expressions simultaneously.
At this moment, Li Zhonglou returned. What else could he do but cause trouble?
"You think the cooperation with Lu family is a done deal?" Li Zhonglou, with an unreadable expression, walked up to Jiang Hongwei and met his gaze. "If the cooperation fails, how will you explain it to Grandfather?"
"If the Jiang family goes bankrupt because of you, will you still be able to laugh?"
"If I were you, I would immediately reinstate Yuxin's position, or you will surely regret it."
Hearing this, Jiang Hongwei couldn't help but let out a scoff. "Who do you think you are?"
"How dare you speak to me like that!"
"That day at the villa, if I hadn't been present, do you really think you could have framed Jiang Tao!"
"Idiot, in the Jiang family now, besides Grandfather, my status is the highest. What right do you have to stand before me?"
"As for your wife, Jiang Yuxin, who knows if she'll be a traitor, helping a beast like you who harmed his own cousin."
"I don't want to ruin the Jiang family."
He had never taken Li Zhonglou seriously. If it weren't for his son Jiang Tao being imprisoned because of him, such a man who relied on women for a living would not even have the right to speak to him.
As for regret?
How could that be possible!
If Jiang Yuxin could do it, he, Jiang Hongwei, could only do it better.
Not satisfied with just saying this, he added, "As for you, you trash, I don't have time to deal with you now. Once the cooperation is finalized, I'll let you know that you're nothing but a dog of our Jiang family!"
"Trash, you just wait and see!"
With that, he walked out of the door with a smug look, holding his bag, his head held high.