Chapter 553: 522: Temptation (First Update)

Leng Wanqing and Jun Minghan locked eyes.

Their thoughts were inscrutable.

A pause.

Leng Wanqing said, “We can’t completely rule out Song Zhizhi’s association, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it was completely Song Zhizhi’s doing.”

Jun Minghan nodded.

Indeed, it didn’t make sense for Song Zhizhi to betray them.

“After all, Song Zhizhi helped us kill Ji Baijian. There’s no reason for him to stand with Jun Mingyu now.” On this point, Leng Wanqing still had faith in Song Zhizhi.

Jun Minghan seemed lost for words.

He chose to remain silent in that moment.

“I heard that Jun Mingyu met with Qin Jingxiang today.” Leng Wanqing shifted the suspicion.

Jun Minghan nodded, “So, does mother think it was Jun Mingyu’s idea?”

“It’s not impossible.” Leng Wanqing bitterly scoffed, “It never crossed my mind that Jun Mingyu could be so clever to use a method like this to sabotage my plans.”

“Jun Mingyu has indeed developed well over the years.” Jun Minghan’s face darkened, “He’s been arrogant for too long now.”

Leng Wanqing grimly replied, “It’s time for his reign to end!”

Jun Minghan half-smiled with a frosty expression.

He had been looking forward to this day for a long time!

…

The Commercial Management’s Qin Wenguo stepped down.

The Commercial Management was temporarily without a leader. Its employees were panic-stricken and clueless about the company’s future. The whole organization seemed to be breaking apart!

Song Zhizhi sat in her office, completely idle.

She had no enthusiasm for work and simply waited.

Waiting for that day to come.

Her office door was pushed open.

Song Zhizhi’s eyes flickered.

Qin Jingxiang was gathering her things. She had evidently finished and now approached Song Zhizhi directly.

Song Zhizhi’s eyes subtly shifted.

Qin Jingxiang was straightforward, “Song Zhizhi, it was all your conspiracy, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know what Miss Qin is talking about.”

“The arrangement of my betrothal to Jun Mingyu.”

“Miss Qin, you overestimate me. What could I possibly do to make the young master of the official family want to marry you?”

“Stop playing innocent, you were colluding with Lady Jun, weren’t you?”

“How does that concern you, Miss Qin?”

“I came here to tell you that your plot didn’t succeed as you wished. Don’t you think my father’s resignation was a tragedy for our family. We simply don’t want to get buried in this power struggle!”

“Miss Qin, you’re so clever to withdraw unscathed. I should take a leaf out of your book.” Song Zhizhi seemed quite unaffected.

Qin Jingxiang mocked with disdain, “Song Zhizhi, you’ll ruin Ji Baijian with your suicidal behavior.”

“Isn’t that the day Miss Qin is waiting for?” Song Zhizhi retorted.

“Hmph.” Qin Jingxiang sneered, and left her with a parting shot, “Song Zhizhi, a selfish woman like you will ultimately meet a bad end.”

Qin Jingxiang left.

With a certain arrogance as if she was certain that things wouldn’t end well for Song Zhizhi.

She thought that she might really not have a good ending.

Returning to life for a second time doesn’t change anything.

The second life only made her realize how her past tragedies were caused!

…

Before the storm.

There was a long period of calm.

The Commercial Management was temporarily managed by an acting CEO. However, no one was in the mood to work, all waited for the upcoming massive reform.

All the spectators across Yanshang Country were discussing what would happen next in the Commercial Management.

Eighty percent of the people believed that the Commercial Management would be taken over by the official family.

It seemed like an inevitable public sentiment.

Song Zhizhi sat in Wei Ziming’s carriage, wordlessly watching the streets of Jin City.

Streets that were both familiar and alien.

The carriage stopped at the Bamboo Garden.

Song Zhizhi entered, accompanied by Wei Ziming.

Wei Ziming was stopped outside the main hall.

Song Zhizhi faced Leng Wanqing and Jun Minghan alone.

The atmosphere was noticeably oppressive.

Song Zhizhi sat not far from them.

Leng Wanqing looked at Song Zhizhi and said, “We just received an internal message, the Dean has left a will.”

Finally.

The war was imminent.

“We don’t yet know the content of the will, but we can almost be certain that he will leave his position to Jun Mingyu.”

Song Zhizhi nodded.

She showed no emotion, and had no idea what setting Leng Wanqing would arrange for her next.

Leng Wanqing said, “We have to act immediately.”

Song Zhizhi looked at her, “What does madam need me to do?”

“The Dean’s current whereabouts are heavily guarded, and we can’t be sure if he and Jun Mingyu are still hiding there. We can’t take any rash actions until we can confirm their exact location. We might fall into their trap.”

“So, madam wants to make sure the Dean appears.”

“The only event that can bring the Dean out at present is the wedding of your younger brother Song Zhidao and Mingxi.” Leng Wanqing said candidly.

Song Zhizhi nodded.

She had no intention of opposing Leng Wanqing’s arrangements.

Leng Wanqing said, “I’ll arrange a dinner in a couple of days and invite the Dean. You’ll attend then and discuss the wedding between your younger brother and Mingxi.”

“Yes.”

“That will be the day we make our move, prepare yourself.”

“Alright.” Song Zhizhi agreed readily.

Leng Wanqing coldly watched Song Zhizhi, saying, “You should be very clear on what we’re doing right now, Song Zhizhi. If we lose, we’ll die.”

“I trust in the ability of the madam, and I believe she won’t engage in matters she is unsure of.”

“I am simply reminding Miss Song to understand the current intricate web of interests.”

“I will heed your warning.”

“I will inform you in due time.”

“Then I will excuse myself first,” Song Zhizhi respectfully said.

Leng Wanqing nodded.

Song Zhizhi left.

Leng Wanqing watched as Song Zhizhi retreated.

Jun Minghan also watched Song Zhizhi leave before turning to his mother, “Did you tell Song Zhizhi everything?”

Isn’t there a degree of suspicion towards her too?

Even if the degree of trust is larger.

But knowing his mother, she would never make use of anyone she held the slightest doubt about.

“Of course, it’s to test whether Song Zhizhi is truly on our side.”

“What do you mean?”

“I told Song Zhizhi I will make my move against the Dean under the pretense of negotiations for Song Zhidao’s and Jun Mingxi’s marriage. If Song Zhizhi is a spy, she might carry the message back. If she carries it back, do you think the Dean would still dine with us?”

“Mother, you mean you purposefully let Song Zhizhi hear that.”

“Those who are suspected should not be trusted; those who are trusted should not be suspected. It’s obvious we need to ascertain Song Zhizhi’s true allegiance.”

“But if Song Zhizhi really isn’t one of us and she informs our father, then what can we do to capture him in a single sweep?”

“Relax, the Dean is under my surveillance. I know his whereabouts very well so I don’t need such an opportunity to deal with him. And the reason I’m putting on this act now is to confirm whether Song Zhizhi is truly mine, and also to have a harmonious dinner with the Dean. So when an accident befalls him next time, we can clear our names.”

“I understand,” Jun Minghan nodded.

Leng Wanqing said, “Now let’s see how Song Zhizhi performs.”

Jun Minghan’s eyes tightened.

If this woman, Song Zhizhi, dares to play them, he will definitely make her die a miserable death!

Song Zhizhi left the Bamboo Garden and sat in Wei Ziming’s sedan.

Her heart was actually quite nervous.

She always felt that Leng Wanqing’s motive for informing her today was a bit strange.

At such an important juncture, why was she so open in telling her? Was it about absolute trust in her or doubts about her?

Last time, Qin Wenguo’s sudden decision to turn himself in. She didn’t believe that such a clever person as Leng Wanqing wouldn’t cast suspicion on her, yet she didn’t show any hostility or mistrust towards her.

At that moment, she was certain that Leng Wanqing was testing her.

Her eyes flickered slightly.

Now, she could only choose absolute loyalty and not leak any information to the other side.

If this was only a test this time, the Dean would be in no danger.

She could only gamble once.

The next day.

The news of Song Zhidao and Jun Mingxi’s upcoming grand wedding spread throughout Yanshang Country.

This could be regarded as the only joyful event in Yanshang Country within a given period of time.

Song Zhizhi was invited to visit the official family to discuss matters regarding their wedding.

Song Zhizhi and Song Zhidao dressed up specially and sat in the sedan, heading towards the grand mansion of the official family.

The mansion was heavily guarded from within and without.

Song Zhidao and Song Zhizhi felt as if they were walking on a knife’s edge as they walked within.

Both of them were very careful and did not speak a word.

Under the guidance of a guard, both of them entered a lavish hall.

The people sitting inside the hall were probably the ones esteemed for their virtue and prestige within the entirety of Yanshang Country.

They would normally be invisible.

They were only ever present on TV as prominent figures.

Song Zhizhi quickly bowed along with Song Zhidao, “Dean, Madam.”

“No need for formalities. We’ll all be family in the future,” the Dean commenced.

It was only then that Song Zhizhi and Song Zhidao dared to raise their heads.

Upon raising her head, this was the first time Song Zhizhi had seen the Dean up close.

A man in his 60s, but he seemed even more aged compared to Leng Wanqing who was eight years his senior.

She didn’t know if it was because his health was truly deteriorating, but even his voice sounded somewhat frail.

“Have a seat,” instructed the Dean.

Only then did Song Zhizhi and Song Zhidao take their seats next to the hosts.

The Dean began, “Quite a few things have happened in our nation recently. It’s beyond our anticipation that Commercial Management has now taken this turn. Madam and I have discussed that since Commercial Management is, after all, Yanshang Country’s financial and economic institution, we simply can’t let any random individual manage it. The Ye Family, which used to manage Commercial Management, has been completely dissolved due to various reasons. Thus, we reluctantly have to take over Commercial Management. After much consideration, we decided that it’s improper if our official family directly interferes. Hence, we decided to allow Miss Song and Zhidao to truly take over Commercial Management.”

Song Zhizhi was somewhat surprised.

She hadn’t anticipated that the Dean would say these words.

Noticing Song Zhizhi’s surprise, the Dean explained, “Song Shan was a senior leader in Commercial Management. Now that he has unfortunately passed away, and you along with Zhidao, as his children, have served in Commercial Management for a long time. I have looked into it, and your capability is outstanding. Managing Commercial Management isn’t a big problem, the real issue is that you are still too young. You might not be able to control it. There might be people who are older and more experienced who would intentionally make things difficult for you. There is also the concern that outsiders might think you don’t have the right qualifications. That’s why we thought about letting Zhidao and Mingxi get married first. Our family name would then officiate your posts as heads of Commercial Management, and from then onwards, Commercial Management would be governed as one of the official family’s institutions – fully under the charge of both of you siblings.”

“Thank you for your trust in us, Dean. Zhidao and I would spare no effort to manage the Commercial Management institution for the official family,” Song Zhizhi clarified her standpoint with these words.

Her standpoint was to be completely subordinate to the official family.

“Hence, the matter of the wedding should be expedited,” the Dean plainly stated, “The wedding ceremony will be simple. We will announce to the public of a simple ceremony. The official family can’t afford unnecessary gossips.”

“All decisions lie with the Dean and Madam.”

“We’ll set the date for next Wednesday, which is just six days from now. The rest of the details will be managed by the Madam.” Upon saying this, the Dean turned to glance at Leng Wanqing who was sitting beside him. He even patted her hand, showing deep affection.

“With the Dean’s ill health, it’s my duty to take care of such matters.”

The Dean nodded with a smile, “Then it’d be a trouble.”

“Dean, focus on getting well. I will certainly arrange everything properly.”

“I’m confident in you managing the affairs,” the Dean asserted trustingly.

Had she not known the standings of these two individuals, Song Zhizhi would have truly thought they were a loving couple.

They sat for a while longer.

Then, the dinner commenced.

Song Zhizhi and Song Zhidao, rather rigidly, sat at this large round table.

The official family’s dinner, even if it were an ordinary meal, felt very oppressive. The dining table was absolutely silent. Everyone was quietly eating, there was absolute silence.

Song Zhizhi too was anxious as she ate.

At this moment, apart from Song Zhizhi and Song Zhidao, everyone else present at the dinner table belonged to the official family, including Jun Minghan, Jun Mingfeng, Jun Mingyu, and Jun Mingxi.

If Leng Wanqing were to make her move now, wouldn’t everyone be swept away at once!