Chapter 108: The Villain Outshines the Villain

“Are you threatening me with Zhou Jiayan? Do you think that will work?”

Lin Rui laughed as if he had heard something amusing. “Of course it works. Don’t think I’m unaware—you actually care deeply about your only daughter. Otherwise, in such a hostile family environment, how could she have developed that arrogant and domineering personality?”

Zhou Kuan pressed his lips tightly together.

No matter how much he disliked Zhou Jiayan’s mother, Zhou Jiayan was his only daughter. Zhou Lihui had always doted on his younger sister. Having watched his daughter grow from a chubby child into the person she was now, how could he have no feelings for her? Yet, to say he would give up targeting Zhou Lichuan for her sake was impossible.

So, for the time being, he had to keep things on hold. Unexpectedly, Lin Rui saw through this.

Lin Rui said, “Jiang Zao has been difficult to deal with, and I haven’t had the chance to do anything to her yet. But Zhou Jiayan is different—I have plenty of leverage against her biological father. If I hold these cards and tell Zhou Jiayan to go to a specific place to get something, do you think she’ll obey?”

Zhou Kuan did not answer but glared at him fiercely.

Unmoved, Lin Rui pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and placed it in front of Zhou Kuan.

“Deputy General Manager Zhou, hold off on calling the police for a moment. Take a look at this first, then decide if you want to report it.”

Realizing his little scheme had been exposed, Zhou Kuan showed no outward reaction but couldn’t help glancing at the folded sheet of A4 paper.

After hesitating briefly, he finally withdrew his hand from his pocket and unfolded the note.

The moment he saw it, a cold sweat drenched his back.

It contained direct evidence proving his past misdeeds.

The bank account used to transfer money to Jiang Jingyuan after Zhou Lichuan’s injury, screenshots of emails from when he forged seals, detailed plans for poisoning the production line at Yahua Food Processing Factory, and various proofs of bribing the media and spreading rumors online...

With that evidence, there was no way he could escape.

“How dare you threaten me!”

Lin Rui was unfazed by the intimidation and leisurely replied, “Threaten you? I’m just trying to carve out some space for myself. Deputy General Manager Zhou, you’ve been in your position for years—you know well that people’s hearts are inscrutable. Do you still think my demands are excessive?”

Zhou Kuan sat silent for a long while.

He had tried every possible approach but, perhaps cursed by fate, could not conceive a perfect solution despite his intelligence and cunning.

Noticing his hesitation, Lin Rui pressed on.

“I’ve been orchestrating the troublemakers at Jingzhou Affiliated Hospital for over half a year. Almost simultaneously with Jiang Zao’s appearance at Tingshan Villa, I contacted the very culprit responsible for the tragedy that shattered my family. Before the New Year, I sought to link that family with people here in Jingzhou. Whether it’s Meng Qiaoyuan, Jiang Zao, or even Zhou Jiayan, I don’t care. Deputy General Manager Zhou, I have another hidden card—when and how it will explode depends on timing and how I play it.”

Zhou Kuan’s expression softened.

After all his efforts, he realized he was truly powerless. The only option was to go along with Lin Rui’s proposal and find him a place to hide.

Looking away, Zhou Kuan said, “There’s a simply furnished one-bedroom apartment in the old district beside Jingxi Paper Mill. Surveillance is minimal, and management is lax. Except for a few elderly residents unwilling to move, the rest are mostly working tenants. If you keep a low profile, no one will notice you. That’s the only place I can offer for you to stay hidden.”

Lin Rui recalled the conditions there and weighed the pros and cons. Though somewhat remote and outdated, it was the best option available.

“Deal. I’ll abide by the rules and won’t touch your precious daughter.”

...

“I’m so mad! I’m furious! How could I have such a father!”

Zhou Jiayan came home, kicked off her shoes, and flung herself onto the sofa, grabbing a pillow to vent her frustration wildly.

Jiang Zao, curled up in the rocking chair by the floor-to-ceiling window, looked at the raging Zhou Jiayan in confusion.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

Burying her head in the pillow without looking up, Zhou Jiayan’s voice was muffled and laden with disappointment and sadness.

“My dad wants me to break up with Du Bin and marry for alliance instead.”

Jiang Zao was taken aback. “Who? Li Mingyi?”

Zhou Jiayan lifted her head and looked at Jiang Zao. “No... Li Baixiu.”

“...”

Jiang Zao sighed helplessly and gave a thumbs-up. “Deputy General Manager Zhou is really something. Incredible.”

Zhou Jiayan rolled on the floor in anger. “Is he crazy? Or just nuts? Li Mingyi has already stepped back to focus on running his bar. Knowing Li Baixiu is the next heir, he’d rather sacrifice my current life than have me marry Li Baixiu?”

Jiang Zao looked up at the ceiling. “You’re not meant to be with Li Baixiu. Just focus on your own relationship and don’t overthink it.”

Zhou Jiayan dropped the pillow on the sofa and sprawled out. “My dad already talked to Li Baixiu’s father. He said Li Mingyi’s previous proposal failed because of my uncle’s interference. He thinks Li Mingyi is too old for me and wants to see if Li Baixiu is willing.”

Jiang Zao sat in the rocking chair and comforted her. “Li Baixiu won’t agree, don’t worry. Romance isn’t even on his radar.”

Zhou Jiayan shivered thinking of Li Baixiu’s gloomy, ruthless, scheming nature. Anyone with him would have a miserable life.

“Hey, why haven’t you gone to the hospital to see Qiaoyuan? I’ve been busy with data these past few days and haven’t heard how things are over there.”

Jiang Zao put down her tablet. “I went this morning, but she sent me away. Said the hospital’s too crowded and unsafe, asked me to stay home. The Meng family’s older siblings are there, and the parents visit daily. I’ll wait until she’s a bit better, at least well enough to chat, before going back.”

Zhou Jiayan nodded. “I’ll find time to visit her tomorrow. If nothing happens, I’ll come back.”

That evening, Du Bin and Zhou Lichuan returned. After hearing about Zhou Kuan, they exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them.

Jiang Zao noticed but pretended not to. Since returning, all her attention had been on managing the chaos at Jingzhou Affiliated Hospital. She had no interest in the recent direction of the Zhou family’s company.

Let Zhou Lichuan worry about the family business; she didn’t care.

After dinner, Du Bin draped his arm around Zhou Jiayan’s shoulders by the window. They chatted about everything from her graduation thesis to a small eatery on a certain street, hopping from topic to topic in lively conversation.

Jiang Zao stood up, holding her stomach, and nudged Zhou Lichuan’s pant leg. “Come here, I need to talk to you.”

Zhou Lichuan closed his laptop on his lap and followed Jiang Zao into her room.