Chapter 39 The Mischief Trio Reunites Successfully

Shen Xiaonan didn’t stay for long before she left; her purpose in coming had only been to check on Jiang Zao and Zhou Lichuan. As long as both of them were safe, that was enough.

When she returned, she found Zhou Huai with his typically indifferent expression, though he couldn’t help probing for news. Shen Xiaonan pretended not to notice, keeping her own face expressionless as she went about her business. Zhou Huai was anxious about the situation at the Tingshan Villa, and his wife’s refusal to report back after her return seemed deliberately calculated to make him uneasy.

Although the affection between Zhou Huai and Shen Xiaonan as a couple was tepid, their concern for their son was second to none. Their peaceful coexistence so far was due to both being civil people who stuck to their boundaries, and the only remaining bond between them was their son.

Zhou Lichuan had long since given up trying to mediate between his parents, nor did he wish to be involved. Instead, he passed the time at home with Jiang Zao, relaxing and waiting for Du Bin to bring back news.

Du Bin hadn’t come to help with the move, which even prompted Zhou Jiayan to make a fuss—why was it that the bodyguard now assigned to her was nowhere to be found when she needed him most?

Zhou Lichuan, invoking his authority as the boss, shut her up, while Jiang Zao merely covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, staying out of the matter.

Not long after dinner, Du Bin, who had been on everyone’s mind all day, finally appeared at Tingshan Villa.

Trailing behind him was a refined, middle-aged man in a suit.

Hearing the sound of the door, Jiang Zao set aside her brushes and paint in the third-floor studio and went to greet them. She looked up and saw a slightly familiar face.

“Manager Gao, it’s been a while. The last time we met was before Jiang Jingyuan’s case.”

This was Gao Chenggong’s first visit to Tingshan Villa to report to Zhou Lichuan. Seeing Jiang Zao, he was particularly courteous.

“Miss Jiang, it’s been a long time. How’s your health lately? You look much better than last time.”

Jiang Zao replied with a smile, “Thanks to your good wishes, life has been pleasant, and naturally, I look better. Zhou Lichuan is waiting for you in the study—shall I take you up?”

Gao Chenggong quickly replied, “Thank you. Thank you. Sorry for the trouble, Miss Jiang.”

She led Gao Chenggong and Du Bin up to the third floor. As soon as they opened the study door, Zhou Jiayan’s pleasant voice floated out from inside.

“But she’s not the type to fly away. I’ve bought you, including your troubles and complaints…”

To quiet his mind, Zhou Lichuan had asked Zhou Jiayan to read him anything at random, and she’d picked up “The Foxes Come Out at Night,” which, like the “Anne of Green Gables” Jiang Zao had accidentally grabbed before, was oddly fitting.

Zhou Lichuan, far from finding it odd, listened with rapt attention.

When Jiang Zao entered with her guests, Zhou Jiayan stopped reading and set the book aside.

“Du Bin, why are you only getting here now? We’ve been waiting all day and you didn’t even call.”

Caught off guard by her accusation, Du Bin fumbled, “I… was out on business, sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Zhou Jiayan replied, “Yeah, yeah, my brother’s your real boss, so of course you run around for him. Fine, my job here is done—I’m off to play video games. Have fun, you all. Hmph!”

After the haughty heiress left, Du Bin and Gao Chenggong each found a seat across from Zhou Lichuan.

Sensing the moment, Jiang Zao quietly left the study to find Aunt Hui and get some tea and snacks for the group.

“Miss Jiang, won’t you stay and listen?” Gao Chenggong called out as Jiang Zao exited and closed the door.

Zhou Lichuan, chin in hand, answered, “I don’t want her too involved, lest she finds it hard to extricate herself later. It’s enough that she knows the plan and its purpose; the twists and schemes involved are better left unknown.”

Gao Chenggong nodded in understanding. “The last time I saw Miss Jiang was when she brought the forged seal to Jiang Jingyuan. If she hadn’t been bold and meticulous enough to seek me out at home, matters would not have been resolved so smoothly.”

Zhou Lichuan understood Gao Chenggong’s meaning—Jiang Zao had been deeply involved in both company and personal matters before; her abilities and talents were remarkable. It would be a pity if they could not be put to good use.

“She has her own passions. Why should I demand she live only for me?”

A flash of surprise crossed Gao Chenggong’s eyes; he smiled and nodded in agreement.

With the topic of Jiang Zao concluded, the three men turned to their documents and began a detailed discussion.

Gao Chenggong was one of Zhou Lichuan’s most trusted confidants in the group; their intergenerational friendship was built on character and loyalty, not on mutual interests. Gao Chenggong appreciated Zhou Lichuan’s style, and Zhou Lichuan valued Gao Chenggong’s talent; together, they complemented each other, their joint projects a testament to their achievements.

Their plan was broad in scope. With Zhou Lichuan’s upcoming surgery and Zhou Kuan’s confirmed appearance on a talk show, some steps needed adjustment.

Du Bin glanced at his tablet. “The annual amount available for charity investments is pretty much fixed. More than half has been used up this year; if we use last year as a reference, there’s less than ten million left to play with.”

Zhou Lichuan frowned in thought for a moment. “That’s enough to bait Zhou Kuan. He doesn’t have much liquid asset—most of his money is tied up in stocks and not easily moved. Can’t the company accountants ‘leak’ him another amount? Add it up, and it’s over twenty million. Enough to trip him up.”

Du Bin raised his eyebrows slightly. In truth, Zhou Kuan had more than that, but Zhou Lichuan hadn’t calculated in the rest—likely for Zhou Jiayan’s sake. As Zhou Kuan’s only child, if all the assets turned into liabilities, it wouldn’t bode well for her future.

Gao Chenggong was unaware of these intricacies; his mind was focused on how to push this project into the group’s official agenda as cleanly as possible.

Jiang Zao returned with the tea, Aunt Hui following with the snacks. The atmosphere in the study softened a bit thanks to this small interlude.

Seeing the three men, each with the look of someone embroiled in lawsuits, Jiang Zao couldn’t help but find it amusing.

“Gentlemen, no matter how difficult things may be, as long as you don’t get stuck in a rut, I’m sure you’ll come up with a solution. Don’t force yourselves too hard—it’s easy to get overheated in winter. Drink some tea and cool down.”

Zhou Lichuan didn’t hold back, taking Jiang Zao’s hand as he asked, “We’ve got most of our arrangements set; the only thing left is how to attract Zhou Kuan’s attention to this project. The first step is always the hardest—any thoughts?”

After Aunt Hui set things down and left, Jiang Zao leaned against Zhou Lichuan’s chair, pondering the question.

“Right now, Zhou Kuan wants nothing more than to bring you down, to prove your incompetence and flawed strategy by any means. So why not give him what he wants—be ‘incompetent’ just this once? Flies will seek out the stink themselves; let him come to you, and save yourselves the trouble.”

Suddenly, everything became clear.

The three men at the table all breathed a sigh of relief.

The admiration in Gao Chenggong’s eyes made Jiang Zao a bit shy.

“Manager Gao, please don’t look at me like that. I haven’t done anything special.”

Gao Chenggong quickly stood up and offered, “If Miss Jiang has any questions about engineering or projects, you’re welcome to ask me anytime.”

Jiang Zao froze for a moment, then smiled. “If I ever need to, I certainly will.”