When Song Jingren walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, his face was full of joy. He even tried to shake hands with Qiao Wangbei.

Now that things had come to this, the two of them hated each other on sight. They probably wouldn’t meet again in the future.

Qiao Wangbei shot him a look full of disdain. What a clown. He patted Qiao Aiyun’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Qiao Aiyun’s face had been cold the whole time, as though she was very dissatisfied with Qiao Wangbei’s decision. She got into her car directly. Song Jingren snickered. She was definitely upset about losing a watermelon for sesame seeds1.

But now that the entire company was under his control, his heart was completely at ease. “Little Zhang, let’s go back to the hospital.”

“President Song, we don’t have a car. I’ll call a taxi.” Secretary Zhang looked troubled.

Song Jingren’s face stiffened. He remembered that he had handed over all his other assets. Forget it. This small sum of money was nothing.

The moment the two got in the taxi, Song Jingren’s phone started ringing nonstop. They were all calls from the company’s senior executives.

These dogs received the news so quickly? Are they congratulating me?

He coughed twice and answered the call. “Hello—”

“President Song, something has happened! Two manufacturers said that our company’s products are not up to standard and refuse to accept the goods. If we can’t receive the payment on time, we won’t be able to pay this month’s salaries.”

Song Jingren frowned. “Then find out what’s wrong with the products and deliver them earlier.”

The moment he hung up, his phone vibrated again.

“President Song, the media said that our company is suspected of tax evasion. Many people are criticizing us online.

“Rubbish! Which media company is this? They’re spouting nonsense. Send them a lawyer’s letter. I want to sue them until they die. They’re f*cking creating trouble out of nothing.”

“However, many clients who ordered our products last year want to terminate their contracts with us. They don’t even want their down payments. They just want to terminate their contracts.”

“How is this possible? Give me the information of all our business partners. I’ll call and ask…”

…

A few minutes later, this employee actually forwarded more than 60 messages from the business partners.

He couldn’t even finish looking through them on his phone. There was no lack of orders that exceeded 100 million yuan. If there were problems with all of them at the same time, the company would be finished.

He found a particularly familiar client and called twice before the person answered.

“Hello, President Niu. I’m Song Jingren.” His attitude was humble. Since he was asking for help, he naturally had to lower his attitude.

“President Song, what’s the matter?”

“Exactly what is the reason? You want to terminate your contract with our company? The product is almost ready and going to be released soon. Aren’t you…”

“This is an internal decision by the company. I don’t have a choice either.” This person was beating around the bush with him, obviously unwilling to tell the truth.

“We’ve been friends for more than ten years. Why do you have to use such words to fool me? What’s going on?”

“President Song, we’re old friends. It’s not that I refuse to help you this time, but of all people to offend, why did you offend the Jing family?”

“The Jing family?” Song Jingren was stunned. “I don’t know this family at all.”

“There are a few people grouping up to attack you now. They’re from the Yan family in Nanjiang and the Jing family in the capital…” This person mentioned a few more wealthy and influential families. Besides Yan Wangchuan, he didn’t know any of them. Where the hell did they come from?

“He didn’t say it directly, but he spread the news that the business permits fair competition and doesn’t tolerate…” The man hesitated for a few seconds before saying, “Scumbags.”

Song Jingren was dizzy and speechless.

“President Song, everyone would rather give up the down payment than offend these big shots.”

“I understand.” Song Jingren was usually unable to get close to these people of higher social status, especially the Jing family…

They were completely unrelated. They could crush him with a pinky finger. Why were they insisting on opposing a small company like his?

“Isn’t your daughter on good terms with Fu Yuxiu? Why is the Fu family interfering now as well?”

“The Fu family?” Song Jingren raised an eyebrow.

“… I just heard that Third Master Fu gave the order directly. I think no one in the financial circle will dare touch you. Okay, let’s not talk anymore. I have something to do. I’m hanging up…”

“Pres—” Before Song Jingren could finish speaking, the other party had already hung up. When he called again, it was already connecting to voicemail.

“Bastard!” Song Jingren was so angry that he nearly smashed his phone.

It would be fine if it was just one company suppressing him. But with so many companies working together, no one company could handle it. The people doing business with him were all small businesses, so they naturally had nothing to do with these prestigious families. However, they had to express their stance. Otherwise, they would be reduced to the targets of attack together…

He now understood the feeling of being kicked by everyone when one was down.

“President Song, are you still going to the hospital?” Secretary Zhang’s voice was soft, as he was afraid of angering him.

“What hospital? Go back to the company.”

Secretary Zhang said apologetically to the driver, “Mister, please take us to the Song Group downtown.”

Only when the two got into the car did the driver realize that this was the scumbag of the century who had been in the limelight on TV some time ago. He initially wanted to refuse to take him, but he had already gotten in.

Now that this fellow was bossing him around in his own car, he simply stopped the car. “Excuse me. I have to change shifts now. Downtown is too far away. I can’t go. Get out.”

Song Jingren’s eyes widened. “You…”

“A total of nine and a half yuan. Are you scanning your QR code or paying by cash?” The driver completely ignored him even when he saw how angry he was.

“Do you know who I am? Are you chasing me out of the taxi?” Song Jingren had never suffered such humiliation in his life.

“Who in Yuncheng doesn’t know you now? How would a small citizen like me dare to offend you?”

“Heh—” Song Jingren sneered. He was about to argue with him when Secretary Zhang paid the money and pulled him out of the car. “President Song, why are you arguing with him? It won’t be good if word gets out.”

Song Jingren took a deep breath. That’s true. Why should I bicker with such a person?

But little did he know that after he got out of the car, the driver switched on the walkie-talkie. “Brothers, that Song Jingren is hailing a taxi at Sky Palace Road. Everyone, keep your eyes open.”

Song Jingren and Secretary Zhang stood in the cold wind for more than an hour, but there was no empty taxi…

***

On the other side…

The moment Qiao Aiyun and Qiao Wangbei got into their car, they smiled at each other.

“Big Brother, how was my performance just now?”

“Pretty good.” Qiao Wangbei passed the agreement to her.

“Keep it well. There’s a lot of real estate and assets in here. I didn’t expect that bastard to buy a few pieces of land behind my back. You can decide if you want to keep them or sell them.

“If you don’t have any plans, you can go back to Suzhou anytime. It will always be your home.”

Qiao Aiyun’s eyes reddened slightly. “Okay, I plan to sell some assets and save some money under Wanwan’s name. I’ll keep the stores, houses, and land in good districts for Wanwan’s dowry.

“I wonder when Xiyan will get married. It’s said that getting married needs many betrothal gifts now.

“As an aunt, I have to help…”

Qiao Wangbei raised his eyebrows. “Our family doesn’t lack money. How could we have insufficient betrothal gifts?”

Even she was worried. Those who didn’t know would think that he was a useless father.

“What did you prepare for him? Stones?”

“Hey—” Qiao Wangbei was unhappy when he heard this. “What’s wrong with stones? Do you know which stone implements are more valuable? Our family has so many treasures. Isn’t it enough for him to carry one over to propose?”

They were all his favorite children.

Qiao Aiyun giggled. “Those who recognize good stuff will treat them like treasures. Those who don’t… If you let Xiyan carry a rock over, he will be kicked out by his father-in-law.”

Qiao Wangbei let out a cold snort. “You two deserve this money. Keep it with you. Our Qiao family doesn’t lack this bit of money.”

Qiao Aiyun laughed. There were indeed a lot of treasures in the Qiao family. It was just that generations of people had fallen in love with jade and hid a lot of precious items. Many of them couldn’t be measured with money.

“By the way, you told me before. How are you going to deal with Song Jingren?”

“Our family has a lot of connections. It’s just that we don’t usually use them. You don’t even know how many people have come to ask me to fix stuff for them over the years…”

Qiao Aiyun laughed softly but didn’t reply.

“I’m serious. Who doesn’t know now that this matter has blown up so much? Anyone who has some friendship with Father will definitely express their stance after seeing the two of you get divorced and become completely unrelated. It’ll be easy to kill him.”

Qiao Aiyun nodded. Anyway, from now on, whether he lives or dies has nothing to do with me.

“A few days ago, Wanwan said she wanted to eat hotpot. Shall we go to the supermarket to buy something to eat,” Qiao Aiyun suggested.

“Then I’ll call Senior Brother to come along.”

Since they were divorced, Qiao Wangbei could matchmake them openly.

Qiao Aiyun coughed twice. She knew very well what her brother meant, but…

This is too deliberate.

When the two reached the supermarket, Qiao Aiyun pushed a shopping cart around to choose the ingredients. Qiao Wangbei already called Yan Wangchuan.

“Senior Brother, I’ve created an opportunity for you. Don’t come empty-handed.”

Yan Wangchuan frowned. Can’t go empty-handed?

“You know, we’re having hotpot tonight. Come over early.”

“I understand.” Yan Wangchuan frowned. Can’t go empty-handed? Then what should I bring?

Qiao Aiyun turned around and beckoned Qiao Wangbei, who was 100 meters away from her. He walked over with his phone. “What’s the matter?”

“Help me ask Senior Brother what he likes to eat.” She knew that Qiao Wangbei was definitely on the phone with Yan Wangchuan.

“Ask him yourself.” Qiao Wangbei passed her the phone directly.

Yan Wangchuan was still thinking about what he should bring when he suddenly heard Qiao Aiyun’s voice. He immediately sat up straight.

“Senior Brother, what do you like to eat?”

The assistant, who was waiting for Yan Wangchuan to assign tasks to him, was slightly surprised when he saw President Yan’s cold and stern expression, as though he was facing a formidable enemy. What’s going on?

“I’m not picky.”

Qiao Aiyun raised her eyebrows. “Then I’ll just buy anything?”

“Sure.”

“Okay. I’ll return the phone to my brother.” Qiao Aiyun passed the phone to Qiao Wangbei. He took the phone in a daze, feeling a little frustrated.

He had created an opportunity for him, but he hadn’t cherished it. It would be good to say a few more words. What’s wrong with this person?

***

The sky was gradually darkening, and the hotpot was already boiling in the mansion belonging to the Qiao family.

Qiao Aiyun put in some fish heads, red dates, and wolfberries to boil a pot of clear soup. Song Fengwan liked to eat with red soup, so she made a ready-made hotpot soup base.

While the family was enjoying themselves, Song Jingren was already running around like crazy.

After the divorce, the Song Group’s shares had plummeted and reached the daily limit down. The company’s shareholders and board members kept forcing him to think of a solution quickly. There were a few wealthy and influential families outside threatening them.

He was on the verge of breaking down from internal trouble and external issues.

Once the sky darkened…

Secretary Zhang asked him in a low voice, “President Song, everyone has gone off work. You should go back and rest too. Your health is important. You can think of ways slowly.”

His jaws dropped…

Jiang Fengya had received the news in the afternoon and had already moved her things back to the dormitory. As for him…

Besides this company, there was nowhere else to go.

It was only today that he had found out that the Qiao family was even involved with the Jing family from Beijing. He had been completely unaware of this kind of top-notch relationship network…

What a bloody joke.

***

Meanwhile, on the other side…

The hotpot was already boiling as they waited for the guests to arrive. The divorce had been successfully resolved, so Qiao Aiyun was overjoyed. She had not only called Yan Wangchuan over but also called Fu Chen and Geng Ying.

Geng Ying said that there were still some things to sort out regarding the divorce case, so she wouldn’t come over.

Fu Chen nodded in agreement.

“Mom, I’ll go out and buy some drinks.” Song Fengwan put on her down jacket, took the key, and walked out.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw that both Yan Wangchuan and Fu Chen had arrived. The two were standing a few meters away from the door, looking at each other in dismay. What are they doing?

“Uncle Yan, Third… Third Master.” Song Fengwan nearly called him Third Brother.

Upon hearing sounds, the two inside the house walked out to take a look.

Qiao Wangbei nearly fainted from anger.

Yan Wangchuan was carrying two bottles of Maotai wine…

On the other hand, Fu Chen was carrying a bouquet of flowers.

“Aunt Yun, congratulations. This is for you.” Fu Chen chose a bouquet of white camellias. It was elegant, pure, and beautifully packaged.

“Thank you. I like it a lot. I asked you to come over to eat but caused you to spend money. So sorry.” Qiao Aiyun hadn’t received flowers in a long time. She was a little overwhelmed by the gesture and was smiling from ear to ear.

“It’s what I should do.”

Yan Wangchuan tightened his grip on the gift in his hands. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the expression in Qiao Wangbei’s eyes, and his fingers tightened a few times. Is there a problem with bringing alcohol over when we’re eating hotpot?

Qiao Wangbei smacked his head with his hand, nearly vomiting blood from frustration.

Didn’t I hint enough?

Bringing alcohol over… You’re really here to eat hotpot, huh?

1 This means to let go of a big prize while concentrating too much on trivial matters.