Chapter 32

The ginger and fish head casserole was tender and smooth, with no residue…

Bai Yuanzhi nodded, “Yes, Mr. Chen!”

As she spoke, she smiled at Mrs. Xu, “Last time, Mrs. Xu mentioned she would introduce a few orders to me!”

Mrs. Xu smiled and nodded.

Chen Shen asked Mrs. Zhou, “Then, regarding the order we just discussed, shall we let the young ones give it a try?”

Mrs. Zhou had no objections, “Mr. Chen’s suggestion is excellent!”

Bai Yuanzhi suppressed the immense joy in her heart, pursing her lips to allow only the slightest hint of a smile to show.

Chen Shen glanced at Mrs. Xu.

Understanding his meaning, Mrs. Xu turned to Bai Yuanzhi and said, “Ah Zhi, you’re so capable at such a young age… It makes us parents envious. After all, the children we’ve raised… are more or less a bit disappointing.”

Bai Yuanzhi thought to herself: Here it comes!

But she showed no sign of it on her face, tilting her head and listening quietly.

Mrs. Xu said with a smile, “So, I have a favor to ask…”

But Bai Yuanzhi pointed at Chen Shuojie, who had just been wheeled in by a caregiver, and said, “But Mrs. Xu, Chen Shuojie is a cripple!”

Mrs. Xu was taken aback, feeling delighted inwardly, thinking how clever this young girl was!

Chen Shen was also stunned, sizing up Bai Yuanzhi and thinking how quick-witted this girl was!

Just as Chen Shuojie entered, he heard Bai Yuanzhi calling him a cripple…

Enraged, he yelled, “Bai Yuanzhi, I’m going to kill you!”

As soon as he finished speaking,

Chen Shuojie received a disapproving look from Mrs. Xu and a warning glare from his father, instantly deflating.

Only then did Mrs. Xu say to Bai Yuanzhi, “Ah Zhi, do you… know what I wanted to say?”

Bai Yuanzhi replied, “Such a large order! No matter how clever I am, I’m only an eighteen-year-old gold digger who just arrived in Hong Kong City three months ago. Even if Mrs. Xu trusts me, I don’t trust myself! So, if Mrs. Xu arranges someone to work with me, that would be best.”

As she spoke, Bai Yuanzhi glanced at Chen Shuojie and said to Mrs. Xu, “If someone must work with me, I hope it won’t be Chen Shuojie.”

“After all, Chen Shuojie struggles to write a three-hundred-character apology letter in Chinese and three hundred English words…”

“If he works with me, he’ll only hold me back,” Bai Yuanzhi said word by word.

Chen Shuojie was so angry he felt smoke coming out of his ears, “What nonsense are you talking? I graduated from Columbia University, after all!”

“I don’t believe it.”

“I, I really graduated from Columbia University!”

“I mean, I don’t believe someone who graduated from Columbia University could write an English apology letter!”

“You—”

“Fine! I’ll write it!” Chen Shuojie said through gritted teeth.

Bai Yuanzhi smiled, “It’s settled! Since you’ve said it in front of so many people, I’ll be waiting for your apology letter!”

Chen Shuojie: …

He suddenly realized that he seemed to have been tricked by Bai Yuanzhi.

He was both angry and aggrieved, glaring at Bai Yuanzhi with resentment.

Without even looking at Chen Shuojie, Bai Yuanzhi said to Mrs. Xu, “Mrs. Xu, Chen Shuojie will definitely hold me back, so I also need to take a 2.5% commission from the Chen Group.”

Mrs. Xu pursed her lips and smiled, “You’ll have to discuss that with Mr. Chen yourself.”

Bai Yuanzhi said, “No, I’m scared. After all, it wasn’t Mr. Chen who suggested having Chen Shuojie work with me!”

Chen Shen laughed heartily and said to Mrs. Xu, “Sister-in-law, your judgment is truly excellent!”

Then he turned to Bai Yuanzhi and said, “Miss Bai, I’ll lay it out clearly here—the order for the collaboration between our Chen Group and Zhou Group will be entirely entrusted to you to handle. Whatever price Zhou Group offers you, I won’t interfere. However, whatever price Zhou Group gives you, I will add an extra three percentage points on top of that…”

“But there is a condition.”

“This condition is—Chen Shuojie must be involved in the operations!”

Bai Yuanzhi nodded, “Mr. Chen, with you saying that, I have a clear understanding. How about this: later, after I discuss the details of the order with Mr. Zhou and Mrs. Zhou, I’ll draft a proposal for you to review. It will clearly outline the projects and scope of work that Chen Shuojie will be responsible for. I’ll only accept the order if you, Mr. Chen, approve of it… How does that sound?”

Chen Shen clapped his hands, “Excellent! Miss Bai is a straightforward person!”

He couldn’t help himself and said to Mrs. Xu again, “Sister-in-law, your judgment is truly good!”

Mrs. Xu merely smiled without speaking.

And so, Bai Yuanzhi reached a preliminary agreement to collaborate with these influential figures.

Her heart was pounding wildly the entire time.

Because—

Earlier, when Mrs. Zhou was negotiating with Chen Shen, Bai Yuanzhi had already started calculating in her mind.

She estimated that if the Zhou and Chen families entrusted her with the order… then, just from this one order alone, she could earn at least around a hundred thousand!

If Chen Shen added another 2.5%, she could earn an additional thirty to forty thousand!

How could she not be overjoyed?

As for that useless Chen Shuojie,

it wasn’t a big problem.

—He’s practically a cripple now! What trouble could he possibly stir up?

By the time he recovers from his injuries to his body and limbs,

her order would already be completed!

Besides, Bai Yuanzhi wasn’t unaware of Chen Shen and Mrs. Xu’s intentions.

—That day in the women’s restroom at the venue, probably quite a few people saw that Chen Shuojie was a congenital eunuch.

So, the secret the Chen Family desperately wants to hide… likely can’t be kept under wraps anymore.

If, at this time, some scandal involving Chen Shuojie and Bai Yuanzhi were to be stirred up, wouldn’t that dispel the “rumor” that “Chen Shuojie is incapable”!

Having ulterior motives actually made Bai Yuanzhi feel more at ease!

Soon, the influential figures each left their contact information with Bai Yuanzhi and introduced their assistants to her;

Bai Yuanzhi, in turn, arranged meeting times with the assistants to discuss details further, solidifying the preliminary collaboration intentions.

After handling all this,

Mrs. Zhou awkwardly asked Chen Shen, “Mr. Chen, would you like… everyone to have a meal together?”

Chen Shen glanced at Zhou Weihao, his expression not particularly pleasant, “Since the young master is about to go abroad on business, I won’t delay him. I wish him smooth sailing and success in all his endeavors!”

Everyone except Chen Shuojie could tell that this was Chen Shen’s veiled warning to the Zhou family.

“Dad, I was implicated by him and injured like this, and you’re still wishing him well!” Chen Shuojie was furious.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhou were already advanced in age and couldn’t bear such overt and covert sarcasm.

With grim expressions, the elderly couple bid farewell to everyone present and hastily escorted Zhou Weihao away.

Only then did Chen Shen smile and say to Bai Yuanzhi, “Meeting Miss Bai for the first time, I feel a strong connection. If Miss Bai has some free time, I wonder if you would honor us by joining us for a simple home-cooked meal?”

Chen Shuojie was still fuming, howling, “Dad, you know perfectly well that Bai Yuanzhi is no good! And you still want to treat her to a meal? Tell her to go eat shit!”

Chen Shen shot his son a glare.

Mrs. Xu couldn’t help but raise her hand, curling two fingers to give Chen Shuojie a few light but firm taps on the forehead. “Shuojie, you can’t be so rude to a young lady!”

Bai Yuanzhi responded to Chen Shen’s invitation with grace. “Sure, Mr. Chen! I actually don’t have anything to do right now, so I’ll be imposing on you and Mrs. Xu then!”

Then she flashed a radiant smile at Chen Shuojie. “Goodbye! We’re off to enjoy a delicious meal, while you get to stay alone in the hospital room eating bland, salt-free nutritional food. Bye-bye!”

Chen Shuojie was so angry that steam practically shot from his nostrils.

Bai Yuanzhi ignored him and walked over to stand behind Mrs. Xu.

Mrs. Xu and Chen Shen exchanged a glance, then walked out of the hospital room with smiles on their faces.

Bai Yuanzhi put on a triumphant look and shot a defiant glare back at Chen Shuojie.

Chen Shuojie, utterly infuriated, yelled, “Dad, I’m your son! Aunt! Aunt…”

Chen Shen ignored his son and instead asked Bai Yuanzhi, “Miss Bai, do you have a favorite restaurant in mind?”

“How about Jiahong Seafood Restaurant?” Bai Yuanzhi asked.

Chen Shen was somewhat surprised.

Jiahong Seafood Restaurant was considered a very high-end establishment in Hong Kong City.

He was curious—had this young lady heard about the place and really wanted to go, or had she been there before?

“Of course,” Chen Shen replied, then asked, “Have you been there before, Miss Bai?”

Bai Yuanzhi answered truthfully, “I went once with Brother Hao. The steamed grouper there was so delicious!”

Chen Shen asked again, “Brother Hao… is that Zhou Weihao?”

Bai Yuanzhi nodded.

Chen Shen thought for a moment, then inquired, “Miss Bai, are you and Weihao… dating?”

Bai Yuanzhi lowered her voice and explained the arrangement between her and Zhou Weihao.

Chen Shen was speechless. “You two are just bored with nothing better to do!”

Bai Yuanzhi put on an innocent, naive act. “But Brother Hao offered so much money!”

Chen Shen gave a cold laugh.

Upon arriving at Haihong Restaurant, Bai Yuanzhi got her wish and enjoyed another delicious seafood feast.

Chen Shen ordered an eight-pound grouper and had the restaurant prepare it nine different ways.

The dishes included: Ginger and Scallion Clay Pot Fish Head, Steamed Fish Belly, Fish Intestine Omelette, Lychee Fish Balls (sweet and sour flavor), Shunde-Style Pan-Fried Fish Cakes, Salt and Pepper Crispy Fried Fish Bones, Double Steamed Platter (salted fish paired with sand ginger steamed grouper), Fish Maw and Fish Ball Soup, and Sliced Fish Congee.

Bai Yuanzhi was truly amazed!

She ate with a beaming smile.

Her favorite was undoubtedly the Ginger and Scallion Clay Pot Fish Head.

The grouper’s head was enormous, with an abundance of meat.

The cooking method seemed simple—it appeared to be seasoned only with minced ginger and salt.

A layer of cold oil was poured into a clay pot, followed by a layer of garlic cloves. The pot was then placed on the stove to heat up. Next, the fish head, marinated with minced ginger and salt, was added to the pot, and the lid was closed.

When the clay pot fish head was brought from the kitchen to the dining table, it took the server about three minutes to walk over.

During that time, the fish head was perfectly cooked through the residual heat.

In the mouth, the fish meat was tender, smooth, and practically melted away.

Although only the simplest seasonings of minced ginger and salt were used, they perfectly complemented the freshness of the fish…

It was absolutely, incredibly delicious!

During the meal,

the two influential figures asked Bai Yuanzhi quite a few personal questions.

For example: What was her hometown like? How were her parents and siblings? What was her current level of education? Had she ever had a boyfriend? And so on.

Bai Yuanzhi then recounted the fabricated background story she had prepared earlier.

—She was an orphan, with both parents deceased and no siblings.

She had come to Hong Kong City to seek refuge with her aunt, Zhou Xiangmei.

She had completed junior high school in the mainland and was currently attending night school in Hong Kong City, with the goal of gaining admission to Hong Kong University within two and a half years.

Due to extreme poverty, she had never been in a relationship.

And so on.

As Bai Yuanzhi spoke, she carefully observed the expressions of Chen Shen and Mrs. Xu.

Although the two influential figures said nothing,

Bai Yuanzhi could tell that they were… relatively satisfied with her.

After the meal, Mrs. Xu bid farewell to Chen Shen and drove Bai Yuanzhi to night school.

By the time Bai Yuanzhi finished her classes, the city was already aglow with evening lights.

She suddenly remembered that she had made plans with Li Yongzhen to take her back to Xingfu Building for temporary accommodation.

So, Bai Yuanzhi hurried back.

At the entrance of Xingfu Building,

Bai Yuanzhi unexpectedly saw—Zhou Weihao.

Zhou Weihao was pacing anxiously back and forth at the doorway.

“Brother Hao,” Bai Yuanzhi approached and asked him, “didn’t you… go abroad? Why are you still here? Are you looking for me?”

As soon as Zhou Weihao saw Bai Yuanzhi, he urgently said, “Ah Zhi, could you please speak to Mr. Chen and ask him to show mercy and let Duoluoxi off?”

“Duoluoxi… she acted impulsively! She wasn’t like this before! She, she… she’s actually very kind-hearted! Besides, Duoluoxi did such a thing because she was provoked! And the one to blame… is me!”

“If she hadn’t been provoked, she wouldn’t have done such a thing!”

“Ah Zhi, I have no other choice, so I had to come to you. I can tell that Mr. Chen has a good impression of you. I… I beg you, please put in a good word for Duoluoxi, okay?”

Zhou Weihao pleaded.

Bai Yuanzhi looked calmly at Zhou Weihao. “Brother Hao, let me ask you one thing—if that day, Chen Shuojie hadn’t coincidentally taken my place and been drugged by Duoluoxi… what would have happened?”

Zhou Weihao choked.

Bai Yuanzhi said word by word, “It’s because the victim was Chen Shuojie, the son of the president of Wanmei Film Industry, that he was fine. But Brother Hao, is Chen Shuojie really fine?”

Zhou Weihao opened his mouth but said nothing.

Bai Yuanzhi continued, “Even if you didn’t witness the scene after Chen Shuojie was drugged that day, I believe you must have heard about it… So Brother Hao, have you ever thought about what would have happened to me if I had been the one targeted?”

“You can’t assume I wasn’t harmed just because I’m standing here unharmed now, nor can you pretend nothing happened.”

“I was lucky to have the protection of a benefactor, which is why I’m fine.”

“Now, you want me to plead with Mr. Chen?”

“Brother Hao, what you’re doing isn’t right,” Bai Yuanzhi said candidly. “You had the chance to speak to him yourself, but you were afraid he would take his anger out on your Zhou family, so you came to me… isn’t that right, Brother Hao?”

Zhou Weihao slumped against the wall. “But I… I really can’t just stand by and watch Duoluoxi suffer.”

“Ah Zhi, you don’t understand Mr. Chen. He’s different from our Zhou family. We Zhous are honest, straightforward businesspeople, but Mr. Chen… his connections are so extensive that he has influence in both legitimate and underworld circles! The more I think about it, the more I worry that if Duoluoxi falls into his hands, she’ll… wish she were dead!”

“I can’t… I just can’t do it!” As he spoke, Zhou Weihao covered his face and began weeping bitterly.

Bai Yuanzhi remained silent for a moment before saying, “Brother Hao, can you really not think of any better solution?”

Zhou Weihao said painfully, “Ah Zhi, if I could think of any other way, I wouldn’t have come to you shamelessly like this…”

Bai Yuanzhi smiled, “Brother Hao, you were also at the negotiation today. So, what did you think? Was your mother’s strategy… not effective?”

Zhou Weihao froze.

Bai Yuanzhi continued, “Brother Hao, you don’t actually think Mr. Chen let your family off because of me, do you?”

Zhou Weihao’s lips moved slightly.

He really wanted to say: I could tell Mr. Chen seems to want to match you up with Chen Shuojie. Probably that’s why Mr. Chen agreed to our Zhou family’s plea for peace.

Bai Yuanzhi said, “Brother Hao, both your parents and Mr. Chen are businesspeople. To express her sincerity and remorse during the negotiations, your mother not only provided ample emotional value but also directly laid out her terms.”

“Don’t believe that Mr. Chen and Mrs. Xu spared your Zhou family because of me… If you really think that, it just proves you’re too emotional!”

“Brother Hao, they’re merchants!”

“They reached an agreement because the terms your mother offered satisfied Mr. Chen!”

“This whole matter has nothing to do with me… Brother Hao, do you understand?” Bai Yuanzhi asked.

Zhou Weihao’s mouth fell open.

Bai Yuanzhi laughed, “Brother Hao, haven’t you figured it out yet? Your mother… has been trying so hard to lead by example and teach you through her actions!”

Zhou Weihao stared blankly for a while longer before finally realizing, “Ah Zhi, you mean—I should learn from my mom, go negotiate with Mr. Chen, and proactively offer the best terms I can manage?”

Bai Yuanzhi nodded.

Zhou Weihao was troubled, “But I’m not capable in any aspect… What could Mr. Chen possibly see in me?”

Bai Yuanzhi’s heart stirred.

She originally wanted to say: You’re not completely without cards to play. After all, the Chen Family runs a film and entertainment company, and you… want to become a musician, right? A wealthy young master bravely entering the entertainment industry is an eye-catching gimmick these days! Surely, this condition would be much more enticing to Chen Shen than your family’s orders or money.

But then she reconsidered.

She felt this was Zhou Weihao’s karma. As an outsider, why should she interfere?

Besides, she still had many, many unresolved matters of her own.

So Bai Yuanzhi said, “Brother Hao, then I can’t help you with this. After all, I’m just your ordinary friend and don’t know how much you’re worth… Alright, Brother Hao, it’s already very late. I want to go back and rest early. If there’s anything else, I’ll be having lunch at the hotel staff cafeteria tomorrow at noon. You can find me there. Goodbye, Brother Hao, good night!”

With that, Bai Yuanzhi hurried upstairs.

Zhou Weihao stood dumbfounded, watching Bai Yuanzhi’s figure disappear into the stairwell.

He was in a daze, recalling everything that had happened during this time.

—That day, after leaving the venue, he was taken to the slums by Ming Jiayao, where he learned a shocking and devastating truth.

Duoluoxi had actually been married with children all along?!

No wonder she never wanted any formal status,

No wonder she was so averse to him asking about her hometown and the people there,

No wonder she refused to appear in his social circle,

No wonder…

All the questions that had puzzled him

Now had their answers.

Zhou Weihao was shattered.

He spent several days in a daze at A Yao’s home, even suffering from a high fever and convulsions in between. Later, his parents took him back home to recuperate;

Half a month later, he slowly began to recover.

He returned to the rented apartment, wanting to confront Duoluoxi.

But the apartment, which Duoluoxi had always kept impeccably clean, was now covered in a layer of dust.

—It was clear that Duoluoxi hadn’t been back for a long time.

After much thought, Zhou Weihao went to the slums where Duoluoxi’s husband had previously rented a place.

But it was already empty, with no one in sight.

Later, Zhou Weihao learned of Duoluoxi’s whereabouts through Marry—she had been imprisoned by her husband.

Zhou Weihao rushed to see Duoluoxi once.

He was utterly shocked!

In just half a month, she had completely changed.

Once slightly plump, she was now skin and bones, her skin like dehydrated tofu skin—rough, dry, and covered in wrinkles.

Even her eyes, hollow and enormous from the drastic weight loss, and her protruding cheekbones…

In short,

When Zhou Weihao saw Duoluoxi, he hardly dared to recognize her!

And Duoluoxi knelt before him, clutching his legs and wailing.

She begged him to give Da’an (her husband) a sum of money so that Da’an would divorce her.

She said she had wanted to divorce Da’an long ago, but Da’an saw her as a money-making machine, refusing to divorce her and constantly pressuring her for money.

She said that as soon as she got divorced, she could marry Zhou Weihao right away.

She begged him, for the sake of all the years they had shared, not to abandon her.

Zhou Weihao’s heart was a whirlwind of emotions.

He had once loved her deeply, and now he hated her utterly.

But seeing her disfigured, almost monstrous appearance,

He couldn’t help but ache with pity.

That day, he didn’t even know how he left Duoluoxi.

In short,

Whenever he recalled her wretched state,

He… felt heart-wrenching pain!

Until today, when Chen Shen clearly stated that he would never let Duoluoxi go,

Zhou Weihao panicked.

Originally, his father was going to take him abroad, planning to return to Hong Kong City only after Chen Shen had dealt with Duoluoxi;

But Zhou Weihao ran away halfway.

Thinking of the ten years they had spent together day and night, Zhou Weihao decided to make one more effort for Duoluoxi!

But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t find a better solution.

In the end, he could only come to beg Bai Yuanzhi.

Yet now, Bai Yuanzhi was telling him: Relying on others is not as good as relying on yourself?!

Zhou Weihao let out a bitter laugh.

But he had no capital of his own!

Just as Zhou Weihao had nowhere to go and no plan to act—

A sweet, affected voice rang out, “Mr. Zhou? What are you doing here?”

Zhou Weihao looked up at the sound and saw—Li Yongzhen?!

He instinctively frowned.

He really disliked this woman.

So, Zhou Weihao turned and walked away.

“Hey! Mr. Zhou, Mr. Zhou,” Li Yongzhen quickly ran over, blocking Zhou Weihao’s path. “Oh, Mr. Zhou, I’m also Bai Yuanzhi’s cousin, you know. Why is your attitude toward me so different from your attitude toward her?”

“Mr. Zhou, do you… have some misunderstanding about me? Actually, if you and Ah Zhi can become friends, then surely you can become good friends with me too!”

“Mr. Zhou, we could also… get to know each other properly!” Li Yongzhen cooed sweetly.

Zhou Weihao didn’t speak.

He frowned, staring at Li Yongzhen for a long, long time.

Until—

Li Yongzhen grew uneasy under his gaze. “Mr. Zhou, why… why are you looking at me like that?”

Zhou Weihao took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment, then slowly opened them. “Will you… come with me somewhere?”

Li Yongzhen was taken aback, then overjoyed. “To your home?”

Zhou Weihao remained silent.

In Li Yongzhen’s eyes,

his silence meant confirmation!

Her voice trembled with delight. “Mr. Zhou… isn’t this a bit too fast? Oh well… alright then!” As she spoke, Li Yongzhen shyly shot Zhou Weihao a playful glance.

Zhou Weihao kept a straight face and led Li Yongzhen away.

He gestured for her to get into his car,

then started the engine and drove off.

At that moment—

Ming Jiayao, dressed in black, slowly emerged from the shadows.

He stared in the direction Zhou Weihao’s car had gone, clenching his fists.

After a long pause, Ming Jiayao sighed and shook his head.

He walked to the small convenience store at the entrance of Xingfu Building and handed Aunt Huang twenty yuan. “Please call Bai Yuanzhi down. Tell her her friend A Yao is waiting for her downstairs.”