Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Fu Yuanzhou's Backer Falls Jiang Shixu's dark eyes were deep and profound, his tone low: "Tangtang, you don't understand men well enough. Lu Shuci's gaze at you is filled with undisguised affection—can't you see his feelings for you?" Chu Tang suddenly let out a laugh. Her eyes when she looked at Jiang Shixu were filled with "you're being ridiculous." Chu Tang retorted sarcastically, "Yeah, I just don't understand men. That's why when my ex-boyfriend said he would never leave me as long as I didn't bring up breaking up, I believed him. But when we broke up, he mocked me, saying that even I would fall for words meant to fool children." Jiang Shixu froze. Weren't they talking about Lu Shuci? Why did the topic suddenly shift to him? Those were the words he said to Tangtang when they broke up. He knew exactly how heartbroken Tangtang was. He didn't feel any better than she did. Speaking those hurtful, cruel words with his own mouth had cut his heart like a knife. Jiang Shixu's eyes churned with dark emotion, the jealousy dissipating in an instant, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness and sorrow. The man lowered his eyes, his expression gloomy and mournful, and said in a low voice, "Tangtang, I had my reasons for saying those things. None of them were what I truly meant." Chu Tang sneered: "Which things? Was it not your true intention when you said you would never leave me as long as I didn't bring up breaking up? You don't need to repeat yourself. I know." "No, that's not it." Jiang Shixu stepped forward agitatedly, pressing both hands on Chu Tang's shoulders. "You know that's not what I meant. Tangtang, you're the only one in my heart. My feelings for you have never changed." "Enough." Chu Tang's gaze was cold. "Saying all this now is useless. I still have things to do. Excuse me." With that, Chu Tang turned around and pulled open the car door. "Tangtang, listen to me..." Jiang Shixu pressed his hand against the car door. Chu Tang shoved him away forcefully and slammed the door shut with a bang. After Chu Tang's car drove off, Lu Shuci walked over. He wore a look of schadenfreude, clicking his tongue twice, and said with a smile, "Was I right, President Jiang? Someone who's been hurt once won't give that person a second chance to hurt them again." Jiang Shixu's cold, sharp gaze swept over. "I'll earn that chance myself. Didn't you just hear? Tangtang has no romantic interest in you whatsoever. I suggest you give up on that idea while you still can." Lu Shuci's lips curved in a smile, his eyes narrowing slightly, his tone completely unbothered. "She doesn't now, but who can say what the future holds?" ... The next day, Ruan Chutang received the two sets of jewelry that Jiang Shixu had bid on at the auction. The sapphire earrings and the jade bangle. The items were delivered by Jiang Shixu's assistant, Lin Sen. Lin Sen was extremely respectful. "Miss Ruan, the CEO flew to Country A early this morning. Before he left, he repeatedly instructed me to make sure these two items reached your hands." Jiang Shixu went to Country A? Was it to deal with Fu Yuanzhou's matters? Chu Tang glanced at the two pieces of jewelry and said flatly, "Take them back. I don't want them." "This..." Lin Sen's face showed his dilemma. "Miss Ruan, please accept them. The CEO said if the items were returned, I wouldn't need to come to work anymore—I could just go straight to HR and hand in my resignation." "..." Chu Tang was speechless. Jiang Shixu really knew how to use moral coercion. Lin Sen wore a look of deep suffering, his eyes carrying a hint of pleading as he said, "Miss Ruan, please just accept them. I have elderly parents and young children to support. I really can't afford to lose this job." "Fine, just leave them there." Chu Tang said helplessly. She didn't want to make things difficult for a working man. "Great!" Lin Sen's face immediately lit up with joy. "Then I'll leave you to it. I'll head back now." Chu Tang nodded. "Mm." After Lin Sen left, Chu Tang looked at the two exquisite pieces of jewelry and let out a helpless sigh. ... Country A. Before the current Prime Minister Saison took office, he and Fu Yuanzhou had already been colluding, each getting what they wanted. His election as Prime Minister was entirely thanks to Fu Yuanzhou's support. Saison's term had already come to an end. According to Country A's laws, a prime ministerial candidate must be a member of the House of Representatives, nominated by the Speaker of the House, approved by both chambers, and then submitted to the King for appointment. Given his identity, Jiang Shixu couldn't directly participate in Country A's prime ministerial election. But he could work through others, lending support from behind the scenes. Before the current Prime Minister Saison was elected, there was a formidable opponent—Ensha. Ensha surpassed Saison in both family background and capability. In the previous election, she had nearly won the position of Prime Minister. But out of nowhere, Saison seemed to have hit a stroke of luck, with public support and votes overtaking Ensha. After Saison was elected, he immediately pushed through a bill legalizing marijuana. The moment that bill passed, Fu Yuanzhou, the boss of the largest gang in Country A, became the direct beneficiary. It was only then that Ensha confirmed Saison had long since formed an alliance with Fu Yuanzhou. Fu Yuanzhou had poured substantial financial support into Saison's campaign, and after Saison became Prime Minister, he acted as an accomplice to the tyrant, allowing Fu Yuanzhou to continue expanding his influence. It was precisely for this reason that Fu Yuanzhou dared to openly declare war on the Jiang Family in Hua Country, and dared to send people to repeatedly assassinate Jiang Shixu on Hua Country soil. Jiang Shixu's trip to Country A this time was to help Ensha win the election for Prime Minister of Country A. Ensha was completely different from Saison. Saison was consumed by greed, obsessed with power, and would stop at nothing to obtain it, even going so far as to cooperate with vicious forces like Fu Yuanzhou. Ensha, on the other hand, was full of righteousness and ambition—a good prime minister who served her country and her people. As early as half a month ago, Shen Yan had already stepped forward on behalf of Jiang Shixu to support Ensha's campaign. Tomorrow was election day. Jiang Shixu had brought his people to Country A to capture Fu Yuanzhou. Fu Yuanzhou's base had already been surrounded by their people so tightly that not even a fly could escape. As soon as the election results were confirmed and Ensha was declared the winner, his people would move immediately. ...... Chu Tang returned to the Ruan family home after work for dinner. The television in the living room was playing international news. Aunt Chen, the nanny, carried dishes one by one to the table. Yang Xuelian came downstairs holding Ruan Jiaojiao's hand. "You're back, Tangtang." "Mm." Chu Tang set her handbag on the sofa and went to the bathroom to wash her hands. When she came out, she happened to see the news about the Country A prime ministerial election on TV. "Today, Country A prime ministerial candidate Ensha Mahana received support from over half of the members of the House of Representatives, and has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Country A..." Chu Tang walked over to the television and stared at the screen. Did Jiang Shixu's trip to Country A have something to do with this? He had said before that Fu Yuanzhou's backing was about to fall. Could it be that Fu Yuanzhou's backer in Country A was the previous prime minister, Saison? And now Jiang Shixu... Just then, Chu Tang's phone rang. Her heart pounded wildly. She took out her phone—it was that familiar number. "Hello?" Chu Tang answered the call, slightly nervous.