Zhao Dong still has the nerve to bring it up!
Xie Jinghu wanted to kick this fool downstairs.
“I’ve told you to be cautious long ago, how did you ensure things?”
Cold sweat kept dripping from Zhao Dong’s forehead, “I’ve checked everyone around me, no issues.”
Zhao Dong had suspected the new driver, but the driver’s background was clean, with no signs of collusion. Zhao Dong even deliberately leaked malice towards Jiang Youjia in front of the driver—Jiang Youjia showed no defensive reaction. After two or three such tests, Zhao Dong felt reassured about the driver.
Finding no issues with his own people, Zhao Dong firmly believed the leak came from Xie Jinghu’s side. Because Xie Jinghu had packaged himself through media, appeared on TV interviews, and high-profilely integrated into Rongcheng’s cultural circle, mingling with important figures, every step went smoothly, so he let his guard down!
To say Xie Jinghu’s shameless self-promotion through publishing was bad, the competitor who instigated Song Foxiang to disrupt the banquet was equally shameless!
Zhao Dong now saw the large group that successfully signed with the Rongcheng government as an enemy, only because he lacked the strength to retaliate.
At the same time, he deeply loathed Song Foxiang but had no time to deal with him. His heart burned with both anger and frustration, fearing he might become Xie Jinghu’s discarded pawn, which clouded his judgment.
Xie Jinghu said this matter was related to Xie Qian, which Zhao Dong found hard to believe.
Could a high school student be that capable?
This wasn’t child’s play, but a massive project worth over a billion!
What means could a high school student use to interfere… A shameless villain like Song Foxiang wouldn’t easily be swayed, let alone take orders from a high schooler!
Xie Jinghu didn’t expect Zhao Dong to believe him either.
If Xie Qian hadn’t genuinely stolen two hundred million from Xie Jinghu, he wouldn’t have suspected Xie Qian first.
Zhao Dong, this ineffective pawn, would have been abandoned by Xie Jinghu’s reckoning, but someone spoke up for Zhao Dong, convincing Xie Jinghu to give him another chance.
“You shouldn’t stay in Rongcheng anymore.”
Xie Jinghu’s tone was firm, deciding for Zhao Dong, “China is vast. With money, you can invest anywhere. Why cling to Rongcheng? Even if you focus on cultural tourism, you don’t have to fixate on theme parks.”
Zhao Dong felt deeply uncomfortable.
Rongcheng was the Zhao family’s root. Having failed to establish a foothold in America, they returned with money, aiming to return in glory!
Developing elsewhere would feel like hiding one’s success.
But staying in Rongcheng was tough for Zhao Dong too. Song Foxiang’s disruption ruined the persona Zhao Dong had carefully crafted, and staying would make him a laughingstock.
More importantly, the local government no longer trusted him, restricting his big projects at every turn!
Starting anew elsewhere… Zhao Dong didn’t think long. Xie Jinghu’s willingness to talk meant he wasn’t abandoned.
“I’ll follow Mr. Xie’s lead. Wherever you say, I’ll go.”
Xie Jinghu showed a bit of satisfaction.
Zhao Dong wasn’t the sharpest, but he was obedient and could still be useful, depending on how he was used!
“Go to Shanghai. Xie Qian has a plot of land there.”
With just that sentence from Xie Jinghu, Zhao Dong’s fighting spirit reignited.
If he set aside his “hometown sentiment,” Shanghai was ideal for returning overseas businessmen. Its economy was more developed, more inclusive, and currently surpassed Rongcheng in every way!
As for Xie Jinghu’s hint about Xie Qian’s land in Shanghai, Zhao Dong didn’t dwell on it.
Before, Zhao Dong planned to use Xie Jinghu’s resources to make money, avoiding entanglement in the Xie family’s disputes. If Xie Jinghu insisted on dragging him in, Zhao Dong would cut ties.
That was the plan, but once someone tasted the shortcut, who’d want to toil honestly?
Xie Jinghu had gradually ensnared Zhao Dong, making him reserve 10% of shares for an overseas illegitimate child. Once Zhao Dong agreed, there was no getting off.
Now, Zhao Dong feared Xie Jinghu would kick him out.
He hadn’t gained much from clinging to Xie Jinghu, and he could no longer stay in Rongcheng. With such high sunk costs, how could Zhao Dong accept it?
Xie Jinghu also said the bidding failure was tied to Xie Qian.
Though half-doubting, Zhao Dong grew more unwilling—Xie Qian caused him such losses, so he shouldn’t live peacefully either!
Thinking of what Sara Zhuo told him about Zou Weijun’s depression, Zhao Dong, while taking leave from Xie Jinghu, planted a seed against Zou Weijun: “Mr. Xie, I heard Song Foxiang was reassigned and is now your wife’s subordinate. This guy never knows his place. Should I—”
Zhao Dong left it half-said, but Xie Jinghu understood.
Song Foxiang was like a greasy toad. Even if Zou Weijun were blind, she wouldn’t fancy him, but having that toad hopping around his wife made Xie Jinghu feel disgusted.
Have Zhao Dong deal with Song Foxiang?
There were plenty of ways.
But Song Foxiang was backed by Xie Yuping. Touching him was minor, but alerting Xie Yuping was serious.
That rebellious son endured so long to ambush Zhao Dong, choosing Song Foxiang as a pawn, likely to provoke Xie Jinghu into acting!
Thinking of the blank share transfer documents in Xie Yuping’s study, Xie Jinghu took a deep breath: “Why bother with such a small fry? Focus on establishing yourself in Shanghai! I’ll give you a contact. Reach out to her when you’re there; she’ll help you settle in.”
Xie Jinghu’s expression wasn’t as calm as his tone.
He still cared about Song Foxiang’s presence.
Zhao Dong pushing further would be too obvious. Men are all the same: waving flags outside is prowess, but a wife’s slightest disloyalty is a great shame.
Xie Jinghu handed Zhao Dong a business card reading “Kangnian Biotech, Dai Chenglan.”
…
Zhao Dong was leaving Rongcheng.
The news soon reached Xie Qian’s ears.
Knowing Zhao Dong was leaving made Xie Qian feel the air around him fresher.
But learning Zhao Dong was heading to Shanghai, Xie Qian knew Xie Jinghu wasn’t ready to discard this pawn!
What was he doing in Shanghai? Targeting his logistics company or colluding with Dai Chenglan?
It didn’t matter much.
In the next two years, Zhao Dong wouldn’t disturb Wen Ying’s life, which was Xie Qian’s goal. As for Wen Ying going to Shanghai for university in two years… There was time. Both he and Wen Ying would have new horizons, no longer minors, with more room to manoeuvre against Zhao Dong!
No, treating Zhao Dong as the enemy was too low-level. The real target after coming of age was Xie Jinghu.
A man’s voice came through the phone: “Young Master Xie, if Zhao Dong’s going to Shanghai, can I call it quits?”
Xie Qian thought and replied, “Whether you keep working for me is your choice. I won’t shortchange your reward. But even if you stop, I suggest following Zhao Dong to Shanghai. It’s a true metropolis with more opportunities—if someone as vile as Zhao Dong can succeed, you deserve to!”
The man on the phone fell silent.
Having followed Zhao Dong, he knew what kind of person Zhao Dong was. As Xie Qian said, if someone like that could succeed, why should he be overlooked by fate?
Soon, Captain Luo also learned of the man’s decision.
…
Are today’s minors all so good at brainwashing and deceiving?
