Chapter 21
Zhang Man told me that the call Suhang made from the hotel on his birthday was to a man named Xu Zhi-Duan Jiawen’s husband.
Duan Jiawen, the ex-girlfriend he’d dated for years.
The last scraps of hope I’d been clinging to vanished in an instant.
Outside, a sudden downpour crashed down, raindrops snaking together into rivers on the glass. My fake happiness collapsed beneath the roar of thunder. All that was left was a brutal battle laid out in front of me, one I had no choice but to fight.
The pain of being stabbed in the back, betrayed and wounded by the person you love most-I was living through it all over again. But this time, I was no longer that fragile girl who shattered at a touch.
I arranged to meet with Uncle Qiao. He was my dad’s old friend and colleague, and the uncle who’d watched me grow up. My dad had always been strict; Uncle Qiao, on the other hand, was always gentle and kind.
After my dad retired, he was the one who stayed at the company to fully support Suhang.
I asked Uncle Qiao if my dad had fired Bai Zifan’s sister back then because of me.
His hand paused mid-pour over the teapot. “I remember the whole thing with firing Bai Zijun very clearly, but it wasn’t because of you. It was because she stole company property. The evidence was ironclad. Everyone at the company knew about it. Your dad’s a soft-hearted man-he didn’t call the police, just handled it internally as a company disciplinary matter.”
“Then did my dad shut down Brother Hao’s Galaxy Auto Repair?” I asked.
Uncle Qiao looked genuinely surprised, a disbelieving smile tugging at his lips. “Who told you that? You’re giving your dad way too much credit. Shutting down a shop is something the Administration for Industry and Commerce does. Heh, he’s just a businessman-how would he have that kind of power?”
My doubts only deepened, but I didn’t press further. I shifted the topic to Suhang.
I asked what exactly Suhang was doing at the company, and whether it was reliable.
Uncle Qiao said that the real estate industry had been tough the past two years. The company’s performance had been poor for a while-constant losses, plus lawsuits piling up. “Suhang really is a top talent from overseas. As soon as he came back, he helped us win those lawsuits, optimized our systems, and streamlined the departments.”
“He also proposed that the company urgently needed to transform.
“He has a very keen eye. He suggested developing a Continuing Care Retirement Community, focusing on the senior market and targeting high-end clients. Many retirees have stable finances, money and time to spare, but they lack quality social lives and meaningful companionship.
“He set his sights on Sheng Tang’s money-losing cultural and creative park, wants to acquire it at a low price, and use it to pivot the company in a lighter, more flexible way. He’s put a lot of work into this.”
“Is there any risk?” I asked.
“The business world is like a battlefield-what deal doesn’t involve risk?” Uncle Qiao replied. “But this project? Your dad and I have gone over it again and again. We think the prospects are very good. It’s worth placing a bet on.”
I was frank with him. “Uncle Qiao, I don’t trust Suhang.”
“What’s wrong?” He looked at me in confusion, a flash of wariness in his eyes. “Has he… treated you badly?”
My head was full of thoughts I couldn’t say out loud. I only shook my head. “It’s just… he’s still young. How can my dad be so at ease letting him toss the company around like this? Compared to him, I trust you more.”
Uncle Qiao suddenly laughed, with a trace of relief. “Girl, you’ve grown up. You’re actually thinking about the company now. Don’t worry-your dad’s thought about that too.”
“Back then, he hoped you’d take over and hold the company up after him. Sending you abroad to study was part of that plan. But your ambitions lie elsewhere, so he shifted all those expectations onto Suhang.
“These past two years, everyone’s seen how Suhang has performed. The company needs him now. There’s no one who can replace him. All we can do is trust him.”
“I understand.”