Chapter 28: Sinister

Chapter 28: Sinister

Ji Mingxiu's sudden appearance disrupted Zhong Shao's original plan.

Zhong Shao gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with resentment as he glared at Ji Mingxiu, but he didn't dare to do anything.

Although he had put on a confident front in front of Shi Ling, it was only because Shi Ling was from out of town. No matter how intelligent Shi Ling was, he had virtually no understanding of the situation in the capital. If Shi Ling wanted to integrate into the capital’s circles, what he said should still be quite appealing.

Moreover, before coming, Zhong Shao had specifically had someone investigate. Although Ji Mingxiu seemed close to Shi Ling, their current interaction was actually just a single investment, and that investment wasn’t even made solely for Shi Ling.

Ji Mingxiu hadn’t even helped Shi Ling when he was in desperate need of money. At the very least, there wasn’t even any superficial support, which showed that their relationship was only superficial.

Given this, as long as he offered a bit more money than that investment, he should be able to lure Shi Ling into his camp. Then…

Zhong Shao had thought it out well, but unfortunately, after saying so much in front of Shi Ling, the other party didn’t take the bait and even found him a bit strange.

After talking with Shi Ling for a while, Zhong Shao even began to suspect if he was getting old and had a generational gap with someone like Shi Ling, who had just started college, making it hard for them to connect.

But according to his investigation, Ji Mingxiu seemed to get along quite well with Shi Ling. Ji Mingxiu wasn’t much younger than him either.

And now, Ji Mingxiu was standing here.

Zhong Shao clicked his tongue. "Director Ji, you came pretty fast!"

Ji Mingxiu said coldly, "I can’t compare to Director Zhong, who has to intercept someone else’s meeting."

As he spoke, Ji Mingxiu slightly hid Shi Ling behind him.

Afraid that Shi Ling would worry, he patted him on the shoulder, signaling that he could handle it.

It was quite reassuring.

Since Ji Mingxiu was acting like this, Shi Ling naturally wouldn’t get in the way and took two steps back, standing behind Ji Mingxiu.

Seeing that Shi Ling was away from the conflict with Zhong Shao, Ji Mingxiu felt relieved.

He looked at Zhong Shao. "Director Zhong, if you want to deal with the Zhou family, go ahead. No one’s stopping you, but Shi Ling has nothing to do with the Zhou family now. Whatever scheme you have, don’t involve him."

"He’s just an ordinary student who got into Capital University. He’s not a pawn for you to expand the Zhong family’s influence and play with power."

Ji Mingxiu’s words weren’t pleasant to hear, but the information contained within was quite significant.

Next to them, Shi Ling was startled. "So, it’s not because he has a grudge against you?"

Ji Mingxiu, feeling a bit exasperated, rubbed Shi Ling’s head. "If he had a grudge against me, why would he mess with you? Even if he went after Ji Linze, at least Ji Linze is his rival in love on the surface. You have nothing to do with him."

Shi Ling nodded.

Indeed, in the original plot, the original owner had no relationship with Zhong Shao either, yet he had still isolated the original owner.

Could it be that it wasn’t just about love?

Shi Ling asked, "So, why did he mess with me?"

Ji Mingxiu chuckled. "Because Zhong Shao has realized that you’re the Zhou family’s last hope."

Hearing this, Shi Ling’s expression turned unpleasant. "The Zhou family’s last hope?"

He didn’t want to be this hope.

Seeing Shi Ling’s expression, Ji Mingxiu couldn’t help but smile, then explained to him. "This is actually analyzed by others. The Zhou family’s current predicament is due to long-standing internal problems. People who don’t contribute occupy important positions, making industrial upgrades impossible. Given the current situation, if reforms aren’t made, they will slowly decline."

Saying this, Ji Mingxiu glanced at Zhong Shao. "Now, outsiders naturally have their attitudes. Those deeply cooperating with the Zhou family naturally want them to save themselves. Some watch from the sidelines, and others wait for an opportunity to get a share or even take advantage of the situation to swallow the Zhou family whole. Isn’t that right, Director Zhong?"

Shi Ling also looked at Zhong Shao and realized. "Wow!"

"So, Zhong Shao… and Zhou Su…"

Ji Mingxiu understood his unfinished words and nodded. "It’s just as you think. He fell in love at first sight with Zhou Su, and it’s actually for the Zhou family."

There were almost no capable descendants in the Zhou family. Without Shi Ling’s appearance, Zhou Su was a guaranteed heir to the Zhou family and had always been groomed as such by Zhou Zhengde. Therefore, if Zhong Shao could control Zhou Su, the entire Zhou family would eventually be in his grasp.

However, a mix-up happened in the Zhou family, making Shi Ling a variable in Zhong Shao’s plan.

Judging from Shi Ling’s background, he could very well become a variable for the Zhou family.

With that blood relation, as long as the Zhou family reconciled with Shi Ling, they only needed to hold on for three or four years. By the time Shi Ling graduated from Capital University, he might be able to revive the Zhou family with his own abilities and the connections he cultivated at the university.

This was something Zhong Shao didn’t want to see, which was why he came to find Shi Ling.

Even though Shi Ling and the Zhou family seemed to have irreconcilable issues now, who knew if something unexpected might happen? The best outcome would still be to keep Shi Ling under his watch.

Either pull him into his camp to be used for his own purposes or completely suppress him.

Shi Ling pouted. "He’s really sinister!"

Ji Mingxiu nodded. "These methods are indeed despicable but also quite effective."

On the other side, having been seen through, Zhong Shao didn’t deny it. He shrugged and even looked at Shi Ling with some amusement. "As long as it’s useful, isn’t it fine? Now that you know my intentions, Young Master Shi, do you want to save the Zhou family?"

Shi Ling blinked, seemingly confused. "What does it have to do with me? Do I look that free?"

Zhong Shao raised an eyebrow. "Even if you don’t have a good relationship with the Zhou family, you’re still somewhat related to them. Won’t you warn them?"

Shi Ling was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I won’t warn anyone."

"And with your superficial understanding of the various parties’ backgrounds, you’ve probably guessed most of it from just a few words. Zhou Zhengde has been managing the Zhou family for over twenty years. He wouldn’t fail to see through this. His acceptance of my interactions with Zhou Su is probably just a test."

"Next, it's Zhong Shao and the Zhou family's show to perform, and I just need to watch the drama unfold."

For Shi Ling, neither side was good.

Shi Ling's words caused Zhong Shao's expression to turn cold.

Until now, he hadn't considered this possibility, but upon careful reflection, it was indeed true.

There were few capable descendants in the Zhou family, but that didn't mean Zhou Zhengde was the same.

In fact, Zhou Zhengde was undoubtedly the most perceptive person in the Zhou family. Although he had built today's Zhou family relying on the dividends of the era, his ability to establish the Zhou family's foothold in the competitive landscape of the capital city showed that he was indeed a capable man.

However, later on, he appointed relatives based on personal connections, resulting in incompetent individuals holding key positions in the Zhou family, leading the family down a declining path.

Zhong Shao glanced in the direction of Shi Ling and Ji Mingxiu.

They seemed to be discussing something, with fragments of the conversation mentioning the name of a building.

Perhaps it was their destination for a date.

Zhong Shao suddenly chuckled.

That old man of the Zhou family did have some skills in his younger days, but his judgment of people was indeed lacking.

Whether it was his judgment of trustworthy relatives over the years or his current judgment of an heir.

Many people had already analyzed that Shi Ling might very well be the Zhou family's hope. After all, despite years of cultivation, Zhou Su had achieved only so much, whereas Shi Ling could deduce his intentions with limited information, showing that Shi Ling's sensitivity in certain areas was far superior to Zhou Su's.

Moreover, Shi Ling had already connected with the young master of the Fang family and the almost-empowered heir of the Ji family, making his personal value significantly higher than Zhou Su's.

Now that Shi Ling had seen through his plan, if he tried any small moves, it might backfire.

Especially since Ji Mingxiu had a fairly good relationship with Shi Ling.

Zhong Shao listened as Ji Mingxiu and Shi Ling chatted from some building to breakfast preferences, his expression turning somewhat comical.

He wondered how his assistant had come to the conclusion that their relationship was just average.

Zhong Shao, hands in his pockets, passed by the two: "So, you two were planning to check out a new house today? I must be intruding."

Shi Ling, who had been eating, stopped and frowned at Zhong Shao. "What is it that you want now?"

Ji Mingxiu patted Shi Ling on the back twice. "Don't take it to heart, he's probably just feeling cornered."

Zhong Shao felt a stab to his heart.

Ji Mingxiu was indeed annoying.

He waved at Shi Ling. "I don't intend to do anything. Since you've decided not to engage with the Zhou family, I won't bother you again."

"But, I suggest you keep this attitude."

Shi Ling watched Zhong Shao walk towards the car parked nearby and frowned. "It seems Zhong Shao will continue with his plans, right?"

Ji Mingxiu nodded. "He's probably planned this for a long time; it's unlikely he'll give up. The Zhou family is on a downward slope, but the Zhong family is also waiting for the right moment to break the deadlock."

Shi Ling thought for a moment. "In this situation, Zhou Su might actually be the most pitiful."

Among several decent suitors, suddenly emerged Zhong Shao, who harbored ill intentions, while Zhong Shao and Zhou Zhengde were in a state of mutual understanding, leaving Zhou Su, the person involved, in the dark.

"Without Zhong Shao, would Zhou Su have chosen Ji Linze or Jiang Yulin?"

Compared to Zhong Shao, at least these two genuinely liked Zhou Su, right?

Ji Mingxiu, however, said, "Not likely. Anyone with clear eyes can see that the Zhou family's situation isn't favorable. No rational person would get involved at this point."

"Don't overthink it. We've almost finished breakfast; it's time to check out the office building."

Shi Ling suddenly thought of the word "new house" that Zhong Shao mentioned as he left.

He shook the strange thought from his mind and followed Ji Mingxiu.