Chapter Forty-Four: So It Was You (Part Two)

My rebirth story is extraordinary. Last year, her parents went to inspect a construction site on the outskirts of City C, only to perish in a car accident. Through extensive, covert investigations, Zhang Jing uncovered increasing suspicions, finally discovering that the person responsible for her parents’ deaths was none other than the wealthy CEO, Xia Fugui. Enraged, she accused Xia Fugui of murder, but unexpectedly, Xia Fugui’s brother was the mayor of City C. With ruthless methods, he suppressed the case. At the time, Zhang Jing possessed scant evidence, and what little she had was gradually erased by Xia Fugui. Though furious, she dared not speak out, and silently abandoned her studies to become the young president of Tianlai Group.

However, with her father gone, many of their former connections shifted allegiance to Xia Fugui, causing Tianlai’s business to decline precipitously, nearly to the point of bankruptcy. Despite the failing business, Tianlai still had reserves accumulated over the years, so unless a major catastrophe occurred, the company could barely hold on for a while longer.

It was then that a man named Zhou Zisheng appeared before her. Desperate not to let Tianlai fall into ruin, unwilling to let her father’s legacy be destroyed by her own hands, she finally agreed to become his girlfriend under his persistent pursuit. Yet Zhou Zisheng was a typical scion, a playboy of the idle rich, and she was wary. No matter how he coaxed or pressured her, she would not let him take advantage. Gradually, as she naively began to trust him, she started discussing company matters with him, hoping he would help. In her loneliness, he seemed her anchor, a lifeline she grasped, unwilling to be alone.

But Zhou Zisheng was merely toying with her. When she refused to yield, his patience wore thin and he lost interest. He stole Tianlai’s business plans and handed them to Xia Fugui, resulting in several failed bids, with Xia Fugui biting back. The company’s loan bank cancelled its credit, and Tianlai, unable to withstand the blow, began to go bankrupt. That night at the bar, Zhou Zisheng had lied about introducing Fatty Wang to help save the company, and only then did she realize the man she had trusted most was the very one responsible for Tianlai’s collapse.

The more Zhang Jing spoke, the more distressed she became, her eyes reddening as she gritted her teeth and said, “Those privileged, idle sons only care about women and money! I was so foolish to believe Zhou Zisheng’s sweet words, to trust a playboy like him...”

“So that’s how it was,” I nodded after listening. Suddenly, a thought struck me, so I asked, “You said Xia Fugui’s company is called Xia Wang Construction? Does he have a son?”

“I think so. At the last gala, he tried to chat me up. His name’s Xia Jianren, I believe. Why? Do you know his son? Hmph, that guy’s another spoiled brat, not worth much. Just looking at his lecherous face is enough to make one dislike him.” Zhang Jing suddenly looked nervous and asked, “You... you’re not friends with Xia Jianren, are you? If so, I’d rather you didn’t help me...”

“So Xia Jianren’s father really is Xia Fugui. Excellent!” I replied coldly, clenching my fist. “Searching high and low for an enemy, only to have him delivered right to me. I was fretting about how to deal with this bastard, and now fate hands me the opportunity!”

Zhang Jing was puzzled by my mix of cold laughter and enthusiasm. After quickly organizing my thoughts, I asked her, “Zhang Jing, tell me—how much has Tianlai Group lost? How much would it take to bring it back from the brink?”

Zhang Jing frowned slightly, thinking, “Tianlai Group’s total assets amount to several hundred million, but its major projects are stalled for lack of capital. If funds were injected, and the projects didn’t stop, the costs could be recovered within months. If the projects aren’t sold off to pay debts, the liabilities remain heavy—about three hundred million would be needed. With three hundred million, Tianlai Group could be resurrected.”

“Very well, I’ll give you three hundred million—revive Tianlai for me!” I stood and said, “Three hundred million will be transferred to your account tomorrow. Restart the halted projects, pay off all debts!”

“What did you say? You’re giving me three hundred million?” Zhang Jing exclaimed. “You really want to save the company?”

“Of course, this money isn’t a gift,” I glanced at her flushed, excited face and smiled. “It’s investment—I want absolute control of Tianlai’s shares.”

Zhang Jing thought for a moment, then nodded, “Naturally. I’m grateful for your help with Tianlai. As long as my father’s company doesn’t go bankrupt, I’ll do anything. The shares can all go to you. Given this chance, I’ll make sure the company rises again. Thank you, Xiao Qiang, thank you for helping me...”

“No need to thank me, Zhang Jing. You don’t know—the truth is, Xia Fugui’s son and I are enemies. Helping you is really helping myself. I swear I’ll bring down Xia Jianren and make him pay for crossing me!” Thinking of Xia Jianren, my anger flared. After calming myself, I continued, “Zhang Jing, I’m an ambitious person, with big dreams. I want you to help me—are you willing?”

“Yes, I am! Since you hate his son, and I hate Xia Fugui, we’re already in the same boat. As long as I can avenge my parents, I’d help you—even the devil!” Her resolute words filled me with satisfaction. In truth, I’d always been searching for talented people to join me—what better chess piece than the beautiful, capable Zhang Jing?

“Good. Since you agree, from today we have two relationships: professionally, boss and employee; personally, friends. We must be clear on this.” I didn’t want friendship to interfere with my plans, so these words served as a precaution. “Also, once you reacquire the bankrupt Tianlai Group, I’ll have you build a vast conglomerate—Sunshine Group! Soon, it will become a multinational, comprehensive enterprise with countless subsidiaries, and you will be its chief president. Tianlai will be one of them. As for me, I’ll remain behind the scenes. You must expand commercially and, most importantly, win over City C’s officials as quickly as possible. A large group survives only with official support—even if it means spending more money.”

“Sunshine Group?” Zhang Jing looked at me with some confusion but nodded, “Alright, I’ll follow your lead. But, Xiao Qiang, who are you really? How do you have so much money—is your father... very wealthy?”

“My father? You guessed wrong. His monthly salary is less than what I spend on a single meal,” I replied with a chuckle. “Don’t worry about my background. All you need to know is that I, Xiao Qiang, am no playboy or spoiled brat.”

Hearing this, Zhang Jing blushed again, clearly having thought I was just another rich heir like Zhou Zisheng. I steadied myself, looked out the window at the beautiful scenery, and let a cold smile slip across my face. “In any case, the first step for Sunshine Group is to wipe Xia Wang Construction from the face of the earth. Whoever dares to cross me, I will pursue them to the ends of the world!”