Chapter 80: Enjoying the Show

Morningstar Hotel, Room 401.

This suite was the most luxurious in the entire hotel.

A crimson carpet stretched from the entrance, covering the whole room. European-style leather sofas were arranged in a circle, radiating an air of sophistication and luxury. The marble walls were divided at the ceiling, giving the space a clean, polished look. Amidst the darkness, a noble aura lingered. The dome of the ceiling was artfully layered, and a massive crystal chandelier illuminated the entire room as brightly as broad daylight, adding to the grandeur.

At this moment, in a bath carved from white marble, a man and a woman, both unclothed, were basking in the gentle rush of water, enjoying its soothing relaxation.

“Zhu, you’re getting more impressive every time,” the woman murmured, her cheeks flushed as she nestled against the man. Lazy and languid, her posture was enough to stir desire in any onlooker.

From a distance, she might have seemed the picture of a delicate beauty, but the crow’s feet already forming at the corners of her eyes betrayed her age.

He laughed heartily. “Xiao, it looks like my foreign friend wasn’t lying after all—this medicine really does make a noticeable difference!” His hand moved ceaselessly beneath the water, and her reaction filled him with the pride every man feels after conquest—a sense of triumphant domination.

She let out a soft sigh, stroked his chest gently, and whispered, “Zhu, isn’t now the perfect time for us to make our move and approach Lan Yaoming about the acquisition?”

Her words shifted the conversation to business.

“Xiao, you can’t eat hot tofu in a hurry,” Zhu replied, unhurried and composed. “Although you’ve managed to drive away that unexpected kid, all that means for us is that things have returned to square one. Don’t be impatient.”

Don’t be impatient?

His slow, measured tone snapped Xiao out of her reverie. She looked up sharply.

“And when, exactly, will it be the right time? I’ve already severed Lan Yaoming’s only hope! He’ll soon be out of cash—if this isn’t the right moment, what is? Zhu, I really can’t wait any longer! Every extra day I have to deal with that old man makes me sick!”

To her mind, the last straw that could have saved Lan Yaoming—Wu Ya—had already been driven away by her. The factory’s books had been sitting at zero for nearly a month.

There seemed to be no way out at all.

How could she not be anxious? The sooner she could get her hands on the factory, the sooner she could flaunt her status in public—parading around as the boss.

She had once envied that life: the boss’s wife, with her distinguished air, had always filled her with jealousy.

Now it was finally her turn to stride through the factory, commanding storms. Why, then, was Zhu still holding back? Wouldn’t it be effortless to take over the factory now—since Lan Yaoming was already at a dead end?

“The best time to talk acquisition is when Lan Yaoming starts defaulting on wages. When that happens, unrest will fill the factory, his reputation will hit rock bottom. Not only will our offer seem justified, but we’ll also have the workers’ support—their hearts and minds. Cohesion is the bedrock of a thriving enterprise!”

Zhu Changxing—the director of the state-owned Haihe Equipment Plant—was also the second in command Xiao had seduced behind Lan Yaoming’s back. In fact, he’d been promoted to her primary partner in conspiracy.

Together, they had maneuvered Hongtu Yuanda into its current predicament.

Zhu’s reasoning left Xiao deep in thought.

Indeed, Hongtu Yuanda had once been a hive of activity, every worker brimming with energy. In just over half a year, they had turned it into the most renowned equipment manufacturer for miles around, all thanks to unity—a fighting spirit that refused to surrender.

So, even in an acquisition, the people’s hearts must not be lost. They had to win them back, so that, in the shortest possible time, they could lead Hongtu Yuanda back to glory.

“You’re right, Zhu! Only with unity can we avoid turmoil during the acquisition and make the transition seamless. And we’ll be able to resume production and sales at full speed!”

Now that she had grasped the key, Xiao no longer hesitated. Truly, she was an ambitious woman—quick-witted and sharp.

A bitter sneer twisted her lips. “Lan Yaoming, I gave everything for you—including my family! And how did you treat me? With nothing but indifference, even disgust! Don’t blame me for being ruthless—this is the price you must pay. When you’re down and out, wandering the streets, you’ll have plenty of time to reflect on your actions. You brought this on yourself. You deserve it!”

Her deference vanished, replaced by a seething fury. The rage in her eyes was so intense it seemed it might ignite the very bathwater.

“You’re too sentimental for your own good,” Zhu chided, lazily waving his arm beneath the water, eyes closed in self-satisfied reverie. “Lan Yaoming and Fang Huayan are famous for their devotion. Do you really think he’d destroy his family for another woman? You were just a passing amusement—such is the vice of wealthy men.”

“Oh? The vice of wealthy men?” Xiao’s voice turned icy, cutting through his reverie. “Are you including yourself in that assessment?”

At once, Zhu’s eyes snapped open.

“Heh, not at all! For one, I’m not rich. Second, my feelings for you—I’d swear them to the heavens! I’m nothing like those faithless scoundrels.” He forced an awkward smile, hastening to explain. This troublesome woman was still too useful to him. Once he had everything in hand... She would be nothing more than a piece of used tissue—fit only for the trash.

“Hmph! You’re the director of a state-owned factory. You expect me to believe you’re not rich? I hope your thoughts match your words. Otherwise, I won’t forgive you!”

Do you think I believe you?

Xiao looked up at Zhu, her eyes shining with a strange, unreadable light that made him shudder.

“Could this wretched woman know something?” he wondered. But now was not the time to ask.

So instead—

“Heh, don’t worry, my dear. I’d never let you down! Now, round two—let’s go!”

With a great splash, the room was once again shrouded in steamy mist.

Meanwhile—

The phone rang abruptly in Lan Yaoming’s home.

“Hello, who is this?” he answered, his voice coming through the receiver.

“Come to the Morningstar Hotel as quickly as you can. I have a show you won’t want to miss.”

A show you won’t want to miss.

Wu Ya’s voice left Lan Yaoming frozen where he stood.