Chapter 23: The Counterattack at the Press Conference

After the host’s professional guidance and opening remarks, the reporters began raising their hands to ask questions in an orderly fashion.

Initially, the focus remained on the handling and subsequent management of the Yihua Foods assembly line accident. It wasn’t until Zhou Li-Chuan seemed a little uncomfortable and tugged at the black silk ribbon tied around his eyes that the reporters, as if suddenly enlightened, started directing their questions toward him personally.

“Mr. Zhou, is your eye injury the result of the previous accident? Why hasn’t it healed yet?”

Standing behind Zhou Li-Chuan, Jiang Zao listened to the reporter’s question, thinking that they had finally reached the heart of the matter. If Zhou Kuan could bribe reporters to manipulate public opinion, so could they.

Zhou Li-Chuan eased his emotions, which had been immersed in work, and answered slowly, “The injury from the previous deliberate attack has fully healed. According to the examination results, it’s due to a pituitary tumor pressing on my optic nerve that my eyesight is as it is now. Surgery is urgently needed if I want to preserve my vision.”

The news was shocking. After a brief commotion, the room settled down, and a reporter raised his hand, “With such a serious illness, you’re still traveling everywhere. When will you schedule surgery? What are the risks involved?”

Zhou Li-Chuan responded with relaxed composure, almost jokingly, “If not for the Yihua Foods incident, I would have already had the surgery and be in recovery now. This episode taught me the importance of oversight and management. Just because nothing has ever happened doesn’t mean you can lower your guard—otherwise, you’ll answer for it.”

A ripple of laughter swept through the room.

Soon after, someone brought up the rumor of Zhou Li-Chuan’s supposed marriage to Meng Qiao-Yuan. Speculation online suggested that Meng Qiao-Yuan was Zhou Huai’s attending physician, and with Zhou Li-Chuan’s fiancée being in the hospital, it must be her.

Sitting up straight, Zhou Li-Chuan replied solemnly, “I don’t know who’s spreading these rumors online, nor their intentions. With instability both inside and outside the company, I’d rather see everyone focus on the Zhou Group’s business development than my personal life.”

The reporters started murmuring among themselves. All the online gossip was targeting Zhou Li-Chuan; it was clear someone was out to get him.

He had mentioned instability inside and out—could this really be a struggle for power among the wealthy, rather than simply negligence at Yihua Foods?

Standing behind Zhou Li-Chuan, Jiang Zao watched as he deftly shifted blame back onto Zhou Kuan, feeling a rush of satisfaction.

...

That evening, Zhou Li-Chuan returned to the old Zhou family home with Jiang Zao, just in time to encounter Shen Mu-Shi and Meng Qiao-Yuan.

The two were speaking face-to-face at the door. Meng Qiao-Yuan still wore her stern, rigid expression, while Shen Mu-Shi seemed almost agitated.

When Jiang Zao pushed Zhou Li-Chuan over, they stopped their conversation immediately.

Shen Mu-Shi stepped forward to take the wheelchair from Jiang Zao, saying, “You should have called before coming. I could have picked you up.”

Jiang Zao withdrew her hand and stepped back. “It’s alright. Du Bin knows the way.”

Meng Qiao-Yuan watched their interaction, quietly helping to open the door.

In the living room, Shen Xiao-Nan was reading news on her phone. Seeing all four young people arrive together, she beamed, “Oh my, why are you all here together?”

Shen Mu-Shi parked Zhou Li-Chuan beside the sofa, smiling at her aunt, “We happened to meet at the door. What a coincidence.”

Zhou Li-Chuan, holding Jiang Zao’s hand, stood up and asked directly, “Mom, is Dad in the study? I need to talk to him.”

Just then, Zhou Huai descended the stairs. Hearing Zhou Li-Chuan was looking for him, he called out, “Li-Chuan, you need me?”

Zhou Li-Chuan nodded, “Yes. I had an idea after today’s press conference and wanted to discuss it with you first.”

Zhou Huai nodded, glanced at the group around the sofa, and called out to Meng Qiao-Yuan, “Qiao-Yuan, you’re here too? Have a seat. I’ll come chat with you in a bit.”

Meng Qiao-Yuan finally smiled slightly, “Uncle, please go ahead. I’m only here for your routine check-up, no rush.”

Zhou Li-Chuan followed Zhou Huai into the elevator upstairs, while Shen Xiao-Nan got up to instruct the kitchen to prepare fruit and snacks.

Jiang Zao sat obediently, and Meng Qiao-Yuan moved to sit beside her, blocking her from Shen Mu-Shi.

Shen Mu-Shi had to sit on the other side of the sofa, shooting Meng Qiao-Yuan a hostile glance.

Jiang Zao didn’t miss the interaction between the two, gently nudging Meng Qiao-Yuan’s arm and asking quietly, “What’s going on? Did you two have a fight?”

Ever since Meng Qiao-Yuan had visited Zhou Li-Chuan and Jiang Zao’s home, Jiang Zao had kept in touch with her. Their occasional chats revealed a shared interest, and their relationship had grown unexpectedly close.

Meng Qiao-Yuan shook her head, unwilling to say more. Instead, she asked Jiang Zao, “Things seem good between you and Zhou Li-Chuan? He looks well, much better than before. But you seem a bit tired?”

Jiang Zao smiled, “Not really tired, just a bit worn out. I’ve been rushing to finish some paintings for an art exhibition. I need to complete them soon, and I’m also submitting some of my old student works.”

Meng Qiao-Yuan nodded approvingly, “That’s right. Girls should have their own passions, not always follow others around. Don’t spoil men, or they’ll really think we can’t manage without them.”

Jiang Zao laughed, “What’s gotten into you? Did something happen?”

Meng Qiao-Yuan shot a glance at Shen Mu-Shi, who was eavesdropping nearby, and said, “Be wary of those who go out of their way to be helpful when nothing’s going on. Zhou Li-Chuan is a good man—you should cherish him.”

Jiang Zao was baffled, “Do you really have something you want to say? You’re all over the place.”

Shen Mu-Shi interjected, “Don’t listen to her. You mentioned entering an art exhibition—which one? I’d love to go and support you.”

Jiang Zao looked up and smiled, “It’s near where I live now, at an art museum. The exhibition opens at the end of the month, and its theme is ‘Rising Dawn.’”

Meng Qiao-Yuan nodded, “I think I’ve heard about it. My eldest sister mentioned it when she came home. The exhibition isn’t large but its standards are extremely high. Only the finest works are selected, and there’s an age requirement—artists must be between eighteen and thirty. It’s meant to spotlight young painters.”

Jiang Zao nodded, “Yes. My university professor told me about it and recommended I participate. I wanted to give it a try.”

Shen Mu-Shi chimed in, “You’ll definitely make it. Your painting fits the theme perfectly—you’re sure to be selected!”

Jiang Zao thanked him politely, not noticing the look Meng Qiao-Yuan gave Shen Mu-Shi.