Chapter 60: Jiang Zao’s Arrangements

Jiang Zao nodded, unaffected by Gao Chenggong’s subtle hints. She picked up the black tea before her and took a sip, then reminded him, “Do you know why I was able to receive you at the old Zhou family residence?”

Gao Chenggong immediately understood. “Miss Jiang, if you have the support of the elder Zhou couple, then there must be something important. Please, ask whatever you wish—I will answer all I can.”

Jiang Zao spoke with ease, “With you here, I am at ease. I only want to know one thing—what was Zhou Kuan’s next step before Zhou Lichuan’s surgery?”

Gao Chenggong responded without hesitation, “So that’s what you wanted to ask. Zhou returned this time and temporarily put the plan aside—he said he needed to reconsider.”

Jiang Zao said, “I know Zhou Lichuan has his own thoughts, but this is all I want to know.”

Gao Chenggong nodded and began to recall, “Before the surgery, Zhou exposed the inside story of ‘Little Droplet’ to stir up public opinion and buy time. Zhou Kuan wanted to extricate himself from ‘Little Droplet,’ but it would take at least a month. Zhou calculated that this would coincide with his own recovery, so he planned to return to the company and use Zhou Kuan’s poor decision-making and unauthorized investments as grounds to dismiss him. Some of the dividend shares would be cashed out to cover the group’s losses.”

Jiang Zao lowered her head, smiling with admiration. “This open scheme is like telling Zhou Kuan directly, ‘I’m coming for you,’ and Zhou Kuan can only stand by and watch, for Zhou Lichuan is perfectly reasonable and legal.”

Gao Chenggong said, “Yes, once Zhou Kuan leaves the group, his faction will be dealt with gradually, and before long, things will be clean.”

Jiang Zao agreed with Gao Chenggong.

She then lamented, “Lin Rui caused a kidnapping and muddied the waters completely. The police are involved now, and even the Meng family is dragged in. Zhou Kuan was cooperating with the investigation at that time, and Lin Rui’s thugs admitted Lin Rui acted to avenge Zhou Lichuan’s alleged framing of Zhou Kuan, but refuse to provide evidence. They try to use the Meng family as a scapegoat and distance Zhou Kuan from the ‘Little Droplet’ decisions. He’s truly loyal.”

Gao Chenggong asked, “Didn’t Lin Rui demand an apology from Zhou? Now he’s fled—can we trust what his underlings say?”

Jiang Zao glanced at him. Gao Chenggong, just over forty, was impeccably maintained, without a trace of middle-aged weariness. His tailored suit highlighted his scholarly elegance.

“Does it matter?” she replied.

Gao Chenggong seemed to realize, “Of course! As long as the words came from Lin Rui’s side, the kidnapping can’t be separated from Zhou Kuan. Even if he didn’t participate directly, it happened because of him. As long as Zhou Kuan isn’t completely innocent, there are ways to drag him down. The waters are already muddied; even the unrelated Meng family is involved. Zhou Kuan will have a hard time extricating himself. He’s not the only one who can play the public opinion game.”

Jiang Zao shrugged, “Lin Rui never imagined that the plan he devised to help Zhou Kuan escape would become the very weapon pointed at them.”

“So… what’s your next move, Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Zao quietly shared her thoughts with Gao Chenggong, who sat sweating nervously as he listened.

Jiang Zao took up her tea again and drank a little. “This plan involves some people who have always remained invisible to the public. But the Zhou name cannot be written with just one stroke—I’ll go talk first. Wait for my call.”

Before leaving, Gao Chenggong rose and said to her, “Miss Jiang, you… must take care of yourself. The Zhou family waters run deep. You’re a young woman…”

Jiang Zao saw him to the door. “Mr. Gao, I have nothing left to lose. So I have nothing to fear. You are a good man. Thank you.”

Gao Chenggong looked at her youthful face, feeling a tightness in his chest, and nodded before leaving the reception room.

That night.

Jiang Zao shared her plan with Zhou Huai in the study. The man, once formidable in business, showed a trace of appreciation in his eyes.

“You’re excellent. Go ahead. If you need any connections, call me. But I have one condition.”

“I understand, Chairman. Rest assured, this is my own matter and has nothing to do with the Zhou family.”

Before bed, Jiang Zao reviewed her plan one last time, recalling her conversation with Gao Chenggong earlier.

He was broad-minded and kind, more than she had expected.

Zhou Huai wanted Jiang Zao to leave now and focus on her pregnancy, which was indeed the best way to protect her and the child. But Zhou Lichuan did not acknowledge Jiang Zao, so the child would still be fated as illegitimate. If his memory impairment could be cured, it would be fine; if not, their future was bleak.

To be a nameless, statusless mother to an illegitimate child of the Zhou family—Jiang Zao did not have the strength to watch Zhou Lichuan become a stranger.

She had no way out, so she must fight with her back to the river, just to have the right to sit at the negotiating table and determine her own fate. Even if she failed, it didn’t matter; she had nothing left to lose. As long as the Zhou family still recognized the child, her own fate was irrelevant.

Emotionally, she couldn’t let go of Zhou Lichuan.

Rationally, Zhou Lichuan and the Zhou family had helped her greatly; it was time for her to repay them.

Gao Chenggong understood her situation and had warned her not to become the Zhou family’s weapon, or someone else’s tool. She was deeply grateful, but still had no other path.

She could not shrink back any longer.

She would protect both Zhou Lichuan and the child.

…

Zhou Jiayan shouldered her backpack and pulled her suitcase out of her room, tiptoeing as she tried to leave the Ting Shan villa.

As soon as she opened the front door, Du Bin was waiting outside, arms crossed.

“Where are you going?”

Zhou Jiayan straightened up. “It’s none of your business.”

She strode toward the parking lot.

As she passed Du Bin, her wrist was seized firmly. “Miss Zhou, please don’t cause trouble. Zhou has too much on his plate right now and can’t look after you.”

Zhou Jiayan struggled to free herself. “I don’t need you to manage me! Who are you to interfere? Let go!”

Du Bin’s face remained expressionless, his grip unyielding. “Are you going to the bar again, Miss Zhou? Drinking until dawn and calling me to pick you up?”

Zhou Jiayan seemed struck by his words, ceased her struggle, and slapped him. “Du Bin, don’t think sleeping with me a few times gives you any right to control me. Where I go and with whom—it’s none of your business.”

Du Bin took the slap, but his hand still didn’t release her wrist. “If it’s not my business, whose is it? Li Mingyi?”

Zhou Jiayan retorted angrily, “What does he have to do with this? Let go! You’re hurting me…”

The cry of pain made Du Bin hesitate; his grip slackened. Zhou Jiayan took the chance to break free and ran swiftly toward the parking lot.