Chapter 77: Remember to Visit Relatives and Friends During the New Year

Meng Qiaochong understood what Jiang Zao meant, but once he decided to pursue that person, he had already made all the necessary preparations.

Meng Qiaoyuan interrupted the conversation between the two: "Brother, weren't you planning to check the progress at the construction site before the New Year? Is it still possible?"

Meng Qiaochong glanced at his wristwatch, quickly stood up, and excused himself.

"I lost track of time while chatting. Miss Jiang, I have an appointment to inspect the Changzhou construction site, so I'll have to take my leave now."

Jiang Zao stood up to see him off. "I won't keep you, Mr. Meng. Please drive safely."

At the door, Meng Qiaochong turned back to admonish his sister: "The hazelnuts are for Miss Jiang. Don't eat too many. And don't stay up too late and disturb her rest."

Meng Qiaoyuan pouted and ignored her brother.

As soon as the door closed, Jiang Zao threw herself onto the sofa, pinning Meng Qiaoyuan down and demanding, "What's going on? Tell me the truth."

Pressed down by Jiang Zao, Meng Qiaoyuan was nearly out of breath, but worried about the child in her belly, she dared not resist forcefully. Her voice squeezed out from her throat: "There's nothing going on. Haven't you already guessed most of it? My second brother failed to win his wife's heart. She doesn't care for him, so he's desperately chasing her."

Jiang Zao gave her a slap. "Who told you I was asking about that!"

"Then what is it?" Meng Qiaoyuan propped herself up and asked.

Jiang Zao sat back and said, "Your second brother could get news from anywhere, but he insisted on coming to Changzhou specifically during the New Year. Do you think I'm really that foolish?"

Meng Qiaoyuan glanced at Jiang Zao and tugged at her arm. "I'll tell you, but promise you won't get angry."

Jiang Zao nodded.

Meng Qiaoyuan explained, "My dad sent him. After he saw the video you filmed for me, he asked about the Zhou family. When I said I was coming to see you, he asked my brother to find an excuse to come along, just to show his face in front of you."

Jiang Zao looked at her, amused. "What's the point of showing his face to me? I'm not Zhou Lichuan."

Meng Qiaoyuan touched her nose. "Before the New Year, Zhou Lichuan attended a financial investment year-end gathering, and my dad was there too. At that event, a CEO brought his daughter, supposedly to broaden her horizons, but really she was there for Zhou Lichuan."

Jiang Zao's smile faded as she asked, "Which family?"

Meng Qiaoyuan thought for a moment, "They deal in jewelry, surname Zhao."

Instantly, a photo of a woman in a pale blue evening gown flashed through Jiang Zao's mind.

After Shen Mushi returned that day, he sent Jiang Zao the list he compiled for Zhou Lichuan of suitable candidates for marriage alliances, including photos and backgrounds of various heiresses.

Jiang Zao nodded lightly, "I think I know who she is. So, Zhou Lichuan wasn't interested?"

Meng Qiaoyuan felt a pang seeing Jiang Zao's expression when she mentioned Zhou Lichuan and said, "Not only was he uninterested in her, he avoided every woman present like the plague. That's why, after hearing about you, my dad realized you were special. My brother really was looking for Tan Weny's whereabouts, so..."

Jiang Zao suddenly shifted the topic, asking about the Meng family's company, "Zhou Lichuan gave your family five cooperative projects in total. Has your family recovered?"

Meng Qiaoyuan looked at Jiang Zao, "I know what you're thinking. My brother was indeed set up, but fortunately the foundation wasn't harmed, just the cash flow has been tight. I'm not a finance major and don't understand the details. My dad just told me to remember the Zhou family's help, and won't say more."

Jiang Zao explained for her, "Those five projects... were actually meant to buy your family's support. By accepting them, your family is now obligated to support Zhou Lichuan unconditionally. He's blocking you not only from siding with Zhou Kuan, but also from marrying Zhou Lichuan."

Meng Qiaoyuan was stunned, "It works like that?"

Jiang Zao smiled, "Why not? Zhou Lichuan planned it all along. Your father knows this well. Now, seeing how he rejects other women and hearing your story, it's only natural he values me more."

Meng Qiaoyuan sighed, "It's all so complicated... I really can't figure it out."

Jiang Zao began eating hazelnuts. "What's so hard to understand? I'll have to go back eventually. Your second brother only agreed to carry out his task after seeing my belly, otherwise he'd just keep exchanging pleasantries. He also knows I won't just end things with Zhou Lichuan."

Meng Qiaoyuan sat up, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect it to be so complicated. I've made trouble for you."

Jiang Zao leaned on her, "How could it be trouble? In the video you filmed for me that day, your father and brother were chatting. I already knew then that your family isn't one of those clueless, shallow clans—the future is bright, you don't need anyone's help to climb back up. This is just a hurdle; things will get better."

Comforted, Meng Qiaoyuan relaxed into the sofa and chatted idly with Jiang Zao.

...

Jingzhou.

Qingjiang Cloud Top.

Zhou Lichuan stood at the bathroom door changing into his pajamas. He folded a black silk scarf, wrapped it around his eyes, and tied a knot at the back of his head.

With the scarf covering his eyes, everything before him was nothing but desolation.

Relying on muscle memory, he completed a series of actions: changing clothes, tossing them into the laundry basket, opening the cabinet to take out a fresh towel to dry his hair.

With the towel draped over his head, Zhou Lichuan pulled off the silk scarf from his eyes. He stared at the scarf, lost in thought, unable to return to himself for a long time.

Suddenly, the crisp ring of his phone startled him.

He picked up the phone, but before he could answer, the caller hung up.

Zhou Lichuan frowned. Why was Shen Mushi calling at this hour? The call ended before he could pick up—was it intentional?

He ignored it, tossed the phone aside, and continued drying his hair.

Soon, the phone vibrated again, this time ringing for quite a while.

Feeling irritable, Zhou Lichuan answered with a curt tone.

"Speak."

"..."

Shen Mushi was silent for a moment, unsure how to begin.

Zhou Lichuan grew angry, about to hang up, when Shen Mushi blurted two words, freezing Zhou Lichuan's action.

"Jiang Zao."

Zhou Lichuan pressed his voice low, "What's wrong with Jiang Zao?"

Shen Mushi sighed heavily, "A few days ago, I went to Changzhou for the hospital to pay respects to a patient and ran into Jiang Zao. She... she's pregnant. Over four months."

Zhou Lichuan was dumbfounded.

He couldn't hear anything, his ears filled with a shrill roar.

The towel fell to the floor. He stood there, dazed, for who knows how long. The intense pain in his chest forced him to bend over, curling up.

Pregnant...

Shen Mushi's voice came from the other end of the line, accompanied by endless sighs. "Brother, you really went too far this time. Jiang Zao... sigh. Once Zhou Jiayan's matter is resolved tomorrow, go see her in the afternoon."

Zhou Lichuan paid no heed. He quickly changed clothes, grabbed his car keys, dashed downstairs, jumped into his car, and sped away.