Capítulo 56: Chapter 58: Schemes Unabated
Zhou Yanqiu parked her car downstairs. Just as she stepped out, a Maybach pulled up beside her Bentley. The door opened, and out stepped Li Bin.
"Auntie, a new ride? A Bentley Continental, nice!" Li Bin said with a smile.
"It's young master Li!" Zhou Yanqiu responded with a hint of awkwardness. A few days ago, she had envisioned Li Bin as her future son-in-law. However, with Wu Zhiming's sudden rise to power as the head of the Wu family, her plans had drastically changed. She had mostly given up on the idea of pushing for a marriage between Li Bin and her daughter. Yet, seeing Li Bin here again made her unsure how to proceed.
"I brought some things for you," Li Bin said as he opened the trunk and took out several bags.
"Young master Li, you're too kind!" Zhou Yanqiu said, although she hesitated to accept the gifts.
"Not at all. It's my duty to show respect to you." Li Bin handed the bags to her. Seeing her hesitation, he quickly added, "These include some premium sea cucumbers from Liaoning, brought back by my father from the north—great for nourishing and revitalizing women. There are also some fresh white truffles from abroad, and…"
As he listed the items, Zhou Yanqiu's hand involuntarily reached out to accept the bags.
"Auntie, I heard Jingjing is now the CEO assistant at the Wu Group. Is that true?" Li Bin asked.
"Yes, that's true," Zhou Yanqiu nodded.
"Auntie, you know how I feel about Jingjing. I can offer her so much more. Our family is one of the most prominent in Tianlu City. The Wu family is insignificant compared to us. Please try to persuade Jingjing. If she leaves Wu Zhiming, I can make her the CEO of our company, with an annual income in the tens of millions. Moreover, if she marries me, she'll become the mistress of the Li family in Tianlu City—a status far superior to being the matriarch of the Wu family. I believe both she and you can understand the difference," Li Bin said.
"I understand," Zhou Yanqiu nodded again.
"Good, I've said what I needed to. The rest is up to you." Li Bin got back into his car and drove away.
Standing there, holding the bags, Zhou Yanqiu pondered for a long time before heading upstairs.
Inside the apartment, Yao Jianrong was watching TV. Seeing Zhou Yanqiu enter with large bags, he was surprised and asked, "Weren't you going to pick up our guests? Why did you buy so much stuff?"
"I ran into Li Bin downstairs. He gave me these," Zhou Yanqiu replied as she walked to the living room and began unpacking the bags. Sure enough, they contained various precious items.
"Why did you accept his gifts? I've been thinking of returning everything he gave us before! Jingjing and Zhiming are clearly on the right path now. Zhiming is making a name for himself. Li Bin doesn't stand a chance anymore. Why would you still take his gifts?" Yao Jianrong said, getting worked up.
"Why are you shouting? He brought gifts, and I can't just turn him away, can I? Look at these things—has Wu Zhiming ever given us such gifts? Yes, Wu Zhiming has become successful, but he's a vengeful person. Look at how he's treated us lately. Has he ever given us face? Jingjing's husband isn't just her husband; he's family to us too. Is this how family should treat us? Frankly, I still think Li Bin is a better match—mature, stable, wealthier, and more respectful towards us. If I had my way, I would still prefer Jingjing to divorce Wu Zhiming," Zhou Yanqiu argued.
"That's absurd!" Yao Jianrong shouted, exasperated.
"Yao Jianrong, have you grown bold? Daring to talk back to me like that? You're out of line!" Zhou Yanqiu's eyes flared with anger.
"The car you're driving is still Wu Zhiming's, Yanqiu. We shouldn't push it too far! Zhiming has been remarkable. Who else can endure so much and rise from it? Just for that resilience, he will surely achieve great things!" Yao Jianrong softened his tone, trying to reason with her.
"No matter how successful he becomes, can he ever compare to Li Bin? The Li family's assets are counted in the billions. What is Wu Zhiming? Enough! Leave Jingjing's matters to me; don't interfere!" Zhou Yanqiu said, continuing to rummage through the gifts from Li Bin, her face alight with joy.
Yao Jianrong sighed deeply. He held little sway in the household and couldn't challenge Zhou Yanqiu. Instinctively, he felt Wu Zhiming was superior to Li Bin and would have a brighter future. But with Zhou Yanqiu thinking otherwise, there was little he could do.
**Chapter 58: Schemes Unabated**
Meanwhile, at Wu Group Headquarters:
"Boss, there's something I need to discuss with you," Li Sina stood before Wu Zhiming, her expression serious.
"Go ahead," Wu Zhiming replied, still engrossed in his documents.
"As your personal bodyguard, I believe you should heed my advice more often, especially in security matters. Yesterday, for instance, I was supposed to stay close to you, but you instructed me to wait on the rooftop of your old residence. This only increased the security risks. I know you're confident and capable, but when it comes to your safety, you should follow my arrangements," Li Sina explained earnestly.
"Don't you think being on the rooftop gave you a better vantage point? There were so many people yesterday," Wu Zhiming responded without looking up.
"True, the view from the seventh floor was comprehensive, but the time it takes to reach you from there is considerably longer. While there are benefits, the drawbacks can't be ignored. I believe staying close to you would be more effective," Li Sina argued.
"Understood," Wu Zhiming nodded.
Just then, Wu Zhiming's phone rang. He picked it up.
"Brother, I'm heading back to the States!" came the voice of Wu Mengjie from the other end.
"So soon?" Wu Zhiming asked in surprise.
"Yeah, our schedule is pretty tight. I'm packing my bags right now. Come pick me up, will you?" Wu Mengjie requested.
"You never hesitate to make use of me. I'll be there soon," Wu Zhiming replied, ending the call. Turning to Li Sina, he said, "I need to take my sister to the airport."
"I'll drive," Li Sina offered immediately.
"No need. You stay here and wait for me. I have some personal matters to discuss with her, not meant for others to hear," Wu Zhiming insisted.
Li Sina frowned and said, "I am your personal bodyguard."
"Don't worry. It's just the airport; there won't be any trouble," Wu Zhiming said, heading towards the door.
"I take my job seriously since you pay me. I can wear earplugs so I won't hear a thing!" Li Sina insisted, following him.
"Alright, alright," Wu Zhiming relented, recognizing the determination in her eyes. He couldn't argue with her resolve, so he let her come along.
Together, they headed downstairs and drove Wu Zhiming's Elantra back to the old Wu residence.
Wu Mengjie was already prepared and waiting on the ground floor. Wu Yuwei was there too, helping her with her bags.
As soon as they parked, Wu Yuwei eagerly opened the trunk to load the luggage.
"This Wu Yuwei, didn't he used to bully you? Now he can't stop talking about how you're the person he admires most!" Wu Mengjie whispered to Wu Zhiming.
"That's normal. Any man would admire me with a beautiful sister like you!" Wu Zhiming joked.
"You're so sweet, brother," Wu Mengjie said, hugging his arm with a giggle. "Brother, I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"When I graduate and come back, you and sister-in-law must give me a nephew! And if you two can't, as your non-biological sister, I feel it's my duty to contribute to the Wu family legacy!" Wu Mengjie declared seriously.
"You contribute? How? By finding someone to marry into the family?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"I'm not telling you! Hmph, enough talk! Let's get going!" Wu Mengjie said, sliding into the car.
"Master, the luggage is all loaded!" Wu Yuwei reported, closing the trunk respectfully.
"What do you do every day now?" Wu Zhiming asked him.
"Uh… just busy with family matters," Wu Yuwei scratched his head awkwardly.
"Have you prepared the money you owe me?" Wu Zhiming inquired.
"Yes, I have!" Wu Yuwei replied earnestly, pulling a bank card from his pocket and handing it to Wu Zhiming. "This card has 387,200 yuan, the amount I've taken from you over the years."
Wu Zhiming took the card, glanced at Wu Yuwei, and said, "I'll accept this. Tomorrow, go see Wang Hai. Tell him I sent you. He'll arrange a job for you."
"Yes, Master!" Wu Yuwei nodded excitedly.
Without further words, Wu Zhiming got into the car. Li Sina started the engine and drove towards the airport.
Wu Yuwei stood there, watching the car until it disappeared from sight before turning back inside.
"Brother, why did you help him? That guy bullied you a lot in the past," Wu Mengjie asked, puzzled.
"There are many ways to exact revenge. Some prefer physical retribution, but I find it more satisfying to have someone who once mistreated you work under you, following your orders. Isn't that interesting? Besides, I see a certain hunger in Wu Yuwei's eyes, something that reminds me of myself many years ago," Wu Zhiming explained.
"Aren't you worried he might lie low and come back to bite you, just like you did?" Wu Mengjie asked.
"I don't fear betrayal from anyone, whether it's Wu Yuwei, Wang Hai, or even Dong Jian," Wu Zhiming replied calmly.
"Why not?" Wu Mengjie questioned.
Wu Zhiming smiled, shook his head, and offered no further explanation.
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