My Lady, To Defeat Scumbags You Must Start Early

Chapter 169 - 169: 167: Mu Cidian, You ‘re as Disgusting as Your Mother (2 updates)

Translator: 549690339

A dinner brought joy to some and sorrow to others.

After dinner, Ji Baijian brought Song Zhizhi home.

The night was perfect, an ideal time for sweet talks.

Suddenly, Song Zhizhi thought of Yin Qin and felt that she shouldn’t let him… suffer too much.

She was afraid that Yin Qin, always so positive and cheery, would be driven to despair.

The car stopped at the entrance of the Song Family mansion.

Ji Baijian got out of the car to open the door for Song Zhizhi.

Yin Qin was still sitting in the back seat looking leisurely, humming a tune now and then.

It seemed like all the unpleasantness of the evening had disappeared without a trace.

But who could tell what was truly in his heart?

Song Zhizhi said goodbye to Ji Baijian.

At the moment when he was about to turn around and leave, Song Zhizhi suddenly grabbed Ji Baijian.

Ji Baijian looked at her and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Instead of answering him, Song Zhizhi turned to Yin Qin in the back seat and said, “Yin Qin, don’t look back.”

Humming a song cheerfully, Yin Qin readily agreed, “Alright, you two can be cozy, and I promise not to peep.”

Song Zhizhi couldn’t help but laugh.

She turned her gaze to Ji Baijian, who was utterly baffled.

Song Zhizhi said, “Ji Baijian, I have a surprise for you tonight.”

Ji Baijian raised his eyebrows slightly.

“1 intended to give it to you at dinner, but unfortunately, there were too many people.”

Ji Baijian pursed his lips lightly.

“Watch carefully,” Song Zhizhi said.

Ji Baijian just stared at Song Zhizhi without even blinking.

Song Zhizhi laughed and let down her dress.

Once again, Song Zhizhi saw Ji Baijian’s throat bob.

It was so obvious.

She abruptly turned around and left.

Ji Baijian watched Song Zhizhi’s retreating figure.

He watched for a long time.

A smile slowly drifted to the corners of his mouth.

What a tease, leading him on.

He returned to the car.

Yin Qin looked at him, “Why didn’t you linger for a while?”

Ji Baijian didn’t answer.

Yin Qin said, “No matter how you look at Song Zhizhi, she looks good.”

Though Song Zhizhi had made fun of him several times before, judging by his understanding of Ji Baijian, he would never slip up.

Unless he couldn’t bear it anymore.

As of now, it seemed like he hadn’t reached his breaking point yet.

Ji Baijian drove seriously. The car stopped at a red light at a crossroads.

Yin Qin continued humming to himself.

Ji Baijian was staring blankly at the traffic lights.

At that moment, his mind was filled with images of Song Zhizhi in front of him, fervent like a fire and wearing a radiant smile.

“Ji Baijian, the light is green!” Yin Qin reminded him.

Ji Baijian snapped back to reality.

He calmly drove on.

Yin Qin was curious, “What were you so deep in thought about?”

“Song Zhizhi.”

Yin Qin paused, then laughed, “You’re finally not hiding your feelings.” “So…” Ji Baijian’s lips twitched slightly, “Have you experienced this before?”

“What?”

Ji Baijian’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. After a while, Yin Qin got it, “Yes, I have. What’s next?”

“How did you handle it?”

Yin Qin laughed again, “When we return home, I’ll give you something good.”

Ji Baijian pressed his lips tightly together and stepped on the accelerator even harder.

The next morning.

Song Zhizhi had a good night’s sleep and felt refreshed.

After breakfast, she left for work with Luo Xiaolang.

The project was basically settled. The most urgent task now was the bidding process. But the bid competition was between the consortium and the companies. She just needed to wait for the result, so the pressure at work had reduced quite a bit.

The car arrived at the Commercial Management building.

Song Zhizhi clocked in for work.

She sat at her desk, turned on her computer, and logged onto the bidding website to review the companies that were currently bidding. She scrutinized each one carefully.

Meanwhile.

On the same bidding website, Xin Zaozao is also researching.

There’s much she doesn’t understand, so she pays close attention, taking notes on anything unclear, then looks it up or consults professionals.

She reads through meticulously, over and over again.

Xin Zaozao carefully calculates the bidding amount and potential profits, but she’s not an expert, so her calculations are not very accurate.

Having thought for a while, she picks up her phone. “Secretary Yan.”

“Chairwoman.” Yan Quan responds with utmost reverence.

Yes, she is still the chairwoman.

The board has no power to dismiss her, because she holds a forty-one percent stake in the company.

As the largest shareholder, no one has the right to make her leave unless she chooses to do so herself. As the largest shareholder, she naturally becomes the chairwoman, although the board doesn’t listen to her and even deliberately rebels against her.

During her fortnight at the company, she has not convened any board meetings, and none of the other board members has taken the initiative to approach her. They treat her like air; many crucial decisions made by the group don’t involve her. The Deputy Chairwoman, CEO, and others can make decisions on her behalf.

Through the phone, she says, “Could you get General Manager Zhang from the finance department and Commissioner Wu Hao who was in Beixia Country for evaluation, I need to see them.”

“Yes,” Yan Quan replies, “Will this be in your office?”

Xin Zaozao thinks for a moment, “Let’s do it in the chairwoman’s meeting room, I will wait for them there.”

“Yes.”

Xin Zaozao hangs up the call, picks up her laptop, saves her notes and heads to the meeting room next door.

She sits in the meeting room waiting for a while.

Commissioner Wu Hao arrives and greets her respectfully, “Chairwoman.”

Xin Zaozao smiles, “Sit.”

Wu Hao takes a seat opposite Xin Zaozao.

Xin Zaozao says, “We’ll wait for Director Zhang. I want to consult with you both about something.”

“Hmm.” Wu Hao nods and sits there idly.

In reality, Wu Hao is Mu Cidian’s subordinate.

Xin Zaozao does not want to dwell on this for now. She decides to proceed according to her own plans.

After waiting for ten minutes.

Zhang Qi does not arrive.

They wait ten more minutes.

Wu Hao seems to be getting impatient, “Chairwoman, I have a lot of work to do.”

The implication being that he doesn’t have the luxury to sit around with her.

Xin Zaozao purses her lips, picks up her phone, “Secretary Yan, could you check if Director Zhang has encountered some problem? Why hasn’t he arrived yet?”

“Yes.

Xin Zaozao hangs up and says to Wu Hao, “Let’s wait a little longer.”

wu Hao’s unwilling expression is evident, but ne retrains trom commenting.

They wait for about another ten minutes.

The door to the meeting room opens, and Yan Quan enters with Zhang Qi.

Xin Zaozao thinks, had Secretary Yan not personally fetched Zhang Qi, who still respected Secretary Yan to some extent, he probably wouldn’t have shown up at all!

Even though he arrives, he doesn’t look pleased. Looking at Xin Zaozao, he raises his voice, “What’s the urgent matter that required my presence? I have many decisions to make in my department, and there’s a line of people waiting for my signature at the door. You’ve made me waste so much time.

Who’s going to be responsible when this affects the group’s performance?”

“If our group’s performance drops, I will be the most affected.” Xin Zaozao says.

As the major shareholder, the losses will be hers too.

Zhang Qi takes a seat across from Xin Zaozao in silence, his face taut with annoyance. “Yes, you’re the chairwoman, whatever you say goes. But may I ask, Chairwoman, why did you summon me?”

Choosing to ignore Zhang Qi’S overt disrespect, Xin Zaozao says, “I came across a bidding proposition for a development zone by Commercial Management on the bidding website. I believe we should be able to undertake the Sea Hotel Project and the Sea Sky Restaurant. I’d like to understand how Commissioner Wu’S investigation in Beixia Country went. Is the hotel project profitable, and would the Sea Sky Restaurant become a highlight? I also want the finance department to work out a preliminary budget.”

Wu Hao straightforwardly says, “Although I went to inspect Beixia Country, General Manager Mu mentioned that we would not be participating in this project, so I didn’t investigate deeply. I was simply there to make up the numbers. Therefore, I’m not very clear about this project.”

Zhang Qi chimes in, “Since General Manager Mu stated we wouldn’t bid on this project, I’ve naturally not prepared any budget. In matters concerning the group’s projects, only what General Manager Mu says counts. I don’t listen to anyone else.”

Xin Zaozao bites her lip.

“Chairwoman, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go ahead. I indeed have a lot of work,” Wu Hao gets up, ready to leave.

Zhang Qi also gets up, leaving a comment, “Chairwoman, even though you hold a high position, you cannot abuse your power. We all have work to do, we’re not here to play. Please refrain from wasting our time.”

Xin Zaozao stares straight at him.

Zhang Qi, apparently not intending to wait for her permission, turns to leave.

Remembering something, he says, “If there’s really something you want to do, best discuss it with General Manager Mu. I won’t execute anything without his approval.”

So… everything is dictated by Mu Cidian.

Xin Zaozao suppresses her emotions.

Zhang Qi and Wu Hao leave.

At the entrance of the meeting room they’re leaving, Zhang Qi and Wu Hao respectfully greet, “General Manager Mu.”

Xin Zaozao turns her eyes toward them.

Mu Cidian stands at the entrance of the meeting room, gives a slight nod in acknowledgment, signaling them to leave.

They then leave one after another.

Mu Cidian enters the meeting room directly.

Xin Zaozao shuts her laptop, bypasses Mu Cidian directly, and leaves.

“Can’t you see what the situation is now?” Mu Cidian coldly asks.

Xin Zaozao tightly clutches her laptop.

She wouldn’t let go, even if it killed her.

She would never willingly surrender the Xin Group.

Xin Zaozao leaves the meeting room directly.

Watching her retreating figure, Mu Cidian’s face turns dark.

Even so, even with that, Xin Zaozao would never beg him. She would rather be left helpless than… get close to him again.

He clenched his fist tightly.

Xin Zaozao returned to the office.

She knew that at present, everyone in the Xin Group followed Mu Cidian’s orders and she couldn’t do anything about it.

But she couldn’t just do nothing.

If she did not act, she would be completely sidelined.

If she took action, there might be hope.

Even if it was the slimmest hope, she wouldn’t give up.

She was determined to reclaim what was hers.

She managed to stabilize her emotions and picked up her phone to dial. “Song Zhizhi, it’s Xin Zaozao.” “Zaozao, I know it’s you. I have your number.” A gentle voice responded from the other end.

“Are you free? I’d like to invite you to dinner tonight.”

“Sure. What made you think of me?” Song Zhizhi joked.

Xin Zaozao said, “There’s a rumor that you ran into some trouble in Beixia Country. Just wanted to check if you’re okay.”

“Okay, I’ll see you tonight” Song Zhizhi agreed quickly.

Xin Zaozao said, “I’ll text you the address of the restaurant.”

“Okay.”

Xin Zaozao hung up the phone.

She had to learn, learn how to socialize.

She plunged back into her work

After this period, she realized that she had developed a basic understanding of many aspects of the group’s operations. The theoretical knowledge had sunk in, the practical application was the hard part.

After a busy day at work, Xin Zaozao finally left the office without having to work overtime.

Nie Feng drove her to her destination.

When Xin Zaozao arrived, Song Zhizhi was already there.

Song Zhizhi’s days had started to lighten up as well, and he usually arrived on time without working overtime.

The two of them sat in a huge private room, made even more spacious by the addition of Nie Feng and Luo Xiaolang.

“Do you need to make such a big deal just to see me?” Song Zhizhi laughed. Xin Zaozao was a bit embarrassed, “Actually, I need to discuss something with you.”

“So you’re here to bribe me. ” Song Zhizhi couldn’t help teasing her.

Xin Zaozao blushed lightly.

Song Zhizhi said, “It’s about the development project, isn’t it?”

Xin Zaozao was surprised, then seemed to understand.

She always felt Song Zhizhi to be very perceptive. She said, “Yes, I was wondering what projects might be worthwhile.”

“The flow redirection project,” Song Zhizhi said bluntly.

Xin Zaozao frowned, “Aren’t the seaside hotel or sky restaurant, or even a luxury cruise, more appropriate for that?”

“Those are indeed projects that enterprises value for their profitability and distinctive features, but they aren’t suitable for you.”

Xin Zaozao was surprised, hanging onto every word.

“Having just taken charge of the Xin Group, you must first establish your own social circle. In

Yanshang Country’s system, enterprises must be in good terms with the Commercial Management. Since you need to establish good relations, naturally, you should opt for less popular projects to bid for, you need to make your stance clear with action. Although the flow redirection project doesn’t have high profitability at the outset, from what I’ve learned in Beixia Country, after five years of operation, it has begun to make profits.” Song Zhizhi continued, “So, if you’re not feeling greedy for immediate profits, you could demonstrate goodwill to Commercial Management and invest in the flow redirection project, which few people would dare to invest in.”

Xin Zaozao fell silent as if deep in thought.

“Of course, it’s just my suggestion. It’s up to you to decide whether to take it or not,” Song Zhizhi said, “After all, it’s likely that your decision will ignite internal discord within your group. Given your current scenario, you probably don’t have the power to make decisions alone.”

Xin Zaozao gave a quiet smile, with a hint of helplessness, “The current situation is that no matter what project I choose to bid for, I’ll be blocked. I’m not even getting to the stage of considering the project yet.”

Song Zhizhi had already guessed that much.

A girl like Xin Zaozao, trying to take full control of a Fortune 500 company, the Consortium Group, by herself, without anyone else’s help, was essentially a pipe dream.

“Anyway, thank you,” Xin Zaozao said.

“If you want to thank me, don’t just say it, ” Song Zhizhi said bluntly.

Xin Zaozao quickly nodded and was reaching into her bag to grab an envelope which she had prepared earlier…

Song Zhizhi grabbed her hand, “Don’t overthink it.”

Xin Zaozao looked at him.

“Even if we were strangers, I wouldn’t accept it. Luckily, you’re at least learning to socialize.” Song Zhizhi laughed.

Xin Zaozao felt a bit embarrassed.

Because doing such things was inherently awkward.

Song Zhizhi said, “Zaozao, I’m getting married soon.”

“I know, I saw it all over the news. Congratulations.” She still occasionally read the news, despite being heavily invested in her work.

‘Would you be one of my bridesmaids?”

“What?” Xin Zaozao was immensely surprised.

“I don’t have many friends, and I was thinking Xiaolang could be my bridesmaid, but I’m worried that she might not be familiar with many of the wedding traditions. So, I thought you could accompany her. What do you think?”

Xin Zaozao nodded, “Okay.”

She didn’t think twice about it.

However, she looked at Song Zhizhi.

Did Song Zhizhi just say she had no friends?!

She’s so outgoing, why doesn’t she have any friends?

There was a deep suspicion in her, but she never doubted her.

Song Zhizhi was someone worthy of her friendship.

The two of them didn’t discuss business during their following dinner. They chatted about random and insignificant topics before heading home after dinner.

When Xin Zaozao returned to the Xin Family villa, it was rather dark at the moment.

It wasn’t bedtime yet, it was still early.

Maybe they’d gone out for dinner.

For such a long time, she and Wan Quan had been rivals under the same roof, each wishing to drive the other away.

Xin Zaozao entered the house with Nie Feng and headed straight to her room on the second floor.

She would never linger in any part of this mansion other than her own room; she didn’t want to see some faces for even a second longer.

Walking on the long corridor, she passed a half-closed room. A faint light was visible from the crack in the door. Xin Zaozao paused in her steps.

She heard a strange sound from the room.

This was the room of her father and Wan Quan.

She clenched her teeth.

Nie Feng stood politely behind her.

Xin Zaozao gritted her teeth and pushed the door open.

Inside the room, on the large bed, due to her sudden act, it was the woman, Wan Quan, who remained calm, just looking at Xin Zaozao catching her in the act.

The man with Wan Quan was the gardener of the house, a middle-aged man.

Xin Zaozao just stared at Wan Quan, just stared at her.

Her clenched fists tightened without any halt.

“Don’t you have the decency to knock before entering? You’re such a graceless creature!” Wan Quan cursed.

Xin Zaozao tried hard to control her temper.

On the bed headboard of Wan Quan, there was a large marriage certificate photo of her father and Wan Quan.

Wan Quan seemed to notice Xin Zaozao’s gaze.

This woman, aged 50, yet still had the charm of a 40-year-old woman.

She said, “What? Did you think I’d spare your dead father? The greatest honor I gave him was not cuckolding him before his death…”

“Slap!” Xin Zaozao slapped Wan Quan hard on the face.

Wan Quan seemed stunned by the slap at that moment.

Xin Zaozao, was she courting death? How dare she hit her.

How dare she slapped her in the face.

Wan Quan wanted to retort, but upon seeing Nie Feng behind Xin Zaozao, she could only resort to screaming, a crazed scream.

Her shriek was loud enough to reach the just-returned Mu Cidian in the villa hall. He quickly rushed upstairs followed by Wu Qianyuan.

He had just accompanied Wu Qianyuan for dinner at her maternal home tonight, and trouble had broken out the moment they returned…

Mu Cidian quickly headed towards his mother’s room, seeing Xin Zaozao and her bodyguard standing at the door.

He instantly knew, it must be the irreconcilable conflict between Xin Zaozao and his mother.

“What’s the matter?!” Mu Cidian’s voice was cold.

Xin Zaozao didn’t turn around, she said harshly to Wan Quan, “You betrayed my father’s feelings.”

“Your father betrayed me even more! He deserved what he got, and as his daughter, you should die with him!” Wan Quan roared.

“The one who should die is you!” Xin Zaozao enunciated each word.

Wan Quan wanted to say something more.

Xin Zaozao turned around abruptly.

She was facing Mu Cidian.

Mu Cidian was looking at her coldly.

Xin Zaozao said, “You and your mom… are both disgusting.”

Mu Cidian’s lips tightened.

“Xin Zaozao, why are you always hostile to Cidian? He’s always defending you.” Wu Qianyuan defended him.

Xin Zaozao turned her gaze straight to Wu Oianvuan, “One dav, vou will feel the same as me.”

Wu Qianyuan was surprised.

Xin Zaozao had already left with Nie Feng.

Wu Qianyuan mumbled uncomfortably, “Xin Zaozao has such a terrible character.”

Mu Cidian’s throat moved slightly.

It wasn’t like this… once upon a time.

He looked back at his mother, his gaze fell on the man on the bed.

Seeing that her son’s expression was not right, Wan Quan quickly said, “I only wanted to deliberately provoke Xin Zaozao. Who asked her to act so high and mighty all day!”

“Don’t do this again.” Mu Cidian replied indifferently.

Wan Quan felt uncomfortable.

But under the awkward circumstance at the moment, she didn’t say anything in the end.

Mu Cidian left with Wu Qianyuan. As they passed Xin Zaozao•s room, he paused, “Qianyuan, you go back to the room first.”

“And you?”

“I want to have a talk with Xin Zaozao.” “She won’t listen.” Wu Qianyuan confirmed.

“I know.”

But…

He would still go..