Hearing those words, Jiang Zhao sneered, “If you’ve got the guts, go ahead and try.”
When it came to physical ability, Jiang Zhao was definitely not weak. He had undergone professional training. If he hadn’t been drugged the night he was betrayed, how could he have ended up in such a miserable state?
Jiang Chenfeng’s face turned dark as he growled angrily, “Who are you looking down on? I’m now the high-and-mighty chairman of the group, and you… you’re just a penniless loser living on the streets!”
“Chairman?” Jiang Zhao laughed at his words, his gaze cold, “You really think that dragging me down means you can control the entire group?”
“In all of Jiangnan City’s trade industry, your name is already rotten. Who would still want to do business with you?”
In the business world, credibility was everything. No one wanted to work with someone who had none.
“You think you’re still the same person as before? Still acting all high and mighty trying to lecture me!” Jiang Chenfeng was infuriated by the truth and burst into rage.
It was because he couldn’t stand Jiang Zhao’s attitude that he had chosen to stab him in the back. Now that he had finally succeeded, how could he tolerate this situation again?
As Jiang Chenfeng roared, the bodyguards outside the villa were about to rush in to help, but a burly figure blocked their way.
Inside the car parked outside the villa, Qin Lingxue looked calmly at Ah Hu, who stood guard alone, and said slowly, “Ah Hu, knock one down and I’ll add 500 yuan to your bonus this month.”
Ah Hu’s eyes lit up immediately. He looked at the bodyguards like he was seeing bundles of cash, then raised his fists into a military stance, “Come on then, all of you.”
…
Hearing the commotion outside, even Li Murong in the guest room was awakened. She opened the door and saw Jiang Zhao facing off against Jiang Chenfeng in the living room.
Fury rose within her, “You bastard, how dare you come back? Who gave you the courage!?”
In the past, Li Murong would never have spoken to Jiang Zhao like this. But now that her eldest son had the upper hand, things were different.
Seeing his mother coming down the stairs, Jiang Zhao’s eyes instantly turned red.
This time, he had returned to the Jiang family to demand justice!
He could understand Jiang Chenfeng targeting him. But no matter what, he couldn’t comprehend why even his own parents would betray him.
His voice hoarse, he asked, “Why?”
At that moment, Jiang Chenfeng seemed to recall something and mocked him, “Jiang Zhao, I bet you still don’t know, do you? You’re just the illegitimate child of my dad and some random woman. All these years, if it hadn’t been for the contributions you made to the Jiang family, we’d have kicked you out long ago.”
Jiang Zhao’s body trembled. He looked at Mother Li, who was walking down the stairs, in disbelief. His voice trembled, “Is… is it true?”
Li Murong crossed her arms, speaking in a superior tone, “Of course it’s true. What, you thought it was fake?”
“If that old man Li hadn’t kept threatening us with your birth mother’s affair, do you think I would’ve let a bastard like you stay in this house?”
Old Man Li was the former housekeeper of the Jiang family and had always treated Jiang Zhao well. Unfortunately, he had passed away from illness last year. Jiang Zhao hadn’t expected there to be such a hidden truth behind it all.
Her words completely extinguished the last bit of hope Jiang Zhao had for the Jiang family. Everything made sense now.
Why, even though they were both sons, he had been sent to an orphanage from a young age, only to be brought back later.
Why, even though they were both sons, their parents had always favored his brother since childhood.
Jiang Zhao’s heart twisted in pain. He let out a bitter laugh, then looked up at the three of them and said word by word, “From this day forward, I, Jiang Zhao, have nothing to do with the Jiang family. Whether you live or die, it has nothing to do with me.”
“Tch, like we’d miss you anyway,” Li Murong mocked.
Jiang Zhao then looked at the smug Jiang Chenfeng, his eyes cold, “Don’t think you’ve won. The river flows east for thirty years, and west for thirty more. As long as I’m alive, I’ll make a comeback!”
“Jiang family, we’re far from done!”
With that, Jiang Zhao turned and left without a hint of nostalgia. This time, he was truly done with them.
Outside the Jiang family home, he was met with the sight of bodyguards lying groaning on the ground. At the villa entrance stood Qin Lingxue like a striking figure. She turned her head and smiled lightly, “Said everything you wanted to say?”
Jiang Zhao looked at her with mixed emotions. She was so pleasing to the eye, at least genuinely kind to him—unlike the Jiang family, full of false affection.
After a moment of silence, he looked serious and said, “I want to start a business.”
The smile at the corner of Qin Lingxue’s lips froze instantly. Her face turned cold as she walked toward him, then without hesitation, slapped him hard.
“Pa!” The crisp sound rang out. Jiang Zhao clutched his reddened cheek, staring at her in disbelief, “You… why did you hit me!?”
Qin Lingxue sneered, “So you can rise up again and come back to fight me?”
“Listen up, Jiang. Start a business? Don’t even think about it in this lifetime. Just eat your soft rice quietly. From now on, I’ll take care of you!”
“You crazy woman!” Jiang Zhao was furious.
You never slap someone in the face. And to think I even found her somewhat likable—and this is how she treats me!?
“Dare to call me crazy?” Qin Lingxue smiled, then raised her fair hand and slapped again.
This time, Jiang Zhao was smarter. He had received professional training—how could he possibly lose to a woman?
Just as he was about to dodge, Qin Lingxue’s eyes narrowed, and her left hand struck even faster.
“Pa!” That familiar sound rang out once more.
“Don’t think you’re the only one who’s been trained,” Qin Lingxue said proudly.
Jiang Zhao held his flushed cheek, just about to yell at her when he saw Qin Lingxue raise her hand again. His body tensed, his face twisted in agony as he said, “Sister… sister, stop hitting me. I was wrong, I won’t start a business anymore, okay?”
“What did you just call me?” Qin Lingxue narrowed her eyes, her gaze threatening as she stared at him.
Realizing his mistake, he quickly corrected himself, “Xue’er, Xue’er.”
Satisfied, Qin Lingxue gently stroked his cheek, “That’s more like it. From now on, you’re mine. The Jiang family doesn’t want you, but I do.”
Then, Qin Lingxue grabbed Jiang Zhao’s hand and pulled him into the car.