Cheng Zhili ignored the stares around him and said leisurely, “Let’s start with some stock trading.”
“Hmm… I’ve heard that stock trading in the human world is quite difficult,” Reinhardt remarked.
“Luckily, I’ve been reborn. I know there’s a stock on the Science and Technology Innovation Board that will keep rising this year. As long as I invest in it, there’s no need to worry about losing everything,” Cheng Zhili said confidently.
He recalled a friend from his past life who loved trading stocks and had once shared some insights with him. At the time, he hadn’t paid much attention, but now it seemed those insights would come in handy.
Cheng Zhili had already planned it out. After marrying Fu Laiying, he would immediately announce in the papers that he was severing ties with Cheng Wenbin. Then, with the money earned from stock trading, he would open a jewelry company to compete with Cheng Wenbin in the market and simultaneously release the Cheng Family’s dirty secrets from his past life to incite internal chaos.
However, the current problem was that he didn’t know how to run a company, and the jewelry industry involved purchasing raw jade materials, which required professional gambling stone experts. The top experts were monopolized by major jewelry companies. Cheng Zhili would either have to hire ordinary experts or poach them at a high price. But why would a top expert leave a high-paying job for a new, small company?
It was a bit challenging…
Cheng Zhili’s eyes flickered.
Forget it, he thought. He’d visit the gambling stone street in a few days and see if he could find any hidden gems.
Cheng Zhili toured each floor, ensuring every employee noticed him before taking the elevator back to the President’s office.
He knocked on the door before entering, finding Fu Laiying on the phone.
Upon seeing him enter, Fu Laiying paused in his conversation.
Cheng Zhili didn’t care and lay down on the sofa, closing his eyes for a nap.
To be honest, ever since his rebirth, he’d been mentally tense, constantly thinking about revenge. He often had nightmares of his heart being gouged out. But now, with the first step of his revenge completed, he felt exhausted and just wanted a good sleep.
As Fu Laiying’s voice continued, Cheng Zhili gradually drifted into slumber.
Fu Laiying glanced at Cheng Zhili’s peaceful sleeping face, his lips curling slightly. He frowned but instinctively lowered his voice.
His voice was resigned, “I’m sorry, I’m married now. We shouldn’t contact each other anymore.”
From the phone came Cheng Zhixia’s tearful voice, “Laiying, don’t you love me anymore? Why did you marry Cheng Zhili? Why him of all people? You know he’s the one who ruined my family…”
Fu Laiying pressed his lips together, a trace of pity in his eyes, but he resolutely shook his head, “I’m sorry.” With that, he hung up the phone.
He had been taught from a young age that once married, he should be responsible for his family. Even if he loved Cheng Zhixia, he couldn’t cheat on his spouse. The Fu family wouldn’t allow it, and neither would his own pride. So during the marriage, he wouldn’t have any contact with Cheng Zhixia. If Cheng Zhixia was willing to wait, Fu Laiying would shower him with love after divorcing Cheng Zhili, but not now.
The room fell silent, save for Cheng Zhili’s gentle breathing.
Fu Laiying glanced at Cheng Zhili with distaste, then rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
Though he didn’t want to admit it, it seemed he was being led by Cheng Zhili.
He could only hope Cheng Zhili would stop and not target Zhixia anymore.
Fu Laiying massaged his temples and returned to his paperwork.
Reinhardt floated beside him, raising an eyebrow.
Cheng Zhixia’s divine favor for Fu Laiying was rapidly decreasing. Such self-control was astonishing. Could Cheng Zhili really conquer a man like this? Reinhardt frowned, lost in thought.
Time drifted by.
Cheng Zhili heard the persistent buzzing of his phone.
Frowning, he picked it up to check.
An unknown number.
“Hello?” His voice, tinged with sleep, sounded soft and gentle.
“Cheng Zhili, why did you block my number—” It was Zhao Chao.
Click!
He hung up decisively, adjusted his sleeping position, and closed his eyes again.
The phone rang again, undeterred.
Cheng Zhili’s frown could kill a fly.
Annoying!
It was obvious Zhao Chao was there for Cheng Zhixia. Ha, acting so high and mighty while asking for help, did he think he was a god?
With that thought, Cheng Zhili blocked the number.
The world was silent for a moment, but only a moment. Another unknown number soon called.
“Damn!”
Finally able to sleep well, and now being disturbed!
Cheng Zhili hurled the phone to the floor in frustration.
Crash! The phone flew far away, and whether the screen shattered or not, Cheng Zhili didn’t care. He curled up tightly against the sofa back, like a fetus in the womb.
Fu Laiying couldn’t stand it anymore, “Sleeping on the sofa will make you catch a cold. My resting room is next door.”
Cheng Zhili sat up from the sofa, stomped on it hard, and said coldly, “I’m not sleeping.”
Fu Laiying pressed his lips together.
This Cheng Zhili was truly unpredictable.
He didn’t care, merely saying coolly, “Your phone.”
“I don’t want it. Throw it in the trash,” Cheng Zhili said, barefoot on the soft carpet, not even glancing at the phone as he walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows behind Fu Laiying.
The sunlight refracted through the glass, casting a golden glow. The distant skyscrapers and bustling traffic below were all within view.
Cheng Zhili took a deep breath, feeling much calmer.
No, his temper was getting worse. He didn’t seem to have a temper like this before.
Thinking about it, Cheng Zhili suddenly smiled, “General Manager Fu, do you know about office play?”
Fu Laiying was puzzled, instinctively frowning, “Hmm?”
Cheng Zhili chuckled, “Like last time, we had a sofa play. How about trying it in front of this glass window? It might be quite nice!”
Fu Laiying’s face instantly darkened, gritting his teeth as he spat, “Shameless!” Yet somehow, an image of Cheng Zhili pressed against the glass, crying and begging for mercy, flashed through his mind, making his heart skip a beat.
Fu Laiying’s breath caught, and he instinctively clutched his chest.
What was happening?
Had he caught some strange virus?
“I am shameless,” Cheng Zhili said nonchalantly, gazing down at something unknown.
Fu Laiying looked at him, suddenly feeling that Cheng Zhili was enveloped in a faint sadness, isolating him from the world, giving him a sense of cold detachment.
Fu Laiying frowned.
Just then, the internal phone rang.
Fu Laiying picked it up, “What is it?”
Cheng Zhili couldn’t hear the conversation.
But he saw Fu Laiying look up and say to him, “The front desk says someone named Zhao Chao wants to see you.”
At those words, Cheng Zhili’s previously suppressed violent mood nearly erupted, “Why is it him again?”
Calling was one thing, but coming to Fu’s to find him, what was Zhao Chao up to? Did he still want to win him back at this point?
Cheng Zhili could only sneer.
At this moment, Reinhardt said, “While you were sleeping, Fu Laiying was on the phone with Cheng Zhixia.”
Cheng Zhili turned to look at him.
Reinhardt continued, “Fu Laiying told Cheng Zhixia not to contact him anymore, saying he wanted to be faithful to his family. Cheng Zhixia was clearly unwilling, but Fu Laiying’s attitude was firm.”
Cheng Zhili understood.
So Zhao Chao’s visit was definitely orchestrated by Cheng Zhixia.
Interesting.
The fire in Cheng Zhili’s heart suddenly extinguished.
He smiled, raising an eyebrow, “Let him come to the President’s office to see me.” With that, he looked at Fu Laiying, “Darling, want to watch a show?”
Fu Laiying didn’t respond.
Five minutes later, Zhao Chao was brought to the President’s office.
Cheng Zhili sat in Fu Laiying’s black leather chair, twirling a pen, a smile playing on his lips.
Zhao Chao’s eyes flickered, his lips curving into a gentle smile, “Zhili.”
Cheng Zhili propped his chin on his hand, smiling faintly, “Bodyguard Zhao, what brings you to see me?”
Zhao Chao’s smile faltered, his eyes lowering, “I’m sorry, I was wrong the other day. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Please forgive me.”
“The other day? What happened? Ah… I remember now, you yelled at me over Cheng Zhixia. I understand, you love your brother deeply. Even if he’s just going downstairs, you’d want to carry him. Yelling at me is normal.”
Though his tone was perfectly normal, Zhao Chao felt uncomfortable all over.
He said in a low voice, “Zhixia has a heart condition. It’s only right for me to treat him well.” After a pause, he added, “As his brother, shouldn’t you accommodate him?”
“You’re just a bodyguard. What right do you have to tell me to accommodate him?” Cheng Zhili sneered.
Zhao Chao’s expression changed slightly, but he forced a smile, “Yes, I’m just a bodyguard, but I know you like me. You can’t take out your jealousy of my care for Zhixia on him! General Manager Fu and Zhixia are meant to be together! Zhili, I’m willing to be with you. Give up on Fu Laiying!” He spoke with deep emotion, his eyes seemingly glistening with self-pitying tears.
“Pfft—hahaha!” Cheng Zhili clutched his stomach, laughing wildly.
Zhao Chao didn’t know what expression to make.
He suddenly felt like a clown.
Cheng Zhili said, “Oh my, which eye of yours saw that I like you? That I seduced Fu Laiying for you? Hahaha! Oh, my stomach!” He laughed until tears came out, “Zhao Chao, you’re so full of yourself! What makes you think I, the second young master of the Cheng Family, would like a bodyguard? Do you think you’re better than Fu Laiying?”
Zhao Chao’s face darkened, remaining silent.
Cheng Zhili wiped his eyes, smiling maliciously, “I get it, Cheng Zhixia sent you, right? He wants to take Fu Laiying back from me, so he’s using you. Zhao Chao, you’re so pitiful. You think I can’t see you like Cheng Zhixia? But what does Cheng Zhixia see you as? Just a backup and a pawn! If Cheng Zhixia didn’t think I liked you, what value would you have?”
Zhao Chao’s temple veins throbbed, glaring at Cheng Zhili.
Cheng Zhili wasn’t fazed, smiling as he said, “But you’re truly foolish! Fu Laiying marrying me means you’ve lost a strong rival. Cheng Zhixia can only rely on you, yet you foolishly follow Cheng Zhixia’s words to help him win back Fu Laiying. Haha, aren’t you stupid?”
At those words, Zhao Chao’s eyes suddenly brightened.
He had always wanted Cheng Zhixia to be happy, to be with Fu Laiying, but he had overlooked the fact that he could now have Cheng Zhixia all to himself!
And at this moment, Cheng Zhili had enlightened him!
Cheng Zhili smirked, continuing to fan the flames, “How much shady work have you done for the Cheng Family? Have they ever repaid you? Now you just want Cheng Zhixia. If the Cheng Family truly valued you, they’d agree, right?” His voice, imbued with the demon’s allure, drew out all the dark, evil thoughts within Zhao Chao.
Zhao Chao’s eyes reddened, his breathing quickening.