Jiang Zhaoting knew that Jiang Shanhuan's personality had shifted somewhat since she woke up, but to hear that she had actually forgotten about Tao Zhuolin was simply beyond his comprehension.
Jiang Shanhuan had come to the Jiang household at age five, sixteen years ago now. For ten of those years, she had chased after Tao Zhuolin without pause.
She obeyed his every command—the ultimate lapdog.
At least eight or nine times out of ten, the trouble Jiang Shanhuan stirred up in the Jiang household was instigated by this Tao Zhuolin behind the scenes.
That was one of the reasons Jiang Zhaoting had been able to tolerate Jiang Shanhuan for all these years—she was both wicked and foolish, happily being used while others pulled her strings. He found her utterly pitiful.
Over the years, he had pitied Jiang Shanhuan on one hand while suppressing the Tao Group at every turn on the other.
Now, hearing Jiang Shanhuan actually ask who Tao Zhuolin was, strangely enough, Jiang Zhaoting felt a flicker of satisfaction.
But he didn't let it show. "Didn't you say Tao Zhuolin was your entire reason for living?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Jiang Shanhuan waved her hands frantically, jumping three feet in the air. "I live as a Jiang and die as a Jiang."
She was getting more and more practiced at pledging her loyalty, seizing every chance to slip it in.
Jiang Shanhuan felt a twinge of sadness at how much she'd changed.
Jiang Zhaoting, however, furrowed his brow at her, his eyes full of scrutiny, as if weighing the credibility of her words.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long while, Jiang Shanhuan waved a hand in front of his face. "Brother?"
Jiang Zhaoting snapped back to himself. "Go pick out some jewelry with Mom. I'm heading upstairs."
Jiang Shanhuan didn't go to find Tong Wanqiu. Instead, she sat down on the sofa and started investigating the original owner's phone.
In the two days since returning, she'd found the phone lacking in features and had left it aside without a second glance.
But now it seemed she couldn't avoid it any longer.
She wanted to see just what kind of big shot this Tao Zhuolin really was.
The original owner's phone had fingerprint unlock, and Jiang Shanhuan opened it with ease, going straight to the messaging app.
Pinned at the top was someone named 'T'—the profile picture suggested a man. A little red dot glowed beside the avatar, and instinct told her this was Tao Zhuolin. She tapped in without hesitation.
T: Good work. Ethan from Gordon has already contacted me.
This message was from a month ago—the exact date the original owner had sabotaged the Jiang family's contract signing ceremony.
So this matter was tied to Tao Zhuolin as well.
T: I heard the Jiang family is throwing you a banquet. I'll be there tomorrow. Remember to wear the red dress I gave you last time.
This message had been sent last night.
It sent a chill of disgust down Jiang Shanhuan's spine. A full month had passed since the original owner's accident, and this bastard hadn't offered a single word of concern—clearly he'd assumed Jiang Shanhuan had outlived her usefulness.
But the moment news of the Jiang family bringing her home spread, he sent a message unprompted, obviously hoping to keep using her.
Jiang Shanhuan suppressed the urge to crack his skull open and kept scrolling up.
She discovered that the original owner really was the ultimate lapdog—sending Tao Zhuolin dozens, even hundreds of messages a day, while he either didn't reply or answered in a few curt words. And even then, the original owner remained endlessly devoted.
There were exceptions, of course. Occasionally he would send voice calls.
But every time, the original owner would reply with just an 'OK' sticker.
Instinct told Jiang Shanhuan that the two of them must have been plotting something wicked. Combined with all the misdeeds the original owner had carried out against the Jiang siblings over the years, she was even more certain.
Heh, this dog really is cautious—never leaves any written evidence. I bet he even disguises his voice when making phone calls.
Whenever the original host completed his tasks, he would coax the original host with sweet talk and praise.
But if things went wrong, he would ignore the original host's messages for a whole month. Even when he did reply, it was just to belittle and PUA the original host.
It was practically mental abuse.
Jiang Shanhuan's heart clenched as she read through the simp's chat history. Eventually, she tapped into the other party's social media feed.
"Let me see what kind of goddess is worth simping over like this."
Tao Zhuolin was clearly a narcissist—the moment you entered his feed, it was all selfies.
He had a very effeminate look, not like Jiang Zhaoting, who was obviously a tough guy at first glance.
Jiang Shanhuan frowned as she looked, "Like a little weakling."
"His nose is so small—clearly no good."
And this was what had the original host head over heels?
Tsk, the original host really had never tasted anything good.
"Let's go." Jiang Zhaoting's voice came from the staircase.
Jiang Shanhuan looked up, then suddenly pursed her lips, looking like she was about to cry but not quite, "Brother~"
Jiang Zhaoting gave her a look that said act normal, "What madness is this now."
Jiang Shanhuan shook her head, bounced over to him, "Just feel like my eyes have been insulted."
Jiang Zhaoting's gaze shifted and landed on the photo still glowing on Jiang Shanhuan's phone screen. He suddenly smiled, "Your taste has improved."
Rarely praised, Jiang Shanhuan beamed, "Thank you for the compliment, Big Brother."
"Let's go. If we head over now, the guests should be just about there."
Jiang Shanhuan nodded, "Where are Mom and Dad?"
"Dad isn't back yet. We'll go ahead."
On the way, Jiang Shanhuan asked, "Big Brother, did the Gordon Group find someone else to collaborate with?"
Jiang Zhaoting nodded.
"The Tao family?"
Jiang Zhaoting: "Mm."
"You're happy about it?"
Jiang Shanhuan shook her head so hard it blurred, "No way. Big Brother, I really have turned over a new leaf."
"Heh."
Such merciless mockery. Jiang Shanhuan mentally flicked Jiang Zhaoting on the forehead, "Have they signed the contract?"
Jiang Zhaoting: "Soon. Tomorrow."
"Not signed yet—good, that's good." Jiang Shanhuan let out a breath of relief.
Jiang Zhaoting suddenly curved his lips, "What, are you going to show off your skills again?"
Jiang Shanhuan pouted, her eyes full of reproach, "Big Brother, if I win this collaboration back, can you forgive me for everything I did before?"
"Win it back? Are you going to slap Ethan again or finish off Tao Zhuolin?"
Jiang Shanhuan: "Only children make choices. Adults want both."
Jiang Zhaoting was speechless, treating it as a joke, "The Jiang family doesn't need this deal. If we don't collaborate with the Gordon Group, we won't lose much."
"Don't do anything dangerous."
God, even now, Jiang Zhaoting was still worried about her. Jiang Shanhuan was truly touched.
And it only strengthened her determination to win back the collaboration.
"Big Brother, you're truly beautiful inside and out—still thinking of protecting me at a time like this."
Jiang Zhaoting sneered, "I'm not protecting you. I'm afraid you'll embarrass the Jiang family."
"Huh?"
Jiang Zhaoting: "Ethan brought over a dozen bodyguards from abroad. They guard him twenty-four seven, specifically to guard against lunatics like you."
Jiang Shanhuan: "……"
Mid-Hill Villa.
The Jiang family held a position of unrivaled prestige in the capital, so any banquet they hosted drew the entire capital's elite and nobility.
At this moment, a man stood at the center of the banquet, basking in the flattery of those around him.
"The Tao family has been suppressed by the Jiang family for so many years. Now that Young Master Tao has secured the Gordon Group, the Tao family's status in the capital will surpass the Jiang family's."
"They say the Jiang family's eldest son, Jiang Zhaoting, is a business tycoon, but I see Young Master Tao as a rising star—who knows, he might even surpass Jiang Zhaoting."
"Who could deny it? The Jiang family spent half a year to win over the head of the Gordon Group, but Young Master Tao persuaded them in just one month. I heard the contract is about to be signed."
"…"
The flattery and admiration fell upon Tao Zhuolin's ears, and he couldn't help but let out a breath of stale air.
This was the resentment that had accumulated over all these years of being overshadowed by Jiang Zhaoting.
"I heard Young Master Tao also invited the head of the Gordon Group's Asia-Pacific region today. I wonder if he's arrived yet."
"He's here, over there."
The man followed the gaze and saw a mixed-race man in a black suit, looking to be in his twenties, sitting on a sofa in the corner.
"This head of the group must be here for revenge today."