Chapter 58 Setting the Stage

I arrived at the branch company.

This was specially established for me by Madam Liu.

Though called a branch, it was merely a facade.

Once inside, I spotted quite a few familiar faces.

Even Sun Tao was here.

"You? Aren't you Liu Zhuyin's secretary? What are you doing over here?"

As soon as I entered the office, I called Sun Tao in.

"It was arranged by Madam."

"She said I've been with you the longest and we have a tacit understanding."

Sun Tao smiled with pursed lips, while I let out a deep sigh.

"I see. Madam still intends for me to hold the reins of power."

"So... whether Liu Zhuyin uses you or not doesn't really matter."

"Right?"

Easier said than done. I really shouldn't have agreed to Madam Liu's request to manage this branch.

This was a pirate ship; once you boarded, there was no getting off!

"President Gu, if you put it that way..."

"Let me be completely honest with you."

"That's actually the case!"

He leaned close to my ear, lowering his voice.

"Madam said the Liu family still needs you at the helm."

"She also told me to inform you that in the future, all of Liu Zhuyin's financial flows and project orders must pass through your hands first."

"If you're not satisfied, just reject them..."

I frowned. "Not satisfied? Just reject them?"

"Ahem, if you can't read between the lines, she's basically giving you free rein to put the eldest miss in her place."

He quickly covered his mouth after saying that.

"Don't you dare say I was the one who told you! If this reaches the eldest miss's ears, I'll be in for a tongue-lashing."

I was already numb to it all.

My mother-in-law was truly something else!

After dealing you a heavy slap, she kept shoving sweet dates into your mouth.

And even if you didn't want them, she forced them down anyway.

How come I never realized she had so many schemes up her sleeve?

"Fine, let's get to work then."

"I'll send you the foreign investment project details shortly. Draft a plan following our usual rhythm."

Sun Tao instantly straightened his posture.

"Yes! You can count on me, President Gu!"

I smiled. For the past five years, Sun Tao and I had worked together wonderfully. Working with him required no superfluous words.

Whatever I instructed him to do, he always managed to execute perfectly.

However, the most critical issue with the foreign investment project wasn't the project itself.

It was that fellow, Ning Yuanzhou.

Giving him a little bit of trouble was well within my capabilities.

I made a phone call overseas and contacted a few friends.

That very evening, my phone rang.

"Miss Grace, it is an honor."

"Mr. Gu, your friend spoke with me. We're talking about cooperation and helping me vent my frustration, correct?"

"In that case, I am somewhat interested."

I smiled. "More or less. But... Miss Grace is a person of high status, and there are some matters where I'd prefer you didn't lower yourself."

"Whatever can be handled by a proxy, I will gladly handle."

Wasn't Ning Yuanzhou relying on Liu Zhuyin to mess with me?

This time, I was going to mess with him!

"Mr. Gu is certainly straightforward."

"True, a kept man like that is hardly worth dirtying my hands."

"I am delighted that you are willing to act as my proxy."

"As a token of my appreciation, all cooperation will be provided to you at cost. I won't make a single penny off you."

"As friends, and as a token of gratitude, how does that sound?"

I was slightly surprised. "Miss Grace is remarkably generous. Allow me to express my thanks in advance."

After hanging up, I sneered.

Since that was the case, it was time to set up the stage and play this role.

Early the next morning, I notified Liu Zhuyin, telling her to bring Ning Yuanzhou along to discuss a collaboration.

However, I intentionally omitted any details about what kind of collaboration it was.

Whether it was business, or whatever organ donation nonsense they fancied it to be.

Anything went!

As long as they showed up.

I waited for them in the conference room.

The first to arrive was Yueyue.

To prevent that scoundrel Ning Yuanzhou from splashing any more dirty water on me, I had asked Yueyue to attend as well.

That way, Ning Yuanzhou could only stare in frustration and wouldn't dare pull any malicious tricks.

"Brother-in-law, I'm not even with the company. Why did you call me here?"

Liu Hanyue sat down unceremoniously in front of me, complaining with a displeased expression.

"Since you're back this time, do you plan to take over the family business?"

"After all, living abroad is too far. They say a good daughter shouldn't marry too far away; both your sister and your aunt can't bear to be apart from you."

This was both my genuine thought and my little scheme.

"I suppose that's true."

"But I'm no good at business. Are you going to mentor me?"

She smiled playfully, her intentions obvious.

"Better let your sister mentor you. I don't have that kind of ability."

I couldn't handle this eldest miss.

If she kept tangling with me, she would undoubtedly try her hardest to push Liu Zhuyin and me back together.

"Hmph! Cut the act."

"Aren't you just afraid I'll meddle in your affairs with my sister?"

"You two are getting a divorce, yet you're still rolling around in the same bed. What's with the righteous facade?"

"Besides, didn't you call me here today just to keep that jerk Ning Yuanzhou in check? Do you take me for a fool?"

She glared at me sideways. She was truly sharp.

Every bit of my scheme had been seen right through by her.

"Ahem... I just want the project to proceed smoothly. Don't you want that too?"

Liu Hanyue curled her lip. "Fine, I won't argue with you."

"But rest assured, if Ning Yuanzhou dares to talk nonsense, I'll tear him apart with my words."

With those words from her, I felt entirely at ease.

Before long, Liu Zhuyin and Ning Yuanzhou arrived.

"Mr. Gu, regarding that organ source, I..."

The moment he saw me, he wanted to get straight to the point.

But upon seeing Liu Hanyue sitting beside me, he immediately swallowed his words, gave an awkward smile, and sat down as far away as possible.

He was afraid of Liu Hanyue too.

I didn't chime in, but Liu Zhuyin glanced at me, her pretty face flushing slightly.

She walked right up and sat down close beside me.

"Yichen, you... did you call me here for something?"

"Making it so formal."

"Actually... a simple phone call would have sufficed. Company matters, family matters—whatever you say goes."

Liu Zhuyin stammered, looking every bit like a shy, timid woman.

I had never seen her like that and was utterly dumbfounded.

Ning Yuanzhou's expression turned unsightly on the spot, but constrained by Liu Hanyue's presence, he didn't dare utter a single word.

"President Liu is joking."

"Today is about business. I think it's necessary for us to discuss it in detail."

With that, I took out the documents and began to speak.

"I am determined to secure this foreign investment project, so I hope to get the parent company's full support."

"Furthermore, I've managed to connect with a very reputable foreign team."

"Thanks to some existing connections, the costs will be reduced by thirty percent."

"This is my sincerity. President Liu, consider whether you want to back me on this."

Liu Zhuyin looked somewhat surprised. "The foreign investment is for a modernized machine tool factory, which indeed requires importing some foreign equipment."

"I've seen the price quotes; I never expected you could secure such a low rate."

"If that's truly the case, I believe cooperation is entirely feasible!"

Whether for public or private reasons, Liu Zhuyin had no grounds to refuse such pricing.

"Mr. Ning, what about you?"

"Would you consider joining this collaboration?"

"After all, you were the one who first proposed collaborating with me last time."

I looked at him with a half-smile. Ning Yuanzhou furrowed his brow; he knew I wouldn't be so kind out of nowhere.

Yet he couldn't find a single objection to raise.

"Fine... then we'll do as you say. However, I still have one condition."

"That is regarding the organ source."

I chuckled softly. "As for that matter, I'll put in some effort and give Mr. Ning a satisfactory reply."

Only then did Ning Yuanzhou heave a sigh of relief and agree.

"Good!"

"Since everyone is in agreement, I will contact the Grace family."

"And strive to finalize this matter."

My final sentence dropped a heavy bombshell.

Ning Yuanzhou's face instantly shifted dramatically.

"You... what did you say?"

"The Grace family?!"