Chapter 83: A Condition

“What’s the harm in that? Think of it as a token of respect from a younger generation to his elder!” Wu Chenghao laughed heartily at Chen Jianguo. “Besides, what could be more important than your reinstatement? Any talk of the artwork can wait until this matter is settled!”

Chen Jianguo’s body trembled ever so slightly, stirred to the core by emotion. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Chenghao, I hardly know how to thank you. If only Muxue hadn’t… ah, fate can be so cruel!”

He had wanted to say, if only Chen Muxue were not already married, he would have gladly given her hand to Wu Chenghao. But alas, Muxue was wed to that useless, ugly Su Zheng.

But perhaps it was not too late!

Chen Jianguo’s thoughts shifted. Wasn’t tonight’s meeting between Wu Chenghao and Chen Muxue arranged with a purpose in mind? If the two took to each other, then there would be no hesitation—Su Zheng could be thrown out at once, forced to divorce his daughter!

“Hmph! Our daughter owes that wastrel nothing. Why should she be dragged down by him? We can’t let Muxue make all the decisions here. When she gets back, I’m going to have a serious talk with her!” Lu Hongmei declared resolutely, right in front of Wu Chenghao.

Wu Chenghao easily caught the meaning behind their words. A triumphant smile curled his lips, as though he already saw victory within reach.

“Chenghao, since you insist, I’ll graciously accept!” Chen Jianguo sighed deeply, wiping his eyes. He glanced at the Zheng Banqiao calligraphy on the table, then promptly replaced his emotional expression with delight, warmly ushering Wu Chenghao to the sofa for tea.

“Dear, call Muxue and tell her to come home quickly!”

He looked Wu Chenghao up and down with growing satisfaction, eager for his daughter’s return.

Lu Hongmei was just about to make the call when the door opened and Chen Muxue walked in.

“Mom, what’s so urgent? I’ve got a mountain of work waiting at the office!” Chen Muxue complained as she set her bag down, frowning at her mother.

But then she saw Wu Chenghao on the sofa.

Wu Chenghao, for his part, had also caught sight of Chen Muxue, and his gaze nearly froze on her. He instinctively pushed up his glasses, his eyes shining with excitement and delight. Before Muxue could speak, he sprang up from the sofa, hurried over, and greeted her with exuberant warmth:

“You must be Chen Muxue? Hello, I’m Wu Chenghao. I’m grateful to have this chance to introduce myself to you. Please, have a seat!”

He gestured earnestly for her to sit, acting very much the host, as if Chen Muxue were the guest in her own home.

“And you are… here for what reason?” Chen Muxue asked with a hint of wariness, unsettled by Wu Chenghao’s enthusiasm, though she remained polite.

“Oh, nothing of great consequence. I just wanted to meet you and help your father with a little problem.”

Wu Chenghao smiled broadly and once again invited her to sit.

“You wanted to meet me? I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand. But if you’ve come all this way to help my father, I do appreciate it.”

Chen Muxue frowned in thought, but her tone was courteous. After all, anyone who came to the house was a guest, and however odd his demeanor, he was, after all, her father’s acquaintance.

“Muxue, there’s no need to stand on ceremony with Chenghao—come, come, have a seat and chat!” Lu Hongmei interjected, smoothing things over with a pleasant laugh.

Chen Muxue looked around in confusion, then asked, “Where’s Su Zheng? Mom, did you make him cook again? I’ve told you, his food is never as good as yours.”

“All right, all right, you’re so particular! I’ll cook for you. You chat with Chenghao for now—dinner will be ready soon!” Lu Hongmei shot her daughter a mock glare, then bustled off to the kitchen, her face wreathed in smiles. A few moments later, scolding could be heard from the kitchen, and Su Zheng was shooed out.

Su Zheng had overheard the earlier conversation between Chen Jianguo and Wu Chenghao from the kitchen and had mostly figured out what tonight’s visitor was after. But he showed no reaction, placing his trust in his wife, in Chen Muxue’s choice.

“Dad, you and Mr. Wu go ahead and chat. I need to discuss something with Su Zheng, so I’ll leave you to it,” Chen Muxue said, seeing Su Zheng emerge and preparing to take him to the bedroom to talk.

“Hey—don’t go, Muxue! Chenghao came here especially for you. How can you be so rude?” Chen Jianguo deliberately scolded her in front of Wu Chenghao, still basking in the pride of acquiring the Zheng Banqiao piece.

“Dad, what do you mean by that?” Chen Muxue demanded. She wasn’t a fool; from Wu Chenghao’s excessive enthusiasm and her parents’ reactions, she was starting to piece things together. After all, this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

“Heh… Muxue, your father is just a little overjoyed. Don’t mind his words. Why don’t you help us with something? I brought your father an authentic Zheng Banqiao painting and will be helping him smooth things over so he can be reinstated. Would you care to take a look at the painting yourself?”

Wu Chenghao smiled, ignoring Su Zheng entirely, and deliberately mentioned the painting to make his intentions clear to Chen Muxue.

“An authentic Zheng Banqiao?” Muxue’s curiosity was piqued. She wasn’t a collector, but she certainly knew the value of Zheng Banqiao’s works.

Drawn by interest, she went over to the table to admire the calligraphy.

“Haha, since I’ve brought the painting, why not call Director Zhang now and have him come pick it up? That way your reinstatement can be settled on the spot, and Muxue can be spared further worry. I think it’s a great plan,” Wu Chenghao suggested again, seeing that the painting had indeed caught Chen Muxue’s attention.

He wanted to help Chen Jianguo resolve the matter right in front of Chen Muxue, to show off his abilities and, he hoped, win her admiration and gratitude.

“Haha, you’re right! Why didn’t I think of that? There’s no time like the present—if Director Zhang finalizes the new store management post before I act, I’ll miss my chance!”

Chen Jianguo slapped his thigh in sudden realization and praised Wu Chenghao again: “Chenghao, you really do get things done! There are some things that just don’t occur to an old man like me. Muxue, you should consult with Chenghao more often—he’ll be able to help you with all sorts of tricky problems!”

He glanced pointedly at his daughter, then took out his phone to call Director Zhang.

“You mustn’t make that call!”