Translator: TNTG Editor: alteringviews
It would appear that Song Shi Cheng will have to begrudgingly reassess his understanding of Chen Guo Tao. At the same time, the pit hole he dug seems to be deeper and wider than his original estimation.
It seems like being the antagonist wasn’t an easy task. Not only does he need to deal with the protagonist, he had to deal with this “boss” at the same time.
What the heck is this? He is assuming the role of an antagonist yet he had to shoulder the protagonist’s mission!
After giving it due consideration, Song Shi Cheng suddenly said, “Uncle Ye, let’s take a step back for now. Even if we accepted his proposal, there’s still the matter of my mom’s concern. The board of directors might not even approve this collaboration. So, where does Chen Guo Tao’s get the confidence that this collaboration will get approved?”
Ye Wen Sheng couldn’t help staring at Song Shi Cheng. He felt that this young master of his had become brighter since suffering from the brain concussion. He had actually identified a key element in this whole equation.
“This is what makes Chen Guo Tao so brilliant.” Yen Wen Sheng frowned as he offered his analysis. “He’s using Chen Xiao Yan, a daughter he didn’t care at all to tie us down. He’s basically not risking anything in this scheme of his. He wouldn’t have lost anything even if the board of directors rejected the collaboration. This was tantamount to gaining something without taking any risk.”
“In my opinion though, Chen Guo Tao will do his best to support us as long as we agree to this marriage agreement. As I see it, he’ll definitely ensure the four retirement villages will be built. Ultimately, Feng Hua Group is the only organisation which had the capability and network to undertake four major developments concurrently. It’s just that I’m afraid…” Ye Wen Sheng started hesitating when he reached this point.
“…afraid that he’ll burn the bridge after crossing it. He’ll ditch us the moment we’re no longer useful.” Song Shi Cheng helpfully completed the sentence for Ye Wen Sheng. He made the guess based on his abundance of experience writing urban literature. In contrast to the fantasy genre, urban literatures often involves scheming, backstabbing, conflict in a dog eat dog world.
There was a time where this genre of novel was very popular and riding on its coattails, he had written two such novels as well. To write his novel, he had done a lot of research by reading numerous successful tycoons’ and public officials’ autobiography. In addition, his talent to analyse and unravel schemes and ploys had offered him a great advantage when writing urban literature.
Thus, it’s not surprising for him to reach a conclusion so quickly after Ye Wen Sheng had laid out the facts.
While Ye Wen Sheng and Ji Jing was still shocked from hearing what he had just said, Song Shi Cheng offered a more shocking fact, “It wouldn’t be such a great lost if he had plans to ditch us. However, I fear his ambition wouldn’t stop at just building a few retirement villages.”
“Young Master Song, that’s very insightful!” Ye Wen Sheng couldn’t hope praising Song Shi Cheng after being shocked by his performance.
“Wait a moment. Both of you had lost me here. Can you please make it clear to me?” Ji Jing asked.
“Madam, to put it plainly, if we’re to agree to collaborate with him this time round, I believe we might end up suing all our bargaining chips to get it approved by the board of directors. Chen Guo Tao might support us, but I fear we’ll have to offer him a lot of benefits before he’ll be willing to do so.” Ye Wen Sheng calmly explained.
“This is mostly like just his short-term ambition. I suspect his long-term ambition was to swallow up Feng Hua Group.” Song Shi Cheng smiled coldly as he added. “Mom, Uncle Shu. While I was hospitalised, I saw Ma Jin Biao from the Ma family dropping by to visit Chen Guo Tao. From the look of it, they seemed to have a pretty good relationship. I’m concerned that both of them are plotting on something together.”
Ji Jing’s mood immediately flared. Her anger was so extreme that it had caused her to overlook her son’s amazing changes. “This ungrateful, devious bastard! He had our family’s full support when he was still expanding his business all those years ago and now that Old Song is no longer with us, he’s actually scheming against us while we’re down. Our differences are irreconcilable now that he’s colluding with outsiders to steal our family’s business.”
Ye Wen Sheng quickly hinted at Song Shi Cheng to help him appease his mother.
“Mom, it’s not worth tormenting yourself over such a scum.” Song Shi Cheng advised. “It’s ultimately still up to us whether we want to collaborate with him or not. It’s not necessary we might end up being led around the nose by that wily old fox. At this stage, the correct approach right now is for us to find a solution that best suits our own interest.”
Although that’s what he had spoken out loud, Song Shi Cheng knew that the Song family at the end of the day had no other choice but to agree. If they disagree, the Song family will only end up crumbling from the combined assault internally and externally.
Although agreeing for the time being is no different than climbing atop a tiger, at the very least they will be able to alleviate the current crisis.
As for the future, he’ll just have to find a way to revitalize the family’s business.
Essentially, he has a trump card he could depend on, the Antagonist Counterattack System! All these schemes and ploys are fleeting anyway.
Off course, he’s also more than happy to marry Chen Xiao Yan because he needed to complete the System’s mission. It was just that this arrangement was very cruel towards the heroine. She’s probably the most pitiful heroine in history.
Ji Jing could only sigh as she pulled Song Shi Cheng towards her and say, “Rest assured, son. Regardless of how difficult the family’s circumstances get, I will never sacrifice your future happiness to resolve it.”
Ye Wen Sheng felt rather helpless when he heard Ji Jing’s impulsive answer. To be frank, he wasn’t optimistic that Ji Jing will be able to properly lead Feng Hua Group. This madam of his had been a housewife for quite a number of years now and no longer had the capability to run a business. It’s just a matter of time before she suffer a huge lost in this cutthroat commercial world.
Song Shi Cheng whom he thought to be rather useless on the other had given him a nice surprise. It’s very likely this person who he thought as deadwood might just become the future pillar. Under proper tutelage, he might just one day be able to bring the Song family back to it heydays.
*****
The foot of Chen Zhong Mountain is one of the wealthiest areas in Hua Hai City. All the villas and mansions here were owned by well-known celebrities or very successful entrepreneurs. Both the Song family and Chen family residence was located in this area too.
While Ji Jing and Song Shi Cheng were still on their way home to the east side of the mountain, Chen Guo Tao and Chen Xiao Yan had already arrived back at their own home on the western side.
As soon as they were inside the living room, Chen Xiao Yan couldn’t refrain herself from asking, “Dad, what was just now all about? Why am I going to marry Song Shi Cheng? Shouldn’t it be big sis?”
Chen Guo Tao just frowned as he slowly walked over to the living room. He only answered indifferently after sitting down. “Since when had I ever say that it was your big sister? I had only mentioned previously that Song family and Chen family will enter into a marriage agreement. Your big sister is not my only daughter.”
Chen Xiao Yan started feeling chilled from her head all the way to the toe. She was almost crying when she said, “Dad, I’m your daughter as well!”
Chen Guo Tao just turned a deaf ear as he picked up the tea a servant was serving him. He just casually said while using the cup’s lid to remove the tea leaves from the cup. “It’s exactly because you’re my daughter that I have the ultimate say in who you marry. This matter had already been decided upon. You’ll just have to accept it even if you didn’t want to.”
Chen Xiao Yan stumbled for a moment as she finally discovered her biological father’s true color. She was instantly overcome by grief and utterly dispirited.
For the past twenty years, the Chen family had been treating her coldly. Both his sister, Chen Yi Xian and brother, Chen Yi Zhu was born with a silver spoon yet she had to grow up under the poor treatment and contempt of others. If her mom didn’t insist on giving birth to her with the motive of marrying into wealth, her callous and ruthless father would just tell her mom to have an abortion.
Even now, Chen Guo Tao had still wanted to sacrifice his lifelong happiness in pursuit of his personal benefits. This deed was just too cruel!
Chen Xiao Yan remained silent for some time before she bitterly smiled and said, “I understand… I am just an unwanted illegitimate daughter born due to your drunken stupor. Since I’m insignificant, might as well just sacrifice me for some benefits right?”