“Don’t you want to hear the rest of my plans?” she asked, a part of her was excited to share her plans with her husband. Actually, Lily understood that the man was just giving her some personal space and freedom. Even though he was eager to be in every aspect of Lily’s life, he also respected her privacy. He wouldn’t ask too many questions and would offer his unwavering support.
Either Zhuo Jingren trusted her too much or he was just being really patient with her. Perhaps it was both, thought Lily.
“I want you to offer a loan to the Qin Industries but the loan has to be issued by the Facci Group,” Lily continued. Zhuo Jingren’s curiosity was piqued.
“As the biggest shareholder, you should be able to do something like that,” she added, earning a raised eyebrow from Zhuo Jingren.
“Biggest?”
“I have a total of twelve percent of shares in Qin Industries – ten percent from my mother and two percent from my paternal grandmother. I am intending to sell all my shares in Qin industries to Zhuo Capital,” Lily said.
A short silence followed as Zhuo Jingren looked at Lily intently. “You are planning to have them owe you,” he stated.
“Repaying the loan will just be the interest,” Lily said, her head held high and a small smile escaped her lips. “Eventually, Qin Industries will be mine.”
“So is this why you wanted to be removed from the Qin family’s registry?” Zhuo Jingren asked, pride apparent in his eyes. Zhuo Jingren guessed that Lily’s company should have a provision that do not allow the company to issue a loan to individuals or companies who have any relations with the CEO or an upper-level employee like a managing director. This was to avoid a potential conflict of interest and reduce the risks of embezzlement.
If Lily was still a Qin on papers, she would not be able to lend money to Qin Industries.
The smile on Lily’s lips was enough to confirm Zhuo Jingren’s conjecture. “What if they start looking into the Facci Group? It wouldn’t be long before they find out that you own it.”
“I promised Grandmother that I will keep the Qin surname but they didn’t leave me with a choice. Anyway, this is where I need your help to remove every article online that comes with an image of myself.”
“That would be difficult but not impossible.” Zhuo Jingren said. “I will get my people to work on it starting tomorrow. Give my people three days to finish the job.”
Lily nodded. “Good! Thank you!”
“No problem. However, Qin Mo is a smart man. He might not trust me and my suggestion. I am your husband after all,” Zhuo Jingren said. Qin Mo was probably wary of Zhuo Jingren by now.
“He doesn’t have a choice.” Lily smirked. “Like I said… Qin Industries will be mine.”
“Alright. I will do everything that you say.” Zhuo Jingren beamed.
“Stop smiling like that.”
“What can I say? I am a proud husband. My wife is so smart and ruthless.” Zhuo Jingren continued to smile at her. His eyes contained a tinge of pride.
Lily just shook her head. ‘This man is really…’
….
While Lily and Zhuo Jingren were enjoying their dinner and having a good time, trouble was brewing for Mu Qingling.
“How can they just cancel their sponsorship like this? What about the cancellation clause in the contract? They would have to pay me a cancellation fee!” Mu Qingling asked her manager angrily over the phone.
“What?! That is not half of the agreed amount in the contract! What misconduct? I did not breach anything! Let them know that I want to discuss further about this with them but I can’t right now as I am currently hospitalized. Just… just do everything you can for now to stop them from cancelling the contracts.” When Mu Qingling ended the call, her gaze was dark and chilly.
“So no newspapers will accept the video? How about the paparazzi? Did you tell them that the other woman in the video is Zhuo Jingren’s wife?” Mu Qingling asked her secretary.
“Yes, Miss. But they still refused to accept the video. Even the most greedy paparazzi wouldn’t accept it.” The secretary lowered her head, her eyes full of sympathy for Mu Qingling.
As Mu Qingling’s secretary for years, she knew how much Mu Qingling wanted her parents’ approval and affirmation. She had craved for her parents to give her the same proud smile that they would give to her older sister. Even though Mu Qingling had a successful career in dancesports, to her parents, she was nothing but a performer – someone who sold her body to become the star of the show.
Her parents’ rejection of her and her career choice had made Mu Qingling extremely selfish. She craved for everyone’s attention and praises. But the more she received, the more she craved for it, like an addiction. From an outsider’s point of view, it would seem as if her need for attention stemmed from the absence of attention from her parents.
When Zhuo Jingren rejected her, it greatly hurt her ego to the point that she wanted to conquer the man and make him bow down to her.
“This must be Zhuo Jingren’s doing. I know it. That woman must have said something bad about me to him and now he is mad at me.” Mu Qingling gritted her teeth. She needed to come up with a plan to reveal Lily’s true colors to Zhuo Jingren.
At the thought of her sponsorships being cancelled, Mu Qingling’s beautiful brows immediately furrowed. Was it just a coincidence? Zhuo Jingren wouldn’t have the influence over the entertainment industry abroad right? Surely he wouldn’t have the power to make her western sponsors cancel their sponsorships and willingly pay the cancellation fees.
“Yanyan…” Mu Qingling called her secretary. “Do you think it’s possible that Lily knows someone powerful abroad? Someone capable of influencing the…” Mu Qingling paused midway. ‘No. That is not possible.’ No matter how she looked at Lily, she didn’t seem like someone who would be acquainted with a big shot.
“Miss… I…”
“What is it?” Mu Qingling hissed. “What?”
“I received a call from the Master earlier when you were on a call with your manager and… he…”
“What?” Mu Qingling asked impatiently.
“He said that if you still want to continue being a part of the Mu family, then you should stop attacking Mr. Zhuo’s wife and come home. Apparently, they have set up a meeting with Mr. Zhuo and your father wants you to attend this meeting,” Yanyan reported.
“When are they going to meet Zhuo Jingren?” Mu Qingling asked.
“Two days from now.”
“Alright. Before that, let’s pay a visit to Mr. Zhuo tomorrow. Give a call to his secretary and make an appointment. Also, prepare a comfortable wheelchair for me. Let’s hand him our video and open his eyes to see what a bully his wife is,” Mu Qingling said. She wanted to keep the act of the bullied Miss.
“Miss Mu… But…but Master said that-“
“Don’t mind him. He doesn’t care about me. He only said that because he is afraid that Zhuo Jingren might do something to Scarlet City,” Mu Qingling sneered.
She was aware of how partial her father was to her older sister. Even after Mu Lihua had caused Scarlet City’s bankruptcy three years ago, her father never gave her a chance to manage the company. That alone was enough for Mu Qingling to know that her parents did not have her in their hearts.
…
Editor: Swaning
