With the superfluous influencing factors removed, the identity of the hypocritical, pretentious, and mercenary businessman in Zhou Kuan's mouth was self-evident.
The video ended, and Jiang Zao put down her phone. "You didn't go back to your school abroad. I thought you had already figured things out."
Zhou Jiayan said sadly, "I just don't understand, what on earth is my dad doing? Since I came back this time, he hasn't met with me alone once. The only time I went to see him, Lin Rui was still standing by, making snide remarks."
In matters like this, outsiders could offer no comfort. Only when she figured things out for herself would she stop hurting.
Seeing Jiang Zao remain silent, Zhou Jiayan grew a bit anxious. "Say something. I have no idea what I should do now."
Jiang Zao sighed softly. "Your brother told you before to make a choice as soon as possible to avoid messy entanglements at the end. That statement sounds reasonable, but in reality, it's unreasonable. The two of them—one is your father, and the other is the brother you love most. The ones hurt most deeply by their struggle aren't really themselves, but family members like you who care about them the most."
Zhou Jiayan looked as though she had been struck in a sensitive spot, and tears fell in large, pattering drops.
"I just don't know what I'm supposed to do."
Jiang Zao pulled out a tissue and handed it over. "Fortunately, I know about most of what's going on. I can tell you whatever you want to know. But if you're asking me what you should do, I really can't make decisions for you."
Zhou Jiayan took the tissue to wipe away her tears and said with a sob, "What did my dad... do to my brother? Was my brother's eye really injured by my dad? How did Lin Rui turn his back on my brother? He used to act so submissive and honest; you couldn't tell at all that he was that kind of person."
She hit the nail right on the head, leaving Jiang Zao momentarily unsure of how to speak so as to minimize the pain for the delicate young girl before her.
Looking into those moist, watery eyes, Jiang Zao sighed and ultimately chose to tell her everything, detail by detail.
Listening to Jiang Zao's account, Zhou Jiayan found it all simply incredible.
In her impression, though her father was somewhat cold, he was also very affectionate. Even if he didn't like her as much as he liked Zhou Lihui, at least he had never mistreated her. How could he now be so insidiously malicious that he would scheme against even his own flesh and blood, his own nephew?
"So all of this was actually manipulated by my dad. The intentional assault, the theft of the seal—were those all his idea?"
Jiang Zao shook her head slightly. "I'm not clear on how they divided their responsibilities, but if Zhou Kuan hadn't been the mastermind, the others wouldn't have had the opportunity even if they wanted to."
Zhou Jiayan deflated. "What difference does it make whether it's true or not? Things have already reached this point; he can't possibly stay out of it unscathed."
Jiang Zao handed her another tissue. "These are all matters between them. Actually, Zhou Lichuan secretly told me that keeping you at home is, on one hand, because he genuinely worries for your safety, and on the other, it's his way of signaling to Zhou Kuan that no matter how this ends, you won't be implicated or affected. Whatever portion of the Zhou Family belongs to you will always be yours."
Chapter 41: Speculations Concerning Sour Tangerines
"And what about you?" Zhou Jiayan asked, sniffing.
Jiang Zao found it slightly amusing. "What does that have to do with me?"
Blow-drying her nose noisily with a tissue, Zhou Jiayan said, "You were sent over here, and you even put your own father in prison. What are your plans for the future? Are you really going to depend on my brother for the rest of your life?"
Jiang Zao was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "It's not that miserable. I at least have a higher education. No matter how worthy of trust Zhou Lichuan is for life, I wouldn't spend my entire existence relying solely on him. People have to have their own pastimes, after all."
With the topic diverted, Zhou Jiayan's sorrowful mood finally eased somewhat, and she began hounding Jiang Zao about her painting.
"That painting of yours—I saw it at the art exhibition last time. That exhibition isn't suited for you, so don't go to the next one."
Jiang Zao laughed out loud. "You're quite perceptive to be able to tell even that much."
Zhou Jiayan protested indignantly, "I've been taking all kinds of art appreciation classes since I was a child; looking at a painting is a piece of cake for me. That exhibition was meant to serve as background foil for another up-and-coming artist, and the paintings all over the place were there to endorse that author who paints in a cyberpunk style."
Jiang Zao nodded. "True. Cyberpunk desert smoke and steam-punk delicate refinement—I saw it the day I went to the site for setup."
Zhou Jiayan was somewhat surprised. "Then you still went! And willingly played second fiddle there?"
Jiang Zao shrugged. "That author is the son of the professor who asked me to join the art exhibition, and he's been a favored child of heaven since he was little. The professor asked me to join probably just to pave the way for his son."
"Aren't you angry?"
Jiang Zao shook her head. "Not angry at all."
Zhou Jiayan was speechless. "People are using you as a gun, and you still go happily to sing along in their play—why are you so useless?"
Without waiting for Jiang Zao to argue, she stood up and walked toward the door. "I simply must call that organizer. They need to see if their son actually has the ability. His painting is an absolute mess; the whole piece is completely incomprehensible—lacking technique and lacking aesthetics. He smuggles in his own private agenda under the guise of innovative themes, without even a fear of dying trapped in his own nest. Truly, anyone can come out and exhibit nowadays..."
Jiang Zao scratched her head, not daring to stop her; she hadn't actually finished what she was saying.
She wasn't angry because this professor had been a benefactor who recognized her talent, and the very first painting she sold in college had been brokered by this professor. Although the professor took a cut every time, without her, Jiang Zao wouldn't have completed her studies so smoothly.
After this incident, the debts between her and the professor were cleared; from then on, they would mind their own business and have nothing more to do with each other.
...
For reasons unknown, after bustling around all afternoon to seek justice for Jiang Zao, Zhou Jiayan finally settled down only after the exhibition organizers personally called Jiang Zao to apologize.
When Zhou Lichuan returned that evening, he ran into an unexpected sight: the two "tormentors" of the household were not bickering or causing trouble, but rather sitting harmoniously together eating tangerines.
The tangerines, green tinged with yellow, were incomparably sour, causing Zhou Jiayan to wrinkle her nose repeatedly. Jiang Zao, however, was eating them with great relish, even mocking Zhou Jiayan for drooling just from watching.
"Is it good? Give me a slice to taste?" Zhou Lichuan walked over, resting a hand on Jiang Zao's shoulder as he asked.
Jiang Zao broke off a piece from her tangerine and popped it into Zhou Lichuan's mouth. It was so sour it nearly made him spit it out.
"So sour! How did you manage to eat this?"
As if she had finally found an ally, Zhou Jiayan quickly chimed in, "Right? I told you, your sense of taste is definitely broken."
Jiang Zao paused slightly, then immediately recovered her composure. "I might have a slight cold; my nose is stuffed up, and even my taste is affected."
Setting down the tangerine in her hand, Jiang Zao hooked her arm through Zhou Lichuan's and asked, "Did everything go smoothly with your side of things?"
Zhou Lichuan stroked her head gently. "Everything went smoothly. Don't worry."
Zhou Jiayan pouted. "Brother, did you come back by yourself?"
Zhou Lichuan replied, "The gardener at the gate needed a hand with something, so Du Bin stayed to help out."
Unexpectedly, Zhou Jiayan seemed to have her channels unblocked. "Who asked you about him! As long as you're back, that's fine. I'm going to my room."
Completely bewildered, Zhou Lichuan asked Jiang Zao, "What's wrong with Zhaozhao? And what's up with Du Bin?"
Without answering, Jiang Zao broke softly into an old children's song she used to hear: "Oh boy, don't try to guess a girl's mind—"
Zhou Lichuan was even more baffled, sitting alone on the sofa in a daze for a long time... Oh well, forget it. Let her be; stirring up fewer troubles beat everything else.
...
The public response after Zhou Kuan appeared on the interview program was unprecedented. This corporate vice president, who should have remained safely in the background, stepped into the public eye with an image of supreme refinement and wisdom, instantly garnering massive attention and popularity.
On the third day after the edited clip of the interview program hit the trending searches, Zhou Kuan officially announced he would be a guest star on a slow-paced variety show.
It was a reality show set in the countryside, mostly featuring influential artists doing farm labor and engaging in leisure activities in a rural environment, experiencing local culture and customs, and promoting local specialty products.
It was an excellent project for aiding agriculture, and Jiang Zao had been looking forward to its broadcast—provided Zhou Kuan hadn't participated.
Zhou Kuan was going to be on for three full episodes, which would take about ten days of filming.
The show was recorded and broadcast simultaneously. Going by the timeline, when the episodes featuring Zhou Kuan aired, Zhou Lichuan would just be finishing his surgery.
On this day, Zhou Lichuan, who had been busy with work all day, suddenly came home early, but Jiang Zao was not painting.
As Zhou Lichuan returned to the bedroom to change clothes, he heard someone still lying on the bed and was immediately surprised.
"At this hour, shouldn't you be working hard in the art studio?"
Having just woken from sleep, Jiang Zao's voice was a bit muffled. "Mhm, I was a bit tired today, so I didn't paint."
Zhou Lichuan turned to continue changing clothes. "Rest if you're tired; you can paint anytime. Combining work with rest is what's most important."
Jiang Zao didn't move, continuing to lie flat and gaze at the white ceiling. "You're back so early. Is the company fine?"
Zhou Lichuan nodded. "Because of my 'stubbornness,' Gao Chenggong couldn't continue participating in the 'Little Waterdrop' charity project. Today, the official 'Little Waterdrop' accounts released an announcement; the early profits are great, and the return on investment is huge. If anyone wants back in now, it'll be difficult."
Jiang Zao gave a cold laugh. "Hmph, Zhou Kuan must be keeping an eye on you. It's rare for you to make such a big blunder."
Having changed clothes, Zhou Lichuan felt his way toward Jiang Zao, sat on the edge of the bed, and talked to her. "You said it. He's recording a variety show in the mountains of N Province, and he's already spilled the beans about this through the show. Once it airs, everyone will know what an incompetent boss Zhou Lichuan is."
Jiang Zao rolled over to look at him. "Then what do you plan to do next?"
Zhou Lichuan casually lay down beside Jiang Zao. "I threw a huge temper tantrum at the people under me today. Now the whole company knows I'm a sore loser, and they're waiting for Zhou Kuan to 'turn the tide' and negotiate the project back."
Chapter 42: Holding the Emperor to Command the Princes
Jiang Zao guessed with a grin, "Mmm... he definitely won't expect that this project can make money because you hired a shell company to run it, and all those short-term profits are just bubble effects. After the creative team carves them up under various names, there will be nothing left."
With his hands resting behind his head, Zhou Lichuan looked rather pleased with himself. "Zhou Kuan naturally wouldn't expect it. Primarily, he couldn't have anticipated that I have such a formidable wife backing me up."
With a sweep of her arm, Jiang Zao happily wrapped it around Zhou Lichuan's well-toned waist. His muscle lines had been shaping up exceptionally well recently, and whenever she had idle time, Jiang Zao always wanted to reach out and touch them.
Thinking he could finally submit his assignment for the day, Zhou Lichuan tried to press his advantage, but just as he rolled over to pin her down, he received a kick.
"Get down. You're heavy, I can't breathe."
Lying flat on the bed like a wronged puppy, Zhou Lichuan was utterly baffled. Jiang Zao had constantly been rejecting his advances lately, and when angry, she would resort to kicking people. Being kicked out of bed in the middle of the night had happened more than once or twice. Her temper was getting bigger and bigger.
With no other choice, it must mean he had offended her somewhere, so he could only coax her first.
At dinner, Jiang Zao ate very little, barely touching her full bowl of rice.
Dragged to the dining table by Du Bin holding her arm, Zhou Jiayan looked up and happened to see Jiang Zao placing shelled shrimp meat into Zhou Lichuan's bowl.
"Brother, isn't being a capitalist in the group enough for you? Why do you have to come home and exploit people? Jiang Zao just took one bite of rice and now she has to wait on you. Is the hired help not around? Do you really have to use your own wife?"
Jiang Zao pulled her hand back. "What did you say I am to your brother?"
Zhou Jiayan was momentarily stunned and pushed her own bowl a bit closer to Jiang Zao. "I want shrimp too."
Jiang Zao smiled, preparing to shell another one for Zhou Jiayan. Before she could even start, a plump, rosy piece of shrimp meat landed in Zhou Jiayan's bowl.
Wiping his hands, Du Bin said, "Miss Jiang, eat your own. I'll handle it."
Jiang Zao didn't speak, her eyes drifting back and forth between Zhou Jiayan and Du Bin.
Zhou Jiayan was wearing an exquisite short designer dress, exquisite makeup, carrying a Chanel bag, and stepping on high heels—clearly dressed and ready to run out to play, only to be caught back by Du Bin before she even reached the front door.
She shook her head inwardly. It was a scenario that played out frequently lately, and the two of them never grew tired of it.
...
Shortly after dinner, Meng Qiaoyuan parked her car in the parking space in front of the villa.
An attendant led her all the way to the study. Jiang Zao was curled up on the sofa there, her feet thrust inside Zhou Lichuan's clothes to warm them against his abs while she read Aesop's Fables.
Seeing this, Meng Qiaoyuan smiled and teased her, "Haven't seen you in a few days, and you're in such high spirits?"
Putting down her book, Jiang Zao said, "It's almost winter, I'm afraid of the cold."
Placing her bag aside and sitting down, Meng Qiaoyuan looked up to see Zhou Lichuan tidying his collar. Politely, she asked, "Has President Zhou's blood pressure been stable lately? Can his body hold up?"
Zhou Lichuan nodded. "It's been stable all along, thank you for your concern, Miss Meng."
Jiang Zao stood up, brought over a cup of tea, and placed it in front of Meng Qiaoyuan. "You haven't been here in a while, I've missed you."
Meng Qiaoyuan's tense nerves gradually relaxed. "There's something I need to tell you two."
Sitting straight, Jiang Zao said, "Go ahead."
Meng Qiaoyuan slowly explained, "Recently, Zhou Kuan has been telling me to come here less often, and instead urged me to visit Elder Zhou at the Old Mansion more frequently."
Zhou Lichuan asked her, "Did he give any reason?"
Nodding, Meng Qiaoyuan said, "Zhou Kuan got word from somewhere that your relationship is exceptionally good right now, and Zaozhao is even starting to act like the young mistress of the house and take charge."
Jiang Zao raised an eyebrow. If she truly had the clout of a young mistress, these kinds of rumors wouldn't be spreading out.
Zhou Lichuan also found it amusing. "So Zhou Kuan wants you to score points with my father so that my father plays the villain."
Meng Qiaoyuan nodded. "Yes. I just came from the Old Mansion and happened to pass by. This is also what Zhou Kuan wanted."
Taking advantage of the moment when both of them were lost in thought, Jiang Zao took a close look at Meng Qiaoyuan's attire. Today she was dressed very simply, wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans—a very casual look, though it didn't quite match her unchanging rimless glasses and low ponytail.
"Have you been very busy lately?"
Meng Qiaoyuan gave a mechanical nod. "With the seasonal changes, heart problems in middle-aged and elderly people are occurring frequently. Right now is the busiest time of the year."
Jiang Zao stood up. "Let Zhou Lichuan worry about Zhou Kuan's matters himself. Come with me to the restroom."
Meng Qiaoyuan hadn't had many close friends during her school days, and holding hands to go to the restroom was something she rarely experienced. Summoned abruptly today, she actually felt a sense of returning to her student days.
The two of them walked out of the study hand in hand and closed the door. Jiang Zao mysteriously pulled Meng Qiaoyuan over to the master bedroom's bathroom, glanced outside to make sure no one was there, and locked the bathroom door behind them.
"Is something wrong?"
Meng Qiaoyuan looked at her like this in complete incomprehension.
Jiang Zao's face turned instantly red. "Well... there's something I'm really unsure about, and I want to consult with you."
Crossing her arms and leaning against the sink, Meng Qiaoyuan tilted her head up and said, "Tell me."
Jiang Zao lowered her head, twisting her fingers together. Hesitating for a long time, she finally stamped her foot and adopted a desperate attitude. "My period is late this month... and my tastes have changed..."
Meng Qiaoyuan froze for a moment, then quickly dropped her arms and placed her hands on Jiang Zao's shoulders. "Are you pregnant?"
Looking deflated, Jiang Zao said, "I just don't know if I am or not, which is why I wanted to consult you."
Meng Qiaoyuan pondered for a moment. "True, it's inconvenient for you to go out right now, and you can't buy testing strips online. You should've said so earlier—if you had messaged me, I could have brought some along with you. Shall I take you to the hospital?"
Jiang Zao shook her head. "Zhou Lichuan has been home these past few days, I don't want him to know yet..."
Meng Qiaoyuan's eyes widened. "You don't want this child?"
Jiang Zao hurriedly said, "Of course not! I want it... but Zhou Lichuan is about to have surgery, I want to tell him after the surgery..."
Meng Qiaoyuan said in a strange tone, "You've got some nerve. You want to keep a thing like this a secret—aren't you afraid Zhou Lichuan won't want it?"
Jiang Zao was stunned; she hadn't considered that possibility yet.
Seeing Jiang Zao in a daze, Meng Qiaoyuan suddenly laughed out loud. "Pfft... are you stupid? How could Zhou Lichuan not want a child belonging to you and him? 'Pregnancy makes you silly for three years,' looks like you couldn't escape it; you're definitely pregnant."
Jiang Zao immediately sagged. "I haven't prepared myself mentally yet."
Meng Qiaoyuan stroked Jiang Zao's hair and said gently, "You, stop scaring yourself first. Come to the hospital in the next couple of days, and I'll arrange for a reliable doctor to check you. If you are, it's naturally a good thing; if not, since no one else knows yet anyway, it won't be impossible to handle."
Feeling mostly comforted at last, Jiang Zao reached out and hugged Meng Qiaoyuan. "You're so reliable. It's so good to have you here."
Meng Qiaoyuan poked her on the forehead. "You think I'm good because I understand your worries and know your situation isn't easy. But if Zhou Lichuan found out I helped you keep it a secret from everyone, he'd probably drop my family's project on the spot."
Jiang Zao looked up. "It's fine, I'll take the blame for you—holding the emperor to command the princes."
Chapter 43: Truly Pregnant
That night, no matter what, Zhou Lichuan couldn't fall asleep. His tossing and turning woke Jiang Zao, and amidst a sleepy haze of mutual affection, Zhou Lichuan mentioned that they should head back to the Old Mansion early the next morning.
True to his word, the next morning he pulled Jiang Zao back to the Old Mansion. The elderly couple were just having breakfast and hurriedly added bowls and chopsticks to invite Zhou Lichuan and Jiang Zao to dine with them.
During the meal, Jiang Zao remained as thoughtful and attentive as ever, taking care of Zhou Lichuan just like usual.
Seeing her so gentle and obedient, Zhou Huai found it difficult to say anything further about family background or social status.
After breakfast, Shen Xiaonan pulled Jiang Zao into the courtyard of the Old Mansion to tend to the flowers and plants, patiently explaining the habits and characteristics of each flower, how to appreciate them, and how to cultivate them.
Shen Xiaonan smiled and asked, "You rarely have the chance to learn these things, do you?"
Jiang Zao nodded. "If it's just shapes and colors, I can name one or two, but planting and cultivation I don't understand."
Shen Xiaonan said heavily, "These flowers are just like people; if you pamper them, they'll bloom for you. But sometimes they're different too, because people aren't like flowers—you can't just raise them however you please on a whim."
Shen Xiaonan's words were vague and mysterious. Jiang Zao pondered them for a long time without figuring out what they meant, and could only offer a polite smile.
"The flowers Mom raises are bound to be the most gorgeous and charming. I'll have to learn properly from Mom in the future."
As if she had never said those previous words, Shen Xiaonan resumed her usual gentle and kind expression. "There's no rush for any of this, you'll have plenty of opportunities later."