Upon entering the office, Xue Rou led Su Hao and Song Keke into the conference room. To her surprise, the room was completely empty; there was not a soul to be found.
Feeling a sense of unease, Xue Rou turned to the secretary in charge of the meeting. "Haven't Manager Wu and his team arrived yet? Where is everyone else?"
"Manager Xue, I don't know the specifics, but Manager Wu just called to cancel the meeting," the secretary replied bluntly. "He didn't just cancel this meeting; he’s terminating all our ongoing projects as well. He sounded quite angry over the phone. Are you having some kind of conflict with him?"
"Terminating all our projects? H-how could this happen?"
Xue Rou felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her vision darkened, and as she rubbed her temples, she felt a wave of dizziness. The Wu Group was one of Shangxue Company’s largest partners, and the two companies had always enjoyed a stable and pleasant relationship. Today’s meeting was meant to discuss expanding their projects. Now, not only was the expansion dead, but all their existing work was being scrapped—it was a crushing blow.
Song Keke stepped forward to comfort her. "Rou, calm down. I’m sure there’s some kind of misunderstanding." She urged, "Call Manager Wu and ask him for the reason yourself. I don't believe he would terminate a contract for no reason."
Xue Rou nodded and hurriedly dialed the number, only to find that she had been blocked. No one answered. She tried other ways to reach him, but his phone was switched off, clearly indicating that he had no intention of communicating with her.
"Manager Wu has always had a good temper. Even if we had truly made a mistake, he should at least have given us a chance to remedy it. Why would he be so heartless as to terminate the partnership?"
Song Keke agreed. "Even though they are the client and we are the vendor, unilateral termination is a huge loss for them too. Manager Wu doesn't seem like the type to act on impulse."
"Someone must have made up for his losses," Su Hao remarked, sitting to one side, looking indifferent.
At these words, clarity dawned on Xue Rou like a bolt of lightning. Her face turned cold as she muttered, "It must be either Qian Duoduo or Xue Aohan. These are the only two people I’ve offended. They must be meddling behind the scenes."
"Qian Duoduo is your partner," Su Hao pointed out. "If he were going to intervene, he would have cancelled his own company's partnership first. He wouldn't go out of his way to drag the Wu Group into this. As for Xue Aohan, your conflict is, at most, a family power struggle. The Wu Group wouldn't risk offending you for her sake. After all, it's not yet clear who will come out on top. Given the current situation, you are more favored by Elder Xue; there's no reason for them to take such a risk."
Though Su Hao had only recently come down from the mountains, his analysis of the situation was sharp and logical, causing even Song Keke to look at him with new respect.
"Rou, think again. Could it be someone else?"
Xue Rou forced herself to stay calm. After a moment of deep thought, she was suddenly startled. "Zhao Tai!"
"He has close ties with the Wu family. He’s the only one capable of swaying Manager Wu's attitude!"
Su Hao blinked. "Who is this Zhao Tai?"
"Young Master Zhao, one of Xue Aohan’s suitors," Xue Rou explained. "Xue Aohan wouldn't get her hands dirty, but to please her, Zhao Tai would likely pressure Manager Wu. The Wu Group has some shares held by Zhao Tai, so to keep him satisfied, Manager Wu has to follow his orders, even if he doesn't want to pick a side."
"Ugh... Zhao Tai is supposed to be a wealthy heir. Why would he be so blind as to fall for someone like Xue Aohan?"
Speak of the devil. No sooner had Song Keke finished speaking than the secretary poked her head in. "Manager Xue, your cousin is in the reception room waiting for you."
"That bitch! She must have come specifically to laugh at us. Throw her out!" Song Keke, having a fiery temper, moved to chase her off.
"If you let her leave just like that, she’ll think you’re flustered and feel even more smug," Su Hao stopped her. "Why don't we go meet her and see what kind of scheme this woman is cooking up?"
"Heh, you really are the type to walk straight into the tiger's den!" Song Keke retorted.
Xue Rou hesitated for a moment before deciding, "Let’s do as Su Hao says. I cannot show weakness in front of her, or she will look down on me even more."
Seeing Xue Rou’s gaze return to a look of determination and her composure restored, Su Hao nodded in satisfaction. The business world is like a battlefield. If one is timid and lacks the resolve to press forward, no matter how strong one is, the end will be a tragedy.
***
The three of them strode into the reception room, and long before they arrived, they heard Xue Aohan throwing a tantrum.
"Pah, pah, pah! What kind of coffee is this you’ve brewed? It’s sour and astringent, like dishwater. How does Xue Rou manage this company? Is she too stingy to even pay for decent coffee beans?"
*Clap, clap, clap!*
Su Hao walked into the office, applauding and giving Xue Aohan a thumbs up. "As expected of the eldest lady of the Xue family, so experienced and well-traveled! Even drinking dishwater is nothing to you. I’m truly impressed!"
Hearing Su Hao’s remark, Xue Rou suppressed a smile, her eyes curving into crescents. "Big sister, if you can’t stomach it, then don't drink it. You didn't come here today for the coffee, did you?"
"You can still smile?" Xue Aohan ignored Su Hao and looked at Xue Rou with a mocking sneer. "The company is in such chaos, yet you’re here flirting with a pretty boy?"
Xue Aohan was here to find fault. She had been furious that she hadn't managed to kill Xue Rou yesterday and had planned to send another group of assassins. However, Xue Yi had stopped her, warning that someone who could deal with those killers was no ordinary person and should not be provoked lightly. To avoid trouble until she could find a foolproof assassin, she had to change tactics and instead goad Zhao Tai into helping her crush Xue Rou’s spirit in the business realm.
Facing Xue Aohan’s interrogation, Xue Rou said nonchalantly, "What does this have to do with you? I have full authority over this company. Even if it goes bankrupt, it’s not your place to point fingers. Shouldn't you be staying at your own company instead of running over here to cause trouble?"
"You..." Xue Aohan had never expected this attitude from Xue Rou and was momentarily speechless. Was Xue Rou brain-damaged? Did she not realize it was she who had sent people to make the Wu Group terminate the contract? Shouldn't she be kneeling like a stray dog, begging for mercy? How dared she speak to her like this?
The more Xue Aohan thought about it, the more wrong it felt. For years, Xue Rou had acted like a mouse seeing a cat whenever they met. Even when she hadn't started the conflict, Xue Rou was always submissive. Not to mention that she was wearing a stern face right now; even if Xue Rou wasn't terrified, she shouldn't be this calm.
"You what? Don't think my Rou is a soft target for you to bully. Let me tell you, she’s a completely different person now," Song Keke huffed.
Xue Rou stared straight at Xue Aohan, no retreat in her eyes. The reason she had such confidence today was because Su Hao was by her side. With him there, she felt an overwhelming sense of security, as if she could face anything.
"I know," Xue Aohan narrowed her eyes. "You think that because you’re engaged to Su Hao and have pleased Grandpa, you have the win in the bag and don't take me seriously. But let me tell you, this brat has no blood ties to our family. Even if Grandpa is happy, he won't let the company die just for him! Now that the Wu Group orders are all gone, what do you plan to do? Declare bankruptcy? Or ask Grandpa to clean up your mess?"
Xue Aohan chuckled. "This company has been half-dead since it was handed to you, and now it has such a huge problem. If I were you, I would have resigned long ago instead of clinging to the position of president! Some people need to know their own limits; if you don't have the tools, don't try to take on the job."
The aggressive tone began to shake Xue Rou. Just then, a message arrived from Shen Yue. After reading it, Xue Rou said firmly, "Xue Aohan, the world keeps turning without anyone, and the same goes for Shangxue Company. Regarding the Wu Group’s sudden breach of contract, I deeply regret it, but we will follow the proper procedures for our legal team to finalize the dissolution. You don't need to worry about that. Go back and tell your lapdog: breaking is the precursor to building. Thank him for helping us get rid of the Wu Group's business; we can now seek out new partners. Since we had a long-term contract with them, we were always too embarrassed to raise prices, letting them take advantage of us. Now, we can finally return to normal market prices."
Xue Aohan didn't believe a word of Xue Rou’s confident speech. "Alright, why are you putting on a brave face in front of me? Shangxue Company’s products are already obsolete. By staying in the same place for so many years, you’ve fallen far behind other, luckier companies. Who would buy your old junk at market prices?"
"I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed," Xue Rou said, enunciating every word. "Dazzling Group is planning to partner with us and is asking if our production capacity can keep up. With the Wu Group’s orders gone, our capacity is no longer an issue. Isn't Dazzling Group better than the Wu Group?"
At these words, Xue Aohan’s expression shifted. Dazzling Group was indeed a highly sought-after partner she had wanted to bring in, but to no avail. She hadn't expected Xue Rou to land them.
"Wait, I get it now. It was your mother’s family who helped pull those strings, wasn't it?" Xue Aohan sneered. "Tsk, tsk. Your mother is truly unlucky to have such a troublesome daughter. She’s at that age where she should be living a life of ease, yet she has to beg and plead to pull business for you. It’s pathetic."
Xue Aohan touched her chin and arched an eyebrow. "I’m curious, is the Shen family’s influence really that strong? If Zhao Tai goes to convince the young master of Dazzling Group not to work with you, will they listen to Zhao Tai, or the Shen family? Ah, this will be an interesting test. Let us wait and see!"
Xue Aohan clapped her hands triumphantly and left the room with a cold laugh. It was clear she planned to continue interfering.
After Xue Aohan left, Xue Rou slumped onto the sofa, holding her head as if all her strength had been drained. Her mother had fallen out with the Shen family to marry her father and had only recently re-established contact. This deal must have cost her mother dearly in pride. If Zhao Tai meddled and caused them to lose this deal as well, not only would the company face bankruptcy, but her mother’s relationship with the Shen family would likely be ruined as well.
At that moment, Xue Aohan returned, poking her head into the room with a grin. She had guessed correctly; Xue Rou’s defenses had been shattered.
"Little sister, why bother acting so tough in front of me? We grew up together; don't I know exactly what you’re like? Come, apologize to your sister and kneel down, and maybe if I’m feeling soft-hearted, I’ll let the Wu Group resume the partnership."
Song Keke clenched her fists in fury. "Xue Aohan, you bitch, are you sick in the head? Looking for a beating?"
"Try hitting me! If you dare touch a hair on my head today, I will make..."
"Shut up!" Xue Aohan was insufferably arrogant. Before she could finish, Song Keke, having lost her patience, lunged forward with a slap.
"Ah!"
Unexpectedly, instead of a satisfying crack, a scream of agony came from Song Keke. A man with a braided ponytail had appeared out of nowhere beside Xue Aohan, moving with lightning speed to kick Song Keke squarely in the stomach.
***
The man with the braids, known in the underworld as "The Vile Man," was a thug working for Zhao Tai. He spent his days doing the dirty work for him and was significantly stronger than Song Keke. She was a woman, and her strength and speed were no match for him, let alone being caught in a sneak attack. She collapsed to the floor, her abdomen wracked with pain, unable to get back up.
"Keke, are you okay?" Seeing Song Keke sweating in agony, Xue Rou’s expression shifted, and she hurried to help her up.
"Okay my ass, I'm dying! Get Su Hao to deal with this guy, he’s no ordinary thug," Song Keke said, her face pale as she endured the pain. She looked at the man with fear; he was even more dangerous than the lead assassin from yesterday.
"Vile Man, well done. As expected of someone recommended by Zhao Tai, you’re very reliable!" Xue Aohan, having had a momentary scare, clapped her hands. She glared at Xue Rou, smugly saying, "How about it? You know how powerful I am now, right? My man is stronger than yours, my thugs are better than yours, and my connections are beyond your imagination. What do you have to fight me with? Are you going to kneel and beg for mercy, or do you want your company to go bankrupt and your parents to suffer along with you?"
Xue Rou instinctively looked at Su Hao, but he stood to the side, silent from start to finish. In the past, his temper would have seen him send Xue Aohan flying with a single kick. But today, he suppressed his anger, waiting to see how Xue Rou would handle this. He hoped she would be strong and not bow to pressure or wait for someone else to save her. However, he wasn't sure if she had that kind of courage.
Xue Rou was torn. If she just knelt and showed some humility, everything could return to normal. It seemed like the best solution. She thought of her mother’s situation and the company's fate. She pushed Song Keke aside and took a heavy step toward Xue Aohan.
Suddenly, she heard a sigh. It was faint, but clearly from Su Hao. Xue Rou’s body trembled. Was he expressing his disappointment in her? He and Song Keke hadn't given up; why was she? Her mother hadn't bowed to the Shen family in all these years, yet she had put her pride aside to get this deal today. Wasn't it because she didn't want Xue Rou to bow or admit defeat? If she knelt today, even if this crisis was solved, wouldn't another follow? Would she have to endure this humiliation every time? Plus, her best friend was hurt so badly—how could she let this go?
With that thought, Xue Rou mustered her courage, stepped in front of Xue Aohan, and delivered a crisp slap across her face. She put all her strength into it; Xue Aohan’s thick skin swelled instantly.
"Xue Rou, are you fucking crazy? You dare hit me?!"
Xue Aohan roared, and even the Vile Man was caught off guard. He had assumed Xue Rou was there to kneel and hadn't been on guard, missing his chance to stop her.
"Vile Man! What are you standing around for? Kill her!"
"Yes!" Realizing he had been played by a weak woman, the thug was furious. He grabbed Xue Rou by the collar, preparing to retaliate. But just as his hand was about to strike, a black shadow flashed before him.
Xue Rou felt hot liquid splash onto her face. By the time she regained her senses, she saw the thug’s arm had been broken by Su Hao—only a thin layer of skin held it together, and the exposed bone was a horrifying sight.
Xue Aohan was also sprayed with blood. Her face turned deathly pale as she pressed herself against the wall, unable to make a sound. Before she could even demand an explanation, Su Hao kicked the thug in the back, sending him flying out the window to the floor below, where he fell unconscious.
Hearing the piercing screams from downstairs, Xue Aohan snapped back to reality and scrambled away like a madwoman, terrified of being killed.
With the two eyesores gone, Su Hao bent down and gently hugged the shivering Xue Rou. "Don't be afraid. I’m here. You did very well."
Under Su Hao’s gentle encouragement, Xue Rou slowly regained her senses. She hugged his neck, still feeling the lingering fear. "You scared me to death. What about that man? Is he still alive?"
"I didn't kill him, but he’s as good as dead."
Xue Rou had never experienced anything like this. Her lips trembled. "What do we do? The authorities will get involved!"
"What are you afraid of? This was self-defense! We should be asking him for medical expenses!" Song Keke said, toughing it out while clutching her stomach and grimacing. "That bastard, he’s so strong. It hurts so much—if I can’t have kids in the future, it’s all his fault!"
Xue Rou couldn't help but laugh through her tears. She helped Song Keke to a chair and asked with concern, "Keke, should I take you to the hospital?"
"No need, there’s a doctor right here," Su Hao interrupted. "Here, let me help you with the pain."
He punched Song Keke in the stomach.
"Hiss!"
Song Keke’s eyes widened, unable to let out a sound. Xue Rou was stunned, almost jumping up. "Su Hao, what are you doing? Keke is already like this and you..."
"That feels great!" Before Xue Rou could finish, Song Keke shouted out. "Su Hao, what kind of punch is that? That’s amazing! Not only is the pain gone, but I feel full of energy!"
"Top secret," Su Hao replied with a mysterious smile.