C14 You Don't Have to Worry about This!

Chen Qingchuan couldn't care less about how Liu Changhe thrashed Liu Zhen. He simply picked up his wine glass and strolled over to another table.

Throughout the entire event, he completely ignored Zhu Yuhong and Su Jun.

He wasn't one to hold grudges, yet he certainly wasn't going to honor two individuals who didn't deserve it with a toast. Those two women didn't merit his attention!

The bustling banquet continued until after ten o'clock before it finally ended. Chen Qingchuan returned to his office and loosened his tie.

It had been three years since he last attended such a gathering, and he felt quite exhausted after managing the entire affair. All he wanted now was to take a shower and get some sleep.

However, just then, Zhao Hongwu, dressed in a black evening gown, entered the room.

She approached Chen Qingchuan from behind and gently massaged his forehead with her hands, asking, "Feeling a bit tired?"

Ms. Hongwu understood him well, and her massage skills were indeed impressive, offering him much-needed comfort.

But then Zhao Hongwu leaned in close and whispered seductively in his ear, "Would you like me to help ease your weariness?"

Chen Qingchuan was at a loss for words, responding only with an exasperated eye roll directed at Zhao Hongwu.

Zhao Hongwu chuckled, but then she turned serious and began discussing business.

"My subordinate reported that Su Jun wanted to meet with you. I took the liberty of declining on your behalf..."

"You did the right thing."

Chen Qingchuan had no interest in dealing with Su Jun. Su Jun acted superior when he was penniless and subservient when he sensed wealth. Engaging with such a person was a complete waste of time, utterly pointless.

Zhao Hongwu inquired, "Aren't you worried that this might permanently sever your ties with Su Xue?"

"You're the CEO now, with a net worth in the billions. It's the perfect opportunity to win Su Xue back with a grand gesture."

Chen Qingchuan gently shook his head, "I'm not that petty, and Su Xue isn't swayed by such things. Although she has been wanting a divorce, it's mostly out of frustration that I wasn't living up to my potential, not because she's after money. She's different from Zhu Yuhong and Su Jun. Those two chase after money wherever it leads..."

While Chen Qingchuan and Zhao Hongwu were engaged in casual conversation, in the car departing from Daming Holy Cuisine, a pair of disgruntled money jars were fervently griping.

"I'm telling you, Chen Qingchuan is definitely concealing his identity on purpose. He doesn't want us to know he's wealthy, just waiting to make us regret it after he divorces my sister. He's nothing but trash, a scumbag who toys with people's emotions!" Su Jun fumed, his rejection for a private meeting with Chen Qingchuan fueling his groundless suspicions.

Zhu Yuhong quickly agreed, adding, "Absolutely, he's a con artist with no genuine feelings for your sister. If he had even a shred of affection, no amount of pressure from us would lead to a divorce."

"That's why a divorce might be for the best. At least Liu Zhen is genuine. He'll treat your sister right, no question about it." Su Jun's face clouded over at the mention of Liu Zhen. "But what about Liu Zhen's Shengliu Group? It's gone too!"

Zhu Yuhong was momentarily lost for words. Without the Shengliu Group, how could Liu Zhen continue to impress her as his mother-in-law? She pondered for a moment before rationalizing, "Didn't Chen Qingchuan spend 30 million to buy the Shengliu Group? That means he must still have at least 30 million..."

While they were busy scheming, Su Xue, who was driving, couldn't hide her disdain. All this plotting, but what did it ever amount to? They always assumed others were fools, not realizing that they were the biggest fools of all.

Yet, as a daughter and sister, she couldn't voice these thoughts; they were, after all, her family. But the calculating duo was on a roll, now fixated on the idea that they wouldn't have to repay the 10 million borrowed from Liu Zhen.

Just then, her phone rang. Su Xue answered the call from her secretary.

"Director Su, the finance department called me a moment ago to inquire about the bank card you requested. When would you like it?"

Su Xue was momentarily taken aback. The bank card she had instructed the finance department to prepare?

After some thought, Su Xue recalled that she had indeed arranged for a bank card to be issued in Chen Qingchuan's name, with the intention of transferring 500,000 yuan to him for a divorce. She had assumed that the card had already been given to Chen Qingchuan, never imagining it was still with the Finance Department.

Since the card had never left Finance, it meant that Chen Qingchuan was completely unaware of the 10 million yuan Liu Zhen had transferred into his account. After all, he had never even laid eyes on the card, so how could he possibly know about the funds?

"Could you have Finance check how much money is on that card right now?"

"The Finance Department has already checked. They told me it contains the 500,000 yuan you instructed to be deposited, as well as the 10 million yuan from Liu Zhen."

Su Xue's heart sank as she realized she had unjustly accused Chen Qingchuan.

Chen Qingchuan had generously given her 10 million yuan for an emergency, yet she had stubbornly believed he was shamelessly boasting and insisted that he had misappropriated Liu Zhen's money. But what had Chen Qingchuan actually said? Nothing at all; he had simply accepted her accusations in silence.

Reflecting on her actions, Su Xue was overwhelmed with a sense of embarrassment and shame.

In the midst of this, Su Jun, seated in the back, suddenly let out a piercing scream that startled her.

Zhu Yuhong was clearly frightened too, and in her frustration, she smacked Su Jun's shoulder, exclaiming, "Why on earth are you screaming? Do you have a death wish?"

"It's not that I want to die, I feel like dying, Mom!"

Choking back tears, Su Jun grabbed his phone.

He had received a notification and, without thinking, opened it, expecting to dismiss it as just another news alert. But a glance at the image in the notification stopped him; the bead looked eerily familiar. On closer inspection, he realized it was the same one that had been broken yesterday. His curiosity piqued, he eagerly clicked through to read the article.

But upon seeing the details, a sharp cry of distress escaped him.

The news had reported that the pearl was known as the Eastern Sea Dragon Eye Pearl, a jewel once adorned on an ancient queen's phoenix crown. It had been lost overseas before the Daming Group acquired it for a staggering 68 million.

"68 million! The pearl he gave you is actually worth 68 million!" Su Jun's voice shook as he screamed, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. He remembered Chen Qingchuan's words: He wasn't cut out to be a spendthrift, yet he insisted on acting like one.

The Eastern Sea Dragon Eye Pearl, valued at 68 million, had been carelessly shattered by him as if it were a mere trinket from a street vendor. The satisfaction of the moment had turned into a torrent of regret, feeling as though his heart was bleeding out, overwhelmed with a sense of impending doom.

Zhu Yuhong was equally stunned after reading the news about the Eastern Sea Dragon Eye Pearl. It took her a moment to collect herself before she murmured, "It's fine, it's all fine. He must have tricked us with a counterfeit pearl. Let's not dwell on it."

Her words offered Su Jun a glimmer of hope, and he began to feel a bit more at ease. However, mere minutes later, Zhu Yuhong's hand flew out in a wide arc, delivering a resounding slap across Su Jun's face, skewing it to one side.

"I told you to stop being so reckless, to stop smashing things! Damn it, there goes my 68 million!!" Su Jun was on the verge of tears, feeling utterly wronged. His mother had just consoled him, and now she was the one striking him.

But Zhu Yuhong couldn't help her reaction; every time she thought of the shattered pearl worth 68 million, her heart ached unbearably.