C4 Heart of Zruhpus

Early the next morning, while Yang Yuan was still having breakfast at home, she received a call from Yang Ming. He informed her that their grandfather had an urgent matter and that a meeting was being convened immediately in the Yang Group's conference room.

Exbought, Yang Yuan's company, was a minor subsidiary within the Yang Group, whose main economic strengths lay in finance and pharmaceuticals.

With a slice of bread in her mouth, Yang Yuan rushed to Exbought Tower. By the time she reached the conference room, it was already filled with family members. She quickly found a spot and took a seat.

Yang Ming entered, assisting their grandfather, Yang Shuozheng, into the room.

"I've gathered you all here because I believe you're aware of the Heart of Zruhpus project in the western part of the city," Yang Shuozheng began, sparking a wave of discussion among those present.

"The project is spearheaded by Comoxize from Grutdence Province. Would they even consider a small company like ours?"

"I've heard that as soon as the news of the project broke, numerous companies were eager to get involved."

"In my opinion, it would be quite an achievement if we could just partner with another company and get a piece of the action."

"Grandfather, let me handle this project. I'll go negotiate!" Yang Ming stood up and offered.

Yang Shuozheng coughed a few times to interject.

"This project isn't within the purview of your finance company. Yang Yuan, this task will be entrusted to Exbought."

Yang Yuan hadn't paid much attention to the project initially, never expecting her grandfather to assign such a significant project to her.

"Grandfather, but..." Yang Ming began, only to be cut off by their grandfather.

"That's enough. We've made our decision. Yang Yuan, you need to meet with the head of Comoxize as soon as possible."

With that, Yang Shuozheng left the conference room, leaving the room abuzz with conversation once more.

"What can Yang Yuan really do?"

"Exactly. Her company was practically a handout from Yang Ming's family."

"With her incompetent son-in-law in tow, this project is likely doomed."

Yang Ming had hoped to secure the Heart of Zruhpus project, which would have allowed him to seamlessly reintegrate Exbought into the Yang Group and place it under Yang Miao's management. However, he hadn't anticipated his grandfather's staunch support for Yang Yuan.

Yang Yuan was aware of the Heart of Zruhpus project, but she felt it was out of her league. However, securing a piece of that project would be a coveted achievement, especially if Yang Ming could pull some strings.

Inside Yang Ming's office, Yang Miao stood by her brother and inquired, "Brother, what do you think Grandfather is implying?"

"Regardless of his intentions, I must secure the Comoxize contract before Yang Yuan does. Once I have it, I'll reclaim the subsidiary of Exbought," Yang Ming said, his grin taking on a sinister edge.

After leaving Exbought Tower, Yang Yuan made her way to her own company housed in a modest office building next door. With such a significant responsibility entrusted to her, she couldn't afford to take it lightly. Back in her office, she delved into researching the Comoxize Group.

At Lin Kai's villa, a Mercedes-Benz pulled up. Yang Ming and Yang Miao stepped out and entered the villa. The place was dark, curtains drawn, reeking of alcohol. Finding a light switch, Yang Ming illuminated the room to reveal Lin Kai slumped on the sofa amidst a sea of empty bottles.

"Mr. Lin, what happened here?" Yang Ming asked, helping the inebriated man to his feet.

"Why are you here?" Lin Kai slurred, recognizing Yang Ming from the time he had pursued Yang Yuan.

"Mr. Lin, I've heard you're acquainted with someone from Comoxize. Could you lend a hand?" Yang Ming requested.

Lin Kai had a superficial relationship with Liu Wangxiao of Comoxize, nothing more than drinking buddies, not true friends. Yang Ming shared details of the Heart of Zruhpus project with Lin Kai. Despite being penniless, he was determined to assist Yang Yuan, keeping his financial ruin from public knowledge.

Feigning victory over Yang Ming, Lin Kai promised to arrange a meeting with Liu Wangxiao. After ushering Yang Ming and Yang Miao out, Lin Kai resolved to genuinely aid Yang Yuan. He planned to use the contract to coerce her into a divorce, betting that his father would surely fund him once he was married.

Lin Kai washed away the remnants of the previous night's debauchery, donned a fresh white shirt, and drove off.

Checking his watch, Zhang Luo knew Yang Yuan should be off work by now, so he made his way to the base of the Exbought building.

At a shop on the ground floor of the Exbought Tower, he called out, "Boss, a pack of cigarettes, please!"

Zhang Luo approached, handing over a twenty-dollar bill.

"Kid, you've been at this for three years, always on the dot," the shopkeeper remarked with a smile as he gave Zhang Luo the cigarettes and his change.

Rain or shine, Zhang Luo had been faithfully picking up Yang Yuan every day for the past three years.

Soon enough, Yang Yuan emerged from the building. As Zhang Luo moved to meet her, he noticed a BMW pull up. A man stepped out, ushered Yang Yuan into the car, and then sped off.

Stunned, Zhang Luo stood by the roadside for a moment before heading home.

"You trying to starve us?" Wang Yan exclaimed upon seeing Zhang Luo arrive alone. "Where's Yang Yuan? Why isn't she with you?"

Zhang Luo remained silent and proceeded to the kitchen to start dinner.

Though his relationship with Yang Yuan was in name only, she had been gentle with him over the years, even speaking up for him at today's gathering.

As Zhang Luo was about to head downstairs to wait for Yang Yuan, the doorbell rang.

Wang Yan opened the door to find Yang Yuan intoxicated. "Yuanyuan, what happened? Why have you had so much to drink?"

A man supported Yang Yuan into Wang Yan's arms, explaining, "Auntie, we had a business meeting with some clients today, and Yang Yuan overdid it with the toasts. I've brought her home."

Lin Kai was ushered inside by Wang Yan. Zhang Luo stepped forward to assist Yang Yuan but was abruptly pushed aside by Wang Yan.

"Yang Jianchuan, take your daughter inside."

"Let Zhang Luo do it," Yang Yuan's father suggested from the couch where he was watching TV.

After a stern look from Wang Yan, Yang Jianchuan reluctantly got up and helped Yang Yuan to her room.

Zhang Luo and Lin Kai locked eyes for a tense minute before Zhang Luo said, "Lin Kai, please have a seat. And you, go fetch Mr. Lin a glass of water," Wang Yan instructed, gesturing for Lin Kai to sit.

"I need to look after my wife," Zhang Luo declared with a stern glance at Lin Kai, then turned and shut himself in the bedroom with Yang Yuan.

Wang Yan was on the verge of confronting Zhang Luo when Yang Jianchuan intervened.

"Let's not meddle in a couple's affairs. Let's focus on being good hosts to Mr. Lin!"

"What's gotten into you? Why have you drunk so much?"

In the bedroom, Zhang Luo watched the inebriated Yang Yuan with a sense of discomfort.

The next morning, Yang Yuan rubbed her head and slowly opened her eyes to find herself still under the covers, clothes on. Zhang Luo was asleep on the floor, resting against the bed. On the table was a cup of honey water that Zhang Luo had prepared that morning. As Yang Yuan picked up the warm cup, her feelings began to shift.

She rose from the bed and began organizing documents related to the Comoxize Group on her computer. Glancing at the time, she rushed out in a flurry.

Zhang Luo awoke, a blanket thrown over him. Yang Yuan had left in such haste that the computer was still on, displaying the Comoxize Group's website.

Determined to secure the contract for Yang Yuan, Zhang Luo approached the computer, an idea sparking in his mind. Despite usually using the computer only for simple games, he found himself inexplicably typing furiously on the Comoxize Group's website, the keyboard clacking away. He couldn't seem to stop his hands, which had been at it for a solid thirty minutes.

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