C6 Discrimination

"Look at this guy, he must have begged pitifully for a long time, only to be thrown out in the end," Lin Kai remarked as he watched Zhang Luo exit the building.

"Did it go well? Did you meet with Gao Yuan?" Yang Yuan inquired, clinging to a sliver of hope.

"Here, take this!" Zhang Luo tossed the contract to Yang Yuan and then confronted Lin Kai, "From now on, if my wife needs anything, she can come to me. Your help isn't needed, so please leave."

Lin Kai was taken aback; he never imagined Zhang Luo, whom he considered worthless, would dare speak to him that way. The words his father had uttered the day before flashed through his mind. Could it be him? No, it was inconceivable that this nobody could have connections to his father.

"You're going to regret this, you worthless fool!" Lin Kai spat out as he sped off in his car.

"How did you manage it?" Yang Yuan asked, astounded.

Zhang Luo simply pointed to the profit-sharing percentage on the contract without saying a word.

Yang Yuan's jaw dropped. "This isn't the contract I brought this morning!"

"It is the one you brought. I just thought you deserved a better deal, so I negotiated a few extra points for you," Zhang Luo explained with a grin.

"Do you realize what seven percentage points represent?" Yang Yuan exclaimed, gripping Zhang Luo's hand with excitement. It was the first time in three years she had initiated such contact. "Each point is worth millions!"

Zhang Luo had underestimated the significance of the profit, but Yang Yuan's revelation made it clear they had just lost out on a substantial sum. In a mere half-hour, Comoxize had forfeited several million. Yet, to Comoxize, these millions were but a drop in the bucket. The pair left the Comoxize headquarters in high spirits.

Comoxize Group had resumed its normal operations and had recouped a considerable amount of its losses.

Meanwhile, a Mercedes-Benz pulled up leisurely outside Comoxize's entrance. "Bro, do you think Gao Yuan will sign a contract with me if I go up like this?"

"I've heard that Gao Yuan of Comoxize has a weakness for women. Give it a shot, and if it doesn't work out, we'll come up with another plan," Yang Ming advised Yang Miao. Having learned of Gao Yuan's reputation, Yang Ming had resolved to have Yang Miao attempt to secure a contract with Gao Yuan. If that failed, they would turn to Lin Kai for assistance.

Yang Miao stepped out of the car, drawing the simultaneous gaze of the security guard at the entrance. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, complementing the red backless gown that flowed around her. Sparkling high heels adorned her feet, accentuating her slender legs, which played a game of peek-a-boo with each sway of the dress.

"Gao Yuan, I'd like to discuss the Heart of Zruhpus project with you, the one in the western part of the city," Yang Miao stated as she sat across from Gao Yuan at her desk.

Gao Yuan, having already spent money to resolve all issues, was not pleased to encounter another individual intent on signing a contract. Her irritation was palpable.

"What contract?" Gao Yuan asked, feigning indifference as she casually crossed her legs.

"The construction contract," Yang Miao clarified, rising to whisper behind Gao Yuan.

Her fingertips grazed Gao Yuan's chest, prompting Gao Yuan to snap her eyes open in anger. "I suggest you maintain some decorum. We've already signed with Exbought, so please refrain from returning. Security, escort this lady out."

Yang Ming, who had been waiting, initially thought Yang Miao's prolonged absence signaled success and couldn't help but revel in self-satisfaction. However, to his shock, Yang Miao was eventually ejected by two security guards, contract in tow.

"What happened?" Yang Ming rushed to assist her.

"Gao Yuan isn't swayed by such tactics," Yang Miao replied, deflated.

Impossible, Yang Ming thought, recalling the thorough background check he had conducted.

"Gao Yuan claims the contract is already signed with Exbought," Yang Miao continued.

Yang Ming quickly retrieved the contract from the ground, only to find it unsigned.

"It's not this one, brother. We're too late," Yang Miao lamented, prompting a moment of realization for Yang Ming.

"It has to be that treacherous Yang Yuan, exchanging favors for the contract. I'll see to it that she's utterly disgraced!" Yang Ming seethed, pulling Yang Miao into the car and speeding away.

Meanwhile, Yang Yuan and Zhang Luo made their way home, with Yang Yuan reassuringly telling Zhang Luo, "I'm determined to change my family's perception of you."

"Better not to involve them. I promise you won't face any hardships because of me," Zhang Luo replied, committed to protecting her.

After Zhang Luo finished speaking, Yang Yuan leaned against his shoulder.

Yang Yuan's phone rang; it was Wang Yan on the line. "Head over to your grandfather's place now. He has something important to discuss. And leave that loser behind!"

Wang Yan hung up abruptly and strode off toward Royal Scenic Homes with Yang Jianchuan in tow.

Zhang Luo, having overheard the conversation, offered, "Don't worry, I'll go with you."

Yang Yuan smiled and nodded in agreement, "Okay!"

They quickly reached the entrance to Royal Scenic Homes. Approaching her grandfather's house, Yang Yuan noticed Yang Ming's Mercedes parked outside.

"You go ahead; I'll wait for you out here," Zhang Luo told Yang Yuan.

Zhang Luo deserved all the credit for securing the contract, but his family was unaware. If only his grandfather knew that he had successfully signed the Heart of Zruhpus contract, he would surely be proud in front of the relatives.

Keeping Zhang Luo's wishes, Yang Yuan entered the villa alone.

"What's the reason for gathering us here?"

"Has Yang Ming already secured the project contract?"

"Yang Ming is truly impressive; he managed to get the contract in just one day."

Yang Yuan listened as the relatives speculated, realizing they were still in the dark about her signing the contract with Comoxize.

Yang Yuan proceeded directly to Yang Shuozheng's room. "Grandfather..."

She was about to share the news of the contract.

"I'm already aware! Come with me," her grandfather interrupted.

Puzzled about how her grandfather had found out, Yang Yuan helped him into the hall where the family had gathered. As he appeared, the room fell silent.

"You tell them," her grandfather urged Yang Yuan.

She nodded and announced, "Here's the situation. Grandfather tasked us with securing the Heart of Zruhpus project contract, and I've succeeded."

Yang Yuan held up the contract triumphantly.

"Yang Yuan is the capable one; I always knew it."

"Yuanyuan, make sure to share some of the work with your second aunt!"

The relatives showered Yang Yuan with praise, while Yang Ming stood by, his face a mask of emotion, fists clenched in frustration.

"We don't need contracts obtained through such disgraceful means in the Yang family!"

When Yang Ming spoke up, the room fell silent.

"Yang Ming, you're spouting nonsense!"

Yang Yuan had intended to strategize with Yang Ming on how to approach the project, but she was taken aback by his accusation.

"Grandfather issued an order yesterday, so I reached out to many of my business contacts to have Yang Miao deliver the contract, in an effort to assist Yang Yuan."

It was clear to Yang Yuan that Yang Ming was trying to usurp the contract for himself.

Yang Ming pressed on, "But to everyone's surprise, Yang Yuan had already finalized the contract with Gao Yuan. Without selling herself, why else would Gao Yuan agree to sign with her?"

"The Yang Group operates with integrity. We may not be the biggest conglomerate in Zruhpus, but we refuse to accept a contract tainted by scandal."

"So that's how Yang Yuan secured the contract."

"Indeed. We wouldn't want to be involved in such a project."

"Yang Jianchuan, your daughter has certainly made a name for herself."

Yang Jianchuan and Wang Yan blushed with shame. They had always stayed out of their daughter's business affairs, but now, the thought of her exchanging her body for a contract, a fact known to the entire family, made them wish they could disappear.

"Yang Ming, you're defaming me!"

Yang Yuan protested, her voice tinged with tears.

"Enough, no more arguing."

Yang Shuozheng intervened, "Yuanyuan, just explain yourself clearly, that's all."

Yang Yuan desperately wanted to reveal that it was Zhang Luo who had helped her secure the contract.

But Zhang Luo had forbidden her to disclose this, leaving Yang Yuan with tears of frustration welling in her eyes.

Just then, the villa's door swung open, and Zhang Luo entered. He soothed Yang Yuan before announcing, "I have evidence here that proves Yang Yuan did not trade her body for the contract."

Zhang Luo displayed a video on his phone.

The video showed Yang Miao in a backless red dress, attempting to sign a contract in Gao Yuan's office.

The audio was unmistakable: Yang Miao was seductively trying to secure the contract, but Gao Yuan was repulsed and had security escort Yang Miao out.

All eyes turned to Yang Miao, who, overwhelmed with emotion, fled the villa in tears.

Zhang Ming had vowed to ruin Yang Yuan's reputation today, but ironically, he ended up embarrassing himself instead.

Zhang Luo stood behind Yang Yuan, who was pressed closely against him. She felt the warmth of his body and for the first time, experienced the comfort of leaning on such a strong chest—a feeling Zhang Luo surprisingly provided her with.

"Yuanyuan, show me the contract," her grandfather requested.

Yang Yuan handed the contract to him. He scrutinized the signature and seal for authenticity before delving into the contract's details. Upon seeing the profits offered by Comoxize, his eyes bulged, and he even asked his maid to fetch his reading glasses.

After a double-take at Yang Yuan, he seemed hardly able to believe it.

"Yang Yuan will have full authority over this project. If you encounter any issues in the future, go directly to her," he declared.

With that, her grandfather retreated to his room.

"Yuanyuan, remember when you were little? I used to change your diapers. Don't forget your aunt when it comes to making money," one relative chimed in.

"And I've cooked for Yuanyuan too!" another added.

As her relatives vied for her favor, Yang Yuan assured them, "Trust in me, and we'll all make money."

Fuming, Yang Linchuan and Yang Ming stormed back to their car, where Yang Miao continued to weep.

"There's no chance for you to make money now!" Yang Ming exclaimed as he revved up the car and sped away from Royal Scenic Homes.

"Grandfather has spoken; don't provoke him further," Yang Linchuan warned, still intimidated by the old man.

While at the villa, Yang Ming had been plotting his next move. He had always been the most capable member of the Yang family, but today Yang Yuan had upstaged him, along with that good-for-nothing Zhang Luo.

Determined to get even, Yang Ming dropped Yang Linchuan off at the company and drove off with Yang Miao.

Upon leaving the villa, Yang Yuan's family inquired, "Where did that video come from?"

"Gao Yuan sent it to me," Zhang Luo lied, trying to keep his composure. "He mentioned that right after we left Comoxize, Exbought sent someone over again. They were worried about your safety, so they recorded the video."

In reality, Zhang Luo had overheard Yang Ming slandering Yang Yuan outside the door and had called Gao Yuan, hoping he would come forward to corroborate the story.

Gao Yuan was astute. Upon noticing Yang Ming and Yang Miao arriving with the contract, he feared his interests might be compromised, so he arranged for someone to record a video of Yang Miao.

"He actually did something decent for once," Wang Yan remarked.

"Mom, please don't criticize Zhang Luo; he really came through for us this time," Yang Yuan defended.

"I'm telling you, you're planning to divorce that loser. Imagine the life you could have marrying into the Lin family. And yet, here you are, defending him," Wang Yan exclaimed with frustration as she watched Yang Yuan speak up for Zhang Luo.

Having said her piece, Wang Yan hopped into a taxi with Yang Jianchuan and drove off. Yang Yuan watched the departing taxi and let out a sigh.

"Why sigh? I'm not bothered by what they say," Zhang Luo commented, and together, they walked out of the complex.

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