C16 The New CEO

"CEO Su, President Zhao Chen of the Qingyuan Group, is here to see you.”

The secretary’s voice interrupted the rest of Su Lianyi’s words.

Old Master Su’s expression changed drastically. “Are you sure?” he asked the secretary. “Is it really President Zhao?”

Before the secretary could confirm, a middle-aged man walked into the room. It was, indeed, the general manager of the Yun State branch of the Qingyuan Group, Zhao Chen.

“Mr. Zhao!” Old Master Su all but jumped out of his seat and rushed forward. “I had no idea that you were coming. Please forgive me for not welcoming you earlier.” He offered the younger man a deep bow, a show of great humility.

“It’s all right, Mr. Su. It is my fault for not notifying you in advance. I actually came here for one purpose only.”

Zhao Chen waved his hand, and another middle-aged man stepped forward, this one was wearing black-rimmed glasses. He approached Old Master Su and held up a contract.

“What might this be?”

Old Master Su was visibly confused. When he finally read the title of the contract, he could do nothing more than gape in utter shock.

Seeing this, Zhao Chen turned to look at Su Lianyi, then looked back at Old Master Su and smiled.

“I was impressed by Miss Su’s diligence. She waited at the entrance of our company for most of yesterday in a bid to see me. If I do not reward her for her efforts, then I’m afraid I cannot call myself a man of honor. I have already affixed my signature to the contract. It will take effect as soon as you sign it.”

Silence fell over the room.

Su Zheng, in particular, felt himself shrink into the corner. He had used all means at his disposal, even underhanded once, just to meet with Zhao Chen’s secretary.

He couldn’t fathom why the general manager himself would come in person and speak up for Su Lianyi.

Even Su Lianyi didn’t know what to make of it. Did she really move Zhao Chen with her tenacity from yesterday?

No... She suddenly remembered her younger sister’s words. Su Xiaoyu must have pulled strings in order to secure her this contract.

Old Master Su wasted no time signing the contract, after which, Zhao Chen left. His presence had lasted for just a few minutes.

Old Master Su was beaming as he sent one of the assistants to escort Zhao Chen to his car. He looked back to the room and waved his hands in excitement. “The meeting shall commence! I have more things to announce!”

Of course, everyone already knew what he was going to say. They all stared at Su Lianyi, their eyes filled with greed and envy.

Old Master Su had declared just two days ago that he would hand over the position of CEO to anyone who could bring in a contract with the prestigious Qingyuan Group. Now that Su Lianyi had delivered this condition, the old man would no doubt pass the baton on to her.

Su Lianyi finally snapped out of her daze as excitement crept into her heart. Her hands were clenched on her lap, her mind echoing the same, single thought—

She would finally get the Tianzheng Group back, the company that she had birthed and built from scratch.

“Lianyi is indeed the business prodigy in our family. I can’t believe she was able to pull in the Qingyuan Group!”

“I always knew Lianyi could do it. She was able to bring the family business close to the top five years ago. Of course, she can do it again!”

“Lianyi, let me know if you need anything in the future. I will follow your lead no matter what.”

It hadn’t even been an hour since they were mocking her and praising Su Zheng. Now, their allegiance had shifted to the other side.

“I’m sure everyone has already guessed what I am about to say,” Old Master Su began. “However, recent events have changed the course of my plans. I have decided to give the position of CEO of the Tianzheng Group to Su Zheng. Be sure to aid him in the company’s future endeavors.”

Another tense silence filled the room.

After what had just happened, no one expected Old Master Su to hand over his position to Su Zheng.

Even Su Zheng himself was shocked, though it didn’t last long. Soon enough, he was grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you for your trust, Grandpa! I promise, I won’t let you down!”

“Good! The meeting is adjourned!”

Old Master Su headed for the door. He didn’t make a single peep about the promise he had made two days ago.

"Grandpa!"

The old man’s words hit Su Lianyi like a ton of bricks. It took her a moment to come back to her senses, and she had to rush out to catch up to him.

“Why is it Su Zheng? I am the one who secured the contract with the Qingyuan Group. It should have been me!”

Old Master Su gave her a cold glance. “It’s because Su Zheng was able to get a contract with the Gao family.”

“That is irrelevant, Grandfather. What does this have to do with the Gao family? You never mentioned them two days ago.”

“Su Lianyi! It matters little that you got the contract with the Qingyuan Group. Be grateful that I did not disown you. The Su family would have become a part of the upper echelons of society five years ago, if it weren’t for your scandal.

Your collaboration with the Qingyuan Group shall serve as your atonement for your past mistakes. Besides, Su Zheng has always contributed to the family business. He is more than worthy of the position of CEO.”

“But Grandpa, you clearly said—“

“That’s enough, Su Lianyi!” Old Master Su roared. “How dare you contradict me! If you know what’s good for you, you will say nothing more.” Old Master Su turned on his heel and strode away.

Su Zheng chose that moment to saunter over, his cohorts trailing behind him.

“You overestimated yourself, Su Lianyi. Did you really think you were some big shot, just because you got that contract?”

“Grandpa was right. If it weren’t for you, the Su family would be in the same league as the Gao family by now.”

“The patriarch is still wise despite his years. Thankfully, he didn’t hand over the company to such a shameless woman.”

“Zheng is the rightful heir all along. Did you honestly think you were worthy to compete against him?”

These came from the same people who had tried to butter her up just a while ago.

Su Lianyi sank into despair. She had never truly gotten over the fact that her family had taken the Tianzheng Group away from her. She had spent the last five years bleeding sweat and tears in an effort to reclaim what was rightfully hers.

She had expected challenges along the way, but never this. She was crushed.

Su Zheng stood in front of her, his arms crossed over his chest, his head cocked to the side. His lips were curled into an arrogant smirk.

“Su Lianyi, starting today, I am the CEO of the Tianzheng Group. In the future, I will become the patriarch of the Su family. If I were you, I would divorce your piece-of-trash husband the moment I get home. I can’t have you yielding to another man except me.”

He ended his tirade with a sinister laugh, then walked away with his entourage quick on his heels.

Su Zheng’s words were the last straw.

Drained of strength, Su Lianyi slumped to the floor and burst into tears.

She had no idea how long she stayed there, weeping, but she eventually felt a coat being draped over her shoulders.

“Let’s go home, Lianyi,” Lu Yuan said gently.

He couldn’t bear to see her so heartbroken.

“Why does this keep happening to me? Why do I have to bear all the misfortunes? What did I ever do to deserve this?”

A wave of fresh tears came.

It took them another long while before she finally calmed down. She looked up at Lu Yuan, unsure of what to feel about his presence. “Sorry about that,” she muttered.

Lu Yuan was taken aback. He wasn’t expecting her to apologize to him. He shook his head and looked her in the eye. “Is the Tianzheng Group that important to you?”

“I founded this company myself. I watched it grow every step of the way and treated it like my own child. I have done so much for my family over the years, but they pay me back with humiliation after humiliation. If I could, I would have left the Su family a long time ago.”

Su Lianyi’s eyes were filled with melancholy and grievance.

“What if I tell you that I can give you the entire Yun State on a silver platter, let alone the Tianzheng Group?” Lu Yuan asked in a hushed voice, his expression serious.

It made Su Lianyi think back to his terrifying strength back at the kindergarten, not to mention his formidable subordinate.

Was it possible? Had Lu Yuan really made something of himself in the five years that he was gone?

Su Lianyi dismissed the thought just as soon as it formed in her head. No, that would be unrealistic.

“Lu Yuan, you might think that you can use force to solve anything, but that’s not how the world works. That is the coward’s way, and it’s juvenile, to boot. You should stop this kind of mindset.”

With that, she picked herself up and staggered away.

Lu Yuan watched her go and took out his phone. He made a call. “I want you to take down the Tianzheng Group without spending a single cent. You have three days.”

“Yes, Mr. Lu!”