Xu Ziyan spent Ding Jie’s money more and more ruthlessly. When Ding Jie saw the new expenses listed as “shootings,” he didn’t think much of it. He didn’t know that the card he casually gave and the permission he carelessly granted allowed Xu Ziyan to exploit the biggest loophole and successfully evade a life-or-death crisis.
With this plot development gone, the psychological pressure on Xu Ziyan instantly vanished. She would even hum songs to herself while working at the company, forcing Fu Qixuan to adapt to her caterwauling.
Fu Qixuan felt a tinge of envy. He was the type who could not tolerate a single grain of sand in his eye. Ever since he knew Lin Xiaoyun was problematic, he wanted to kick her out immediately. Yet, to follow the plot, he had to act and play along, which was mentally exhausting.
If only he could also shoot a segment of the plot to complete a mission. Unfortunately, Ding Jie wouldn’t be tricked into giving Lin Xiaoyun orders, which meant the plotline about them stealing trade secrets couldn’t progress. They were quite passive.
Fu Qixuan decided that if conditions weren’t ripe, he would create them. Once Ding Jie’s game project ran into trouble, he would surely be eager to do something to prove himself. So, Fu Qixuan started dropping hints now that the company was working on a crucial project. He deliberately made a phone call to discuss matters when Lin Xiaoyun entered his office to deliver coffee, ensuring she overheard.
As expected, Lin Xiaoyun immediately reported this to Ding Jie. Ding Jie was somewhat puzzled. “I haven’t heard about any new moves from Fu Corporation recently. Could it be a confidential project? Keep a close eye on it and try to figure out what’s going on.”
Ding Jie then asked Xu Ziyan for help, attempting to drive a wedge between them. “Your eldest brother didn’t tell you. He’s clearly guarding against you. He must have put you in the executive office just to keep an eye on you…”
Before he could finish, Xu Ziyan readily chimed in, “Fu Qixuan is going too far! If he doesn’t treat me as family, I won’t acknowledge him as family either. I won’t let him off easily!”
Fu Qixuan, sitting across the dining table from Xu Ziyan who had just hung up, was speechless. “You’re having this kind of conversation right in front of me now?”
Xu Ziyan said, “This way it builds more trust. Eldest Brother, you’re so good to me, I definitely don’t want to hide anything from you. Speaking of which, I have a recording here about Lin Xiaoyun. Have a listen.”
She played the few sentences she had impulsively recorded last time. Although Ding Jie didn’t explicitly say it himself, the conversation clearly implied he had sent Lin Xiaoyun to get close to Fu Qixuan.
Fu Qixuan picked up the red wine and poured a glass for Xu Ziyan. “Thank you. I investigated again. I was wrong before. Thanks to your reminder, I already know Lin Xiaoyun is a corporate spy. I’m keeping her around just to find the right opportunity to counterattack.”
Xu Ziyan thought: 【As expected of a wealthy family. Their execution is top-notch. I just gave a little reminder, and they resolved so many things. Not a single drop of dog-blooded drama. Impressive.】
For once, Fu Qixuan felt a bit guilty. After all, they only knew the severity of the situation because they heard Xu Ziyan’s inner thoughts, which allowed them to act so decisively. Initially, he thought his own investigation was correct, deeply trusted Lin Xiaoyun, found his family unreasonable, and almost opposed them, nearly making a huge mistake.
Thinking back, he still wasn’t rational and calm enough. His dislike for his cheap little sister had clouded his judgment back then. He couldn’t be so arrogant again in the future.
Considering that Xu Ziyan had taught him a lesson, Fu Qixuan was truly grateful to her. He thought about transferring money to her as he had done before, but then he remembered hearing Xu Ziyan’s inner thoughts several times. It seemed deep down, she lacked a sense of security. Her last life was too hard, and in this life, the crisis of the world collapsing hung over her head. Who could feel secure under such circumstances?
He pondered seriously for a while and, during the meal, said to Xu Ziyan, “You’ve changed a lot recently. I also feel you truly see us as family now. Moreover, your reminders have helped us avoid many losses. I’m giving you 2% of the company shares. From now on, you can use the dividends as pocket money. If it’s not enough, just tell me.”
Xu Ziyan was stunned. What? Give her 2% of the shares? She remembered the Fu family had a rule: most assets were concentrated in the hands of the person in power. Other siblings wouldn’t receive their share until they turned thirty, to prevent the young and inexperienced from squandering the family fortune. That’s why they usually received properties and allowances.
Now Fu Qixuan was actually giving her shares. Don’t underestimate just 2%; that was 2% of the entire Fu Corporation. She could never spend it all in this lifetime!
“Brother! My own brother! You are the best brother in the whole world! Then I won’t stand on ceremony! Thank you, Brother!” Xu Ziyan flashed a huge smile, her words as sweet as honey.
Fu Qixuan couldn’t help but laugh. When he didn’t give money, he was a brain-dead old iron tree. Now he was the best brother in the world.
It wasn’t that Xu Ziyan was solely money-grubbing. Ding Jie gave her a card, and she didn’t get any closer to him. She knew who was worth being close to. Recently, her eldest brother had come up with many plans to deal with Ding Jie, acting quite reliably and finally showing signs of being the pillar and leader of the family. Xu Ziyan genuinely thought he was strong and truly cared about his family.
Especially during daily meetings, watching Fu Qixuan pinpoint various problems and propose solutions, she finally saw what a real president should be like. Even though she loafed around every day, she couldn’t help but be influenced and learn something. It was impossible not to like this eldest brother.
And there was also her aloof yet gentle sister, her hot-blooded and loyal younger brother, and her loving parents. She liked them all so much. For the first time, she felt that transmigrating was wonderful. Once she even dreamed that all of this was a fantasy before her death, something she imagined because she desperately wanted good family.
But when she woke up and felt the real people around her, experiencing real joys and sorrows, she knew it was all real. She had truly gained a very, very good family. She was so happy now!
Ever since Ding Yao saw the footage Xu Ziyan shot that day at the scene and learned that Ding Jie had used such cruel means to torment a girl, a fire had been smoldering in his heart. He went back and conducted a thorough investigation of the branch company personnel, finally uncovering the trap Ding Jie had set for him. Armed with the evidence, he stormed into the headquarters.
Ding Yao kicked open the door to Ding Jie’s office and threw the evidence on the desk. “What is the meaning of this? You already forced me out to a branch company, and you still won’t let me go? Do you want to drive me out of the Ding family so you can have it all to yourself?”
Ding Jie glanced at the employees eavesdropping outside and frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. There must be a misunderstanding here. Eldest Brother, this is the company. I hope you can control your emotions. If there’s something, we can talk about it at home.”
Ding Yao let out a cold laugh, his voice growing even louder. “What? Afraid I’ll expose your dirty deeds? My project failed last time because of your sabotage. I’ve uncovered it all. You’re as sinister as your mother. Your mother wanted to snatch my mother’s position as Mrs. Ding, and now you want to squeeze me out to inherit the Ding family, don’t you? Take a look at yourself. Do you even deserve it? Illegitimate. Son!”
Dozens of employees near the office heard it. Ding Jie’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected Ding Yao to be so blunt and disregard the setting entirely. But how did Ding Yao find out? He had been so careful. He stiffened his neck and said, “I don’t need to do anything extra. The company values capability. Father revoked your position because of your dereliction of duty, and he wanted you to gain experience at the branch…”
Ding Yao punched him in the face. “I don’t need you to lecture me! With someone as vicious as you in the company, you’ll bring the whole company down sooner or later!”
Old and new grievances churned in Ding Yao’s heart. He thought of his mother’s grievances, of being plotted against, and of the tragic fates of supporting characters and cannon fodder like them in the end. Why? Just because Ding Jie was the male lead? Did he deserve it?
Ding Yao punched harder and harder, using all his strength to pummel Ding Jie. Employees outside cried out in alarm, rushing in to pull them apart, calling security, and reporting to Father Ding.
Father Ding arrived quickly, followed by shareholders who were in the company. Father Ding was so angry his face turned green. “Stop this! Look at what you’re doing! This is a company, not a place for you to throw a tantrum!”
With more people intervening, Ding Yao couldn’t continue fighting. He simply stopped, straightened his clothes, and sneered, “Aren’t you the one who was ‘indulgent’ enough to produce an illegitimate son? Isn’t it your precious bastard who schemed and plotted against me? How do you have the face to criticize me? Right now, I’m the only normal person in the Ding family, the one with normal morals!”
Father Ding pointed at him furiously. “What kind of attitude is this? Who do you think you’re talking to?”
Ding Yao snorted. “To an old fool! Do you really think Yours Truly covets Ding Corporation and would grovel to you for the inheritance? With characters like you and Ding Jie running it, Ding Corporation will go bankrupt sooner or later. What inheritance is there to fight over? Since you can’t stand Yours Truly, then Yours Truly quits! From today on, I’m resigning from Ding Corporation and moving out of the Ding family. I wish you two scumbags all the best together. Pah!”
Ding Yao pushed past Father Ding and strode out, showing not an ounce of respect. His attitude and words could be called unfilial, but after hearing the inside story, everyone felt that if the father was not kind, the son would not be filial. Father Ding deserved it. Moreover, Ding Yao’s words had some impact on them. Quite a few people began to wonder: would Ding Corporation really run into trouble?
The last scandal involving Song Jie almost affected the stock price. It was only because Song Jie hastily quit the entertainment industry and went abroad that the impact was minimized. If there was another scandal about an illegitimate son harming the legitimate son, they might all need to make early preparations and see if they could find a way out.
Father Ding clutched his chest and collapsed onto the sofa, pointing in the direction Ding Yao left and angrily cursing, “Ungrateful son! Don’t you dare come back for the rest of your life!”
Xu Ziyan was working on the company’s employee benefits plan when she suddenly heard the system announcement.
【Congratulations, Host! Completed Additional Plot: Assisted Ding Yao in discovering the truth and beating up Ding Jie. Reward: 1 Skill Point. Indirectly promoted the success of Ding Jie’s plan to drive Ding Yao out of the Ding family. Reward: 1 Skill Point.】
Xu Ziyan was stunned. What was this? Another plotline completed automatically? How did she assist? How did she promote it? She didn’t know anything about it.
Thinking carefully, could it be because she loved stirring the pot without taking responsibility, reminding Ding Yao to get a paternity test, and introducing Ding Yao to Fu Qixuan? So all the plot developments Ding Yao went through were now connected to her?
Wasn’t this hitting the jackpot? In the original plot, Ding Yao’s affairs had nothing to do with her. No matter what plot she followed, she gained no benefits. But now she got rewards because she was associated with it? This was amazing. She should give Ding Yao more ideas later and properly make trouble for Ding Jie.
Ding Jie was beaten until his face was bruised and swollen. A hospital checkup said his nasal bone was broken. He was seething with anger with no outlet. Even though he succeeded in driving Ding Yao away, all his schemes were now exposed in broad daylight, completely destroying his image. Now Father Ding, the shareholders, and the company employees all viewed him unfavorably.
Was he going through a bout of bad luck recently? Why was he so unlucky?