“I heard back in school that Jiang Tian might be from some prominent family…” Zheng Li suddenly murmured, her voice tinged with regret.
Zhou Zhenghao was a figure who could sit at the same table as district mayors and party secretaries, yet he treated Jiang Tian with such reverence. If Jiang Tian wasn’t from one of those legendary aristocratic families, what other explanation could there be?
Jiang Tian was only twenty-five, yet he had already forced Zhou Zhenghao to bow his head. If he were to take control of his family’s wealth and power, how terrifying would he become? Even the mayor and city party secretary might have to lower their heads before him.
Zheng Li was filled with regret. She had missed an opportunity—a chance that could have saved her at least twenty years of hard work.
She wasn’t the only one thinking this. All the classmates present had come to the same realization, and they were equally filled with remorse and regret.
If they had clung to Jiang Tian’s coattails, success would have been within reach. Even the crumbs that fell from his table would have been enough to fill their bellies.
But alas, except for Liu Yating, everyone had looked down on Jiang Tian, siding with Hou Tianlai to mock and belittle him, completely ruining any chance of a good relationship.
“Which one of you is Miss Liu Yating? Please follow me to the office,” Zhou Zhenghao said, having regained some of his usual composure. He smiled warmly.
Once in Zhou Zhenghao’s office, Liu Yating briefly explained her situation.
Zhou Zhenghao immediately wrote out a check and handed it to her. “Miss Liu, here’s an interest-free loan of ten million. Take it. You can repay it whenever you want. If you can’t repay it, that’s fine too!”
Liu Yating was overjoyed that her urgent problem had been solved so easily. She quickly said, “Mr. Zhou, thank you so much! I’ll definitely repay you as soon as possible!”
“Miss Liu, no need to be so formal. Since Master Jiang asked, I had to make it happen,” Zhou Zhenghao replied with a smile.
After Dongdong served tea, Liu Yating took a few sips to calm her excitement.
Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked with a smile, “Mr. Zhou, are you friends with Jiang Tian? How did you two meet?”
“Ah, Miss Liu, you overestimate me. Master Jiang is like a dragon soaring through the heavens, a figure akin to a deity. How could I ever be worthy of being his friend? If I could serve as his loyal dog, I would be more than satisfied!”
Zhou Zhenghao’s words sounded like a joke, but his serious expression left no room for humor.
Liu Yating was utterly shocked.
What had Jiang Tian done to make someone like Zhou Zhenghao willingly humble himself to such an extent?
“Miss Liu, it seems you’ve left a good impression on Master Jiang. If you have the chance, please put in a good word for me!” Zhou Zhenghao said with a flattering smile, almost groveling.
“Of course!” Liu Yating nodded, suddenly recalling Jiang Tian’s words: “I will grant you an opportunity.” She couldn’t wait to return home and try out the prescription he had given her.
…
When Jiang Tian returned to the Times Mansion, Zhao Xueqing was working overtime in the study. He tiptoed into the kitchen and began refining the medicinal herbs.
The herbs Zhou Zhenghao had gathered were of excellent quality. After three hours, Jiang Tian successfully refined a Peiyuan Pill.
By the time he finished, Zhao Xueqing had already gone to bed. However, Jiang Tian didn’t immediately consume the pill.
He understood the principle of “haste makes waste.” The leap from Body Tempering to Qi Refining was a qualitative transformation, and he needed to lay a solid foundation first.
The next day at work, as soon as Zhao Xueqing entered the office, Zhou Liwen rushed over, beaming with joy. “Director Zhao, the experiment was a success!”
“What did you say?” Zhao Xueqing couldn’t believe her ears.
“Professor Li’s tenth experimental formula worked! The patients showed no side effects, and the efficacy was remarkable. After applying the ointment, the ulcerated areas healed completely within two days. The results are incredible!”
Zhou Liwen handed over the experimental records, her excitement palpable.
“It worked! It really worked! This is amazing!” Zhao Xueqing quickly took the records and began flipping through them, unable to suppress her joy. She was so happy she almost cried.
TheImproved Muscle-Regenerating Ointment project had been her focus for over six months. She and her team had pulled countless all-nighters, but progress had been elusive.
Now, finally, their efforts had paid off.
Zhao Pharmaceuticals lacked a flagship product and had been struggling to stay afloat, relying solely on its sales team. This formula could breathe new life into the company, potentially propelling it into the ranks of China’s top pharmaceutical firms.
Zhao Xueqing immediately reported the news to Wei Fang.
Wei Fang was equally delighted. “Professor Li is truly remarkable. His consulting fee was worth every penny. Tonight, make sure to highlight this product when you meet with Liu Wangfeng. With the Liu family’s sales network, this product is bound to be a hit.”
After work, Zhao Xueqing called Jiang Tian. “Jiang Tian, I have a business meeting tonight. You can head home on your own.”
“Who are you meeting?” Jiang Tian asked casually.
“Liu Wangfeng. We have a flagship product…”
The moment Zhao Xueqing uttered that name, Jiang Tian stopped listening. His grip tightened, and the small stone he was holding crumbled into dust.
Liu Wangfeng—the man who had caused his alcohol poisoning in his past life, the one who had driven Zhao Xueqing to her death. He had brought Jiang Tian endless suffering.
He deserved to die.
“Hello? Jiang Tian, did you hear me? Can you manage on your own?” Zhao Xueqing asked after a long silence.
“Oh, Xueqing, I’ll come with you. Liu Wangfeng used to pursue you, right? I’m worried he might try something.”
Jiang Tian tried to suppress his agitation, speaking in a calm tone.
“Alright… If Liu Wangfeng tries to get close to me, make sure he gives up completely. But no fighting!”
Zhao Xueqing didn’t think Liu Wangfeng would do anything inappropriate, but after what Li Pengtao had done, she knew better than to judge a book by its cover. In the end, she agreed.
“But you’re not letting me fight? If he really annoys you, I could just take him out with one move,” Jiang Tian joked.
“That’s not an option!” Zhao Xueqing was startled. “We still need to cooperate with the Liu family. If you dare to fight, don’t come!”
“Then how am I supposed to make him give up?” Jiang Tian asked, frustrated.
“Can’t you just show some affection? We are husband and wife, after all…”
After a moment of hesitation, Zhao Xueqing’s cheeks flushed as she chided him and hung up.
Jiang Tian declined an invitation from the PR department to go bar-hopping and quietly made his way to the underground parking lot. He got into Zhao Xueqing’s Chevrolet and headed to the Sapphire Hotel, where the meeting was scheduled.
As night fell over Linzhou, neither Jiang Tian nor Zhao Xueqing knew what the other was thinking. Their first attempt at showing affection as a couple had arrived abruptly, all because of the collaboration with the Liu family.
The Sapphire Hotel, a newly built five-star establishment, was located near a resort in the eastern suburbs. Surrounded by mountains and water, its elegant European-style design made it a favorite spot for the city’s elite.
As soon as they got out of the car, Zhao Xueqing linked her arm with Jiang Tian’s, adopting the demeanor of a devoted wife. “Let’s go,” she said coolly.
Jiang Tian couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re not very convincing. If you want to show how close we are, you should at least smile a little. With that icy expression, he’ll think you’re a resentful wife.”
“How can I smile when you hit me just two weeks ago?” Zhao Xueqing shot him a glare and whispered, “Remember, don’t speak unless I signal you.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Jiang Tian felt a pang of guilt at the mention of his past actions and didn’t argue further.
Led by two elegant hostesses, they soon arrived at a large private room overlooking the lake.
The door, adorned in Baroque-style white, opened to reveal a burly man in suspenders and a white shirt, with a burgundy bow tie. He smiled warmly. “Miss Zhao, please come in. My young master has been waiting.”
The man didn’t even glance at Jiang Tian, clearly excluding him from the welcome.
“He’s a martial artist, and his cultivation isn’t low. He’s probably at the peak of Iron Body level…” Jiang Tian observed the man closely, sensing an aura more pronounced than even Old Tang and Tang Linglong’s. There was a faint pressure emanating from him.
As expected…
The Liu family or the three major families of Jinling alone wouldn’t have been enough to bring down the Jiang family. They must have had backing from someone more powerful.
Zhao Xueqing nodded and led Jiang Tian into the luxurious private room.
The air was filled with the subtle scent of sandalwood, refreshing and invigorating.
“Xueqing, I’ve been waiting for you!”
A magnetic voice rang out as a man in a white shirt stood up from the European-style leather sofa against the wall.
The man was in his early thirties, tall and slender, with clean, short hair, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes. His handsome face exuded an air of nobility that couldn’t be faked—a product of being born into a prestigious family.
In Linzhou, the Liu family was second only to the Tangs in influence, and their financial power even surpassed the Tangs.
Liu Wangfeng!
A cold glint flashed in Jiang Tian’s eyes.
In his past life, this man had driven Zhao Xueqing to her death. Jiang Tian had once gone to seek revenge with a dagger, only to be beaten until he vomited blood and thrown out.
Back then, Liu Wangfeng had maliciously acquired Zhao Pharmaceuticals, his arrogance boundless, acting as if he were royalty, while Jiang Tian was nothing but an ant, powerless and desperate.
Jiang Tian’s hatred burned fiercely, but he forced himself to remain calm.
There was no rush to deal with this scum. Like a cat toying with a mouse, he would take his time, making Liu Wangfeng taste pain and fear.
Besides, so far, Liu Wangfeng hadn’t taken any concrete actions.
The alcohol poisoning incident had been orchestrated through Wu Zhaohui, leaving no evidence.
If Jiang Tian acted recklessly, Zhao Xueqing might misunderstand his intentions.
Zhao Xueqing nodded expressionlessly. “Mr. Liu, you’re too kind.”
Liu Wangfeng seemed unfazed by Zhao Xueqing’s coldness. He continued to smile warmly, exuding the charm of a mature man. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Xueqing. Whether our collaboration succeeds or not, just having dinner with you is enough for me.”
It was hard to imagine the general manager of a listed company, the first heir of Linzhou’s second most powerful family, being so humble and ingratiating toward a woman.
Few in Linzhou could resist such a tender approach, but Zhao Xueqing remained unmoved. She replied coolly, “You’re too kind,” and said nothing more.
