The Su Family had managed to achieve such a lofty status in Lingjin City not only due to their own considerable strength but also for another pivotal reason: connections. Or perhaps, more accurately, backing.

How powerful was the Su Family's backing? Even Jin Zongquan wouldn't dare provoke them lightly.

This backing was none other than Su Ding's third uncle, Su Chang'an.

As a Third-Rank Military General stationed in the region, Su Chang'an's power was immense. While one couldn't claim he could cover the sky with one hand, his influence was more than enough to silence the local aristocratic clans.

The bureaucracy was divided into Civil Officials and Military Generals. Setting the civil branch aside, Military Generals were categorized into nine ranks based on their abilities and merits, with the first rank being the lowest. Upon reaching the ninth rank, one was no longer called a Ninth-Rank Military General, but a Nine Gates Admiral.

In the grand scheme of the Martial Department, a Third-Rank Military General might not seem particularly notable. However, within a specific city or region, they were a transcendent existence.

In the next few days, Su Chang'an would be returning home for a family visit.

At this thought, Su Ding's frosty eyes suddenly blazed with excitement. They say an official one rank higher can crush you to death! No matter how strong your backer is, won't you still have to kneel respectfully before my third uncle? When that time comes, I'll return everything you've done to me, doubled!

With a ferocious smile, Su Ding dialed his third uncle Su Chang'an's number. A scheme to entrap Chen Yang was thus slowly beginning to unfold.

「」

Strolling through the shopping mall, Chen Yang wandered at a leisurely, unhurried pace.

Walking beside him, Zhang Xiaowen glanced at him several times before finally being unable to hold back. "Chen Yang, you're a liar!"

"Huh?" Chen Yang knew exactly what she was thinking but played dumb with a laugh. "You're not some rich woman. What could I possibly lie to you about? Besides, I never had any intention of hitting on you!"

"You..." Zhang Xiaowen pointed at Chen Yang, utterly speechless. "You scoundrel!"

"Is that so? People used to just call me a letch."

Zhang Xiaowen was stunned into silence.

What is wrong with this guy? Not only is he not ashamed of being called a scoundrel, but he actually seems proud of it? Ptooey!

"Chen Yang, stop joking around with me!" she snapped. "Tell me the truth. Is the reason Su Ding was so polite to you because you two made some kind of deal that harms the Chairman?"

"Or are you planning to act as a middleman and sell the Chairman out to Su Ding?"

After thinking it over and over, Zhang Xiaowen concluded this was the only possibility that explained the earlier events. She stared at Chen Yang with an intensely hostile gaze.

THUMP!

Chen Yang knocked forcefully on Zhang Xiaowen's forehead. "What kind of nonsense is that? I, Chen Yang, may not have any great abilities, but I would never sell out my own wife! With a brain like yours, you shouldn't be a secretary; you should be writing novels!"

Zhang Xiaowen clutched her head, wincing in pain as tears welled up in her eyes.

"You jerk!"

"I'll hit you again if you keep spouting nonsense."

Zhang Xiaowen was speechless.

He really is a despicable man!

Zhang Xiaowen didn't press the issue further. She was already convinced of her theory and was now debating whether she should tell Qin Qiu.

She quickly dismissed the thought. After all, it was just her own speculation. If she told Qin Qiu, wouldn't the already estranged couple have an earth-shattering fight?

I'll just have to be more vigilant myself. The moment I see any sign of trouble, I'll nip it in the bud.

By the time they returned to the company, it was nearly noon.

Zhang Xiaowen went straight to the Chairman's office, while Chen Yang naturally headed to the Sales Department.

A group of employees, all waiting for lunchtime, were huddled together in a heated discussion.

"You should have seen it. Zhao Li was a pitiful sight. His entire head was wrapped in gauze, with only his eyes showing!"

"Rumor is, after the Chairman fired him, he went over to Tianhai Group to try and steal business secrets from our Qin Corporation. When he was exposed, he got a serious beatdown."

"If I ever find out who this hero is, I'm going to worship him!"

Hou Qiang, with his legs crossed, added with an air of mystery, "Remember when Mr. Su Ding came to the company, injured and begging for mercy? There's no doubt our Chairman has a master backing her!"

"And this master is most likely the young scion of some major family!"

Seeing Chen Yang walk in, someone quickly tugged on Hou Qiang's sleeve and whispered, "Stop talking, Mr. Chen is here!"

Hou Qiang immediately shut up and changed the subject.

In fact, Chen Yang had overheard their entire conversation the moment he reached the door.

So, Zhao Li already came by? Smart of him. Otherwise, Han Rui's fate would have served as his warning. The thought made Chen Yang recall the document Qin Qiu had locked away in her cabinet, as well as Qin Donglai's death. I just hope Yang Hu can find out who's pulling the strings from the shadows soon.

"Chen Yang, come over for a second," Zhou Yufei called from her office doorway. She held a cup of coffee in one hand, her other arm crossed over her chest.

Today, Zhou Yufei was dressed in a black business suit. She had swapped her usual gray shirt for a beige one, looking as sexy as ever but with an added touch of crispness.

Inside the office.

"Manager, what's up?" Chen Yang asked.

"Thank you for yesterday. Otherwise..." Zhou Yufei trailed off, not daring to imagine what might have happened if Chen Yang hadn't stepped forward.

"Don't mention it."

"Tonight, I'll treat you to..."

Before Zhou Yufei could finish, Chen Yang cut her off. "Trying to get me to foot the bill again? No way!"

Zhou Yufei was speechless.

"Besides," he continued, "I have to accompany my wife to a banquet tonight. I don't have time for dinner with you!"

Zhou Yufei was stunned. "The banquet held by the Zhennan Prince Foundation? The Chairman is actually taking you with her?"

"Oh?" Chen Yang's eyes flashed. "So it's hosted by that foundation?"

"You didn't even know that?" Zhou Yufei's lips twitched in a smirk. "The Zhennan Prince Foundation's goal is simply to solicit more donations from its attendees. Meanwhile, the attendees use the foundation to boost their own reputations, make new friends, and expand their networks."

"In short, everyone there is a genuine member of high society! By the way, you've probably never seen such a grand occasion, have you? Don't be so scared your legs start trembling when you get there!"

Zhou Yufei wore a sneer, seemingly retaliating for his earlier refusal.

"An occasion like that is nothing to me!" Chen Yang said disdainfully.

Who has witnessed grander scenes than him? Two armies clashing, hundreds of thousands strong, as the wind swept sand across fields littered with corpses. Is that not a grand enough scene?

"Keep boasting! It'll be quite a show when you embarrass yourself and become a laughingstock!" Zhou Yufei grinned. "I suppose I'm meddling too much. After all, if you lose face, it's Qin Qiu's reputation on the line, not mine."

Her words were tinged with a distinct hint of sourness.

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