"I'm just trying to make sure you don't make any mistake like me."
"Still, that's not right. I trust that Bingwen is not that kind of person. I won't accept you putting him in the same category as other men out there. He cares for me, and I know he would never do anything to hurt me. He is a man of principle." Zhang Liling argued.
She could very well recall what Mr. Fang had said to her the other day. He made mention of 'no sex before marriage' which was his policy, while she, a busybody who couldn't keep her hands to herself, wanted more from him.
Fang Bingwen was truly a gentleman. He was truly different from the rest and for that, she would continue to trust him.
But Song Jujing thought otherwise.
"Look where your father that claimed he cares for me landed me. I like that Fang boy, and I have nothing against him. I know you think it's unfair I said that, but experience is the better teacher. I am only telling you not to follow people blindly, and that is wisdom."
Honestly, Song Jujing likes Fang Bingwen and after a handful of interactions with him, she knew he was the best so far for her daughter.
The man was too mature and composed for his age. He knew what he wanted, and he had plans for the future as well.
But in all of this, her advice to her daughter would still be not to follow people blindly. Do not ignore the red flags and learn to have conversations with people.
Silence followed immediately after saying this much to her daughter.
Zhang Liling did not what to say to her as she was trying to let go of her annoyance and embarrassment to understand the teaching in her words.
Finally, after a minute-long of silence, she stirred the conversation back to Shi Wenqian, skipping saying anything concerning the matter her mother spoke about.
"Mum, what are you suggesting that we do to Shi Wenqian? We can't let her continue treating us as fools."
This was the most important conversation, and she badly wanted a solution that could at least keep her calm if she wasn't going to kill anyone yet.
"Don't say anything to that cunning woman. It would be good if you pretend not to care about her existence. Just one careless mistake from you, and we won't be able to get a hold of her."
Taking in a deep breath, she continued as her tone softened.
"We need to be careful. A DNA test was conducted to prove that Zhang Mingyu was Zhang Renshu's child when Shi Wenqian was still pregnant with him. I am surprised that woman even had what it takes to bribe the doctors and nurses at that time."
Hearing this, Zhang Liling was not too surprised because if that women could keep a son another man fathered in the Zhang family without fear, then she could do anything.
But bribing the doctors and nurses as a housekeeper she was at that time? Zhang Liling began to wonder what kind of powers that was backing her.
"But Mum, that woman is really getting out of hand. For the moment, she is trying to get out of the discomfort zone of being the most hated woman in City S, by appearing to have human empathy," Zhang Liling complained.
After pushing Song Jujing out and taking her place, and what followed with the Song family privately cutting off ties with her, everyone will definitely see her as an enemy and that's how she will continue to live in their eyes.
Song Jujing remained unmoved with Shi Wenqian's strategy to appear as a fairy.
"It's useless. Let her do what she wants, but I refuse to believe that she would suddenly turn nice. Anyway, I have plans."
Hearing that, Zhang Liling's ears suddenly perked up. "Mum, what kind of plans do you have?"
"I can't let that woman play your father into handing his company over to a child that doesn't belong to him. I will transfer my shares to you."
"What? Mum are you serious?" Zhang Liling asked a little excitedly.
"Why not? I won't be the one to engage in a battle with Zhang Mingyu over the company. You are the one to take over the baton from him, while I work with you from the shadows..."
Song Jujing did not stop there, she went on to give her plans in detail.
Once she transferred her shares to her, she could be made a director. And getting Zhang Renshu to agree to that wouldn't be hard since the man still thinks she has cancer.
He would directly agree, also because Zhang Liling wouldn't be working for any rival company that would put Zhang Corp in a spot.
The thing with this arrangement, is that it wouldn't stop Zhang Renshu from making Zhang Mingyu his successor, but before that point, they would have gotten hold of a tangible evidence to expose the fact that he is not his son.
Also, Shi Wenqian would be taken care of at the same time, so she wouldn't have the wings to fly again.
Coming to the end of their conversation, Song Jujing asked, "When are you launching your brand in City S or did you abandon the project already?"
"It's not that. I am taking my time. The next step on the list is to get a good warehouse and a good space for my walk-in store. I need to take my time finding these places on a good location. I need a fare deal as well." Zhang Liling replied enthusiastically.
Mr. Fang really had to see that there was something else she was passionate about apart form him, and that was the brand she was secretly building.
"Why don't you ask Bingwen from help. He would know a good deal and the best spot to secure a store and a warehouse. Don't tell me he doesn't know about this?" Song Jujing questioned as her eyes squinted.
Her daughter's business was a huge deal that needed to get into the market as soon as possible.
She was a little surprised that she hadn't crossed that step in the list.
"I haven't told him yet. I don't want to rely on him to get things done." Zhang Liling said as her brows scrunched up.
Her worry lied on relying too much on Mr. Fang's assistance, and for once, she wanted to do things on her own so he could be proud of her ability to set up her brand without his help, but her mother didn't think so as she immediately berated her.
"Liling, this is business. Remove pride and you won't fail. You are not asking Bingwen for money, just for an advice as he has been in the business world for at most 10 decade. He has a better knowledge and understanding than you. Involve him in your plans," she advised.
A deep sigh moved from Liling's lungs to her lips before escaping from there. She looked tired as she slowly came to a total submission.
"Alright, I will listen to you."
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