"We need to strengthen our reins and seek new business connections before I take my hands off Zhang Group as the CEO." Zhang Renshu said and sent a spoon of food into his mouth.
The Zhang family were currently having their dinner when Zhang Renshu brought up the topic of securing more connections for the Zhang Group.
"You still have 2 more years before you go into full-time politics, and I'm sure you will be able to take care of it before that time comes," Shi Wenqian said with a small smile.
Shi Wenqian sounded confident that Zhang Group could expand more within 2 years, and this is because of her experience in the secret business she had control over.
Zhang Renshu didn't totally agree with what she said and hence, responded, "What do you know? It's very possible that we won't be able to gain any useful connection before I leave. You don't know these people, and most of them are jealous of my connection to politics, so they will try to cripple my business. You should know that Zhang Group has a crucial role to back me up in this race."
"I don't think that this is something you have to worry too much about. Anything you put your mind to, must work. We only have to start sorting out the influential families that are on the neutral side and get them to partner with us," Shi Wenqian said with no worry on her face.
This sounded like a piece of cake to her, and it was here that Zhang Xiaoling stepped in.
Smiling at Zhang Renshu, she reassured him with a gentle tone, "Dad, don't worry too much, I will also ace my games. I already have some connections with some of the influential people, I only have to work hard to make the connections direct and strong, so they will be willing to support us."
Zhang Renshu shifted his gaze to her without saying anything, or let's say that he didn't get the opportunity to do so because Shi Wenqian intervened.
She glanced at Zhang Xiaoling with a proud gaze as she clapped her hands gently. "You are truly from the Zhang family. See how hardworking and dedicated you are to support your father and the company."
Shifting her gaze to Zhang Mingyu who was eating quietly and listening the whole time, she continued, "Mingyu, you should learn from your sister and strive to work harder than her when you take over your father's position. But you can't let her do all the work."
Zhang Xiaoling and Zhang Mingyu just nodded without saying anything.
Shi Wenqian seemed so happy as she could already imagine the future where Zhang Mingyu would take over the Zhang Group, while Zhang Xiaoling would support him from the side.
Shifting her gaze back to her food, she said as a satisfied smile appeared on her face, "With you two at the company, your father can be at ease and go on with his political career."
"Don't get ahead of yourself!" Zhang Renshu who had been listening to her talk all these while, felt his ears hurt, and had to quickly shut her up.
He was still there, and she had the guts to put the daughter that didn't belong to him biologically in the picture while totally ignoring his own biological daughter, Zhang Liling.
Seeing how angry he was, they all knew he was about to flare up and ruin everyone's mood, since someone already unintentionally ruined his.
Fortunately, Zhang Mingyu became useful at this point by bringing up another topic which concerned the Fang family.
"Speaking of getting involved with some of the influential families and bringing them to our side, the Fang family would be perfect."
Immediately he mentioned the 'FANG' family, a frown appeared on Zhang Renshu's face, while Zhang Xiaoling and Shi Wenqian's eyes shone brightly.
To the two women, a connection with the influential Fang family would secure them a lot of good deals, which Zhang Renshu also agreed on, but because of something from the past, he was not too happy with bringing the Fang family to their side, but he didn't say anything yet.
Hearing the 'FANG' family being mentioned, Zhang Xiaoling could not think of any other person than Fang Bingwen, who wielded the strongest power in his family, second to his grandfather.
From the information she gathered from some sources, Mr. Fang was on par with his father when it comes to the influence they had in business and in the family.
Apart from that, Mr. Fang was an eligible bachelor, many women in the City and beyond had their eyes on, and she was not an exception.
'A marriage with him won't be bad even if there is no love' Thought Zhang Xiaoling and with that, she quickly interrupted her half-brother.
"A connection with the Fang family is perfect, but unfortunately, it's not going to be easy trying to get on their good side since they are very powerful, but I will try to get my connec..."
Zhang Xiaoling never got to finish her speech because Zhang Mingyu cut her off directly, just like she did to him a few seconds ago.
He was already annoyed that she cut him off in the first place and tried to act like everything revolved around her making connections with the influential families.
And with her always acting like that, she was always in the spotlight, and pretended like she was the best, while making him look inferior.
"I don't think there will be a need for you to take care of it. Mr. Fang is still working as the guest lecturer at NYU, and he teaches business management course to Zhang Liling's class. If there is anyone who has a better chance of meeting Mr. Fang and striking a conversation with him, then Zhang Liling would be a better one to do the job."
There was already a very big frown on Shi Wenqian's face for bringing Zhang Liling up and trying to get her involved with their plans.
She believed that Zhang Liling should never get close to anyone that was going to work with the Zhang family. In summary, She didn't want her stepdaughter to be linked with anyone working with the Zhang family, to avoid her getting any absurd ideas.
Zhang Xiaoling was angry with her half-brother for trying to replace her with Zhang Liling. She was trying to use this opportunity to secure a personal connection with Mr. Fang which might lead to a marriage alliance.
By involving Zhang Liling, her plans might be ruined because if the latter finds out about her plans, she would ruin it since she is against her leading a good life, as a way of revenge.
"What can Zhang Liling do? She is still an undergraduate, and will never be in a better position than me to get close to Mr. Fang. I am more mature, and more knowledgeable than her in business. I have more in-depth than her, and of course will better attract Mr. Fang's attention since we have a few things in common."
Shi Wenqian felt a bit relieved with her daughter making much sense than her son who was about to ruin something huge.
"Mingyu, you have done very well in bringing up this idea, but your sister is right on this one. Zhang Liling is not mature, and someone like her can never pique Mr. Fang's interest, so she would be the right candidate."
"Mum, by piquing Mr. Fang's interest, do you mean a marriage alliance?" Zhang Mingyu asked with his gaze on her, while glancing at Zhang Xiaoling from the corner of his eyes, to see if he needed to sabotage her plans further.
Smiling, Shi Wenqian replied, "Of course! A marriage alliance is the best and most secure form of business connection, and your sister is perfect for the Fang family."
Zhang Xiaoling felt a bit relaxed and her smile became more profound.
Zhang Mingyu saw her smiling and curled his fist. Shifting his gaze back to his mother, he said without caring about the consequences of his words...
"Do you think the Fang family will accept sister despite knowing that she is not the biological daughter of the Zhang family, but from an unknown origin?"
"Shut up!" Shi Wenqian immediately flared up and almost slapped him if not for the glance from Zhang Renshu.
Zhang Mingyu scoffed and looked away without caring that he would have his ears pulled by his mother later. There was a bitter glare from Shi Wenqian to him.
As for Zhang Xiaoling, the sudden topic of discussion, made her feel anger boil in her heart when Zhang Mingyu said that about her, as that has been her Achilles' heel.
Although she was very bitter inside, she refused to show that his words had indeed affected her. She went on to act as if it didn't have any effect on her.
Curling her fists under the table, she managed a smile and said in response, "Mingyu, I don't think you should remind me about the death of my biological father, when my father of over 20+ years is present, and has been taking care of me. It will also do you no good to remind the public about this matter, as it will cause a little glitch in the Zhang Group's stock prices."
Zhang Xiaoling was using her last sentence to force Zhang Renshu to intervene, and that worked, although the latter knew that she was using him.
"Enough!" Zhang Renshu said angrily while hitting his palm on the table.
Glancing at his son, he warned him not to mention that matter in public even by mistake, before facing everyone and destroying their wild imagination.
"None of you should think of having any ideas about the Fang family. It is okay if we have them as a business partner, but a marriage alliance, I will never accept it! "
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺