Zhang Xiaoling and Shi Wenqian exchanged glances in horror. They never expected Zhang Renshu to be so against having a marriage alliance with the Fang's.
Glancing at her husband, Shi Wenqian asked with a worried gaze, "Honey, why are you so agitated? What's wrong with having a connection to the Fang family through marriage?"
Zhang Renshu snorted. "You don't need to know anything. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that we will never be related to the Fang family through marriage. Business is the only way!"
"Honey!" Shi Wenqian called out angrily. She could tell how serious the man was getting with this matter.
She was feeling very bad that she couldn't help her daughter to secure a strong connection to an influential family such as the Fangs.
Zhang Renshu glared at her and said, "Stay in your lane!" Turning to Zhang Xiaoling who couldn't hide her emotions of disappointment, he said, "You are 27 years already, and as your father, I will find a good suitor for you, and also a helping arm to the Zhang Group."
Pushing his seat aside, he got up and glanced at everyone.
Zhang Xiaoling's knuckles had almost turned white from the constant squeezing. This man rejected the marriage proposal she so desperately wanted, and now he was going to arrange a marriage for her?
She would not let that happen!
With that conclusion in her mind, she got up from her seat and bowed to Zhang Renshu while saying in a pleading tone, "Father, I am not in a hurry to get married. Please let me stay at the company for a few more years, to help groom Mingyu."
'Yes, I'm going to buy more time for myself. I don't believe that if I manage to pull the Fangs to our side you would still refuse to grant my marriage request to Fang Bingwen.'
Zhang Xiaoling was plotting selfishly for herself, so as Zhang Renshu who was not lagging behind.
Zhang Mingyu smiled to himself, and was the only one who was able to continue with his dinner.
Shi Wenqian wasn't finding this game of gamble funny. She hated Zhang Renshu at this moment for being selfish and sabotaging the good plans for her daughter. She was also worried that her daughter would make a mistake with this gamble.
Zhang Renshu was calm for almost a minute before giving his verdict. "I will give you 2 years, after that, you are getting married!"
Zhang Xiaoling smiled to herself and thanked him before signing in relief, while Shi Wenqian couldn't sit quietly.
She changed after her husband who had already left the dining room.
"Honey, why are you suddenly forcing Xiaoling to get married, has she turned to an eyesore now that your own daughter is back?"
"You are free to think whatever you want in the daft head of yours. Since I accepted to marry you, Xiaoling became my daughter, and I have always given her my best, but all of her achievement won't be complete without a man from a solid family. Tell me, who you think I'm doing all these for?" Zhang Renshu asked without looking backwards.
Shi Wenqian frowned and asked, "Can I trust you?"
That question made Zhang Renshu to stop in his steps and turn around. His brows were furrowed as he said to her, "I will not ask you to trust me because that's your choice. However, how busy or careless are you that you forgot your daughter needs to settle down and start her own family. You are neglectful!"
"I don't care the kind of words you use on me, but you should at least take Xiaoling's choices into consideration. Have you thought of the kind of advantage we will have if Fang Bingwen marries Xiaoling? The Fang family can be our business partner, but if Fang Bingwen marries into an enemy family, what do you think will happen?"
Zhang Renshu did not need to think about it, before admonishing her. "Wenqian! If the Fang family cannot be our business partner without a marriage alliance, then there is no need for us to be related to them!"
He knew he was being selfish, but he was also trying to use his brains here.
For example, he has noticed how competitive and ambitious Zhang Xiaoling was, and would never her get married into a family like the Fangs which he can't control or penetrate.
If his stepdaughter should end up getting into the Fang family through marriage, he could bet that she would use it to her advantage, and might do something worse.
Also, letting her continue to work in the Zhang Group would be an opportunity for her to gain more power, and who knew if she wouldn't challenge his authority in the future.
Shi Wenqian could only grit her teeth and watch him walk away.
"Renshu, you have an explanation to give to me, what's with you and the Fang family?! Do you know how selfish you are being right now?!"
Back at the dinner table, Zhang Xiaoling was confronting Zhang Mingyu.
"Why would you have to bring up Zhang Liling in our family's matter?"
Zhang Mingyu was acting indifferent like he didn't care. He sniggered and said to her, "Is Zhang Liling not a part of this family? Maybe I have to ask Dad to give me an explanation."
Zhang Mingyu stood up and left, leaving his half-sister to growl angrily.
Actually, Zhang Mingyu would rather support Zhang Xiaoling rather than Zhang Liling, but not when it comes to something very important to him.
He was closer to Xiaoling, but he hated her attitude of seeking for notice and acting like the best. He could very well remember being made fun of, for being the black sheep of the Zhang family, while Zhang Xiaoling was the good one.
Back then, he didn't get angry because there was nothing wrong with his sister excelling, but when she tries to bring it into the family and outshine him, he turns against her.
Zhang Mingyu's goal, was to inherit the Zhang Group and anyone that will try to fight him for it, he will not allow it.
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