Chapter 137: Did the Design of the Little Waist Come in Handy? The Little Schemes of Fairy Zhang Man - The Rich Second-Generation Villain With No Morals

"If I were truly after wealth from the start, would I have made a pact with you in college? Under Qi Lin's harassment, I'd still believe we could be together, wouldn't I? Jiang Lei, you've changed. Ever since Qi Lin appeared, you've become restless, linking emotions with material possessions. How can you convince me you'll still treat me as well as before? Do you realize you've destroyed the beautiful love I've always dreamed of?" Qi Xueyao's voice was charged with emotion, tears streaked down her pale cheeks. "I'm leaving. Maybe we're just not meant for each other anymore. I hope you find a girl you like, and that your life turns out well." Jiang Lei hadn't expected that a single misplaced word could have such dire consequences. Why? Hadn't Qi Lin done the same? He had lured Qi Xueyao with a lavish lifestyle, making her reluctant to leave the villa. Now, using the same method, he merely intended to win her hand in marriage. Was he wrong for that? Yet Jiang Lei didn't know. Qi Lin's every move was calculated, subtly reshaping Qi Xueyao. Even she couldn't recognize it. What could Jiang Lei do? As the actual protagonist, his actions defied his own identity; he had hit too hard, an insult to Qi Xueyao. No wonder she couldn't accept it. However, Jiang Lei wouldn't give up on Qi Xueyao. She was his vital red mark; failing to marry her would mark an eternal, tearful regret for him. "Xueyao, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I apologize. If there's anything you're dissatisfied with, tell me, and I'll change immediately. As for the proposal, don't worry about it. I know Qi Lin just gave you a psychological blow, so marrying me now isn't appropriate. I promise I won't bring it up without your consent." Jiang Lei loved Qi Xueyao deeply, unwilling to lose to Qi Lin. His only means to contest Qi Lin for her was by relentlessly doting on her, hoping she wouldn't succumb to Qi Lin's arms. Intensely irate, Qi Xueyao immediately turned to leave. Yet Qi Lin's words involuntarily echoed in her mind. "It's in a man's nature to discard the old for the new. If you won't think of yourself, think of the child you're carrying. Save every penny you can." A dark gleam flashed in Qi Xueyao's beautiful eyes, and under Qi Lin's manipulation, she finally succumbed to darkness. "Baby, mommy has lost everything, but I need to protect you. So I must earn more money to ensure your future is secure and prosperous." In Jiang Lei's astonished gaze, Qi Xueyao finally turned to face him. "I'm sorry, Jiang Lei. In our lives, we're inseparable, yet you've changed. I know you'll always resent me for giving Qi Lin my innocence. Marrying me is just about winning over Qi Lin. If I agree, over time, you'll forsake your promises and incessantly humiliate my purity. For my child's sake, let me bury this love with my own hands." "Jiang Lei, can we go back to how we were? Like when we first started a business together, striving to grow it? Though the training sessions have ended, I can still invest in your current company, right? We can carry on as friends, perhaps when I emerge from this gloom, things between us might rekindle, don't you think?" Qi Xueyao toyed with her earlobe, letting out a soft laugh. Qi Lin had taken her innocence, and now Qi Xueyao exuded the allure of a sophisticated woman, her beauty radiating an astonishing charm. Jiang Lei was momentarily stunned, before swallowing hard. He understood that this was his only link to Qi Xueyao. Their original training class had disbanded, and Qi Xueyao would no longer teach there. But if she had company shares, she could still visit often. Without much thought, Jiang Lei immediately said, "Xueyao, I'll still give you 50% of the shares. We can split the company evenly. Could you serve as the vice general manager?" In Jiang Lei's bewildered expression, Qi Xueyao shook her head, retrieving a card Qi Lin had given her. "I can't just take your things. There's 50,000 on this card, consider it my investment. I want 67% of the shares, and I will be the general manager, but the management rights remain yours. I won't interfere with your operations." Her terms were strict and almost inexplicable. With 67% of the shares, she would have absolute control, ensuring no disruption to the company's balance despite any internal chaos. Not trusting anyone now, Qi Xueyao was determined to safeguard the 50,000, the foundation of her livelihood, from any mishap. Jiang Lei was taken aback. The current Qi Xueyao’s unusual aura scared him. Moreover, there was something he couldn’t grasp. "Xueyao, where did you get this fifty thousand from?" Jiang Lei stuttered. Qi Xueyao bit her lip, her face slightly reddening. "You know what Qi Lin did to me. I threatened to call the police, so he compensated me with fifty thousand." As a normal girl, she couldn't get fifty thousand on her own, and she wouldn't deceitfully mislead Jiang Lei. It was better to be honest. Hearing her words, Jiang Lei clenched his fists, his heart aching, at a loss for words. Blaming Qi Xueyao for accepting the money would only inflict further damage upon her. But the idea that the woman he once loved had traded her purity, and now it constituted a portion of his company's shares—that was a bitter pill. His company carried that tainted mark. "Xueyao, did he... did he mistreat you again?" Jiang Lei asked, fighting back his sorrow. Her cheeks flushed, Qi Xueyao shook her head. "He wouldn't dare! I threatened to report him last time, and he was so scared, begging me not to. He's been careful since." At home, Qi Xueyao couldn't battle against Qi Lin, so she had to put on a brave face before Jiang Lei, preserving her dignity. Her words relieved Jiang Lei. "Xueyao, I'll agree to all your conditions. Just keep yourself safe, and together we'll make the company thrive. Sooner or later, we’ll have our revenge on Qi Lin." An invigorated expression took over Jiang Lei, as if feeling life was beginning anew. "Mm~" Qi Xueyao casually responded. After enduring a drawn-out strife with Qi Lin, she was exhausted, frightened. Now she only wished to earn enough to ensure a stable life for her and the child. Jiang Lei hoped to bind Qi Xueyao. Her heart was on her child, on finances. Qi Lin sought to seize Jiang Lei's company through Qi Xueyao. In the end, each had secured their goals. Only time would tell who the victor would be. After their conversation, they swiftly went to the department of industry and commerce for share transfer notarization, making Qi Xueyao the largest shareholder in Jiang Lei’s company, and the general manager. Following two days of recovery, Wang Cheng’s injuries showed little improvement. Early morning, he rode his bicycle to school, coincidentally meeting Lan Yuxi on a new motorcycle Qi Lin had bought her. Facing his former love interest brought Wang Cheng embarrassment and a jumble of feelings. Lan Yuxi, however, showed nothing unusual. Without sparing him a glance, she prepared to ride past. To her, he was merely the subject of a past promise, not truly her boyfriend. She was free to choose her partners without guilt. Now, Wang Cheng was but a stranger to her, no need for greetings. Nonetheless, if Qi Lin relished the game, she wouldn't shy away from causing trouble. "Yuxi, is that motorcycle from Qi Lin?" Wang Cheng blocked her path, his expression complex. Lan Yuxi gave a faint smile. Hadn't Qi Lin's men subdued him? Still persistent, wasn’t he? A lesson from Qi Lin might clear that itch. "Yes, Qi Lin got it for me yesterday," Lan Yuxi acknowledged. Wang Cheng, gritting his teeth, seethed with jealousy. "Why? I can give you such things too. Why choose that scoundrel Qi Lin?" Lan Yuxi's expression turned cold at his insult towards Qi Lin: "Watch your mouth. One more insult, I'll handle you even before Qi Lin does. As for my choice? Isn’t it obvious? You’re neither man nor woman; seeing you disgusts me. How could you expect to be anyone's boyfriend? Stop dreaming. No normal girl would choose someone like you." Seeing Lan Yuxi as a stranger tore at Wang Cheng's heart. So, this was how it turned out—someone with whom he shared a promise could now threaten him for cursing Qi Lin. "But... but everything that's happened to me now is because of Qi Lin. Don't you have any sympathy?" Wang Cheng asked, his face pale and strained. Hearing this, Lan Yuxi couldn't help but chuckle rather than get angry. "Have you ever heard the phrase, 'Blame it on yourself'? You used to tell me Qi Lin was just a spoiled rich kid, incompetent, exploiting him every chance you got, approaching him repeatedly." "Since you decided to fool him as a simpleton, you should've been prepared for what happens when he finds out and seeks revenge." "And now, look at you—neither man nor woman, while someone else has taken your love." "Oh, and I forgot to mention, I willingly went with Qi Lin. If it weren't for you, I'd never have realized how exceptional he is. Not only are his methods impressive, but he's also quite formidable in other aspects. I quite like him now." Lan Yuxi arched her charming eyes with a hint of allure—a look picked up from Qi Lin. Without sparing another glance at Wang Cheng's increasingly ashen face, she turned away, her demeanor as proud and dismissive as it was towards Qi Lin. When Lan Yuxi returned to the classroom, Qi Lin was on the phone. "Boss, the bidding for the tallest building in Lingnan City, the Lingnan TV Tower, is opening tonight. A few months ago, a letter of intent under a guise of learning was sent from our company. I hadn't planned to tell you, but then Chen Shuyi showed me your impressive interior design sketches for Rose Bay 172. I discovered our boss has quite the knack for design." "So, I wanted to ask if you needed me to book an extra flight to Lingnan City for this afternoon?" Zhang Man's voice over the phone was soft and supple, like feathers tickling the ear. At that moment, Zhang Man sat in the associate manager's office, her high heels discarded, white-stockinged legs stretched over the desk, her slender feet playfully shifting. Of course, Zhang Man wasn't aimlessly calling Qi Lin. For the prestigious bid in Lingnan, given the amateur standing of most participants who registered just to learn, Zhang Man would usually take a promising group to observe. To gain effective control of the company, she devised a clever plan—flatter Qi Lin, commend his design work, then invite him to the bidding. When the organizers would request Qi Lin to present his design, he'd be left unprepared, embarrassed. This situation was Zhang Man's opportunity. She'd offer her prepped plan, building trust, and subsequently ease Qi Lin into gradually transferring management to her. "Ding! The system detects the villainess Zhang Man trying to test the host." "Please choose from the following options:" "Option 1: Refuse Zhang Man's invitation and let her go alone to Lingnan City. Reward: A one-day Peach Blossom Luck Card." "Option 2: Expose her intentions to embarrass you and seize your trust. Reward: Zhang Man's resignation letter." "Option 3: Feign ignorance, accept her invitation, and make a stunning impact at the bidding to intimidate Zhang Man. Reward: Yu Jin's diary." Hearing the system's rewards, Qi Lin chuckled lightly. "Is there any doubt? Of course, I choose the third option. This high-IQ villainess just doesn’t pause." "Though, on the bright side, a smart woman like Zhang Man would only heed someone brighter. Winning her over could turn her into a valuable asset." Just as Qi Lin pondered the bidding, the system chimed in once more. "Ding! Host selection complete, congratulations on acquiring a copy of Yu Jin's diary." "Boss? Why the silence? Are you going or not?" Zhang Man’s coquettish voice prodded for a decision. "Let's go together. But book three tickets this time. I'll be bringing my little secretary too," Qi Lin replied lazily. Hearing that Qi Lin intended to bring Chen Shuyi along for the trip, Zhang Man burst into laughter internally, snickering at him as a "little rascal." "Alright, boss." After ending the call, Qi Lin dialed Chen Shuyi. "Chen Shuyi, pack up for the afternoon. We're going on a business trip. The tickets are sorted, but your stuff isn't, so come to my place now." Chen Shuyi, delivering documents to Qi Lin's office, was momentarily taken aback by the call. "Business trip? Flying? Sharing a room? Boss and secretary?" she mumbled helplessly. After nodding in agreement, she hung up. "Oh, by the way, VP Zhang Man will also join. That way, you won't feel lonely on the trip," Qi Lin’s tone remained indifferent. "This bid is crucial, and I need help with my documents. If you don't come, remember the breach of contract fee." "No problem." "Uh, can I not go?" Chen Shuyi asked, finally relieved at the chance of having company. If she had a companion, surely Qi Lin wouldn't try anything with her? As a blush crept across her face, she thought of the audacity of Qi Lin and her own mixed emotions at the prospect of being whisked away on a trip, reflecting on her own resolve to endure whatever this demanding boss might plan.