Chapter 30

Chu Yu completely disregarded Jiang Zhimiao’s feelings. After receiving the wine glass from him, instead of following the usual practice of drinking it for Chi Xiting, he simply placed it on the nearby dining table.

Jiang Zhimiao watched Chu Yu’s actions, and the smile on his face faltered for a moment. His delicate face gradually stiffened, and after a long pause, he barely curved his lips and joked, “Too young? Not that young, right?”

“Compared to us, you’re young,” Chu Yu replied casually.

Jiang Zhimiao’s expression worsened.

“Brother Chu, it’s been years, and you’ve really become distant from me,” Jiang Zhimiao said after a brief silence. “Now you’re even helping someone else.”

A subtle feeling of imbalance stirred within Jiang Zhimiao.

He and Chu Yu were somewhat like childhood friends; their families, the Jiang and Chu families, had been close, and since they were of a similar age, they often studied and spent time together. Later, after the Jiang family shifted their business direction and moved to M City, Jiang Zhimiao gradually lost touch with Chu Yu.

However, Chu Yu’s excellence made it hard for Jiang Zhimiao not to hear his name mentioned by others.

Jiang Zhimiao and Chu Yu were peers, both third-generation businessmen, and were often compared. In their youth, it was about academic achievements, and as they grew older, it turned into an unspoken comparison of status and success.

Chu Yu stood out not just among their peers, but even among the older generation.

Jiang Zhimiao could no longer even catch a glimpse of Chu Yu’s back after returning from studying abroad, so how could he still compare? At most, it felt like a form of self-entertainment for him. Chu Yu wouldn’t even spare him a second glance.

Jiang Zhimiao eventually gave up on competing with Chu Yu and turned his thoughts toward seeking Chu Yu’s approval.

Just a nod would be enough for him.

Jiang Zhimiao had heard from his father that Chu Yu intended to collaborate with Ruifeng, and knowing they would likely work together soon, he made his way into Ruifeng. After a bit of investigation, he learned about a marketing planning position.

It was a great opportunity.

An opportunity to prove himself to Chu Yu.

Jiang Zhimiao spent a significant amount of time on Ruifeng’s project, day and night, learning about the products, market demands, creating various reports, and reviewing complicated data. Finally, he put together an almost perfect proposal.

A proposal he was sure Chu Yu would approve.

However, the result was not as Jiang Zhimiao expected.

His gaze shifted to Chi Xiting, who was standing nearby.

He had heard from Zhao Wen that Chu Yu wasn’t satisfied with the proposal and had even come to M City specifically to veto it. According to Zhao Wen, Chu Yu was considering having someone he brought along take over the project.

Jiang Zhimiao quickly found out Chi Xiting’s name.

Chu Yu’s expression remained unchanged as he calmly stated, “He’s my employee.”

Isn’t it only reasonable to help your own employee?

Jiang Zhimiao’s expression became more uncomfortable, and after trying to control it for a moment, he forced a natural tone, “I’ve heard about your collaboration with Ruifeng.”

Chu Yu raised an eyebrow slightly and replied, “Mm.”

“That proposal was mine…” Jiang Zhimiao said, feeling a bit aggrieved.

Before Jiang Zhimiao could finish, Chu Yu coldly interrupted him, “So what?”

Jiang Zhimiao was stunned, staring blankly at Chu Yu.

Chu Yu’s face remained expressionless as he continued, “Is there a problem with me rejecting a proposal I don’t approve of?”

Jiang Zhimiao could no longer maintain his composure, his fists clenched in embarrassment. After glaring at Chi Xiting, he turned and walked away.

Chi Xiting, who had been inexplicably stared at: “?”

What did he have to do with this?

Chi Xiting, confused, looked at Chu Yu. “What just happened?”

Chu Yu glanced at Chi Xiting and calmly stated, “He glared at you.”

Chi Xiting: “…I know.”

He had no idea why Jiang Zhimiao had glared at him.

Male homosexual rivalry?

That couldn’t be it.

Chu Yu said, “Don’t mind him.”

Chu Yu had always been fair and impartial, especially when it came to work matters. Jiang Zhimiao had tried to use their childhood friendship to question his judgment, and that had directly put him at odds with Chu Yu.

Seeing that Chu Yu didn’t want to say more, Chi Xiting wisely refrained from asking further. After a brief “oh,” he popped the dragon fruit that should have been in his mouth into it.

The banquet proceeded as planned. After the guests mingled for a while, the lights in the hall suddenly went out, and the voices of conversation faded. Everyone instinctively turned their attention to the main stage.

Jiang Zhen walked straight to the stage, facing the audience, and greeted them with a smile, “Everyone, thank you for coming to the Jiang’s Chuxin project’s completion celebration banquet…”

Jiang Zhen’s voice was loud and strong, his physique upright and healthy, showing no sign of being nearly sixty years old. He wore an official smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. His eyes, clouded with the passage of time, reflected the cunning and suspicion of a businessman.

Chi Xiting watched Jiang Zhen, and suddenly, his memories clicked. The plot of the original story flooded into his mind, the crucial moments he hadn’t recalled earlier now becoming clear.

The Jiang family was also one of the forces that helped bring the Chu family’s downfall.

In the later part of the original story, Huo You Shen and Chu Yu became competitors, both in business and in relationships. Proud and unwilling to remain in Chu Yu’s shadow, Huo You Shen, with the support of the Jiang family, broke away from the Chu family, established the Huo Corporation, and under Jiang Zhen’s guidance, took on important projects. In just a few years, Huo’s company had grown strong enough to rival Chu’s.

Jiang Zhimiao was also sent to Huo You Shen, further tightening the ties between the two families, both by blood and business.

The Jiang and Huo families support and collaborate with each other, joining forces to fight against the Chu family. Jiang Zhimiao, leveraging her once good relationship with Chu Yu, infiltrates Chu’s company, sabotaging from within. With Huo Youshen’s influence as the male lead, it was only a small misstep before the Chu family collapsed.

Chi Xiting’s heart sank slightly, and the mango that had once tasted sweet now seemed bland.

Beside him, Chu Yu seemed to sense Chi Xiting’s change in mood, glancing at him.

The crowd below was very considerate of Jiang Zhen, erupting into a loud round of applause after he finished speaking.

Jiang Zhen seemed to enjoy the attention, contentedly listening to the applause before raising his hand, feigning modesty as he gestured to calm the crowd.

“Apart from celebrating, I also have some good news I’d like to share with everyone,” Jiang Zhen said, looking toward the side of the stage and signaling for Jiang Zhimiao to come up.

Jiang Zhimiao walked up expressionlessly.

—-

After losing face earlier with Chu Yu, Jiang Zhimiao had no interest in pretending to have a deep father-son bond. Standing next to Jiang Zhen, he remained motionless.

Jiang Zhen, slightly displeased, still maintained a warm fatherly demeanor, putting an arm around Jiang Zhimiao and saying, “My son just returned from abroad. He’s interested in this industry, but his pride prevents him from seeking help from the family. He wants to start from the bottom and rise on his own…”

Jiang Zhen quickly introduced Jiang Zhimiao’s situation.

Jiang Zhimiao had graduated with a master’s degree in finance from a top university in the United States, with a minor in business management. After returning to China, he refused to join the Jiang family business, preferring to start from the bottom and work his way up.

Very ambitious.

Also quite foolish.

The crowd had varying expressions, treating Jiang Zhen’s words as mere entertainment, letting them go in one ear and out the other without causing any ripples.

No one could replicate Chu Yu’s success.

Starting from the bottom—what’s the point?

Chu Yu had once single-handedly saved the Chu family from collapse, stabilizing the company with his decisive actions, leading it to its current scale.

The younger generation was still too restless.

They were far behind Chu Yu.

After introducing Jiang Zhimiao, Jiang Zhen allowed him to leave the stage and continued with a few formalities before stepping down.

As soon as Jiang Zhimiao left the stage, Huo Youshen immediately approached him, pulling him to a corner. Seeing Jiang Zhimiao still silent and with a cold expression, he asked, “Zhimiao, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Zhimiao curled his lip and said, “I was pissed off by Chu Yu.”

“What’s wrong with my plan?” Jiang Zhimiao frowned unhappily. “What’s he thinking?”

Huo Youshen sighed and tried to calm him down, saying, “I’ve reviewed it. The plan isn’t the problem, it’s just…”

Jiang Zhimiao looked up at him and asked, “What is it?”

Huo Youshen hesitated for a moment but finally revealed the issue Chi Xiting had pointed out earlier.

“I understand,” Jiang Zhimiao said, pulling at his collar irritably. “Zhao Wen already told me about it. Right, I didn’t consider that aspect, but we can just add it. Does it really have to be scrapped? I spent so much time on it.”

Huo Youshen opened his mouth, about to say something, but seeing Jiang Zhimiao’s furrowed brows and slightly reddened eyes, he swallowed his words.

—-

In the workplace, time spent doesn’t matter.

In their line of work, revising plans is the norm.

Whether it’s the boss or the client, they won’t accept your plan just because you’ve invested time and energy.

It’s two separate issues.

“Zhimiao, it’s fine. You don’t need to doubt yourself,” Huo Youshen sighed, reaching out to ruffle Jiang Zhimiao’s hair. “The plan itself isn’t the issue. Maybe Chu Yu has other considerations.”

Jiang Zhimiao muttered, “What considerations? Isn’t he just being swayed by the guy next to him?”

Huo Youshen frowned but didn’t say anything.

“Ashen, do you know him?” Jiang Zhimiao suddenly grabbed Huo Youshen’s arm and asked, “How capable is he? How does he compare to me?”

Huo Youshen pursed his lips and, after some thought, spoke up under Jiang Zhimiao’s slightly pleading gaze. “Of course, you’re more capable.”

Jiang Zhimiao pouted, “Then why…”

Huo Youshen’s eyes flickered slightly, and he sighed deeply before speaking again. “His relationship with Chu Yu shouldn’t be ordinary.”

Huo Youshen quickly shared what he had discovered over the past few days.

Jiang Zhimiao’s expression grew increasingly subtle as he listened. After a long pause, he sneered, “Interesting, has Chu Yu really come to this?”

It was rather refreshing.

As for Chi Xiting…

Jiang Zhimiao searched the hall and finally spotted Chi Xiting.

“Also quite interesting,” he muttered.