Chapter 191: Overseas Chinese Couple
Feng Shien’s tone was neither hurried nor slow, yet each word stirred waves in Lian Cheng’s heart.
Investing in China, kidnapping a premature baby, Lian Cheng thought of the “2.17” major case in the Southern Province twenty-three years ago. However, Mother Liang had mentioned casually during afternoon tea with someone that the overseas Chinese couple was found two weeks later.
When found, the overseas Chinese madam had miscarried a day prior. The kidnappers, in the process of fleeing and relocating, had discarded the fetus’s corpse on a barren mountain.
The time and location didn’t match. Lian Cheng’s birthday was March 19th, born in a maternity hospital in the city center of the Southern Province. She was exactly like a newborn of that day. Meanwhile, the overseas Chinese madam was kidnapped to a neighboring province, and the miscarriage date was March 2nd.
“Is it the ‘2.17’ kidnapping case?” she asked. “That wasn’t me. A few years ago, when the Liang family investigated my background, some people made associations, but many discrepancies didn’t add up, and the police verified it.”
Feng Shien nodded in understanding. “So, Miss Lian Cheng, have you still not found any news about your family?”
Lian Cheng smiled slightly, with polite aloofness. “There has been some progress.”
Feng Shien, being perceptive and sensible, did not pry further.
The Liang family held Lian Cheng’s funeral publicly. After the New Year, Lian Cheng returned to the country, and the social circle exploded with all sorts of rumors. She had personally witnessed Liang Chaosu’s possessiveness towards Lian Cheng.
The indifference and rage in the corridor of Shengyuan, the sharp gloominess of the old city area – she hadn’t understood it before, but now she realized it was all the man’s declaration of exclusive possession over the woman. Yet Lian Cheng didn’t seem to accept it. She had resisted the previous year, but after the New Year, she had changed considerably, as if she had gone through a storm, becoming transparent and rigid all over, leaving only a biting chill.
“I have now left Wantai and am cooperating with others on some small businesses. Miss Lian Cheng can leave my contact information.” He reached into his suit’s inner pocket and handed her a business card. “If there’s any cooperation, you can call me – or if you need help.”
Lian Cheng hesitantly took it. For a businessman, exchanging business cards upon meeting was the most basic way to expand their network. Cooperation was best for the future, and helping out was also acceptable; it was all about mutual exchanges.
Feng Shien understood she wasn’t thinking too much about it. He adjusted the hem of his jacket and stood up, a smile in his eyes. “Do you still remember what I said when we first met, Miss Lian Cheng? If anyone forces you, or goes against your will, you can ask for help.”
Lian Cheng froze.
Feng Shien pointed to the business card and walked away.
Lian Cheng didn’t have time to call out to him. She lowered her head and looked at the business card. When Feng Shien handed it to her, it was face up, with only his name and number. She flipped it over, and on the black background, in hot-stamped gold, embossed lettering, was Jin Cheng International.
Lian Cheng vaguely recalled it, not as a business project, but as a renowned legal powerhouse that rivaled the Liang family’s Legal Department, known for its successful defense, even overseas, winning no matter the distance.
…………………………
After Liang Chaosu assumed the position of Chairman, on his first official day at Liang’s, there were executive meetings and project meetings after the board meeting, a dizzying array of assemblies. Bai Xiwen waited until two in the afternoon after Lian Cheng had left.
A group of suited executives approached from the end of the corridor. Bai Xiwen had deliberately left the reception room door open, and footsteps drew nearer.
Liang Chaosu walked at the forefront of the group, with executives reporting one after another, leaving almost no gap for a pause.
To outsiders, it might have sounded chaotic and disorganized, but Bai Xiwen, as a business manager, understood the mental effort required for such rapid progress and the level of control over the overall situation.
“The crisis team has completed the guidance preparations. You can issue the relevant statement now.”
“For the group’s new investment in biochemical products and health equipment, we also suggest contacting platforms for live-streaming sales. We conducted market research; last year’s restructuring rate for biochemical products…”
Just as he was about to pass the doorway, Liang Chaosu’s peripheral vision caught sight of something. He suddenly raised his hand, and the executives’ chatter ceased, their footsteps stopping in unison as they followed his gaze.
Bai Xiwen, having seen many grand occasions, was also taken aback, then quickly extended her hand and stepped to the doorway. “Hello, Director Liang. I heard you were injured and hospitalized and wanted to visit. Assistant Xiao said you needed rest, so I didn’t dare disturb you. You’ve lost a lot of weight; is your recovery going well?”
Liang Chaosu nodded indifferently, politely shaking her hand. “How long have you been waiting?”
Bai Xiwen smiled, her face brightening. “Not long. This morning, I happened to run into Lian Cheng and gave her her bonus.”
Liang Chaosu glanced at her, then turned and instructed the executives to wait for him in the meeting room downstairs. The executives took a look at Bai Xiwen, gathered their documents, and retreated towards the elevator entrance.
Bai Xiwen followed Liang Chaosu into the office.
It wasn’t Bai Xiwen’s first time in the Liang family’s Chairman’s Office. A year ago, when Shenheng had just arrived in the North, she had visited Father Liang as a junior. Liang Chaosu was also present; the father and son were discussing how to stabilize the Northern Market.
Liang Chaosu mentioned that next year they planned to merge the internet company they were investing in into Liang’s. He couldn’t manage the Northern Market and intended to promote a regional general manager to take his place.
Father Liang disagreed. He had no objection to Liang Chaosu returning to Liang’s headquarters as Vice Chairman. However, the Northern Market had just been developed and couldn’t be handed over to outsiders; he would personally oversee it.
Bai Xiwen, having navigated the intense power struggles within wealthy families, could discern the undercurrent of conflict between the Liang father and son with just a few brief sentences. It was not as harmonious as the outside world portrayed.
However, most high-society wealthy families were like this; power and money corrupted human nature. The inheritance of the family business was the proper course, but it shouldn’t be too early.
Yet, the heir’s scheming and maneuvering skills were top-notch; even the shrewd old foxes in the Northern Market couldn’t outwit him, clearly revealing his ambition.
Therefore, at that time, she had only thought it was an internal family conflict and hadn’t thought much more about it.
Now, with rumors swirling, she suddenly realized that the ambition she had glimpsed might not have been about power.
Especially after Lian Cheng joined her company, Shenheng’s situation in the South inexplicably smoothed out. She had investigated and found it was Liang Chaosu showing his stance. She speculated that he didn’t dislike Lian Cheng as much as the rumors about the second generation suggested, and he did have some affection for this adopted sister.
That was why she had pushed Lian Cheng into the project bidding for Liang’s Botanical Garden, and the result had also verified her guess.
The data Lian Cheng provided was actually behind the current construction of the botanical garden, but their bid, which was a million miles apart, stood out among the formidable contenders, leaving the industry stunned.
Liang Chaosu walked directly past the coffee table and sat on the sofa, gesturing for Bai Xiwen to sit opposite him. “Zhou Dazhi told me you temporarily arranged a car for her.”
Bai Xiwen gracefully sat down. “Yes, this morning I came to report on the progress of the botanical garden to you. On the way, the driver saw Miss Lian Cheng taking the subway. I impulsively decided to offer her a ride, and fortunately, Miss Lian Cheng didn’t find the car brand too shabby and accepted it.”
A barely perceptible softness flickered in Liang Chaosu’s eyes, and the sternness on his face deepened. “How did you persuade her to accept?”
He didn’t hide it; the rumors in their circle had long since become the truth. Bai Xiwen was a smart person who seized opportunities and invested boldly; he wasn’t surprised.
Lian Cheng was different. She had principles and persistence. She was wise and perceptive. Bai Xiwen’s extra reward wouldn’t fool her. If he wanted to use her to climb his relationship ladder, Lian Cheng would absolutely despise and reject it.
Bai Xiwen looked at Liang Chaosu.
The Liang family had produced business talents for three generations, and Liang Chaosu was at the pinnacle. He was a fierce beast, full of dangerous wildness.
He viewed others as mere insects.
Whether it was his intoxicating noble demeanor or his ability to maneuver in all situations, a seemingly casual glance from him made one feel danger, and even more so, temptation.
Moreover, he also had feelings.
Bai Xiwen hurriedly shifted her gaze. “I wouldn’t dare lie to you. I proposed a vehicle reward; those who contributed more to the project all received one. The project team leader received a BMW.”
Liang Chaosu stared at her speechlessly, and after a long while, walked directly to the desk and opened a drawer. “How much.”
Bai Xiwen sensed his displeasure and for a moment didn’t understand why.
She couldn’t help but probe, “Do you dislike that I deceived Miss Lian Cheng?”
