The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned. Zhou Yanqiu and her companions were still reeling from the surprise when the dented Volkswagen Phaeton had already driven off into the distance.
"We're talking about a repair costing twenty thousand yuan or more, and just like that, it's over?" Zhou Kaixuan couldn't believe it. He knew a bit about cars; repairing the dent on a multi-million yuan luxury car would indeed cost tens of thousands. He was astonished that the other party left without demanding any compensation.
Zhou Yanqiu was equally bewildered. The other driver had left immediately upon learning that she was Wu Zhiming's mother-in-law, not asking for any compensation or even involving insurance. Could they be friends with Wu Zhiming?
"What's going on here?" Xu Meili asked, puzzled.
"It has to be because of our son-in-law. He has many friends. That person must be a friend of Zhiming. Didn't you hear him say he's giving Zhiming a bit of face, so he let it go?" Zhou Yanqiu's face lit up with a proud smile. She had a natural knack for flaunting, and this was a prime opportunity she wouldn't miss.
"Is Wu Zhiming really that powerful now?" Xu Meili asked, incredulously.
"Of course! You just saw it. Repairs worth tens of thousands of yuan, and he let it go just for Zhiming's sake. I've told you, the reason Zhiming didn't come today is because he had business matters. Given his current status, why would he avoid meeting you?" Zhou Yanqiu declared.
Xu Meili and Zhou Kaixuan exchanged glances, realizing that everything Zhou Yanqiu had mentioned earlier was true. Wu Zhiming was no longer an ordinary person.
This unexpected turn of events gave Zhou Kaixuan and his family a newfound respect for Wu Zhiming.
Although Wu Zhiming hadn't been present, Zhou Yanqiu had unwittingly showcased his influence.
Later, around ten o'clock at night, Zhou Yanqiu drove Xu Meili and Zhou Kaixuan back to their hotel.
"Sis, can I ask you a favor?" Zhou Kaixuan said as he was about to get out of the car.
"Sure, what is it?" Zhou Yanqiu asked.
"It's about Shaojun. He just graduated and is looking for a job. Given Zhiming's big company, could you ask him to find a finance job for Shaojun? He majored in accounting," Zhou Kaixuan said.
"Finance? That's a position for trusted people only!" Zhou Yanqiu frowned.
"That's precisely why! Shaojun is family. He's closer than any outsider. If he handles the company's finances, Zhiming can feel at ease. Don't you agree?" Zhou Kaixuan pressed.
"This might be a bit difficult," Zhou Yanqiu replied. If it were just a non-critical job, Yao Jing could arrange it, but finance was different. Given Wu Zhiming's personality, he wouldn't let her place someone in charge of his company's finances.
"Sis, let me tell you this. No matter what, Wu Zhiming's surname is Wu, not Zhou. He belongs to the Wu family, not ours. If you can get Shaojun into their finance department, wouldn't the Wu Group be at your mercy in the future?" Zhou Kaixuan whispered.
"Well…" Zhou Yanqiu hesitated. If she could control the financial reins, with her years of experience in siphoning funds in the Yao family, she could quickly amass wealth. But it would be extremely difficult.
"Just have Jingjing whisper sweet things to him. She's so beautiful; if she acts cute, he'll lose his bearings. I'm doing this for your good, Sis!" Zhou Kaixuan added.
"Alright, leave it to me," Zhou Yanqiu agreed.
"Thank you so much! Shaojun, thank your aunt!" Zhou Kaixuan said happily.
"Thank you, Auntie!" Shaojun echoed.
The next morning, Zhou Yanqiu returned the car to Yao Jing.
"The car had a minor bump last night, but it's nothing serious. Just take it in for repairs," Zhou Yanqiu said casually.
Yao Jing frowned at the scratch by the car's light. "Didn't I tell you to be careful while driving?"
"What? Are you blaming your mother now? The night market was crowded last night. It was just a little oversight!" Zhou Yanqiu said, exasperated.
"Did you hit another car? Did you pay for the damages?" Yao Jing asked.
"Yes, I paid. Two thousand yuan. You need to reimburse me. I'm planning to buy another house and need the money," Zhou Yanqiu replied.
"Got it." Yao Jing put away the keys and was about to leave when Zhou Yanqiu called out to her.
"By the way, your cousin Shaojun has graduated and doesn't have a job. Can you find him a position at Wu's Group? He studied accounting, so a finance job would be perfect," Zhou Yanqiu suggested.
"Mom, that company belongs to Zhiming. I'm just a secretary. How can I assign someone to a finance role?" Yao Jing asked angrily.
"You do realize it's Zhiming's company, right? And who is Zhiming to you? Isn't he your husband? Just talk to him nicely. He didn't come to the important event yesterday. I've already let that slide. Tell him to be sensible. Understand? Shaojun is family. He's a better choice for finance than any outsider," Zhou Yanqiu insisted.
"Mom, stop causing trouble. The company is expanding rapidly. All personnel decisions are made by professionals. I can't handle this," Yao Jing shook her head.
"If you can't do this, then don't acknowledge me as your mother! Do as you please!" Zhou Yanqiu snapped before turning and leaving.
"Sigh!" Yao Jing sighed deeply. Sometimes, she was truly at a loss for words with her mother. She glanced at her car, then returned to the office to arrange for someone to take the car to the dealership for repairs.
In Wu Zhiming's Office
Dong Jian pushed open the door to Wu Zhiming's office and saw Wang Hai and Wu Zhiming both inside.
"Boss, last night your mother-in-law was driving the car you bought for your wife and crashed into someone else's car," Dong Jian reported.
"Dong Jian, Wang Hai just told me about it!" Wu Zhiming said.
Dong Jian glanced at Wang Hai, who smiled and nodded.
"Wang Hai, who did Zhou Yanqiu hit?" Wu Zhiming asked.
Wang Hai's expression stiffened slightly. "I haven't found out yet. I'll get someone on it right away."
"At the time, they hit a Volkswagen Phaeton with the license plate Hai C58888. The owner is Ren Xuesong," Dong Jian interjected.
"Ren Xuesong? The one who was Yang Sandao's rival?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Yes, Ren Xuesong recognized that it was your car and drove away to give you some face," Dong Jian explained.
"Got it. I'll remember this favor," Wu Zhiming nodded. He then stood up and said, "I'm heading to the gym."
"Understood!" Dong Jian and Wang Hai both bowed slightly, watching Wu Zhiming leave.
After Wu Zhiming left, Dong Jian walked over to Wang Hai and patted him on the shoulder. "Knowing what happened last night isn't enough. You also need to know everyone involved and their backgrounds. That way, when the boss asks, you can give a full answer."
"I was too hasty!" Wang Hai admitted, embarrassed.
"Just keep it in mind for the future," Dong Jian smiled and then turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" Wang Hai asked.
"To tell Ren Xuesong that the boss remembers this favor," Dong Jian replied.
"Damn, why didn't I think of that?" Wang Hai stomped his foot in frustration, then walked out of Wu Zhiming's office.
Evening
Yao Jing didn't go home after work because Wu Zhiming had told her he wouldn't be home for dinner. She didn't feel like cooking, so she took a taxi to Song Siqing's house.
Song Siqing had been discharged from the hospital that day after two days of recovery and was now home.
"Ugh, I'm exhausted," Yao Jing said as she walked into Song Siqing's home, tossing her bag aside and removing her jacket, leaving her in just a white shirt.
The white shirt was a bit tight, perfectly accentuating Yao Jing's figure.
Song Siqing was sprawled out on the couch, her face covered with a mask.
"Tired? Don't think I don't know you. You say you're exhausted, but you're probably thrilled inside!" Song Siqing teased.
"What do you want to eat?" Yao Jing asked as she walked into the kitchen.
"See, you just got off work, and you're already cooking again," Song Siqing said.
"Then don't eat," Yao Jing replied sternly.
"No, no, no! I want sukiyaki! Jingjing, I've missed your sukiyaki so much!" Song Siqing begged, using a childish tone.
Yao Jing chuckled and started preparing the ingredients.
After years of cooking for Wu Zhiming, Yao Jing had become quite the chef. Song Siqing, on the other hand, had long been captivated by Yao Jing's cooking.
As night fell, a sukiyaki hotpot was placed on the table in the living room.
Song Siqing lived alone in a studio apartment, so there was no formal dining area; meals were usually eaten in the living room.
Whenever Yao Jing visited Song Siqing, she would handle both cooking and cleaning.
According to Song Siqing, Yao Jing deserved it even if she worked herself to death.
However, Yao Jing enjoyed being busy; she felt uneasy with too much free time.
"Did you have another fight with your domineering CEO husband?" Song Siqing asked while eating.
"What domineering CEO husband?" Yao Jing asked without looking up.
"Wu Zhiming, of course! That man is so bad—evil and domineering. And he's rich too, which makes it even more annoying!" Song Siqing vented.
"Zhiming and my parents… to be precise, my mom, have a really bad relationship," Yao Jing sighed.
"If it were me, I wouldn't get along with her either," Song Siqing said, rolling her eyes. "Your mom is the most money-grubbing person I've ever met. No contest. The way she treated your husband—giving him the cold shoulder, humiliating him. If I were in his shoes, I would have divorced you long ago! The fact that Wu Zhiming stuck around for so many years shows he truly loves you."
"I thought you hated my husband. Why are you speaking up for him now?" Yao Jing frowned.
"I judge by actions, not people. No, wait—I mean I judge the situation, not the person. Your mom went too far in the past and she still does! Let me ask you this: if your mom and Wu Zhiming were both drowning and you could only save one, who would you choose?" Song Siqing asked.
Yao Jing was stunned. She had never imagined that the classic dilemma posed to girlfriends would one day be asked of her.