Zhao Jingshen was lost in thought. For as long as he could remember, he had always believed that Lian Fei was his grandfather's choice for his wife, a notion that had often made him question his grandfather's intelligence. Now that he knew it was his grandmother's plan, he understood better and didn't want to insult the dead. He was snapped out of his reverie by his grandfather's question.
"This Jiang Meilin... are you certain that you can trust her, knowing full well that you don't know the first thing about her?"
Zhao Jingshen opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again. The truth was, he didn't know Jiang Meilin as well as he'd like to. There was still so much mystery surrounding her. And yet... "I trust her with my life, Grandfather," he said finally, surprised by the conviction in his own voice.
Zhao Weimin nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Then so do I. But be warned, Jingshen. The Lians will not take this lying down. Guanghao is already moving against us, and I fear he may have powerful allies we don't yet know about. Lian Fei will also make her move on Jiang Meilin."
"What do you suggest?" Jingshen asked, his mind already racing with possibilities. He knew that Jiang Meilin could take care of herself but, he couldn't help but wonder if listening to her about not placing guards around her now was the right thing to do.
"For now, we watch and wait," Zhao Weimin replied. "Protect your Jiang Meilin, but don't neglect our other interests. The coming days will require all of your cunning and strength."
Jingshen leaned back in his chair, absorbing his grandfather's words. The old man's unexpected support warmed him, but the warning weighed heavily on his mind.
"Grandfather," he began hesitantly, "I've always wondered... why did you agree to grandmother's plan for my engagement to Lian Fei?"
Zhao Weimin's eyes clouded with memory. "Ah, your grandmother. She was a force of nature, your grandmother. She believed the alliance would protect you, shield you from the harsher realities of our world. She wanted to keep the connections between the Lian and Zhao families." He sighed deeply. "I agreed because I couldn't deny her anything, even when I disagreed. And perhaps... perhaps I hoped it would bring you some happiness, after all, you never complained, even after yiur grandmother passed on."
Jingshen felt a lump form in his throat. He never really cared about Lian Fei being his wife, he believed he would have also accepted if it was someone else. "I wish I had known her better."
"She would have supported you, even though you're cutting her family off. She lived you that much." Zhao Weimin said with a wistful smile. "She always said you needed someone who could challenge you, keep you on your toes, and make your heart beat again."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, both lost in thoughts of the formidable woman who had shaped their lives in so many ways.
Finally, Zhao Jingshen stood. "Thank you, Grandfather. I know what to do."
Zhao Weimin waved him off. "Go on, now. You have work to do, and a young lady to protect."
As Jingshen left his grandfather's study, his mind was whirling with new information and possibilities. The conversation had revealed layers to his family he hadn't known existed, forcing him to re-evaluate years of assumptions.
He drove towards the Zhao Corporation headquarters. As he navigated the busy streets of Xia City, Zhao Jingshen found himself thinking of Meilin, wondering what she was doing at that moment. He had promised to visit her first thing this morning, but he had to see his grandfather and the meeting ran later that he expected. He would just pick her up tonight after her discharge.
The sleek, modern building that housed Zhao Corp dominated the skyline, a testament to the Zhao family's power and influence. Zhao Jingshen's office occupied the entire top floor, a sprawling space that combined minimalist design with state-of-the-art technology. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city, while carefully chosen art pieces added splashes of colour to the otherwise monochromatic decor.
As he stepped out of the private elevator, his personal assistant, Chen Li, was already waiting, tablet in hand.
"Good morning, Mr Zhao," Chen Li greeted, falling into step beside him. "Your 9 AM with the board has been pushed to 10. There's an urgent matter with our Southeast Asian subsidiary that needs your immediate attention."
Jingshen nodded, his demeanour shifting as he entered work mode. "Brief me."
Chen Li's efficiency was one of the reasons Zhao Jingshen valued him so highly. As they walked to his office, the assistant quickly outlined the situation – a potential hostile takeover of a key supplier in Vietnam.
Settling behind his desk, Jingshen's eyes hardened. "Get me on a call with Nguyen. Now."
What followed was a masterclass in corporate warfare. Zhao Jingshen's voice remained calm and measured as he spoke to the Vietnamese businessman, but his words carried an unmistakable edge. He outlined the consequences of siding with Zhao Corp's competitors, hinting at the vast resources at his disposal without ever making an overt threat.
By the end of the call, not only had the takeover been averted, but Zhao Corp had secured an exclusive deal with the supplier at favourable terms.
Chen Li couldn't help but be impressed. "Brilliantly handled, sir." He has always looked up to Zhao Jingshen. He believed the man could handle anything.
Zhao Jingshen allowed himself a small smile. "Prepare a press release. We'll announce the partnership at the board meeting."
The board meeting that followed was a testament to Zhao Jingshen's leadership. He commanded the room effortlessly, outlining strategies and fielding questions with razor-sharp precision. When one board member raised concerns about the recent tensions with the Lian family, Zhao Jingshen's response was swift and decisive.
"Our partnership with the Lians has served its purpose, and my engagement with Lian Fei is considered cancelled." he stated firmly. "Zhao Corp's future lies in innovation and ethical business practices. We will not be held back by outdated alliances or questionable methods."
The meeting concluded with unanimous approval of Zhao Jingshen's proposed initiatives. As the board members filed out, many congratulating him on the Vietnamese deal, Jingshen found his thoughts drifting back to his conversations with his grandfather. 'What did his grandfather mean when he said, he didn't know the first thing about Meilin?' He also thought about how Meilin said she knew he was harbouring suspicions about her. As long as she was not his enemy, it didn't really matter. But a part of him hoped she would tell him everything about her.