The next day, Wang Cheng went to see Wang Ning’an. Chu Yifeng had planned to go with him, but Charlie had business to discuss, so he stayed at the villa to speak with Charlie by video.
At the foot of Wang Ning’an’s apartment building, Wang Cheng met his eldest aunt and eldest cousin coming downstairs. Since He Ping’s discharge, Guan Meifang took him out for a walk every morning. He Ping now behaved almost like any ordinary person and could understand most things.
“Eldest Aunt, Eldest Cousin, where are you going?” Wang Cheng greeted them.
“Chengcheng! Here to see your big brother?” Guan Meifang asked, linking arms with her son. Her smile was more cheerful than before.
He Ping stood quietly beside her with a faint smile. In the past he had smiled just as often, but the foolish innocence in his expression was gone. His features were delicate and gentle. He was not as handsome as Wang Cheng or Wang Ning’an, yet there was a clarity and elegance about him now.
Wang Cheng studied him with some surprise. When he did not speak, He Ping had a distinctive air about him. “Yes, Aunt. Is Big Brother awake?”
“He’s up. Go and see him. Pingping and I are going to the mall.” Guan Meifang wanted to buy new clothes for her son. Wang Ning’an had offered money, but she refused. She had not paid a cent for the surgery; how could she bear to spend the brothers’ money on clothing too?
Wang Cheng watched them leave and went upstairs.
When Wang Ning’an opened the door, he was still holding his phone. Because he had unexpectedly taken leave, Chairman Yu had sent an assistant to ask why. Wang Ning’an simply said he was tired from overtime and wanted two days off.
The assistant was surprised. Before he could ask more, Wang Ning’an ended the call. Reporting to Chairman Yu, the assistant pointed out that Wang Ning’an had only worked overtime for three days. In the past he had gone a month without complaining. Surely something was wrong.
Chairman Yu summoned Wang Ning’an’s aide, Peng Yang, and learned what had happened. The bald man’s reputation in business circles was already terrible, yet he possessed real wealth and influence. Ultimately, Chairman Yu chose to protect his own son over his employee. If Wang Ning’an wanted time off, so be it. He would return eventually.
Wang Ning’an showed Wang Cheng into the living room and fetched hot water. They brewed a pot of tea. Wang Cheng pretended to appreciate the taste, failed to detect anything remarkable, and grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds instead.
“Big Brother, I have something to tell you, but you mustn’t tell anyone else yet. It’s about Dad. When I went back to Shanhai City, it was because he called about trouble with Eldest Uncle’s family…” Wang Cheng summarized the situation.
“Didn’t you already settle that? Have they started bothering our parents again?” Wang Ning’an asked.
“Not that.” Wang Cheng shook his head. “I suspect Dad may not be Old Madam Wang’s biological son. I questioned her indirectly, and her reaction was strange, almost as if I’d hit the mark. I’ve sent people to investigate, but haven’t heard anything back.”
Wang Ning’an was stunned, then frowned. “Are you really certain?”
Wang Cheng nodded. “I have no proof yet, but Dad may not be Old Madam Wang’s biological son. The late village chief Wang may have known the truth, so I’ve asked people to find his family. I haven’t told our parents. I’ll wait until there’s evidence.”
“This would be a tremendous shock to Dad. It’s right to keep it from him for now. But you could find a chance to warn Mom so she’ll be prepared. If the truth eventually comes out, we’ll feel better knowing she’s beside him.”
“You’re more thoughtful than I am, Big Brother. All right, I’ll find time to talk to Mom.” Wang Cheng nodded and spat out his sunflower-seed shell.
Wang Ning’an trusted him to handle the matter. “By the way, Chengcheng, have you got any money to spare?”
“Do you need a loan? Of course! How much?” Wang Cheng had cash available. Dongwang Group was now his, and the Sun family could no longer obstruct him. Its profits were smaller than Zhou Group’s, but not many people could acquire an established business so easily.
Wang Ning’an indicated an amount with a gesture.
Wang Cheng agreed without thinking twice. He still owed Chu Yifeng money, but Chu Yifeng was in no hurry to collect, so he could repay him gradually.
“You agreed so readily,” Wang Ning’an said helplessly. “Aren’t you going to ask why I need the money?”
“Why should I? I trust you. Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you.” Wang Cheng put the seeds back in their dish and reached out to pat his brother’s shoulder.
Wang Ning’an immediately leaned away. “Don’t touch me. Your hands are filthy.”
Wang Cheng clapped the crumbs from his palms. “You’re heartless! It’s only a little mess. Is your obsession with cleanliness getting worse?” He had almost forgotten how particular his brother was.
One didn’t necessarily need a competing company to bring another business to its knees.
Wang Cheng had gradually realized something important: what really mattered was having powerful connections. With the right people on your side, much became easy. He was also sure that a large group like Shenghui must have vulnerabilities somewhere. He decided to deal with one of the offenders first.
The bald man’s name was Chen Zhong, president of Wansheng Enterprises. In his youth, he had been exceptionally lucky, even something of a model for other men. Back then he had been handsome, and the former chairman of Wansheng’s only daughter had taken a fancy to him. The two eventually married.
Outwardly, Chen Zhong was a devoted husband. In reality, he only wanted his wife’s money. He was fairly timid, and while his father-in-law was alive, he dared not be unfaithful. But more than ten years ago, his father-in-law and wife died together in a plane crash during a trip abroad. The fortunate Chen Zhong inherited Wansheng Enterprises.
Even heaven seemed determined to reward a man who lived off his wife. Someone as lucky as Chen Zhong was probably one of a kind.
With nobody left to restrain him, Chen Zhong plunged into pleasure, surrounded by lovers of both sexes every day. In little more than a decade, the handsome young man became a bald, overweight middle-aged one. Yet despite his appetite for pleasure, he had business talent. Wansheng continued to thrive under his management.
Wang Cheng looked through the man’s dossier and found that his business methods were largely underhanded. Chen Zhong had committed more than a few offenses.
He had also invested in films and television productions. On nearly every project, he became involved with actresses or actors. Wang Cheng was surprised to discover several Yazhi artists had once been involved with him. At the time, Cen Xi had monopolized the company’s opportunities, leaving other artists to find their own work. Chen Zhong’s weakness for attractive people was no secret in the entertainment business, and a few artists had approached him.
Chen Zhong could be generous. After an artist slept with him, he would offer them an opportunity, and some had even managed to leave Yazhi with his help.
Speaking of Cen Xi, Wang Cheng realized he had hardly heard of or seen the man since the company began its counterattack.
He closed the dossier and called his brother.
Zheng Jingen was not surprised by the call. After all, he had witnessed part of what happened the night before.
“Brother…”
“Do you want my help?”
Wang Cheng was delighted. “You always know what I’m thinking! I want you to deal with Chen Zhong, the head of Wansheng Enterprises. He’s the man who tried to take advantage of my big brother last night.”
“Enough flattery. I’ve heard of him. He has connections with certain officials, but bringing him down won’t be difficult,” Zheng Jingen said. A man with such a bad record was easy to investigate. Nobody had bothered before because there had been no reason, and no benefit in doing so.
“Thanks, Brother. I’ll look forward to the good news.”
“All right, leave this to me. I’ll give you a satisfactory answer. If you’re free, go check on Zhou Group. Something’s happened there and Grandpa must be upset. You’ve done well managing Yazhi, and I’ve already seen the Fashion Vanguard issue. You chose a promising artist with the makings of a superstar. Keep it up, and maybe you can cheer Grandpa up.”
After Fashion Vanguard went on sale, the response was enormous. He Zihuan had become a sensation overseas before he was fully famous at home.
Wang Cheng was not surprised that his brother knew about Zhou Group and Yazhi. He agreed. Pan Zhihai had things under control at Yazhi, so he no longer had to go there daily. For now, he only needed to wait for news.
“And come home for dinner when you have time,” Zheng Jingen added. “Grandpa has mentioned you several times. He keeps praising the Health Fist you taught him last time and wants all of us to practice too.” Few of them had kept it up.
“Then practice! It’s called the Health Fist, so obviously it’s good for you. Persistence is the key.” After teaching Old Master Chu, Wang Cheng had worried that his other grandfather might misunderstand. He had made a point of visiting the Zheng family and teaching them too. That had been the right choice. When his grandfather remarked that it was the same routine Wang Cheng’s maternal grandfather practiced, Wang Cheng had nearly jumped in fright.
Zheng Jingen laughed. “When Mom learned you taught it to Grandpa, she made Dad and me get up at dawn and practice with her. If Jingxue weren’t living at school, she’d make her do it too.”
After ending the call, Wang Cheng took a business card from his pocket. It had been there for some time. He had taken it from that foolish private detective, and now it was finally going to be useful. He dialed the number, and a woman’s voice answered.