After a wealthy woman went bankrupt, her live-in husband became her sugar daddy.

Chapter 364 Retention

Jiang Yichen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his coffee already cold. He turned to look at the documents on his desk, detailed information about Zhao Xing's company.

"Lin Nan," he pressed the intercom, "make arrangements for me. I need to meet with Zhao Xing to discuss cooperation on that piece of land we looked at last time."

There was a pause on the other end of the phone: "The previous plan isn't working?"

“It’s hopeless with President Li,” Jiang Yichen rubbed his temples. “Zhao Xing… needs to be reassessed.”

"Understood, I'll make arrangements right away."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yichen's gaze fell on a photo in the corner of his desk. It was a photo of him and Gu Mo taken three years ago under the Eiffel Tower, when they were still young and inexperienced, just starting out in the business world.

A knock sounded at the door, and Lin Nan walked in. She held a document in her hand, but hesitated to hand it over.

"Do you have something to say?" Jiang Yichen asked, looking up.

Lin Nan hesitated for a moment: "President Jiang, about the trip abroad we talked about last time..."

"Have you decided where to go?"

"It's a secret for now," Lin Nan smiled, "but someone might need to take over my position."

Jiang Yichen put down his coffee cup, his gaze becoming deep: "The company is at a critical time right now, and your position... cannot be moved for the time being."

"Is President Jiang trying to persuade me to stay?" Lin Nan raised an eyebrow.

“We’ve known each other for so many years,” Jiang Yichen walked to the window. “You’re not only my capable assistant, but also my friend. You’ve always been very concerned about Gu Mo’s matter.”

Mentioning Gu Mo, Lin Nan's expression softened: "I understand. Well... I'll think about it some more."

After Lin Nan left, Jiang Yichen picked up his phone and dialed Gu Mo's number.

"Momo, how are things on your end?"

"I just finished watching the news," Gu Mo said, her voice sounding tired. "Was it Lin Qing who did it?"

"Don't worry," Jiang Yichen softened his voice, "That's how business is. We stole her business, so she'll always try to get back at us."

“Gu Bai also called to ask,” I sighed. “I didn’t expect their public opinion campaign to have such a big impact.”

"Do you need my help?"

“No need for now, it’s already been resolved.” Gu Mo paused. “What about your side? Mr. Li’s matter…”

“I’ve moved on to Zhao Xing,” Jiang Yichen said as he walked to his desk, his fingers tapping the surface unconsciously. “This guy… is interesting.”

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yichen turned on his computer and pulled up Zhao Xing's company's financial statements. The numbers looked good, but something felt off. He picked up the internal phone: "Lin Nan, have the finance department re-examine Zhao Xing's documents, especially the overseas business section."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Zhao Xing was sitting in his office, surrounded by piles of documents. These were all messes left behind by General Manager Li, and dealing with them was quite tricky.

“Mr. Zhao,” the secretary knocked and entered, “the Jiang Group has sent word that they would like to meet with you to discuss cooperation.”

Zhao Xing raised his head, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "They've finally arrived."

He picked up his phone and dialed a number: "Lin Qing, Jiang Yichen has taken the bait."

Lin Qing's laughter came from the other end of the phone: "Very good, proceeding according to plan."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Xing walked to the window. The city lights shone brightly in the night, like a giant chessboard. And he was playing a very big game of chess.

“Jiang Yichen, Jiang Yichen,” he murmured to himself, “You think you’re plotting against me, but little do you know… you’ve already fallen into the trap.”

Meanwhile, in another corner of the city, President Li sat at home, a cup of tea that had gone cold in front of him. He watched the news about the Gu Group on television, his brow furrowed.

“This game,” he muttered to himself, “seems to be much more complicated than I thought.”

Jiang Yichen's coffee swirls gently in his cup. He had just received a report from the finance department confirming that Zhao Xing's company's overseas business was indeed in trouble.

“President Jiang,” Lin Nan pushed the door open and came in, “Zhao Xing has replied. Tomorrow at three o’clock, Peninsula Hotel.”

Jiang Yichen nodded, his gaze still fixed on the view outside the window: "Lin Nan, what do you think of Zhao Xing?"

Lin Nan walked up to him and handed him a document: "This is the latest investigation result. Zhao Xing has been getting very close to Lin Qing recently, and... he also seems to be in contact with President Li."

Jiang Yichen took the document, his brow furrowing slightly: "Interesting. It seems this game is more complicated than we imagined."

Meanwhile, in Zhao Xing's office, Lin Qing was sitting on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine.

"Are you sure Jiang Yichen will take the bait?" Lin Qing asked.

Zhao Xing smiled and said, "He definitely will. That piece of land is too important to him, and... he's too confident."

Lin Qing took a sip of red wine, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes: "This time, he must pay the price."

“Don’t worry,” Zhao Xing walked to the window, “I’ve already set up a trap. Once he steps in, he won’t be able to escape unscathed.”

The next afternoon, Jiang Yichen arrived at the Peninsula Hotel on time. Zhao Xing was already waiting in the private room, with exquisite tea and snacks laid out on the table.

"President Jiang, I've long admired your name." Zhao Xing stood up to greet him.

"Mr. Zhao, you're too kind." Jiang Yichen smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over every corner of the private room.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Xing got straight to the point: "I have a suggestion regarding that piece of land..."

Just then, Jiang Yichen's phone vibrated. He glanced down and saw a message from Gu Mo: "Be careful of Zhao Xing, he's in contact with Lin Qing."

Jiang Yichen calmly put away his phone: "Please speak, Mr. Zhao."

“We can set up a joint venture,” Zhao Xing said, pulling out a contract. “I’ll provide the land, you’ll provide the capital, and we’ll split the profits 50/50.”

Jiang Yichen took the contract and quickly skimmed through it. The terms seemed reasonable, but his pupils contracted slightly when he saw a certain detail.

“Mr. Zhao,” he closed the contract, “this condition…”

“President Jiang can take his time to consider it,” Zhao Xing interrupted him, “but…” He glanced at his watch, “it seems that the Lin Group is also looking for partners.”

Jiang Yichen's heart tightened. Sure enough, this was his real purpose: to use Lin Qing to pressure him into submission.

“I will seriously consider it,” Jiang Yichen stood up, “but before that, I would like to see how your company is operating.”

Mr. Zhao's smile froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered: "Of course, Mr. Jiang is welcome to visit anytime."

As soon as he left the hotel, Jiang Yichen dialed Lin Nan's number: "Help me check Zhao Xing's recent fund flows, especially his overseas accounts."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yichen fell into deep thought.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, I was sitting in my office with a document in front of me.

That was about the recent investment with Fan Shuiguang.

"Sister Gu," Xu Sisi knocked and came in, "Over there with President Fan, over there..."

“I understand,” I stood up. “Get the car ready, I’m going to see Fan Shuiguang.”

"Have a good talk with her."