Jiang Li's voice was sharp and her expression severe as she angrily shouted at Jiang Youli, "What are you laughing at?"
A slight smile played on Jiang Youli's lips. "Third Aunt, your husband's information is correct. Chairman Zhou is indeed returning to Jing City tomorrow. But I doubt your husband will be able to secure a meeting with him."
Her third aunt, Jiang Li, had married into the top-tier wealthy Long family, but not to the family heir; she was married to the Second Master of the Long family.
The Second Master of the Long family didn't hold much sway within the family.
Meanwhile, Old Master Jiang, sitting to the side, gazed deeply at his granddaughter, lost in his own thoughts.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li flew into a rage and retorted furiously, "Who do you think you are, daring to question my husband's capabilities!"
For Jiang Li, having her husband looked down upon was even more intolerable than being slighted herself.
Jiang Youli smiled confidently. "Don't believe me? We'll see tomorrow. Let's see if your husband can arrange that meeting for Second Uncle. If he can, I'll take your surname... oh wait, I already share your surname."
Jiang Li couldn't stand her contemptuous attitude any longer. "Fine! If my husband secures the meeting with Chairman Zhou, you will kneel and apologize to me for your rudeness today! And if your Second Uncle successfully collaborates with the Zhou family, you won't get a single share of the company's stock!"
Zhang Susu frowned. "That's unacceptable!"
She turned to Jiang Youli and shook her head.
"Mom, don't worry, I'm not that foolish," Jiang Youli said with a laugh. "If I lose, kneeling and apologizing to you, Third Aunt, is no problem. But if Second Uncle succeeds in cooperating with the Zhou family, at most, Grandfather will have no reason to give the pharmaceutical company to Dad anymore. I still get the shares. That's Grandfather's compensation to me for his car accident. Even though I won't lose, let's keep things separate."
Jiang Li seized the opportunity. "If you won't give up the shares, fine. Dad, you should say something. If I can get my husband to facilitate a successful partnership between Jiang Pharmaceutical and the Zhou family, shouldn't there be some reward?"
Old Master Jiang said sternly, "If it truly happens as you say, I can similarly gift 10% of the pharmaceutical company's shares to you and your second brother."
Only then did Jiang Li look somewhat satisfied. "Good! It's settled then!"
If they could successfully partner with the Zhou family and regain management control, it meant that apart from the 20% shares to be given to Jiang Youli and her, the entire pharmaceutical company would undoubtedly belong to Second Brother in the future!
"Dad, it's been a long time since I last visited. I'll stay for a few more days this time. Come, let me accompany you for a walk now to clear your mind." Jiang Li stood up, adopting a solicitous attitude toward Old Master Jiang.
Before Old Master Jiang could speak, Jiang Youli interjected, "Third Aunt, how can we only talk about what you'll gain if you succeed and what responsibility I'll bear? What about you?"
Jiang Li was taken aback. "Me?"
"You came here today to question and humiliate me. If your husband fails to meet Chairman Zhou tomorrow, you can't possibly bear no responsibility at all," Jiang Youli said with an unyielding air.
Jiang Li's eyes darkened. "What do you want then?"
Jiang Youli replied, "My demand is simple. Fire the butler at Second Uncle and Second Aunt's house, and then kneel and apologize to me formally in front of the entire Jiang family."
Jiang Li found this absurd. "Apologizing to you is one thing, but you want me to kneel?!"
Jiang Youli nodded. "Yes, for fairness. What? Or are you saying you have no confidence in your husband, think you'll lose, and find kneeling shameful?"
Suppressing her anger, Jiang Li agreed, "Fine, I accept. I'm not going to lose anyway!"
Old Master Jiang did not oppose such a wager; in fact, he welcomed this situation.
Competition was what would drive the Jiang family forward, not sitting idly by and consuming their resources as before.
The catfish effect his granddaughter had brought since returning to the Jiang family would surely make them stronger!
"Youli, prepare well for tomorrow's engagement banquet," Old Master Jiang instructed before rising and leaving the eastern villa, supported by the head butler.
"Okay, Grandfather, take care!" Jiang Youli called out.
Jiang Li snorted coldly and followed Old Master Jiang out.
Zhang Susu said, "The Long family and the Zhou family seem to have some connections. Youli, are you really so sure your third aunt's husband can't arrange a meeting for your second uncle with Chairman Zhou?"
Jiang Youli said, "Absolutely, Mom. If you don't believe me, I can call Uncle Zhou right now."
With that, she took out her phone and dialed Uncle Zhou's number.
Soon, the call connected, and a middle-aged man's voice came through.
"Youli, girl! I didn't expect you to take the initiative to call me! What's up? Are you doing well at the Jiang family in Jing City? Is anyone bullying you? Me and some of your other uncles and aunts are planning to head over tomorrow to see you!"
Zhang Susu, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle. Were the people from Jianshan Village always this bold?
Hearing the familiar accent of the middle-aged man, Jiang Youli felt like laughing. "Uncle Zhou, that's actually why I'm calling. Just now, my third aunt from the Jiang family tried to bully me, questioning whether I really know you. She said her husband, the Second Master of the Long family, wants to arrange a meeting between you and my second uncle tomorrow to discuss cooperation. Oh, right, my second uncle is that scumbag father of mine. I don't acknowledge him anymore, so he's my second uncle now."
Upon hearing this, Uncle Zhou spat out, "Pah! Tomorrow, me and your other uncles and aunts are coming for your engagement banquet, not to talk about any damned cooperation! Who does this Second Master of the Long family think he is, trying to arrange a meeting to do your scumbag second uncle a favor? Don't worry, Youli girl. Tomorrow, I won't meet with anyone else. I'm only coming to see you!"
Jiang Youli smiled with satisfaction. "Good. Then I'll see you at the engagement banquet tomorrow, Uncle Zhou."
"Wait... there's one more thing. I was busy before and didn't get a chance to tell you."
"What is it, Uncle Zhou?"
"A few days ago, someone sneaked around the village, seems like they were investigating your past. Me and the other uncles and aunts managed to throw him off, but we don't know what else he might have found out later."
"I understand."
After hanging up, Jiang Youli raised an eyebrow at her beautiful new mother beside her. "Mom, you heard it. Uncle Zhou won't cooperate with Second Uncle."
Only then did Zhang Susu feel relieved, though she grew concerned about another matter. "Youli, I'm more worried about what Uncle Zhou mentioned—someone investigating you."
Jiang Youli smiled calmly. "Mom, I have a good idea who's investigating me, and I'll be prepared to handle it."
It was just a few days ago, right after her welcome banquet ended, when Jiang Zhao was facing a barrage of online attacks over the evening gown incident.
She had Ye Ying keep pushing the issue to the top of the trending searches, and with Jiang Yonghe adding fuel to the fire from behind, even though Jiang Xing spent money on PR immediately, the situation never really died down or came under control.
Jiang Zhao was probably furious and planned to dig up her past to subject her to online bullying as well.
Zhang Susu nodded. "That's good then."
...
At noon, on her way to the hospital to treat Qi Huan, Jiang Youli called Ye Ying.
"Ye Ying, investigate for me who went to Jianshan Village to look into me a few days ago and what they found out. Give me an answer before tomorrow's engagement banquet."
"Yes, boss."
