If you can’t keep it hidden, that only proves you lack both the ability to handle unexpected situations and the generosity to appease your wife.
A businessman with no integrity, no ability, and no sense of the bigger picture won’t have any partners willing to work with him.
Jiang Yihua was frantic. “You’re holding such a strong card in your hand, and you can’t use it?”
“It can be used.” Qiuyun pondered for a moment. “Actually, I thought about this before. Technician Hu is young, and she doesn’t look qualified enough. Why would Mr. Jiang send someone like her to Old Master Jiang? Couldn’t other people be won over with enough money and used as his planted agent in the main house?”
“Later, after seeing the information Secretary Qian dug up, I started to understand. Mr. Jiang must have seen that Hu Yin was naturally virtuous, gentle, obedient, and sensible, which is why he specifically chose her. If nothing unexpected happens, the two wives Old Master Jiang married after gaining social standing were probably both this type, weren’t they?”
Jiang Yihua frowned. “Are you saying the Fourth Brother originally intended to put Hu Yin in a position to replace his mother?”
“Not necessarily replace her. ‘Confidante’ or ‘soul mate’ would be more accurate.”
After all, Old Master Jiang was already celebrating his eightieth birthday. At most, their connection could only be a spiritual one.
Perhaps because she had only seen the Eldest Young Master that morning, Qiuyun said, “Besides, Hu Yin’s heart belongs to Mr. Jiang. It’s impossible for her to have any other intentions toward Old Master Jiang. That quality of neither flattering nor fawning might even earn Old Master Jiang’s appreciation.”
If they hadn’t discovered this and intervened, Hu Yin—whose real name was Hu Tingxue—might even have become the key person influencing Old Master Jiang’s decisions in his twilight years.
According to what the young miss had told them that day, before and after having the gentleman come over, Old Master Jiang had Technician Hu massaging his legs in the study.
They spent so much time together every day that even Madam Ge probably couldn’t compare. Even without the formal title of wife, how was that kind of companionship any different from a real marriage?
And this was a younger, gentler, more obedient “wife.”
One had to understand that people could become accustomed to companionship. It could even become a kind of spiritual addiction, and withdrawal was extremely painful.
If Mr. Jiang exposed the truth himself, he might even provoke Old Master Jiang’s anger.
After listening, Jiang Yihua fell silent.
The Fourth Brother had really been playing an enormous game.
Qiuyun changed tack. “However, this isn’t completely unsolvable. Jiang Yifeng never intended to let Hu Tingxue cuckold his own mother, but Mrs. Ge may not see it that way. All we have to do is give the butterfly’s wings a gentle flutter and make Mrs. Ge the one who exposes everything. Wouldn’t that solve the problem neatly?”
That was right!
If the Fourth Branch started fighting among themselves, it would have nothing to do with them!
Jiang Yihua’s tightly wound heart relaxed at once.
As expected, professionals handled professional matters. Xiaoqiu had not been bragging when she said she was better at managing domestic relationships. He handled the company’s affairs with ease, but when it came to all these intricate internal schemes, it was genuinely difficult for him to consider every angle.
“Xiaoqiu, if you pull this off, I’ll transfer that courtyard house I promised you directly into your name. You won’t have to wait until later.” Jiang Yihua made a commitment and expanded her authority. “If you need anything, go to Sun Assistant Manager or any of my secretaries and assistants. From this moment on, you have authority over every person and every matter in the entire First Branch.”
Qiuyun was delighted. “I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”
The brief meeting ended.
Assistant Qian escorted Qiuyun out and took the opportunity to build a closer relationship with her. “Little sister, that couple you had me keep an eye on in Singapore has been doing illegal labor overseas for nearly half a year now. How do you want to handle them?”
Qiuyun thought it over. They absolutely couldn’t leave behind any blemish on their political background checks…
“Keep grinding them down until they behave. Then send them to Southeast Asia to broaden their horizons. After that, have someone rescue them under the guise of being victims.”
Assistant Qian understood instantly. “Got it! I guarantee I’ll train them until they’re perfectly obedient for you, little sister!”
“Then I’ll have to trouble you, Brother Qian!” Qiuyun waved cheerfully. “I won’t keep you from your work. If I need anything done next time, I’ll come to you again!”
“Sure thing! Take care, little sister!”
After leaving the group, Qiuyun hailed a taxi to the driving school.
If a beginner didn’t practice for three days, they would quickly lose their touch. She had already passed the written test and was waiting to take the second-stage road test a few days later. She had heard that this was the exam most people failed.
On the way to the driving school, the ride passed a large shopping mall. Qiuyun noticed a group of young girls standing across the street with their phones raised. Following their gaze, she thought, Huh? That face looks familiar.
Tsk!
Wasn’t that her little brother?
Only then did Qiuyun remember that the audition survival show had been airing for more than a month and was now halfway through.
She had been busy lately and had stopped watching after the first episode.
Since she had run into him now, she took out her phone, logged into the platform, and checked how he was doing.
…Well, would you look at that. Her little brother had risen from tenth place to fourth in just one month!?
She had gone too long without following him, so she searched online to see what had happened over the past month. As luck would have it, she found a highly popular fan-made compilation video.
She tapped it open.
The screen was pitch-black at first, accompanied by a voice-over: “Who is the first person to arrive every morning?”
Two words appeared on the screen: Qiu Ze.
A rapid montage flashed by—countless photos of Qiu Ze arriving at the practice room early in the morning.
Then the screen went dark again.
“Who is the last person to leave every night?”
Two more words appeared: Qiu Ze.
Next came countless clips of him leaving work under the moonlight.
The sound of a videotape rewinding played. The producer asked him, “What do you think an idol is?”
Qiu Ze sat on a tall stool, smiling shyly. “I think an idol is someone who serves as a role model. I don’t count as an idol yet.”
The fan compilation was about eight minutes long, and Qiuyun watched it intently.
Seeing that Qiu Ze was genuinely training diligently on the show and conducting himself well, she felt relieved.
At least this proved that introducing him to this path hadn’t been the wrong decision.
Besides the clips designed to tug at fans’ heartstrings, there were also exhilarating compilations meant to attract casual viewers.
Qiu Ze had started out in Class A. Step by step, through sheer hard work, he had earned an S rating from both the audience and the mentors in the previous performance.
Several hot searches even topped the charts that night:
#TheEntertainmentIndustryHasBeenStarvedOfTrueIdolsForTooLong!
#TheIdolWorldFinallyHasANewSon!
The large screen they had just passed was a celebratory billboard paid for by his fans, congratulating him on advancing to Class S.
Her little brother was doing so well. While waiting at a red light, Qiuyun took out her phone and snapped a picture as a keepsake.
The female driver saw it and asked, “Young lady, do you like Qiu Ze too?”
Qiuyun smiled. “Yes. I think he works really hard.”
The driver turned her head and took a picture with her own phone as well. “My daughter likes him too. She says seeing him gives her energy and fills her with motivation. But I’ve noticed that she finishes her homework every day after evening study and even improved on her monthly exams, so I haven’t interfered.”
“How old is your daughter?”
“Fourteen. She’s in her second year of middle school.”
“Then she’s incredibly lucky to have such an understanding mother. You even take time to photograph promotional materials for her. Your daughter really won the lottery when it came to being born into a family.”
