After a Flash Marriage with a Professor - Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Unconvinced

“Interesting.” Yan Yang became more interested when he heard about Ming Shu’s background and backer.

“Professor Shen, the Shen Group.” Yan Yang stroked his chin and asked with a smile, “Old Zhang, is it the Shen Group I’m thinking of?”

“Yes, there’s only one Shen Group of that repute. It’s the leader of the listed companies, with many subsidiaries and a wide range of business. Our company only recently secured funding from the Shen Group.”

“The person in charge, Shen Muhua?” Yan Yang asked.

“Exactly, it’s CEO Shen.”

“Has CEO Yan dealt with CEO Shen before?”

“I’ve met him twice, not well-acquainted.” A wicked smile subtly appeared on Yan Yang’s lips. He was more familiar with Shen Muhua’s mistress and her daughter.

Just as he was speaking, the banquet hall doors suddenly opened. A man and two women, dressed elegantly, walked in, drawing everyone’s attention.

Vice President Zhang also glanced over and excitedly told Yan Yang, “Speak of the devil, and he appears! CEO Yan, CEO Shen and his… his…” Vice President Zhang didn’t know how to define the relationship between Shen Muhua and the Qiao mother and daughter.

In this circle, everyone knew that after Shen Muhua’s wife passed away, he never remarried. To say Shen Muhua was devoted was not entirely true; the Qiao mother and daughter were always by his side. To call Qiao Li a mistress seemed to minimize their bond, but to call her his wife or madam didn’t seem accurate either.

Many people in the circle respectfully called Qiao Li “Madam Shen” and Qiao Qian “Miss Shen Group,” but these were merely polite terms, often meant to also butter up the woman who could influence Shen Muhua.

“Old Zhang, you’re stuttering.” Yan Yang’s gaze was fixed on the Qiao mother and daughter. He laughed, “How you address them is not important.”

Yan Yang deduced and speculated that the Qiao mother and daughter’s status in Shen Muhua’s heart was not as high as before; otherwise, they wouldn’t be socializing so frequently lately. Even he had run into them twice.

If the Qiao mother and daughter, who were favored by Shen Muhua in the eyes of outsiders, were facing difficulties, then the situation of Professor Shen, whom he had never even heard of, must be worse.

“Old Zhang, are you saying that Professor Shen is Shen Muhua’s biological son?”

“Biological daughter.” When talking about this topic, Vice President Zhang unconsciously lowered his voice and whispered, “The rumor is that after CEO Shen’s wife passed away, the father and daughter had a fallout.”

“A fallout? Then isn’t it more likely that the Qiao mother and daughter will inherit Shen Muhua’s assets?”

Vice President Zhang shook his head. “No. Recently, CEO Shen has been trying to repair the father-daughter relationship.”

“So that’s how it is.”

“Mhm. So, CEO Yan, you should give up on Ming Shu. There are plenty of beautiful women in this world, and plenty who are willing to comply. There’s no need to seek out someone who looks gentle but has a stubborn temperament and a strong background,” Vice President Zhang earnestly advised.

Yan Yang, however, said, “Isn’t it more fun to play with someone like that? What’s the point of a subservient puppet?”

“CEO Yan, you…” Vice President Zhang’s mouth was too dry. He hurriedly took a sip of wine and continued, “CEO Yan, are you really going to offend Professor Shen and the Shen Group over a young woman?”

“It’s not that serious,” Yan Yang patted Vice President Zhang’s shoulder. “Old Zhang, don’t be nervous. Who says not giving up on that young woman means I must oppose Professor Shen and the Shen Group? Can’t I do everything quietly, without a trace?”

Vice President Zhang’s eyes widened in horror, bulging outward. He had heard that Yan Yang was perverse, but he didn’t realize Yan Yang was truly perverse.

“Relax, Old Zhang. It’s a small matter.”

“You said you were interested in your assistant earlier. How did that go? Did you succeed?”

“Don’t even mention it.” The thought of Mia being taken by the President just before the banquet made him feel deeply frustrated.

“It seems you haven’t yet. Old Zhang, you are still too ‘honest.’ You should hang out with me more often. I’ll teach you a few tricks.”

Vice President Zhang shook his head. He knew Mia was not someone he could lure with money and power.

“Don’t be so pessimistic, Old Zhang. Sometimes, you need to be a little bolder.”

Bolder? Vice President Zhang thought of the tigress at home and shook his head vigorously again. Last time, it was nothing serious. He just tried to pursue Mia, and his ambiguous text messages to Mia were discovered. That tigress caused a scene at the company.

“No,” Vice President Zhang poured himself a glass of wine, put it down, and repeated, “No.”

Yan Yang wasn’t determined to persuade this less-than-courageous “honest man.” He smiled, clinked his glass against the “honest man’s” glass on the table, and stood up, walking toward Shen Muhua and the Qiao mother and daughter.

“CEO Yan!”

Vice President Zhang was stunned when he saw Yan Yang heading toward Shen Muhua. He was speechless. How could Yan Yang keep a straight face?

Plotting against the wife of the man’s daughter in his mind, yet still smiling and initiating a social exchange.

No wonder he could say something like ‘do everything quietly, without a trace’ just now.

“CEO Shen, you are truly fashionably late today. I thought you wouldn’t make it tonight.” Yan Yang took the initiative to greet Shen Muhua. Ming Shu, seeing the person who had harassed her earlier approaching, felt her nerves tense up again.

“The company had a slight issue that delayed me, so I’m a little late,” Shen Muhua replied emotionlessly, wondering who the person in front of him was. He was getting older, and his memory was much worse. Unless it was someone familiar, he couldn’t recall them.

Shen Muhua looked at Qiao Li beside him. Qiao Li understood, opened her red lips, and smiled, “CEO Yan, it’s been a while. I even discussed the building materials business with you last time.”

“It has been a while,” Yan Yang glanced at Qiao Li’s seductive figure, then thought of Qin Shu. They both possessed the charm of mature women, with a hint of danger, but were very different. Yan Yang could clearly sense that they wanted different things. Qiao Li wanted satisfaction, as for the waiter Qin Shu, he didn’t know enough about her yet.

But he would soon know more—tonight, in fact.

He thought Qin Shu’s danger might be similar to a cat’s danger, an accidental scratch with her claw. A woman from the service industry, at the bottom rung, was likely self-conscious and had low self-esteem. What kind of aggressiveness could she possibly have?

Yan Yang prided himself on having seen countless women and was certain he wouldn’t misjudge her.

With Qiao Li’s reminder, Shen Muhua recalled the existence of a person named Yan Yang.

“CEO Yan, I have other business to discuss today. We can discuss the building materials business in detail another time.”

“I’ll have Qiao Li discuss it with you first. Excuse me.”

After saying that, Shen Muhua took Qiao Qian and headed toward the table where Ming Shu and the President were sitting. Qiao Qian didn’t have time to call Yan Yang “Uncle Yan,” only blinking at him.

“Qian Qian has become even more beautiful,” Yan Yang said to Qiao Li.

“What,” Qiao Li glared at Yan Yang with her eyes, “Am I not enough for you? Are you coveting my daughter too?”

“How could you say that? Would I even be human if I thought that?”

“Hard to say.” Qiao Li twisted her waist and walked toward the champagne tower, taking a glass of champagne to savor. Yan Yang followed behind her.

They stood there drinking, away from the crowd, where they could talk easily. Coincidentally, their gazes were both fixed on that table, but they were looking at different people.

“Are you looking at Yan Mingshu?” Qiao Li asked sharply.

Yan Yang didn’t hide it, admitting, “She’s a very pretty young woman.”

“Do you know she’s married?”

“Oh?” Yan Yang pretended not to know.

“What a terrible situation. She’s the one who snatched Qian Qian’s position.”

“How so?” Yan Yang asked curiously. He hadn’t expected to gain important information from Qiao Li.

Qiao Li hadn’t been well-received by Shen Muhua recently and was seeking comfort externally. Yan Yang was one of the targets she sought comfort from.

However, men generally dislike women who cry and complain. They prefer women who are supportive, like a capable wife, preferably one who is helpful to their career.

The fact that Yan Yang was willing to listen was likely because he was interested in Yan Mingshu. She might even get his help by talking to him about this.

After weighing the pros and cons, Qiao Li decided to embellish the story and pour her heart out to Yan Yang.

“Originally, Muhua and I arranged an engagement between Qian Qian and Junlan, but Junlan was snatched away by Yan Mingshu before Qian Qian returned home. That little girl is indecent, with a seductive face. It’s not enough that she stole Junlan; she’s even coveting the assets. She made our Qian Qian very sad for a long time, and she still hasn’t gotten over it.”

“Who is Junlan?” Yan Yang asked again to confirm if Professor Shen was the same person as the “Junlan” Qiao Li mentioned.

“She is Muhua’s biological daughter. Originally, we thought since Qian Qian and Junlan have no blood relation, and I have a close relationship with Muhua, it would be best to keep the assets within the family. Their marriage would cement the bond and protect the Shen Group’s assets. But, alas… let’s not talk about it anymore.”

Qiao Li lowered her head dejectedly, but her eyes were secretly looking up, observing Yan Yang’s expression through the corner of her eye. She knew Yan Yang was like a clever fly. He would first find a beautiful egg, then look for a crack in that beautiful egg, and then cleverly sting the egg.

Clearly, Yan Yang was interested in Yan Mingshu this time, her precious daughter’s love rival. As a mother, for her daughter’s sake, she had to help Yan Yang find the crack in Yan Mingshu, hinting that Yan Mingshu’s backing wasn’t as solid as it seemed, and that she and her daughter could provide assistance to Yan Yang when necessary.

When their goals aligned, they would be a community of interests tied together.

Yan Yang received Qiao Li’s hint and raised his glass with a smile. “Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Compared to the tacit alliance between Yan Yang and Qiao Li, the situation at Ming Shu’s table was much more awkward.

Ming Shu watched wide-eyed as Shen Muhua approached with Qiao Qian. After greeting her company’s President, he pressed Qiao Qian’s head down to make her apologize.

Shen Muhua’s action took everyone by surprise, especially Ming Shu, who was startled. Qiao Qian looked incredulous, but no one could see that Shen Muhua had gripped the back of her neck and was pushing her down.

“Qian Qian, apologize to your Sister-in-law Ming Shu.”

Qiao Qian initially refused, but Shen Muhua steadily increased the pressure on her hand. Her neck was pinched so painfully that she had to submit. She gritted her teeth and said, “Yan Mingshu, I’m sorry.”

“Call her ‘Sister-in-law.’ Be sincere.”

“I’m sorry, Sister-in-law,” Qiao Qian still said somewhat reluctantly. Shen Muhua feared further coercion would be pointless and released Qiao Qian. Qiao Qian stood up straight again, doing her best to hold back from touching her burning, painful neck.

Qiao Li rushed over at this moment, carefully examining her daughter’s neck, and said heartbrokenly, “Muhua, what are you doing?”

Shen Muhua ignored Qiao Li, simply pushing Qiao Qian toward Qiao Li, and began speaking to the GR company’s President with a faint smile on his face.

Qiao Li had no choice but to pull Qiao Qian away. She walked toward Yan Yang’s location, asking as she went, “Qian Qian, how did you provoke your Uncle Shen?”

“I didn’t. I absolutely did not provoke him. Uncle Shen pressed the back of my neck the moment he came over and made me apologize to that little slut Yan Mingshu. I was resentful, and he forced me to apologize three times—three whole times! Mom, when have I ever suffered such humiliation?” Qiao Qian’s feelings of grievance surfaced, and she sobbed, complaining.

After hearing her daughter’s accusation, Qiao Li’s expression turned serious. “Your Uncle Shen did go too far with this. How could he make you bow your head to Yan Mingshu in front of so many important people?”

If this matter got out, it would be even harder for the mother and daughter to navigate society. Previously, their reputation was only tainted by not having a formal title, but because they were favored, everyone at least showed them respect, or even flattery, on the surface. Now, Shen Muhua could humiliate Qian Qian for Yan Mingshu’s sake. Who knew what would happen in the future?

Thinking of this, Qiao Li became anxious.

“Our Miss Qian Qian has been wronged.”

A hearty male voice spoke up, making Qiao Li’s thoughts turn. They, the mother and daughter, were not without means to fight Yan Mingshu.

Yan Yang was a good card to play.

“Uncle Yan,” Qiao Qian knew her mother had a somewhat scandalous relationship with Yan Yang and acted spoiled without restraint, directly snatching the handkerchief Yan Yang had just taken out to wipe her tears.

“You naughty girl, you’re so rude,” Qiao Li shook her head helplessly.

“It’s alright. I was going to give it to Qian Qian anyway,” Yan Yang said with a smile.

“Uncle Yan is the best.” Qiao Qian, filled with hatred and anger toward Shen Muhua, sought comfort from Yan Yang.

“Who made our Miss Qian Qian feel wronged?”

“Yan Mingshu,” Qiao Qian muttered the name viciously, almost grinding her teeth.

“Ming Shu, she looks like such a pretty and delicate young woman. How did she bully you?”

“She stole my happiness. Isn’t that bullying me?” Qiao Qian sobbed, “Uncle Yan, do you know her too?”

“I just met her at the banquet today. I don’t know much,” Yan Yang said, glancing toward Ming Shu. He saw Shen Muhua gently placing food on Ming Shu’s plate with a kind smile, while Ming Shu looked somewhat restless.

“Uncle Yan, surely you… aren’t interested in Yan Mingshu too, are you?” Qiao Qian asked in surprise, though she quickly recovered, knowing what kind of person Yan Yang was.

Her mind spinning quickly, Qiao Qian already had a plan to use Yan Yang against Ming Shu.

“Uncle Yan, do you want Yan Mingshu? I can help you.”

Yan Yang wasn’t foolish and wouldn’t be used for nothing. The agreement he had reached with Qiao Li was only suggestive, not detailed.

He smiled. “That would be a crime, Qian Qian. Uncle hasn’t lost his mind over lust to that extent.”

“Uncle Yan, just do it for me. It’ll be a way to vent my anger.”

“For you?” Yan Yang smiled and pinched Qiao Qian’s cheek. “Qian Qian, you want Uncle to put himself at risk.”

Peh, Qiao Qian spat in her heart. Yan Yang, haven’t you done things like this many times?

But needing Yan Yang’s help, Qiao Qian still put on a smiling, spoiled demeanor.

“It’s not dangerous, Uncle Yan. I’ll figure out a way to drug Yan Mingshu and send her to your bed.”

Yan Yang was still contemplating. Qiao Qian elegantly fetched two glasses of champagne, handed one to Yan Yang, and initiated a toast with him.

The two glasses clinked, making a crisp sound.

“Uncle Yan has agreed to help me. You can’t go back on your word now.”

Yan Yang shook his head with a smile. “You little mischievous one.”

They clinked glasses again, their eyes fixed on Ming Shu in the distance.

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