NMBJ2 - 23

Madam Zhou re-entered the house.

Zhao Pingjin was still standing in the living room.

With just the mother and son left in the house, Madam Zhou’s anger had mostly subsided. Her earlier sternness had partly been for her daughter-in-law’s benefit. While Zhao Pingjin had indeed acted foolishly and deserved a scolding, she normally didn’t interfere in the young couple’s affairs. However, having children was a significant family matter.

“Pingjin, what are you trying to do?”

Zhao Pingjin’s expression returned to its earlier nonchalant demeanor. A faint smile lingered on his lips, though it didn’t reach his eyes. His tone was polite but distant. “Madam Zhou, you arranged your son’s marriage. What’s next? Are you going to arrange for me to have kids, too?”

Madam Zhou took a deep breath, her lips pressed tightly together. The lines on her face deepened as she replied, “You got married and refuse to have children. Did you even ask if your wife agreed to this?”

Zhao Pingjin glanced at his mother and lowered his gaze slightly. “You should rest early.”

He turned and walked toward the study on the first floor.

“Zhou’er!” his mother called out, following behind him.

Standing by the study door, Zhao Pingjin turned around, his eyes darkened with a faint trace of resentment and anger. “To tell you the truth, I just don’t want children.”

Zhou Lianshi stopped in her tracks. Standing in the doorway of the study, her lips slightly parted, she was stunned for a moment before slowly collecting herself. Her expression hardened, and she coldly said, “Zhou’er, stop being childish. This family cannot afford a single misstep. You can’t handle the consequences.”

Zhao Pingjin held onto the back of a chair and then let out a tired laugh.

Looking at her son, Zhou Lianshi softly called, “Zhou’er...”

Zhao Pingjin stood by the large desk in the study. This northern-facing study overlooked the courtyard, where a crabapple tree grew near the window. The furniture was old, the reddish-brown huanghuali wood desk exuding a faint, deep fragrance. The old man had always loved spending time with him here. When Zhao was four or five years old and starting to practice calligraphy, the old man had a small stool made for him so he could stand and write on the desk.

During middle school, whenever Zhao’s father returned home, he would summon him to this study. If Zhao had gotten into trouble, his father would often scold or punish him here.

Zhao Pingjin opened several drawers, looking briefly before closing them again. Finally, he opened the furthest cabinet and took out a small trinket from a box. Toying with it in his hand, he spoke slowly and haltingly, “I know why you don’t like her. At first, I understood. You’ve endured years of hardship—Dad was never around, and you were constantly running between the north and south. I never blamed you; I just thought that over time, you’d understand that I’m not the same as Dad...”

The study fell silent. Zhao Pingjin’s low, hoarse voice seemed to echo in the stillness, carrying a sense of heavy melancholy.

Zhou Lianshi turned her head slightly, raising a hand to discreetly wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes.

Zhao Pingjin’s tone suddenly turned colder, his words precise and cutting, like chilled steel: “But you can’t bully her.”

Zhou Lianshi froze for a moment, then gently shook her head. “It seems Yingzi wasn’t lying.”

Zhao Pingjin let out a quiet, mirthless laugh. “She doesn’t know what’s going on, but don’t you?”

Zhou Lianshi frowned in disapproval. “What’s done is done. You’re married now. You should know better.”

Zhao Pingjin’s expression darkened further, and he asked icily, “Who wants to move on so badly? Is it you, or is it Lu Xiaojiang?”

Zhou Lianshi finally understood.

Her expression shifted slightly, a trace of realization crossing her face as she replied calmly, “No wonder then. You beat Xiaojiang so badly.”

Zhao Pingjin’s face grew thunderous, the veins on his forehead bulging like they could burst.

Zhou Lianshi glanced at her son. “If I hadn’t stopped you back then, considering how suddenly your uncle passed away, if I hadn’t stabilized the Yu family, would you even be standing here arguing with me now?”

Zhao Pingjin stood still for a few seconds before bursting into laughter—cold, bone-chilling laughter. “So I should thank you? Thank you for granting me glory and wealth? Thank you and Lu Xiaojiang for putting on such a great double act for me?”

The veins on his forehead throbbed violently, and his pale face twisted with anger and derision, though a sardonic smile still hung on his lips. That smile, however, looked more like he was crying. “Because of Qi Ling, Xiaojiang holds a grudge against me. Everyone in the compound knows that. But I can’t figure out why you’d latch onto the slight tension between childhood friends and use it for your schemes. Was it because of his father’s scandal? Is that how you managed to intimidate him all these years? You’re my mother, but is this how you treat your son? What is it? Did Lu Xiaojiang’s mother really have the audacity to come complain to you? Let me tell you, even if I broke his arm, slapped him across the face, she still wouldn’t be able to do anything to me!”

“Zhou’er, don’t be so insolent!” Zhou Lianshi roared angrily. “I knew it—because of that unruly, uncultured girl, you’ve done so many reckless things. Think carefully: is this how a good girl should act?”

Zhao Pingjin clenched his teeth, barely restraining his temper. “She’s a decent, innocent girl. What did she do? Her only misfortune in life was meeting me, Zhao Pingjin! She’s just a young girl, alone and helpless. And you—someone as powerful as you, Teacher Zhou—you’re such a big shot. What are you trying to do? You’re my mother, and I can’t do anything to you. I know I can’t ignore Yingzi’s opinion on having kids, but let me make this clear—if it were up to me, even if I never wanted kids in my lifetime, it’s none of your business!”

Zhou Lianshi stood motionless, her back straight, her tailored suit perfectly pressed. Her voice, devoid of any warmth or emotion, declared, “Zhou’er, don’t be so reckless. If you act out, that girl—I won’t keep her.”

Zhao Pingjin stared intently at his mother’s face. Suddenly, the corners of his mouth curled into a faint, light smile. His voice was soft and almost indifferent. “Did you threaten Dad like this back then too? Did it make him love you any more?”

For a moment, Zhou Lianshi’s pupils contracted, and her body trembled violently. The next second, her hand swung toward him, delivering a slap across his face.

She was old now, shorter than she used to be. This slap landed on his cheek and neck.

Zhao Pingjin didn’t move, the stinging pain on his face matched by the immense sorrow welling up inside.

Zhou Lianshi, breathing heavily, let out a painful cry, “If it weren’t for my love and protection, would you still be here, acting so outrageously in the Zhao family? Back then, your father’s mistress—did you know she was rumored to be carrying a son too!”

Tears streamed down Zhou Lianshi’s face. Her hair had become disheveled, and her face looked ten years older in an instant.

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Zhao Pingjin let out a soft, peaceful laugh, one filled with utter despair. “I know Dad failed you. I know you’ve suffered. I know my marriage can’t be dissolved. I’ll live this life properly. But let me make it clear—your son might be worthless, but if you dare lay a hand on her, take my life first.”

With those words, he casually placed the item in his hand on the desk, turned, and walked out of the study.

Mrs. Zhou cast a glance at the desk.

On it lay a small, bullet-shaped metal object—rounded tip, lead core, with a dull bronze hue that reflected a cold gleam: a single bullet from a Chinese Type 64 pistol.

Mrs. Zhou shuddered violently. Gripping the edge of the table for support, her lips trembled as she stammered, “Until now, I never realized how much you hated your mother.”

Zhao Pingjin stopped in his tracks for a moment, hesitated for two seconds, and then walked on. After a few more steps, he heard Mrs. Zhou burst into heart-wrenching sobs in the study.

He lowered his head and climbed the stairs one step at a time. With each step, the ache in his heart intensified, cutting deeper and deeper, as if he were being slashed by blades.

Boardroom of Jingchuang Building.

Shen Min had other tasks today and did not attend the board meeting. Checking his watch, he calculated the time and paused his current work before heading upstairs to the conference room.

Zhao Pingjin’s secretary glanced toward the meeting room across the way and motioned with a nod. “Still not over.”

Shen Min waited a little longer. At around 10 a.m., the meeting room door finally opened, and several assistants, general managers, and engineers filed out.

Once the crowd thinned, Shen Min pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Zhao Pingjin was still seated at the head of the large round table. The board meeting secretary was quietly organizing and gathering documents.

The secretary glanced surreptitiously at Zhao Pingjin but didn’t dare leave while the boss remained seated.

Clearing his throat, Shen Min gave a directive: “You may leave now.”

The secretary quickly gathered the documents and exited.

Zhao Pingjin noticed Shen Min’s presence and casually closed the laptop in front of him. A thin layer of sweat coated his forehead, and although his expression was calm, his complexion was slightly pale.

“How are you feeling?” Shen Min asked in a low voice.

Zhao Pingjin shook his head to indicate he was fine. He braced himself on the edge of the table and slowly stood up.

Shen Min stepped forward to pull back his chair.

The spacious conference room was now silent, save for the two of them. Zhao Pingjin said nothing, striding toward the exit with Shen Min following half a step behind, his eyes glued to his boss, not daring to relax for even a moment. Zhao’s pace was slow but steady.

Together, they silently walked down the corridor toward his office.

In the office area, Secretary He was working on drafting a contract. When she noticed Zhao Pingjin entering, she immediately stood up.

Shen Min handed the meeting notes to Secretary He and instructed sternly, “I have an important matter to discuss with Chairman Zhao. Do not let anyone interrupt.”

Secretary He nodded quickly.

Shen Min opened the door to Zhao Pingjin’s office.

Zhao Pingjin entered. The cold sweat on his forehead dripped into his eyes, stinging them. His vision blurred, and he could hear Shen Min quietly closing the door behind him. Slowly, he exhaled, his suppressed pain breaking free. His vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

When he woke up, he was lying on the office sofa.

Shen Min sat nearby.

Zhao Pingjin glanced at him, then shut his eyes again. Waves of dizziness churned in his head, and his body, drenched in cold sweat, felt heavy and weak.

Shen Min, visibly concerned, leaned in and spoke in a serious tone: “You can’t keep working like this. I’m arranging for you to take some time off.”

Zhao Pingjin furrowed his brows but said nothing.

While Shen Min was resolute, he also felt conflicted. Back when Zhao worked at Jingchuang, he had full control over his schedule. He could push himself to the limit with projects, then rest for a week or so afterward. Shen Min was used to that rhythm. But now, having returned to Zhongyuan Group, Zhao carried far more responsibility. With rivals circling like wolves, even small decisions, like who to meet for dinner, required careful consideration. Arranging for him to take a break in secret was already challenging. If word got out, the fragile stability they had just established might crumble.

Lowering his voice, Shen Min said, “Last night, the housekeeper called me in the middle of the night.”

Zhao Pingjin’s expression darkened.

After a pause, he instructed Shen Min, “Have Secretary He purchase a gift today and send it to Mrs. Zhou’s office.”

Shen Min nodded.

Zhao Pingjin thought for a moment and added, “Make it two gifts. Send one to the house in Xiagongfu as well.”

Shen Min sat beside him, hands resting on his thighs. After some hesitation, he said, “There’s likely something more to Bu Yushu. In recent days, I’ve noticed some interactions. They met at Juyuan Zhai last night.”

Zhao Pingjin pressed his hand to his forehead and replied in a hoarse voice, “Have Zhao Yuan monitor all the projects under his management closely.”

“Understood.”

Zhao Pingjin asked after a moment, “Did you mention that Bu has a son?”

“Yes, he’s a deputy director in the planning and construction department. Last year, he was in charge of a heritage restoration project that was well-received by upper management.”

“That project’s design plans came from our company, didn’t they?”

“They did. President Yan approved them.”

“When the plans came to me for a signature, I noticed excessive cost estimates. Investigate this privately. Keep a copy of all the materials and focus on the budget.”

“Got it.”

Shen Min watched as Zhao Pingjin’s complexion turned paler by the second. Half an hour had passed since he’d taken his medicine, yet there was no improvement. Shen Min helped him up and guided him to the resting room. “Lie down and get some sleep. I’ll have the secretary come and wake you later.”