Chapter 14 Breakup

Luo Huayi was somewhat surprised when she received Zhou Zichuan's call.

"I thought he was really going to be stubborn and go down a dead end." He sighed, but in the end, he still called Cheng Zheng to go to the Zhou family.

Cheng Zheng checked the recent events again and revealed a knowing look. "The two families that colluded with the Zheng family have run into trouble one after another. If we follow the information leaked from the abandoned factory, the Zhou family will be the last one."

Luo Huayi's gaze fell on the media reports that Cheng Zheng had found.

"How could it be so serious?" Luo Huayi's brows furrowed slowly. "First they were attacked, then they fell from a building... and both families have been exposed to a lot of negative news."

"Mr. Luo, this isn't just negative news; it's the key to those companies' survival."

"The other party's plan seems chaotic, but it is very meticulous step by step. If I am not mistaken, they had already planned the matter between the two families after the Zheng family's only son was rescued."

"After that message was leaked, the police and the disciplinary committee thoroughly reinvestigated the cause and effect of the kidnapping case. Those who had previously worked on Zheng Yiqing's case were all purged, and now a new group of police officers are in charge of Zheng Yiqing's case."

Cheng Zheng's expression turned serious as he thought of the recent upheaval in the city's officialdom. "Given the current situation, even if the heat dies down, it's only a matter of time before these companies are purged."

"No one can protect them anymore."

Luo Huayi recalled Zhou Zichuan's nervousness when he made the phone call and immediately understood most of it.

“He’s afraid that he and the Zhou family will be the next targets,” Luo Huayi rubbed his temples, still unable to understand. “Just who are these people? How could they have caused so much trouble for several wealthy families…”

As Luo Huayi stepped into the Zhou family's gate, she heard a heated argument between the brother and sister.

"How was I supposed to know it would turn out like this?!" Zhou Ziyan was furious and embarrassed. Her originally sweet voice became much sharper due to her embarrassment and anger. "It was clearly you who didn't handle it properly, and now you're blaming me?"

Zhou Zichuan slammed his phone on the table. "Wasn't it you who vouched for Zheng Yiqing without his consent?"

Zhou Ziyan's voice was even louder, "Brother, what do you mean? You're yelling at me because you can't solve the problem?"

"I'm not going to argue with you about these useless things. From today onwards, you are under house arrest. You are not allowed to leave the house without my permission!!!" Just from Zhou Zichuan's angry voice, you could tell that he was indeed furious.

Seeing Luo Huayi and Cheng Zheng enter, Zhou Ziyan felt ashamed, her eyes reddening. "What else can you do besides lock me up?! If you're so capable, go out and sort out all the problems outside!"

With that, Zhou Ziyan turned around, bumped past Cheng Zheng who was next to Luo Huayi, and went upstairs to the second floor.

Then came the loud slamming of the bedroom door shut.

"You've arrived?" Zhou Zichuan looked tired. He gestured for Luo Huayi to sit down, and then sat down on the sofa himself.

"I underestimated the Zheng family's situation back then." Unable to resolve the issue any longer, Zhou Zichuan finally gave up and said, "Hua Yi, can you help me think of a way to resolve this?"

"You still haven't told me why you stepped in to help the Zheng family." Luo Huayi sat on the sofa opposite him, her hands folded, elbows resting on her knees, her gaze passing over the large coffee table between them to look at Zhou Zichuan.

“Take a look at what has happened recently. Although that person has been targeting these companies’ scandals, there must be a reason for everything.”

"The only common ground among these three families, including the Zhou family who were implicated, is the bullying and maiming case orchestrated by Zheng Yiqing."

"You mean the mastermind is standing up for Qian Xiaoxiao?" Zhou Zichuan considered the possibility and scoffed.

"Impossible. If that female student's family had that much power, how could they have allowed those families to surround her like that?"

Luo Huayi frowned deeply. "What if this case is the fulcrum that drags your family down with us?"

"After you inherited the family business, did no one teach you? As the person in charge of the Zhou family, everything you do is tied to the Zhou Group."

"Many adversaries are watching your every move. As long as they catch you making a mistake, they can take a gamble and find a loophole in the Zhou family, especially in a social case like this."

Looking at Zhou Zichuan's condescending attitude when he spoke of the other party, Luo Huayi finally showed disappointment. "Zhou Zichuan, you will pay the price for your and your sister's arrogance sooner or later."

Zhou Zichuan's forehead twitched.

“Things have already come to this, what else can I do?” Zhou Zichuan became increasingly agitated. “I can’t find any information about the mastermind behind this, and I’m always in a passive position.”

"If you want to help, then help; if you can't, then don't make sarcastic remarks."

Luo Huayi was stunned on the sofa by Zhou Zichuan's blatant impatience.

After a moment, he finally managed to suppress his anger and said, "What can we do? Increase security, proactively contact the police to see if we can sever ties with the Zheng family, and seek special protection. What else can we do?!"

Zhou Zichuan was originally unwilling to be pointed at and criticized by Luo Huayi, who was the same age as him. In addition, he had only recently taken office and was still unwilling to admit that he had made a mistake in his decision on this matter.

He started arguing with Luo Huayi again.

"Who are you implying anything about?" Zhou Zichuan suddenly stood up, pointed at Luo Huayi and started yelling, "We're about the same age, who are you to act like a prophet in front of me?"

Luo Huayi also stood up and slapped away Zhou Zichuan's highly insulting hand. "Me, pretending to be a prophet?"

He retorted, then sneered, "If it weren't for the years we've known each other, would I have bothered with this mess you've made?"

"Given the current reputation of the Zhou family, you know perfectly well whether others are busy cutting ties with you!"

Zhou Zichuan's anger was completely ignited. When a person loses control, they will unleash the malice in their bones and attack Luo Huayi's weaknesses.

"Did I fucking use you to pretend to be a good guy? Showing off, huh?"

"Let me tell you, Luo Huayi, no matter what, I rightfully inherited the family business, and my parents are still alive and well. They can't compare to you, an orphan who brought death to your parents."

Cheng Zheng suddenly raised his head and glared at Zhouzichuan.

Luo Huayi calmed down after her so-called friend directly exposed her sore spot.

Zhou Zichuan was startled for a moment by Luo Huayi's gaze, which was first sinister and then returned to indifference, but he quickly regained his composure.

Once words are spoken, there is no turning back.

Or perhaps Zhou Zichuan never truly considered Luo Huayi a friend.

Zhou Zichuan's lips twitched twice, but in the end he said nothing and simply turned and left the living room.

"President Luo," Cheng Zheng said, holding his breath, "are you still going to meddle in the Zhou family's affairs?"

Luo Huayi shook her head and turned to walk towards the gate.

“You brought this on yourself…” His voice was devoid of emotion. “Let’s go.”