Mu Qisheng's persuasion was very effective. Under his influence, the major families in the capital joined forces and spoke out. Even though the emperor had more power than any of them, he did not dare to offend the public.
However, it was unrealistic to completely exclude the government. In the end, after discussion, each family sent a representative to jointly supervise the excavation of the Qingyun Mountain treasure. Although it was called supervision, it was more like a division of spoils. No one who participated in this excavation could leave empty-handed.
The government originally had a great chance of winning because they were the first to participate in the plan and were the strongest.
However, it's hard to say now. Mu Wanzhi represents both the Tang family and the Mu family, and she is also the president of Donghai City Bank, giving her the advantage of local priority.
More importantly, Mu Wanzhi has the support of the Mu family of Southern Xinjiang. Given this, the other families can only support her.
Money is important to them, but the lives of their elderly relatives are equally important. It's not that they are particularly filial, but if those elderly relatives were to fall ill, they would have no one to rely on.
With the support of the Mu family in Southern Xinjiang, Guan Yingjie was also somewhat wary of Mu Wanzhi.
Ultimately, most of the treasure remained in Donghai City and with the Donghai City Bank. The Donghai City Bank avoided bankruptcy and became even stronger than before. Mu Wanzhi's record of merit was once again significantly enriched; she was promoted and received her appointment letter to be transferred back to the capital.
Today is her last day in Donghai City.
She booked the tallest restaurant in Donghai City: the Oriental Pearl Tower.
Mu Wanzhi put on her most vibrant red dress and wore her most beautiful jewelry. Her jade-like hand gently held a wine glass, and her eyes looked down at the metropolis where she had worked hard for several years.
The night view of Donghai is beautiful. She is familiar with every street here. She has gotten used to the food, the lifestyle, and the people here.
If she had a choice, she wouldn't want to leave, but she carried the future of her family on her shoulders, and not just one family, but the Tang family and the Mu family; two prominent families in the capital.
She needs to climb higher; the higher she rises, the safer both families will be.
"Chen Zhe, why don't you come with me?"
She turned around gracefully and smiled at Chen Zhe, who was dressed in a haute couture suit and whose demeanor had improved dramatically.
Chen Zhe smiled slightly, not taking Mu Wanzhi's words to heart.
"Sister Mu, I don't know when we'll meet again after this parting. If there's anything you need to do in Donghai, you can contact me."
Mu Wanzhi sighed softly.
"Chen Zhe, don't you really understand what I mean?"
She gently put down her wine glass, her face slightly flushed, perhaps a little drunk.
She looked at Chen Zhe with a slightly commanding gaze.
"Come back to the capital with me, and you'll gain much more than you have now. It's not just wealth; you'll gain power. I need a secretary, and although you have no political experience, I have a way to help you..."
Mu Wanzhi drew closer, and the oppressive yet alluring aura she exuded made it almost impossible to look directly at her.
Chen Zhe looked away and then stood up.
"Sister Mu, I really have no interest in politics."
Mu Wanzhi looked at him with a deep gaze; "Do you feel ashamed to be my secretary? Or do you think this position is too low, not as good as your current status as president?"
"Sister Mu, that's not what I meant."
"Then why did you refuse me? Do you know that this position is something many people dream of? Even Guan Yingjie, this afternoon he called me and asked me to give him the position. I refused without even thinking about it, because I thought of you. I wanted you to stay by my side, and we could create a future together, wouldn't that be better?"
Mu Wanzhi grabbed Chen Zhe's hand, her emotions running high.
"Chen Zhe, I've thought about this a lot these past few days. I originally thought I could be very magnanimous and not interfere in your relationship with your girlfriend, but now I realize I can't. If you don't mind that I'm older, then I'll be yours for life. You can become the heir of the Mu family. Although our Mu family isn't exactly richer than a country, the wealth we possess is beyond your reach right now. Chen Zhe, will you come with me?"
"Sister Mu, calm down!"
Chen Zhe grabbed Mu Wanzhi's shoulders and gently pushed her away.
He looked at Mu Wanzhi with unwavering determination.
"Sister Mu, I respect you very much, but I really can't agree to what you just mentioned. I don't want to say anything that would hurt our relationship, so please don't put me in a difficult position."
Mu Wanzhi stood there, stunned, looking at Chen Zhe with a bitter expression.
She had shown her utmost sincerity and revealed her biggest trump card. She thought Chen Zhe would be somewhat moved and would at least say that he would consider it.
But he didn't; he refused without even thinking.
"Chen Zhe, is your girlfriend really that important to you? Do you know what you just rejected? I've given you myself and the entire Mu family. Doesn't she even deserve to make your heart flutter for a second?"
"Sister Mu, I've told you before, I love Xiaoyu very much."
"Love~"
Mu Wanzhi murmured, repeating the word over and over.
I was somewhat dazed.
At her age, she had already stopped believing in love. For a long time, her conclusion about relationships between men and women was that they would eventually separate.
Since we're going to break up sooner or later, what's the point of talking about love? Aren't we all the same?
But when she met Chen Zhe, she realized that relationships aren't the same no matter who you date.
Chen Zhe's gentleness, thoughtfulness, and ability to listen attentively are qualities that not just any man can provide emotional support.
She felt a pang of sadness.
At that moment, she was truly jealous of Chen Zhe's girlfriend.
Although she has been promoted and is about to become a top-tier figure in the capital, if she had to choose, she would want to stay by Chen Zhe's side. Even without a formal title, she would be willing to be the woman who silently protects him from behind.
Mu Wanzhi's tears flowed down her cheeks.
She hadn't shed a tear for many years, not even when her husband died.
Her only tears were for her son, but now there's another man in her life.
Her shoulders trembled slightly, her heart filled with endless grievances. Although she was wealthy and powerful, the only thing she truly wanted in her life was something she couldn't obtain even if she spent all her fortune.
The violinist she had arranged arrived in the room right on time with his violin.
Like a wooden robot, he paid no attention to the protagonist's emotions. He bowed gracefully, and the song "One Step Away," Mu Wanzhi's favorite tune, slowly began to play.
She once fantasized that after she successfully confessed her feelings to Chen Zhe, the two of them would dance a happy dance together.
But... now everything has vanished.
She failed; at the height of her career, she lost the only love she ever had a chance to have.
In this situation, the distance between the two was truly just a step away.
Chen Zhe slowly extended his hand.
"Sister Mu, come on, let me give you a proper send-off."
Mu Wanzhi revealed a bittersweet yet relieved smile, gently placing her hand on Chen Zhe's hand.
"Okay, thank you for being honest with me."
To the accompaniment of elegant piano music, the two began to dance together.
Perhaps they were too focused on each other to notice that the door was wide open and two pairs of eyes, an old man and a young man, were staring intently at them.
...
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