After Qiao Zhen finished tracking the project's progress, she gently closed her laptop. Suddenly, a flash of white light appeared outside the window, followed by a deep rumble of thunder that shook the heavens and the earth.
As she got up to close the window, a torrential downpour began.
So he sent Lu Zheng a message.
Drive slowly and be careful.
Just after I sent it, Yan Simiao sent me a WeChat message.
"Wow, I've never seen such a stupid heiress. She's a hundred times stupider than Song Ruyi!"
Along with the link, Qiao Zhen clicked on it and saw that Chen Yan's name was trending on social media, with over ten million views.
#Shen's daughter shows off her marriage certificate#
Shenyan's account personally posted the article with pictures.
Chen Yan: Thank you everyone for your concern. I'm fine and will take better care of myself in the future. I'm especially grateful to Mr. Mou for his unwavering support.
In the photo, on a bright red piece of paper, next to the golden words "marriage certificate," are the names of the two engaged couples.
The classically elegant marriage certificate, framed in a rosewood frame, appeared extremely valuable, demonstrating the importance that the newlyweds and their families placed on this marriage.
Normally, showing off one's marriage certificate would definitely garner widespread envy and jealousy online.
But when the Shen Group is on the verge of collapse and countless homeowners' life's work has gone to waste, such behavior is undoubtedly a statement that "Lu Zheng is protecting me" and "So what if my family is wrong? The Lu Group will back me up."
They brazenly trampled on the faces of the victims, fearless and without any remorse or unease.
This instantly ignited online public opinion, with even more frantic insults gathering under Shen Yan's Weibo post.
"My God, is this the domineering aura of a wealthy heiress? She doesn't even put us commoners in her eyes!"
"Heh, I think her suicide attempt and hospitalization was just an act to gain sympathy, right? Yesterday we were advocating against cyberbullying of young girls, and today she's smugly slapping us in the face!"
"I recommend that everyone boycott all products manufactured by the Shen Group!"
"+1, if the Lu Group is protecting them, we'll boycott them too! I don't believe that so many of us boycotting them won't be effective. Let them lose customers and stop making money, and see if they still dare to be so shameless!"
Qiao Zhen glanced at the list and saw accounts that appeared to be paid trolls praising Lu Zheng and Shen Yan's unbreakable bond, or expressing their belief that the Shen Group was innocent... but these comments were quickly drowned out by the anger of netizens.
Shen Yan showed no remorse for her actions and made no attempt to delete the Weibo post. Her only action was to pin the post showing off her marriage certificate to the top of her chat list.
Such a resolute decision made Qiao Zhen realize something.
Her heart trembled involuntarily.
Yan Simiao was happily watching the drama unfold. "The Shen Group's stock price started falling at the opening today. With this incident involving Shen Yan, it's likely to suffer a major blow."
Qiao Zhen remembered Lu Zheng saying that the Shen Group was no longer what it used to be, and was just a facade.
This commotion has caused far more than just a major blow to their vitality.
"However, if we involve the Lu Group, and the current wave of boycotts only grows stronger, won't it affect your company?" Yan Simiao was very worried.
Qiao Zhen said, "Lu Zheng will definitely be able to handle it."
Yan Simiao sent a laughing emoji, "Yeah, with his abilities, handling this kind of crisis is a piece of cake. I think his engagement with Shen Yan is probably doomed."
Qiao Zhen bit her lip, unsure how to respond.
Yan Simiao continued, "Chen Yan loves to brag about how she and Lu Zheng were childhood sweethearts and had a deep bond. It's hilarious. According to reliable sources I've heard, they only met six or seven years ago, barely spent any time together, and had no feelings for each other whatsoever."
"For marriages between wealthy families like this, emphasizing the good relationship is just a way of exaggerating what is actually going on. It's a show for people who don't know the inside story. Anyone who knows a little bit will just laugh at it."
"Before, we didn't dare to openly mock them because of the Shen family's status, but now things are getting interesting..."
Qiao Zhen and Yan Simiao chatted casually for a few minutes before gazing out at the fine rain.
Although Shen Yan's scheme to harm her family lessened her guilt to some extent, it did not completely disappear.
Lu Zheng and Shen Yan's relationship was not good, but that did not completely eliminate her guilt.
Regardless, they are a legitimate engaged couple and can rightfully stand on the moral high ground, while her upbringing makes her feel utterly ashamed in front of Shen Yan.
Qiao Zhen took a deep breath and laughed at herself for so eagerly hoping that Lu Zheng would resolve the engagement as soon as possible.
But after the engagement was called off, would a man as high and mighty as Lu Zheng really want her as his official girlfriend?
Qiao Zhen was restless, rubbing her temples, unwilling to think any further, and went to the living room to watch her mother knit a sweater.
Qiao Luosheng happened to come out to get a glass of water and was gesturing with his mother that he wanted to knit a chibi version of his favorite anime character's face on his new sweater when he saw Qiao Zhen arrive. He waved happily.
Qiao Zhen greeted him with a smile. Qiao Luosheng never liked reading about entertainment industry gossip or wealthy family gossip, so there was no need to worry about him seeing Lu Zheng and Shen Yan's marriage certificate.
At the same time, Chen Yan blocked Lu Zheng at the entrance of the president's office of Lu's Group.
"Lu Zheng, our engagement is still valid, you can't break it off!" Shen Yan's eyes were brimming with tears, like pear blossoms in the rain, making her look pitiful.
She held up the picture frame and pointed it at Lu Zheng's face.
The overhead light shone on the marriage certificate, its bright red glow reflecting on Lu Zheng's face. His handsome yet cold face was filled with nothing but endless disdain and mockery.
A tear rolled down Chen Yan's cheek, her eyes reddening. "The whole world knows we're engaged and will get married! Have you forgotten what you promised my grandfather when you wrote your name on this marriage certificate?"
Lu Zheng made a hand gesture to Xie Yan.
Xie Yan immediately unfolded a thick document and showed it to Shen Yan.
Chen Yan's eyes were blurry with tears, and she couldn't see the words clearly.
Regardless of whether she saw it clearly or not, Lu Zheng coldly said, "I have contacted the most authoritative experts and teams at home and abroad. They will cooperate with relevant government departments to conduct one to several safety and quality inspections on the buildings constructed by Shen's Group, based on these plans, and issue reports."
Shen Yan's eyes instantly filled with joy. "Lu Zheng, you acted so quickly, which means you still care about me and the Shen family, right?"
Lu Zheng sidestepped Shen Yan's approach, his cold eyes watching her stagger a few steps, and casually snatched the marriage certificate from her hand.
The bodyguard helped Shen Yan up, and she turned to look at Lu Zheng, puzzled.
Lu Zheng said, "Bringing the Shen family back to life is enough to repay your grandfather's kindness to me, cousin-in-law."
The words "cousin-in-law" sent a jolt through Shen Yan, instantly reminding her of yesterday at the hospital when Lu Zheng uttered those three words and then left without looking back, leaving her alone in the pale, cold ward. A sense of despair, as if falling into an abyss, washed over her once again.
"No!" Shen Yan shook off the bodyguard and lunged at Lu Zheng with a ferocious expression. "Whether or not we repay the favor is not up to you. Only the Shen family has the final say!"
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