Chapter Fourteen: News from the Zhao Family
While Yun Yao's father's case was awaiting its second trial, Qin Rao also inquired about information from various sources.
Although this group of people and this serious case had nothing to do with her, and she didn't really care about their lives, Yun Yao was, after all, her beloved lover. Out of respect for Yun Yao, she felt she had to do her best to appear respectful.
It was at this moment that Zhao Shi brought them a secret message.
The retrial is actually a signal that this case is very complex, involving various struggles and power shifts.
People like Yun Yao's father are at best small fry in this mess. Those who know the truth might just sigh and say, "When the city gates catch fire, the fish in the moat suffer." But no one cares what the fish think; what can they do even if they're resentful?
"Honey, this is no longer something we can get involved in," Qin Rao could only comfort Yun Yao. She had long known about the unpredictable nature of the world and could even sometimes cleverly use these rules to her own advantage.
But she also knew the importance of self-preservation. This was not a track she could enter, nor was it a murky water for her to wade into. She was simply a wealthy businesswoman who enjoyed life to the fullest.
Even so, many times, the ambitious woman would feel envious and eager as she watched those people manipulate events with ease.
“Honey, although I have a lot of money, more than I could spend in several lifetimes, I’m afraid I’m powerless in this matter. Money isn’t always everything…” Qin Rao said to Yun Yao with a sigh. Although she was somewhat unwilling, she had to admit that money could buy material enjoyment, but it couldn’t buy protection and authority at certain times.
"I understand, thank you." Yun Yao took a deep breath. All he could do now was wait for the final result.
He was like a small boat without direction, helplessly drifting on a stormy sea, not knowing when he would be smashed to pieces by the giant waves.
Yun Yao returned to school, carrying such heavy thoughts, and had to face the uncertain graduation season ahead.
After everyone left, Zhao Shi invited Qin Rao to a more secluded upscale bar, which Zhao Shi had secretly opened in partnership with someone, without informing the Zhao family.
"Sis, don't look so gloomy. I'll tell you something interesting in secret."
In the quiet VIP room, Zhao Shi opened a bottle of Macallan and filled Qin Rao's glass. He also poured himself a glass, drank it all in one gulp, and then said, "Sister, you know, outsiders can't tell, but there's actually a fierce internal struggle within our Zhao family. In my generation, compared to me, the old man favors my eldest cousin more."
Zhao Shi thought of something, gave a self-deprecating smile, and said, "It's because I'm almost fifteen years younger than this cousin. When I started doing things, she had already secured the Zhao family's resources. If I'm a step behind, I'll be behind in everything. Whenever there's a 'big business' in the family, the old man always sends my cousin first."
Upon hearing this, Qin Rao simply picked up her wine glass and said calmly, "It's not too late for you now. You're still got the spirit. It's not certain who will have the last laugh."
“Yes, I know,” Zhao Shi nodded in response. Then he changed the subject and said with a smile, “Isn’t this the interesting part? I know that Grandpa gives all the good things to my cousin, so of course I can’t fall behind. I found someone to hide by my cousin’s side incognito a long time ago. In the past few days, I have learned something that my cousin has been keeping very secret.”
At this point, Zhao Shi deliberately pretended to be mysterious and asked, "Sister, have you heard of the Mei family?"
"The Mei family?" Qin Rao put down her wine glass and said uncertainly, "You mean the Mei family, which is similar to your Zhao family?"
Qin Rao narrowed her eyes. "When I was planning to develop my career in Nanhang a few years ago, I inquired about the Mei family. It seems that the Mei family is a local family in Nanhang. They were originally an internal family, but they were not very prominent. Although no talented people have ever emerged from the family, their descendants are all beauties who are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I heard that the Mei family gradually gained some status by marrying into various families above them through these beauties."
She recalled how the matchmaker had privately and frankly criticized the Mei family, and laughed jokingly: "But besides these achievements, the Mei family is more well-known in the industry for acting as intermediaries for people. However, compared to your Zhao family, which does everything, the Mei family seems to only do internal business. After they made their fortune through marriage alliances, they gained some upper-level resources and channels, and their intermediary services became more sophisticated."
“Sister, your information network is really impressive,” Zhao Shi said with a smile. “Logically speaking, people might think our two families are in the same industry, but we actually have different strengths. Our Zhao family has more influence in Southeast Asia and does a wider variety of things. The Mei family, on the other hand, has some connections in the mainland through marriage and kinship.”
"Take the matter of beautiful women, for example. The Mei family has this whole traditional aristocratic style of 'educating beauties.' For instance, they adopt children from orphanages who are exceptionally good-looking, nurturing their talents and cultivating their character from a young age. When they grow up, they are all lovable and have high emotional intelligence. In ancient times, powerful families liked to use these exquisite 'beauties' as ornaments to display their wealth and power. Nowadays, there are definitely still people who appreciate this..."
"Judging from this, the Mei family is indeed more skilled than your Zhao family," Qin Rao couldn't help but tease Zhao Shi after hearing this. "Compared to their meticulous work, your Zhao family has grown wildly."
"Hey, sis, you don't know this. There are advantages to growing wildly too." Zhao Shi smiled smugly, his eyes bright and his tone tinged with excitement: "This time I've discovered that what my grandfather and cousin have been secretly hiding is related to the Mei family!"
"The Mei family has actually sought cooperation with our Zhao family. You should know that the Mei family is a local tyrant in Nanhang. Is there anything they can't handle? Why would they go so far as to drag in our Zhao family, whom they call 'southern barbarians'?"
Zhao Shi looked at Qin Rao and asked, "Sister, don't you think this is interesting?"
"What, you want to get involved too?" Qin Rao saw through Zhao Shi's thoughts at a glance.
Zhao Shi smiled ambitiously and said, "That's right! Sister, there's definitely something going on here, something big! I think my cousin has been secretly staying in the Mei family for quite some time. She wouldn't waste her time like this unless there was a huge benefit to be gained. Sister, tell me, if I succeed in what they failed at, who will the Zhao family listen to from now on?"
Qin Rao's mind raced through the situations of the Mei and Zhao families, and she had a vague guess in her heart. She murmured, "It seems there's probably a big fish in the water..."
Zhao Shi smiled too, and winked at Qin Rao knowingly, "Yeah, sis, the things you asked me to find out about our entertainment company, and the matter of your little lover's father—it all boils down to this, doesn't it? If we could get involved in the Mei family's affair this time and get a piece of the pie, then..."
Qin Rao's eyes deepened; she became very interested.
Actually, Qin Rao wasn't without frustration when she admitted her powerlessness to Yun Yao. Deep down, she felt resentful, wondering why she didn't have such power to turn the tide. She also wanted to stand higher.
Moreover, she is a businesswoman, and no competent businesswoman would remain unmoved by such a great opportunity.
She raised her glass to Zhao Shi and smiled knowingly, saying, "Then I wish us success."
...
Over the next few days, Zhao Shi acted swiftly. He used all his connections and finally obtained some news that shocked and excited him.
He immediately and excitedly made an appointment with Qin Rao.
"Sis, I have some amazing news to tell you! A huge secret!" He had arranged to meet at a highly confidential golf club this time.
After Qin Rao arrived, Zhao Shi looked around to make sure no one was there before excitedly saying to her, "Sister, we guessed right! The Mei family is going all out again, back to their old ways. But none of their carefully selected beauties, who were raised with such high standards, made it into the family! They had no choice but to ask Old Master Zhao for help. My cousin was assigned this task and that's why she's been staying with the Mei family."
"Sister, guess who the Mei family and my cousin are trying so hard to please this time?"
Qin Rao raised an eyebrow and said, "Looks like it really is a big fish?"
"It's more than just a big fish!" Zhao Shi exclaimed excitedly. "This time... this time it concerns 'that one'!" He swallowed hard, unable to resist emphasizing, "That one! 'That lady'! She's come south to Nanhang!"
"You can't be talking about..." Qin Rao was somewhat incredulous.
"Sister, the whole world knows, who else could be called 'that lady' here?"
"It's even in children's textbooks; everyone in the world knows it!"
Qin Rao stood up in shock, her expression one of disbelief for the first time. "Really? Wasn't 'that lady' supposed to have retired long ago due to illness? How could she be in Nanhang? Besides, 'that lady' should be in her fifties or sixties by now..."
She muttered to herself, somewhat flustered, "I've never heard of 'that lady' having such a private hobby."
Qin Rao looked at Zhao Shi, still incredulous: "The Mei family, if they could really be worthy of 'that lady,' then why would they still be holed up in Nanhang?"
Zhao Shi laughed: "Sister, they just couldn't get close enough, that's why they're so anxious. This is a golden opportunity for us!"
"Moreover, I've also heard that it's not just the Mei family; anyone with connections who knows the inside story is going all out to curry favor with that lady. I heard that she only comes to Nanhang occasionally to recuperate. She has a private butler who has been with her for over ten years, and that's what he revealed to the public."
Zhao Shi took out a stack of documents and said to Qin Rao, "Sister, look, this document is about the richest man in a coal mine in a major city in central China. It tells you how he made his fortune... This businessman introduced a famous male opera singer who plays female roles in the local opera. He's said to be a gentle and affectionate handsome man..."
Zhao Shi excitedly patted the documents: "This past event was very secretive. If it weren't for my investigation of the Mei family this time, and the discovery of some clues, and the great effort I put in to find these leads... I was wondering why the Mei family was so bold this time. It turns out there was a precedent, which is why they all went crazy."
Qin Rao was also deeply moved. This was that lady! To be even remotely connected with her meant unimaginable wealth and immense benefits.
If it were me, I would go crazy too.
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