Plunder-Chapter 249: Avoiding the Limelight

Qiao En stayed in the hospital for two days before returning home, and Zhou Jin’an intensified his precautions, arranging for two shifts of security around Chu Garden to specifically ensure Qiao En’s safety.

"You really don’t need to go to such lengths, I’m fine."

Qiao En protested.

Zhou Jin’an had specially arranged two bodyguards for her, but she really wasn’t used to having those two shadowing her every move.

"It’s always better to prevent problems before they arise, you’ll get used to it."

Zhou Jin’an insisted.

"Then I’ll go to work at the company."

Qiao En, sporting her pregnant belly, was about to leave when Zhou Jin’an stopped her.

"I’ve already applied for leave on your behalf. You should rest at home this week, behave, and after this phase is over, you can go back to work, okay?"

The lessons of the past had made him skittish.

Having no choice, Qiao En compromised, "Then can you ask them to keep a distance of ten meters from me?"

"Okay."

Zhou Jin’an made the concession.

After settling Qiao En at home, Zhou Jin’an went out.

Cheng Lu drove straight to Nanchen Building.

While on the way, Zhou Jin’an made a call to Zhou Chucheng.

"How are things going?"

During this period when Zhou Chucheng was in contact with An Jinhua, Zhou Jin’an and Zhou Chucheng had not seen each other, all in an effort to avoid raising An Jinhua’s suspicions.

"An Jinhua is a sly old fox; he seems to trust me less than enough, but I think all his feints right now are just testing the waters."

"Keep your cool."

Zhou Jin’an said only three words.

And those three words were golden rules in the business field.

"Don’t worry, big brother, I assure you the mission will be accomplished. By the way, big brother, I heard that sister-in-law had an accident, is she okay?"

Zhou Chucheng asked very discreetly.

"It’s nothing serious."

Zhou Chucheng hesitated for a moment, then suggested, "Big brother, I have a suggestion. Could we arrange for sister-in-law to leave Rong City for a while during this period?"

"Why?"

Zhou Jin’an asked doubtfully.

"An Jinhua knows that sister-in-law is my assistant and is aware of my relationship with you; he will inevitably suspect that we brothers are in cahoots to set a trap for him. And the link between me and you is sister-in-law. If sister-in-law can temporarily leave Rong City, then there’s no link between you and me, wouldn’t it be much easier to catch this big fish? Moreover, with sister-in-law in Rong City, if we can’t cover her, An Jinhua may try to trip us up, and I’m worried it might harm my nephew."

Zhou Chucheng analyzed everything meticulously.

It had to be said that he had thought things through very thoroughly, considering all possible scenarios that might occur.

Zhou Jin’an couldn’t help but view him in a new light.

"I will seriously consider what you said."

He gave a positive response.

Then, Zhou Jin’an changed the subject, "I need you to wrap things up with him within three days, any problem with that?"

After these unforeseen occurrences, Zhou Jin’an only wanted to quickly neutralize An Jinhua, the greatest danger. He would not tolerate any threat to Qiao En and the child’s safety.

"I’ll do my best."

This was a complicated matter, and Zhou Chucheng didn’t dare to make any guarantees.

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Jin’an fell into deep thought.

He agreed very much with Zhou Chucheng’s suggestion internally, but sending Qiao En away would mean she’d be outside of his control.

If any unforeseen event occurred, he wouldn’t be able to rush to her side or protect her.

Cheng Lu, driving in the front seat, had also heard the conversation between Zhou Jin’an and Zhou Chucheng.

Looking at Zhou Jin’an through the rearview mirror, he saw Zhou Jin’an’s eyebrows furrowed into the character "川."

He had something to say, but the words were stuck in his throat.

The car continued along the asphalt road, and as they neared Nanchen, Cheng Lu found it hard to keep silent.

"Director Zhou, I think young Director Zhou is quite right. It’s the correct decision to have the Young Madam temporarily leave Rong City. As long as we arrange more security to protect the Young Madam, we can surely ensure her safety."

But where in this vast world was truly safe?

"Do you have a suggestion?"

Zhou Jin’an asked in a cold tone.

After a moment’s hesitation, Cheng Lu mustered the courage to say, "How about... we let the Young Madam go to Singapore?"

"Singapore?"

Zhou Jin’an repeated questioningly.

Cheng Lu nodded confidently, "Singapore is small and close to Rong City; An Jinhua would never expect the Young Madam to go there. I’ve already thought out the strategy: Sister Rong and Auntie Jiang can accompany the Young Madam to the airport, and the destination they choose is Australia. But the Young Madam will switch to a private jet to Singapore at the airport. That way, anyone with intentions won’t notice at all and will think the Young Madam and her party went to Australia."

Cheng Lu’s feint strategy was truly clever.

Zhou Jin’an couldn’t help but praise him silently in his mind.

But, Qiao En was already five months pregnant at this time, and Zhou Jin’an was uneasy about letting her travel alone to Singapore, away from the care of Auntie Jiang and Sister Rong.

"I’ll think it over."

Zhou Jin’an sighed heavily.

Cheng Lu seemed to sense Zhou Jin’an’s hesitation, "Director Zhou, let me recommend someone to you, I guarantee you’ll be satisfied."

"Who?"

"Lin Youyou. She’s simple-minded and young, so she can keep the Young Madam company better. Moreover, she is also pregnant, and two pregnant women together will have more to talk about. The Young Madam definitely won’t be lonely there."

Cheng Lu said with a sincere face.

Zhou Jin’an’s gaze flickered and he fixed his deep eyes on Cheng Lu.

"You have a private agenda, don’t you?"

Having worked by his side for ten years, Cheng Lu had a tacit understanding and knowledge of him.

With just a look from Zhou Jin’an, Cheng Lu could roughly guess his thoughts.

Similarly, if Cheng Lu had any little schemes, Zhou Jin’an could see right through them at a glance.

"Hehe." Cheng Lu showed a goofy and somewhat embarrassed smile.

"Director Zhou."

He reached back to scratch his head, "You’ve caught me!"

"Speak."

Zhou Jin’an leaned back in his chair, his face somber.

Although he and Cheng Lu were superior and subordinate, they had been through life and death together.

"I do have a private matter; I’d like to ask the Young Madam for a favor."

As he spoke, Cheng Lu stealthily glanced at Zhou Jin’an.

This favor had been on his mind since he returned to Rong City, yet he couldn’t find the right opportunity to bring it up.

Today, when Zhou Jin’an broached the subject, he decided to speak out.

But, what he hadn’t anticipated was that Zhou Jin’an would refuse without even letting him finish.

"Wishful thinking."

He coldly glanced at Cheng Lu.

"Director Zhou, I haven’t even said what favor I wanted to ask the Young Madam for yet?"

Cheng Lu protested with a wronged look.

Zhou Jin’an’s eyebrows were knitted into two sharp blades, "No favors are allowed."

The Maybach stopped in front of the Nanchen Building, and while Cheng Lu wanted to say more, Zhou Jin’an had already pulled the handle and gotten out of the car.

"I’d advise you to give up that thought. She’s not Secretary Qiao anymore; she’s the Zhou family’s Young Madam. She’s not here to help just anyone with their problems."

Zhou Jin’an was haughtily proud.

He strode towards the Nanchen company lobby like a peacock with its tail feathers spread.

Cheng Lu pouted, full of grievances, but he could only swallow them down.

Back in the office, Zhou Jin’an settled into the boss’s chair.

Cheng Lu’s words still echoed in his ears. He was a man of meticulous thoughts, and the method Cheng Lu spoke of had a very high feasibility.

The question now was, would Qiao En agree to leave?

During working hours, Zhou Jin’an called Qiao En’s WeChat.

She was watering the garden, her phone placed on a bench, and Zhou Jin’an couldn’t see her figure, only a large swath of brightly blooming flowers.

"Wife, how about going out to relax for a while? I’ve arranged a place for you to take it easy."

Zhou Jin’an’s impending duel with President An was something he had not mentioned to Qiao En.

He did not want her to worry too much.

"I’m not going."

Qiao En refused outright.

Zhou Jin’an found countless reasons to persuade her, using all his eloquence, but Qiao En’s stance was so firm.

"Have you forgotten what you promised me this morning? I have to go back to work in a few days, and right now, I just want to return to my job. I’m not interested in traveling."

Qiao En, now pregnant, suddenly became stubborn.

Zhou Jin’an tried to persuade her gently and patiently, but Qiao En was unmoved.

"Zhou Jin’an, what do you mean? Why suddenly ask me to go on an overseas trip? Are you keeping something from me?"

Qiao En put down the watering can, held the phone with one hand, and questioned Zhou Jin’an through the camera.

"Where would that be? I just thought that being pregnant is hard on you, and hoped you could get away from the bad luck."

"Your wife isn’t that fragile; I’m not going anywhere."

Hearing this, Zhou Jin’an stopped trying to convince her.

After hanging up the call, he leaned back in his chair, his eyes lost.

Just then, Cheng Lu pushed the door in.

"Director Zhou, President An is here."