Plunder-Chapter 291 Taking Advantage of the Fire

"What are your conditions? Just say them."

Ding Ruxin said, choking back sobs.

Ding Yongsheng leaned against the headboard, his murky eyes gazing out the window, "When the youngest is released from prison, I’ll leave Ding Corporation to him. You sisters must not compete for it."

In the end, he still favored his son.

"I don’t agree."

The moment Ding Yongsheng’s voice fell, Ding Ruyi’s voice came from outside the door.

"Dad has been biased toward him for not just a day or two. The youngest is now in prison, and who knows when he’ll be out. Although my sister and I are daughters, we have devoted no less to this family. If Dad blatantly favors him like this, I’m the first to disagree."

"Ruyi."

Ding Ruxin tried to pull Ding Ruyi back, but Ding Ruyi’s face was stern, and she refused to budge.

"Big sister, why are you so foolish? We also bear the Ding name, why should everything be given to him?"

Ding Ruyi said indignantly.

"Ruyi, let’s take things one step at a time. If Dad doesn’t apologize, Zhou Jin’an will definitely bankrupt Ding Corporation. Let’s secure Ding Corporation first, then we can plan for the long term,"

Ding Ruxin whispered very softly.

Ding Ruyi gave Ding Ruxin a surprised look.

On that bland face was a firmness that was foreign to her.

Ding Ruxin nodded again, "Ruyi, don’t anger Dad anymore. He’s doing this for our Ding family as well."

She tightened her grip on Ding Ruyi’s hand.

"Dad, let’s do as you say. When Ruyi and I get married, we will definitely not get involved in Ding Corporation’s affairs."

Ding Ruxin said with a smile.

Ding Yongsheng turned his gaze to Ding Ruyi, who pouted unhappily.

"If my sister doesn’t mind, then I don’t mind either. Anyway, the man I’ll marry won’t be lacking anything."

Ding Yongsheng sighed softly, "Have the lawyer come over."

That very day, Ding Yongsheng’s apology video appeared in the major media outlets.

With a face marked by the ravages of time, he recounted past events, admitting that he had destroyed someone else’s family out of jealousy and resentment.

Upon its release, the apology video immediately caused a huge uproar.

Qiao En also saw that video.

Honestly, she was astonished.

After all, Ding Yongsheng was nearly seventy years old and was considered a prominent public figure in Rong City.

Yet, to preserve Ding Corporation, he had done the public apology as Zhou Jin’an demanded.

However, what could an apology really change?

Zhou Zhendong died without ever realizing that he had been ensnared by others and had wrongly accused his own wife.

And Mrs. Zhou, who was in a coma, had been wronged and repressed for most of her life.

As for Zhou Jin’an, his childhood and youth couldn’t be compensated for with just an apology.

But, this was currently the best way.

Because someone cares.

Meanwhile, chaos erupted in the old mansion.

"Mom, did you see it? That old thing Ding Yongsheng has apologized."

Zhou Ziyan played the apology video for Yao Chuman.

As she watched, she shook her finger at the screen cursing,

"It was this damned old man’s doing that made people slander me all these years!"

Zhou Ziyan’s mind was abuzz with cunning thoughts, "Mom, at this time, shouldn’t that bastard also apologize to you? We could even take this opportunity to milk him for something."

Yao Chuman narrowed her eyes, united with her son; she felt that Zhou Ziyan made a lot of sense.

"You figure it out, how should we milk him?"

Yao Chuman entrusted this daunting yet honorable task to Zhou Ziyan.

He came prepared and immediately said, "Nanchen is a property of the Zhou family, why should Zhou Jin’an alone control it? My name is Zhou, and so is Chu City’s. We should also have a share."

Although Zhou Ziyan lacked capability, he was very keen about power.

Upon hearing this, Yao Chuman felt it made sense.

"Let’s go to Nanchen."

Yao Chuman grabbed her purse and headed for the door, Zhou Ziyan followed but changed his mind as they got into the car.

"Mom, I think maybe it might be more appropriate to go to Chu Garden at this time."

"Why?" Yao Chuman was perplexed.

Zhou Ziyan laughed, "My sister-in-law is easier to talk to than Zhou Jin’an, and she’s pregnant, right? Since we’re family, let’s go over and show some concern, and casually bring up the family business too."

Yao Chuman’s eyes lit up, "Alright, let’s go now."

Qiao En was doing yoga when Sister Rong hurried in to report, "Young Madam, Mrs. Zhou and the second young master are here to see you. If you don’t want to see them, I can tell them you’re not feeling well."

"Let them come in."

Qiao En said.

She got up from the yoga mat, changed her clothes in the bedroom, and by the time she came out, Yao Chuman and Zhou Ziyan had already entered the living room.

"Aunt Man."

As the junior, Qiao En was the first to address Yao Chuman.

She feigned elegance, nodding at Qiao En, "Your belly has grown quite a bit since last time, you must be due soon, right?"

"Another month and a half."

Qiao En answered truthfully as she supported her belly and sat down on the sofa.

Zhou Ziyan lounged on the sofa, his legs crossed, a carefree swagger about him.

"Young sister-in-law, you saw that apology video from Ding Yongsheng, didn’t you?"

Qiao En simply hummed softly in response.

Zhou Ziyan squinted and smiled, "It’s quite satisfying, isn’t it? My mom has carried the blame for him for over twenty years. Don’t you think it’s unfair?"

As soon as he mentioned injustice, Yao Chuman’s eyes reddened, and she adopted a almost tearful look, a finger poised delicately near her nostril.

"I’ve lived more wronged than Dou E. These past twenty years have been so suffocating. How could Ding Yongsheng, that old crook, do something so despicable?"

Yao Chuman passed the conversational ball to Qiao En, waiting for her to fall into the trap.

But she forgot that Qiao En might look fragile, yet she wasn’t foolish.

"Aunt Man, where is your injustice?"

Qiao En pretended to be naive, blinking her big Kassilan eyes innocently as she looked at Yao Chuman.

"I am wronged everywhere. If it weren’t for her, would people call me a homewrecker?"

"If it weren’t for him, would you have entered the Zhou family?"

Qiao En said, smiling lightly.

Yao Chuman was suddenly taken aback.

After all, she was the one who gained the most.

She looked pleadingly at Zhou Ziyan. Bound by their shared interests, Yao Chuman admitted defeat, and he stepped up to take over.

"Young sister-in-law, you can’t say it like that. My mom marrying into the Zhou family was her good fortune."

Qiao En continued to smile lightly.

"There’s a saying, ’no one visits a temple without a cause.’ Tell me, what do you want?"

Her eyes gleamed as she looked at Zhou Ziyan.

Zhou Ziyan immediately cracked a smile, "You’re straightforward, sister-in-law, so I won’t beat around the bush. Now that Mrs. Zhou’s grievances have been cleared and my mom’s reputation has been restored, shouldn’t what belongs to the Zhou family also belong to everyone now?"

He didn’t spell out his words, but Qiao En understood his implication.

"It has always belonged to everyone, hasn’t it?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Qiao En countered.

Zhou Ziyan was immediately stunned.

If Zhou Jin’an was fire, then Qiao En was water.

She appeared harmless, but invisibly left you at a loss.

"What I mean is..."

Zhou Ziyan tried to explain, but Qiao En stood up, cutting him off.

"Aunt Man, Sister Rong bought some fine abalone this morning and made soup. It should be ready now; I’ll ask her to serve you a bowl."

As Qiao En spoke, she got up and headed to the kitchen.

Sister Rong was busy in the kitchen, "Young Madam, I’ve already sent a message to the young master; he’ll be back soon."

Qiao En nodded slightly.

In the living room, Yao Chuman continually signaled Zhou Ziyan with her eyes.

The mother and son had come rashly, but now found themselves extremely passive.

"You’re the elder, just say it."

Zhou Ziyan spoke to Yao Chuman.

She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, "What should I say? Wasn’t it you who said to come here? You go say it."

In the living room, Qiao En was aware of all the sounds; she deliberately lingered in the kitchen a little longer.

Soon, Zhou Jin’an rushed back.

Seeing Yao Chuman and Zhou Ziyan still seated in the living room, his expression turned very dark.

"Big brother, you’re back."

Zhou Ziyan greeted him with a forced smile, but Zhou Jin’an’s gaze did not linger on his face even for a second.

"Jin’an, you’re back."

Yao Chuman also stood up to greet Zhou Jin’an.

But he walked straight to Qiao En, "I’m back."

Qiao En said flatly.

Sister Rong, carrying two bowls of abalone soup on a tray, approached the living room, "Madam, Second Young Master, please try the abalone soup."

Yao Chuman exclaimed theatrically, "Sister Rong has been cooking excellent dishes since the old house, especially this abalone soup—it’s just delicious. You are Sister Rong’s daughter, so you must have inherited your mother’s true talents."

Sister Rong’s eyes were downcast and she remained silent.

Yao Chuman lifted the lid off the abalone soup and scooped a spoonful into her mouth.

Suddenly, her face stiffened.