Chapter 165: Revenge

Translator: Lonelytree

They failed to entice Xiao Lingyu but were tricked by her instead. Then again, if the Zhou Family didn’t have cracks, to begin with, Xiao Lingyu wouldn’t be able to do anything to them.

However, the center of the crack was Zhou Huaying. When he heard the rumors, he wholeheartedly believed that it was indeed his eldest brother, Zhou Huaming, who had plotted to send his nephew to prison.

No matter how Zhou Huaming explained, Zhou Huaying would not listen. Even after Zhuo Guojian said something, Zhuo Huaying only replied, “If big brother really wants to prove that he loves Wei ‘Er, then he should transfer the hotel to Wei ‘Er now. After all, the hotel will be Wei ‘Er’s sooner or later. Big brother, you won’t be so tired after Wei ‘Er takes over the hotel. Dad, don’t you agree with me?”

Zhou Huaying was trying to push Zhou Hongwei’s agenda. Zhou Huaying was a tyrant before his brothers, but he was a coward around his son. Zhou Huaying feared his son and listened obediently to Zhou Hongwei’s orders. Zhou Huaying understood that his carefree life came from his son, Zhou Hongwei.

Zhou Hongwei had completely inherited the characteristics of the Zhou family: Sinister, cunning, selfish, and greedy. He knew that he would eventually inherit the Zhou Family, but he was furious that his uncles wouldn’t hand them over now. He was already 27. Gu Ziye, his peer, was already the general manager of the Gu Family Hotel, but he was only just the purchasing manager.

He once asked Zhou Huaming for the post of vice president, but he was rejected. Zhou Huaming said Zhou Hongwei needed more experience and the purchasing department was the best place for him to do that.

On one hand, Zhou Huaming did intend to groom Zhou Hongwei to be his heir, but at the same time, he couldn’t let go of his power just like that. Therefore, he placed Zhou Hongwei in the purchasing department for now.

Zhou Huaying said, “Big brother, Wei ‘Er told me several times that he didn’t want to be the purchasing manager. He wants to be the president or vice president. However, you refuse to let go. Are you trying to make the Zhou Family’s future heir lose face? Or you don’t intend to give him the hotel at all? He told me he is very disappointed in you.”

The accusation cut through Zhou Huaming’s heart. He did everything for Zhou Hongwei, but in the end, he was questioned.

At that moment, he remembered what Gu Ziye said, ‘But then, do you think your nephew will really take care of you and not throw you into a nursing home and pretend that you don’t exist?’

Zhou Huaming thought with sadness. ‘So that’s what Zhou Hongwei thinks of me. I have treated him like my son since he was born. I did everything for him, but…’

Zhou Guojian narrowed his eyes and interrupted, “Huaming, Huaying, we can talk about that later. Now, we have to try to save Wei ‘Er first.”

He noticed that his eldest son was disappointed by his second brother. He felt alienated. That couldn’t be allowed.

The Zhou Family only had one male heir, Zhou Hongwei. All the assets of the Zhou Family would belong to Zhou Hongwei. As for the daughters, they would be married off. Even if they didn’t marry, they would not see a cent from the Zhou Family.

Zhou Huaming took a deep breath and said, “I’ve tried everything I could think of. Nothing is effective.”

This displeased Zhou Huaying. “Big brother, why don’t I believe you? Are you sure you’ve done everything you could?” He sneered. “Or you’re trying your best to make sure Wei ‘Er stays in jail? Don’t you have many connections, then you should use them to haul Wei ‘Er out! You must be doing this on purpose!” Zhou Huaying snorted. He never really respected his brother, to begin with.

“You…” Zhou Huaming was incensed. He gnashed his teeth and said, “Second brother, since you doubt my intentions, why don’t you help Wei ‘Er yourself?”

Zhou Huaying choked and turned around to complain, “Dad, you see, Big Brother never wanted to save Wei ‘Er. Now he wants to leave. If I can save Wei ‘Er, do we even need big brother?”

Zhou Huaming, “…” At that moment, he understood many things. No matter how he argued, Zhou Huaying would not believe him. Since Zhou Hongwei had a father like Zhou Huaying, would he be reliable in the future?

At the same time, Zhou Huaming thought of his two filial daughters.

Although both daughters were married, they often asked about their parent’s health. They would return every few days to visit. If they didn’t have the time, they would call to inquire about their days and so on.

But what about Zhou Hongwei? If Zhou Hongwei ever called him, it was to ask for money. Did he ever show concern to his eldest uncles? No.

“Son, what are you thinking about?” Zhou Guojian narrowed his eyes and asked very seriously

Zhou Guojian was dissatisfied with Zhou Huaming. The seed of doubt was planted. ‘Is it possible that Huaming is really turning against the family?’

Zhou Huaming shook his head and then said, “Dad, our usable connection now is Deputy County Magistrate Hong.”

“Big Brother, so you do have another connection. Why did you say you’ve tried everything earlier then?” Zhou Huaying shouted again, “I knew you were lying!”

“Shut up!” Zhou Guojian shouted sharply.

If his second son continued to do this, his eldest son would eventually turn on them.

Zhou Huaying shut up after being reprimanded, but he was insistent that Zhou Huaming had sent Zhou Hongwei to jail.

Zhou Guojian only nodded and said, “It looks like this is the only way.”

Deputy County Magistrate Hong Qing was the best connection they had. Zhou Guojian once helped Hong Qing when he was young. When Hong Qing took the post, he promised to help Zhou Guojian too.

…

A week later, Zhou Hongwei’s criminal case was brought to court, and he was sentenced.

He was convicted of kidnapping, illegal restriction of personal freedom, and intimidation. The three crimes were equally serious, and he was sentenced to five years in prison. In addition, he had to pay mental damages and other losses to several parties. He had to pay 300,000 RMB for each ,and in total, he had to pay more than a million RMB.

And this was after Hong Qing had pulled some strings. Zhou Hongwei was supposed to sit for seven years in prison, but he got it reduced to five years.

After hearing this result, the Zhou family was furious.

The women of the Zhou family cried like the sky was falling. The men were angry.

“Dad, didn’t you ask Deputy County Magistrate Hong to help? Why is Wei ‘Er still sentenced?” Zhou Huaying turned to question Zhou Guojian. He meant that his father had not done his best.

“Shut up!” Zhou Guojian’s face darkened. He always doted on his second son, but this time, he was furious. “Zhou Huaying, how can you talk to your father like that?”

Zhou Tanxiong stood up and told Zhou Huaying, “Second brother, you’ve misunderstood father. It was thanks to Deputy County Magistrate Hong that the sentence was lighter.”

Zhou Huaying knew he had gone too far. He complained, “Still, this Deputy County Magistrate Hong is quite useless. He only managed to reduce the sentence by two years.”

“Shut up!” Zhou Guojian shouted sharply, “What do you know?!”

He was getting more and more disappointed in his second son! His second son didn’t have any brains at all. He did things on impulse. He was now worried that he would drag Zhou Hongwei down especially since Zhou Hongwei had been in prison.

Zhou Huaming also looked down on this second brother more and more. His second brother never cared about anything… except the wealth of the Zhou Family. Of course, he wouldn’t dare comment about the main contributor to the Zhou Family lineage.

Zhou Huaming explained, “Second brother, Deputy County Magistrate Hong has tried his best. Chief Jiang Tao, who arrested Wei ‘Er, comes from deep background. Furthermore, we have to face Deputy County Magistrate Qian, who is good friends with the Gu Family. Deputy County Magistrate Hong has done everything he can. We shouldn’t blame him. If anything, we should thank him.” Then, he turned to his father. “Dad, what should we do now?”

“That’s right, Dad. Wei ‘Er is now in jail. What should we do?” Zhou Huaying asked impatiently and anxiously.

Zhou Guojian glanced at him and scolded, “You need to shut up first!”

Then, he looked at Zhou Huaming and Zhou Tanxiong and said, “The situation is tense now. When people forget about this, we’ll do something.”

The two brothers nodded and said, “Okay, Dad!”

Zhou Guojian’s sharp eyes looked forward, and a hidden hatred flashed in his eyes. Then, he added, “But now, it’s time for us to settle the scores with the culprit! This Xiao Lingyu is really too arrogant. To think she can bully the Zhou Family to this extent!”

If Xiao Lingyu were there, she would be speechless. She was just a country bumpkin in their eyes who had no power and influence. How could she bully the Zhou Family?

The Zhou family was really too shameless.

Zhou Huaming and Zhou Tanxiong agreed and said, “That’s right. If we don’t do something, she will trample all over us!”

They had both fallen for Xiao Lingyu’s trap. It was their nephew who suffered. Previously, they had to suffer mutely because Xiao Lingyu was the key witness in Zhou Hongwei’s case. However, now that Zhou Hongwei’s case was settled, it was time for revenge.

…

Zheng Haiyang signed the new shop lease with Xiao Lingyu. Xiao LIngyu also gained a satisfactory design proposal from Li Yang.

“I like this a lot!” Xiao Lingyu scanned the blueprint. “I knew I was in good hands with Director Li. Director Li, just have your people follow this design!”

“Okay!” Li Yang smiled and said, “Then, Miss Xiao, when do you plan to open?”

Xiao Lingyu thought for a moment and said, “Director Li, I want to open on the 21st. Can you make it?”

Li Yang calculated for a moment and said, “Today is the 1st. There are still 20 days until the 21st. It should be okay.”

Xiao Lingyu nodded. “Director Li, I don’t have any requirements about the construction materials but one. You can’t use toxic and chemical ingredients like formaldehyde or things that have strange smells. Is that okay?” She was going to sell vegetables and fruits. She couldn’t abide by any pollution.

Li Yang smiled. “Of course. Serving our customers is our mission.”

Xiao Lingyu smiled and left the renovation company.

On her way back home, a person rushed out with a shining dagger as she turned the corner.. He stabbed at her.