Chapter 348: 348: The Change of Wind and Cloud (7) Song Shan’s Ambition

Translator: 549690339

In a room heavily guarded.

Jun Minghan reminded Qian Guanshu with emphasis on each word.

The color drained from Qian Guanshu’s face.

Looking at the state of Qian Guanshu, Jun Minghan again said, “Chief Qian, after all, Mingxi is a member of our official family. Whether she ends up helping Song Shan or…”

Qian Guanshu stared at Jun Minghan.

At his deliberate pause, his deliberate vagueness.

“It all depends on your attitude, Chief Qian and Mr. Ye!”

Qian Guanshu sneered but didn’t respond.

Jun Minghan didn’t say anything further. He got up and left.

Just as he reached the door, he saw Ye Wenhan.

He smiled faintly, “Mr. Ye.”

“Mr. Jun.” Ye Wenhan maintained his aloofness, showing no emotions at the moment.

Exchanging a curt greeting, Jun Minghan walked away straightaway.

Ye Wenhan watched Jun Minghan’s receding figure, his face turning solemn.

He entered the room.

Qian Guanshu was sitting on the room’s mahogany sofa, pulling a grim face, lookIng somewhat terrifying.

Ye Wenhan, to some extent, was somewhat fearful of his father. He stood there at that moment, not daring to speak.

Qian Guanshu looked up at his son. “The official families are indeed pragmatic.”

Ye Wenhan nodded.

“Just because we couldn’t assist them in this matter, they threatened us with this!” Qian Guanshu said bitterly.

Threat?

Ye Wenhan had been standing outside the door just now, not understanding fully what they were talking about.

Didn’t Jun Minghan just imply that this was his father’s decision and had nothing to do with him?

Qian Guanshu was direct, “Jun Minghan is pressuring us to act against the Song Family.”

Ye Wenhan looked at his father.

He really hadn’t understood Jun Minghan’s underlying intention from his words.

He had simply thought that after being played by Song Zhizhi, Jun Minghan had seen Song Family’s capabilities and wanted to win them over, that’s why he was treating them this way.

He didn’t dare to voice his thoughts.

He always feared that his father would look down on him once he voiced his opinion.

He listened as his father said, “Between us and the Song Family, the official family will choose one. Either we end up cooperating with the official family, or Song Shan does. The implication is that if we can’t defeat Song Shan, the official family will join forces with Song Shan to fight us!”

Ye Wenhan was very angry.

He hadn’t expected that this was the underlying message Jun Minghan was transmitting just now.

“The Fifth Miss is a reminder. If we continue to proceed this way, the official family will replace us in commercial management with someone else.” Qian Guanshu said, his face growing paler, “After all I’ve done for Jun Minghan over the years, he just turns against us so easily!”

“Dad, what do we do now? Do we really have to put up with the official family’s threat? Isn’t our commercial operation an independent institution? The official family can’t really do anything to us. Even if Yanshang country is under their jurisdiction, if they act unjustly towards our commercial operation, they won’t be able to justify it to the people. It would cause public resentment, riots and turmoil, which would result in greater loss for them!”

“True, the official family dare not act against us, but they can incite internal strife within our commercial management which has nothing to do with them! If they secretly assist Song Shan in dealing with us, it would constitute an internal conflict within our operations and the official family can completely wash their hands off, reaping benefits without doing anything.”

“This Jun Minghan, he really is detestable!”

“Who in the bureaucracy isn’t detestable?” Qian Guanshu saw through, “All are driven by self-interest, no goodwill is involved! Yet, I have to admit, Jun Minghan’s warning isn’t wrong. If we want to work with the official family, a lack of abilities within ourselves will surely lead to our downfall. Even without Song Shan, we may fall prey to the official family. So…”

A savage expression appeared on Qian Guanshu’s face.

Every time this expression flashed across his face, Ye Wenhan knew his father was about to make a move.

“Song Shan must die!”

“Didn’t Dad always say that not acting against Song Shan is because Song Shan can stabilize the situation within the Commercial Management now? If we move against Song Shan, the situation within our Commercial Management will be unstable, and we would be doomed by the official family.”

“In the past, it was because you were aiming to ascend, so seeking stability was more important. Now that everything has already stabilized, there’s nothing wrong with moving against Song Shan! Besides, if we don’t act now, I fear we won’t have the chance to act in the future, and can only venture on.” Qian Guanshu said mercilessly, one word at a time.

“Yes, I will follow dad’s arrangement.”

Ye Wenhan appeared extremely respectful.

But at that moment, he was laughing maliciously inside.

From the very first day, his greatest wish was to kill Song Zhizhi.

Now, he finally got his wish!

He must let Song Zhizhi know his strength.

He must make Song Zhizhi kneel before him, full of regret!

“You can go.” Qian Guanshu said, “Tonight is the celebration banquet of Commercial Management. As the helm of Commercial Management, you can’t disappear for too long. Since you have chosen the “pro-people” path, you should embrace it thoroughly.”

“Yes.” Ye Wenhan nodded.

He turned and left.

Left for the banquet hall.

Even if he didn’t want to stay in that place for a second, didn’t want to see the complacency of the Song Family, even their joy was his humiliation. When he thought about how Song Zhizhi treated them since she returned from Jinghe Village, he almost wished he could strangle her to death!

At this moment, he still had to endure the showboating of their family.

His clenched fists loosened when he heard someone’s voice.

He noticed Chu Qin, who seemed to be intentionally waiting for him.

Frankly, after a year and a half, he was really fed up with Chu Qin.

If Jun Mingxi’s date for tonight is him, then Chu Qin would…

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, immediately replaced by his gentle smile. He softly asked, “Are you waiting for me?”

“Yes, but you seem to be quite busy,” Chu Qin pretended to be upset.

Ye Wenhan was tired of appeasing her, yet at this moment, without achieving what he wanted, he still had to be hypocritical to Chu Qin, at least to keep the Chu Zhaotian family loyal to him.

He said, “No matter how busy, I can still find time to be with you. Come on.”

With that, Ye Wenhan led Chu Qin, and turned towards a highly guarded room at the back.

The room was closed.

Chu Qin looked at Ye Wenhan.

His excuse each time was that he didn’t want to let her down.

She also had her feminine dignity and pride, so she wouldn’t intentionally force things.

The two embraced each other.

Ye Wenhan said, “I really want to be with you early, but for now…”

He seemed to have an unspeakable burden.

Chu Qin asked, “What is it?”

“Never mind. The Song Family is so rampant now. Song Zhizhi not only belittles me but now she’s also co-opted the official family. I’m afraid it might be hard for me to have a foothold in Commercial Management in the future.”

“She isn’t capable of that! Song Shan is just a small chief officer, what’s there for Song Zhizhi to be narcissistic about! Even if she’s married to Ji Baijian, she’s just a stinking merchant, with only some money. How can she feel so superior?” Chu Qin said viciously.

As for Song Zhizhi, she hated Song Zhizhi as much as Ye Wenhan did.

This was the main reason why Ye Wenhan seduced her in the first place.

Of course, now, she had already given her whole heart to Ye Wenhan.

Ye Wenhan sighed, “Song Zhizhi is not simple. She’s very good at plotting. She’s now got the fifth lady of the official family dating her brother, which shows her great ability, and ambition!”

“The Song Family wants to replace your position?!” Chu Qin gnashed her teeth, wishing she could tear Song Zhizhi to pieces.

Ye Wenhan nodded in tacit agreement.

“She really has some nerve!” Chu Qin exclaimed harshly, “Are you just going to let her do as she pleases?”

“Of course not, but it is indeed true that the Song family is influential. Even though I have been in power for a year and have the sincere assistance of Qian, the chief, I am still young. I am not a match for an old and cunning man like Song Shan. I might fall prey to his schemes one day…”

“Wenhan, do not belittle yourself! As the heir of Commercial Management, everyone acknowledges you! If Song Shan has any intentions, he would be rebelling, and the law will not spare him!” Chu Qin argued earnestly.

In Chu Qin’s heart, Commercial Management should unquestionably belong to the Ye family, therefore, although Chu Zhaotian enjoyed stirring the pot in Commercial Management, he would probably not truly wish to take it over. Hence, Chu Zhaotian and his family could be used as pawns.

“Don’t worry about my affairs anymore, I can’t bear to have you worry for me.” Ye Wenhan coaxed Chu Qin with sweet words, “I want to give you absolute happiness, I can’t bear to see you worry and fear for me…”

Chu Qin leaned submissively against Ye Wenhan’s chest.

Immersed in the pampering of Ye Wenhan on one hand, she was on the other hand devising vicious plans on how to make Song Zhizhi, this presumptuous woman, suffer and befall a terrible fate!

The banquet was still lively.

Even though it was past 11 p.m., very few people had left.

Song Zhizhi held a glass of red wine, standing in the corner, savoring it attentively.

There were many people walking around her, some greeted her voluntarily, Song Zhizhi would occasionally initiate a conversation with them, after all, most of these banquets consisted of disguises for getting what one truly needed from others.

She maintained a businesslike smile at the corner of her mouth.

Her eyes flickered slightly in that moment.

She saw Jun Minghan walk up to her.

Honestly, it shouldn’t be a mistake.

She even felt that tonight, Jun Minghan’s gaze inadvertently fell on her.

Perhaps it was because she was publicly chastised in front of Jun Mingyu last time after returning from Jinghe Village, he eventually had hostility towards her.

She was really not interested in being involved in any official family, but it seemed that some things would transpire whether she wished them to or not.

She smilled lightly, “Mr. Jun.”

“Alone?” Jun Minghan raised his glass.

Song Zhizhi clinked with him, both of them took a sip.

“Isn’t Mr. Jun also alone?”

“My wife has not been in good health all this while. Over the years, she hasn’t been able to accompany me to a lot of events.”

“I heard that Mrs. Jun and Mr. Jun are very loving to each other.” Song Zhizhi chose a safer topic.

Chatting with people from the official family would inevitably lead to disaster if one was not careful.

She didn’t want to die inexplicably.

“After many years of being together, our love has gradually turned into more of a familial love.” Jun Minghan was candid.

That was not a lie.

Jun Minghan and his wife had been married almost for ten years. They had two daughters, but no sons.

Although Jun Minghan always exhibited affection for his wife, there were many people who secretly criticized their relationship. They felt that the fact that his wife could not bear a son would eventually make her the discarded wife of the official family!

“I truly admire the love between Mr. Jun and your wife, it’s like a slow stream constantly flowing.”

“Isn’t your love with Ji Baijian also well known and envied by everyone?” Jun Minghan laughed.

Song Zhizhi also laughed, “We have only been married for a year, who knows what the future holds.”

“However, I heard that Ji Baijian is deeply devoted. After all these years, he has never had another woman beside him, he only loves you deeply. I believe you two will grow old together.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Jun.” Song Zhizhi smiled.

The two of them hypocritically praised each other.

After a while, Jun Minghan left.

Song Zhizhi could feel the gazes of the people around her, most of them were full of envy. She believed that quite a few people would be more attentive to her.

After all, Jun Minghan, the young master of the official family, had actively approached her for a chat, and in the eyes of others, she naturally became an extraordinary individual.

Song Zhizhi savored her red wine, her mind not as straightforward as others would assume.

Jun Minghan’s closeness to her was no good omen.

Perhaps, it was a trap for those with ulterior motives to target her specifically.

For instance…

Her eyes glanced towards Ye Wenhan who had just walked into the banquet hall, and Chu Qin, who reappeared in the hall after being absent for a significant duration.

She continued to savor her wine, subtly shifting her gaze.

The banquet concluded rather late.

Not only had the individuals from Commercial Management not left, the official family’s attendees only departed at the last moment.

Ye Wenhan and the four top chiefs of Commercial Management personally escorted Jun Minghan, Jun Mingyu, and Jun Mingxi as they took their leave.

Regardless of whether Commercial Management was an independent entity in Yanshang Country, and whether it was subject to the official family’s jurisdiction, in terms of the hierarchy, the official family was still official, and Commercial Management remained subordinate. Hence, in terms of etiquette, Commercial should show even greater respect towards the official family!

“Mr. Ye, there’s no need for such politeness.” Jun Minghan said, “Please, don’t bother seeing us out.”

Ye Wenhan nodded slightly, “Take care on your way, Mr. Jun.”

Jun Minghan nodded and left with Jun Mingyu and Jun Mingxi.

After they left.

Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu left as well.

Song Shan, Qin Wenguo, and Chu Zhaotian all followed suit shortly thereafter.

In the Song family’s sedan.

Song Shan couldn’t help but ask Song Zhidao, “How was your interaction with Miss Five?”

Song Zhidao replied, “It was alright.”

“It can’t just be alright, considering that the official family introduced Miss Five to you, you should understand their intention. Zhidao, you should take the initiative and show more enthusiasm towards Miss Five!”

Though Song Zhidao was somewhat reluctant, he nodded eventually.

Song Zhizhi, noticing her father’s concealed excitement, swallowed back the words that she had almost uttered.

Until she gathered conclusive evidence, she didn’t want her father to become suspicious of her.

The sedan first returned Song Zhizhi to her dwelling, then Song Shan and Song Zhidao returned to the Song family’s main compound together.

As soon as Song Zhizhi was out of the vehicle, Song Shan phoned Song Wen directly and asked, “What’s the situation now?”

“What situation?” Song Wen seemed utterly bewildered.

“Jun Minghan introduced Miss Five to Song Zhidao. In front of everyone, he introduced Song Zhidao to Miss Five instead of Ye Wenhan.”

“Isn’t it clear enough?” Song Wen chuckled.

Song Shan couldn’t conceal his smile at that moment, yet decided against voicing it.

Song Wen said, “Song Shan, you should stop overthinking. Since Jun Minghan introduced his sister to Zhidao, it shows that he considers you as his own. Don’t overcomplicate things. As long as you let Zhidao be good to Miss Five, the future of our Song Family depends on Zhidao’s blossoming career.”

“Look at you talking. Zhijun is also an outstanding individual.”

“But he doesn’t have your luck! Alright, I won’t be jealous anymore. We’re all in the same boat after all. Your success is mine. Just remember to seize the opportunity.”

Song Shan equivocated for a while longer before hanging up the phone.

Observing his father’s demeanor, Song Zhidao couldn’t help but speak out, “Dad, don’t you think Jun Minghan’s actions are too abrupt?”

“Abrupt? What’s abrupt about them?”

“We just started suspecting Jun Minghan of exploiting us, and now he’s suddenly presenting us with a sweet treat…”

“Regardless of whether that’s true or not, the most critical thing now is that you need to get along well with Miss Five. Once Miss Five becomes your wife and my daughter-in-law, Song Shan, do you think we need to worry about Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu? Commercial Management will soon be ours!”

Song Shan said vehemently.

His eyes were filled with undisguised joy and excitement!