Rivals of Rebirth

Chapter 46: Shock

Zheng Jue couldn't understand why he suddenly felt a bit uneasy. His mouth felt dry, and for a moment, he couldn't find the words to say. He just stared intently at Han Jin's face, remaining silent.

Han Jin lowered his head and pressed his cheek against Zheng Jue's, letting out a soft laugh near his ear as he whispered, "Was it because of this that you suddenly acted strange that day, Jue?"

Suddenly realizing that Han Jin didn't really care about this matter, Zheng Jue felt a wave of relief in his heart. He reached out and gently stroked Han Jin's slightly disheveled hair, whispering, "You're not bothered by it?"

Han Jin turned her face and kissed Zheng Jue's earlobe, speaking warmly, "Of course, I mind, but I forgive you."

With just these simple words, Zheng Jue's heart was filled with a mix of emotions. He held Han Jin's waist with his hand, never expecting that Han Jin would truly be able to forgive him, truly living up to the words he had unintentionally spoken that day.

Han Jin narrowed his eyes as he looked ahead, tightly gripping Zheng Jue's shoulders. His knuckles turned slightly pale due to the force he exerted.

Guilt? Touched? Although I wished to destroy this world because of your deception, I still choose to forgive you. Stay by my side forever!

Han Jin's eyes were filled with a deep and bottomless vortex of darkness, tinged with a hint of madness.

**

The recent merger case of Wen Corporation was highly successful. Not only did they acquire two well-operated subsidiary companies at a low price, but they also timely filled the financial gap of Wen Corporation. Wen Corporation finally regained some vitality, stepping back from the brink of bankruptcy. However, at the same time, Zhou Cheng'an and Han Jin's injection of capital into these two companies brought their backgrounds into the spotlight.

The fastest thing that spreads in this world is rumors. When news broke out about the major reshuffle in Wen Corporation and Zhou Cheng'an and Zheng Jue gaining partial ownership, everyone in the Hong Kong market, from business tycoons to ordinary people on the streets, knew that Zheng Sheng and Zhou Shao had played a game of deception, with one hand reaching into Wen Corporation's pocket. Suddenly, in comparison to someone like Zhou Cheng'an, who was already a big shot, Zheng Jue, as a nobody, gained unexpected attention.

Now, everyone knows that Zheng Jue, the son of the former stock market prodigy, has become someone in the Hong Kong market. He managed to outsmart Wen Hua'an and became a shareholder of Wen Corporation. Such achievements were not something anyone can easily accomplish.

For Wen Hua'an, the most difficult part to accept about this outcome was, of course, Zheng Jue. Apart from his own guardedness against Zheng Jue, which he didn't want outsiders to know, there was also his good nephew. Not only did they conspire with outsiders to undermine him, but they also cut off his path back to the peak of power at Wen Corporation. This was fatal for Wen Hua'an. His desire for power and control were severed in that moment.

What made him even more furious was that he only found out after the merger was completed that those he had previously won over had betrayed him. This kind of betrayal was fatal for Wen Hua'an. As a betrayer himself, what he feared and hated the most was the betrayal of others. And now he finally experienced the pain of being betrayed.

All his retreats were sealed off. In Wen Corporation's era, he finally came to an end.

However, after Zheng Jue achieved this outcome, he wasn't particularly pleased. Although Wen Hua'an had lost all his power, he was still a shareholder of Wen Corporation and lived a carefree life. This outcome was not enough for Zheng Jue.

But at this moment, it wasn't a good time to do anything. Wen Hua'an and the Wen brothers were already cautious of him, and he didn't need to offend them at this critical moment.

However, Wen Hua'an no longer had such concerns. With Wen Corporation's old shareholders joining forces with him, he countered the Wen brothers at every turn.

Wen Yize had already prepared for this kind of situation. He had an innate understanding of Wen Corporation's cunning ways. Just as Wen Hua'an was starting to cause trouble, he contacted several shareholders who were also causing trouble for Wen Hua'an, using a method of targeting them one by one, successfully winning over the majority of those who surrounded Wen Hua'an, about eighty percent.

The world was cruel. Businesspeople sought profit, and when Wen Hua'an couldn't bring them more benefits, Wen Yize undoubtedly became the best choice. Many people didn't even need much persuasion; he merely mentioned a few benefits, and they eagerly ran over to him. This was the first time Wen Yize truly experienced the power of authority.

By the time Wen Hua'an realized that he no longer had many usable people by his side, it was already too late, and he had no way out. Every day, he could only vent his anger and live in frustration at home, but even such days didn't last long.

**

This day was the day of a golf club gathering that Wen Hua'an attended. In fact, he didn't want to go. After causing such big news recently, being stripped of power by his own nephew, it had become a joke among the businessmen in Hong Kong. Wen Hua'an had his pride and was reluctant to appear subservient to those who secretly mocked him.

However, it had been a long time since he had appeared in public, and Wen Hua'an was afraid that he would truly be forgotten by the entire Hong Kong market. If that happened, he would be truly hopeless. So, although Wen Hua'an knew that those inviting him had ulterior motives, he still went.

When Wen Hua'an attended the gathering, he encountered Zheng Jue.

Zheng Jue had been making quite a name for himself in the Hong Kong market recently. Unlike in the past, this time Zheng Jue had solid achievements to his name and had gained a respectable position in the market. Therefore, he was invited to this gathering, which was considered a benchmark for the business community in Hong Kong.

Zheng Jue came to the event with Han Jin. Although Han Jin had received similar invitations every year, he had never attended. Such gatherings held no meaning for him because the Han family's position in the Hong Kong market didn't require such grand displays. Everyone knew that the Han family was the uncrowned king of the market.

But this time, Zheng Jue insisted on coming to the gathering, so Han Jin reluctantly accompanied him.

As soon as Zheng Jue entered, he saw Wen Hua'an standing in the hall with a gentle smile, engaged in conversation with the event organizer.

Upon seeing Zheng Jue, Wen Hua'an's fluent words came to a halt involuntarily. The event organizer also noticed Wen Hua'an's abnormality and followed his gaze, only to see Zheng Jue and Han Jin standing at the entrance.

The event organizer didn't expect Han Jin to show up as well, which was a pleasant surprise for him. He left Wen Hua'an, whose expression had stiffened, and quickly walked towards Han Jin.

"Young Master Han, thank you for gracing us with your presence," the event organizer smiled and nodded at Han Jin.

Han Jin waved his hand impatiently, "I'm here accompanying Mr. Zheng."

"Oh?" The event organizer turned his attention back to Zheng Jue. "So it's thanks to Mr. Zheng's face. Today is truly splendid because of it." As he spoke, there was a probing smile on his face.

The close relationship between Zheng Jue and Han Jin was well-known throughout the Hong Kong market, which had given rise to numerous speculations. Han Jin's image in this regard wasn't particularly good since he was known to have relationships with both men and women. On the other hand, Zheng Jue was good-looking, so it wasn't surprising that people had doubts.

Zheng Jue acted as if he didn't notice the meaningful gaze of the event organizer. He politely smiled and followed the organizer inside.

But as he passed by Wen Hua'an, Zheng Jue let out a cold laugh, instantly darkening Wen Hua'an's expression.

As they entered the hall together, Zheng Jue surveyed his surroundings. The attendees were all well-known figures in the Hong Kong business community. Originally, given his background, he wouldn't have been able to stand shoulder to shoulder with these people. At best, he would be seen as a promising young talent. However, his position in the Hong Kong market had undergone a tremendous change, and these people's attitudes toward him had shifted from disdain to solicitation.

Zheng Jue picked up a glass of champagne from a nearby table, smiled, and blended in with the crowd of diverse expressions.

Han Jin had been following Zheng Jue the entire time, but he wore a cold expression throughout. Despite this, many people continued to approach him one after another, eager to strike up a conversation. It annoyed Han Jin to no end, and he eventually had to sneak away, leaving Zheng Jue alone in the hall, gracefully navigating through the crowd.

However, Zheng Jue was already tired of this repetitive scene. But for the sake of maintaining appearances and relationships, he had to continue enduring. After all, he didn't have the same confidence as Han Jin.

After dealing with a group of big shots who wanted to establish connections with him, Zheng Jue finally breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly made his way to the end of a long table, picked up a glass of water, and took a gulp.

He had been talking all afternoon, and apart from the initial glass of champagne, he hadn't even had a sip of water.

Just as Zheng Jue placed the glass back on the table, Wen Hua'an took the opportunity to approach him. Zheng Jue raised an eyebrow curiously, wondering if Wen Hua'an had something to say to him.

Wen Hua'an walked up to Zheng Jue and curled his lips into a mild smile. "Aaron, what a coincidence."

Annoyed by Wen Hua'an's false pretenses, Zheng Jue kept a straight face and said, "Just tell me if you have something to say. There's no need to beat around the bush."

Upon hearing this, a hint of coldness flashed in Wen Hua'an's eyes. He had played the role of a gentle person for so long that even he had started to forget which version of himself was the real one.

"You've done quite well this time, better than your father," Wen Hua'an said, his face carrying a trace of irony.

But Zheng Jue wasn't interested in his petty tricks. He picked up the glass of champagne and water from the table, walked slowly to Wen Hua'an's side, and whispered, "Wen Sheng, I used to think you were someone significant. But now, it seems you lack even a shred of grace. You'd better go home, drink tea, and read the newspaper. This place no longer belongs to you."

Having said that, Zheng Jue turned and left without looking back. Wen Hua'an had become a toothless tiger in his eyes, and these provocations had no effect on him. He no longer needed to waste words on this person.

With a smile, Zheng Jue walked towards the prominent figures in the venue. A sense of satisfaction suddenly welled up within him. He had already seized the power that meant life or death for Wen Hua'an, and in the days to come, he would gradually take away everything Wen Hua'an held dear, never allowing him to make a comeback.

Zheng Jue immersed himself in the splendid world before him, while Wen Hua'an stood at the dimly lit edge of the venue with a cold expression. He watched Zheng Jue's receding figure, his eyes filled with a flicker of ruthlessness, fueled by bloodlust.

Author's Note: Thank you all for your encouragement. Yesterday was truly a heart-wrenching day, but today, as I couldn't go to work due to a foot injury, I wrote a chapter with all my heart, and my mood is gradually recovering. You're right, there's no obstacle that can't be overcome. I'm still young, and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Finally, thank you for the support, my little angels! (づ￣ 3￣)づ