How did I become a god

Chapter 1673 Parties
Beijing, late at night.

Behind Director Guan's large mahogany desk, a retro desk lamp cast a dim yellow glow, illuminating several open documents and a serene purple clay teacup.

The dark leather sofa, heavy curtains, and neatly arranged books on the bookshelf together create a serious and composed atmosphere.

Director Guan leaned back in his high-backed chair, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the smooth tabletop as he listened to his secretary's low report that the "debt restructuring of Mingyuan Group" had been finalized.

"Director Guan, Sheng Hai has approved the debt restructuring plan." Secretary Ma's voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear in the quiet office.

Director Guan didn't respond immediately. He simply picked up his teacup and took a sip of the already cold tea. The bitter taste spread across his tongue, much like his mood at that moment.

Zhou Mingyang, his junior and once a close friend despite their age difference, is now imprisoned and awaiting his final verdict.

Even with someone personally intervening, he couldn't save his old friend. The ruthlessness and arrogance of the young man behind the other party, named Jing Gao, are evident!
An indescribable anger and helplessness surged in his chest, eventually turning into a barely audible sigh.

“Xiao Ma,” Director Guan put down his teacup, his gaze deep and his voice slightly hoarse, “the young people these days are truly remarkable. They dare to think and dare to act.”

Secretary Ma stood at the boundary between light and shadow, the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose reflecting a faint light, a gentle smile habitually appearing on his face, countless thoughts flashing through his mind in an instant.

He bowed slightly, his tone carrying just the right amount of agreement and a subtle hint: "Boss, I heard he's offended quite a few people this time. The business world is like a battlefield, and his ruthless and uncompromising approach might not last long."

Director Guan nodded slightly, his gaze drifting to the window. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows lay the dazzling lights of Beijing in the dead of night.

Traffic flows like a river, neon lights flash, outlining the silhouette of this city where power and wealth intertwine.

However, beneath this prosperity, how many undercurrents are surging, how many swords are flashing?
A cold, stern smile curved his lips, like a lurking hunter waiting for his prey to slip up.

"Hmm." Director Guan's voice was deep and resolute, carrying a weathered resilience. "Let's see how long he can be so smug!"

I watched him build his magnificent mansion, I watched him host lavish banquets…

This famous line from "The Peach Blossom Fan" flowed silently in his heart, as if he had already foreseen the dust of that tall building collapsing.

I picked up the herbal tea again and drank it all in one gulp. The icy liquid slid down my throat, but it couldn't extinguish the flame in my chest called "waiting."

Jing Gao's actions will inevitably backfire. He only needs to wait for the right moment.

...

...

Shanghai, East Suburb No. 1.

A fine drizzle silently enveloped the eastern suburbs of Shanghai. Under the dim streetlights, the fine rain threads wove together a hazy veil, blurring the outline of the distant Tomson Golf Villas.

The banana leaves in the courtyard were glossy from the rain, and the dripping water added to the quiet night, making it feel even colder and more lonely.

Peng Jinghua, wearing a soft silk bathrobe, curled up dejectedly on the large leather sofa in the second-floor living room.

Only one wall lamp was on in the living room, its dim light outlining her slightly tired profile. At fifty years old, her well-maintained face could not hide her haggardness and loneliness.

Her son, Zhou Changle, and daughter, Zhou Miaoyu, are not with her. Her husband, Zhou Mingyang, has been detained for several days and is awaiting his final trial.

Chang Le had been traveling around with Ming Yang for some time, taking care of him. Now, Chang Le has taken a long leave from China Merchants Securities and returned to her hometown in Sichuan Province to rest for a while, hoping to avoid the limelight.

It was only after a deep conversation with her younger sister, Zhou Shiqing, that she learned the price of Jing Gao's promise to "not harm the family" was Shiqing's entire life. Even so, her cautious attempts to "please" Jing Gao were by no means superfluous. She was at his mercy! In this unequal situation, everything she did, no matter how humble, was to fight for a sliver of hope for the Zhou family's remaining foundation and her children's future. No matter how humiliating, it was the right thing to do.

The situation has stabilized for now, so perhaps Chang Le could consider coming back? This thought brought a faint warmth to her heart.

Xiaoyuer is at school right now, facing a major life exam—the college entrance examination—in three days. She hopes that the dramatic changes in her family haven't affected her child.

Little Yu'er was always so well-behaved and sensible on the phone, saying in a clear voice, "Mom, don't worry," but Peng Jinghua's rational mind told her: How could she not be affected?
Her father was arrested for such a despicable crime as "Ponzi scheme"! Rumors, strange looks, and a huge psychological gap... how much pressure must that be for a girl about to take the college entrance exam? She dared not think about it too deeply.

Around noon today, she received news that the debt restructuring plan of Mingyuan Group had been officially approved.

Although she was the one who personally signed the agreement agreeing to Jing Gao's leadership in the restructuring at the Mingyuan Group headquarters building as the major shareholder representative, a deeper and more powerless sense of loss still overwhelmed her like a tide when everything was settled.

Signing that document with his own hands was like nailing the coffin lid shut for an era of the Zhou family. This sense of loss was heart-wrenching, yet unspeakable to outsiders.

After all, she had already paid a huge price to "ingratiate" with the victor, so her current dejection seemed so out of place, even... a bit pretentious. Shouldn't she have accepted her fate long ago?
A soft sigh echoed clearly in the quiet, rainy living room. Peng Jinghua wearily closed her eyes and buried her head deep into the soft sofa back.

After a long while, when she looked out the window again in a daze, she suddenly realized that the rain that had lasted all night had stopped sometime earlier.

A crack appeared in the thick clouds, revealing a deep, pale blue sky behind it. On the eastern horizon, a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer of dawn appeared.

The faint morning light brought no hope; instead, it highlighted the emptiness in her heart, making the long night seem even heavier, and dawn seem unsettlingly distant.

Just then, the cell phone on the coffee table next to the sofa suddenly rang, breaking the silence in the living room.

...

...

Hengshan Road, a garden villa.

The morning breeze rustled through the dense sycamore trees lining Hengshan Road, shaking off the cool dew that had accumulated overnight.

Nestled among the trees is an elegant French-style garden villa, its red brick walls covered in lush green ivy. Roses in the courtyard, glistening with morning dew, quietly bloom in the soft morning light, releasing their delicate fragrance. The entire street is immersed in a tranquil and languid holiday atmosphere.

Zhao Zhiruo got up early and carefully washed and dressed. She wore a well-tailored summer Chanel suit, looking elegant and beautiful.

After finishing the exquisite breakfast prepared by the maid at the restaurant—freshly ground coffee, croissants, and a fresh fruit salad—she picked up her phone and dialed Peng Jinghua's number. She needed to expedite the transfer of the villa to her daughter Mengmeng and also collect the money that was supposed to be allocated to Lao Pan in the agreement.

Only after these matters are completely resolved will she have enough confidence to discuss divorce with Lao Pan.

"Yes, Sister Peng, it's me... Yes, about that matter... Okay, I understand, as soon as possible... Um, take care too..."

Zhao Zhiruo spoke calmly, yet her tone was decisive and left no room for refusal. After hanging up the phone, she looked at the maid standing beside her: "Has Mengmeng not gotten up yet?"

"Yes, madam, Miss hasn't woken up yet," the maid replied respectfully.

"Alright." Zhao Zhiruo frowned almost imperceptibly, picked up her handbag, and said, "I have to go out to run some errands. When Mengmeng wakes up, see what she wants to eat and make it for her."

She sighed inwardly. This girl has the college entrance exam in a few days, and she doesn't seem to care. She's counting on Boss Jing's help.

(End of this chapter)