Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

Zhao Shufang's heart was filled with complex and heavy emotions. As she left Shen Yu's office and walked into the bustling night, the overwhelming weight of her emotions threatened to suffocate her. She felt as if she were trapped in a foggy trap, surrounded by invisible forces controlling her every move. Yet, she also knew that no matter what, she couldn't give in easily.

Everything seemed predetermined. Lu Lingyuan's scheme had already been laid out, and she seemed to have been nothing more than a pawn in his carefully woven chess game. At this thought, a chill flashed in Zhao Shufang's eyes. She knew she wasn't just dealing with Lu Lingyuan and Shen Yu; she also had to confront the trust and choices she had made all along—those people she had once trusted, it turned out, were hiding so much conspiracy and calculation.

She pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Chen Jin's number. Chen Jin was a friend she had always trusted, and also her ally in this complex struggle. After the phone rang a few times, Chen Jin's voice came from the other end: "Mr. Zhao, what's going on?"

"I need your help with something." Zhao Shufang's voice was calm and resolute. "The current situation isn't just a problem between me and the Zhao Group. Can you help me investigate the network of connections behind Lu Lingyuan?"

Chen Jin was stunned for a moment, then responded, "Don't worry, I'll start investigating right away. But, Mr. Zhao, is it really necessary to confront him head-on? Lu Lingyuan's background is not simple."

"I understand." Zhao Shufang gritted her teeth, "But in this matter, there is no choice."

Chen Jin didn't say anything more, just responded briefly: "Okay, I will have the results as soon as possible."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Shufang took a deep breath and pulled herself together. She knew she could no longer remain in silence and fear. Tonight, she had to make a decision. It wasn't just for the Zhao Group, nor was it just for herself. It was for her family, who had been deceived for years, her father, her mother, and even those who had silently supported her behind the scenes.

Her thoughts were churning, and when she walked to a quiet cafe, she saw that man - Lu Lingyuan.

He was still as elegant and calm as ever, dressed in a well-fitting suit, sitting in a corner, the hustle and bustle around him seemingly unaffected by him. Seeing Zhao Shufang walk in, Lu Lingyuan raised his eyes and smiled slightly. At that moment, Zhao Shufang felt a strong sense of oppression emanating from him.

"Mr. Zhao, I didn't expect that we meet again." Lu Lingyuan's tone was gentle, as if everything was natural.

Zhao Shufang walked over and sat down, looking directly at Lu Lingyuan: "Lu Lingyuan, the game between us has finally reached this point."

Lu Lingyuan remained calm and composed, smiling, "You are truly remarkable, able to detect all this in such a short time."

Zhao Shufang sneered: "The chess game you set up behind the scenes is almost unnoticeable to anyone, but I will understand it one day. I just didn't expect that I would become a chess piece in your plan."

"I always thought Mr. Zhao was a smart man." Lu Lingyuan sighed softly, "But you are wrong, Zhao Shufang. You are not a chess piece, you are more like the center of this chess game. Without you, the Zhao Group would not be so threatening."

Zhao Shufang pursed her lips and remained silent, her gaze so calm it could almost penetrate Lu Lingyuan's heart. She knew that Lu Lingyuan was right. Her fate and the Zhao Group's fate had long been closely linked to his, and his understanding of her was even greater than her understanding of herself.

"So, what do you want?" Zhao Shufang finally asked, her voice calm, but the anger in her heart almost made her lose control.

Lu Lingyuan looked at her, his eyes flashing with a hint of complex emotions: "I just want to complete a long-term plan. This plan has been started a long time ago, but you just realized it."

Zhao Shufang took a deep breath and said, "If I choose to resist, you will completely destroy everything between me and the Zhao Group, right?"

"Resist?" Lu Lingyuan raised an eyebrow. "Boss Zhao, what do you think you can resist? Everything you're doing now was already within my expectations. The fact that you've reached this point today is actually a plan I've already set."

Zhao Shufang's heart suddenly sank. This man had calculated everything so meticulously. She felt as if she saw a mountain that was difficult to climb, and every choice she made would lead her into the trap of this mountain.

She raised her head and met Lu Lingyuan's gaze firmly. "Lu Lingyuan, you're wrong. Everything you said was just an excuse to justify yourself. Maybe I was really just a pawn on the chessboard at the beginning, but now, I'm no longer one."

Lu Lingyuan smiled, as if he had heard something very interesting: "What do you think you can change? You are just making the same moves on the same chessboard, and even the outcome is predetermined."

"I won't sit still and wait for death," Zhao Shufang whispered, her eyes burning with determination. "I will bring all your plans and yours to nothing."

Lu Lingyuan put away his smile, a trace of seriousness appearing on his face: "Zhao Shufang, you really impressed me. If you really have that ability, then this game will be controlled by you."

Zhao Shufang stopped responding, a fierce light flickering in her eyes. She knew there was no turning back in this game; she was already at the center of the storm, and she would fight to the death in her own way.

She stood up, her eyes like knives: "I will uncover all the truth. No matter how you plot, I will make you pay the price."

Lu Lingyuan watched her leave, his eyes full of deep scrutiny. "You will regret this, Zhao Shufang. In the end, you will find that everything is beyond your control."

Zhao Shufang's back gradually walked away, and her heart was filled with unprecedented determination - she would not give in easily, and today's decision would change everything in her future.

And this fierce competition is just the beginning.