Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

Zhao Shufang stood at her office window, gazing at the darkening sky, her heart filled with uncertainty and challenge. She was already standing on a vast chessboard, and everything depended on her next move. This single move could determine her future and completely alter the future of the Zhao family.

However, she knew that Zhao Yongkang's mindset remained the biggest variable in this game. Although he outwardly supported her decision, she knew he still had his concerns. He was unwilling to completely let go, unwilling to fully trust in the control of an external force. Li Xin's influence was too great, and she knew that without breaking this situation, the Zhao family's independent rise would be almost impossible.

At this moment, the ringing of the cell phone broke the silence. She glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Shen Yu.

"Ms. Zhao, the afternoon meeting is scheduled for four o'clock. Are you available to attend?" Shen Yu's voice was calm and gentle, as if everything was under his control.

"Mr. Shen, okay, no problem. I will be there on time." Zhao Shufang agreed.

She knew that Shen Yu was more than just a business partner; more often than not, he was the key to breaking the current situation. Whether it was funding or resources, Shen Yu provided the support she needed most. Her partnership with Shen Yu was destined to change the dynamic between her and Li Xin.

Zhao Shufang arrived on time. Shen Yu was already waiting at the table with several documents and materials piled in front of him. Shen Yu smiled slightly when he saw her come in and pointed to the chair opposite: "Ms. Zhao, please take a seat."

Zhao Shufang sat down and reached for a document. "Mr. Shen, what exactly are we going to discuss in today's meeting?"

Shen Yu nodded. "The focus of this meeting is to discuss the details of our future cooperation, especially in terms of financial support and resource integration. I have prepared a detailed plan for you, involving the government approval process and the flow of funds."

Zhao Shufang flipped open the document, quickly scanning each page, mentally calculating the pros and cons. She could clearly sense that Shen Yu wasn't eager to give her further answers, but rather wanted to demonstrate his confidence and ability through this document. She knew Shen Yu wasn't someone who trusted easily, and that only through concrete action and preparation could she impress him.

"This plan is very targeted," Zhao Shufang raised her head and looked at Shen Yu. "However, Mr. Shen, the approval process for this plan is still a bit cumbersome. Can it be simplified?"

Shen Yu smiled slightly. "Ms. Zhao, it's not that I don't want to simplify it, but the government's requirements are quite strict. Every step requires careful operation. After all, the amount of money involved is not small."

Zhao Shufang nodded. Shen Yu was right. She silently calculated in her mind that this plan was indeed what she needed most at the moment, but if she wanted to fully seize the initiative, she would need more preparation.

"Mr. Shen, can you give me more time to think about it? I need to have further discussions with my team." Zhao Shufang said gently.

Shen Yu pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Of course. We are not in a rush anyway."

Zhao Shufang felt relieved and prepared to leave. At this moment, Shen Yu suddenly asked, "Ms. Zhao, have you ever thought about whether our cooperation can be more in-depth in the future?"

Zhao Shufang was startled and looked up at Shen Yu. A hint of deep meaning seemed to flash in his eyes, but it quickly faded. "Mr. Shen, what do you mean?"

"I just feel that our business cooperation is going very smoothly. If there is an opportunity, can we carry out more extensive cooperation in other areas?" Shen Yu's tone was relaxed, but there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Zhao Shufang smiled slightly: "Boss Shen, what are you hinting at?"

Shen Yu didn't respond directly. Instead, he calmly flipped through the documents on the table and said thoughtfully, "I just feel that Miss Zhao's vision and judgment go beyond these ordinary business collaborations."

Zhao Shufang's smile faded slightly, but she understood Shen Yu's intentions more clearly. His proposal meant he wanted to deepen the partnership, perhaps even on a more personal level. She knew Shen Yu wasn't just a business partner; he had a deep background and resources. Collaborating with him was indeed a huge opportunity, but relying entirely on him would put her in a constant, passive position.

She lowered her head in thought for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Mr. Shen, I know your abilities and resources, and I'm also aware of the potential for our cooperation. However, I hope we can maintain our independence and respect each other. I prefer a win-win partnership rather than over-reliance on a single party."

Shen Yu glanced at her, as if trying to gauge the degree of her words, and finally nodded: "I understand Ms. Zhao's position. A cooperative relationship should be based on mutual trust and consensus."

Zhao Shufang knew that Shen Yu's compromise was only temporary. He wasn't just interested in business, and future challenges would continue to emerge. She had to remain vigilant and ensure she wasn't held hostage by him.

Zhao Shufang sat at the dining table, her head lowered as she ate breakfast, pondering her next steps. She knew her collaboration with Shen Yu needed to accelerate, or else Li Xin might exploit the time difference to increase pressure. More crucially, Zhao Yongkang's attitude remained unclear, requiring further communication.

At this time, Zhao Yongkang came down from upstairs, looking exhausted. "Shufang, I talked to Li Xin for a while last night. He put forward a lot of conditions. It seems that he is not going to give up."

Zhao Shufang frowned slightly: "Dad, Li Xin's proposal is not simple. We can't compromise easily."

Zhao Yongkang sighed and sat opposite her: "I know, but there is no other choice."

Zhao Shufang was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Dad, we have a choice. Shen Yu's plan is more feasible, and we have full control over it."

Zhao Yongkang looked at her with a complicated expression: "Can you really ensure that there will be no problems on this road?"

"I will make sure." Zhao Shufang answered firmly.

At this moment, a flicker of hesitation flashed across Zhao Yongkang's eyes, but then he sighed deeply: "I hope you can do as you said."

Zhao Shufang's heart skipped a beat, realizing this was her chance. If she could successfully win over Zhao Yongkang, then Li Xin would no longer be a threat. The next battle would be a struggle between her and Shen Yu, and the final outcome of the three-way struggle between her, Li Xin, and Zhao Yongkang.

She smiled slightly, a hint of coldness appeared at the corner of her mouth, and her determination became even stronger: she must win this round.