Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

As Zhao Shufang walked out of Shen Yu's office, the pent-up tension in her heart finally released a little, but she knew the real game had just begun. Shen Yu's compromise and acceptance seemed a good sign, but she knew that Shen Yu was not someone who gave up easily, but rather a man of great patience and foresight. He would try various methods to control the situation until he got the result he wanted.

Zhao Shufang slowly walked downstairs, her mind replaying Shen Yu's expression and tone. Shen Yu was clever; he wouldn't accept her proposal unconditionally—his terms were merely a temporary truce. She knew the real challenge lay in ensuring the Zhao family's independence in the upcoming collaboration, preventing herself and the Zhao family from falling prey to Shen Yu's schemes.

She raised her head, her eyes gradually became firm, and she made a decision in her heart - she could no longer rely on Shen Yu's compromise, she had to use her own strength to gain a firm foothold.

Just when she was lost in thought, she suddenly received a call from Li Xin.

"Ms. Zhao, how are you doing recently? How is the cooperation going?" Li Xin's voice came from the other end of the phone, still with that refreshing but slightly tentative tone.

Zhao Shufang frowned slightly. Every call from Li Xin made her feel uncomfortable, especially as the situation became increasingly complicated. Li Xin's stance was never clear. He always offered her some "care" at critical moments, but behind this care, there were often more calculations.

"Li Xin, Shen Yu and I have almost finished discussing the cooperation, and have basically reached some preliminary agreements." Zhao Shufang answered concisely and decisively, without any fluctuation in her tone.

"Really? That's great news. However, Miss Zhao, I heard Shen Yu might be making some moves recently, so you'd better be careful." Li Xin's tone was filled with a hint of vigilance. "I know you can stand firm in front of him now, but he has great ambitions. Especially after you proposed the condition of independence, Shen Yu's attitude has become less clear."

Zhao Shufang stopped and took a deep breath. "Li Xin, do you mean that Shen Yu won't let go so easily?"

Li Xin smiled, his tone cold. "Of course not. Shen Yu is a shrewd man. He appears to agree to your terms, but in reality, he's just looking for an opportunity to suppress you. What he least wants is for the Zhao family to have independent power. If you continue like this, there will be a tough battle sooner or later."

Zhao Shufang's face darkened slightly, and Li Xin's words made her feel even more depressed. She had originally thought that Shen Yu's concession might be a temporary reconciliation, but Li Xin reminded her of a key point - Shen Yu was a person who was very good at controlling the situation, and he would never give up his own interests easily at any time.

"Thank you, Li Xin." Zhao Shufang whispered calmly, as if responding to his advice.

"You're welcome. You and I are partners. Miss Zhao, remember, no matter what, Li Xin will always be on your side." There was a hint of sincerity in Li Xin's tone on the other end of the phone.

Zhao Shufang clutched her phone and sighed softly. While Li Xin's "advice" was motivated by personal motives, it was also not without merit. She knew full well that Shen Yu's intelligence and scheming were far more complex than they appeared. The Zhao family would soon face a pincer attack from two forces: Shen Yu's business empire and Li Xin's untold ambitions.

Zhao Shufang sat on the sofa in the dining room, holding a cup of warm tea in her hand, quietly savoring it. Zhao Yongkang walked in from outside and saw his daughter so pensive. He couldn't help but frowned, "Shufang, how did things go today? Shen Yu..."

Zhao Shufang put down her teacup and looked up at her father. Her tone was calm, but there was a hint of determination hidden in her voice. "Dad, I talked to Shen Yu today. He agreed to some of the conditions, but I know he won't let go so easily. He has bigger plans behind the scenes, especially the business war that you and Mom have been afraid to face. Now, it's finally about to break out."

Zhao Yongkang looked at his daughter, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes: "Do you think Shen Yu will take action? His cooperation conditions are very advantageous. It may be beneficial for the Zhao family to follow him."

Zhao Shufang shook her head slightly. "Shen Yu's cooperation is never unconditional. He will always hold the dominant position. We can no longer rely on him or become his vassal. The Zhao family must be self-reliant and strong in order to have a future."

Zhao Yongkang sighed: "You are right, but I am also aware of the current situation of the Zhao family. There are not many forces we can rely on. If it really comes to the point where we have to rely on Shen Yu, perhaps we can only bear it reluctantly."

Zhao Shufang looked at her father with a sneer on her face. "I'm not afraid of enduring it, but Shen Yu can't easily control us. What we need to do is take the initiative to grasp power and shape our own situation, rather than passively waiting to be led by others."

Her eyes became firm, as if she had already made a decision: "I have decided. There will be a crucial action next that will completely change our destiny."

Zhao Yongkang was a little surprised: "Shufang, what do you want to do?"

Zhao Shufang didn't answer her father. Instead, she picked up the document on the table and flipped to a page. It was a business plan for the Zhao family's development over the next five years. Zhao Shufang had made numerous annotations and revisions to the document. While it superficially appeared to conform to the cooperation framework proposed by Shen Yu, in reality, she had designed a completely independent and autonomous business path for the Zhao family. She believed that only by establishing a firm foothold on this path could the Zhao family no longer rely on the handouts and control of any one party.

She pushed the document in front of her father, her eyes firm: "Dad, we have to go our own way. This plan is the future of our Zhao family."

Zhao Yongkang looked at her, and the complicated expression on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a trace of relief and recognition: "Shufang, you have grown up."

Zhao Shufang didn't say much, just nodded and whispered: "This is the Zhao family's path, and it is also my own path."

At that moment, Zhao Yongkang understood that his daughter had developed her own vision of the bigger picture. Regardless of the future, the Zhao family's ability to maintain its footing and escape this predicament depended on Zhao Shufang's own decisions and actions. And at this moment, she took the first step toward changing the future.

The night outside gradually deepened, and the light from the Zhao family villa shone through the curtains into the house, making it seem particularly warm. However, Zhao Shufang's heart was like the ever-expanding night, quietly waiting for the impending decisive battle.

"Father, in this upcoming battle, the Zhao family will no longer be pawns. We will be the players."