Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

The next morning, Zhao Shufang rushed to the office, her heart brimming with determination but also filled with anxiety. While she felt somewhat relieved by last night's decision, facing the dual threats of Shen Yu and Li Xin, she knew she had to proceed with caution. She couldn't allow the Zhao family to become pawns in Shen Yu's game, nor could she allow Li Xin's intentions to loom over her head.

As soon as she sat down, a document appeared on the table. Zhao Shufang picked it up and saw that it was the latest letter from Shen Yu, revealing a new business cooperation intention. She knew that behind every letter and every closeness from Shen Yu was his hidden calculation.

She gently put the letter down and began to recall Li Xin's warning last night. Li Xin said that Shen Yu would not let go easily, especially after the Zhao family showed a certain degree of independence. The uneasiness in Zhao Shufang's heart also quickly magnified at this time.

Just as I was thinking about it, my cell phone rang. It was Li Xin calling.

"Ms. Zhao, what are you planning to do today? How is the talk with Shen Yu going?" Li Xin's voice was still relaxed, but Zhao Shufang knew that behind every question he asked, there was a deeper plot.

"Li Xin, I talked to Shen Yu yesterday. He proposed some new cooperation suggestions, but..." Zhao Shufang paused, her tone still calm, "I know he's calculating every move. Yesterday's compromise doesn't mean he's giving in."

"I know," Li Xin's tone became a little serious. "Shen Yu has always been unfathomable. The game between you and Shen Yu is not just as simple as business cooperation. He also wants to use this opportunity to control the Zhao family."

"I understand." Zhao Shufang took a deep breath, her heart resolute. "But I won't just passively accept this game anymore. I don't want the Zhao family to become his vassal again."

"Very good." Li Xin's tone was full of praise. "You are determined, and I have better ways to help you. Shen Yu wants to play tricks, but I can help you take the initiative."

Zhao Shufang knew that Li Xin's help came at a price, but at this moment, what she needed was his energy and wisdom.

"I understand what you mean," Zhao Shufang said in a deep voice. "However, I cannot rely entirely on external forces for the situation ahead. I have a plan. As for how to proceed, it depends on the cards we have in hand."

"Don't worry, I will cooperate with you." Li Xin chuckled, "However, we must prepare for Shen Yu's plan early."

Zhao Shufang hung up the phone, stood up, and looked out the window at the gradually brightening sky, silently planning her next move. She had already made a plan—the Zhao family could no longer passively wait. She had to take the initiative and forge a path of independence that truly belonged to the Zhao family.

At this time, there was a knock on the office door and secretary Li Ling walked in.

"Ms. Zhao, Mr. Shen Yu just called and said that there was something urgent and he wanted to meet with you." There was a hint of nervousness in Li Ling's tone. It was obvious that Shen Yu's "urgency" was not simple.

Zhao Shufang nodded, secretly calculating the time in her mind: "Make some arrangements and ask Shen Yu to come over."

A few minutes later, Shen Yu entered Zhao Shufang's office. As usual, he was dressed in a well-fitting suit, his demeanor elegant and refined, his presence radiating an irresistible chill. He smiled faintly, his eyes penetrating, as if he had anticipated everything.

"Good morning, Miss Zhao." Shen Yu's voice was low and magnetic, with a hint of politeness, but it also made it difficult to grasp his true intentions.

"Mr. Shen Yu, good morning." Zhao Shufang smiled slightly and gestured for him to sit down. "I wonder what brings you to me today?"

After Shen Yu sat down, he scanned Zhao Shufang's desk, finally stopping at her face. He smiled and said, "Ms. Zhao is indeed capable. I asked you to come here today because I have a new cooperation idea that coincides with your previous suggestion. I think it's worth discussing."

Zhao Shufang's heart tightened. She knew that Shen Yu's "cooperation" must have a new plan.

"Really?" she replied softly, her tone calm. "I'd love to hear your thoughts."

Shen Yu pulled out a document from his briefcase and handed it to Zhao Shufang. "This is my new cooperation proposal for the Zhao family. The details are in this document. I know Miss Zhao has always hoped that the Zhao family can be independent, but in reality, only a strong alliance can lead to a win-win situation. This is a good thing for you, me, and even for the Zhao family."

Zhao Shufang took the document and glanced at it. It detailed Shen Yu's proposed "cooperation plan," involving a series of capital and resource injections, encompassing investments in nearly every area of ​​the Zhao family. While it appeared to be a huge business opportunity, Zhao Shufang could sense a veiled desire for control.

She was silent for a moment, then slowly put down the document and looked directly at Shen Yu: "Mr. Shen Yu, this proposal looks very tempting, but I think it lacks a key element - that is the true independence of the Zhao family."

Shen Yu's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes deepened. "Ms. Zhao, you should know that true independence is not easy. Independence often means isolation. Even if the Zhao family has sufficient resources, how can they gain a foothold in this complex business world? This is the key."

Zhao Shufang narrowed her eyes and said bluntly, "Mr. Shen Yu, I believe the Zhao family doesn't need to rely on anyone else. We have enough ability to forge our own path. The cooperation you mentioned is more about incorporating the Zhao family into your chessboard, rather than allowing us to truly stand on our own."

Shen Yu smiled, a glint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "Miss Zhao is indeed smart. If that's the case, if the Zhao family really wants to be independent, it will require even greater courage and wisdom. Do you think the Zhao family has such courage?"

Zhao Shufang met Shen Yu's gaze and said calmly, "I have the courage and wisdom. As long as I decide, the Zhao family will be able to stand on its own."

Shen Yu smiled slightly and whispered, "Miss Zhao, if that's the case, then let's see who is wiser."

Zhao Shufang nodded: "Let's go and see."

Shen Yu stood up, seemingly in no hurry to leave. Instead, he slowly said, "Ms. Zhao, if you really have the courage, why not work with me and we can develop together? Don't worry, I won't force you, nor will I deprive you of your independence. You can fully control the resources and direction of the Zhao family."

Zhao Shufang looked at Shen Yu and silently analyzed in her heart that every word Shen Yu said was an attempt to pull her in, trying to get her to accept his cooperation conditions. But she knew that if she really agreed to Shen Yu, the Zhao family would always be under his control. She didn't have the courage to take such a risk.

"Mr. Shen Yu, thank you for your kindness." She raised her head, her eyes like water. "But the Zhao family has only its own path and does not need to rely on the guidance of others."

Shen Yu was silent for a moment, his eyes gradually cooling. "Okay, since Miss Zhao is so determined, I have nothing to say. However, in this world, the most difficult people to deal with are often those who appear weak but have clear goals in mind. If the Zhao family can truly forge its own path, then I wish you good luck."

Zhao Shufang smiled slightly, her eyes firm: "Thank you for your blessing."

Shen Yu left, and silence returned to the office. Zhao Shufang took a deep breath, realizing that Shen Yu's threats and challenges would not be easily relented, but she was ready to face all the storms in the future.