Chapter Four: A Splash of Filthy Water

Pei Susu’s beautiful eyes were deep and shadowed, her thin lips pressed together in displeasure. These shareholders clearly had no intention of listening to her explanation; they had obviously been bought off by Liang Wenru. As she looked at the smugly triumphant Liang Wenru, a chill crept through her entire body.

Embezzlement, bribery, falsifying accounts—any one of these charges alone would be enough to ruin her reputation in the business world. Liang Wenru thought she had lost and said magnanimously, “Considering your years of service to the company, if not achievements then at least hard work, you can step down and take a small project manager position.”

Pei Susu nearly gagged with nausea. Scheming against her and still wanting to squeeze out every last drop of her worth—how could she have ever been so blind as to fall for him? For a fleeting moment, the image of a refined, cool, broad-shouldered young man flashed through her mind, and she felt there might still be hope for her taste in men.

Whatever lingering sentiment she had for Liang Wenru vanished completely. With resolve, she produced the already-prepared divorce agreement and threw it in his face. “I’m willing to withdraw from this project, but let me be clear: if you cannot provide credible evidence for the crimes you’ve accused me of, then you are guilty of slander and defamation, and every participant here is an accomplice.”

“And for your information, willfully fabricating and spreading falsehoods that damage another’s character and reputation is a serious offense, punishable by up to three years in prison, detention, restriction, or deprivation of political rights.”

The shareholders who had been so eager to hurl mud at her froze, their faces stiffening as they fell silent.

The divorce agreement slid off Liang Wenru’s face and fell to the ground, his smirk frozen, chest heaving, eyes bloodshot. “Pei Susu!”

Pei Susu smiled elegantly. “What’s wrong, Mr. Liang? Suddenly remembered your dignity? I thought you’d lost it long ago.”

“If you truly have evidence that I’ve harmed the company, I’ll be waiting. Likewise, I’ll submit proof of your infidelity and asset transfers during our marriage to the court for divorce proceedings, ensuring you won’t get a single cent.”

“If you’d rather not go to court, you can pick up the divorce agreement and sign it. Perhaps we can part peacefully.”

Liang Wenru knew he had little chance of winning a divorce case, but his pride couldn’t bear the humiliation. Fists clenched, he glared at the innocent divorce papers lying on the floor and stomped on them. “Fine. If it’s a lawsuit you want, it’s a lawsuit you’ll get.”

Pei Susu collected the forged documents Liang Wenru had prepared. “By the way, I’ll be submitting these to the court as well. Mr. Liang, make sure you have your evidence ready—or I’ll sue you for defamation.”

With that, Pei Susu turned and left with calm composure, leaving Liang Wenru seething and stamping his feet in frustration.

—

“In the first half of the year, the company achieved total revenue of 171 billion yuan. Though there was a slight year-on-year decrease, adjusted net profit rose sharply by 126.3%, reaching 19.3 billion yuan.”

“Under the company’s strategy of balancing scale and profit, overall operational efficiency was optimized, resulting in a significant improvement in profitability…”

In the President’s Office of the Fu Group,

The special assistant was dutifully reporting the group’s mid-year summary, but the man seated behind the desk seemed completely distracted.

Since the day Pei Susu broke up with him and left, he hadn’t received a single message or call from her. He’d waited outside her old apartment more than once, but only dared to watch from afar.

Longing and yearning wrapped around him silently. Fu Zhichen’s gaze lingered on a secretly taken photo of her. He stroked her fair, delicate face with his fingertip.

In the photo, a coolly beautiful woman leaned against the headboard, her eyes filled with gentle affection, her small face lifted in proud defiance, waving him over casually.

Sister, do you really not want me anymore?

—

Assistant Liu finished his report nervously under the heavy atmosphere, finally mentioning the recent movements among major companies in the business world, especially the rapidly rising Xingye Group.

“There seems to be significant internal strife within Xingye Group. The ruling Liang family—heir Liang Wenru is in the midst of a messy divorce with the company’s backbone, Pei Susu. Liang Wenru is offering big money everywhere to buy dirt on her.”

“President, do you think we should step in and win Pei Susu over to our side? Xingye was a dying company, yet Pei Susu revived it and led it to new glory.”

She’s getting divorced?! Fu Zhichen’s somber eyes suddenly lit up.

After the divorce, she’d be single again. Wouldn’t he then be able to pursue her openly and legitimately?

Assistant Liu, seeing the president’s sudden burst of energy, assumed he was impressed with Pei Susu’s talents, “President, adversity reveals true hearts. I’ll arrange a meeting with Pei Susu and try to recruit her.”

Fu Zhichen’s face darkened instantly, protective as a young wolf over its meal. “You’re not to go. She’s mine!”

Was that something he could even hear? The assistant stood there, completely baffled.

Fu Zhichen cleared his throat to cover his loss of composure. “Print this photo and send it to Liang Wenru.”

The assistant glanced at the photo, hesitated for a moment, but carried out the order.

In a café, Liang Wenru eagerly tore open the envelope the assistant handed him. When he saw the photo of Pei Susu entering a hotel with another man, his face broke into a delighted grin.

“How much do you want? Name your price.”

“I don’t want money.” The assistant motioned for him to lean in and whispered another condition in his ear.

Liang Wenru’s expression turned odd, but the temptation was too great. He chose to trust the man before him. “Fine, I agree to your terms.”

Clearly, Pei Susu had made too many enemies. Others were just taking the opportunity to kick her while she was down. He convinced himself with this reasoning.

After the assistant left, Liang Wenru tucked the envelope away confidently, ready to deliver a crushing blow to Pei Susu in court.

—

Court day.

Liang Wenru arrived in a tailored suit, full of confidence. The assistant followed, taking his place at the lawyer’s table. In the gallery, Chu Qingzhu sat composed and proud, chin held high.

Pei Susu looked at the inexplicably self-assured Liang Wenru and the expectant Chu Qingzhu, a cold smile curling at her lips.

The judge nodded at both sides as they entered. “Court is now in session.”

An experienced female lawyer nodded at Pei Susu, bowed slightly, and began her statement, “During the marriage, Mr. Liang repeatedly had affairs with Ms. Chu and, after Ms. Pei filed for divorce, transferred assets in secret. Furthermore, to help Ms. Chu obtain project contracts, he defamed and slandered Ms. Pei at the company’s board meeting.”

“All relevant evidence has been submitted to the court.”

Liang Wenru, unable to wait for his lawyer, jumped up in protest, “Your Honor, she’s lying! I have proof—she not only cheated during the marriage but also conspired with a gigolo to steal my assets!”

“Lawyer Jiang, tell them! Pei Susu is crying thief to catch a thief—she tried to swallow my assets, I was forced to transfer them!”

All eyes turned to Lawyer Jiang, who, in stark contrast to his earlier cooperation, now looked at Liang Wenru as if he were a fool. “I am here to accuse Mr. Liang. During the course of this case, he dated Ms. Chu numerous times, repeatedly offered high prices for dirt on Ms. Pei, and forged evidence to deliberately defame her. I have submitted all transfer records and chat logs to the court.”