Chapter 904

Shen Rou understood Tang Jinzhou's implication perfectly—it aligned precisely with her own thoughts. If fate granted her a worthy partner, that would be her good fortune. If not, she would settle for the most advantageous match possible. Someone like Tang Jinzhou, a man who could rival Beckett in power and influence. Only by standing beside a man like him could she truly hold her head high in front of Madeleine, spine straight and pride unbroken. "President Tang," she asked with a faint smile, "are you proposing a business partnership... or something more personal?" She was no longer the naive girl who could be swept away by fleeting romance. Now, she weighed every decision with cold, calculated logic. Tang Jinzhou chuckled. "I can accommodate whatever you desire. If we join forces, the entire Pinebrook market will be ours. Isn’t that worth considering?" He knew Shen Rou wasn’t after some childish notion of love—what she truly valued was profit, power, and position. And he was right. The offer *was* tempting. With Tang Jinzhou’s capabilities, it was only a matter of time before he devoured Zhongcheng Group. Given her precarious standing in the Park family, without a powerful ally—or a strategic marriage—she would remain nothing more than a pawn for those old schemers until the day she died. Why stay trapped when she could gamble everything for a shot at the top? Perhaps... just as Tang Jinzhou said, the entire Pinebrook market *would* one day belong to them. When they stood at the pinnacle of the business world, when the entire elite had to grovel at her feet, when she finally looked down upon everything from the highest throne—then she would see who dared to scorn her. What would Madeleine be then? What would Beckett matter? What weight would the Li family hold? Every last person who had belittled her, mocked her, or doubted her success—she would make them taste the bitterness of being crushed beneath her heel. "Your terms are certainly alluring, President Tang," Shen Rou replied, her smile deliberate. "But you’re also an excellent partner. I don’t make a habit of betraying my allies." She tilted her head slightly. "Money and profit aren’t my ultimate priorities. What truly matters is finding someone with shared ambitions—someone to climb to the top *with*." Her heart did flutter, but she couldn't agree immediately. Men were all the same—they never treasured what came too easily. Shen Rou gazed at Tang Jinzhou like a hunter sizing up her prey. Yet this was Tang Jinzhou—the man who played the fool to outwit the tiger, the apex predator in disguise. A faint smirk curled his lips. Her response didn’t surprise him. He knew the bait had been taken. "Miss Shen, you’re truly an admirable business partner. I’m quite pleased with you," Tang Jinzhou said, his tone warmer now, no longer the aloof demeanor from before. It was as if her answer had genuinely intrigued him. Shen Rou allowed herself a small smile. Tang Jinzhou was sharp—she believed his earlier question had been a test, and her refusal was the correct response. The air between them grew taut, like the strained strings of a violin, as their silent battle of wits unfolded. "Suddenly, I find myself quite… fascinated by you, Miss Shen," Tang Jinzhou remarked, sliding the steak he had meticulously cut toward her. "Few women pique my curiosity. I’ll be blunt—if anything I say makes you uncomfortable, feel free to speak up." "Not at all. I appreciate your candor, Mr. Tang. No pretense, just raw honesty." Shen Rou raised her glass, clinking it lightly against his. Their eyes met in a knowing exchange, neither speaking further, yet both minds whirring with calculations. Shen Rou’s ambitions were too vast—kicking Bai Heming to the curb was only a matter of time. Tang Jinzhou’s task was to drive a wedge between the Park and Bai families before they could join forces against Beckett and the Li family, ensuring their alliance crumbled into bitter enmity. As for what came after? Well, that would depend on the Li family and Beckett’s own capabilities. He couldn’t very well chew everything up and spoon-feed it to Beckett, could he? That’d make him more of a father than a strategist. Not that he minded anyway. A faint smirk played at the corners of Tang Jinzhou's lips. Back home, Beckett was probably sneezing right now while babysitting. ... At Pei Chuan's residence. Gu Yun pounded furiously on the bedroom door, but Pei Chuan had given strict orders not to let him out. "Pei Chuan, you bastard!" Gu Yun's steps were still unsteady from his injuries, his gait uneven. Jumping from the second floor would definitely get him hurt. Pei Chuan was certain Gu Yun wouldn't dare leap from the window, so he didn't bother worrying too much. "Sir, Mr. Beach is still shouting. He refuses to eat anything," an assistant reported quietly as he approached Pei Chuan in the courtyard. Pei Chuan took a sip of coffee and frowned. "Ignore him. A few days locked up will calm him down." He figured Gu Yun was just throwing a tantrum—a little hunger strike would sort him out soon enough. "Miss Linda is here," the housekeeper announced, ushering in an exceptionally beautiful woman. Pei Chuan's girlfriend, Linda, had already met his family, and the two were about to get engaged. Pei Chuan set down his coffee and stood with a smile. "What brings you here?" "I went to your office, but your staff said you took today and tomorrow off. Since you didn't reach out, I thought I'd check what you're up to—maybe hiding some beauty in a golden tower behind my back?" Linda teased, wrapping her arms around him from behind and glancing around playfully. "Seems like no hidden beauties here." "What nonsense are you thinking?" Pei Chuan affectionately ruffled her hair and gestured for the housekeeper to bring her coffee. Linda was also an orphan, adopted by a wealthy Chinese-American businessman in the States. They had spent some time together as children, and he had always protected her like a little sister. Reuniting after all these years… fate truly worked in mysterious ways. Pei Chuan had always been somewhat clueless about romance. When Linda confessed her feelings and asked to be with him, he didn’t want to see her heartbroken, so he agreed… After they started dating, Pei Chuan treated her exceptionally well—almost to the point of indulgence. "Pei Chuan," Linda said softly, gazing at him, "I always feel like you still treat me the way you did when we were kids—like a brother protecting his little sister. Have you ever… liked anyone else all these years?" Pei Chuan paused, then shook his head. "No." It was the truth. He wasn’t lying. He had never truly felt his heart stir for any woman. "That’s great!" Linda beamed, throwing her arms around him. "Then I understand now. You’re just unfamiliar with relationships, unsure how to respond to me…" Pei Chuan chuckled. "I really… don’t know much about dating. If I ever make you unhappy, you can break up with me anytime. I’ll respect your choice." "How can you say that?" Linda looked up at him, pouting. "We’re in a relationship now. I’m your girlfriend… We’re both adults. Why don’t we try living together? I could move in with you—wouldn’t that be nice?" Pei Chuan stiffened, his gaze instinctively flickering toward the second floor—toward Gu Yun’s room. If Linda moved in… Gu Yun would probably feel uncomfortable. "Maybe… a little later?" he hedged. "No," Linda said firmly, shaking her head. She simply wanted to live with Pei Chuan to nurture their relationship. After all this time dating, they had only held hands—not even a single kiss! She was determined to do what adults do. ... Upstairs. Gu Yun stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the intimate scene unfolding in the garden below—Pei Chuan and his girlfriend, lost in their own world. The sight was achingly beautiful, sickeningly harmonious. The man, indulgent; the woman, coy... Hah. How blissful. But why flaunt that happiness in front of him? Why carve into him like a slow execution? Was Pei Chuan doing this on purpose? A flicker of panic shot through Gu Yun. Had Pei Chuan seen through his filthy, twisted thoughts? Was this all just a cruel trap to mock his pathetic, disgusting desires? Clenching his fists until they trembled, Gu Yun dug his nails deep into his palms. The sharp sting of broken skin barely registered. He couldn’t stay here. Not for another second. Throwing open the window, he stared down at the two-story drop. Even if it meant shattering his other leg, he’d take the fall—anything to escape.