The curtains blocked the sunlight, making the room dim and hard to see.
Zhang Xinran groped her way into the living room.
Nan Yue's voice rang out in the darkness: "Who's there? Is it you? Qin Zhao, have you come to see me?"
She paused, then continued: "Why did you leave me to walk alone? Will you feel lonely walking the road to the underworld by yourself?"
Although Nan Yue did not cry, her words sounded like weeping and pleading, each word tearfully bitter.
Listening further, even Zhang Xinran, an outsider, felt like crying. She quickly spoke up: "Miss, it's me, Zhang Xinran."
As soon as she finished speaking, a heavy object struck her body!
At the same time, she heard Nan Yue yell: "If it's not Qin Zhao, what are you doing here? Get out!"
Zhang Xinran retreated back a few steps, enduring the pain as she said: "Sorry Miss, didn't mean to disturb you, but Chairman Nan wants to see you. I'm just here to pass along the message."
A wine bottle shattered on the ground, glass shards flying everywhere, frightening Zhang Xinran into uncontrollable trembling.
Nan Yue asked: "Are you one of Nan Chenghui's people, or mine?!"
Zhang Xinran was silent for a while, then knelt before Nan Yue and replied: "I'm sorry Miss, I betrayed you. But if you can forgive me, from now on I'll be your person."
Nan Yue did not respond, only saying: "Tell me about the situation on Nan Chenghui's side."
Zhang Xinran recounted in meticulous detail everything that had happened in Nan Chenghui's hospital room.
"Alright, go tell Nan Chenghui that I won't see him, and all outside matters no longer concern me from now on."
Zhang Xinran nodded. "Yes Miss, I'll do as you say."
After Zhang Xinran passed along Nan Yue's words to Nan Chenghui, he was so angry he nearly leapt out of his hospital bed. But his body didn't allow it, so he could only yell and curse from his bed!
The doctor came several times but it didn't help. He could only let Nan Chenghui throw his tantrum.
Once Nan Chenghui had vented his anger, he said to Zhang Xinran: "You! Report Miss's situation to me every day!"
Zhang Xinran agreed.
But until the day before the board meeting began, Nan Yue still hadn't gone to see Nan Chenghui.
Gritting his teeth, he asked: "What is Miss doing today?"
Zhang Xinran replied: "Still the same. Miss has decided not to attend the board meeting."
Nan Chenghui closed his eyes for a moment, then said: "Very good, excellent! This way I don't need to waste time on her either! Help me call Li Shuyun."
"Yes, Chairman Nan."
...
At 9:30 am on May 2nd, in the board meeting venue.
There were still 30 minutes before the official start, but most of the board members had already arrived.
A few of the Nan Group's veterans sat together chatting idly.
"You all received the notice right? Nan Yue isn't coming today."
"It's best if she doesn't come. A useless playgirl, what's she coming for? To make trouble?"
"Hahahaha, Old Li you're too harsh. You should at least give the Chairman some face. If Nan Yue dares to come, I wouldn't mind voting for her."
"Nan Chenghui is half dead as it is! Does he still have any face left? He's lost it all! Hahaha!"
The sound of high heels echoed in the venue. Everyone looked over to see Li Shuyun walking to the main seat on the left and sitting down.
The atmosphere changed slightly.
Previously when Li Shuyun had spoken, it was only in her capacity as Nan Chenghui's wife. She held no real power or shares.
So no one had considered her part of the equation.
Seeing her now made everyone uneasy, especially those few with ambitions of competing for the Chairman position.
Old Zhang jokingly asked: "Mrs. Nan, have you just come to watch the show?"
Clearly not believing she had the qualifications to participate in the board meeting.
Li Shuyun remained composed, refusing to take his bait.
She believed the shares in her hands, plus those of the few she had lobbied, were enough to secure the Chairman seat.
No need to continue humoring these irrelevant people.
The board meeting host Zhou Kun said: "There are still 20 minutes before the board meeting starts. Board member candidates who intend to give a speech, please prepare your remarks. Let me know in advance if you need a computer or projector."
Time passed second by second. At the stroke of 10 am, Zhou Kun announced the official start of the board meeting!
Right at that moment, the meeting room door opened and a familiar figure entered everyone's line of sight!
Nan Yue's black suit allowed her to shed the coquettish aura brought on by her great beauty, giving her a very professional look that caught everyone's eye.
Li Shuyun clenched her fists, unwilling to believe Nan Yue had actually come!
Nan Chenghui said he was transferring his shares to her, and told her to work hard to win the Chairman position.
Why then would Nan Yue still show up?
Could it be Nan Chenghui did not hand over all his shares to her?
Puzzled by this, Li Shuyun carefully observed everyone's reaction to Nan Yue's entrance.
Some in the room were surprised, some indifferent. But most notable were those few who seemed secretly excited!
These people clearly expected Nan Yue would come, meaning they must be on her side!
Li Shuyun was furious enough to gnash her teeth!
After Nan Chenghui's death, if she wanted to maintain her extravagant lifestyle, she had to obtain his assets.
She was determined to get this fortune, even if it meant taking it from his own daughter!
As Nan Yue entered, another person emerged close behind her!
The two were so close they bumped into each other slightly.
"Sorry, I was rushing and didn't stop in time."
Nan Yue looked at the person in disbelief and asked: "Senior sister, what are you doing here?"
Shen Yixuan also realized then who she had bumped into. "I decided to participate at the last minute."
"You have shares in the Nan Group?"
Shen Yixuan nodded: "I only bought them recently."
Nan Yue suppressed her doubts. "I see."
Shen Yixuan randomly took a seat and asked the host: "Can we wait a bit? I have another friend coming."
The host politely replied: "As long as they are qualified to attend the board meeting, anyone can come in before it concludes."
Shen Yixuan gave an OK sign, then withdrew her gaze.
Nan Yue met Li Shuyun's icy stare head-on as she approached her.
Though this was her own mother, the closer she got, the more like a stranger she seemed.
Why had their relationship deteriorated to this point?
She had desperately wanted to know the answer to this question before.
Wanted to demand an explanation from every pair of eyes that looked her way.
But now, she no longer cared.
She was responsible for her own life. No need to beg others for an explanation!
Nan Yue stopped beside Li Shuyun and leaned in close to her ear, whispering: "It seems I've won this power struggle!"
Li Shuyun remained calm. She pointed to the door and said: "Not necessarily. No one knows who the winner is until the very last moment."
Nan Yue looked towards the door to see a man in a duck-billed cap sitting in a wheelchair, pushed in by someone else.
When she recognized the man's face, Nan Yue's eyes widened and her heartbeat quickened, body trembling slightly!
Qin Zhao looked up with a smile, greeting everyone: "Morning all, sorry I'm late...
