Although she hadn't visited often before, she had been here several times. Yet, her daughter hadn't even glanced at her, truly showing how little she cared about the family.
"Never mind whose it is. Just know that child is untouchable. Also, stop bothering Zhang Liunian from now on. As for Yu Sheng, with whom you seem to be getting along, see if you can make a life with him."
Wang Dachui knew that with his daughter's temperament, she wouldn't be able to marry into a good family. The Yu family, though poorer, were blood relatives of Zhang Liunian. If the two families became in-laws, he and Zhang Liunian would be considered distantly related in some aspects.
Then, it might be easier for him to approach Zhang Liunian for cooperation.
"I won't! I don't even fancy Yu Sheng, that weakling. To match the eldest daughter of the Wang family, it has to be a man like Zhang Liunian – handsome and rich. Otherwise, I won't be interested." Wang Yue had no real feelings for Yu Sheng to begin with. She had been with him before purely because he could give her the sweet nothings she craved.
Now that she'd discovered good men like Zhang Liunian, Yu Sheng simply didn't measure up.
Wang Dachui gave her a sideways glance and said, "Look at your own nature. Never mind that he already has a wife; even if he didn't, it wouldn't be your turn. I advise you to drop this idea and settle down with Yu Sheng. Regardless, Yu Sheng is Zhang Liunian's cousin, after all. He won't mistreat us."
Wang Yue was furious. Her father actually wanted to use her marriage to secure a business partnership for the family! Wasn't that pushing her into a furnace?
"Dad, so you want me to marry Yu Sheng as a way to 'save the country by roundabout means,' to continue cooperating with Zhang Liunian? I refuse! Why should I sacrifice myself for your business? It's not like I owe you and have to do this for you. I don't accept this."
Wang Dachui found his daughter's outburst almost laughable. "How do you not owe us? We've provided you with good food and drink all these years, all so you could contribute to the family. Moreover, we're not asking you to marry some old man you don't know, just someone you've been dating. How are we wronging you?"
"I don't like Yu Sheng anymore, so naturally, I can't marry him. Why don't you find a way to let me marry Zhang Liunian? Then you'll be Zhang Liunian's father-in-law, and wouldn't it be a natural progression to cooperate with him?" Wang Yue genuinely disliked Yu Sheng. She had accepted him before only because she enjoyed seeing men fawn over her and coax her into happiness.
"Don't even think about that. Zhang Liunian is famously a good man who loves his wife. If you try to insert yourself, you won't have a good outcome. It's better to choose Yu Sheng..."
Before Wang Dachui could finish speaking, an unfamiliar male voice sounded from outside the door, "Is Old Wang there?"
Upon hearing the voice, Wang Dachui's expression lit up. He immediately turned to his daughter and said, "I have important matters. You go out."
Wang Yue wanted to say something, but seeing her father's displeased expression, she obediently left.
As the study door opened, Wang Yue saw Zhao Zilong standing outside, his breathing unsteady. She shot him an arrogant glance and walked away.
Seeing this, Wang Dachui shook his head and went to the door to invite him in, "Old Zhao is here, come in and sit."
Wang Dachui then ushered him to the tea table inside and asked him to take a seat.
Zhao Zilong was panting heavily, his expression a mix of excitement and suspicion. Before he even sat down, he asked, "Old Wang, is what you said true?"
Earlier that day, he had suddenly received a call from Wang Dachui, asking for his help to verify whether a certain person had found his long-lost daughter.
When he first heard the news, he dared not delay anything and rushed over, eager to hear if it was true.
Wang Dachui was somewhat surprised by his excitement. He sized him up and replied, "It's true, which is why I asked you to investigate. By the way, did you find out if he ever lost a daughter?"
Zhao Zilong became even more agitated when Wang Dachui asked about it. "I did. I heard that he had a daughter several years ago, but she disappeared not long after birth. However, whether this is true or not still needs confirmation. If it is true, we might be able to get ourselves out of this situation through this."
"Then this matches up. That's great!" Wang Dachui exclaimed with joy. He hadn't expected the other party to have actually lost a daughter. That would be wonderful. Once they helped him find his daughter, they could conveniently repay their debt and never have to work with them again.
They wouldn't have to keep losing money with them. He had long wanted to break free and work independently. This opportunity was perfect; the other party wouldn't dare say anything then.
This was truly excellent; they had to confirm if she was his daughter. Once confirmed, if Zhang Liunian had indeed raised his enemy's daughter and doted on her, how would he face it?
Thinking of this, Wang Dachui couldn't help but feel happy. However, after a moment, he thought of that person's situation again, and his mood became somewhat complex.
It should be a happy occasion to find a lost daughter, but his daughter was raised by his enemy. What would he do?
Alas, no matter what, it had nothing to do with them. He just wanted to escape their grasp using this. Then, he would be free as a bird and could develop his career properly.
"We shouldn't get too happy too soon. What if it's not her?" Zhao Zilong also wanted to break free, but he hadn't seen the person. Whether she truly resembled him as Wang Dachui claimed was still uncertain.
Wang Dachui waved his hand and smiled, "You didn't see the child yesterday. If you had, you'd definitely think she was his daughter because she really looks exactly like him, not a bit different. If you don't believe me, go see for yourself, and you'll know if I'm exaggerating."
Seeing his confident assertion, Zhao Zilong felt somewhat reassured. "I'll send people to investigate later. It might take a few days."
"It's fine, we're not in a hurry. As long as that child is the one he lost, we'll have accomplished a great deed, and we'll be able to break free." Wang Dachui didn't mind the few days it would take. As long as Zhao Zilong investigated thoroughly, they could escape their current predicament.
"Then I'll go back and get people to investigate now." The more Zhao Zilong heard, the more excited he became, wishing he could get the results by tomorrow.
Wang Dachui didn't stop him, only chatting with him for a few more words before letting him leave.
The next day, Zhang Liunian packed his belongings and left Zhangjia Village with his wife and daughter. He first went to Nancheng and settled his wife and daughter, then paid New Year greetings to some friends in Nancheng. By the time he continued his journey to the provincial capital, it was already late afternoon, dinner time.
Meanwhile, the provincial capital's department store was vandalized by outsiders for the second time. Team Leader Gu and others rushed to the scene upon receiving the news and immediately engaged in a scuffle with them. However, these people were more cunning than last time; they attacked and then fled, giving them no opportunity to capture them.