Chapter 73: Zhou Wu's Downfall
They arrived at apartment 404.
The doorbell rang.
The door opened quickly.
Shen Xing, dressed in light pink loungewear, ushered Jiang Ran inside.
After entering, Jiang Ran glanced around at Shen Xing's apartment decor and commented:
"Your place is nicely decorated."
Shen Xing smiled: "This came pre-furnished with the apartment. The style happened to match my taste, so I chose this place."
Jiang Ran nodded: "I see. So, why did you ask me to come up here?"
"Have a seat first, no need to be in such a hurry..."
Shen Xing cooed at Jiang Ran playfully. Jiang Ran looked at the woman before him with an ambiguous smile: "That fiancé boyfriend of yours, Zhou Wu, isn't home right?"
"Nope, he's out. Why do you ask?"
Jiang Ran shook his head with a laugh: "That's what I figured. If he were home, would you dare invite your ex up like this? And act this way with me?"
"Oh, my Jiang Ran is so clever!"
Shen Xing playfully pulled Jiang Ran to sit on the sofa, then nestled closely beside him.
Seeing this, Jiang Ran frowned: "Shen Xing, what exactly do you want from me?"
Shen Xing teased: "Guess~"
Jiang Ran sighed: "No idea."
Shen Xing: "I just missed you after so long and wanted to chat!"
Her sugary sweet tone made Jiang Ran even more exasperated. He could practically see a bright green hat being meticulously woven by deft hands to place atop Zhou Wu's head.
Suddenly remembering something, Jiang Ran asked: "By the way, that morning you called me crying about being dumped - that was fake, right? What was your real purpose that day?"
He clearly remembered - she had called crying about a breakup one day, then appeared at that small class reunion with Zhou Wu the very next day. What kind of absurd situation was that?
"Right, I just missed you that day and made up an excuse to get you to come see me. But you were so cruel, you wouldn't even come!"
"Forget about last time - just talking about today, if Zhou Wu finds out, you'll be in deep trouble. Forget about becoming a rich wife, you might get beaten black and blue. If that pretty face gets damaged, good luck finding another sugar daddy."
Jiang Ran mocked.
"As long as he doesn't find out! Jiang Ran, truth is I never liked Zhou Wu. Not only is he less handsome than you, he barely lasts two and a half minutes in bed - nowhere near as good as you. If not for his money, I'd never be with him."
"Jiang Ran, I've missed you so much. Let's get back together! Of course I won't break up with Zhou Wu - his money can support us. We'll keep our relationship secret, then when I get pregnant with your child, he can raise it for us! Doesn't that sound perfect?"
"Tempted by this wonderful life?"
"Doesn't this satisfy male possessiveness?"
"Isn't this every man's dream? No responsibility, no child support, just some fool footing the bill? Doesn't that sound amazing?"
Staring at Shen Xing's beautiful face, Jiang Ran suddenly felt pity for his original self. Having inherited the original's memories, he knew exactly what kind of person Shen Xing was.
During college - innocent, romantic, naive - the epitome of a pure first love.
After graduation - gradually transforming, becoming materialistic and increasingly unhinged.
If the original Jiang Ran were still alive to see how far Shen Xing had fallen, even contemplating such schemes... would he regret working himself to death trying to prove himself after their breakup? After all, this Shen Xing was no longer the pure girl he once loved.
"Enough, Shen Xing. Drop this idea - I have zero interest in your plan."
Though Jiang Ran had inherited the original's body, memories, everything - he wasn't that person anymore. He felt nothing for Shen Xing now. At most, he wanted to maintain distant acquaintances - no messy entanglements.
Besides, Shen Xing was clearly trouble. Getting involved would only bring future headaches. And what was her real motive today? He didn't buy her sudden affection - this woman only cared about money now. Men were just ATMs to her.
Having said his piece, Jiang Ran prepared to leave.
"You're leaving?"
"Take out the trash on your way out."
Shen Xing's voice turned icy with clear anger.
Jiang Ran shook his head, gladly taking her trash as he left.
Meanwhile...
On a highway elsewhere, Shen Xing's boyfriend Zhou Wu was speeding in a Maybach. His usual ride was a $30k Mercedes, but this Maybach (originally $300k+) was his father's business car - only brought out for important meetings to maintain appearances.
Since his father's disappearance, Zhou Wu had commandeered the luxury vehicle as his personal ride. Now he floored the accelerator, the black Maybach weaving through traffic like an assassin. Not that he was skilled - other drivers automatically gave way to the luxury car. Even so, Zhou Wu kept rolling down his window to curse at other drivers.
His terrible mood stemmed from a meeting hours earlier at the textile factory. With his father missing, Zhou Wu had attempted to take over as head of the factory. But all other shareholders unanimously opposed.
Originally, his father had held majority stake - absolute authority. But now with him missing (not confirmed dead), the shares couldn't transfer yet. Until then, Zhou Wu had zero shares and zero say.
The shareholders weren't being difficult - they simply didn't trust Zhou Wu. The spoiled rich kid who barely showed up to work, always chasing women. They weren't about to let him gamble with their livelihoods. Even his father only maintained control by consistently making them money.
Denied his birthright, Zhou Wu was furious beyond words.