83: come down

"What's the situation with the Zhao Family now?" Yan Zhuohua asked curiously as he sat back down on the sofa.

"Zhao Minghong. He said Zhao Mingting is heinous and that the Zhao Family can't have someone like that, so he's clamoring to have Zhao Mingting removed from the clan!"

"Removed from the clan?" Yan Zhuohua was shocked. "If he's removed, can Zhao Zixing still be the family head? No, Zhao Mingting couldn't have failed to arrange a way out for him."

"Indeed. I heard that as soon as Zhao Minghong proposed it, Zhao Zixing agreed," Yan Muxuan said excitedly. "But Zhao Zixing holds all the shares and most of the secret connections. So he said Zhao Mingting can be removed from the clan, but he himself must be adopted into a small side branch to continue as the family head. It seems they are already preparing to go to the Ancestral Hall."

"That move is indeed clever. That side branch will turn their fortunes around because of Zhao Zixing's adoption, and they'll certainly receive plenty of benefits, so they will definitely cooperate. And once Zhao Zixing has secured his position, after a few years when the news dies down, it's not impossible for him to be added back." Yan Zhuohua analyzed carefully. It seemed Zhao Mingting had indeed paved the way for Zhao Zixing.

"What about the Zhao Corporation? With such a big scandal, people must be panicking and the company must be in turmoil, right?"

"Of course. They weren't doing well to begin with. When Zhao Mingting went in last time, they could barely maintain the shell of a top-tier family. As soon as that announcement came out yesterday, many company employees had their holidays ended early and were called back to discuss countermeasures. Early this morning, many people from various companies were waiting at the Zhao Corporation's door, demanding an explanation."

As he spoke, Yan Muxuan gave him an indignant look. "Look at what you've done. You just had to release the announcement last night. Don't you realize how many people had to work overtime because of you?"

"I really didn't think of that." Yan Zhuohua felt a bit guilty and embarrassed.

Yan Muxuan just said it in passing and then continued to lament the Zhao Family's affairs.

"This time, the Zhao Family is likely to fall into some unknown corner."

At nine-thirty, the two, having just finished gossiping, arrived at the conference room right on time, even later than Yan Qinghe, the chairman.

Fortunately, one was an elder and the other was the boss's wife, and since even the chairman didn't mind, no one else would say anything.

Once everyone had arrived, Yan Qinghe began today's meeting.

"The Sheng Family and the Li Family issued statements this morning, terminating all cooperation and breaking off ties with the Zhao Corporation." Director Guan of the PR Department started the first topic of the day.

The Li Family and the Sheng Family were also part of the overtime army last night. They had come up with a handling plan overnight and sent it out early this morning, being even more anxious than the victim, the Yan Family.

This made Director Guan quite dissatisfied. As the PR director of the strongest enterprise in A City, such a shameful incident of being beaten to the punch by others had occurred! It was truly embarrassing.

Yan Qinghe glanced at Yan Zhuohua and then announced directly, "We will do the same. PR Department, draft an announcement as soon as possible."

Director Guan nodded readily. You should have said so earlier; face is obviously more important than overtime. You should have notified me to release the announcement last night.

Yan Muxuan then spoke up, "Then, what about our home furnishing project with the Zhao Family?"

Yan Zhuohua chimed in, "It's already wrapping up. It's been three months, and it was almost finished last week. Just as the announcement goes out, we can send someone to finish the handover with them."

"Good," Yan Qinghe had no objection. "Remember to have our people bring a few security guards and lawyers." There was a crowd at the Zhao Corporation's door, so it was better to ensure the employees' safety.

The subsequent agenda items were other work. However, as the meeting ended, Yan Qinghe announced one more thing.

"After the annual leave next year, Deputy Director Yan may be away for personal matters for about two months. Therefore, after discussion, Director Yan will continue to lead the Business Department during this period."

Yan Muxuan added, "Until the day Yan Zhuohua returns."

Everyone's eyes focused on Yan Muxuan. Good grief, he doesn't want to stay for even one extra day!

Yan Muxuan was undaunted, sitting there calmly accepting everyone's various gazes.

Yan Qinghe nodded helplessly.

After making the announcement, the meeting ended. Director Guan was the first to rush out of the conference room, nearly knocking Yan Qinghe over.

From behind came Yan Muxuan's undisguised laughter and Yan Zhuohua's stifled chuckles. Yan Qinghe looked back, and even the other senior executives were trying hard to hide their smiles.

Ji Yang took a few deep breaths. "Chairman Yan, Director Guan has always been like this. She must be in a hurry to draft the announcement, not wanting us, the victim, to fall behind others."

So I should thank her?

Yan Qinghe's gaze swept over everyone present. He couldn't easily deal with Yan Muxuan, and the others were relatively sensible, so...

Yan Zhuohua's expression stiffened. Meeting Yan Qinghe's smile-filled eyes, he couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine.

"Little Yan..."

Yan Zhuohua's eyes widened.

"Deputy Director Yan, come with me."

Watching the two walk away together, Manager Shen, who was behind them, couldn't help but sigh.

"The wind sighs and the Yi River is cold!"

Warrior Yan followed Yan Qinghe into the office, pretending to be calm.

Thinking that he was still struggling to survive under Yan Qinghe's thumb, Yan Zhuohua sensibly spoke first.

"Hubby, is there something you need me for?" Yan Zhuohua stepped forward, helped Yan Qinghe take off his suit jacket and hung it aside, then pressed him into the chair to massage his shoulders.

Yan Qinghe didn't reply, squinting his eyes and enjoying his wife's warm service for a while.

After a long time, Yan Qinghe finally took Yan Zhuohua's hand and pulled him into his arms.

"You're so obedient. Your massage skills are quite good."

Yan Zhuohua smiled. "It's what I should do."

Yan Qinghe laughed happily and kissed him on the cheek.

This meant that the matter of laughing at him just now was over. Yan Zhuohua felt relieved and smiled even more brightly.

"Lend me your phone, hubby."

Yan Qinghe reached into his pocket for his phone and asked casually, "What do you want the phone for?"

"Second Brother blocked me. I'm going to use your phone to scold him again."

Yan Qinghe paused for a moment.

"Then you don't need to borrow my phone either."

"Huh?" Yan Zhuohua was confused.

"He said I was aiding and abetting a villain, harboring a criminal, and setting a trap for my elder brother. He blocked me too."

"..."

He really acts fast!

Having lost the new way to retort to Yan Zhuoyan, Yan Zhuohua left the Chairman's Office in disappointment and went back to work in the Business Department.

After seeing him leave the office and closing the door, Yan Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief.

That was a close call.

As soon as he arrived at the office this morning, he had messaged Yan Zhuoyan, asking for the photo he mentioned at breakfast. After promising Yan Zhuoyan that he would use certain means in certain places to properly discipline that rebellious third brother, Yan Zhuoyan finally sent him the photo with satisfaction, also enjoining him to keep it strictly confidential.

It definitely had to be kept secret. If this ancestor who cared so much about his image, Yan Zhuohua, found out about this, it would probably cost them both their lives.

Yan Qinghe opened his phone and looked at the adorable child on the screen. He had been placed in a bathtub by Yan Zhuoyan to take a bath and was laughing happily, completely unaware.

So cute. He was already this cute when he was so little.