Tang Nannan used a voice changer to talk to her ex-boyfriend, demanding he hand over the contract they had all collaborated on. Within five seconds, her ex-boyfriend guessed who she was.
"Tang Nannan, is that you?"
"No wonder you suddenly came back looking for me, no wonder my things were exposed. It was all your doing!"
"Didn't they say you'd been having a tough time these past two years? Didn't they say... who are you clinging to now? Who instructed you to do this?"
Tang Nannan didn't waste time with him. She asked if he was going to hand it over. If not, she'd immediately send the video to a certain committee, and his future would be ruined.
Her ex-boyfriend was furious and cursed her viciously over the phone. Hu Jiasheng listened for a few sentences and hung up.
"There's no need to waste words on someone like that. He can't even control his own emotions; he's a grown-up baby. I'm sure after such a big incident, his father will have to step in. It's better to call his father directly."
His father was much calmer in his reaction.
Upon hearing that Tang Nannan wanted the contract, he readily agreed, prioritizing his son's future.
Tang Nannan warned him, "Don't play any tricks on me, and don't think about revenge. I've set up timed delivery. If I don't return by the deadline tomorrow, the materials will go straight to a certain committee. We'll see if you don't believe me."
To make them alert the others and cause chaos, Hu Jiasheng deliberately set the deadline for tomorrow.
He believed that tonight, these people would definitely gather to discuss the contract.
As soon as someone panicked, they would reveal a weakness.
Hu Jiasheng had already hired people to stake out the homes of all the suspects, waiting to capture their mistakes.
However, the extent of the interest chain involved behind this matter far exceeded their imagination.
Her ex-boyfriend's father had been in his position for nearly twenty years, yet he didn't even live to see the sun rise the next morning. He collapsed at home from a sudden heart attack in the middle of the night.
And the video was sent to a certain committee even before Tang Nannan could.
Her ex-boyfriend and his father became abandoned pawns overnight, rendering all the efforts Hu Jiasheng and Tang Nannan had made in the past few days useless.
This was truly a frustrating outcome.
What were these people trying to cover up? How many steps would it take to bring them down?
For a moment, Tang Nannan and Hu Jiasheng were lost.
With such a major incident occurring in Sucheng, Zhan Beijue naturally found out.
Not only he, but even Zhan's mother, who was recuperating abroad, learned of it.
As the young people were discussing their next steps, Zhan's mother called Zhan Beijue.
"I've booked my flight and will be back tomorrow."
She had only undergone major surgery a few months ago. Although her condition had improved significantly, she was still very frail.
With the current situation in the country, Zhan Beijue couldn't understand why she was returning.
Zhan's mother said, "Seeing the news of the incident, I can roughly guess what you've been busy with. I'm not bragging, but there are things you can't accomplish without my help. There are many things you don't know, and never will."
Zhan Beijue, considering her health, didn't want her to get involved, but she insisted.
"If that shameless woman dares to bully you, I won't stand by and watch. She really thinks I'm at death's door. I've never lost to her in my life, and I won't this time."
"Even if I die, I'll die in my own country. And before I die, I'll take her down with me. I'm not discussing this with you; I'm informing you. Prepare everything for me. Come pick me up at the appointed time."
With Zhan's mother's words, Zhan Beijue told Hu Jiasheng and Tang Nannan to pause their actions. The next day, he took Jiang Nanfang and the children to the airport to pick her up.
The old lady sat in a wheelchair. Although she was thin and her movements were not agile, her makeup was exquisite, and she looked spirited, truly like a warrior returning to battle.
Grandmother had always been rigid and stern, not the gentle and loving figure depicted in books and movies. Furthermore, the children had little contact with her and didn't like her much.
Jiang Nanfang had a poor relationship with her before. Last year, during Chinese New Year, she visited her abroad.
At that time, she was at her worst, with no energy to argue with Jiang Nanfang, so their interactions were relatively peaceful.
Upon her return today, she couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark when she glanced at Jiang Nanfang's belly.
"Are you pregnant again?"
She had never seen a mother unhappy about her son having children.
Zhan Beijue doted on Jiang Nanfang immensely and couldn't stand her attitude.
He reached out and placed his hand on Jiang Nanfang's belly.
"What kind of tone is that? Isn't having a child a good thing? Grandfather is overjoyed. You're not allowed to say such nonsense."
Zhan's mother coldly withdrew her gaze from Jiang Nanfang's belly and looked straight ahead.
She taunted Zhan Beijue, "You always tell me she's different from others, especially ambitious. I really don't see it."
"At such a young age, her only focus is on having children to trap men. Don't let your daughter learn from her. This is not a good role model."
When the children heard this, they immediately became unhappy, especially Tiantian, who detested the old witch.
Because her mother usually told her not to speak out, she had kept it inside. Today, she finally had an opportunity.
"Grandma speaks so rudely. Daddy is always pestering Mommy to have more children for him, but Mommy disagrees. We all coax Mommy, and finally, we have a younger brother or sister, yet you say Mommy is unaccomplished."
"Grandma is like the wicked witch in animated movies, completely unlikeable!"
Before Jiang Nanfang could stop Tiantian, Jing Yu also chimed in.
"Exactly. I think the most unaccomplished thing about Mommy is that she doesn't dare to say a word when Grandma bullies her."
"You're both people, and you're not her biological mother. Why do you always scold her?"
"Books say grandmothers are gentle and loving, but you're nothing like that."
Zhan Beijue knew that Jiang Nanfang had never coached the children like this behind their backs; these were their own thoughts. But Zhan's mother didn't know that.
Upon hearing this, she turned pale with anger.
"Zhan Beijue, listen to this! Listen to how your children are talking to me! They've gone too far!"
The last time he visited, everyone had maintained a semblance of civility. Zhan Beijue thought the issue was resolved.
He didn't expect the old lady to stir up trouble again as soon as she recovered.
She had been competitive her entire life, enjoying bossing people around and being critical. Now that she had encountered children who couldn't stand being wronged, it was truly troublesome.
"Alright, although the children have said some inappropriate things, you were also in the wrong first. I suggest everyone be more polite in the future. Elders should act like elders, and juniors should act like juniors. I don't need to teach you such obvious principles, do I?"
Mrs. Zhan got into the nanny van. Zhan Beijue had the caregiver accompany her, then turned to sit with Jiang Nanfang and the children in the back.
However, when he reached the door, Jiang Nanfang slammed it shut, locking him out.
Through the car window, Zhan Beijue looked at her helplessly.
"I don't think I did anything wrong, do I? Are you still going to take your anger out on me?"
Jiang Nanfang ignored him and ordered the driver, "Let's go."