356: Chapter 356: Not a Warning, But a Reminder 356: Chapter 356: Not a Warning, But a Reminder Humans are creatures of desire.
Desire is a manifestation of ambition.
Everyone has ambition, and Zhou Jie is no exception.
His ambition is clear: he covets the position of successor to the Zhou Family and, likewise, the helm of the Dali Group.
Even in the most united families, there is internal strife.
Zhou Hequan is the eldest of the Zhou Family and wields considerable power within it.
It is precisely for this reason that Zhou Jie is discontent; he doesn’t believe he is any less capable than his cousin, Zhou Tao.
As the eldest grandson of the family, he believes it is his rightful duty to take over the next position of Family Head.
He’s always felt suppressed by Zhou Tao and has been deeply unhappy about it.
Even within the Dali Group, he has no position of power, managing only a minor subsidiary.
Seeing Zhou Jie return in less than half an hour, Tangyu’s mouth curved into a slight smile and he said, “You’ve made up your mind so quickly?”
“I hope you’re not playing games with me,” Zhou Jie said coldly.
“Playing games?
You think too highly of yourself.
I have no vendetta against you and certainly don’t have the leisure to play house with you.
Since you don’t trust me, then let’s pretend I never said anything.
Excuse me,” Tangyu said with a cold laugh, before turning to leave.
“Wait.” Zhou Jie’s expression changed, and he immediately called out to Tangyu, his demeanor noticeably more amiable, “Alright, I apologize for what I said just now.
Let’s talk in the car.”
Tangyu glanced at Zhou Jie before getting into the car.
The car was now empty of any other people; Zhou Jie had dispatched them all to stand guard around the vehicle, not allowing anyone to approach.
Zhou Jie also got into the car, closed the door, and pulled the curtain that hung behind them, turning the back seat into a private compartment.
It was evident that Zhou Jie was a person of great caution.
His gaze lingered on Tangyu, filled with various speculations about the meaning behind Tangyu’s words.
“Just say what you have to say,” Zhou Jie said.
Tangyu said, “You are the eldest grandson of the Zhou Family, and since ancient times, the eldest has been revered.
Order of seniority is especially important in matters of inheritance.
The Zhou family’s empire was founded by your grandfather.
Of course, your uncle, Zhou Hequan has made indelible contributions to the growth of the family.
It can be said that ninety percent of the Zhou Family’s current status and wealth has been earned through the efforts of your uncle Zhou Hequan.
Hence, Zhou Hequan holds supreme power within the family, and you all acquiesce to his authority, which is exactly how it should be, right?”
“Hmph, you seem to have done quite an exhaustive investigation into my family,” Zhou Jie said with a cold laugh.
“You accept your uncle’s authority, but you’ve always been dissatisfied with Zhou Tao, haven’t you?
As the eldest grandson, and a graduate of Cambridge University in Milan Country no less, you’ve never been given due recognition.
Instead, you’re working in a minor position as a manager in a small subsidiary.
You must be quite unhappy about that, aren’t you?” Tangyu pressed on.
Zhou Jie began to grow angry: “That’s my business, what’s it to you?
If you’ve come here to sow discord among the internal conflicts of our Zhou Family, then I must say you’ve miscalculated.
If you’re just here to talk about these matters and analyze my feelings, then please get out of the car.
I don’t have the time to listen to your pointless words.
The affairs of the Zhou Family don’t need the input of an outsider like you.”
“Why so agitated?
You’re an ambitious man, and your goals definitely extend beyond living out your life as a rich second-generation experiencing a comfortable existence.
It’s your ideals and revenge that you seek – what you desire is the position of the next Family Head of the Zhou Family, or perhaps you want the position of helmsman of the Dali Group.
You never accepted Zhou Tao, because you believe he’s not better than you in any aspect, except for having a father who is the Family Head.
You respect Zhou Hequan, but you’re displeased with Zhou Tao.
Many moves made by your uncle Zhou Hequan to ensure Zhou Tao could smoothly take over the Dali Group must make you uncomfortable, otherwise, other than Zhou Tao, why wouldn’t anyone from the Zhou Family have a position within the Dali Group?” Tangyu said.
Zhou Jie’s face darkened, and he said with a cold laugh, “Tangyu, what exactly do you want to say?
It bothers me that Zhou Tao is favored and I’m not, but so what?
It’s still the Zhou Family’s business and not for you to be concerned with.
Such tactics are useless on me.”
Tangyu shook his head and said, “You should know that’s not what I mean; otherwise, you wouldn’t still be sitting here talking to me.
I’m always clear about my grievances; it’s Zhou Tao who has provoked me, and it’s only him I am unhappy with, not any other member of your Zhou Family.
You’re right, I’m not playing the nice guy doing favors for you, laying the groundwork to help you strive for your ambitions.
Our arrangement is simply a transaction.”
“A transaction?
What kind of transaction?” asked Zhou Jie.
“I can help you push out Zhou Tao and become the next successor to the Family Head of the Zhou Family.
Isn’t that a big deal?” Tangyu said.
Zhou Jie fell silent, his eyes flickering with complex emotions.
After a while, he said, “Who do you think you are?
Do you believe you can interfere in the matters of the Zhou Family?
Hmph, Tangyu, don’t be too presumptuous.
Just because the Zhou Family suffered a setback at your hands once, doesn’t mean we fear you.
With the power of the Zhou Family, there are few forces in Donglin City that we would be scared of.
You, Tangyu, don’t have that standing.”
Tangyu laughed: “You think not, but I believe otherwise.
The Zhou Family may not fear me, but that doesn’t mean your uncle Zhou Hequan isn’t worried about me.
You should know about the incident with Zhou Tao.
I almost killed him, so why do you think your uncle swallowed his pride and didn’t come looking for trouble with me?
Even your uncle had to grin and bear it, do you think I have that standing?”
Zhou Jie was taken aback; he had also thought about this, which is why he had come back to find Tangyu.
“Even if you have the power to make my uncle fearful, I don’t believe you have the capacity to make me the next successor.
Besides, do you think I would do something to harm the interests of the Zhou Family?
If that’s what you think, then you’re underestimating me, Zhou Jie.
No matter how ambitious I may be, I would never do anything to hurt my family.
The Zhou Family has always been highly united.
If there’s a position to strive for, we do it openly and honorably.
Save those underhanded tactics for someone else,” Zhou Jie said.
Tangyu shook his head and said, “You’re mistaken.
What I’m offering you isn’t underhanded at all, it’s actually quite above-board, and it won’t cause any harm to the Zhou Family.”
“Hmm?” Zhou Jie fell silent again, as he weighed the truth in Tangyu’s words and tried to figure out his real intentions.
He wasn’t a fool and wouldn’t act as someone’s pawn.
“Hmph, even if what you say is true, what makes you think I’ll definitely agree to your terms?” Zhou Jie scoffed coldly.
Tangyu responded with a faint smile, “You’ll agree because you have ambition.”
“Ha ha, so you’re saying you really understand me, huh?” Zhou Jie laughed aloud.
All of a sudden, he raised his hand with a gun pointing at Tangyu’s head.
His expression turned ferocious and threatening as he glared at Tangyu and said, “You think you really know me?
Hmph, you dare to come to me with schemes to destroy the Zhou Family, don’t you think you’re being unwise?
Whoever offends the Zhou Family, I will not spare.
If I kill you now, wouldn’t it be a great service to my family?”
Unruffled, Tangyu’s face remained calm, not showing the slightest fear because of the gun in Zhou Jie’s hand.
Instead, he smiled and said, “You won’t, you wouldn’t dare.”
Zhou Jie directly disengaged the gun’s safety and moved the muzzle a few inches closer to Tangyu’s head, his face sinister as he spoke, “I don’t dare?
You’re trying to challenge my patience?”
“I’m just telling the truth.
I said you’re ambitious, with such an opportunity, you would at least consider taking it, which is why you won’t kill me.
When I say you wouldn’t dare, it’s because you know my strength.
Do you think pointing a gun at me means you have the upper hand?” Tangyu’s smile turned a bit eerie as he watched Zhou Jie.
Zhou Jie’s mind was thrown into disarray.
He had indeed heard of Tangyu’s prowess and while he trusted the gun in his hand, the ease and somewhat terrifying gaze of Tangyu made him feel as if he was being targeted by something dangerous.
Just as Tangyu had said, he wouldn’t, and he didn’t dare actually pull the trigger.
Not only because of Tangyu’s own strength, but also the power behind him, which was enough to make him wary.
If he really shot, even if the Zhou Family could protect him from dying, he’d be facing at least a decade behind bars.
“Also, you’d better take that gun away from me, I don’t like the feeling of being pointed at with a gun,” Tangyu said indifferently, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.
Zhou Jie’s lips twitched.
After hesitating for a moment, he still put the gun away.
“Alright, we can talk, but I have my bottom line.
Don’t make me angry, or I’m capable of doing anything,” Zhou Jie said.
Tangyu curled his lips dismissively and pulled out three photos from his pocket, throwing them to Zhou Jie.
They were photos of Zhou Tao’s secret dealings with Zhou Hequan’s mistress, Zhou Jie’s own sister, and Zhou Jie’s aunty in compromising situations.
Seeing these photos, Zhou Jie’s face turned wonderfully ugly.
He finally understood why Zhou Tao and his elder uncle had such a hard time dealing with Tangyu and had to swallow their anger; Tangyu had such a significant leverage over them.
Zhou Tao, that beast.
Zhou Jie also punched the seat heavily, grinding his teeth, his eyes flickering with murderous intent.
Zhou Tao actually dared to touch his own sister.
If Zhou Tao were in front of him now, he would be aching to cripple him.
“Nice move,” Zhou Jie ground his teeth as he looked at Tangyu.
With a faint smile, Tangyu replied, “I disdain such tactics.
I came across these things unintentionally.
How about it, with this in hand, you’re confident you can replace Zhou Tao?
As for how you want to fight, that’s an internal matter for the Zhou Family.”
“Hmph, you think I might let you leave?” Zhou Jie sneered.
But as soon as he finished speaking, he felt a strong hand gripping his throat tightly, leaving him gasping for air, his face turning red.
He realized that he was about to die, his neck about to break.
Zhou Jie’s eyes widened, almost as if they were going to pop out of his sockets, as he stared at Tangyu, who had turned into a veritable assassin.
“You’d better watch what you say.
You don’t have the power to keep me here.
I can get Zhang Guoli killed, render Zhou Tao useless, and the same goes for you.
I’ve given you what you need, which means our deal is done.
You’ve got what you needed, so now you should give me what I need,” Tangyu said calmly, easing his grip slightly.
“What do you want?” Zhou Jie asked.
“When your plan succeeds, I need you to owe me a favor.
I’ll collect it in the future.
Of course, you can renege, but I’m confident I have the ability to make you regret it.
This isn’t a warning, just a reminder.
Now, I should go.
Oh, and you’d better take good care of your gun.
Try anything funny, and I’ll make sure you’ll never be able to use a gun again, not even a handgun,” Tangyu stated before releasing Zhou Jie, opening the car door, and stepping out.
Gazing at Tangyu’s departing figure, Zhou Jie’s face was ashen, his eyes shimmering with a complex mix of emotions.