The CEO turned out to be a hidden assassin

Chapter 2

Cheng Yuxuan scrutinized the portly man with a look of confusion and inquired, “Who are you?”

“Never mind who I am. The call is connected; just answer it,” came the curt reply.

Cheng Yuxuan, with an air of suspicion, took the phone slowly and said, “Hello?”

“Yuxuan…” The voice on the other end was one he knew all too well: “It’s your father.”

Yuxuan was taken aback, then responded with a sardonic smile, “Oh? Are you still alive? Heaven must be blind.”

The portly man’s face turned ashen…

After a moment of silence on the line, the voice sighed, “I wonder if you’re even my flesh and blood. Why is your tongue so venomous?”

Cheng Yuxuan snorted coldly, “Cheng Zhiqing, even though my grandmother is your third wife’s mother, she is still your former mother-in-law. If you have any shred of decency, you should at least bow!”

The man, whose mere frown could send shivers down the spines of the business tycoons of Jiangcheng, seemed unperturbed. He responded with a chuckle, “Let this portly fellow do the bowing for me; I’m a bit inconvenient at the moment.”

Cheng Yuxuan pursed his lips and cast a sidelong glance at the portly man. “He says you should bow eight hundred times, and you’re not allowed to leave until you’re done.”

The portly man:……

Cheng Zhiqing laughed aloud. Although it had been over a decade since he last saw his illegitimate son, he was well aware of the latter’s character.

After a hearty laugh, his tone grew serious. “Let’s discuss business, Yuxuan. Two years ago, when you returned to the country, I wanted you to come back to the Cheng family. But you said you needed to take care of your grandmother. I didn’t press you then… Now that she’s gone, don’t you think it’s time for you to come back?”

The Cheng family, the foremost clan in Jiangcheng.

However, facing this fortune, Cheng Yuxuan remained indifferent. “Return for what? To send you off as well? Are you on the brink?”

The portly man, unable to maintain his kneeling position, smacked his head hard against the ground.

“Yuxuan, I know you resent me, but now is not the time for grievances. You are my only son! Your grandfather’s health is deteriorating day by day. I believe…”

“So, you want me to come back and help you fight for the inheritance? Are you eager to replace that old man? Haha…” Cheng Yuxuan interrupted coldly, “Don’t forget, I’m just an illegitimate son, neither qualified nor interested!”

There was another lengthy pause on the line before Cheng Zhiqing abruptly said, “Don’t think I don’t know that you’ve been investigating that matter all these years.”

Cheng Yuxuan’s pupils constricted momentarily before he regained his composure and replied in a deep voice, “What else do you know?”

“Heh… My son, despite everything, I am still your father. You may have deceived others for ten years, but you cannot deceive me. By the way, I just saw the news—your little wife seems to be running off with someone else. Son, such so-called romantic love is merely a pursuit of the idle. You should not make such a basic mistake. No woman cannot be bought with money… I have prepared a grand gift for you, the most beautiful woman in Jiangcheng. Interested? Come back, and you can marry her immediately!”

Cheng Yuxuan showed no interest in Jiangcheng’s most beautiful woman and retorted, “The idle class? Haha… Cheng Zhiqing, in some respects, you’re less than human.”

“Spare me the insults! Try to give me some face, will you? You wretch… This opportunity is only once. You have one week to consider. Oh, let me remind you, the Cheng family is vast, and our connections are extensive. Perhaps it will be helpful for you to investigate that matter… I’m not trying to dampen your spirits, but with your current abilities, you might never uncover it in this lifetime.”

Cheng Yuxuan fell silent, contemplating for a while before gritting his teeth and saying, “Cheng Zhiqing, don’t you want to get to the bottom of that incident from years ago?! Sometimes… I want to cut open your chest and see if you have a heart!”

Cheng Zhiqing chuckled, his tone lacking any seriousness. “Don’t forget, you have one week. After that, it’s too late.”

With that, the call was disconnected.

Cheng Yuxuan infuriated, threw the phone to the ground, his eyes reddened and a trace of moisture glimmering in his eyes.

The portly man glanced at the shattered phone, tempted to say, “Why the hell are you smashing my phone?”

But seeing Cheng Yuxuan’s furious expression, he chose to remain silent, continuing his kowtowing.

Meanwhile, in Gao Ning’s villa, Xia Zhu was peeling an apple on the sofa, while Gao Ning was showing Xia Zhu’s mother around the house.

“Auntie, this is the new house my father bought for me last month for our wedding. If you don’t mind, you can move in today.”

“Oh dear, I can’t accept this!” The woman feigned reluctance, her eyes full of approval for Gao Ning.

Indeed, Gao Ning was not only distinguished in appearance but also tall and well-off. His family were prominent business figures, making him a favorable match in the eyes of any prospective mother-in-law.

Gao Ning smiled, “Auntie, you and my parents are old acquaintances. Besides, Xia Zhu and I have long been in love. It’s only natural for you to move in.”

Xia Zhu’s mother laughed heartily, trotting over to Xia Zhu and said, “Xia Zhu, call that useless man and have him come over. You two should get the divorce finalized today! I never approved of you being with him. I don’t know what kind of spell he cast on you, making you so infatuated… insisting he would take care of you, be gentle and considerate…”

Realizing her indiscretion, the woman quickly shut her mouth.

After a moment of awkwardness, she turned to Gao Ning and said, “Ning Er, rest assured, Xia Zhu and that useless man haven’t been involved in anything. I guarantee it with my integrity!”

“Mom!” Xia Zhu frowned, displeased, “What are you saying…”

Perhaps she, too, did not understand why she had been with Cheng Yuxuan in the first place.

Women often face two choices: one is to strive for the person they truly desire, and the other is to settle for someone who loves them. Xia Zhu’s strong-willed nature naturally led her to choose the first option. But this choice resulted in heartbreak and regret.

Therefore, she settled for the second option.

Now, with her first choice returning and the misunderstanding from three years ago resolved, the person who once loved her so fervently was destined to lose.

“Here, have an apple,” Xia Zhu said, rising to hand the peeled apple to Gao Ning, her eyes brimming with warmth.

Truth be told, Xia Zhu’s appearance, figure, and demeanor were exceptional; in ancient palaces, she would have been enough to cause a national calamity.

Years ago, some of Jiangcheng’s bored and frivolous elite conducted a survey and created a “Beauty List,” updating it each season. Xia Zhu had consistently been in the top three. However, at 28 years old, she was expected to fall out of the top three this year.

After all, fleeting is the beauty that time cannot preserve.

Speaking of the Beauty List, one cannot omit the perennial top beauty of Jiangcheng, who had held the crown for seven years since her freshman year in college. Despite numerous attempts by powerful suitors to claim her, she remained unclaimed due to her icy demeanor and affluent background. At 25, she had yet to be touched by anyone.

Gao Ning took the apple Xia Zhu offered, took a bite, and remarked, “It’s truly sweet.”

Standing face to face, nearly touching, they made a striking pair, seemingly a perfect match.

Seeing their intimacy, Xia Zhu’s mother, with a discerning eye, said, “Xia Zhu, chat with Ning Er. I’ll go prepare some dishes. Let’s have a reunion dinner today to celebrate Ning Er’s rebirth and your renewed relationship!”

As Xia Zhu’s mother entered the kitchen, Gao Ning naturally embraced Xia Zhu and leaned in for a kiss.

By some strange coincidence, Xia Zhu turned her face away, blushing, “Ning Ge, don’t do this. I’m still married to Yuxuan. It feels… a bit improper.”

Gao Ning’s eyes flickered with a hint of coldness but remained magnanimous, “Alright, I’ll respect your wishes… Xia Zhu, arrange to meet him soon. I can’t wait to marry you.”

Xia Zhu nodded gently, “Okay…”