Maxing Out Charisma, Inheriting Game Assets

Chapter 868: Fighting Over Favor?

The cold winter wind from the north howled in.

It made one's face feel tight, and sent a chill down the backs of Zhang Zhiqiang and the others.

No one spoke immediately.

The big shot from the Imperial Capital, the black-suited security personnel, the Rolls-Royce, the Bentley motorcade, and the very real, living Su Yu.

The scene just now had been far too impactful for people like them, who had barely even left the county town. The impact was immense, so immense that it left their minds reeling, unable to recover for a long time.

Especially Su Yu, who had appeared so suddenly and left just as abruptly.

Perhaps things like a female boss from the Imperial Capital, or a Director Jin, were too distant for them, just vague symbols of "important people," something they couldn't comprehend or grasp.

But Su Yu was different.

This national Diva was truly known to everyone, no one was unaware of her.

Even in a small village like Dongzhang Village, her image was everywhere on wall posters at the village entrance and on calendars in the small shops. She was a name occasionally mentioned in every household after meals.Yet, they simply couldn't understand how someone so lofty and unreachable could have any connection to Zhang Yan.

And judging by the way things looked, it wasn't just a simple acquaintance; it was like treating family.

Even more so than they did.

After all, they were going to live together next.

Liu Mei, Zhang Zhiqiang, and the others stood frozen in place, their gazes fixedly following that Bentley-led motorcade until it completely turned the street corner and disappeared into the gray, wintry street, out of sight.

"Assistant Lin, what should we do next?"

A black-suited man wearing an earpiece approached quickly, finally jolting them awake.

Lin Tiantian took a deep breath, her gaze steady and serious.

She was very clear that she had already made a mistake today, and she didn't even know how to report it to Director Jin.

But the more critical the moment, the more she must not panic.

What Director Jin disliked the most was never a change in plans, but a loss of control over the situation.

"Group One, follow Miss Su Yu's team closely. Deliver Miss Zhang Yan's luggage to Yunhao Hotel."

"Group Two, return to Binhu Mingshu and stand by, awaiting further instructions."

"Also, communicate with the Huachen Hotel management. All surveillance footage and staff involved just now are to be handled confidentially."

"Yes."

Several black-suited men responded in low voices and immediately went to carry out their tasks.

Only then did Lin Tiantian turn around and set her gaze upon Zhang Zhiqiang and the others.

She didn't speak immediately.

She just looked at them calmly.

That gaze was very polite, very restrained, yet it carried a very distinct sense of boundaries, as if waiting for them to tactfully withdraw on their own.

But Zhang Zhiqiang didn't.

Or rather, he had initially intended to.

But looking at the black Rolls-Royce parked right in front of him.

And thinking about the almost instinctive reverence his boss and those influential figures in the county town showed towards Lin Tiantian...

That feeling of being both scared and itching with curiosity still couldn't help but bubble up in his heart.

"L-Lin... Boss Lin, I... I am Yanyan's father, Zhang Zhiqiang."

His voice sounded particularly dry as he said this.

After all, one knows their own family's affairs best.

Just over ten minutes ago, how ugly the scene in the private room had been, he knew better than anyone.

Now, bringing out this "father" identity again, even he himself felt guilty and lacking in confidence.

Liu Mei, standing beside him, finally snapped out of her immense shock.

She swallowed, her throat tight. The first thoughts swirling in her mind weren't just fear of these important people, but another, more chaotic and greedy notion.

She had long since lost any thought of arranging a blind date for Zhang Yan or exchanging her for a bride price.

Her mind was now completely filled with how to repair the relationship.

How to pull this stepdaughter, who she had been about to cast off but who had now become a "golden nugget," back to her side.

So she quickly took half a step forward, forcing a fawning smile onto her face. "Boss Lin, I am Yanyan's... mother, Liu Mei. You've really worked hard today, troubling you to make a special trip. This child Yanyan has been thin-skinned since she was little, not very good with words, and her personality is soft. If she has offended you in any way, please be understanding. If there's anything later that requires cooperation from the family, just say the word, we'll do our best."

The people behind them—Zhang Zhifang, Li Hang, and Li Guangyuan—also instinctively took a few tight steps forward.

They didn't dare speak, but the expressions on their faces were written plain as day.

There was shock, awkwardness, caution, and a trace of barely concealed hope, wishing to benefit a little by leveraging Zhang Yan's connection.

Lin Tiantian gave a slight nod, the smile on her face standard and proper.

It held no warmth, nor any gap for someone to climb up the social ladder.

"Mr. Zhang, Ms. Liu, hello. Don't worry, Miss Zhang Yan's safety, accommodation, and itinerary from now on will be handled by dedicated personnel. When she has calmed down, she should contact you. But before that, I also hope you will not disturb her."

She spoke very politely, but it carried a tone of notification and warning.

The smiles on Zhang Zhiqiang and Liu Mei's faces instantly froze.

It was very clear that the other party was not treating them as Zhang Yan's parents.

They probably knew some of the inside story.

Lin Tiantian nodded, said nothing more, turned, and walked towards the black Rolls-Royce.

She opened the front passenger door, bent down, and got in.

The door closed quietly, and the black Phantom started unhurriedly, smoothly driving away from the hotel entrance.

Behind the car, security SUVs followed closely, soon disappearing around the street corner.

Only then did the forcibly suppressed quiet in the drop-off area seem to finally dissipate.

Some guests in the lobby also withdrew their gazes, and whispers began to float up.

Li Hang was the first to lose his composure, his face flushed with excitement as he stammered, "That was really Su Yu just now! It was really Su Yu! And she's living with Yanyan-jie! Damn, damn—"

It took Zhang Zhifang several seconds to recover before she said in a low voice, "Zhiqiang... Yanyan, what has she been doing outside these years?"

"I..." Zhang Zhiqiang's lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single word in reply.

What did he know?

He knew nothing.

He only knew that this daughter had been working in Yangcheng these years. He didn't even know what position she held or whether she was doing well.

Occasionally calling Zhou Hui, they would end up arguing after just a few words.

Liu Mei's teeth were chattering, her voice trembling. "She... she couldn't have really latched onto someone important, could she? Didn't you hear? That Assistant Lin said Director Jin invited her to stay in a house. That Director Jin... could she be some big boss?"

"Liu Mei! Watch your words!" Zhang Zhifang immediately cut her off, lowering her voice. "Be careful someone hears."

Liu Mei shrank her neck in fear, her face growing even paler.

But the turmoil in her heart wasn't suppressed because of this; instead, it churned even more fiercely.

Of course she was afraid.

Afraid that those harsh words from the private room would become known, afraid that Zhang Yan would hold a grudge, afraid that she wouldn't be able to get any benefit in the future.

But at the same time, another thought was swirling wildly in her mind.

Zhang Yan was clearly no longer the person she used to be.

If she had really latched onto some big shot whose name they couldn't even reach, then just a little trickle from her fingertips in the future would be enough for an ordinary family to turn their fortunes around.

And right now, the most terrifying thing wasn't that Zhang Yan had flown up the branch to become a phoenix.

It was that the relationship between her and Zhang Yan had already deteriorated to the point where there was almost no way back.

Thinking of this, Liu Mei felt a panic in her chest, her fingers even trembling.

The uncle-by-marriage, Li Guangyuan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up. "Alright, that's enough, everyone talk less. No matter what Yanyan is doing now, that's her own ability."

He paused, then added, "I don't think Yanyan is that kind of person. She's been a sensible girl since she was little. I always thought she would definitely make something of herself!"

After speaking, he gave his wife Zhang Zhifang a meaningful look.

Zhang Zhifang immediately understood. "Zhiqiang, how about... we won't trouble you to drive us back, we'll take a taxi ourselves. Don't you and Liu Mei want to find Mingzheng? Hurry up and go. We'll head back first."

Li Guangyuan rubbed his hands together, cleared his throat, and tried to keep his tone as amiable as possible:

"Right, right, don't trouble yourselves. I'll go back and clean up that little partitioned room, just in case Yanyan wants to come visit."

Before Zhang Zhiqiang and Liu Mei could react, Zhang Zhifang had already grabbed the still-excited Li Hang and quickly walked towards the roadside.

Li Guangyuan followed closely behind, his steps hurried, as if afraid that being a step late would mean missing out on something.

Watching the retreating backs of their family of three as they hurried away...

Zhang Zhiqiang and Liu Mei stood rooted to the spot, gritting their teeth, their faces alternating between green and pale, looking utterly terrible.

No one was a fool. Zhang Yan was clearly different now. She was like a phoenix that had flown up to a high branch. As long as one could get even a little bit close, they could soar to great heights.

And it was obvious that, compared to Liu Mei, the stepmother, and Zhang Zhiqiang, the biological father who hadn't fulfilled much paternal responsibility, Zhang Yan's feelings for her aunt's family would only be deeper.

As long as Zhang Zhifang's family distanced themselves from them, they would be Zhang Yan's closest relatives, the biggest beneficiaries.

People are self-interested, especially those who have been poor in the countryside for most of their lives, struggling for a livelihood their whole lives.

Li Guangyuan had been following people doing decoration, plumbing, and odd jobs these years. With houses in the county town hard to sell recently, new decoration jobs were getting fewer, his income decreasing month by month. The family's life wasn't unlivable, but it certainly wasn't comfortable.

Zhang Zhifang had previously worked as a stocker in a town supermarket. After the supermarket went bankrupt, she hadn't found a proper job again. Occasionally, when some place was short-handed, she would go do a few days of casual labor, earning a hundred or so to supplement the household income.

Li Hang was attending university; tuition, living expenses, there were many days ahead needing money.

Today's events were, without a doubt, a pie falling from the sky for them. How could they not grab it tightly?

"Let's... let's not stand here anymore," Zhang Zhiqiang said, his voice dry. "We'll talk after we get back."

Liu Mei gritted her teeth, still unwilling to give up, and whispered, "Then Yanyan... are we just going to let it go like this?"

"What else do you want to do?" Zhang Zhiqiang twitched the corner of his mouth, his expression ugly. "Didn't you see that Assistant Lin, and those black-suited guys? They were on the 4th floor for so long, then took her away. They were guarding against us. Let's go back first. Hurry back."

Liu Mei's face turned even paler with a "swish."

She certainly understood what that meant.

The earlier arguments in the private room, those harsh words, those calculations and pressures she had blurted out... if that Director Jin really found out about them...

Thinking of this, a chill ran down her spine, and even her breathing became uneven.

After all, she was just an ordinary person. Facing the weak and timid Zhang Yan, she could be fierce and domineering.

But when faced with this kind of important person who hadn't even shown their face, who just sent an assistant, brought a few cars, and led a group of people to completely control the situation, her legs felt a little weak.

The cold winter wind from the north kept blowing onto them, chilling them to the bone.

The couple just stood at the hotel entrance, like two wooden stakes, neither making a move.

It wasn't until the lobby manager hurried over, politely asking if they needed to go upstairs to get their things, if they needed a car arranged, that they seemed to snap back to reality. They hunched their shoulders and scurried, looking utterly dejected, into that old Mercedes-Benz.

......

The back seat of the Bentley was quiet.

The cabin was warm and cozy, a faint fragrance floating in the air. It felt like a completely different world from the cold, biting winter wind outside.

Zhang Yan sat in the back seat with her head bowed, her hands still trembling slightly.

Su Yu glanced at her for a moment from the side, then raised her hand to take off her sunglasses, revealing that stunningly beautiful, almost unreal face.

"Yanyan."

"Um... Sister Yu." Zhang Yan turned her head and said softly, "I'm sorry to trouble you..."

Su Yu looked at her and gently raised an eyebrow. "Why are you using honorifics again? If you keep this up, I'm going to be unhappy."

"I-I'm sorry..." Zhang Yan panicked, explaining incoherently, "I just... I just..."

"Alright, no need to explain." Su Yu reached out and took her hand, her tone softening. "Don't be afraid, I was just teasing you. I came early this time originally for the music. The song is being released on February 14th, a lot of things need to be finalized before the New Year. So from now on, you'll live with me. I brought my entire team over, so it's convenient."

"Ah? This..." Zhang Yan flusteredly lowered her head. "I... I didn't expect to cause you so much trouble. I should have gone to find you all, I'm sorry."

Su Yu sighed helplessly and rubbed her forehead, as if Zhang Yan had left her speechless.

"Alright, I'll try not to make jokes like this when talking to you in the future, so you don't scare yourself again." She leaned back against the seat, her gaze slowly drifting to the window, and said softly, "Actually, the main reason I came early this time, besides the music, is that I want to spend the New Year here."

"Jing County..." She paused, the corner of her lips curving up gently. "I quite like it here."

Zhang Yan pursed her lips. "I'll do my absolute best to cooperate with you all on the music. If Sister Yu needs it, I can also show you around."

"Great, it's a promise!" Su Yu stuck out her pinky finger.

Zhang Yan was stunned for a moment, then quickly extended her hand and carefully hooked her pinky with Su Yu's.

A gentle pull.

Like two little kids.

The car slowly drove into the underground garage of Yunhao Hotel. The light dimmed, and the engine sound gradually softened.

Zhang Yan suddenly remembered something and asked quietly, "And also... that... about Director Jin, why did she suddenly ask me to go stay there? Was it inappropriate for me to just leave with you like that?"

Hearing this, Su Yu's eyes curved into a smile, a meaningful look appearing on her face.

"It's fine, don't be afraid of her. She wants to see her in-laws this year. While she's in Jing County, she has to behave herself. No matter how many teeth or tricks she has, she doesn't dare use them recklessly right now."

Zhang Yan blinked, completely not understanding.

Su Yu didn't intend to explain further. She just raised her hand and gently patted the back of Zhang Yan's hand, her tone gentle yet carrying a hint of amused anticipation.

"Don't think about anything right now. First, come with me to the hotel, rest a bit, then accompany me for a SPA."

"When she arrives, I'll take you to meet this she-devil."

....

The Gulfstream G800 cruised steadily through the night sky at ten thousand meters.

Outside the window, the night was deep and dark.

Below was an endless sea of clouds. On the distant horizon, a faint line of light, not yet fully dawn, floated vaguely.

The cabin was exceptionally quiet.

Secretary Jin leaned against the seat by the window, a document spread open on her lap. Her expression was calm, her gaze focused. Occasionally she would pause, holding a fountain pen to write a few concise, sharp annotations in the margins.

Shangguan Qiuyas walked over and stopped beside her, but didn't speak immediately.

A moment later, Secretary Jin's pen tip paused slightly as she asked indifferently, "What is it?"

Only then did Shangguan Qiuyas take two steps forward and lower her voice. "We just received a call from Assistant Lin. There's been a bit of a situation with Miss Zhang Yan. It deviates from the original plan."

"Miss Su Yu has also arrived in Jing County. When Assistant Lin went to pick up Miss Zhang Yan, she personally got out of the car and took her away directly. She said... she's having Miss Zhang Yan stay with her."

Observing Secretary Jin's expression, she lowered her voice even further. "Because you previously instructed to keep a low profile in Jing County, Assistant Lin didn't dare to stop her."

Secretary Jin slowly closed the document in her hand, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Su Yu..."

Just then, the private phone placed beside her vibrated softly.

A message popped up.

[Su Yu: photo.jpg]

Secretary Jin picked up the phone and tapped to view it.

The photo was taken in a hotel suite. Under warm yellow lighting, Zhang Yan was sitting on Su Yu's lap, looking shy, her ears flushed red.

Su Yu's face was pressed close, the corner of her lips curved up as she made a casual peace sign, intimate and bold.

That face was already extremely beautiful, and now her eyes were filled with the delight of having succeeded.

Immediately after, a second message popped up.

[Su Yu: "I've taken her away first, don't keep thinking about her."]

Secretary Jin looked at the screen and typed unhurriedly: "I asked her to stay over there out of concern for her safety. If you're willing to look after her, that's naturally for the best."

The message had just been sent when the other side replied almost instantly.

[Su Yu: "Hypocrite."]

[Su Yu: "Don't you love having everything arranged in advance?"]

[Su Yu: "I just wanted to see what expression you'd have when your plans go awry."]

[Su Yu: "It must be interesting."]

Secretary Jin: "Childish."

The other side was quiet for a moment. Then another photo popped up.

[Su Yu: photo.jpg]

This time, it was a photo of her and Tang Song.

The background was a bed.

Tang Song was half-leaning against the headboard, his profile outlined by the light into a sharp and handsome contour. Su Yu leaned close to him, her long hair cascading, red lips slightly raised. She looked enchanting and captivating, exuding an unconcealed sense of possessiveness and provocation.

Secretary Jin's gaze focused slightly.

Before her fingertip could even truly press down, the photo was swiftly withdrawn.

Immediately after, a new message popped up.

[Su Yu: "He's coming back to Jing County soon."]

[Su Yu: "I suddenly feel a bit nostalgic for the times he was in Paris, coming in and out of my place."]

Secretary Jin's breathing hitched slightly as she replied: "Are you trying to anger me? Provoke me?"

[Su Yu: "Didn't you say that great hatred resembles love? I love you so much, of course I want to get your attention. Dear Ms. Smile, when you arrive in Jing County, you'll come see me first, right? I'm looking forward to it so much."]

Secretary Jin looked at those lines, her lips pressing together tighter and tighter.

She didn't reply to Su Yu anymore. She directly turned off the phone screen, picked up the fountain pen again, and opened the document.

The pen tip hovered above the paper.

"Don't concern yourself with Su Yu's matters. Have Lin Tiantian keep watch over there."

"Yes." Shangguan Qiuyas acknowledged and turned to leave.

The cabin returned to silence.

Secretary Jin lowered her head. The pen tip scratched across the paper, the handwriting still neat and steady, but slightly slower than usual.

After writing a few words, she stopped again, turned her head, and looked out the window at the deep night.

In the past, she had many ways to deal with Su Yu.

But now it was different.

Su Yu had already entered the Family Office, and her relationship with Tang Song had reached that point. She needed to use her, needed her to stand on Ouyang Xianyue's side, needed her to become a sufficiently important chess piece.

So many things could no longer be handled as simply and roughly as before.

Especially now, especially during the New Year, in Jing County.

She couldn't make mistakes, nor could she go too far.

And Su Yu had clearly seen this point, which was why she dared to act so recklessly.

Thinking of this, Secretary Jin suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

Once she really arrived in Jing County, she truly couldn't employ any other tactics.

Could it be that she could only act like the most ordinary woman, fighting over favor?

She certainly couldn't really pull hair or slap faces like others might.

She lowered her head, glanced at her own slender, elegant fingers, then thought of Su Yu's bold, triumphant face.

If she slapped it, it would probably feel quite satisfying.

She let out a soft hum, the corner of her lips curving into a faint arc.