NOVEL NEXT Chapter 275: Go Out
Wang Yu was instantly infuriated by Xu Ke's blunt words, her face turning a purplish shade of anger. "What—what did you say?!"
Her chest heaved violently with anger, and her body trembled involuntarily. She had held a high position for many years. Never had anyone dared to speak to her, Wang Yu, like this. She had a partnership with Wang Tianlu, so how could Xu Ke twist it into a relationship between a dog and its master? The humiliation and rage nearly made her chest explode. She wished she could tear the flesh from Xu Ke's bones right then and there...
"Don't understand?" Xu Ke walked in and closed the door, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. "I said you're a damn dog. Understand now?"
"If you don't, I'll take a megaphone downstairs to the Wang Family Corporation building and shout it for the whole company to hear."
He was used to being insulted; as he'd said himself, it was nothing new. But Wang Yu had not only disparaged the profession his parents worked so hard at, she had also openly opposed Wong Qifu and insulted Lin Qinghua. How could Xu Ke possibly tolerate that?
Not releasing that recording was already my greatest act of mercy. I showed you forbearance, but you had to keep pushing...
This time, Xu Ke had no intention of letting Wang Yu save any face.
Wang Yu, utterly enraged, bellowed, "Wong Qifu!"
Since she couldn't win an argument against Xu Ke, her only option was to have Wong Qifu suppress him.
But Wong Qifu merely offered a faint, cold smile. "What is it?"
"Aren't you going to control your wild man?"
Wang Yu could see it clearly now. This time, Wong Qifu was fully prepared to stand against her. The realization was unbearable. Betraying her own aunt for a man like Xu Ke?
"That's enough," Xu Ke cut in, speaking in a calm, unhurried manner. "Stop meddling in Qi Fu's affairs. For now, just go and inform Wang Tianlu."
"And remember to be polite."
His words stung Wang Yu once again.
When she saw that Wong Qifu remained silent, letting Xu Ke mock her with veiled sarcasm, Wang Yu yelled, "Wong Qifu, all for a man... you... you... You've disappointed me so much! I'm your aunt!"
Wang Yu put on a look of utter betrayal and anguish.
But Wong Qifu simply smiled. "And I'm your niece."
"So now, if my dear aunt would be so kind, please go and inform Wang Tianlu. The person he wants to see has arrived."
As she finished speaking, Wang Yu's expression froze completely, her look of abject sorrow vanishing. She understood. Wong Qifu's words were a clear signal that she was now considered part of Wang Tianlu's faction. In other words, she had just been cast out.
"You... you're sure you want to make me side with Wang Tianlu?" Wang Yu gritted her teeth, her eyes gleaming with vengeful light.
"It was your own choice," Wong Qifu said indifferently.
"Fine. Fine! FINE!" Wang Yu took a deep breath before turning and storming out.
Outside, Wang Wu stared coldly at Wang Yu. He had heard her insults toward Lin Qinghua. Besides, her words had insulted him as well. Wang Yu, however, acted as if she hadn't seen him and walked away.
***
Originally, Wang Yu had sought out Wang Tianlu to have him confront Xu Ke alone, allowing her to reap the benefits without lifting a finger. But Wang Tianlu refused. His reasoning was simple.
He was using Xu Ke's arrival as a pretext to weaken Wong Qifu's power. If he failed to cause problems for Xu Ke and Wong Qifu, he would gain nothing. The payment from Wang Yu alone wasn't enough; for him, the deal would be a net loss. So, he forced Wang Yu to step forward and openly oppose Wong Qifu. This way, even if he couldn't weaken Wong Qifu's power, he could at least shatter the relationship between the aunt and niece. Either way, he wouldn't lose.
With Xu Ke so obviously threatening to siphon away her power, Wang Yu felt a sense of crisis and naturally decided to make the first move. Moreover, Wang Tianlu had laid out his analysis for her yesterday: "The fact that you're holding a press conference to deal with Xu Ke already makes your intentions crystal clear. You've already upset Wong Qifu. If you keep standing by her side, you'll only find your options narrowing in the future. You're better off working with me, Wang Tianlu. Things are simple on my side. Interests come first. I don't care about connections or favors, only money. Isn't that better than her side?"
That was why Wang Yu had decided to rebel completely.
But she still had her own machinations. Her plan was to let Wong Qifu keep the chairman position while simultaneously limiting her authority and strengthening Wang Tianlu's. When two tigers fight, one must suppress the rival while uniting with other allies. She, Wang Yu, would be a very suitable "ally." When the situation played out, she would naturally be the fisherman who profits from the conflict.
What she didn't anticipate, however, was that before her plan to play both sides and expel Xu Ke could even be realized, she herself had been cast out of Wong Qifu's camp.
Now, she was left with no other choice.
***
Back in the office, after Wang Yu left, Wang Wu and Lin Qinghua also departed, wanting to give Wong Qifu and Xu Ke some space.
Once they were alone, Xu Ke asked frankly, "Will you blame me?"
He was referring to how he had just berated Wang Yu.
"No," Wong Qifu smiled, "but I do think there's one thing you could have done better."
"What?" Xu Ke was taken aback.
Wong Qifu said, "Curse less. It's unseemly."
"Besides, you wouldn't actually go downstairs and shout with a megaphone. That's not a credible threat. In the future, threaten people with things you'll actually do. It's more intimidating."
Xu Ke touched his nose. "I was just letting off steam. Does it really need so much analysis?"
"The power of words is immense," Wong Qifu said seriously. "If you only think about venting and speak carelessly, people won't take your words seriously in the future."
Xu Ke nodded thoughtfully. "I understand." What she said was true.
Wong Qifu smiled again, as if to make up for her critique. "Of course, I know today's situation is special. You're usually very cautious with your words."
Seeing Wong Qifu speak this way, Xu Ke sighed. Wong Qifu seemed fine on the surface, but her way of speaking was already different. She was normally so decisive. It seemed that Wang Yu and Wang Tianlu teaming up today had truly shaken her.
"However," Wong Qifu said, as if on a whim, "speaking of which, haven't you gotten much more comfortable calling me by my name?"
Hearing this, Xu Ke let out a sound of confusion. "What?"
"Isn't it? Before, it was always 'Sister Wang, Sister Wang.' Now, it's 'Qi Fu, Qi Fu' all the time."
Wong Qifu stared at Xu Ke, her gaze flickering...