The new chairman wasn't a stranger; she was once the only daughter of the former chairman of the Qin Corporation.
Qin Yi Ran used to keep a low profile in the company, known to few. However, the label of being Jiang Yang's unfaithful lover and a victim of his marriage deception and financial fraud had become widely known. She, as one of the involved parties, was a subject of pity and sympathy. Unexpectedly, within a month, she transformed into the newly appointed chairman of the Qin Corporation.
No one knew the details of what had occurred, but the staff witnessed Qin Yi Ran's assistant dragging CEO Jiang He out of the company gates like trash, a scene that left everyone flabbergasted. This forceful act silenced the entire company, discouraging any discussion.
It was crystal clear to everyone: Qin Yi Ran loathed Jiang Yang, and as Jiang He was Jiang Yang's cousin, he couldn't escape Qin Yi Ran's wrath. Moreover, Jiang He had always relied on Jiang Yang's influence within the company, leaving the staff feeling relieved and muttering that he deserved it.
Qin Yi Ran promptly relieved Jiang He of his duties. On the same day, as Jiang He woke up in the security room, he, infuriated, intended to confront Qin Yi Ran, but the security guard at the door stopped him, denying him entry.
"Are you blind? Don't you recognize who I am?!" Jiang He angrily bellowed at the security guard, eyes wide with rage.
Even though Jiang He had been relieved of his duties, he was still a part of the Jiang family. The chief of security couldn't afford to offend him and advised, "Mr. Jiang, you've been relieved of your duties, and the chairman specifically instructed us not to allow you inside. Please don't make it difficult for us."
Jiang He was panting heavily, consumed by anger. He cursed under his breath, turned around, headed to the parking lot, and drove straight to the Jiang residence. He was nearly losing control, gripping the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. The humiliation of being publicly disgraced fueled him, making him clench his teeth and slam the accelerator as he stormed into the Jiang residence.
Qin Yi Ran had no personal grudge against him. Even if she was redirecting her anger due to Jiang Yang, such an intense humiliation wouldn't be her style. The only possibility was that someone had influenced her, and the only one who held such deep enmity against him was none other than Yan Su, that little illegitimate offspring!
"Yan Su! Get the hell out here!" Jiang He pushed aside the butler who tried to attend to him, stormed upstairs, and kicked the door of Nie Jia's room. Accompanied by continuous cursing, Jiang He's kicking grew more vigorous. "You damn well better come out!"
Inside the room, Nie Jia was having a video call with Huo Qing. Hearing the commotion outside, Huo Qing furrowed his brow in displeasure. "Sounds like Jiang He."
"You can recognize that wastrel by his voice?" Nie Jia chuckled in amazement. "I got Qin Yi Ran to sack him. Maybe he's figured it out now. But I thought he'd go directly to find Jiang Yang. What use does he have in finding me?"
"Don't answer the door. I'll immediately send Wang Zong over." Jiang He's desperate and aggressive tone, along with his forceful banging, made Huo Qing extremely concerned for Nie Jia's safety.
Before Nie Jia could respond, the door was forcefully kicked open by Jiang He from outside. He barged in like a raging beast, grabbed Nie Jia by the collar, and lifted him off the chair. "Was it you who got Qin Yi Ran to fire me?!"
With this sudden confrontation, Huo Qing's heart raced. But during their video call, Nie Jia had been wearing headphones, so Jiang He couldn't hear anything he said.
Nie Jia calmly removed his headphones and calmly replied, "Yes."
"Yan Su, I think you're getting tired of living!" Jiang He gritted his teeth menacingly. "Don't forget, back in the bar, you left me quite a collection of pictures. Imagine if these circulated and everyone knew the renowned Dr. Yan was a homosexual. Would you have any future prospects in this country?"
"If you can't find any other reason apart from those ancient incidents to threaten me, give it up. Instead of thinking about how to retaliate against me, you better hurry and beg Jiang Yang to give you another chance. You won't get any dividends from the Qin Corporation this year. If you don't quickly find a way to make money, you won't be able to clear your gambling debts." Nie Jia casually kicked Jiang He where he felt most vulnerable.
Jiang He's intense anger stemmed from being fired by Qin Yi Ran because without the dividends, he couldn't fill the massive hole left by his gambling losses. This was something even Jiang Yang didn't know; how did Nie Jia know it so clearly!
For a moment, Jiang He was surprised, and his anger intensified. With a cold sneer, he released Nie Jia's collar and with a swift tug, undid two buttons of Nie Jia's shirt, revealing a few inches of fair, smooth skin.
Nie Jia had just woken up not long ago, with a hint of sleepiness still lingering in his eyes, giving off an unsuspecting and alluring vibe.
"You were beautiful as a child, and growing up, you've become exquisite. It's a shame I was preoccupied with women back then and didn't take advantage." Jiang He stared closely at the remarkably attractive young man in front of him, a sinister desire burning within.
As Jiang He reached out to control Nie Jia, the latter, expressionless, instantly grabbed his throat. His movements were swift, forceful yet precise, strangling Jiang He enough to hinder his breathing without causing immediate suffocation, leaving him in acute pain.
"Seeking death," Nie Jia's eyes turned icy, the once gentle demeanor vanished. He stared at Jiang He as if he were staring at a dead man.
Jiang He never expected Yan Su, who had a slender figure, to possess such strength. Yan Su gripped his throat, leaving him breathless, struggling to inhale or exhale. It felt like suffocation, and in sheer panic, he desperately clawed at Yan Su's hand. Despite Yan Su's slender fingers, like they could easily snap, they seemed unyielding, nearly snapping his neck!
Driven by the will to survive, Jiang He wildly scratched, leaving two bloody trails on Nie Jia's wrist.
Nie Jia's gaze darkened. In a fit of agitation, he swiftly disarmed Jiang He, rendering his arms useless. Amid intense pain, Jiang He struggled to breathe, finally catching his breath, only to have Nie Jia forcefully smash his head onto the table. Jiang He, towering over him, now seemed powerless, squashed like a chick under Nie Jia's grasp.
"Yan Su! I'm sorry! I was wrong! I spoke without thinking, I apologize! I didn't mean it, I was manipulated by Jiang Yang to drug you and take those pictures for Jiang Zhaolin. He wanted you out of the Jiang family. I was threatened by him! Please spare me!" Jiang He begged frantically, face planted on the table.
Terrified, he felt Nie Jia's thumb resting on his right eye, applying pressure. He felt his eyeball might explode!
Pleading with all his might, drenched in cold sweat and tears, Jiang He found no mercy. The assailant seemed determined to gouge his eye out!
"You, without a lesson, won't learn where the line is drawn." Nie Jia's voice chilled, eyes sharp as swords, contemplating a strike at Jiang He's vital spots.
"Dr. Yan!" An urgent voice interrupted Nie Jia's violent intent. He looked up to see Huo Qing's assistant, Wang Zong, rushing in, visibly relieved to find Nie Jia unharmed. "It's good you're okay."
Suddenly remembering his ongoing video call with Huo Qing, Nie Jia glanced at the screen. Huo Qing looked serious, a hint of worry in his expression. Nie Jia's heart clenched; he released Jiang He's hand, stepping back.
He'd cautioned himself to restrain emotions before Huo Qing, yet he lost control moments ago. If Wang Zong hadn't arrived promptly, he might have indeed gouged Jiang He's eye out in front of Huo Qing!
Jiang He lay paralyzed, as if reborn, trembling legs unable to support him.
Nie Jia, too, was in disarray. Despite being the assailant, he seemed lost. He moved his dry lips but remained silent, slamming shut his laptop.
"Get lost," Nie Jia's gaze bore into Jiang He.
Jiang He didn't dare linger, swiftly escaping on all fours.
Nie Jia sighed in annoyance, slumping bonelessly onto a chair, looking almost lifeless.
Wang Zong's phone rang. Nie Jia, still limp, didn't react. Wang Zong answered, "Yes, Boss, Dr. Yan is fine. No need to worry. Alright, understood."
After the call, Wang Zong glanced at Nie Jia, respectfully saying, "Huo Qing?"
"Yes, the boss is greatly concerned about your safety," Wang Zong replied with deference.
"As you've seen, I'm fine. You can leave," Nie Jia got up from the chair, then flopped onto the bed like a porcupine, curling up under the covers.
From his pocket, Wang Zong retrieved a business card, placing it on the desk. "Dr. Yan, here's my contact. If you need anything or have orders, feel free to send me."
Nie Jia remained silent. Wang Zong, sensing there was nothing more to do, left quietly, closing the door behind him.
["Mr. Nie, are you worried about Director Huo seeing your aggressive side?"] The system, quiet for a while, suddenly spoke.
"Quiet," Nie Jia's mood low, had no inclination to converse.
The system fell silent for a moment. ["You can be a bit more confident."]
Nie Jia said nothing, breathing steady, perhaps already asleep.
Wang Zong worked swiftly. In just a morning's time, he managed the tasks Huo Qing had ordered over the phone. He discovered why Dr. Yan, twelve years ago a mere youth, went abroad alone and uncovered the photos Jiang He had secretly taken over the years.