I was forced to start the second round because I was raised in poverty

Chapter 400 The Old Man's Conspiracy

Shanghai in the afternoon.

Inside a private garden.

Sunlight streamed through the clean window frames, casting dappled shadows on the wooden dining table, while the air was filled with the warm and comforting aroma of food.

Su Tianyan and Zhang Lekang were having lunch together.

This lunch wasn't lobster, abalone, or red wine; it was a carefully prepared healthy meal.

In the very center of the table was a perfectly pan-fried salmon cooked in herbs and olive oil.

With a gentle nudge of the chopsticks, the fish fillets unfold like flower petals, revealing their delicate texture.

The salmon was accompanied by one or two sardines soaked in oil.

The other dish was stir-fried spinach with garlic and kale.

A simple stir-fry with minced garlic preserves the original flavor and nutrients of the vegetables to the greatest extent.

The smooth texture of spinach and the slightly chewy texture of kale combine to create a rich and complex flavor.

Next to the green vegetables was a plate of golden, fluffy turkey minced meat and scrambled eggs.

The eggs were scrambled until they were as smooth as clouds, interspersed with finely chopped, meaty turkey meat.

Turkey meat is low in fat and high in protein, with a light and refreshing taste that blends perfectly with the rich, creamy flavor of eggs.

This dish is mild and tender, requiring almost no chewing, and has a home-style flavor that anyone will enjoy.

Su Tianyan and Zhang Lekang each had a bowl of brown rice with two kinds of beans in their hands.

It's not as flashy as refined white rice; it looks simple, but it's made with great care.

The plump grains of brown rice in the bowl, after being steamed, gently unfurled and nestled close to the already soft and tender black beans and lentils.

As you gently scoop up a spoonful, the rustic aroma of rice and beans wafts over you.

Zhang Lekang really liked this kind of food; he was already tired of eating lobster and abalone.

As he got older, his teeth deteriorated, and after being diagnosed with cancer, his appetite declined sharply.

This kind of healthy and simple home-cooked meal suits his taste better.

Although there were only three simple dishes today, Zhang Lekang ate with even more gusto than Su Tianyan.

but.

Su Tianyan did not like this kind of food.

It doesn't taste like much.

He still prefers lobster, abalone, steak, and red wine, followed by a cigar.

Eating this kind of home-cooked meal was out of necessity.

This is a menu customized for him by his private doctor.

Salmon and sardines are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are important components of brain cells and help slow down brain aging, fight inflammation, enhance memory, and delay cognitive decline.

And there's also spinach and kale.

Su Tianyan doesn't like

These two vegetables contain folic acid, vitamin K, and other antioxidants, which can protect his brain cells, reduce damage, and help him retain more clear-headed moments.

Choline in egg yolks is a key ingredient in the synthesis of acetylcholine in the brain, which is said to be responsible for transmitting information and consolidating memory.

He doesn't like to eat it, but he can't not eat it.

Had lunch.

Two large platters of washed blueberries and strawberries were served.

Both of these fruits also have strong antioxidant properties, which can clear waste products from the brain, reduce damage caused by oxidative stress, and provide strong protection for fragile neurons.

Besides fruit.

The room is stocked with nuts containing healthy fats, and the vitamin E and B vitamins they contain can help protect the brain, enhance memory, and provide strong protection for Su Tianyan's currently fragile neurons.

Su Tianyan ate a few pieces of fruit, the sweet aftertaste still lingering on her tongue, and she couldn't wait any longer.

He opened the box, and a rich, unique aroma, a blend of woody and fermented tobacco, immediately filled the air, as if it had activated a switch within him.

Su Tianyan picked up a cigar and used a cigar cutter to cut off the cap with a "snap," making a clean and neat cut. He then patiently and evenly heated the end of the cigar with a lighter until the stem of the cigar showed a uniform, dark red halo.

Finally, he brought the cigar to his lips.

He didn't inhale the first puff of smoke; he simply let the richly aromatic smoke swirl in his mouth before slowly exhaling.

This is to awaken the cigar, and also to awaken his taste buds.

The tongue first detects a slightly spicy peppery sensation, followed by a rich, earthy aroma that washes over the tongue, completely overshadowing and transforming the previous fruity sweetness.

Call ~
comfortable.

Zhang Lekang, standing to the side, looked worried.

He was a little scared.

It wasn't that he was afraid cancer would take him away, but that he was afraid of Su Cheng.

"Brother Tianyan, if we do this, won't Xiao Su retaliate against us in the future?"

Zhang Lekang was being too polite.

He was afraid that Su Cheng would retaliate against Jin Hong Group.

Zhang Lekang's original idea was to simply remove Zhang Yangwen from the poverty-stricken upbringing plan.

That was also the plan that General Manager Bai gave him at the time.

But Su Tianyan intervened halfway through.

Zhang Lekang was instructed to subtly imply to Zhang Yangwen in various ways that Su Cheng had actually known about the frugal upbringing all along.

Let alone his son, anyone would feel dissatisfied with Su Cheng as a friend.

Little Su doesn't know anything about it!

Yang Wen vented his dissatisfaction on Su Cheng, and even after breaking up with Su Cheng, she would still be confused.

From Su Cheng's perspective, Xiao Su would only think that Zhang Yangwen had become arrogant after inheriting the family business, cutting ties with his former brothers and turning his back on them.

But this was Su Tianyan's request.

It's necessary to stir up hatred between the two children, making Su Cheng and Yang Wen clash and generate antagonism.

Otherwise, they would face related risks.

Objectively speaking, that is indeed the case. His own son is loyal and righteous, and he will definitely help his brothers after gaining power.

This is where the contradiction lies.

Zhang Lekang cannot criticize Su Tianyan's approach, as it seems to be the only way to avoid informing Zhang Yangwen that Su Cheng was also raised in poverty.

So in the end, Zhang Lekang had no choice but to accept it.

But this approach terrified him.

Zhang Lekang couldn't help but worry that if Su Cheng learned the whole truth after taking over, would she purge Jin Hong Group?

He didn't know if he would still be alive by then, and if Yang Wen were to rely solely on him, he certainly wouldn't be able to stop Su Cheng.

Zhang Lekang knew that Su Cheng was far more capable than his own son.

With only a small UNV, and against all odds, they occupied several small cities on the outskirts of the Jin Hong Group.

In a one-on-one situation, Yang Wen would definitely lose.

Not to mention that after Su Cheng took over, there was also the huge advantage of the scale and size of the Emperor Group.

Su Tianyan noticed Zhang Lekang's emotions and promptly comforted him, "You don't need to worry."

How is Xiao Zhang doing now?

Zhang Lekang truthfully told his son about what happened after he returned home.

"They accepted it very well, and they had no complaints about me. On the contrary, they were very grateful to me."

“Yes, yes, that’s right. I’ve always thought highly of Xiao Zhang; he’s a grateful person,” Su Tianyan added. “That’s why I had no choice but to use this method to make them cut ties.”

"Old Zhang...you have to understand me."

Zhang Lekang: ...

Does he not understand whether it's useful?

Isn't it all up to Su Tianyan to decide this?

Zhang Lekang did offer his opinions, but they were immediately rejected.

No one else has the right to speak on matters related to Su Cheng.

Even if it's Zhang Lekang, it's not allowed; even if it's related to his son, it's not allowed.

I understand, but this concerns the future of the Jin Hong Group.

"It's alright, everything is within my plan."

"My next step is to transfer him to UNV to continue fighting against your Jin Hong Group."

"You can also take this opportunity to mentor Xiao Zhang."

Zhang Lekang: ???

wipe.

Like this?

He's already dying of cancer, is Su Tianyan trying to kill him?

"Don't worry, I will only give Unv a small portion of the funds for initial operations. In other aspects, Emperor will not provide him with any form of assistance or interference."

How you hit him is your business.

"Hey Lao Zhang, you can't possibly be unable to take down such a young punk?"

Zhang Lekang was helpless.

How do you say you killed him/her? And how do you say you couldn't kill him/her?
Is Su Tianyan really going to send his son to the cruel arena like this?

This is no less than Old Su not giving Little Su armor and weapons, but letting him fight with a small dagger!

That's too cruel!
Even Zhang Lekang himself felt a little reluctant.

UNV's attack on Jin Hong Group was already a headwind.

However, the event arranged by Su Tianyan has a huge buff.

That is, Su Cheng will harbor hatred towards Zhang Yangwen. Su Tianyan has already stirred up the antagonism and hatred between the two children.

Xiao Su will likely do everything in his power to fight against the Jin Hong Group.

Zhang Lekang was fully armed, with shields and heavy swords, but they were also surrounded by an aura of hatred.

It's true that Xiao Su only has a small dagger, but if someone is going to fight you to the death, then armor and equipment don't matter.

A sudden, unexpected strike to the head renders armor, spears, and heavy swords utterly meaningless.

Zhang Lekang belatedly realized what was happening.

This is simply a series of interconnected events.

First, they stir up hatred, and then they arrange tests.

Old Su has achieved all his goals.

He, his son, and even the Jin Hong Group have all become new pawns on Lao Su's chessboard.

Zhang Lekang plans to personally mentor Zhang Yangwen, starting with advanced techniques rather than immediately plunging him into a hellish, life-or-death situation.

He himself might have a hard time dealing with Su Cheng, let alone let Yang Wen learn anything from this business confrontation.

It's absolutely impossible.

However, Zhang Lekang could not directly defy Su Tianyan.

Don't be fooled by their current harmonious relationship and their polite address of each other as brothers.

Zhang Lekang knew that if he angered Su Tianyan, he might not even be able to fight the life-or-death game.

Within eight hours, the Dihao Group could crush Jin Hong.

at this time.

A man and a woman slowly walked into the room.

Bai Zihua.

Long Ruoli.

"President Su, President Zhang."

Zhang Lekang quickly nodded in response, "Yes, yes."

Bai Zihua had important information to report to Su Tianyan: "President Su, we received an email from the young master. He wants to apply for the Advancement Program."

Ok?
Upon hearing this, Su Tianyan immediately frowned, his face filled with displeasure.

"What's this 'Advanced Personnel Program'? Why would he apply for it?"

Zhang Lekang seemed somewhat excited, as if he had heard of a lifeline.

He knew what the Emgrand's "Advanced Plan" meant.

If Old Su approves the Forward Project, then he won't have to risk his life, right?

Su Tianyan put on his thick glasses and took the report from Bai Zihua to read it himself.

Next, he arranged an emotional test for Su Cheng.

But Su Cheng's application for the Advancement Program immediately disrupted his plans.

After reading it, Su Tianyan immediately started cursing.

"That bastard."

"Does he think that by upgrading him to K15, he's become independent and can fly solo?"

"You want to be the boss yourself, huh?"

Su Cheng's email stated that she wanted to engage in financial investment, but she did not specify the investment business or the projects she was interested in.

The application amount is 100 million in cash.

The amount was actually just right; it was filled in by Su Cheng at Ye Li's suggestion.

An individual with 100 million yuan in cash is usually considered a top client by major financial institutions and can enjoy high-end financial services.

But for an investment institution, it is merely a basic threshold for large-scale operation.

One hundred million is just enough capital to launch and establish fund products, build an effective investment portfolio, and execute professional strategies.

There was no need for Zhang Lekang to step forward at all; Bai Zihua immediately offered his opinion: "President Su, I think we could actually let the young master give it a try?"

"Try what? If you try it, you have to pay him."

"One hundred million is no small amount."

"President Su, you recently had your son participate in the acquisition of STX Group, which was a project worth tens of billions."

Su Tianyan admitted that Su Cheng's plan was not bad, but he denied Su Cheng's true ability: "I didn't really let him participate. I just let him write a plan. It was just theory on paper."

"But Mr. Su, even if the young master is all talk and no action, what he wrote is really good. There are no strategic errors, and it is very detailed."

"Why didn't he write in detail this time? He only wrote about financial investment. I don't even know what he's going to do, what industry, what field, or whether he already has any projects or categories he's interested in?"

"None of these details are clearly stated, yet they just casually mention a hundred million."

"But we can't keep the young master like a caged bird forever, can we? We should let him go out and explore on his own."

Zhang Lekang, observing the situation, chose to join the fray at this moment: "Brother Tianyan, would you approve it if it were any other K15?"

This question stumped Su Tianyan.

The Progressive Project has a cap, with approved funding ranging from several million to twenty million.

However, K15 is a different story; people at this level generally don't apply for the Advanced Advancement Program.

They will directly consult with headquarters, and the amount of funding that can be approved is likely to be between several hundred million and several billion.

According to the group's current review standards, K15 applied for 100 million yuan in funding, and it went through the "Advanced Plan"—a highly controlled project—which is approved 100% instantly.

There's probably only one reason why they might not approve it: they think Su Cheng is asking for too little money.

What kind of projects can you do with 100 million?

We should apply for several hundred million more.

"Let me think."

Su Tianyan fell into deep thought.

If Su Cheng's application is approved, it would be tantamount to allowing him to partially leave the group.

Moreover, it would disrupt Su Tianyan's subsequent training plan.

His idea was that after Su Cheng finished his match with Jin Hong, regardless of whether he won or lost, he would be transferred to another branch of the group for a rotation.

But he also felt that what Bai Zihua said made a lot of sense.

A caged bird...

Su Tianyan looked at Long Ruoli:

"Xiaolong, what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)