Taking a deep breath, Jiang Catherine adjusted her expression and walked toward the residence of Second Elder Jiang Wenxin.
Jiang Wenxin’s courtyard was as always, elegantly and gently arranged. She was sitting in the tearoom, leisurely preparing tea. Upon seeing Jiang Catherine enter, her face immediately displayed the characteristic, gentle smile like a spring breeze.
"Catherine is here? Sit down. Try my newly acquired Cloud Mist Tea." Jiang Wenxin’s voice was soft as she personally poured a cup of tea and pushed it over.
Jiang Catherine had no mind for tea; she reluctantly sat down and got straight to the point: "Sister Wen Yin, Jiang Su has gone crazy! The Young Master gave her the Far East logistics sector that was under my command, and she actually refused to exchange resources with me according to the old rules! She even told me to go find the Young Master! Has she been bewitched by that little girl?"
Jiang Wenxin gently blew on the tea foam, her smile unchanged: "Oh? What’s this? Elder Su has always been meticulous and rule-abiding; perhaps the Young Master gave some special instructions."
"What special instructions could there be?" Jiang Catherine’s tone was excited, "That sector is insignificant! The Young Master is clearly trying to make me feel disgusting and assert authority! Jiang Su actually took it seriously, and even said the Young Master was revitalizing her industrial line... Absurd!"
Jiang Wenxin took a sip of tea, a quick and elusive glimmer flashed in her eyes, so fast it seemed like a hallucination. She put down the teacup, her tone still gentle: "Catherine, calm down. It’s just a small sector, the profit to you is merely a drop in the bucket, why get so worked up? It’s not good to harm the sisterly harmony."
"This isn’t about profit!" Jiang Catherine raised her voice, "It’s about attitude! It’s about face! Among the five elders, why was it my stuff that was touched? Why send Jiang Su, that blockhead, to undermine me? Is Jiang Xiaoxing going to make an example of me, killing a chicken to warn the monkeys?!"
"You can’t say that." Jiang Wenxin shook her head, her smile slightly faded, carrying a hint of persuasion, "The Young Master has just taken over family affairs; she has to make some moves for people to see. The industry you’re responsible for... is extensive with a long chain; perhaps the Young Master thinks some areas require restructuring, which is possible. After all, young people often can’t tolerate any imperfection."
Her words sounded like advice, but each sentence was fanning the flames. It indicated that Jiang Xiaoxing was targeting intentionally, while also implying Jiang Catherine’s business was not clean, deservedly under scrutiny.
Jiang Catherine was indeed more angered: "What’s wrong with my business? Which one doesn’t earn money for the family? Without these ’unseemly’ businesses, how does the family support so many people? How do we maintain the current dignity? Is it remarkable that Jiang Xiaoxing invested billions in Hua Country? That amount is not even enough for half a month’s cash flow of ES Bank!"
"Yes, yes, the Young Master is young; she probably doesn’t understand the family’s difficulties." Jiang Wenxin followed her words, her tone somewhat ambiguous, "However, since she’s made a decision, we as elders shouldn’t openly oppose it. After all, the Great Elder seems... to support her."
On mentioning Great Elder Jiang Jingshu, Jiang Catherine’s fervor was slightly stifled. Though Jiang Jingshu usually kept a low profile, her prestige was high. Her clear support for Jiang Xiaoxing’s audit and industry adjustment indeed made it unwise to publicly oppose.
Jiang Wenxin observed her expression, then slowly added fuel to the fire: "Actually, Catherine, sometimes retreating a step might not be a bad thing. Let the Young Master move if she wants to move. Isn’t there a saying in Hua Country, ’the gun shoots the bird that sticks out’? You, ah, are just too competitive. That sector, gone is gone, won’t affect you much. Why, for this small matter, be the ’bird that sticks out’, provoking the Young Master and the Great Elder to displeasure?"
These words seemed considerate but were actually placing Jiang Catherine on a hot grill. On one hand, saying she was petty and lacking perspective; on the other, hinting that continuing to make a fuss would be openly opposing the Family Head and the Great Elder, inviting trouble for herself.
Jiang Catherine tasted the meaning behind the words, and her heart turned entirely cold. Looking at Jiang Wenxin’s eternally gentle smiling face, she suddenly felt incredibly hypocritical and cold. This woman never intended to help her! She was merely watching the show, seeing her and the Young Master fight, no matter who suffered, Jiang Wenxin would profit!
"Fine, very fine." Jiang Catherine abruptly stood up, icy blue eyes, "I see clearly now. Each of you has your fine plans. Jiang Su plays dumb, and you watch from a safe distance. You think I, Jiang Catherine, am a soft persimmon, deserve to be the first one to be made an example of, isn’t that so?"
Jiang Wenxin’s smile remained unchanged, even carrying a hint of helplessness: "Catherine, those words are too severe. We’re all thinking for the family..."
"For the family?" Jiang Catherine sneered, interrupting her, "You’re thinking for yourselves! Fine, since you all think it’s a trivial matter, then I won’t bother you two anymore."
She turned gracefully and left, high heels tapping sharply and angrily on the floor.
Jiang Wenxin watched her departing figure, smile gradually receding, a flicker of coldness passing through her eyes. She picked up the slightly cooled tea, lightly sipped, muttered softly: "Fool."
Jiang Catherine stormed back to her room, her exquisite face twisted with rage. Humiliation! Pure humiliation! Of the five elders, Great Elder Jiang Jingshu favors the Young Master; Third Elder Jiang Su switched sides at the last minute; Second Elder Jiang Wenxin was a backstabber and spectator; Fourth Elder Jiang Na, that fool, only focused on the Lowell family’s meager interests!
She became a loner! The first elder publicly humiliated by the Young Master with no support, even abandoned by peers, a laughingstock!
The sector’s inherent value indeed was insignificant, but as Jiang Su said, it related to an important channel. The critical aspect was, through this move, Jiang Xiaoxing sent a signal to everyone—Jiang Catherine is someone who can be readily manipulated! Her interests are the first to be sacrificed!
This grievance, she could not swallow, no matter what!
Isn’t Jiang Xiaoxing focusing on Hua Country? Investing billions there, engaging in new energy, wanting to shift the family’s focus back? Fine, she’ll show Jiang Xiaoxing just how deep the waters in Hua Country are and how powerful Jiang Catherine is!
She approached the encrypted communicator, quickly inputting a series of commands. The screen lit up, connecting to an overseas number. After a few rings, a deep, hoarse male voice answered in English: "Lady Catherine? Contacting at this time, what’s the urgent matter?"
"Urgent matter." Jiang Catherine replied in fluent English, her voice carrying unresolved anger and decisiveness, "I’m in C City, Hua Country. The ’Sea Star New Energy’ project and ’Guangqi Materials’—create some trouble for me. Nothing damaging, but enough to disgust and let that ’Young Master’ know overseas isn’t a playground for her childish games; she’s overreaching."
Silence from the other end for a moment: "Sea Star New Energy is a government-backed key project, deeply connected. Guangqi Materials... seem to involve some local forces too. Too big a move, and we’d risk setting ourselves on fire."
"I know!" Jiang Catherine impatiently said, "That’s why I said, cause some ’trouble.’ Tax inspection, environmental review, safety incidents, public opinion storms... aren’t they your specialties? I want her investments in Hua Country to face obstacles at every turn, to let her understand without our ’cooperation’, her so-called layout in Hua Country is a joke! Funds, I will pay double."
Another silence, seemingly weighing options. After a while, the male voice spoke again: "Possible. But Lady, the environment in Hua Country has been tight lately; we might need to employ some unconventional connections, the price..."
"Price is not an issue." Jiang Catherine said decisively, "I want to see results quickly."
"Understood. Within a week, you’ll have preliminary feedback."
Communication cut.
Jiang Catherine stared at the dimming screen, icy and resentful light flickering in her blue eyes.
Jiang Xiaoxing, do you think taking back one small sector could challenge me? I’ll let you know the depth of the Jiang family’s waters is far beyond your imagination. You want to return to Hua Country? Want to move our cake? First, see if your foundation in Hua Country can withstand the storms!
She walked to the liquor cabinet, poured a glass of strong spirit, and drank it in one gulp. The burning sensation of the alcohol slightly calmed her, but humiliation and anger continued to burn in her chest.
Just wait and see, Young Master. This is only the beginning.