Chapter 76: Zhang Ziqin: You Underestimate Me
âHello, Iâd like to see President Lu. Could you please inform him?â At the front desk of Lu Corporation, Zhang Ziqin, with her stunningly beautiful face, wore a gentle smile, appearing very approachable.
This once ice-cold CEO couldnât maintain her frosty demeanor anymore, trying hard to seem amiable.
âIâm sorry, President Zhang, but President Lu is very busy. He wonât see you without an appointment,â the receptionist said with a polite but distant smile.
President Lu had already given strict orders to refuse Zhang Ziqin, regardless of who she brought with her.
A glimmer of disappointment flickered in her bright eyes, although she had anticipated this outcome. Still, she couldnât help feeling a bit unwilling. However, Zhang Ziqin quickly shook off that feeling and perked up.
Zhang Ziqin had already decided to repay everything she owed to Lu Li. A few rejections were nothing. After all, Lu Li had pursued her diligently for eight whole years!
Having been stopped at the companyâs entrance repeatedly back then, she now understood all too well how that must have felt.
âThen⊠will President Lu come out for lunch? I can wait for him here.â She asked the receptionist, hopeful. With her status, when had she ever been so courteous to a mere receptionist?
But Zhang Ziqin knew this receptionist must have been instructed by Lu Li, as she had done the same thing in the past to dismiss Lu Li when she didnât want to see him.
âIf only I had known today, why the deeds of yesterday?â Watching the proud CEO showing such an expression, the receptionist couldnât help but feel a bit sorry for her, thinking to herself.
She had been the most direct witness to Zhang Ziqinâs transformation. From her initially icy demeanor to now, even speaking with a bit of flattery.
Shaking her head silently, she thought if only Zhang Ziqin had seized just one opportunity back then, things wouldnât have come to this.
Only after losing did she understand the value of what she had.
Such people truly arenât worth pitying.
âIâm sorry, President Zhang. President Lu doesnât wish to see you,â the receptionist said, though it was harsh, she spoke the truth.
Zhang Ziqinâs face stiffened for a moment, and she stood frozen, fighting the urge to cry. She was well aware of Lu Liâs current attitude towards her. It was not just a lack of love but also hatred. She had always been unwilling to accept it, always harboring some hope.
Maybe Lu Li just wanted her to apologize. Maybe he just wanted her to experience what he had gone through, or perhaps it was Lu Liâs strategy of retreat.
Zhang Ziqin didnât mind and even felt a bit gleeful, thinking this might mean Lu Li still had her in his heart. She was willing to accept everything; these were all debts she owed Lu Li.
At this point in her previous life, Lu Li hadnât completely given up hope, but reality was cruel. It wouldnât leave any room for expectations.
Shattering all her illusions, Lu Li had truly stopped loving her.
Now by his side were Chen Xiaoyi, the girl, and Cao Yingying, the woman full of him. What was she, Zhang Ziqin? Just a woman who only hurt Lu Li, deserved to be abandoned.
Clutching her heart, as if it were being torn apart, the intense pain made her struggle to pull herself together.
âAlright, Iâll come back tomorrow!â She managed to say before leaving Lu Corporation.
âOne year, eight years, eighty years, Iâll keep trying. One day, Lu Li will accept me again.â Wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes, Zhang Ziqin encouraged herself. If Lu Li could persevere for eight years, why should she give up?
She wouldnât blame Lu Li. The situation they were in now was all her own doing.
The phone suddenly rang, irritation flashed in Zhang Ziqinâs eyes, but she composed herself and answered the call.
âWhatâs up!â The ice-cold CEO was back to her aloof demeanor.
âItâs terrible, President Zhang. A large amount of unfavorable online news about Zhang Company has suddenly appeared.â
âYou should be able to handle such trivial matters yourselves, or are you saying you donât even have the capability to deal with this?â Zhang Ziqinâs tone was harsh.
âItâs not that, President Zhang. The situation about Zhang Company is making waves now. We suspect thereâs a manipulator behind the scenes, someone targeting our Zhang Company, and the stock price of Zhang Company has plummeted.â
Zhang Ziqin frowned: âIâll be at the company right away.â
During this time, all she thought about was how to win Lu Li back, barely concerning herself with Zhang Companyâs affairs. In her eyes, Lu Li was far more important than Zhang Company. Only after losing did she realize how precious Lu Li was to her.
âWhatâs going on?â Zhang Ziqinâs beautiful face looked grim, her icy tone showcasing her CEO demeanor.
The secretary hesitated before replying, cautious of Zhang Ziqinâs recent frequent visits to Lu Corporation.
âSpeak,â Zhang Ziqin commanded with a cold gaze.
âPresident Zhang, those internet trolls came from nowhere, but Lu Corporation has been confirmed to be involved in this smear campaign against our Zhang Company, and even⊠the board of directors suspects this was orchestrated by Lu Corporation.â
The secretary put it politely. The executives and shareholders of Zhang Company were almost certain this was a targeted strike by Lu Corporation, but knowing her presidentâs daily visits to Lu Corporation, she didnât want to be too absolute.
âLu Corporation?â Her stern gaze turned blank.
âUh⊠They made no attempt to hide their actions, openly attacking our Zhang Company,â the secretary nodded, thinking maybe President Lu was acting out of spurned love, but hadnât President Zhang turned her affections back?
A grown man being so petty.
Zhang Ziqinâs face paled, bitterness flashing in her eyes.
âAre you telling me thereâs no chance for us anymore? But I just wanted to see you!â In Zhang Ziqinâs view, these recent attacks were warnings from Lu Li because she had repeatedly visited Lu Corporation, disturbing him.
âYou underestimate me. You think attacking Zhang Company will make me give up? No way. Compared to you, what is Zhang Company? I owe you so much; consider this a partial repayment of my debts!â
Misinterpreting the attack as a warning from Lu Li, she thought he didnât want her visiting Lu Corporation anymore, a mistaken assessment on her part.
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