Chapter 49: Blind to True Worth

With a resounding stir, as Zhao Qing revealed the truth face-to-face, the entire Su Company erupted in uproar. Each and every old colleague stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded. No one could have imagined that Su Rulan, who had been bullied day after day, would suddenly transform into the President of Tianlan Group, with Zhao Qing herself as her secretary.

“We just fired Su Rulan, and now she…” Old Master Su’s cane slipped from his grasp, his face a mask of astonishment, his mind buzzing in shock.

“What kind of absurd luck is this!” Su Yixue gasped, her heart pounding furiously, jealousy burning so hot in her chest that she felt as if she might explode.

“Don’t panic, don’t panic. It’s only Tianlan Group, nothing to boast about.” Su Yicai ground his teeth, refusing to accept reality, muttering darkly that this was all some trick of the Ye family’s young master, convinced it was a mere illusion.

Zhao Qing shifted her gaze, deliberately scanning the room, a hint of disappointment and chill flickering in her eyes. Yesterday, when the young master visited the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce and toured Tianlan Group, as Zhao Shanhe’s daughter, she should have been there. Yet, due to a last-minute business trip, she had missed the chance to meet the young master in person.

Fortunately, upon her return, after persistent questioning, her father Zhao Shanhe finally recounted everything in detail. Su Rulan was, in fact, the young master’s wife!

What angered Zhao Qing most was how the Su family had dared to treat Su Rulan so cruelly, bullying her to such an extent and committing such outrageous acts. They were a family in name, yet they treated her like an enemy, shunning and targeting her at every turn.

Su Rulan’s gentle nature, coupled with years of living under immense pressure, had left her with a humble disposition—she would never turn against others unless truly pushed to the edge. But Zhao Qing was nothing like that.

“All of you in the Su family are truly blind. Just wait—you’ll regret this!”

“Tianlan Group is the flagship enterprise of the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce. From this day on, Miss Su is the Chief Executive of Tianlan Group. All advertising business from the Chamber of Commerce will be handled directly by President Su herself!”

“Within this year, Tianlan Group will become the largest advertising company in Jiangnan. As for the Su family, you can continue to delude yourselves and keep dreaming!” Zhao Qing’s words rang out, powerful and assertive, as she stood in front of Su Rulan, exuding the aura of a queen. Anyone unaware of their relationship might have mistaken the two for close sisters.

Su Yicai curled his lips and forced himself to retort, “Stop trying to scare us. No matter what, Su Rulan is still an outsider. Who knows, maybe Tianlan Group will end up in our hands one day!”

“How pitiable—you’re already reduced to lying to yourselves. But I’m sorry, every word you’ve just said is wrong. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see how reality slaps you in the face!” Zhao Qing refused to back down, her expression full of unyielding confidence.

Su Yicai was left speechless, his face alternating between green and purple with embarrassment. Old Master Su and Su Yixue were in no better state.

Soon after, Zhao Qing turned and led Su Rulan out of the Su Company. Once outside, Su Rulan quickly bent in gratitude, saying, “Zhao Qing, you’ve helped me out again. Thank you!”

“President Su, I’m your subordinate now—this is just my duty. Besides, the Su family has gone too far. If my father hadn’t told me, I would never have known such people existed!” Zhao Qing immediately helped her stand upright.

“Don’t call me President Su—it feels so strange. Just call me Rulan. Still, I have to thank you. You’ve already helped me so many times,” Su Rulan said, her gratitude overflowing.

Afterward, Su Rulan insisted on treating Zhao Qing to a meal to express her thanks. Unable to resist Rulan’s enthusiasm, Zhao Qing agreed, but explained that there was still work to be done. She had to return to the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce to handle various matters for Tianlan Group before she could take a break.

Hearing it involved Tianlan Group, Su Rulan proposed to accompany her, hoping to use the opportunity to familiarize herself with the company’s inner workings. Thus, the two set off together.

However, as they approached the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce building, just before they entered, a familiar figure hurriedly approached Zhao Qing.

“Miss Zhao, could you please help me? Ask Chairman Zhao to meet with me, just once!” The speaker was unmistakably Li Jiaojiao.

“I’m sorry, my father can’t make decisions on his own or enter into private deals with your family. If the Wang family of Yandu wishes to expand here, you must first get approval from the Ye family,” Zhao Qing replied, frowning slightly.

Zhao Qing knew well that the Wang family of Yandu planned to expand into Jiangnan. The Ye family had tried many times to persuade them to join forces, offering generous terms, but had always been met with cold rejection.

Now, with the Wang family mired in debt and on the verge of collapse, they suddenly remembered the Ye family’s kindness and hoped to submit to them in exchange for help with their debts. Did they really think the Ye family would play the fool?

“Miss Zhao, I’m begging you. If I can’t get past Chairman Zhao, I won’t be able to face my family back home!” Li Jiaojiao, who once carried herself with such arrogance, now stood before Zhao Qing utterly humbled, pleading desperately.

At that moment, Su Rulan approached and immediately recognized Li Jiaojiao. Li Jiaojiao also spotted Su Rulan, and for a moment was stunned—never expecting to meet her here, much less to be seen in such a sorry state. Her face turned ashen.

Zhao Qing noticed something was amiss and asked in puzzlement, “Do you two know each other?”