Chapter 852: Chapter 852: Both Are His Daughters… Chapter 852: Chapter 852: Both Are His Daughters… At that moment, Cao Zhen felt as if he saw the young Su Hongxing, so adorable, so beautiful…
Su Hongxing and Cao Zhen went to the meeting room.
While Cao Zhen chatted with Little Pudding, looking at the kind-faced Cao Zhen, Su Hongxing felt uneasy, “Dad, I was the one who leaked the information online. I needed to reclaim Qingyin’s rightful reputation, some things had to be done. I’m sorry, I know this will tarnish your reputation as well…”
“You did the right thing. Against people like Shiyu, we cannot just stand by. It’s time for her to learn a lesson. It was my failure in upbringing that brought a bad influence to Taicheng. I plan to resign to take responsibility.”
Su Hongxing’s eyes widened with surprise; she hadn’t expected things to get this serious.
Just then, Ye Qilan entered the meeting room and said to Cao Zhen, “Uncle, you absolutely must not resign!”
Cao Zhen was taken aback, “Why?”
He carefully noticed that Ye Qilan’s manner of address had changed.
“If uncle steps down, who will take over next?” Ye Qilan pointed out this critical issue.
Without much thought, Cao Zhen had an answer, “Zhou Peng!”
“Over the years, Zhou Peng’s power has grown increasingly strong. As soon as uncle steps down, it will surely be Zhou Peng’s ascent. Uncle should consider the bigger picture, Taicheng needs a good leader.”
Ye Qilan’s words were like an awakening for someone lost in a dream.
Cao Zhen’s expression darkened, “But the actions of Guan Ya and Shiyu have left me too ashamed to face the people of Taicheng. Besides, if the higher-ups start an investigation, I would have to step down sooner or later. Elections are due this year, and it’s impossible for me to be the next one.”
“Then hold on a little longer, wait until we have groomed a trustworthy successor before stepping down. I have a good candidate here, my elder brother Ye Shiqing. He has a distinguished record of service and is currently working in the city hall; uncle could lend him more support. My brother is upright, resolutely opposed to evil, and very capable. If he were to rise to the position, it would be a blessing for the people of Taicheng.”
Su Hongxing looked at Ye Qilan and realized that this man was thinking far ahead.
Cao Zhen used to see Ye Qilan only as a cunning businessman. Now, he realized he had underestimated Ye Qilan.
“Talent should not be ignored because of kinship, my elder brother indeed deserves to be nurtured,” Ye Qilan added.
“Ye Si, find a chance for Ye Shiqing to meet me,” Cao Zhen hesitated for a moment but then said, “As for Shiyu, she’s still my daughter, no matter how many wrongs she’s done, she does deserve punishment. But, I hope you will spare her life.”
Ye Qilan looked at Su Hongxing, “Truth be told, Amou is the real victim, uncle should be saying this to her.”
How could Cao Zhen not know that Su Hongxing was the real victim? Because of Cao Shiyu, Su Hongxing had suffered so much. Unfortunately, both were his daughters, and he didn’t even have the face to confront Su Hongxing.
Su Hongxing’s hardships from childhood were inseparable from him.
The things Cao Shiyu did went beyond what the average person could comprehend, and the person she targeted was another daughter he had always neglected.
It was an account of confusion that couldn’t be settled.
“Dad, do you think there’s still hope for Cao Shiyu?” Su Hongxing looked at Cao Zhen and asked.
A person like Cao Shiyu did not deserve to live. Perhaps even now, Cao Shiyu hadn’t felt a shred of remorse.
Cao Zhen looked at Su Hongxing, struggling to find the words.
After a long pause, he finally said, “I want to send her abroad, to never return. Would that be acceptable?”
“Dad, if you send her abroad, would she be willing? She wants to stay in Taicheng, the person she wants is…”