Chapter 872: Chapter 872: His Reach Is Too Long Chapter 872: Chapter 872: His Reach Is Too Long Zhou Luhe’s gaze wandered, and she stammered, “My father has official business and cannot get away.”
“Yes, your father has indeed been very busy lately. With the election period approaching, everyone thought that after Mr. Cao stepped down, Zhou Peng would take his place. He’s been eyeing Mr. Cao’s position for many years now, hasn’t he?” Ye Qilan scoffed softly.
Zhou Luhe’s face changed again.
For years, Zhou Peng had been striving to climb the ladder, and only with great difficulty had he reached his current position. He had been waiting for Cao Zhen to retire because as soon as Cao Zhen stepped down, he would have his chance.
She knew that Zhou Peng taking over was the best outcome. During the years Cao Zhen had been in charge, their Zhou Family hadn’t gained much. To her, Cao Zhen was just an uncle.
If Cao Zhen could even discard his own daughter Cao Shiyu like a worn-out shoe, how would he care for a niece like her?
She truly hoped from the bottom of her heart that Cao Zhen would step aside.
As long as Zhou Peng rose to power, she could then strut around in Taicheng, enjoying the glamourous days once experienced by Cao Shiyu.
Everything seemed optimistic until Ye Shiqing unexpectedly appeared, which no one had anticipated.
“Pass a message to Zhou Peng for me, tell him not to waste his efforts. The person Mr. Cao and I, Ye Si, decide to back, there’s none who can’t rise to the top. Honestly, Zhou Peng’s abilities don’t cut it; he is better suited as a deputy,” said Ye Qilan, and after finishing her statement, she turned elegantly and walked away with measured steps.
Zhou Luhe watched Ye Qilan’s retreating figure, her eyes blazing with fury.
Ye Qilan was like a ghost that wouldn’t go away, wherever he went, his influence extended too far.
Recently, Ye Shiqing was becoming increasingly prominent for three reasons: his identity as a member of the Ye Family, the strong financial backing he received from Ye Qilan, and the support from Cao Zhen.
He seemed to have taken all advantages—timely, geographical, and social—for himself.
The current situation was indeed quite disadvantageous for Zhou Peng.
Perhaps, should she cultivate a good relationship with Su Hongxing? If she could win Su Hongxing’s support, might Ye Qilan then turn to support Zhou Peng instead?
The thought of having to ingratiate herself with Su Hongxing made her utterly reluctant. But if Zhou Peng could rise to power, what would today’s humiliation matter? Besides, before coming to the Cao Family today, Zhou Peng had emphasized to her to be pleasant, to win Cao Zhen’s favor, and to secure his support.
Whether it’s Cao Zhen or Ye Qilan, both are the closest people to Su Hongxing, and these two men are major figures in Taicheng.
As long as she got close to Su Hongxing, she could turn the tide.
Su Hongxing was unaware that Zhou Luhe was scheming against her, having made three extra dishes, she brought them to the living room.
Cao Zhen sat in the seat of honor and, upon seeing the homemade dishes on the table, became so excited that he could hardly hold his chopsticks steady.
“Dad, try this, my signature stir-fried pork. I’ve trimmed the fat, it’s all lean, you can have a bit even at your age,” Su Hongxing placed a few pieces of lean meat into Cao Zhen’s bowl.
Cao Zhen took a bite, tears welling up in his eyes: “Delicious, the meat is tender and smooth, not spicy, just to my taste.”
“And this steamed sweet osmanthus fish is good too, give it a try,” Su Hongxing said again.
Cao Zhen couldn’t stop eating, feeling that every dish suited his palate perfectly; it had been years since he had enjoyed food this much.
Ye Qilan watched and couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.
He understood Cao Zhen’s feelings because the moment he found out that Little Pudding was his own daughter, he felt that everything about Little Pudding was the best.