Chapter Twenty-Five: Seizing Power

Shu Yiming had already mentally prepared himself, even rehearsing what he would say. Yet, to his utter surprise, when he opened the door, the person sitting inside was not Shu Zucheng, but his son Shu Ji!

No wonder! No wonder!

Shu Zucheng would never be so reckless, nor so domineering. Shu Zucheng relished the game of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; even when scheming, he never revealed his true face. This time, with such an impulsive attack, Shu Yiming had thought the old man was simply enraged. Now, seeing Shu Ji, the weight in his heart settled at last.

“Cousin? When did you come back? Weren’t you supposed to be abroad? Why are you suddenly here now?” Shu Yiming walked up to Shu Ji, dragging the chair behind him and seating himself without hesitation.

Shu Ji had come in with an imposing air, but now, with his chair snatched away, his aura seemed to evaporate. Why was he left standing? Shu Ji turned and, with a cold sneer, said, “Little brother, my father told me that this company will be handed over to me from now on. You can stay here, but your position will be over there!” Shu Ji pointed to the chair opposite, which was meant for the sales department manager.

After speaking, he tried to reclaim the chair, reaching out to grab Shu Yiming by the collar. He meant to pull Shu Yiming up and throw him across the room, but couldn’t manage it; his grip slid off the shirt and he staggered back two steps, looking utterly ridiculous.

Ouyang Zhuo wanted to laugh, but the situation was so tense he had to restrain himself.

Shu Yiming, however, did not hold back. He laughed aloud, slapped the table, and said, “Fine, you say you want to be president—then go prepare your materials. This isn’t something solved in a single sentence. Where’s my uncle? Why isn’t he here?”

Not seeing Shu Zucheng was unexpected for Shu Yiming.

Ouyang Zhuo, hearing this, walked to the corner, pulled out his phone, and sent a few messages.

Soon, news came back that Shu Zucheng had been hospitalized.

“Everything is in process now. From this moment, I am the company’s president. You, holding only thirty shares, should be smart enough to get up,” Shu Ji barked, standing before Shu Yiming.

Shu Yiming shrugged, smiling lightly. “You wasted all those years abroad, didn’t you? Or maybe the rules are different out there?”

“Isn’t the chairman chosen not by the largest shareholder alone? You haven’t even convened a shareholders’ meeting. Now you want my seat? Do you think I’m stupid, or is it your own lack of intelligence that makes you believe this nonsense?”

“You!” Shu Ji was stunned, momentarily speechless.

Standing behind Shu Ji, his secretary Zuo Fang stepped forward and whispered in his ear, “Evidence, threaten him. Once he leaves, everything else will be easy.”

Shu Yiming heard this clearly—though Zuo Fang spoke softly, the room was so quiet it was impossible not to catch her words.

Shu Ji grinned slyly, “Understood.”

Ouyang Zhuo and Shu Yiming waited, thinking there was no dirt to use against them.

But Shu Ji sneered, “Shu Yiming, you failed to seize power and attempted murder, pushing my father off the rooftop! For that alone, I’ll see you rot in prison!”

“Pfft!” Ouyang Zhuo had just raised his glass to drink, but at that, he sprayed water directly onto Shu Ji’s face.

Shu Ji felt a sudden heat on his cheek as liquid slid down, his anger making his heart pound. He raised his hand, pointed at Ouyang Zhuo, and was unable to utter a word.

Ouyang Zhuo smiled, apologized, then asked, “You accuse him of attempted murder—so you mean the old man is dead?”

“Don’t curse my father! Ouyang Zhuo, is it? I’ll remember you. You’re going to regret this—you’ll see what true power is!” Shu Ji wiped his face, then turned back to Shu Yiming, shouting, “Brother, I’m giving you a chance. If you step down willingly, I’ll let you keep a sinecure in the company, live in comfort for the rest of your days. But if you refuse, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“Well, cousin, you truly are my cousin. You’re so ‘good’ to me, aren’t you? But have you considered that perhaps I’ll spare you—not the other way around?”

Shu Yiming wasn’t ready to discuss the evidence just yet—not out of fear, but because it wasn’t the right moment. Seeing Shu Ji’s anxious face, Shu Yiming felt a surge of satisfaction and smiled, “Enough, I won’t speak of future matters. You’d best convene the board meeting. If you have the skill to force me out, I’ll offer no objection.”

“No need to postpone—it’s the perfect time now. I’ve already notified all the directors, they’ll be here soon. If you have anything to say, speak before them all at the board meeting!”

Shu Yiming shook his head, massaged his temples, and said to Ouyang Zhuo, “Ouyang, let’s take a break and come back later. The atmosphere here is atrocious—people get anxious and all sorts of problems arise.”

With a smile, Shu Yiming stood and left.

Ouyang Zhuo followed closely, and the two returned to the office, both falling silent.

Just then, Ouyang Zhuo’s phone rang. He glanced at it and his face lit up with a smile. “Heaven is truly on our side!”

“What’s got you so happy?” Shu Yiming asked, half-closed eyes.

“Your uncle—well, that old bastard—is in the ICU and hasn’t come out. That kid was bluffing you. Good thing you kept your cool and didn’t believe his story, or else you’d have suffered a huge loss.”

“So that’s it? I was wondering why he was so anxious—turns out he really is on the brink. But this could get troublesome; what if they try to pin it on me?”

“No, no, I’ve recorded a video. At most, you startled him a bit; if anything, he brought it on himself. Don’t worry, he won’t die.”

Still, Ouyang Zhuo felt a pang of unease.

If the old man really died, even if Shu Zucheng was at fault, Shu Yiming couldn’t escape involvement—it would just complicate matters.

Once again, the two fell into silence as the directors arrived one after another outside…