Chapter 31: It's Too Late for Regrets

At this moment, Pan Yixuan had already kowtowed three times, yet he was still held firmly to the ground, unable to move. His face pressed against the cold ceramic tiles, eyes glaring fiercely at Jiang Hao and Zhao Ziyun as he spat and cursed, “Jiang Hao, Zhao Ziyun, you bastards, I won’t let you get away with this!”

Neither Jiang Hao nor Zhao Ziyun paid his threats any mind. Jiang Hao’s attitude was no surprise, but Zhao Ziyun, as the eldest young master of the Zhao family, held a status far higher than Pan Yixuan’s—why would he be afraid?

“That’s enough, this will do,” Jiang Hao said, his tone calm.

Since Pan Yixuan had already kowtowed three times, there was no point in keeping him pinned any longer. Most importantly, Jiang Hao had no desire to see this scum any further—just the sight of him was irritating.

“Well then, let’s let him off for today,” Zhao Ziyun said, waving his hand. Only then did the group of security guards release Pan Yixuan.

As soon as he got up, Pan Yixuan wanted to launch into another tirade, but Zhao Ziyun’s cold voice cut him off, “Pan Yixuan, this is my territory. Everyone here is one of my people. If you dare utter another word out of line, don’t think you’ll walk out of here on your own two feet.”

At these words, the fury on Pan Yixuan’s face froze. He dared not say another word, only shot Zhao Ziyun and Jiang Hao a venomous glare, and left in utter disgrace.

Around them, the onlooking clients burst into laughter.

The mighty young master of the Pan family, reduced to kneeling and knocking his head on the floor three times—what a humiliation! After today, Pan Yixuan and his entire family would become the laughingstock of Maple Leaf City.

Pan Yixuan was gone, but Zhou Chen remained.

Zhao Ziyun turned his icy gaze on Zhou Chen, his voice devoid of emotion. “Zhou Chen, you are a member of our Zhao family, an employee of Zhao Realty, and even the sales manager here at the sales center. Why would you side with Pan Yixuan against our client? Do you realize that what you’ve done is nothing short of betrayal?”

Zhao Ziyun’s words struck terror into Zhou Chen.

He hurried to defend himself, but Zhao Ziyun raised a hand, cutting him off. “No need to explain. Zhou Chen, since you and Pan Yixuan are so close, I’ll grant you your wish… Zhou Chen, you’re fired. Pack up your things, settle your wages, and leave the Zhao family. Once you walk out that door, go work for the Pan family and Pan Yixuan—I won’t stop you.”

Zhou Chen felt as if he’d fallen into an icy abyss, his limbs numb. For three seconds, he was too stunned to react, then with a thud, he fell to his knees before Zhao Ziyun.

“Master—no, General Manager, I was deceived by Pan Yixuan! He misled me into targeting Mr. Jiang. I was tricked, I beg you, give me one more chance! Don’t fire me, I worked so hard to become sales manager, I can’t accept this—”

“Heaven’s misfortunes can be forgiven, but those brought on oneself cannot. Zhou Chen, who do you have to blame but yourself for ending up like this?” Jiang Hao said coolly from the side.

Zhao Ziyun nodded. “He’s right. This is entirely your own doing. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself.”

With that, Zhao Ziyun waved his hand.

The security guards swarmed over Zhou Chen like wolves, hauling him up and dragging him out of the sales hall, tossing him onto the street as though he were garbage.

Zhou Chen collapsed outside the glass doors of the sales center, wailing as if the sky itself had fallen in. Passersby on the road glanced at him with curiosity and contempt, their stares like knives piercing his heart, doubling his anguish and shame.

He regretted it deeply—regretted trusting Pan Yixuan’s words and helping him target Jiang Hao. Had he known it would come to this, he would never have opposed Jiang Hao. But now, regret was useless.

Ignoring Zhou Chen’s desperate cries outside, Zhao Ziyun gestured for Jiang Hao to come upstairs with him.

Jiang Hao did not refuse. He followed Zhao Ziyun up to the third floor of the sales center.

Seated on a black leather sofa, Jiang Hao looked around, taking in the environment. The third floor was divided into elegantly decorated private rooms, each furnished with two sofas and a spotless glass tea table in between. Clearly, this was where important clients were received—ordinary customers would never enjoy such treatment.

“The contract’s been signed, and I’ve already paid. What do you wish to discuss, Mr. Zhao?” Jiang Hao asked.

Zhao Ziyun didn’t answer immediately. He poured Jiang Hao a cup of hot tea, then sat down and said, “I’m simply curious about you. You must be Jiang Hao, the Su family’s live-in son-in-law, the one everyone calls the King of Freeloaders. But seeing you today, I find you’re not as ordinary as the rumors suggest.”

“Not an ordinary man? You flatter me, Mr. Zhao. In what way do I seem different?” Jiang Hao replied with a smile.

Zhao Ziyun shook his head. “Over the years I’ve met countless people for the sake of my family’s business. You can’t fool these eyes. A man like you isn’t just a kept son-in-law—your words and deeds today are nothing like the so-called King of Freeloaders in the gossip.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Hao smiled faintly, lifting his cup and taking a sip.

“How’s the tea?” Zhao Ziyun asked with a smile.

Jiang Hao set the cup down and replied coolly, “I know nothing of tea, so I can’t judge. To me, whether it’s West Lake Dragon Well at two thousand a tael, or Ten Thousand Mountains at ten a bag, it’s all the same.”

“I’ve invited many to taste my tea, and they either lavish praise or flatter me. Not one has been as offhand as you,” Zhao Ziyun said, his gaze sharp as ever.

Jiang Hao gave a wry smile. “I genuinely don’t understand tea.”

“Never mind, let’s not dwell on that… Pan Yixuan bribed Zhou Chen to spy for him in our Zhao family—truly despicable. I’ve always wanted to take my revenge, and today you gave me the perfect opportunity. For that, I should thank you,” Zhao Ziyun said, refilling Jiang Hao’s cup.

“And I should thank you. Without your intervention, Pan Yixuan would never have kept his word and kowtowed—he’d have just run off,” Jiang Hao replied calmly.

“Then let’s thank each other,” Zhao Ziyun said with a smile.

Jiang Hao stood up. “It’s getting late, Mr. Zhao. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going. I finally bought a thirty-million villa, and I’m eager to take possession.”

With that, Jiang Hao headed for the staircase.

But Zhao Ziyun suddenly called out, “Aren’t you interested in hearing about the villa you just bought?”