C8 The Most Dangerous Thing Was the Person!

"Mengyao! What's going on?" Chu Fann called out as he hurried after her, but Chen Mengyao kept running with her head down as if she hadn't heard him at all.

She didn't stop until she reached the serene lake a kilometer from the Chen household. There, she crouched down, staring blankly at the water, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.

"Brother Faan, do you think I'm terrible? I feel like nobody likes me. Grandma, my sister, my parents—they all seem to dislike me. I feel like I don't belong in the Chen family," Chen Mengyao murmured, clutching the hem of her dress.

"That's not true, Mengyao. You're the kindest person in the Chen family," Chu Fann reassured her.

"Really?" Mengyao looked up at him, hopeful.

"Absolutely."

Chu Fann was puzzled by her question, but when he noticed the slap mark on Mengyao's face, he understood, and his expression darkened.

"Who did this to you? Your parents?" he inquired.

Mengyao shook her head.

"Your sister? Chen Mengyu?"

"Please, Brother Faan, let's not talk about it. It's my fault. I understand why my parents are upset. My sister was set to lead the project with Mingzhu Group, and now that they've pulled out, she's lost that opportunity. I'd be upset and disappointed too," Chen Mengyao explained.

Chu Fann realized the gravity of the situation. Cai Fu, the CEO of Mingzhu Group, had swiftly terminated the partnership with the Chen family. He was a man who meant business.

"Head back to school for now. Things will get better," Chu Fann said, helping Mengyao to her feet and gently wiping away her tears. "You're grown up now; you can't cry every day."

At that, Chen Mengyao couldn't help but smile and playfully roll her eyes at Chu Fann.

Later, Chu Fann escorted her back to school. As a sophomore, Chen Mengyao spent most of her time there, except on weekends. Once Mengyao was settled, Chu Fann reached out to Ming Xi to secure Cai Fu's contact details.

"Mr. Cai, this is Chu Fann speaking."

"Second Young Master? What brings you to call me?"

"I need you to renew your business partnership with the Chen family, but there's a stipulation. I want Chen Mengyao to be appointed as the project manager," Chu Fann stated.

"This..."

"Is there a problem? Is that not possible?" Chu Fann's tone soured.

"No issue at all, I'll have someone handle it immediately."

After the call, Chu Fann reflected on the past three years and how much Mengyao had been there for him. People are creatures of emotion, and he had grown fond of Mengyao. Her contrast to Chen Mengyu only intensified these feelings.

Mingzhu Group's efficiency was impressive. Within two hours, the Chen family's Old Madam received a call. The Group's peculiar request was unexpected, but for the Chen family's future prospects, she agreed without hesitation, aware that they paled in comparison to Mingzhu Group.

"Zhang, please inform Shouguo about this development. But make sure he understands that Mengyao will be the one leading the project, not Mengyu," she instructed.

Once Zhang departed, Old Madam was left puzzled. Did Mingzhu Group have some connection with Mengyao? It seemed improbable. Yet, why else would they specifically request Chen Mengyao to lead?

Meanwhile, Chen Mengyu was engulfed in sorrow, unmoved by the consolations of Bai Yulan and Chen Shouguo.

They empathized; the disappointment was too great to bear. She was on the cusp of wealth, possibly sharing the Chen family fortune with Chen Wenjie. Now, with her chances dashed, how could she cope?

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Open up, it's Zhang with some great news!" came a voice from outside.

"Zhang? Great news?" The trio inside was taken aback. Chen Mengyu dashed to the door, flinging it open, "Uncle Zhang, has Mingzhu Group decided to partner with our family once more? Have they?"

Hope flickered in Chen Mengyu's eyes.

"Indeed, you're spot on. Mingzhu Group just called to confirm the continuation of your partnership," Zhang shared, his happiness sincere.

"I know!" exclaimed Chen Mengyu, leaping to her feet in excitement upon hearing the news.

"But the leadership role has been passed to Miss Mengyao. After all, you're all family, so it doesn't really matter who's in charge," Zhang said, his voice laced with a chuckle.

Chen Mengyu's mood, however, took a swift downturn, her smile solidifying into a scowl.

"What are you talking about? Wasn't I supposed to be in charge? Why switch to Mengyao? On what grounds? Who decided this? Did Mengyao go behind my back and ask Grandma directly?"

"It must be because I hit her earlier. She must've run off to Grandma, crying about it, and Grandma, feeling sorry for her, handed over the position. That backstabber! How did I not see her true colors before? I should have finished her off when I had the chance!"

"No, this can't be happening. I need to talk to Grandma!" With that, Chen Mengyu dashed out the door.

Zhang stood at the doorway, utterly bewildered by the situation.

"Just let her go," Chen Shouguo interjected. "Mom really didn't handle this well. Mengyao lacks the business acumen, and she's still in school."

"Exactly, and Mengyu is nearly done with her studies. It's her time to step up and take the reins of the family business," Bai Yulan added her two cents.

Fuming with rage, Chen Mengyu stormed into the Chen family estate, immediately raising her voice as she crossed the threshold.

"Grandma, this isn't fair!"

The Chen family's security and housekeeping staff exchanged puzzled glances in the courtyard.

Had the Third Young Lady lost her mind? She had left in such high spirits just a short while ago.

Inside, Old Madam Chen appeared to have anticipated this moment. She watched as a distraught Chen Mengyu burst in.

"Grandma, you promised me the leadership position. Why have you now given it to Mengyao? This is blatant favoritism. I've endured enough hardship over the past three years. Now that I finally have an opportunity, how can you do this to me?"

"Moreover, Mengyao doesn't grasp the intricacies of the project. She lacks the capability. She has no idea how to deal with Mingzhu Group. If she's put in charge, she'll botch the whole thing. If Mingzhu Group develops a grudge against our Chen family and cancels the partnership, the loss will be tremendous!"

Chen Mengyu continued her tirade, barely taking a breath.

Old Madam Chen let out a weary sigh.

"Their side made the request. They want to resume cooperation with the Chen family, but with one condition: Chen Mengyao must be the new point person."

"What? It was Mingzhu Group's idea?" Chen Mengyu was incredulous.

"Why would they do that? Do they even know Chen Mengyao? What gives them the right to single her out?"

"I'm not sure about the details. All I know is they've made their request clear, and I have to comply," said Old Madam Chen, her face betraying no emotion.

With that, she seemed to grow weary. Waving her hand dismissively, she added, "You should leave now. I need to rest. Remember, you're all family. There's no point in stirring up conflict over this."

Leaving the Chen family estate behind, Chen Mengyu was consumed by a mix of resentment and confusion. She walked home, her spirits low.

Bai Yulan and Chen Shouguo were at a loss for words when they learned of the situation. It was, after all, a directive from Mingzhu Group.

"Let's wait for Mengyao to get back. We'll talk to her then. There's got to be more to this," Bai Yulan suggested.

"I can't wait. I need answers now. She has the nerve to take what's mine! I'm going to find out where she's getting this audacity!" Fuming, Chen Mengyu had just gotten home when she decided she couldn't let it go. She stormed out and headed to the school in a car.

Chen Mengyao was indeed there.