Chapter 1352: How Big Is Your Grudge!

Chapter 1352: Chapter 1352: How Big Is Your Grudge!

Kong Lizhen noticed that Zhuang Zeyang had been staring at her. She showed no change in expression and said, "Alright."

Mu Yan couldn’t leave, so Jiang Jingheng directly called Lian Jun to stay by her side and protect her, while he took the Zhuang Family to the booked restaurant for a meal.

At the dining table, Zhuang Zeyang asked Kong Lizhen, "The surname Kong is considered a noble one in China. Are you a descendant of the Kong Family?"

"That’s right. Our family is a legitimate branch of the Kong Family, but we moved abroad as a family many years ago and have been living overseas for several decades now," Kong Lizhen answered.

Zhuang Zeyang asked again, "Ms. Kong, have you been to China before?"

"Of course, we return to China to honor our ancestors every few years," Kong Lizhen replied. "Actually, I quite like being in China. Life abroad is ultimately too monotonous for me. Going back to China for tourism occasionally is nice, too."

"If you have the time, Ms. Kong, you should take a trip to Beijing. It’s the political and cultural center, and world-renowned cultural heritage sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall are worth seeing. Meanwhile, the Zhuang Family can offer you the hospitality of a local host."

"Thank you. If the opportunity arises, I will definitely go and have a look," Kong Lizhen said with a smile.

Ruan Xinyu glanced at her husband, noticing he was unusually talkative today.

She turned back to look at Kong Lizhen, with a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

It was the first time she saw her husband actively engaging in small talk with a woman, and this woman was undoubtedly beautiful.

Although she claimed to be nearly fifty, you absolutely couldn’t tell; she looked no more than in her thirties.

Looking at that unfamiliar face, for some reason, she felt a slight panic inside, a sense of crisis emerging.

Of course, she also knew Zhuang Zeyang’s character. Even in his younger days, he was disciplined and courteous, not a man given to womanizing. Now, as he’s older, he is even more proper in behavior.

She smiled and said, "Then Ms. Kong, you must come. Our Zhuang Family will definitely be here to welcome you graciously."

"Thank you," Kong Lizhen nodded.

She paused and said, "You are Yanyan’s aunt by marriage, older than I am, so just call me by my name. I’m Kong Lizhen."

"Alright, then I’ll call you Ah Zhen," Ruan Xinyu readily agreed.

Apart from a few words exchanged between Ruan Xinyu, her husband, and Kong Lizhen, Zhuang Shaoyang remained silent throughout, though his gaze occasionally fell on Kong Lizhen, as if trying to discern something from her.

Zhuang Yi, on the other hand, kept his head down as he ate, lost in thought, occasionally lifting his gaze to look at Zhuang Zeyang.

As the host, Jiang Jingheng had a few drinks with Zhuang Shaoyang and the others, discussing the development of Upper City with Zhuang Zeyang, as if treating this meal like a business meeting.

Ruan Xinyu found it a bit unbearable and interrupted them, "Can’t we just enjoy a meal without talking about work? It’s quite rude."

Zhuang Zeyang neither agreed nor disagreed, and he fell silent.

"It’s okay. If the conversation doesn’t shift to different topics, all my secrets might soon be revealed," Kong Lizhen joked.

Ruan Xinyu felt a bit embarrassed, realizing that Zhuang Zeyang had indeed asked Kong Lizhen many questions, as if interrogating her.

"Since we’re on the topic of work, I’ll take this opportunity to discuss with Jingheng the acquisition of the Liang Group," Zhuang Shaoyang suddenly said.

Ruan Xinyu and the others turned their attention to him. They hadn’t been following the matter much, but they did hear that not long ago, members of the Liang Family came to stir up trouble at the Zhuang Family, claiming the Zhuang Family was pushing them to a dead-end, to the point of threatening mutual destruction.

"I’ve already started arranging for people to handle this," Jiang Jingheng replied. "Currently, the Liang Family’s financial chain is in trouble and they will soon face bankruptcy."

"Hmm," Zhuang Shaoyang nodded.

Kong Lizhen, seemingly unintentionally, remarked, "Why do I feel like you’re specifically targeting the Liang Group? How big is the grudge?"