Chapter 42 Zhou Zheng, the Wealthy Heir with Terminal Cancer of Overthinking

“Dad, the fact that Miss Wen is coming to visit must carry a deeper meaning.”

“She’s not here to discuss cooperation, but specifically requested to see me. Is she planning to kill off the heir, then swallow up our family business?”

“If that’s the case, I’d better run for it!”

“Or maybe she wants to recruit me as a nominal son-in-law to block some family marriage scheme?”

“If that’s so, I’d better lose my virginity tonight—otherwise, I’ll end up a lonely widower.”

Zhou Shining pressed his forehead in exasperation, staring at his son.

“You need to stop reading those online novels! What nonsense are you thinking about?”

In the eastern suburbs of Hangzhou, halfway up the hill, the Zhou family villa was ablaze with lights. The housekeeper was directing everyone in the villa to prepare urgently for the arrival of the esteemed guest.

The head of the Zhou family, Zhou Shining, and his eldest son, Zhou Zheng, stood in the grand hall, personally overseeing every detail of the preparations.

Ordinarily, welcoming guests—even the top ten tycoons of Hangzhou—would not require Zhou Shining’s direct involvement.

But today’s visitor was so formidable that he dared not risk any mishap by delegating.

Beijing. The Wen family.

Those two words alone were enough to weigh on the mind of Hangzhou’s leading restaurateur, who had weathered forty years in the business world.

Zhou Shining had some connections in Beijing and knew a bit about the Wen family’s situation.

One of Beijing’s top ten families. The old patriarch was still alive, and their power in both politics and business was astonishing.

Though the current family head was still young, it seemed he had suffered health problems and was beginning to choose an heir.

The struggle for succession in such a family was no less bloody than the imperial contests of ancient times.

Over the years, through open and covert battles, the Wen family’s eldest son, Wen Shao, had used thunderous means and shrewd alliances to establish himself as the clear heir apparent.

Yet, unexpectedly, the youngest daughter, Wen Wan, had risen rapidly in the past two years, surpassing all others except for the main heir. It seemed inevitable that Wen Wan and Wen Shao would have a fierce showdown in the future.

For a businessman of Zhou Shining’s caliber, to advance further meant becoming a subordinate to such a colossal family—latching onto their coattails.

So, ever since Wen Wan replaced Wen Xiu to oversee the Wen family’s business in Hangzhou, Zhou Shining had sought to ingratiate himself, visiting Wen Wan’s company several times, but never even getting to meet her.

Still, Zhou Shining bore no resentment; the disparity in power was simply too great.

He might be among the top fifty businessmen in Hangzhou, perhaps even the entire province, but in their eyes, he wasn’t even worth a side dish.

Now, suddenly receiving a call that Wen Wan would personally visit him, Zhou Shining’s instincts told him this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But realizing she was coming to see his son, he couldn’t help but worry.

It wasn’t that his son lacked ability—he had some. His nature was decent, and as a second-generation rich kid, he dutifully attended university and occasionally helped out at the family company.

But Zhou Zheng had one trait that vexed his father: he was overly cautious and prone to wild speculation, always analyzing every situation to absurd degrees.

According to Zhou Zheng’s sister, Zhou Mei, he was “steady as an old dog, with terminal dramatization syndrome.”

“All right! Shut up!”

“When President Wen arrives, don’t say anything foolish, or I’ll cut off your allowance! Understood?”

Zhou Zheng nodded vigorously. “Yes, Dad!”

As they spoke, the housekeeper hurried over.

“Master, young master, President Wen’s car has arrived.”

“Good, let’s go out to greet her!” Father and son quickly went to the entrance.

As soon as the car stopped, Wen Wan stepped out, exchanged a few pleasantries, and entered the hall.

Once seated, Wen Wan wasted no time with small talk and went straight to the point.

“Mr. Zhou, I am here today to ask your son for a favor. Of course, you won’t be working for nothing.”

Wen Wan signaled to Mo Lan, who immediately produced a contract and presented it to Zhou Shining.

“Mr. Zhou, this is the three-year cooperation contract for President Wen’s restaurant company in Jiangsu Province.”

Looking at the contract, Zhou Shining couldn’t help but feel excited.

Though the immediate benefits weren’t obvious, signing it meant boarding Wen Wan’s ship and becoming her partner.

This could mean his business might advance to new heights!

He calmed his nerves, suppressed his excitement, and spoke slowly.

“President Wen, you are too kind. We are both businessmen, after all.”

“If there’s such a great opportunity for me, what must the Zhou family offer in return?”

Wen Wan smiled slightly at his words. To remain so composed in the face of such temptation—Zhou Shining had remarkable self-control.

If this matter was handled well, absorbing him fully into her camp wouldn’t be a bad idea.

She had come for Chen Luo, but hadn’t expected an unexpected gain.

Little darling, you truly are my lucky star.

“Mr. Zhou, you speak plainly, so I won’t beat around the bush.”

“My boyfriend intends to start his own business in the restaurant industry, but he’s recently been obstructed. I need your son to lend him a hand.”

Wen Wan turned her gaze to Zhou Zheng, whose mind was suddenly flooded with questions.

President Wen’s boyfriend? That was news to him.

But if he was already her boyfriend, why not simply work in her company or take over the Wen family’s restaurant group directly?

Failing that, he could just stay at home and enjoy life, spend Wen Wan’s billions—wouldn’t that be carefree bliss?

Could there be more to this? Was this boyfriend a key piece in President Wen’s bigger scheme, critical to her succession?

Did this person possess some extraordinary qualities? Or was there a huge risk involved?

Did this mean that, if the Zhou family succeeded in this task, they could leap to greatness?

“Zhou Zheng, President Wen is speaking to you!”

Zhou Shining, annoyed, patted Zhou Zheng’s shoulder, knowing his son was lost in wild thoughts again.

“Yes, President Wen, I’m listening. Please instruct me.”

Zhou Zheng straightened his back, his gaze resolute, as if ready to heroically charge a fortress.

“It's not a difficult thing,” Wen Wan said. “I simply want you to protect and assist him in the industry, without letting him know your true identity or my intentions. Can you manage that?”

“Oh, by the way.” Wen Wan seemed to recall something.

“You and that Liu Feng from Hangzhou have always been at odds, haven’t you?”

At this, Zhou Zheng’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Understood, President Wen! I fully understand!”

Zhou Shining looked on in bewilderment at his son’s unwavering confidence.

You rebellious child! What exactly did you understand?