Female lead’s Delusion of Starting Over

Chapter 107: The One Who Blundered Should Pay The Price

“It’s impossible. That kid Lu Li is delusional,” the middle-aged woman angrily tossed aside the document in her hand.

“Not even Lu Guofu would make such an impudent request. How dare Lu Li, a young upstart, propose such a thing!” Su Bingqing’s father echoed the anger. They had both reviewed the document, finding its terms as egregious as those unequal treaties signed in the late Qing dynasty. No, they didn’t involve matters as grave, but the principle was the same. Lu Li was essentially planning to bleed their Su Corporation dry!

“Uncle Lu is Uncle Lu, Lu Li is Lu Li,” Su Bingqing suddenly interjected coldly: “Mom, Dad, haven’t you grasped the reality yet? Lu Li has left us with no room for rebuttal.”

She laughed at herself mockingly, realizing she too had failed to see reality before.

Su Bingqing’s father’s face darkened: “Is Lu Li seeking to destroy us both? Fine, I’ll teach him that there’s more to business than just transactions.”

His ominous words made Su Bingqing look at her father, understanding some of the implications. She had used similar tactics in her previous life, usually just needing to give the order without dirtying her own hands. But hearing her father’s grandiose statement, she scoffed in disdain.

“Father, have you lost your mind? Of course, you can mobilize the power of the Su family, but why do you think Lu Li can’t use the power of his Lu family? Between the Su family and the Lu family, who is stronger, who is weaker, can’t you see clearly?” A scornful smile played at the corners of her mouth.

The fact that Lu Li was keeping this a business matter was already a fortunate situation for the Su family.

Su Bingqing’s father fell silent, his face growing somber. He had indeed lost his sense of reason. The Su family had its means, but did that mean the Lu family wouldn’t have theirs? Comparing the Su family with the Lu family, the current situation spoke volumes about who was stronger and who was weaker.

“What do we do now?”

“Agree. Agree to all the conditions. Otherwise, it’s bankruptcy. Given our current situation, we’ve essentially offended Lu Li. After bankruptcy, we can only wait for Lu Li’s retribution.”

Su Bingqing’s voice was somber, her eyes filled with a melancholic resignation. She

admitted the current Lu Li was impressive, a far cry from the gentle man she knew in her past life.

She knew, given Lu Li’s disdain for Zhang Ziqin and her previous folly of bringing Zhang Ziqin before him, that if she displeased Lu Li now, she might as well quietly await her demise.

The man she once loved now seemed most likely to be her executioner. How could Su Bingqing not feel bitter?

Her parents fell into a heavy silence.

After a while, Su Bingqing’s father seemed to age a decade, his body slumped as he waved a hand dismissively: “Fine, Bingqing, you see things more clearly than we do. The matter is yours to handle from here.”

Resignation was all that was left. What else could be done when stubborn resistance could only lead to ruin?

“Understood!” Su Bingqing nodded and turned to leave.

She had to let go of Zhang Ziqin too. They might have been best friends, but she couldn’t say Lu Li was wrong. If Lu Li was wrong now, then the Zhang Ziqin of her past life deserved a thousand deaths.

Stripping away that thin layer of friendship, perhaps only Su Bingqing herself knew how much she detested the person who had once caused Lu Li’s death.

Why should she incur Lu Li’s dislike over her?

***

..

“Go to the finance department to settle your salary for this period, and then you can leave!” Su Bingqing said coldly to Zhang Ziqin, her voice devoid of warmth.

Zhang Ziqin was competent, and her time as the marketing department manager hadn’t yielded significant achievements, but that wasn’t her fault. Her performance was just a microcosm of the entire Su Corporation under the pressure of Lu Corporation.

Zhang Ziqin was momentarily stunned, forcing out a bitter smile. She knew this day would come. Maybe Su Bingqing had seemed resolute before, but some things were beyond her defiance.

“I understand. It’s because of Lu Li, right? Don’t worry, I’ll leave soon and won’t make things difficult for you,” Zhang Ziqin said, her smile tinged with indescribable sadness. Did Lu Li dislike her so much?

After Su Bingqing’s visit to Lu Corporation and returning not long after to confront her, Zhang Ziqin could guess some of the underlying issues. Lu Li’s reaction during their last visit to Lu Corporation said it all.

Su Bingqing frowned, looking at Zhang Ziqin without warmth. Indeed, she had decided to let Zhang Ziqin go because of Lu Li, but she didn’t expect Zhang Ziqin to immediately blame Lu Li once things went awry.

It seemed all her musings were just wishful thinking; this woman had not changed. She was no different from her past life!

In the past, Zhang Ziqin took advantage of the money and orders provided by Lu Li, reaping profits. But at the first sign of failure, she would instinctively complain about Lu Li. Such behavior, ultimately interpreted by Zhang Ziqin as love for Lu Li, allowing her to act capriciously, was disgusting!

“It wasn’t Lu Li’s idea; it was mine. I once thought that since you had regretted and paid a price, Lu Li should forgive you.” Su Bingqing looked coldly at her once best friend, her voice emotionless: “But I was wrong. Those who make mistakes should pay the price. Lu Li has no reason to forgive you.”

Su Bingqing had been too presumptuous, thinking Lu Li should forgive. Why had she forgiven Zhang Ziqin so easily?

Was everything she had experienced in her past life so insignificant? Did Lu Li’s death mean so little to her?

Of course not. She cared, she suffered, but when faced with Zhang Ziqin’s abandonment and loss of the Zhang Corporation, and her apparent deep affection for Lu Li, she had foolishly softened.

She shouldn’t have!

Zhang Ziqin was stunned, truly stunned this time. Every word from Su Bingqing cut deep, underscoring truths Su Bingqing was unaware of— the greater injustices Zhang Ziqin had committed against Lu Li.

Her rebirth was her biggest secret, one she wouldn’t share with anyone.