Female lead’s Delusion of Starting Over

Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Not What Lu Li Wanted to See

“Lu Brother…” Chen Xiaoyi’s heart panicked, fearing that her recent confrontation with Zhang Ziqin was witnessed by Lu Li, which would be terribly bad.

“Lu… President.” Zhang Ziqin also panicked, struggling to stand up and wiping away the tears on her face, leaving faint traces. Her pear-blossom-with-rain appearance could stir the protective instincts of many men.

Lu Li didn’t look at Zhang Ziqin but walked over to Chen Xiaoyi, gently caressing her hair: “This time was clean and decisive, well done. I’ll give you a big red envelope later; go rest for now!”

“But…” While relieved, Chen Xiaoyi hesitated, glancing at Zhang Ziqin.

“Trust me.” Lu Li nodded seriously at Chen Xiaoyi: “Go rest in my office; I’ll come to take you home later.”

“Okay!” Although Chen Xiaoyi sometimes acted petulantly towards Lu Li, she never disobeyed him.

Since he asked her to trust him, she would. She refused to believe that Zhang Ziqin, that green tea woman, could humiliate her man again.

After giving Zhang Ziqin a fierce glare, Chen Xiaoyi left in her high heels.

Once Chen Xiaoyi was gone, Lu Li’s warm gaze gradually turned cold, looking at Zhang Ziqin, who was still trembling, with an ambiguous smile.

“Let’s go! Didn’t you want to see me? Let’s talk.” His tone wasn’t gentle, but it lacked the previous coldness.

Without waiting for Zhang Ziqin’s reaction, he headed for the main gate of Lu Corporation.

It’s true that Lu Li didn’t want to see Zhang Ziqin, except under special circumstances, like now. With Zhang Corporation’s collapse, the dream that woman cherished vanished, and her despair was exactly what Lu Li wanted to see.

Zhang Ziqin hurried to follow, opening her mouth but finding herself at a loss for words after this long-awaited meeting.

The last time they met at the Cao family banquet was the most recent time Zhang Ziqin saw

Lu Li. Seeing him again filled her with excitement, but she didn’t know what to say.

They found a nice restaurant and reserved a private room. Lu Li even ordered a bottle of expensive red wine, feeling that happy times should be enjoyed to the fullest.

The swift collapse of Zhang Corporation was beyond his expectations. He thought it would take half a month or even a month, even with shares in Zhang Corporation.

Who would have thought Zhang Ziqin would be stupider than he imagined, with Zhang Corporation collapsing entirely in just one day.

It seems not every female lead is genuinely capable!

“Speak up, didn’t you tell Xiao Yi you wanted to see me? Now you have.” Swirling his wine glass, he sipped the red wine leisurely, enjoying the woman’s conflicted expression.

The collapse of Zhang Corporation made him happy, and Zhang Ziqin’s despair made him happy. The frustration building up in him seemed to dissipate quite a bit. Now, Lu Li was in a great mood, even wanting to see Zhang Ziqin’s death throes.

Even though he had guessed what Zhang Ziqin wanted to say, he still wanted to hear her say it.

Whether Zhang Ziqin looked down on him, demanding money to save Zhang Corporation like before, or desperately begged him to spare Zhang Corporation, it would only amuse Lu Li.

The Zhang Ziqin before him was like a toy in his hands, her every action, like a clown in a circus, only served to make Lu Li laugh heartily.

Zhang Ziqin couldn’t help trembling, having so much she wanted to say to Lu Li, but when he was truly in front of her, she shockingly found herself unable to speak.

Looking at the man leisurely tasting his wine across from her, a silk-like tenderness flashed in her eyes.

“Lu… President, Zhang Corporation is gone. Tomorrow, Zhang Corporation will completely disappear from this world.”

“I know, I did it. Made quite a profit too.” He looked at the woman before him with mockery. Zhang Corporation was Zhang Ziqin’s life; she was obsessed with how to grow Zhang Corporation. Now that Zhang Corporation died at the hands of Lu Li, her once devoted follower, what would she be feeling? Despair, pain, anger?

Lu Li loved any of those emotions. They suited Zhang Ziqin best.

Seeing such emotions on Zhang Ziqin’s face delighted Lu Li!

“Didn’t you always love using work as an excuse to refuse me? Now, the career you cherished has been completely destroyed by me, your once loyal follower. How does it feel, Miss Zhang?” Lu Li thought to himself, looking up at Zhang Ziqin, hoping to see something that would please him.

However, Lu Li was disappointed. He didn’t see a trace of discouragement on Zhang Ziqin’s face, let alone despair.

In fact, Zhang Ziqin was still wearing a faint smile, her formerly cold gaze now filled with softness, just looking at Lu Li.

Lu Li felt a surge of discomfort, an unpleasant gloom rising in his heart. This was not the Zhang Ziqin he wanted to see. He wanted to see Zhang Ziqin in despair, angry yet powerless, the pitiful sight of her after her cherished career was destroyed. He didn’t want to see Zhang Ziqin smiling!

“So, are you happy now?” Her tender gaze fixed on Lu Li. A mere Zhang Corporation, what does it matter compared to Lu Li? If the bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation could make Lu Li a bit happier, then its downfall was worth it.

“Why can you smile like that?” Lu Li put down his wine glass, his deep eyes fixed on the woman before him.

Zhang Ziqin should be regretful, pained, resentful, and desperate. The Zhang Corporation she wanted to flourish has been destroyed. Why could she still smile?

Hearing Lu Li’s question, Zhang Ziqin trembled, sadness flashing in her eyes as she lowered her head: “I… I’ve done many bad things. I know you’re very angry with me, President Lu, and you dislike me. If the bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation can make you a bit happier, I’m glad.”

Although initially saddened by the news that Lu Li wanted Zhang Corporation to go bankrupt, Zhang Ziqin would have willingly handed over Zhang Corporation if Lu Li had simply asked. Why did he have to do it this way!

But she soon came to terms with it. If the bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation could make Lu Li happy, she was willing to cooperate.

“…” The bankruptcy of Zhang Corporation was never Lu Li’s goal, just part of his plan. What he truly wanted was the pain and despair of Zhang Ziqin, the woman.

“So, are you trying to play the tenderhearted strategy today, or do you think just by showing a little emotion, I’ll obediently lie down in front of you like a good dog, as before?” A trace of mockery flashed in his eyes, not believing a word Zhang Ziqin said.

It was nothing more than manipulation, hoping for his sympathy.

“I… No, I just hope you’re happy.” Zhang Ziqin waved her hands frantically, desperately defending herself.