Chapter 103: The Firepower of the Beautiful Woman
"I understand what you mean, ma'am." Zhang Yang tapped his index finger lightly on the table to ease the invisible pressure emanating from her. After a pause, he continued, "With my current status, I'm indeed not worthy of Joyce."
"So, you've thought it through?" A trace of delight appeared on Ye Jing's face.
"I have. Although I'm not worthy of her now, in two years… within two years, I'll have that confidence."
Ye Jing froze for a second, then frowned. "You mean you never intended to give up on Qiaoqiao?"
Zhang Yang spread his hands helplessly. "Ma'am, when did I ever say I'd give her up? As you said, Qiaoqiao has feelings for me, and my feelings for her are real. We love each other. Why should I give that up?"
"Heh." Ye Jing took the cup of flower tea from her beautiful assistant, took a sip, and smiled faintly at Zhang Yang. "Interesting. So what you're saying is, you plan to give up those two beauties at home and devote yourself to chasing my daughter?"
"I wasn't planning to give them up either."
Ye Jing gripped her cup tightly, her body trembling slightly. "So, if I'm not mistaken, you mean you won't give up your two girlfriends at home, yet you still want to pursue my daughter? Am I understanding that right? You want to be like those ancient men—with three wives and four concubines?"
Zhang Yang shook his head.
"No? Then tell me, what do you call it when a man has three women at once? You're not planning to make my Qiaoqiao the mistress, are you?"
"I don't know either. But if we're truly in love, then titles don't matter."
Ye Jing smiled, handed her cup to her assistant, and said, "You can go out now."
The assistant hesitated, then nodded and left. Judging by her face, she clearly wanted to stay and watch the drama, but was kicked out anyway—what a shame.
"Alright then." Ye Jing folded her hands on the table, looked directly at Zhang Yang, and asked coldly, "Now, can you tell me what qualifications you have to do this—or rather, what gives you the right to convince me to entrust my daughter to you?"
Zhang Yang thought for a moment, then looked up and said, "Because I'm the only one worthy of her."
"Quite the tone. Do you know how many talented heirs from elite families have come to the Qiao family's door only to be turned away? Among them are sons of Fortune 100 CEOs, children of high-ranking officials, even military scions. What makes you think you're more deserving of Qiao Xier than them?"
"Simple—Joyce doesn't like them."
Ye Jing smiled again, though this time it looked forced. She relaxed her hands and said softly, "Honestly, I've investigated you. To be fair, I admire what you've achieved as an ordinary college student with no background. I don't look down on you—not at all. In fact, I value you more than those so-called rich heirs. I've even considered entrusting Qiaoqiao to you. But only on one condition—you can't have other women while loving her."
"That's something you can't do."
"You haven't been a parent yet. But one day, when you are, sitting in my place, you'll make the same choice—for your child's complete happiness."
Ye Jing finished in one breath and looked slightly winded. She took a sip of tea, caught her breath, then looked back at Zhang Yang. "Now tell me, is your choice still the same as before?"
Zhang Yang fell silent. She was right—he couldn't give Qiao Xier complete happiness, not in this lifetime. At least, not a conventional one. This wasn't the age of multiple wives anymore.
But should he give up just like that? His heart screamed no. Whether selfishness or true love, he simply couldn't give her up.
"Ma'am, I understand your point." Zhang Yang sighed, but his gaze was firm. "But between true love and social norms, I choose to follow my heart."
Ye Jing fell silent too. She looked at the young man before her—his face still boyish, but with a maturity and resolve far beyond his age. She knew his life hadn't been easy, but she didn't know how much hardship it took to mold him into someone with such complex emotions.
Sadness, determination, confidence—and even a hint of brooding intensity.
For a young girl, a man like this was fatally attractive. If she were younger, she might've fallen too. But… her daughter must not repeat her mistakes.
"What will it take for you to give up this idea? And no, I don't mean money—that's too vulgar." Ye Jing thought for a moment. There were few people in this world who could make her say something like that—certainly no one this young. As soon as she said it, she almost couldn't believe the pleading tone that escaped her lips. She was softening—she hadn't even considered using money to buy him off.
"Unless…" Zhang Yang hesitated. He saw the expression on Ye Jing's face—it might've been an act, but he believed that as a mother, she was doing her duty. She truly wanted the best for her daughter.
"Unless what?" Ye Jing's eyes lit up with hope, and she leaned forward slightly.
"Unless Joyce herself tells me she's giving up on me. Ma'am… that's my bottom line." Zhang Yang finished quickly, afraid he might regret saying it.
Ye Jing shook her head right away and smiled faintly. "And how is that any different from refusal? If I could convince Qiaoqiao to give up, we wouldn't even be here tonight."
"It is different, ma'am. Before, you had to convince two people. Now, just one." Zhang Yang sighed but spoke resolutely. "And I want you to know—there's a time limit. I'll give you two months. If you can't convince her by then, I'll never give up."
"Heh, fine then." Ye Jing smiled, though bitterly. A flash of determination crossed her face. "But even if neither of you gives up in the end, I still won't change my stance. Right now, you're not suitable for my daughter."
"I'll make you change your mind."
"Then I'll be waiting to see it." Ye Jing said that—but deep down, she wasn't so sure. Could she really stay neutral when that time came?
That girl was just like her—once she decided on someone, nothing could shake her. Back then, no one supported her and Qiao Yunfeng. He was a military heir, she was a nouveau riche's daughter. Everyone opposed them.
But in the end, she still married Qiao Yunfeng.
Even facing a harsh mother-in-law and countless hardships, she endured.
But should her daughter have to live the same way?
The obstacles they'd face would far surpass her own. Letting a wealthy family's direct daughter marry an unknown boy—and as a mistress, no less? Unthinkable.
No, she couldn't let her daughter repeat her mistakes. Even if she did like this young man with his clean looks and hardened eyes.
Still, there was no point continuing this topic—it would lead nowhere. She didn't want to waste more precious time on it.
"Alright, perhaps we should switch to a lighter topic." Ye Jing masked her emotions, pressed a button on her phone, and after a while, her beautiful assistant returned.
"I heard from Qiaoqiao that you plan to transfer 5% of your shares in Xingyun?"
Zhang Yang exhaled slightly. The most stressful part was finally over. He nodded. "Yes."
"You've already established a company called Nuwa? So you intend to use the funds from the share transfer to launch that Nuwa company, correct?"
"That's right."
"Do you know Xingyun's current stock price?" Ye Jing asked curiously.
"Six yuan twenty-eight."
She raised her brows slightly. "Since you know, why sell at five yuan per share?"
"Two reasons. First, when I decided to sell, the price was five. Second, I urgently need cash."
Ye Jing smiled faintly. "Let me guess—you think if I acquire your 5% stake, I'll become Xingyun's largest shareholder and thus take control of its business. So you assume I'll definitely buy your shares, am I right?"
Zhang Yang smiled noncommittally. Honestly, he didn't really know why Ye Jing wanted to acquire Xingyun, but someone of her caliber wouldn't buy into an ST-listed company for no reason. He figured she must be interested.
But now, he wasn't so sure. The terrifying thing about Ye Jing was that you could never read her mind. She was smiling now—but who knew if that smile hid resentment?
Still, Zhang Yang wanted a clear answer—because he desperately needed the money.