Chapter 458: Chapter 458
In the eyes of all parents, their own child is always the best. They can scold and discipline their child behind closed doors, but if someone else points a finger and berates their child... even if they outwardly accept it, they will still feel distressed. They might even hold a grudge against you.
Jing Shu wasn’t afraid of attracting resentment, but her ultimate purpose in coming here was to resolve the issue of the supplies. If she had followed Li Yuetian’s idea to directly lodge a complaint and furiously denounce Wu City’s leader, the outcome was predictable. Jing Shu believed that given Jin Tianci’s temperament, he would not only make Gold Dominator apologize on the spot but would also likely compel Gold Dominator to apologize to everyone else and return the supplies. And then what?
Would letting the dying father scold Gold Dominator solve everything? That seemed far too lenient for Gold Dominator. More importantly, why should she undertake such a thankless task? Jing Shu never made deals that didn’t benefit her.
Moreover, based on Jing Shu’s recent observations, Gold Dominator’s current temperament was undeniably linked to Mrs. Jin’s overindulgence.
In such a situation, with a mother fiercely protecting her offspring, if Jing Shu dared to accuse Gold Dominator of committing heinous acts in front of his parents and outsiders... the consequences could be very severe. It was even possible that the recently awakened father could be angered to death again. Although the family might be disappointed in Gold Dominator, parents rarely give up as long as there’s even a slight chance.
After all, speaking is an art.
Li Yuetian, his brows furrowed, faintly sensed something was off about Jing Shu’s words, but he couldn’t pinpoint what. What was she planning? Not only did she not demand any supplies, but she also lavishly praised Gold Dominator. Was she being sarcastic?
Jin Tianci’s pale, thin face showed a hint of suspicion and surprise, as if he couldn’t believe it. Mrs. Jin’s face lit up with joy. She grabbed her son’s hand and repeatedly asked if everyone’s praise for him was genuine.
"UH..." Gold Dominator was momentarily stunned, then looked at Jing Shu with considerable satisfaction. He hadn’t expected this young woman to be so perceptive as to praise him right away, unlike those who had recently been complaining about him, which had worsened his father’s illness. Things had only quieted down after his mother wrote a letter and had one of those individuals transferred.
"Of course it’s true! Oh, Mom, just stop asking," Gold Dominator said, slightly impatient and a little guilty.
"AHEM. AHEM." Jin Tianci coughed weakly and was helped to sit up. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and turned to the middle-aged man. "Jun Jia, is this true?"
The portly middle-aged man was sweating profusely. As he looked at Jing Shu’s smiling face, it seemed like a devilish grin. He then glanced at his excited sister doting on her son, and finally, his gaze fell upon his brother-in-law—filled with disappointment and suspicion, yet clinging to a sliver of hope, wanting to ensure his wife and child were settled before he died.
If he shattered this beautiful illusion, would he die a terrible death? His nephew would turn on him, his sister would turn on him, even his brother-in-law would turn on him! After all, he was the one who’d failed to manage Gold Dominator. This damned girl! Couldn’t she even flatter properly? Her attempt was a complete disaster! He had to make a mental note of this.
Jun Jia was in a real dilemma. He was supposed to be helping collect supplies, yet his nephew was clearly funneling them into his own private stash! Of course, Jun Jia himself had also profited handsomely—much better than when he was under his upright Brother-in-law Qingshui.
Besides, if he lied, his brother-in-law wouldn’t bother to investigate such a minor matter. It was just some supplies, and with his assurance, even if an investigation were initiated, he could manipulate things.
Jun Jia steeled himself and nodded. "It’s true, Brother-in-law. These past few days, Gold Dominator has been very sensible. He helped me collect a lot of supplies. We in Wu City can hold out for a while longer."
Jin Tianci exhaled slowly in relief, nodding contentedly. "Gold Dominator, you’ve finally grown up. I hope you can find your own path in the future and not be like you were before." Mrs. Jin’s eyes welled with tears, and she nodded, deeply moved.
Gold Dominator lowered his head, a peculiar light shimmering in his eyes. The feeling of being acknowledged by his father for the first time was very different. His father had always treated him like a subordinate, with nothing but commands and disapproval.
Despite his father always speaking in a soft and apparently easygoing manner, Jin Tianci’s gentleness was like central air conditioning, evenly distributed to everyone. At home, his father’s word was law, unquestionable. Gold Dominator never had a voice in any matter. His father was busy with work and scrupulously honest, while his mother, indulgent in pleasures and lavish spending, always doted on his father. Although they spoiled him, he still felt he had no real status in the family.
And now, in the apocalypse, shouldn’t he be thinking for himself? His mother had expended so many connections and Virtual Coins just to barely keep his father breathing. Yet, she never thought to leverage his father’s status to secure more resources while he was still around. Once his father was gone and his power faded, they would have absolutely nothing left.
Luckily, I’ve managed to secure quite a lot for myself during this period, Gold Dominator thought.
What was expected to be a heartwarming family reunion took a turn after Jin Tianci nodded and then said:
"Then, Jun Jia, show me the accounts for this contingent and all the sponsored supplies, as well as the records of weapons exchanged from the storerooms. I want to see which contingent has over-fulfilled its quota. They won’t need to meet any more quotas for the next few months. Furthermore, such behavior must be rewarded; record it as a merit."
Jin Tianci paused, then continued, "Also, circulate this to all contingents as an example. If all the major merchants were this proactive, Wu City would surely overcome this disaster."
Gold Dominator’s smile vanished. Jun Jia froze like a jammed tape. The silence was so profound you could hear a pin drop. A slow smile spread across Jing Shu’s lips. She was curious to see how they would handle this.
The situation had exploded. Sweat poured down the plump, middle-aged man’s face. The accounts and records? They didn’t exist. Not even the fivefold quantity of supplies was there—it was all in his and his nephew’s personal stashes. Where could he possibly conjure up records at a moment’s notice? Crucially, the subordinates were all aware of the situation. Everyone knew who had taken whose resources. If merits were truly to be recorded and commendations announced, whose merits would they be? To whom would they be given? What kind of example would that set? He and his nephew were truly done for!
"Sis... Brother-in-law..." Jun Jia stammered, wiping his sweat. He needed to stall for a few hours, to think of a solution.
Coughing, Jin Tianci got up. "Vice Chairman Jing, Old Zhou, please wait a moment. I’m going to the restroom. Jun Jia, I want to see that data when I return." With that, he left for the restroom, assisted by Mrs. Jin. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Indeed, he was a man of his word.
The maids stood at a distance. Soon, only Jing Shu, Zhou Bapi, Li Yuetian, Gold Dominator, and Jun Jia remained in the main hall.
At this moment, the plump, middle-aged man finally reacted. He pointed at Jing Shu, his hand trembling. "What exactly did you mean by those words you said earlier?"
Li Yuetian cleared his throat, also having pieced it together. "Those supplies you confiscated yesterday, the ones from the Imperial Capital? They belong to this Vice Chairman Jing!"
Once Li Yuetian explained, even the slow-witted Gold Dominator understood. So, this had been her overt scheme all along!