CHAPTER 816: CHAPTER 818: LEVERAGE

In the private room, it suddenly fell silent.

Xu Nianji stood aside, and seeing Ji Shuyuan’s expression, suddenly felt he was quite a failure. If it weren’t for Shuyuan and Nianhua’s reminder, he would definitely be in trouble today in a similar situation.

Ji Shuyuan didn’t hurry; he just watched Ai Jiaxin.

In Ai Jiaxin’s mind, two thoughts were debating. Finally, she said, "She wanted me to be with Xu Nianji, and then use it to threaten him—either he divorces his wife and marries me, or I would expose him."

People are selfish, and Ai Jiaxin didn’t want her photos to be seen by everyone.

Her words hit Xu Nianji like a huge stone; that day, Shuyuan’s analysis was spot on.

"Did she give you money, or promise you something?" Ji Shuyuan asked calmly, her response being exactly what he expected.

"I can get ten percent of the pharmaceutical factory’s dividends once it succeeds," Ai Jiaxin replied frankly, explaining everything without hiding anything.

"The pharmaceutical factory hasn’t even opened yet. Aren’t you afraid you won’t get the money?" Ji Shuyuan wasn’t entirely clear on the Gu Family’s affairs, but he understood about fifty or sixty percent.

Ai Jiaxin looked at him in surprise and said, "You understand the Gu Family quite well. Yes, the factory hasn’t opened yet, but once it goes through, Gu Mingzhu will sign the contract, and the factory is bound to make money."

"Aren’t you afraid she’ll back out?" Ji Shuyuan retorted.

"How could she? The Gu Family is so wealthy. If she dares to back out, I’ll dare to expose this matter," Ai Jiaxin said confidently without a hint of fear. Ai Jiaxin wasn’t raised to be easily intimidated.

"Do you have leverage over Gu Mingzhu?"

Suddenly, Ma Zhijun, who had remained silent, spoke.

Ai Jiaxin leaned back and lowered her eyes, saying, "How could I?"

"No, you do." Ma Zhijun asserted confidently, "When you answered just now, you leaned back, and you couldn’t look me in the eye. You took a full three seconds longer to respond than the earlier answer."

"I’m tired, can’t I lean back?" Ai Jiaxin felt panicked. She stared at Ma Zhijun, wanting to speak, but faced with his unremarkable face paired with those sharp eyes, she unconsciously felt guilty and simply closed her eyes as if she hadn’t heard.

...

"Shuyuan, Zhijun, thanks to you two today!" Xu Nianji stood under the scorching sun, still feeling a lingering fear.

"We’re family, no need to thank us." Ji Shuyuan patted his shoulder; today’s effort was not in vain.

"You’re my boss; I’m glad to help you." Ma Zhijun responded.

Xu Nianji exchanged many words of gratitude with Ma Zhijun before turning to Ji Shuyuan and asking, "Shuyuan, where did you get those photos?"

"Ling Dong gave them to me," Ji Shuyuan explained briefly. Today’s scheme was not impulsive; it was a carefully detailed plan, especially after obtaining what Ling Dong gave him, his confidence was bolstered.

...

In the evening.

Xu Nianhua saw Xu Nianji’s car return and immediately ran up to ask, "Big brother, how did it go?"

"Very smoothly." Xu Nianji’s eyes carried a relaxed smile.

"That’s good." Xu Nianhua breathed a sigh of relief and inquired about the details. Upon learning about Gu Mingzhu’s leverage, she finally felt that all her past doubts were resolved. No wonder Jing Jing loved Gu Mingzhu so much, yet when it was time to part ways, he was so decisive.