After the Strategy Failed, the Heroine Turned into a Crematorium (GL, ABO) - Chapter 5

Bian You knew her words were practically suicidal, but she couldn’t pretend ignorance after learning about Qi Zhi’e’s hospital visit.

That would make her utterly heartless.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as Qi Zhi’e’s icy gaze bore into Bian You’s face, which was etched with nervous concern. The corner of Qi Zhi’e’s lips stiffly curled into a mocking sneer.

“Had enough? If so, get lost.”

A storm of fury raged in Qi Zhi’e’s heart. If not for her current dire circumstances, she wouldn’t have wasted so many words on Bian You.

“I…” Bian You’s ears burned under the cold dismissal, her face flushing crimson. “Zhi’e, I can take responsibility. Please believe me.”

Hearing the word “responsibility” again, Qi Zhi’e’s lips stiffened further. She stared straight at Bian You, who, instead of her usual arrogant and domineering demeanor, now wore an expression of vulnerability something that unsettled Qi Zhi’e.

Was Bian You scheming something?

Qi Zhi’e refused to believe anyone would genuinely try to please the person who once left them homeless without ulterior motives.

There had to be some sinister plot.

Qi Zhi’e closed her eyes briefly, masking her thoughts, then spoke coolly, “You want responsibility? Fine. I need to secure the P14 project in Tongyuan City, but I’ve hit some obstacles. Solve them for me. Then we’ll talk about responsibility.”

Bian You froze momentarily at the mention of the Tongyuan project, hesitation flickering across her face.

While the project promised substantial returns in the long run, wasn’t Qi Zhi’e’s focus supposed to be on breaking into the internet industry?

“What, can’t do it?” Qi Zhi’e scoffed when Bian You remained silent.

“No! I can!” Bian You snapped back to attention. Whatever Qi Zhi’e wanted, she would move mountains to make it happen.

Seeing her actually agree, a shadow flickered in Qi Zhi’e’s eyes. “Then stop following me,” she said flatly before turning to get into her car.

“Wait!”

Bian You hurriedly called out, her expression awkward. “Could you take me off your blocklist? It’d be easier to communicate about the project.”

Qi Zhi’e’s hand paused on the car door handle. Without a word, she pulled it open and got in.

“Hmm…”

Bian You’s spirits deflated at the response.

So much for that.

She watched Qi Zhi’e’s car drive off until it disappeared from sight, sighed softly, and left as well.

But to her surprise, later that night, as she was about to shower and sleep, her phone pinged with a notification.

Opening it, she found a flood of documents from Qi Zhi’e’s chat, all related to the P14 project in Tongyuan.

A smile tugged at Bian You’s lips, her mood lifting instantly. She resent the photos she hadn’t sent earlier and added a cute cat sticker with a “goodnight.”

Unsurprisingly, Qi Zhi’e didn’t reply.

Bian You chuckled softly. If Qi Zhi’e had responded, that would’ve been strange.

Instead of heading to the shower, she sat down and began poring over the documents.

The next day, she arrived with dark circles under her eyes and had her assistant send over the information on the person in charge of Zhiyuan Group’s P14 project. After reviewing the materials, Bian You finally understood why Qi Zhi’e had assigned this project to her.

The project manager, Wang Jianzhu, was the brother-in-law of Zhiyuan Group’s chairman, Ning Zhiyuan. Thanks to this connection, he practically had free rein within the company. His preferred method of negotiation was over drinks, and every woman especially Omegas, who came to discuss business with him had been subjected to his harassment.

The further Bian You read, the darker her expression became. Ning Zhiyuan was well aware of Wang Jianzhu’s behavior, yet he not only tolerated it but also entrusted him with important projects.

Clearly, if Qi Zhi’e had gone to negotiate this project herself, even if Bian You could trust that she wouldn’t be taken advantage of, having such a disgusting fly buzzing around would still be an infuriating and repulsive experience.

Bian You’s eyes darkened slightly. Not only did she instruct her assistant to send over all the detailed information on Zhiyuan Group, but she also hacked into the company’s internal network.

She thought she might have a better way to secure the project.

It was just going to hit Zhiyuan Group pretty hard.

Meanwhile, at Qi Corporation.

Ji Jiu was both puzzled and anxious. “President Qi, are you really handing the Tongyuan project over to her? What if she isn’t actually trying to help us and just takes the opportunity to secure the project for herself?”

Faced with her concern, Qi Zhi’e merely replied calmly, “Whether she genuinely wants to help or not doesn’t matter.”

After all, this project was just a test.

If Bian You could help them secure it, that would be a good thing.

But if she failed, Qi Zhi’e wouldn’t be surprised either Bian You’s capabilities were what they were, and she didn’t have high expectations of her to begin with.

Ji Jiu was slightly taken aback by her composure, so calm it was as if everything was under her control.

After a moment of silence, she said nothing more.

Qi Zhi’e glanced at the sunlight outside the floor-to-ceiling window, but her thoughts drifted to the scene she had witnessed upon returning home the night before.

Her mother, always aloof and detached from worldly affairs, sat before a Buddha statue as usual, murmuring prayers with closed eyes. Her arrival had elicited no reaction not even a glance.

It had been like this since childhood. In Qi Zhi’e’s memories, her mother spent all her time chanting scriptures, while her father was someone she barely saw once a year.

In this household, warmth had never existed.

As a child, Qi Zhi’e often wondered why her parents had brought her into the world if they didn’t love her.

But as an adult, she no longer entertained such thoughts.

Because she knew very well, her parents didn’t just not love her. They didn’t even love each other.

Qi Zhi’e’s eyes were cold and indifferent. Emotions were the most useless things, they created no value and only served as shackles that hindered people.

All these years, Qi Zhi’e had never understood why so many people chased after so-called love.

Without love, wasn’t a family still held together?

Faced with Bian You’s sudden decision to invest in Tongyuan’s P14 project, the board members exchanged uneasy glances, hesitating in uncertainty.

After all, Bian You had just derailed a major project, and now they were encountering a real estate venture, leaving them uncertain about her intentions.

Moreover, while this project was promising, its development cycle was long, it would take at least three to five years before any revenue could be seen.

Bian Lian gazed at Bian You with an inscrutable expression. “If my information is correct, the Qi Group has recently been in contact with this project, hasn’t it?”

Even if they weren’t particularly close, she still had some understanding of Bian You’s circumstances.

She had known for a long time about Bian You’s feelings for Qi Zhi’e, though she had never interfered.

“Mhm.” Bian You nodded slightly, smiling faintly. “But what does that matter? As long as we can get a piece of the pie, isn’t that enough?”

Bian Lian studied her deeply before replying coolly, “Oh? Then I’ll be watching with interest.”

Though she didn’t have deep affection for this child, Bian You was still her only heir, and the group would eventually be handed over to her. Right now, she urgently needed Bian You to prove her capabilities, to show that she hadn’t made the wrong choice.

Bian You chuckled softly. “Thank you, Chairwoman Bian, for this opportunity.”

By the time Qi Zhi’e received Bian You’s message, she had already left for Tongyuan City.

[Bian You]: I’m on a business trip. No matter what happens next, stay composed, okay?

When Qi Zhi’e read the message, she frowned slightly, unable to discern Bian You’s intentions behind those words.

Upon arriving in Tongyuan City, Bian You was greeted by representatives from Zhiyuan Group, who escorted her to her hotel.

“President Bian, there’s been an issue with the New World project, requiring President Wang’s immediate attention. He apologizes for the inadequate arrangements today and will make it up to you tomorrow.”

Listening to the explanation from Zhiyuan Group’s staff, Bian You showed no displeasure, merely nodding with a faint smile.

After they left, Zhou, the assistant accompanying Bian You on the trip, frowned and whispered, “They’re doing this on purpose, trying to intimidate us.”

They had confirmed the schedule before departure, yet Zhiyuan Group had failed to prepare properly and was now leaving them hanging.

“Mm. Let’s go back, drop off our luggage, and then head out.” Bian You was well aware that Zhiyuan Group was deliberately testing her. Having dominated Tongyuan City for years, they were like local tyrants, clearly trying to suppress her confidence because of her youth.

“Understood.” Watching Bian You’s composed and amiable expression, Zhou was quietly astonished, she was becoming increasingly unflappable.

After settling in and freshening up, Bian You took Zhou out for a quick lunch. Taking advantage of the pleasant afternoon weather, the two drove themselves to the P14 project development zone.

At the moment, it was just a vast stretch of wasteland, with barely any buildings in sight. Yet in the future, this area had the highest potential to become Tongyuan’s new downtown.

“President Bian,” Zhou didn’t quite understand why they had come here, but when she saw Bian You even deploying a drone for surveying, she was utterly stunned.

She had assumed Bian You’s interest in this project was just a whim, but now it was clear, she had come fully prepared!

After collecting the data she needed, Bian You smiled faintly.

“Such a sly old fox, trying to squeeze every penny out of us.”

This project is too massive for Zhiyuan Group to undertake the entire development alone. The risks would be enormous, and they’d need to secure an immense amount of capital investment.

Bringing in partners for joint development is absolutely necessary. However, Zhiyuan Group’s quoted price is clearly trying to take advantage of her as if she were a fool.

Thinking of Qi Zhi’e, who was still in Jingping City.

This was the first time she had ever asked for her help. No matter what, she had to secure this project.

For her sake and for her own.