The Cannon Fodder Alpha Who Made the Heroine Pregnant - Chapter 36

36:

Zhou Xianling took over Zhou Corporation from his father and decisively abandoned all shady projects.

The Zhou family should have declined because of this, but he seized the opportunity to develop Zhou Corporation even further.

A man like this, after obtaining evidence that could destroy the Chu family, immediately launched a thunderous strike against them.

At first, the Chu family thought it was just business competition. While desperately seeking help from the Zhou family, they also threatened Chu Zhao to assist.

They were so accustomed to their domineering attitude towards Chu Zhao that even after Chu Zhao’s mother had left Jiangning, they still didn’t know how to ask for favors properly.

Naturally, Chu Zhao coldly refused the Chu family. Her stance of keeping her distance pleased Zhou Xianling.

In response to the Chu family’s pleas for help, Zhou Xianling dragged his feet, claiming Zhou Corporation had too many ongoing projects and no available funds.

The Chu family had already taken out massive loans. Combined with Zhou Xianling’s interference, the bank also delayed approving further funds.

Left with no choice, the Chu family could only sell their real estate assets.

Knowing the Chu family’s predicament, buyers lowballed them relentlessly. The buyers could afford to wait, but the Chu family couldn’t—they had to sell at a discount.

The Zhou family profited the most from this. Chu Zhao didn’t take advantage of the situation to enrich herself; she wanted nothing to do with the Chu family.

Once the Chu family’s crimes were fully exposed, she would undoubtedly be questioned. If she did anything shady now, it would only implicate her.

While the Chu family was scrambling to raise funds, they never expected the police to storm their estate.

In the flower beds of the Chu family’s manor, twenty-seven bodies were discovered—both men and women.

Most had been reported missing by their families. After years of no leads, they had been presumed dead.

No one could have imagined these victims were buried on the Chu family’s property.

Chu Zhao remembered how, as a child, her so-called grandfather would often till the soil in the garden, smoke a cigarette, and wear a satisfied expression.

Later, Chu Meng did the same.

Then one day, she witnessed Chu Meng burying a body with her own eyes.

Recalling those events, she became certain there were bodies beneath those flower beds.

She had risked her life several times to film Chu Meng in the act. But given the Chu family’s influence in Jiangning, the evidence would likely have been buried. So she held onto it, waiting for the right moment.

Fortunately, that moment had arrived. The Chu family was finished.

#ChuFamilyManorBurialCase

This topic shocked the entire nation. It was discussed by many people from all over Jiangning.

The incident’s impact was too massive for Jiangning to suppress.

In fact, Chu Zhao had already discussed the matter with her collaborator from the Sang family. It was thanks to this person that the scandal grew too big for local forces to contain.

The Chu family’s downfall would bring earth-shaking changes to Jiangning. Certain people would have to step down.

Zhou Xianling thought he had everything under control, which was why he dared to act so boldly. He never expected Chu Zhao to have backing from the Sang family.

The Sang family was a powerful clan with complex internal dynamics.

The elder generation had two brothers: the elder managed the family business, while the younger was an artist who stayed out of family affairs.

The second generation included Sang Yu, a few useless playboy illegitimate children, and Sang Xia, who had just returned to the family and hadn’t yet been tested.

Then there were the children of the artist uncle—each exceptionally talented, holding key positions in the Sang conglomerate.

The two brothers got along precisely because there was no competition between them.

But the next generation was different. The elder brother only had Sang Yu as his standout heir.

The novel didn’t delve deeply into the Sang family, but this information could be uncovered with some investigation.

So even Chu Zhao wasn’t entirely sure which Sang family member she was collaborating with.

Having read the novel, Zhou Lan only knew that the Sang family would eventually fracture. With Chu Zhao’s help, Sang Xia would rebuild it.

But by the novel’s end, the Sang family would decline into a mid-tier conglomerate—about the same size as the current Zhou family.

On the surface, they still seemed powerful. But compared to their former trillion-yuan empire, their hundred-billion status was a staggering fall from grace.

In the capital, a hundred billion was merely upper-middle class.

Compared to their past glory, the later Sang family was like a sunset—beautiful to look at, but fading fast.

For now, if the Sang family wanted to act, the Zhou family couldn’t stop them.

But as long as the Zhou family’s powerful backer remained, even the Sang family would find it difficult to crush them.

Chu Zhao’s collaborator clearly wanted to bring down the Zhou family’s patron. There must have been prior conflicts between them, the Zhou family was just collateral damage.

The Chu family burial case could have been suppressed, but Chu Zhao’s edited evidence and detailed documentation were leaked online by the Sang family insider.

With deliberate hype and paid traffic, the entire internet was now discussing it.

The situation had escalated beyond what even the Zhou family’s backer could control. A scandal this big would inevitably trigger an investigation. Then, more evidence would surface.

Without their protector, the Zhou family would be an easy prey.

Zhou Xianling never imagined his weapon against the Chu family would backfire onto his own ally.

If his backer fell, his enemies would swarm like vultures.

The Zhou family would struggle to defend itself.

Zhou Corporation’s rapid expansion had stepped on too many toes over the years. No one was happy about them taking the lion’s share.

Recently, Zhou Xianling had grown more diplomatic, learning to share profits. But what incentive compared to carving up Zhou Corp itself?

Once their shield was gone, everyone would pounce for a piece.

No one would pass up this golden opportunity.

Of course, even without their backer, Zhou Corporation wasn’t helpless. Some would have to consider whether they might end up with nothing but broken teeth.

Realizing his patron was under investigation, Zhou Xianling quickly devised a countermove.

If he had to lose some profits either way, he’d rather be the one offering them—forming a pack of wolves himself—than waiting to be devoured.

So before news spread, he secured partnerships with several major families in and around Jiangning.

United, these families could shield the Zhou family—unless the Sang family insider intervened.

Chu Meng lacked crisis management skills, but Zhou Xianling was different. Anyone who could lead Zhou Corp to dominate Jiangning was no simple man.

While maintaining ties with his backer, he prepared a backup plan.

Even if his patron fell, Zhou Corporation would survive.

Every few days, Chu Zhao updated Zhou Lan on the developments so she could stay informed.

……

After Chu Zhao’s assistant took Chu’s mother away that day, Zhou Lan returned to her rented apartment.

Apparently, Chu Zhao’s friend was too busy, so they sent the assistant to bring Chu Zhao’s mother to their home.

The friend had hired a round-the-clock caregiver.

Zhou Lan didn’t know what this friend did, but anyone who could arrange a caregiver overnight must be close to Chu Zhao.

Their efficiency reassured her enough to hand Chu’s mother over.

She even added the assistant’s contact to check on Chu’s mother daily.

When Chu Zhao found out, she abruptly said during one of their updates:

“My mother’s fine. My friend is taking good care of her. You don’t need to worry.”

Zhou Lan coughed awkwardly. She knew the assistant would report her inquiries to Chu Zhao, she just hadn’t expected to be found out so quickly.

“Right, I won’t bother your assistant anymore,” she replied sheepishly.

Then she noticed Chu Zhao had gone completely silent—so quiet she couldn’t even hear breathing.

Flustered, Zhou Lan added, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up.”

“Mm.”

Chu Zhao responded instantly, followed by the dial tone.

Zhou Lan got the vague sense Chu Zhao was upset, but couldn’t pinpoint why.

If Chu Zhao thought she was pestering the assistant, she’d already promised to stop. What more did she want?

But if she couldn’t ask the assistant, the only alternative was asking Chu Zhao directly.

She quickly dismissed the thought.

If inquiring through the assistant was already bothersome, going straight to the source might get her blocked.

Then again, since Chu Zhao trusted this friend enough to take care of her mother, Zhou Lan should relax too.

Having reasoned this out, she resolved not to message the assistant again.

Yet the very next day, the assistant proactively sent updates about Chu Zhao’s mother.

Confused but grateful, Zhou Lan accepted the reports without asking.

Her only concern was that Chu Zhao’s actions might be too conspicuous, alerting Zhou Xianling.

In Jiangning, if the Zhou family wanted someone, escape was nearly impossible.

Chu Zhao’s mother had only gotten out safely because of their help.

After finishing her digital album recordings, Zhou Lan debated returning to Jiangning to assist Chu Zhao.

But she had nightly livestreams, returning would make broadcasting inconvenient.

If someone recognized her background or details and connected “Ming Xiao Zhou” to her real identity, her cover would be blown.

Zhou Lan didn’t want public exposure, especially before fully breaking free from the novel’s plot.

She just wanted to be a low-profile behind-the-scenes musician.

This digital album was her way of proving her talent and building recognition, so her songs would sell easily later.

It sounded mercenary, but a musician’s work was meaningless if no one heard it.

All she could control was who performed her songs.

A true musician finds the right voice for each composition.

No creator wants their work butchered.

Only with hits could she choose talented singers, a lesson learned in her past life.

Without a portfolio, musicians can’t pick collaborators—unless they refuse to sell altogether.

This album was Zhou Lan’s portfolio. Once it took off, she’d earn equal footing with music producers and entertainment companies.

Maybe even get requests for songs, like in her past life.

Zhou Lan wasn’t stubborn. She knew what worked—for her career and her art.

The only headache was her upcoming livestream.

In her past life, she’d joined a variety show, but those had scripts. Forty minutes of live broadcasting.

Hua Qiao had sent her a rough schedule:

1. Introduce yourself and the song → Perform
2. Chat
3. Introduce next song → Perform
4. Chat → Say goodbye

Five songs plus banter would fill the time easily.

But the chatting part stumped her. What was there to talk about?

Hua Qiao suggested answering live comments. Well… she’d improvise. Silence wasn’t an option.

Rumor had it Chu Zhao was involved in planning this event.

Zhou Lan wondered how Chu Zhao would react if she knew Ming Xiao Zhou was her.