Chapter 116: The Enemy

Lin Wei took a deep breath, forced the raging turmoil in her heart down, pulled out an extremely ugly smile, her voice laced with bone‑deep coldness: "It's more than just knowing…"

She looked at Su Yanhua, her gaze complicated: "Yanhuа, it seems we really are fated. You hate your sister Su Ruan and the Jiang Family, what a coincidence…"

She enunciated each word slowly, as if grinding the name between her teeth: "The ones I hate are also them."

Su Yanhua was stunned, her mouth gaped open, staying that way for a long time.

She looked at the unabashed hatred in Lin Wei's eyes and instantly understood: the "unsuitable man" and "ungrateful, treacherous man" Lin Wei mentioned were referring to Jiang Ran!

After the massive shock, an indescribable exhilaration surged in Su Yanhua's heart.

Now that's truly breaking iron shoes in search of nothing, yet obtaining it without any effort!

She actually found someone who hates Su Ruan and Jiang Ran just like she does!

Moreover, judging by Lin Wei's attire and speech, her family background should be far better than the Liu family's; she might become a powerful ally for her against Su Ruan!

"Lin Wei… you, you were also… by them…"

Su Yanhua timely showed a look of shared hostility.

"Exactly." Lin Wei sneered, no longer hiding it, "I've known Jiang Ran since I was a child; we originally… never mind, better not mention it."

"In short, Su Ruan stole him with a ruthless love grab, using underhanded methods! Jiang Ran was also blinded, fooled by that kind of woman!"

She automatically glorified the past, shifting all the blame onto Su Ruan.

"I knew it, Su Ruan is just a little slut, who specializes in luring men!" Su Yanhua immediately echoed, emotionally agitated, "She must have used some fox‑charming tricks, otherwise how would someone like Jiang Ran be attracted to her!"

The two women became more and more excited as they talked, and the more they spoke, the more they felt they were the people in the world who understood each other best.

"Lin Wei, we can't just leave it at that!" Su Yanhua lowered her voice, a malicious glint in her eyes, "We have to find a way to give them a taste of retribution, we can't let them be so smug!"

Lin Wei looked at Su Yanhua, and the vague revenge notion that had been in her heart became clear and resolute at this moment.

Previously she only felt unwillingness and resentment, but being alone and weak, coupled with a precarious family situation, she dared not act rashly.

Now that Su Yanhua is an inside informant, even if the level is a bit low, knowing the other side's situation might truly allow something to be done.

"You are right." Lin Wei lifted her teacup, gently swirling the cheap tea inside, her gaze icy, "We must not let them have it easy, especially Su Ruan—how can she get everything?"

She looked at Su Yanhua: "Have you recently heard any stir at their shop? Or, is there anything happening with the Jiang Family?"

Su Yanhua immediately recalled the incident a few days ago at the breakfast shop where she saw Jiang Jiaojiao with that man.

She hurriedly told Lin Wei everything she knew, adding a lot of subjective speculation and slander, seasoning it with extra flavor.

"…I think that guy Jiang Jiaojiao was with looks pretty rich, maybe he's after the Jiang Family's status."

"And their shop—I heard it's been eyed lately, they deserve it! Let them be arrogant!"

Lin Wei listened carefully, her mind calculating rapidly.

"Yanhuа," Lin Wei set down the teacup, a meaning‑laden smile appearing on her face, "From now on we'll keep in touch. Whenever you have news about them, tell me promptly. We… will figure something out together."

"Okay, definitely!"

Su Yanhua nodded forcefully, feeling she had finally found an organization, found hope for revenge, and her mood was unprecedentedly exhilarated.

At the same time, Jiang Ran, through Master Chen and Li Huijuan's connections, found two retired masters who were both skillful in Handcraft and trustworthy.

After seeing Su Ruan's new design drafts and old‑fabric samples, the two masters showed great interest, feeling this was the kind of work that could produce something good, and readily agreed to help.

To coordinate the launch of the new series, Su Ruan accepted an exclusive interview with Shen Jizhe.

She did not deliberately mention the competition and difficulties she faced, instead focusing on the design philosophy, the story behind the fabrics, and thoughts on modern applications of traditional crafts.

Shen Jizhe was deeply attracted by her speech and works, and a report full of praise and anticipation quickly appeared in the city's evening newspaper supplement.

This report made some customers who truly appreciate and pursue unique taste begin to develop strong interest in the upcoming "Suguang Series Series Series" that Su Ruan's team will launch.

Appointment‑consultation calls gradually increased.

Zhao Laoban of Yuerong Tailoring naturally saw the report as well.

He angrily crumpled the newspaper into a ball and slammed it hard onto the floor.

"Damn! This woman really has some skill!" Zhao Laoban's face turned ashen.

He originally thought that poaching staff and snatching fabrics could crush Chongsu, but didn't expect the other side to quickly take a different route and create such a huge buzz.

The masters he had paid a high price for were used to conventional styles; they had no way to handle Su Ruan's creative and challenging designs, they couldn't even imitate them!

"Boss, what should we…?" the subordinate asked timidly.

"We can't let them get away with this so smoothly!" Zhao Laoban's eyes flashed ruthlessly, "Aren't they planning a launch event? Find a way to stop it! Or make them make a huge blunder!"

At that moment, Lin Wei, through many connections, finally got in touch with Zhao Laoban.

In a private room of a hidden café, Lin Wei got straight to the point: "Boss Zhao, I won't beat around the bush. I know you're dealing with 'Chongsu', and coincidentally, I also have some old grudges with them."

Zhao Laoban sized up the young woman before him—elegant in demeanor but with icy eyes—and asked cautiously, "What do you mean, Miss Lin?"

"The enemy's enemy is a friend." Lin Wei elegantly stirred her coffee, "I can give you some information you might not know."

"For example, Jiang Ran has a short temper, flares up easily. Also, Su Ruan is now pregnant and can't tolerate scares or stimulation. Moreover, they recently hired two half‑grown kids to help in the shop—are their hands clean? Who can say for sure?"

Her words seemed casual, yet every sentence hit a key point, providing Zhao Laoban with a clear strategy for his next move.

Zhao Laoban narrowed his eyes, re‑examining Lin Wei.

He hadn't expected this seemingly pampered woman to have such meticulous and vicious thoughts.

Yet, it suited his intentions perfectly.

"What do you want, Miss Lin?" Zhao Laoban asked.

"I want nothing." Lin Wei set down the coffee spoon, her smile icy, "I just want to see them suffer, the worse the better. Especially Su Ruan."

The new series launch event was set for Saturday afternoon, the venue being the Chongsu shop itself.

Su Ruan specially had people redecorate the shop, clearing a larger space, and adjusting the lighting to better showcase the texture of the "Suguang Series Series Series."

By Friday night, all preparations were complete.

Su Ruan looked at the few finished pieces displayed in the exhibition area; under the specially crafted lighting, the old fabrics radiated a breathtaking beauty.

Jiang Ran came up from behind, embraced her, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Daughter‑in‑law, tomorrow will definitely succeed!"