Chapter 1569: Resource Utilization

As this scene played out before everyone's eyes, the emotional reactions were sharply polarized.

Jian Zhengxue, Gu Minglan, Jian Zhengrong, Zhu Lisheng, and Jian Zhengcun were, of course, delighted.

Although Jian Zhengguo and Chen Quan wore smiles on their faces, there was not a hint of warmth in their eyes.

Jian Mingqi's expression shifted rapidly before he lowered his head, his true feelings unreadable to anyone.

Jian Mingzhi, that smiling tiger, had a grin on his face, but it looked incredibly forced.

As for Jian Minglang, his true nature was completely exposed; he could no longer keep up the act.

His face was so dark it could drip ink, and the way he looked at Zhou Andong was as if he wanted to devour him alive.

Of these three brothers, setting aside the useless Jian Minglang, Jian Mingqi and Jian Mingzhi had always viewed themselves as the future successors of the Jian family.

Even if there was competition, it was surely only between the two of them; they had never taken Jian Minglang to heart, nor had they ever looked at Jian Mingliang.

As for Jian Mingfan, he was still young, and it would take a long time for him to grow up, so there was no need to worry about him.

Yet now, the old master actually valued Zhou Andong, an outsider with a different surname, so highly.

This was by no means as simple as just offering a toast to express gratitude.

If the second uncle's trip to the south was successful, then the old master was very likely to groom Zhou Andong.

After all, the Jiangzhou Winery was previously a state-owned enterprise, and Zhou Andong also had an official establishment status; he was currently only on unpaid leave.

With Zhou Andong's current prestige and fame, it would be a simple matter for him to take the top position at any state-owned enterprise.

As long as he didn't make any mistakes, it would only take two or three years for him to transition from the corporate sector to the political arena.

Even though Jian Mingqi and Jian Mingzhi were very confident in their own abilities, they still felt insecure when facing Zhou Andong.

It was simply because Zhou Andong's achievements over the past two years were too dazzling; they still had enough self-awareness to know they truly couldn't do the same.

Jian Zhengguo and Chen Quan exchanged a glance; over the past few days, whenever they had time, they would meet in secret.

They had always believed that Zhou Andong posed a threat, but only on the condition that the second brother took up a post in the south.

Everything they did today was actually for the old master to see.

There was only one goal: to win the old master's favor and secure the opportunity for the second brother to take up a post in the south.

Yet they never expected that the old master would actually harbor the intention of grooming Zhou Andong.

This left their hearts feeling icy cold, and at the same time, a thought arose.

This absolutely would not do; how could the Jian family allow an outsider with a different surname to take charge?

If all the resources were given to Zhou Andong, once this little brat took the position,

then the Jian family's surname would have to be changed to Zhou.

Zhou Andong was in the midst of being moved, and it was only after everyone sat down that he realized this point.

But he didn't say anything; it wasn't that he wanted to enter officialdom.

Rather, he was pondering how to handle this situation without angering the old master while still securing benefits for himself.

This meal was eaten with different tastes for everyone; Zhou Andong felt it was delicious.

But Jian Mingqi, Jian Minglang, and Jian Mingzhi felt it was bitter.

As for Jian Zhengguo and Chen Quan, they couldn't taste anything at all.

This meal, just like the one on the second day of the Lunar New Year, ended in a rush.

Jian Mingzhi stood up: "I'm going to the restroom."

Jian Minglang followed him up: "I'm going too."

The two didn't use the restroom here but left the living room and went to the washroom in the east wing.

"It's too stuffy inside; I'm going out to get some air and smoke a cigarette." Zhou Andong stood up and walked out.

"Brother-in-law!" Jian Mingliang chased after him: "I'm out of cigarettes; give me one."

The two lit cigarettes in the courtyard, and Jian Mingfan, that little brat, also came out, saying mysteriously,

"Brother-in-law, give me one too."

"Smack!" Jian Mingliang slapped him on the head: "Your hair hasn't even grown in fully yet, and you want to smoke? Are you asking for a beating?"

Jian Mingfan wasn't angry; he rubbed the back of his head and said with a cheeky grin, "Smoking is good for the body, gambling trains the brain, shaking your head brings no worries, fighting trains your hands and feet, robbing trains your long-distance running, eating without vegetables saves money for dating."

"..."

Jian Mingliang looked at Jian Mingfan speechlessly; if he were his own younger brother, he would definitely give him a beating.

Zhou Andong was also helpless: "Who did you learn all this from?"

Jian Mingfan rolled his eyes: "I'm just teasing you; how could I possibly smoke? You actually believed it."

Zhou Andong couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind, and Jian Mingliang glared at him too; the three of them stood in the courtyard without speaking.

After a while, they heard Jian Minglang's angry voice coming from the east wing.

"What kind of thing is Zhou Andong? Isn't it just by borrowing the resources of the original Jiangzhou Winery that he has what he has today?"

"Second brother!" This was Jian Mingzhi's voice: "That may be the case, but just keep it to yourself. In the current situation, you can't say it out loud, lest you ruin Dad's plan."

"I know."

Jian Minglang's voice grew weaker, and immediately after, the door to the east wing opened.

When Jian Minglang and Jian Mingzhi saw people in the courtyard, and that it was Zhou Andong, the expressions on their faces became very interesting.

"Second brother, it seems you understand me quite well." Zhou Andong bared his teeth in a smile at Jian Minglang and Jian Mingzhi: "I really am nothing. If I hadn't borrowed the resources of the Jiangzhou Winery, I wouldn't be where I am today.

However, in business, isn't it all about resources? If I have resources and don't utilize them, wouldn't I be an idiot? For example, you, Jian Minglang, were you able to reach the position of Deputy Secretary of Jiangzhou just because you had the Jian family's resources?

If it weren't for the Jian family, you, Jian Minglang, would be worth nothing. Don't talk about being Deputy Secretary of Jiangzhou; if you could even sit as a Deputy Secretary of a township, I'd count it as you having a brain."

"You..."

Jian Minglang was trembling with rage; to be looked down upon like this, and by someone he looked down upon, the fire in his heart surged upward, and he gritted his teeth until they creaked.

Jian Mingzhi grabbed his second brother's arm tightly with one hand, signaled him fiercely with his eyes, and then looked at Zhou Andong, a smile appearing on his face.

"Andong, you know what kind of temper second brother has; he just likes to spout nonsense. Don't take it to heart."

"Oh!" Zhou Andong let out a loud cry, clutching his chest in pain: "It hurts, it hurts so much."

As soon as his voice fell, the door behind him suddenly opened, and a crowd of people rushed out.

"Dongzi, what's wrong with you?"

Chen Ping, the fourth aunt, came out first; seeing Zhou Andong clutching his chest and crying out in pain, her face turned pale with fright.

Originally, upon hearing Zhou Andong's cry, Jian Qiu was also very worried, but when she came out and saw him, she glared fiercely at Zhou Andong.

"Fourth Aunt!" Zhou Andong said with a pained expression: "It's second brother; his words just now pierced my heart. I've worked so hard, I've been so motivated.

I won't talk about how much contribution I've made to the country, but I've always tried my best to give everything I have. I don't ask for any reward; I just want you to accept me, a bumpkin from the countryside, and feel that I am worthy of Qiuqiu."

Speaking of this, Zhou Andong lowered his head, squeezing his eyes hard, trying to squeeze out tears, but finally gave up.

"I really can't understand what I did wrong, what I did to offend second brother, why he is always targeting me!" ===== CHAPTER 1570 =====