Chapter 2644: I'm Starting to Doubt Life

"You say!" Ye Zhenzheng sat upright with proper posture, her beautiful eyes level with Zhou Andong's, her expression indescribably solemn.

Actually, Ye Zhen held little regard for her nephew Ye Jun; she had made this demand on a whim. Even if Zhou Andong refused, she would still help him deal with Wu Hui.

The reason is simple: the Ye family has gained considerable benefits from Zhou Andong. Besides the Ganzhou matter, there's also Zhongbao—these are tangible, visible gains.

If Zhou Andong could form an eternal alliance with the Ye family, allowing Ye Jun to spend his later years in prison, she would consider it. After all, the Ye family has several male descendants across three generations; they don't lack Ye Jun to carry on the lineage.

Allies like Zhou Andong—possessing courage, ability, and means, capable of bringing great benefits to the Ye family—are hard to find. One could even say that Ye Zhen, having lived over thirty years, has seen many talented youths, but none like Zhou Andong.

Zhou Andong slowly picked up his teacup, took a light sip, then said: "Set out wine, let Ye Jun publicly apologize to my wife and An Jing. Also, when Hashe initially asked Ye Jun for help, he used two storefronts at Caishikou as compensation."

As he spoke, Zhou Andong gently set down his teacup, looked at Ye Zhen, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This woman Ye Zhen is truly damn beautiful, especially for a woman in her thirties—that mature charm is irresistible.

"Use those two storefronts as compensation—one for my wife, one for An Jing."

"No problem." Ye Zhen agreed readily, but her eyes flickered as she gazed at Zhou Andong, speculating gossipily. What is Zhou Andong's relationship with An Jing? She felt they were far more than ordinary friends or mere partners.

Ye Zhen blinked, and in that instant, she suddenly realized Zhou Andong still carried a certain masculine aura. Especially that calm, composed demeanor—as if everything were under his control—it made her heart leap violently.

Immediately after, Ye Zhen came to her senses, feeling her face grow hot, wishing she could slap herself. She kept reminding herself inwardly: Ye Zhen, don't indulge in wild fantasies—you're a staunch opponent of marriage. Besides, Zhou Andong is already married, his wife being Jian Qiu, that female demon—best not to provoke her.

"You..." Ye Zhen drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the sudden fluttering in her heart: "Any other demands? Let's raise them together."

Zhou Andong raised his hand, tapped his forehead, then smiled: "Regarding my affairs with the Yin family, Fourth Miss Ye should know about it, right?"

Ye Zhen waved her hand, without hesitation: "Let Ye Jun stay in prison."

After saying that, Ye Zhen leaned back lazily, smiling narrowly at Zhou Andong: "Even if he spends his old age in there, I won't care."

"Tsk!" Zhou Andong clicked his tongue: "Ye Jun having an aunt like you—truly a calamity cultivated over several lifetimes."

Ye Zhen laughed loudly and ungraciously, her two mounds of weaponry trembling up and down, making Zhou Andong's mouth go dry.

"To offend the Yin family over Ye Jun's useless, wall-clinging mud—it's not worth it, but..." Ye Zhen straightened her upper body slightly forward, her eyes aggressive as she looked at Zhou Andong: "I have no interest in the pharmaceutical factory, but I am very interested in rare earths.

It's said you took half the mining rights of the Ganzhou rare earth mine. I'm a contented person—I don't want much, just two percent of the shares will do. As long as you agree, I'll serve as your vanguard and go to Yangcheng tomorrow. And in your contest with the Yin family, I'll provide you with all possible assistance."

"No problem!" Zhou Andong agreed just as readily, so readily it was hard to believe.

Ye Zhen stared blankly at Zhou Andong, her face full of suspicion: "You... agreed?"

"Yes!" Zhou Andong's expression was very serious: "Agreed."

Zhou Andong's integration of the rare earth industry isn't for profit—it's about strategic positioning, paving the way for the future. If he brings in more capable second-generation figures like Ye Zhen, the pooled resources will naturally become vast and rich.

Thus, his layout will gain immense and highly advantageous momentum. So when Ye Zhen said she was interested in the rare earth industry and wanted two percent shares, he agreed without hesitation.

Because he had no reason to refuse—moreover, among those people in Ganzhou, none were reliable enough for him to trust. Now Ye Zhen has come knocking on her own—how could he possibly turn her away?

"Wrong!" Ye Zhen frowned slightly, shook her head: "You value rare earth resources so highly—how could you give me shares so readily? This makes no sense."

"Nothing unreasonable about it." Zhou Andong smiled faintly: "It's mainly because I value Fourth Miss Ye's importance and ability, so I agreed without thinking."

Ye Zhen's doubtful expression never faded: "Really?"

"Of course it's real." Zhou Andong said seriously: "I, Zhou Andong, can deceive all men under heaven, but I will never deceive a woman—especially a beautiful woman like Fourth Miss Ye."

Ye Zhen puffed out a laugh, then leaned back again, relaxing: "They say Zhou Andong's mouth can make the dead speak—now I see the rumor is true."

Zhou Andong gave a hey laugh: "That's just friends flattering me—I'm only stating plain facts."

"Alright!" Ye Zhen extended her hand: "Pleasant cooperation."

"Pleasant cooperation." Zhou Andong and Ye Zhen shook hands: "Actually, if you want that five percent share in the pharmaceutical factory, it's still yours."

"Can do!" Ye Zhen said: "Since Boss Zhou thinks highly of this pharmaceutical factory's future, I naturally have no reason to throw my money away."

Zhou Andong took his last puff of a cigarette, pressed the butt into the ashtray: "Are you interested in the wool mill's downstream Jinsiguang woolen garment factory?"

Ye Zhen said bluntly: "No interest. And don't even think about tying me to your boat."

Zhou Andong said with a smile: "We've already reached cooperation—on my matter with the Yin family, you'll provide all assistance. Aren't we already on the same boat?"

"You really think I'm a fool to be duped." Ye Zhen looked at Zhou Andong, pouted: "Boldly boarding your ship openly means I'd have to face the Yin family head-on. But my assistance to you is only behind-the-scenes support."

"Sigh!" Zhou Andong said with deep feeling: "Woman, why are you so clever, so hard to deceive? It gives me a severe sense of defeat—I'm now doubting life itself."