Xia Ziyu’s heart pounded.

Yes, first eliminate Liu Fen, leaving Xia Xiaolan without such a cheat code, then eliminate Xia Xiaolan herself.

The maid Sister Sun, seeing Fifth Mistress’s poor complexion, hurriedly withdrew.

“How frightening.”

Sister Sun patted her chest.

She had previously thought Fifth Mistress didn’t know how to compete for a favor, worrying she would be bullied by the Du family’s other mistresses.

Now she realized she had misjudged – if Fifth Mistress didn’t know how to compete, how could she have convinced Du Sheng to break precedent and marry her?

Some say men don’t cherish women after obtaining them, but it seemed Master Du still doted on Fifth Mistress greatly.

As Sister Sun pondered this, Du Chengrong indeed came to the residence that evening.

Xia Ziyu had made herself alluring, though her attitude remained languid. Du Chengrong was long used to this – she might be cold outside the bedroom but became passionate inside. Only Du Chengrong could appreciate such contrasts.

“Did you go back today?”

“Yes, but I don’t want to return weekly anymore. No matter how much I smile, your wives won’t acknowledge me.”

Du Chengrong pinched her cheek, “That shows they’re jealous because I favor you.”

Xia Ziyu thought about it and couldn’t help nodding:

“You’re right, you’re always with me, neglecting them, so naturally they’re jealous.”

She even laughed, “I think Fourth Mistress Liu Keying hates me most. Whenever I see her, I feel she wants to have me killed.”

“She wouldn’t dare.”

Du Chengrong removed his clothes, “Keying is clever. She won’t do anything to displease me. Everything she has, I gave her. She knows the consequences of angering me… she would lose everything.”

Indeed.

Not just Liu Keying, but every woman in the Du family was the same.

Du Chengrong gave jewelry, property, and substantial allowances, but forbade the Du family women from involving themselves in company affairs. All their prosperity depended solely on him.

Du Chengrong was like an ancient despot, holding over 50% of Chengrong Group’s shares personally.

Logically, as long as she clung to Du Chengrong, Xia Ziyu would be invincible.

But this situation would soon change. In February, Du Chengrong would give 5% of Chengrong Group’s shares to either Du Zhaohui or Du Zhaoji – this was why Du Zhaohui had sent her to Du Chengrong’s side… the aging despot was beginning to choose his heir.

Knowing Du Zhaohui and Xia Xiaolan were allies, she couldn’t let Du Zhaohui win.

Then let Du Zhaoji win?

Hah, the Second Mistress still thought she was easily fooled. How would helping Du Zhaoji win those 5% shares benefit her?

Whoever won, that money wouldn’t end up in Xia Ziyu’s pocket.

Those 5% shares were an enormous sum.

Worth far more than the houses, jewelry, and luxury cars Du Chengrong gave!

Xia Ziyu fell into Du Chengrong’s embrace, “Then I must pray to the gods to bless you with longevity, or no one will be able to control your wives.”

Du Chengrong pushed her away.

“You’re afraid if I die before you, Liu Keying and the others will bully you?”

“No, perhaps I’ll die before you.”

Xia Ziyu’s waist twisted like a water snake, clearly caught up in the moment, not intending to pursue the topic.

But Du Chengrong pondered her words.

The company would naturally go to his most capable son – he had planned this long ago.

As for the others, the women who had been with him for years and the children who couldn’t inherit the company, he would leave each enough money to ensure a comfortable life.

He had been gradually giving properties to his three mistresses over the years.

When he favored Liu Keying, it didn’t stop him from continuing relationships with other women outside, though he had no plans to marry any of them. Vivi was an exception – “Fifth Mistress” wasn’t in his plans.

Vivi indeed brought Du Chengrong vitality. A young, beautiful woman awakened a man’s vigor, making Du Chengrong feel his masculinity remained strong.

Vivi’s entry was a harsh slap to Liu Keying’s face.

Having arranged for three mistresses, he hadn’t considered how to arrange for Vivi.

Even if he gave her money, she might not keep it.

Youth was one thing, but mainly she had entered too late and was an outsider in Hong Kong, with no one to help her.

Du Chengrong contemplated.

That night, Du Chengrong was particularly energetic.

Early the next morning, he called the maid, having Sister Sun throw away all of Xia Ziyu’s contraceptive pills:

“I didn’t care if you took them before, I don’t lack for children, it didn’t matter whether you wanted children or not. But think about what you said last night – I think you should have your child.”

Du Chengrong patted her wrist, “With your child and some capable helpers, others won’t be able to bully you in the future.”

Xia Ziyu touched her belly.

She had already stopped taking the pills, recently only taking vitamins.

Moreover, her period was half a month late – she suspected she was already pregnant.

But wanting to have a child herself was different from Du Chengrong ordering her to have one. She was guiding Du Chengrong to plan for her future. After all, she had no relatives in Hong Kong and could only rely on Du Chengrong, with no children for support and no powerful brothers from her maiden family to help.

Du Zhaohui hoped for chaos in the Du family – so she would thoroughly stir things up.

After Du Chengrong left, Xia Ziyu met with the Second Mistress:

“Your family has done what I asked. Now it’s your turn – what do you want me to do? I don’t like owing favors, and besides, we’re in the same boat. I don’t have better options.”

Second Mistress was satisfied with Xia Ziyu’s understanding.

But now, with few days left until the competition’s end, Second Mistress wasn’t sure they could turn things around.

Regardless, Du Zhaohui’s ‘Chengrong Plaza project indeed showed promise. Though the Second Mistress didn’t understand business matters, she read the newspapers – Hong Kong media was praising Du Zhaohui.

The competition for 5% shares, though supposedly private, had somehow leaked to reporters and been published.

Though quickly suppressed by Du Chengrong, who wasn’t discussing it privately?

Probably all of Hong Kong knew Du Chengrong was dividing his estate!

Second Mistress pressed her lips together, “It depends on what Zhaoji decides to do. When he makes his decision, you shouldn’t refuse.”

Xia Ziyu raised her cup in respect:

“How could I? I won’t let Du Zhaohui win.”

If Du Zhaohui won, he would discard her to please Xia Xiaolan.

If Du Zhaoji won, he would similarly have leverage over her – wouldn’t she have to always obey the second branch?

Hah, she didn’t want to help either side. Better to placate both, let them fight to the death, preferably both losing – then she could profit from their conflict!

Xia Ziyu resisted the urge to touch her belly.

If she was truly pregnant this time, she would have the capital to preserve her life. Just thinking of Liu Fen made Xia Ziyu restless. She couldn’t wait any longer, wanting to go to the hospital immediately for a blood test.