Volume 1, Chapter 22: Time to Settle the Score

"Received!"

Even though it was after hours, Xu Jiang was, after all, the president of the Yongfang Group; he typically did not involve himself directly in matters regarding company recruitment.

This was the first time since he took office that he had personally requested a candidate's resume. The HR manager, Ai Wa, who had been out for dinner, hurriedly forwarded Su Wanning’s profile the moment she received his message.

The three of them gathered around the computer at home, scrutinizing Su Wanning’s credentials.

Admittedly, her profile was truly perfect.

She had studied dance from childhood until her second year of high school, initially planning to pursue a path in the arts to enter the entertainment industry. Unexpectedly, she switched to the sciences halfway through. Though she did not take the National College Entrance Examination, her high school teachers recounted that she was a child with an extraordinary gift for mathematics.

The information that followed was even more staggering. She was directly recommended for admission to the Department of Mathematics at Jing University during high school. After only two years, she had completed all undergraduate requirements and graduated early. She was then twenty—the age at which she married Xie Yanchen.

She received numerous graduate school invitations from prestigious international universities, eventually choosing the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which boasted the top mathematics department. There, she majored in mathematics and minored in computer science. In just three years, she jumped from an undergraduate to a Ph.D. holder, subsequently interning for two years at a top-tier international A.I. technology company before returning to China.

Zheng Lu had initially looked at the resume with a cocky, fault-finding attitude, but upon reaching the end, she couldn't even swallow the mouthful of water she had been holding. Her hand trembled uncontrollably as she pointed at the text on the screen.

Xu Jiang was slightly more composed, though not by much; his brow was furrowed into a tight knot. After a long silence, he finally let out:

"What the hell? Do we actually have such a formidable talent in our country? Going from an algorithm novice to a grandmaster in six years? Calling her a genius is an understatement, isn't it?"

Su Wanqing was also silent for a moment. While Su Wanning’s resume seemed impeccable, if she could truly become an algorithm master in such a short time, then had she started learning from childhood, she could have already discovered all the algorithms known to the world today.

Perhaps she might have even rewritten the history of algorithms.

And if she were so brilliant, given the extent of Su Guoxing’s influence, would he really have let her study dance instead of building a foundation in mathematics from a young age?

Su Wanqing could not grasp the logic behind this, but it ignited a sense of competitiveness within her.

She had lived for twenty-six years, and her aptitude for algorithms was already astonishing—even Xu Qiuyun, who had seen countless geniuses, had praised her; otherwise, she would not have made an exception to take her on as a disciple.

In those twenty-six years, the only talent that had surprised her was the ability currently being demonstrated by her daughter, Xie Kexin.

If Su Wanning was truly this formidable, she really wanted to meet her.

Moreover, given Xu Qiuyun’s obsession with cherishing talent, if she were to find out that they had driven such a brilliant person out of Yongfang due to personal matters, she would surely be furious.

"Let her join Yongfang," Su Wanqing said.

Hearing this, Zheng Lu finally swallowed the water she had been holding since the beginning and asked in shock, "Qingqing, have you lost your mind? It looks like this sister of yours has even higher talent than you. Aren't you afraid she’ll overshadow you?"

"If you ask me, the best strategy is to kick her out immediately!"

Xu Jiang looked at Su Wanning’s resume. While he was internally curious about whether such a talent was real or fake, the moment he thought about how this person had caused Su Wanqing so much suffering, he felt a deep-seated disgust.

Besides... he glanced at Su Wanning’s personal photo. She looked like a schemer—not even comparable to Su Wanqing in the slightest! He didn't like her.

"This kind of person, even if she is a genius, has a terrible character. Yongfang doesn't need her."

As he spoke, he moved to send a message to HR to cancel Su Wanning’s admission.

Su Wanqing reached out and stopped him, shaking her head gently. "No, I want to meet her. If I truly lose, then I will accept it gracefully."

She stared at the photo of Su Wanning on the computer screen, a glimmer of stubbornness in her eyes.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the bar had reached its peak.

The loud music and the overlapping screams and dancing allowed the young people to completely let go. After a day of exhaustion, everyone was finding joy here once again.

Inside the private room, Xie Yanchen saw that Zhu Heguang was already dazed and somewhat intoxicated. Remembering the Zhu family’s strict rules, he frowned and stood up. "Perhaps that’s enough for tonight."

Zhu Heguang clung to Xie Yanchen’s sleeve. Even though his words were slurred, he tried his best to enunciate clearly: "What are you talking about? Even if the King of Heaven himself were here, you aren't allowed to leave!"

He tilted his head back to look at Xie Yanchen, his eyes glistening with tears. "Wuwuwu, Yanchen, you’ve finally weathered the storm! That Su Wanqing used underhanded tactics to drive your sister-in-law away and took her place in the bridal sedan, forcing you and your sister-in-law to be separated for five years. Now that she has 'returned' from the dead, you two can finally rekindle your old flame!"

"Thinking about how much you’ve suffered over these past five years breaks my heart! We all watched the two of you grow up as star-crossed lovers. From now on, you must stay together properly and never let anything go wrong again!"

Zhu Heguang and Xie Yanchen had been friends since kindergarten. Five years ago, he was the first to know that the person marrying Xie Yanchen was Su Wanqing, not Su Wanning. When he learned that Su Wanqing had threatened Su Guoxing—saying that if Su Wanning was not allowed to go abroad, she would hold a bomb and take the entire Su family down with her—he was the first to chase them to the airport.

But they were a step too late. Su Wanning was forced onto a flight abroad, and Su Wanqing got her wish to become Mrs. Xie.

If it weren't for Xie Yanchen telling him not to interfere because he would make Su Wanqing regret her decision, he would have rushed up and slapped her face until it was swollen. How could there be such a vicious woman!

But now, seeing his good brother finally get his heart’s desire, he was so moved he wanted to laugh out loud. Good people truly get their rewards! As for Su Wanqing, that wicked woman! Someone would surely come to deal with her!

After finally getting Zhu Heguang home, Xie Yanchen took Su Wanning back to the Su residence.

Sitting in the backseat, Xie Yanchen suddenly felt the urge to go back and see what Su Wanqing looked like tonight.

He had promised he would make her regret her choice from five years ago. Today, it was time to settle the score.

"Return to Jing Garden."

That was the place where he and Su Wanqing had lived after their marriage.

Secretary Wang acknowledged the order and changed direction.

Watching the scenery recede, Xie Yanchen’s mood improved involuntarily.

Last time he returned to Jing Garden, although the woman had not returned all night, he had investigated every hotel in Haicheng and found no trace of her staying anywhere. That meant she must have gone to a friend’s house.

Now that several days had passed, she couldn't possibly stay at a friend’s house forever, could she?

Besides, they were going to process their divorce tomorrow. Based on her personality, she would surely try every possible way to delay and beg him not to divorce her.

Xie Yanchen crossed his legs, already rehearsing the lines he would say in his mind.