158: Chapter 158 When the Plums Ripen: Childhood Sweetheart Male Lead 36

The Winter Sacrifice rapidly came to an end in a destructive and irresistible manner.

However, the turmoil triggered by this storm would last for at least several years.

The asset division of the Meng Group was by no means as simple and easy as cutting a cake, nor was it as joyful as thieves dividing stolen goods.

It was more like pulling tendons and peeling skin, shaving flesh and scraping bones; the losses incurred by any branch and subsidiary during the forced division were enormous.

At this time, all the collateral branches of the Meng Family were desperately gathering their assets, attempting to cut losses in time and plot for the future.

In order to maintain their own strength, they also had to tear off their faces and scramble with each other.

Actually, speaking of the best-case scenario, it should be that all the collateral branches united together to jointly digest the huge losses brought about by the main family's withdrawal.

But human nature often could not withstand the test; in front of absolute interests, past affections were as thin as cicada wings.

Therefore, the Meng Group was destined to be in chaos for quite a while next.

It is worth mentioning that in this melee, Lu Yu became the first victim.

He was jointly teamed up against by everyone, ruthlessly kicked out of the game, and eaten clean down to his skin and bones.

Until Meng Qingyuan threw the divorce agreement in front of Lu Yu, she generously and mockingly told Lu Yu.

Telling him what was called a "golden jade good match", and what a startling net worth Zhaoyu, the adopted daughter he wanted to scheme against, now possessed.

Hearing those things, Lu Yu was so shocked that he almost went crazy.

Regretful, he wanted to beg Meng Qingyuan, but was thrown out of the front door like garbage.

Of course, Meng Zhu was equally busy to death during this period.

He was busy integrating assets and making drastic moves to build a new group that completely belonged to the main family.

Busy running off his feet every day, even returning to Qinghe Garden to have dinner had become a luxury.

In contrast, Nan Li appeared much more relaxed and comfortable.

Having successfully passed the Winter Sacrifice, the Old Madam had also privately hinted to her that she would no longer need to worry about her marriage in the future, let alone the shares left to her by her parents.

Meng Zhu had already handled all of these for her.

The music competition she had once signed up for would not hold its national finals until next summer, so during this period she was truly bored to death.

She originally thought that she only needed to wait quietly, and once this storm passed, Meng Zhu's busy schedule would improve a bit.

The happiest thing for her nowadays was occasionally meeting the late-returning Meng Zhu in Qinghe Garden and brewing a cup of tea for him.

Or personally cooking and taking a meal to him at the company.

Now, as long as she could stay by Meng Zhu's side, Nan Li was already extremely satisfied.

Who would have known that just two days after the Winter Sacrifice ended, an accident arrived.

At night, in the warm pavilion of Yihe Courtyard.

Nan Li was chatting idly with the Old Madam.

Seeing that she was much happier than before, the Old Madam smiled and bantered.

"You girl, being bored out of your mind every day, why haven't you thought of helping your Brother Courtesy Name?"

Nan Li was stunned, and somewhat embarrassedly pinched the corner of her clothes.

"Grandma, what kind of help can I give Brother Courtesy Name? I don't understand those things in his company."

"What's wrong with that?"

The Old Madam picked up her teacup, leisurely and unhurried.

"He used to have some kind of personal assistant by his side anyway, you can also go and give it a try. This brat is getting busier and busier now, and his body isn't made of iron either. He doesn't listen to others when they advise him; I'm afraid only you can persuade him."

Hearing this, Nan Li's eyes trembled slightly.

For the position of a personal assistant, she was indeed somewhat tempted.

Recently, she had indeed been very worried about Meng Zhu's health.

Every time she went to deliver food, she could see the dark circles under his eyes.

If she could be his personal assistant and logically stay by his side to take care of him, it seemed like a good idea.

Just as Nan Li was secretly scheming how to bring it up to Meng Zhu tomorrow.

The door curtain was lifted, and Meng's Mother walked in in a hurried manner.

Seeing Nan Li here, Meng's Mother was also quite happy.

"Zhaoyu is here too. Perfect, I've something to tell you both together."

Meng's Mother sat down by the couch, her expression carrying a hint of fatigue.

"Mom, Courtesy Name's actions this time were too big, the situation of the overseas branch is not optimistic. Courtesy Name rushed abroad at noon, and just called back saying that things are a bit tricky, asking his dad to go over and lend a hand."

"I came to tell you both, his dad and I booked tomorrow morning's flight, so you don't need to wait for us for breakfast."

The Old Madam was somewhat surprised, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Why so suddenly, even you two have to go over in person?"

"Yes, the matter is urgent. Courtesy Name is running around continuously over there alone and is overwhelmed."

"Then when you go abroad tomorrow, you must make sure Courtesy Name takes care of his health and not be too impatient."

The Old Madam exhorted.

"Money can never be earned endlessly; exhausting your health is not worth the loss."

Nan Li also quickly nodded along and said obediently,

"What Grandma says is right, Aunt Liang, have a safe flight. You and Uncle Meng can rest assured, I'm watching over Qinghe Garden and will definitely take good care of Grandma."

Meng's Mother smiled and stroked Nan Li's head.

"Good child, you've worked hard."

After finishing the serious business, Aunt Liang got up to go back and pack her luggage.

Seeing that Aunt Liang was walking towards the door, Nan Li's fingers shrank back, and finally, unable to hold back, blurted out a question.

"Uhm, Aunt Liang, when will Brother Courtesy Name be able to come back after going abroad?"

Meng's Mother didn't think too much about it, only considering it a casual question from the little girl. Raising the door curtain, she casually replied,

"Your Brother Courtesy Name has great ambitions, howsoever... it will take around half a year or so."

The door curtain fell, and Meng's Mother's footsteps gradually faded away.

Inside the warm pavilion, however, the corners of Nan Li's mouth froze.

Half a year?

This was an answer she had never expected in her wildest dreams.

She thought it was just a business trip of a few days.

What she didn't know was that many of the main family's pillar industries were intangible cultural heritage, traditional crafts, and culture.

These things were actually not popular domestically, but were very popular abroad.

Overseas companies were actually the top priority of the main family.

Nan Li had just been plotting to become Meng Zhu's personal assistant, fantasizing about being able to accompany him every day.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, Meng Zhu had actually flown across the ocean without even a face-to-face farewell.

Moreover, once he left, it would be for half a year.

For a moment she was both angry and anxious, both heartbroken and lost.

She even began to doubt: Did Meng Zhu really like her?

Could it be her misconception?

Otherwise, how could he go to such a distant place without saying a word.

[Can anyone explain if it's really this urgent, or if he deliberately didn't say goodbye?]

[Deliberate, right? Everyone's an adult here, who doesn't even have time to send a message]

[Exactly, people who don't love you are always taking a shower, people who love you always reply in seconds]

[So what kind of logic is this, playing hard to get?]

[Very normal, movies are all like this. Without going on a business trip, how do you know who loves whom?]

[Half a year, eh? That's a bit cruel]

Cruel?

A little bit, but not much.

But there was no other way; without forcing it a bit, where would the result come from?

As for not saying a face-to-face farewell, that was because Meng Zhu was afraid the little girl would cry and pester him to go abroad together, which would be troublesome.

At this moment, Meng Zhu, who was far away overseas, looked at the bullet comments and was also thinking about how to give Nan Li a push.

This half-year separation could only be considered the beginning of the plan.