Rivals of Rebirth

Chapter 58: Resistance

Zheng Jue felt a bit awkward under Han Jin's eagle-like gaze and slightly lowered his eyes, not saying a word.

Han Jin, on the other hand, stared back at him with a confrontational expression, not backing down in the slightest.

Han Zizhang looked at Han Jin's tightly pursed lips and coldly said, "Han Jin, you've really grown up."

Han Jin sneered and retorted, "No need for these superficial pleasantries. Just say what you want to say!"

Han Zizhang didn't respond but turned his gaze to Zheng Jue, who had already calmed down. He spoke gently, "Zheng Sheng, I apologize for scaring you."

Zheng Jue smiled mildly, "Mr. Han is being too hard on yourself. I had a delightful time with Han Shao."

Zheng Jue spoke white lies with open eyes, and Han Zizhang was very satisfied. His expression became even more amiable. "Apologies, apologies. I haven't taught my son well, causing Zheng Sheng to witness this." He then gestured to his assistant, "Take Zheng Sheng back."

The assistant bowed and walked forward. "Zheng Sheng, please."

Zheng Jue stood up slowly, looking at Han Jin. The emotions hidden in those eyes moved him, like a cold winter wind, chilling him to the bone but carrying a touch of desolation.

Zheng Jue almost couldn't bring himself to smile. Meanwhile, Han Zizhang's expression became increasingly unpleasant as he stared intently at Zheng Jue, saying in a deep voice, "Zheng Sheng, you better think it through!"

Zheng Jue clenched his teeth tightly, almost unable to catch his breath. He fiercely pinched his palm, unable to utter a word.

But Han Jin suddenly burst into laughter, as if he had witnessed the most amusing thing in the world. His eyes even carried a hint of tender playfulness. He walked up to Zheng Jue and patted his shoulder, whispering, "Aaron, go ahead. Don't let me catch you so easily next time."

Zheng Jue looked at him with surprise, finding genuine happiness in his laughter, without a trace of insincerity.

Han Zizhang furrowed his brows and watched Han Jin, suddenly feeling uncertain. Nevertheless, observing the situation in front of him, he continued, "Zheng Sheng, go on. The car outside has been waiting for quite a while."

Zheng Jue looked at Han Jin, quickly clenched his fist, stood up, and followed Han Zizhang's assistant, leaving the place.

As Zheng Jue's departing figure faded from Han Jin's sight, his eyes seemed to contain a trace of tenderness. This person finally began to resist easily abandoning him. Could it also mean that he had finally secured a place in Zheng Jue's heart?

After Zheng Jue had completely disappeared from Han Jin's view, Han Jin slightly lowered his eyes. He turned around to face Han Zizhang and said in a low voice, "Was this show entertaining, Father?"

Han Zizhang had been frowning the whole time and, in response to Han Jin's question, said, "Han Jin, have you truly figured things out now?"

Han Jin smirked, "Of course, I'm very clear about it, Father. Zheng Jue has left. Do you have any other demands you want to fulfill?"

Han Zizhang sensed the strange attitude from Han Jin but couldn't quite put his finger on what was going on. He spoke sternly, "Stop causing trouble from now on. Zheng Jue is a prominent figure, and if this gets out, it won't be good for either of you."

After speaking, he turned and left the room.

Once everyone, including Han Zizhang's entourage, had left, Han Jin's assistant cautiously entered the room. He looked at Han Jin, who appeared calm, and was a bit perplexed. He asked in a low voice, "Young Master Han, what do we do now?"

Han Jin lowered his head and smiled gently, "Let's go back to the company."

The assistant felt a sense of unease. Zheng Jue had already left, but Han Jin could still manage a smile. He couldn't fathom what was going on with him.

Han Jin returned to the company with his assistant. Han Zizhang had already gone back to the Han residence. A few shareholders were waiting at Han Jin's doorstep for the scheduled meeting. However, they had to wait until now to see Han Jin.

The first person standing there was a distant relative from the Han family who held some authority in the board of directors. The other two were relatively insignificant figures. Normally, Han Jin wouldn't even give them a second glance. However, at this moment, a polite smile appeared on Han Jin's face.

The distant relative from the Han family saw Han Jin approaching and immediately smiled obsequiously, "Young Master Han."

Han Jin smiled faintly and said warmly, "I apologize for keeping you all waiting. I had some matters to attend to, which made me late."

The distant relative from the Han family shook his head with a smile, "Young Master Han is busy. We all understand. Our trivial matters can wait."

Han Jin extended an invitation to them to enter. These were people he used to ignore, but at this moment, they were crucial to his plans. Although his father was the king of the Han family, he had forgotten that kings always have their day, and when that time comes, it will be the moment for the young ones to show their aspirations.

**

While Han Jin was busy with his plans, Han Zizhang was still not completely at ease with him. He went to meet Zheng Jue.

At this point, Zheng Jue was already a completely different person. He sat calmly across from Han Zizhang, not saying a word.

Han Zizhang looked at him and said gently, "You wavered." His tone was firm, without any doubt, a simple statement. Seeing that Zheng Jue didn't respond, he continued, "Zheng Sheng, why?"

Zheng Jue slightly moved the corners of his mouth but remained silent.

Han Zizhang smiled and whispered, "I understand the way young people think. He treated you with sincerity and loyalty, and you are not heartless, so naturally, you wavered. However, you should also understand the current situation. Although Han Jin has some abilities, as long as I am alive, he has no room for maneuver. I will never allow such a thing to happen."

Han Zizhang's face bore a gentle smile, but his eyes were icy and frightening.

Zheng Jue still kept his head down, but this time he softly replied, "Mr. Han, what do you want?" His voice was low, but it carried a sharp determination.

Han Zizhang opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed to get stuck. In the end, he said, "Zheng Sheng, I know you are shifting your business abroad. How about you go abroad for a few days?"

Zheng Jue suddenly chuckled, "Mr. Han, what do you take me for? A dog to be called upon and dismissed at will?"

Hearing Zheng Jue's tone, Han Zizhang's expression froze, and his voice lowered, "Zheng Sheng, you are losing your reason. This is just a suggestion. If you disagree, do you think I can force you?"

Zheng Jue raised his head to look at Han Zizhang, his face showing no emotion, not even the usual smile that always graced his lips. Instead, a hint of coldness appeared, "Mr. Han, let me guess. If I don't leave, I'm afraid you'll force me to go. Mr. Han, I enjoy cooperating with you, but I refuse to become your puppet! Although Zheng Corporation may not be as powerful as Han Corporation, we can fight desperately at critical moments!"

Zheng Jue slowly stood up and looked down at Han Zizhang. He spoke coldly, "Mr. Han, you wouldn't want to see both of us suffer, would you?"

Han Zizhang narrowed his eyes, observing the person before him. He had underestimated Zheng Sheng, who revealed a touch of courage when it mattered most. Han Zizhang suddenly laughed, standing up and walking to Zheng Jue with a smile, "Of course, I wouldn't want such a situation to occur. But Zheng Sheng, you better not have anything to do with Han Jin. Even if the consequences are severe, I won't tolerate it."

Zheng Jue looked at Han Zizhang. This man was not as tall as him and even slightly hunched, yet every move he made was commanding and impossible to ignore, as if he were born to be a king.

Zheng Jue's lips curved slightly, and he instantly softened his demeanor, "Mr. Han, rest assured, the matter between Han Jin and me ended a long time ago. As long as Han Jin doesn't come looking for me, I will never actively seek him out."

Han Zizhang rubbed his forehead with a slight headache. The key to this matter still lay with Han Jin. His eyes dimmed slightly, but he eventually smiled and left.

After Han Zizhang left, the fake smile on Zheng Jue's face finally disappeared. He instructed Susie in a cold tone, "Today, I don't want to see anyone."

Susie looked worriedly at Zheng Jue and whispered, "Zheng Sheng, what's happening today?"

Yesterday, Zheng Jue said he was going to a small island in the Pacific, but today, he suddenly returned disheveled. Even Susie, who was usually unflappable, was quite startled.

"It's nothing, there were some issues in between," Zheng Jue said with a stern face.

Susie looked at him and didn't dare to ask further, she just said, "What about Mr. Zhou? He just called to ask if you want to return his call?"

Zheng Jue raised an eyebrow slightly, "No need." Zhou Cheng'an called him, seems like he knew about the absurd situation.

Zheng Jue sighed inwardly; Han Jin had really given him a difficult problem. The entanglement between them, Han Zizhang's manipulation, had made this matter extremely complex.

Zheng Jue drove back to his apartment alone; he was really exhausted these past few days.

**

Zheng Jue had a good night's sleep. When he woke up, it was already dusk the next day. Feeling thirsty, he wanted to go out to fetch some water, but then he suddenly noticed that the lights outside were on.

His groggy mind cleared up instantly.

He picked up his phone to make a call but heard a voice from outside the door, "Vi, are you awake?"

It was Han Jin.

Zheng Jue put down his phone and frowned, looking at Han Jin walking in from outside.

"Why are you here?" Zheng Jue asked with a furrowed brow.

Han Jin smiled at him and whispered, "You didn't leave." There was a hint of faint joy in his voice.

For some reason, Zheng Jue's lips also curved slightly, but the next moment, he straightened his face and said in a low voice, "You shouldn't have come here."

Han Jin walked up to Zheng Jue, leaned against his side, and spoke teasingly, "Shouldn't I?"

Zheng Jue's hand trembled slightly, but his tone remained firm, "You shouldn't have come."

Han Jin laughed happily, pressing against Zheng Jue's body. His hand traced down from Zheng Jue's abdominal muscles to his chest, as he whispered, "But this place doesn't seem to agree with what you're saying."

Zheng Jue's heart was pounding; he felt like he was going crazy.

Author's note: Um... it should be sweet for a while.