Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2460 - 2396: Using Authority to Pressure Someone

Chiang Xiao felt a sudden jolt of surprise.

Indeed, Hu Xiangyong persisted in his desire for her to create the painting.

Yet, after listening to Meng Xinian's breakdown, her enthusiasm for painting it had completely faded.

"The teacher didn't commit to it for me, right?"

Liu Guoying responded with clear annoyance, "Absolutely not—how could I possibly decide that for you? Still, hadn't you earlier said you'd be willing to paint it for him?"

"I did mention wanting to do it back then, but I've shifted my thoughts now and have no interest in it anymore."

"You're really wavering like that..."

"It's nothing serious; I only switch up my plans with folks I can't stand."

If it bothers him, he could try to snap at her—assuming he manages to get close enough.

Having Hu Xiangyong always watching her every move proved far from ideal.

Chiang Xiao believed it was time to stir up some difficulties for him.

With that idea in mind, she dialed Jiang Yingqiong right away.

"Aunt, suppose I suspect a guy's origins are murky and shady, and he's a merchant who's suddenly shown up to pour money into investments and set up stores—what steps should I take?"

Jiang Yingqiong was caught off guard, as Chiang Xiao had never approached her with such straightforwardness until now.

It felt almost like a bold accusation being laid out.

"What exactly strikes you as off about him?"

"I'm not sure myself, but couldn't we get somebody to look into his background?"

"That's doable enough; since he's aiming to fund ventures and launch businesses with shops, plenty of agencies keep tabs on those matters—want me to drop a hint to a few?"

"Yes, please—thanks so much, Aunt!"

Chiang Xiao offered her thanks without delay.

She was essentially testing the waters of leveraging influence to push back against someone.

In any case, Hu Xiangyong clearly carried some shady baggage.

Even ignoring the rest, his supposed plot to eliminate Meng Xinian back in Country Y alone warranted him facing some heat, leaving Chiang Xiao utterly untroubled about stirring up complications for him.

Moreover, with his operations barely off the ground, a character like him surely skipped over full compliance with rules and protocols—Chiang Xiao refused to buy otherwise.

Under scrutiny and a thorough probe, flaws were bound to surface.

Any flaws at all would suffice.

Hassling him to the point of driving him away would mark the perfect result.

Having thrown a wrench into his plans, Chiang Xiao experienced a wave of satisfaction.

However, a memory soon flashed back to her, prompting an instinctive smack to her forehead.

She'd intended to head to the hospital alongside Meng Xinian the previous evening to see how Meng Chaojun was faring, but that fell through when Meng Xinian didn't show. Later, as they dove into talk of the Talisman Diagram, the whole thing with Meng Chaojun slipped their minds entirely.

His care strategy ought to have been finalized by this point.

Plus, Chiang Xiao wanted to gauge his response after two days on the potion, so she hastily freshened up and hurried over to the medical center.

Old Meng had spent a couple of afternoons by the hospital bedside too.

Eventually, he summoned Meng Sheng to handle Meng Chaojun's needs.

Old Meng had considered reaching out to Chiang Xiao at first, yet he held back out of fear it might irk her, choosing silence over the last couple of days.

This afternoon, once his rest was done, he arranged for a ride to the facility, only to get halted right at the gateway before stepping inside.

"Old Meng, ages have passed—do you still recall who I am?"

That steady tone rang a distant bell for Old Meng.

He lifted his gaze and caught sight of the man wearing a subtle, smirking look.

A man in his middle years.

Old Meng sensed it was a middle-aged fellow, probably thanks to his sharp instincts.

Since faces weren't his focus, he zeroed in on the eyes instead.

Those eyes in this man lacked the vibrant spark common in the young.