Chapter 374 Huo Zhizhou's Psychological Defenses

Chapter 374 Huo Zhizhou's Psychological Defenses

The three met at a restaurant. When Si Ning noticed that Jiang Ruan's expression had been a bit off since they met, she took the initiative to ask, "Why did you call us out in such a hurry? Is something wrong?"

"Huo Sinian came to see me and told me some things," Jiang Ruan said without stating it directly.

Both Gu Shixi and Si Ning had deep feelings for the deceased Shan Mu'an.

She worried that they would find it hard to accept without laying the groundwork.

“You don’t have to listen to what he says.” Gu Shixi sat facing the two of them, unaware that the matter they were about to discuss was rather heavy. “He’s been trying to seize power all this time. You can disbelieve whatever he tells you.”

Jiang Ruan moved her lips, hesitating about how to speak.

Si Ning noticed her difficulty and struggle: "What does it have to do with?"

"Shan Mu'an," Jiang Ruan said the name.

Si Ning was taken aback.

Gu Shixi paused.

“He said that the reason Shan Mu’an jumped off the building without hesitation was not because of excessive pressure, but because Huo Cheng had a conversation with him.” Jiang Ruan waited for them to process this before saying this, “The content of the conversation was related to Huo Zhizhou.”

"Anything else?" Si Ning asked calmly.

Jiang Ruan: "What happened back then was most likely orchestrated by Huo Cheng."

If it weren't for the design, Huo Sinian would never have mentioned it given his personality.

The fact that he brought it up and said he would give her an answer only shows that there was something else going on back then.

Si Ning's usually carefree and easygoing face was devoid of any emotional fluctuations, and his clear black and white eyes were so calm that no ripples could be seen.

Gu Shixi subconsciously called out to her, "Si Ning..."

"I'm fine," Si Ning said, but her behavior and words were clearly abnormal. "This was probably something we had already guessed before, but we just didn't have any concrete evidence."

Gu Shixi did not respond.

After Huo Er buried Mu Ge, he conducted a thorough investigation into the matter.

But no matter how hard they investigated, they couldn't find any clues. Si Ning even went through all the surveillance footage in the surrounding area, but still made no progress.

"What were Huo Sinian's exact words?" Si Ning asked.

Jiang Ruan recounted their conversation word for word.

I don't want my miscommunication to affect their judgment.

“I’ll go talk to Huo Sinian.” Si Ning made a quick decision. “I’ll talk to Huo Zhizhou after I’m sure he has concrete evidence that Huo Cheng did these things.”

“Huo Sinian probably won’t tell you.” Gu Shixi made a guess based on Jiang Ruan’s words. “If he were willing to tell, he wouldn’t have used this to make a deal with Jiang Ruan.”

Listening to their conversation, Jiang Ruan had already guessed whether the matter was true.

But she still wanted to ask: "How much of what Huo Sinian said do you believe?"

Gu Shixi: "Nine points."

Si Ning: "Nine points."

The two spoke in unison.

“We thought it was strange that Brother Mu jumped off the building.” Gu Shixi explained slowly. “From childhood to adulthood, he was a very optimistic person who could take everything in stride. Even though his family went bankrupt and his parents passed away, which had a great impact on him, he was able to pick himself up again after a short period of depression.”

"But he wasn't there that time."

They didn't even leave us a word.

Even if he didn't leave anything for him and Huo Er, he should at least leave something for Si Ning, but he left without saying goodbye.

"I'll find out about this from Huo Sinian." Gu Shixi had a plan in mind, considering it the last thing he would do for Brother Mu. "I'll figure out a solution after confirming its authenticity."

Si Ning looked at him: "Didn't you say that Huo Sinian wouldn't talk?"

Gu Shixi said casually, "I'll find a way to get him to talk."

“I’ll go talk to him,” Jiang Ruan suddenly said.

Si Ning and Gu Shixi both looked at her, and the latter asked, "Are you planning to give him custody of Sui Sui and his property?"

"No." Jiang Ruan refused decisively. Whether it was property or custody of Sui Sui, it was a matter between her and Huo Zhizhou, and no one else had the right to interfere. "I'll think of other ways to exchange information with him."

Si Ning and Gu Shixi frowned.

I think the chances of her succeeding by doing this are very low.

“I only asked him how he knew these things.” Jiang Ruan had figured it out in a short time. “After he finishes speaking, I will tell Huo Zhizhou about it and let him investigate.”

"I can't say!" Gu Shixi blurted out.

Si Ning didn't speak.

But her expression showed support for Gu Shixi.

“He’ll find out sooner or later.” Jiang Ruan was particularly rational. “The difference is whether we tell him or Huo Sinian and Huo Cheng tell him.”

They told him he had some time to process things, but what Huo Sinian and Huo Cheng told him was far too easy to break down his mental defenses.

The line of defense that he made has not been breached to this day; he still cares deeply about the promises he made.

A promise is a promise.

Even hers was something he changed later with heartfelt care.

“If he knew that Mu Ge’s death was because of him, he would never forgive himself in this lifetime.” Gu Shixi had watched Huo Zhizhou get to where he was now and knew all too well how heavy the burden he carried was. “He might even trap himself in another world again.”

“Then let him be sleepy,” Jiang Ruan said.

Si Ning looked at her.

After a while.

She understood what Jiang Ruan meant, and her feelings became increasingly complicated: "I'll listen to Jiang Ruan."

Gu Shixi frowned deeply: "But..."

“Huo Cheng and Huo Sinian haven’t said anything for so many years, they must be holding back something big.” Si Ning analyzed rationally, not letting herself get caught up in it. “You don’t want Huo Cheng to use this to threaten him when he faces other choices.”

Gu Shixi paused.

Given Huo Sinian and Huo Cheng's personalities, they are indeed capable of doing such a thing.

"Huo Sinian must have only found out recently," he suddenly thought.

"How so?" Jiang Ruan asked.

“If he had known from the beginning, he would have used this as leverage at the previous shareholders’ meetings to force Huo Er to hand over the position of head of the Huo Group,” Gu Shixi said. “Huo Er would not have refused.”

Jiang Ruan felt that this was very likely.

The period before that was the best time for Huo Sinian to seize power, but he did nothing.

“There’s no need to talk to Huo Sinian anymore,” Si Ning suddenly decided. “Tell Huo Zhizhou directly.”

"Let's talk to him. It won't take too much time." From a certain perspective, Jiang Ruan hoped that this matter was false. Huo Zhizhou seemed capable and shrewd, but he was also quite vulnerable in some matters.

Whether it was because he was Sui Sui's father or because he had saved her before, she wanted to find out the truth before telling him.

What if it's fake?

What if Huo Sinian deliberately created this to sow discord?

She wanted to figure out what might happen.

Seeing her like this, neither Si Ning nor Gu Shixi said anything more.

After the three finished their meal, they agreed not to tell Huo Zhizhou about the matter until they had reached an agreement with Huo Sinian.

Coincidentally, they ran into Huo Sinian just as they were leaving the restaurant. Besides his secretary, who was always with him, Qin Luofeng was also by his side.