Chapter 11: Determined to Tear It All Apart

Zhang Qiyang felt his head throb with fury because of Wang Dazhong, a burning rage threatening to explode in his chest. Clearly, the original host of this body harbored a deep-seated hatred for Wang Dazhong; even with his soul gone, the cells of resentment lingering in his body remained potent.

This surge of anger made Zhang Qiyang want nothing more than to lash out at Wang Dazhong right then and there, to ignite yet another storm of insults and curses. But on second thought, he realized he stood at the very center of public scrutiny, condemned by the masses. If he were to start hurling abuse at Wang Dazhong, wouldn't that just hand Wang Dazhong the moral high ground, rallying public opinion to his side and drawing more people into the fray against him?

Experience with past failures had shown that the original host always fell for Wang Dazhong's provocations, getting heated and trading insults, only to be bested every time. In the end, he was left with a reputation for stupidity, mocked by the public.

He would not repeat the same mistake. He would not let Wang Dazhong have his way.

But watching Wang Dazhong stir up trouble, Zhang Qiyang could not swallow his anger—it nearly drove him mad! If it were anyone else, he might have let it go, but Wang Dazhong clearly had ulterior motives. Zhang Qiyang was determined not to let this matter rest.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Zhang Qiyang decided to strike back. But he would not fall into Wang Dazhong's trap as before, dancing to his tune. No—he would turn the tables, provoking Wang Dazhong until he lost his composure, making him suffer the same humiliation the original host had endured.

But how to infuriate Wang Dazhong? Unlike Wang Dazhong, who seemed to know the original host inside out, the original host had never truly understood this cunning adversary.

Though both families had built their fortunes in commercial real estate, there had never been much interaction between the Wangs and the Zhangs. Their respective backers and business circles rarely intersected. Whether in terms of hidden power struggles or market competition, the two families had always been rivals, as could be seen from their real estate layouts across the country.

In fact, it was the Wang family patriarch, Mr. Wang Wantong, who first popularized the concept of commercial real estate in China. Nearly every major city boasted the landmark Wantong Plaza.

Zhang Zhenhua’s Oriental Group initially grew by following the model set by Wantong Plaza. Backed by formidable resources, Oriental Group quickly surpassed Wantong, establishing even grander and more luxurious Oriental Plazas in every city where Wantong had a presence.

This alone was enough to make Wantong Group harbor lasting resentment toward Oriental Group. Later, as Wantong diversified into retail, film and cultural investments, and internet finance, Oriental Group copied their every move—and did it better, widening the gap between the two even further. This only deepened the Wang family's hatred for the Zhangs.

At present, aside from dominating the country’s top cinema chains and maintaining a slight edge in film investment, Wantong Group had been surpassed by Oriental Group in every other commercial field. In the 2014 Forbes Global Billionaires List, Zhang Zhenhua, with assets totaling $24.2 billion, overtook Wang Wantong for the first time, becoming the richest man in mainland China.

In the following three years, Zhang Zhenhua cemented his lead atop the Asian rich list, his advantage over Wang Wantong growing ever larger. In last year’s 2016 Forbes ranking, Zhang Zhenhua’s assets had reached $40.3 billion, placing him seventh in the world. Wang Wantong, with $25.2 billion, ranked twenty-fifth globally and only fourth within China.

Of course, Forbes only counts visible wealth; among the truly elite and hidden magnates, the rankings meant almost nothing. In those rarefied circles, neither Zhang Zhenhua nor Wang Wantong would make the top twenty. Nevertheless, the official rankings still reflected the widening gap between Oriental and Wantong, with the Zhang family reaching new heights, their resources and influence far outstripping the Wangs—much to the latter’s dismay.

It was only when the Zhang family produced a “prodigal son” like Zhang Qiyang that the Wangs saw a glimmer of hope for revenge. After all, Zhang Qiyang was Zhang Zhenhua’s only son and the most likely heir to Oriental Group. He symbolized the future and face of the family.

In high society, much weight is given to the next generation of these powerful families; they represent not only the family’s cultivation but its legacy. “The crooked beam above makes the lower beam askew”—this ancient adage still holds true. If the younger generation disgraces itself, it can cast a shadow over the entire family’s future.

Take Wang Dazhong as an example. Because of his problematic personality—his grandstanding and arrogance—he was already shunned by high society. He had long since lost the dignity of a scion and turned himself into nothing more than a convenient tool, though the public mistook his recklessness for charm. Among the elite, Wang Dazhong was no longer taken seriously.

Wantong Group's lackluster performance in recent years could be attributed to many factors, but Wang Dazhong’s lack of ambition was certainly a subtle yet critical one.

Now, with Zhang Qiyang joining Wang Dazhong in notoriety—and even surpassing him—he had become something of a savior for Wang Dazhong, helping to restore his reputation and, inadvertently, giving Wantong an edge in its rivalry with Oriental Group.

Wang Dazhong now had his sights set on Zhang Qiyang, determined to sink his teeth in and drag the new richest man’s son down in a tidal wave of public scorn, thereby striking a blow against Oriental Group at a deeper level.

The original host understood Wang Dazhong’s ulterior motives. Even if he hadn’t, his sister had warned him many times not to get entangled with Wang Dazhong, lest he fall into the Wang family’s trap.

But he simply couldn’t let it go; he insisted on butting heads with Wang Dazhong. In the end, he only wounded himself in the process.

Now, with Zhang Qiyang’s soul in control, he was ready to go head-to-head with Wang Dazhong again—but this time, he wouldn’t fall for the old tricks. He would set a trap for Wang Dazhong and wait for that scoundrel to walk right in.

In truth, Zhang Qiyang didn’t know much about Wang Dazhong, who was four years his senior. Their social circles overlapped here and there, but never at the core. Just as the Zhang and Wang families’ business circles barely intersected, Zhang Qiyang and Wang Dazhong belonged to entirely separate worlds.

Still, Zhang Qiyang was vaguely aware of some of Wang Dazhong’s scandals—and he knew what Wang Dazhong was most sensitive about. The original host had known, too, but lacked the resolve to exploit those wounds, perhaps for fear that Wang Dazhong would retaliate by dredging up painful memories involving his own mother, something he couldn't bear.

But the current Zhang Qiyang had shed all remnants of the pampered young master’s pride. If they were going to rip each other apart, then so be it—let’s see who comes out more battered in the end.

A cold, ruthless smile curved at his lips as Zhang Qiyang reposted Wang Dazhong’s popular insult, the one calling him an imbecile, and added his own cutting comment—