After discussing matters with Liu Guan for a while, Su Jie did not go to Hedao Group’s office but returned to his uni dormitory.
“You should just move out. The company can arrange a separate villa for you,” Liu Guan said. “Or, I could place you in the neighborhood next to Wen Ting’s…that way you can monitor his every move conveniently.”
“No need for that. First, let’s confirm whether the DNA on the stone is his. Then I can plan my next move. Actually, the most urgent task right now is dealing with your sister. If she interferes, it’ll be very difficult for me…like trying to use a weapon while worrying about the vase nearby.” Su Jie was determined to get to the bottom of this. It was a great opportunity…he might even obtain information about his sister’s whereabouts from Wen Ting.
He was no longer just helping Liu Shi…he was helping himself.
And things were progressing better than he had expected.
Originally, he had only wanted to make contact with Liu Shi and pressure Haoyu Group, hoping to find a weakness he could exploit.
Now, the Feng family and Haoyu…along with the forces behind them…had proven even more formidable. They had infiltrated Hedao Group, nearly becoming Liu Shi’s son-in-law and positioning themselves as his successor.
This was an intricate scheme. Without Su Jie’s intervention, Wen Ting, through various means, would certainly have stood out and gained control of Hedao Group. In eight or ten years, the group might well have belonged to the Wen family.
But Su Jie was still pondering one thing: if Wen Ting had such a grand plan, why send someone to assassinate Liu Shi in Japan?
Liu Shi’s death would bring Wen Ting no benefit…in fact, it could lead to his being purged.
*Could it be that he has an even bigger scheme…that with Liu Shi dead, he could seize power quickly amidst the chaos? Or perhaps he had long sensed Liu Shi’s deep-seated distrust and decided to strike first. Alternatively, there might be rivals within that organization who don’t want Wen Ting’s power to grow, so they’re trying to sabotage his plan…if Liu Shi dies, Wen Ting’s scheme would completely fail and he’d never control Hedao Group.* Su Jie’s mind churned with possibilities.
*No, that’s not right either,* he then reconsidered. *If it were that mysterious organization, they’d have many ways to sabotage Wen Ting’s plan…why risk assassinating Liu Shi? This is truly a tangled web. I’ll have to piece the clues together slowly before things become clear. Regardless, Wen Ting should be a high-ranking member of that organization. If I can get hold of him, I’m sure I can find out where my sister is.*
Looking back over the past few months, Su Jie felt reasonably satisfied with how things had developed.
Though he hadn’t gained any advantage with the Zhang family, nor helped Zhang Manman secure control of the family, he had connected with Larich and, upon returning, had also connected with Liu Shi…and now had caught a big fish like Wen Ting. It was all worth it.
*That mysterious organization sent Wen Ting into Hedao Group. By the same logic, they should also have a presence in Mingxia Group, which is on the same level. Otherwise, it wouldn’t fit the organization’s style. I don’t know Mingxia’s internal situation very well…I should ask Zhang Jinchuan.* Su Jie thought of another matter.
Zhang Jinchuan was highly valued in Mingxia Group, and he was good at networking, knowing many of Mingxia’s internal secrets. He was far more skilled than Su Jie in business matters.
When faced with a problem, Su Jie felt it was best to consult him first.
Back at uni, Su Jie first called Zhang Jinchuan and arranged to meet in person.
Zhang Jinchuan’s company was in B City, but he himself was not always there…he traveled frequently for business, all over the world. He was also a university student, studying at B University, which was as prestigious as Q University.
The two were not far apart…just a few blocks away.
But Zhang Jinchuan didn’t live on campus. He lived far more comfortably than Su Jie, often skipping classes without any issues.
Since starting university, Su Jie hadn’t taken many leaves of absence. Zhang Jinchuan, on the other hand, was practically always on leave managing his business. Yet he was still a campus celebrity…he had recently donated ten million US dollars to the university as an artificial intelligence fund.
In comparison, Su Jie was far less prominent. At university, he had no real reputation…a far cry from his high uni days.
In high uni, after snatching the top spot from Qian Zheng, he had become the center of attention, sparking endless discussion. But at Q University, where talent abounded, he didn’t actively participate in activities and naturally faded into obscurity.
This suited him perfectly.
He didn’t want fame. He wanted to quietly earn money, conduct research, and focus on his own affairs. Being too famous…attending events and seeking the spotlight…would only waste time.
Now, every second of his time was precious.
Back at uni, Su Jie continued attending classes, studying, training, and doing research while training his three roommates.
Three days later, Zhang Jinchuan returned from his travels and met Su Jie at a café outside Q University.
“You’re something else…you’ve become Liu Shi’s personal bodyguard, responsible for his security. Xia Shang already knows that Liu Shi was attacked and that you saved him. He’s taking you very seriously now,” Zhang Jinchuan said. “He regrets not trying harder to win you over.”
“He doesn’t value martial arts matters or security issues,” Su Jie waved his hand. “But we can still cooperate in the future. For tycoons like him, security will become increasingly important. You’ve also invested in Manman’s security company. If we do it well, we can provide security services for wealthy clients in the country.”
“That’s what I’m thinking too,” Zhang Jinchuan said. “It’s not just about making money…it’s about building connections. Look at you: as soon as you became Larich’s bodyguard, your prestige skyrocketed. Even Liu Shi has to take you seriously. Otherwise, he’d just see you as a talented young martial artist.”
“That’s how it works…people leverage each other’s influence,” Su Jie nodded. “Martial arts alone isn’t enough. Knowing how to leverage influence is the key. But let’s set that aside. There’s a man named Wen Ting at Hedao Group. I’ve sent you his details. I want your opinion, and also, I suspect there might be similar people at Mingxia. I’d like you to look into it.”
“This does need careful investigation. I haven’t noticed any particularly formidable figures at Mingxia, nor anyone getting close to Xia Shang’s daughter,” Zhang Jinchuan considered. “Tell you what…I’ll send you the profiles of all of Mingxia’s high-potential executives. You can look through them too.”
“I suddenly realize you’re quite close to Xia Yi,” Su Jie said, half-jokingly.
“You’re not suspecting me, are you?” Zhang Jinchuan was taken aback. “Now that you mention it, I am somewhat similar to Wen Ting…I’ve gained Xia Shang’s favor at Mingxia, and I have a decent relationship with Xia Yi. If you think about it, I’m highly suspicious.”
“Just joking.” Su Jie knew that Zhang Jinchuan had some secrets, but looking at his character and spirit, he didn’t seem like a threat…and he was on Su Jie’s side. “That said, you’ve kept things well hidden. Liu Shi told me he’s close friends with your father.”
“They do have a friendship, but friendship is friendship and business is business. I chose not to cooperate with Liu Shi…it actually elevates my standing in his eyes,” Zhang Jinchuan said. “Besides, my father once read Liu Shi’s fate. He said Liu Shi would have great fortune in his youth and middle age…almost invincible, unable to find a worthy opponent. But in his later years, he’d face a major calamity…extremely tragic, a bleak end. Even those around him would be affected, and he might face imprisonment.”
“Is that so?” Su Jie had studied physiognomy and fate deeply, but he never believed in fate and didn’t like reading others’ fortunes. “I see Liu Shi’s features as unusual and distinctive…each one would be a flaw for an ordinary person, dooming them to mediocrity, but combined they create an exceptional appearance…extremes meet. But his personality is suspicious, calculating, and scheming. This was excellent when the company was growing, but now that Hedao Group is this large, using the same approach might be problematic. At this stage, he should be more magnanimous…like a sage emperor ruling without interference.” Su Jie said, “In fact, if he could let go, focus on cultivation, nourish his spirit, and reach the Living Dead realm, all his calamities could be resolved.”
“That would be ideal, but I’m afraid he can’t let go,” Zhang Jinchuan said. “Actually, my father said Liu Shi’s experience of business ups and downs is the very foundation for his cultivation. If he took up cultivation, he should progress quickly.”
“That’s the choice he faces,” Su Jie said. “Like you, for instance. Your cultivation seems to have improved a bit.”
“I’ve been exploring how to find a cultivation path within the complexities of business. We’re still young…giving everything up for cultivation might not be wise. Without resources and without experiencing the world, it’s like having no fertile soil…you can’t bear fruit,” Zhang Jinchuan said.
“I hope you can reach the Living Dead realm soon. Otherwise, dealing with Wen Ting and Feng Hengyi simultaneously will be a struggle,” Su Jie said.
“As if I don’t want to. Enlightenment can only come in a sudden flash,” Zhang Jinchuan said helplessly. “But having such a formidable figure lurking in Hedao Group is also an opportunity for us…we can gain a lot from it.”
As they were talking, Su Jie’s phone buzzed with a new message.
“Confirmed. The DNA on the stone matches Wen Ting’s.” It was from Liu Guan.
“Caught the fox’s tail. This is pretty much confirmed.” Su Jie’s suspicions were now verified.
Of course, this stone couldn’t be used as evidence, nor could Su Jie’s listening devices. Its only use was to confirm that Wen Ting was the person in the recording talking to Feng Hengyi.
With this, they could follow the lead without wasting time on dead ends.