Jiang Cheng followed Zhao Linger's gaze.
A figure slipped out rather flustered from behind the iron gate.
Out of instinct and courtesy, Jiang Cheng stepped forward first and greeted the man.
Compared with Jiang Cheng's calm, Zhao Xin gave a dry cough and nodded to mask his embarrassment.
Jiang Cheng saw at a glance that the man before him was Zhao Linger's father.
Their features bore a clear resemblance.
Zhao Linger helplessly introduced the two of them.
"Uncle, hello." Jiang Cheng smiled and extended his right hand, impeccably polite.
Zhao Xin quickly clasped Jiang Cheng's hand, his face kindly. "Come in for some tea?"
Jiang Cheng shook his head gently. "I won't disturb you today; I came without notice. When I'm better prepared, I'll pay a formal visit."
After seeing Jiang Cheng off, Zhao Xin could hardly wait to question Zhao Linger.
"What on earth is going on? Your grandma says you've got a boyfriend—and that his family runs a construction company?"
Hearing this, Zhao Linger came back to her senses. "Dad, why were you hiding in the corner spying just now?"
This was the first time he had ever seen his usually carefree daughter look so shy.
Collecting himself, Zhao Xin continued with mixed feelings, "Answer me first— is he really your boyfriend?"
Faced with such a direct question, Zhao Linger waved her hands hastily. "No, didn't I just introduce him? He's our company's boss."
"So you're dating your boss?"
Zhao Linger was exasperated by her father's odd leap in logic.
She stamped her foot. "Dad, what kind of brain circuit is that? I said he's our company's boss."
"And you were holding hands with your boss?"
"Dad, it was all to fool Grandma, it's not real."
Zhao Linger gave a brief account of what had happened at the nursing home at noon.
After hearing it, Zhao Xin felt a pang of loss.
As a father he naturally hated to see his treasured daughter taken away by another man too soon.
In his heart she would always be the Little Girl who needed his care, love and protection.
Yet as he grew older he began to worry: if one day he wasn't around, who would look after her?
Deep down he actually hoped she would soon find a partner she could rely on for life.
Thinking of this, Zhao Xin lifted his head, eyed her doubtfully and asked again, "Really? Even after your grandma came in you two kept holding hands for so long?"
"That was because Zhang Yue was here."
At the mention of Zhang Yue, Zhao Xin's face darkened.
"Honestly, I was quite satisfied with Zhang Yue at first. Though I knew his intentions, you're our only daughter and I can't bear to let you marry far away, so I thought this sort of phoenix-man would do if necessary.
Zhao Xin sighed. "As long as you stay home and give us a grandchild, he can have a Shanghai hukou; we could even leave this house to you two."
Zhao Linger, who had been listening quietly, finally interrupted. "Don't worry, Dad, I don't like Zhang Yue."
Zhao Xin nodded gently in approval.
"Best if you don't. Don't think I'm looking down on outsiders, but I have only one requirement: he must treat you well. Look how stingy he is—these shabby things aren't even as good as the welfare gifts from my work unit."
At that, Zhao Linger suddenly recalled what Jiang Cheng had said earlier and couldn't help bursting into laughter. "You're right—our company gift boxes are better than his."
"Come inside, it's cold outside. As I said, you're our only child and you must stay home. Date however you like; we won't interfere. Just don't marry far away. Marriage doesn't matter, as long as you bring us a grandchild."
Seeing Zhao Xin repeat this, Zhao Linger smiled wryly. "Dad, your thinking is pretty avant-garde. Other parents worry their kids fool around outside—you actually encourage me to."
Zhao Xin waved it off and explained earnestly.
"The data our department released this year shows how high Shanghai's divorce rate is. Times have changed. Besides, our family can support you, and you can support yourself. Why suffer in someone else's house? Isn't it better for the family to stay together?"
He had barely finished when a crisp ringtone sounded.
He quickly pulled out his phone and glanced at the caller ID.
Recognizing who it was, he answered and put the phone to his ear.
"Hello, Section Chief," Zhao Xin said, puzzled.
"Zhao Xin, you need to come in for overtime," the section chief said urgently.
"Now?" Zhao Xin raised his voice, incredulous. "I just started my leave—what's so urgent?"
"Yes, it's serious. We've received a confidential notice about urgent matters involving Maiwei Company. Everyone must attend a meeting to discuss our response."
At the name "Maiwei Company" Zhao Xin frowned.
"Maiwei Company? All right, Chief, I'll be right there."
After hanging up, Zhao Linger asked at once, "What about Maiwei Company?"
Zhao Xin shook his head and walked toward the shoe cabinet.
"Looks like a surprise tax audit. I have to go."
Hearing this, Zhao Linger's calm expression changed. "Is it serious?"
"No idea. Why so many questions? Xingchen's taxes are clean."
"Forget it, nothing important. Go on…"
Unsatisfied, Zhao Xin glared. "What can't you tell me? Do you think I'd blab?"
Seeing his glare, Zhao Linger sighed. "Chairman Jiang assigned us a task about Maiwei Company; Sister Xueer started on it yesterday."
The moment the words left his mouth, Zhao Xin nodded as though a light had just gone on, then said thoughtfully, "It's that business again?"
When Zhao Linger gave a small nod, Zhao Xin looked surprised. "Our chief said the notice came out of nowhere. Looks like Chairman Jiang's sources are lightning-fast—someone upstairs must have tipped him off first."
Zhao Linger nodded. "Exactly. Oh, and Dad, don't breathe a word of this."
"Why would I? He already handed you a two-million bonus—your old man can't make that in two years. I'm not stupid."
Zhao Linger smiled. "Forget the leave; I'll head to the office. Sister Xueer's probably making her move already."
"No rush. The meeting just started; even after our audit we're talking two or three days…"
"I can't wait. I'm coming with you…"
Seeing her resolve, her father sighed and nodded. "Fine, let's go. Looks like Maiwei Company really is in deep trouble."
Right after receiving Lin Qingxue's urgent warning, Jiang Cheng had the Security Team quietly investigate Maiwei Company.
Maiwei Investment wasn't big, but it was publicly listed.
One duty of a listed firm is to publish its financials.
Maiwei and the Daheng Group both used the same accounting house.
Because of that link, the Security Team sensed something off and stayed extra vigilant.
After a meticulous deep dive they inevitably uncovered traces of cooked books.
So, while the full audit rolled on, Starlight Capital could seize the moment and short Maiwei's stock for all it was worth.
With Chen Tie and the other shareholders weakened, whether the company could even keep operating after this wave was anyone's guess.
Chen Tie, in particular, might have propped the price up if his family hadn't collapsed; now he was already in Tyrande.
Meanwhile, as soon as Jiang Cheng settled into the car, Wang Sheng in the driver's seat swiftly turned around.
He reported gravely, "Young Master Jiang, the goods arrived on schedule and the unpacking's finished."
Jiang Cheng nodded. "No trace left?"
"Absolutely none, Young Master Jiang! We followed every instruction to the letter—careful enough to keep him alive for a while…" Wang Sheng paused, gauging Jiang Cheng's reaction.
Jiang Cheng nodded. "Don't let up on Lin Qingxue."
"Understood." Wang Sheng answered with deference.
With practiced calm he started the engine; it purred as the car rolled away from the curb.
Jiang Cheng stared at the passing scenery, pensive. "Keep eyes on Maiwei too. If Tax Bureau auditors show up today, we move online tonight."
Wang Sheng quickly agreed, promising to stick to the plan.
Jiang Cheng picked up his phone; the screen lit with a flurry of new messages.
Wang Zheng: "Money wired, bro! Ready for the show."
Next he opened Wang Congcong's wechat: "Transferred. The bank manager thinks he offended me."
After skimming messages from Qin Fen, Chen Hao and Qi Yuan, he checked Zheng Zhigang and He Youjun.
Zheng Zhigang: "Funds sent, check when free (fist-bump)."
He Youjun: "Bro, I had someone transfer it—have a look."
He forwarded everything to Chen Xueer for verification.
Within five minutes she sent back a detailed spreadsheet.
Wang Zheng: 700 million
Wang Congcong: 1 billion
Qin Fen: 1.1 billion
Chen Hao: 600 million
Qi Yuan: 500 million
Zheng Zhigang: 300 million
He Youjun: 1 billion
Wang Jian: 790,000
Wu Quan: 2 million
Zhao Cheng: 2 million
Sun Zhisheng: 2 million
Total: 6.20679 billion
The totals surprised him.
Qi Yuan and He Youjun in particular.
Qi Yuan always brought the smallest principal.
Before each play he scrambled for outside funds, then grabbed the free ride.
After two rounds his own capital should have been barely a hundred million.
This time he'd somehow cobbled together five hundred million.
Second-generation clout, indeed.
He Youjun was even wilder—out-gunning Qin Fen and Wang Congcong.
They'd already ridden the first two waves.
So their faith in Jiang Cheng was absolute.
Yet He Youjun, a first-timer, had wired a cool billion straight off.
The son of Casino City's richest man, no less.
They call Wang Congcong the richest heir in China—if he saw He Youjun's transfer he'd be green with envy.
Tsk-tsk-tsk! Jiang Cheng chuckled, then tapped into the small group chat: "Funds received."
With the money in, he told Chen Xueer to start executing.
Right then the Conglomerate's stock was drifting sideways.
Before anyone sensed trouble they slipped in quietly, waiting for the perfect trigger.
Once the cheating software exposé hit, panic would erupt.
Prices would crater and their short positions would rake in a fortune.
He sent confirmations to Wu Quan, Zhao Cheng, Sun Zhisheng and Wang Jian.
The moment Jiang Cheng's message landed, Qi Yuan posted in the small group.
Qi Yuan: "Riding Big Bro Cheng's charge."
Wang Zheng: "Go-go-go! Win—club models; lose—fish the sea!"
Chen Hao: "Exactly—full leverage, just do it!"
Qin Fen: "@Wang Zheng @Chen Hao, rich aunties at sea won't fancy you two."
Wang Congcong: "Exactly—looks like you're stuck hauling bricks."
He Youjun: "Haha, no fear—charge!"