Chapter 6: The Catfish Plan (Part 2)

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  Today I came to Huizhou with the mysterious catfish plan work task, tomorrow I will meet with a few people, and tonight is free, so I specifically came out to find Haitao Shiwei to explore the situation. Shiwei told me all the situations he knew, and I immediately fell into deep thought.

  My current identity, my safe haven, and my workplace are currently unknown to anyone except Jin Zong and Xue Zong. I won't be foolish enough to tell Shi Wei and the others about this situation, nor can I afford to bring any potential danger to myself or them due to my own carelessness.

  He's always been a mastermind! He actually came up with such a clever plan, one arrow to kill two birds, one arrow to kill three birds, and even one arrow to kill many birds! Now the situation is even more dire, I didn't expect that this conspirator, Chang Cheng, would have me by the throat! I'm now surrounded on all sides, it seems like I have no way to escape, no place to hide.

  There is absolutely no defense in the world that doesn't have a weakness!

  My defense has many loopholes. Firstly, although I don't have recent photos in the hands of the police, they can simulate my image on wanted notices; Secondly, although I used minoxidil to grow a beard and wore a pair of brown glasses to change my appearance, it's hard to guarantee that I won't run into acquaintances or informants in the future; Thirdly, I may be investigated by people with ulterior motives because I'm too eye-catching in the group, and they might discover that Jingdezhen's Ao Cheng is not me but someone else, so I'll be in a precarious situation in Chang'an!

  I was so careful and cautious in my escape, yet I still left behind so many loopholes.

  But there is absolutely no perfect plan in the world, and there is no unstoppable attack that cannot be destroyed. Is it possible that Chang Cheng and Zheng Xue have no fatal flaws at all?

  Here is the translation:

  There are still many doubts, however. Firstly, why didn't Liu Guanghua explain the situation to the police at the time? What was his relationship with Liao Ye? Secondly, why did Wenli and Zheng Xue appear on that deserted road I had to take, and how did Liao Ye know so much about it, even arranging for Liu Guanghua to provoke me? Thirdly, why did Chang Cheng want to make Zheng Xue a scapegoat, yet their relationship has become even closer now? Fourthly, the recording of Chang Cheng and Zheng Xue's conversation must have been secretly recorded by Chang Cheng - wasn't he afraid I would tell Zheng Xue about it? Fifthly, why did Qiu Ya leave the mainland for Canada, which is thousands of miles away? Given Qiu Ya's personality, Chang Cheng could only control her if he had something that could put me in danger, and she would only obey him then. So, this thing was likely my clear image. Sixthly, since Chang Cheng has my clear image, why didn't he use it? Was it just to control Qiu Ya?

  No! I'm sure that Cheng is actually afraid of this matter being exposed! Because in this game, he's the one who started it all, but he can't play along with it either. He doesn't dare to offend Zheng Xue's official background! Moreover, there are three people who pose a threat to him: Wen Li, Liu Guanghua, and Liao Ye!

  The first to harm me were the people hired by Chang Cheng and Zheng Xue. As long as I can find and control the culprits who harmed me, including Pro Brother's gang, I will strangle them too! I believe fellow villager Liu Guanghua should know some inside information. If I can control him, I can pose a threat to Liao Ye. Liao Ye is a selfish person, if I have the ability, I can use intimidation and money to control him. Once I control him, I will have leverage over Chang Cheng and can drive a wedge between Chang Cheng and Zheng Xue!

  I must completely transform from a gentle fish that only knows how to hide and escape into a clever wild wolf! I can only break through one by one, which is the best choice!

  Think carefully, although I'm in a difficult situation now, I've already got a legitimate identity on the surface and hold an important position in a super-large enterprise. I've been recognized by wise people and may be given great protection as long as I don't disappoint them. I'm confident that I can accumulate power! You know, I already have a lot of power in my hands now! Each of my secret reports is enough to affect the future of lower-level personnel in the group!

  After careful and calm thinking, analysis and evaluation, I have actually transformed from a purely strategic retreat to a strategic defense. As long as I build a sufficiently tight strategic defense system, I can have time to rest and nurture myself, build high walls, dig deep tunnels, and accumulate grain! Although the enemy and I have not yet reached a strategic balance, at least I can make them look around in vain, unable to find their target, and even if they have the strength, they will have nowhere to use it.

  My concealment, my low-key is the only prerequisite for my self-rescue. I have a force to rely on, Shi Wei and others revealed some information from the opponent to me. And can borrow the power of Jin Zong and Xue Zong, let them help me eliminate some dangers from within the group.

  I must rely on myself to truly achieve strategic offense and take advantage of human weaknesses for my own gain. I will do my best to help Jin Zong and others perfect and implement the Carp Plan, allowing Qian Lao's Li Heng Group to be safe and sound in the long run, which is my current priority. This way, I can truly become their trusted general.

  "Forethought is easy, but no forethought is miserable!" "A victorious general is one who wins before he enters the fray. Many calculations bring victory."

  I must formulate an absolutely perfect strategic action!

  First and foremost, I must truly ensure that I will never again be taken advantage of by others!

  Sun Tzu said: "Those who cannot be defeated are those who defend." Since I am now unable to defeat them, then I will focus on defense and protect myself.

  Sun Tzu also said: "A good defender hides in the depths of the earth." I must hide myself deep underground, making it impossible for my opponent to discover any trace of me.

  Sun Tzu also said: "In the past, those who were skilled in warfare made themselves invincible and waited for the enemy to become vulnerable. Invincibility lies in oneself, vulnerability in the enemy. Therefore, those skilled in warfare can make themselves invincible, but they cannot cause the enemy to be vulnerable." I won't let them discover me again, nor will I let them grasp my handle! My top priority is to make it impossible for them to threaten me again!

  Think of the headquarters location - Chang'an, long-lasting peace and security, what a good place name! No wonder Qian Lao wanted to set up the headquarters here, it turns out there's this deep meaning! Right, I'll use this place name as the title, and formulate my strategic action plan!

  I have too many things to do now, I must do things without any distractions, I can't afford to worry about some things that shouldn't be worried about, I will go all out!

  Come on, all of you opponents!

  He who does not infringe upon me, I will not infringe upon him. He who infringes upon me, I will certainly infringe upon him! If you want to fight, then let's fight!

  The brothers have been entrusted with various matters. Longbiao's mind is made up.

  Long Bao first arranged for three girls to go out. Shi Weihai didn't care how much they disagreed, and he carried it out flawlessly.

  Then, the two of them clearly heard the magnetic voice full of vigor and momentum, full of warrior's power, and full of masculine charm coming from the loudspeaker: "Haitao, Shiwei, my current job is stable and not tiring, the company boss also appreciates me, my life is going well, and I'm in good health. I already have a very clear plan and strategy, if you want to truly help me, then you must cooperate with me strongly."

  "First of all, it's better for the two of you to not get so close or intimate from now on. You must pretend to be indifferent to my affairs and ignore each other. This way, you can avoid drawing attention from others and prevent them from taking actions that might harm you. The other party will definitely suspect that you have contact with me. By doing this, you are protecting yourselves, everyone else, and me."

  "I just bought two QQ numbers from a net cafe owner, and I also newly registered two email addresses. It's best if you use different new mailboxes and QQ to scramble the character sequence. You can send me messages when it's safe, but we'd better not contact each other through chat anymore. We can just contact each other once or twice a month. If convenient, you can also set up a new mobile phone number, every Saturday night from 10pm to 12am, you'll switch to the new card and turn on the machine, I may not necessarily contact you. Don't blame Qiu Qinwen and others, everyone has their own aspirations, can't be forced."

  "I know I've caused you a lot of inconvenience, but there's no other way. Living in exile abroad isn't a solution, and I need to find a way out for myself. In the current situation, if I want to have a way out, I can only act according to my own plan. The specific details will be told to you later, but it's not suitable now, and I haven't calculated precisely yet. For now, I'll just focus on defense. But don't worry, as long as we work together and the brothers help me, I'm sure there will be a day when the clouds clear up! Please keep this secret, the girls' mouths aren't tight, and they're timid, can't let them know, not even you two need to explain anything to them."

  "If Autumn Ya contacts you, don't reveal my plan. Just tell her that I called Haitao's home in September and asked them to pass on the message that I'm doing well, nothing else. Also, try to get Chen Cheng or Zheng Xue's email address, it will be useful, remember! Please!"

  The girls came in unhappy, especially Du Cui snatched the microphone and scolded Long Bao for being unkind.

  Long explained that it was just from a safety perspective, the fewer people who knew, the safer it would be.

  It's Jing'er and Longbiao's turn to talk now, everyone already knows about Jing'er's feelings towards Longbiao, and they're all waiting to see how Longbiao will speak to Jing'er.

  Jing'er's mind was preoccupied with waiting for Long Bao's gentle words of comfort and inquiry, her breathing a bit rapid, her emotions somewhat tense, as if she yearned to pour out all the infatuated thoughts of the past few months through the small loudspeaker and microphone.

  She tried her best to calm down her breathing and spoke in an extremely soft voice: "Long Bao, are you okay? I'm Jing Er."

  "Ah, it's you! Why are you always hanging out with Shi Weihai? Didn't I tell you before not to interfere in my personal affairs? You and I have nothing to do with each other. Why do you still want to get involved in this mess? You have your own life, I have my own destiny. What's the point of meddling in other people's business? Go find a relationship that suits you, don't waste your youthful thoughts on me, I'm not interested! Alright, call Shi Wei over!"

  Jing'er's lips trembled, her jade-like face turned deathly pale, two rows of tears silently slid down the corners of her eyes. Her heart seemed to be torn in two by some unseen force, one half remaining in Jiujiang, the other gone to Huizhou, yet within her chest was an aching emptiness.

  She slowly stood up, bowed her head and put the wheat on the table, leaving dejectedly, desperately suppressing the tears that were about to burst out.

  Shi Wei and Hai Tao immediately blamed Long Bao for being heartless, saying that he shouldn't have said that to Jing Er. But unexpectedly, Long Bao retorted with a calm tone: "We'd better not discuss such boring matters. I'm currently on the run, and who knows if I'll be alive tomorrow? Everyone should just focus on their own affairs."

  Qiu Ya was extremely angry, this guy not only called her every night at 10:30 to check if she was resting in the dormitory, but also claimed to come to Canada at the end of September under the pretext of caring about her, when in fact he just wanted to snoop on whether she had found a boyfriend abroad!

  Actually, Chang Cheng has been regretful for some time now. He regrets letting his anger get the better of him and sending Qiu Ya to Canada. He's worried that if he loses control over Qiu Ya, everything will be lost! Should he bring Qiu Ya back to Longhan or not? It's been a few months since they last met, and he really misses her! He also feels really worthless - why can't he muster up even the slightest interest in other women?

  There is no news of Long Bao now, it's as if he has disappeared from the world, like a small drop of water evaporating in the sunlight, without a trace.

  He must be hiding very well! This cowardly bastard! He's actually so scared that he doesn't dare to contact his brothers. It's gotten to the point where I've gone to great lengths to get their QQ numbers and email addresses, and even spent money hiring a hacker to crack them, but can't find any leads. Thinking about it now, I was too easy on Liao Ye. He said Longbiao would definitely contact Shi Wei and the others, and wouldn't make phone calls, only possibly through the internet. So I really did throw my money into the water, not even getting a bubble out of it! Now it's turned out that Liao Ye has decided that it was Shi Weihai and the others who newly registered QQ numbers and email addresses!

  Thinking about it, the police's efficiency is really not that high, but I really hope they never catch Longbiao.

  But I think Longbiao must have been in contact with Shiwei and the others, maybe just a few times, but definitely in a very clever way. However, as Liao Ye said, for now, we still need to reveal some information about the police and the Zheng family to them, otherwise, it would be a waste of effort! And it's really satisfying! Looking at Zheng Xue's current state, thinking about Longbiao's despicable behavior, it's exhilarating! I dare you to mess with me now!?

  He had tried his best to calm down and persuade Zheng Xue, telling him not to worry, that Long Bao would definitely not be able to escape the law's punishment. He really hadn't expected that Zheng Xue would actually want him dead! And he even said that as long as Long Bao fell into his hands, he would arrange for someone to take care of him in prison! This kid was truly vicious! But it was also good, this way he could be more relieved and wouldn't have to spend money or effort taking risks himself! It seemed that "borrowing a knife to kill someone" was indeed the most brilliant tactic among the Thirty-Six Stratagems.

  However, Liao Ye's words made more sense. To have the most effective means of preventing Long Bao from revealing the truth, even if the police had no evidence, but with Zheng's family personality, they would definitely be suspicious. That way, they would bring fire to their own doorstep. Although it wouldn't harm themselves, it would cause great damage to the Changshi Enterprise. Currently, the enterprise has decided to invest heavily in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and the Zheng family is also very satisfied with their intentions, all indicating that they will strongly support the expansion of the family's power.

  You must have something that can absolutely grip the dragon's mouth! Prevent him from biting back, and both sides will suffer!

  But what is it?

  It's already September, but the southern city still doesn't have a refreshing coolness, no rain, and the entire night sky is filled with a suffocating heat that makes people anxious. This is a strange artificial forest, a strange feeling, a strange world, and strange creatures.

  Long Wan strolled along the streets of Huizhou, gazing at the flashing neon lights, watching the flowing vehicles, and seeing the light shining through the steel and concrete. He saw people walking in various postures under the illumination of the lights.

  On both sides of the road, people sat in twos and threes on the grassy areas, passing time through the darkness. There were also a few small dogs jumping around noisily. Many men took off their tops, hung their T-shirts over their shoulders, wore large shorts, and walked around in slippers, openly showing off their attitude towards the hot weather. The women's attire was even more diverse - super short skirts, midriff-baring tops, simple yet elegant, and flamboyant. Under the city's night lights, it all seemed to create an indescribable scenery.

  Those who often come in pairs should be lovers, whispering to each other, or frolicking and playing, while others openly caress under the shade of trees. Such scenes always make me think of my own emotions, everything familiar is distant, all that is intimate is thousands of miles away from me, a region that can only be imagined through maps or data. What I care about, what I love, who loves me, who cares about me, and my unrecognizable blood relatives are all in that distant region where even thoughts cannot reach.

  Longbiao has started smoking, he thinks that cigarettes can ease the tight strings of his thoughts, and from between his lips, he can exhale a faint mist, that lightly rises and disappears, the blue vapor seems to be able to take away the unnoticed annoyance in his heart.

  He pulled out a "Xiang smoke" from his bag, this kind of cigarette is cheap, only two yuan per pack, and it's also the hometown cigarette, with a familiar Hunan flavor.

  Light up, take a deep breath in, exhale, and the feeling of home comes out.

  Long Bao's outfit is very simple, T-shirt, long pants, leather shoes, the only valuable thing on his body is the mobile phone at his waist.

  In front of them, two girls were pacing back and forth, dressed in what seemed to be fashionable attire, one with long hair and the other with short hair, looking around.

  Long Bao saw them blocking his way and was about to pass by their side.

  Who knows, the short-haired girl turned around and hooked her right arm with Long Biao's, tightly squeezing his arm with her plump **, intentionally loosening and tightening to emphasize softness, while saying in an extremely affected sexy tone: "Long Biao, want some company?"

  It's really like that! How can there still be roadside wild chickens now?

  According to common sense, nowadays prostitutes no longer openly solicit customers on the streets, but have entered various massage parlors, barber shops, sauna rooms or nightclubs. How dare they still publicly engage in prostitution? Aren't they afraid of running into undercover police?

  Long Bao did not despise prostitutes, on the contrary, he sympathized with their experiences and thought that these people were actually unfortunate women who had fallen into selling their bodies for unavoidable reasons.

  He calmly said: "Miss, sorry, you can ask someone else!" After that, he pulled his right hand out of the short-haired girl's hand and continued walking forward.

  The short-haired woman seemed to be used to this kind of situation, and followed up with the same move, wrapping herself tightly around Long Bao. "Come on! Handsome boy, you're so good-looking, I'll give you a free full-body massage today, including the Ice Fire Five Elements Heaven set. You won't regret it! Handsome boy, take a closer look at me, I'm really beautiful!"

  Long Wan only felt that the fragrance on this girl's body smelled very good, seemingly similar to the financial manager of the shoe company, should be a very expensive brand-name perfume! Turning his head to take a look at this girl, she looked very pleasing to the eye, but gave people a very **feeling.

  Long Bao's lips moved slightly, and he calmly said: "Miss, go find someone else! After speaking, he continued to walk forward."

  The short-haired girl saw Long Bao's indifferent expression and became anxious, hurriedly saying: "Good-looking boy, don't be so uncooperative! It's a very ordinary thing, why are you so unromantic? Or else, my friend and I can spend this happy night together with the three of us?"

  What a joke! You really think I'm one of those lechers! Long Bao's voice was somewhat chilly: "Miss, you'd better be more self-respecting! Although life may have its unfortunate reasons, you shouldn't look down on yourself so much. Life's misfortunes can't become the reason for your shameless existence."

  Long Bao didn't know if she understood or not, maybe he was just playing the cow's fiddle to himself, wasting his expression, but this girl had already made him despise her. Long Bao flicked his hand and turned to leave.

  Leave that short-haired girl behind and laugh strangely: "**Your mother! Dead loser! You're going to die! What are you pretending to be serious about?!"

  His mood was somewhat affected by the short-haired girl, how could such a beautiful girl have no self-respect at all! Long Biao quickened his pace, arrived at the hotel, walked into the room, washed his hands, tore open the instant noodles he had bought on the way, and cooked them with boiling water.

  It's already past the time to watch news, looking at my watch it's already 10 o'clock in the evening, I'll just eat some noodles and read a book instead! This novel "Soul Mountain" written by Nobel laureate Gao Xingjian is worth reading again!

  The air conditioning in the room is very uncomfortable, it's a bit stuffy and can't breathe. It's better to open the window and pull back the curtains, maybe it will feel a little better. Standing on the 9th floor windowsill looking at Huizhou's night view, although not as thrilling as standing on high and gazing far into the distance, but when looking at those streets full of vitality, there is a sense of being above and overlooking the world.

  However, such a scene lacks depth and undulating changes, it's just people walking, cars moving, lights flashing on and off. After watching for a long time, Long Bao felt that the houses, streets, trees, cars, and lights seemed to be nothing more than the city's face, the city's shell.

  What is the heart of this city? Where is the heart of this city? What does the heart of this city look like?

  Is the heart of this city performed, presented and written by the people living in it?

  Complex emotions were stirring up Long Bao's heart, which was also racing along with everyone else's. Rows and rows of philosophical sentences emerged in his mind, beyond his control, without him thinking, without logic, and even without time to carefully ponder.

  In this city, all the once lofty heads can only hang low on this land for a long time, leaving only the soul to cry and flow away in the darkness. Flowing away is actually just flowing away, forever so singularly complex, yet like an enigma.

  Noble objects, beautiful ugliness, elegant vulgarity, cheap shame, simple sweat, peculiar fragrance of money, intertwined with the meaning of survival, adorn this city's purity and splendor, morality takes its rightful place in people's conscience, clearly proving that this is a miracle born of sudden prosperity.

  The city's residents say this is scenery, and there are no edges. This edgeless scenery is a boundary that distinguishes the various ways people live. Who can mock others' way of living? Life, in people's eyes, is just a form of existence, existing with humble purposes and pitiful efforts to survive.

  Giving is always because of hope, but whether the definition of that hope can be simple, meaningful and noble is not what these people care about. Reality is like this, only caring about returns, only focusing on answers. These returns, these answers are chains, chips, where giving is located, determining fate, determining value, determining whether wandering people will continue to wander.

  People wandering in this city, like us. Always use a lingering gaze to appreciate every scenery, originally every lingering gaze, every marginal scenery has a certain color of dream.

  Life has no aid. No matter how you treat those who have passed away, your mood will change every day. Our different footsteps, beating to a different rhythm, are pounding against the shell of this city, and in that shell, you and I are always guessing and planning for tomorrow's life with different moods.

  Do you remember? Yesterday's days; Ignorant! Today's feelings; Disillusioned! Tomorrow's dreams.

  We are the ants of the city, the grasshoppers of the city, the mosquitoes of the city, the rats of the city, the cockroaches of the city. Maybe some people will become the birds of the city, the butterflies of the city, the cats and dogs of the city, the pesticides of the city, even the statues of the city. But we can still find a place to announce our program while wandering, perform our actions, and sing our songs.

  Yes, we are just ants in the city. Ants are tenacious creatures, and even a wall is their paradise.

  May heaven tonight be heartless, don't drive away their joy, let time interpret their life.

  Li Heng Group's President Jin Kuangning and Vice President Xue Guowei sat in Chairman Qian Lao's study, with Qian Lao still holding the somewhat darkened wooden pipe in his left hand. The pipe was still empty of tobacco, as it had been for years.

  This study is the place where Mr. Qian has met with important people in the past five years. For ordinary visitors, Mr. Qian usually meets them in the large study or living room. In other words, this study is a restricted area that casual visitors are not allowed to enter. On the desk were several reports that Mr. Qian had already compared and read through.

  Three of these reports are evaluation reports on Liheng Shoe Company in recent months, with the same evaluation object but different contents and even more different conclusions.

  One is the assessment made by the Group's Asset Evaluation Department, which believes that Liheng Shoe Industry Company has shrunk in market share and profit margin due to intense industry competition. It is recommended that the headquarters invest in introducing new production lines, replacing outdated production lines, increasing advertising investment, and expanding market share to restore its former glory.

  Another is two months ago, the planning department Zhao Siwen did, he believes that under the impact of multiple external environmental factors, the profit margin of shoe manufacturing has been strongly compressed, and many excellent old-brand technicians in the shoe industry have been poached away. At present, enterprises are only in a state of maintaining breakeven without making or losing money.

  The last one was written by Long Bao, who firmly believed that the personnel relationship of the shoe company's employees was chaotic, with poor leadership, loose management, and had reached a point where it was difficult to operate at a loss. For an industry like this, which has low technical content, high competition costs, small profit margins, high operating risks, and a small input-output ratio, it is not worth investing more funds for rectification. The most suitable approach is to form a joint venture with other large and excellent shoe companies. If this approach is not adopted, the shoe company will be like a cart that can only move slowly, dragging down the entire Li Heng Group, which could have been running at high speed. The shoe industry is just a straw for Li Heng, and if it rains, it will become a heavy burden.

  Qian Lao used his right hand to press and rub his scalp, as he got older, looking at things for a long time would make his head uncomfortable, and he had to scratch and rub his scalp to feel slightly better. Jin Zong and Xue Zong knew that this was actually Qian Lao's habit of thinking about problems, every time he did this, it meant that Qian Lao was making some important decision or judgment, drawing an important conclusion.

  "Indeed, Old Qian spoke up: "Don't you think that this Ao Cheng's shoe factory assessment report is too alarmist? Is it really that problematic? Will the shoe company really fall into operational difficulties in a year if things remain unchanged? The three reports are all different, which one is the most credible? Is what Ao Cheng said really that severe? Why didn't the Regulatory Department issue a corresponding enterprise crisis dynamic report?"

  Jin and Xue exchanged a glance, and Old Qian's reaction was within their expectations.

  Jin spoke in a gentle tone, "Qian Lao, perhaps the views in this report are somewhat biased, but some of the analysis is incisive and hits the nail on the head! However, his conclusion is too bold. Thinking carefully, compared to over a decade ago, we indeed no longer have an advantage in human resources, policy resources, or regional resources. It's not unreasonable, at least it can make us highly vigilant."

  ……

  Qian Lao watched as Jin Zong spoke eloquently, Jin Zong was the high-salary executive he hired seven years ago to be a high-level leader in the group. He was a steady and reliable person. Three years ago, Qian Lao himself was nearly seventy years old and his body was not suitable for work, so he strongly recommended Jin Zong as the new CEO of the group despite opposition from others. For the past three years, Jin Zong had been quietly observing all the changes in the group from behind the scenes.

  Everyone knows that the group's enterprise is its own, but now the group is really plagued by all kinds of problems! At 72 years old, he has been worried about the issue of succession. His four sons have different personalities and moralities, and the family members are complicated, which makes him very headache.

  The eldest daughter Qian Suxue is 51 years old, gentle and weak in character, simple-minded, a typical housewife, letting her serve as the deputy chairman of the group is out of consideration for power balance.

  The eldest son, Qian Tonghua, 49 years old, serves as the deputy chairman and vice president of the group, but he has always been a playboy and has not changed his ways. He relies on the shares and wealth left to him by his late wife, and every day he indulges in luxury cars, beautiful women, and gambling, abusing his power. He is already a middle-aged wastrel, and I have long since given up hope for him.

  The second son, Qian Tongxia, is forty-four years old and has had epilepsy since childhood. He is dull-witted, not good at socializing or speaking, and has no management knowledge whatsoever. He has never entered the family business to learn about operations and management, so he can't be considered as a potential successor either.

  Xiao Nv Er Qian Yu Hui is thirty-six years old, currently serving as the group's vice president and general manager of the shoe company. Her overly rich emotions are her fatal flaw, having suffered emotional hardships, living a gloomy life. At just thirty-six years old, she has already experienced two failed marriages, entering the group only four years ago. Although she claims to have her own heart, she lacks experience.

  The eldest son-in-law, Ye Ziheng, has management talent and is well-liked in the group. Ten years ago, he embezzled a large amount of public funds, and his character is not upright. He has an extramarital affair outside and is unfaithful to his wife, Qian Suxue. I have never had a good impression of him. His bad character is a taboo for taking over the group! Looking at how he is now desperately cultivating his own power in the group, his ambition to take over is already obvious.

  Da Sao Ah Ping, a typical 8th sister-in-law, extremely greedy, with the title of Vice President at the Hong Kong headquarters, has placed many trusted followers and done many things that are not in the company's interest.

  Xiao Yifu Alan was not to be outdone, and she fought for power and influence with her at the international headquarters. The result of their struggle was that they completely disregarded Zeng Haichang, the chairman of the international headquarters and vice-chairman of the group, causing the business situation of the international headquarters to deteriorate further.

  Deputy Chairman of the Group, Mo Guishan and He Yongji have their own group businesses, and originally they only held a small number of shares, 7% each. Their shares were transferred to them at a low price many years ago as a token of appreciation for their help. Zeng Haichang's father and Li Yuanfu are his old subordinates, comrades-in-arms who fought together to seize the sky, veterans of the Group, and the 5% shareholding was given to them by him.

  At that time, apart from some scattered small shareholders, he and his wife together held 69% of the shares, with him holding 45% and his wife 24%. After his wife's death ten years ago, according to her will, she left 12% of the shares to her eldest son Qian Tonghua, whom she particularly loved, and the remaining 12% was divided equally among their other three children, each getting 4%.

  This was the biggest mistake of Madam. When Madam wrote this obviously thick and thin will, she did not communicate with herself. To comfort her children, she took out 3% of the shares to give to the other three people. In this way, the group's shares became Qian Tonghua occupying 12%, the other three children each occupying 5%, and herself occupying 42%.

  Contradictions have thus been thoroughly made public, and the warm family reunion scene is no longer seen. In the usual family reunion day, there are already several parts of verbal sparring, sharpening knives, if not for fear of this old tiger, it would have...

  But this old tiger has clearly aged somewhat.

  Over the years, the more I read "Zizhi Tongjian" and look at the history of ancient emperors, the more I feel a chill in my heart!

  Increasingly fearful of the modern version of the struggle for power and wealth that will be staged in one's own family. The 42% stake after one's death, the position of chairman of the board, the restructuring of the group's high-level management, the re-distribution of power, will all become a war of attrition among warlords, with only one goal: profit. And yet, the participants in this war are all one's own flesh and blood, while the outcome is the complete disintegration of family ties!

  The world is full of bustle, all because of gain; the world is full of strife, all because of gain. Now it seems that serious harm will inevitably befall our children.

  It's heartbreaking to think about it, I can use a few hundred Hong Kong dollars to create such a large business, but these children and grandchildren have not inherited my temperament, they are all staring at this ready-made cake, without the courage to start their own business. I completely failed in the cultivation and education of my children and grandchildren, compared with other big families, I am ashamed.

  The grandchildren also made themselves sad!

  Qian Suxue gave birth to two daughters, Ye Yonghe and Ye Yongzhi. Although they have a prestigious school education, they are actually just decorative objects, only knowing how to travel, shop, dress up, and are a pair of useless flowers. Qian Tonghua, on the other hand, had two sons, Qian Yufan and Qian Yuguo. Qian Yufan is simply a replica of his father, a playboy. Qian Yuguo was his most beloved son, with a similar temperament to himself, but unfortunately died three years ago in a car accident while studying abroad in the United States.

  The young master is not only an epileptic but also a good-for-nothing, and various treatments have been ineffective. He had no hope of giving himself a descendant to inherit the Qian family's bloodline. However, five years ago, according to a private investigator's report, he has abnormal sexual behavior and has even had close homosexual relationships with two men, completely disgracing the ancestors of the Qian family!

  The result of Xiao's two marriages was a five-year-old Sino-American mixed-blood boy named KaiKai.

  How can such grandchildren and third-generation descendants take over!

  The eldest son-in-law is too cunning, the eldest daughter is too clumsy. If the foundation of the family business is handed over to them, it's possible that the fortune will change hands and fall into someone else's hands. Now the only one who can barely make do is the youngest daughter! The only choice now is this young daughter, although she has a flawed personality, a somewhat kind heart, not ruthless enough, and not deep enough in her schemes, but after all, she possesses some characteristics of being the core of the group. I believe that as long as she is tempered, she can take over my position.

  Xiao Nv Er Qian Yu Hui was studying business administration at Harvard in the US. After returning to Hong Kong, she married Zhou Shi's third son under her own arrangement, but unexpectedly divorced three years later. Then Yu Hui went to Canada and then to the US to get a master's degree. Eight years ago, she married a white man who did art, until they divorced four years ago when she returned home.

  In order to let her daughter win over others with her own ability, she painstakingly created conditions for her daughter and let her undergo training in different work positions within the group company. In these years, she is still relatively satisfied with this daughter Yu Hui.

  To be honest, the shoe industry was never a key business area for the group. More than a year ago, I arranged for my daughter Yu Hui to take the position of general manager of the shoe industry, hoping that she could come and exercise her ability to control everything, coordinate and handle complex interpersonal relationships, strive to thoroughly change the face of the shoe company, and use performance facts to prove to everyone that her ability can hold up the beam of profit. That way, it will be possible to shut people's mouths in future succession.

  To know, pressure from other children may end up ruining oneself! Especially those few children's spouses, who are not kind-hearted, thinking only of waiting for one to pass away and then dividing the spoils, and constantly using various means to hint that their own family is the most suitable heir, even if it's not passed down, they must have a share!

  In front of these sharp-eyed spouses, their own children are simply useless, and their foundation cannot fall into their hands. Only by leaving all the remaining 42% shares to the only reliable youngest daughter can they have a chance to preserve their foundation.

  Xiao Nu's failure was a huge disappointment to him, and Ao Cheng's bold prediction report cut deep into his heart, exactly where he feared it would. He had always fantasized that Xiao Nu could turn the shoe industry around, so she would have the qualifications and ability to take over the entire group, but Xiao Nu still couldn't do it!

  No! Absolutely cannot let daughter shrink back, must put pressure on Jin and others to fully assist Xiao Nu in doing well in the shoe industry, while also must reform the group for daughter's sake. Now the undercurrents are surging, disaster is brewing! Alas, thinking of that unfair will towards the other three children, this will surely cause a complete rift between siblings, they will definitely harbor resentment and misunderstanding towards me, but can't be helped, everything has to be done to ensure my life's work can be smoothly passed down!

  He slowly opened his eyes, which had been slightly closed, and lifted his aged head from the back of the purple sandalwood chair. "I know that the shoe company has been infiltrated by too many people, and naturally there will be many problems with production, sales, and finance. It's not easy for Ruihui to have made it this far. But I don't have the courage to investigate these problems! Why? Because if I'm not careful, I'll definitely implicate my own ungrateful descendants! Do you know why Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong didn't rectify the corrupt officials in their later years? It's because as soon as they took action, they would definitely harm their sons and grandsons! I don't want to be laughed at by outsiders, I don't want outsiders to know that Qian Zhengsheng has raised such useless people, I have to save my old face!"

  "Alas!" Qian Lao sighed, his eyes filled with helplessness. "I want to preserve the Li Heng Group's legacy and let it be passed down normally without falling into outsiders' hands, but I don't want too much interference in this matter that I don't want to see. I want to protect my descendants from being estranged by blood ties. I want those shameless spendthrifts to stop, but I don't want to send them to jail. I want the group to undergo a thorough cleanup and present a new face, but I don't want to cause unnecessary panic, create an unfavorable impact, lead to a decline in stock prices, and trigger a reputation crisis."

  Jin and Xue nodded in understanding.

  Qian Lao stood up from the purple sandalwood chair, dragging his thin body back and forth, slowly turning to face them, and said in a steady voice: "I set up the group's headquarters in Dongguan Chang'an, I just hope that the group can be safe and peaceful forever. The shoe company is in the midst of competition with various large-scale specialized shoe-making enterprises, it is undoubtedly very difficult to survive in the gap, but only in difficulty can people be tempered, and only then can they stimulate people's fighting spirit and competitive heart. You two are the people I trust most, now I can give you a real bottom line: what I need is for the group to be safe, you cannot take drastic actions, you can only investigate problems, but not privately handle them, you can only make suggestions, but not influence Yu Hui's thinking and manipulate her actions. You must maintain the surface calmness of the shoe industry, and cannot cause the ignition of contradictions and public exposure."

  "How can the shoe industry not make money? However, she must handle it independently by herself. If she can get truly effective training here, then I'd be willing to sacrifice one or two more companies for her sake. She needs to cultivate genuine management skills so that in the future, she'll be able to compete with others and fight against strong opponents, and thus preserve the foundation of our family's business!"

  "You two are already over fifty, Kuang Ning is good at coordinating things, Guo Wei is good at recognizing people, but you will eventually retire, I'm old too, my body is not well, soon to be retired, I have to think about the future of Li Heng's career, if I don't train Yu Hui, Li Heng will have no one to take over in the future!"

  Jin and Xue listened to the old man's lengthy speech, feeling that his words were thought-provoking.

  They originally wanted to use Longbiao's radical report to persuade Qian Lao to authorize an investigation and clean up the group's enterprises, especially the shoe industry company, which was now riddled with corrupt and self-serving behavior. Unexpectedly, Qian Lao had deeper plans than they thought, using secrecy to lull his opponents into a false sense of security, conducting secret investigations to prevent evidence from being destroyed, gathering evidence to coerce and intimidate other children who were eyeing the top position, launching the "Fish Action" to create a new personnel situation for his daughter Yu Hui, and using this difficult situation to temper her, teaching her the wisdom of struggle through actual combat. And all of this was ultimately for the purpose of ensuring that Yu Hui would smoothly take over in the future.

  What a deep and intricate plan! It can even be inferred that the old man's final step may be to thoroughly eliminate the family's trash! The only thing is, it's hard to predict whether the old man's consideration of having both fish and bear's paw will become a reality.

  Finally understood the old man's secret in his heart, the goal is achieved, can now rest assured and do things.

  The two of them showed a relaxed expression, stood up and bid farewell, just as they were about to leave, they were suddenly stopped by the old man's voice: "Wait, good guys, today you actually used a clever trick on me, provoking me to say the most confidential things, your goal is achieved! But it must be kept secret!"

  Jin and Xue were a bit embarrassed, chuckled a few times, Jin looked at Xue, Xue understood, jokingly said: "Qian Lao, with our little ability, can we still deceive you? Aren't we in your hands? Don't worry, today we've already forgotten what you said, we only remember the responsibilities and burdens on our shoulders. We won't slack off, nor will we be soft-boiled eggs. Although we don't have Zhuge Liang's abilities, we can guarantee that we'll have his integrity and moral character. Whatever needs to be done, we'll do it. You can rest assured and take a break! We'll report the progress and situation to you in time, won't mess things up!"

  Qian Lao's eyes stared at them for a long time, his expression extremely solemn. "I am not a stingy boss, nor am I an ungrateful one," he said. "What is it that an old man values most in this world? It is emotions, the loyalty born from those emotions! I give you eight words: 'When people have good intentions, heaven will surely bless them!'... Ah, and isn't that young fellow who wrote the report named Ao Cheng? Not bad, to judge a man's character, one must first look at his courage. I think he has quite a bit of it, he's a talented individual, cultivate him well, and at the right time, arrange for him to be by Yu Hui's side."

  Long Bao in Huizhou was eating instant noodles at this time, he had no idea what was happening in Qian Lao's home in Hong Kong. He was savoring the delicious flavor, spicy and fresh, especially the soup, which was really refreshing to drink!

  He was drinking with gusto when suddenly ding-ding-ding! The room phone rang!

  Long Bao picked up the phone and said in a low voice: "Hello!"

  A sweet and seductive voice came through the phone, "Hello! Boss! On such a lonely night, are you feeling sad? Do you need me to come and keep you company?"

  Long Wan suddenly heard, cried and laughed, how is it that now there are chickens everywhere! How did the great land of China become a place where chickens are crying everywhere? Even going to a hotel is not safe! Was it really true what Sun Wenquan joked about?!

  Wait a minute, hey! Isn't that the voice of that short-haired wild chick? How did following and pulling customers end up at her own hotel?!

  Long Wan didn't feel like talking anymore and hung up the phone. He took out "Ling Shan" again and started reading.

  It seemed like just a few minutes had passed when the phone rang again. Long Bao picked it up, and immediately heard that sorrowful voice laughing! He hung up again.

  It seemed like just a few minutes had passed again when his phone rang this time. He took a look and saw that it was an unfamiliar number, so he answered it.

  What's going on? It's actually that short-haired girl's voice again!

  So entangled, Buddha also produced smoke! Dragon scale almost caught fire! But suddenly thought, no way, how could she possibly know her own mobile phone number? No reason!

  Enduring no more, he said in a serious tone: "Miss, I don't care how you got my phone number. I hope you can take the hint and stop harassing me. Let me reiterate, I don't need your special services!"

  Just turn off your phone and unplug the phone, don't let boring calls disturb your mood for reading.

  It seemed like just a few minutes had passed when someone knocked on the door, "Bang - bang bang! Bang - bang bang!"

  Who is it? So late? Can't be room service, can it?

  It seems that in such a business metropolis, it's impossible for oneself to calm down and read books. Long Bao gets up from the bed and opens the door.

  At first glance - dizzy!

  It's those two loose women again - the short-haired girl and the long-haired girl!

  Is there such a persistent wild chicken?! Never heard of it!

  Xue Bingying and Chu Yanyan stopped in front of the hotel room door, Xue Bingying held back her laughter and knocked on the door with a "thud thud thud".

  As soon as she saw Long Bu's serious and solemn expression, Xue Bingying deliberately made a flirtatious face, leaned against the door frame, and whispered: "Long Bu, why do you have to reject beautiful women from afar? Although I'm a delivered goods, we're both beauties, aren't we? On this long and sleepless night, can't you just let go of yourself and give in to your feelings? We're not that different, you should also cherish us a bit, right?"

  There must be a problem! They know my phone number, they know my room number, and they even pursue me like this! Thinking back immediately, the front desk definitely didn't leave my phone number, so for now, only people within the company who have contact with me could possibly know my phone number! Especially in Huizhou, if a stranger knows my phone number, it's only possible that it's one of those four people I'm meeting tomorrow, but the four people that Director Xue arranged for me to meet are all men! And among them is Zhou Qing, the original head of security from headquarters!

  Following normal logic, it's only possible that Zhou Jing is joking! However, this joke is too low-level! Long Bao had a bottom line in his heart, but his mouth was cold and said: "Miss, I think you two are really something! There are so many perverts on the streets of Huizhou, why do they have to entangle me? Is it because life has been too peaceful, wanting to find some excitement? Wanting to see how others make fools of themselves? I'm not used to losing my temper with girls, but I'll give you one piece of advice: don't take being shameless as being interesting! Jokes should have limits, don't think that just because a tiger doesn't get angry, you can treat it like...

  "Are you a specimen?! Haha! " Xue Bingying stared at him with a sharp voice, laughing and shouting, "Are you a specimen? I think you're not only a specimen, but also an antique! Haha!"

  Chu Yan also burst out laughing, covering her mouth with a trembling hand.

  It's really unbelievable! I think she and Shi Wei are of the same moral character! Long Bao thought to himself, it's time to give them a warning, or else they'll really take me for a fool and play with me!

  Long Bao narrowed his eyes, expressionless, looking at their inexplicable smiles. Perhaps they were mocking him, perhaps they were gloating or despising him. After a while, the two discovered that the silly and handsome boy in front of them didn't show any signs of shame or anger, so they lost interest. Xue Bingying then looked at him with a condescending gaze, accompanied by a hint of a smile that was meant to provoke him.

  Long Bao knew it was time to strike back, so he said in a low and stern tone: "Enough with the jokes, enough with the laughter. Who are you two? Where's Zhou Qing and the others? Bring them out!"

  Xue Bingying's smile froze, like a toy doll. Chu Yanyan's heart skipped a beat: "What a fierce reaction! So fast!"

  Xue Bingying stared tightly at Long Bao's sharp eyes, suddenly laughed a few times, took out her phone and dialed, saying strangely: "Come in, Zhou Qing, he was seen through, really no fun!"

  Before long, Zhou Qing walked into the guest room with a sly smile and an innocent look on his face, saying to Long Bao: "Ah Long, this has nothing to do with me..."

  It turns out that the short-haired girl Xue Bingying is actually the youngest daughter of CEO Xue, and her personality is vastly different from her father's. She even made a joke about Long Bao that no girl would dare to make! This is all because of Zhou Jing's big mouth, insisting on telling her that Long Bao is a decent and handsome guy who definitely wouldn't mess around with women.

  Xue Bingying was already resistant to her father's teachings and even more so to the evaluation of Long Bao made by her father and Zhou Qing. Moreover, based on her consistent understanding of men, she believed that there were hardly any good men in the world, so she naturally got into a dispute with Zhou Qing, betting that he would definitely become infatuated and make a fool of himself!

  Imagine, two beautiful sisters willingly give themselves up without any cost or responsibility, and can boldly engage in a fierce battle, unless the man has physical problems! Even Chu Yan Yan also followed with a humorous attitude as she messed around.

  It was then that Long Bao encountered a few scenes of wild chickens on stage.

  Because Xue Bingying lost the bet, she treated everyone to a late-night snack. After they finished eating, Xue Bingying insisted on going to a karaoke bar, and Long Bao had no choice but to accompany her. By the time he took a taxi back to the hotel, it was already 2:40 in the morning.

  He took a cold shower, Long Biao lay on the bed smoking, silently pondering in his heart the events that had occurred over the past few days, carefully analyzing and judging the key figures he had come into contact with during this period.