Chapter 149: Conspiracy

Once Shu Yiming had departed, Lin Chong let out a dark chuckle. He gazed at the check, his eyes suddenly darting about with cunning. He had not let Shu Yiming go because he had suddenly seen the light, but rather because he had grasped a simple truth: in war, there is no such thing as deceit. If Shu Yiming could play games with him, then he, Lin Chong, could certainly return the favor.

He immediately turned to his secretary and commanded, "Notify the subordinates at once. Once the minerals are extracted, transport them elsewhere under the cover of darkness. Move one batch during the day and another at night—make sure you don't mix them up!"

His scheme was calculatingly precise. He would haul out worthless materials during the day and secretly relocate the valuable goods at night. In this way, even if Shu Yiming held fifty percent of the shares, he would end up with nothing to show for it. After all, Shu Yiming could hardly station someone here to watch the operation twenty-four hours a day.

Satisfied with this plan, Lin Chong’s mood lifted. Humming a little tune, he opened a bottle of wine, poured himself a glass, lit a cigarette, and headed upstairs, swirling the glass as he went.

...

Ouyang Zhuo brought Lin Peishi to his home. Shu Jinghan opened the door; the moment she saw Lin Peishi, she understood the situation and ushered her inside. Lin Peishi, already physically and emotionally exhausted, fell asleep as soon as she was settled.

Ouyang Zhuo was about to leave when Shu Jinghan came down from the stairs and called out to him, "Brother Ouyang, where is my brother? Why did you come back alone? What happened to Sister Peishi? She looks terrible."

Ouyang Zhuo gave an awkward laugh and explained the sequence of events. Finally, scratching his head, he smiled and said, "That is the long and short of it. It’s nothing too serious—just let her rest. When she’s feeling better, perhaps she’ll tell you herself. I don't know much more than that."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries. Thinking of the feelings he had harbored for years, Ouyang Zhuo hesitated. He fidgeted with his clothes, gave an embarrassed laugh, and then gently patted Shu Jinghan on the shoulder.

"Do you have any free time lately? I’d like to take you out to dinner. Would you give me that chance?" As he spoke, his face flushed a deep red, and he lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze.

Shu Jinghan was no longer a young, naive girl; after recent events, she had gained a much clearer perspective on matters of the heart. Seeing Ouyang Zhuo like this, she immediately understood his intentions and nodded, a bashful smile on her face.

Just as they were finalizing the plans for their dinner, Shu Yiming returned to his company. Since the great purge, Mingtai Group had become far more harmonious; the constant bickering of the past had vanished, replaced by an atmosphere of prosperity and progress.

Shu Yiming sat quietly in his office, reviewing documents. He had several partnership agreements waiting for him to negotiate.

It was at this moment that Vivian burst in from outside. Upon entering, she greeted Shu Yiming, calling out, "Long time no see! What have you been busy with lately? I’ve brought some excellent news—would you like to hear it? Once you do, you might find yourself quite moved."