Futile Devices Scans

Qi Mu woke punctually at seven in the morning. Whenever he had something scheduled for the following day, he generally never slept too deeply.

Because he had arranged room service in advance, by the time Qi Mu finished washing and changed his clothes, a hotel attendant had already delivered breakfast.

Jiang Shao was already awake and sitting in the living room. Instead of his usual hoodie and casual trousers, he had unusually changed into a formal suit today. However, the collar of his shirt was not fully buttoned, with two buttons left undone, and his hair had been casually swept back. He lounged lazily on the sofa, his thin eyelids lowered. The black suit trousers made his legs appear even longer as he crossed them carelessly, lending his entire bearing a somewhat unruly air.

Yet thanks to his exceptionally handsome features, even in this posture, he resembled a languid young master idling away a leisurely afternoon, effortlessly elegant despite his careless demeanor.

Qi Mu quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Although Jiang Shao still did not look formal enough, the fact that the Long Aotian had been willing to pay even a little attention and condescend to change into a suit meant Qi Mu should not be overly critical.

Qi Mu said mildly, “Have breakfast.”

Then he sat on one side of the dining table, removed his glasses, folded them neatly, and placed them beside his hand before beginning to eat.

Qi Mu did not raise his head to look at Jiang Shao, but when a shadow fell across the table opposite him, he knew Jiang Shao had come over… At least so far today, everything had gone smoothly. Hopefully, it would remain that way.

Inside the quiet hotel suite, the only sound was the crisp clinking of cutlery against porcelain plates.

Jiang Shao lowered his eyes toward the man eating opposite him.

Qi Mu was once again dressed in a perfectly fitted bespoke suit, complete with tie clip, cuff links, and watch. A platinum four-leaf clover collar pin fastened the neck of his shirt tightly, accentuating his long, pale neck and Adam’s apple. His gold-rimmed glasses rested neatly beside his hand, and he still looked as meticulous and precise as ever.

His hair also appeared carefully styled. As he ate, his head was slightly lowered, revealing a smooth forehead and a straight nose beneath it. His elegant fingers held the knife and fork, and even his manner of eating was unhurried, carrying a composed and effortless grace.

Jiang Shao’s gaze slowly wandered before finally settling on the bridge of Qi Mu’s nose.

On either side of the man’s high nose, close to the hollows of his eyes, were faint red marks left by the nose pads of his glasses. Against his pale skin, they looked like two tiny, light-pink rose petals adorning his delicate eyes, tempting anyone who saw them to keep staring…

Jiang Shao stared fixedly… until Qi Mu suddenly lifted his head and reached for the milk beside him, causing Jiang Shao to hurriedly withdraw his gaze.

Qi Mu was not accustomed to wearing his glasses while eating. His prescription was not particularly strong and had little effect on his daily life, merely making things slightly blurry, so he did not notice anything unusual about Jiang Shao’s expression.

Jiang Shao lowered his head and ate with his face tightly set, never looking at Qi Mu again. His jaw muscles flexed as he viciously chewed the cubes of beef in his mouth, inwardly resenting his momentary distraction.

Did Qi Mu think he could deceive him like this?

Qi Mu naturally had no intention of deceiving Jiang Shao, since he still wanted to live for several more years. After breakfast, Qi Mu prepared to leave. He put on his glasses and looked at the unruly young man beside him, remaining silent for a long moment.

Ancestor, today you look like the sort of person who would kill anyone who dared speak to you just to vent your anger…

Qi Mu certainly did not dare order the Long Aotian around.

Fortunately, when Qi Mu brought Jiang Shao along, he had never expected him to do anything in the first place. He merely regarded him as an auspicious mascot, and since Jiang Shao was a mascot, he naturally had to be properly revered.

But Qi Mu could not make that too obvious, lest Jiang Shao become suspicious.

After a moment of thought, Qi Mu said, “Stay with me today.”

When those words brought him face-to-face with Jiang Shao’s sharp gaze, Qi Mu calmly and naturally added, “Watch more and learn more.”

As the boss, he had brought a new employee to attend the summit. There was nothing wrong with telling that employee to follow him, adapt to the circumstances, and gain knowledge and experience. It could simply be regarded as cultivating a newcomer.

The more one said, the more likely one was to make a mistake. It was best to stop once the point had been made. This was just right, and Jiang Shao could interpret the rest himself.

The summit venue was located beside the hotel.

They could walk there without needing a car.

Many industry executives and entrepreneurs were also staying at the hotel. Everyone was formally dressed and greeted one another with smiles. Naturally, Qi Mu encountered acquaintances along the way. He chatted and laughed with people as they walked toward the venue, busy with socializing and networking, and soon had no time to pay any attention to Jiang Shao.

The first day of the summit mainly consisted of exchanging experiences and sharing knowledge. Well-known industry figures and scholars had been invited to give speeches. Attendees could learn about many cutting-edge technologies and pick up various corporate management techniques. Naturally, most importantly of all, it gave everyone an opportunity to communicate and establish connections face-to-face.

After collecting the conference materials and gift bag, Qi Mu began searching for his seat. His place was near the front of the middle section. These seats had nameplates prepared in advance and were reserved for company presidents and senior executives.

As an accompanying employee, Jiang Shao could only sit farther back.

The venue was crowded, so the two naturally became separated. Jiang Shao stood far behind and watched Qi Mu ahead of him, smiling and conversing effortlessly among the crowd. He ground his back teeth together.

Ever since they left the hotel, Qi Mu had not spared him a single glance. He truly seemed to think he was Jiang Shao’s superior.

Jiang Shao gave a cold laugh, then simply turned around and walked outside. He could not be bothered to attend such a dull and hypocritical occasion. Had it not been for Qi Mu, he would never have come today. Merely seeing these people filled him with irritation… Besides, even if he skipped the event, Qi Mu would never notice, would he?

Qi Mu truly did not notice.

After all, the venue was packed with people. Even those deliberately walking together could easily become separated, much less two people who had each gone their own way.

Qi Mu felt more relaxed with Jiang Shao absent.

He sat down in his assigned seat and lowered his voice to speak with the company president beside him.

A row of media representatives was seated at the front of the venue. Reporters had set up their cameras and waited solemnly, creating a spectacle grand enough to suggest a major celebrity was about to arrive.

The company president beside Qi Mu laughed when he saw it. “President Lu certainly commands respect. Look at all this media. They’re never normally this enthusiastic.”

Qi Mu nodded in agreement.

The summit had invited Lu Jin Wen, president of Shunxun Technology. He was an industry titan rarely seen in public. Being able to invite Lu Jin Wen to deliver a speech was the summit’s greatest attraction, and the organizers had begun promoting his appearance long ago. As a result, everyone knew he would attend.

The company president beside him laughed and said meaningfully, “This is a rare opportunity to meet President Lu, but plenty of people want to make his acquaintance. I’m afraid we may not even manage to squeeze through.”

Qi Mu merely smiled without replying.

Without the warning provided by that dream, he might have thought the same way.

But now, he had no desire whatsoever to become acquainted with Lu Jin Wen, because in that dream, Qi Mu had also attended this summit.

In the dream, he had shared the same intentions as everyone else, hoping to curry favor with Lu Jin Wen and eagerly offering him his business card. Yet Lu Jin Wen had not even glanced at him. Instead, he had spoken coldly and humiliated Qi Mu, the cannon-fodder villain, in front of everyone.

It was only later, after Qi Corporation was acquired, that Qi Mu learned Lu Jin Wen was actually one of Jiang Shao’s men.

Who could possibly have imagined that the president of a unicorn company like Shunxun Technology, a highly sought-after titan of the technology industry and a powerful figure capable of stirring up storms in the business world, was actually the subordinate of a young man in his twenties?

In the dream, Qi Mu had harbored improper intentions toward Jiang Shao. As Jiang Shao’s number-one lackey, Lu Jin Wen naturally would not allow Qi Mu to have an easy time and had assumed the responsibility of slapping him in the face.

The plot was so absurd that Qi Mu could not even bring himself to criticize it. All he could say was that a Long Aotian truly lived up to the name.

In any case, since Qi Mu had decided not to involve himself in the Long Aotian’s affairs, he naturally would not go looking for humiliation. Besides, although Lu Jin Wen wielded considerable influence, he was not powerful enough to control everything. Qi Corporation had operated perfectly well before and could continue doing so now. Keeping one’s feet firmly on the ground was better than relying on opportunistic shortcuts. Qi Mu had absolutely no need to curry favor with Lu Jin Wen.

Moreover, Qi Mu had his own objective for attending this time.

Qi Mu looked thoughtful.

Although the dream had revolved mainly around Jiang Shao’s life and consisted largely of mindless, pretentious face-slapping plots, amid the chaotic jumble of scenes, Qi Mu had still managed to glimpse traces of the future…

That was probably the only useful thing that terrible dream had given him.

Qi Mu remembered an inconspicuous subplot from the dream.

An experimental team led by Professor Lai Xue Min of H University was developing a new type of material. However, because the initial investment carried considerable risk, they had been unable to secure suitable funding. Qi Mu knew, however, that Professor Lai’s team would ultimately succeed, and once they did, the technology would have enormously promising applications.

If a company wanted to ride the waves of progress rather than be eliminated, it needed to improve itself constantly. Qi Mu did not merely want to preserve what already existed. He wanted the company to develop further.

For Qi Corporation, which was currently undergoing transformation and modernization, this technology was especially important.

Professor Lai would also attend today as a guest and share information about cutting-edge industry technologies. This was an excellent opportunity to meet him.

Qi Mu withdrew his thoughts and looked toward the stage. After the host finished speaking, Lu Jin Wen walked onstage amid applause.

Although Qi Mu had previously seen Lu Jin Wen in the news, this was the first time he had seen him in person. He looked much the same as he did in online videos—a refined and steady middle-aged man.

The spotlights and everyone’s attention converged upon the stage. Lu Jin Wen was clearly accustomed to such scrutiny. He possessed the composure accumulated through experience and the confidence of someone who had occupied a position of authority for many years. His words were witty and humorous, quickly capturing everyone’s attention.

Qi Mu’s thoughts, however, drifted elsewhere as he recalled certain rumors about Lu Jin Wen.

It was said that Lu Jin Wen had once been a vice president at a renowned multinational corporation before resigning for unknown reasons. People had assumed he would fade into obscurity, only for him to establish Shunxun Technology and reach even greater heights in his career. His current net worth placed him near the top of the rich list.

Yet Lu Jin Wen had founded Shunxun Technology nine years ago.

At the time, Jiang Shao should have been merely a teenager, yet he had already begun laying plans in secret and arranged for Lu Jin Wen to manage the company on his behalf.

Qi Mu thought that unless this was a cheat granted to the Long Aotian by the heavens, Jiang Shao could only be described as terrifying.

…

The day passed quickly.

At last, it was time for the evening banquet.

This was an excellent opportunity to develop clients and connections. Compared with the daytime lectures, the evening was the true battlefield. Everyone wore courteous, flawless smiles as they exchanged business cards, tested one another, and conversed. Beneath the bright lights of the banquet hall, wineglasses crossed as quiet conversation and laughter rose and fell.

Qi Mu moved through the crowd with a wineglass in hand. People stood in groups of twos and threes throughout the ballroom, though several obvious focal points existed. Lu Jin Wen’s group was one of them. Many people surrounded him, all wearing enthusiastic smiles.

A middle-aged executive beside Qi Mu smiled. “President Qi, shall we go over and greet him as well?”

Qi Mu smiled and shook his head. “I won’t be going. President Zhao, you should.”

The middle-aged executive smiled. “Then I’ll head over.”

With that, he carried his wineglass toward Lu Jin Wen.

Qi Mu calmly withdrew his gaze and walked in another direction.

Lai Xue Min stood on the right side of the banquet hall, surrounded by several people, including quite a few familiar faces. After all, everyone present worked in the same industry.

Someone noticed Qi Mu approaching and greeted him with a false smile. “President Qi.”

Qi Mu returned an equally polite smile. “President Fei, it’s been a long time.”

Then he turned toward Lai Xue Min and offered his business card with both hands. “Professor Lai, I’ve long heard of your reputation.”

Professor Lai accepted Qi Mu’s business card without changing his expression and replied courteously, “You flatter me, President Qi.”

Many people had approached him for conversation today, but most had merely been probing him, and nothing had come of it. He was already somewhat tired from dealing with them.

Qi Mu saw through Lai Xue Min’s state of mind and did not rush. Today was not an appropriate occasion for a serious discussion anyway. Simply making the man’s acquaintance would already count as a success. With a sincere expression, he said, “I’m very interested in Professor Lai’s project and hope to learn more about it. I wonder whether I might have the opportunity?”

Professor Lai replied, “Of course.”

Because many others were still gathered around them, Qi Mu did not reveal his intentions. He merely chatted casually for a few moments, exchanged contact details with Professor Lai, and arranged to visit him at the university later. Then he found an excuse to take his leave.

Qi Mu had already accomplished his goal for the day and had no intention of remaining any longer. He prepared to return to the hotel and rest.

Only then did he remember that he had not seen Jiang Shao all day. Could Jiang Shao have returned on his own already?

That seemed highly possible…

Although Qi Mu suspected Jiang Shao had already left, he decided to search for him anyway. After all, Qi Mu had brought the Long Aotian here. If this formidable ancestor was still present, it would hardly be appropriate to abandon him and return alone.

The banquet hall was enormous. Qi Mu searched around but did not find him. Just as he was about to leave, he caught sight of a figure resembling Jiang Shao in the direction of the rear garden.

Qi Mu was about to walk over and take a look, but before he could draw close, his footsteps abruptly stopped.

…

Jiang Shao stood outside the banquet hall, his expression cold and impatient. Why had Qi Mu not finished socializing yet?

Everyone here wore a hypocritical mask. The place was filled with open conflict and hidden schemes, flattery and ingratiation, false politeness, greed, and calculation. Everything about it irritated and disgusted him. Several times, he had wanted to leave outright. After all, throughout the entire day, Qi Mu had not looked for him even once, as though he had completely forgotten Jiang Shao existed.

So why had he remained until now?

Probably because, as an employee, it would be inappropriate to abandon his boss and leave alone.

Having a job was truly troublesome.

Jiang Shao scoffed lightly.

He disliked the atmosphere inside the banquet hall, so he had come outside alone for some air.

With the winter solstice approaching, the weather was growing increasingly cold. Every breath he took was icy, but the chill instead helped calm his emotions.

Suddenly, an abrupt voice sounded beside him.

“Cousin, what are you doing here?”

Li Xin approached gracefully with a wineglass in hand. He appeared somewhat surprised to see Jiang Shao. After waiting a moment without receiving an answer, embarrassment flashed through his eyes. However, he quickly recovered and smiled, continuing naturally as though speaking to himself. “I heard from Aunt that you fell out with your family. You refused to join the family company and insisted on finding work outside by yourself. Why are you here today? Did you come with your boss?”

Jiang Shao’s cool gaze landed on him, carrying a trace of mockery. He finally spoke. “You even know all that? I never realized you cared so much about me.”

The corner of Li Xin’s eye twitched slightly. What he hated most was Jiang Shao’s contemptuous manner, as though no one in the world was worthy of his attention.

Li Xin suppressed the jealousy in his heart and instead advised him kindly, “Why be so stubborn? The family already arranged a position for you. Once you enter the company, we’ll become colleagues. Wouldn’t it be better for us to work for the family together? You wouldn’t have to struggle so much either.”

Jiang Shao watched his hypocritical performance and lazily raised an eyebrow. “Since when did your Li family’s company become mine? Are you planning to give it to me?”

Li Xin’s expression stiffened.

Then he heard Jiang Shao continue leisurely, “Oh, I forgot. You don’t have the authority.”

Li Xin could barely maintain his smile. Without a good father, what would you even be? You’ve already fallen so far that you have to work for someone else. What right do you have to remain this arrogant?

It was said that his uncle was genuinely furious this time and had declared that Jiang Shao should not return home unless he admitted his mistake.

Thinking of this with malicious satisfaction, Li Xin felt slightly better. He maintained his affected dignity and gave a false smile. “You still enjoy joking as much as ever… By the way, which company are you working for now? Why don’t I speak with your boss and ask him to take good care of you…”

Jiang Shao gave a cold laugh and was about to retort when he suddenly caught sight of Qi Mu from the corner of his eye. His expression shifted slightly.

Before Li Xin could understand why Jiang Shao’s expression had suddenly changed, the man seized him by the collar and slammed his back heavily against a corridor pillar. Li Xin’s face went white with pain. He raised his head in bewilderment, but before he could begin cursing, he met a pair of terrifyingly cold eyes and instinctively shuddered.

Jiang Shao looked down at him and gave a low laugh, though his eyes contained not the slightest warmth. “If you dare say anything you shouldn’t, do you believe I’ll kill you?”

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