Qi Mu stirred groggily and realized his neck was a little stiff. He slowly blinked his eyes, only then realizing that he had actually fallen asleep in the car.
He was the only person inside.
Jiang Shao was nowhere to be seen.
Did Jiang Shao see that I’d fallen asleep and just leave me here by myself? Sure enough, Long Aotian really can’t be trusted as a driver…
Qi Mu was still complaining inwardly when he pushed open the car door and saw Jiang Shao leaning lazily against it. One long leg was casually bent, both hands tucked into his trouser pockets, and his eyes were closed as though he had been dozing lightly.
The white fluorescent lights on the ceiling of the garage fell across his body, carving him into sharply divided planes of light and shadow like a frozen black-and-white photograph.
There was no telling how long he had been standing there.
At the sound of movement, Jiang Shao opened his eyes and looked over, his dark gaze as deep as the night.
Qi Mu’s heart inexplicably seemed to skip a beat.
This formidable ancestor has been waiting outside this whole time? It’s the middle of winter! Why didn’t he just wake me up?
Jiang Shao raised an eyebrow at him. “President Qi is awake?”
Perhaps Qi Mu had slept in the dry car for too long.
His throat felt a little parched, and he softly answered, “Mm.”
Jiang Shao rolled his shoulders and stretched his stiff body before nodding calmly. “Since President Qi is awake, I’ll head back.”
With that, he turned around and left without the slightest hesitation.
Qi Mu knew that he should not say anything at a time like this.
He was only Jiang Shao’s boss.
Yet as he watched Jiang Shao’s tall, sharp-backed figure walking alone through the empty, deserted underground garage on this late winter night, Qi Mu inexplicably called after him, “How are you getting back?”
Jiang Shao turned to look at him. A trace of amusement appeared in his eyes, as though he wanted to tease Qi Mu but ultimately decided against it. He merely waved the phone in his hand. “I called a car.”
Wasn’t that the perfectly obvious answer?
Qi Mu found his own inexplicable question rather funny.
He said nothing more.
Only after Jiang Shao left did Qi Mu look toward the driver’s seat. The climate control had been adjusted to the ideal temperature, and everything inside the car was perfectly comfortable.
Three hours had passed since they finished dinner. Subtracting the hour they had spent on the road, Jiang Shao must have waited for two hours.
He had stood outside in the cold night for two whole hours.
Qi Mu suddenly felt somewhat dazed and bewildered.
He had spent the entire evening on edge, worrying about whether Jiang Shao would cause trouble and wondering what exactly Jiang Shao was plotting… yet in the end, Jiang Shao had done absolutely nothing.
He had behaved like the most qualified employee imaginable.
No—if anything, he had been excessively qualified.
He had not even woken Qi Mu. He had simply turned on the climate control and silently waited outside the car.
All of Qi Mu’s nervousness and worry had amounted to nothing.
Qi Mu could not help thinking of the Long Aotian from his dream.
That man was arrogant and never bowed his head. Even while concealing his identity and working at a company, he would tolerate no offense from anyone, much less flatter or accommodate others. He did whatever he pleased, however he pleased… and even when pursuing his own goals, he used only ruthless and decisive methods. He would never inconvenience himself for someone else.
Whatever Jiang Shao might want from Qi Mu—even if he wanted to acquire Qi Corporation—he could achieve it in a far more straightforward way, just as he had dealt with Li Xin.
Just as he had dealt with Qi Mu in the dream…
But what Jiang Shao was doing now…
Qi Mu could find nothing in that dream that he could use for reference. It was completely unfamiliar and impossible to predict, and that very unfamiliarity only made him more uneasy.
Perhaps it was because—
Things that happened without any discernible reason were often the hardest to control, and whatever Long Aotian wanted badly enough to make him behave so completely unlike himself…
Might very well be something Qi Mu could not afford to give him.
…
A few days later.
The procedures with the bank were completed smoothly. Qi Corporation signed the agreement and obtained a higher credit line. With the bank loan secured, Qi Mu’s immediate financial pressure was temporarily relieved.
But a bank loan could only solve the problem at hand. If Qi Corporation wanted to transform and upgrade its operations while expanding production, bank financing alone would not be enough.
They still needed outside investment.
Unfortunately, the search for financing was not going particularly smoothly.
Qi Mu had recently approached several investment institutions. Some investors were indeed interested in Qi Corporation, but they either demanded too much equity or imposed too many harsh conditions. None of those were concessions Qi Mu was willing to make lightly.
After several negotiations went nowhere, the pressure on Qi Mu grew considerably.
While Qi Mu was worrying over the matter, he unexpectedly received a call from Lu Jin Wen. Lu Jin Wen cheerfully invited him out to meet.
Shunxun Technology was now one of the company’s major clients, so Qi Mu readily agreed.
He assumed Lu Jin Wen probably wanted to ask about the progress of their cooperation. It would also be a good opportunity to speak with him face-to-face and discuss their next steps.
After ending the call, Qi Mu thought for a moment before calling Jiang Shao over.
He had actually been avoiding Jiang Shao these past few days. This was the first time Qi Mu had actively summoned him since that day, but since the matter involved Lu Jin Wen, he thought he ought to ask Jiang Shao what he wanted to do.
Qi Mu asked calmly, “President Lu invited me fishing. Do you want to come with me?”
Jiang Shao shrugged, looking completely uninterested. “I don’t know how to fish.”
Qi Mu was not surprised by the answer. Jiang Shao certainly did not look like someone who could sit patiently beside a lake with a fishing rod. In any case, Qi Mu had asked him. Whether Jiang Shao went or not was his own decision, and Qi Mu naturally would not force him.
The next day, Qi Mu went to the appointment alone.
It was a clear, sunny morning.
Qi Mu drove a white Land Rover that day. Wearing an outdoor shell jacket and non-slip hiking boots, he parked not far from the lake, picked up his fishing gear, and headed in. Lu Jin Wen had already arrived.
To Qi Mu’s surprise, however, Lu Jin Wen was not alone. A middle-aged man was sitting beside him.
The two men sat in chairs with fishing rods in hand, chatting as they fished.
Hearing approaching footsteps, Lu Jin Wen looked back and greeted him familiarly with a smile. “President Qi, you’re here.”
The man beside Lu Jin Wen looked over as well.
Lu Jin Wen made the introductions. “President Qi, this is President Feng from Jinjin Capital. President Feng, this is President Qi, whom I mentioned to you.”
Qi Mu’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly. He kept his composure and revealed nothing, merely greeting the man naturally. “President Feng, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Feng Ming Zhi smiled amiably. “President Qi, likewise.”
After greeting the two men, Qi Mu unfolded his own folding chair and sat beside Lu Jin Wen. With practiced movements, he baited his hook and cast his line.
Qi Mu regularly socialized with company executives, so naturally, he knew how to fish as well.
He sat quietly, occasionally joining their conversation.
From what he heard—
Feng Ming Zhi had come to City C on business. He and Lu Jin Wen were on good terms, so they had arranged to go fishing together. On the surface, it sounded like a perfectly ordinary meeting.
But Qi Mu could not help thinking about it.
He had originally believed he was only meeting Lu Jin Wen. Yet Lu Jin Wen had not only invited him but had also invited Feng Ming Zhi from Jinjin Capital. Jinjin Capital held an impressive position in the investment industry and had invested in numerous well-known corporations and business groups. Under ordinary circumstances, a company the size of Qi Corporation probably would not even attract Jinjin Capital’s attention.
Yet Qi Corporation happened to be seeking investment right now, and Lu Jin Wen just happened to invite him out today, along with Feng Ming Zhi from Jinjin Capital…
Could this really be nothing more than a coincidence?
But if it was not a coincidence, surely Lu Jin Wen was not deliberately introducing him to useful connections? Their relationship was nowhere near close enough for that. Lu Jin Wen had no reason to help him to this extent.
Preoccupied with his thoughts, Qi Mu became somewhat distracted. Then he suddenly heard Lu Jin Wen ask, “President Qi, I heard you’ve been looking for investors recently?”
Qi Mu’s heart jumped.
Seriously? The exact thing I was thinking about?
Can Lu Jin Wen read my mind or something?
Qi Mu answered cautiously, “Yes.”
Lu Jin Wen smiled. “Then what a coincidence. President Feng happens to be here today. Why don’t the two of you have a proper talk?”
Feng Ming Zhi immediately looked interested. “Oh? If President Qi is looking for investment, why don’t you tell me about it?”
Although both men looked perfectly friendly, Qi Mu inexplicably felt the pressure multiply. It was as though he had suddenly been informed that he was expected to go onstage and defend a proposal without any preparation.
Fortunately, he had spent the past several days working on precisely this issue and had already gone over his pitch so many times that he knew it by heart. Despite his surprise, Qi Mu remained calm and composed.
He briefly introduced the company’s situation before saying to Feng Ming Zhi, “…That’s the general situation. The company is currently undergoing a transformation and upgrade, so we genuinely do need investment. Would Jinjin Capital be interested?”
Feng Ming Zhi first glanced at Lu Jin Wen before smiling at Qi Mu. “Since you’re a business partner President Lu thinks highly of, naturally I’m optimistic about you as well. Why don’t you prepare a detailed proposal another day, President Qi, and we can discuss it further?”
That meant there was hope.
Qi Mu said, “Thank you for giving me this opportunity, President Feng.”
Feng Ming Zhi repeatedly waved his hand. “President Qi, there’s really no need to thank me. Business is business. For a promising company like Qi Corporation, I imagine there are plenty of people who would like the chance to invest.”
With that, he exchanged contact information with Qi Mu.
The three of them chatted and fished, and the morning passed quickly. By the time they were preparing to leave, Qi Mu and Feng Ming Zhi had already become fairly acquainted and said goodbye with smiles.
Feng Ming Zhi had enjoyed a good catch that day. Carrying a basket full of the fish he had caught, he left in excellent spirits.
Once only Qi Mu and Lu Jin Wen remained, Qi Mu’s expression turned serious. He solemnly said, “Thank you for today, President Lu.”
Lu Jin Wen had obviously arranged today’s meeting specifically to connect him with Feng Ming Zhi.
Jinjin Capital had deep pockets, and judging from Feng Ming Zhi’s accommodating attitude, coupled with Lu Jin Wen facilitating things from the side, there was a very good chance the investment would go through. If Qi Corporation could really secure funding from Jinjin Capital, it would be enormously important to the company’s development.
For Qi Mu, it was practically a windfall.
But…
How did Lu Jin Wen know I was looking for investment?
And why would he go this far to help me?
Qi Mu had a vague suspicion, but he was not certain. Putting on a puzzled expression, he asked, “There’s just one thing I don’t understand. Where did President Lu hear that Qi Corporation was looking for investment?”
Lu Jin Wen smiled leisurely. “Jiang Shao told me.”
Qi Mu nearly lost control of his expression.
His mind instantly churned like a storm.
Qi Mu had indeed suspected that this might have something to do with Jiang Shao, but Lu Jin Wen had simply admitted it outright? Were they no longer planning to conceal their relationship?
What exactly does Lu Jin Wen mean by this?
No—what exactly does Jiang Shao mean by this?
While Qi Mu stood there shocked, flustered, and at a loss, Lu Jin Wen began packing away his fishing rod and casually explained, “A few days ago, I asked Jiang Shao to meet me because I wanted to thank him for helping me out. But that kid is pretty proud. He said it was nothing more than a small favor and that there was no need for me to thank him. The thing is, I don’t like owing people favors.”
“As it happens, President Feng came here on business and invited me fishing. I remembered Jiang Shao mentioning that the company was a little short on funds, so I thought I’d introduce the two of you.”
Lu Jin Wen smiled at Qi Mu. “Whether the negotiations ultimately succeed isn’t something I can control. What I did today was only a small favor. President Qi really doesn’t need to take it to heart.”
Qi Mu: “…”
Qi Mu had never imagined Lu Jin Wen would manage to explain this away too.
For a moment, he had almost thought Lu Jin Wen was about to blow up the whole truck and expose everything!
Elio’s Notes: 自爆卡车 literally means a “self-destruct truck.” In Chinese internet slang, it refers to someone suddenly revealing damaging information and effectively blowing up their own side along with everyone riding with them.
Qi Mu forced himself to calm down and played along with Lu Jin Wen’s performance. “No matter what, President Lu was willing to do me this favor. I’m extremely grateful.”
Lu Jin Wen smiled warmly. “You and I have had our share of fortunate encounters. Since we’re already friends, there’s no need to be so formal with each other. Wouldn’t you agree, President Qi?”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qi Mu saw Lu Jin Wen off.
He remained standing there in silence.
Although Lu Jin Wen had invented a seemingly reasonable explanation, Qi Mu knew the true relationship between Lu Jin Wen and Jiang Shao, so naturally, he did not believe a word of it.
It was very likely that Lu Jin Wen had done all this at Jiang Shao’s instruction.
That possibility genuinely caught Qi Mu off guard.
Qi Mu had previously thought about borrowing some of Jiang Shao’s protagonist luck, and he had indeed managed to change certain things because of it: Cheng Huai Song unexpectedly showing him goodwill, for instance, or Liu Long somehow ending up arrested…
But back then, Qi Mu had been certain that Jiang Shao had no reason to help him. None of those things had happened because Jiang Shao consciously wanted them to.
They could only be considered fortunate coincidences.
But what about this time?
Qi Mu could no longer tell himself that Jiang Shao had nothing to do with it.
Thinking back on Jiang Shao’s unusually different behavior lately…
Qi Mu’s feelings became complicated.
Qi Mu could use Jiang Shao’s luck to change his own fate because that fate had been caused by Jiang Shao in the first place. He refused to accept being nothing more than… cannon fodder destined to become someone else’s stepping stone.
But Qi Mu had never imagined that Jiang Shao would actively help him. Now that Jiang Shao had actually extended a hand and delivered exactly what Qi Mu needed, Qi Mu instead became even more uneasy.
Feng Ming Zhi’s business card was still in his pocket.
Qi Mu’s fingertips touched its sharp edge, then abruptly recoiled as though he had been burned.
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