Chapter 49 - 49 049 Confidential

Chapter 49: 049 Confidential Chapter 49: 049 Confidential Yang Kaitai stared intently at Xia Ning with complete disregard, saying, “She’s just a servant’s child. If she’s dead, she’s dead. What does it matter?”

If Yang Kaitai could have been just slightly calm at that moment, he might have noticed Xia Cheng recording everything he said right next to him, capturing every word perfectly.

Xia Cheng personally arranged for someone to escort Yang Kaitai away, then he drove off with Xia Ning himself.

“Xiaoning, do you see? Not everything has to be handled by yourself.”

“Brother, you’re still the most capable. You’re truly amazing.”

…

He Group headquarters, CEO’s office.

In the spacious office, He Xing looked at the document in front of him expressionlessly, his black eyes as deep as the ocean, bottomless at a glance.

Liang Tao stood in front of him like a student who had done something wrong, a tall figure trying to shrink into itself, his forehead and the tip of his nose covered in beads of sweat.

The silence in the office was like an invisible hand gripping Liang Tao, the overwhelming pressure coming from all directions, so heavy he could hardly breathe.

After what seemed a long time, He Xing tossed the document on the desk. The movement wasn’t big, but Liang Tao flinched and stepped back, his back soaked with sweat.

“Our tender documents have been leaked?” He Xing slowly lifted his head, his face still expressionless as he looked at Liang Tao.

Liang Tao’s eyes were blurred with sweat. He didn’t dare to wipe it away, nor did he dare to meet He Xing’s gaze. “CEO He, I… I can’t confirm it, but the opponent’s tender is very similar to ours, and their price is more competitive.”

“It’s the Xia Group again.” He Xing tapped the desk with his pen. His gaze lingered out the window.

The blue sky and white clouds seemed close enough to touch if he just reached out.

Images of the car accident flashed in He Xing’s mind. He lay powerless inside the car, one leg trapped, unable to crawl out.

Behind him was the ticking sound, along with the pungent odor of gasoline. He knew that it wouldn’t be long before the gas would explode, and not even gods could save him then.

He Xing sighed and slowly raised his head. “Let’s leave it at that for this matter.”

“But…” Liang Tao, incredulous, looked up, his face turning red as he frantically said, “But CEO He, this isn’t the first time. Similar incidents have been happening nearly every year.”

“You even dare to question my decision?” He Xing scoffed coldly, his eyes narrowing dangerously, “Is a mere hundred million yuan tender worth all this fuss?”

“Yes, I’ll take my leave then.” Liang Tao did not dare to say more, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Seeing that He Xing did not respond, he left the room.

Once outside, Liang Tao was still unsettled. He mopped up his sweat with his sleeve as he made his way to the tea room.

The He Group headquarters tea room was luxurious, designed to the standard of a high-class cafe. Staff could enter any time to drink coffee, juice, and enjoy snacks like freshly made pastries, provided for free.

Liang Tao ordered an iced Americano and a brown sugar cake, finding a corner seat to settle down.

He stared blankly at the bustling traffic below, mulling over the words He Xing had just said. He had been following He Xing for almost three years yet still could not fathom what was going on in his boss’s mind.

In the past three years, He Xing was a certified workaholic, never missing a day of overtime. But recently, He Xing had been leaving work on time; sometimes he even left early.

He Xing valued every single deal, having said many times that no business is too small. Winning a small deal this time might lead to landing a bigger one next time.

But whenever it came to matters involving the Xia Group, he always conceded, time and time again.

“Brother, what are you thinking about?” Suddenly, someone patted Liang Tao’s shoulder. The warm, spring-like voice was very soothing to the ear.

“Hello, CEO Yi.” Liang Tao immediately smiled. The only person in the entire company who called him “brother” every day was Yi Lixing, the director of the Public Relations Department, a man well-versed in dealing with people, calling everyone “brother.”

Yi Lixing, with a hot latte in hand, sat opposite Liang Tao, “Why the long face this early in the morning? Girlfriend giving you the cold shoulder?”

“CEO Yi, you really know how to joke. Where would I get a girlfriend from?” Liang Tao laughed bitterly, took a big gulp of the iced latte, icy to the point of making his teeth clash, but at least he was no longer sweating profusely.

“Indeed.” Yi Lixing took a light sip of his hot latte, teasing, “With CEO He pulling you into overtime every day, when would you have time for a relationship?”

Liang Tao sighed, was about to say he hadn’t worked overtime recently, but the words stopped on his lips.

Yi Lixing didn’t get an answer but wasn’t annoyed and instead, his smile grew even brighter. “I heard we were competing with the Xia Group for the same project, and we missed out?”

“How did you know?” Liang Tao looked at Yi Lixing warily, unconsciously leaning back.

“Good deeds don’t go beyond the door, bad news spread a thousand miles,” Yi Lixing laughed carelessly, “This issue is buzzing everywhere, saying that the Xia Group will soon replace the He Group’s position.”

Liang Tao didn’t speak, but the corners of his mouth curled in a mocking smile, clearly showing his disdain.

Yi Lixing glanced around and leaned closer to Liang Tao, lowering his voice, “What does CEO He think about this? Is he very angry?”

“It’s just a small project, CEO He doesn’t care,” Liang Tao still held grudges against Yi Lixing’s previous remarks, he said with dissatisfaction, “Without the He Group, where would the Xia Group come from? Their wish to take our place is simply laughable.”

“Yeah, I think so too,” Yi Lixing agreed, but if one looked closely, a hint of peculiarity could be seen fleeting across his eyes.

“Liang Tao, CEO He is looking for you,” a staff member called from the doorway.

“Alright.” Liang Tao quickly finished the brown sugar cake, greeted Yi Lixing, and jogged away.

…

Fu Han was discharged from the hospital after two days. Her injuries seemed severe, but in reality, they were only skin deep with no damage to the bones; she needed time to recover slowly.

Moreover, staying in the hospital was torment for her. Although Nan Qing had been with her every night, He Xing and Su Cheng were unyielding. Like they were at each other’s throats, they insisted on standing guard outside her ward every night.

Fu Han couldn’t sleep at all, just thinking about them being outside.

Eventually, she arranged her own discharge during a time when only the nursing staff was present, insisting to the doctor that she wanted to leave the hospital.

The doctor had no choice but to prescribe her medication and agree to her discharge.

Fu Han returned to the apartment she and Nan Qing rented, and although she had been away for less than three days, it felt like an eternity. The sense of belonging and unfamiliarity both hit her strongly, but her mood was good.

The autumn afternoon was cool, and with the breeze, she opened the windows, holding her laptop as she sat in the hanging basket on the balcony. On the small table beside her was a fruit plate, and the takeout He Xing had ordered for her.