Cao Corporation, located in the central business district of Zhonghai, sat in the most prime area.
The building had a total of 99 floors, reaching a height of 399 meters. It was the tallest and most iconic structure in all of Zhonghai. Designed by a Swedish royal architect, the entire tower stood like a stabilizing pillar in the center of Zhonghai’s financial hub.
According to the original novel, the company focused on investment as its main business, with a market value in the hundreds of billions. Almost every profitable venture in Zhonghai had its shadow cast over it.
It was like an invisible hand hovering over the financial world of Zhonghai. Though it didn’t directly participate in operations or production, it held a firm grip on the city’s financial lifeline.
It was truly the uncrowned king of Zhonghai.
By the time Cao Chuan’s motorcade arrived at the front of Cao Corporation’s tower, the entrance was already bustling with well-dressed men and women coming and going.
Most of them were here seeking investment or business cooperation with Cao Corporation.
Even that alone made them walk with pride, heads held high, as if basking in reflected glory.
However, when they saw a Maybach S680 with Zhonghai A plates roll up, surrounded by a fleet of high-powered Range Rovers, everyone’s expression shifted to surprise, and all eyes turned toward it.
“Young Master!” He Dachun quickly parked the car and rushed to the rear to open the door.
Cao Chuan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, then walked straight toward the entrance with Song Keran.
“Young Master!” The receptionists at the entrance of Cao Corporation all recognized him and hurriedly bowed.
“Mhm.” Cao Chuan gave a small nod again, then led Song Keran straight to the finance department on the 38th floor.
If he remembered correctly, inside the office of Director Qian, Lin Wanrong’s assistant, Shen Mengying, might still be secretly delivering instructions to block his funds.
He arrived at the door of the office with ease and instinctively reached to push it open, but unexpectedly, the door was pulled open from inside before he could touch it.
She stood around 1.55 meters tall, wearing a sleek black blazer with white-striped lapels, paired with a dark red plaid mini skirt. Beneath it, she wore sheer black stockings that wrapped halfway down her calves, highlighting the pale skin between skirt and stockings.
Aside from her doll-like face, the most eye-catching part was her petite frame and slim waist, along with that astonishingly full bust.
With her double ponytails and the red bow tied at her collar…
Baby face, huge bust, twin ponytails, Japanese school uniform style…
…it was like stacking every attack speed buff imaginable.
Looking at her, Cao Chuan couldn’t help but smile, “Assistant Shen.”
That dainty figure—Lin Wanrong’s assistant Shen Mengying—clearly hadn’t expected to see him. Her black and white eyes widened in surprise. “Y-Young Master Cao? Why… why are you here?”
Cao Chuan could guess even with his toes that she had just finished instructing Director Qian to delay his funds. He said coldly, “That’s a strange question, Assistant Shen. I’m the Cao Family Heir—do I need to report to you before coming to my own company?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant…” Shen Mengying stuttered.
“Actually, I should be the one asking—what are you doing here?” Cao Chuan’s gaze locked straight onto her.
This woman was Lin Wanrong’s trusted confidante and one of her most important lieutenants. She had long been on Cao Chuan’s list of people he had to take down.
Taking her down would mark the first step in dismantling Lin Wanrong’s network within Cao Corporation.
Though today wasn’t the right moment to bring her down completely, planting a seed of fear in her heart was completely within reason.
Clearly flustered, Shen Mengying’s voice trembled under his stare. “I-I came to speak with Director Qian about some work coordination…”
“Then why was the office door closed? What are you two hiding?” Cao Chuan pressed.
Just that one line made Shen Mengying panic completely.
“N-no, nothing. We were just discussing legitimate work matters.”
She stammered, taking a while just to form a complete sentence.
“Otherwise, even if my father no longer manages things, I have plenty of ways to make you pay.”
“Yes.” Shen Mengying lowered her head and replied softly.
Inside the office, Director Qian, a middle-aged woman with fading charm, came out with a flattering smile. “Young Master Cao, surely you’re joking. We’re all people with self-awareness—how could there be anything shady going on?”
“Assistant Shen had just finished work-related discussions. She just had a minor personal question to ask me, and she was afraid of rumors spreading, so she closed the door. Please don’t misunderstand.”
“Is that so?” Cao Chuan’s expression eased slightly. His gaze moved away from Shen Mengying and onto Director Qian. “If that’s the case, then I won’t pry further. Let’s get to business.”
“Yes, of course, Young Master Cao. What would you like to instruct?” Director Qian still wore her obsequious smile.
“The 1 billion yuan in funds—when will it be transferred?” Cao Chuan asked bluntly.
“This…” Director Qian glanced discreetly at Shen Mengying by the door, looking troubled.
“What? Is there a problem?” Cao Chuan took note of her subtle look but didn’t show any reaction.
Director Qian quickly looked away from Shen Mengying and put on an apologetic face. “Young Master Cao, per Chairman Cao’s instructions, I was planning to transfer that 1 billion to both your and Young Master Hai’s personal accounts immediately. But recently, the nation has suddenly tightened financial regulations. Transfers over 1 billion yuan from corporate to personal accounts now require multiple levels of bank approval. There’s nothing we can do about it…”
“What does that mean?” Cao Chuan narrowed his eyes slightly.
“It means you’ll have to wait patiently for a while,” Director Qian said with an embarrassed smile. “Once the bank completes the approval process, the funds will reach your personal account.”
“There’s no other way but to wait?” Cao Chuan was well aware of the tighter financial oversight lately, but he also knew this was nothing more than Director Qian’s excuse.
“If you’re in a hurry, Young Master Cao, I can make a call and help push the process along,” Director Qian offered, then pulled out her phone and made a call to a bank president, putting it on speaker in front of Cao Chuan.
As expected, the bank president also expressed difficulty, stating that everything had to follow procedure. She could only try to expedite her part once it reached her stage in the review, but beyond that, there was nothing more she could do.