“Young Master.”
After Song Keran left and only Cao Chuan and He Dachun remained in the car, He Dachun immediately began reporting the latest developments.
“Li Shunzhi has already started trying to get in touch with Cao Hai. He’s currently lying in Zhonghai People’s Hospital. If nothing unexpected happens, he’ll probably reconnect with Cao Hai tomorrow or the day after.”
Cao Chuan gave a slight nod, clearly uninterested in this man’s movements.
Seeing that, He Dachun quickly moved on, “Next, regarding Hong Sanguai, I’ve arranged for someone to keep watch on him. Everything seemed normal with him today.”
Cao Chuan merely nodded again.
Hong Sanguai might be a petty, despicable man, but he had some brains. With the current power structure in the Cao Family tipping in Cao Chuan’s favor, Hong Sanguai likely wouldn’t act rashly.
“Then there’s Young Master Hai…”
Noting Cao Chuan’s lack of interest, He Dachun skipped over the previous topic and moved to the third.
“Our people heard that Young Master Hai had several angry outbursts today—both at the Cao Corporation and at Sihai Investment Ltd.”
“Each time he lashed out, it was because someone showed him the slightest disrespect. He’s extremely sensitive and believes that everyone now knows you’ve taken the Cao Family Heir position from him, and that he’s lost influence, which is why people are treating him perfunctorily or without proper respect.”
Cao Chuan nodded again, “Fits my impression of him—bullies the weak, fears the strong. The moment he gets angry, he lashes out at those beneath him.”
Before He Dachun could respond, Cao Chuan asked, “What about Lin Wanrong? Any news from her side?”
“CEO Lin…” He Dachun seemed to pause briefly before continuing, “CEO Lin was acting rather strange today. The moment she arrived at Cao Corporation this morning, she gathered her bodyguard team and gave them a specific order.”
“Oh? What order?” Cao Chuan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“She instructed her bodyguard captain to rotate the team in three shifts, ensuring 24-hour protection—never more than a step away from her. Even when she sleeps or uses the restroom, they are to follow closely.”
He Dachun looked genuinely puzzled. “It’s like someone has posed a serious threat to her life or safety.”
Cao Chuan’s eyes flickered.
Why did that sound like she was guarding against him?
After all, Lin Wanrong was Cao Chuanzhi’s sister-in-law, the general manager of Cao Corporation. In Zhonghai, she held significant power—unless someone was truly desperate, no one would dare mess with her.
And more importantly, this behavior wasn’t part of the original novel at all.
There was never a moment in the original plot where Lin Wanrong increased her personal security during the heir investment war.
Instead, it was him—Cao Chuan—who had just recently coerced Song Keran at the Cao Family Estate and made threatening moves when no one else was around.
If she was now wary of him, it would be completely reasonable.
“Young Master, should I look into it further and find out what exactly CEO Lin is planning?” He Dachun offered.
Cao Chuan waved it off. “No need.”
Whatever was going on with Lin Wanrong, once he took down Shen Mengying, he could just ask her directly. No need to waste time.
With that thought, he asked, “What’s going on with Shen Mengying?”
“Assistant Shen’s situation is mostly normal,” He Dachun reported quickly. “She seemed a bit down today. After working overtime till past 11, she went to a nearby quiet bar alone for a drink. Even while drinking, she looked low-spirited.”
“Then, she was targeted by a rich second-generation heir inside the bar.”
Cao Chuan’s gaze sharpened. “Targeted by a rich heir? Details.”
“Just one of those young playboys out looking for a quick fling. He noticed Assistant Shen drinking alone, looking sad and lonely, and decided to make a move.”
“The guy observed for a while, seemed to confirm her emotional state, then approached her to chat. But Assistant Shen was cautious—she rejected him immediately, even when he kept pestering her.”
Cao Chuan nodded slowly, “Did you find out who that rich heir was?”
“We haven’t gotten his full profile yet, but from what we saw, he’s definitely not a good guy. Tonight, when he was approaching her at the bar, he actually had a miniature hidden camera clipped to his collar—chatting her up while secretly filming. That alone says enough.”
Cao Chuan’s expression turned cold. That was the one.
Failing tonight, he’d surely try again.
This encounter would soon develop into a major crisis for Shen Mengying.
In the original novel, it was precisely this crisis that led her to be completely drawn in by Lin Wanrong, eventually becoming one of her most loyal and capable subordinates. This story is hosted at novelping(.)com.
Now was his chance—seize her, and begin dismantling Lin Wanrong’s network within Cao Corporation from the inside out.
Cao Chuan immediately said, “Arrange to identify that heir’s background as soon as possible.”
“Also, continue monitoring Shen Mengying. If she heads to that bar again tomorrow night, notify me immediately.”
“Understood.” Though he didn’t grasp the full strategy, He Dachun accepted the task without hesitation.
…
Meanwhile, on Shen Mengying’s side—
She still had no idea that this little white rabbit had already caught the attention of not just one—but several big bad wolves.
Late the next night, after finally working overtime to help Cao Hai sift through some initial investment projects, Lin Wanrong asked her to spend two more days conducting detailed project research.
She felt physically and emotionally drained, like a salted fish with no dreams left.
So, after work, she dragged her exhausted body back to the same quiet bar from the night before. She ordered a cocktail, intending to have a couple of drinks before going home.
This was her habit.
Whenever she felt exhausted, empty, lonely, or buried under stress, she’d go to a small, quiet bar where she was unlikely to run into anyone she knew and drink alone.
After getting a little tipsy, she’d go home and sleep well—then face the world full of energy the next day.
“Miss, here’s your drink.”
When the bartender brought her cocktail, Shen Mengying accepted it immediately and took a large sip.
Soon after, she felt a light fuzziness in her head. The stress and frustration seemed to melt away.
“Mmm~” She let out a soft, content sigh and closed her eyes slightly.
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly sounded beside her.
“Hey, beauty, we meet again~”