Since we are both reborn, of course I would choose the rich woman!

Chapter 380 Mr. Xiao (6k views, please subscribe)

Mr. Zai was feeding the fish and resting in his residence, seemingly in a peaceful and serene state, but his heart was far from calm.

It's impossible to say there's no risk in going against someone like Rong Nianqing.

Even if he manages to keep things clean, people in their circle can still find the source through the slightest clues. As for evidence, it's the officials who need evidence to get things done, not these people.

The moment suspicion arises, the charge is already established.

Now it remains to be seen who will outmaneuver the other in this matter.

Mr. Zai's mind was racing, and countless possible scenarios for the upcoming game flashed through his mind as he searched for solutions among various pre-set situations.

Time flies by in such meditation.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting old, or if time just flies by when I’m thinking. Whenever Mr. Zai comes back to his senses, a lot of time has passed without him realizing it.

As he watched the sun gradually set in the west, Mr. Zai felt a surge of emotions.

I finally understand how romantic yet cruel the saying "Even the divine tortoise, though long-lived, has an end" truly is.

Compared to Shanghai, winters in Beijing are much colder and the air is much drier. After spending most of the day by the pavilion in the garden, Mr. Zai felt his cheeks were numb and his hands and feet were a little clumsy. Even though he was wearing a thick down jacket and a fur coat, he still couldn't keep out the severe cold of the north.

Mr. Zai walked heavily toward the flower hall.

As soon as he stepped aside, the family's butler came running up to Mr. Zai and said respectfully, "Sir, Mr. Xiao has come to pay his respects."

Mr. Zai, who had been walking slowly like a sick tiger, suddenly stopped. His half-closed eyes widened instantly and became bright. The sudden surge of energy seemed to materialize in an instant.

Just as some people are so intimidating that you can tell at a glance that they are not to be trifled with, and you can even feel their so-called "killer aura," Mr. Zai, who has cultivated his reputation for a long time, naturally has an air of domineering presence.

This kind of imposing manner is even more prevalent in confessions.

After a few seconds of contemplation, Mr. Zai said, "I understand. Take Mr. Xiao to the main hall, and I'll change my clothes and come over immediately."

Butler: "Okay."

After the butler turned and left, Mr. Zai was no longer as relaxed and leisurely as before. He quickly went back to his bedroom to change into a proper but loose-fitting suit, and then strode into the hall.

Even before he entered the hall, Mr. Zai's gaze drifted in. He immediately saw a man sitting inside wearing a black wool plaid shirt with a white shirt and tie underneath. His hair was neatly combed, and he wore gold-rimmed glasses. He looked particularly refined, even with a touch of roguish charm.

This person's appearance and temperament were exactly like Mr. Xiao in Mr. Zai's memory.

Behind Mr. Xiao stood a young man with a straight posture, dressed in a suit and tie, holding Mr. Xiao's suit jacket and cashmere coat in his hands.

That must be Mr. Xiao's secretary.

After surveying the scene inside, Mr. Zai burst into hearty laughter before even arriving, exclaiming, "Oh dear, Mr. Xiao!"

As he spoke, Mr. Zai strode into the hall and approached Mr. Xiao with great enthusiasm, extending his hands to shake hands with him.

But Mr. Xiao remained seated on the wooden chair, not even glancing at Mr. Zai's hand.

Mr. Zai understood immediately upon seeing this setup—

This Mr. Xiao seems to have ill intentions.

Mr. Zai's last shred of hope vanished.

Mr. Zai originally thought that Mr. Xiao had come to test him. Perhaps at the same time, there were many people like Mr. Xiao running around, probing and probing each other's reactions. But now it seems that Mr. Xiao is not giving him any face at all and is obviously here to tear off the mask.

But Mr. Zai still couldn't be sure.

In the capital city, Mr. Xiao is known for his cold-bloodedness and ruthlessness. He looks refined and gentle, but when it comes to doing things, he is more experienced and vicious than a young man. Moreover, Mr. Xiao's thoughts are notoriously difficult to fathom.

What if the other party's cold shoulder is just an act?

In a flash, Mr. Zai tried to justify himself again.

This is normal. People are like that. They won't give up until they're completely convinced. Even if someone has already been put in a coffin, they'll still think about turning over and hoping they can still be saved before a final verdict is reached.

Mr. Zai withdrew his hand slightly embarrassedly and chuckled dryly, "Well, Mr. Xiao, what brings you here this time? If there's anything I can do to help, I certainly won't hesitate."

Mr. Xiao still didn't respond. After Mr. Zai returned to his seat in the main hall, he shifted uncomfortably in the armchair and clicked his tongue, saying, "These wooden chairs are strange. They were quite comfortable when I first sat down, but after sitting on them for a short time, they've become so uncomfortable."

Upon hearing Mr. Xiao's words, Mr. Zai, who was already quite shrewd, couldn't help but start to think outside the box and began to do some reading comprehension.

Why did Mr. Xiao say that?

Did he mean anything by saying that?

Is she blaming herself for being late, or is she warning herself that it's best not to keep these outdated things in her home anymore, and that she shouldn't have any inappropriate thoughts in her mind?

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Mr. Zai laughed and said, "It's my fault. I'll have all the chairs and furniture in the hall replaced later. I'm too old-fashioned. These old-fashioned things are an eyesore to Mr. Xiao."

Seeing Mr. Zai's cooperative manner, Mr. Xiao laughed and said, "Mr. Zai, you've always been so considerate of others, haven't you?"

Mr. Zai humbly replied, "I wouldn't dare accept that, but I will certainly do my best to help you, Mr. Xiao."

Mr. Xiao didn't stand on ceremony: "Then Mr. Zai, please help me out again."

As he spoke, Mr. Xiao took out his phone from his pocket, operated the phone screen for a while, and then a live broadcast of a certain location appeared on the screen.

The area on the phone screen looked somewhat dim, as if the light in the room had been deliberately blocked out.

In this dimly lit room, at this very moment, sat a person who was extremely flustered.

The man's hair was greasy, and his face was also very oily. He looked like he had been frantically pulled out of the water.

But Mr. Zai didn't know this person.

So Mr. Zai asked, somewhat bewildered, "Mr. Xiao, who is this?"

Mr. Xiao glanced at Mr. Zai, and with just one glance, he knew that Mr. Zai was not pretending to be crazy, but genuinely did not recognize the person in the phone.

So Mr. Xiao laughed and said, "This person is really despicable."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Zai immediately expressed his righteous indignation: "Has this person offended Mr. Xiao? Then let me handle it. I am quite confident in dealing with people who are disliked."

Mr. Xiao laughed and said, "I believe that. I heard that Mr. Zai was a notorious gangster in the Tianjin area in his early years, and his methods were ruthless."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Zai immediately waved his hand and said, "Oh dear, Mr. Xiao, you shouldn't say such things. This is a peaceful era, and I am a very good person. The things I did when I was young and ignorant were really too shameful. I have long since turned over a new leaf and started anew."

Mr. Xiao smiled.

Just ignore this nonsense.

In reality, people who wield knives and guns will always exist in every place, just like weeds. They are impossible to eradicate completely, but there is no need to try to eliminate them completely.

As long as these people don't go too far, they can sometimes be used to do things.

When the Xiao family first rose to power, they made connections with many powerful figures in the martial arts world. It was through these friends in the martial arts world that the Xiao family gained the resources to participate in the later consolidation of power.

So Mr. Xiao waved his hand and laughed, "Mr. Zai, there's no need to be nervous. You just said that the things you did in the past were not respectable, but I can't agree with that. Back then, it was a time of great upheaval and upheaval. You were able to make such a name for yourself in the Tianjin area, which must have been quite remarkable."

As he spoke, Mr. Xiao picked up the teapot on the coffee table beside him, poured himself a cup of tea, and raised it up, saying, "A toast to the past."

Although Mr. Xiao didn't give Mr. Zai a friendly look when they first met, his subsequent words were very respectful. Even though Mr. Zai was on guard, Mr. Xiao's bold remark, "Respect for the past," stirred Mr. Zai's heart.

After drinking a cup with Mr. Zai, he slammed the teacup down on the table beside him and said heartily, "This tea isn't as refreshing as wine! Just based on what Mr. Xiao said earlier, we should drink until we drop today!"

Mr. Xiao waved his hand and said, "Let's deal with this person's matter first."

After he finished speaking, he tapped the phone that was placed on the table. The phone screen was still lit up, showing the person that Mr. Xiao had just shown him.

Mr. Xiao continued, "This person is despicable. He actually spread malicious articles online to smear one of my very good friends. My friend is now in a very awkward situation, and I've even heard that the authorities are preparing to investigate him."

Mr. Zai's face once again showed an expression of empathy and righteous indignation: "That's outrageous! Tell me, is there anything I can do to help?"

Previously, Mr. Zai did not recognize the person on Mr. Xiao's phone screen.

Because he didn't handle this matter himself, he didn't know the person who wrote the article.

But after Mr. Xiao made his point so clear, Mr. Zai knew that Mr. Xiao was indeed targeting him. But at this point, Mr. Zai couldn't admit it. In any case, Mr. Xiao couldn't find any real evidence. Even if he found out the connection between the other party and himself from the slightest clues, Mr. Zai could say that it was a frame-up.

Mr. Zai had anticipated and prepared for the possibility of being exposed. He needed to stall for a few more days. Once the investigation team was established, Rong Nianqing would inevitably be in a difficult position.

In the law of the jungle, once a beast is wounded and bleeds, no matter how powerful it once was, the wild animals that once dared not even approach it under its intimidation will slowly probe closer, take a paw, and bite it. The herd of beasts will grind the former beast to death like a millstone.

If the Rong family is injured and sent abroad for study, they will become like ferocious beasts in the jungle. The Rong family's current situation is also very awkward. The Rong family was originally in finance, and their role was originally to be responsible for the flow of cargo in the hold of a large ship at sea. However, in the process of development, selfishness and evil in human nature began to take over, and the group of powerful people in the Rong family's finance business gradually became out of control.

Even some of the older members of the Rong family have changed.

If it weren't for Rong Nianqing's sudden rise to power and her almost uncanny speed in the real economy, taking on responsibilities they had forgotten, the Rong family might be on the verge of collapse by now.

However, the rapid rise of Rong Nianqing's family in the physical industry has impacted the status of the seniors in this circle. Now, there are quite a few people who are unhappy with Rong Nianqing's family, and there are countless covetous eyes on them.

The evil in people's hearts is already stirring.

Just...

All that's missing is a chance for the king of the mountain beasts to bleed.

Therefore, even if Mr. Xiao were to throw the evidence in Mr. Zai's face right now, Mr. Zai would still shout that he was wronged and was already prepared to completely tear off the mask and confront him head-on.

But Mr. Xiao seemed to have a poisonous quality, and immediately guessed Mr. Zai's thoughts.

Mr. Xiao sighed and said, "Mr. Zai, Uncle Zai, I'm already here. Do you still have any illusions? Don't you know my style of doing things?"

Mr. Zai smiled and said, "You don't think that person is one of my people, and that I'm smearing someone, do you? That would be a huge misunderstanding."

Mr. Xiao also laughed and said, "It's a misunderstanding. Well then, Mr. Zai, please issue a statement regarding the online smear campaign against Rong Nianqing, saying that it was your side that had malicious intentions and that's why you maliciously slandered her."

Mr. Zai's face darkened. He continued to argue, frowning as he said, "I, Zai Guowei, have always been a man of integrity and uprightness. What I did, I did; what I didn't do, I didn't do. How could you expect me to impersonate you in this matter? That's inappropriate!"

"boom!!"

Amidst Mr. Zai's righteous and awe-inspiring words, Mr. Xiao slammed his hand on the coffee table beside him, causing the teapot on the table to bounce up and then fall back down, and even the cell phone on the table was shaken to the ground.

Just as the phone fell to the ground, a muffled, short gunshot rang out from it.

A flicker appeared in Mr. Zai's eyes.

Mr. Xiao's refined face was clouded with gloom, making him appear exceptionally sinister and terrifying to a normal person: "Zai Guowei, I call you uncle, and you think you're all that again? I've given you so many ways out, but you won't take them. What? You want me to hang you up like a statue? Huh?!"

Mr. Xiao's face was gloomy, and he was practically pointing his finger at Mr. Zai's nose and cursing.

Mr. Zai was very good at maintaining his composure, but at this moment, being so embarrassed by a junior pointing his finger at him, he couldn't help but feel his emotions churning. Mr. Zai raised his head and smiled, "Mr. Xiao, you've lost your composure."

But Mr. Xiao completely ignored Zai Guowei.

He just stared blankly and said, "Now that I'm here today, I'm determined to get what I need to do done. The difference is whether I do it respectably and beautifully, or in a very ugly and messy way. I, Xiao Wanlin, am certainly not afraid of anything, but what about you, Mr. Zai?"

Mr. Zai smiled and said, "Are you threatening me?"

Mr. Xiao smiled, raised his hand to take an envelope from his secretary, and handed it over.

Mr. Zai took the envelope, opened it, and glanced at it. There was nothing on the paper inside, only a list of names. As he looked at those names, Mr. Zai's expression grew increasingly grim.

These are all spies that he and his people have painstakingly placed into management positions in various industries over the years.

But now, this highly confidential information has been so easily handed to him by Mr. Xiao... This is more painful and heartbreaking than having his hand cut off.

He had painstakingly built up his business over so many years, but he never expected it to be exposed like this.

When was this unearthed?

Was it dug up by the Xiao family, or by someone else?
Mr. Zai's face gradually turned pale.

Mr. Xiao looked at the silent Mr. Zai and continued with a gloomy face: "I know this is not your entire plan over the years, but just the fact that all these names on the envelope have been dealt with, tell me, what do you think your situation will be like next?"

"Even if I do nothing, what will happen to your supporters? Will your position remain so secure?"

With that, Mr. Xiao sat back in his chair, not even glancing at Mr. Zai: "Don't you understand? I'm not here to deal with you, I'm here to help you."

Mr. Zai held the envelope in his hand, his arms resting on either side of the armchair. He looked like a tiger with its bones erect, his head lowered, exuding an exceptionally dangerous aura. Mr. Zai asked, "If I do what you just said, will these people be able to land safely?"

"Ah"

Mr. Xiao sneered: "Mr. Zai, are you senile?"

"When I say I'll help you, I don't mean for you to make any concessions in exchange for something. I'm helping you because I'm giving you the opportunity to give up your pointless resistance. As long as you're honest and cooperate with us, we can absolutely guarantee your life in China from now on."

"You're over sixty, it's time for you to retire."

Mr. Zai, with his head down, had a taut expression, but he still couldn't suppress the resentment in his heart.

Am I getting old?

Is he so old that even a young child could control me?
It was as if there was a live volcano in Mr. Zai's heart, with molten lava surging wildly beneath it, about to erupt.

But Mr. Xiao remained unmoved. He simply said casually, "There are still people on our side who are willing to give you a chance and don't want to treat you, Mr. Zai, as an enemy. But I don't think so. I think enemies are good."

“If you can’t physically eliminate your opponent, then it’s not a complete victory. But they think my idea is going too far.”

After saying that, Mr. Xiao leaned back in the uncomfortable armchair, closed his eyes, and waited silently.

He came with a mission.

If Mr. Zai is willing to cooperate with him, then he will naturally complete the task.

If Mr. Zai doesn't cooperate with him, he can still have a clear mind and feel completely at ease.

At this moment, a storm was raging in Mr. Zai's heart, and the world he had built over the past three years was crumbling under this storm.

He never imagined that he would be pushed to this point so easily.

But was his loss truly unjust?
It's not unfair, actually.

One-fifth of the base he had painstakingly built over the years had been dug up. If this one-fifth is controlled, it is inevitable that more people will be dug up. Before long, Mr. Zai's foundation will be shaken.

Even if his people are willing to continue supporting him, how could his ambitious younger generation possibly let him go?

Now, he really has no choice.

After struggling internally for a long time, Mr. Zai's towering frame finally collapsed, and he said dejectedly, "I will cooperate with you."

Those six simple words were so difficult for him to utter.

Mr. Xiao is completely unable to empathize with Mr. Zai now. He has no sympathy or pity for such a person at all, and instead feels that such a person deserves it.

A wandering ghost from the old era, unwilling to be completely buried, plots and schemes on the ship of the new era... Unfortunately, the ship of the new era has no place for them.

Not to mention they also reached into places they shouldn't have.

Mr. Xiao stood up expressionlessly, took a piece of paper and a pen from his secretary, placed them on the table next to Mr. Zai, and said, "Write it down. You still have many names to write."

Mr. Zai slightly raised his head and glanced sideways at the pristine white A4 paper on the table beside him, and the simple, unadorned fountain pen.
Half an hour later, Mr. Xiao came out of Mr. Zai's residence and got into a Hongqi car parked outside. Mr. Xiao couldn't help but sigh and complain, "I really don't understand these old fogies. What are they doing living in this old place? I'm sweating from walking all this."

As he spoke, Mr. Xiao handed a sheet of paper filled with names to his secretary: "Take this sheet and hand it in."

Secretary: "Okay."

The secretary stuffed the paper into a file folder, then opened it and left.

After the secretary left, Mr. Xiao said to the driver in the car, "Go to Shangnan."

As for how to get to Shangnan?
Of course, it's more convenient to have your car fly to Shangnan.

……

Shangnan, seventh floor of Huasheng Life.

Rong Nianqing had a good network of information channels. After Mr. Xiao finished visiting Mr. Zai and then drove straight to the airport, all this information was on Rong Nianqing's desk in less than half an hour.

Upon seeing this information, Rong Nianqing knew that the public opinion crisis that had been created for her and Lü Yao had been resolved.

This matter will definitely be resolved by someone; Rong Nianqing won't even need to make a phone call. People who see these messages online will naturally become restless.

However, Rong Nianqing did not express any gratitude to the other party.

Upon seeing that Mr. Xiao was preparing to come to Shangnan, Rong Nianqing immediately stood up and said decisively, "To the airport!"

(End of this chapter)