Who would still start a business seriously after being reborn?

Chapter 719 The Daily Life of a Tech Hardcore Man

After several days of intensive but fruitless interrogations, the FBI also temporarily lost patience.

Due to a lack of crucial testimony, coupled with continued diplomatic pressure from China and a media barrage from Momo Group, the FBI failed to imprison Lin Sipeng and instead opted for a compromise.

He was placed under house arrest in a villa that Momo Group had purchased in San Francisco.

This villa became Lin Sipeng's prison.

FBI agents were on guard 24/7 around the house. All communication equipment inside the house was removed, telephone lines were cut off, network interfaces were blocked, and even the television signal was filtered.

His activities were strictly confined to the villa's walls, and he lived a simple and plain life.

The mornings are the regular interrogation sessions. Every morning, two detectives arrive on time to conduct routine questioning. The message is always the same: if Lin Sipeng is willing to cooperate, they will release him.

But Lin Sipeng had taken the art of silence to the extreme, occasionally glancing at the detective with a pitying look. This led to the interrogation time getting shorter and shorter, until it almost became a situation where the detective would come over for a cup of coffee, confirm that the man was still there, ask him to sign something, and then leave with a helpless expression.

Lunch was the same old broccoli and chicken breast, which made Lin Sipeng chuckle so loudly he almost turned into a giggle.

The afternoon exercise days were Lin Sipeng's happiest time, and also his greatest entertainment during his house arrest: watching ants move house in the garden in the backyard of the villa.

Every afternoon, under the watchful eyes of two detectives, he would squat on a small stool on the grass and watch ants move their nest for an hour or two.

"Tsk, the big one must be a soldier ant, and the ones running around next to it must be its underlings. Their pheromone transmission efficiency is even more amazing than the Internet."

"Hey, this one's all alone. Doesn't it look like me stuck here? It's so pitiful. Let's just crush it."

He even started naming different ant colonies, such as the Windows Ant Tribe and the Momo OS Ant Nest, and then used a few pieces of chicken breast every day to guide them to stage a microscopic war drama.

The detectives guarding him all thought this guy might have gone insane from being so repressed.

Nighttime is the loneliest time. There's no internet, no phone, and no one to talk to, making the nights seem exceptionally long.

Lin Sipeng spends his days relying on memories and imagination. He repeatedly imagines the scene of being welcomed by thousands of people when he returns to China, and fantasizes about standing in the center of a press conference, recounting his heroic and indomitable deeds in the United States.

To maintain his heroic physique, he would also do some push-ups and sit-ups in the living room, because once he returned, those car models would definitely adore him.

He can disappoint anyone, but he absolutely cannot disappoint those car models.

At this moment, Waters also saw Lin Sipeng's monotonous daily life under house arrest through the video. Waters looked at Lin Sipeng on the screen and frowned, saying, "Since interrogation is useless, let's try another method."

"What method?" The FBI detective in charge of monitoring Lin Sipeng looked at Waters curiously.

Waters said, "This Lin Sipeng is very lecherous. I think we can use his beauty to seduce him."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, China was immersed in the festive atmosphere of the 2006 Lunar New Year.

The festive atmosphere in Dongcang County is stronger than in other districts and counties. The streets and alleys are decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and happy smiles are on the faces of adults and children.

The reason is simply because Dongcang County's GDP has entered the top five in the province.

At the end of the year, in the GDP ranking of counties and districts in Handong Province, Dongcang County ranked second in the province with a GDP of 1145 billion yuan, second only to Shinan District of Jingzhou City.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and Cheng Yi's courtyard is exceptionally lively. Just after nightfall, Gu Yushan, the acting president of the Lanling Municipal Government Affairs Association, personally came to deliver New Year's greetings. Accompanying him were the new leadership team of Dongcang County. Although Gu Yushan had been promoted, he was even more humble in front of Cheng Yi.

After seeing Gu Yushan and the others off, the family began preparing for New Year's Eve.

On the dinner table were the fruits of her mother's afternoon's work: braised carp, symbolizing abundance year after year; tender roast chicken; homemade sausages; and pork and cabbage dumplings, which Cheng Yi had loved since childhood.

The Spring Festival Gala was playing on TV, and the loud music filled the living room, creating an indescribable sense of happiness.

Since his rebirth, he has been fighting in the business world, constantly scheming and plotting, his nerves always on edge. Only when he returns to this small courtyard and is by his parents' side can he feel a moment of relaxation.

The father took a sip of the Moutai Cheng Yi had brought back, smacked his lips, and asked, "I heard that one of your company's vice presidents, surnamed Lin, was detained in the United States?"

Cheng Yi nodded and said calmly, "Yes, Dad, don't worry, the company will handle it."

"That's good. Oh, what a poor child." The father shook his head and sighed, "In business, harmony is paramount, but we can't let others bully us."

Just then, Jiang Aiguo and his family arrived on time.

Jiang Aiguo carried two bottles of fine wine, Yu Min carried two boxes of pastries, and Jiang Yuxi followed behind him, wearing a red woolen coat that made her skin look as white as snow.

She looked somewhat unhappy, and her demeanor was much quieter than usual.

"Aiguo, you've finally arrived! I was almost ready to start drinking, but where have you been?" Cheng Jianshu immediately stood up to greet Jiang Aiguo.

"Hey, don't even mention it," Jiang Aiguo said. "These matchmakers have been knocking down my door, and many of them are quite influential. I can't afford to offend them, so I have to go out and hide for now."

"Isn't Yu Xi still more than a year away from graduating?" Cheng Jianshu glanced at Jiang Yu Xi.

Jiang Yuxi lowered her head, feeling somewhat aggrieved.

Jiang Aiguo sat down next to Cheng Jianshu and said, "Yes, that's what I said too, but those matchmakers really won't give up until they get what they want."

"Our Yuxi really changes every year, becoming more and more beautiful." Chu Yue'e noticed that Jiang Yuxi was a little unhappy, so she quickly came over, took her hand, pulled her to the sofa, and stuffed a handful of candy into her mouth.

Jiang Yuxi sat on the sofa, clutching the candy, still looking preoccupied.

Looking at Jiang Yuxi, Cheng Yi greeted her with a smile, "Jiang Yuxi, you're so amazing! Are you about to become Dongcang's white moonlight?"

"Cheng Yi!" Jiang Yuxi raised her head angrily and bared her teeth at Cheng Yi, but she quickly looked away the moment her gaze met Cheng Yi's face.

That bastard, she gets itchy whenever she sees teeth.

As the New Year's Eve dinner began, Cheng Jianshu and Jiang Aiguo, after a few drinks, completely let loose and no one cared about Jiang Yuxi's feelings anymore.

Their conversation revolved around everyday family matters and current events in the county. Cheng Yi occasionally chimed in, but mostly just listened, his gaze occasionally drifting towards Jiang Yuxi.

Jiang Yuxi was acting very strangely tonight; her usual liveliness and curiosity seemed to be shrouded in a gloom.

As midnight approached, the sound of firecrackers outside gradually intensified, and the night sky was completely illuminated by the continuous bursts of fireworks.

"Come on, Xiao Yi, Yu Xi, let's go out and set off fireworks!" Cheng Jianshu and Jiang Aiguo, still tipsy, excitedly took out the fireworks and firecrackers they had prepared beforehand and went to the yard.

Cheng Jianshu lit a large red paper ribbon, and after a series of crackling sounds, red confetti covered the yard, symbolizing prosperity. Cheng Yi then took a few sparklers and fairy wands, handing one to Jiang Yuxi and asking, "Want to play?"

Jiang Yuxi hesitated for a moment, but still accepted it.

Cheng Yi lit it for her with a lighter. The thin metal rod instantly burst out with dazzling silver sparks, crackling and illuminating Jiang Yuxi's delicate face.

Jiang Yuxi stood in the courtyard, looking at the burning sparkler in her hand and then at Cheng Yi, who was setting off a rocket in front of her. Her feelings became increasingly complicated.

She wanted to tie this despicable guy to a rocket and send him soaring into the sky, but she was also worried about whether he could withstand the pressure from Microsoft.

"Won't the things happening in America affect you?" Jiang Yuxi finally asked.

Cheng Yi lit a rocket, jumped back with a cheeky grin, and was stunned for a moment before realizing that she was asking about Lin Sipeng.

He casually said, "It's nothing, just house arrest. There won't be any problems with my daily life. Besides, this might not be a bad thing for the company. I have a backup plan."

He spoke the truth, but to Jiang Yuxi, it sounded like a businessman's calculation.

She remained silent for a moment, then the magic wand in her hand gradually went out, turning into a wisp of smoke.

She said in a low voice, "Do you always calculate everything so precisely? Even people's feelings?"

She spoke the last few words very softly.

Cheng Yi turned to look at her, somewhat puzzled, but Jiang Yuxi lowered her head, grinding the snowflakes on the ground with the tip of her shoe, not wanting him to see her expression.

Just then, more fireworks burst open in the night sky, their vibrant colors illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were daytime.

"Happy New Year, Cheng Yi!" Jiang Aiguo laughed loudly.

"I hope everyone has a happy new year." Cheng Yi grinned as well.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, according to the custom of Dongcang County, people visit each other to exchange New Year's greetings.

Cheng Yi got up early and helped his parents receive several groups of relatives. Those who came to visit on the first day of the Lunar New Year were close relatives, mostly uncles and elders from the same branch of the family. Those who were not close relatives would generally not presume to come and pay their respects.

Around noon, he made an excuse to slip away, intending to visit Jiang Aiguo's family for the New Year.

Last spring, for safety reasons, Gu Yushan invited his family and Jiang Aiguo's family to live in the family compound of the County Government Affairs Association, which is nearly 500 meters apart.

He walked to the entrance of Jiang Ai's house, and before he even entered, he could smell the enticing aroma of food.

Jiang Aiguo was cleaning up the remnants of last night's firecrackers in the yard when he saw Cheng Yi. His face immediately lit up with a smile, and he said, "Little Yi is here! Come in quickly, it's warm inside."

Upon entering the house, Yu Min greeted them warmly, offering tea, water, and candy.

Jiang Yuxi was helping out in the kitchen wearing an apron when she saw Cheng Yi come in. A fleeting hint of panic crossed her face, but she quickly regained her composure and casually said, "You're here."

After saying that, she turned around and continued chopping vegetables, but the sound of the knife hitting the cutting board seemed to be more frequent than usual.

It's as if the flesh under the knife is surnamed Cheng, named Yi, a bastard.

"That girl Yu Xi insisted on showing off her skills and cooking a couple of dishes." Jiang's mother said to Cheng Yi with a smile, "It's a good opportunity for you to try Yu Xi's cooking."

Before long, the food was served. Although it wasn't very lavish, it had everything you'd expect.

Jiang Aiguo was very happy to see Cheng Yi come to visit, and immediately insisted on pulling Cheng Yi to start drinking.

After a few drinks, he became more talkative.

"Xiao Yi, you've really got real skills now. Our family is all thanks to you." Jiang Aiguo patted Cheng Yi on the shoulder and laughed, "I have complete peace of mind with Yu Xi working for you! It's just that she's not young anymore, and all she cares about is work. She doesn't care about her personal life at all..."

Since last year, after seeing Cheng Yi's achievements, Jiang Aiguo has stopped trying to matchmake Cheng Yi and Jiang Yuxi.

Because Jiang Aiguo was a businessman, he knew very well what equivalent exchange meant.

"Dad!" Jiang Yuxi interrupted Jiang Aiguo in embarrassment and annoyance, her cheeks flushing red, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.

Cheng Yi smiled, picked up his wine glass and said, "Uncle Jiang, Yu Xi is now a pillar of our group. As for her, when the time is right, things will fall into place. Don't worry, girls can also prioritize their careers."

Jiang Aiguo looked at Cheng Yi, then at his daughter, sighed, and didn't say anything more. He just silently drank a glass of wine.

After finishing their meal, Jiang Yuxi cleared the dishes and went into the kitchen. Cheng Yi also got up to help her and followed her in.

In the kitchen, Jiang Yuxi was washing dishes with her head down.

Cheng Yi put the remaining bowls and chopsticks aside and said with a smile, "With so many matchmakers, isn't there anyone you like?"

Jiang Yuxi paused in her dishwashing, didn't turn around, and said in a muffled voice, "Do you want me to have someone I like?"

Cheng Yi didn't expect Jiang Yuxi to ask that. After hesitating for a long time, he still said, "I think you will definitely meet someone who is right for you."

Jiang Yuxi abruptly turned off the tap, slowly turned around, her eyes slightly red, but she looked at Cheng Yi stubbornly and said, "The right person? Someone like Lin Qingyin?"

Cheng Yi was stunned. He hadn't expected Jiang Yuxi to bring up Lin Qingyin so directly.

“Yes, she’s naive, kind, comes from a good family, and you two have a lot in common. She’s really a good match for you.” Jiang Yuxi’s tone was tinged with bitterness as she said, “As for me, I like to mess around and all I know how to do is sell things…”

“That’s not how you compare them.” Cheng Yi put away his joke and said, “You and Lin Qingyin are both great. My being with Lin Qingyin is my own choice, not because you’re not good enough.”

"I know it's your choice." Jiang Yuxi's voice rose slightly, tinged with suppressed emotion, as she said, "I never thought about anything in particular. I just hate how you always act like you have everything planned out perfectly, even other people's feelings seem to be within your calculations!"

After she finished speaking, she seemed to have used up all her strength, lowered her head, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

Cheng Yi looked at her, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He returned reborn with foresight, accustomed to controlling everything, to speaking softly and smiling gently, and to scheming against people's hearts.

Jiang Yuxi was right; he seemed to have calculated everything around him too meticulously.

(End of this chapter)