Xing Jifu was now 54 years old. Despite his commitment to regular exercise, a healthy and disciplined diet, and having dedicated staff attending to his daily needs, he could still feel the gradual passage of time.
Over the past few years, he had increasingly withdrawn from the group's operations, hoping to hand over most of the legitimate businesses to his eldest son, Xing Yanjun. However, some matters had entangled the Xing family for decades across generations, and many issues couldn't be severed so easily. The underworld forces didn't respect notions of staying clean or retreating at the peak of one's power. If you tried to withdraw, others might just take your life. So, those affairs continued as before under the direction of his trusted aides, with even some cautious expansion. After all, only the strong held the power to speak and protect the legitimate side of their enterprises.
He had a plan in mind: since they couldn't shake off these burdens, they might as well completely separate them. This way, the Xing descendants could remain untarnished while still having covert strength to support and safeguard their interests.
But this was a chess game that had to be played slowly. He had always been a patient man since his youth. This collaboration with Yunnan served both to expand new business channels and to secure absolute dominance in the central China region—they certainly had competitors. Xing Jifu never showed his face personally nor directly involved himself, but he took it extremely seriously, allowing no mistakes from his subordinates.
So when Xing Yanjun came to report on some work matters today, he clearly sensed his father's displeasure. He vaguely understood it was likely related to the other side of their operations, so he didn't probe further.
However, Xing Jifu had never been one to show much emotion, appearing composed as usual. The father and son brewed a pot of tea and systematically worked through various confusions and difficulties Xing Yanjun faced in his work.
Every time his father offered guidance, Xing Yanjun felt as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes, broadening his perspective and understanding of problems. As an accomplished returnee from overseas studies who had excelled since childhood, he genuinely admired his father.
After discussing work, Xing Jifu smiled and asked, "Have you met any nice girls recently?"
Xing Yanjun replied, "It's not that easy. There are beautiful women everywhere, but none that I like."
Xing Jifu said, "Don't set your standards too high."
Xing Yanjun responded, "Dad, weren't your standards high? Mom was both talented and beautiful—I should at least find someone close to her caliber."
Xing Jifu smiled.
Just then, the internal line from his secretary rang. Xing Jifu answered it. Xing Yanjun sipped his tea slowly, watching his father handle work with his head bowed. He had seen photos of his father from younger days and knew he had been very handsome then—returned from prestigious overseas studies, tall and fair-skinned, with an unmistakable scholarly air. Even now, dressed in a black suit, his father appeared much leaner and more refined than other entrepreneurs.
Even though his father was involved in some unsavory business, Xing Yanjun always felt that his father retained that scholarly demeanor from his youth. He simply couldn't associate his father with those brutal affairs. So he often thought it must be his father's subordinates who handled such matters. With his father managing countless responsibilities, he probably couldn't know every detail clearly.Xing Yanjun's earlier teasing of his father wasn't exaggerated. His mother had also graduated from a prestigious foreign university and was the only daughter of a renowned entrepreneur. Since their marriage, the couple had always appeared deeply devoted. Even after multiplying the family fortune several times over, his father had never fooled around outside. If this wasn't loyalty to his mother, what was?
However, as Xing Yanjun grew older, observing his exceptionally capable father and watching him interact with his mother, he always sensed something slightly amiss. Sometimes, his father seemed indifferent to everything, as if nothing truly mattered to him.
Xing Yanjun even felt that his father wasn't as successful, composed, or happy as he appeared on the surface.
He couldn't quite discern the reason yet.
He wondered if it was because his father was inherently profound and inscrutable. Otherwise, how could a mere scholar back then have taken over the family's legacy built over years, firmly grasping both legitimate and illicit businesses? Or perhaps it was because even the vast Xing family enterprise still fell short in some way, preventing his father from finding genuine satisfaction?
While lost in thought, Xing Jifu said, "You may leave first. The others are coming."Xing Yanjun nodded and stepped out, just bumping into Huang Long, Luo Yu, and Guo Feirong approaching together." When these three appeared simultaneously, it always signaled major trouble on their end. Hesitating slightly, Xing Yanjun asked, "Is everything alright?"
All three understood the old master's mindset and maintained good relations with the Crown Prince. Guo Feirong patted Xing Yanjun's shoulder, "Don't worry, we'll handle it."
Luo Yu even smiled, "Yanjun, let's play ball tomorrow."
Xing Yanjun smiled and agreed.
After Xing Yanjun left, Huang Long remarked to Luo Yu, "You never miss a chance to curry favor with the Heir."
Luo Yu replied, "Yanjun and I simply click."
Huang Long snorted dismissively.
The more steady Guo Feirong wore a grave expression, faint worry clouding his features. He didn't engage in their bickering as the three entered Xing Jifu's office.
Xing Jifu gestured, "Sit."
The three sat down, their expressions varying.
Xing Jifu appeared completely unaware, his gaze sweeping across their faces before asking, "Still no news about Ahua?"
Guo Feirong answered first, "None."
Ahua was essentially Guo Feirong's direct subordinate. Among Guo Feirong's several mistresses, the smartest and most favored had a brother—Ahua—making him Guo Feirong's brother-in-law of sorts. Over recent years, Ahua had worked under Guo Feirong, proving both clever and ruthless in handling affairs. Guo Feirong valued him highly, even getting him recognized by Xing Jifu. Yet unexpectedly, last night while supposedly making contact with Yunnan connections, Ahua had vanished into thin air!
Huang Long and Luo Yu also reported no updates.
Xing Jifu frowned slightly, slowly rubbing his teacup.
Huang Long ventured, "Could it be the police?"
Luo Yu shot him a look as if he were an idiot, "Why would the police take Ahua? What significance does he hold?"
Xing Jifu nodded, "Luo Yu's right. The police wouldn't operate that way."
Guo Feirong, being the most concerned about Ahua, hesitated, "Then who could it be? Could there be a mole?"
The four fell silent until Xing Jifu broke it, "Let's not assume that yet. Only we few knew about the contact mission. We mustn't create chaos within our own ranks."
Huang Long snorted, "If there really is a mole, I'll be the first to eliminate him." As he spoke, he glanced fleetingly at Luo Yu.Xing Jifu observed the expressions of his trusted aides while sipping tea in silence. At that moment, he noticed Luo Yu completely ignoring Huang Long's provocation, seemingly lost in thought with furrowed brows.
Xing Jifu asked, "Luo Yu, what's wrong?"
Luo Yu hesitated before replying, "I was thinking—Xiangtan Lao has been unusually quiet lately."
Xiangtan Lao's faction had always maintained an ambiguous relationship with them—sometimes adversaries, sometimes allies. They had clashed before, yet also exchanged courtesies. Though Xiangtan Lao had always been notoriously aggressive and had been eyeing the Yunnan business deal, their side had managed to seize the opportunity first.
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