The Heart-to-Heart Talk

Calagua Island.

In Zone D of the Research Base.

Chen Jianxiong had come from the headquarters in Darte Port. Led by Fili, he entered this highly secretive part of the Homo sapiens Company.

As head of the Security Department, Chen Jianxiong had known a little about the Research Base. But after the Internal Affairs Department was established, it took over responsibility for the security of Calagua Island and Li Qingye.

In Chen Jianxiong's view, the Security Department and Internal Affairs Department had significant overlap in their duties. It was practically a waste of resources.

Besides, other commercial companies had no need for both an Internal Affairs Department and a Security Department. These functions could easily be handled by lower-level departments.

That was one way the Homo sapiens Company differed from other commercial companies. Few companies set up departments like these, because they had little use for them.

While Chen Jianxiong's mind wandered, the two of them arrived in front of Li Qingye.

They were in a small office in Zone D of the Research Base. It was simply furnished, with a tea table, five wooden chairs, and a large bookcase.

"You're here. Sit down."

"Yes, boss."

"Thank you, boss."

Fili and Chen Jianxiong both sat upright.

Steam rose from the kettle on the tea table. Li Qingye put a handful of Longjing Tea leaves in the teapot, then poured in hot water. A fresh fragrance spread through the room.

After pouring tea into the cups, Li Qingye leaned back in his wooden chair. His gaze was as calm as still water. "Jian Xiong, do you know why I called you here?"

Chen Jianxiong's thoughts began to race. As far as he could remember, he hadn't been derelict in his duties over the past year or so. Confused, he shook his head. "I don't know, boss."

"People change." Li Qingye took another sip of Longjing Tea and spoke unhurriedly. "My father once taught me a lesson with his life: if you aren't ruthless, you won't survive."

What? Chen Jianxiong was even more confused. He couldn't make sense of why Li Qingye was saying this, so he racked his brains for an explanation.

But Li Qingye continued, "Greed is human nature. When you have ten thousand yuan, you want to make a million. When you have a million, you want to make a hundred million. There's nothing wrong with that."

"In this age of rampant materialism, many people dream of getting rich overnight. They'll often do whatever it takes, and in their eyes, once you succeed, the despicable and shameless things you did along the way don't matter."

Gulp! Chen Jianxiong had finally understood the implication. A sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Jian Xiong, do you know what I admire most about Fang Xin Cheng?"

"Heh, I don't know," Chen Jianxiong replied with a strained laugh.

Li Qingye's eyes were ice-cold. He spoke softly. "After more than ten years of hardship in life and work, he's still as earnest as a young man. A person like that is a fool, but he's also a hero."

Chen Jianxiong fell silent.

"In this heartless world, how hard it is to live with all your heart. Don't you agree?"

"You're right, boss." Chen Jianxiong grew even more cautious.

Li Qingye stared into his eyes. "The company will keep growing, and it'll also become more dangerous. Do you have confidence in it?"

Faced with this sudden choice, Chen Jianxiong was momentarily stunned. Then he fell into thought. He felt a deep wariness toward Li Qingye, but he also longed for money and a brighter future.

Clearly, Li Qingye was giving him a choice. Chen Jianxiong struggled with it.

He took a sip of Longjing Tea and felt its bitterness fill his mouth.

He, too, had once been like Fang Xin Cheng, thinking that life would be like a sweet olive fruit. He hadn't expected reality to be as bitter as goldthread root.

His age was what it was, and all he knew was how to fight. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left the Hong Kong police force for his previous security company.

He clenched his fist. "Boss, I have confidence."

"Even if it costs you everything?" Li Qingye asked.

Chen Jianxiong had already crossed a psychological threshold. He was caught up in something like the sunk-cost effect, and naturally knew he should declare his loyalty. "I don't want my family to keep suffering. As long as they aren't harmed, I'm willing to give up everything."

"I hope you won't regret it." Li Qingye actually admired Chen Jianxiong.

If Chen Jianxiong was willing to abandon even his family, that would prove he had no principles at all. A man like that could never be trusted; sooner or later, he might stab Li Qingye in the back.

Chen Jianxiong was a little worked up. "If I can't get ahead and give my family a better life, I might regret that even more."

"You've probably guessed that the company has secrets it keeps hidden. I can tell you plainly that it does." Li Qingye poured him another cup of tea, then continued:

"In the future, the company will expand across the world. We may face all kinds of dangers and enemies, and the risks will be matched by the rewards. I need people I can trust to help me get things done. Do you understand?"

Chen Jianxiong hurriedly nodded. "I understand. I'll be loyal to the company and to you, boss."

But Li Qingye wagged a finger. "No, you don't understand. You can't guarantee loyalty with words."

"Well..." Chen Jianxiong was at a loss for words.

Li Qingye was right. Loyalty was difficult to guarantee.

Li Qingye's gaze was perfectly calm. "I can give you wealth, status, and resources, but you must repay me with absolute loyalty. Are you willing to accept that exchange?"

"I... I am," Chen Jianxiong said through gritted teeth.

"Very good. Then come with me."

With that, Li Qingye stood and headed toward the core area of the Research Base.

Fili stood as well and immediately followed.

Chen Jianxiong hesitated, then steeled himself and followed. He glanced at the silent Fili beside him, a thoughtful look in his eyes. Clearly, he had noticed that something was off about Fili.

During the conversation, Li Qingye had spoken only to him, while Fili hadn't reacted at all.

Anyone allowed to sit in on such a confidential conversation had to be one of the boss's confidants. In other words, Fili was the boss's confidant.

As he followed Li Qingye, Chen Jianxiong kept turning things over in his mind.

He had always been wary of Fili, who had taken some of the Security Department's authority. Fili was like a stone in a latrine—stinking and hard as a rock.

On the surface, the Internal Affairs Department handled Li Qingye's personal affairs. In reality, it also handled security and internal and external intelligence.

At that moment, the Internal Affairs Department managed every security guard on Calagua Island. Chen Jianxiong's Security Department had practically nothing to do.

Now, it all made sense.

The Security Department had been divided and the Internal Affairs Department established because the boss hadn't trusted him.

Now, the boss's conversation with him seemed to suggest that he was about to be given more responsibility.

At the same time, Chen Jianxiong was curious about the Research Base's restricted area. He had long wondered what secrets it held, and now he would finally get to see for himself.

Still, a trace of unease lingered in his heart.

After all, Li Qingye had said he needed absolute loyalty from him. Chen Jianxiong was worried, because absolute loyalty was extraordinarily difficult to give.

But he had come this far, and he knew he had no real way out. He had learned too much during that conversation. There was no way he could simply walk away.

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