Heart-to-Heart Talk

Calagua Island.

In Zone D of the research base.

Chen Jianxiong, who rushed over from Darte Port headquarters, was led by Fili into this very mysterious place within Homo sapiens Company.

Actually, as the head of the security department, Chen Jianxiong had some understanding of the research base's situation before. However, with the emergence of the internal affairs department, the task of ensuring the safety of Calagua Island and Li Qingye was taken over by them.

In Chen Jianxiong's opinion, the functions of the security department and the internal affairs department overlapped significantly, which was a waste of resources.

Furthermore, based on the organizational structures of other commercial companies, there was no need for separate internal affairs and security departments; they could have been integrated into lower-level departments.

This was also what differentiated Homo sapiens Company from other commercial companies. Other companies rarely set up such departments, mainly because they had limited utility.

While Chen Jianxiong was lost in thought, the two arrived in front of Li Qingye.

This was a small office in Zone D of the research base. The furnishings were simple and clear: a tea table, five wooden chairs, and a large bookshelf.

"You're here. Have a seat!"

"Yes, Boss."

"Thank you, Boss."

Fili and Chen Jianxiong sat up straight.

Steam rose from the teapot on the tea table. Li Qingye put some Longjing tea into the teapot, then poured in hot water, filling the air with a delicate fragrance.

After pouring hot tea into the cups, Li Qingye leaned back in his wooden chair, his gaze as calm as water. "Jian Xiong, do you know why I asked you to come?"

Chen Jianxiong's mind raced. He couldn't recall any dereliction of duty in the past year or so. He shook his head in confusion. "Boss, I don't know."

"People's hearts can change," Li Qingye said, taking another sip of Longjing tea. "My father once taught me a lesson with his own life: If you're not ruthless, you won't stand firm."

What? Chen Jianxiong became even more confused. He couldn't understand the purpose behind Li Qingye's words and could only rack his brain trying to figure it out.

Li Qingye continued, "Greed is human nature. If you have ten thousand, you want a million. If you have a million, you want a hundred million. There's nothing inherently wrong with that."

"In this materialistic era, many people want to get rich overnight and often resort to any means necessary. In their eyes, as long as they succeed, the despicable and shameless methods used in the process are irrelevant."

Gulp! Chen Jianxiong now understood the implied meaning, and a fine sweat broke out on his forehead involuntarily.

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

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

Li Qingye's eyes were cold as he said softly, "To be tempered by life and work for over a decade and still remain as passionate as a youth – such a person is a fool, but also a warrior."

Chen Jianxiong fell silent.

"In this cold world, to live with deep affection is also a difficult thing, don't you think?"

"What the Boss says is right." Chen Jianxiong became even more cautious.

Li Qingye stared into his eyes. "The company will get better and better, but it will also become more and more dangerous. Do you have the confidence?"

Faced with this sudden choice, Chen Jianxiong was momentarily stunned. However, he soon fell into thought, feeling a deep sense of apprehension towards Li Qingye, coupled with a yearning for his future and wealth.

This was clearly a choice Li Qingye was presenting him with, and Chen Jianxiong was in a state of internal conflict.

After taking a sip of Longjing tea, he tasted a bitter flavor filling his mouth.

He, too, had once thought life was like a sweet fruit, like Fang Xin Cheng, but he hadn't expected reality to be like bitter medicine.

His age was a factor, and all he knew was fighting and killing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have jumped from being a Hong Kong police officer to his previous security company.

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

"Even if it means giving up everything?" Li Qingye countered.

Chen Jianxiong had already overcome his psychological hurdle. He experienced a sunk cost fallacy and knew he had to pledge his loyalty at this moment. "I don't want my family to suffer anymore. As long as it doesn't harm my family, I'm willing to give up everything."

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

If the other party was willing to abandon his family, it would prove he had no bottom line, and such a person was definitely not to be trusted; he might betray them at any moment.

Chen Jianxiong's emotions were a bit agitated. "If I can't achieve anything or provide my family with a good life, I might regret it even more."

"You must have guessed that the company has some unknown secrets. I can tell you clearly, the company does have secrets." Li Qingye poured him another cup of tea and continued:

"In the future, the company will go global and may encounter all sorts of dangers and enemies. The risks and rewards are proportionate. I need some trustworthy people to help me with things. Do you understand?"

Chen Jianxiong quickly nodded. "I understand. I will be loyal to the company and the Boss."

Li Qingye wagged a finger. "No, you don't understand. Loyalty cannot be guaranteed by words alone."

"This..." Chen Jianxiong was speechless at this point.

Indeed, as Li Qingye said, loyalty was difficult to guarantee.

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

"I... I am willing." Chen Jianxiong gritted his teeth and agreed.

"Very good, then follow me!"

With that, Li Qingye stood up and walked towards the core area of the research base.

Fili also stood up and immediately followed.

Chen Jianxiong hesitated for a moment, but then his resolve hardened. He followed suit, though his gaze lingered on the silent Fili beside him, a hint of contemplation in his eyes. It was clear he had noticed something amiss with Fili.

During their conversation just now, Li Qingye had spoken only to him, while Fili had shown no reaction whatsoever.

In such a highly confidential discussion, the participants were undoubtedly the Boss's confidants. This meant Fili was one of the Boss's confidants.

Chen Jianxiong followed behind Li Qingye, his mind racing with questions the entire way.

Previously, he had been quite wary of Fili, who had been granted a portion of the Security Department's authority. However, Fili had always been like a rock in a latrine – stinking and hard.

The Internal Affairs Department was ostensibly responsible for Li Qingye's daily life and errands, but in reality, it also encompassed security and both internal and external intelligence.

At this moment, all security personnel on Calagua Island were managed by the Internal Affairs Department. Chen Jianxiong's own Security Department had no involvement whatsoever.

Now, it all made sense.

The earlier decision to split the Security Department and establish the Internal Affairs Department must have been because he wasn't trusted by the Boss.

The Boss's conversation with him now seemed to signal that he would be heavily relied upon going forward.

At the same time, Chen Jianxiong felt a surge of curiosity about the restricted areas of the research base. He had always speculated about the secrets within, and now he would finally get to explore them.

However, a sliver of unease still lingered in his heart.

After all, Li Qingye had stated that he needed to pledge his absolute loyalty. This gave Chen Jianxiong pause, as demanding absolute loyalty from someone was an incredibly difficult feat.

But having come this far, Chen Jianxiong knew he had no real way back. He had learned too much just now; retreating now and emerging unscathed was practically out of the question.

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