Deep Thought, Terrifying

Li Qingye's phone browser displayed a page.

[Today's Headlines: Xin Xin Group Strategic Shift... 2017.04.20]

[Xin Xin Group's New President Du Shuping: Xin Xin is at a critical juncture of survival—change or go bankrupt... 2017.04.11]

[Xin Xin Group Reaches Cooperation with Temasek Holdings, Will Push Multiple Subsidiaries for North American Listings and Financing... 2017.04.04]

[Cutting Losses to Survive: Jianhu Steel Successfully Acquires Tonghua Steel, Tonghua Steel Being One of Xin Xin's Holding Companies... 2017.03.28]

"So much has happened in just this month..." Li Qingye stared at the ceiling, his expression shifting unpredictably.

Even though he didn't understand corporate management, he sensed something was wrong. Xin Xin Group was founded by his father, and through constant exposure, Li Qingye knew many things—like the company's basic model, similar to Huawei, which was one of his father's steadfast principles.

As he carefully recalled fragments of past memories, his brow furrowed deeper.

Xin Xin's internal structure wasn't monolithic. From bits and pieces his parents had mentioned, he knew that among the dozen or so founding partners, some wanted to stick with the old model, others hoped to keep pace with the times by pushing for an IPO and financing, and a third group was wavering.

If all this were his father's initiative, Li Qingye wouldn't find it strange.

But why, precisely at this time—right after his father, who had always insisted on no IPO, no external financing, and employee stock ownership, suddenly died—did the company undergo such drastic changes?

He couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.

He also remembered that after his eldest brother joined the company, he had always agreed with their father's business model.

In 2014, his eldest brother went to inspect a construction site and was killed on the spot by a falling steel bar...

This year, his parents went to the Magic City to negotiate business and were rammed into the Huangpu River by a dump truck, car and all...

Then came the rapid reshuffling within Xin Xin Group, even the company's very foundation being altered...

Gulp... Li Qingye swallowed involuntarily, cold sweat soaking his back. This was all too coincidental, as if an invisible hand loomed over the Li family's misfortunes.

Staring at the photos on his phone screen—the founders of Xin Xin Group—Li Qingye's eyes flickered with scrutiny, suspicion, hatred, anger, and helplessness.

He turned off his phone and leaned back against the pillow.

Even if he guessed the mastermind behind the scenes was among those people, what could he do right now? If he lost his composure and exposed this, he would be the one dead.

The reason they hadn't acted yet was that his parents had just passed away. If Li Qingye also died "accidentally" at this time, the faction loyal to his father within the company would surely feel that the fox mourns the hare's death.

The other side needed time to swallow Xin Xin Group and also time to clean house internally.

As long as a few years passed, after he was forgotten by the company, after they had fully taken control, and after no news of him remained in society, they could arrange a convenient "accident" to write him out of the picture for good.

At this thought, a bone-chilling fear surged uncontrollably into his heart.

'No... I refuse to die so pathetically...'

Li Qingye roared inwardly with unwillingness. If before he had been in a state of having nothing to live for, now hatred filled his entire heart. Until he avenged his parents and eldest brother, he couldn't give up this life. This blood-deep vendetta became his reason to live.

Countless thoughts clashed in his mind.

He knew his situation was extremely dangerous. The hand stealing Xin Xin Group was no kind-hearted soul. If he showed any sign of being off, it might trigger an immediate desire to uproot the weeds and eliminate the roots.

Continuing to play crazy in Gaoshan Temple Village would likely be slow suicide.

As long as Li Qingye lived, he would be an obstacle to those people's control of Xin Xin Group. Perhaps in the eyes of ordinary people, he was just a brat, hardly worth fearing.

Not showing a threat didn't mean there was no threat. His very existence was a threat.

Putting himself in their shoes, if he were the mastermind, physically eliminating Li Qingye would be the simplest solution—not only to strike at the Li loyalists but also to swallow the 5.8% company shares under Li Qingye's name.

Any other plan would only invite more complications and risks.

Li Qingye racked his brains for a way out.

Doing nothing now, or playing crazy in the village, wouldn't work.

Going straight back to Pengcheng and relying on the Li loyalists to fight Du Shuping and his ilk would likely end badly too, because he couldn't tell who was truly loyal to his father and the Li family. Trying to outmaneuver those old foxes—ten of him wouldn't stand a chance.

After much deliberation, a glint of madness suddenly flashed in Li Qingye's eyes.

Retreat meant death.

Advance meant death too.

The only option now was to risk everything on a desperate gamble.

Once he made up his mind, he reorganized the resources available to him according to his own plan.

Personal savings: 1.37 million. A 148-square-meter apartment near Jiangcheng University. Caixin Cosmetics Company (with a biochemical lab invested in for 22 million). Company liquid assets: 3.72 million.

His parents' savings, properties, and company stocks—the stocks couldn't be touched casually, or it would alert Du Shuping and the others.

Damn it! Li Qingye clenched his fists. Xin Xin Group's total assets were over a hundred billion. His parents' 5.8% original shares were worth at least seven billion.

But for now, he had to swallow his anger.

That 5.8% of company shares was, for him at this moment, a death warrant.

Unable to touch the Xin Xin shares, his parents' other inheritance was also off-limits for the time being.

He thought all night, only falling into a dazed sleep the next morning.

Until April 26th.

Li Qingye, looking haggard, bid farewell to Seventh Uncle-Grandpa and then made a call to Wu Hewang.

"Uncle Wu..."

"Qingye, are you planning to come back to Pengcheng? I've already cleaned a room for you, just waiting for you to return." Wu Hewang said kindly.

Li Qingye's voice was still as weak as ever: "No, I plan to follow my advisor to America for an academic visit. I probably won't be coming back to the country this year."

"..." Wu Hewang paused on the other end of the phone, then gently comforted him: "That's fine too. Go clear your head. The company is in me and Old Su's hands. By the way, I have some old friends in America who can arrange a spot for you in the business administration program at the University of Pennsylvania. Later on..."

Before he could finish, Li Qingye refused: "Thanks, Uncle Wu, but I just want to follow my advisor to America and take a look. Biology suits me better."

"Alright then! Once you get there, give me a call. If you're short on money, don't be polite with your uncle."

"Got it, Uncle Wu. I'm hanging up."

After hanging up, he pulled his suitcase and got on a tricycle, heading to the bus station in Qingshanqiao Town.

For the sake of safety going forward, he could only try to take public transportation with more people—buses, high-speed trains, and planes. As for taxis and private cars, he wouldn't take them until he had a reliable team.

After all, in this country, those bastards would be somewhat wary of public transport with heavy foot traffic.

What Li Qingye was doing was using the other passengers to make the other side hesitate to act.

And following his advisor abroad—that part was true. His advisor was one of the big names in the country, with an academician as a mentor above him.

As long as he didn't immediately show any intention of seeking revenge, the other side would likely weigh the risk of accidentally harming a well-known scientist.

As long as Li Qingye stayed close to his advisor, his safety would at least be much higher in the short term.

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