Is My Personal Credibility Really That Bad?

Hm?

Luo Zhikang stared at the Rubik's Cube before him, unable to believe it for a moment.

"You want me to... crack it?"

"What? Isn't that what you've always done?"

Xu Shi smiled. "I'd also like to witness the former chief engineer's brilliance... So, as long as Old Mr. Luo can crack this drone, you may leave."

"...It's that simple?"

"It's that simple."

"Why should I believe you?"

Luo Zhikang clenched his teeth, his words still filled with suspicion.

More than anything, he could not figure out what Xu Shi was really plotting.

Cracking the drone would not be difficult for him, but the recent news that Spark had suffered setback after setback at the hands of Serpent Coil forced him to think more deeply.

His age and experience were there for all to see. The old man had long realized that this new chairman of Serpent Coil was far from as simple as he appeared.

It might be true that he was morally corrupt and of poor character, but he was definitely not the useless wastrel people claimed he was!

Luo Zhikang had also worked for major conglomerates before, so he understood such tactics of hiding one's capabilities and keeping a low profile.

So what exactly did he want?

It definitely was not this simple. Then what would his next move be...

"Is my personal credibility really that bad?"

Xu Shi interrupted his thoughts. "Besides, does Old Mr. Luo think he has any other choice?"

"When you're fish on the chopping board, don't think so much. Wouldn't it be better to first consider how to stay alive?"

"..."

Luo Zhikang had no answer.

Indeed.

No matter how he tried to rationalize it, he was now a prisoner in someone else's hands.

Even if he figured out every move Xu Shi would make over the next ten years, he still could not walk out that door and pass the information along.

For now, all he could do was try to finish what he had failed to accomplish before.

After all, what if there truly was even the slightest chance that the other party would keep his word?

The odds were minuscule, but this was his only remaining hope.

"...I hope Mr. Xu will honor his promise."

With that thought, he straightened his back and looked at Xu Shi, speaking in a deep voice.

"Of course, of course."

Xu Shi brought his palms together lightly. "Then I wish Old Mr. Luo success. If you need any tools, just ask."

With that, he turned and left, heavily shutting the confinement room's door behind him.

Someone was waiting around the corner. Seeing him approach, she hurried over. "Ch-Chairman Xu..."

It was Jiang Chengcheng, looking as timid and deferential as ever.

"Why were you waiting for me here?"

Xu Shi was a little surprised. "Didn't I tell you to go to the office first?"

"I-I was a little worried..."

Jiang Chengcheng said awkwardly, "You told me to improve Sea Crane, but there wasn't much time. I-I was afraid I hadn't done a good enough job and might delay your plans..."

Especially after hearing that he intended to have someone else take it apart, she felt even less certain.

"...You won't. I believe in your abilities."

Xu Shi paused, then laughed helplessly. "You're one of the company's greatest contributors. Stop being so unconfident in yourself."

That was right.

The Sea Crane newly handed to Luo Zhikang was no longer the version he had previously researched.

Long before capturing him, Xu Shi had approached Jiang Chengcheng and asked her to modify and upgrade the drone.

After all, in the original story, although Spark had encountered some trouble, it had still successfully replicated Sea Crane, producing a large batch of copies. In the operations that followed, those copies had caught Serpent Coil completely off guard.

So even though he had prepared for the worst and captured Luo Zhikang early, he still could not afford to be careless if he wanted to prevent the old man from winning this wager.

And this sort of thing could only be left to Jiang Chengcheng. What did he know about it?

"B-But I'm worried that if Mr. Luo really manages to crack it, then you-you'll have to..."

But judging by things now, Jiang Chengcheng seemed even less confident than he was, muttering anxiously under her breath.

"That won't happen."

Xu Shi blinked and said without the slightest burden, "You don't really think I'd let him go just because he cracked it, do you?"

It could only be said that from the very beginning, he had not set up this wager to determine whether Luo Zhikang stayed or went. He had another purpose entirely.

Is my personal credibility really that bad?

"Then what are you planning?"

Jiang Chengcheng was even more confused by that.

"You'll find out when the time comes."

Xu Shi smiled and waved his hand. "Come on. We'll discuss the rest in my office."

"...Okay."

Jiang Chengcheng paused, then followed after him.

She did not care much about matters of right and wrong, nor did she think there was anything wrong with Xu Shi's scummy behavior of breaking his word.

But over the past few days, the importance he placed on her and the special feeling he gave her had made her sink deeper and deeper. Unknowingly, her desire to follow him had also become firmer.

From the bottom of her heart, she did not want Xu Shi to lose, much less lose because of her.

That was why she had been so nervous just now. Only after hearing Xu Shi reassure her did she feel a little better.

Chairman Xu actually had to comfort me instead... Jiang Chengcheng, what is wrong with you?

She unconsciously lowered her head again, feeling that she had truly been disgraceful.

Xu Shi had no idea what Jiang Chengcheng was thinking. After returning to the office, he immediately reviewed the report she had submitted.

He had not called her over today solely because of Luo Zhikang. A few days earlier, she had contacted him to say she had completed the task he had assigned her.

Perfect. He could inspect the results while he was at it.

Chairman Xu was practically a complete outsider when it came to mechanical engineering, but surprisingly, when Jiang Chengcheng explained it to him, she showed none of her usual stammering. Not only was her analysis thorough and logical, but it was also easy to understand.

With Su Lin, who was relatively knowledgeable in the field, beside him as well, anyone would have been able to follow along.

The results delighted Xu Shi even more.

More than half of the equipment he had given Jiang Chengcheng to analyze had come from Shark Tooth, while the rest had been manufactured by Spark itself.

Yet regardless of their origin, Jiang Chengcheng had thoroughly broken them down and provided superior plans for upgrading and recreating them!

This undoubtedly proved that her personal abilities far surpassed Luo Zhikang's—after all, the self-made equipment had all been personally designed and encrypted by the old man.

Not to mention Shark Tooth's equipment... Spark had limited materials available. No matter how capable Luo Zhikang was, equipment made by him alone would certainly be inferior to a conglomerate's weaponry in performance and precision.

Yet before Jiang Chengcheng, it was still like a naked girl, allowing her to manipulate and play with it however she pleased.

He had found a treasure. He had truly found a treasure.

Xu Shi could not help rubbing his hands together, unable to hide the delight on his face.

Su Lin beside him was equally astonished. She understood this field even better than Xu Shi, so she could more clearly appreciate the ingenuity of Jiang Chengcheng's approach.

But at the same time, she noticed a problem.

"Miss Jiang, have we... met somewhere before?"