I Really Can't Crack It! I Really Can't!

"Huh?"

Hearing Su Lin ask that, Jiang Chengcheng found it a little strange. "Director Su, what do you mean?"

"Nothing. I just thought you... looked a little familiar."

Su Lin studied her carefully.

"Isn't it normal for her to look familiar?"

Xu Shi raised an eyebrow. "You're the HR director. You must have dealt with her before, right?"

"Y-Yeah, I ran into you a few times before too, Director Su..."

"...Then that must be it."

Su Lin paused and did not pursue the subject.

Yet the doubt in her heart did not fade, because she knew things were not as Xu Shi had said.

Although she managed the conglomerate's personnel, Jiang Chengcheng, as Jiang Fengshan's adopted daughter, had been placed directly into the company by him. She had never gone through Su Lin.

Su Lin had never paid any attention to this inconspicuous woman before. It could be said that this was their first proper meeting.

That made the feeling that Jiang Chengcheng looked "a little familiar" rather strange.

Xu Shi did not care much about the minor interruption, but the more he looked at Jiang Chengcheng, the more he liked her.

Being able to support the entire Engineering Department by herself was already an impressive feat.

He had not expected her to possess such a talent for dismantling equipment as well.

After all, although Shark Tooth was inferior to Serpent Coil in raw strength, that did not mean it had nothing worth learning from.

In fact, the Six Great Conglomerates were constantly pitted against one another, each with its own closely guarded proprietary technologies.

That was even more apparent with similar organizations like Serpent Coil and Shark Tooth—things I manufacture can be bought by you, or stolen, or snatched away.

But as long as they could not crack the encryption methods within the equipment, they would never obtain the core technology. Talking about reproducing it would be nothing but a fool's dream.

At the very least, Luo Zhikang was certainly less skilled in this regard—when it came to the equipment supplied by Shark Tooth, most of his modifications had been external. There were far fewer major changes that touched the core.

Jiang Chengcheng, on the other hand, had dissected the equipment like a master butcher carving an ox, identifying its most critical parts and boldly rebuilding them.

This completely confirmed his earlier guess: unlike in the original story, Jiang Chengcheng was the true mechanical genius in reality.

Then there was no need to worry about his bet with Luo Zhikang—cracking the Sea Crane before its modification had already nearly cost him his life, let alone after it had been upgraded.

Good. Very good.

"Then modify that equipment according to your ideas."

Thinking this, Xu Shi nodded in satisfaction. "I will provide you with all the support you need."

"Yes, I understand."

Jiang Chengcheng agreed very seriously. She truly wanted to do something for Xu Shi.

"But speaking of which, aren't you worried your father will grow suspicious if you come to see me like this?"

"No."

Jiang Chengcheng shook her head. "I told him before, told him that you seemed to think highly of me. He was very pleased after hearing it, and even told me to spend more time around you and help him learn about you... about your situation."

"N-No, but please rest assured, I-I won't change my mind about what I promised you!"

"...Haha, I understand."

Xu Shi laughed despite himself. He had not expected her to be quite clever.

If Jiang Chengcheng had kept hiding things and trying to cover them up, then given that old bastard Jiang Fengshan's personality, he would definitely have become suspicious.

But if she told the truth, there would be no problem instead—he did value her highly. Was there a problem with that? No problem!

He was not worried in the slightest that her loyalty would waver. With the help of his ability, he could clearly sense Jiang Chengcheng's hatred for Jiang Fengshan.

All he could say was that the girl was not simple.

"You'll have to endure a little longer during this time. The promise I made to you will be fulfilled very soon."

As he thought this, he also gave Jiang Chengcheng some reassurance.

"Yes, I believe you."

Jiang Chengcheng nodded gratefully and left cautiously.

"By the way, Su Lin, what was going on with you just now?"

Only after she left did Xu Shi turn to Su Lin and ask.

Earlier, his attention had been focused on Jiang Chengcheng and the equipment. Now that he thought back on it, he realized there was indeed something wrong.

"I can't really explain it either, Young Master."

Su Lin frowned slightly. "But I really do feel a sense of familiarity from her."

"...Could she have been one of your playmates from the orphanage?"

Xu Shi blinked, suddenly thinking of that possibility.

That was also the most likely explanation—Night Sin City had no shortage of orphans, and both Su Lin and Jiang Chengcheng had been among them.

Both of them had been adopted from orphanages. Perhaps Su Lin had known Jiang Chengcheng before entering the Xu Family.

Being classmates was less likely. After all, Su Lin had not received an academy education, but a specialized education personally arranged by his father to train professions such as butlers and bodyguards.

In any case.

"If you have doubts, then investigate it."

Xu Shi clasped his hands behind his head. "If it turns out as I said, it will be good for both you and her."

It would be good for him too—if they had that connection, Jiang Chengcheng's loyalty to him would certainly be strengthened further.

"Yes, I understand."

Su Lin agreed gratefully.

Her childhood had been completely bleak, but there had still been a few beautiful moments.

If Jiang Chengcheng really was her...

Thinking that, Miss Su Lin's face gained a faint smile.

Elsewhere.

After bidding Xu Shi farewell, Jiang Chengcheng returned home right around quitting time.

"You're back?"

Jiang Fengshan lounged on the sofa, waiting for her. "What did Xu Shi say when he summoned you?"

"J-Just some work-related matters. He said he wanted the Engineering Department to modify some equipment or something..."

Jiang Chengcheng answered meekly.

"...Let him do as he pleases."

Jiang Fengshan was dismissive. "If there are any other developments, remember to tell me promptly."

He had long since stopped caring about proper business, nor did he think Shark Tooth's equipment was worth researching.

But it was not something he needed to worry about anyway. Others could do the work, and he could take the credit afterward.

In any case, he was tending both fires at once—he stood with Lin Wenhua while having Jiang Chengcheng get close to Xu Shi. No matter who seized power in the future, his outcome would not be too bad.

Jiang Fengshan did not suspect that his daughter would collude with Xu Shi. Hadn't he beaten her into submission over all these years?

"Okay."

Jiang Chengcheng nodded slightly, then looked at him and revealed a sinister smile.

"You..."

Jiang Fengshan was startled instinctively. Her smile seemed unsettling somehow, and he raised his hand as if to strike her.

But after thinking it over, he lost interest. He still needed her to gather intelligence from Xu Shi... so in the end, he merely curled his lip. "What bad luck. Get out of my sight."

The last trace of unease in his heart was swallowed up completely by his excessive confidence.

Yet at the same time, the unease in some people's hearts was growing more and more intense.

Inside the confinement room, Luo Zhikang knelt amid scattered tools, his gaze at the drone before him growing increasingly frenzied.

"Impossible. Why..."

"Why... can't I crack it..."

"Why can't I crack it?!"