There were always scheming wretches out to get me

The infirmary.

Mu Huai'an looked apologetically at the boy lying on the bed. "I'm so sorry, Zhang He. Let me apologize on my brother's behalf. Please don't hold it against him."

Zhang He clutched his cheek, grimacing in pain. "You're just too kind. That's why Mu Yanwen gets away with bullying you."

Another boy said, "What gives him the right to attend the same school as us? I bet he bought his way in."

Mu Huai'an deliberately asked, "Surely not? Xiao Wen ranks first in our year. How could he have bought his way in? Besides, my parents would never do something like that."

Zhang He sneered. "Why not? Money can get you anything." He paused before adding, "Maybe Mu Yanwen even sold his body for a good ranking. Trading that face for first place wouldn't be a bad deal."

Everyone burst out laughing. Mu Huai'an suppressed the look of triumph on his face. "How could Yanwen be that kind of person? Stop making wild guesses."

"Mu Huai'an, we've got a way to get back at him for you. Are you up for it?"

"What way?"

"Shengyuan cares most about its students' conduct and character. What do you think would happen if an explicit video of Mu Yanwen appeared on the campus forum?"

"Th-that won't do. Wouldn't that leave Yanwen with no way out?"

Zhang He clicked his tongue impatiently. "Why are you dithering? Mu Yanwen is practically walking all over you, and you're still worrying about this and that. Are you in or not?"

The boy beside him chimed in, "If we don't teach Mu Yanwen a lesson, he'll really think we're easy targets. A little punishment would do him good. Besides, don't you want to see Mu Yanwen on his knees, begging for mercy? Don't you want to get back at him?"

Mu Huai'an pretended to agonize over it for a long time before finally relenting. "Th-then all right. I'm in. But don't go too far. He is my brother, after all."

The boy exchanged a glance with Zhang He as a vicious plan took shape.

Dorm room 316, Building A.

Yan Wen leaned against the headboard while Tang Yun sat cross-legged on a chair. They were playing a game together.

"Go, go, go!"

"Hey! I told you someone was over there, and you still went that way. You're the definition of a useless teammate!"

"Seriously, how did you miss a target that big? What's the point of carrying an eight-times scope?"

"Hurry up and grab the supplies! Why are you just standing there?"

"Player two, stay down!"

They narrowly won the match, and both let out a relieved breath at the same time.

A player named Little Cloud sent a voice message. It was a boy with a very gentle voice, his tone full of guilt.

"Sorry. This was my first time playing, and I dragged you down. I'll practice hard so I won't cause you any more trouble."

Tang Yun gave an "Oh" and replied, "Then practice properly. Don't drag your teammates down next time."

Rows of "Hahahahaha" appeared on the screen. Little Cloud logged off.

Tang Yun put down his phone with an anguished expression. "My legs have gone numb. I'm scared to move. What do I do? This feels awful."

Yan Wen laughed. "Staying like that will only make it worse. You should put your legs down."

Moving gingerly, as though handling some priceless treasure, Tang Yun slowly lowered his legs from the chair, then let out a long breath of relief.

Xiao Qi spoke up. "Host, you're in danger!"

Yan Wen continued chatting with Tang Yun as though nothing had happened, asking inwardly, "What danger? Who's in danger?"

"You, Host! Mu Huai'an and those other boys are going to take revenge on you."

"How do they plan to do that?"

Xiao Qi said, "They want to humiliate you and make you kneel and kowtow to them. Their plan is to film an explicit video of you and use it to threaten you."

Yan Wen clicked his tongue. "There are always scheming wretches out to get me. When are they planning to act?"

"I'm not sure. They're still discussing their plan, so the system can't get an exact time." Xiao Qi added, "Oh, and Host, that Zhang He you beat up has been spreading rumors that you got into Shengyuan through underhanded means. He said some really nasty things."

"Looks like I went too easy on him. I should have slapped his mouth bloody. Then we'd see if he still dared to spread rumors."

Tang Yun stood up and stretched. "I'm going back to get some rest. You should go to bed early too."

"Sure. Good night."

After washing up, Yan Wen lay in bed and continued asking Xiao Qi how Mu Huai'an intended to court disaster next.

Xiao Qi said, "I have to admit, Mu Huai'an has gotten smarter this time. He's using other people to take the lead while acting all considerate and understanding. That way, they'll think you're the one who's been bullying him all along, Host."

Yan Wen gazed at the night outside his window. "Xiao Qi, remember to tell me when they make their move. School is so boring. Having a few people to toy with wouldn't be bad."

Mu Heavenly Cauldron Group.

Twenty-two new employees had been hired that day and assigned to different departments.

Mu Xingfeng was reviewing the new-hire list when he spotted a name: Song Jing'an.

The name struck Mu Xingfeng as strangely familiar. "Haven't I heard that name somewhere before?"

Mu Xingfeng rubbed his chin and thought for a long while, but still couldn't remember, so he put it out of his mind. "Forget it. No point dwelling on it if I can't remember. Maybe I just heard it somewhere."

Mu Xingfeng took an extra look. Song Jing'an had been assigned to the research and development department.

The roster had been finalized, and all the new hires would report for work the next day.

There was a knock at the door, and Secretary Liu came in. "Chairman, your work schedule for this month has been arranged. You have two projects that require out-of-town business trips this month, and one of the company's new development projects is about to enter the testing phase."

Mu Xingfeng nodded. "Understood. You may go."

"Yes, Chairman."

Mu Xingfeng frowned as he watched Secretary Liu leave. Were those thoughts he had heard from Yanwen really true?

Was Secretary Liu truly a mole planted by a rival company? He had been observing Secretary Liu for so long, yet hadn't spotted any slipups. There had been no problems with any of the work Secretary Liu handled, either.

Remembering that everything Yan Wen had said had come true, Mu Xingfeng decided to keep watching Secretary Liu for a while longer.

After leaving the chairman's office, Secretary Liu went into the restroom and entered the stall at the far end.

Secretary Liu opened the phone and sent a message: [Mu Xingfeng will be away from the company on a business trip for a few days next month. It'll be a good opportunity to act.]

A reply soon arrived: [No rush. Keep collecting information on their company. Ideally, get your hands on the new product development documents.]

[Then when do we act?]

[What's the hurry? I want to make sure Heavenly Cauldron never gets back on its feet, so of course I need a foolproof plan. You don't need to worry about any of that. Just do your job, and remember not to get caught.]

[Understood.]

Secretary Liu deleted the messages one by one, then flushed the toilet before leaving the stall.

Xiao Li from the research and development department spotted Secretary Liu and offered a greeting. "Secretary Liu."

Secretary Liu nodded, then stopped Xiao Li as though something had just come to mind. "Xiao Li, you'll need to pick up the pace on that new product. The chairman has already been asking about your progress. He'll be traveling out of town next month, and he may expect to see the results when he returns."

Xiao Li nodded. "All right. We've already reached the testing phase. It should officially hit the market in about two months."

Secretary Liu said, "And make sure you keep those research reports and documents somewhere secure. They're extremely important. You can never be too careful around people, understand?"

"Don't worry, Secretary Liu. We've locked all the files and documents in the safe. There's surveillance too. Anyone approaching the safe will trigger the alarm system. It's very secure."

"That's a relief. Go on, then."

"All right."

Secretary Liu's brow furrowed slightly. First, a way into the research and development department was needed. Only then would there be a chance to obtain the project documents.