Chapter 38: Sifang Group

Only after walking out of the old library building did Jiang Chen let out a soft sigh of relief.

He admitted that he had been gambling just now, but fortunately, he had won the bet.

Ai Qian was indeed not that foolish.

In this era, where even "cooking the raw rice into finished rice" (making a situation irreversible) was impossible, there was no such thing as a love so unwavering that one would die for it.

And if he had yielded just now, Ai Qian would surely have learned her lesson and used suicide as her trump card; if that happened, his life from then on would have been nothing but misery.

Jiang Chen looked up toward the rooftop.

This time, Ai Qian had likely given up on him completely.

"Brother Chen, what did Ai Qian want with you?"

As soon as he returned to the dormitory, Bai Zheli asked incessantly.

"Since when did you become such a gossip?"

Jiang Chen changed the subject. "Where are Luo Peng and the others?"

"They went to play ball."

Jiang Chen nodded. "I'm going to rest for a bit."

Between the hostage situation and the ordeal with Ai Qian, he was indeed somewhat exhausted. Lying on his bed, he took out his phone and saw several big shots chatting in the "Emperor Group."

Who Rules the Heavens: "I heard Sifang Group just secured the project for the Jinling Cultural Tourism City. Chairman Lin, congratulations!"

Dragon Soaring the Four Seas: "Haha, it was just a successful bid. How to build a cultural tourism city that satisfies the public is a daunting challenge. I'm under a lot of pressure right now."

Red Heart: "Chairman Lin is too modest. Everyone knows Sifang Group is a leading real estate company in the country. Whether it's the Chang'an Evernight City project or the Chizhou eco-tourism zone that blends man with nature, they are all industry benchmarks. I believe this time will be no exception."

Sifang Group?

Looking at the chat messages in the Emperor Group, Jiang Chen quickly thought of the poster he had seen at that construction site earlier.

Wasn't the contractor for that construction site Sifang Group?

With this thought, Jiang Chen followed suit and offered a few words of flattery in the group, then asked as if casually: "Chairman Lin, is that construction site on Dongyue Avenue in the Huifeng District of Donghai also a project of your Sifang Group?"

Inside a magnificent office spanning over two hundred square meters, a middle-aged man looked at the message on his phone, feeling slightly surprised.

"I'm not too sure about that. Does Emperor Han have something in mind?"

Sifang Group's main business was real estate, with projects all over the country and a market value exceeding ten billion. As the Executive Director of Sifang Group, Lin Rilang was only responsible for the company's general development direction and key projects; it was impossible for him to be intimately familiar with every single project under the company.

"It's nothing. I just have a friend whose child attends Donghai University and had a small conflict with someone named Bai Haoran. It seems that Bai Haoran is with Sifang Group, so I thought I'd ask, Chairman Lin."

Although the other party spoke euphemistically, Lin Rilang, who navigated the complexities of the business world, could easily hear the underlying meaning.

Even if he didn't know the specific background of this "Han Jiang Gu Ying," the fact that the person could tip a female streamer millions of yuan as if it were mere pocket change was enough to show the depth of their resources.

As a businessman, and a successful one at that, Lin Rilang naturally understood the stakes.

He had no desire to offend a powerful opponent for no reason.

"I see. Rest assured, Emperor Han, I will send someone to investigate immediately."

"I'll trouble you, Chairman Lin."

After replying, Lin Rilang did not delay and immediately called his secretary in.

"Chairman Lin."

"Go check if we have a project on Dongyue Avenue in the Huifeng District of Donghai. If we do, find out everything about a man named Bai Haoran."

"Yes, sir."

The efficiency of a large enterprise was swift and decisive.

The order was issued from this office and quickly cascaded down through the layers.

Finally, it landed on the material contractor of the construction site on Dongyue Avenue.

Hearing that Lin Rilang himself had inquired, the stout, wealthy contractor—who had a net worth of at least ten million and drove a large Land Rover—instantly broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly took out his phone to call Bai Haoran.

"President Xiao."

"Bai Haoran, what the hell have you been doing lately!"

President Xiao didn't bother with pleasantries and barked the question at him.

In this industry, one inevitably had to deal with certain circles. He had a good relationship with Bai Haoran, so he had arranged a supervisor title for Bai Haoran at this site—essentially a way to deepen their friendship by letting him collect a salary without doing any actual work. Who could have known that the guy would cause him such massive trouble?

He couldn't imagine what kind of incident could alarm a figure like Chairman Lin.

He only knew that for a titan like Chairman Lin, crushing him would be as easy as crushing an ant!

"President Xiao, what happened?"

Bai Haoran was somewhat bewildered.

"What happened?! You're asking me what happened! Lin Rilang, the Executive Director of Sifang Group, just ordered an investigation into your background! Haoran, you certainly have quite the reputation; I've never had such an honor!"

Bai Haoran's expression changed slightly upon hearing this.

This was no longer the era of relying on fists to rule the world. In this age, money was supreme and capital was king!

A big shot like a director of Sifang Group could deal with a small fry like him as easily as playing a game.

As for those gangster movies where thugs use sheer ruthlessness to challenge business tycoons—that was all bullshit!

It was just acting for the audience!

If the two truly clashed, the former wouldn't even know how he died!

"President Xiao, I really haven't done anything!"

In addition to the shock, Bai Haoran was completely lost.

"If you hadn't done anything, why would Chairman Lin investigate you?!"

President Xiao was exasperated, spitting words in fury.

Bai Haoran was his friend; if things were truly pursued, he would certainly be implicated as well.

"I'll go ask around some more. You'd better think carefully. You should understand that if your past deeds are exposed, you probably won't see the outside of a prison for the rest of your life!"

President Xiao hung up the phone and went to sniff out the situation.

Bai Haoran racked his brain, thinking and thinking, until finally, only one person came to mind.

That student from Donghai University.

Jiang Chen.

Could it be because of that kid?!

"Have you been bullying a college student lately?"

A few hours later, President Xiao called again.

Hearing this, Bai Haoran's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously remembered the rambling words that kid had said earlier.

*My family is actually quite wealthy.*

*I'll give you an IOU.*

*Is fifty thousand enough...*

Could it be?

Could it be...

That kid wasn't lying to him, and was actually "playing a pig to eat the tiger"?

"Um, but I didn't do anything to him..."

Bai Haoran steadied himself.

"Go apologize to that student immediately!!!"

On the other end of the phone, President Xiao seemed to have jumped up in rage.

"Bai Haoran, if you want to die, fine, but don't drag me down with you!"

Bai Haoran's face went numb as he slowly took a breath.

He was indeed ruthless, but he wasn't ignorant of how to read the situation.

If a common college student was an ant in his eyes, then in the eyes of a Sifang Group director, he was also an ant.

"I understand."

(End of Chapter)