Chapter 492: What I fear the least is the gray path

Lin Yuan looked at Su Monong's steadfast eyes.

Lin Yuan nodded and said, "Good, I know what to do. However, Ning Xue… she is your secretary; later, involving the board's maneuvering, she may need to help organize more data."

"Don't worry, Xiao Xue is someone I personally hired; her character and ability are trustworthy." Su Monong smiled and added, "Besides, she is meticulous; she might even help you find some clues."

Lin Yuan nodded heavily: "Understood!"

After leaving the Chairman's Office, Lin Yuan's eyes grew completely grim.

The upcoming battle will be fought in full force.

Lin Yuan immediately summoned the Wind Control Department's special inspection team and issued the death order to "investigate to the end."

This time, he not only had to investigate the Wind Control Department but also coordinate with the Audit and Finance departments… to trace all personnel linked to Lu Chengyu through financial dealings.

Over the next week, Lin Yuan stirred up an "anti-corruption storm" within the company.

He acted swiftly and decisively, first dealing with the old employee in the Wind Control Department who handled reimbursements.

Then, following the trail, he uncovered a cashier in the Finance Department.

That person had long helped Lu Chengyu keep false accounts, pocketing nearly a hundred thousand yuan in kickbacks.

Afterwards, the inspection team discovered an even larger loophole in the accounts of the "East City Old Reform Project"…

This implicated two project managers from the Engineering Department.

They colluded with Lu Chengyu, siphoning company funds by inflating project volumes.

Among those investigated, many were members of Sun Licheng's father‑daughter faction.

The news spread, and the entire Su Group was shaken.

Sun Weiwei repeatedly sought out Lin Yuan, trying to sound him out: "Lin Yuan, you're investigating the case—must you go to such extremes?"

Lin Yuan merely replied that he was following regulations, neither humble nor arrogant.

He knew the moment of breaking ties had arrived.

At this moment, Sun Weiwei also finally felt that Lin Yuan seemed to be slipping beyond her control.

……

In the following days, Lin Yuan continued to vigorously investigate corruption.

Lin Yuan's gaze then locked onto a new target…

Human Resources Department Director, Ning Shen.

"Director Lin, this is Ning Shen's three‑year service record and related project report." Ning Xue walked in holding a thick stack of documents.

Ning Xue's pretty face grew solemn: "You guessed right—Lu Chengyu was able to smoothly take the Risk Control Director post because Ning Shen altered his background check, hiding his prior corruption record at other companies."

Lin Yuan took the file and flipped to the funds‑flow section…

His eyes instantly sharpened.

It clearly recorded that Ning Shen, under the guise of "recruitment service fees" and "training expenses," had transferred nearly thirty million yuan from the company's accounts!

In the end, that money… all flowed into a shell company jointly controlled by him and Lu Chengyu.

"Surely it's him." Lin Yuan slammed his fist on the desk, "Ning Shen holds personnel authority and is extremely close to Sun Licheng—no wonder Lu Chengyu's corruption network is so solid."

"But Ning Shen was promoted by the second‑largest shareholder Sun Licheng, backed by the Sun clan; moving against him would likely ignite a conflict between you and the Sun father‑daughter pair," Ning Xue said worriedly.

"Moreover, he's worked at the company for five years, has a wide network, and many mid‑level managers were hired by him," Ning Xue reminded.

"The more so, the more we must act." Lin Yuan's tone was firm.

"Thirty million is no small sum; he and Lu Chengyu teamed up to hollow out the company—this cannot be tolerated. Help me compile a full evidence chain, including the original record of his altering Lu Chengyu's background check, the equity structure of the shell company, and the bank trails of the money flow; tomorrow morning I will personally hand it to Director Su."

Ning Xue, her expression complex, nodded solemnly: "Yes!"

……

In the afternoon, Lin Yuan was sitting in his office handling affairs.

Suddenly, the office door was flung open with a bang.

Sun Weiwei strode in in high heels, her face showing clear displeasure.

Evidently she had heard the wind; as soon as she entered she went straight to the point: "Lin Yuan, are you going to move against Ning Shen?"

Lin Yuan stared for a moment, hesitated briefly, then nodded: "Yes, this is Director Su's demand."

Sun Weiwei snapped coldly, "Director Su? Director Su! Again Director Su! Are you listening to Su Monong or to me? Don't forget—you're my person now!"

Sun Weiwei snapped.

Lin Yuan sighed and soothed, "Miss Sun, don't be angry—I'm naturally of your faction."

Lin Yuan's identity hasn't been exposed yet, so he intends to first placate Sun Weiwei.

"Since you're my person, you ought to obey me! Ning Shen is one of ours, a core planted by my father in the Human Resources Department—did you consult me before moving against him?" Sun Weiwei walked to the desk and placed both hands on it.

She leaned in, staring at Lin Yuan, her chest almost brushing the desk, "I warn you—stop immediately, and pretend this never happened."

Lin Yuan sighed, remained silent for a long while, then said, "All right, I understand."

Although Lin Yuan outwardly agreed not to move against Ning Shen…

…in reality he still planned to act.

Because his true boss is only Su Monong—and always has been.

Seeing Lin Yuan agree, Sun Weiwei's gaze softened.

Sun Weiwei, in her high heels, walked gracefully to the desk.

She placed both hands on the desk, looking down at Lin Yuan, and said, "Lin Yuan, listen up: Ning Shen is one of us, a mole my father planted in the Human Resources Department—if you move against him, you're slapping our father‑daughter face! So don't touch him. No matter how much money he's embezzled from the company, you must bury this matter for me!"

Lin Yuan's gaze was complex as he nodded.

Sun Weiwei paused, then softened her tone: "Listen to me—don't investigate him; I'll have him quietly return the stolen money, then we can let this go, and it'll be good for both of us."

As she spoke, her jade‑like finger lightly reached out to touch Lin Yuan's face.

Just as her jade finger was about to make contact, Lin Yuan suddenly shifted sideways to dodge.

Lin Yuan stood up and pulled away: "Miss Sun, I still have work to do."

Sun Weiwei did not leave; instead, she went around to Lin Yuan's back.

She lightly placed both hands on his shoulders……

Her delicate, slender fingernails…… intentionally or unintentionally brushed over Lin Yuan's neck.

Sun Weiwei softened her voice, soft and sweet: "Lin Yuan, we've known each other for so long; I've always treated you as one of our own. Have you been too tired lately? Your shoulders are stiff; let me massage them?"

Sun Weiwei had already noticed that Lin Yuan had recently become somewhat uncontrollable.

So, she planned to generously "bestow" upon Lin Yuan, continuing to bind this man's heart.

"Uh, no thanks, Miss Sun, I still have work..." Lin Yuan declined.

Sun Weiwei, however, narrowed her beautiful eyes: "What, you won't even listen to me? Is work more important, or am I?"

Sun Yuxin leaned her body slightly forward, her chest intentionally or unintentionally brushed against Lin Yuan's arm.

She wore a low-cut silk shirt today; the neckline slipped slightly with her movement, revealing a delicate collarbone.

Lin Yuan, teased by her, blushed.

"Miss Sun, I'm working; there are many people coming and going outside—if we're discovered, it wouldn't be good…… uh……"

Before Lin Yuan could react, Sun Weiwei suddenly leaned in, her gorgeous red lips sealing his mouth.

"What's there to panic about? I've already locked the door from the inside—no one can get in. I haven't exercised in ages; today, you help me 'work out,' I need some exercise." Sun Weiwei said in a soft, ambiguous tone.

As she spoke, before Lin Yuan could react, Sun Weiwei shoved him onto the desk……

……

Two hours later, Sun Weiwei finally left Lin Yuan's office, her clothes somewhat disheveled, her long hair slick with fragrant sweat.

As Sun Weiwei walked, her high heels swayed slightly, her whole body feeling weak in the legs.

Lin Yuan, this bastard, is truly terrifying.

In the end, Sun Weiwei also suffered defeat, and thus fled in disarray.

……

Over the next few days, Lin Yuan outwardly remained inactive, continuing to handle the Wind Control Department's wrap-up work.

But secretly, he… joined forces with the Audit Department, retrieving all personnel approval documents and expense reimbursement records from Ning Shen's five years of tenure.

Lin Yuan deliberately avoided members of the Sun Licheng Faction.

Every step of the investigation…… was handled by trusted aides personally arranged by Su Monong, to prevent leaks.

But the Human Resources Director, Ning Shen…… after all, had been entrenched in the company for many years……

Lin Yuan continuously for three days pulled the financial data of the departments he oversaw, yet Ning Shen still sensed a hint of danger.

Friday afternoon, Ning Shen barged into Lin Yuan's office without greeting.

Ning Shen locked the door behind him; his face lost its usual kindness, replaced by a sinister coldness.

"Director Ning, you suddenly came to my office? Anything the matter?" Lin Yuan glanced up at Ning Shen without thinking, asking lightly.

"Lin Yuan, I advise you to stop." Ning Shen walked to the desk, bracing his hands on the surface.

He looked down at Lin Yuan from a superior position.

"We're both part of the Sun family faction; you know in your heart that you're helping Su Monong rectify conduct merely as a show for her, to gain her trust."

"Stop? I haven't done anything." Lin Yuan feigned innocence.

Ning Shen took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, inhaled, and blew the smoke toward Lin Yuan's face.

"You haven't done anything? These past few days you've investigated three of my subordinates, rooted out two petty corrupts; the act you're putting on for Su Monong is already convincing enough—you could wrap it up. If you really dig deeper, are you planning to investigate me as well?" Ning Shen countered coldly.

Lin Yuan shook his head: "I'm just following normal procedures; Director Ning, you're overthinking."

Ning Shen narrowed his eyes, coldly: "Lin Yuan, I advise you to cease. If you dare to keep investigating and push me to the edge, it won't end well for you."

Lin Yuan lifted his gaze, fingers lightly tapping the keyboard, tone calm: "Director Ning, what do you mean by that?"

"Don't play dumb with me!" Ning Shen slammed the desk, ash shaking loose: "Investigating my subordinates was bad enough, but now you dare to pull the financial records I oversee? If you keep messing with my people or auditing my accounts, don't blame me for being harsh!"

Lin Yuan stopped his actions, leaned slightly back in his chair, eyes turning cold: "Oh? How do you intend to be harsh?"

Ning Shen's face curled into a cold smile; he leaned in close to Lin Yuan, lowering his voice: "Go ahead and try. If you really piss me off, I'll make sure you don't see tomorrow's sun."

Ning Shen said coldly: "Besides, there are some things I originally didn't want to say, but since you're so clueless, I might as well tell you… Do you know the Ning He Association? In this southern part of the city, nobody dares to slight the Ning He Association. Coincidentally, this Ning He Association is run by my family. The elder brother of the Ning He Association, Ning Yu, is my own full brother."

Lin Yuan laughed upon hearing: "Heh, so Director Ning's family is mixed up in the underworld, an underworld dynasty, tsk tsk."

But Lin Yuan then shifted his tone, calmly: "How coincidental—what I fear least is you underworld types."

At that moment, the office atmosphere instantly turned oppressively cold.