Chapter 762: Madman

Sorry, I've quit.

Lin Dongfan did not take the cigar Zhao Tianyu offered.

Quitting is good, healthy.

Zhao Tianyu himself doesn't smoke either, and he took the cigar back.

He struck a carefree, chatting pose: "Manager Lin, I was unprepared for today's review meeting and let everyone see me embarrassed. But honestly, this project is very important to our Zhao Group. You see... could we talk privately? Terms can be discussed."

When he said "terms can be discussed," the hint in his eyes was barely concealed.

Lin Dongfan gave a faint smile: "General Manager Zhao, bidding has its rules. As long as your technology is solid and your plan feasible, the committee will naturally judge fairly."

Rules are dead, people are alive.

Zhao Tianyu laughed: "I heard Manager Lin's wife is recently interested in investing? Perfect, I know a few top private equity bigwigs; I can introduce them to her, guaranteeing profit without loss."

That remark already crossed the line.

Lin Dongfan's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned cold: "My wife plays with investments just for fun; whether she gains or loses doesn't matter, no need for General Manager Zhao to worry."

He paused briefly.

Lin Dongfan added: "As for the project—I still say the same thing, follow procedure. If Zhao Group truly has the ability, there's no need to worry about the review outcome."

After saying that, he slightly nodded and turned to leave.

Zhao Tianyu stood where he was, watching Lin Dongfan's back disappear at the elevator entrance; the smile on his face faded bit by bit, eventually turning into a gloomy chill.

He took out his phone and dialed a number.

Hello, Xu Lili? Tonight at eight, the usual place.

Eight-thirty in the evening.

A top-floor suite at a five-star hotel in Jingcheng.

When Xu Lili came out of the bathroom wrapped in a bathrobe, Zhao Tianyu was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to her, holding a glass of whiskey.

Young Master Zhao...

Xu Lili called out in a coquettish voice, walking over to hug him from behind.

Zhao Tianyu suddenly turned, grabbed her wrist in one grip, the force so great she cried out in pain.

It hurts...

Hurts?

Zhao Tianyu sneered, his other hand pinching her chin, forcing her to lift her head.

His voice turned icy to the extreme: "Damn, I feel even worse today! That bastard Lin Dongfan made me lose face in front of so many people!"

Xu Lili turned pale with fright, afraid to speak.

Zhao Tianyu stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly released her and flung her onto the sofa.

I told you to win over Chu Lingxi, and after all this time, what have you achieved? He leaned forward, hands braced on the sofa armrests, trapping Xu Lili in the middle: "Besides making her lose money, what other progress is there?"

Xu Lili curled up on the sofa.

She replied softly: "Lingxi... she's very wary. I tried bringing her to meet some 'friends,' but she hardly interacts. Losing money in stocks, she just suffers alone, never arguing with Lin Dongfan..."

Trash!

Zhao Tianyu frenziedly lectured Xu Lili: "If she loses a lot, she'll naturally focus on breaking even—don't you understand gambler's psychology? You must find a way to make her lose! The more she loses, the better! If she loses a lot, she won't dare tell Lin Dongfan and will instead try to raise money herself! Then you can bring her to me, leaving her unable to refuse my charity!"

I... I understand...

Xu Lili replied tremblingly, daring not to defy in the slightest.

Zhao Tianyu straightened up, paced a few steps irritably, then gulped down a mouthful of liquor.

That dog Lin Dongfan is impossible to deal with. I laid it all out today, yet he dares to give me official talk!" Zhao Tianyu's eyes turned sinister: "We must give him something hard."

Xu Lili asked cautiously: "Young Master Zhao, what do you want to do?"

Zhao Tianyu didn't answer, just stared at her: "I'll give you another month! Within one month, you must make Chu Lingxi completely trust you, teach her leveraged investing, and make her lose as much as possible! Can you do it?"

I... I'll do my best.

Xu Lili looked at his eyes devoid of warmth, her whole body chilled, but she could only nod.

It's not about doing your best, it's a must!" Zhao Tianyu coldly said: "Don't forget, your brother's three million gambling debt, and the house your parents live in, are all in my hands."

I... I understand...

Xu Lili's face turned deathly pale, she honestly lowered her head.

Only then did Zhao Tianyu show a slight smile, patting her cheek: "Good. Go wait for me on the bed."

Xu Lili mechanically stood up.

She walked toward the bedroom.

Zhao Tianyu returned to stand by the window, looking down at the glittering lights of Jingcheng, his gaze growing colder.

In the bedroom.

Xu Lili's steps were weak; the calves exposed under her bathrobe looked especially pallid in the suite's yellow light. She was like a beautiful doll whose soul had been sucked out, each step treading on an invisible mountain of knives and sea of fire.

The bedroom door wasn't closed; Xu Lili took off her bathrobe and sprayed perfume on herself.

And Zhao Tianyu still stood by the living-room floor-to-ceiling window, the Jingcheng nightscape below glittering like a galaxy, yet his eyes were darker than the night outside.

He took out his phone, dialed a number, and it rang three times before being answered.

Young Master Zhao.

A low, cautious male voice came from the other end.

Zhao Tianyu got straight to the point: "Old Wu, have you cleared up the information on those experts from the review committee?"

Still organizing. Two are relatively clean, with simple families and children all domestically. But the other three have something going on.

The man called Old Wu was very cautious.

The voice dropped lower and lower: "The deputy head of the review group, Professor Liu, has a son studying in Canada with considerable annual expenses, and the source of funds is suspicious. Engineer Li's daughter married and settled in the U. S., recently bought a villa outright, which clearly doesn't match the Li family's income."

Zhao Tianyu curled the corner of his mouth with a faint cold smile: "A bit interesting? What I want is solid evidence! Bank statements, purchase contracts, overseas accounts… things that can nail him down."

"Already working on it, need some time, and also… need to grease some palms." Old Wu's words carried a hidden meaning.

"Money isn't a problem." Zhao Tianyu said bluntly: "One head for one million, double if you find the real stuff. Within a week, I want to see the stuff on my desk!"

After hanging up, Zhao Tianyu downed the remaining liquor in his cup in one gulp.

The amber liquid slid down his throat, igniting a scorching fierce streak. He gripped the empty glass, his knuckles whitening slightly from the force.

He thought:

Isn't Lin Dongfan after "procedural justice"?

Fine!

I'll make those so-called "justice warriors" sitting on the review panel personally put Zhao Group's name at the very top of the recommendation list.

When all the experts unanimously agree that Zhao Group's technology is superior and its plan the most feasible, I want to see what excuse Lin Dongfan can still come up with to reject it.

By then, if this Manager Lin still tries to stand in the way, he won't just offend me, Zhao Tianyu, but the entire review committee, and even the various forces behind the indicator.

"Playing with me…"

Zhao Tianyu stared at his blurry reflection in the glass window, his smile sinister: "Lin, you're still too green!"

He turned and walked toward the bedroom; the moment he pushed the door open, his face had already shifted to another expression—a mix of control desire and nonchalant contempt.

Xu Lili was curled up in the corner of the bed; seeing him enter, her body barely perceptibly flinched.

Zhao Tianyu was very pleased with that reaction.

He likes fear, likes domination, likes seeing others tremble before him.

"What are you afraid of?"

He walked to the bedside, looking down at Xu Lili: "As long as you obey, your brother's debt, your parents' house—none of that is a problem. Even…"

Saying that, he leaned down, his finger tracing Xu Lili's cheek: "Once you bring Chu Lingxi over, I can still give you a downtown apartment."

Xu Lili's eyelashes fluttered, and she said nothing.

"But if you screw up…" Zhao Tianyu's hand suddenly tightened, gripping her chin: "You should know what the consequences will be."

"……!!!"

Xu Lili was like a passive toy, forced to lift her head to look at him, physiological tears welling in her eyes, she could only nod with difficulty.

"Speak!"

Zhao Tianyu commanded angrily.

"I… I won't mess up." Xu Lili's voice trembled.

Only then did Zhao Tianyu loosen his grip, sit up, and begin unbuttoning his shirt. His movements were unhurried, as if performing a ritual.

Xu Lili watched his back, her fingers unconsciously clutching the sheet.

Outside the window, Jingcheng's neon lights never slept.

In this huge city, countless transactions are constantly taking place—some at negotiation tables, some at drinking parties, some… in unseen shadows.