Chapter 80: I

No investigation, no right to speak.

Yu Xing had conducted on-site investigations, and thus grew even more confident in his short-selling attempt.

As Liu Wan said, problems in the foundational data would be a telltale sign.

When Yu Xing woke up the next day, his mind was still full of the charming cat.

Yes, whether it’s the most basic count of all screens or deep mining of financial reports and corporate operations, what matters is effectiveness—black cat, white cat, if it catches mice, it’s a good cat.

Additionally, he discovered another problem.

The money really isn’t enough!

A company in the Cayman Islands requires $25,000; assuming similar fees elsewhere, another company would cost $50,000, equivalent to roughly 350,000 RMB.

The national survey budget itself is 150,000 RMB—unclear if it will cover the top end.

Together, these two items total 500,000 RMB.

This doesn’t even include trusts, which could better prevent ownership transparency.

And how much capital can he actually access right now?

The actual after-tax funds received by Guai Ai Network were 2,503,250 RMB; his share was 1,965,000 RMB, of which 1,000,000 RMB belonged to Baixiaosheng’s startup investment, leaving 965,000 RMB as freely disposable funds.

Two companies plus one survey wiped out half of it in one go!

This doesn’t even account for all the other miscellaneous expenses…

If we go ahead, how much money will remain for short-selling? And how much can we actually profit?

With this simple calculation, Yu Xing frowned. Not eating the giant lobster yesterday was indeed right—this money needed careful budgeting, and the necessity of bringing Liu Wan in as a partner grew even greater.

At the very least, the registration fees could be shared.

Before heading to work in the morning, Yu Xing called Liu Wan and mentioned his confidentiality requirements: at least two companies in different regions needed to be set up.

“Under normal circumstances, two would be enough,” Liu Wan said slowly, clearly thinking, “but your concerns aren’t unfounded…”

After a quick mental calculation, she said: “Here’s what we’ll do: first, establish a trust in Singapore—it offers better privacy and flexibility, and trust documents don’t need public registration. Then use that trust to set up a company in the Cayman Islands, where anonymity and tax advantages are superior. Finally, I’ll check if there are other suitable jurisdictions—I still need to research further.”

Legal requirements vary by country and region, especially since she was now considering one more factor: avoiding nations with bilateral or multilateral agreements.

Liu Wan needed more professional advice to resolve this, but she fundamentally agreed with the need for greater confidentiality.

“Alright, Sister Ying, with you on this, I’m at ease,” Yu Xing sighed in relief.

Liu Wan smiled: “Do you still have work today? Should I fire you?”

Yu Xing replied: “Who knows? This morning I did the math and realized a 15,000 RMB monthly salary isn’t bad…”

Liu Wan couldn’t help laughing, ended the call, and agreed to discuss this again once she had consultation results.

She had already made a concrete decision about her professional path.

Yu Xing put away his phone, feeling much better—Liu Wan had further proven her value.

Before this, he had never discussed specific corporate structure setups with Liu Wan, especially not trusts that could enhance confidentiality.

Under normal circumstances, it’s natural for someone with a medical background like himself not to think of trusts—he hadn’t thought of them at all, but got the suggestion from a lawyer.

Similarly, given Liu Wan’s professional background, it should be normal for her to think of this too.

After I raised the request, she could have mentioned trusts—or not mentioned them—or she might not have known, or perhaps hadn’t thought of it immediately—but now she gave a satisfying answer.

A partner who can communicate openly with each other already surpasses 90% of partnerships, let alone that short-selling is a different kind of business and demands even greater caution.

Zhong Zhiling and Lu Haiying might manage it too, but they lack this capability.

Liu Wan has the connection of a mentor—she’s one of the inner circle, someone he knows well, possesses the relevant skills and industry insight, and also has substantial financial strength…

Yu Xing took business seriously—cats were cats, matters were matters, never to be confused.

Now that a casual probe yielded an ideal response, trust could be further strengthened.

As Yu Xing pondered company and funding matters, he arrived at his desk on time, just as he always did after confronting his boss.

The first thing he said after sitting down was to his coworker: “Making money is really hard!”

Tong Xingjian had, over these past days, communicated somewhat with this impulsive director and found him not as tyrannical as he seemed—just stubbornly holding to his own principles—so he’d grown somewhat familiar with him.

Hearing Yu Xing’s lament, he sighed: “Brother Xing, you find making money hard?”

“You guys work overtime every day—it’s easy for you. I’ll have to face a new situation after three months, and there’s too much to consider,” Yu Xing said seriously. “Two million RMB is a lot for me personally, but as startup capital, it’s really not much.”

Tong Xingjian asked curiously: “Brother Xing, are you starting another project? Reassembling a dating team?”

Yu Xing was about to answer when he noticed a few folded A4 pages beside his monitor.

He flipped through them casually, and his expression turned peculiar.

It was an anonymous tip letter, accusing Marketing Director Qin Shaohong of financial dealings with another company, along with some supporting evidence.

Yu Xing forgot to answer Tong Xingjian, turned around, and scanned the room—who left this on my desk?

Is this what workplace life is like?

So treacherous!

After I stood up to Qin Shaohong and even the boss, they want to use me as a knife?

This person is truly vile!

Vile to the core.

I’m the real Baixiaosheng!

I run the electronic Baixiaosheng—I’m the flesh-and-blood Baixiaosheng myself…

As Yu Xing carefully reviewed the documents, he felt a pang of regret—if only he’d waited another half-month, this could’ve been an interesting topic for the website; now it’s placed right in front of him…

He thought for a moment—fine.

After Baixiaosheng launches, this experience as an employee can be turned into a post—just a small anecdote.

Just as Yu Xing was considering how to proceed, Vice President Wei Jialan walked over calmly.

“Director Yu, come to my office,” Wei Jialan said expressionlessly. “As you wished.”

For over half a month, she had not communicated with Yu Xing once—as if he didn’t exist in the company, focusing solely on advancing the new love-contract business.

Similarly, Boss Li Song hadn’t mentioned him again, indifferent to the thoughts or schemes of minor players.

But the team-building event went too far!

Wei Jialan had received the instruction: “Don’t let him be an obstruction in the company,” and now planned to formally fire this hired director today.

Yu Xing held up the tip letter and smiled: “Director Wei, if you’re firing me, I won’t ask for N+1—since I haven’t been here a full month, make sure to pay me half a month’s salary as severance.”

He hadn’t been employed a full month, so he didn’t qualify for N+1; accurately, employees dismissed before six months are entitled to half a month’s salary as severance.

Wei Jialan replied calmly: “Is that so?”

“Yes,” Yu Xing said seriously. “Otherwise it’s illegal.”

Wei Jialan had felt some irritation toward Yu Xing’s lack of cooperation since he joined, but thought it wasn’t worth a confrontation—yet today’s move was meant to please the boss. She smiled faintly and uttered a few words: “Then go sue us.”

Yu Xing sighed lightly: “I hate to say it, but the company’s management level really needs improvement.”

Just as Wei Jialan opened her mouth to reply, Yu Xing suddenly stood up, shocked and furious, raising his right hand high.

She stepped back two paces, fearing this young man might punch her!

“Who put this material on my desk? Where did it come from?”

Yu Xing ignored Vice President Wei and shouted to the coworkers around him: “What’s going on here?”

Wei Jialan was stunned—what was going on? What’s he doing?

“Everyone!” Yu Xing called for attention, raised both hands high, opened the tip letter, and read aloud: “I report that Marketing Director Qin Shaohong has financial dealings with Xinchunhui Advertising—he owns 30% of the company through his brother!”

“Last year, the company invested 3 million RMB in Xinchunhui Advertising, with the funds channeled through…”

The entire office erupted in uproar!

Wei Jialan snapped back to reality and lunged to snatch the tip letter from Yu Xing’s raised hands—but his towering height made her efforts futile.

Yu Xing blocked with his left hand, kept his right hand raised, and continued reading the anonymous but detailed tip letter.

Financial kickbacks, bribery, withholding team bonuses…

These three were the main points, but the last one likely triggered the problem.

Or perhaps it was a dispute over profit-sharing.

Yu Xing didn’t care—he simply read the entire tip letter aloud to everyone. Wei Jialan, realizing she couldn’t stop him, fell silent.

“Are the evidence and allegations in here true?” Yu Xing finished reading and demanded of his colleagues, “Where does this leave our company’s interests?!”

Wei Jialan was speechless—now he was saying “our company”?

She almost laughed—what the hell…

“Director Wei, I’m handing this tip letter over to you!” Yu Xing, receiving no response from his colleagues and not expecting anyone in the shadows to step forward, said solemnly, “If the company has problems, they must be addressed! Everyone is watching you! You must inform Boss Li! Don’t let everyone lose heart!” Wei Jialan replied seriously: “Alright, the company will investigate thoroughly and handle this strictly—no innocent person will be wronged, and no guilty one will escape.”

Under everyone’s gaze, Yu Xing handed over the tip letter.

Wei Jialan clenched her molars as she took it.

Then she turned and walked toward her office, preparing to report this sudden incident to the boss.

As for investigation—no need. She already knew what some colleagues were capable of.

As Wei Jialan took a few steps, she suddenly noticed Yu Xing following behind.

She turned: “Why are you following me?”

Yu Xing said, bewildered: “Didn’t you just tell me to come to your office to discuss my termination? We haven’t agreed on the half-month severance yet.”

Wei Jialan said flatly: “Go back to your desk. I was just joking.”

Yu Xing replied, “Oh,” and obediently returned to his desk.

Wei Jialan caught this out of the corner of her eye and clenched her molars again—under everyone’s eyes, she couldn’t fire “the one who stood up for justice” right after he handed in the tip letter…

Though everyone would understand the reason to fire Yu Xing, at least not now.

Wei Jialan hurried away, already hearing the murmurs behind her.

Tong Xingjian looked at the quiet young director next door, listened to the colleagues’ excited or angry murmurs, and sighed: “Xing Ge, I really can’t believe it… what the hell are you even here for?”

“I don’t get it either,” Yu Xing frowned. “Why did you bring me here? Who the hell would send an anonymous tip to me instead of just shoving it straight into the boss’s office? Aren’t they afraid it won’t be handled? Is there some hidden trick here?”

Tong Xingjian didn’t know if there was any trick—he only knew that Director Yu was incredibly reckless.

Yu Xing sighed: “Your workplace is really dirty.”

Tong Xingjian wanted to sigh, but also wanted to laugh—who was the dirty one here?

Yu Xing suddenly posed a possibility: “Do you think Director Li brought me in just to play a game—to use me to clean out all the old comrades who came up with him?”

Tong Xingjian: “...That’s probably not it.”

Yu Xing shook his head: “I don’t know anymore. But I can’t tolerate injustice. When I see something like this, I have to speak up.”

The director spoke up in public—perhaps the fairness actually had weight, or perhaps the marketing director’s misconduct was truly severe.

In the next two days, Qin Shaohong vanished completely.

By Friday, the company unofficially confirmed the news: Qin Shaohong had resigned, and the investigation showed he had indeed withheld bonuses—those amounts would be fully refunded.

“Didn’t even get him fired?” Yu Xing said, packing up his things at Friday evening, sounding disappointed.

“He’s a veteran, I guess,” Tong Xingjian relayed the news. “They refunded the money.”

“Xiao Tong, I’ve got a website in beta testing—could you, as a programmer, take a look?” Yu Xing had a real request. “I don’t know your skill level, but if you find issues or offer suggestions, I’ll give you a bonus. Consider it a side job.”

Tong Xingjian was about to agree, then hesitated: “Xing Ge, you won’t report me for taking a side job, will you?”

“Relax,” Yu Xing reassured him. “I’m a hypocrite. If I’m the one offering the side job, why would I report you? Are you nuts?”

Tong Xingjian thought it made sense—but also thought this guy really didn’t mind self-exposing himself…

At five p.m., Yu Xing left on time as usual, refusing to suffer with his colleagues—but before walking out, he called out: “Bye, everyone. See you Monday—if I’m still here Monday.”

For nearly a month, Yu Xing had only communicated with Tong Xingjian; the other colleagues showed zero interest in interacting with him.

Yet, this farewell somehow drew responses and laughter from those present.

“Bye, see you Monday.”

“Director Yu’s leaving again~”

Everyone had grown used to this director’s bizarre slacking and strict punctuality.

Yu Xing truly thought his corporate career would end this weekend—but he didn’t care much, still sticking to his routine of scanning every Pop-up Screen in Pengcheng.

Yet, over the weekend, the company sent no notice at all.

On Monday morning at nine, Yu Xing arrived at the office just barely on time.

“Hey! Hey! You guys are going too far!”

“You’re treating me like a tip box now?!”

“How many problems does your company even have?!”

“I suggest forming a task force!”

Yu Xing looked at the several anonymous tips pinned under his computer screen, laughed bitterly, picked them up, and held them up for all colleagues to see.

He glanced around, puzzled: “Am I a business director—or have I been reassigned as an internal audit director?”

Some were already laughing; hearing this, they couldn’t hold back, and soon others joined in.

The office instantly filled with cheerful energy.

Yu Xing didn’t disappoint—he fully displayed the tip contents and, as per standard procedure, forwarded them to Vice President Wei Jialan.

Wei Jialan was stunned: “You…”

Yu Xing replied: “Mm!”

Wei Jialan sighed helplessly: “This…”

Yu Xing agreed: “Sigh!”

That afternoon alone, a camera appeared near Yu Xing’s desk.

Meanwhile, Wei Jialan, representing management, publicly reflected on current issues and urged employees: if you have real evidence, report it directly—the company will not tolerate misconduct.

Yu Xing figured his internal audit director role was probably over.

On Tuesday morning, Yu Xing was woken by a phone call and discussed Singapore trust setup with Liu Wan. He decided to head to the office early.

When he entered headquarters, he immediately noticed the surveillance cameras had been unplugged—and beside his desk, a stranger was quietly placing documents.

Seven a.m.—a time when the office was usually empty.

Both Yu Xing and the stranger were caught off guard.

He froze for two seconds, then said: “Cover your face—I won’t recognize you.”

The colleague obeyed, covered his face, and quietly left, adding softly: “Please, Director Yu.”

Yu Xing didn’t know what to say. He sat down, intending to calculate the trust setup and third company choice—but his burden hadn’t ended yet.

He drank a cup of soy milk, then couldn’t help calling Liu Wan to share.

“I’m amazed—I’m truly amazed!” Liu Wan found it bizarre. “I feel like even if I spent my whole life in this workplace, I’d never encounter something like this. You’re the blade—‘blade’ as in ‘blade’ of a knife!”

“Exactly because I don’t plan to survive in this workplace do I keep running into this nonsense,” Yu Xing chuckled. “Looking at this, I’ve lost all confidence in the company’s future IPO.”

Liu Wan agreed: “Mm. Not just you—even your boss’s wife, that famous investor, didn’t invest in her husband’s company.”

Yu Xing was shocked: “Huh? Really? Why are all these couples in this circle so weird…”

Liu Wan looked slightly confused: “Who else?”

“Oh, just unverified gossip I’ve heard,” Yu Xing recalled some unexposed figures. “Like those two at Alibaba.”

Liu Wan murmured: “Yeah, it’s strange. Probably because your primary attribute is different. Yu Neishen, Nevada in the U.S. is actually a good choice.”

She had already formed a preference for the third company.

Contrary to Yu Xing’s expectations, it wasn’t a traditional offshore financial center—but Nevada, U.S., which doesn’t require disclosure of shareholders or directors, lets the real controller remain anonymous, and has extremely low annual reporting requirements.

Also, the U.S. inexplicably hasn’t responded to international calls for information exchange.

“Then let’s go with that,” Yu Xing decided to trust the expert.

That day, Yu Xing continued to uphold justice, and the company remained calm.

But the next day, more cameras appeared, and the surveillance system became more advanced.

Yu Xing finally shed the burden of his corporate job and returned to being the transparent director of Zhenai.com.

Colleagues expressed relief and praise—the work environment had become safer. Good.

(End of Chapter)