Chapter 1739

Her expression was calm, her gaze resolute, as if she had grown much older in a single night.

"Young Lady, what should we do now?" the driver asked from the back seat, his tone filled with concern.

After all, Su family's cash flow was strained; if this dragged on any longer, the losses to Su Corporation would be enormous, and once Old Master Su truly failed to awaken, Su Jin would be the sole heir—those uncles and cousins were all watching the 51 percent shares in her hands.

"Stop contacting me. I've made my decision," Su Jin said.

She had resolved never to return to the capital again in this lifetime.

"But… Young Lady, this could damage the relationship between the Su family and China's Ministry of National Defense," the driver worriedly said: "I know you're suffering inside, but I think this isn't the wisest move—we need to plan carefully."

This driver was Zhou Xianwei, who had served Su Jin for over a decade.

"Yes, I'm deeply resentful inside, but I want more than anything to help my father resolve this crisis—I can't keep wasting away like this," Su Jin said, then immediately started the car and drove away.

After Su Jin left, Zhou Xianwei immediately pulled out his phone and made a call: "Young Master, Su Jin has purchased the 21 percent shares she held, and they've now been transferred to our company's account—is this girl stupid? Selling shares now is like handing them over to the enemy!"

"Internal strife within the Su family has already begun; this battle is unavoidable," Ximen Wudi murmured: "Have her send the money to the Military Advisor—first, stabilize the situation."

"Military Advisor?" Zhou Xianwei paused, then chuckled: "Young Master, looks like you're planning a big move this time."

"You only carry out orders," Ximen Wudi narrowed his eyes: "Tell every collateral branch of the Su family—starting today, if any of them dare touch Su family assets, execute them on the spot, even if it's Su Qing's own younger brother."

Execute on the spot!

Ximen Wudi's words were blunt and crude, yet brimming with overwhelming dominance!

"Got it, Young Master, rest assured—I'll do exactly as ordered!" Zhou Xianwei exclaimed excitedly: "The Su family's going to be in total chaos this time! Hahaha!"

Zhou Xianwei's voice drifted far away; Ximen Wudi listened, then shook his head.

He knew this internal strife was a double-edged sword—handle it poorly, and Source Group could be utterly destroyed; Ximen Wudi had to prepare in advance.

Moreover, he now faintly sensed that Su Jin had already begun her move.

…………

For some time now, Zhang Yugan's schedule had been extremely busy—he was to attend a symposium at the National Academy of Sciences, where an international summit would also be held, and Zhang Yugan was to engage in exchanges with heads of state from European nations.

Because the scope of this matter was so vast, expert groups from every field had sent representatives.

Moreover, Zhang Yugan had specifically instructed Ximen Wudi that if he went, he must bring his family along.

"Dad, I don't want to go abroad," Ximen Wudi stood on the balcony of the presidential suite, gazing out the window, his eyes gleaming with thought.

"Young Master, you're a clever boy—you should be able to guess what summit I'm sending you to, right?" Zhang Yugan smiled, watching his son's back—he could see in his son a reflection of his own younger self: bold, ambitious, full of determination.

"Dad, if I go abroad, I think our wedding will have to be postponed," Ximen Wudi said.

"No, what I mean is—I want to introduce you to someone," Zhang Yugan patted Ximen Wudi's shoulder.

His expression grew solemn, yet also hopeful.

Because… this business trip might very well allow Zhang Yugan to meet an old friend.

Ximen Wudi turned his head and asked: "Dad, who is it?"

Zhang Yugan pointed toward a region in Southeast Asia: "That's the territory of the Chinese diaspora tycoon Holman. Rumor has it a batch of cultural relics was unearthed there, and Holman wants to cooperate with our government. My visit is to negotiate on behalf of the state—if things go well, this project will be secured quickly."

Upon hearing this, Ximen Wudi's expression turned sharply complex: "Holman? The man who killed Bartomeu Port in Africa?"

Though the name was unfamiliar, Ximen Wudi had spent years in the underworld and once held high rank—he knew the name Holman all too well.

He was a super-rich magnate of Africa.

"That's right," Zhang Yugan nodded, then added: "Holman's Chinese identity is sensitive, so during this trip, secrecy is essential—otherwise, there could be danger."

Ximen Wudi took two deep breaths and said: "Dad, are you taking me with you?"

"Yes, it's something I promised you long ago," Zhang Yugan smiled, his eyes shining with pride: "You've never disappointed me—you've never once given me cause for worry."

Ximen Wudi sighed softly: "Dad, thank you."

Thank you for being willing to sacrifice for me.

"Don't say such formalities," Zhang Yugan patted Ximen Wudi's shoulder: "You are the hope of the Su family—so this mission is also a good chance for your training."

"Understood," Ximen Wudi nodded solemnly.

"Handle this matter quickly—I won't tolerate any more hesitation," Zhang Yugan said.

"Don't worry, Dad, I understand—I'll prioritize national interests above all," Ximen Wudi said, then hung up the call himself.

His gaze was serious, and unyielding.

"Young Master, I know you're leaving—I'll destroy the Su family in the shortest time possible," Zhou Xianwei grinned behind him, revealing a row of bright, even teeth.

…………

Half an hour later, Zhou Xianwei had changed from his suit into casual clothes.

"Let's go," Ximen Wudi said, picking up his suitcase.

These were the clothes Zhang Yugan had custom-made for Ximen Wudi—on him, they looked heroic and dashing.

Zhou Xianwei wore the same outfit, but his was more formal—he was, after all, someone who cared deeply about appearance.

"Young Master, where are we going?" Zhou Xianwei asked.

"To meet someone—or rather, an old acquaintance," Ximen Wudi said, opening the front passenger door and stepping inside.

Zhou Xianwei slid into the driver's seat, fastened his seatbelt, and started the car.

Ximen Wudi closed his eyes, leaning back quietly, his mind suddenly flashing back to that night when he had entwined with Su Chiyan.

He knew Su Chiyan's true sexual orientation, yet she had still chosen to stay—he felt he owed her far too much.

This trip to Ninghai to be with his parents was meant to make up for Su Chiyan.

…………

One month later, the National Guesthouse in the capital.

Zhang Yugan stood at the entrance of the State Guesthouse, watching the officials who had come to greet him. He frowned slightly and did not step inside right away.

This time, he had not notified any relevant media, yet the officials' reaction was astonishingly swift — he had only just boarded the flight, and they were already rushing over to welcome him, unable to wait.

Zhang Yugan did not wait too long. After two Audi A6s bearing capital-city plates pulled up, a thin-built man was the first to step out, followed closely by another man wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

"Old Chief, you've finally come back — welcome, welcome!" the thin man said. "I'm Li Yunze, Party Secretary of Ninghai."

"Secretary Li, let's go inside and talk." Zhang Yugan beamed and extended his hand. "Hello, it's a great honor to meet you."

Li Yunze smiled broadly as he gripped Zhang Yugan's hand: "Old Chief, I've been looking forward to your return for a long time."

In the depths of his eyes, eagerness and excitement flickered.

"Old Chief, your arrival has added quite a bit of vitality to Ninghai," Li Yunze said.

Zhang Yugan smiled and gave a slight nod, without introducing the young man behind him. After all, in Zhang Yugan's view, this man still needed more tempering and trials; there was no rush for such things, and besides, he was not skilled at this sort of thing either.

Ximen Wudi did not know this man called Li Yunze, but from the look in the other's eyes he could tell that this person was absolutely no pushover.

Ximen Wudi did not like this man's smile — he always felt that a cold, sinister air seeped through it.

"Why don't you make an introduction?" Zhang Yugan asked.

"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce him. Old Chief, this is Ximen Wudi, an important witness in our major Ninghai cases," Li Yunze said with a beaming smile.

Ximen Wudi glanced at the man and said, "My surname is Su."

This simple remark was, however, steeped in a strong provocative flavor.

Zhang Yugan did not mind at all. He laughed and said, "Good, let's go inside and talk."

These years of tempering had gradually stripped away the sharp edges of Zhang Yugan's youth, making him steady and reserved. Even when meeting old comrades-in-arms, there was no sense of overwhelming pressure radiating from him.

Yet, the more he was like this, the more those old comrades worried, afraid that this old friend might come to some harm.

"Old Master, haven't seen you in years — your health is still as robust as ever," the middle-aged man called "General Horkim" said.

He was tall and powerfully built, his muscle lines clear and distinct. A pair of tiger eyes shot a piercing gleam, and his aura radiated outward without limit. Even though Zhang Yugan had a secretary helping with translation, his own Mandarin seemed far inferior to the secretary's — it always sounded halting and stumbling.

"Holman, you too — these years you haven't let your skills go to waste," Zhang Yugan laughed, and he too extended his hand. The two clasped hands together.

Because Holman was Russian, and Zhang Yugan himself had grown up in Russia, when he saw a legendary figure like Holman appear, a feeling of mutual admiration inevitably rose in his heart.

"Old Chief, let's not stand at the door talking — please, come inside," Holman said. His voice was hoarse, his tone low, yet full of a magnetic quality that made people feel very comfortable.

"Good, please come inside." Zhang Yugan smiled, but as he smiled, his expression turned slightly bitter: "Holman, when you put it like that, I don't even dare take a step."