Chapter 38: The Swindler

"Grandpa Ye, haven't you ever consulted a master to solve this?" Murong Wan furrowed her brows, her voice carrying a hint of worry.

Ye Zhentian's face suddenly darkened, a flash of anger and humiliation in his eyes, as if he had been slapped hard.

"We did! It was that shady fellow Jia Chenggong who swindled us! He swore he had invited a master, but in the end? Not only was it of no use, it also wasted twenty billion!"

The figure thundered in Murong Wan's ears like a sudden clap of lightning.

Twenty billion—enough to topple a medium-sized enterprise in an instant.

Ye Zhentian's eyes flashed a hint of unwillingness to elaborate, and he waved his hand: "For the details, let's discuss in the office. Miss Murong, Jiangnan, junior friend, please follow me."

In Ye Zhentian's office, an ancient melody lingered.

The sandalwood incense rose in curling wisps, intertwining with the woody scent from the rosewood furniture; on the walls hung several ink paintings, their brushstrokes bold and powerful, showcasing the owner's refined taste.

Jiangnan and Murong Wan had just taken their seats when the office door was suddenly pushed open; Ye Wan stormed in, her delicate face full of resentment.

"Grandpa, why won't you let me join?"

Ye Zhentian looked at the granddaughter he had pampered since childhood, his brows slightly furrowed: "Wan'er, this is company business."

Ye Wan stammered for a while, then a sudden idea struck: "Grandpa, haven't you always said you'd groom me as your successor? The Xingchen Plaza Project is such an important undertaking; how could I not take part?"

These words surprised Ye Zhentian; normally this girl showed little interest in company affairs, yet today she volunteered eagerly.

His gaze flickered between Ye Wan and Jiangnan, and Ye Zhentian realized that the girl was likely after Jiangnan.

"Jiangnan, junior friend…" Ye Zhentian's tone hesitated, after all Ye Wan had previously treated Jiangnan poorly.

"It doesn't matter." Jiangnan's expression remained indifferent, as if nothing concerned him.

Only then did Ye Zhentian relax, signaling Ye Wan to sit, and immediately revealed the hidden issues behind the Xingchen Plaza Project.

"Jia Chenggong was once my most trusted confidant, and over the years he solved many problems for me." A flash of pain crossed Ye Zhentian's eyes: "I never imagined he would betray me!"

"When the Xingchen Plaza Project was launched, I allocated twenty billion as startup capital to have him smooth connections. Who knew this shady fellow colluded with the Cheng Family, lining his own pockets!"

Bang!

Ye Wan's jade-like hand slammed onto the rosewood desk, her almond eyes widened, fury blazing: "That ungrateful scoundrel! Grandpa, let me go settle the score with him!"

Ye Zhentian rubbed his temples; this granddaughter was indeed too impulsive.

"Wan'er, don't act rashly; the matter isn't that simple." Ye Zhentian sighed, his gaze unintentionally sweeping over Murong Wan, a flash of insight.

Since Mo Lao could have Murong Wan follow Jiangnan, why couldn't I do the same?

This girl may be willful, but she's bright; if she receives Jiangnan's guidance, her future looks promising.

With that thought, Ye Zhentian's eyes lit up, his spirit soaring: "Miss Murong, since you are Jiangnan's friend, the Ye family will fully support! Funds, technology, manpower—whatever you need, just ask!"

"As for our side of the Ye family, Wan'er will handle the liaison." He turned seriously toward Ye Wan, "Remember, in front of Jiangnan, you must not be presumptuous; obey all arrangements!"

Ye Wan was stunned on the spot, never expecting Grandpa to entrust her with such responsibility, let alone to obey Jiangnan's orders.

She instinctively glanced at Jiangnan, but saw him still expressionless, as if nothing concerned him.

Ye Wan lightly bit her red lips, a stubborn resolve rising within, silently vowing to achieve results that would make this aloof man look at her anew!

"Mr. Ye," Murong Wan's cool voice broke the silence, "the biggest problem with the Xingchen Plaza Project right now isn't funding or technology, but…"

She hesitated, her gaze carrying a hint of worry.

Ye Zhentian's brows knit: "And what is it?"

"It's feng shui," Murong Wan said word for word. "The Xingchen Plaza site has terrible feng shui, with overwhelming hostile qi; if this isn't resolved, the project cannot proceed."

"Feng shui?" Ye Zhentian's complexion changed; he certainly knew its importance. For this project, he had already consulted many feng shui masters, but they all said the site had no issues.

"I've consulted many feng shui masters, and they all said the feng shui here is fine," Ye Zhentian said in a low voice, "but each time construction begins, something goes wrong. In just three days, three workers were injured, and the project had to be halted."

Murong Wan looked at Jiangnan, her beautiful eyes full of expectation.

Jiangnan, who had remained silent, finally spoke slowly, his voice low and resonant: "The Xingchen Plaza site indeed has feng shui problems, and they are severe."

He lifted his head, his gaze sharp as a sword, as if piercing all illusion: "This place is the site of the 'Five Ghosts Carrying a Coffin' formation, with qi surging skyward; if not dispelled, it will not only harm people and waste wealth, but also jeopardize the Ye family's fortunes."

"Five Ghosts Carrying a Coffin?!" Ye Zhentian's complexion changed dramatically; although he didn't understand feng shui, he had heard of this ominous formation, said to bring endless calamities once formed.

"Jiangnan, junior friend, do you have a way to resolve it?" Ye Zhentian asked anxiously, having now placed all his hope on Jiangnan.

Jiangnan's expression remained calm, his tone even: "The solution isn't hard; simply lay the 'Heavenly Gang Subduing Demons Array,' and it will suppress the hostile qi and turn the tide."

"Heavenly Gang Subduing Demons Array?" Ye Zhentian had never heard of this formation, but from Jiangnan's confident tone he sensed a glimmer of hope.

"Excellent! We'll follow Jiangnan's suggestion!" Ye Zhentian swept his hand grandly, his spirit soaring, "Whatever you need, just command!"

Jiangnan nodded: "Setting the array requires certain specific materials; I will draft a list and have them prepared promptly."

"Fine, I'll dispatch people to prepare them right away." Ye Zhentian ordered immediately.

With the matter settled, Ye Zhentian was in high spirits and promptly proposed hosting a banquet for everyone.

Jiangnan, however, was disinterested and was about to refuse when a rapid phone ringtone suddenly rang.

He took out his phone, saw the caller ID, frowned slightly, and answered.

"Jiangnan, Smallpox Rash has broken out in Jinghai City, the situation is urgent, we request you to go immediately to Qinghai County to eliminate the source!" an anxious voice of Su Meiruo came from the other end.

Jiangnan's gaze hardened; Smallpox Rash is a virulent contagious disease, and once it erupts, the consequences are unimaginable.

"Understood, I'm departing at once," Jiangnan said in a deep voice, his tone bearing unquestionable authority.

After hanging up, Jiangnan looked at Ye Zhentian and Murong Wan, his tone solemn: "Sorry, I have an urgent matter and must leave immediately."

"What happened?" Ye Zhentian asked with concern.

"Smallpox Rash has broken out in Jinghai City; I must promptly go to Qinghai County to eliminate the source," Jiangnan said gravely.

"Smallpox Rash?!" Ye Zhentian and Ye Wan's faces both changed dramatically; they both knew the horror of this disease.

"Jiangnan, junior friend, this is of great importance; go ahead, I'll see to it that things here are taken care of."

"I take my leave."

Ye Wan watched Jiangnan's departing silhouette, a swirl of emotions within her; she had never seen a man so aloof yet so responsible.

At that moment, she suddenly felt that this man wasn't so detestable after all; instead, he was full of mysterious charm.