Mu Qingxue turned the tables with Fang Ming's formula, causing Qin Xiao's mental state to crumble. Over the next few days, Qin Xiao's attention was almost entirely focused on investigating the expert behind Mu Qingxue.
Brother Gui utilized all of the Qin Family's connections in Rong City, from internal records of communication companies to surveillance footage near Mu Qingxue's home, and even bribed several cleaners and drivers around her.
But the results only made Qin Xiao increasingly irritable.
"Young Master Qin, the investigation is complete."
At five o'clock that afternoon, Brother Gui stood in the CEO's office of the Qin Corporation, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead—not from the heat, but from nervousness.
"Mu Qingxue did receive a call that afternoon; it was transferred through the company's front desk, lasting four minutes and fifty-six seconds."
Brother Gui adjusted his glasses and spoke quickly, "But that number is a virtual one; its source is untraceable!"
"And most importantly... after Mu Qingxue got the formula, all experimental records and research data were physically isolated. Not even her own computer has a backup. The core researchers involved in the project have been living in the lab these past few days, and their phones have been confiscated, making it impossible to contact them."
"So you're saying this expert made a phone call, sent a file, and then vanished into thin air? Without leaving a single trace?"
Brother Gui lowered his head, not daring to speak.
Even he found this investigation result to be ridiculous.
But the fact was that the opponent was not only elusive but could bring Yunlan International back to life with something tossed out casually.
On the surface, the two sides weren't even in the same league.
"Fine, just fine."
Qin Xiao laughed out of sheer anger. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently.
How long had it been since he'd felt this sensation of things spiraling out of control?
"Young Master Qin, then what should we do next...?" Brother Gui asked tentatively.
"Let's put Mu Qingxue's matter aside for now."
Qin Xiao opened his eyes, his gaze turning calm again... or rather, he had forcibly suppressed his anger.
"Since we can't find anything, it means the opponent is in too high a league for us to move against for now. Let's first grasp what we can control."
He glanced at the clock on the wall.
5:10 PM.
In Rong City at the end of July, the sun was still scorching at this hour. The outdoor temperature was nearing forty degrees, and the heatwaves on the streets were visible to the naked eye.
Standing up, Qin Xiao walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Looking at the heavy traffic below, he let out a long breath.
"Where is Fang Ming?"
"He's off today and didn't come to the office," Brother Gui replied immediately.
"Call him immediately and tell him to meet me at the Moonlight Restaurant in half an hour."
...At the same time, in the Xingfuli Residential Area.
In the rental apartment, the air conditioner hummed loudly, its 26-degree cold air separating the room from the outside world.
Fang Ming was wearing only a pair of large boxers. Shirtless, he sat cross-legged in his computer chair, holding half a chilled watermelon in his left hand and a spoon in his right, eating happily.
Within his consciousness space, the three protagonists were chatting.
[Marvelous Doctor of Chinese Medicine]: "Everyone, my master went down the mountain to buy medicinal herbs today, so I can finally sneak some time on my phone."
[Peking University]: "Divine Doctor Brother, if your master finds out you're playing on your phone during your cultivation, will he make you copy the 'Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon' a hundred times?"
[Soldier King Lone Wolf]: "Stop playing with useless things and spend more time studying medicine. I'll have to rely on you to save my life if I get injured in the future."
[Marvelous Doctor of Chinese Medicine]: "Don't worry, don't worry, I haven't neglected my medical skills. But seriously, I've been using this phone intermittently for three years, and the signal comes and goes. I just connected and refreshed it—the short videos nowadays are so funny! Someone actually managed to drive a car into a tree, Hahahaha!"
Although this Young Divine Doctor was also a modern person, he had clearly been isolated from the world since childhood and was full of curiosity about the outside.
Fang Ming wiped his mouth, set the watermelon bowl aside, and input text with his mind.
[Nameless Guide]: "@All members, let me interject."
As soon as the group owner spoke, the chat went silent.
[Soldier King Lone Wolf]: "Senior, you're here?"
[Marvelous Doctor of Chinese Medicine]: "Greetings, Senior!"
[Peking University]: "Hello, Great group owner."
Fang Ming felt somewhat emotional looking at their reactions.
He had posed as a big shot before to build trust, but now that it was established, it was quite exhausting to keep up the act.
Besides, always speaking in such an old-fashioned tone didn't really fit his twenty-four-year-old mindset.
So, he planned to interact with them using a different identity.
[Nameless Guide]: "No need to be so formal. I'm looking for you today mainly to mention something—my master, the one who communicated with you before, is temporarily unable to use the Chat Group due to some personal matters."
Upon hearing this, the three in the group sent question marks simultaneously.
[Soldier King Lone Wolf]: "?? Senior's master?"
[Peking University]: "Wait, group owner, aren't you the 'Nameless Guide' yourself?"
[Marvelous Doctor of Chinese Medicine]: "I'm a bit confused..."
Fang Ming had expected this reaction and continued typing unhurriedly.
[Nameless Guide]: "The one who communicated with you before was indeed my master. He created this group but has temporarily handed its management over to me because of some business."
[Nameless Guide]: "For the sake of easier communication in the future, let me introduce myself—my name is Fang Ming, twenty-four years old, a local of Rong City. I was the one who helped handle 'Chu Yao's' matter earlier. If you need anything in the future, you can come directly to me."
He deliberately used a more casual tone and even added a few emojis, aiming to close the distance with them.
[Nameless Guide]: "Of course, I'm not as capable as my master; I'm just an errand boy. But I will do my best to carry out the tasks my master assigned."
[Nameless Guide]: "@Soldier King Lone Wolf, my master specifically told me to keep looking after your sister before he left. You can rest assured."
The group was silent for a full ten seconds.
Then, the messages exploded.
[Soldier King Lone Wolf]: "So that's how it is? Brother, thank you for the matter regarding my sister."
[Nameless Guide]: "You're welcome!"
[Peking University]: "Twenty-four? I'm only seventeen this year. It seems I'll have to call you Brother Ming from now on."
[Marvelous Doctor of Chinese Medicine]: "Hello, Brother Ming!"
Fang Ming watched the chat content, unable to stop his lips from curling upward.
These protagonists have such strong acceptance; even though he switched personas, they believed him without hesitation.
[Nameless Guide]: "Don't be so formal, everyone. I'm just an ordinary person; I'll have to rely on you big shots to look out for me in the future."
[Soldier King Lone Wolf]: "Brother Fang Ming, you're too modest. How could someone who caught the Senior's eye be ordinary? I'll leave my sister in your hands. Once I'm able to return to the country, I'll definitely thank you properly!"
Fang Ming was about to exchange a few more pleasantries when his phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the caller ID—Brother Gui.
Fang Ming immediately switched out of the Chat Group and answered the call!
"Hello, Brother Gui!"
"Young Master Qin wants you to go to the Moonlight Restaurant in half an hour." Brother Gui was concise and hung up right after speaking.
Fang Ming put down his phone, his gaze turning calm.
It's finally starting.
He quickly sent a message in the group.
[Nameless Guide]: "@Soldier King Lone Wolf, emergency. I suspect Qin Xiao is about to move against your sister. I have to go there right now."