8:20 AM.
Fang Ming sat up in bed with a head of messy hair like a bird's nest. He stretched lazily with a dazed look in his eyes, his bones popping and crackling all over.
"Another day of being a beast of burden for the capitalists..."
Fang Ming grumbled as he stepped into his flip-flops and wobbled into the bathroom.
Squeeze toothpaste, brush teeth.
Out of habit, he used his mind to click on the icon named [Myriad Heavens Mutual Aid Group].
He thought that at this early hour, the group would be dead silent, or perhaps that energetic Soldier King would be posting a morning check-in.
To his surprise, [Peking University], usually the most quiet member, was the first to send a message in the group.
[Peking University]: "Um... Brother Ming, are you there? Could I ask you for a favor?"
Fang Ming replied with his mind while rinsing his mouth.
[Nameless Guide]: "We're all friends here, just say what's on your mind."
[Peking University]: "My sister just went to Rong City on a business trip. She went while she was sick, with a fever of 38.5 degrees; she can't even walk steadily."
[Peking University]: "If it were just that, I would have endured it. After all, poor people's lives are cheap... but the person she's going to meet this time has a terrible reputation!"
[Nameless Guide]: "Oh? Tell me more."
Fang Ming finished washing up, took a bottle of cold milk from the fridge, and took a swig. His gaze turned calm.
High schooler, older sister, sick on a business trip, client with a bad reputation.
Combining these keywords, it was a classic setup for a hentai... no, the beginning of an urban melodrama.
[Peking University]: "I checked that company; it's called 'Tiansheng Building Materials,' and the boss is named Zhu Dahai."
[Peking University]: "This guy's reputation online is absolute trash. He often uses the excuse of discussing contracts to force female sales reps to drink. He even has a record of being sued for sexual harassment, but it all ended up coming to nothing."
[Peking University]: "My sister is very beautiful, and I'm afraid something will happen to her. Besides, even if I went there, a big boss like that wouldn't pay any attention to me, so..."
The youth's words carried a deep sense of powerlessness—a class gap that no amount of high IQ could bridge.
Seeing these words, Fang Ming placed the milk bottle on the coffee table with a soft thud.
"Tiansheng Building Materials? Zhu Dahai?"
Fang Ming narrowed his eyes and searched for the name in his mind.
The next second, he couldn't help but be amused. This world really was damn small. He didn't just know this Zhu Dahai; he had even met him once last month.
He was a downstream supplier for the Qin Corporation's real estate sector, specifically supplying cement and sand.
Last time at the construction site, in order to get more orders from the Qin Family, Zhu Dahai was bowing and scraping. He practically wanted to kneel while handing Fang Ming a cigarette, calling him 'Special Assistant Fang' and 'Master Fang' with every breath.
To put it bluntly, he was just a mangy dog relying on the big tree of the Qin Family to make a living.
"This job is practically a freebie," Fang Ming said, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he prepared to say something.
[Ding!]
[Detected member 'Peking University's' strong protective will and a potential crisis.]
[Triggered group owner Exclusive Commission Task.]
[Task Name: Pride of the Humble House]
[Task Description: Gu Qinghe is heading to a 'Hongmen Banquet' while sick—a meeting destined to have no result and full of malice. In this urban jungle where the strong prey on the weak, her stubbornness might preserve her purity, but it won't preserve her livelihood. Please take action, Host. You must not only ensure her safety but also uphold that dignity which wavers in the face of money.]
[Task Reward:??? (Settled after task completion)]
[Accept? Yes/No?]
Another task, and the system's task description this time was quite interesting.
Fang Ming had already learned that the kid 'Peking University' was named Gu Bai, so it made sense that his sister was named Gu Qinghe.
But... won't preserve her livelihood??
Meaning, according to the original plot progression, even though Gu Qinghe had a fierce personality and wouldn't let Zhu Dahai have his way, the result would definitely be that she'd blow the deal. Upon returning, she would face being fired, making things even worse for that already impoverished family??
"Accept."
With a thought, Fang Ming accepted the task... [Nameless Guide]: "Tiansheng Building Materials, right? Fine. Send me your sister's photo and basic information privately. You don't need to worry about the rest."
[Peking University]: "Okay, okay! Thank you, Brother Ming!"
[Nameless Guide]: "It's a small matter!"
Soon, a photo and a short piece of personal information were sent through the private chat window.
The photo seemed to be a candid shot taken at home, with the background being that dilapidated rental room.
Gu Qinghe was bowing her head at a small table making dumplings, her profile gentle, with a few strands of hair hanging by her ear.
Though she wore cheap loungewear, that mature charm radiating from her bones was a completely different style from the youthful Chu Yao.
For a nouveau riche like Zhu Dahai, this kind of woman's lethality was indeed at a nuclear level.
"Tsk, no wonder she was targeted."
Fang Ming praised her and didn't call Zhu Dahai immediately. Instead, he dialed the number for the Qin Corporation's Procurement Department Manager.
As Qin Xiao's confidant, Fang Ming's authority within the group was actually very high. A small matter like checking a supplier's whereabouts didn't need to bother Qin Xiao at all.
"Hello, Old Liu."
"Oh, Special Assistant Fang! What are your instructions so early?" a fawning voice came from the other end of the phone.
"It's nothing major. That Zhu Dahai from Tiansheng Building Materials—does he have a social gathering tonight?"
"Zhu Dahai? Wait a moment, let me check the reporting records... Yes, he booked a private room at Jinding Entertainment City. He said he's hosting a few out-of-town subcontractors. Why? Did that grandson do something to upset you?"
"It's nothing, just asking. Hanging up!"
Fang Ming hung up and narrowed his eyes slightly!
Jinding Entertainment City?
That place was notoriously a 'dirty' venue. Talking business there? Zhu Dahai's schemes were practically hitting him in the face.
Checking the time, it was exactly 8:30. Fang Ming wasn't in a hurry. He leisurely finished the rest of his milk and drove to the Qin Corporation headquarters... At 9:00 AM, at the Qin Corporation building, Fang Ming's audi a6 pulled steadily into his reserved parking space.
He straightened his collar, pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses while looking in the rearview mirror, and stepped into the elevator.
As Qin Xiao's number one confidant, he didn't need to rush like ordinary employees in a last-minute sprint, nor did he have to do menial tasks like serving tea or printing documents.
His job was primarily to handle the shady messes for Qin Xiao.
"Good morning, Special Assistant Fang!"
"Good morning, Brother Fang!"
As he walked into the CEO's Office area, the administrative clerks and department managers along the way stopped and greeted him with smiles plastered on their faces.
Fang Ming only gave a slight nod, his expression cold, maintaining a perfectly measured sense of detachment.
Just as he reached the door of the CEO's Office, before he could knock, he heard a burst of unrestrained laughter from inside.
"Hahaha, Young Master Qin, don't take it to heart. Yunlan International is just having a deathbed struggle. That 'jade dew' or whatever definitely has issues. I don't believe a few wild weeds can turn the world upside down!"
"Once this wave of hype passes, I'll have my marketing accounts launch an attack, saying it causes skin damage or even cancer. That woman Mu Qingxue will have to get on her knees!"