The coincidence was too perfect. Every time Cheng Yuan left, something happened. At first, he thought it was just chance, but as it happened more often, suspicion grew.
"Look into what Madam Zhang has been doing and who she's been meeting. Also, send someone to keep an eye on the Jiang Group."
"And Madam's best friend, Shen Yue. Put her under surveillance too. Others might not know where Madam is, but Shen Yue definitely does."
Jiang Yu: "Yes."
As Cheng Yuan predicted, Jiang Yu soon came knocking on the president's office door with news. "President Cheng, Miss Shen Yue has been frequently contacting a certain phone number. I suspect it's Madam."
Cheng Yuan: "Send me the number."
Jiang Yu showed him his phone. "This one."
Cheng Yuan gestured for Jiang Yu to leave, then dialed the number.
It rang for a long time before someone picked up. The voice spoke in English. The moment Cheng Yuan heard it, his face darkened. "Who are you?"
The other person replied, "Who are you?"
Cheng Yuan: "I'm looking for Jiang Xiao."
The other person reacted quickly. "I don't know any Jiang Xiao. You've got the wrong number."
Cheng Yuan confirmed again. "I'm looking for Jiang Xiao."
The other person started cursing. "Are you crazy? I said I don't know any Jiang Xiao. Piss off!"
The call ended. Cheng Yuan dialed again. This time, a man answered, speaking English with a heavy local accent. He was probably a local.
After a few exchanges, the call ended.
Seeing Cheng Yuan's expression, Jiang Yu knew what had happened. "I'm sorry, President Cheng. That was my oversight. I'll be more careful next time."
Cheng Yuan's fingers, wrapped around the glass, curled slightly. "It's not your fault. She just wants to avoid me."
"What about Shen Yue? Bring her to see me."
*
At the Jiesè club.
When Shen Yue saw Cheng Yuan, she furrowed her brows and launched into a tirade.
"Cheng Yuan, don't think I'm afraid of you just because you're the president of the Cheng Group. I'm not. The way you treated Xiao Xiao back then—you're scum."
"I'm really glad Xiao Xiao left you. A person like you doesn't deserve love."
"Hmph, dragging me here to ask about Xiao Xiao's whereabouts? Dream on!"
"Even if I die, I won't tell you..."
Shen Yue cursed for a full ten minutes and only stopped when she got thirsty.
Cheng Yuan signaled Jiang Yu to hand her a glass of water. Shen Yue took it. "Don't think this changes anything. I'm telling you, when it comes to Xiao Xiao, I have nothing to say!"
Cheng Yuan said, "So you do know where she is?"
"So what if I do? So what if I don't?" Shen Yue's restraint was the only thing stopping her from throwing the water in his face. "I'm not saying a word. Do whatever you want."
"What if I insist on knowing?" Cheng Yuan said. "You're not willing to risk the Shen Group, are you?"
"You despicable bastard," Shen Yue snorted. "All you do is threaten people. A person like you doesn't deserve to be with Xiao Xiao."
"Whether I deserve it or not isn't for you to decide." Cheng Yuan glared at her. "I'll give you one last chance. Tell me where she is."
"I don't know," Shen Yue said, sticking out her neck. "I'd rather die than tell you."
Cheng Yuan gave Jiang Yu a look. "Get it out of her."
With that, he left the private room, walked into the hallway, lit a cigarette, and smoked leisurely.
A scantily clad woman came up to him. "Handsome, are you alone? Want some company?"
Cheng Yuan lifted his eyelids and spat out one word, "Scram."
The woman huffed and walked away.
Then two more came to hit on him. Both were scared off by Cheng Yuan's icy glare.
He looked at his reflection in the glass and murmured, as if talking to himself or to Jiang Xiao, "Xiao Xiao, do you really hate me that much? You won't even give me a message."
The answer came from the room, where Shen Yue's voice rang out. "Jiang Yu, I'm telling you, even if I die here tonight, I won't tell you where Xiao Xiao is. Your threats don't work on me. I'm not afraid."
"Xiao Xiao is my best friend. Whatever Cheng Yuan wants with her can't be good. You think I'd betray my sister? Dream on..."
Shen Yue was furious. She grabbed Jiang Yu's arm and bit him hard.
Jiang Yu couldn't fight back. He just had to take it.
An hour later, Shen Yue left with her head held high.
In the room, Jiang Yu said, "President Cheng, I planted a bug in Miss Shen's bag."
Cheng Yuan: "Good."
That was Cheng Yuan's ultimate goal. He had already guessed that Shen Yue wouldn't give in. Since a direct confrontation wouldn't work, he had to use cunning.
*