Chen Jingsong asked with a forced smile, "Zhou Yan, didn't you say you were going to avoid me? First you sent people to arrest me, and now you've released me. What kind of tricks are you trying to pull?"
Zhou Yan raised his eyelids and gave him a cold glance: "Chairman Chen, I said I would protect you."
He lit a cigarette: "I'm offering you police bail, but it's just a formality. As long as you pay the bail, report to the police station regularly, or just wait for a court summons, your movements are basically unrestricted."
He paused, a cold smile curving his lips: "Isn't this much easier to talk to than being taken away by those ICAC guys? They're not as 'understanding' as the OTC guys over there."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jingsong was taken aback at first, then a knowing smile appeared on his face.
I see! If taken away by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), they might be detained directly.
It seems I've got this kid under my control! Evan must have put pressure on him too!
Chen Jingsong's chubby face trembled with laughter, and his tone became warmer: "Haha, so that's how it is! I knew it, we're family! Don't worry, you'll get your share of the benefits!"
He felt a surge of relief; the 500,000 Hong Kong dollars had proven useful.
Although this kid is a bit arrogant, he still knows how to be pragmatic.
With money, why worry about this down-on-his-luck pretty boy not obeying?
Looking at Chen Jingsong's hypocritical face, Zhou Yan's lips curled into a mocking smile: "Chairman Chen, you're giving me too much credit. I was merely helping you out of respect for Uncle Evan, shielding you from those mad dogs from the ICAC who pounced on you at the first sign of trouble."
"However, the truth will always come out eventually. It won't be long before the news spreads throughout the Hong Kong government that you are being targeted by the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) and may even be investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)."
"When the Ning family finds out, how do you plan to explain it? If Jialin Group's stock price plummets because of it, don't blame Uncle Evan and me for ruining your grand plan."
Chen Jin narrowed his long, thin eyes into slits, puffing on his pipe and lighting it: "In business, who doesn't get their shoes wet? Stock price fluctuations are perfectly normal. As for the Ning family... let nature take its course!"
Zhou Yan's sharp gaze locked onto Chen Jingsong like a hawk's, scrutinizing him from head to toe: "Looks like you're very confident? What exactly are you planning to do?"
Chen Jingsong chuckled, neither admitting nor denying: "When doing business, you always have to have some tricks up your sleeve."
Zhou Yan snorted coldly, and the arrogant and fierce aura between his brows reappeared: "Since that's the case, Chairman Chen, I've been running around for your mess these past few days, even risking being investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Shouldn't Chairman Chen give me a cup of tea money?"
Hearing the arrogant and self-righteous tone in his voice, Chen Jingsong cursed Zhou Yan in his heart.
Damn it! That greedy gigolo! He barely got to enjoy that 500,000 yuan, and now he's trying to extort money from me again!
But he didn't show it on his face. He took out his checkbook again from his pocket and wrote another check for 200,000.
He smiled and handed it to Zhou Yan, saying, "Yan, look at what you're saying, we're all family, it's only right, it's only right!"
The Zhou family was ruined by this spendthrift son who only knows how to indulge in pleasure! They deserved their downfall!
Zhou Yan took the check, glanced at the number on it, and lazily put it in his pocket.
A smirk played on his lips: "For the sake of Chairman Chen's check, let me remind you, I'm letting you out not so you can drag me down with you—I'm on 'leave to avoid suspicion' right now, so let me know in advance if you need anything."
"Don't let me find out too late from someone else. If I don't know and accidentally ruin your plans, don't blame me!"
These words were both a reminder and a blatant threat. Zhou Yan was clearly telling Chen Jingsong that he needed to keep track of Chen Jingsong's movements at all times.
Otherwise, he wouldn't mind "accidentally" ruining Chen Jingsong's plan.
Chen Jingsong was seething with hatred inside, but he still had to force a smile on his face: "Definitely, definitely! Don't worry, Ayan, I'll let you know as soon as there's any progress! When we, father-in-law and son-in-law, are of one mind, our strength can break gold!"
Damn it, who's the boss here?!
"Hmm," Zhou Yan replied lazily.
He ignored Chen Jingsong and turned to walk gracefully toward his sports car.
Chen Jingsong stared at his unruly back, the smile in his eyes gradually turning cold, replaced by a murderous look of disgust.
Chen Jingsong's car smoothly drove away from the police station's underground parking lot.
However, as the black luxury car approached the entrance of the Jialin Building, the assistant turned around nervously and asked, "Chairman Chen, there are many reporters ahead. Should we go somewhere else?"
Chen Jingsong coldly surveyed the situation outside through the car window: "No need, I'll get off here. I haven't done anything wrong."
Those who deserve to die deserve to die; there's nothing wrong with that.
Sure enough, as soon as the car stopped in front of the Jialin Group building, a group of reporters swarmed around it, flashing their cameras non-stop.
"Chairman Chen! What are your thoughts on the death of Mr. Rasin, a senior auditor at RAB Bank in Malaysia? There are reports that you were the last person he contacted before his death!"
"Mr. Chen! Is it true that RAB Bank headquarters has accused Jialin Group of fraudulently obtaining huge loans?"
"Mr. Chen! Your personal lawyer, Mr. Li Baoshu, was found to have committed suicide at home. Were you aware of this?"
"Mr. Chan! Is it true that you are being investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB)?"
A barrage of questions came like bullets.
Chen Jingsong still wore the composure and arrogance typical of business tycoons, merely puffing on his pipe and waving to the crowd.
Then, escorted by security guards and staff, he strode into the Jialin Building.
...
the next day.
Central, Nimman's office.
Ning Man'an was working on documents in her office in Central when her assistant, Ah Xiang, rushed in.
Ah Xiang's face was grave. He placed a copy of the South China Morning Post on her desk: "Miss, have you seen today's news? The scandal involving Jialin Group is on the front page!"
Ning Man'an looked up, her eyes calm: "I saw it. How was the stock market this morning?"
Ah Xiang hesitated, then said, "The price plummeted as soon as it opened. Although it hasn't directly affected the Ning family yet, we're too closely tied to Jialin for the Huangpu Garden project... We need to prepare early."
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