Chapter 1411 - 1405: Seeking Justice
According to Tang Yumeng's intuition, this means there must be a connection between Mu Hong and Mu Bai. Lin Chuan, however, felt a bit confused. The funds that Song Ming gave him were handed over to Mu Bai. But following Mu Bai's death, the whereabouts of these funds became a mystery.
Some time ago, suddenly a Chuanheng Investment Company from the United States returned these funds and directly transferred them to the Jiangbei City State-owned Assets Office. According to the information provided by Gao Xiaoxiao, the owner behind Chuanheng Investment is quite mysterious.
With everything so busy lately, I couldn't focus on this matter. Now, calming down and thinking carefully, this affair is indeed shrouded in mystery.
"Yumeng, why do you think there's a connection between Mu Hong and Mu Bai?" After a moment of silence, Lin Chuan looked at Tang Yumeng and asked.
Tang Yumeng slightly shook her head and said, "I can't say for sure. Perhaps it's just a woman's intuition. Lin Chuan, did you notice that Mu Hong claimed to be a journalist, which is undoubtedly true, but what's strange is why Mu Hong hadn't paid attention to Sichuan University Group before, but appeared at this very moment."
Lin Chuan chuckled and said, "Probably because we've been too high-profile recently, catching her attention."
Tang Yumeng shook her head and said, "No, Mu Hong's question yesterday had deep implications. She seems to know a lot about our group's affairs, things which only a few of us at the top know."
Lin Chuan couldn't help but frown and said, "Do you mean there's a mole within our group's leadership?"
Tang Yumeng said, "I'm not sure either; maybe Mu Hong is just very capable and well-connected."
Lin Chuan understood the implication in Tang Yumeng's words. No matter how capable or well-connected Mu Hong might be, she wouldn't know these confidential matters about Sichuan University Group unless someone told her.
"It seems I need to meet with this journalist again," Lin Chuan mused.
Tang Yumeng smiled and said, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. How about discussing the group's personnel arrangements next?"
Several key figures in Sichuan University Group, Lu Dapao, Huang Bo, and Li Qiang, have died in succession. Their positions need to be filled. Recently, we've been too busy dealing with Nomura Xin and the capital market, which delayed this matter.
Lin Chuan said, "Yumeng, you're the executive director of the group. What are your plans regarding this?"
Tang Yumeng cast a coquettish glance at Lin Chuan and said, "I plan to transfer Bai Yifan to Liu Group and bring Xiao Feng back to the group because she's pregnant."
Lin Chuan wholeheartedly supported this decision. Bringing Xiao Feng back to the group would allow Tang Yumeng and the others to keep an eye on her and also reduce her workload.
"That's settled. I agree. I also suggest appointing Song Wen to Huang Bo's position, and as for Li Qiang's position in the Middle East, let's let Ji Xiaohong take over. We can give it to her for free, as an explanation to Li Qiang."
Tang Yumeng nodded and said, "Alright. Zhou Kai has been in Fukuoka, Japan, for quite some time. Let's call him back soon. The Sichuan University Group can't do without him."
Lin Chuan laughed and said, "That guy should indeed come back. I should also get on with my own business."
Hearing this, Tang Yumeng looked a little surprised and said, "Does that mean you're going away again?"
Lin Chuan chuckled and said, "Yumeng, rest assured. Once I finish what I have to do, I'll come back, and when I return, we'll never be apart again."
The meaning of these words was clear to Tang Yumeng. Lin Chuan was making it plain that he intended to marry her when he returned.
A faint blush crossed Tang Yumeng's face as she gazed tenderly at Lin Chuan. Lin Chuan wrapped his right arm around her, holding Tang Yumeng in his embrace. At this moment, no more words were needed.
The two stood silently hugging in the office, not expecting Ma Yilin to enter without knocking. Seeing this scene, her face flushed as she hurriedly tried to step back out.
Lin Chuan released Tang Yumeng, surprisingly showing no sign of guilt or panic, and said to Ma Yilin, "Now that you're here, go ahead and say whatever it is."
Tang Yumeng's expression was somewhat awkward, and she smiled apologetically at Ma Yilin.
Ma Yilin smiled and said, "President Tang, do you remember Sister Du?"
Of course, Tang Yumeng remembered. The matter with Du Yuwei was something she handled personally with Old Hu and Luo Guoqing, so she nodded at Ma Yilin and said, "I remember. What's up?"
Ma Yilin said, "Sister Du is here, in my office. She wants to see you."
Tang Yumeng let out a small exclamation and said, "Then have her come over quickly."
Lin Chuan had no knowledge of the situation with Du Yuwei, assuming she was someone related to Tang Yumeng. He turned to leave, but Tang Yumeng called him back, saying, "Lin Chuan, stay and listen to what Sister Du has to say."
Within five minutes, Ma Yilin led Du Yuwei in. Tang Yumeng saw Du Yuwei's haggard face, not looking very happy.
Upon seeing Tang Yumeng, Du Yuwei's face turned sorrowful, and tears welled up in her eyes. Ignoring Lin Chuan and Ma Yilin, she knelt in front of Tang Yumeng with a thud, tearfully saying, "Secretary Tang..."
Tang Yumeng hurriedly supported Du Yuwei, saying, "Sister Du, what are you doing? Please get up, let's talk this over calmly."
With the support of Tang Yumeng and Ma Yilin, Du Yuwei sat on the sofa, steadied herself, and said, "Secretary Tang, Yang Biao and his gang have been released. I, I really have no choice but to come to you."
Tang Yumeng was taken aback, a surge of anger rising within her, and said, "Sister Du, how could this happen?"
Du Yuwei started crying again, saying, "I don't know either. Yang Biao was released just days after being arrested, and he's forcing me to repay the money. Secretary Tang, you know my situation, where would I find the money to give him? He brought a group of people and smashed my company, even injuring several employees."
With a bang, Tang Yumeng slapped the table in anger, stood up furiously and said to Du Yuwei, "These thugs, they're utterly lawless!"
Lin Chuan listened in confusion and asked, "Yumeng, what on earth is happening?"
Tang Yumeng explained Du Yuwei's predicament to Lin Chuan, who became equally indignant after hearing it.
"Old Hu, this is Tang Yumeng. What's going on with Sister Du's case? Why hasn't it been resolved?" Tang Yumeng called Jiangbei City's legal secretary Old Hu, sounding very upset.
Old Hu received Tang Yumeng's call, sighed and said, "Secretary Tang, Yang Biao has some connections up above, I, I'm at a loss here."
Tang Yumeng sternly said into the phone, "Our country is governed by law, Yang Biao's gang shouldn't be able to break the law just because they have connections, should they? I'm determined to handle this; I must seek justice for Sister Du."
As soon as she finished speaking, before Old Hu could say anything else, Tang Yumeng hung up the phone.
"Yumeng, I happen to be going to East Sea County tomorrow; leave this matter to me." Lin Chuan knew that to bring justice for Du Yuwei, only violence could counteract violence.
"Alright, I'll leave Sister Du's matters to you, Lin Chuan." Tang Yumeng knew that Lin Chuan had the means to deal with Yang Biao's people, so she agreed.
Du Yuwei didn't go back; she was taken home by Ma Yilin, and the next day she was to go back to East Sea County with Lin Chuan.
After work in the afternoon, Lin Chuan decided to find Mu Hong, but when he went to her office, Mu Hong had already left work.
He got her number from a colleague of Mu Hong's and called her, saying he wanted to invite her to dinner.
Mu Hong neither agreed nor refused, just told Lin Chuan to meet at an entertainment venue on Jiangbei West Road.
Lin Chuan had heard others mention this entertainment venue before; he knew it wasn't the kind of place regular people could afford to go.
As soon as he arrived at the door of the entertainment venue, he heard Mu Hong's voice, looked in that direction, and froze.
Mu Hong was dressed with exceptional care today. The lively green silk blouse exuded an air of youthful vitality unlike her usual self, and with her airy skirt swirling, her long beautiful legs reflected a natural glow without the obstruction of stockings, especially against the backdrop of the willow lake, she looked like a forest fairy stepping out for spring, making one forget everything else upon seeing her.
"Mr. Lin, what are you looking at?" Lin Chuan's gaze seemed to pierce through one's heart, and even with Mu Hong's aloof personality, she was somewhat flustered under such an "unrestrained" gaze, a blush spreading across her face.
"Ahem, nothing." Lin Chuan realized his lack of composure earlier and quickly said, "I was just lost in thought earlier, Miss Mu, please sit down."
Lin Chuan's attempt to cover this up was too blatant, almost like the proverbial thief's fear of discovery.
Mu Hong's face grew even redder, but oddly, she didn't feel upset; rather, she felt a warmth, as if Lin Chuan's gaze and reaction triggered some response in her body.
Mu Hong, although focused on her career in recent years, had dated during university, so she understood what this feeling was.
"What's going on? Am I actually having such thoughts about a man much younger than me? Mu Hong, what's gotten into you!" She forced herself to calm down and walked over to sit opposite Lin Chuan in what she thought was the most natural manner.
"Mr. Lin, you seem to be in a good mood, inviting me to such a high-end place."
Lin Chuan, having shaken off the earlier awkwardness, was still unconsciously drawn to Mu Hong, saying, "Honestly, it's my first time here too. Though I'd heard about this place before, it's really thanks to you that I got to come here, it's truly living up to its reputation."