Xu Tianhua forced a wry smile.
"Elder Xiao, please excuse me for any further disturbances."
Xu Tianhua knew that enlisting the help of internal staff from the command center to investigate the events of that year was unfair to the Xiao family.
After all, Xiao Chenyi's career was of great importance.
However, Xiao Wushuang was Zhou Xuan's maternal grandfather, and Zhou Xuan, grateful for his master's kindness, had sought out Xiao Wushuang for assistance.
While Xiao Chenyi's help was a favor, his refusal would be within his rights.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Wushuang burst into laughter, "You saved Xiao Xuan and raised him for ten years; how can such kindness ever be repaid?"
"Mr. Xu, please don't be so formal with us! Your affairs are Xiao Xuan's affairs. This child may not be outwardly flamboyant, but he is loyal, righteous, and possesses a conscience. He would never abandon his master for self-preservation."
Xiao Wushuang looked at Zhou Xuan with a look of paternal affection and relief.
Zhou Xuan quickly chimed in, "Master, yes, Chenyi and we are family, connected by blood. Please don't stand on ceremony."
Such an expression filled Xu Tianhua with a mix of guilt and profound helplessness.
"Alright! I agree."
Xu Tianhua took a deep breath and said slowly, "Since that's the case, let's discuss the specific details."
"Master, please don't worry! Even if it costs me my life, your disciple will ensure this is handled properly!"
...
"Xiao Xuan, don't push yourself too hard."
"Mmm, your disciple understands, Master. Please rest assured!"
Zhou Xuan said, "Although Qiu Wenlong's itinerary is top secret, his daughter Qiu Yuelian has been having a difficult time lately."
"Because of the trending search incident, she is now facing widespread condemnation. The Qiu family might approach us soon."
Speaking of which, Zhou Xuan looked at his master, Xu Tianhua, with some hesitation, "Perhaps Teacher's wife will also come..."
"Hush! Xiao Xuan, be mindful. She is no longer your Teacher's wife, nor does she deserve to be."
Xu Tianhua slammed his fist onto the edge of the sofa in anger.
Xiao Wushuang and Xiao Chenyi exchanged glances.
Zhou Xuan could only shake his head, signaling to them that it was alright.
This matter involved his master's private and embarrassing affairs.
It was not his place to comment if his master chose not to speak of it.
Xiao Chenyi said, "There's an account book here that's quite interesting. You should take a look."
He then handed over a thick ledger.
Zhou Xuan took it and found it to be a trade manifest detailing long-term dealings with the Eagle Country.
"This is just a regular foreign trade manifest, isn't it? What's so strange about it?"
Xiao Chenyi pursed his lips, "Take a closer look. In these past dealings, the accounts are all outbound, and they all point to a private account of a company in the Eagle Country."
"Logically, these should be public transactions, and they did conduct them. However, there are always a few accounts, neither large nor small, that don't quite add up each year. The person on this list has been receiving transfers from Zhonghua for a long time, and my people have discovered this."
"I still don't see anything suspicious."
Zhou Xuan frowned.
"If I told you that this foreign trade company was founded by a member of the Qiu family, and after it was transferred to Qiu Yuelian's name, it has been continuously making outbound transfers."
"This person has been very careful. I'm still investigating the route of the money transfers before this foreign trade company was established."
Xu Tianhua understood.
"Chenyi, so you've been planning to bring down your immediate superior and take his place from the start?"
Xiao Chenyi tacitly agreed.
Xiao Wushuang erupted into laughter.
"Mr. Xu, please don't take offense. We Xiao family members have many things to attend to. Now, for the sake of my daughter, I will not allow any suppressed presence within the Xiao family. Qiu Wenlong is old; it's time to give younger people a chance."
"You mean... you mean..."
"Yes! I mean, I want Qiu Wenlong dead."
Xiao Chenyi's expression was calm, his eyes filled with killing intent. "Only when he is dead can the Xiao family truly grow and not be controlled by others as they were before."
"You... you scoundrel... you actually dare!"
Xu Tianhua broke out in a cold sweat.
Even Xiao Wushuang wasn't as audacious as this young man.
Although he had long known of Xiao Chenyi's ambition, he had never imagined he would dare to target Qiu Wenlong, let alone plot his demise.
"What, Mr. Xu, are you afraid?"
Xu Tianhua first shook his head, then looked at Zhou Xuan again.
Zhou Xuan nodded, "Hmph, Qiu Wenlong's influence is deeply entrenched. Although I am a businessman, I cannot contend with such a behemoth. I only have two paths to choose from."
"One, cooperate with Qiu Wenlong and treat him; two, sever ties with Qiu Wenlong. At present, both options seem feasible."
"Master, which do you think we should choose?"
Xu Tianhua pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Chenyi, I know this proposal is very risky. While I dislike Qiu Wenlong as a person, I don't want you to commit such a grave crime. I can help you, but I must warn you, once you act, Qiu Wenlong is not only your direct superior, but more importantly, the Qiu family."
"The Qiu family is a giant in all of Europe. They not only have dark industries but have evidently established their sphere of influence there. "
"I know they have already transferred their assets. That's why I've been trying to investigate him."
Xu Tianhua smiled, "Brother Xiao, you're right. Young people today are ambitious. But the Qiu family is a colossal entity, and moving against them is no easy feat. Moreover, I've heard that the Qiu Corporation has government backing. Are you sure you can handle it?"
"What kind of government backing does the Qiu Corporation have?" Xiao Chenyi asked.
Xu Tianhua choked.
"I only know that on a certain level, they can influence high-ranking officials, but I don't know who."
"Oh."
Xiao Chenyi nodded.
The Qiu family's background was indeed extraordinary. But so what? Could they defeat Qiu Wenlong based solely on that? That would be pure fantasy!
"I think I already know who it is."
Xiao Chenyi said calmly.
Xu Tianhua and Zhou Xuan exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.
"That's Qiu Wenlong's father. The former top commander of the fifteenth district of Zhonghua."
"Chenyi, you can't be serious! How is that possible? Even I couldn't achieve that position."
"Heh heh." Xiao Chenyi sneered.
"Mr. Xu, I've only found a minor flaw in the Qiu's operations. But..." he looked up, "if I tell you, and you continue to cower, this flaw will soon be cleaned up."
"Therefore, what we need to strive for now is to divert their attention, and to act quickly! Quickly! Quickly!"
Zhou Xuan and Xiao Chenyi exchanged a look.
Xiao Chenyi said, "If that's the case, there's still a chance to fight."
"Zhou Xuan, divert the attention of Qiu Wenlong and his family of three, drawing their gaze towards you. You are the light."
"Mr. Xu, you must cooperate with us and quickly go to the Eagle Country to verify if that 'an' is indeed the person receiving the transferred funds."
"If we can bring their people back, there might still be a chance."
"However, the powers in the Eagle Country are complex, and one wrong move might lead to serious trouble."
"You, Elder Xu, must be the shadow!"
"With both light and shadow, we can deceive the heavens and secretly cross the sea, catching Qiu Wenlong and the Qiu family completely off guard."