“Chapter 92 Update.”

"Chapter 92 Update."

Xie Qingfeng also noticed Jing Xi's expression. Liang Chenglei's voice was almost inaudible on the phone, but Xie Qingfeng, with his keen hearing, ended up listening to the entire conversation.

Liang Chenglei's voice was unintentionally louder due to his excessive worry and fear. The anxious and uneasy tone made everything even clearer to Xie Qingfeng.

Liang Chenglei's nervous and somewhat disjointed words finally boiled down to one sentence: "President Zhu is in trouble."

President Zhu's accident occurred five days ago. It was a car crash. He had been unconscious since the collision. Initially, he only had minor scrapes, the most serious injury being a bruise on his forehead from the airbag, but there was no bleeding.

The hospital had declared no serious issues after examination, assuring that he would be fine once he woke up. However, Liang Chenglei had waited one day, two days, and now, on the fifth day, President Zhu still hadn't regained consciousness.

Moreover, President Zhu's body, which showed no issues when first admitted, suddenly deteriorated today, as if his organs suddenly failed. It was almost as if he had been poisoned while unconscious.

Liang Chenglei immediately reported to the police, but surveillance showed no one entering or leaving President Zhu's room, which was a private VIP ward. Other than the bodyguards outside, only Liang Chenglei and medical staff had access. The medical staff had only performed routine physical checks and hadn't administered any extra medication.

Just at this time, the company's senior executives, having received some news, called for an emergency board meeting. They announced that since President Zhu was in an accident, a new acting executive must be selected from the shareholders to manage the company.

Liang Chenglei belatedly realized that the car accident might not have been an accident at all, but rather a deliberate act. President Zhu's recent success had likely attracted envious eyes, and someone might be using this opportunity to take control of Minghuan Entertainment.

"What should we do, Xie? The more I think about it, the more things seem off. The boss just had a checkup and now his health is deteriorating. Could he have been... could someone have poisoned him? And about the company, those people didn't lift a finger to help when the company was in trouble. Now that you’ve invested so much and revived it, increasing its market value manifold, they are envious again! It must be their doing behind the scenes!" Liang Chenglei grew increasingly fearful. He could manage artists, but these dark conspiracies were beyond him.

Jing Xi listened with a grim face, his expression growing darker. The gold he had given to President Zhu was in the name of the national master. These people were actually daring to lay their hands on the national master's assets. They must think they've lived too long.

Jing Xi turned to look at Xie Qingfeng, who had been silent.

Xie Qingfeng, understanding his intention, nodded to him.

Jing Xi then said to the person on the other end of the line, "Book the earliest two tickets to B City for Mr. Xie and me. We’ll head there as soon as possible."

President Zhu's previously frantic heart suddenly calmed down, "Alright, alright, I’ll book them right now..." Currently, the largest shareholder in the company, aside from President Zhu, was Mr. Xie. If anyone was to take the temporary management role, it should be Mr. Xie, not those opportunists.

Hao Jixin, who had been eating without looking up, suddenly heard something about tickets and B City. He looked up, bewildered, feeling as if he had missed out on a fortune while just scooping a few bites of rice. But he knew one thing, "I’m going too! I have to go!"

Jing Xi spared him a glance, "What for?"

Hao Jixin declared, "I need to help the master with errands. He can't manage without me!"

Jing Xi laughed in amusement, "How can you say he can't manage without you? Am I not capable?"

Hao Jixin patted his chest, "I can drive, run errands, and I have contacts for several family heads and bosses in B City on my phone!"

Xie Qingfeng, considering President Zhu's health and the likelihood of foul play, knew they might need to liaise with special departments for the aftermath. He nodded to Jing Xi, "Book one more ticket."

Jing Xi's attitude changed instantly, "Okay." He then instructed Liang Chenglei on the phone to book an additional ticket.

Hao Jixin was left speechless. He had achieved his goal, but was Jing Yingdi's change of heart too abrupt?

As the earliest available flight was in an hour, they had enough time to handle the activities they had originally planned for the morning. After resolving those, they would head to the airport, reaching B City by two in the afternoon.

Liang Chenglei sent a trusted driver to pick them up, as he dared not leave the hospital, fearing he might fail to protect President Zhu in his absence.

Although President Zhu was often unreliable, he was indeed a good boss. During the years when Xie Qingfeng didn't want to take roles due to his parents' incident, President Zhu might have been verbally harsh but didn't really press the issue. So, Liang Chenglei couldn't just watch something truly bad happen to him.

Upon landing, Xie Qingfeng and his group headed straight to the hospital where President Zhu was admitted.

"In the hospital room, Lei Chenglei anxiously waited, constantly checking on the CEO, ready to call for help at any sign of trouble. He finally relaxed a bit when driver Xiao Chen informed him that Mr. Xie and his party had been picked up."

"Lei Chenglei leaned back in his chair, his tense back finally relaxing. He hadn't slept well for days, not even going home, looking disheveled but still vigilant. He regretted not informing Jing Xiu earlier to bring Master Xie sooner, not realizing the severity of the situation initially and thinking it was just aftereffects of the car accident."

"When he did notice something was amiss, it was already too late. Fortunately, the CEO's condition, though serious, was stable, but he couldn’t take any chances."

"Lei Chenglei, finally relaxing, dozed off due to exhaustion. He was jolted awake by a sharp sound, only to see the monitors beside the bed beeping, and the CEO looking deathly pale with dark, ashen tones on his face, his body convulsing uncontrollably."

"The life-monitoring waveforms on the screen eerily fluctuated between erratic waves and flatlines."

"Lei Chenglei, petrified, immediately pressed the emergency call button, his face pale and unable to speak. At that moment, the door to the room burst open, and it wasn’t the doctors who entered, but Jing Xiu and the others."

"Lei Chenglei, voice filled with panic: 'Jing, Jing Xiu, the CEO, he...' pointing at the monitor which had flatlined again, his face white with fear."

"As Jing Xiu and Xie Qingfeng entered the room, Jing Xiu promptly ushered Lei Chenglei out, warning before closing the door, 'If you don’t want the CEO to die, stop everyone. No one is allowed in.'"

"After issuing the warning, he didn’t wait for Lei Chenglei and the bodyguards to react, slamming and locking the hospital room door."

"Jing Xiu then turned to Xie Qingfeng, whose expression had darkened since entering the room: 'What’s happening?' He had never seen Xie Qingfeng with such a grave look before, clearly indicating the gravity of the situation. He then heard Xie Qingfeng instruct him to block everyone, indicating they should be alone in the room."

"Xie Qingfeng glanced around, noticing a surveillance camera in the corner and gestured to Jing Xiu."

"Jing Xiu leaped up and swiftly removed the camera."

"Sounds of commotion came from outside, but Xie Qingfeng set up a barrier, plunging the room into eerie silence, making the alarm from the machinery sound even more piercing."

Xie Qingfeng didn't concern himself with these matters. Instead, he looked at Jing Xi and quickly said, "His condition is not easy to remedy. It requires a substantial amount of spiritual energy, and I'll need several jade artifacts."

Jing Xi immediately responded, "Saving him is what matters. Use the jade artifacts as needed." To him, those artifacts, initially prepared for the national master, were just objects. If the national master needed them to save someone, Jing Xi wouldn't hesitate to use them all.

Xie Qingfeng hummed in acknowledgment. With time pressing, he didn't say more. He kicked away the chair in front of the sickbed, clearing a large space. Then, he took out jade artifacts from his space and arranged them in various positions.

He then sat cross-legged in the center, lifted his hand, and drew a talisman on the ground using his spiritual energy, connecting all the jade stones on the floor. After completing this, he sharply pulled at President Zhu's arm resting on the bed. The arm, now exposed, was alarmingly black and purple with bulging veins, resembling a limb poisoned to its core.

Xie Qingfeng raised his hand and, using his spiritual power, drew a talisman. His fingertips in mid-air were cut, and droplets of blood began to fall, landing precisely at the starting point of the talisman he had drawn. The moment the blood touched the ground, it seemed to come alive, scattering and revealing the previously invisible talisman written in spiritual energy.

Almost simultaneously, the spiritual energy from the jade artifacts began to seep into President Zhu's body. Gradually, the black blood dripping from him turned red, and his complexion visibly returned to normal.

Meanwhile, the erratic readings on the nearby medical equipment started stabilizing, indicating a return to normal vital signs.

It was only when the affliction in President Zhu was completely resolved that the jade artifacts, their energy depleted, crumbled into powder and scattered around. Xie Qingfeng then opened his eyes, the abnormality in the surroundings returning to normal.

Jing Xi had been silently observing all along. Only when he saw the jade turning to ash did he understand why no one else was allowed in. Such a scene was not meant for others to witness, especially the sudden appearance of jade artifacts.

But there was no time to ask Liang Chenglei to find more jade artifacts.

Xie Qingfeng stood up, not looking at the eerie ashes and blood talisman on the ground. He walked over to President Zhu, checked his condition, and seeing that he had passed the critical phase, stopped the bleeding from his finger. Only then did he look at Jing Xi, "It's done. His life is saved."

Jing Xi hummed in acknowledgment, glanced at the mess on the floor, and lifted his hand. Using his inner energy, he covered the jade powder with the blood, drying it instantly. The floor seemed to be covered in dust, except for the dried blood that was unpleasant to smell.

Outside, Liang Chenglei was anxiously waiting. The bodyguards were uncertain, having only allowed them in because Jing Yingdi showed his face. But what was happening inside now?

They had stopped them from entering, but why were even the doctors barred?

"Fortunately, Lei Chenglei reassured the doctors that he had accidentally set off the alarm and managed to send them away. However, the ominous silence in the room made the bodyguards uneasy: 'What if something goes wrong?'"

"Lei Chenglei glared at them: 'Stop talking nonsense. Do you know who came with Jing Xiu earlier? That was Master Xie. Others can't even request his presence. With the master here, the boss can't possibly be in danger!'"

"Hao Jixin nodded in agreement: 'Exactly, there’s nothing our master can’t handle. But even for acquaintances, remember to pay. Our master expends a lot of cultivation energy in saving a life, so the fee for saving someone should not be omitted.'"

"Lei Chenglei, having learned a bit about Master Xie’s capabilities, nodded immediately: 'Of course.' If it could save the CEO, paying all his wealth for a life was worth it."

"After all, if there's no life, there's nothing."

"However, despite his reassurances, Lei Chenglei was restless without seeing the CEO out of danger, pacing back and forth, growing increasingly anxious as time passed."

"Just as he couldn’t resist peeking through the door, it suddenly opened from inside. Lei Chenglei almost fell in, but was disdainfully pushed aside by Jing Xiu: 'What are you doing? Next time you peek like that, don’t come to me for help!'"

"Lei Chenglei quickly apologized: 'I was just too anxious, it won’t happen again...'"

"Jing Xiu stepped aside, knowing his concerns: 'It’s okay, his life is saved. Let a doctor check him; his body is severely damaged and needs proper rest, probably half a month to a month.'"

"After all, he had almost lost his life; being in this state was already fortunate."

"Lei Chenglei repeatedly nodded: 'Alright, alright, as long as his life is saved...'"

"Entering the room, Lei Chenglei saw the CEO, who had previously looked near death, now with a normal complexion, albeit slightly pale. There was a strange odor in the air, but his concern was elsewhere. Even the doctor was baffled after the checkup: 'It's strange. His organs were failing, but suddenly they’re fine?'"

"Lei Chenglei scratched his head: 'Maybe the boss’s body recovered on its own...'"

"Regardless, the CEO's life was saved. That evening, the CEO regained consciousness but was too weak to move. However, he was mentally alert. After hearing everything from Lei Chenglei, he broke into a cold sweat: 'Damn it, I better not find out who did this. Right before the accident, I felt something prick my neck. I thought it was a bug, but then everything went black, and I lost consciousness.'"

"But the car involved was already scrapped, making it difficult to investigate further."

"The CEO, still shaken, asked Lei Chenglei to call Jing Xiu. Once the call connected, he hurriedly expressed his gratitude."

"Jing Xiu, having dinner with Xie Qingfeng, responded: 'No need for thanks, just focus on recovering properly so as not to waste Mr. Xie’s efforts. And remember, the treatment consumed five jade pieces. Make sure to transfer the payment.' Though he didn’t care about the jade, it was different when used for the CEO. Even with brothers, accounts should be clear."

"The CEO nodded: 'Of course, I'll arrange the transfer immediately. But there's a board meeting tomorrow, and I can't move for a month. I’m afraid they’ll use this as an excuse to find someone else. Can you help me out for the time being...?'"

"Jing Xiu flatly refused: 'No, I can’t.' He wanted to stay with Xie Qingfeng. How could he manage being apart?"

"The CEO insisted: 'I don’t know who's behind this, and if they succeed, the company and your investment projects might fall into the wrong hands. If they’re completed, it could multiply the funds many times over, eventually benefiting others. I remember all these are under Master Xie's name, which means he could go from a future billionaire to having nothing. Can you accept that, Jing Xiu?'"

"Jing Xiu frowned. He couldn’t accept that indeed."

"Xie Qingfeng, noticing Jing Xiu's gaze, looked up. He had inadvertently overheard Jing Xiu’s last call, but this time he had blocked the conversation, so he hadn’t heard what the other side said."

"Finally, Jing Xiu met Xie Qingfeng’s eyes and decided: 'Half a month. Recover quickly. Not a day more.'"

"The CEO breathed a sigh of relief: 'Of course, of course!'"

"Jing Xiu then hung up and explained the situation to Xie Qingfeng, including the need for Xie Qingfeng to write a temporary authorization for him to act on behalf of the company."

"Xie Qingfeng had no objections."

"Back in the hospital room, Lei Chenglei was astounded: 'He agreed?'"

"The CEO, unable to move his body, just his head, moved away from the phone and heard Lei Chenglei: 'Of course.'"

"Lei Chenglei, who had put the call on speaker, asked: 'Boss, how did you know mentioning Mr. Xie would be effective?'"

"The CEO rolled his eyes: 'A person investing billions under someone else’s name and even foregoing a great business opportunity to follow someone else around, harming that master's interests is more effective than stabbing Jing Xiu a few times.'"

"Lei Chenglei: '...' Can being love-struck really be used like that?"

Indeed, as expected of a shrewd businessman, always thinking ahead.

When Xie Qingfeng and his group returned to the hotel, President Zhu sent them a card containing a billion. Jing Xi was quite satisfied with President Zhu's timely response, considering it passable. After all, the jade stones used were carefully selected, though now they had merely served as tools for saving a life.

Jing Xi offered the card to Xie Qingfeng, who declined, "The jade was yours; you keep it."

Jing Xi looked at him with a touch of grievance, "Do you really have to make such a clear distinction?"

His demeanor suggested that if Xie Qingfeng didn't accept the card, it meant he wanted to keep things strictly professional, possibly even to the extent of distancing himself from Jing Xi, deeming him a burden.

Xie Qingfeng's expression stiffened slightly, recalling Jing Xi's drunk appearance. Sighing, he rarely explained, "It's not about making clear distinctions. It's just that I feel uncomfortable handling this money. If I really wanted to make a division, I wouldn’t have given up returning the shares to you."

Jing Xi asked, "Then shall I hold onto it for you?"

Xie Qingfeng waved his hand dismissively, "I'm tired."

Jing Xi's mouth quirked up slightly, not denying it, which was as good as agreeing.

Did this mean his status had been elevated? Was he officially promoted to being the steward?

The next morning, Xie Qingfeng set out for Minghuan Entertainment at eight.

They were picked up by President Zhu's assistant Wang, who had been sent abroad for a collaboration. Hearing about President Zhu's accident, he had returned the previous night after signing the contract and went straight to the hospital.

Assistant Wang, despite not sleeping all night, was still in decent condition, though his eyes were red with fatigue. On the way to the company, he frequently glanced back from the rearview mirror, briefing them about the current shareholder situation.

"Mr. Xie, Mr. Jing, the other shareholders hold very little company stock and aren't a threat. The main ones to watch out for are a few. One is the boss’s uncle, holding ten percent, not much, but significant. The second is a friend of the boss who invested at the company's inception, holding fifteen percent. However, Mr. Su spends most of his time abroad and doesn't interfere in the company, and he's on good terms with the boss, so no immediate concern there. Lastly, Mr. Rong Dongfeng should be noted. He's been buying shares from several minor shareholders since the start of the year. Though he's only accumulated fifteen percent so far, he's reportedly been in contact with the boss's uncle recently, so this trip could be...”

Assistant Wang didn't finish, but the implication was clear. This person, Rong Dongfeng, likely harbored ill intentions, possibly collaborating with President Zhu's uncle to amass a total of twenty-five percent in shares to become the acting president.

Originally, President Zhu held fifty-five percent of the shares, but after the company faced troubles, Jing Xi provided several billions to help. In gratitude, President Zhu transferred ten percent, even less than Jing Xi's own five percent contribution.

Hao Jixin, not quite understanding these matters, asked, "Even if Rong and President Zhu’s uncle team up, they only have twenty-five percent, still less than our ten percent. How can they compete with our Mr. Xie?"

"Wang, the assistant, shared the information he had gathered: 'Since Mr. Jing transferred all the shares under Mr. Xie's name, which was unfamiliar to many, some started investigating and found out Mr. Xie is still a university student. They suspected the CEO was just using it as a pretext to transfer shares out, but in reality, they were still under his control.'"

"Hao Jixin reacted to this, realizing these people didn’t believe a university student could have the capability to invest such an amount, so they assumed the shares were still controlled by the CEO."

"Therefore, if the CEO was incapacitated, one would only need to hold more shares than other shareholders to seize the position of acting CEO at the upcoming executive meeting."

"The uncertainty was whether the shares would be returned later."

"The group arrived at the company early, at around 9:30 AM. When they reached the top-floor meeting room, many executives had already arrived, along with several minor shareholders."

"Most of them rarely visited the company, as many were wealthy heirs who only invested for dividends and didn’t take an active interest in the company’s affairs, leaving many seats empty."

"When Xie Qingfeng and his group arrived, they attracted attention, but since Wang didn’t accompany them, fearing early detection by Rong Dongfeng who might try to sway the minor shareholders, they went unnoticed."

"Xie Qingfeng and Jing Xiu, wearing masks, were not recognized by the other executives and were mistaken for minor shareholders."