Chapter 64

Chapter 64

A week later, after Old K had navigated through various parties, the matter finally saw new progress.

At the Monday meeting, all departments gathered in the conference room.

"Huanshang conducted an internal investigation, and President Xu was fired for accepting bribes privately," Old K said calmly, tapping his pen. The next moment, he broke into a smile. "But the supplementary agreement was signed yesterday, and the funds will be fully in place next month!"

The conference room erupted with cheers.

Especially the tech department; they were almost jumping with excitement.

"Boss." Someone asked Chen Mo, who was leaning back in his chair with a faint smile, "Did you know about this earlier? You actually kept it from us."

Chen Mo rested one hand on the conference table. "If I told you early, what surprise would there be?"

"Knowing early means being happy early," someone who knew the details of the situation said, puzzled. "But didn't President Xu have strong backing at Huanshang? How could he be taken down so easily?"

"It wasn't him who fell, but his wife Lu Yi," Old K informed everyone. "We were lucky. As soon as President Zhu was transferred back to headquarters, Huanshang unexpectedly received overseas investment. We just hitched a ride on a giant ship and managed not to get tossed off."

Many were surprised. "Which company is that generous?"

Old K: "CM Group."

This revelation caused gasps and exclamations throughout the room.

"That's the famous overseas investment case two years ago, where CM defeated UA and rose to the top?"

"There have always been rumors that behind CM is the renowned Xi family, a traditional wealthy clan. I heard their boss is very young and became famous on Wall Street for his precise investment insights right after turning eighteen. He founded CM and in just five years nearly swallowed up all similar enterprises. Their ambition and strength are undeniable."

"That's the difference between people."

"Central Meridian, the central meridian without deformation, staying true to its origins. Could this be why CM is expanding back into the domestic market?"

"Who knows? Old families care more about their roots. The Xi family has been so low-key these past few years, probably preparing for this."

"I think it makes sense. The more powerful often keep a low profile."

People around them either provided information or commented.

No one noticed that their own tech leader, Chen Mo, was slightly lost in thought.

When Chen Mo learned that CM was investing in Huanshang, he knew it was Xi Siyan's doing. In his previous life, he only heard about Xi Siyan's activities abroad three years later.

His feelings now were entirely different. Chen Mo had always been aware of Xi Siyan's movements abroad. He occasionally followed his news, just as he always knew that President Zhu was introduced by him.

Over the past few years, Chen Mo often recalled his high school days.

He knew that if it weren't for Xi Siyan, he wouldn't be where he is today. He had to admit that when he habitually took on the role of a leader, looking after his team with a calm and composed heart, Xi Siyan's influence was evident.

Whether it was the figure on the basketball court that drew cheers, the representative speaking under the flag in a white shirt, or the class monitor sitting beside him explaining problems, Chen Mo felt a sense of time passing in this current atmosphere.

Time had passed long enough for them to grow up.

Even when those memories suddenly came rushing back, he could maintain a calm exterior.

"Let's schedule the team-building event for tonight!" someone suggested.

Everyone agreed enthusiastically.

Chen Mo naturally wouldn't spoil the mood, so he smiled and went along with the suggestion.

New Sharp never engaged in formalities.

The dinner reservation was made at a well-known buffet restaurant that required advanced booking.

Two large tables for over a dozen people were arranged in the main hall.

The tech department members always had a close bond.

They mostly sat together.

A recent graduate named Yuan Hao, who joined this year, stood up first and said, "I feel incredibly honored to join New Sharp and become part of the tech department. You might not know, but New Sharp is now the top choice for job seekers among all university graduates. So many people envy me."

At this point, he was interrupted by others from the tech department.

"Yuan Hao! Although you're usually quite talkative, I have to admit you've got something."

Others laughed and chimed in, "Exactly, why are you being so humble? That's not like you."

"I'm not being humble," Yuan Hao immediately said. "I'm just really grateful to have found such a great team right after graduation. Everyone has been so supportive. I especially want to thank my mentor." The young man earnestly looked at the person sitting diagonally across, resting his chin in his hand, and sincerely said, "Brother Mo, thank you for giving me a chance during recruitment and guiding me along the way. I've learned so much. This drink is for everyone; please take it as you wish."

With that, he downed the drink in one go.

Cheers and laughter filled the air.

"Mentor, little Hao Hao, you truly follow your mentor's lead."

"Boss, you're too biased. Don't just favor him because he's a fresh graduate. Look how cocky he's getting."

"Exactly, Brother Mo, why didn't you acknowledge me when I joined?"

"Unfair! Don't you agree?"

Seeing Chen Mo being cornered,

Yuan Hao panicked.

The young man still had the innocence of someone fresh out of school on his face.

With short black hair and a slightly round face, when he blushed and pursed his lips in a hurry, a small dimple could be seen on his cheek.

He said, "Stop joking around; I'm serious."

"Hao Hao, you're so easy to tease. Unlike us, we’re all thick-skinned veterans now."

Chen Mo, who hadn’t changed his posture from start to finish, waited until they finished laughing before smiling and saying, "Don't listen to their nonsense. I’m willing to take you under my wing not because of your youth; I’m still young myself."

This self-deprecating remark earned another round of cheers and laughter.

Yuan Hao was earnest. "Then why?"

"Do you remember the interview day?" Chen Mo asked. "I asked you why you came to Huanshang, and you said you were confident about bringing new intelligence fields to Huanshang."

At the mention of his bold claims back then, the young man’s face turned crimson, wishing he could hide under the table.

"Master, stop it," Yuan Hao said.

Chen Mo gestured for him not to worry. "Actually, I love hearing those passionate speeches. You’ve been proving yourself with actions, and your abilities are truly impressive. When R2D hit a bottleneck in the second experimental phase, if it weren't for you working tirelessly for a week to find the problem, our losses would have been immeasurable. You’re doing great, and that's a fact."

Ignoring all the surrounding voices,

Yuan Hao stared at him, looking at someone not much older than himself but far superior in both ability and character, his heart racing. Then, to cover up his embarrassment, he lowered his head and took a big gulp of water.

Chen Mo didn’t notice his reaction. In fact, he didn’t really treat him as a disciple.

He just saw that Yuan Hao was capable and outgoing, so he offered some guidance. He didn’t insist on changing the way Yuan Hao addressed him.

The dinner lasted for two hours.

After finishing, the group didn’t disperse but planned to continue at an entertainment venue.

They stood by the roadside discussing their next move.

The wind in October was slightly chilly at night.

Chen Mo casually gave his jacket to a pregnant female colleague from the company. Wearing only a wrinkled shirt, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing his well-defined wrists.

Yuan Hao, who had come over at some point, held a long black coat and said, "Master, it’s a bit cold; put this on."

"Don’t you need it?" Chen Mo looked at his own short-sleeved shirt and refused. "Wear it yourself; if you catch a cold, I won’t give you leave."

The young man blushed even more, his face already red from drinking.

He persisted, holding out the coat. "I’m young; I don’t feel the cold." Realizing how awkward that sounded, he quickly added, "That’s not what I meant. What I meant is..."

Yuan Hao didn’t get to finish his sentence.

Several shiny luxury cars pulled up by the roadside, drawing the attention of many people around them.

The place where they had eaten was in the bustling city center.

Next door was a famous private club.

Chen Mo was thinking about how these upper-class pillars of society had such mundane and unoriginal entertainment options.

Soon, a group of people got out of the cars.

Chen Mo immediately recognized the leader as the boss of Huanshang.

The man, not yet forty, had a striking appearance. Chen Mo had interacted with him once or twice and didn’t consider him easy to get along with.

Old K also approached at this moment.

He whispered beside Chen Mo, "What a coincidence. Want to go greet them with me?"

"Sure." Chen Mo didn’t object to basic social courtesy.

But before they could approach, they noticed that the boss of Huanshang hadn’t left immediately after getting out of the car. Instead, he stood there waiting for someone.

Sure enough, soon the driver opened the rear door of the car behind them.

A pair of long legs clad in a suit stepped out first. For some reason, Chen Mo’s heart skipped a beat, recalling the scene of seeing someone get out of a car in the alley behind the internet cafe when he was reborn.

The overlapping scenes, the shiny black shoes stepping on the ground, the person bending down to exit the car, his neatly combed black hair, and the perfectly tailored formal attire. The side profile, illuminated by the city lights, cast shadows, revealing a straight nose and a familiar face, now more mature and solemn.

His demeanor was stern and imposing.

Old K muttered beside him, "Who is that? He has quite the air of authority."

Compared to Old K, others were more gossipy.

"What a handsome man."

"I’m starting to visualize those CEO novels."

"The boss of Huanshang must have a strong background. The people he associates with are beyond our reach."

As everyone was discussing animatedly,

they suddenly noticed the subject of their gossip looking up at them.

It seemed unexpected, then he frowned, and then suddenly started walking towards them.

Many froze, dumbfounded.

Until they saw him stop right in front of their own tech department head, Chen Mo.

Old K, standing next to Chen Mo, wisely kept silent.

Only Yuan Hao, who had been prepared to hand Chen Mo his coat from the start, was preoccupied with his own thoughts and ignored the newcomer, continuing to remind him, "Master, put it on. It's getting windy."

After he spoke, he felt someone give him a faint glance.

It was light but enough to send a chill down his spine. The young man looked over and found that the other person hadn't paid much attention to him, only frowning slightly as they said to his Master, "Why are you standing by the roadside?"

"The dinner is over; we're heading to the next event," the Master replied, seeming perfectly normal.

Everyone watched as the newcomer waved over an assistant-like figure, took another suit jacket from them, and without asking Chen Mo, draped it over his shoulders.

Naturally, they adjusted it for him, saying, "I have something tonight and can't leave. When you have time, return it to me next time."

Chen Mo didn't object, holding onto the edge and nodding, "Sure, thanks."

The others: "…"

Dared not speak.

Not a single word.