Chapter 55 (Second Update)

Chapter 55 (Double Update)

◎The Power of Money.◎

Chao Wendao closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, the torrential rain was gone. Everything that had obscured his vision dissipated like wisps of cloud, revealing the stark truth before him.

His body remained seated in the car, yet his soul seemed to ascend to the pinnacle of the Ninth Heaven—a soul that belonged solely to Chao Wendao, not the supporting male character he currently inhabited.

His eyes were calm and unruffled, his cheeks ashen, his facial contours sharp and defined as if carved by a blade. Before him, the entirety of A City had collapsed into a scroll painting, much like a meticulously scaled-down diorama displayed in a museum.

And somewhere within that painting, a faint golden light shimmered.

Chao Wendao’s pupils constricted.

He closed his eyes once more, branding that location firmly into his mind, as though clutching the very essence of his life’s purpose.

When he reopened his eyes, the storm of reality finally returned. Chao Wendao took a deep breath, gripped the steering wheel, and pressed down on the accelerator.

Half an hour had passed since Shen Ruzhen lost contact.

As Chao Wendao’s car neared its destination, his path was blocked by a roadblock.

The sign indicated that the road was under construction, but Shen Ruzhen’s location was just beyond it.

He stepped out of the car, forgetting even to grab an umbrella, and stumbled toward the construction site. The mud, churned by the rain, instantly stained his white shoes black, seeping into his socks and the cuffs of his trousers.

Then, a surprised voice called out from behind him: “What are you doing?”

Behind him stood a worker in a hard hat, the foreman in charge of the ongoing project. Work wasn’t supposed to proceed in such weather, but he was there to inspect the road, ensuring the downpour hadn’t caused any collapses.

The foreman eyed the strange man warily. By all appearances, the man was undoubtedly of the upper class, from his striking features to his physique—the kind that could make young girls swoon. Such an appearance and demeanor could only be cultivated under extremely privileged circumstances, and his attire confirmed it: a well-tailored black suit and an expensive wristwatch.

This was a person of importance.

Yet, this important person was also a strange one. If he weren’t strange, he wouldn’t stand heedless in the wind and rain, striding directly onto the construction road, completely unconcerned about the gravel and mud dirtying his costly shoes.

He looked utterly disheveled, rainwater streaming down his face, his neatly styled hair now plastered to his forehead. Only his eyes shone with a fierce, unwavering determination, which kept him just shy of being labeled a madman.

Chao Wendao wiped the water from his face and said, “I’m looking for someone.”

He moved to continue onto the construction road but was abruptly pulled back by the foreman, who said helplessly, “There’s no one here! This road is completely sealed off.”

Chao Wendao ignored him, muttering to himself, “You’re lying. My friend is at the end of this road.”

“How is that possible?” The foreman held up his umbrella, his face a mask of exasperation. He pointed into the distance: “See that far-off place? That’s the Free Trade Port. All vehicles exit the elevated highway there; no one comes this way.”

Chao Wendao’s mind was a whirlwind, a thousand thoughts crowding in, threatening to burst his head. Yet amidst the chaos, one conviction stood out like a beacon, cherished and held as an absolute truth—

He knew Shen Ruzhen was waiting for him nearby.

Chao Wendao frowned, glancing at the foreman, not bothering to explain. He pulled out his phone and dialed 110, China’s emergency number. Just as he was about to press call, the foreman saw it.

Waving his hands, the foreman protested, “No, calling the police won’t help! What good will that do? There’s no way anyone is allowed into an active construction site! Besides, you can’t even prove someone’s in there! Let me repeat—no one enters except the construction crew!”

But Chao Wendao seized on a single word. He whipped around, his gaze fixed on the foreman: “What did you just say?”

The foreman shivered under his intense stare and reflexively answered, “Uh, you can’t go in…”

“Not that.” Chao Wendao immediately cut him off: “You said no one can enter except who?”

“The construction crew,” the foreman said blankly.

The next moment, he instantly realized and frantically waved his hands: “I won’t let you join the construction crew on the spot! Crew members need qualifications, and it’s not compliant with regulations…”

“What are you thinking?” Chao Wendao scoffed. He finally remembered the greatest utility of the identity he had taken over.

To present a superficial balance of power with the male lead, this world’s supporting male character was also a wealthy businessman.

The power of money is also very important.

Chao Wendao clapped the foreman’s shoulder, and while the man was still bewildered, he said, “I own an engineering company. From now on, your construction team will belong to our company. Whatever your previous employer paid you, I’ll double it.”

“Huh?” The foreman stared blankly, watching Chao Wendao’s lips move but unable to comprehend a single word.

“As the new owner of this construction team, I order you to lead your team onto this road and help me find someone. There will be an additional bonus once we find them!”

“Don’t just stand there, go!”

“Oh, oh…” The foreman finally understood Chao Wendao’s meaning and bowed deeply, tears of joy welling up. “Thank you, boss!”

He even forgot his umbrella, tossing it aside before rushing back to gather his crew.

……

“There’s a car accident here! How could this happen?”

“Is it on fire?”

“Fire, my ass! With rain this heavy, even the biggest blaze would be extinguished!”

“But there’s a female driver here! She’s unconscious!”

Chao Wendao ran in the direction of the voices. The distance wasn’t very long, yet it felt like he had traversed an entire lifetime. When the car, crashed against the mountainside, finally entered his sight, his legs felt so weak he could barely move. A tingling numbness spread from his bones, making him tremble from his very core to every inch of his skin.

Gazing at the car from afar, he experienced for the first time the bittersweet dread of approaching what he most desired.

He dared not walk closer, unsure whether what lay before him was the trumpet of hope or the end of the Naihe Bridge.

“Boss!” the foreman shouted from a distance, “Is this the person you’re looking for? She seems to be alive! Should we call 120?”

“Call them now!” The roar erupted from Chao Wendao’s chest, instantly shattering his internal organs.

Though those organs were already on the verge of collapse. Chao Wendao rushed to the car and, with several others, pulled the car door open. When he lifted Shen Ruzhen into his arms, he felt as if his heart had been torn apart. A gaping hole had been punched through it, and cold wind howled inside. He couldn’t even feel the knife-like chill of the wind and rain on his body.

With trembling fingers, he placed them beneath Shen Ruzhen’s nostrils. After what felt like an eternity, he finally detected it—that faint, almost imperceptible breath, Shen Ruzhen’s will to survive fighting with all its might.

“Boss! 120 isn’t going through!” the worker cried, his face distraught.

Chao Wendao instantly remembered the possibly still-damaged cell tower.

He immediately said, “Where is the nearest hospital?” Once he got the directions, he was about to sprint in that direction.

But the foreman pulled him back. Chao Wendao glared at the foreman, only to see him point nearby: “Boss, you have a car.”

Chao Wendao: “…”