Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Following Yang Zhongxu's death, the position of president of the A City Chamber of Commerce opened up.

The Chamber was set to hold an election for a new president, and members of the Zhu, Bai, Chen, and Huang families had already entered the race.

Various factions were eyeing this lucrative position, and Top Star Gate was no exception.

In fact, the previous three presidents had secretly been Top Star Gate members.

Though no one was the wiser.

As for the Yan family...

By unwritten rule of the Chamber, the heads of prominent local families could not serve as Chamber of Commerce President. Candidates were either respected elders within their families or prominent and capable business magnates.

The only qualified members in the Yan family were the family patriarch and the Yan family's Second Young Master.

The patriarch was over a hundred years old, senile, and confined to his bed year-round; he didn't even attend family banquets, let alone run for Chamber President.

The Second Young Master, Yan Shiying, had some chance, but he was too young after all.

Naturally, no one held high hopes for the Yan family.

"Why not let Third Uncle run?" Xie Yunshen said.

Third Uncle, sitting nearby, smiled wryly, "Xiao Xie, you're making fun of me. I'm in a wheelchair. Would the Chamber really let a wheelchair user run for president?"

"Didn't you say Lin Jin was going to treat you?" Xie Yunshen replied.

By the schedule, the treatment was set for tomorrow.

"Even if it works, it'll take time," Third Aunt added with a smile.

She was really starting to like this kid more and more. Though his ideas were unconventional, he really meant well for his Third Uncle.

"The Chamber never had a rule saying someone in a wheelchair can't run for president."

"No, it doesn't. But if I really ran, wouldn't the Yan family become a laughingstock in the eyes of other families? People would say the Yan family had no one left, pushing a cripple to run for president."

Third Uncle just treated it as a joke and didn't take it to heart.

"If Third Uncle is willing to run, the Yan family will fully support you," Yan Shiqi, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"Shiqi, you too..." Third Uncle was stunned.

"It's true the Yan family isn't as large as other families, but that doesn't mean we're unqualified to vie for the Chamber presidency. Besides, the political landscape in the southern province is tilting more and more. We can't let Top Star Gate monopolize authority any longer."

Third Uncle pondered, "You're right. How could I have been so shortsighted? The Yan family has already fallen behind other families in political influence these past years. If Top Star Gate controls the Chamber presidency again, it would be too detrimental to the Yan family. How could I just accept falling behind?"

The boy who had been quietly observing nearby suddenly jumped up, "Dad, are you going to be the president? The president must be really powerful, right?"

Xie Yunshen was startled. It was the first time he'd heard the child speak; he had previously thought the boy might be autistic.

Huh, my mistake.

Third Aunt was also shocked. Her child had always been quiet and somewhat autistic. She never imagined this matter would make him so happy...

Third Uncle had never seen his son's eyes shine with such excitement before and was momentarily at a loss, "You... you think Dad can win?"

The boy nodded firmly, "Mm! If you become president, Dad will find his drive again!"

Third Uncle ruffled his hair, his gaze changing, "So that's how it is..."

This child had actually been thinking about what was best for his father all along.

Xie Yunshen thought to himself, with the family affection card buff activated, it looks like this is a sure thing.

Letting Third Uncle run was originally something Xie Yunshen had just tossed out casually. Who knew things would turn out to completely exceed his imagination.

Not only did Third Uncle become Chamber President, but his political career also took off in an unstoppable way.

Of course, that's a story for later.

For now, Yan Shiqi immediately had his assistant draft an announcement and sent it to local news agencies and media.

In less than half an hour, news spread like wildfire throughout A City: the Yan family's Third Uncle, Yan Dingxuan, was running for Chamber of Commerce President.

Now, all the families were watching the show.

The Huang family: "It seems the Yan family really has no one left, even sending a cripple into the fray."

The Chen family: "Yan Shiqi is out of options. Yan Shiying scorns the Yan family, Yan Shizhou is still too green, so he has to pick the best of a bad bunch."

The Bai family: "Yan Dingxuan is a wounded, retired soldier. What does he know about business elections?"

The Zhu family: "Let's wait and see. Yan Shiqi has offended Top Star Gate. How long can he keep leading the Yan family?"

Late at night in the study, Yan Shiqi sat alone in the pitch-dark room.

The city lights outside stepped onto the windowsill, falling into the furrows between his knitted brows. He was waiting for something.

Finally, at one in the morning, he received a call from the engineering department, "Mr. Yan, we found it."

"What?"

"The location of the crane on the blueprint. We found explosives right underneath. If welding operations had reached that spot in a few more days, with sparks flying everywhere... the consequences are simply unimaginable."

Yan Shiqi's eyes widened, and his grip instinctively tightened on the solid wood armrest.

"Secure the scene. Notify the police."

Yan Shiqi hung up the phone, his jawline taut from clenching his teeth.

Xie Yunshen was yanked out of his sleep, "Brat, get up now!"

He opened his eyes to see the deep darkness outside, "Boss, are you crazy?"

A sharp rap landed on his head, "Mr. Yan is waiting for you!"

Xie Yunshen immediately realized there must be news from the engineering site.

He hastily threw on some black clothes and headed out, bumping into the elusive Yi Wuyi at the corner. His heart skipped a beat, "Lao Wu, make some noise, will you?"

The two walked to the main entrance where Yan Shiqi was already waiting for them in the helicopter.

Summer had passed, and the night wind carried a slight chill.

Carrying the desolate coolness of an autumn night, Xie Yunshen sat down beside Yan Shiqi.

Yi Wuyi took the front passenger seat with a silent understanding.

A security helicopter followed closely behind.

As soon as Xie Yunshen sat down beside Yan Shiqi, he couldn’t help but ask, “So, what’s the situation?”

Yan Shiqi looked at him meaningfully. “You were right. Explosive materials were found beneath the site.”

Xie Yunshen let out a sigh of relief. Discovering it in advance meant Old Wu had dodged a bullet.

“Why… why are you looking at me like that?” Xie Yunshen turned and found Yan Shiqi’s gaze fixed on him.

That gaze was as calm as water, yet unfathomably deep—more jolting than smelling salts.

Xie Yunshen wanted to look away, but felt that avoiding it would seem like a guilty conscience, so he met it head-on.

The two of them stared each other down.

Yi Wuyi turned around and saw them locked in a staring contest, and couldn’t help but smile.

Perhaps knowing the potential hazards had been cleared, the tension he'd felt for days eased up a bit.

Xie Yunshen immediately leaned forward. “Old Wu, you smiled!”

Yi Wuyi’s expression softened. “Thank you, A Shen.”

“Thank me?” Xie Yunshen frowned, confused by the gratitude.

“Sit up straight,” Yan Shiqi’s voice suddenly rang out.

Xie Yunshen immediately sat up.

As long as Old Wu wasn’t upset, that was all that mattered.

By the time they reached the construction site, the sky was still dark.

Mobile floodlights illuminated the entire site, making it as bright as day.

The mayor, police cars, and a bomb squad had already arrived.

A group of workers stood at a distance, peering toward the site.

“Looks like Mr. Yan’s here!”

Someone shouted, and weathered, simple faces turned in their direction.

Yan Shiqi’s personal visit to the site also took the police by surprise.

“Mr. Yan, we’re currently conducting an investigation. Please wait outside the cordon,” a police chief said.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit walked over to Yan Shiqi. “It’s so late. Thanks for coming all this way.”

Xie Yunshen had seen this man on television—he was the mayor of City B.

Another thread in Top Star Gate’s political network.

Yan Shiqi shook hands with him, and their conversation revolved around the discovery of the explosives.

As for Yi Wuyi, he was already surrounded by various contractors, each with their own demands.

Xie Yunshen stood behind Yan Shiqi, his eyes carefully sweeping over everyone.

Places like this—brightly lit, crowded, and filled with objects—were the easiest for a sneak attack.

Xie Yunshen had already identified a person of interest. In the crowd, a man in work clothes had a cold gaze.

His facial muscles barely moved—a trait of someone who had undergone intense focus training.

His hands were also different; while workers' nails were worn and rough, this man’s nails were healthy and rosy.

Either a hitman or a professional special forces operative.

Xie Yunshen went on high alert, keeping the man in his peripheral vision while warning Yan Shiqi, “Be careful.”

The police began dispersing the crowd.

The man followed the group of workers toward the nearby site dormitories.

Perhaps he was wary of the police presence, or perhaps he had noticed a professional bodyguard on hand.

In any case, the man made no move.

After a full day of work, the matter wasn’t completely resolved. That night, Yan Shiqi stayed at the local Yan’s Hotel.

This was a private suite not open to the public, regularly maintained by dedicated staff for Yan Shiqi’s use.

Yan Shiqi went to take a shower.

Xie Yunshen and Yi Wuyi stood guard on either side inside the suite.

“Old Wu, have you heard of the BKB organization?”

“A top-tier global assassin organization.”

“I’m a bit curious—what does BKB stand for?”

“What’s the second one?”

Yi Wuyi looked at him. “Boy kiss boy.”

“Whoa, even more messed up than the first one.” Xie Yunshen was taken aback.

“The mortality rate for their targets is as high as 99%.”

A chill ran down Xie Yunshen’s spine. “Mr. Yan has been targeted too.”

Yi Wuyi said, “The only way to break it is to kill the assassin who took the job.”

Xie Yunshen was puzzled. “Isn’t killing someone illegal?”

Yi Wuyi looked at him, perplexed. Was this a question for a man wanted globally with a billion-dollar bounty?

Yi Wuyi explained, “These assassins are usually illegal criminals. If they die, no one will care.”

During the early part of the night, Yi Wuyi rested while Xie Yunshen stood guard outside the master bedroom.

They took turns standing guard, ensuring at least one of them remained alert at all times.

Yan Shiqi stood by the window in his bathrobe, gazing at the city. His hair was damp, his eyes deep and contemplative.

Swish! Xie Yunshen yanked the curtains shut.

“Don’t stand there. You could get sniped at any moment,” Xie Yunshen said with a serious expression. The intricate European-style embroidery on the curtains swayed right in front of Yan Shiqi’s nose. “…”