Chapter 14 Returning the Favor Once

Chapter 14: Payback

Jiang Ji saw Shi Yu approaching and put out his cigarette.

Shi Yu’s interest was piqued: "When did you start suspecting me?"

Waiting for him here meant he’d likely figured out Shi Yu’s part in all this.

Jiang Ji: "At first, I really didn't suspect you. Liu Zhixin died right in front of you, and your shocked reaction was too real. No one would have thought you were connected to Liu Zhixin.

But later on, thinking back—there were so many people coming and going at the company entrance. You're usually so discreet, so why would you park your car there?

The online outcry came too fast, almost overwhelming, trying to paint you as a murderer. But the accusation that you were the killer could easily be overturned. The eldest young master had no reason to use such a pointless tactic against you."

Shi Yu nodded: "What else?"

Jiang Ji: "Besides, even if you, the youngest young master, had already graduated, your father wouldn't hand over the vice president position to you.

Let alone the fact that you haven't graduated yet. The eldest young master wants to see us locked in a stalemate—he's more wary of me than of you. Comparatively, I'm the bigger threat. The eldest young master wouldn't leave me alone to go after you."

Shi Yu: "You're pretty confident in yourself. Last time, weren't you the one trying to trick me by saying Shi Yan was so worried about me taking his position that he couldn't sleep at night?"

He made an exaggerated face: "And now it's me he's guarding against, not you? You sure change your tune fast."

Jiang Ji was even more straightforward than Shi Yu: "Last time, I was indeed trying to stir up conflict between you and the eldest young master."

As soon as Shi Yu's livestream aired, he not only built an authentic image but also ruined Shi Yan's chance at the vice president position.

In the short term, Shi Ciye wouldn't push Shi Yan into the vice president role anymore. Otherwise, wouldn't it confirm Shi Yu's claim in the livestream that Shi Yan had intentionally framed his own younger brother to get the vice president position?

On Shi Yan's side, when he saw his younger brother publicly accusing him in the livestream, he would only think his brother was foolish and being manipulated by someone. If he hadn't been manipulated, why would he have boldly accused him online?

Anyone would think that Shi Yu's words in the livestream were a heartfelt plea after being wronged—who would imagine he was the one orchestrating the whole thing?

Shi Yan would start guessing who was manipulating Shi Yu to target him, and eventually, he would inevitably suspect Jiang Ji.

First, Jiang Ji was the bigger threat to him at the moment. Second, Jiang Ji spent every day with Shi Yu. If he had to label Shi Yu as being used, the only possible culprit would be Jiang Ji.

It was even possible that the photos sent to Shi Ciye were all sent by Shi Yu himself. This way, Shi Yan would be even more convinced that Shi Yu was just a fool being used in this matter.

Looking at the whole situation, Jiang Ji realized that the only one who benefited in the end was Shi Yu, who had initially appeared as the victim.

Shi Yu's tactic of diverting blame was a brilliant two-birds-one-stone move. Even Jiang Ji himself had been unwittingly caught in it.

"Having people investigate Liu Zhixin—that was deliberately done for my benefit, wasn't it? You knew Liu Zhixin was problematic long ago." Jiang Ji stated his conclusion.

Shi Yu smiled: "Spot on. Having people look into Liu Zhixin and parking the car at the company entrance were both staged for your benefit. You schemed against me once; I'm paying you back once. That's fair, isn't it?

But let me make it clear—I didn't kill Liu Zhixin. His death was something I didn't anticipate. I only wanted to destroy his reputation; I never intended him to actually die."

Jiang Ji gave Shi Yu a long, hard look, and this time it was his turn to ask: "When did you figure out that Liu Zhixin was planted for you?"

Shi Yu: "Liu Zhixin was just a team leader in the marketing department, not even a manager. Why would he keep hanging around the president's office? There could only be one explanation—you sent him to approach me.

You probably also hinted to Liu Zhixin that I had someone backing me. Someone as mercenary as Liu Zhixin, once he knew I had connections, it would be strange if he didn't try to curry favor.

At first, I was just suspicious. After the dinner gathering, I tested you subtly in the car. Sure enough, you deliberately steered me toward investigating Liu Zhixin. Since you wanted me to investigate, I did."

Jiang Ji: "Youngest young master, you're revealing all this to me on purpose. What do you want in exchange?"

Shi Yu: "I enjoy dealing with smart people. Liu Zhixin's death was unexpected. Since you were able to lead me to investigate him, you must know more about Liu Zhixin than I do. I want you to fill me in on what you know about him."

Jiang Ji finally showed his true colors: "I want the vice president position of the Shi Corporation."

Shi Yu smiled slightly: "Deal."

Jiang Ji curved his lips into a smile: "I'll tell you everything I know, holding nothing back."

Shi Yu: "The reason I knew about Liu Zhixin early on is because three months ago, Liu Zhixin came to the Shi residence. But he didn't come inside—he was sneaking around the grounds.

Later, the butler discovered him. I figured the butler would kick him out.

The strange thing was, the butler didn't chase him away; instead, he took him to a secluded spot to talk.

Butler Wu has served our family for over twenty years and is extremely loyal. That really piqued my curiosity.

I followed them, but I didn't catch their conversation.

I only saw Butler Wu storming off angrily. I originally planned to threaten Liu Zhixin to make him tell me why he had come to the Shi residence.

But instead, I saw him beating his wife, Luo Su—oh, Luo Su is his wife..."

—Three months earlier—

Outside Liu Zhixin's door.

"I can help you, but I want leverage over Liu Zhixin. Do you have any?" Shi Yu asked Luo Su, who was lying on the ground.

Luo Su's eyes widened suddenly: "I know Liu Zhixin's bank account receives a huge sum of money every year. He must be holding some kind of leverage over someone, threatening them into paying him every year.

Just two months ago, I saw a text message on his phone. It said the money for this year had been transferred and told him to keep quiet."

Shi Yu thought for a moment: "Do you know what that leverage is?"

Luo Su shook her head: "I don't know. I only found out by accident when I saw his phone. He never talks about these things with me..."

Then her eyes widened again: "But Liu Zhixin has an old laptop that he never lets anyone touch.

Last time, my son accidentally knocked it over, and Liu Zhixin beat him severely. He even keeps that old laptop in a safe deposit box outside the house to prevent anyone from touching it again."

Shi Yu: "I'll take that old laptop as payment."

Luo Su said quickly: "If you help me, I'll find a way to get that laptop to you afterward."

After agreeing to help Luo Su, Shi Yu had people investigate Liu Zhixin.

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