"WOW, WOW, WOW! If this is true, it’s going to be earth-shattering news. I have to get our media department ready to keep a close eye on Haohan Group’s movements at all times," Wan Yu said, so excited she could barely contain herself.
Jian Xi was weighed down with worries.
"You’re not worried about Si Yuhuan, are you?" Wan Yu let her imagination run wild.
Jian Xi tapped her on the head. "Is he someone I need to worry about?"
If Si Junyan could actually take down Si Yuhuan, it would only be because Si Yuhuan was too trusting. Damn him!
I’ve worked so hard on Haohan Group for so long; I can’t let it slip away.
Jian Xi clearly regarded Haohan Group as her private property.
Wan Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her best friend had finally become a money-grubber; it certainly hadn’t been easy.
Jian Xi was going to talk to Jian Mingcheng, and Wan Yu volunteered enthusiastically, "Take me with you! I might not be much help with the big issues, but when it comes to gossip, you definitely don’t know as much as I do."
When they arrived at Jian Group, the secretary informed them Jian Mingcheng was in a meeting. Wan Yu immediately piped up, "Then let’s wait for him in his office."
With that, she dashed off, navigating the way with practiced ease.
Jian Xi teased, "You seem to know the route pretty well!"
Wan Yu looked awkward. "It’s just that I’ve run around here a few times for your sake, so I’m a little familiar with the place."
She quickly changed the subject. "Wow, look at your brother’s office! The decor is certainly... distinctive..."
It was empty inside, except for bookshelves and a desk. Nothing else.
"...in its own way..." Wan Yu finished weakly.
Jian Xi folded her arms, watching her continue to spin her tale.
"Why isn’t your brother here yet? I’ll go get you some coffee."
"Oh wow, you even know where the coffee machine is," Jian Xi said sarcastically.
Wan Yu nearly twisted her ankle. Just then, Jian Mingcheng came in and casually reached out to steady her.
Their eyes met. Wan Yu couldn’t help but swallow, flustered, as she straightened up from Jian Mingcheng’s hold. "B-Brother Jian."
She stood quietly to the side, unusually subdued and not causing a fuss.
Jian Xi sensed something was up.
"Brother," she greeted him as she approached.
Jian Mingcheng, whose usually serious face reflected a maturity beyond his years, offered a rare hint of a smile. He instructed his secretary, "Prepare two cups of coffee, one without milk."
Wan Yu was lactose intolerant. It seemed her brother remembered that quite clearly.
Jian Xi felt like she had stumbled upon a new continent of gossip, but she didn’t dare tease her brother about it.
Wan Yu sipped her black coffee with a happy grin, looking utterly content.
"What brings you here?" Jian Mingcheng got straight to the point.
"It’s : we sensed something unusual within Haohan Group and wanted to ask your thoughts, Brother," Wan Yu jumped in.
Jian Mingcheng looked at Jian Xi. "How do you want to handle it?"
Seeing not the slightest ripple of emotion on his face, Jian Xi wondered, "Did you sense something earlier, Brother?"
"Not really. It’s just that after Old Master Si’s incident, the whole company seems to revolve around Si Junyan. The fact that he managed to secure a batch of Silicon Crystal at this critical time is like a warm fire in a harsh winter for Haohan Group—extremely significant."
"But Si Junyan has always been completely loyal to Si Yuhuan. Aren’t our suspicions baseless paranoia?" Wan Yu expressed her doubt.
Jian Xi shook her head. "You don’t understand how deep his affection for Jiang Qimeng is."
At the mention of Jiang Qimeng’s name, clear displeasure surfaced on Jian Mingcheng’s face. This kind of woman, meddling in his sister’s family, disgusted him.
"Can loving a woman be more important than the entire family? Haohan Group was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of generations of the Si Family!" Wan Yu exclaimed, her voice rising until she saw the look on her brother’s face and promptly fell silent.
"Trust me, Si Junyan is capable of anything for Jiang Qimeng."
Jian Xi couldn’t explicitly mention the events of her past life, but she was certain Si Junyan’s morbid obsession was undeniable. Jian Xi hadn’t forgotten. For Jiang Qimeng, Si Junyan was capable of arson and even murder. Betraying the Si Family was nothing in comparison!
"I believe you," her brother declared first.
Wan Yu hesitated. "Then what do you plan to do?"
Jian Xi firmed her resolve. "We can’t let Si Junyan succeed. We’ll transfer some of our Silicon Crystal to Si Yuhuan."
"You’re not intentionally going easy on Si Yuhuan just because you’re afraid he’ll be bullied, are you?" Wan Yu clicked her tongue.
Jian Xi shot her a sharp glance.
Jian Mingcheng analyzed rationally, "Letting Si Yuhuan deal with Si Junyan is indeed a good plan."
"Brother, you’re truly wise."
Within a few days, thanks to Si Yuhuan’s "efforts," a large quantity of Silicon Crystal was transported back into the country.
This startled many in the industry.
"It’s truly strange. One moment, they can’t get any, and production stalls. The next, a pile of Silicon Crystal, more precious than gold, suddenly appears—enough to fill orders indefinitely. Haohan Group is having a bizarre year."
"In my opinion, while their software is world-class, it has many limitations. For instance, chip production needs a massive supply of Silicon Crystal. A shortage turns everything into scrap. Haven’t past incidents taught them anything?"
"But who could be so capable as to secure all the Silicon Crystal needed for the Haohan Chip before its development was even finished? If you ask me, the person behind this must have a keen eye for venture capital, specifically targeting Director Si’s Achilles’ heel."
Si Yuhuan glanced over a financial forum, his brow furrowing unconsciously.
Yan Qing nodded. "Second Young Master Si has been waiting outside for some time. He wishes to explain things to you."
"Tell him to focus on his work," Si Yuhuan said. "There’s no need for an explanation."
Si Yuhuan stroked his chin. The arrival of this batch of Silicon Crystal was strange. He had placed a reservation, but the seller kept telling him to wait, claiming the boss hadn’t decided. Yet, last night, they suddenly decided to sell all their Silicon Crystal to him.
And at market price, no less.
This was highly unusual.
"What’s the background of the supplier?"
When Si Yuhuan had needed Silicon Crystal, he had contacted over a dozen collectors, both domestic and international. This particular one had the largest stockpile.
However, this supplier was also notoriously difficult. That’s why Si Yuhuan hadn’t pinned all his hopes on them. Instead, he’d focused on smaller collectors, planning to gather a large amount from smaller batches, and hadn’t investigated this major supplier too deeply. Now, suddenly, he was very interested. After all, to know your enemy and yourself is the key to victory.
Yan Qing promptly responded, "I’ve already investigated. They have a foreign background, a venture capital firm, and a mysterious persona. They specialize in collecting various minerals and have over twenty years of industry experience. It doesn’t seem like they’re targeting us."
"Find a time to arrange a meeting."
If the Silicon Crystal is fine, then we need to establish a strategic partnership.
Yan Qing smiled wryly. "It seems they aren’t interested in deeper engagement with us. After this batch of Silicon Crystal was delivered, I proposed long-term cooperation, but they... refused."
Si Yuhuan raised an eyebrow, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Interesting."
This feeling of being manipulated, of being a pawn in someone else’s game, was incredibly frustrating.
Jiang Qimeng arrived to see Si Junyan being denied entry at the door.
Before Si Junyan could say more, she raised a hand, stopping him.
"Go back and focus on your own affairs," she said with a smile, patting Si Junyan’s shoulder. Then, turning to Xiaoli, she instructed, "Secretary Li, inform Si Yuhuan I need to see him. Tell him it’s something very important regarding Grandpa’s condition."