TVSS Chapter 72

Yan Guorun succeeded in taking the bait. Though the process had some differences, the result was the same. Yan Er Shu chose the same method as in the previous life: bribing Su Jingxuan.

In the previous life, it involved using the original owner to gather confidential files from the Yan family, while this time it was purely out of fear and concern for the influence of the Song family.

However, Yan Er Shu was a sly old fox. Other shareholders in the company were also watching closely. Forcing things would not benefit Yan Shi; it would only leave a mess.

So, Yan Junfeng decided to use a stratagem. He continued to act as if he knew nothing, allowing Yan Er Shu and other shareholders to fight among themselves. When the time was right, they would intervene with thunderous measures.

For some unknown reason, Yan Junfeng was very stubborn about not letting Su Jingxuan get involved in the company’s affairs. He simply advised him to prepare well for the design competition.

Indeed, the online preliminary rounds of Yan Shi’s jewelry design competition were coming to an end. The list of the top ten finalists for the finals had been announced, with their real names and photos revealed on the official website.

Before the finals, these individuals were kept anonymous, not only outside the company but even within, except for a few managers. This served as a hook to keep the audience interested and to prevent other companies from poaching these participants. Regardless of their final rankings, they had already signed design contracts with Yan Shi.

Yan Junfeng had the qualifications to know in advance, but the online selection process was complex, and he was busy dealing with the internal struggles of the group. It was only when the list of finalists was released that he discovered Su Jingxuan was also among them.

When he informed Lu Jinwen about the design competition, he instinctively ignored Su Jingxuan’s existence. Even when he later remembered, he kept the matter of having Su Jingxuan participate in the competition to himself.

Although the original owner was only in the third year of high school and had not yet entered university to study design, due to the Yan family’s prosperity in the jewelry industry, every descendant would start early training. There were specialized teachers to cultivate this skill.

Even though the original owner was not Yan family’s biological child, Yan Guoan had always treated him as part of the family. So, with the current ability of the original owner, participating in the competition was not a problem.

However, thinking of the ‘plagiarism’ incident in the previous life, he didn’t want Su Jingxuan to participate this time. When one’s impression of another person changes, their thoughts will also differ.

But things in the competition were more persistent than he had imagined.

“But, Brother Yan, becoming a designer is my dream. I follow Mr. Frand’s Weibo. He said he really likes the selection competition held by Yan Shi and might choose an apprentice from the finalists in the finals. Brother Yan, I admire Mr. Frand the most. Becoming his apprentice is my biggest wish.”

Staring at the bright eyes of the youth, which revealed dazzling hopeful gazes, and looking at all the design drafts that successfully advanced, Yan Junfeng felt the discomfort that had been lingering in his heart intensify.

Initially, he thought that Xiaochen’s participation in the competition was just a deliberate provocation against Lu Jinwen, refusing to admit defeat and finding trouble on purpose. He had forgotten Xiaochen’s lifelong dream – to become an outstanding jewelry designer.

In this competition, Xiaochen’s initial design works were exactly the same as in the previous life. However, the works that made it to the finals were different because, in the previous life, Xiaochen’s qualification was canceled due to the ‘plagiarism’ incident during the preliminary rounds.

But in this life, perhaps due to the change in his rebirth, Xiaochen entered the finals based on his own abilities, and his current work was exceptionally outstanding.

Xiaochen himself had significant design talent, even better than Lu Jinwen. Then, why did he steal Lu Jinwen’s work in the previous life?

Yan Junfeng felt an indescribable discomfort in his heart. He realized that in the previous life, he seemed to have overlooked many things.

He thought he was treating Xiaochen very well, but in reality, he didn’t understand him at all. He didn’t truly know Xiaochen…

The list of finalists has been officially announced. It is a fact that Su Jingxuan will participate in the competition; he does not want to withdraw, and Yan Junfeng cannot stop him. He also… doesn’t want to stop him.

Because all the finalists will stay in the villa area arranged by the Yan family during the competition, undergoing a month-long closed design to enhance the program’s effects.

In this way, the young man will be separated from Song Mochen for a long time…

Yan Junfeng doesn’t know why he has such despicable thoughts. He only knows that every time he sees the young man with Song Mochen, his heart feels uncomfortable, jealous, and intense envy overwhelms him, making it hard for him to breathe.

This inexplicable and oppressive jealousy prevents him from venting, so he can only focus all his attention on the company, trying to win over Yan Guorun’s influential assistant.

Yan’s second uncle’s influential assistant is named Wang Rengui. Despite being just an inconspicuous junior manager in the Yan family, he is highly valued by Yan Guorun. Wang Rengui is well aware of all the layouts and activities in the company.

This is a lesson learned from his past life; Yan Junfeng only found out later that Wang Rengui is actually someone under Yan Guorun. Otherwise, who would have known that such an inconspicuous junior manager in the company is so deeply hidden?

With Yan Guoan hospitalized and the shareholders’ meeting approaching, time is pressing. Yan Junfeng wastes no time. The day after finding Su Jingxuan with his second uncle, he privately meets with Wang Rengui, directly expressing his intentions.

“Young Master, although I was promoted by your second uncle, I’m just a junior manager. Being content with a salary and bonus is enough for me. Besides, I’m not young anymore and can retire soon. I dare not meddle in the company’s affairs…”

For over a decade, Wang Rengui had followed Yan Guorun closely, like a shadow. They were like fleas on the same boat, with Wang’s fortune and life entirely in Yan Guorun’s hands. Wang was a shrewd individual, unlike the original owner, who was an inexperienced youth and easy to manipulate.

Moreover, he knew about Yan Junxuan’s attempts to win over Su Jingxuan. The ‘evidence’ used to deceive the original owner was prepared by him. He had ninety percent confidence that ‘Jiang Zicheng’ would definitely be deceived.

Even if Yan Junfeng had suspicions or made preparations in private, he couldn’t possibly compete with Yan Ershu, who had been planning for so many years. Yan Junfeng was no fool.

“Retirement? If my information is correct, Manager Wang recently sold a villa and took out a loan. He’s supporting a beautiful mistress inside. That must cost a lot. Can Manager Wang’s retirement pension cover all of that?”

Knowing that Wang Rengui wasn’t easily bribed, Yan Junfeng was prepared for this. He sarcastically smiled, raising his head and staring sharply at him.

“Manager Wang, I know everything about you and my second uncle’s activities behind the scenes. Do you think my brother would believe his nonsense with just a few pieces of investigation data from my second uncle? If Xiaochen believes it, I wouldn’t be here today…”

Wang Rengui’s expression changed slightly, feeling uneasy.

“I’m not here for negotiations today. The group is the pride of the Yan family. Internal conflicts will only leave a mess. I’ll give you two choices.”

“First, you continue to help my second uncle, and we all go down together. Second, cooperate with me. After the success, I’ll give you 5% of the group’s shares. You won’t have to work for anyone, and you can participate in the company’s decision-making as a member of the board.”

Anyone with a bit of sense would choose a prosperous future. Moreover, regarding Wang Rengui’s loyalty to Yan Guorun, it was open for discussion.

Wang Rengui remained silent.

He wasn’t as loyal to Yan Guorun as one might think. He didn’t want to lose everything he had now. While 5% of the group’s shares might not sound like much, considering the annual profits of the Yan family, it was significant. Also, being part of the board, even as a minor shareholder, was a better deal than what Yan Guorun would offer.

Moreover, Yan Junfeng seemed to have quickly learned about Yan Guorun’s private dealings with Jiang Zicheng. It was either Yan Junfeng’s influence or Jiang Zicheng volunteering the information.

If that was the case, Yan Guorun’s long-term plan might be in jeopardy.

“I need to see the contract first.”

In a situation where the outcome seemed almost certain, Wang Rengui, tactfully choosing his own future, decided to part ways with his original master, just to be cautious in case Yan Junfeng changed his mind after success.

“Good,” Yan Junfeng readily pulled out the prepared contract.

Currently, 5% of Yan Group’s shares were indeed valuable, but only for now.

After seeing off the excited Wang Rengui, Yan Junfeng coldly smirked, tossing the contract copy into the trash bin before heading to the hospital to visit Yan Gu’an.

Although Yan Gu’an’s mental state was still poor, he wasn’t in life-threatening danger. Yang Cailian sat gently by the bedside, cutting fruits for him. Su Jingxuan was also there, chatting with Yan Gu’an. The atmosphere in the ward was very warm, a feeling that Yan Junfeng hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Gazing at the happy youth talking about something, Yan Junfeng smiled, took off his glasses, and walked in to talk to his father for a while. Then, he reached out to touch the youth’s head.

“It’s getting late. Xiao Chen, come home with me. We have to go to the designated location for the competition tomorrow. Rest early tonight.”

“Yan gege, Brother Song will pick me up later. He’ll take me to the competition venue tomorrow. There will be reporters when we go out tomorrow. Those who know my identity will surely spread rumors about unfair design. I’ve filled in Song gege’s address.”

Su Jingxuan avoided Yan Junfeng’s hand without a trace, smiling carelessly.

Sorry, he also had his own cleanliness standards. He was a principled tasker, and these things belonged to the original owner.

“I’ll come to see you during the competition.”

Yan Junfeng shook the empty hand, put his glasses back on, concealing the gloomy expression in his eyes.

On the other end, after completing his tasks, Song Mochen dismissed the people and turned on his computer. After navigating through several layers of password protection, he connected to a video call to receive routine reports.

The video showed a room filled with instruments, and a person in a military uniform was holding a document, seated in front of the computer. Clearly, this was someone involved in executing special and confidential missions.

Song Mochen listened attentively, his expression serious, as if engaged in a confidential discussion.

However, in reality…

“…The target’s daytime activities have been covered. At 6 PM, the target traveled in an H160 model vehicle with license plate MC08933, escorted by bodyguard Zhang Zhiwei and driven by chauffeur Chen Yanliang. They arrived at the city hospital at 6:36 PM. During this time, the target played a game for fifteen minutes and spent the remaining time looking at photos. The content of the photos was a half-naked image of General You…”

The person in a military uniform reporting on the computer paused for a moment, discreetly glancing up at the man on the other side of the video.

The man, with a serious expression, nodded, his angular face softened, appearing in good spirits.

“At 6:50 PM, the target entered VIP room 5 on the 6th floor of Building 8 at the city hospital. Subsequently, the target stayed in the room, engaging in conversation with Yan Gu’an. The conversation topics included the ‘Yan Jewelry Design Competition,’ three joke stories, and several casual daily concerns. During this time, doctors and nurses maintained a social distance from the target…”

“At 8:10 PM, Yan Junfeng entered the room. The target handed him an apple, smiled three times, and maintained a personal distance without physical contact. At 8:32 PM, Yan Junfeng suggested taking the target home and reached out to touch the target’s head…”

A “click” sound echoed as the man who had been listening contentedly suddenly exuded a chilling aura, and the mouse in his hand shattered.

The person reporting on the video fumbled with his fingers, hastening his report.

“But the target quickly evaded and refused to go home. Yan Junfeng did not touch a single hair of the target but expressed the intention to accompany and visit during the target’s participation in the design competition! That concludes today’s summary. Please give instructions, boss.”

“The first phase of the mission is qualified. Stand by for the second phase.”

The boss’s cold demeanor disappeared, and he solemnly directed the mission.

“Yes, General!”