Chapter 70: Desert Villa (4)

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The two stared at each other—one anxiously tugging at his short beard, the other dumbfounded, lobster in hand.

“Hmph, impossible. There’s no way he could know we’ve made a breakthrough.”

“Exactly. We haven’t been back for so long, how could he possibly know? Besides, we haven’t even cracked the large-scale version yet.”

“Hmph... strange... very strange...” he muttered, all the while busying his mouth.

“Ah... I understand now...”

“Hurry, spill it. What’s going on?”

“Heh... want to know? Well, you’ll have to hand over...” His gaze lingered on the half lobster his companion had just lost.

After weighing the options and still unable to fathom where things went wrong, he made up his mind, albeit reluctantly. “Fine, tell me how he found out. Ever since we escaped, we barely kept in touch. Without us, how could he possibly know?”

Delighted, he took the half lobster, pointing at the screen with a grin. “Haha, he’s just bluffing, trying to deceive us... Not bad, not bad...”

“Ah...”

The conference room buzzed with discussion, heated and lively. Xiao Tianci was thoroughly satisfied, glancing at Zhou Ao, “What do you think?”

“Heh... If we truly have this technology, everything else will be much easier. It could be applied in countless fields. But I fear Meihua won’t have peace for much longer.”

Xiao Tianci understood. Normally, breakthrough technologies would first be applied in military fields, then trickle down to civilian use decades later—a well-established pattern. Yet, since Meihua’s emergence, things had changed. Back then, Meihua faced threats and sanctions from M Country and many developed nations, along with various attacks, but after several rounds of contestation...

Meihua found support from many advanced countries. Thanks to Xiao Lin’s strategies, negotiations were settled. Technology products were restricted, but factories were established en masse in these countries, driving prices down. This eased the impact Meihua’s growth had on them and preserved their dignity. In the end, after much back-and-forth, agreements were reached.

But if this protective shield truly came to fruition, it would cause another wave of upheaval and trouble. Xiao Tianci nodded and addressed the group, “Everyone, quiet down and listen. This matter is top secret. Absolutely no leaks—anyone who divulges it will be dismissed. Understood? For now, the project will remain confidential, and we’ll reveal it to the outside world only when appropriate.”

Though Xiao Tianci knew that once the meeting ended, countless people would learn of it, the words had to be spoken for effect.

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Finally, Xiao Tianci gave special instructions for the project to enter formal preparatory operations immediately—negotiating with the government to purchase desert land and other preliminary tasks, with responsibilities already assigned.

“By the way, since the press conference, have there been any fluctuations in Meihua’s stock?” As others moved on to discuss implementation details per his orders, Xiao Tianci questioned Zhou Ao.

Zhou Ao, holding a portable microcomputer, tapped a few keys and checked, “No fluctuations, barely any trading—everyone must be waiting and watching.”

Xiao Tianci suddenly leaned in, whispering, “Remember to release news about Will, and the issues with Oteni and the others. I anticipate immediate changes.”

Seeing Xiao Tianci in good spirits, Zhou Ao cautiously said, “Boss, although Will made some mistakes, letting him go like this... He’s Meihua’s second-largest shareholder. Perhaps you should reconsider?”

Xiao Tianci was resolute, “No need. That bastard—my father spoiled him for years, and now he can’t tell who’s boss. No more talk. Also, instruct the PR department to announce it.”

Alas, Will would suffer. His earlier bout of blood-spitting was likely from suppressing his anger. Xiao Tianci left him no dignity, shattering the image Will had cultivated in the eyes of the world. Fame and fortune may be fleeting, but when it’s personal, everyone wants to stand above the clouds and gaze at the sky.

“Understood, I’ll arrange it right away.”

“No rush. By the way, you mentioned your father wanted to see me last time. Now’s a good time, since I have nothing pressing...”

Zhou Ao’s head throbbed. “Nothing pressing”—only he could say such words. He’d just dismissed the chairman of Meihua, a Fortune 500 company, taken over himself, kicked out several executives, and launched an eccentric new project. The outside world and phone lines must be on the verge of exploding, yet he claimed to have nothing pressing. Heaven help him—what kind of person was this!

“Boss, given the sudden upheaval in the group, the media will certainly be paying attention. Meihua’s partners and closely related nations, including M Country, will be very concerned. Internal changes mean countless issues. My father is available anytime, but perhaps it’s best to handle matters here before visiting him. What do you think?”

Xiao Tianci shook his head, “No, that won’t do. I’m alone now, and our families are close. Your father is my elder—this is most important and cannot be delayed. As for the company, what do I pay all those high-level talents for? Surely not to sit idle. That’s settled; I’ll go change, wait for me downstairs.”

He rose and left. The others followed suit, standing to see him out. Once he was gone, the conference room fell into an unusual silence. Zhou Ao pressed his head lightly. When asked what to do next, he could only smile bitterly—his thoughts were a jumble, and he could only let them operate as usual.

Will and Oteni’s affairs were delegated to several people, and the desert villa project assigned as well—such a large group couldn’t all focus on one venture. After quickly issuing instructions, Zhou Ao finally departed.

Less than a minute after he left, Will received the news. The doctor had just administered injections and oral medication; furious, his chest tight with rage. Though his health was always good, he could still sit on the sofa and discuss matters with Oteni and the others, but his complexion was much worse than before.

His clothes were stained with blood and disheveled, but he was in no mood to care. Everything he’d built over more than ten years was gone—his greatest pain. Had it not been for this, Xiao Tianci would never have angered him to the point of spitting blood.

The others watched Will, breath heavy, eyes closed, speechless, until Oteni received a call.

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“Chairman Xiao Tianci is really going through with that desert plan, and...”

Will opened his eyes, “Speak, what’s happened?”

Oteni quickly relayed the contents of the call, recounting everything after their departure.

Will slowly straightened, “Oh? The protective shield—has it really been developed? Only then would that brat be so arrogant. If so, he’s striking two birds with one stone: undermining me while stabilizing Meihua’s position. I never expected it—never imagined he’d be so ruthless and act so swiftly. Truly unexpected!”

Oteni said, “Boss, what should we do now? He’s got absolute control and launched this new plan—are we really leaving?”

“Bang...” Will slammed his fist onto the table, the vase atop it shuddering, then settling again.

“Hmph, Meihua is the product of our years of hard work. He thinks he can just inherit it and take over? Not so easily. Fine, if he wants to play, then let’s play. Oteni, contact the others—tell them plans have changed, we must act ahead of schedule.”

Oteni worried, “Chairman, acting now seems too rushed. We don’t have enough funds, and if word gets out, it’ll be even harder.”

Will considered, “Just contact them. We have no choice but to act now. If that brat formally takes over, our business will eventually be exposed. Better to move early. True, we have no certainty now, but...”

He sneered, “That secret Xiao Tianci revealed actually reminded me—there’s a powerful ally out there, eager to help us. They’ve always tried to stay out of it, but let’s see how they can avoid involvement this time. They’ve used me; now it’s my turn to use them.”

Oteni nodded, instructed someone to care for Will, and went off to contact others and prepare to launch the long-planned operation.

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Recommended: Hongfeng’s “The Big Stick”