047 A Series of Misfortunes

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“Alright!”

Cheers erupted inside the bus.

The two accomplices of the pickpocket, having recognized the buzz-cut young man as a tough character, exchanged glances and quickly curbed their urge to give him a lesson on the spot—clearly planning to settle the score once everyone got off.

Yang Tang could tell that the young man with the crew cut was trained in martial arts; unless he was surrounded and attacked, three or five ordinary people would stand no chance against him. So, he paid the matter no further attention and, while his “Eagle Eye” was still active, gazed out the window, taking in the vibrant scenery with interest.

A sudden roar and hum reverberated as a string of sports cars raced past in the opposite lane—Porsches, Ferraris, Jaguars—all pushing speeds that would seem suicidal to most. Their engines thundered, startling bystanders and provoking a wave of comments and pointing fingers.

“Huh?”

Following the last sports car with his gaze, Yang Tang inadvertently noticed that the Cadillac Escalade trailing beside the bus was tinged with a faint red hue through his “Eagle Eye” vision.

Red? That’s odd. I’ve only been in Shenhai for less than two days—I don’t think I’ve offended anyone yet. Wait, Fang Yuhua’s fivefold vision!

Sure enough, even though the Escalade’s windows were tinted on all sides, Yang Tang could still make out the occupants through the front windshield. Two men in suits sat in the front seats, while Fang Yuhua was in the back, fiddling with her phone.

The sight made Yang Tang frown, realizing he lacked a certain everyday vigilance.

Meanwhile, inside the Escalade—

“Those idiots from the Shi family, drag racing in broad daylight. I’ll make sure they all spend time in jail!” Fang Yuhua muttered as she sent out the message she’d composed. “This time, they’ll be locked up for at least three to seven days.”

Having finished, Fang Yuhua raised her lovely face toward the front. “Xiao Wu, where is that guy?”

The man in the passenger seat replied quickly, “He’s still on the bus ahead.”

“Good. But honestly, isn’t he a little too careless? Xiao Wu, what do you think?”

Xiao Wu, a veteran in the Fang family, understood the young lady’s temperament well and knew exactly the answer she wanted to hear—especially since it happened to be true. He answered candidly, “Young Miss, your friend really isn’t very alert. If this were a battlefield, he’d have died ten times over.”

“Ten times? I’m not so sure. Xiao Wu, his marksmanship is a hundred times better than yours!”

Xiao Wu spun around, incredulous. “Young Miss, a hundred times better than me? Are you serious or just teasing?”

“Of course I’m serious!” Fang Yuhua replied. “You’ve all played that ‘Storming Four Stages for a Hundred Points’ game at Tianyu Club, right? That guy on the bus scored twelve hundred points on the second stage—can any of you do that?”

“What?!”

Even Xiao Gang, the driver who’d only been half-listening, was so shocked by Fang Yuhua’s revelation that he slammed on the brakes.

Knowing Fang Yuhua was tailing him, Yang Tang had already devised a plan. Deliberately overshooting his stop, he got off near Yalec Residence International Plaza, then melted into the crowd, ducking into New World Cinema.

Watching this, Xiao Wu and Xiao Gang in the Escalade turned green.

“What’s wrong?” Fang Yuhua asked.

“Young Miss, that’s a cinema. We might lose your friend,” Xiao Gang replied anxiously.

“Maybe call for reinforcements?” Xiao Wu suggested reasonably.

But Fang Yuhua’s eyes flashed, and she snapped, “Are you two pigs? Sure, I could call for more help, but wouldn’t my father find out then?”

Hearing this, both bodyguards lowered their heads, thinking to themselves: Young Miss, do you really think the boss doesn’t already know?

Just as they’d expected, though Fang Yuhua clearly saw Yang Tang leisurely drinking milk tea in a café, once the early movie crowd poured out, he vanished without a trace.

“Damn it, he’s definitely hiding something from me!” Fang Yuhua stamped her foot in frustration. “No, I have to find him. You two—think of something!”

Xiao Wu shrugged. “Unless we know his final destination, there’s nothing we can do.” Inwardly, he grumbled: When did our young lady start caring about men?

Xiao Gang nodded. “Xiao Wu is right, but—”

“But what?” Fang Yuhua pressed.

“It’s just, we don’t know if he slipped away because it’s his usual habit, or because he noticed us.”

“I don’t get it,” Fang Yuhua frowned.

“If it’s his usual practice, there’s nothing to be done—he’s an expert at evading tails. Even if we had ten times our number, we might not be able to keep up. But if he spotted us and deliberately created a diversion, it means he has something important lined up; otherwise, he could’ve just sat in the café with us for hours.”

After hearing this analysis, Fang Yuhua’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Not bad, Xiao Gang. I think I know what he’s up to. That scoundrel, putting on such a show—‘I won’t sell, what can you do?’—then sneaking off behind my back. Hmph!”

“Young Miss, did you just say you won’t sell?”

“Why are you so nosy? Both of you, give me some space. I need to make a private call.”

Xiao Wu and Xiao Gang obediently retreated to stand guard outside.

Meanwhile, Fang Yuhua dialed a familiar number.

“Hello? Old Wu, it’s me!”

“Oh, Miss Fang, is it?”

“Who’s a ‘miss,’ you jerk?!”

“Sorry, sorry, Miss Fang—how can I help you?”

“Cut the crap, I have a question for you!” Fang Yuhua’s language was so coarse that if Yang’s parents were present, their jaws would have dropped. “Has any venture capital been acquiring apps similar to power-saving software lately?”

“Miss Fang, with such a specific question, how can I answer offhand?” Old Wu was clearly not one to give up information without incentive.

“Ten thousand!”

“There are plenty of power-saving apps out there, but very few that catch the eye of VCs. I’ll ask around for you!”

“Another ten thousand. If you don’t tell me, you’ll lose my business forever,” Fang Yuhua threatened.

“Alright, Miss Fang, I have to make a living somehow. There are five companies negotiating similar deals right now.”

“Which five?”

“Lixin, Guanda, Qiandu, Sanhang, and Chenxun. But I heard something happened at Chenxun’s branch office yesterday—someone installed a high-powered receiver in the building, and a stranger was found dead in the emergency stairwell. The case has reportedly alarmed the Security Bureau!”

“Really? Even if it was wiretapping, that’s just a commercial crime, isn’t it? Why involve the Security Bureau?”

“Who knows.”

“Another ten thousand.”

“Alright, alright, Miss Fang—you do love throwing money around. Does the Count know about this?” Old Wu joked before returning to business. “Apparently, and I’m only repeating rumors, there are companies in that building with much bigger backgrounds than Chenxun. One is supposedly connected to some royal secret dealings. If anything negative got out, it could spark a national outcry. So, you get the idea.”

“I don’t. Anyway, check where the VC departments of those five companies are right now.”

“—”

“Not talking? Still want more money? You’re really—”

“Fine, fine, Miss Fang. It’s not top-secret info. I’ll tell you!”

“Then hurry up!”

Elsewhere, Yang Tang’s meeting with the Qiandu VC representatives went poorly.

They opened by offering five hundred thousand for full rights—take it or leave it, no negotiation. It felt like haggling over groceries at the market.

In theory, their offer was two hundred thousand higher than Chenxun’s, but if Yang Tang had to choose now, he’d rather sell his power-saving app to Chenxun. It would at least leave him in a better mood.

Still, it wasn’t time to sell yet. Though displeased by Qiandu’s attitude, Yang Tang parted with them on good terms.

Out on the street, seeing it was nearly noon, Yang Tang ducked into a small eatery and ordered a bowl of plain noodles. After paying, he recalled the number Bai Keqing had given him and called. “Hello, is this Ms. Shen Chen?”

There was a hesitant pause, then a clear, melodious female voice answered, “This is she. Who is this?”

“Bai Keqing referred me. My name’s Yang Tang.”

“Yang Tang?! When did you arrive? Where are you now? I’ll come pick you up!”

“Ms. Shen, there’s no need to be so enthusiastic. I just wanted to ask about accommodation—”

“Don’t worry, it’s a five-star hotel for sure!”

“That’s not what I meant. I’ve already found a place to stay. Could you possibly give me the accommodation and meal allowance in cash instead?” Yang Tang braced himself and made his request.

“What?!”

“Ms. Shen, I know it’s a bit abrupt. If it’s not possible, just forget it.”

“It’s not impossible, but if you want cash, it’ll be at eighty percent, and only after we meet.”

“No problem, I’m near Tomorrow Square.” Yang Tang casually gave a rough location. “If it’s inconvenient, you can suggest another place—I can come to you.”

“No trouble at all. I’ll head over now!”

But after waiting over ten minutes, neither Shen Chen nor her call arrived. Instead, Fang Yuhua appeared at the entrance, drawing glances from the few diners present.

Dressed in an elegant summer dress, Fang Yuhua radiated an icy beauty. She glanced at Yang Tang’s bowl and called out, “Boss, another bowl of plain noodles!” Then, without bothering to wipe the table or chair, she elegantly sat across from him. “What? Don’t recognize me?”

Yang Tang rolled his eyes. “You’re really annoying. Don’t you have anything better to do?”

Fang Yuhua tilted her head playfully. “Can’t help it; my luck’s even better than a panda’s.”