Chapter 153: Complete Control

“Young Master, have you practiced kendo before?” Second Lieutenant Ozawa panted, his hands barely able to keep a firm grip on the wooden sword. As Zhou Sen’s kendo instructor and sparring partner, he had discovered after just a few days that there was practically nothing left to teach him. This guy’s kendo proficiency was improving as if he had taken some miraculous tonic.

His growth was rocketing upward at breakneck speed. His reaction time and physical strength were astonishingly sharp—he was simply a natural kendo prodigy.

“Not really. Back before this, I only studied it for a little while at the police academy, but I used to slack off and didn't like to learn...” Zhou Sen offered a sheepish smile.

His original self had practiced jujitsu, which was a family tradition taught by Old man Anthony, so his baseline physical conditioning across all aspects was quite decent.

It was just that in the past, he had been far too lazy.

If he had remained lazy for a few more years, he would have completely squandered any chance he had. Fortunately, now he didn't even have the luxury of being lazy; if he kept slacking off, he would lose his life.

“However, even though you’re progressing rapidly, you probably still aren’t a match for ‘The Assassin,’” Ozawa remarked.

He had sparred with Sato and had been reduced to a defeated opponent in just three moves. That fellow was truly formidable.

“Aren’t there still twenty days or so? There’s plenty of time,” Zhou Sen chuckled softly, full of confidence in himself. In the past, he had barely touched a firearm, yet he had managed to match the other person’s shooting proficiency. In other areas, as long as he was given the opportunity, it was just a matter of time.

Whenever intelligence and wit were required, Sato had ultimately lost to him in everything—whether it was the art of disguise, camouflage, or demolition...

Using his powerful capacity for counter-striking and catching up from behind, Zhou Sen had crushed him and ground him into the dirt.

Of course, he had also deliberately concealed certain abilities, such as dressing as a woman or shifting his male voice into a female one. He would rather lose than ever expose those tricks.

Now, he could legitimately improve himself without raising any suspicions.

The weather was turning warm, and temperatures were rising day by day. The snow on the mountains melted, gathering into streams that trickled down, replacing the vast expanses of white snow with lush green mountains and grass.

Between heaven and earth, a vibrant vitality pulsed everywhere.

In the blink of an eye, Zhou Sen had been at the special training base deep in the mountains for over a month.

***

Back in Harbin, spring flowers bloomed, the earth revived, and the thick layer of ice on the Songhua River began to thaw.

Mountains, rivers, and earth revealed their true colors.

Half a month ago, the newly renovated “Sen” Tea and Pastry Shop had opened on a low-key note, featuring a simple opening ceremony.

Hiring people to distribute flyers and employing a marketing strategy that offered a twenty-percent discount for prepaid memberships, they instantly opened up their sales channels.

Delicious, affordable, and discounted with a membership!

“Sen” pastries were just that good.

Simple, catchy advertising slogans paired with a cartoon mascot designed by Zhou Sen—the image of a cute, plump little chef.

With novel marketing techniques and solid, mouth-watering flavors, “Sen” became an overnight sensation, turning into the most famous tea and pastry shop in Huifang Lane. Moreover, they offered delivery: with just a single phone call, orders could be delivered anywhere within the northern and southern Thirteenth Streets of Daowai!

With innovative marketing methods, attentive service, and exceptional flavors, the “Sen” Tea and Pastry Shop had been packed to capacity ever since its opening, with its turnover rising daily.

Half a month after opening, after setting aside the membership funds, the daily cash revenue was already enough to cover all expenses and even yield a small profit.

Bai Yulan immediately decided to open a branch. In fact, the renovation plans for the branch were already underway; one week after Zhou Sen left, she had cleared out the “Sen” Company headquarters on Haicheng Road and started remodeling it according to a unified design style.

Within half a month, the overall renovation was nearly complete. What was lacking now was personnel, but fortunately, Bai Yulan still had her loyal core team. Those who had stayed behind now formed her backbone, and sending them to branch stores as managers would earn them no less than before.

Moreover, they could live with dignity.

The most miserable situation belonged to the New Stage Theatre. Having lost the Ruiqing Troupe and “Xiao Xiangning,” the newly minted star they had cultivated, the business of the New Stage Theatre plummeted drastically.

Box office revenue was instantly cut in half, and even lowering ticket prices failed to reverse the decline. To make matters worse, the quality issues surrounding the Tang family’s medicinal herbs were exposed by someone.

The money Tang Peiyuan had made from selling his shares was entirely swallowed up by these financial black holes.

Even if Tang Peiyuan knew Bai Yulan was pulling strings behind the scenes now, he was utterly powerless and finally reached his breaking point.

He let word out that he intended to sell his remaining shares in the New Stage Theatre.

A month ago, there might still have been people interested; but now, who had the guts to take over this steaming mess? Furthermore, Su Wenqing, the Qin family, and Bai Yulan were all tangled up in it.

Touching this meant courting trouble. Who dared to buy it besides these three parties?

Three days after the news spread, not a single person came to ask about the price. From a peak of twenty-five thousand per share, it had dropped to fifteen thousand, and now it was less than ten thousand.

This wave resulted in a bloodbath. If he had known earlier, he would have sold more to Bai Yulan back then. Tang Peiyuan’s past month had been like riding a rollercoaster. Compared to his high-spirited demeanor at the beginning of the year, he looked as though he had aged twenty years overnight.

If it dropped any further, he truly wouldn't be able to hold on.

Wenchang Bridge · Su Residence.

“Master, Tang Peiyuan, the boss of the New Stage Theatre, asks to see you.” Su Xing pushed open the door to Su Wenqing’s study and reported.

“What is he here for?”

“He probably can't hold on any longer. The Tang family has been plagued by endless troubles over the past month, and the money Tang Peiyuan got from selling shares to Boss Bai a while ago has already bottomed out,” Su Xing said.

“Do you think I should see him or not?” Su Wenqing asked.

“Boss Bai already holds a controlling stake in the New Stage Theatre, yet she has delayed making her final move. I suspect she intends to capture it in one fell swoop before the General Chamber of Commerce election, and part of the reason is also to gather all the remaining shares still in Tang Peiyuan’s hands,” Su Xing analyzed.

“If I acquire these shares, won’t Bai Yulan hate me to the core?”

“It won’t affect the big picture. However, today’s Boss Bai is no longer who she used to be; she isn't short on money. If you acquire the shares in Tang Peiyuan’s hands, she can simply continue to let the New Stage Theatre rot under her control. She can afford to play the waiting game—is it worth it for you?” Su Xing reminded him.

Su Wenqing nodded. When that woman turned ruthless, she was truly capable of anything. If he really acquired Tang Peiyuan’s shares, there was a real possibility they would just rot in his hands.

Bai Yulan already owned the Tongle Theatre; even without the New Stage Theatre, she could still cultivate the “Lanxiang Opera Troupe,” headed by “Xiao Xiangning,” to prominence.

It would simply take a little more time.

“What if I buy these shares and then resell them to Bai Yulan?” Su Wenqing asked.

“This...” Su Xing didn't know how to respond. Could it be that his master still refused to give up? Things had already reached a foregone conclusion.

“Behind Zhou Sen stands Saburo Shibuya. I don't want to make an enemy of him; I’d rather smooth over the grudges between us as much as possible.”

“If you do that, I’m afraid Boss Tang won’t support you in becoming the President of the General Chamber of Commerce.”

“I can make a secret transaction with Bai Yulan. Besides, the shares she already holds were enough to control it long ago,” Su Wenqing said.

“That is indeed feasible.”

“Let him in then. Let's see what price Boss Tang is asking,” Su Wenqing decided.

“Yes!”

***

Tang Peiyuan probably never imagined that Su Wenqing would beat down the price to buy his shares, only to turn around and transfer them directly to Bai Yulan.

He had been thoroughly sold out.

By this point, the shares in Bai Yulan’s hands exceeded eighty-six percent, giving her near-complete control. The remaining dozen or so shares were also bought back through Qin Lang on the very second day after Tang Peiyuan sold off his portion.

From then on, the New Stage Theatre was entirely controlled by Bai Yulan.

Furthermore, the New Stage Theatre was not registered under Bai Yulan’s Ningxiang Pavilion, but rather under Zhou Sen’s “Sen” establishment, making it a property belonging to “Sen.”

Aside from officially taking charge of the New Stage Theatre, Bai Yulan also formally announced her appointment as the General Manager of “Sen.”

In an instant, Bai Yulan’s momentum surged back to where it was before her separation from the Ma family—even surpassing it. Her net worth rose instead of falling.

Moreover, both Su Wenqing and Old Man Qin had given up targeting her. With no opponents in her way, Bai Yulan was naturally able to unleash her full capabilities.

One good turn deserves another: in the election for the President of the General Chamber of Commerce, Bai Yulan cast her vote for Su Wenqing, allowing him to win the presidency of the Harbin General Chamber of Commerce by a slim margin.

Actually, Bai Yulan had originally intended to cast a blank ballot, but Old Man Qin suddenly announced his retirement and pushed his eldest son, Qin Xiong, forward.

Consequently, the race for the presidency turned into a contest between Qin Xiong and Su Wenqing.

Naturally, Bai Yulan could not allow Qin Xiong to take power. Su Wenqing rising to the position was at least somewhat preferable, whereas Qin Xiong had secretly dispatched men to shoot at Zhou Sen in the dark.

This venomous snake hiding in the shadows required special vigilance.

Once Qin Xiong was pushed into that position, the rivalry between Qin Lang and Qin Xiong came to a settled end. In truth, Qin Lang’s chances had never been high to begin with.

As soon as Qin Xiong took over the reins of power from his father, he made his move against Qin Lang, sending Hou Wu into the Taipingqiao Casino as the deputy general manager while buying off and gathering a faction to marginalize and isolate Qin Lang.

How could Qin Lang endure such treatment? Their internal conflict became almost public knowledge.

Old Man Qin, who had retired into seclusion, seemed to wash his hands of the matter, letting his two sons fight it out. After all, Qin Lang’s strength was ultimately inferior to that of his eldest brother, Qin Xiong.

Qin Xiong had a formidable father-in-law.

Qin Lang had only himself, and he could not obtain assistance from the family side unless he willingly submitted. Otherwise, his only path was exile.

Over the years managing the Taipingqiao Casino, Qin Lang had naturally dipped his fingers into the profits and amassed considerable wealth for himself—none of which would bear close scrutiny.

Furthermore, the Taipingqiao Casino was backed not just by the Qin family, but also by the Japanese and his in-law, Jin Rongsheng. Once you devoured their interests, how could they possibly let you go?

In this power struggle, Qin Lang was utterly powerless to resist. If Old Man Qin had stepped forward to say a word, it might still have mattered.

Unfortunately, Old Man Qin remained completely detached, appearing to have completely given up on this son of his. Consequently, Qin Lang was swept out of the Qin family home.

His income over the years had not been low, but he had also squandered a great deal, especially having to patch up various financial losses.

Qin Xiong showed him not an ounce of mercy.

Aside from his personal belongings, when Qin Lang walked out of the Qin household, the money in his pockets didn't even amount to a hundred dollars.

Qin Xiong’s overbearing and ruthless attitude frightened many, and not a single person dared to extend a helping hand to Qin Lang.

Except for Bai Yulan, who harbored no fear whatsoever.

Bai Yulan sent Uncle Chang to escort Qin Lang into Ningxiang Pavilion and simultaneously appointed him as the General Manager of the New Stage Theatre.

If Bai Yulan had been afraid of Qin Xiong, she would never have gone out of her way to kill Scar-faced Liu back then.

Besides, the subsequent sealing of the Qunfang Brothel had also been orchestrated secretly by Zhou Sen; the two sides had long since become irreconcilable enemies.

Furthermore, Qin Lang had consistently been helping her and Zhou Sen do things. Now that he had fallen on hard times, how could she possibly refuse to help?

Qin Lang’s former subordinates at the casino had all been purged one by one, and these men naturally came to throw in their lot with him. With the addition of this manpower, Bai Yulan’s forces suddenly became formidable and abundant.

Coupled with the Shuangqing Association, Bai Yulan’s current influence and momentum no longer yielded to Su Wenqing’s—not to mention that Bai Yulan possessed certain mysterious backgrounds.

Backgrounds so formidable that even Su Wenqing was forced to bow his head and relent.

Meanwhile, Qin Xiong was still busy consolidating the internal factions of the Qin family and had no time to deal with Qin Lang, his estranged brother who had broken away from the clan. This was a rare and precious period of calm.

***

Bai Yulan was stirring up the winds and clouds in Harbin’s commercial world, but Zhou Sen remained completely unaware. There were no telephones at the base, and external communications relied solely on radio.

He could only learn about the outside world through newspapers brought in whenever supplies were replenished, but by then, the news was already outdated.

His days here were packed to the brim with various forms of training, tests, and combat sparring. Almost every time he crawled out of the hot springs, he was utterly exhausted.

Yet, waking up the next morning, he would be brimming with vigor once again.

Through this cyclical repetition, the special training soon drew to its final phase.

The most crucial assessment was about to arrive.