Chapter 457: Favoring Subordinates Who Turn Knowledge into Action

“Alright, don’t be upset. I wasn’t really harmed by him.”

On the way back, Mei Liangying noticed Xu Shaochen’s persistent frown and gently offered some comfort.

“He dared to pull such a stunt right in front of me. Imagine what he’d do if I wasn’t there.”

Xu Shaochen said coldly. For a moment, he had considered having Cao Xiong killed.

But in the end, he restrained the impulse. He realized he might have overreacted—a couple of broken fingers should be enough of a lesson for him.

Of course, the matter of the ring finger wasn’t his fault; that was Long Yi’s doing.

Still, Xu Shaochen was satisfied. He appreciated subordinates who could draw lessons from their experiences.

“Stay within sight of the bodyguards these next few days. That guy with the surname Lan won’t let things slide so easily.”

Xu Shaochen looked at Mei Liangying and said. These past few days had been tumultuous; every little troublemaker seemed to be popping up.

“I understand, don’t worry. So, are you going to stay at my place tonight?” Mei Liangying playfully asked, her hand sliding onto Xu Shaochen’s belt buckle.

Xu Shaochen grabbed her chin: “Just in time. I’ve got some pent-up anger that needs to be vented.”

“Then tonight, make sure to ravage me completely. Don’t hold back even the slightest bit of mercy.”

Mei Liangying replied seductively, more enticing than any fox spirit.

That night, Xu Shaochen unleashed his passion on Mei Liangying, not stopping until they were both exhausted and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, under the cover of night, a group of shooters entered Jiangzhou’s borders.

The darkness hid many people and things that couldn’t be seen in the light of day. By dawn, they would all vanish without a trace.

………

Morning.

Mei Liangying was still asleep when Xu Shaochen woke up.

Without disturbing her, Xu Shaochen got ready and then headed to Liu Rushuang’s place.

Today, Liu Rushuang was going to Rongyang City, and Xu Shaochen insisted on taking her to the airport.

At 8 AM, Xu Shaochen successfully picked up Liu Rushuang.

“I thought you weren’t going to see me off today.”

In the car, Liu Rushuang looked at Xu Shaochen and said.

She wouldn’t have been disappointed if Xu Shaochen hadn’t come, but his presence made her even happier.

“How could I not? When you’re in Rongyang, be firm in the negotiations with Meng Chuan. After all, we have the upper hand.”

Xu Shaochen advised on acquiring Shark Live, unaware that Meng Chuan had already gone back on his word and was now in talks with Noah Entertainment.

“Alright, I got it. Please, I’ve been running the company longer than you—no need to lecture me.”

Liu Rushuang rolled her eyes, speaking somewhat helplessly.

Xu Shaochen chuckled awkwardly and held Liu Rushuang’s smooth hand, choosing to stay silent.

By the time they arrived at the airport, the colleagues accompanying her to Rongyang City were already waiting.

Xu Shaochen also sent two bodyguards to follow her to Rongyang; he couldn’t rest easy about her safety otherwise.

After watching Liu Rushuang enter the airport, Xu Shaochen finally turned and left.

“Ding ding ding…”

Just as he got in the car, his phone rang. He saw it was an unknown number.

“Hello, who’s this?”

“Hi, dear Xu. It’s Barron. I’ve arrived in Jiangzhou. Would you be my guide?”

A voice speaking perfect Mandarin came through the phone.

Xu Shaochen’s expression changed. He didn’t expect Barron to come to Longguo so quickly. It seemed Barron was really concerned about that piece of jade! As for his perfect Mandarin, it wasn’t surprising.

According to Linda, when Xu Shaochen’s grandfather was running the company, there was a rule: all higher-ups had to learn Chinese.

The reason was simple: Xu Shaochen’s grandfather couldn’t speak English.

That was his domineering style—his word was law, and everyone had to accommodate him.

If you couldn’t speak Chinese, you weren’t qualified to hold a senior position in Xu Corporation.

“Where are you? I’ll come to see you now.” Xu Shaochen said.

“No, no, no, don’t rush. I want you to bring me what I’m after. I’ll give you a gift in return.”

“Playing games? Fine, I’ll go back and get it. It’s no use to me anyway. Where are you?”

Xu Shaochen casually replied. The thing really was useless to him, but he didn’t plan on handing it over so easily.

“I’m at the Chen Yu Grand Hotel. I’m sure you’re familiar with the place.”

Xu Shaochen hung up and cursed the old fox. It seemed Barron had done his homework.

“Head home first.”

Xu Shaochen said to Long Yi.

He was certain that Barron’s men were following him in a car.

Back home, Xu Shaochen went upstairs and opened the safe in his room.

Inside the safe were two identical metal boxes, each containing a piece of identical jade.

One of them was, of course, a fake. Well, not exactly fake—it was real jade and an antique, just not from the Egyptian pyramids.

When Xu Shaochen decided to use this jade to trade with Barron, he never planned to give him the real one.

Although he didn’t know what the jade was for, the fact that it made Barron so anxious proved it was valuable.

Since it was valuable, he naturally had to keep it for himself.

The difference between the two jades was that one was warm to the touch, and the other wasn’t.

He believed Barron, never having held the real one, wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Even if Barron did realize it was fake, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But if he didn’t, Xu Shaochen would have gained something.

With a slight smile, he took out the fake one, then locked the safe and went downstairs, instructing Long Yi to drive to the Chen Yu Grand Hotel.

After arriving at the Chen Yu Grand Hotel, it was easy for him to find out Barron’s room number. He took the bodyguards upstairs.

“Knock knock…”

Standing at the door, he knocked on the door.

“Click—”

A moment later, the door opened. The person who opened it was a black bodyguard over two meters tall, resembling a humanoid gorilla.

As Xu Shaochen entered the room, he saw that there were ten bodyguards. Two Jiangzhou youths, their faces bruised and battered, were kneeling in front of the coffee table.

A white-haired elderly man was peeling an apple, and when he saw Xu Shaochen enter, he immediately stood up with a smile.

“Welcome, Xu. This is our first meeting. I must say, you don’t look much like your grandfather.”

“What’s with them?”

Xu Shaochen shook hands with him, then looked at the two kneeling Jiangzhou youths and asked.

“These are the gifts I’ve prepared for you.” Barron, warmly wrapping an arm around Xu Shaochen’s shoulders, walked over to the two men.

Xu Shaochen frowned: “What do you mean?”

“They were tailing you.” Barron explained.

Xu Shaochen turned to him: “That statement gives away the fact that you’ve been tailing me as well.”

“No, no, no, I never tried to hide it. My men are indeed following you.”

Barron shrugged, thinking he was being clever.