Chapter 685: Speak With Accuracy

“Hello.”

After a brief busy signal, a clear feminine voice came through the Phone.

“Your Chinese pronunciation is getting more and more precise.” Xu Shaochen complimented. He still remembered the slight awkwardness in Jenny’s Chinese when she called him for the first time.

And she even claimed to be a professional manager, when in fact, she was just the acting president of the Xu Corporation.

At the time, Jenny probably didn’t think much of him. Otherwise, as his nominal aunt, she wouldn’t have spoken to him in such a formal tone.

“If that’s all you have to say, you can hang up now.”

Jenny’s tone was extremely calm, as if speaking to a stranger.

“I need you to help me with something,” Xu Shaochen said.

Jenny responded tersely with a single word: “Speak.”

“Help me buy an island in the Pacific — the bigger, the better. Then build a laboratory on it, with the most cutting-edge technology in the world.”

“I’ll handle the rest of the development.”

Xu Shaochen shared a spur-of-the-moment idea he had — buying an island and building a laboratory.

He planned to gather the top scientists from around the world. The main goal was to research that mysterious ancient jade.

The secondary goal would be to create some inventions that could improve human life and potentially profit from them.

Of course, if he dared to hope even further, he might develop some mind-blowing, cutting-edge technology that would astonish the world. Then his name, Xu Someone, would surely go down in history.

Xu Shaochen also planned to move the company’s headquarters to the island later on, turning it into his own independent kingdom.

“Do you have any idea how much all that will cost?” Jenny’s voice rose involuntarily.

She didn’t care much about the cost of buying the island.

But scientific research — that was a money pit. Billions, maybe even tens of billions, could be sunk into developing just one product, and it still might fail.

Of course, if they did succeed, the profits from that one product would more than make up for all the research expenses.

But compared to failure, the chances of success in research were terrifyingly low.

Xu Shaochen had anticipated her reaction before making the call: “Aunt, does the Xu Corporation lack money? And besides, I don’t need the company’s funds. My personal assets — what Grandfather left me — should be enough, right?”

“Damn it, what did you just call me?” Jenny ignored the rest of what Xu Shaochen had said, focusing on the crucial part.

Xu Shaochen replied matter-of-factly, “Aunt, of course. You’re my grandfather’s adopted daughter. By Chinese family hierarchy, I’m your nephew.”

“Linda truly has a loose tongue, as always,” Jenny muttered, obviously intending to confront Linda about this later.

Xu Shaochen couldn’t help but defend Linda: “Aunt, let’s stick to the facts. Linda is actually quite tight-lipped. I’ve tested it.”

“…”

“Get lost!”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line, followed by an angry shout, then the call was abruptly cut off.

“Beep… beep… beep…”

Listening to the busy signal coming from the Phone, Xu Shaochen curled his lips in indifference.

Since when was it wrong to tell the truth?

Linda was really quite reserved in that regard. As someone with ample experience, Xu Shaochen could attest to that.

But soon a smile crept across Xu Shaochen’s face, because he knew Jenny had taken his request seriously.

Otherwise, with her usual attitude, she would’ve rejected him flat out before ending the call.

Once the island is bought, he’ll need to hire professionals to plan and design it properly. Water and sewage systems — waste treatment — all of those are necessary.

There would also need to be schools, hospitals, a small airport, skyscrapers, housing areas, shopping streets, and a whole array of other facilities.

Step by step, he would turn the island into a bustling metropolis on the sea, and as the island’s owner, he would be its sole king.

He’d get himself a private jet, a yacht, maybe even dozens — or hundreds — of beautiful bodyguards. Flight attendants, too. Now that’s how you live.

As the richest man in the world, he had to stand out in ways that matched his status.

Look at other rich people. Some raise pets, some play with guns. But as for him? He’d be playing a real-life kingdom-building game. His style would immediately surpass them all.

“Knock knock knock…”

The knocking on the door broke through Xu Shaochen’s grand fantasy.

“Come in.”

Xu Shaochen shook his head, pushing aside those wild thoughts. After all, reaching that point wouldn’t happen overnight.

“Click—”

As soon as he spoke, his alluring Secretary, swaying her hips seductively, walked in.

“Chairman Xu, there are two ladies outside who want to see you.”

The Secretary respectfully addressed Xu Shaochen, though her eyes glimmered with gossip.

Why would she disturb Xu Shaochen for two unknown strangers?

Because those two women claimed to be Xu Shaochen’s girlfriends.

“Oh? Who are they?” Xu Shaochen asked curiously.

“Miss Xie Wei and Miss Zhou Sixian.”

As soon as the Secretary finished speaking, Xu Shaochen was already standing up and heading outside his office.

The Secretary watched his back, her eyes practically burning with gossip.

Everyone in the company knew Xu Shaochen didn’t have just one woman, but most had only seen Liu Rushuang.

The Secretary speculated to herself: if Chairman Xu kept this exhausting lifestyle up, wouldn’t his kidneys give out?

When Xu Shaochen stepped out of the office, there were indeed Xie Wei and Zhou Sixian waiting for him.

“Why are you two here? Come to my office. You should’ve given me a call. I could’ve told the Secretary to let you in directly…”

As Xu Shaochen spoke, something felt off. Noticing Zhou Sixian’s red eyes, he furrowed his brows: “What’s wrong, Xiaoxian? Have you been crying? Who bullied you?”

A dangerous aura instantly emanated from him. Whoever dared hurt his woman was seeking death.

With red eyes and head down, Zhou Sixian didn’t say a word. She looked utterly despondent.

Today, she was wearing a white dress. The softness of her features, combined with her tearful demeanor, irresistibly triggered a need to protect her.

“Come on, let’s talk in your office,” Xie Wei said, leading Zhou Sixian inside.

Xu Shaochen quickly followed and instructed the Secretary: “Bring in two cups of coffee.”

“Right away, Chairman Xu.”

The Secretary gave Xie Wei and Zhou Sixian a glance before turning and leaving the office.

In just a few minutes, she returned with three cups of coffee, placing them respectfully on the table.

Although Xu Shaochen had asked for only two cups, she had made a third for him as well, proving that she was, at least, a competent Secretary.

“Alright, tell me what’s going on. Normally, you both seem fine. What happened today to make things like this?”

Once the Secretary left, Xu Shaochen looked at both of them and finally asked what had been on his mind.