Volume One, Chapter Five: The Man Who Sees Things Through to the End

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Shen Dahai and Sun Mei always played opposing roles—one stern, the other lenient. In short, if she wanted to break off the engagement, she had to find a way herself. Shen Qingqing pursed her lips and made a crucial decision. With a calm expression, she looked at Shen Dahai and said, "Dad, didn’t you want the Mo family’s collection of the ‘Lian Zang Sutra’? If I join Mo Corporation and help you make rubbings of it, will you help me break off the engagement?"

The value of the "Lian Zang Sutra," even as a replica, far exceeded the worth of an alliance with the Xu family. Shen Dahai had long coveted the Mo family’s artifacts. As a century-old family in the capital circle, the Mo family had roots going back from the Qing dynasty through the Republic era to the present. With solid foundations and abundant wealth, they possessed countless relics.

Shen Dahai was not only an antique dealer but also a major player in the underground collectibles market. Shen Qingqing had been brought home by Shen Dahai at age eight, and under his guidance, she became an expert in artifact restoration and replication within the capital’s cultural circles. Thus, she was not only his daughter but also a tool for collecting and reproducing collectibles.

Shen Qingqing understood clearly: to completely free herself from Xu Mingxuan’s engagement and no longer be at the mercy of Shen Dahai’s greed, she needed to quickly find a powerful ally—someone formidable enough to make Xu Mingxuan hesitant to provoke her and Shen Dahai unable to act on his greed.

Therefore, the name Mo Lingcheng was etched deeply in her heart.

Shen Dahai’s eyes brightened upon hearing her proposal. He had already considered having her join Mo Corporation. He had planned to discuss it with her after the wedding but had not expected her to bring it up first. His eyes flickered, hiding his joy as he feigned concern: “Mo Corporation is not a place to be trifled with. If you get caught, it won’t be a small matter.”

“Don’t worry. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility,” Shen Qingqing said, understanding that Shen Dahai did not want to bear any blame. Though the path was fraught with risks, she had no other way out.

After feigning hesitation, Shen Dahai laid down his condition: “You have only two months. Until you get what you want, you still have to deal with the Xu family. If you anger Xu Mingxuan and he really sues you…” His meaning was clear: if she failed to retrieve the item, the marriage must go on. In any case, he would not suffer losses; he aimed to gain from either side.

Meanwhile, a black Mercedes G-Class stopped at the hospital entrance. A young man dressed in a black suit hurried out of the hospital and got into the front passenger seat. He quickly turned to look at the man in the back seat. “Boss, it’s serious!”

Mo Lingcheng, dressed in a black suit, sat with his long legs crossed. His slender fingers pinched a résumé, his gaze resting on the one-inch photo in the top right corner. The picture showed Shen Qingqing’s sweet smile.

“Household registration booklet or check— which did she choose?” Mo Lingcheng asked without lifting his eyes.

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Zhou Cong did not answer immediately but proceeded step by step: “Boss, she’s Shen Dahai’s daughter—the Shen Dahai who sells fakes…”

“Hm.” Mo Lingcheng showed no reaction.

“She’s also your own niece and Xu Mingxuan’s fiancée. I heard their wedding is set for two months from now.”

“Hm.” Mo Lingcheng paused, then looked up slightly. “So, household registration booklet or check — which did she pick?”

Zhou Cong licked his lips, his voice growing softer. “I didn’t enter the ward.”

Mo Lingcheng narrowed his eyes at him. “Want a beating with the army baton?”

“Boss, she’s Xu Mingxuan’s fiancée!” Zhou Cong gathered courage and reminded him again.

Mo Lingcheng looked at Zhou Cong calmly. “They’re not married yet, right?”

As long as they weren’t married, she still had the right to choose.

Zhou Cong hadn’t expected his boss to be so indifferent to societal norms. He was Xu Mingxuan’s own little uncle. An uncle stealing his nephew’s fiancée would be explosive news in the capital’s circles.

Mo Lingcheng raised a finger, impatiently tapping his wristwatch. Zhou Cong immediately turned and opened the car door. There was no time to waste returning to the capital.

After a moment’s thought, Zhou Cong turned back to remind him: “If she knows your identity, she’ll definitely pick the household registration booklet.”

“You wouldn’t tell her my identity first?” Mo Lingcheng rubbed the bridge of his nose, a little annoyed at Zhou Cong’s foolishness. Recently, Zhou Cong’s lapses in judgment had become more frequent.

Zhou Cong nodded and just as he stepped out, he turned back timidly to confirm: “Boss, do you like her? Or is this just out of responsibility?”

“Of course it’s responsibility,” Mo Lingcheng snapped, glaring at him.

How could he like that woman? Flippant, insincere, stupid, and prone to tears. He was purely acting out of duty. After all, the fact remained that he had taken the girl’s first time—though it was she who had made the first move.

If she wanted to register their marriage, he could take responsibility; if she wanted money, he could provide that too. In Mo Lingcheng’s mind, such matters could not be left unresolved.

Zhou Cong immediately flattered him: “Boss, you’re a rare breed in the twenty-first century. Where else can you find a man who takes full responsibility for a one-night stand?”

“But, boss,” Zhou Cong leaned in seriously, “I just heard she wants to join Mo Corporation and replicate our ‘Lian Zang Sutra.’ Doesn’t that bother you?”

Their boss was known for his integrity and strict adherence to the law. Could he really approve of such petty theft?

As expected, Mo Lingcheng’s expression darkened. “Did she say that herself?”

“Yes.” Zhou Cong nodded emphatically.

Mo Lingcheng frowned. The little plump girl’s parents were both upright and compassionate martyrs. How had she inherited none of that?

He looked again at Shen Qingqing’s photo—the bright, large eyes still held some innocence.

He slowly said, “Being close to ink from a young age, her values have skewed. Luckily, she’s still young. There’s time to turn red from being near vermilion.”

Zhou Cong was stunned by Mo Lingcheng’s unusual compassion. Usually so sharp-tongued and taciturn, Mo Lingcheng was surprisingly understanding.

Zhou Cong sighed as he got out of the car, muttering, “Twenty-two years old—still young?”

He himself was twenty-two, having joined the military at sixteen and followed Mo Lingcheng for six years. How many times had Mo Lingcheng spared him from extra drills because of his age?

As Zhou Cong prepared to walk toward the hospital, he saw Shen Qingqing sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed out by a nurse. Shen Dahai and Sun Mei walked ahead and got into a business van first.

Shen Qingqing stopped at the hospital entrance to report safely to Qin Fangni, deputy director of the orphanage. Hearing of Shen Qingqing’s ordeal, Qin Fangni was angry and heartbroken.

“That kind of scumbag, better off without him. When you get back to the capital, I’ll set you up with some steady, mature men to meet.”

Qin Fangni was ten years older than Shen Qingqing, and the two shared a deep bond.

“No!” Shen Qingqing pouted in response. “I finally have my freedom and want some peace and quiet. Besides, I hate older men who are dull, rigid, and controlling…”

Her words were pointed, filled with indignation.

Qin Fangni sighed softly, knowing Shen Qingqing was speaking on her behalf. Indeed, her own love life was a tangled mess; she had no right to offer guidance.

Zhou Cong was eavesdropping seriously when the big G suddenly roared to life behind him. Seeing it flash its turn signal and prepare to speed off, Zhou Cong quickly turned and jumped into the front seat.

No sooner had he settled than he heard Mo Lingcheng’s cold voice: “Find an excuse to transfer five million to her account.”

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