Chapter Twenty-Three: The Liu Family Takes the Stage, One After Another

“Can someone tell me what’s going on here?”
In the conference room of Fenghe Group, Liu Chengfeng slammed his hand on the table, causing the crowd below to fall silent as if struck dumb. The reason? Several morning newspapers, each clearly detailing yesterday’s suicide incident. Some papers were particularly bold, speculating on the murderer’s identity as the ‘ghost-faced’ killer and the meaning behind the ‘Liu family’s heartlessness’ left in the final note. All, of course, in the worst light.

“Young Master, the media yesterday did promise not to report or to downplay the incident. Who could have guessed they’d undermine us behind our backs,” said a cautious, balding middle-aged man.

“Useless!”
Liu Chengfeng snatched up a newspaper and hurled it at the man, who didn’t dare move a muscle. Just then, something even worse happened: the company’s CEO and CFO received a call. Their faces turned pale. “Young Master, someone is dumping Fenghe stock in large quantities, causing investors to follow suit. Our share price has already dropped at least thirty-four points!”

“What?” Liu Chengfeng was shocked.

Phones kept ringing.

“Young Master, Branch Manager Zhou from the National Bank just called. Our third-phase loan of 3.7 billion won’t be approved!”

“Young Master, several major partners just called. They’re collectively demanding payment for construction work. Otherwise, they’ll cease cooperation!”

“Young Master, Director Zhang just called. The land the city approved for us has been rejected by higher authorities!”

“Young Master, a crowd of reporters and residents have arrived downstairs, demanding an investigation into the quality issues of Phase Two of the Heshuo Garden apartments from two years ago!”

…

Like a contagious disease, every executive received a call. Each time they spoke, it was bad news. The once orderly conference room now resembled a chaotic marketplace. With every sentence, Liu Chengfeng’s face shifted. He was bewildered, assaulted by these messages like sharp blades, leaving him unprepared and anxious.

This is clearly premeditated! No! I, the eldest son of the Liu family, how could I be toppled so easily!

“Shut up, all of you!” Liu Chengfeng suddenly roared. The executives instantly fell silent, exchanging anxious glances. Liu Chengfeng took a deep breath, trying to compose himself, feigning calm as he said, “So what if someone’s targeting us? What’s to fear? The Liu family won’t fall so easily. If anyone has more bad news, say it all at once.”

From the crowd, a trembling hand was raised—it was Liu Chengfeng’s personal aide.

“Ha, let’s hear it then. What else could possibly go wrong?” Liu Chengfeng offered him a confident smile, as if nothing could faze him.

“Young Master, the woman you brought home these past two days called me. She said… she actually has… um… HIV.”

What the hell!

Liu Chengfeng’s smile froze. His mind went blank, replaying only one phrase: HIV, HIV!

Bang!

He sat in his chair, stunned, then suddenly lunged at his aide, knocking him down and punching his face, screaming like a madman, “Ha ha, you’re lying! It must be fake, right? Right? Tell me it’s fake!”

The sound of shouting, fists striking flesh, teeth breaking. The other executives recoiled several steps, too frightened to intervene—HIV, best to be cautious.

“Chengfeng! Enough!”
Suddenly, the conference room door swung open. Several burly men escorted an elderly man in a suit and glasses, his aquiline nose and sharp features exuding both menace and authority. His gaze swept the room, and no one dared meet his eyes; all bowed respectfully and called out, “Chairman!”

The newcomer was none other than Liu Maocai, head of the Liu family and chairman of Fenghe Group. He was born in poverty, yet proved himself a true tyrant, ruthless and relentless, elevating the Liu family to its prestigious status—a formidable adversary.

“Drag the young master away! Good-for-nothing!”
With a single command, two men pulled Liu Chengfeng and his aide out. The atmosphere grew even tenser.

Liu Maocai sat calmly at the head of the table, his gaze steady. He spoke in a tranquil tone: “The sky won’t fall. There’s no storm I haven’t weathered. As long as I’m here, Fenghe Group won’t collapse…”

“Oh? What if you’re not here?”
Before Liu Maocai finished, a mocking voice rang out. At the conference room door, a man in a police uniform stood, sneering. Behind him, a dozen armed officers could be seen.

“Zhu, my good nephew! Instead of doing your job as deputy chief, you come here to show off? Looks like your father’s discipline hasn’t worked,” Liu Maocai said, narrowing his eyes.

Chief Zhu wasn’t angered. He snorted, face turning stern, and held up a document stamped with a red seal. “Liu Maocai, you’re implicated in three homicides. The police suspect you have significant involvement. Please cooperate with our investigation—this is an arrest warrant! Comrades, if anyone dares obstruct us, I authorize you to open fire!”

“Yes!”
A chorus of voices responded, followed by the sound of guns being cocked. The menacing display frightened Fenghe Group’s staff into submission.

Liu Maocai’s expression finally changed. This was a death trap! Multiple forces moving in concert, each step tightening the noose. Yet even now, he did not despair. Suddenly, he laughed: “I’ve always been a law-abiding citizen. Surely there’s a misunderstanding. But cooperating with the police is my duty—I will go with you.”

He rose and walked towards Chief Zhu. The look of clear conscience on his face irritated Zhu, who handcuffed him