Chapter Six: Jiang Zheng's Troubles

After answering more than a dozen phone calls, He Ming’s legs were trembling so badly he could hardly stand, his face a tangle of conflicting emotions.

Beside him, Huang Shan and Zhu Bin were no fools. Watching their always-imposing director nod and agree like a lapdog during those calls, they instantly sensed something was terribly wrong.

“Director, who were those people calling just now?” Huang Shan tried to probe for information.

But, uncharacteristically, He Ming ignored her entirely. Instead, he ordered security to keep the area under strict watch.

Within five minutes, a fleet of luxury cars, at least a dozen in number, pulled up outside the orphanage, forming a long, imposing line. Judging by the make and value—each worth millions—it was clear the passengers were people of immense wealth or power.

Huang Shan and Zhu Bin had never witnessed such a grand spectacle.

Soon, people began emerging from the cars, striding purposefully toward the orphanage. Several faces were familiar, and with her years of work experience, Huang Shan recognized them at once, her whole body freezing in shock.

“This…”

Before she could identify them all, He Ming strode forward, bowing deeply to each new arrival.

“Director of the Education Bureau!”

“Chairman of the Charity Foundation!”

“Chief Secretary of the Human Resources Headquarters!”

“…"

“Director Zhang, you’re here too?”

By the last introduction, He Ming’s voice was choked with emotion, nearly breaking.

“Hmph! You scoundrel, you still have the nerve to ask?” Director Zhang, though nearly seventy, was vigorous and upright. He immediately raised his cane and gave He Ming a solid thwack, his anger evident. “When I entrusted this orphanage to you, what did I say? To keep a kind heart, to treat the children well! And look at you—completely disregarding my words!”

“I… I…” He Ming’s face was ashen, unable to respond.

Having scolded He Ming, Director Zhang quickly turned to Qin Mu, his stern expression shifting to a kindly smile.

“Director Zhang, it’s been a long time,” Qin Mu greeted respectfully, as was proper for a junior.

“Oh, when I last saw you, you were just a little thing. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed, and you’ve grown into a fine young man.” Director Zhang’s eyes shone with satisfaction. Qin Mu had always been the most obedient and studious child in the orphanage, earning his affection.

“Rest assured, since today’s matter concerns the children here, I, Zhang Fu, won’t rest until the truth comes to light!” With that, Director Zhang turned to the senior staff he’d brought, issuing a command: “Investigate thoroughly!”

At his thunderous order, He Ming collapsed to the ground, drained of all color.

“I’ve received word of a hidden traitor within this orphanage—embezzling city-allocated charity funds, even skimming donations from philanthropists. And more: you are suspected of harming children without cause. If these accusations prove true, prepare for the court’s verdict and a long stay in prison!” The secretary, armed with several files, stepped forward to question Huang Shan and Zhu Bin.

“No… that’s not true! Secretary Chang, it’s them—it’s this group, fabricating lies to frame us!” Huang Shan, desperate and incoherent, lunged forward to clutch at the secretary’s leg.

“Our people are already reviewing the surveillance footage. We’ll know soon enough whether this is fabrication,” the chairman replied coldly.

Soon, highly efficient staff brought over a surveillance video and played it for the board.

“You little brat, trying to die, are you?”
“Let’s see if I don’t break your legs!”
“Talk back to me again and I’ll slap your face raw!”

Huang Shan’s sharp, menacing voice rang out from the footage, each word clear for all to hear.

Every accusation was confirmed; the evidence was irrefutable.

At that moment, Huang Shan and her son’s composure shattered completely.

They looked stiffly toward Qin Mu in the distance, utterly baffled—just who was he, to be able to summon so many influential figures all at once?

“For the sake of the investigation, we need to record the whistleblower’s identity. Sir, would you be willing…” Secretary Chang approached, probing gently.

Wu Mu nodded, retrieving his credentials from his inner pocket.

On the ID was the image of a handsome young officer in uniform, bearing the national emblem on his shoulder—a sight that commanded immediate respect.

“Northwest Military District, Colonel, Ministry of National Defense, Wu Mu.”

Just eleven words, but they detonated like a bomb in the crowd.

This was a genuine military officer!

“So it’s Colonel Wu—my apologies.” Secretary Chang broke into a sweat, unconsciously taking a few steps back.

Everyone’s gaze shifted, almost in unison, to the seemingly ordinary young man not far away.

Zhu Bin, in particular, was terrified.

The boy he once bullied mercilessly, who hadn’t even dared raise his voice in protest, now had a colonel as his subordinate!

Just who was this man?

Normally, even if they’d done wrong, He Ming’s influence and Huang Shan’s connections could smooth things over with a little money. But now, with Wu Mu’s rank involved, it seemed they wouldn’t be seeing the outside of a cell for decades.

At this realization, Huang Shan and Zhu Bin turned ashen, unable to utter another word.

“I’ll leave the rest in your capable hands,” Wu Mu said, tucking away his credentials.

Director Zhang, cane in one hand, thumped his chest with the other. “Don’t worry, parasites like this will receive no mercy from me!” He punctuated his words by kicking He Ming for good measure.

“By the way, make sure Zhu Bin repays the money he owes Jiang over these years,” Qin Mu reminded as he prepared to leave.

As the two exited the orphanage, they heard a voice, tinged with curiosity, call out nearby.

“Qin Mu, what brings you here?”

It was Jiang Zheng.

She was dressed in her work uniform that day—not much in the way of makeup, yet her natural beauty gave her a spirited presence that drew admiring glances from passersby.

“I just wanted to visit, but the orphanage is closed today due to some business,” Qin Mu replied.

Jiang Zheng glanced inside, confirming the presence of security guards keeping outsiders at bay.

“Haven’t eaten breakfast yet, have you? Want to join me?” Qin Mu suggested.

“Sure!” Jiang Zheng agreed readily, just as she used to when they walked to school together as children.

The two strolled side by side, chatting idly, while Wu Mu, showing tact, hung back and didn’t follow.

Qin Mu led her to a nearby breakfast shop, where he ordered two servings of buns and soy milk.

“Well, Jiang Zheng, you’re going to be late soon, yet here you are, leisurely on a date?” A shrill, grating female voice cut through the air from outside, drawing the attention of the crowd.

It was a woman in her thirties, reasonably attractive but wearing garish makeup that paled in comparison to Jiang Zheng’s fresh looks.

“And what business is it of yours what I do?” Jiang Zheng’s tone was frosty.

This was her department manager, Zhou Shuya.

Since joining the company, Jiang Zheng managed to get along with everyone—everyone except Zhou Shuya. Perhaps out of jealousy toward Jiang Zheng’s beauty, Zhou Shuya picked on her at every turn. If not for Jiang Zheng’s diligence and solid performance, she would have been dismissed long ago.

“So, who’s this shameless man you’ve landed? Let me give you some advice—if you want to be kept, find a real tycoon, like my husband, who just bought me an apartment last week. Unlike your pretty-boy here, tsk tsk, who can only afford a few measly buns for his girlfriend…” Zhou Shuya crowed proudly, about to continue her tirade when she met Qin Mu’s gaze. Suddenly unnerved, she felt inexplicably uneasy.

“Enough of this nonsense. If I catch you late to work, pack up and get out!” she snapped before stalking off, muttering curses under her breath.

“I’d better get to work,” Jiang Zheng said, finishing her breakfast in a couple of bites. Still in her probationary period, she couldn’t afford to give Zhou Shuya any ammunition.

“Wait a moment.” Qin Mu drew a napkin, scribbling a few lines on it.

“What’s this?” Jiang Zheng tilted her head, trying to see.

“A simple beauty formula. Your company’s about to run into trouble—give this to your R&D team. It might help you,” Qin Mu replied, slipping the napkin into her hand.

“That’s it?” Jiang Zheng stared, thinking he was joking.

How could a napkin possibly help? Besides, her company—YaZi Beauty—was a renowned, decades-old cosmetics firm. What danger could they possibly face?

“Fine.” She hadn’t expected Qin Mu to be like those idle rich kids—full of empty boasts and idle talk, which she most disliked.

A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes as she pocketed the napkin and walked away without looking back.

Only when she was out of sight did Wu Mu saunter in and order breakfast for himself, eating heartily.

“General, you’re just giving away the beauty elixir formula like that? I remember several international cosmetics giants offered billions just for a look, but you turned them all down.” Wu Mu shook his head with a sigh, recalling Jiang Zheng’s reaction. “Who knows if that girl will appreciate what she’s been given…”

…

YaZi Beauty Group.

R&D Department.

Jiang Zheng arrived five minutes early, but the atmosphere inside was tense. She hadn’t even put her things down when she heard the director slam a report onto the presentation board.

“Our old rival, Hanmei Corporation, just launched a new beauty product at yesterday’s press conference. They claim it can make someone look years younger with just one course, and with no side effects. Journalists tried it on the spot—it really worked, proving the authenticity. Now the entire industry is abuzz, and this is a heavy blow for us at YaZi Beauty. Our stock is already nearing its lower limit!”

“Doesn’t the R&D department have any response to this?!”

The director’s furious shouting left everyone with heads bowed, not daring to answer.

But Jiang Zheng’s heart was in turmoil.

The company in crisis—Qin Mu had predicted it exactly.

She hurriedly fished the napkin from her pocket.

The handwriting was neat and powerful, listing more than ten medicinal ingredients, though she could only make out the heading: “Beauty Elixir.”

Before she could study whether it was real or fake, a hand suddenly reached out and snatched the napkin from her grasp.