Chapter 23: A Stroke of Genius

The next morning.

On the 66th floor, in the president’s office, Shu Yue was sitting on the sofa opposite Wei Xueying, chatting.

“Xueying, after watching him last night, I think Hua Tianyu is actually not bad,” Shu Yue remarked, glancing at Wei Xueying, who was completely absorbed in her writing.

“Mm? What are you trying to say?” Wei Xueying asked, not lifting her head as she continued to write.

“I mean, last night you and I both owe him a favor now.”

“Owe him…” Wei Xueying finally paused, pen in midair, and nodded thoughtfully. “Strictly speaking, I owe him three favors already.”

“What three favors do you owe me?” Hua Tianyu suddenly appeared at the office door, leaning against the frame with a cheerful grin. “Good morning, ladies! If you have anything nice to say about me, please make sure to say it to my face. I have so many virtues, I tend to forget them myself—you can remind me if you like.”

Wei Xueying: “…”

Shu Yue: “…”

Wei Xueying lowered her head and focused again on her writing. Although she owed him three favors, she still preferred to keep conversation with him to a minimum—otherwise, he’d start calling her “Xueying, Xueying” again, and that would be far too embarrassing in front of Shu Yue. That kind of address was meant for close friends or lovers, wasn’t it? The thought alone made her itch with discomfort.

Hua Tianyu strolled in with his characteristic ease and slouched onto the other sofa. “I heard from the security guards that last night, the thief knocked out Cheng Feng and then got away?”

“Yes, it’s a shame. There’s not a single clue left behind,” Shu Yue replied, a hint of regret in her expression.

“No need to feel bad about it. People like that wouldn’t talk no matter what. In fact, the escape itself might have left some clues,” Hua Tianyu said, a mysterious glint in his eyes.

Wei Xueying paused again, pen still, and asked, “Hua Tianyu, do you know something?”

Everything concerning Swan International was of utmost importance to Wei Xueying.

“I have a lead, but I need some evidence to confirm it,” Hua Tianyu answered in a low voice.

“You said the other day that our biotechnology lab on the nineteenth floor had caught someone’s attention. What did you mean by that?” Wei Xueying pressed on.

“Because the surveillance cameras on your nineteenth floor are seriously lacking. It’s nothing like what a critical department should have. I looked into it—the cameras were installed by a professional security firm, and the plan was reviewed by your own staff. Logically, the finished result should never have turned out like this. That’s why I said someone with an agenda is watching your company,” Hua Tianyu explained, breaking it down for her.

Every word landed in Shu Yue’s ears, and a spark of admiration flickered in her eyes. This man seemed to know an awful lot!

“And last night, when the theft happened, the cameras just happened to capture nothing?” Wei Xueying immediately caught the key point in his words.

“Exactly. Don’t you think that’s a little too coincidental?” Hua Tianyu raised his brows, nodding with deeper meaning.

Wei Xueying narrowed her eyes, thinking for a moment. “I think I understand what you’re getting at. Do you have a way to fix the surveillance issue?”

“I do. Have the security company that installed your cameras come here later. I want to meet with them in person and help you solve this,” Hua Tianyu replied with absolute confidence.

Wei Xueying, decisive as ever, picked up the phone and made arrangements with her secretary.

“By the way—” After hanging up, Wei Xueying paused in thought and then said to Hua Tianyu, “In a few days, I’m going to have you take over as head of the security department. Use these next couple days to prepare. I’ll have Liang Hui arrange everything.”

Wei Xueying was sharp as a tack—she already had a good idea of who might be behind the problem.

“What? Me, head of security? No, no, absolutely not!” Hua Tianyu shook his head at once upon hearing her plan. What kind of joke was this? He was far too busy for such a role.

“Why not? You must have a reason,” Wei Xueying said, surprised. She was only trying to put him in an important position.

“Why? Because I’m busy,” Hua Tianyu quickly replied.

“Busy doing what? All I see is you hanging around my office all day,” Wei Xueying shot him a look, exposing his excuse.

“I’m your bodyguard. If I’m not around your office, where would I be?” Hua Tianyu put on an innocent face.

“Bodyguard? That’s over. Now you’re security for Swan Group!” Wei Xueying countered.

“Exactly! Didn’t you perform your security duties diligently last night?” Shu Yue added with a smile, seizing the chance to tease him, then covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.

“I’ve been wronged! Last night, I even caught the wrong person!” Hua Tianyu sighed dramatically.

He couldn’t very well tell Wei Xueying that besides working at Swan Group, he had plenty of other things to do—like taking care of Lin Lin, looking after Xingyu Bar, and his lifelong ambition of charming all the beauties in the world…

“And now you’re an employee of Swan Group. You must follow President Wei’s arrangements,” Shu Yue added another irrefutable reason.

After hearing Hua Tianyu’s analysis earlier, Shu Yue was thoroughly impressed with his ability. She genuinely hoped he would take the position; it would also be a safeguard for her own research results.

“Shu Yue is right. In three days, either hand in your resignation or take over as head of security!” Wei Xueying declared forcefully.

She had finally taken control of the situation, and the thought filled her with triumph.

At this point, what else could Hua Tianyu say?

The two of them were like a comedy act—one played the straight man, the other played the clown. Their teamwork was flawless.

What could he do?

He was utterly resigned.

Fine, fine, he’d just have to accept it.

…

Hongwei Security Company was the top professional firm in River City. A year and a half ago, they took on the project of installing surveillance cameras for Swan International Tower and passed the security department’s inspection without a hitch.

For more than a year, everything had gone smoothly—until this morning, when Swan Group called unexpectedly.

At this moment, Hongwei’s technical director, Rong Xinyuan, was reviewing project documents for Swan International Group.

He wasn’t a native of River City. A year ago, in order to expand its business, Hongwei had headhunted him from Shenzhou Security, one of the top three firms in China, with a generous salary.

Rumor had it he had once designed the security plan for the Olympic Games in Tianjing, and had also handled security for a European royal palace. Those were just rumors, but the man sitting across from him, Chai Peng, knew for a fact that the Qiu Group—the most prominent in River City—and the prestigious Zhuang Group had both secured their contracts thanks to plans he had devised.

Rong Xinyuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table and asked Chai Peng, “Who designed the plan for Swan International?”