Chà Chà Novel

Chapter 69: It’s Getting Cold—Time for the Bai Family to Go Bankrupt

The university president lowered his voice, visibly uncomfortable. “The person responsible for the certificates back then said a considerable amount of data was lost during an equipment transfer. Unfortunately, Ji Shileng’s electronic certificate was among the missing files”

Ji Shileng did not call him out. The excuse was so flimsy that he could easily tell something was wrong.

But honestly, he no longer wanted the certificate all that much.

Especially now that it was in Shang Jianli’s hands.

Shang Jianli had grown cleverer. He appeared before Ji Shileng less often, instead looking for ways to make Ji Shileng come to him.

For one thing, he was obeying Ji Shileng’s instruction to stay out of his sight.

For another, Ji Shileng would be much more agreeable if he came of his own accord.

“Sis, this is too much trouble” Ji Shileng said. “Do you want it?”

Whether he wanted it was secondary. If Ji Shiyun did, he did not mind giving Shang Jianli what he wanted this once.

Ji Shiyun tapped the toe of her shoe and looked up at him.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. But I don’t want you meeting that Shang fellow, either”

“If you want it, we’ll get it”

Ji Shileng put an arm around her shoulders, reassuring her. “Besides, while we’re in the Empire, we’re bound to run into each other sooner or later”

Given their status, the people they encountered would generally be on Shang Jianli’s level rather than ordinary citizens.

“I don’t want to put you in a difficult position. But frankly, Su Ke and I won’t be able to get it back ourselves”

Ji Shiyun had seen straight to the heart of the matter.

It was not the certificate Shang Jianli could not let go of. It was the person.

Ji Shileng tilted his head toward her.

“What’s difficult about it? If he wants me to come and scold him, I’ll go and scold him”

Beside them, Su Ke was gulping down tea and promptly choked.

He gave Ji Shileng a thumbs-up. That was his Brother Shi! What spirit. He could learn a thing or two.

The president let out a small breath of relief. As someone who knew what had happened, he felt his guilt slowly take root the moment he saw Ji Shileng.

How could he not know the reasons behind everything that had followed?

He knew. That was why, in this confrontation with the Ji family, he could be greedy but could not quite bring himself to be sanctimonious.

Before true power, he was nothing more than a small fry.

Unwilling to waste more words on him, Ji Shileng brushed off his trouser legs, stood, and politely offered a hand.

“In that case, we won’t take up any more of your time”

“Not at all, not at all. We should be thanking you for your generous contribution to our university today”

The president clasped Ji Shileng’s hand in both of his, his expression complicated.

The Ji family was extraordinarily generous. Had he not felt guilty toward Ji Shileng, he would have clung to such a powerful benefactor for dear life.

“No need to thank me”

Ji Shileng tried to withdraw his hand but could not immediately free it.

So he continued with perfect sincerity. “You should thank my sister. If it were up to me, you wouldn’t get half a star coin”

The president could barely keep his smile in place.

“Brother Shi, let’s go. Second Brother says the culprits have confessed to everything”

Su Ke waved him over.

“I hope we’ll have another opportunity to meet”

Ji Shileng offered the pleasantry and firmly pulled his hand free.

“As do I. I look forward to seeing you again”

The president hastily agreed.

On the way back, Ji Shiyun found another opening to give Ji Shileng a thorough scolding.

Since returning home, he had grown used to being scolded. He had long since mastered the art of letting it go in one ear and out the other.

Ji Shiyun knew it would do no good, but she could not help herself. Surely she had to deliver a few stern warnings?

At the side gate, the driver was waiting beside the car.

Before getting in, Ji Shileng took one long look at Sleeping Late.

Shang Jianli was an umbrella full of holes.

Rather than carry a broken umbrella, he might as well stand in the rain.

Perhaps sensing the oppressive atmosphere inside the car, the driver drove quickly and smoothly, intent on delivering his employers as soon as possible so he could be free.

Within a few dozen minutes, they had reached their destination.

Watching them get out, the driver silently congratulated himself.

“Brother Shi, I really don’t get it. Is he that desperate for money? He even dared to sabotage something as important as the Interstellar Military Competition”

Su Ke voiced his disbelief while messaging Ji Shifeng.

Ji Shileng walked at an unhurried pace, both hands in his pockets.

He was not wearing his baseball cap. A black mask covered most of his face, leaving only his beautiful eyes exposed.

“What can you do? Few people can resist an enormous fortune”

Ji Shileng pulled his mask higher to block the faint scent of blood.

“Besides, we did cut off his source of income”

Su Ke clicked his tongue.

“Don’t give him that much credit. What do you mean, we cut off his source of income?”

He slipped his communicator into his pocket, pulled up his jacket zipper, and scoffed.

“Does he really think that miniature surveillance technology is some priceless treasure?”

Walking ahead, Ji Shiyun heard every word.

“Perhaps he’s never faced a sufficiently strong competitor. When someone gets used to monopolizing a market, their ambitions grow with it”

Ji Shileng raised an eyebrow. His sister was ruthless.

Those words clearly meant she intended to undermine Mr. Bai’s business at its source.

“Sis, there’s no need to research outdated products like that” he advised. “That little thing doesn’t even bring in a tenth of VEKAL’s revenue”

“Exactly. It barely makes anything, and you’d have to invest so much” Su Ke added. “Instead of cutting off his income, why not simply bankrupt his company?”

Su Ke and Ji Shileng were of the same mind. Neither was inclined to show mercy.

The staff member leading them felt a chill run down his back.

They had made no effort to keep him from hearing.

After all, even if he told Mr. Bai, it would change nothing.

As they rounded a corner, he could not resist stealing a glance at them.

With utterly casual expressions, they had passed sentence on Mr. Bai’s company.

Ji Shifeng stood with his arms folded. At the approaching footsteps, he looked up, the coldness leaving his face.

Opposite him, Shang Jianli raised his head at the same moment.

Ji Shifeng led Su Ke and Ji Shiyun into the interrogation room, leaving Ji Shileng outside, facing Shang Jianli.

There was so much to say, yet no way to begin.

Unable to escape that burning gaze, Ji Shileng turned his head.

“Got a cigarette?”

Shang Jianli took a pack from his pocket and offered him one.

Ji Shileng lit it but did not smoke, merely watching the smoke drift away.

Only afterward did he think to look up.

“Is it all right to light a cigarette here?”

“It’s fine”

Shang Jianli told him not to worry.

Ji Shileng’s eyes curved as he joked, “Are you bending the rules for me?”

“Yes”

Afraid he had not heard clearly, Shang Jianli repeated, “I’m bending the rules for you”

Ji Shileng turned away, suddenly finding the exchange pointless. He crushed the cigarette underfoot, then crouched to pick the butt up from the spotless floor.

Shang Jianli took the half-smoked cigarette from him without allowing any argument and slipped it into his uniform pocket.

His hand closed tightly around it.

“I heard you were looking for that Outstanding Graduate Certificate”