Chapter 128: The Scheme

“Chief Yang, how’s your recovery going?” Secretary Wang asked, beaming with a smile, unaware of Yang Tao’s misgivings.

In Yang Tao’s eyes, however, that smile was like a weasel wishing a chicken a Happy New Year, clearly harboring ill intentions.

Sensing this, Yang Tao immediately became defiant and spoke loudly, “Secretary Wang, if you have something to say, say it outright. Your smile doesn’t fool me. You’re just serving as Lin’s lapdog. Let me make myself clear. I, Yang Tao, am not someone to be trifled with.”

Stunned momentarily by Yang Tao’s words, Secretary Wang quickly regained his composure. A flicker of anger passed through his eyes. He was someone who never let slights go unanswered. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sought out Yang Tao for retribution after being snubbed by Lin Xiao.

Nevertheless, Secretary Wang suppressed his irritation and clarified, “Chief Yang, you’re mistaken. I wasn’t sent here by Lin Xiao. Quite the opposite. I want him out of Brilliant Aya just like you do.”

“What?” Yang Tao was taken aback, then looking at Secretary Wang’s face, he quickly realized his mistake. “I apologize, Secretary Wang, I misunderstood.”

“No need to apologize. Now that you understand why I’m here, would you like to oust Lin Xiao from his position as Director of Logistics?”

As he said this, Secretary Wang sighed and shook his head. “To be honest, you should have had that position. Vice President Lu was even advocating for you. However, President Wan’s strong insistence led to Lin Xiao’s appointment.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Tao’s resentment toward Lin Xiao intensified. Although angry, he was not naive, he sensed that Secretary Wang had approached him for a reason.

“Secretary Wang, I’m a straightforward guy. If there’s anything you need from me, just say it. As long as it’s within my power, consider it done.”

“Is it true, Chief Yang, that you’re a practice student at Chen’s Martial Arts Hall?” Secretary Wang steered the conversation in a new direction instead of directly answering.

“Yes, I am a practice student there,” Yang Tao replied, catching on. “Secretary Wang, are you suggesting…?”

Secretary Wang nodded and smiled, “Exactly. You don’t have to do much, just arrange for a thorough fire safety inspection of the Brilliant Tower, for the sake of the company’s well-being.”

“I get it, Secretary Wang. Don’t worry, I’ll get someone on it right away,” said Yang Tao, clearly excited.

“As long as you help bring down Lin Xiao, the Director of Logistics position is yours.”

“Thank you, Secretary Wang. Rest assured, if you say go east, I won’t even consider going west.”

In his exhilaration, Yang Tao missed the fleeting look of contempt deep in Secretary Wang’s eyes. ‘Director of Logistics? Keep dreaming! Once Lin Xiao is out, you’re next.’

***

Lin Xiao was oblivious to their scheming, and even if he were aware, he wouldn’t have cared. It was just a bunch of nobodies after all.

The next day, Lin Xiao arrived at Brilliant Tower. As he made his way through the building, he exchanged greetings with members of the logistics department before reaching the President’s Office. Inside, both Ning Xi and Wan Caixuan were present. Their eyes lit up at the sight of him.

Wan Caixuan quickly caught herself, subtly lowered her gaze to regain her composure, and when she looked up again, her expression was back to its usual neutrality.

Ning Xi, however, threw caution to the wind. She jumped up from the sofa and strode briskly over to Lin Xiao. Circling around him a few times, she pinched his arm and slapped his thigh, exclaiming, “Lin Xiao, what sort of monster are you? You look no different from anyone else.”

“Monster? What are you talking about?” Lin Xiao was taken aback by Ning Xi’s enthusiasm and seemed momentarily confused.

“Haven’t you seen the news or read the newspapers?” Ning Xi asked, incredulous.

“No,” Lin Xiao shook his head.

“What happened yesterday at the mall in downtown Jinghai has sent shockwaves throughout the city, even garnering national attention,” Ning Xi elaborated, laying out a stack of newspapers in front of him. “See for yourself, every headline is covering the robbery.”

“Oh,” Lin Xiao glanced at the newspapers, his expression and tone remaining impassive.

“What do you mean, ‘Oh’? Others might not know, but we’re well aware that you were the hero of yesterday’s incident,” Ning Xi said, impatient to get answers.

“So spill it. How did you manage to take down those robbers when even hundreds of cops couldn’t?” She continued, “You’re not some kind of supernatural creature, are you?”

“If I were, what would you do about it, Ning Xi?”

“What else could I do? I’d have to accept it, you’re Lin Xiao, after all,” Ning Xi replied with a chuckle.

Wan Caixuan, growing impatient with Ning Xi’s incessant chatter, finally interjected, “Lin Xiao, we all know you were the one who resolved the crisis yesterday. Yet, you’re not mentioned in any police reports. If you’re displeased with that, I can help you file an official complaint and get you the recognition and rewards you deserve.”

“Exactly, we were just discussing this,” Ning Xi chimed in, suddenly remembering her original point. “The young lady also spoke to Li Zhengdao on the phone, but he was evasive, telling us to ask you directly. So, Lin Xiao, what exactly happened?”

When Ning Xi spoke of Li Zhengdao, the Chief of Jinghai City’s Police Bureau, her tone lacked any significant degree of respect. Evidently, for her, an official of Li Zhengdao’s standing wasn’t particularly noteworthy. This wasn’t surprising. Though Li Zhengdao might be considered a local heavyweight for the Brilliant Aya Limited, to Wan Caixuan and Ning Xi, who hailed from the imperial capital, he was just one of many mid-level officials they’d encountered before.

Only then did Lin Xiao understand that Wan Caixuan and Ning Xi had come to the company early not for business, but out of concern for him. They were worried he might face unfair treatment.

A warmth filled Lin Xiao’s heart. “President Wan, Ning Xi, it’s difficult to sum this up briefly. The situation involves the military unit where I previously served. Due to confidentiality, the police concealed my identity; otherwise, exposing it could lead to unpredictable outcomes. Besides, I didn’t perform the rescue for accolades or recognition. I’d much rather lead an ordinary life like the one I have now than seek fame. So let’s consider this matter closed.”

Lin Xiao spoke more than he usually did, but even though he didn’t entirely alleviate Wan Caixuan and Ning Xi’s concerns, it was sufficient.

Both women were perceptive and knew that Lin Xiao had his reasons for being evasive. They exchanged a look, and Ning Xi shrugged, sighing, “If Lin himself isn’t bothered, then let’s leave it at that.”

Wan Caixuan propped her elbows on the desk, resting her chin on her hands, and looked at Lin Xiao with curiosity.

“By the way, was the unit you served in called the Dragon Sword Squad?”

It was clear that ever since Lin Xiao had let slip a bit of his background during their last meeting at the villa, Wan Caixuan had undertaken a more detailed investigation into him.

Lin Xiao was not surprised that she had discovered the name of his former unit. Given her status and her obvious intent to research him, it made sense that she could find out about the Dragon Sword Squad.

He nodded, confirming, “Yes.”

“Then your unit must be exceptionally secretive. I’ve exhausted all my resources and contacts, and apart from the name of the squad, I couldn’t uncover anything else,” Wan Caixuan said, her slender eyebrows rising in thoughtfulness. “Lin Xiao, what is the Dragon Sword Squad, really?”

Lin Xiao chose to remain silent.

If the Dragon Sword Squad were easy to investigate, it wouldn’t be the Dragon Sword Squad.

In the entire nation of Xia, there were only a handful of people who knew the specifics of the Dragon Sword Squad, and Wan Caixuan was clearly not among them.

Wan Caixuan looked at Lin Xiao’s silence, but she wasn’t disappointed. She had never expected an answer from him to begin with. She knew him well enough to understand that Lin Xiao wouldn’t speak of matters he considered off-limits.