Chapter 123

Chapter 123

Lin Yuze being able to rise to his current position at the Cyber company is certainly not just due to his outwardly gentle and refined demeanor.

After receiving Xiyu’s book list, he quickly took a photo and sent it to his assistant far away in the capital. By the time he returned to the office, he had already received a voice message in reply.

—"President Lin, the owners of these cultural companies are all part of the Xia family. Minister Xia’s daughter, Xia Zi, is still working in Yuntai."

Lin Yuze gently turned off his Bluetooth earpiece and then called Qin Yunshen via video.

Qin Yunshen was a very dedicated and responsible person. He quickly answered and seriously asked, “President Lin, what are your instructions?”

Lin Yuze rubbed his brow tiredly and gave a faint smile: “You’ve been working hard these past few days. Do you have time tonight?”

Qin Yunshen hesitated before replying, “Yes, I do. What do you need me to do?”

“Don’t be nervous,” Lin Yuze said. “I want to arrange a dinner. You haven’t left Yuntai in a while, and we haven’t had a real talk in some time. It’s a good chance to get some air.”

Normally, the company’s executives weren’t the type to chat idly, and Lin Yuze was no exception.

Qin Yunshen quickly agreed, adapting easily: “Alright, I’ll follow your lead.”

“I’ll have the secretary contact you with the details,” Lin Yuze said. After hanging up, his expression immediately disappeared. His slender fingers tapped unconsciously on the desk — it was clear he couldn't conceal his inner anxiety.

What Su Ziyan had overheard was heavy and difficult to unravel, but Luo Xi, trusting their group, still shared it with Xu Tu and Bai Qi.

Having successfully gained access to more surveillance cameras, his tone was more confident than before: “My memory has definitely been wiped — that’s a certainty. Although I probably won’t recall what old grudges there are with those people any time soon, it still proves one thing — everything was premeditated.”

Bai Qi calmly analyzed: “And Xiyu’s return likely holds extraordinary meaning for you. Otherwise, they wouldn’t need to deal with him so forcefully. Whether it’s arranging Zhao Zhusheng or repeatedly trying to assassinate him, the ruthless means used by whoever’s behind this shows how serious the situation is.”

Xiyu nodded slightly: “Now that Zhao Zhusheng is back, if you encounter him in the game, try to eliminate him.”

Xu Tu sneered: “Don’t worry. I won’t go easy.”

A flicker of heaviness passed through Luo Xi’s expression: “I’ve already written the command to open the door, but I don’t dare use it yet. Besides… things are so tense now that I can’t guarantee my plan will succeed. You all need to be mentally prepared.”

“If it fails, we die trying. Do we really look that cowardly?” Xu Tu shrugged, then said more seriously, “But I do find it strange — why is Lin Yuze helping you? Could he be a mole?”

Xiyu said quietly, “There’s no need for that. If he were, just the content on that tablet alone would’ve been enough to get Luo Xi and me killed a thousand times over.”

Xu Tu nodded silently.

Luo Xi took a deep breath: “Let’s go. We’re pulling out. I’ll reconnect the surveillance when we get back to the dorms. This feature really can’t be used too often. If we get exposed, it’s all over.”

As soon as the words were out, the four of them quickly filed out of the narrow restroom and returned to their respective rooms.

Fortunately, they didn’t run into anyone on the way back. Otherwise, if the surveillance footage didn’t match, it would’ve been a ticking time bomb.

Inside a not-so-fancy Japanese restaurant, the soundproofing wasn’t exactly tight.

Even though Lin Yuze had generously reserved the whole place, Qin Yunshen still looked uneasy after entering, glancing around and checking: “This place isn’t as safe as the company.”

“Yuntai is pretty remote, and there aren’t many decent restaurants nearby,” Lin Yuze personally opened a bottle of his private stash of sake and poured him a cup. “But not everything is suitable to talk about at Yuntai — we’ll just have to make do.”

“That’s true,” Qin Yunshen, who came from a military background, was fortunately also emotionally intelligent. He asked seriously, “What exactly is the problem?”

Lin Yuze asked in return, “There’ve been a few security incidents involving Xiyu in the past. How did the investigations go?”When this topic came up, Qin Yunshen looked a bit uncomfortable. “It was likely done by someone internal — no real traces were left behind. Although we’ve spoken to all the suspicious streamers, without decisive evidence, I can’t give a clear answer.”

Lin Yuze gave a faint smile. “Among the streamers under suspicion, does that include the one named Zhao Zhusheng?”

Qin Yunshen nodded, then asked in surprise, “Why? Did you discover something new?”

Lin Yuze replied seriously, “He’s among the backup candidates selected this time, which is very strange. This streamer is completely new, didn’t perform well before, and never received many tips. I just had too much on my plate before to pay attention. After looking into it today, I found out that he’s backed by the Xia family — and they’re not even trying to hide it.”

Qin Yunshen hadn’t expected that. “Xia Zi?”

Lin Yuze frowned.

Qin Yunshen thought back. “Right, Xia Zi was indeed quite hostile to Xiyu before. But she only recently started working at Yuntai. How could she have anything to do with Xiyu?”

Lin Yuze said softly, “Maybe she’s just the Xia family’s pawn. Whether Zhao Zhusheng is targeting other streamers or not, the fact that he was voted in like this already makes me worry about the fairness of the competition. If the Xia family is manipulating him to get huge gambling funds, that’s a serious scandal. And when it breaks, it won’t just be on you — even I will be held strictly accountable by the company.”

Qin Yunshen didn’t have deep feelings toward the artificial humans, but he was very serious about his work. He immediately promised, “President Lin, don’t worry. I’ll keep a close eye on him. And with Yuntai’s current security staff, there won’t be any more incidents of streamers getting hurt.”

Lin Yuze took a deep breath and downed the sake in his cup in one go. “The knife is already at our throats. With this kind of terrifying attention on the streamer esports scene, no matter what happens, the show must go on. The company hasn’t taken action on the previous incidents yet — it’s just postponing. You and I should both try our best to balance our merits and faults in the coming days.”

Qin Yunshen nodded firmly.

Lin Yuze smiled again. “Focus on your work at Yuntai. I’ll make sure your parents and your sister in the capital are well taken care of.”

Qin Yunshen promised, “I won’t disappoint you again, President Lin.”

Returning to normal, Lin Yuze pressed the service bell to signal for the food.

Unfortunately, the dinner didn’t get to finish peacefully. Qin Yunshen soon received a call. After a few serious replies, he said, “Alright, I’m heading back right away.”

Lin Yuze asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

Qin Yunshen’s face was full of anger. “The security department found a bomb during their inspection — they’re contacting the police to disarm it. And it’s the same model as last time. Whoever the mole is in the department, they’re completely fearless. How did such dangerous equipment even get into the company?”

Lin Yuze’s expression darkened as well. “Where was it found?”

Qin Yunshen replied, “…In the residential area where Xiyu and Luo Xi live.”

Lin Yuze’s voice was noticeably more tense than usual. “I knew it. We have to guarantee their safety.”

Qin Yunshen agreed, but was still confused. “What’s so special about these two streamers? Why are they worth all this trouble? Is it related to that last incident?”

“It’s related — but not in the way you’re thinking,” Lin Yuze took a deep breath and looked Qin Yunshen in the eyes. “Some things are safer not to know. Your duty is to protect Yuntai’s security. For the rest… turn a blind eye when necessary.”

Qin Yunshen knew he owed his job and position to President Lin’s support, so he obediently responded, “Understood. Then please enjoy the rest of your dinner, President Lin. I have to go handle the bomb situation.”

“Go,” Lin Yuze narrowed his eyes. “Keep Xia Zi under control. She’s not allowed to leave before the finals are over. This girl isn’t particularly cunning — try sounding her out indirectly.”

Qin Yunshen nodded in acknowledgment.

Having the police come to disarm a bomb was no trivial matter — the entire streamer rest area was sealed off.

To ensure the streamers’ safety, they were all confined to their dorms and not allowed to take even a single step outside.Xiyu calmly flipped through a book while holding Xiao Qi. “What a coincidence — the bomb ended up here. I’m afraid this is connected to the earlier attempt on my life.”

Luo Xi gave a bitter smile. “Looks like Qin Yunshen has finally learned his lesson. Otherwise, if the bomb had really gone off… things would’ve gotten complicated.”

Xiyu turned another page, paused in thought, then suddenly looked uneasy. “But this is actually pretty serious. The security department will probably thoroughly review surveillance footage and upgrade the access system, right?”

Since the cameras weren’t turned off, Luo Xi could only reply, “Isn’t that a good thing? I don’t want to die an innocent death before the competition ends.”

He spoke lightly, but inside, he was nervous. After all, any misstep would leave traces. If the security department discovered that the surveillance system had been breached, would all his efforts be in vain? There wasn’t much usable time left — once the finals began, no one could turn the tide.

Xiyu was clearly worried about the same thing, but he appeared more relaxed. He smiled faintly and said, “Let’s hope the security department is competent. I’m quite curious — who’s really hiding behind all this?”

Xia Zi. The Xia family. The answer was already in their hearts, but they had to wait for Lin Yuze and the security department to catch on.

And with how complex the relationships among natural humans were, would the truth ever really come to light?

There was no way to be sure.

Luo Xi walked to the door, quietly listening to the chaotic footsteps outside, his expression more serious than ever.

The bomb hadn’t gone off in the contestant rest area, but it had thrown the security department into disarray.

It wasn’t until around 2 a.m. that they got a break, all crowding into the office and hastily drinking nutrient fluids to replenish their strength.

Xia Zi was also moving among the crowd, issuing one instruction after another, putting on the image of someone extremely busy — with no visible signs of guilt.

When Qin Yunshen entered the room, he stared at her with clear displeasure for a moment.

Sensing his gaze, Xia Zi turned back with a bright smile. “Chief, you’re back? I’ve already taken care of everything. Don’t worry — there won’t be any punishment.”

“You really do have some nerve,” Qin Yunshen couldn’t help but mock before coldly ordering, “Come with me to the office.”

Volume 9: Ten Miles of Red Makeup