Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 148: Pollution

"More aware than us?" Mo Qianyi wasn't quite understanding. "What do you mean, Mr. Li? We don't know many people in Hong Kong, and even if we have business partners, they are irrelevant. How could anyone among them want to harm us?"

Li Muhua shook his head. "The person I'm referring to isn't in Hong Kong but is a formidable adversary in the Zhonghai region, Donghua Technology, Xu Zhihong."

Xu Zhihong?!

"How could it be him?!" Mo Qianyi frowned. "We're discussing the development of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient materials for fashion products. What does that have to do with Donghua Technology?"

Yang Chen also looked puzzled. It was evidently more complicated than he had thought.

Li Muhua sighed. "It's complicated. I believe for certain reasons, Mr. Lin from your side might have kept something from both of you. How about we discuss this further in the teahouse within the villa? It's not practical to stand in this corridor."

Yang Chen and Mo Qianyi, both unable to sleep, agreed. They quickly changed clothes and followed Li Muhua to the Twilight Tea House. To ensure fairness, Li Muhua also had Longlin's Vice President, Lu Tao, who was staying at the villa, summoned. After some tea was served, they began discussing the matter.

Upon hearing that Yang Chen and Mo Qianyi had nearly been harmed, Lu Tao was shocked, losing all desire for sleep. He rushed over, his forehead covered in sweat.

"President Li, how could such a thing happen?! I don't want to lose my life in Hong Kong!" Lu Tao lamented, his naturally timid disposition unable to handle the sudden appearance of a gun-wielding assailant.

Li Muhua reassured him. "Don't worry, Mr. Lu. The assassin has been subdued and taken to the police station. Our security measures are at the highest level, ensuring the safety of all of you."

"That's good, that's good. Let's discuss business then," Lu Tao wiped his sweat, forcing a smile.

Li Muhua took a sip of green tea, organized his thoughts, and began, "Let me start from the reason why the three of our companies decided to cooperate this time. I believe Mr. Yang and Miss Mo might not be fully aware. The main reason why our Twilight Group initially decided to collaborate with the Zeng family's Longlin Media is primarily due to the longstanding friendship between my father and the current head of the Zeng family, Mr. Zeng Weiqiang. Mr. Zeng and my father were comrades during the Vietnam War. Over the years, the Zeng family in Yandu and our Li family in Hong Kong have maintained a good friendship. Therefore, for this significant project, there's no better fit than Longlin Media, which is not only a family friend but also perfectly aligned with our industry."

3.5

"Why did we choose Yulei as the sales partner? As far as I know, although there aren't many fashion sales companies that can match us, there are certainly enough in the Yancha region." Mo Qianyi inquired.

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Li Muhua nodded. "You're right. What I want to say is, the reason why we chose Yulei International as the third partner is not only because of Yulei's powerful sales network built over nearly thirty years, its strong brand effect, and efficient industrial chain, but also due to another significant factor: funding and interpersonal relationships. According to our preliminary investigation, no other fashion sales company could invest as much capital into this project as Yulei International. Additionally, President Lin Ruoxi of Yulei International happens to be the college junior of President Zeng Xinlin during their university days. This relationship is also crucial for us."

"And there's one more thing," the chubby Lu Tao, who had calmed down a bit, suddenly grinned. "From what I know, your President Lin seems to have some significant grudges with the Xu family, especially with Xu Zhihong, the president of Donghua Technology."

As Yang Chen toyed with his teacup, he asked, "I've met Xu Zhihong a few times. How is this cooperation related to the Xu family? Why would he intervene, and even send assassins?"

Li Muhua said solemnly, "Although we can't conclude that it was the Xu family who sent the assassin to deliberately sabotage our cooperation, at present, the Xu family has the highest suspicion because this research project is also the latest key research project of the Xu family's Donghua Technology!"

"The Xu family is also researching new materials?" Mo Qianyi asked in confusion. "Isn't our research lab at Twilight far ahead in this field?"

"That's correct. Globally, our research lab at Twilight has the most advanced technology. The developer of this technology is Dr. Li Guangxun, a relative from our Li family's collateral line. However, unfortunately, Dr. Li Guangxun's fellow apprentice, Dr. Greinsandler, happens to be the leader of the Grein Research Institute established by the Xu family in recent years. Their research is almost at the same level, and no one can guarantee who will release the results first. Whoever releases the results first will obtain the patent rights. At such a critical juncture, we cannot afford to lose."

"But if that's the case, isn't our cooperation very risky? Who can guarantee that we'll definitely obtain the patent first?!" Mo Qianyi immediately thought of this point.

Li Muhua nodded. "You're right. That's also why I mentioned earlier that Yulei's ability to provide a large amount of funding is crucial. According to Dr. Li Guangxun, the successful development of this technology will take at least half a year. During this time, the amount of capital investment will directly affect the speed of later results. Although the Xu family's economic strength is not as strong as ours, being one of the top five prominent families in Zhonghai, with Xu Zhihong behind Donghua Technology, they're undoubtedly stronger than any one of our three families individually. So, only by uniting can we absolutely take the initiative."

Listening to this explanation, Yang Chen suddenly realized that Xu Zhihong indeed had a strong motive. Moreover, because of Lin Ruoxi's relationship, Xu Zhihong probably wished for Yang Chen's demise as soon as possible, so sending assassins wasn't surprising.

"In fact, it's understandable for the Xu family to act this way. After all, the profits from this research project are indeed considerable, and many European and American countries are very envious. Unfortunately, their research in this area is far behind both our Li family and the Xu family's research teams," Li Muhua chuckled. "I just didn't expect the Xu family to be so impatient, resorting to such drastic measures so quickly to stop our alliance by killing two negotiation representatives. However, I can also understand. Even if they didn't do this, would we just let the Xu family research smoothly? We would definitely put up some resistance."

"I don't support such actions. Killing people like that, even in the business world, is too cruel. Regardless of who comes up with it first, there's definitely a way to design similar products without resorting to taking scientists' lives for money!" Mo Qianyi expressed her discontent.

Li Muhua quickly shook his head. "Miss Mo, you've misunderstood. What I meant was more like poaching. After all, Dr. Greinsandler is a fellow apprentice of Dr. Li Guangxun. If we can persuade Dr. Greinsandler to collaborate with Dr. Li Guangxun, our product will appear even faster!"

"It's a pity that it's too difficult. It's said that Dr. Greinsandler, that American, is extremely stubborn. When he was struggling, the Xu family trusted him and helped him establish the research institute. He's loyal to the Xu family; how could he easily lean towards our side?" Lu Tao grinned.

"Even if the possibility is low, we have to try."

A slightly aged voice suddenly sounded from outside the tea room, and everyone turned to see Li Deshen, accompanied by several attendants, slowly wheeling himself in a wheelchair.

Li Muhua hurriedly got up and greeted, "Father, why are you here so late?"

Li Deshen snorted. "Although I'm old and not in good health, I'm not senile yet. There was an assassin trying to harm the distinguished guests from Yulei International tonight. Such an important matter, did you think you could keep it from me?"

"No, I just thought to wait until you woke up tomorrow morning," Li Muhua said hesitantly.

"Some matters are urgent. Don't forget how I taught you!" Li Deshen glared at his second son, then smiled at Mo Qianyi and Yang Chen. "Mr. Yang, Miss Mo, I apologize for the disturbance. I guarantee that no assassin will be able to sneak in again."

"Chairman Li! President!"

Before Li Deshen could say more, another panicked voice came from outside the tea room. A manager from Twilight Villa rushed in, his face full of fear, and tremblingly exclaimed, "Chairman, something terrible has happened! Just now, we received a threatening call, claiming that a biochemical bomb has been installed within the villa!"

"What?!"

Li Deshen's face, which had just reassured the guests, suddenly fell. He asked in a grim tone, "Say it again! Explain clearly!"

Before the manager could speak, the assistant behind Li Deshen's back suddenly received a call on his phone. After checking the caller ID, he said, "Chairman, it's an unknown number."

The manager shouted, "Chairman! It's him! He just said to tell you about the situation and that he would personally speak to you!"

Everyone present showed nervous expressions. Just as the assassin incident had settled down, now there was talk of a biochemical bomb?!

"Answer it! Put it on speaker!" Li Deshen said calmly in the face of danger.

The assistant answered the phone, and immediately, an electronically synthesized voice echoed from within.

"Chairman Li, President Li, having tea in the tea room so late, how charming."

Everyone was shocked. They knew how powerful Li Deshen's private phone was. How could this person know they were in the tea room?!

"There's no need to panic. If I couldn't even know where you are, how could I guarantee that the biochemical bomb I've installed would affect you? Or how could I make you believe that I really installed a bomb?"

"Who are you?" Li Deshen asked, his brows furrowed.

The electronic voice on the phone chuckled, "Who I am is not important. What's important is that if I lightly press a button now, the biochemical bomb installed in Twilight Villa will instantly contaminate the entire villa through the ventilation ducts within a minute. By then, even if you grew wings, you wouldn't be able to escape."