Chapter 42 A False Alarm

Yang Changfeng had dealt with quite a few professional foreign armed groups specializing in controlling politicians by manipulating their families. He had also neutralized a number of such specialized spies, which had inevitably shaped his instincts. Whenever he faced the offspring of influential officials, he always felt a string pulled taut in his heart.

Was Sun Zhaoxing a bona fide super offspring of a high-ranking official?

His father was undeniably a major figure. In an era where the country's influence was growing by the day, hostile forces would stop at nothing to control Chinese officials, thereby manipulating certain departments to disrupt the nation’s stable development.

If the head of Sun Zhaoxing’s family were to be manipulated through his son by these adversaries, would he betray his principles and loyalty for Sun Zhaoxing’s sake, becoming a pawn in the hands of foreign enemies?

That possibility was very real.

As for Andre, although Yang Changfeng had no concrete evidence that he was a special envoy from such an organization, his proximity to Sun Zhaoxing, the way he provoked Sun Zhaoxing into fits of anger, and forced him, with his privileged pride, to wager time and again—these actions seemed to be about more than just money.

Could Andre really be oblivious to the fact that pushing Sun Zhaoxing too far might cost him his life in Jiangzhou?

He surely knew, yet he still chose to challenge a super official’s son whose racing skills might not even be on par with a professional driver. At the very least, this gave Yang Changfeng the hint that Andre wasn’t worried about his own safety.

There was a bigger fish behind this man.

Perhaps, this time, he would be swept back into the world of his former colleagues, but Yang Changfeng could not stand idly by.

Judging from Sun Zhaoxing’s behavior, he hadn’t realized how serious Andre’s approach truly was. What was even more concerning, no one seemed to be handling the matter.

Yang Changfeng could not just sit and watch.

He returned to the study room to continue brooding, unaware that the two women had spent the entire afternoon discussing him.

“Why do I get the feeling there’s something off about this guy? He seems way too invested in this matter. Maybe we should go take a look the night after tomorrow?” Chen Aijia tilted her head toward Anya, tapping her pen on the document without signing her name.

Anya replied, “Is that really necessary? Perhaps he’s just saying all this to get close to Sun Zhaoxing.”

Chen Aijia didn't believe it. If he hadn’t been in those circles, how would he know who Andre Ivanov really was, or be so knowledgeable about racing? Could it be that this man was once someone remarkable, only returning to city life out of exhaustion?

Chen Aijia made up her mind to uncover Yang Changfeng’s true identity. He couldn't just hold a managerial position in the company without her knowing his background. As the boss, she was entitled to know who he had been.

“Don’t schedule too much work for the day after tomorrow. Get ready, and we’ll go check it out ourselves.” Chen Aijia knew the place well. She had no intention of going with Yang Changfeng, only to follow and see for herself whether he was all talk.

In the event of trouble, she felt Yang Changfeng was more valuable to the company, and if necessary, she would help bring him back herself.

This was Chen Aijia’s two-pronged strategy.

After work, Anya drove back to her rented apartment to pack her things for the weekend. Since she would be staying there, it was only right to get ready in advance.

Besides, with Yang’s notorious reputation for being a womanizer, Anya didn’t feel comfortable leaving Chen Aijia alone in that big villa.

Yang Changfeng once again drove the Four Rings. Chen Aijia, as usual, brought along a few files. There wasn’t much work to handle tonight, and she hoped to rest early.

Wang Hu was nowhere to be seen, but the security department was clearly more diligent than before. There were four guards at the gate—twice as many as usual—and another four stationed at the office building’s entrance. Anyone without a badge would be questioned.

This was probably Wang Hu consolidating his forces. For now, since he hadn’t figured out Yang Changfeng’s methods or found a flaw, he dared not make a move.

With his strongest men eliminated, Wang Hu knew full well the remaining ones weren’t enough to handle Yang Changfeng.

“In the future, don’t go out alone. You may be good in a fight, but they have the numbers,” Chen Aijia said, glancing at her documents while waiting at a traffic light.

Yang Changfeng glanced at her in the rearview mirror before responding slowly, “Tonight, there might be an opportunity. They’re getting impatient. If there’s no movement by tomorrow morning, I’ll go to the militia department to recruit some men. If Wang Hu doesn’t make a move, we won’t have a good chance to deal with him.”

Chen Aijia hesitated, then asked, “Can’t we wait a bit? The company can’t handle too much upheaval right now. Otherwise, the board will pressure me, and it’ll be harder for me to gradually take control.”

Wait—but for how long?

In battle, once the fighting starts, you must charge forward. The enemy had already appeared, and the bullets were chambered. If you lacked the resolve to eliminate the foe, you couldn’t blame them for seizing the opportunity to recover and strike back.

Yang Changfeng replied, “That’s your business. All I know is that the momentum of this fight can’t be halted now. Wang Hu won’t give me much time, and I won’t give him the chance to regroup. Neither side is fully prepared, so it’s a matter of courage at a narrow pass. You can hesitate if you want—I can’t.”

Chen Aijia fumed, “Why? Just because you’ve disrupted their plans, doesn’t mean they wouldn’t seize the chance to catch their breath. I don’t believe that acting a few days earlier would really improve your odds.”

Of course, it wouldn’t increase my chances, but it would decrease the opponent’s, which, in turn, increases mine.

If we let this opportunity slip and don’t force them step by step into our trap, by the time they’ve reassembled their forces, even if we’re stronger, our losses will only be greater.

Yang Changfeng gave no further comment. He didn’t try to persuade Chen Aijia; she wasn’t going to stop him anyway.

Chen Aijia was furious. She’d never seen such a bold employee—did he really think he was indispensable?

Suddenly, two cars swerved close, nearly scraping the Four Rings.

Yang Changfeng tensed and barked, “Hold on tight—something’s up!”

Before panic could seize her, Chen Aijia saw the two battered Santanas roar past on either side, their windows down, each car packed with three or four men, all ignoring the Four Rings.

Not after Chen Aijia?

Something felt off to Yang Changfeng. He had a strong sense that these two cars were dangerous.

“What kind of driving is that? Are they drunk?” Chen Aijia patted her chest. Yang Changfeng’s quick swerve had nearly smashed her forehead on the seat, leaving her with lingering fear. “Luckily, it was just a false alarm.”