Chapter 690: Doubts and Preparations

Two people—Zhou Meizhen, Bai Shisui’s mother, and her younger brother, Zhou Yan.

They were wiping away tears as they discussed Bai Jingchen’s condition when they saw Liu Yutong approaching.

Zhou Meizhen dabbed at her eyes, looking the unfamiliar yet striking girl up and down. “You are…?”

“Mom, this is Liu Yutong, my close friend,” Bai Shisui introduced her. Then she turned to Liu Yutong: “Sister Yutong, this is my mom and uncle.”

Liu Yutong greeted them politely. “Mrs. Bai, Mr. Zhou, nice to meet you.”

Zhou Meizhen’s gaze lingered for a few seconds on the dark gold dragon badge pinned to Liu Yutong’s left breast before replying, “Hello, hello!”

“Miss Liu is truly young and accomplished,” Zhou Yan said. “I’d heard from my brother-in-law that you’d built a substantial business back in China and expanded overseas. We Zhou family are endlessly grateful for your support during this crisis.”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Zhou. It’s the least I could do,” Liu Yutong replied.

Zhou Meizhen seemed eager to change the subject. She turned to Bai Shisui. “What did the doctors say? How’s your father now?”

Bai Shisui repeated the doctor’s diagnosis. Zhou Meizhen started crying again as she listened. “What are we going to do? If something happens to your father, how will the two of us manage such a huge empire…”

“Mom, don’t say that. Dad will be fine.” Bai Shisui fought back tears to comfort her mother.

Zhou Yan hurried to console them as well. “Your father’s a blessed man with great fortune. He’ll pull through this too.”

Then he shifted his tone. “But my sister makes a good point. Bai Group is a massive operation. If something does happen to my brother-in-law, you and Shuishui need to think seriously about the future. But don’t worry—with me here, I’ll do everything in my power to manage the group properly and ensure everything stays stable.”

Liu Yutong stood quietly to the side, taking in every word and expression.

Zhou Meizhen’s concern for her husband seemed genuine. Her brother Zhou Yan, however, appeared to be maneuvering to take control of Bai Group, likely without even noticing how transparent his ambitions had become.

Yet rather than finding her brother’s words inappropriate, Zhou Meizhen nodded in agreement and said to her daughter, “Your uncle is right. In times like these, family is the only ones you can trust. Shuishui, you should listen to your uncle more from now on. He’s worked at the company for so many years—he knows more than you and has the experience.”

Bai Shisui seemed to want to say something, but seeing her mother’s haggard face, she simply nodded. “I understand, Mom.”

At that moment, Zhou Yan put on an expression as if he’d just remembered something and suddenly asked Liu Yutong, “By the way, Miss Liu, I heard from my brother-in-law that he wanted to transfer some shares to you? Surely that can’t be true?”

The question created an instant silence.

Zhou Meizhen’s expression shifted immediately, hostility toward Liu Yutong now evident.

Liu Yutong remained composed. “Uncle Bai did mention that. It’s part of our cooperation agreement.”

“Thirty percent of the shares…” Zhou Meizhen said. “Miss Liu, don’t think me rude for speaking plainly, but my husband’s decision seems rather rash. Bai Group represents the life’s work of our Bai and Zhou families. We can’t just give it to an outsider.”

“Mom!”

Bai Shisui spoke up urgently. “That was Dad’s decision. And Sister Yutong isn’t an outsider. She’s incredibly capable. Dad himself said she’s the benefactor who can help our Bai family!”

“Even if she’s a benefactor, how can we just give away shares so casually?” Zhou Meizhen countered.

Zhou Yan stepped in to smooth things over. “Miss Liu, please don’t misunderstand. My sister isn’t questioning your abilities. It’s just that share transfers involve the very foundation of the group, and my brother-in-law is in his current condition. Shouldn’t we wait until things are clearer?”

Liu Yutong looked at the brother and sister before her and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, yet carried an overwhelming pressure from above, inexplicably making Zhou Yan’s heart falter.

“You’re overthinking this, Mr. Zhou. I never intended to take Bai Group shares for nothing. You’re right—it’s premature to discuss this now. The priority is catching the person who harmed Uncle Bai.”

Zhou Meizhen readily agreed. “You’re absolutely right. Catching the perpetrator is what matters most. Everything else can wait.”

“Shuishui, keep your mother company. I need to handle some matters.”

Liu Yutong didn’t want to continue this pointless debate. After a polite farewell, she turned and left.

She hadn’t gone far before Zhou Meizhen and Zhou Yan’s voices drifted over.

“Shuishui, don’t think me harsh. With your father in there fighting for his life, how could the two of us shoulder such a massive business empire? You’re still young and inexperienced. You don’t know how complicated people can be.”

“Mom, I know I’m not capable enough, but Dad said Sister Yutong…”

“Shuishui, I’m not trying to dampen your spirits,” Zhou Yan interjected, “but outsiders talk a good game while calculating their profits. They only see the money. How could they truly care about Bai Group? They might drain your father’s life’s work in just a few years.”

“Your uncle is right,” Zhou Meizhen added. “Who in this world will sincerely look out for you besides family? Your father started from nothing, and our Zhou family contributed. Your grandfather passed early, and your uncle has been like a younger brother to your father, working diligently at the company for over a decade. He knows every aspect of the business. At a time like this, if you don’t rely on your uncle, on family, who else can you rely on but an outsider?”

“Sister, don’t put it that way. I’m just helping you and Shuishui.”

“But Shuishui, your uncle wants to tell you something from the heart. The group looks prosperous on the surface, but countless eyes are watching from within. How many of those veteran executives who built the company with your father are easy to control? And those competitors waiting like tigers outside—if you take over, can you keep them in check? I’ve been at the company for years and have some authority. I can help you maintain stability during the transition. Once you’ve gained experience, you can take over then.”

“But Dad always said management should be modernized, not family-run…”

“Silly child, those were just lofty principles your father preached. When it truly matters, blood ties are the most reliable. Think about it—if you hand the company to outsiders, you might not even realize when you’ve been betrayed. Your uncle is your flesh and blood. Would he harm you? Would our Zhou family harm you? You need help most right now. If family doesn’t step up, are we supposed to watch your father’s empire get carved up by others?”

“Shuishui, have you heard some rumors that made you distrust your uncle or other Zhou family members?”

“Your uncle admits he can be strict with subordinates, but it’s for the company’s good. Now that your father’s collapsed, I’m more anxious than anyone. We’re one family—our glory and loss are shared!”

“Your uncle will help you stabilize the situation. When your father wakes up, or when you truly grow up and can stand on your own, won’t the company still belong to you and my sister? Would your uncle cling to power? Am I that kind of person?”

“…”

Under this heartfelt bombardment of family sentiment, Bai Shisui visibly wavered, her defenses softening.

Perhaps listening to her mother and uncle would be better at a time like this?

But then what about Sister Yutong’s shares…

“Mom, Uncle, that’s not what I meant. I’m just feeling overwhelmed. And Sister Yutong has been truly kind to me…”

“Miss Liu is certainly capable. Your mother can see that,” Zhou Meizhen conceded. “But she’s still an outsider, and a young woman at that. She has her own business. She can help you for a moment, but can she help you for a lifetime? And most crucially, there’s that thirty percent of shares.”

“Shuishui, it’s not that your mother’s being stingy, but that’s your father’s life’s work. How can we just give it away? When your father wakes up, we must discuss this properly. Until then, company matters should be discussed behind closed doors within the family.”

“Your mother’s right. We’ll remember Miss Liu’s kindness and repay it appropriately, but business is business. The two shouldn’t mix.”

“Shuishui, the most important thing for you now is to take care of yourself and stay with your father. Let your uncle handle the company matters.”

“I understand, Mom, Uncle. I’ll leave the company matters to you for now.”

“Now that’s the right attitude! We’re family—no need to stand on ceremony.”

“Don’t worry, Shuishui. With your uncle here, the sky won’t fall.”

“…”

Around the corner in the hallway, Liu Yutong quietly listened to the entire family conversation and shook her head.

“That foolish girl. If she keeps letting herself be manipulated like this, Bai Group might as well change its name to Zhou Group.”

She could see that Mrs. Bai was deeply influenced by traditional family values and had a strong tendency to prioritize her brother’s interests. Her concern for her husband was genuine, her love for her daughter was real, but so was her desire to support her natal family and advance her brother and other Zhou relatives.

And judging from her brother Zhou Yan’s attitude toward her, Mrs. Bai’s status in her birth family was likely comparable to an all-powerful matriarch from ancient times.

After years of being surrounded by her family’s flattery and with her position as the eldest sister, she naturally leaned more toward her natal family.

Otherwise, Bai Group wouldn’t have become so filled with Zhou family members.

Liu Yutong could even guess another reason Uncle Bai wanted to give her shares—to use her hand to clear out these parasites.

It would also pave the way for Bai Shisui in advance.

Although Uncle Bai had only one daughter and no sons, that didn’t mean he could accept Bai Group becoming Zhou Group. Why couldn’t his daughter be his successor?

Of course, these were currently just her speculations, but she felt they were ninety percent correct. She even suspected Uncle Bai’s attack involved the Zhou family—though Mrs. Bai herself was likely unaware.

When Liu Yutong reached the lobby, she told Yun Cheng, “Immediately arrange to investigate Mrs. Bai’s natal family, especially her brother Zhou Yan and other Zhou family members in Bai Group or with close ties. Focus on all movements, financial transactions, and contact with suspicious individuals from the past month—no, the past three months.”

“You suspect them, Young Mistress?” Yun Cheng asked.

“Not just suspicion, but intuition. Zhao Tianyi reported a lead earlier. The person who picked up Zhao Weixiang when he entered the country was Chen Ming, who has marital ties to the Zhou family. The Zhou family has ample motive to collude with Snakehead Gang—whether to block the share transfer or to seize complete control of Bai Group.”

“Should I notify the police?”

“Not yet. We lack sufficient evidence. Let’s confront Zhao Weixiang first. Once we have him, everything else will fall into place.”

Then Liu Yutong remembered something else. “Right, what’s the status of our firearm permit application?”

“It’s been approved. With our status as special advisors to the San Francisco Police Department, we can legally carry and use approved defensive weapons during investigative operations. The firearms have been selected. Would you like to see them, Young Mistress?”

Liu Yutong nodded. “Let’s go!”

…

San Francisco suburbs, a private shooting range.

Chu Yang stood at the firing line, casually handling a Glock 17. He moved with practiced ease as he inspected the firearm, loaded it, and chambered a round—every motion fluid and precise.

The target before him was a human silhouette twenty-five meters away.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Five shots rang out, shell casings clinking to the ground as the faint smell of gunpowder lingered in the air.

The target display showed all five rounds had hit the ten-ring, clustered within a fist-sized area.

“Beautiful!”

“Mr. Chu, your marksmanship is incredible. It’s hard to imagine how you developed such skill in China, where firearms are so strictly prohibited,” a local detective observing couldn’t help but remark.

After hearing the translation, Chu Yang ejected the magazine and checked the chamber before casually replying, “I’ve played a lot of video games.”

He didn’t mention his military service, nor that his true specialty wasn’t handguns, but medium-to-long-range sniper rifles.

Three plainclothes detectives had accompanied Liu Yutong’s team to the range. The team leader was a white detective named Davis, while the other two were a Latino and a Black officer.

They were dispatched by the police department’s special investigative unit to provide operational support and, more importantly, to monitor whether this foreign advisory team operated within legal boundaries.

Of course, this was also at Liu Yutong’s request.

Having police witnesses present throughout ensured their actions were completely legally airtight and prevented anyone from denying their involvement if problems arose later.

Detective Davis, observing Chu Yang’s performance, walked over to Liu Yutong. “Miss Liu, your team is certainly professional, but I must remind you again: though you have a temporary firearm permit, this operation’s primary purpose is investigation and evidence gathering, not exchanging fire. If we locate the suspect, we will call for backup. Do not act on your own.”

Liu Yutong had changed into black tactical gear, her long hair pulled into a sharp high ponytail that radiated assertiveness. She held a compact handgun, taking aim at a target as she spoke. “Don’t worry, Officer. We’re law-abiding citizens from a legitimate company!”

“That would be best,” Davis nodded, though he couldn’t help studying Liu Yutong more closely.

This Eastern girl was extraordinary—remarkably young yet possessing the composure of a seasoned leader, her features more refined than many celebrities, with eyes that seemed to see through everything.

And her subordinates were all formidable individuals who showed her utmost respect, while even the police department’s senior officials treated her with unusual deference.

Could someone like this truly be a legitimate businessperson?

Davis recalled the rumors circulating through San Francisco’s underworld about Miss Liu’s notorious nickname “Black Phoenix,” along with Hell’s Titan, Black and White Fiends, Shadow Assassin…

And her team’s constant refrain: “We’re legitimate businesspeople from a proper company!”

Wasn’t there a saying that the more you lack something, the more you emphasize it?

“Young Mistress, try this one.”

Chu Yang approached and handed her a Sig Sauer P226. “Softer recoil, higher precision, suits your hand size.”

Liu Yutong accepted the pistol, followed Chu Yang’s instructions to inspect it, then raised it to aim.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three shots fired—two eights and one ten.

“Not bad at all, Miss Liu!”

Young Officer Kevin praised her. “Many people can’t achieve that with a P226.”

Liu Yutong smiled. “Just got lucky.”

She then tried various other firearms at the range, simply enjoying the experience of testing them all.

When she had finished, she received a message from Jess.

After reading it, she looked up at everyone present.

“Everyone, prepare to move out.”

“Operation commence!”