Chapter 701: Bai Jingchen Passes Away (Two-in-One) [Thanks to Yi Meng for the Supreme Creator Badge!]

Successfully capturing Zhao Weixiang made Liu Yutong’s trip abroad worthwhile.

She didn’t delay, immediately bringing Zhao Weixiang to her hotel to rest for the night before departing tomorrow.

Once this matter was settled, it would be time to return home.

Back at the hotel, Liu Yutong immediately called her sworn sister, Gao Min.

“Sis, we got Zhao Weixiang.” The moment the call connected, Liu Yutong stated the outcome directly.

On the other end, Gao Min was instantly elated: “Really? You actually caught him? Sis, you’re not pulling my leg?”

“It’s real!”

“Then… did he confess?”

“Whether he confesses or not doesn’t matter. We’ll have ways to make him talk once he’s back. But Sis, we can’t leak this yet. Just now, there were assassins trying to silence him. I’m not sure if they can confirm Zhao Weixiang is dead. This has to stay secret!”

“You mean we should announce his death?”

“Exactly. I need you to sit on this for now. Tell the public you’re still investigating. My side will release ‘proof’ that Zhao Weixiang is dead, so those hiding in the shadows will let their guard down.”

“Understood!”

“Sis… thank you. My father waited eleven years. I’ve waited eleven years too. Finally, there’s a breakthrough.” Gao Min said emotionally.

“Sis, this isn’t just for our father. I won’t let a single one of those criminals escape!”

“I’ll wait for your return! We’ll bring them all to justice together.”

“Absolutely!”

“…….”

Hanging up, Liu Yutong turned to Yun Cheng.

“Yun Cheng, find a few reliable foreign faces. Reach out to some underground tabloids and web forums—the kind that’ll publish anything for money without fact-checking.”

Yun Cheng was slightly taken aback and asked, “What message should we spread, Young Mistress?”

Liu Yutong: “Say that Zhao Weixiang, a fugitive from Long Nation, got killed in a gang shootout in Los Angeles. Have Zhao Weixiang cooperate in taking a few ‘corpse’ photos as evidence.”

Yun Cheng nodded: “I’ll handle it right away. Should we craft some extra details? Like he was murdered by gangsters over gambling debts?”

Liu Yutong: “Perfect. The more cliché, the better. Make it fit everyone’s imagination of how a fugitive criminal’s story should end.”

“Also, have Jess spread some rumors in his circles. Say some unlucky bastard from Long Nation messed with the wrong people and got dumped in the ocean. But don’t mention Zhao Weixiang by name. Let them guess and gossip.”

“Understood!” Yun Cheng acknowledged, turning to leave.

Liu Yutong suddenly remembered something and called out, “Wait. Zhao Weixiang is emotionally unstable right now. Assign two men to watch him. Make sure he doesn’t commit suicide.”

“Of course!”

After Yun Cheng left, Liu Yutong stood alone by the window, gazing at the view outside.

Everything had gone smoothly in the States, which should have made her happy, but for some reason, a sense of foreboding lingered in her heart, as if something catastrophic was about to happen.

~~Ding ling ling~~~

At that moment, her phone suddenly rang.

The unexpected ring made her heart skip a beat.

The ominous feeling intensified when she saw Bai Shisui’s name on the caller ID.

The moment she answered, Bai Shisui’s heartbroken sobs poured through the speaker.

“Sister Yutong… Dad… Dad, he… wuuuuhhh…”

Liu Yutong’s heart sank instantly as she urgently asked, “What happened to Uncle Bai?”

“He’s gone… The doctors announced it ten minutes ago. Mom and Uncle are already making funeral arrangements, but I… I don’t know what to do…” Bai Shisui could barely speak through her tears on the other end.

Liu Yutong closed her eyes. Though she’d mentally prepared herself, the news still struck her with a sharp, painful ache.

That elder who’d stood in the kitchen wearing an apron, smiling kindly as he served barbecued pork buns; the chamber of commerce president who’d insisted on rescuing compatriots in a foreign land; the helmsman of Bai Group—he hadn’t pulled through. He was truly gone.

“Suisui, I’m coming back right now. Before I arrive, don’t agree to anything. Don’t sign anything. Remember that!”

“I… I remember… But Uncle says we should follow the company charter and Dad’s will. They’ve already contacted lawyers.”

A cold light flashed in Liu Yutong’s eyes: “Let them contact whoever they want, Suisui. With your father barely cold, some people already can’t wait. Wait for me to return.”

Hanging up, Liu Yutong immediately summoned Su Mansu: “Ready the jet. We’re returning to San Francisco. Now!”

“Yes, Boss!”

One good thing about the States: plenty of small jets and airports, and money talks—when you pay, they’ll fly anytime.

Swiftly!

Liu Yutong landed in San Francisco with her Wanlong Society entourage.

………

San Francisco, Chinatown.

News of Bai Jingchen’s death sent shockwaves through the Chinese community. It wasn’t just Bai Group experiencing undercurrents—the entire Chinese-American business circle sensed a storm brewing.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce meeting originally scheduled for next week was suddenly moved up to the day after Bai Jingchen’s passing, supposedly to discuss funeral arrangements and the organization’s future.

But everyone knew the real agenda: selecting a new president.

As Bai Group was the chamber’s largest sponsor and founder, Bai Jingchen’s death would inevitably create a power vacuum. Whoever succeeded him as president could influence the future direction of not just San Francisco’s Chinese business community, but Chinese-American commerce nationwide.

Overseas, many Chinese emigrants and descendants naturally banded together to form alliance-like chambers of commerce to compete in the market and establish roots.

These chambers commanded enormous resources. The benefits of becoming president were undeniable, and the position represented business leadership. Whether for fame or profit, there was no reason not to fight for it.

The meeting was set for Dragon Soaring Restaurant in Chinatown.

Outside the restaurant, media vehicles from various outlets were already lined up. Bai Jingchen’s death and succession were major news given his immense prestige in local business and overseas Chinese communities.

Inside the banquet hall on the second floor, over thirty people sat around a long conference table—all council members of the chamber, including company heads, community leaders, and representatives.

The seat at the head remained empty—that had been Bai Jingchen’s place.

To the left of the head seat sat Bai Shisui and her mother Zhou Meizhen, while Bai Shisui’s uncle Zhou Yan sat opposite them.

Zhou Yan wore a dark gray suit, his hair perfectly combed, smiling as he discussed business with the bosses beside him. Two middle-aged men sat in his row, both Zhou family members and senior executives at Bai Group.

To the right of the head seat sat several other influential business elders.

Among them, two figures stood out: one was Elder Li, a silver-haired man in his seventies leaning on a cane, deeply respected in the Chinese community.

The other was a younger man, not yet forty, named Zeng Jin. He’d built his fortune in import-export trade and represented the chamber’s rising generation.

The meeting hadn’t officially begun, but discussion was already underway.

“President Bai’s passing was so sudden… sigh, good people don’t get good fortune.”

“I heard he took two bullets. Surviving this long was already a miracle.”

“Have the killers been caught?”

“The news says it was the Snakehead Gang. They’re all in custody now.”

“Good. That should comfort President Bai’s spirit in heaven!”

“Those gangsters deserve to die!”

“Who do you think will succeed President Bai?”

“Probably Miss Bai? She’s the legal heir, after all.”

“Could be the First Lady.”

“I doubt it. Looking at Zhou Yan today, I think he’s gunning for President Bai’s seat.”

“Zhou Yan? I think he’s not quite there yet—he’s not family, after all.”

“So what if he’s not family? He’s her real uncle!”

“I heard President Bai intended to transfer some shares to an unrelated outsider before he died.”

“Really? Who?”

“Not sure, but the Zhou family won’t be happy about it. Look at those two Bai Group executives Zhou Yan brought—they’re both family. He’s making his position clear.”

“So is he taking the presidency too?”

“Hard to say. Lots of people want that position. Zeng Jin’s no lightweight either—he has backing from the Taiwanese and Min business groups. He’s got muscle.”

At that moment, Zhou Yan checked his watch and cleared his throat: “Everyone, it’s about time. Elder Li, shall we begin?”

Elder Li slowly opened his eyes and nodded: “Let’s begin. President Bai’s departure was sudden. We’ve gathered today first to mourn him, and second to discuss the chamber’s future path. First, let’s have the First Lady say a few words.”

Zhou Meizhen dabbed her eyes and stood to speak: “Thank you all for coming today. My husband spent his entire life working for the chamber and our compatriots, only to meet such an end. I only hope the chamber can continue his unfinished work and help those in need.”

She began crying again. Zhou Yan quickly moved to comfort her: “Sis, be strong! My brother-in-law in heaven would surely want the chamber, you, and Suisui to be well.”

Zhou Meizhen nodded and sat down.

Zhou Yan positioned himself beside the head seat, still standing, but the location spoke volumes.

“Everyone, regarding my brother-in-law’s case, the police are still investigating, and we trust they’ll get to the truth. But our Chinese Chamber of Commerce cannot be without a leader.”

“According to the chamber’s charter, when the president dies unexpectedly, the vice president should serve as acting president, with a new election held within one month. Elder Li is our honorary president, and Mr. Zeng is the vice president, so technically Mr. Zeng should serve as acting president. However, Mr. Zeng’s been quite busy with business lately, and…”

He paused and looked at Zeng Jin: “Mr. Zeng, didn’t you once say you weren’t very interested in the presidency?”

All eyes turned to Vice President Zeng Jin.

Zeng Jin smiled slightly: “Mr. Zhou has an excellent memory. I did say I was better at business than administration. However, these are extraordinary times. President Bai just passed, and everyone inside and outside the chamber is watching us. If we select someone without enough authority, I’m afraid they won’t command respect.”

He was essentially announcing his candidacy and showing his disdain for Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan’s smile remained unchanged: “I welcome Mr. Zeng’s candidacy, but given the urgency, I’ve already discussed this with several council members. I propose that I serve as acting president to oversee the upcoming election. I’ve worked at Bai Group for over a decade and am very familiar with chamber affairs. Most importantly, I’m now the person in charge at Bai Group. Forty percent of the chamber’s annual operating funds come from Bai Group’s donations. With me as acting president, I can ensure the chamber’s funding doesn’t dry up and projects don’t stall. What do you all think?”

“Of course, once things settle down, we’ll hold the proper election for president.”

The hall erupted in commotion.

“Person in charge at Bai Group? Has President Bai’s will been made public?”

“Haven’t heard anything…”

“Is Zhou Yan trying to seize power?”

Elder Li frowned: “Mr. Zhou, you say you’re now in charge at Bai Group. Do you have President Bai’s will? If not, as direct relatives, the First Lady and Miss Bai would seem more appropriate for this role, wouldn’t they?”

Zhou Yan came prepared, pulling a document from his briefcase: “Elder Li, this is a copy of the will my brother-in-law made before his death. Everyone can see that he designated an executor for his estate. Regarding company management, it clearly states that if he cannot perform his duties, I should serve as temporary manager until my niece is capable of taking over.”

He deliberately omitted the part about transferring shares to Liu Yutong. That agreement was still with the lawyers. As long as Bai Shisui didn’t sign to confirm it, there was room for maneuvering.

Several council members passed around the will copy, discussing animatedly.

Zeng Jin took it and glanced through, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he said nothing.

Zhou Yan pressed his advantage: “I know some may think I’m exploiting the situation, but I swear on my life that everything I do is for the good of my sister and niece. Suisui is still young. Business is war—how could a young girl handle it? I’ll help her stabilize the situation first, and when she’s grown, I’ll naturally return everything to her. Everyone here watched her grow up. Would you stand by and let outside wolves devour her?”

These heartfelt words, combined with Zhou Meizhen’s silent weeping beside him, swayed many in the room.

“Mr. Zhou makes sense.”

“Miss Bai is too young.”

“But if Zhou Yan becomes acting president, won’t the chamber become a Zhou family fiefdom?”

“So who do you suggest? Zeng Jin? With his Taiwanese backers, can we trust him?”

“Exactly!”

“Having Zhou Yan as acting president might be the safest option for now…”

“………”

As Zhou Yan watched the room’s opinion gradually shift his way, his smile grew more pronounced. He felt victory was certain—the control of Bai Group and the future presidency of the chamber would both be his for the taking.

“Everyone, since there are no objections, then I’ll…”

Before he could finish.

Bang!

The banquet hall doors were kicked open with a thunderous crash against the wall.

Everyone inside jumped, turning in unison.

A slender figure stood at the entrance, dressed in a black trench coat with a golden dragon badge pinned to her left breast.

Behind her followed dozens of black-clad youths, each standing tall and sharp-eyed, making her look like a queen emerging from the darkness.

A slight curve formed at the corner of her mouth as she declared:

‘I object!’“ }