At thirty, I started my comeback from the intelligence system.

He turned and walked out of the small conference room. Mu Xueke stared at his back, momentarily lost in thought.

"President Mu? It sounds a little strange coming from you. I still prefer you calling me Xiao An..."

Chen Geng did not go to the lounge, but instead headed to the tea and coffee room.

He strolled around seemingly casually, his gaze sweeping across the room, and soon "coincidentally" encountered Sun Liwei, who was standing alone by the window, his expression shifting.

"Chairman Sun," Chen Geng greeted him proactively, his attitude humble and polite.

Sun Liwei was startled. When he saw it was Chen Geng, his expression became even more unnatural. He nodded with difficulty and said, "Director Chen... Director Chen."

"Chairman Sun seems to have something on his mind?" Chen Geng asked casually, lowering his voice. "You didn't look too well during the meeting just now. Are you worried about... things overseas?"

Sun Liwei trembled violently and looked up at Chen Geng with his eyes filled with terror and disbelief.

Chen Geng seemed oblivious, continuing in his calm tone, "I have a friend who has connections in Southeast Asia and can talk to some prominent figures in local Chinese business associations. I've heard that the security situation there hasn't been good lately, and some young people are easily tricked into owing money they shouldn't have, which is very troublesome."

He glanced at Sun Liwei's face, which had turned deathly pale, and then changed the subject, "However, if we cooperate well, many things are not insurmountable. After all, harmony brings wealth, and peace is a blessing, wouldn't you agree, Chairman Sun?"

Sun Liwei's lips trembled as he looked at Chen Geng's young yet all-knowing face, a chill running from his feet to the top of his head.

How did Chen Geng know that his son, Sun Hao, owed huge debts to local gangsters at a casino in Malaysia, and that he embezzled public funds to cover the debts? What else does he know?

"What...what do you want?" Sun Liwei's voice trembled.

"I don't want anything." Chen Geng smiled, his smile appearing very sincere.

"I just feel that if today's board meeting goes smoothly, everyone will be happy. After the meeting, perhaps I can try to contact my friend and ask about the situation with Young Master Sun Hao. Of course, that's assuming... everything goes well today."

Sun Liwei stared intently at Chen Geng, as if trying to see right through him, but in the end, under the gaze of those calm yet unfathomable eyes, he seemed to have all his strength drained away, and he lowered his head dejectedly, squeezing out a single word from his throat: "...Okay."

Chen Geng said no more, nodded slightly, and turned to leave.

Time was of the essence, and he no longer had the opportunity to have a private "detailed talk" with Qian Jianguo.

But he had other options.

As everyone gradually returned to the main conference room, Chen Geng naturally walked to Qian Jianguo's side, whose steps were somewhat unsteady, and they walked side by side seemingly casually.

Just as he was about to enter the conference room, he spoke quickly and clearly in a very low voice, so that only the two of them could hear: "Tongda Construction, July two years ago, gantry crane accident, two dead and one injured. Actually, I don't care much about these things, but I hope we can all be friends."

Qian Jianguo was struck dumb, frozen on the spot. His face turned as white as paper, and fine beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead. His eyes were filled with boundless fear.

He suddenly turned to look at Chen Geng, but Chen Geng had already walked into the conference room with a normal expression, as if he hadn't said anything at all.

The meeting continues in the boardroom...

Everyone sat down again.

Lu Shiming's face was even more somber than before the recess, because he noticed that Sun Liwei and Qian Jianguo were behaving very strangely upon their return. Both of them had their heads down, avoiding eye contact with him, and their bodies were even trembling slightly. An ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

Mu Xueke glanced around and said, "Time's up! Regarding the appointment of Comrade Chen Geng as the president's assistant, now..."

"I object!" Lu Shiming spoke first again, needing to steer the conversation back on track. "I believe this is unreasonable, and many board members likely share my view!"

The conference room fell strangely quiet; several seconds passed without anyone speaking.

Mu Xueke asked in a deep voice, "Is only Chairman Lu against it? Then..."

Lu Shiming couldn't hold back any longer. He looked at Sun Liwei and Qian Jianguo, "Chairman Sun, Chairman Qian, didn't you also think this appointment was too hasty? What are your opinions?"

Immediately, everyone's eyes turned to Sun Liwei and Qian Jianguo.

Sun Liwei's body trembled, his head almost buried in his chest, his voice dry and weak:

"I...I believe that President Mu's...use of personnel...must have a deeper meaning. I...I support President Mu's decision."

The last few words were almost inaudible.

"What?!"

Lu Shiming could hardly believe his ears.

Qian Jianguo didn't even dare to lift his head, his voice hoarse:

"I...have no...no objection."

"you!"

Lu Shiming was so angry that his face turned pale. He suddenly stood up and pointed at the two of them.

"What's going on with you guys?! Didn't we agree on...?"

"Chairman Lu!"

Liang Dan spoke up at the opportune moment, adding fuel to the fire.

"Please maintain order in the meeting room. Chairman Sun and Chairman Qian have already expressed their opinions."

"In my personal opinion, Comrade Chen Geng is exceptionally capable, especially in handling the recent crisis, and is well-suited to serve as the president's assistant to President Mu. I agree to this appointment."

Ever since she found out that Zhou Peng was backed by Lu Shiming, she no longer cared about tearing off the mask of civility.

Wang Zhenye immediately followed up: "I agree too."

Song Rui stroked his beard and said slowly, "Hmm, young man, you have drive and achievements, you can be given opportunities to develop. I agree."

The other directors, who were originally neutral, changed their tune and subtly expressed their support for Mu Xueke's proposal.

Lu Shiming stood there all alone, his face turning from pale to red, then from red to white, looking like a clown.

His meticulously planned alliance crumbled in ten minutes! He looked at Sun Liwei and Qian Jianguo, who huddled like quails, not daring to look at him.

"I was hoping these people would initiate a vote of no confidence against Mu Xueke, but it seems I'm the one who's been the first to fail!"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! There must be some mistake!"

He then looked at Mu Xueke, who had a calm expression, and Chen Geng, who was standing not far behind her with his eyes downcast. An indescribable sense of shame and rage almost burst out of his chest.

He realized that it must have been Chen Geng who was behind this!

In those twenty minutes! What methods did he use?!

"Fine, fine, very well!" Lu Shiming spat out the words through gritted teeth, his eyes sweeping venomously over Mu Xueke and Chen Geng. "You're impressive! We'll see!"

Having said that, he felt too ashamed to stay any longer. He pushed back his chair abruptly, and under the complex gazes of the crowd, stormed off, slamming the conference room door shut behind him.

Mu Xueke secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and her gaze toward Chen Geng became even more meaningful.

"Then, the appointment is approved." Mu Xueke made the final decision.

"Next, let's discuss the reception and negotiation arrangements for the Aimas expedition team..."