Chapter Fifty-Two: Are You Playing The Matrix?

Guo Yang was stunned.

Su Man felt as if she were dreaming. What on earth was this guy doing? Was he really unafraid? Guo Yang was the general manager here, wielding great power, with tens of billions in funds at his disposal. He was one of the most renowned and successful businessmen in Jianghai City, with countless people eager to curry favor with him. And someone whom even Guo Yang respectfully addressed as “Boss Cao”—could that really be just an ordinary person?

Yet, Qin Yang’s unrestrained insults made Guo Yang shudder from head to toe. If he angered Boss Cao, what would become of him?

But Qin Yang gave him no chance. He snatched the phone, sat down in the chair, and said coldly, “Cao, you really don’t know what’s good for you, do you? You’ve been hiding long enough. I’m not trying to press you too hard, but you should at least know your place. Stop skulking around and sending your lackeys to negotiate. Do you think I’m here for nothing? There’s a limit to your shamelessness. You’ve stirred things up—don’t think you’ll get away with just an arm; you might very well lose your life.”

“Mr. Qin, let’s talk tonight,” came Boss Cao’s low, restrained voice, as if he were holding something back. “I’ll send someone to pick you up.”

“Fine.” Qin Yang hung up and tossed the phone back to Guo Yang.

Guo Yang stared in disbelief. What had just happened? Who on earth was this young man? Wait a minute—why did he look so familiar? Where had he seen him before? When Guo Yang’s gaze fell upon a photo on his desk—a picture he had always been proud to display—his heart sank. The resemblance was uncanny; he looked almost exactly like the chairman.

“M-Mr. Qin…” Guo Yang swallowed hard, his heart pounding.

“I’ll remember what you owe me. We’ll settle it later.” Qin Yang didn’t want to waste any more words on him. He stood and left. Su Man hesitated, realizing this wasn’t the time to stay by Guo Yang’s side, and carefully followed after, hurrying to catch up at the door. She stopped Qin Yang, blinking her large eyes, “You really are some kind of high-level executive, aren’t you? Otherwise, Manager Guo wouldn’t be so afraid of you.”

“Have you ever heard of the Ten Notorious Villains of Jianghai?” Qin Yang glanced at her, teasing.

Su Man instinctively shook her head.

“I’m their boss—the worst of the worst, guilty of every imaginable crime. Whatever evil you can think of, I’ve probably done it,” Qin Yang drawled, doing his best to appear menacing.

“Then you must have crushed instant noodles in the supermarket and tricked children, too,” Su Man said, taking a step back, clearly intimidated by Qin Yang’s performance.

Qin Yang rolled his eyes. “I’m not that petty. Can’t you think of something more wicked? Like harassing innocent girls like you?”

“That doesn’t sound like you,” Su Man pouted, shaking her head. “You must be an executive checking up on things—that’s why Manager Guo is afraid of you. What kind of leader are you, really? Tell me?”

“Me? A big boss,” Qin Yang patted his chest, about to continue teasing her, when suddenly Liu Molan’s impatient voice came from the elevator, “Qin Yang, didn’t I tell you not to wander off?”

Qin Yang hurried over, puzzled. “Weren’t you negotiating business?”

“Mr. Xu had something urgent and left. I’ve been looking for you. The staff told me you went up to the twelfth floor—gave me quite a fright. Can’t you behave for once? What do you think this place is, your own turf? Roaming around like you own it, getting caught by security—you’ll be thrown out the door. Honestly, I’m starting to regret bringing you along on this business trip,” Liu Molan said, exasperated.

“Don’t be mad, boss. I didn’t cause any trouble,” Qin Yang quickly defended himself.

Su Man watched the scene curiously. How could this guy, who just now had acted so arrogantly in front of Guo Yang, be so meek now? And call this woman “boss”? They seemed to be here on business—had he just been bluffing earlier?

“All right, let’s go,” Liu Molan said, glaring at him when she caught sight of Su Man. “If you don’t behave, I’ll send you back to Haitian.”

“Coming!” Qin Yang replied cheerfully, trailing after her, but not before turning to Su Man and saying, “Don’t forget you still owe me tea. And really, I’m not some big boss.”

Liu Molan’s face was still dark as they walked. Qin Yang, not wanting to provoke her further, quietly followed along as she visited two more real estate companies. The negotiations seemed to go well, and her mood improved a little by the time they left. However, when she started chatting amicably with a young man who had accompanied her out, Qin Yang couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

“Miss Liu, do you have any plans tonight? I’d like to invite you to dinner, just the two of us,” the young man asked politely.

Liu Molan glanced at the time and nodded. “That’s fine.”

“There’s a Western restaurant nearby with amazing caviar—truly a delicacy. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed,” the man said, exuding gentlemanly charm.

“And this is…?” The man looked questioningly at Qin Yang, who was following behind Liu Molan.

“He’s my assistant,” Liu Molan replied softly, then turned to Qin Yang. “You can go home now. If I need anything, I’ll call you.”

Qin Yang looked at the sky, then at Liu Molan’s determined expression. He gave a wry smile and nodded.

The man opened the passenger door of his Audi A8, helping her in with impeccable manners, then got behind the wheel and drove off. Qin Yang stood by the roadside, lit a cigarette, and took a long drag. As he was about to hail a taxi to follow them, a black Mercedes pulled up smoothly beside him. A man in his thirties, dressed in a black suit, stepped out, opened the rear door, and said respectfully, “Young Master Qin, please.”

Knowing this was Boss Cao’s arrangement, Qin Yang didn’t hesitate. He figured Liu Molan wouldn’t be in any immediate danger and decided to go along. The car drove him to a private club. When he got out, he was greeted by several burly men in black suits and sunglasses, standing on either side with imposing presence, motionless.

“Young Master Qin, this way please,” the driver said, gesturing.

Qin Yang smiled and stepped forward. Instantly, he felt an overwhelming aura pressing in on him, making his heart skip a beat. Looking at the men in black suits around him, he knew this was Boss Cao’s way of intimidation. He didn’t back down. Instead, he summoned the dangerous aura of hell itself, letting a wave of murderous intent—a presence almost palpable—sweep across the scene. Anyone who had danced on the edge of life and death would sense the looming, scythe-wielding shadow behind him.

“Do you think putting on suits makes you the Matrix? Wearing sunglasses at night—aren’t you afraid you’ll walk into a lamppost? Trying to tell everyone you’re gangsters? What an act.”