Chapter Thirty-Two: Let's All Have Some Fun Together!

Zhu Lan had been hiding in his office; few people ever caught a glimpse of him. In recent days, some began to test the limits of Fantasy Technology, sending representatives to negotiate for agency rights and even attempting to swallow the entire company whole. Chief among these was the Canglong Group.

Canglong Group wasn’t well-known in China—only the upper echelons understood its terrifying power. Established in 2003 as a financial investment company, it had, over more than a decade, become a giant in finance, its assets surpassing tens of billions. Perhaps that was nothing on the global stage, but within China, it was a dominant force. Every board member of Canglong Group hailed from an influential background. Its reach extended into industrial enterprises like Dazhong Motors, supermarket chains, hotel chains, and the internet sector with companies such as Baidu. Among the top 500 Chinese enterprises, nearly a fifth had directors affiliated with Canglong Group.

Yet the group’s reputation for conduct was abysmal. It frequently employed methods few could stomach—deaths during land clearance were trivial matters, and orchestrating accidents to make government officials ‘disappear’ was routine. In recent years, the sweeping reforms across China had forced Canglong Group to adapt.

The arrival of Canglong Group, drawn by the gene optimization serum, did not surprise Zhu Lan.

“Boss, someone’s causing trouble!” Zhu Lan was sketching designs for his base when the door was suddenly flung open and Yu Dongming rushed in, anxious.

Zhu Lan set aside his work, dissatisfied, and looked up at Yu Dongming. “What is it?”

“Boss, there’s trouble at the company entrance.”

“Oh? They’ve finally come?” Zhu Lan put down his papers, walked over, and switched on the computer, pulling up the company’s surveillance cameras. When he saw the lineup of vehicles from various departments at the entrance, he sneered. “Such old tricks, but still effective.”

One look told him someone was trying to vent their frustrations through him. The matter of agency rights for the gene optimization serum had drawn a crowd, many representing formidable forces. Besides Tang Xuejian and a German company’s representative, Zhu Lan had met none of them—all dealings were handled by Lan Tianxin.

Zhu Lan had neither set conditions nor agreed to anything. His only requirement was for prospective agents to leave their contact details and wait for the company’s bidding process to begin. When the situation grew difficult, Lan Tianxin couldn’t handle it, and Yu Dongming would throw them out.

Zhu Lan had already given up on the gene optimization serum, using it merely to test the government’s boundaries, unconcerned about offending anyone. He knew his actions would antagonize many and had prepared for it.

Prepared as he was, Zhu Lan hadn’t called for any special measures from his staff. He simply let things be.

Now, trouble had finally arrived.

“Boss?” Yu Dongming couldn’t help but ask again.

“Forget about them. Tell those at the front gate to stick to the company’s principles. If they force their way in, let them be—even if they head to the biology department, there’s no need to intervene.”

“But, boss—” Yu Dongming was confused by Zhu Lan’s instructions.

“That’s all. Unless it’s something truly urgent, don’t come to me. Even if they turn the company upside down, let them!”

Yu Dongming left, his face full of questions.

Watching the scene on the surveillance feed, Zhu Lan sneered. “Let them play. I have all the time in the world to play with them.”

His orders quickly reached the gate through Yu Dongming. The police department, claiming to be investigating a fugitive, entered the company led by a deputy director.

“Stop! Who are you?” Yu Shan, feeling triumphant as he stepped into Fantasy Technology, was immediately blocked. He was about to curse, but when he saw who stopped him, cold sweat broke out on his forehead: several fully armed soldiers, each holding a weapon.

This was a military checkpoint. The outermost perimeter was staffed by Fantasy Technology’s security, but important areas within the company were guarded by a military line—a true defensive barrier.

“Are you soldiers?” Yu Shan was baffled. How had soldiers appeared?

“Who are you?” The leading soldier frowned at Yu Shan and his group. Their police uniforms had spared them, but deadly force was not out of the question.

“I... I... I’m...” Yu Shan stuttered, terrified by the guns pointed at him. He didn’t collapse, which was remarkable. The other police officers didn’t dare even look up, waiting for Yu Shan’s response.

Soon, other departments arrived, and seeing the soldiers, they were stunned.

No one was a fool; they quickly realized they’d been used. Yet, knowing they were pawns, there was nothing they could do.

News of the farcical investigations by various departments quickly reached Xiao He.

Xiao He came to the gate, his expression icy as he regarded the department heads in silence.

Seeing the stars of rank on Xiao He’s shoulder, the officials dared not even meet his gaze.

“No matter whose orders you follow, this is a military enterprise. Without upper-level authorization, trespassers will be detained for disrupting military production!”

“Leave immediately. I will report your actions to the city government!” With that, no one dared stay—they hurried out.

“You’ve done well. Keep it up.”

“Yes, sir!”

Xiao He turned and headed for Zhu Lan’s location.

Zhu Lan had moved to a new spot—a simple alloy cabin, very close to the biology building.

Bang—

The door was pushed open forcefully. Xiao He strode in, face cold.

Zhu Lan looked up helplessly, set his blueprints aside, and said, “Major Xiao, who’s angered you?”

“What are you playing at?” Xiao He’s icy glare threatened to kill Zhu Lan if he said the wrong thing.

“What do you mean?” Zhu Lan feigned ignorance.

“Pretending, pretending. Zhu Lan, how long do you think you can keep this up? Are you telling me you didn’t know what happened at the gate? Why did you let them in?” Xiao He nearly shouted.

Zhu Lan acted as if he suddenly understood. “Oh, you mean that? Just now, Yu Dongming said there was a fugitive in our company. I thought, as a good citizen, I must cooperate with national authorities, so I let them in.”

Xiao He stared at Zhu Lan, wishing he could kill him. “What exactly are you trying to do? Do you not understand what this place represents?”

“I do. But if there’s a fugitive here, I can’t harbor him, can I? If I did, I’d be guilty of a major crime I can’t afford!”

Now Xiao He understood—Zhu Lan was venting his dissatisfaction.

The incident in the northern suburbs was minor, but impossible to conceal. Investigations followed, and no one would believe there hadn’t been instructions from above. Even those with great influence knew about Fantasy Technology’s cooperation with the military, yet still dared to act—this was outright disregard for the military.

If the military responded, that was good. If not, what did it mean?

Adding to earlier events, Zhu Lan had come to realize the state was testing him.

Thus, regarding the gene optimization serum, Zhu Lan ignored everyone except those he found agreeable. Regardless of their background, under the national umbrella, even the wealthiest American corporations wouldn’t dare challenge China’s authority.

Zhu Lan was waving the tiger’s flag—scaring off whoever he could.

Even if the worst happened, Zhu Lan didn’t care; it would mean the state had given up on him, and he’d have to adjust his plans.

He’d been waiting these past days—for trouble to arrive.

Of course, he wasn’t idle; he was planning for the future.

After the incident in the Middle East and the matter with Ren Linting, Zhu Lan had acquired several mountains to the north, intending to build a secret base.

By his calculations, with his current resources, he could deploy some basic engineering robots, so he would first establish a base. Knowing he was always under government scrutiny, he kept the base’s existence hidden from everyone.

“Zhu Lan, do you realize what consequences this could bring?” Xiao He looked at him, helpless.

Zhu Lan smiled and shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe you could enlighten me?”

“You...” Xiao He pointed at Zhu Lan, so angry he was speechless.

“Hmph. If they want to play, I’ll play. Why, are you going to interfere?”

“Do you realize you’re playing with fire?”

“I do. In fact, I wish the fire were bigger!”

“You actually want to escalate? You must have a death wish!”

“Hmph. Fine. It’s best if you intervene, but if not, I’ll see who bears the losses in the end!”

Xiao He slammed the door and left. Zhu Lan snorted coldly and returned to his base designs.

Xiao He quickly relayed the news to Luo Guoqiang.

Listening to Xiao He over the phone, Luo Guoqiang felt a headache coming on.

Zhu Lan’s situation was growing more complicated. The attitude from above was too ambiguous. Luo Guoqiang had asked his old commander about Zhu Lan but received no clear answer—just endless delays.

Although he was Navy, here he was the highest authority. Most matters concerning Zhu Lan were under his purview. As long as nothing serious happened, all was well. But with the gene optimization serum, Luo Guoqiang had anticipated trouble—just not so much, so soon. How could he not have a headache?

“Commander?” Xiao He asked, puzzled by Luo Guoqiang’s long silence.

“Oh, yes. Xiao He, you know how complicated this situation is. Stall them as best you can. I’m still in the South China Sea. I’ll report this issue to those above. If anything happens in the next few days, stop it. Without orders from above, don’t let anyone breach the final defense line. There’s been word that many are interested in Zhu Lan lately!”

Ps: Alas, maybe after the New Year, I’ll go back to the construction site and honestly move bricks!