Chapter Fourteen: The Trap

It was clear to any discerning eye that this matter was most likely a calculated setup. What Lin Peishi hadn't expected was that this should be somehow connected to Shu Yiming. Could such a calculating heart be hidden beneath that kind and gentle face? Her heart trembled at the realization.

...

In the office, Shu Yiming studied the photos in his hand, his gaze sharp and unwavering. They were pictures of Li Rou and Wan Chaoyang together—various moments, all kinds of situations. If those were exposed now, Wan Chaoyang would be utterly ruined. Instead of catching someone in a trap, he had fallen into one himself—a storyline the major media outlets would delight in covering.

Their investigative skills far surpassed his own; even things he had forgotten from childhood might be unearthed. Wan Chaoyang’s father had gone to prison, his mother had been a mistress, and Wan Chaoyang himself had spent time in juvenile detention. The words Ouyang Zhuo had spoken just yesterday still echoed in his ears.

After a moment’s thought, Shu Yiming placed the items into an envelope, locked them in the cabinet, and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a brief rest.

There was a phrase he kept turning over in his mind: some things one should do, and others one should not. For now, he chose restraint.

Li Rou hadn’t come to work today, her desk still piled high with documents. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, but before Shu Yiming could respond, the door was pushed open. A middle-aged man with graying hair entered, smiling broadly as he called out, “Ah Ming.”

At the sound of that voice, a chill ran down Shu Yiming’s spine. It was as if the past had returned, that voice echoing in his mind: “You’re just useless. Ever heard of being destroyed by flattery? I praise you, just to turn you into a useless man, so you’ll amount to nothing. Only then will you be a paper tiger, for me to manipulate at will!”

Yes, those were the very words spoken by the man before him—Shu Zucheng.

In his previous life, Shu Yiming had obeyed his every command. Everyone thought he was fortunate to have such a kindly elder caring for him. To Shu Yiming, Shu Zucheng had been as close as a father: trust, affection, concern—all freely given. Even at the very end, Shu Yiming still harbored hope for help from this man.

They say you can know someone’s face but not their heart. Shu Yiming thought this saying fit Shu Zucheng perfectly; who could have guessed that beneath that gentle demeanor, he had spent more than a decade paving a road of no return?

“Ah Ming? What’s wrong? I saw you talking with Wan Chaoyang just now—what is it? Is there something between you two?” Shu Zucheng’s tone was affectionate as he sat beside Shu Yiming, laying his broad palm on his shoulder.

Once, Shu Yiming had believed this was love, concern, kindness. Now, in retrospect, he saw how intrusive Shu Zucheng had been—no different from surveillance.

But now was not the time to confront him. Shu Yiming did not yet have the strength to oppose them.

“Uncle, do you have any advice for me lately?” Shu Yiming asked with a smile.

“Didn’t I mention that contract last time? You should follow up on it in the next few days—it’s a major client. If it goes through, the company won’t have to worry for the rest of the year.” Shu Zucheng handed him a folder as he spoke.

Shu Yiming nodded, though inwardly he sneered. This contract was the very trap that was about to be sprung—a deal that would cost billions, most of which would end up in Shu Zucheng’s hands.

“All the contact details are inside. I have something else to attend to, so I’ll be going,” Shu Zucheng said as he left. Once outside, he picked up his phone and sent a message: “The fish has taken the bait!”

A few days later, Shu Zucheng watched Shu Yiming drive off toward the Kete Grand Hotel, swirling the wine in his glass as he grinned, “You brat, you want to play with me? I’ll see you stripped to your last pair of shorts!”

This was a new energy contract. The other party was Zhao Tianguang, the renowned head of Tiansheng Group.

At the hotel entrance, Shu Yiming had just stepped out of the car when he was greeted enthusiastically by a voluptuous woman with wavy hair who introduced herself as Zhu Wanwan, Zhao Tianguang’s secretary.

But the problem lay with this woman, Zhu Wanwan. Zhao Tianguang was indeed present, but in another room, separated by a single wall.

To describe it simply: there was a real Zhao Tianguang and a fake one, each in a separate room—one door off the left corridor, one off the right. No one knew about this switch, and in his previous life, Shu Yiming had been led into the fake Zhao Tianguang’s room and signed a contract riddled with traps.

“Ming, our boss has been waiting for a while. There’s an important meeting later, so we need to hurry!” Zhu Wanwan laughed sweetly, urging him on.

“Alright, I’ll finish up quickly,” Shu Yiming replied with a cold smile. This was their first trick: hurry, hurry, hurry—give him no time to think or investigate.

“Of course, Ming. Our boss and your uncle go way back. This time, we’re really cutting you a deal. The price is unbeatable—no one else could offer this!” Zhu Wanwan prattled as she walked.

“Yes, I know,” Shu Yiming pretended to be excited.

This was their second trick: make him think he was getting a bargain, that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He had paid dearly for this lesson in his past life.

Zhu Wanwan, seeing his apparent eagerness, clung to his arm, almost pressing herself against him. “Ming, you know, it’s no small effort for me to show you the way on such a huge deal. Don’t you think you owe me a nice dinner later?” She threw him a flirtatious wink as she spoke.

This was the third trick: distract him with flirtation, make his head spin so he’d be eager to finish the deal and go have fun.

Thinking back, Shu Yiming had to admit the scheme was ingenious. If he hadn’t lived this all before, he would surely fall for it again.

Inside the room, an old man with a snowy white beard sat waiting, looking energetic and bright-eyed. Upon seeing Shu Yiming, he rose with a gentle smile and greeted him warmly, “Ah Ming, you’re here. How’s your uncle? I have something to attend to soon, so let’s get this contract settled quickly.”

Kind words, familial warmth.

Shu Yiming nodded, feigning deep gratitude.

At the moment of signing, Shu Yiming suddenly smiled and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t keep up this charade any longer. Ouyang Zhuo, aren’t you coming out?”

A rush of footsteps sounded as uniformed officers burst in, seizing control of the scene.

Shu Yiming had only intended to apprehend these fraudsters and return to deal with Shu Zucheng, but as he and Ouyang Zhuo stepped out the door, he was stunned by what greeted him.

“Ouyang, wasn’t that man just arrested? Why is there another one here?” Shu Yiming stared at the elderly man before him, suddenly realizing—this was the real one!

Wang Tiansheng, head of Tiansheng Group! The legendary undefeated titan in the business world, a man who had never failed at any endeavor or goal!