Chapter 185 - 184: Power

Chapter 185: Chapter 184: Power

Bumping into her cousin at Hunting Star International Group soured Pei Xianjue’s already foul mood.

She had an extremely sexist grandfather and a father who deeply respected tradition. After her grandfather passed away, her father took up the mantle, inheriting the massive family business and taking the Pei Group to new heights. The grandchildren, in turn, began to enter the group to gain experience.

Even distant relatives who popped up out of nowhere were given opportunities to prove their worth within the group.

She alone was forbidden from entering the group’s management.

She had money, property, and shares, but no power.

In truth, Pei Xianjue had no interest in running a company, but her competitive nature wouldn’t let her accept the situation. She pestered her father relentlessly, determined to prove herself.

Her father, half-jokingly, said he would test her. He gave her a small company, promising that if she managed it well, he would let her join the Pei Group.

As it turned out, she ran the company into the ground in six months.

After that, Pei Xianjue gave up on the idea, figuring she really wasn’t cut out for it. It was better to find another path.

For example, she was interested in fashion and could try starting her own brand or getting into clothing design.

So Pei Xianjue began flying abroad frequently to visit exhibitions and watch fashion shows, accumulating experience.

One day, she was sitting by a runway as models flowed like water before her eyes. As she watched, something suddenly felt wrong.

’Why can my brothers go work for the company directly, while I have to pass a test?’

The thought was like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head, chilling her to the bone.

...

The elevator doors opened, pulling Pei Xianjue’s thoughts back to reality.

She was heading to the underground parking garage on level B1, but the elevator had stopped on the 6th floor.

A dozen or so men stood outside, all wearing matching athletic shorts and shirts. They ranged in age from their twenties to their forties.

They were the company’s newly recruited Hunters, having just finished a physical fitness test. Every one of them was drenched in sweat, and the stench hit her the moment the elevator doors opened.

Pei Xianjue couldn’t help but frown.

Da Xiong blocked the doorway. "Hey! This is the president’s private elevator. You’re in the wrong place."

The Hunters were all a bit dazed. It was their first day, and they weren’t familiar with the company’s layout. They had seen an elevator and pressed the button, only to find it wasn’t for them.

A few seconds later, a trainer from behind them shouted, "What are you all doing over there? Come on, over here! The employee elevator is this way—"

The trainer jogged over and gave Pei Xianjue an apologetic bow.

Maintaining his bodyguard’s intimidating presence, Da Xiong pressed the close-door button with a stony expression.

The elevator continued its descent.

Pei Xianjue recalled the faces of the Hunters and asked Da Xiong, "Didn’t a few of those Hunters participate in the bodyguard interviews last time?"

"Yes, Miss Pei." Da Xiong looked a little embarrassed. "After I was selected in the interview, all the remaining Hunters were signed by Hunting Star International."

Pei Xianjue’s brow furrowed slightly. "Not all of them, surely. I remember there were several women at the last interview, but all those Hunters just now were men."

"Oh... Now that you mention it, I didn’t see any female Hunters. That’s strange." Da Xiong was also baffled.

The elevator arrived at the underground parking garage.

Da Xiong had already contacted the driver, so Pei Xianjue’s private car was now parked just a few steps from the elevator.

The driver opened the car door, and Pei Xianjue got in.

She took out her phone and checked the list of recently signed Hunters, confirming that there wasn’t a single woman among them.

Pei Xianjue thought for a moment, then called the HR department to ask what was going on.

It was hard to explain the complete absence of women among the signed Hunters as a coincidence.

The person in charge received Pei Xianjue’s call, sounding terrified and deferential as they explained:

"Signings are voluntary. During contract negotiations, some Hunters were unable to meet company requirements. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation based on the company’s needs... and those who ultimately reached an agreement were predominantly male Hunters."

Pei Xianjue said with annoyance, "I don’t want to hear your corporate-speak."

The person’s tone became troubled. "Miss Pei, this was President Pei’s decision."

This President Pei wasn’t her father, but her uncle. Because he was the fourth-born among his siblings, Pei Xianjue had called him Fourth Uncle since she was a child.

Hunting Star International was currently managed by Fourth Uncle Pei. If he gave the order not to sign female Hunters, his subordinates could only comply.

A flame of anger ignited in Pei Xianjue. She immediately hung up and dialed Fourth Uncle Pei’s number.

Just then, a news alert banner slid down from the top of her phone screen:

[Ye Zheng sacrificed during reconnaissance mission in the Northern Forest...]

Pei Xianjue froze.

News of the cleanup operation had aired at 8 a.m. It was now 10 a.m., and the official announcement of Ye Zheng’s death had been released.

Pei Xianjue didn’t need to click on the alert to imagine the shockwaves it would send across the internet.

It would undoubtedly be the top trending topic.

Before Pei Xianjue could recover from her shock, the call connected. Her Fourth Uncle Pei’s voice came from the other end. "Hello, Little Yu, what’s with the sudden call?"

Pei Xianjue suddenly changed her mind.

Her anger vanished completely. She asked in a gentle tone, "Fourth Uncle, it’s like this. I noticed that the new batch of Hunters the company signed are all men. There isn’t a single woman. What’s going on?"

"Oh, the company was just established, so we need to control costs. The medical expenses alone are huge. My plan is to wait until the company is on the right track and turning a profit before we start signing female Hunters."

Pei Xianjue said, "Oh, so that’s how it is. You gave me a scare. I was worried the company didn’t plan on signing any female Hunters at all."

"That’s not the case. But Little Yu, you have to understand, the company’s business model is a fan-based economy. Our primary consideration is how to maximize profits, not gender balance. It’s like how boy bands always make more money than girl groups, and the world’s top athlete rankings are full of men, not women. The company is spending money and effort to train these Hunters, and ultimately, it’s about making a profit... Forget it. You wouldn’t understand business matters anyway. Just focus on your work at the Inspection Bureau and don’t ask about company affairs."

Pei Xianjue’s face was as cold as ice, but her tone remained polite. "Okay, Fourth Uncle. I’ll let you get back to work. Don’t work too hard."

The call ended.

"Fucking idiot," Pei Xianjue muttered.

Da Xiong, inside the car: "..."

The newly appointed bodyguard struggled to control his expression, trying his best to appear calm and professional. However, he couldn’t stop his eyes from darting toward Pei Xianjue out of the corner of his vision.

She was holding her phone, typing.

Her phone screen was quite large, and the text was clearly visible—

[Pei Xianjue: The passing of Ye Zheng is nothing less than the fall of a superstar. While she leaves us with immense sorrow, she will live on forever in all of our hearts. Her story will spread to every corner of the world, a constant inspiration to me as a fellow woman. I will follow Ye Zheng’s example and continue on the path of fighting Alien Species. Even if it is a road of no return, I will have no regrets. [Candle][Candle][Candle][Pray][Pray][Pray]]

This social media post was just a prelude.

Pei Xianjue hit post, then immediately began composing a second one—