Chapter 410: Wishful Thinking

The two fantasized about this wonderful outcome as they continued plotting. They drank with great gusto and ended up sleeping together.

The next morning, Yao Shufen woke up early. Seeing Ma Dabin still sound asleep, she quietly got out of bed to get dressed and wash up.

‘My goal is halfway accomplished,’ she thought. ‘Now, it’s all up to Ma Dabin.’

It was almost noon when Ma Dabin woke up. He saw the note Yao Shufen had left and a table laden with a lavish lunch, and he was deeply moved.

He understood all the effort she’d put in for his sake, and he knew his opportunity had arrived.

So he immediately sprang into action. First, he contacted a few of his subordinates and had them investigate Chen Qingdi’s situation. Then, he personally wrote a vicious smear piece against Chen Qingdi.

The article portrayed Chen Qingdi as a scumbag who had committed every evil imaginable, designed to make readers furious.

Soon, the newspaper was printed. Ma Dabin had deliberately placed the article on the front page as the headline story.

The moment he saw the newspaper, he knew he had succeeded. The article caused a sensation, and the entire population of Jiang City began paying attention to Chen Qingdi’s affairs.

Chen Qingdi soon saw the article as well. He was furious and decided to go find Ma Dabin to settle the score.

But when he arrived at the newspaper office, he found the place completely deserted. It turned out Ma Dabin had been tipped off and had already fled.

Meanwhile, Yao Shufen was laughing secretly in the background. She knew her plan had succeeded.

She called Ma Dabin and told him she had arranged everything, and that he should hide without worry.

So, Ma Dabin hid out of town for a while. During this time, he lived a carefree and comfortable life.

And Yao Shufen, while watching Chen Qingdi’s situation unfold, continued to plan her next move.

「Night fell.」 In the top-floor office of the Mingyue Group, Chen Qingdi sat in a large leather chair, holding a cup of steaming hot coffee. Outside the window, the city’s neon lights began to flicker. Before him stood several of his trusted core members: Chen Yuan, Qian Laoliu, and others.

“You all know that our Mingyue Group has recently been under frequent attack by the Jiangcheng Newspaper Office,” Chen Qingdi began slowly, his tone filled with undeniable authority. “Our reputation has been severely damaged, and that Ma Dabin actually chose to run away.”

“Boss, what should we do now?” Chen Yuan asked anxiously.

Chen Qingdi sneered. “Find him. After you find him, I want to make him pay the price.”

Qian Laoliu, the chairman of Mingyue Group’s security company, had a ruthless glint in his eye. “Don’t worry, Boss. Snatching one guy is nothing to us. I’ll take my men and find him right now.”

“Very good, Liu.” Chen Qingdi nodded in satisfaction. “Remember, no matter if he runs to the ends of the earth, you bring him back. I’ll give each of you fifty thousand US Dollars for travel expenses.”

A flash of greed and excitement appeared in everyone’s eyes. Fifty thousand US Dollars was no small sum for them.

“Also, once you’ve brought him back, don’t rough him up right away. Lock him in the basement of our security company and let him starve for a few days. I have something to say to him personally.” A cold smile played on Chen Qingdi’s lips.

Qian Laoliu took a team of elite thugs and set out that very night to find Ma Dabin. They used every method at their disposal, searching every possible hiding place, from his friends and family to his workplace.

Meanwhile, Chen Yuan began to engage with the Jiangcheng Newspaper Office, trying to find the real reason they were smearing the Mingyue Group. He discovered that a much larger conspiracy seemed to be hidden behind it all.

In a dilapidated wooden cabin, Ma Dabin, the head of the Jiangcheng Evening News, faced the sudden appearance of Qian Laoliu, vice president of Mingyue Group’s security subsidiary, and his men. “Who are you people?” he asked in terror.

Qian Laoliu sneered and replied, “We are the messengers of your nightmares.” As soon as he finished speaking, his subordinates rushed forward and tied Ma Dabin up securely.

Ma Dabin was secretly brought back to Jiang City. Chen Qingdi looked at the trembling man before him and said coldly, “Did you think you could escape my grasp?”

Ma Dabin’s face was pale, his voice trembling. “I… I was wrong…”

“Wrong? And what exactly were you wrong about?” Chen Qingdi pressed.

Ma Dabin gritted his teeth. “I… I took someone’s money to deliberately write those reports…”

A ruthless glint flashed in Chen Qingdi’s eyes. “I don’t care whose money you took. You hurt my Mingyue Group, and for that, I will have my revenge.”

Qian Laoliu also barked angrily, “Kid, you really don’t know what’s good for you! Do you have any idea what happens to people who cross our Mingyue Group?”

Ma Dabin’s face was deathly pale. He lowered his head and said nothing.

Chen Qingdi continued, “Did you think your reports could change anything? Don’t be so naive. In this world, might is right. What do you even count for?”

Ma Dabin retorted, “That’s just sophistry! My reports were based on real events. I was just exposing the darkness.”

Chen Qingdi roared with laughter. “What a joke! There’s no such thing as absolute truth in this world. You think those so-called facts can change anything? They’re nothing more than insignificant details.”

Ma Dabin struggled furiously, but he was bound too tightly to move. He yelled, “You’re just covering up the truth! You’re helping a tyrant perpetuate his evil!”

Qian Laoliu cut him off impatiently. “Save it, kid. You think you’re some kind of embodiment of justice? There’s no such thing as justice in this world. Only strength matters.”

Ma Dabin glared at Qian Laoliu. “You despicable villain! I won’t let you get away with your schemes.”

Chen Qingdi watched him with indifference. “Do you think you can fight me? Your strength is insignificant.”

Ma Dabin glared at Chen Qingdi. “You cold-blooded animal! You don’t even deserve to be called human.”

“Do you know who I am?” Chen Qingdi gave a disdainful smile, his tone laced with mockery. “Little guy, you’ve pissed off the wrong person.”

Ma Dabin’s face was pale. Of course he knew who Chen Qingdi was. He was a kingpin in Jiang City whom everyone knew and feared. His name was synonymous with terror.

“Mr. Chen, I… I…” Ma Dabin stammered, his voice trembling from extreme fear. “I don’t know what you mean. I haven’t offended you.”

Chen Qingdi laughed scornfully. “Offended me? You’ve already offended me.” He pointed to Qian Laoliu at his side. “He’s yours.”

Qian Laoliu chuckled sinisterly, a cruel light flashing in his eyes. He pulled out a black pistol and aimed it at Ma Dabin’s head.

“No! Don’t kill me!” Ma Dabin screamed in terror, his body trembling violently. “I was wrong, I was really wrong…”