TLSOTMTKOGAYWHTDI Chapter 84

Chapter 82: Someone Abuses Their Power for Personal Gain

Qi Yanwang’s car sped through the night, its tires splashing through puddles, sending up sprays of water.

Zhuo Huaimo sat in the passenger seat, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the edge of the window.

Raindrops snaked down the glass like countless tiny serpents.

“Slow down.”

Zhuo Huaimo frowned. “The roads are slippery in the rain.”

Qi Yanwang’s knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, which creaked softly in his hands.

The blue light from the dashboard illuminated his tense jawline, outlining a cold, hard contour.

“Is that detective reliable?” Zhuo Huaimo asked.

“Old Chen has been with me for five years,” Qi Yanwang replied curtly. “Tight-lipped and efficient.”

The car turned into a narrow alley, eventually stopping in front of an unremarkable gray building.

The neon sign read “Star Net Cafe,” but the “sun” radical was missing from the “star” character, causing it to flicker uncertainly.

The door at the end of the third-floor hallway was ajar.

When Qi Yanwang pushed it open, Old Chen was puffing away at a cigarette in front of a computer screen.

The room was filled with smoke so thick it almost had substance, mixed with the smells of cheap coffee and instant noodles.

Chen Mo pushed a stack of documents in front of them, tapping a particular page of bank statements heavily with his finger.

“Three years ago, Mr. Zhuo’s parents transferred 230 million yuan through an underground bank.” He adjusted his glasses. “The recipient was a shell corporation in the Cayman Islands.”

Zhuo Huaimo’s fingers clenched suddenly, crumpling the paper in his palm.

The amount was even larger than he had imagined.

“What kind of money?” Qi Yanwang asked in a deep voice.

Chen Mo shook his head. “I can’t trace the source. But what’s interesting is…”

He flipped to another document. “Three days after the transfer, Fu Guoqiang requested access to the original case files.”

Qi Yanwang and Zhuo Huaimo exchanged a look, both seeing shock in each other’s eyes.

“There’s something even stranger.”

Chen Mo lowered his voice. “I checked all the police officers who handled the case back then. Three of them resigned within six months, and two of them…are no longer alive.”

The air in the office instantly solidified. Zhuo Huaimo’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “How did they die?”

“One in a car accident, and one…from a sudden heart attack.” Chen Mo said meaningfully, “Both happened after Fu Guoqiang reviewed the case files.”

Qi Yanwang suddenly stood up and began pacing back and forth in the small office.

The sound of his leather shoes hitting the floor was particularly clear in the silence.

“What about that underground bank?”

“It was shut down three years ago.” Chen Mo smiled wryly. “The boss died in prison, and all the ledgers were destroyed.”

Zhuo Huaimo suddenly seized on a key point. “You said my parents transferred this money…how long before their accident?”

“Seventy-two hours,” Chen Mo said definitively. “Almost immediately after the transfer, they…”

Qi Yanwang tapped lightly on the table with his fingers, his eyes as sharp as an eagle. “This money…is likely the key.”

Chen Mo nodded, the eyes behind his lenses glinting shrewdly. “The other party isn’t killing Mr. Zhuo, probably because only he knows the whereabouts of the money.”

Zhuo Huaimo suddenly looked up, a trace of confusion in his eyes. “But I really don’t know…” His voice trembled slightly. “Before today, I didn’t even know this money existed.”

Qi Yanwang immediately took his hand, the warmth from his palm relaxing Zhuo Huaimo’s tense nerves slightly. “That’s a good thing, Huaimo. At least it means the other party won’t make a move on you for now.”

“That’s right.” Chen Mo adjusted his glasses. “The top priority now is to find out where the money went. I’ll start from several directions…”

He opened his notebook and quickly wrote down a few keywords:

Registration information for the shell corporation in the Cayman Islands.

The remaining personnel from the underground bank who handled the transfer.

The last clues Fu Guoqiang investigated before his death.

“How long will it take?” Qi Yanwang asked in a deep voice.

Chen Mo smiled wryly. “This kind of cross-border investigation, at best a week, at worst…”

“It’s okay, we have time!” Qi Yanwang held his hand. “At least we can be sure you’re safe for now. It doesn’t matter if we can find the money; your husband can support you!”

“Cough, cough…” Chen Mo was a little embarrassed. “Excuse me, do you two have any plans to get married temporarily?”

Qi Yanwang and Zhuo Huaimo were stunned for a moment and glanced at each other!

“I’m not being nosy!” Chen Mo immediately explained, “I just think it’s better for Mr. Zhuo to remain single for the time being?”

Qi Yanwang raised an eyebrow, looking displeased!

Chen Mo directly ignored him and looked at Zhuo Huaimo. “Because direct relatives have inheritance rights, I don’t know if the murderer is considering this!”

Qi Yanwang’s face instantly darkened, and his fingers unconsciously tightened, squeezing Zhuo Huaimo’s hand painfully.

“You mean…” His voice was squeezed out from between his teeth. “He’ll kill me?”

Chen Mo adjusted his glasses. “Theoretically, yes. If the murderer is after that money, and you two get married, you’ll be the first heir, so you’ll be in great danger.”

“I’m not afraid!”

Chen Mo spread his hands, knowing someone would always take care of him.

Sure enough, Zhuo Huaimo said “Be good,” and the man immediately calmed down!

Zhuo Huaimo suddenly chuckled. “President Qi, wait a little longer!”

Qi Yanwang’s expression was wonderful, going from shock to grievance, and finally settling on unwillingness. “I’ve waited for so many years…”

“Alright,” Zhuo Huaimo patted the back of his hand, turning to Chen Mo. “I have an idea.”

He paused, his eyes gradually firming. “I want to make a comeback and film a movie.”

“What?” Qi Yanwang stood up suddenly. “No way! It’s too dangerous!”

Zhuo Huaimo looked up at him, his eyes shining with a long-lost light. “This is the best opportunity. If the murderer is really watching me in the dark, instead of waiting passively, I might as well take the initiative to lure him out.”

Qi Yanwang’s chest rose and fell sharply, clearly engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

The room was silent except for the hum of the computer.

“Are you sure?” Finally, Qi Yanwang asked in a hoarse voice.

Zhuo Huaimo stood up and met his gaze. “I’m sure. This isn’t just to find out the truth…” His voice softened. “It’s what I want for myself too.”

Qi Yanwang looked into those familiar eyes and saw a long-lost desire—the radiance that belonged to the stage.

He took a deep breath and suddenly pulled the other man into his arms. “Damn it, I’m really done for because of you.”

Chen Mo coughed awkwardly. “Um…do you need me to leave?”

Three days later, Xingyue Media held a press conference.

The venue was packed, and flashes went off everywhere.

When Zhuo Huaimo appeared on stage in a sharply tailored black suit, the audience erupted.

He was more composed than he had been three years ago, but the sharpness in his brows had not diminished in the slightest.

“Thank you all for coming.” His voice was clear and strong. “Today, I have two things to announce.”

Qi Yanwang stood backstage, watching the figure on stage through the monitor, his fingers unconsciously clenching.

“First, I will officially make a comeback, starring in and directing the new film ‘Homecoming.'”

The audience burst into enthusiastic applause. Zhuo Huaimo waited for the noise to subside and continued, “Second, I will establish the ‘Huaimo Charitable Foundation’ to fund the cultivation of film talent in impoverished areas.”

After the press conference, Qi Yanwang immediately pulled the other man into a private lounge, checking him up and down. “Are you feeling unwell? Were the flashes too bright?”

Zhuo Huaimo smiled and pushed his hand away. “I’m fine.”

He paused. “It’s you who’s acting like a parent sending their child off to school for the first time.”

Qi Yanwang snorted and pushed him onto the sofa. “Stop being so glib. From now on, you have to be accompanied by a bodyguard 24 hours a day.”

Zhuo Huaimo’s comeback caused a great stir in the entertainment industry.

On the Weibo hot search list, the topic #ZhuoHuaimoComeback# was followed by a purple-red “hot” tag, and the number of views exceeded 500 million in just two hours.

Qi Yanwang sat at the head of the conference table in a suit and tie, the script for “Homecoming” spread out in front of him.

He frowned, marking it up with a red pen. “Cut this kissing scene.”

“President Qi, this…” The director wiped the sweat from his forehead. “It’s necessary for the plot.”

“Necessary my ass!” Qi Yanwang slammed the pen down. “My artist is going for the acting route, not selling flesh!”

In the corner of the conference room, Zhuo Huaimo was trying to stifle his laughter, his shoulders shaking.

He cleared his throat. “Manager Qi, I think we can use camera trickery.”

Qi Yanwang turned to glare at him, but his anger instantly dissipated when he saw those smiling eyes.

He loosened his tie in annoyance. “…Fine, use camera trickery.”

That afternoon, the topic #PresidentQiTurnsIntoDirectorZhuo’sManager# once again topped the hot search list.

In the photos taken by paparazzi, Qi Yanwang followed behind Zhuo Huaimo like an old nanny, holding a thermos and a coat in his hands.

[Comment 1]: Help, President Qi is not a manager at all, he’s clearly a personal nanny!

[Comment 2]: Hilarious, he used to be an overbearing CEO, now he’s an overbearing manager.

[Comment 3]: Am I the only one who noticed the way Director Zhuo looks at President Qi? kswl!

At the Entertainment Weekly interview, the female host’s eyes darted back and forth between the two men.

“Director Zhuo, many people are curious as to why you chose President Qi to be your manager?”

Zhuo Huaimo picked up his teacup and took a sip. “I wasn’t willing!”

Qi Yanwang’s face changed, so Zhuo Huaimo smiled and changed his words. “Because he doesn’t want a salary.”

Qi Yanwang snorted off-camera. “I’m paying him.”

The staff on set collectively stifled their laughter.

After this interview aired, Qi Yanwang’s “I’m paying him” meme quickly went viral.

The day before filming started, Zhuo Huaimo was resting with his eyes closed in the dressing room.

Qi Yanwang pushed the door open, holding a revised call sheet in his hand. “I’ve moved all your scenes to the daytime.” He handed him the sheet. “Filming at night is bad for your health.”

Zhuo Huaimo opened his eyes, a teasing look on his face. “Manager Qi, you’re abusing your power for personal gain.”

Qi Yanwang leaned over, supporting himself on the back of his chair, his voice low. “I can scheme for more…”

The moment the makeup artist pushed the door open, Qi Yanwang quickly straightened up, adjusting his suit with a serious expression.

Zhuo Huaimo looked at the man’s red ears in the mirror, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

At the opening ceremony, reporters aimed their cameras at Zhuo Huaimo, who had been out of the public eye for so long.

“Director Zhuo, you haven’t filmed in three years. Will it be difficult to adapt?”

Just as Zhuo Huaimo was about to answer, Qi Yanwang blocked him. “Next question.”

The scene was a stir.

Zhuo Huaimo helplessly pulled aside his “manager” and said into the microphone, “It does take some getting used to, but I’m enjoying the process.”

After finishing work that night, Qi Yanwang watched Zhuo Huaimo’s performance on the monitor, his eyebrows gradually relaxing.

Zhuo Huaimo seemed to glow in front of the camera, every look filled with the strength that came from experience.

“How was it?” Zhuo Huaimo came over after taking off his makeup. “Is Manager Qi satisfied?”

Qi Yanwang pulled him into his arms, resting his chin on the top of his head. “…Great.”

Outside the window, the lights of the film and television city gradually came on. And in the shadows not far away, a figure was holding a camera, capturing the image of the two men embracing.