Chapter Fifteen: The Battlefield of Life's Obsession

  Just as Long Wan was puzzled about this matter, Zhao Siwen, who was negotiating in Germany, reported to him that the German side suddenly agreed to change the cooperation conditions and asked for instructions. If the group reviewed and approved the draft agreement, they could sign a formal agreement immediately.

  The revised terms are extremely favorable to the group. As long as this cooperation is announced to the market, the group's stock price will surely be hyped up and may even rise to around 10 yuan. Undoubtedly, whoever dared to make a big bet on the group's stock must have known about this news in advance and is now reaping the investment returns with ease. But isn't it true that even Long Bao and Zhao Siwen only found out about this just now? Was it leaked by someone from the German side? Or was it done by the German side itself? Who are these people with ulterior motives?

  According to reason, Jiao Siwei should be the most suspicious, because this cooperation was originally introduced by her. However, the funds in Jiao Siwei's account were not withdrawn. Could it be that Jiao Siwei borrowed money? This possibility exists, but Long Bao suspects that the person with ulterior motives must be someone related to Jiao Siwei or the German side. Long Bao waits for this person to surface after the stock market turmoil ends, only then can the mystery be revealed.

  Jiao Siwei seemed to know what Long Bao was thinking, and took the initiative to find him to report: "Chairman Long, a British company called DG wants to make business contact with you. They are engaged in research on high-tech application materials. The daughter of the chairman of this DG company is someone I met in the UK, named Hersley. After reading your interview, she thinks it's possible to talk to you. If you agree, I'll arrange a time for you."

  Long Bao nodded in agreement, and Jiao Siwei seemed to have come specifically to dispel Long Bao's doubts, saying: "Let me tell you, this Hesi Li is the girlfriend of Strad, the son of the CEO of Germany's Klauberck company. This mysterious investment was all her doing. Do you think this counts as 'near water tower first gets the moon'?"

  Long Wan didn't know what to say, so he just smiled and said: "Vice Chairman Jiao, your social skills are far better than mine. If it weren't for these friends of yours, our group would really be in a dilemma this time. I couldn't possibly put all the investment company's funds into stocks and get stuck with them, could I? What's the point of using my own money to buy my own stocks? What do you think?"

  By the end of October, the group's stock had stabilized at 11 yuan, and the investment company had made a profit of 1 billion yuan with the 800 million funds used for protection. Many speculators suffered heavy losses and retreated in disarray.

  When they were convinced that it was impossible to recover the family property by denying Qian Lao's will, Qian Suxue gathered people including Qian Yuhui at Ye Ziheng's initiative to hold a meeting.

  Ye Zi Hen said very sincerely to them: "Now the total assets under Lao Ye's name are 114 billion Hong Kong dollars, there are four families in our Qian family with a total of 13 members. If we calculate it by each family, each family can get more than 28 billion, and if we calculate it by each member, each person can also get more than 8 billion. But now we can no longer retrieve these benefits that belong to us through legal means, so we must think of another way."

  "We must remember that the old master has only entrusted him with management and distribution, but the assets are still under the old master's name. This Long Bao has a characteristic, which is that he is extremely superstitious, believing that he will not live past thirty years old. He will definitely return the assets to others for management and distribution before he turns thirty, and it is even possible that he will select a suitable candidate in advance. And I speculate that this candidate can only be among the current group's high-level management personnel, his friends, and our Qian family members. This is our only opportunity."

  A sentence awakens the dreamer.

  For the sake of this multi-billion dollar family fortune, they decided that Qian Yu Hui must go all out to gain Long Bao's trust, dispel suspicion and hostility. At the same time, in order to coordinate with the action, Qian Su Xue publicly split with Long Bao, and acted out a family conflict with Qian Yu Hui. Qian Tong Xia was also persuaded to transfer his group shares to Qian Yu Hui, further reducing Long Bao's vigilance. They also persuaded Zeng Hai Chang to transfer his shares to Qian Yu Hui. From then on, not only did Qian Yu Hui have to fully cooperate with Long Bao in expanding the group's business, but she also had to use clever methods to win over the important figures in the group and the group's talents, making Long Bao believe that she was the most suitable successor.

  They even agreed that in future asset allocation agreements, Qian Yu Hui would take half of all family property, and the other three would share equally.

  Qian Tonghua's wife had no reason to object, Qian Tongxia was a fool, his wife even more so, and Qian Yu Hui thought for a moment before agreeing.

  Ye Zi Hen smiled secretly, knowing that there would be countless good shows in the future.

  A few days later, Long Bo was informed by Qian Tongxia that he wanted to transfer his shares to Qian Yu Hui. Qian Yu Hui also claimed that she would pay 500 million yuan in four installments over the next four years. From Qian Yu Hui's tone, Long Bo sensed a huge rift between her and her brother. Qian Yu Hui seemed to be beginning to understand her own actions. Then, Kang Ding Zhuang told him that two days ago, the Qian siblings had a big argument, with Qian Yu Hui demanding that they make amends with him, but was scolded by his eldest sister Qian Su Xue. It is said that Qian Su Xue even slapped Qian Yu Hui twice, and the other two sisters added fuel to the fire.

  The next day, Qian Susu came to the group and scolded Long Bao loudly.

  Long Wan looked at Qian Lao's portrait all night without sleep.

  Zai guo yi tian Zeng Hai Zhang yao qiu jiang ji tuan gu fen zhuan rang chu qu, er mai jia jing ran jiu shi He Si Li! Bing xuan cheng ru guo Long Bao bu shi yong you xian quan cheng jie de hua na ta jiu yao qian ming zhuan rang xie yi le.

  Long Bao believed that He Si Li and Jiao Si Wei were allied, so he consulted with Qian Yu Hui. Qian Yu Hui did not object, Long Bao thought for a long time and felt that He Si Li had an excellent social network, which would be beneficial for the group's international cooperation. Long Bao believed that as long as he controlled personnel and decision-making power, grasped those powerful officials, the group would develop according to his ideas. Moreover, he could also use Xue Zong and Qian Yu Hui to restrain them, so he agreed.

  Just then, the unfortunate news came that Xue Zong, who was being treated in the US, had an unexpected anesthesia accident on the operating table, his breathing suddenly stopped for 4-5 minutes, causing cerebral hypoxia, leading to cerebral edema. After rescue, although consciousness has been restored, he is still in a state of drowsiness, and brain cells have been partially damaged.

  Long Bao was stunned by this news and immediately took Kang Ding Zhuo Zhen and an English secretary from the office to hurry to the United States to visit Xue Zong.

  Although it was his first time setting foot on foreign soil, he didn't have the slightest intention of appreciating the local customs. As soon as he got off the plane, he rushed straight to the hospital. Xue Bingying and Mrs. Xue were waiting outside the ward, and as soon as Xue Bingying saw Long Bao, tears began to fall, and she harshly scolded him: "Who asked you to come? Father's condition is all because of you! Get out of here and go back to the mainland!"

  Mrs. Xue's expression was gloomy, she also had some opinions about Long Bao, but not to the point of being so rude, so she stood up and said: "Chairman Long, don't mind Bingying."

  "Please don't say that, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have asked Mr. Xue to come to the US for treatment, nor should I have carried out personnel reforms without his consent. Moreover, I shouldn't have failed to visit him earlier. It's all my fault that Mr. Xue is in this state, I apologize, Mrs. Xue!" After saying this, Long Bao bowed deeply to her with a sorrowful expression.

  To be honest, Mrs. Xue knew that if it weren't for Long Bao's actions, which greatly stimulated Mr. Xue, he wouldn't have come to the US with the idea of surgical treatment. Mr. Xue had told her that he must cure his body so that he could help Long Bao get through this difficult time. However, these words couldn't be said to Long Bao, or else the child would feel even more guilty. Mrs. Xue smiled bitterly and said: "Chairman Long, this isn't your fault. Anesthesia has risks, the doctor had already warned us about that. The surgeon who performed the operation was the famous American Professor Jefferson, and all preventive measures were taken. It's unthinkable for anyone to have anticipated this unexpected anesthesia accident during surgery. Now experts are urgently discussing a treatment plan, so don't blame yourself."

  Long Bu heard Mrs. Xue comforting herself, and at the same time, her ears were filled with Xue Bingying's suppressed sobs, and his chest was filled with an intense sense of self-blame. He felt strange that this originally heartless chest cavity could feel so much pain, as if after his heart flew away, it had been replaced by a lonely melancholy.

  Xue woke up at 5 pm West Coast time, but was diagnosed with post-operative dementia after waking up. At this time, Mrs. Xue finally handed over a letter written by Xue before the operation to Long Bao. Long Bao opened it and saw:

  Little Dragon:

  I'm about to go onto the operating table, I don't know if the surgery will be successful. If it is, then this letter will be burned. If not, then these are my final words to you.

  The Yangtze River waves push forward, a new generation replaces the old, now it's your young people's world. You have your own business philosophy, maybe you're more suitable for this trend development. You have your own personality, your own principles, and are capable of controlling the helm of this big ship. Here, I'll say a few more things to you.

  First, you must pay attention to handling the relationship with Qian Lao's family well. Everything you have is given by Qian Lao, and you cannot let down the descendants of the Qian family. As for others, I dare not say, but Yu Hui will be your good helper and partner. You should rely on her more in dealing with affairs.

  Secondly, Ding Zhuang has the ability to take charge of the group's security work. All personnel entering and leaving the group must be reviewed by his investigation opinions, and the group cannot have spies again.

  Third, you must build your own expert advisory team. In major events, you should learn to gather wisdom and compromise on people and things. You should consider the feelings of the group's high-level executives. Only in this way can you gain everyone's support.

  Fourthly, you should pay attention to the business relationship with the outside world. Without everyone's support, it is impossible to achieve success. The idea of sticking to one way until it fails is extremely harmful to the group and we must adjust our strategy according to changing circumstances.

  ……

  Among numerous people, I met you Xiaolong and recommended you to Qian Lao. This is our fate, unfortunately, I won't be able to help you anymore from now on.

  Finally, Bingying is a willful girl, she said many wrong words and did many wrong things to you, please don't take it to heart for my sake. I, Xue Guowei, only have this one daughter, she is mine, I've already decided to transfer the group's shares to her. You are my favorite boy, Bingying also likes you very much, I hope in the future Bingying can help you well, if possible, I hope you two can live together, now what I worry about most, Xiaolong, is that I hope you can take care of Bingying for the rest of her life, then I can die without regret...

  This can be said to be Xue's last will and testament! How is this possible?

  Without Xue, he would still be a fugitive. Without Xue, he might have already been subjected to cruel torture in prison. Without Xue, there wouldn't be all this that he has today! He was worried about Xue earlier, thinking that Xue wanted to be the supreme ruler, but now it seems that Xue was actually helping him - this future son-in-law consolidate his power!

  He has always misunderstood Director Xue!

  Dragon's brain is completely blank!

  Seeing Long Bao's silent and wooden expression, Xue Bingying became even more sorrowful. She hugged her mother and cried out: "I'll live my own life, I don't want to live with him! I just want to be with mom and wait for dad to get better!"

  Madam Xue looked at Long Bao with tears in her eyes and choked: "Guo Wei instructed before writing the letter, if you really can't do it, don't force yourself..."

  Marrying Xue Bingying was the only last wish of benefactor Xue, and Xue had been very kind to him. He had never done anything to repay his kindness, and he had sworn that in this life, he would not owe anyone a favor, wanting to free himself from all favors, debts, and grudges. But must he use marriage to repay this kindness?

  Long Bao felt the blood in his entire body being drawn out thread by thread, and his body temperature suddenly dropped to ice-cold. He muttered: "I have a curse, I can't have friends, I can't have enemies, and I certainly can't take a wife or have children. Mr. Xue, just let me repay your kindness in another way!"

  Xue Bingying felt extremely humiliated, pointing at Long Bao's nose and crying out in anger: "It was you, it was your curse that caused Father to suffer! You're a murderer, get out, get out, get out!"

  She then used both hands to push Long Biao out of the door with all her might!

  Long Bao walked to Xue's bedside, Xue couldn't speak, only making incoherent noises, but Long Bao clearly saw the deep longing and pleading request in Xue's eyes...

  Long Bao knelt in front of Xue's bed, two tears sliding down from the corners of his eyes.

  Mr. Xue's condition showed no signs of improvement, and Mrs. Xue asked Long to return to handle the group's affairs. Long also felt that he really didn't know how to face Mr. Xue and his family, so he had no choice but to take a return flight.

  The plane soared high above the endless clouds, which were rolling and swirling in waves. He sat by the window seat, gazing at the layers of white clouds below the wing, which mysteriously gathered water vapor together, puffy and bulging, some resembling irregular castles, others like majestic snow-capped peaks, and still others like giant dragons overturning the sea. From time to time, air currents shook the plane, making him feel more clearly the rush and chase of the clouds.

  Through the gaps in the clouds, I still see the endless Pacific Ocean. The rolling waves of the Pacific are just like the sea of clouds, never stopping. Suddenly, Long Bao thought that every wave and every cloud is like life, constantly fighting. The waves use the ocean as their battlefield, while the clouds use the sky as their battlefield...

  He gazed at the two vast and endless sandy grounds beneath his feet, and once again thought of the arena he was in. But how could this arena be described with what kind of concept?

  It includes so much content!

  Interpersonal relationships, human affairs, kindness, friendship, love, hatred, interests, this arena is a battlefield where people fight with each other.

  The focus of the struggle in the arena is the self-interest of each life.

  In this world, everything will disappear, but the battlefield will never disappear.

  As long as there are profits to be made, the arena will exist. As long as there is a profit to be gained, the arena will continue to exist. As long as one lives, one will always be in the arena.

  Why? Because this is the arena of life, and the nature of life is to be infatuated with the interests on the arena. As long as one's own interests and those related to others still exist, this arena will not disappear.

  In the drunkenness, I hold a lamp to examine my sword, and in my dreams, I blow a horn that echoes through the camps. Eight hundred miles of banners fluttering under the scorching sun, fifty strings of bows echoing with sounds beyond the borders. On the sandy battlefield, autumn is the time for reviewing troops. My horse gallops like Lu Bu's swift steed, and my bowstring vibrates like a thunderclap. Having settled the affairs of the world for my lord, I have won fame that will last from this life to the next. Alas, what a pity that my white hair has appeared...

  Xin Qiji's poem appeared in Long Bao's mind, and he repeated it in his mouth: "The autumn review of the troops on the sandy field... Who came but the king's bodyguard?"

  Long Bowen's first thing to do after returning from the US was to find Ah Hui, Ah Li and Fei Zai, the three people from the investment company, and have a long talk with them. He made it clear that his position in the group was unshakeable and strengthened Ah Hui's power while intentionally weakening Ah Li's. He also reviewed and approved the financial talents reported by Ah Hui and organized the newly recruited investment analysis talents into several analysis groups to conduct targeted risk investment research on domestic and foreign industries with potential. In addition, he started building a planned science and technology building in Liheng Industrial Park.

  Another week passed and the group's board of directors has completed its new restructuring, with vice chairmen being Jiao Siwei, Qian Yuhui, He Silai and Xue Bingying. The group's deputy general managers have also changed to Jiao Siwei, Qian Yuhui, Xue Bingying, Duan Pingchun and Li Xiubai. A week later, Long Bao hired three well-known experts as his secret think tank to participate in the group's major decision-making.

  Later, Kangding Village hired three retired high-level bodyguards as required by Longbiao. These three people will serve as trainers for the group's security guards on the one hand and be responsible for the travel safety of the group's senior executives on the other. Zhou Ding was also forced by Longbiao to go to Guangzhou Economic Management College to study, and Kang Tie was transferred to Liheng Electronics Company as deputy manager of the Security Department. In this way, Longbiao successfully shaved these three former bodyguards out of his life.

  By November 20, 2003, the group had basically stabilized, and the stock price had risen to around $14. Stock analysts also began to pay attention to Liheng Group. Although the group's performance had not yet returned to its original state, everyone knew that this was only a matter of time, as the group's operating efficiency was now several times stronger than before.

  During this time, Shi Wei and Du Ci also came to Chang'an and lived with Qiu Ya in Qian Lao's villa. They helped Qiu Ya with the newly established biological engineering company. Tonight, Long Bao and the three of them gathered here for dinner together.

  Qiu Ya spent a lot of thought on this meal, not only repeatedly asking Shi Wei to recall and confirm what Long Bao liked to eat the most, but also carefully selecting the finest ingredients with Du Ci. These days, Long Bao has been busy and can't even exchange a few words with her, they rarely meet, she wants to comfort her loved one Long Bao well, she wants to give Long Bao a sense of home.

  Long Bao hesitated for a moment before coming to eat this meal, Shi Wei was in high spirits, and with one gulp, he drank the beer in his cup dry, then turned to Long Bao and said: "I'm warning you, if you put on that airs of being some kind of chairman or president in front of me today, watch out or I'll pour this bottle down your throat! Alright, I've finished mine, now you drink yours!"

  "Alright, I'll listen to you, I'll do it."

  Shi Wei smiled and poured a full glass of wine for Long Bao: "This is the way it should be! Autumn Ya, take away his phone, turn it off, don't let him contact anyone. It's been ages since I've had a drink with Old Six, today we're going to have a blast! Old Six, hand over your phone!"

  "With so many things going on in the company, I don't dare turn off my phone. What if something big happens?"

  Shi Wei resolutely refused, walked up to Long Bao's front, stretched out his hand and took the phone down, handed it to Qiu Ya sitting next to him, then grinned and said: "Old Six, don't blame me for being overbearing, you're even more overbearing than me. Usually, I have to make an appointment just to see you, you rely on your power as chairman and president to bully me, today I'm relying on my power as your brother to bully you back, haha!"

  Long Wan suddenly felt annoyed and stood up, saying to Shi Wei: "Come on, I'll toast you a glass. Let's not say anything else, everything is in silence." After that, he drained the cup.

  Shi Wei pretended to be drunk, just taking a small sip and then pretending to refill Long Biao's wine cup to deceive him.

  Qiu Ya busily served Long Bao dishes, softly saying: "Long Bao, this is your favorite sour and spicy pepper stir-fried beef, this is braised tofu, this is..."

  This day, Louise brought Liao Ye to Chang'an, and the bronze treasure box stolen by Liao Ye was also placed in front of Jiao Siwei.

  It was at this time that Long Bao and others were having dinner, Jiao Siwei secretly met with Liao Ye in the hotel.

  She stared at the faintly visible black dragon on the trunk, wondering how it was made. How did it look different from every angle? The golden inlaid coiling dragon was also vivid, and the sparkling dragon's mouth should be a high-quality diamond.

  "This is not bronze," said Liao Ye, "bronze can only explain that he is ignorant. This is a mixture of bronze and martensite, what kind of craftsmanship was used to forge the bronze and martensite together?"

  Liao Ye had been intimidated by Louise, and the tape recordings of his phone calls with Jiao Siwei that he had secretly recorded to prevent being blackmailed, as well as a mobile hard drive containing his diary and emails pre-set to be sent automatically to Li Heng Group, Shi Wei, and Zhang Haitao in case something happened to him seven days later, were all seized by Louise. She punished him severely and destroyed his old nest, taking both him and his belongings into custody and sending them to Chang'an.

  Liao Ye swore that he had not found the key to this bronze box, and he was certain that the key could only be in the hands of three people, excluding Long Bao, the only possibilities were Jing Er and Qiu Ya.

  After receiving five million from Lui Wei, Jiao Si Yu drove away alone.

  Her mood was inexplicably irritable and depressed, she remembered that Long Bao would be drinking with Shi Wei, Qiu Ya, and Du Ci in that villa today. Wine can stir up desires, and Long Bao was born a lecher, who knows what might happen after they finish drinking... She must isolate Long Bao's intimate relationship with Qiu Ya!

  She drove towards the villa.

  As she approached the villa entrance, she glanced at her watch and saw it was not yet 9:30. So she tried calling Long Bao's mobile phone. The call connected, but it was Qiu Ya's voice on the other end: "Hello, who is this?"

  "Ah, it's Qiū Yǎ! I'm Jiāo Sī Wēi, hello!"

  "Ah, it's Vice Chairman Jiao, are you looking for Long Bao?"

  "It's like this, Autumn Ya, there is a bit of an urgent matter in the group that needs to be consulted with him, is it convenient? If not, then forget it."

  "Well, Vice Chairman Jiao, you and Long Bao say something, he's had a bit of wine."

  After a while, Long Bao's voice came: "Is it Jiao Siwei... Vice Chairman Jiao? Hehe... what's the matter? You speak, I'm listening!"

  This guy must have drunk a lot of wine! Jiao Si heard the loud and clear voice on the phone, and hurriedly said: "What's wrong, Chairman Long, have you had too much to drink?"

  "I'm happy today... didn't drink much... still have more to drink later! Come on, you come over and have a little too..."

  "It's hard to make it clear over the phone, I'd better report to you in person. The reply will be given tonight."

  Jiao Si's words flowed smoothly as he joined the drinking crowd, Long Bao had indeed drunk too much. Originally a rare drinker, when he and Shi Wei started downing glasses big and small, he completely forgot his identity, seemingly returning to those hilarious university days. He forgot that he no longer had a heart, and he forgot all his troubles. Listening to Shi Wei's non-stop barrage of phone jokes, he burst into loud laughter, as if wanting to exhaust the laughter accumulated over the years in one go.

  Shi Wei made a ridiculously funny face, his whole face red, and he hugged Long Bao, saying in a strange tone: "Listen carefully, there was a poor student who studied hard and wrote a couplet on the door of his house to encourage himself. The upper line was 'sleeping grass hut closed door performance word', the lower line was 'lying foot slope playing flute sound soaring', and the horizontal line was 'willingly follow heaven's will'. One day, a man from Henan passed by this place and saw the couplet, so he curiously read it out loud in his local dialect: 'Who is messing with my ass eyes?' 'I'm calling him to make me feel sore'...... Oh, and there's also a horizontal line! But this time he read it backwards: 'Tomorrow repeat!'".

  Long Wan burst into loud laughter.

  Shi Wei was drunk and staggering to the bathroom, Du Ji saw Shi Wei's unsteady gait and quickly got up to support him.

  Long Bao smiled, his eyes gazing at the back of Du Cishi and Shi Wei, he and Jiao Siwei, Qiu Ya felt that this couple was so happy, but for them, such happiness was really too far away.

  Qiu Ya's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of how to get Long Bao to marry her as soon as possible, so that she could give birth to a lovely son for him. Recently, she had heard rumors that Long Bao was quite promiscuous and had unclear relationships with Jiao Si Wei and Xue Bing Ying. If one were to count Wen Li Jing Er as well, then Long Bao would have had emotional relationships with five girls... Wen Li was his first love, the clever Jing Er had helped him escape, and Long Bao still carried her blood in his veins. Xue Bing Ying was the daughter of someone to whom Long Bao owed a debt of gratitude, while Jiao Si Wei was elegant and beautiful, and Long Bao was especially fond of her...

  Qiu Ya felt that she had too many love rivals, and she thought of Long Bao's past promises to her. She recalled the last time Long Bao was heartless towards her, and thinking about his current lukewarm attitude towards her made her want to cry!

  Looking at the drunken and silly Long Biao, Jiao Siyu thought of her father who had left suddenly, and then remembered her long-lost lover William. She also thought about the ups and downs she had experienced over the past few months. Suddenly, a wave of sorrow welled up in her heart, and she couldn't help but ask herself: With so many beautiful things in life, love is so beautiful, friendship is so beautiful, work is also so great, must I really take revenge?

  Long Bao closed his eyes, thinking of everything, yet nothing at all, nor did he dare to think. He deeply felt a heart-wrenching contradiction, a string of unsolvable knots in front of him. He kept asking himself:

  If there were no curses, if there were no contradictions, if everything could be tolerated, if every decision and choice would not harm others, if... then the world would be so perfect!

  Forever trapped in endless contradictions, indulging in these contradictions forever unable to extricate oneself...

  Why do I think I have no heart, but once stimulated, my emotions and thoughts are still uncontrollable?

  Curse, curse can be considered as a fear of life for oneself, because of the fear of life, there is this curse, but can life not be feared?

  This is the battlefield of life, and on this battlefield of life, one must be afraid, one must be intimidated.

  Heaven lets us live, is to ask us to understand this truth.

  The difference between oneself and others is: others on the battlefield are indulged in the benefits of life, while oneself on the battlefield is indulged in the fear of survival, indulged in the curse of life.