LBOT-39

Chairman Wang stared at the USB on the desk. It arrived quickly on the day Wang Yibo collapsed after being shot.

He once went on a golf trip with some members of parliament to another country, and someone secretly filmed him having sex with a teenage girl there.

Chairman Wang will not be the only one in trouble if this spreads. They were also filmed getting tangled up in groups at the end of the video.

He wondered if Wang Yibo had made a duplicate. Or Xiao Zhan?

Assuming he shot Yibo’s leg rather than his heart, there could have been a secret transaction between the two that he was unaware of.

As soon as the work was finished, Xiao Zhan disappeared.

Chairman Wang thought about taking care of him, but he couldn’t find him. If Xiao Zhan had the will to live, he would never set foot on China soil again.

He had someone to check it out, and Wang Yibo’s house was also clean and vacant.

And he learned that Wang Yibo had been transferred to a different hospital during the day.

Chairman Wang pretended to be unaware of this. In a situation that even Wang Zoey noticed, he decided that there was nothing worthwhile to probe.

Then, with a knock, a visitor entered.

There were three directors who contributed greatly to the founding of the company. They were four founding members at first, but one betrayed him by stabbing him in the back, and Chairman Wang had Yibo get rid of him a while ago.

The directors came in and took their seats, and the secretary served the tea.

“Since the chairman must be very concerned, we stopped by to comfort you.”

He presented a gift wrapped in a golden cloth saying that they had prepared it together.

Chairman Wang ordered his secretary to set it aside inside.

“Thank you for thinking of this old man this much.”

“Who knew that we would experience such a fuss at the inauguration ceremony while living in the world?”

“I was also very surprised. See how my hands are still shaking.”

Chairman Wang felt the same way when he saw Director Shen pretend to shake his hand for no reason.

They used to kill and throw away people when they were in their twenties, but now they pretend to be innocent.

While drinking tea with a smile, Director Hu, who had been silent, glanced over and opened his mouth.

“The Chairman must be worried, but neither of us could sleep. Right now, there appears to be a lot of discussion among shareholders. The stock price is also dropping as a result of this incident, and isn’t it just painting the company in a bad light? That sort of thing keeps happening.”

“You’re right. But honestly, I expected something like this to happen one day. It’s odd that Director Wang has no enemies, given his usual behavior. Everyone was terrified and kept their mouths shut, but they must have been thinking the same thing.”

“As usual, I noticed that the executives had a lot of complaints this time. I couldn’t say anything because the Chairman was so fond of him… To be honest, he did not seem like the type of person who could succeed the Chairman. Most people would have thought the same thing. Don’t you agree?”

“I think it is separate from what foreign members acknowledge. They prefer an aggressive management strategy, so Director Wang will suit them, but we are concerned that they will bring great anger on themselves someday. Isn’t the company to blame for the damage? That would be unacceptable even to the Chairman.”

“Of course, of course.”

The three nodded and responded in unison.

Chairman Wang took out a cigar, lit it, leaned back on the sofa, and looked at the three people in turn. He’s looking around, but he appears to have decided to take Wang Yibo down in some way.

Chairman Wang exhaled smoke with a calm face.

“Then, who do you think is the right person?”

The three exchanged glances as if they thought it was accomplished, and Director Hu, as if waiting for the opportunity, took up his arms.

“Anyway, I believe Director Wang Haikuan would be a good fit. The eldest son comes from a powerful mother’s family, and there will be no way to defy the chairman’s wishes.”

“Even if Director Wang Haikuan seems a bit lighthearted as a person, he will be more communicative than Director Wang Yibo.”

Chairman Wang held his cigar between his fingers and secretly cast a pitiful glance at the directors.

“What about Haoxuan?”

All three shook their heads.

“Since he is still young, it would be better for Wang Haoxuan to come into the company and learn step by step.”

“I share your opinion. Wang Haoxuan is intelligent and will do well at work because he resembles the chairman and his wife. Let him play to his hearts’ content for the time being, and then think about it later.”

Wang Haoxuan was on their side, but his presence was obvious.

“If that’s what you mean, I’ll consider it.”

The three directors were overjoyed when they received a positive response.

Chairman Wang barely smiled as he rubbed the finished cigar into the ashtray.

They will now go around agitating shareholders and executives and attempting to set up Wang Haikuan in the seat sooner or later.

It was the right time for them now while Wang Yibo was lying in bed and couldn’t move.

====

Before getting out of the car, Hu Ting checked Haoxuan’s clothes once more. She grabbed her son’s chin, checked his face, and smiled contentedly.

Wang Haoxuan sat curtly and only looked at his phone. Hu Ting tapped Haoxuan on the shoulder.

“Get a hold of yourself. I mean, make a proper look today.”

Haoxuan seemed frustrated and tried to pull on his tie, and Hu Ting took off his hand.

“You!”

“Do I have to go?”

“Of course, you have to go. Don’t you want to see for yourself how Wang Yibo’s position in the main company is stripped away?”

Wang Haoxuan rolled his eyes at this point.

Because the person is in the hospital, he won’t be able to see his face directly, but it appeared to be quite interesting.

Wang Haoxuan and Hu Ting got out of the car in front of the head office and went upstairs to the meeting room with the secretaries.

The assembled executives and shareholders exchanged greetings before entering the building.

Chairman Wang took the center seat at the front of the conference room, while Wang Haikuan and his supporters sat on the right.

The dismissal of Wang Yibo was a major agenda item at today’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.

The executives stood up and bowed when Hu Ting entered. Hu Ting sat in the seat to the left of Chairman Wang.

While Chairman Shen, the chairman of the General Assembly, gave brief greetings and talked about today’s agenda, Wang Haoxuan exchanged messages with friends under the table.

[I can’t go today. A general meeting of shareholders. Today is the day Wang Yibo’s position is stripped away!]

[Really? Then Haoxuan, will you become the director?]

[Crazy. I’m not the chairman, why would I be the director?]

[Wang Yibo is unemployed now?]

[Looking at the atmosphere right now, it seems like he is out of my father’s eyes]

“From now on, we will proceed with the vote on Wang Yibo’s dismissal, which is on the agenda for today’s general shareholders’ meeting.”

Bang Bang, while he was knocking on the gavel, the conference room door opened, and a completely unexpected person entered.

It was Wang Zoey.

People’s attention was drawn to her because she did not usually show her face at shareholder meetings. Even more surprising was Wang Yibo, who appeared behind her.

Wang Yibo appeared in a wheelchair, dressed in a patient’s uniform and sunglasses, with IV drips hanging from his arm.

People began to murmur.

They said he was dead. They didn’t say he was only unconscious. What happened? He looked fine.

As the shareholders became agitated, Chairman Wang, Hu Ting, and other family members’ expressions hardened.

While Bowen was pulling out the second row of chairs behind Chairman Wang to make room for Yibo, Director Zhou, who was sitting right next to him, asked how he was doing.

“Are you okay, Director Wang? You have no idea how surprised I was that day.”

He was one of the people who were usually close to Yibo. Other executives also joined in.

“The rumors say it was really bad.”

Yibo took off his sunglasses and smiled.

“It’s all right. As you can see, it looks like I will be confined to a wheelchair for a while.”

While everyone’s attention was focused, Yibo raised his hand toward Chairman Shen.

“Chairman. I’m sorry as soon as I came, but can I speak?”

Chairman Shen looked at Chairman Wang with a hard complexion and tried to smile.

“Please speak.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Bowen took something out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Yibo.

Yibo held it in his hand and held it up for the shareholders to see. It was a bullet lodged in both his thighs.

People in the back were so curious that they couldn’t even just stretch their necks out, so they stood up and checked the bullets.

“This is the bullet that got in my thigh exactly a week ago, on the day of my inauguration.”

People’s faces wrinkled as if they had been beaten. Yibo held it up and checked it from side to side.

“What do you think? It must have been really painful, right?”

Chairman Wang’s expression wrinkled at the vulgar tone, and Chairman Shen quickly brought his mouth to the microphone.

“Director Wang. This is a public seat. Please speak politely.”

Yibo didn’t care and went on with his words.

“I want to, but while I was lying on the sick bed after being shot, he proposed my dismissal.”

“…”

“How should I handle this situation, Chairman Shen?”

Yibo’s eyes moved to Chairman Shen and immediately their gaze met.

Director Shen, who was in the Chairman’s seat, slightly raised his voice with a displeased expression.

“For what purpose are you saying that?”

“I’m asking because I’m curious if any of the people trying to get me fired is the one who shot me in the leg.”

As soon as the words were finished, there was a buzz here and there, and Chairman Shen became enraged.

“Don’t say anything unfounded!”

Yibo smiled coldly and sighed.

“Well. You’ll know when the vote results come out. Whether it’s really unfounded or not.”

Chairman Shen clenched his teeth and glared at Yibo.

Yibo took a quick look around the conference room. There were quite a few people among them who were hostile to Yibo.

Looking at them, Yibo’s mouth was smiling, but his eyes were murderous as if he was about to cut their flesh.

He called Li Bowen loudly.

“Bowen!”

“Yes.”

“Find the shooter.”

“Yes.”

“Then cut all of the joints you can find with a saw.”

Wang Yibo threw the last word with a happy face as people’s faces became stunned.

“And throw it as dog food.”

Chairman Wang could not stand it and jumped up and turned around.

“You!”

Yibo raised his head crookedly and looked at Chairman Wang. Stupid old man. If you want to kill me, you should have killed me properly. Or not in the first place.

“Why are you so angry? I didn’t even say if it was possible that my father did it.”

When Chairman Wang became even more enraged, Yibo frowned and grabbed his leg. The room was deafeningly silent; not even breathing could be heard.

Yibo smiled at everyone with a sad expression.

“Sorry, everyone. I want to stay and vote, but it’s time for my painkillers.”

“…”

“I’m leaving, so please vote well. Please take care of yourself.”

The atmosphere froze like a field of ice when he smiled.

Chairman Wang rose from his seat, trembling but unable to do anything to Yibo.

Yibo, who was in a wheelchair, said his farewell before putting on sunglasses and exiting the conference room.

====

Yibo couldn’t take his gaze away from the window the entire ride. It has been a week since he went out. A hot wind rushed in when he opened the window.

Even though his hair was a mess, he leaned against the window like a child, looking out to see the scenery.

He eventually closed the window and leaned back in his seat. Every time he moved, the pain left an imprint on his body.

Li Bowen kept looking at the back as he heard the sound Yibo made because of the pain.

Yibo ignored the doctor’s warning and went outside, but it was difficult because he couldn’t use his legs.

“Are you okay?”

“It’s bearable.”

“I’m sorry. It’s all because of my negligence.”

Li Bowen lived with words of apology that were uncharacteristic of him after Yibo was shot.

Yibo laughed.

“How can you block the bullets that fly in my direction? Are you Superman?”

He remembered having a similar conversation with Xiao Zhan.

The first thing he saw was a flying bullet, which knocked him to the ground. Although Zhan later admitted that what he saw was the reflection of the light on the scope’s glass, not the bullet.

He then looked for him everywhere, but Xiao Zhan had disappeared.

By now, he must have gone to a country other than China.

“I took it too easy.”

He laughed casually.

After Xiao Zhan ran away, Yibo found a wiretapping device under the back seat of the car he was riding in.

Xiao Zhan already knew he was going to kill him. Although it is late, he must admit that he underestimated his opponent.

His mouth watered just thinking about it.

Would he have been able to kill Xiao Zhan if everything had gone as planned?

Why did he change his mind on the day of the inauguration?

Why did he hesitate, why did he…

His phone rings as he was thinking about it.

The caller is Wang Zoey.

She had no choice but to attend today’s general meeting of shareholders, but the expression she saw from the front when Yibo misbehaved was truly… It was the kind of face that begged to be punched.

He heard her voice when he put the phone to his ear.

[Did you arrive?]

“Still on the way.”

[Congratulation. The dismissal was rejected. You avoided being jobless.]

Yibo smiled.

“That’s what I expected. Everyone appreciated my work skills.”

Zoey’s voice sounded dumbfounded.

[It must have been because they didn’t want to become dog food.]

Yibo’s eyebrow went up.

“Does anyone believe that joke?”

Zoey said that she was tired of talking more.

“You said you were exhausted. I had to return to the hospital first, so I’ll see you later.”

He moved to another place, and Zoey decided to stay there for the time being. When he got older, it was difficult to live with his sister, but he couldn’t help himself because she was so stubborn.

After the phone call, Bowen’s gaze went back to the rear mirror.

“Congratulations.”

Yibo smiled and turned to look out the window. He wasn’t sure if it was worth celebrating.

He remembered the faces of the damn directors who couldn’t wait to get rid of him one by one and vowed that one day he would replace them all with his own hands.

Chairman Wang will be unable to move forward recklessly unless he knows the cards he is holding.

He will save himself for the time being because he has already failed. Ironically, he was afraid of him even though he was his son. He realized it a long time ago.

He complimented him with his mouth, but he was wary of him and regards him as if he were a monster…

“Bowen.”

“Yes.”

“Send the video taken by Xiao Zhan to Chairman Wang. Don’t let him think about doing anything else for a while.”

“All right.”

Outside the window, a cruise ship sailed leisurely down the ocean. The thought about Xiao Zhan then returned.

Did he travel by boat? Where would he go if he rode?

He wanted to find out, torture, and open up everyone involved, but he decided to leave it alone for the time being. He’ll stick his head out of the water if it’s safe.

That’s right. Run away as far as you can. I’ll catch you and make you realize what a huge mistake you’ve made when you’re having fun with the illusion that you’ve earned your freedom.

Yibo feels like the cells in his body are already going crazy with pleasure just thinking about it.

Unable to contain his excitement, Yibo opened the window and took out a cigarette.

The doctor told him not to smoke, but he couldn’t live without it today.

===