Chapter Thirty: Night Visit from Nangong

The jade slip contained an astonishing wealth of knowledge, all of it profound and difficult to grasp. Every piece required careful deliberation and study, demanding complete concentration. Outside, Ling Tian would always keep a part of his consciousness alert to his surroundings, just in case. But here, within the walls of Qingcheng Group, he allowed himself to be fully immersed in the jade slip’s contents.

To devote himself entirely, Ling Tian even entered a state of turtle-breathing—ceasing to breathe altogether.

Wang Ling called his name three times in succession. Ling Tian showed not the slightest response.

“What’s going on?” Wang Ling began to panic. Such a commotion, yet he remained unresponsive—could something have happened? Face growing tense, she cautiously stretched her hand beneath Ling Tian’s nose, waiting for five seconds.

As if shocked by electricity, Wang Ling abruptly drew her hand back, her face turning deathly pale; her legs could scarcely carry her. After a moment, she steadied herself, reached out again, and held her finger beneath his nose for a good five seconds—still, not a breath.

“Ah… dead! He’s dead!” Wang Ling, terrified, clutched her hair and bolted from the room like a madwoman.

Waiting by the door, Mu Qingcheng was growing impatient. Why was Wang Ling taking so long? The guest was still waiting. Just as she was about to go in herself, Wang Ling’s shrill scream rang out, and the two women nearly collided.

“What happened?” Mu Qingcheng grabbed Wang Ling’s arm, frowning.

Wang Ling, nearly scared out of her wits, could barely speak. Her voice trembled, “Ling… Ling Tian, he’s… dead…”

What!

Mu Qingcheng was startled as well. Ling Tian had been lively and energetic—how could he suddenly die, and in the office, no less? Was it a heart attack? Or was Wang Ling pulling her leg? But judging from Wang Ling’s terrified appearance, it couldn’t be. Mu Qingcheng’s heart leaped into her throat. Although her engagement to Ling Tian was in name only, if he truly died, wouldn’t she become a widow? No, an unmarried widow.

How could she even think of such nonsense at a time like this?

“Who’s dead?” A lazy voice sounded beside them.

Wang Ling answered instinctively, “Ling Tian is dead, he’s not breathing.” But when she turned and saw Ling Tian standing behind her, yawning, she leapt behind Mu Qingcheng like a startled monkey and screamed, “Ghost!”

Ling Tian shrugged. “A ghost? I’d say I’m more like a god.”

“You—you tricked me!” Wang Ling, realizing what had happened, fumed, her chest heaving with indignation. Several male colleagues who’d gathered to watch the commotion stared, wishing they could shove their heads right in for a closer look.

Mu Qingcheng spoke in a low voice, “Enough, all of you. Ling Tian, come with me. Someone’s here to see you.”

“Someone to see me?” Ling Tian was puzzled. Though he’d grown up in Yunhai City, he had no close friends, and after years away, his old classmates had surely forgotten such an ordinary person as him. Who could it be?

Puzzled, Ling Tian followed Mu Qingcheng to the reception hall.

Standing before the reception room, Ling Tian’s confusion only deepened. This was the most luxurious part of Qingcheng Group, comparable to a five-star hotel—reserved for the most distinguished guests. Who would come looking for him here?

Once inside, he saw Nangong Ye pacing anxiously about the room. At the sight of Ling Tian, Nangong Ye’s face lit up, and he strode over, seizing Ling Tian’s right hand in both of his and exclaiming with emotion, “Big brother, I’ve finally found you!”

So eager was Nangong Ye to see Ling Tian, he completely forgot to greet the true host, Mu Qingcheng.

Mu Qingcheng and Wang Ling glanced at each other in bewilderment, utterly at a loss. What on earth was going on? How did Ling Tian and Nangong Ye know each other—and so well, at that? In Mu Qingcheng’s eyes, Ling Tian, despite his mysterious aura and considerable fighting ability, was a world apart from someone like Nangong Ye.

After all, in Yunhai City, the Nangong family was one of the four great clans. Nangong Ye was a leader among the younger generation, a true favorite of fortune.

“Nangong Ye, my good brother, I trust you’ve been well these past days. Sit, let’s talk at leisure.” Ling Tian was perfectly at ease, inviting Nangong Ye to sit down. That was Ling Tian’s way—if you treated him as a friend, he cared not whether you were a beggar or a prince; all were equals to him.

Mu Qingcheng and Wang Ling, hosts of Qingcheng Group, had become mere bystanders, watching Ling Tian and Nangong Ye take their seats. Mu Qingcheng couldn’t help but wonder just who Ling Tian really was, for Nangong Ye to call him “big brother.”

“Brother Ling, I knew you were at Qingcheng Group, but I’ve been caught up with other matters these past few days and couldn’t come sooner,” Nangong Ye said with a smile.

Ling Tian replied, “As it happens, I haven’t been in the office either these past two days. By the way, Nangong, you came to see me—is it about that shipment?”

Seeing Ling Tian get straight to the point, Nangong Ye nodded. “You’re right, big brother. I came today to ask if you could let me have not the whole shipment, just one thing—a golden stone.”

At last, Mu Qingcheng understood: so Nangong Ye had come about the shipment. But why not go through her directly?

Ling Tian was equally puzzled and asked, “Nangong, Mu Qingcheng is the president of Qingcheng Group. Why not just approach her?”

Nangong Ye smiled sheepishly. “That stone is of no use to your company. Judging by Miss Mu’s pragmatic nature, she wouldn’t want it; what she cares about is the rare medicinal herbs…” As he spoke, he glanced guiltily at Mu Qingcheng standing by the door.

But Mu Qingcheng instantly understood. She turned to Wang Ling, her tone icy. “Check all employees hired in the last three months. Find the one who doesn’t belong here.”

Ling Tian quietly gave Mu Qingcheng a thumbs up. No wonder she was considered a formidable woman—she’d pinpointed the issue and acted decisively.

Nangong Ye hurried to explain, “Miss Mu, I came today for two reasons: to apologize, and to see Brother Ling. I arranged for someone to infiltrate Qingcheng Group, not to steal secrets…”

Before he could finish, Ling Tian interrupted, “You wanted to know when the shipment would be delivered. Once you confirmed the timing, you still worried about missing out, so your people stayed undercover, gathering information. Nangong Ye, you’re a thorough man.”

Nangong Ye nodded earnestly. “Today I came specifically to speak with you, because that golden stone is of utmost importance to me…”

Mu Qingcheng’s voice was cold. “You are not welcome here. Wang Ling, see Mr. Nangong out.”

Ling Tian waved a hand and smiled. “Nangong Ye came to apologize today—that tells me he’s sincere. Given his attitude, let’s let this matter pass.” He did not want to make another enemy for the Mu family. Of the four great clans, they had already offended two. If they antagonized the Nangong family as well, life would become unbearably difficult for the Mu family.

Of course, if Ling Tian ever found out Nangong Ye was lying, he wouldn’t hesitate. Then, he would see to it that the Nangong clan vanished from Yunhai City.

The thing Ling Tian hated most in this world was deceit and betrayal.