Chapter 531 - Approaching (1/2)
(E/N: Listening to Tokyo Ghoul's 'Unravel' while reading the first half of the chapter and the former chapter. It just fits a lot, especially the meaning of lyrics.)
***
Ming Zhi Yi continued interrogating Lu Jin.
”As for that Tanaka Group, how come you cannot convince him?”
”Their reply is always that they are not interested.”
Ming Zhi Yi coldly chuckled.
”Just for this reason, you are giving up? Jin, you are being too soft nowadays.”
”The Tanaka Group has high surveillance. They are leading in the IT industry. Their dirty laundry is hard to dig out,” Lu Jin answered instead.
Ming Zhi Yi once again did not like his answer.
”Now you're learning how to make excuses. Is it because your brother is doing so well that you are being complacent?”
Lu Jin's heart thumped. He raised his head and looked into his father's eyes.
”Father, if you give me resources like you have given to Gunan, I believe my credibility and efficiency will double.”
Lu Jin knew that his father held back in some matters with him. He did not give him the entirety of the necessary resources and connections. He did not give him full power nor handed to him the most crucial of information. Like how his father had hid from him the secret from thirteen years ago that he badly wanted to know.
But he gave them somehow to Gunan...
Gunan would not be able to finish a project worth several billions without this man's support and resources.
So Lu Jin knew that there were many matters that this man was purposely hiding from him. This man, his father, did not trust him fully...
Ming Zhi Yi looked into his eyes for a while, and then snickered. He took the empty glass of wine nonchalantly. He then smashed it on the armrest.
Crash.
The loud crash was sudden and deafening.
Even Lu Jin who mostly showed no expression was slightly caught off guard.
”Lu Jin...”
Ming Zhi Yi used a tone that he had not used for a long while.
His voice was very deep, condensed, and cold. It was very familiar. It brought a chill down Lu Jin's back, reminding him of his nightmarish past during his childhood years.
Coldness enveloped Lu Jin once more. He quietly swallowed and lowered his eyes again. His sight fell on the sharp broken edges that was the remains of the wineglass.
”Is it because I am lying low that you are now baring your fangs at me? It seems I have not disciplined you for a long time now.”
The already inherent fear planted deeply in Lu Jin's heart slowly made his heartbeat accelerate. Cold sweat appeared on his back.
He made the demon mad.
”Where shall I start? Shall I start with your subordinate who could not even protect the files? What is her name? The genius you spoke of?”
Apprehension grew within Lu Jin.
The man's always cruel way of disciplining him had already instilled nightmares in him and instinctive physiological reaction.
”Ah... I can't remember her name. Well, there's no use. I will just ask Butler Qian to get more information. Such a grave mistake, dismembering her is not even enough.”
Lu Jin took a deep breath, bowed his head, and apologized.
”Father. It's my mistake. Please don't take it out on my people. I am lacking in manpower severely with the recent tasks.”
”Do you even realize your own mistake?”
His question has a double meaning.
Have Lu Jin finally realized that talking back and going against his wishes was a big mistake?
Lu Jin eyes lowered. His inner thoughts were concealed by his pair of lifeless eyes.
”I do. I am wrong. I will see to it that matters will be dealt with soon.”
”I just don't want it to be dealt with. You have to give me answers soon.”
”...Yes, Father,” Lu Jin answered with his head bowed.
His eyes were looking back at his own reflection on those broken shards.
**
It had been a long night.
The Tang's privately held concert, Tang Xinyang's recital, came so suddenly that Xiong Zhi stayed up late to make arrangements for IHZHI's subcompany, IHZHI Entertainment.
Since this party was private with Mistress Tang's own choosing of guests, it was naturally a big party where the big fishes swam in the rivers and lakes.