Wang Ren’s skills were rooted in principle before technique. Regardless of whose strategy she employed, it always stemmed from her principle. What was her principle? From the moment we met, Wang Ren told me that high-IQ criminals are caught because they lack real-life experience. Therefore, Wang Ren’s principle was real life, and everything she did was based on this foundation for her schemes.
…
To understand Chang Dachun’s role in this game, perhaps I could ask Gao Ziyan directly.
“Gao Ziyan, are you busy today? I’m back in Beijing, let’s grab a meal.”
“Sure!”
Gao Ziyan’s voice sounded cheerful. I tidied myself up and we met for lunch.
We met in a private room and had Western food. To my surprise, Qin Sisi and Brother Shun were also there. Gao Ziyan smiled and said, “I invited Sisi jie and Brother Shun, so we aren’t meeting privately, and it won’t lead to gossip for you.”
“It’s fine, you arrange it.”
Hearing me say that, Gao Ziyan smiled politely.
As soon as I sat down, Brother Shun asked me if I wanted red or white. I said, “It’s a Western restaurant, of course, red wine.” Brother Shun looked a little disappointed, but it was okay. He promptly opened a bottle of red wine. I didn’t know the value of this bottle, but when dining with Gao Ziyan, it wouldn’t be cheap.
“Tang Nan, thank you for the diversionary tactic.”
As soon as the red wine was poured, Gao Ziyan raised her glass and offered a smiling opening remark.
“You being out on bail has nothing to do with me. I wouldn’t dare take credit.”
“How could that be! These procedural matters are for Sisi jie to explain.”
Hearing Gao Ziyan’s words, Qin Sisi took over the conversation politely and began analyzing the current situation. The deputy prosecutor in charge of this case was Li Qiang.
Li Qiang could be considered a model of a humble scholar’s rise through the ranks. From a poor background, he worked his way up to deputy prosecutor through sheer effort. This time, Li Qiang seemed to be specifically targeting Gao Ziyan, likely due to Wang Ren’s influence. It was as if they were using such charges to keep Gao Ziyan in Beijing.
“Gao Ziyan, why are they targeting you?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
Gao Ziyan was quite frank. “I contacted some independent individuals in Hong Kong. They might think I’m on their side.”
“Are you?”
“Of course not!”
“Then why did you contact them?”
“For the Gao family’s business, of course. Business knows no borders. We can’t stop doing business with people just because their stance differs. In terms of business strategy, we shouldn’t be confined to a single country or region. Looking at the entire world is what a truly qualified businessman should do.”
I couldn’t refute this. I had to admit that when it came to vision, mine had always been limited. “Businessmen know no borders” seemed like an ancient saying. What bothered me more was that while back then I had things to discuss with Gao Ziyan, now, sitting at dinner together felt more like a meeting. There was no sense of friendship.
“I don’t really have much to say about business,” I said helplessly.
“Tang Nan, take a look at this. You might find it interesting.”
Qin Sisi took it and handed me a report. The numbers on it were quite complex, and I really couldn’t understand them.
“What is this?”
“Hong Kong’s economic situation last year.”
“It looks like Hong Kong’s economy isn’t doing well!”
“Yes, since 1997, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to describe last year’s Hong Kong as an economic crisis. However, this time it’s latent. If 1997 was an earthquake and tsunami, then this time it’s a hidden, untreatable ‘disease.’”
“What did the Gao family do?”
Gao Ziyan smiled slightly. “Following Grandpa’s will, the Gao family once again played the role of savior during this financial crisis.”
I found this statement irritating. If I hadn’t met Cao Qian before, I might have been happy to hear this news. But the order of events had changed, and I understood the complex financial issues.
Of course, I might not have understood the financial intricacies, but rather the issue of who benefited and who lost. The 1997 economic crisis was triggered by overseas investors whom Li Jiu and Cao Shi manipulated, forcing the then financially sound Gao family to save the market. This action severely depleted the Gao family’s finances and indefinitely postponed Gao Ji’s plans.
This time, it was completely different. No one anticipated an economic crisis. The crisis hid, like ants consuming the economic body from within, making it riddled with holes internally, though it appeared less dire externally.
So, Gao Ziyan used this to lure Gao Ziming and Cao Qian into saving the market for fame. Cao Qian, wanting to control the Gao family, wouldn’t let such an opportunity pass. They spent money to save the market, robbing Peter to pay Paul. Only when the dilapidated structure became too much to repair did they realize the economic body was already riddled with holes and beyond repair.
The stock market’s immense power consumed Gao Ziming and Cao Qian’s money, while the Gao family reaped the fame. If the fame belonged to the Gao family, it belonged to Gao Ziyan. Gao Ziming and Cao Qian aimed for both wealth and fame in the stock market but ended up losing both.
From this perspective, Cao Qian intended to use more money to defeat Gao Ziyan. She was too arrogant, thinking she had the ability, while Gao Ziyan was merely a younger sister I had helped elevate.
However, that was not the case. Gao Ziyan was a natural leader. When she couldn’t deal with Cao Qian alone, she assembled a team to fight back. The wisdom of a team far exceeded individual wisdom. In this battlefield, Cao Qian lost, and lost thoroughly.
Originally, in the power struggle within the Cao family, Cao Qian had no means of resistance. Yet, at this moment, Gao Ziyan made a wrong decision. She formed cooperative relationships with several independent financial magnates. This gave Cao Qian a handle, and she used the delicate relationship between the two regions to summon Gao Ziyan to Beijing.
Gao Ziyan had no choice but to come. If she didn’t, it would be seen as an admission of guilt. Upon her arrival, she immediately fell into Cao Qian’s trap. The Ms. Xingmeng who appeared at that restaurant was likely Cao Qian’s pawn. According to Gao Ziyan and Qin Sisi’s analysis, Cao Qian had likely bribed Deputy Prosecutor Li Qiang, which was why he was so hostile towards Gao Ziyan.
…
This dinner felt like a meeting. They had called me there to understand what the Special Crimes Division was. Currently, Gao Ziyan was not afraid of this fabricated murder charge; what she feared was Wang Ren pinning the baseless treason charge on her.
I thought this was a gathering of friends where we could have an open chat. But I was mistaken. Gao Ziyan was no longer the Gao Ziyan of the past. Her entire focus was on the Gao family and the current situation.
Before coming, I even considered clarifying my relationship with Gao Ziyan, but now, it seemed unnecessary. How could the current Gao Ziyan possibly care about me?
What was comforting was that there was someone at this table who genuinely came to drink. That person was Brother Shun. But in this situation, Brother Shun couldn’t interject and could only sit there looking dejected.
Brother Shun and I were old acquaintances. We had shared extraordinary experiences together in Ruili. Brother Shun really wanted to chat with me, especially since we hadn’t had a proper conversation since he had deceived me back then.
However, this reunion had turned into a crisis analysis meeting. As they spoke, Qin Sisi and Gao Ziyan began a quiet exchange, and gradually, Gao Ziyan’s expression became solemn.
Seeing this, I knew there was no point in staying any longer. I stood up and said, “I have something to do this afternoon, so I’ll be leaving now.”
“Tang Nan, we’ll need your help with matters concerning the Special Crimes Division.”
“I’ll help with what I can, but do you need me?”
Qin Sisi looked taken aback by my words. Gao Ziyan’s expression was calm, without much change.
“I’ll walk you out,” Brother Shun stood up.
Gao Ziyan smiled slightly and politely stood up. Qin Sisi also stood up, looking at me with confusion. Brother Shun tried to stop me from speaking, but I still said, “We are not symbiotic entities. I will still help this time, but please don’t look for me next time. I am just a man with no great ambitions who is very attached to home.”
After saying this, I nodded to them and turned to leave. Just then, Gao Ziyan called out to me, “Tang Nan.”
I didn’t turn back.
She asked, “Don’t you like me anymore?”
“Miss Gao Ziyan, please don’t misunderstand. I am a married man. My help is purely out of assistance, not involving elements like liking. Also, I don’t think we are on the same path…”
“Tang Nan, don’t…”
Qin Sisi tried to interrupt me, but Gao Ziyan stopped her. “Goodbye, Tang Nan. Thank you for your help this time, and last time. I will always remember everything you have done for me. However, you are right, we are truly not on the same path. After this, let’s not see each other again.”
“Okay!”
I agreed and strode out of the private room.