It was no surprise that after two weeks of calm, Xie Youlin had indeed pulled strings and thrown AtL into turmoil once again.
— During Ou Yunchen’s call —
Lawyer Ma: "Yes, this time it's the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission investigating together. They're really tirelessly trying to find something on us."
Ou Yunchen: "Cooperate fully. As long as we've been clean, we have nothing to fear from their investigations."
Lawyer Ma: "I'm worried that if they keep coming down to investigate like this, and each investigation takes several weeks, halting business, our clients will all be gone."
Ou Yunchen: "Hold on. I'll figure something out."
— Ou Yunchen’s call ends —
It wasn't just investment companies; even ordinary private enterprises couldn't withstand such harassment from above.
However, this time AtL wasn't directly implicated, but the large sums of money transferred in and out became the target of scrutiny.
As soon as a suspicious transaction report was filed, the transaction would be immediately frozen.
The money wasn't leaving AtL, but it affected clients with whom the company had less pleasant relationships.
While one incident might be understood by clients, repeated freezes would cause even the best clients to fear affecting their returns and quickly move to other firms.
After all, the unpredictable stock market waits for no one, not even for a moment!
***
Two weeks ago.
Xie Youlin suddenly received a phone call.
— During Xie Youlin’s call —
Xie Youlin: "You're saying renew the bank safe deposit box?"
Account Manager: "Yes, Mr. Xie. This is a bank safe deposit box rented by Mr. Xie Hongtian. Payment is due every ten years. Your safe deposit box expires next month. Would you like to renew the lease?"
Xie Youlin: "Can I know what's inside?"
Account Manager: "I'm very sorry, sir. These are items Mr. Xie personally deposited, and we have no right to inquire. If you wish to know what's inside, please bring the relevant identification and the safe deposit box key to view it."
Xie Youlin: "Okay, I understand."
— Xie Youlin’s call ends —
Xie Youlin immediately pulled open a drawer. Inside lay a key that he couldn't for the life of him figure out.
This key was originally in the safe deposit box in his office. But ever since Xie Youlin inherited it, he had hired someone to open the safe, and he had gone through everything inside, useful and useless.
Even Xie Hongtian's former secretary claimed not to know about this key.
Xie Youlin: "It seems this is the key to the bank safe deposit box. What would that old man keep in a bank safe deposit box..."
After much deliberation, Xie Youlin decided to go and see for himself.
Upon arriving at the bank, he was received privately in the VIP room, and even the bank manager respectfully served him tea and water.
Xie Youlin: "I'd like to see the safe deposit box."
Manager: "Certainly, no problem. I'll have someone escort you there immediately."
A few minutes later, after completing the necessary procedures, Xie Youlin followed a staff member towards the basement.
This was Xie Youlin's first time in the bank's basement. It was said that this single bank housed approximately five thousand private safe deposit boxes.
They passed by four massive doors and arrived at the location where Xie Hongtian kept his safe deposit box.
The staff member first used his key to open the first lock and then departed.
Xie Youlin looked at the small safe deposit box door before him, still curious about what "things that have never seen the light of day" might be stored inside.
When he inserted the key in his hand into the lock and turned it a few times, the safe deposit box door indeed popped open with a click.
The sensor light inside the cabinet immediately illuminated. Xie Youlin reached inside and felt around; a USB drive shaped like an IC card was placed within.
Xie Youlin: "What is this thing?"
Xie Youlin immediately pocketed it and left the bank.
However, upon returning to Xie Corporation Media, he encountered Shen Yuxuan, who was waiting for him.
Shen Yuxuan: "I know you're busy, and I also need to go back quickly to take care of Mrs. Xie. Please give me Mrs. Xie's medication."
Xie Youlin: "You're quite resilient. Enjoying your stay at the Xie residence? Now get lost."
Shen Yuxuan: "As long as you give me Mrs. Xie's medication on time, I promise I won't appear before you again."
Xie Youlin: "What, you plan to support that lunatic?"
Shen Yuxuan: "How can you speak about your mother like that!"
Xie Youlin: "She's not my mother. She's just a crazy woman."
Shen Yuxuan: "Did a dog eat your conscience! How can you treat your mother like this? Aren't you afraid of retribution!"
Xie Youlin laughed heartily. His retribution had long since arrived; it began the moment Xie Hongtian brought him home, that was retribution!
Xie Youlin: "Without money, without medicine, I'll see how long you two can last!"
Shen Yuxuan: "Aren't you afraid I'll expose your wicked deeds! I'll let everyone know that the boss of Xie Corporation Media is an unfilial son!!!"
Xie Youlin suddenly grabbed Shen Yuxuan by the neck, his eyes filled with malice, choking the poor girl until she was nearly suffocating.
Xie Youlin: "You dare!"
Shen Yuxuan: "Give, me, the, medicine..."
Xie Youlin heard someone approaching and immediately released Shen Yuxuan.
Xie Youlin: "Listen carefully. If you dare to do anything against me, I'll throw you into a deserted place and let you await death alongside that crazy woman!"
Shen Yuxuan: "I'm not afraid of you!"
Xie Youlin wiped his hands and continued, "I'll have the medicine delivered home. You'd better behave!"
This was truly a minor interruption. Xie Youlin straightened his suit and returned to his office.