472: Chapter 467 A Winning Thing

Conspiracy.

The last two words were like two ice-quenched awls, stabbing into Zhang Jufeng's heart.

It seemed that all the blood in his body froze instantly.

He looked at Shen Yan, his lips moved a few times, but he couldn't utter a sound.

The old desk phone in the office made an incomparably harsh sound at this moment, emitting a faint electrical noise, buzzing and crackling.

"So..."

Two dry syllables were squeezed out of Zhang Jufeng's throat.

"Mr. Shen... why are you telling me all this?"

He asked the question that had lingered deepest in his heart.

This man appeared with his Master's posthumous work, uncovered the bloody past sealed for three years, and then threw out a shocking conspiracy capable of overturning the entire industry.

What was his motive?

Shen Yan did not answer immediately.

He slowly picked up a new disposable paper cup from the table and poured himself half a cup of water.

The sound of the water dispenser gurgling filled the dead silence of the office, magnified infinitely.

He lifted the cup to his lips and took a small sip.

The entire process was unhurried and composed.

It was as if he wasn't talking to someone on the verge of emotional collapse after learning a shocking secret, but rather savoring tea in his own study.

"I want to discuss a deal with President Zhang."

Shen Yan put down the water cup, the bottom making a light sound as it met the tabletop.

"I wonder if President Zhang is interested."

A deal?

Zhang Jufeng's pupils trembled again.

He had expected Shen Yan to say something noble, like upholding justice or acting on Heaven's behalf.

Instead, it was a deal.

The word was cold, realistic, and reeked of money, yet it inexplicably loosened his tightly wound nerves by a fraction.

A businessman talking deals was always better than a savior talking ideals.

"...Tell me the details."

Zhang Jufeng's voice was still hoarse, but it had stabilized considerably.

"Very simple."

Shen Yan lightly tapped the desktop with his index finger.

"I will assist you in uncovering the truth of the accident three years ago."

"I will help you remove your Master, Old Mr. Zhou Chongshan, from the pillar of shame labeled 'operational error'."

"I will make his name clean again."

With every sentence Shen Yan spoke, Zhang Jufeng's heartbeat skipped a beat.

Every single word struck precisely at the softest and most painful spot in his heart.

It was what he had wanted to do every time he woke up in the middle of the night for the past three years, but was powerless to achieve.

He almost blurted out, "Yes."

But what Shen Yan said next was like a basin of ice water, instantly extinguishing all his excitement.

"In return."

"I want five percent of the shares in Jufeng Steel."

The air in the office solidified once more.

Zhang Jufeng stared blankly at Shen Yan, as if he hadn't heard clearly.

What was this?

Extortion?

He opened his mouth, a feeling of absurdity surging in his heart.

"Mr. Shen, my steel plant has never undergone financing."

He frowned, trying to explain.

"From beginning to end, the only owner and shareholder has been me."

"It seems inappropriate for an outsider like you to get involved, right?"

"There's nothing inappropriate about it."

Shen Yan's tone was as flat as if he were commenting on the fine weather today.

"President Zhang can take his time to consider it."

"My reason for wanting shares is also very simple."

His gaze swept over the mobile phone still displaying the screen, which showed the V9 formula.

"If the truth truly comes to light and your Master's name is cleared."

"Then this V9 formula will be the greatest legacy left to you by your Master."

"The subsequent Sky Dome series should also only be manufactured by Jufeng Heavy Industry."

"I merely want a piece of such a large cake."

Shen Yan's words carried no emotional color, yet they were filled with irresistible temptation.

He didn't paint any grand blueprint; he simply laid the benefits nakedly on the table.

Uncovering the truth and vindicating his Master was sentiment.

Solely owning the Sky Dome series and making Jufeng Steel soar was profit.

Now, Shen Yan had bound sentiment and profit together with five percent of the shares.

Zhang Jufeng wavered.

His fingers curled unconsciously into a fist.

He looked at the young man before him, his heart churning.

This man named Shen Yan was like a demon from the abyss, precisely grasping all his desires and weaknesses.

But after all, he had been struggling in the marketplace for so many years.

He didn't let himself be swept away and immediately agree.

Shen Yan seemed to see through his concerns and didn't say another word.

He reached into his suit jacket pocket, pulled out a black business card, and handed it over.

The card only had a name and a phone number; its design was minimalist, yet it exuded a sense of weight.

"When you've made up your mind, call this number."

Zhang Jufeng silently took the business card.

The texture of the card was heavy, carrying a slight icy touch.

"I will."

He heard his own voice say.

Shen Yan stood up, straightened the hem of his suit, and didn't spare Zhang Jufeng another glance.

He turned, strode out of the shabby office with long legs, and left without looking back.

The sound of his footsteps gradually faded down the corridor until it disappeared.

Zhang Jufeng sat alone on the chair, motionless for a long time.

He looked down at the business card in his hand, then at the water cup on the table that Shen Yan had only sipped from.

He felt as if he had just experienced a dream.

The black maybach smoothly drove away from the slightly dilapidated factory area of Jufeng Steel.

Inside the car, Shen Yan leaned back on the rear seat, closing his eyes to rest.

His sudden return and the words he spoke to Zhang Jufeng were not spur-of-the-moment decisions.

Just as he was about to leave for the first time and his hand had just touched the car door handle,

The cold mechanical voice in his mind sounded without warning:

"Ding—"

"Special Event Node detected, Random Mission triggered: Clearing an Unjust Accusation."

"Mission Description: Yuanshan Heavy Industry's Senior Engineer Zhou Chongshan died three years ago during a V9 formula experiment in a meticulously planned 'accident' and was falsely accused of operational error. His disciple, Zhang Jufeng, has endured humiliation and struggled to survive for three years."

"Mission Objective: Assist Zhang Jufeng in uncovering the truth behind Zhou Chongshan's death and making it public, to restore honor to the deceased."

"Mission Reward: advanced wealth intelligence * 1."

"Mission Hint: The bankruptcy of Yuanshan Heavy Industry and the death of Zhou Chongshan were orchestrated by the same faction."

It was precisely because of this system mission that Shen Yan chose to return.

Every word he spoke, every piece of information he released, was a precise psychological offensive against Zhang Jufeng, guided by the system's prompts.

As for the five percent share, that was his own improvisation.

The system was only responsible for issuing missions and providing intelligence.

How to maximize the value of that intelligence was something Shen Yan needed to figure out himself.

Vindicating Zhou Chongshan would earn him Zhang Jufeng's loyalty and one piece of advanced wealth intelligence.

By adding the five percent share, he could completely tie Jufeng Steel—a warship destined to become an aircraft carrier in the special steel field—to his own chariot.

Killing two birds with one stone.