822: Chapter 817 The Lost Pearl

The rain had not completely stopped, tapping lightly against the window of the Cullinan.

Inside the cabin, the privacy glass that completely separated the front and rear rows had already been raised.

The noise of the outside world was cut off by the top-tier soundproofing materials, leaving only the shushing sound of the tires rolling over the wet road surface.

Liu Hui leaned wearily against the leather seat, Shen An sleeping soundly in her arms, occasionally smacking his lips.

She turned her head to look at her husband beside her.

Shen Yan was resting with his eyes closed, his brow slightly unfurrowed, as if the decisive ruthlessness from the banquet earlier was just an illusion.

Now, he was just a father who had just gotten off work, a husband devoted to his family.

But Liu Hui knew that after tonight, the sky in Jinghai had changed.

Those who had kicked Shen Yan when he was down would probably be lining up tomorrow to apologize with thorns on their backs at the entrance of Rock Technology.

"Tired?"

Shen Yan didn't open his eyes, but his right hand accurately covered the back of Liu Hui's hand, his palm warm.

Liu Hui shook her head and clasped his hand in return.

"Not tired, I just feel like it's a bit unreal."

"We used to worry ourselves sick over tens of thousands of yuan in payments. Tonight, you casually donated an invaluable system."

Shen Yan opened his eyes, the flowing neon lights from outside reflecting in his pupils.

"That system was originally made for the public good. In my hands, it could only be exchanged for money, but donated, it can win people's hearts."

"We will have plenty of money in the future, but establishing a firm foothold in this circle relies on influence."

Liu Hui nodded, understanding only partially.

She didn't fully grasp the business logic, but she trusted Shen Yan unconditionally.

The car passed the Jinghai Bridge and turned into a relatively older street.

The road ahead seemed rough, and the driver slowed down.

"Boss, it looks like someone is causing trouble ahead, blocking half the road."

The driver, Old Zhang's, voice came through the intercom system.

Shen Yan rolled down the window slightly.

The air after the rain was mixed with the smell of mud and the stench of the sewer.

Not far away, under a streetlamp, several youths with dyed yellow hair and wearing studded leather jackets were gathered in a circle.

In the middle of the circle, a figure clad in rags was huddled.

The person was disheveled, their age indiscernible, wrapped in a tattered military greatcoat, tightly clutching a black plastic bag to their chest.

The youths held beer bottles, muttering curses, occasionally kicking out at the homeless man.

"Old man, you bumped into my motorcycle just now and think you can just leave?"

"What treasure is in this bag? Take it out and let us have a look!"

One of the yellow-haired youths reached out to snatch the plastic bag.

The homeless man let out a hoarse growl, like an old beast guarding its food, and suddenly opened his mouth to bite the yellow-haired youth's wrist.

"Ah! Damn it!"

The yellow-haired youth screamed, and the beer bottle in his hand swung down directly.

With a dull thud.

The homeless man didn't dodge, taking the blow squarely on his back. He tumbled into the muddy water, but he still held the bag tightly to his chest.

Many people passed by, most just glancing quickly, shaking their heads, and moving on.

In this day and age, it was better to avoid trouble.

Shen Yan originally had no intention of intervening.

There were too many injustices in this world; he couldn't save them all.

Just as his finger was about to press the window-close button, the familiar electronic chime suddenly sounded in his mind.

Ding.

[Random Mission Triggered: The Lost Pearl.]

[Mission Description: The homeless man being bullied ahead is not an ordinary beggar. He was once a top domestic semiconductor materials expert, but was framed by a competitor, leading to the ruin of his family and mental derangement. The Host is requested to extend a helping hand and uphold the last shred of dignity for this genius.]

[Mission Reward: One portion of advanced wealth intelligence, one clue to a top-tier talent.]

Shen Yan's finger froze.

Semiconductor materials expert?

What did Rock Technology lack the most right now?

It was fundamental hardware technology.

Although Tianshu had unrivaled computing power, that was on the software level. If the situation of being dependent on others for hardware wasn't broken, they would eventually be bottlenecked.

He never expected to find such a treasure on this shabby street corner.

"Stop the car."

Shen Yan's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Old Zhang immediately pulled over, nimbly grabbing a black umbrella and approaching the rear door.

The car door opened.

A blast of cold wind rushed in.

Liu Hui tugged at Shen Yan's sleeve worriedly.

"Husband, what are you going to do? Those people look like thugs."

Shen Yan turned back and gave her a reassuring look.

"It's fine. I ran into an acquaintance; I'll go say hello."

An acquaintance?

Liu Hui was slightly stunned.

When did Shen Yan start knowing homeless people?

But she didn't ask further, only holding the child in her arms a little tighter.

Shen Yan took the umbrella from Old Zhang and stepped out into the rain.

The custom leather shoes that had just trodden on the red carpet now stepped carelessly into the dirty puddles.

Under the streetlamp, the yellow-haired youth who had been bitten was angrily signaling his companions.

"Beat him! Beat him to death! If anything happens, it's on me!"

Several accomplices were about to rush forward.

"Stop."

The voice was not loud, nor was it a desperate roar, but it possessed a strange penetrating quality.

The movements of the little hoodlums halted, and they subconsciously turned their heads.

They saw a man dressed in a sharp suit standing a few steps away, holding a black umbrella.

Rainwater dripped from the edge of the umbrella, splashing tiny droplets at the man's feet.

The yellow-haired youth clutched his wrist and glared fiercely at Shen Yan.

"Who the hell are you? Mind your own business! Do you know who I am?"

Shen Yan ignored him, his gaze sweeping over the crowd to land on the homeless man on the ground.

Under the dim yellow streetlamp, he could see the man's face clearly.

Although his face was covered in grime and stubble, his eyes showed a dead, obsessive focus.

Even though he was beaten bloody, those hands still gripped the plastic bag tightly.

That was his life.

"Who I am isn't important."

Shen Yan took a step forward, his leather shoe crushing half a brick on the ground.

"What's important is that you are assaulting an elder."

The yellow-haired youth was momentarily stunned by Shen Yan's imposing aura, but then, seeing that Shen Yan was alone, his courage surged again.

"Elder? A filthy beggar deserves that?"

"Buddy, you look well-dressed, what, you want to play the hero?"

The yellow-haired youth winked at his companions, and several people slowly surrounded Shen Yan, their beer bottles swaying carelessly.

"I advise you to scram quickly, or we'll take care of you too..."

Before he could finish speaking, a dazzling beam of car headlights suddenly shone onto the yellow-haired youth's face.

It was the Cullinan's high beams.

Immediately following, the driver, Old Zhang, got out of the car. He held no weapon, only a mobile phone, and was recording the scene from their direction.

"Boss, I've already called the police. Captain Li from the precinct happens to be patrolling nearby; he'll be here in two minutes."

Old Zhang was a retired soldier, his voice booming and full of vigor.

Upon hearing 'Precinct Captain Li,' the faces of the little hoodlums instantly changed.

They only bullied the weak and feared the strong in this area. If they were actually taken to the station, none of them would get out easily.