Chapter 101 Evidence from Seven Years Ago Comes to Light

Although he wanted to help his brothers get ahead, they had to be able to stand on their own feet.

Even if Chen Ang wanted to kick back and avoid risky business, he didn't want his brothers to fail at such simple tasks.

"The personnel for the four positions—administration, marketing, operations, and finance—have all arrived, and they have been busy tidying up the office in the newly purchased office building over the past two days."

"He's quite diligent; he personally led the marketing department to survey the University Town, checking the occupancy rates, rental returns, and property rights of several surrounding apartment projects. The research report is already out, and the next step is to purchase the assets and begin operations."

Shen Pianran switched her coffee cup to her other hand and tilted her head as she spoke.

Chen Ang nodded in response, "He's just getting started with these things; if you have time, please help keep an eye on him."

Shen Pianran curled her lip dismissively, "I knew you would exploit me."

"How am I exploiting you?" Chen Ang asked suddenly, his gaze sweeping across her face.

Shen Pianran glared at him in embarrassed anger, "Are you trying to commit workplace sexual harassment?"

Chen Ang looked away, smiling without saying a word.

"You're hilarious." Shen Pianran made a gesture as if to throw her coffee cup at him, then struggled to calm her breathing. A moment later, she added, "Tomorrow at noon, come with me to a matchmaking event; you can't back out."

As she spoke, she glared at Chen Ang again.

She suddenly realized that the barrier between her and Chen Ang had diminished; in the past, they never joked around during work hours.

Chen Ang nodded and agreed, "Fine, I'll follow your lead the whole time."

Shen Pianran breathed a sigh of relief. She had only just realized that as her emotions became uncontrollable, something was beginning to grow within her.

Putting aside those messy thoughts, she immediately continued, "By the way, regarding Jiangning, Sister Xin met with the Company team this morning and should be coordinating the investment inspection with the government now."

While talking, the two pushed open the door to enter Shen Pianran's office. She went to her desk, found a document, and handed it over.

"The core of this project is to combine the industrial ruins left after the mine closure with ancient kiln culture to create a cultural tourism complex, including an ancient kiln ruins museum, an intangible cultural heritage ceramic experience workshop, a mine-themed homestay cluster, and supporting commercial streets."

"The total investment is about 180 million. Jiangning has already listed the project as a key annual priority, and the preferential policies for investment promotion include a three-year corporate income tax exemption and a 50% reduction in land use tax."

Chen Ang took the document and listened to her explanation, flipping through it page by page. When her voice trailed off, he asked, "What about the risks?"

Even though he didn't necessarily have the intention of making a profit, if there were significant risks, he wouldn't necessarily jump in, even if it were a project heavily pushed by Director Xu Qingwan.

"There are risk factors. The mine ruins are in the old county town, and the conditions are average. There are no mature tourist attractions nearby to provide traffic support, so initial traffic will have to rely on marketing investment to force it. The return cycle is conservatively estimated at three to five years; it's not a project that can generate quick cash."

Chen Ang closed the file and looked up at her, "As long as it's not a bottomless pit, that's fine. You know what I need is this identity as an investor."

Shen Pianran smiled, squinting her eyes, "Director Xu, who is pushing this project, is not the kind of official you imagine. She actually wants to get things done, so it's highly unlikely she will set you up."

When Chen Ang heard her mention Director Xu Qingwan, his pupils constricted for a moment, and his expression became slightly dazed.

"By the way, Sister Xin knows Director Xu; it's easier to get things done when everyone is an acquaintance during this coordination. Come to think of it, you don't happen to know Director Xu as well, do you?"

Shen Pianran paused and looked up at Chen Ang.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ang reached out to rub the bridge of his nose, his movements slow as if he were stalling for time.

After a two-second pause, he replied, "I suppose you could say I know her."

Shen Pianran's gaze lingered on his face for two seconds; she was somewhat surprised but didn't ask further.

She sat behind her desk, pulled out another file, and handed it to Chen Ang, "The administrative order for Company to cut off supply to Company."

After Chen Ang took it, she added, "I forgot one more thing. The Tax Bureau called, saying there are some issues that need to be coordinated. I told Sister Xin, and she should be back in the afternoon after she finishes her meeting."

Chen Ang was stunned. He tapped the file in his hand against his thigh and asked, "Is it about the information consulting fee?"

Shen Pianran pursed her lips and nodded slightly; she didn't understand why Chen Ang had left this potential hazard in the first place.

"It's fine, everything is arranged."

Chen Ang smiled, didn't say anything more, turned around, and left the law firm.

The bentley Continental GT left the Financial Center and went straight to Jiang Shan's studio.

Just as he entered the door, Jiang Shan brought over freshly brewed tea and then pulled a folder from the drawer, placing it on the coffee table.

"Brother Chen, this is the invoice for the 200,000 information consulting fee, as well as the contract between my Company and Hengxing Investment, and the tax payment certificate."

Chen Ang flipped through it and smiled, "You're quick; they were just about to investigate this."

"The contract states that it was an investigation into the commercial background of Mingzhou Building, having nothing to do with any private investigation." Jiang Shan said, opening a pack of cigarettes and offering him one, "Asking something I shouldn't, Brother Chen, why go through all this trouble?"

Chen Ang took it, lit it, squinted his eyes as he took a drag, smiled, and didn't answer.

In truth, this was just a little bit of petty revenge.

He just wanted to see who Wen Huilin would turn to for help.

If someone helped her, that person would become his target.

He just wanted everyone around Wen Huilin to suffer various misfortunes because of her, leaving her isolated and abandoned by all.

Having just heard Shen Pianran mention this, he knew that Jian Ting was likely involved. If he could use this to get Jian Ting fired, Jian Ting would surely hate Wen Huilin to death.

Wen Huilin didn't have many friends in Bin City, and he really wanted to see what kind of end she would meet after being kicked out.

As for using Zhong Yuanxin's identity, he would never admit it even if he were beaten to death.

Seeing that Chen Ang didn't answer, Jiang Shan didn't mind and pulled another kraft paper bag from the drawer, "Brother Chen, I found something regarding the incident at the Wanli Hotel seven years ago."

Chen Ang held the cigarette in his mouth and reached out to open the paper bag.

"I found the receptionist who was on the night shift at the Wanli Hotel back then. Her name is Wang Xiulan. I spoke with her twice; she only opened up the second time."

Jiang Shan pointed to the photo Chen Ang had taken out, "She remembers what happened that night. Wen Huilin was a hotel receptionist at the time, but she wasn't on duty that night. She took the key card to your room, Brother Chen, from the front desk, claiming it was a spare key, and went straight upstairs after getting it. When Wang Xiulan asked what she was doing, she said a guest had left something behind and she was helping to deliver it."

Chen Ang stared at the photo without speaking.

"Wang Xiulan said that Wen Huilin stayed for a long time after going up. It wasn't until the next morning that she saw her come out of the elevator. At the time, she even told Wang Xiulan not to mention that she had been there."

Chen Ang extinguished the cigarette butt, then picked up his phone and dialed Shen Pianran's number. The call was answered after two rings.

"I've found a witness from that night seven years ago. She confirmed that Wen Huilin's appearance in my room was not an accident but intentional. She went to the front desk and got the key card to get in."

The other end of the line was silent for a moment, then Shen Pianran's cold voice came through, "This witness is crucial. She is not an ordinary eyewitness; she is an internal staff member and has authority regarding the shift handover procedures and key card management policies of that night."

"Remember, her testimony can prove that Wen Huilin's method of entering the room was abnormal, thereby refuting the claim of an accident that she will inevitably make."