291: Chapter 291 Uncovering the Mole Hidden Within the Security Bureau (Part 2)

Meanwhile, in the lobby of the safe house, Huang Hansheng frowned as he looked at the guard who had finished reporting and was walking steadily back to him. His tone was slightly displeased as he spoke in a low voice: "What exactly did your Captain Ye say?"

The guard raised his hand, saluted him, and replied: "Director Huang, Captain Ye asked me to tell you to please wait a moment. She is rushing back as fast as she can."

Upon hearing this, Huang Hansheng's heart sank abruptly. If he really waited for Ye Qingcheng to return, there would be no way for him to escape.

Thus, Huang Hansheng's mind raced. He forced a smile to the corner of his mouth and softened his tone slightly: "Hey, little comrade, I just want to see the person who was brought in earlier, nothing else. I won't interrogate them. After all, with such a big commotion tonight, I have to give an account to the higher-ups, right? For such a small matter, I don't think we need to trouble Captain Ye to make a special trip back, right?"

The guard remained completely unmoved and replied: "Director Huang, I am truly sorry. Captain Ye gave explicit instructions: apart from her orders, no one, including us guards, is allowed to approach this person by even half a step. Since Captain Ye is already on her way back, Director Huang, please just wait a little longer."

Seeing that his cunning plan had fallen through, Huang Hansheng sighed silently in his heart, but on the surface, he feigned a sudden realization, speaking as if to himself: "Oh, I almost forgot, I have a conference call with the higher-ups later, and looking at the time, it's almost here. In that case, I won't wait for Captain Ye. I'll call her later to explain the situation." With that, Huang Hansheng turned around, feigning ease, and prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, just as Huang Hansheng turned around, two burly guards appeared out of nowhere, silently blocking his path.

Huang Hansheng's brows furrowed again. He turned around, looked at the previous guard with a piercing gaze, and his tone carried a mix of displeasure and helplessness: "Little comrade, what is the meaning of this?"

"I'm sorry, Director Huang. We are just following orders. Regarding the specific situation, please wait for Captain Ye to return and ask her yourself." Although the guard said he was sorry, the expression on his face did not change in the slightest.

Huang Hansheng felt helpless now. Being in this sealed underground safe house, it was impossible to contact the outside world. He only hoped his wife would listen to him and manage to leave the country as soon as possible.

...

On the other side, in the banquet hall of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Qin Yi returned as if nothing had happened, a calm and composed smile on his face.

Beside Xu Qian, Shen Jianan, Ye Ziming, Xing Zhenkun, and the Chu sisters were gathered together, laughing and chatting, though it was unclear what they were talking about.

Qin Yi walked over slowly, gently wrapped his arm around Xu Qian's waist from behind, and looked at the group with a playful smile, teasing: "What are you all chatting about? So happily—include me, why don't you?"

Xu Qian's body trembled instinctively. After feeling Qin Yi's warm presence, she leaned into his chest with peace of mind, her eyes shimmering with concern and tenderness: "Young Master Qin, you're back. Are you okay?"

Qin Yi nodded gently, a comforting smile tugging at the corners of his mouth: "Yeah, I'm fine." Seeing this, Shen Jianan on the opposite side chimed in to smooth things over: "See? I told you, Captain Ye just wanted to ask Qin Yi a few questions. Once she was done, he would naturally come back. Look, Qin Yi is standing here safe and sound."

Ye Ziming chimed in at this moment, his eyes filled with curiosity: "Young Master Qin, where is my sister? Didn't she come with you?"

"Oh, she probably had other matters to attend to. When I entered the hotel, I saw her car had already left."

Upon hearing this, Ye Ziming was stunned for a moment, then a trace of joy flashed in his eyes. He muttered to himself: My sister is truly amazing; she's deliberately creating an opportunity for me to be alone with Jianan!

However, he heard Shen Jianan ask, appearing very strange: "Sister Qingcheng left? Then what do I do? No, I have to make a call and ask." With that, Shen Jianan took out her phone from her handbag and dialed Ye Qingcheng's number.

Seeing this, Ye Ziming hurriedly said: "It's okay, Jianan, you still have me. I can take you back..."

Shen Jianan ignored Ye Ziming's overtures, held the phone to her ear, and walked towards a quieter corner of the banquet hall.

Seeing this, everyone wore an indescribable smile on their faces. Ye Ziming, however, didn't care about their reactions at all and followed closely behind like 'dog skin plaster'.

Meanwhile, Xing Zhenkun leaned in and spoke to Qin Yi: "Young Master Qin, the matter of acquiring the entertainment media company I mentioned to you before has made some progress."

Qin Yi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, a look of interest appearing on his face: "Oh? Is there a company willing to sell? Which company is it?"

"Haohan Entertainment."

"Haohan Entertainment?" Qin Yi chewed on the name, a look of confusion appearing on his face, clearly not very familiar with it.

Seeing this, Xing Zhenkun immediately explained: "This company is mainly involved in film, television, entertainment, and cultural media. It was co-founded by a friend of mine and seven first-tier domestic artists. The company has also signed many star artists, participated in many popular film and television dramas, and also participated in some variety shows. Its strength can be said to be quite good."

Qin Yi nodded, but his face still carried a hint of confusion: "Since the strength is good, why sell it? Did they encounter any trouble?"

Xing Zhenkun shook his head and explained: "There's nothing wrong with the company; it's just that those few celebrity shareholders want to cash out their equity. Recently, the state has been investigating celebrity tax issues more and more strictly, so they probably want to withdraw their capital to lie low."

Qin Yi suddenly realized and nodded: "So that's it. I have also seen some related news on the internet. Then how do they plan to sell it?"

"I asked; those seven celebrity shareholders hold a total of 70% of the shares, and the remaining 30% of the equity is in the hands of my friend."

Qin Yi frowned slightly: "70% is quite a lot. However, if those seven celebrity shareholders withdraw, wouldn't there be nothing left of Haohan Entertainment?"

Xing Zhenkun smiled slightly, clearly well-prepared for Qin Yi's question: "I have considered this aspect and have already talked to my friend. Those celebrity shareholders have conditions for their withdrawal; for the next five years, they still need to continue making money for the company, and the revenue they bring to the company must at least cover the amount for the 70% equity acquisition."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yi's eyes lit up: "In that case, this deal is not a loss. Moreover, Yiqian Entertainment Media has just been established, and it really needs some stars to hold up the facade. So, how much money do they want to sell this 70% equity for?"

Xing Zhenkun held up a hand gesture of seven and explained: "Seven hundred million. There are seven celebrity shareholders in total, each holding 10%. If you think it's okay, Young Master Qin, I will make an appointment with my friend, and we can sit down and talk. This friend of mine also has a lot of connections in the entertainment industry, which should be a great help for the future development of Yiqian Entertainment."

Qin Yi nodded. Seven hundred million was not much for him, and since the holder of the other 30% of the equity was Brother Kun's friend, this deal was indeed not a loss.

Thus, Qin Yi replied: "Alright. Let Brother Kun make the call on this matter. However, I'm afraid there's no time next week; I have already made an appointment with Si Yao to go to the Southwest."

"Young Master Qin is going to the Southwest with Yaoyao? When did this happen? Why didn't I hear Si Yao mention it before?" Xing Zhenkun asked suspiciously.

Qin Yi couldn't tell Xing Zhenkun that he was going to pretend to be Si Yao's boyfriend, so he had to smile and shake his head: "I'm not too sure about this either. Si Yao didn't explain in detail, saying there was some project to investigate there. Since I don't have anything to do anyway, I'll just go along and take a look."

Xing Zhenkun looked at Qin Yi, a trace of suspicion flashing in his eyes, but since Qin Yi had already said so, he naturally wouldn't push to ask further.

Thus, Xing Zhenkun chuckled and pulled the topic back to the acquisition of Haohan Entertainment's equity: "Alright then, Young Master Qin, it's settled. Let's talk in detail after you return from the Southwest."

Meanwhile, Shen Jianan finished her call with Ye Qingcheng, her expression becoming quite complex, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl into an imperceptible smile, and she was overjoyed in her heart.

"Jianan, what did my sister tell you?" Ye Ziming watched Shen Jianan's fluctuating expression from the side and asked suspiciously.

Shen Jianan put away her phone, turned her gaze to Ye Ziming, coughed lightly, and feigned composure: "Sister Qingcheng said that next Monday, you and I will accompany Qin Yi to the Southwest."

Upon hearing this, Ye Ziming's eyes lit up immediately, his tone full of excitement: "Really? That's great~" After finishing, he suddenly reacted, a look of confusion on his face, and scratched his head as he asked, "Wait, that's not right. Who did you say we are accompanying?"

"Your good brother, Qin Yi." Shen Jianan said, looking naturally towards Qin Yi, who was chatting and laughing with Xing Zhenkun.

Upon hearing it was Qin Yi, the smile on Ye Ziming's face froze instantly, and he asked suspiciously: "Young Master Qin? Jianan, we aren't going to monitor Young Master Qin again, are we? My sister's suspicion of Young Master Qin hasn't been cleared yet?"

Shen Jianan shrugged and said innocently: "I don't know about that; you'll have to ask your sister. The order I received is to go to the Southwest with Qin Yi. If you don't want to, I'll call Sister Qingcheng now. Anyway, it won't matter if you're not there." With that, Shen Jianan made a gesture to take out her phone again.

Seeing Shen Jianan about to take out her phone, Ye Ziming hurriedly reached out to stop her, smiling cheekily: "No, no, no, I'm willing. I'm willing to do anything as long as I can be with you."

Shen Jianan pulled her hand back, rolled her eyes at Ye Ziming, a helpless smile curling the corners of her mouth, and walked towards Qin Yi. Seeing this, Ye Ziming hurriedly followed, asking with a face full of smiles beside her: "Jianan, so we're still pretending to be a couple?"

"Hmm..." Shen Jianan's expression turned cold, and she responded helplessly, while inwardly she was secretly complaining.

Shen Jianan's expression turned cold, and she responded helplessly: "Hmm..." while inwardly she was secretly complaining, "I don't know what's going on with Sister Qingcheng. Since we are going to the Southwest with Qin Yi to investigate the Zhao Family of the Capital, why do I need to pretend to be a couple with Ye Ziming? I really can't figure it out. Could it be that Sister Qingcheng really intends to set me up with Ye Ziming? Oh my, this is such a hassle." Thinking this, the two had already arrived in front of Qin Yi.

Before Shen Jianan could speak, Ye Ziming on the side couldn't hold back and spoke first: "Young Master Qin, how are we going to the Southwest on Monday? Do we need to prepare in advance?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yi was stunned for a moment, his brows furrowed slightly, his gaze shifting back and forth between Shen Jianan and Ye Ziming, and he confirmed suspiciously: "Who told you I was going to the Southwest?"

Ye Ziming chuckled, raised an eyebrow, and replied: "Come on, Young Master Qin, don't hide it from us. My sister already told Jianan to let us two accompany you to the Southwest next Monday. Tell us in advance, what are you going to the Southwest for?"

Qin Yi was speechless for a moment, sighing in his heart: This Ye Qingcheng really arranged things "thoughtfully," actually letting the two of them go with him. However, thinking about it again, this Ye Ziming was, after all, a member of the Ye Family of the Capital; he assumed Zhao Lintai would have some reservations, and perhaps letting him relax his vigilance was not a bad thing.

Thus, Qin Yi nodded and said helplessly: "Alright. Then you wait for my news; I'll notify you once the time is confirmed."

The others didn't have any special reaction to this news, only showing curiosity. However, Xing Zhenkun on the side vaguely sensed something, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes, and he thought to himself: Ye Qingcheng arranged for Jianan to go to the Southwest; could it be that something is wrong with the Southwest Si Family?

Thus, Xing Zhenkun chimed in at the right time: "You are all going to the Southwest next week, so there will be no one left in Shanghai? Why don't I go with you?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yi smiled slightly and said: "Haha, I don't have any objections, but I don't know if Si Yao will agree. In my opinion, Brother Kun, why don't you call Si Yao and ask for her opinion?"

Xing Zhenkun nodded and smiled: "That's true. I have to ask Yaoyao; she has a project and didn't think to take me along, that's really not decent..." With that, he took out his phone from his pocket, skillfully found Si Yao's number, and dialed it.