30: Influence

When the first rays of the morning sun spilled onto the playground of Dikuili University of Science and Technology, the magical "street lamp judgment" incident from last night had already spread to every corner of the campus like a virus with wings.

Li Wei and the other two, who had been tied to the street lamps, were hurriedly untied in the early hours of the morning by school leaders and security guards who had rushed to the scene, and were then quietly sent to the school hospital like three dead dogs.

However, their battered, disheveled, and tear-streaked appearance had already been faithfully recorded from every angle by countless mobile phone cameras.

Although, under the god-like network information control capabilities of "white flower", not a single one of these photos or videos could be successfully uploaded to the public internet—they would be intercepted and deleted by a mysterious force the moment they were uploaded—this could not stop them from spreading wildly through offline campus communication in an explosive manner.

For a time, the entire Dikuili University of Science and Technology was in an uproar.

"Holy crap! Have you heard? Those three bullies from the student council got taken care of!"

"More than just heard! I was there last night! The scene was even more exciting than a movie! Two black robot dogs! Just like the Terminator!"

"Really? Robot dogs? You've been reading too many novels, right?"

"It's absolutely true! I have the video right here! Although it's a bit blurry, you can definitely see it! Those two things looked just like high-tech!"

"That's not the most explosive part, okay! Do you know who the master was that hung Li Wei and the others on the street lamps?"

"Who?"

"The chairman of Leidian Company, Lei Wen! That super genius who is always on the financial news lately, the proxy for Paradox Technology!"

Once this news came out, all campus forums and chat groups instantly fell into a deathly silence.

Then, even more frantic discussions erupted.

Lei Wen.

This name might still be somewhat unfamiliar to ordinary people, but to university students in Dikui City—a city whose economy has developed rapidly due to the indirect influence of Paradox Technology—it was like thunder to the ears.

He is a business legend who emerged from the neighboring Tianqiong City, the mysterious big shot who changed the entire city's industrial landscape.

He is a figure living in legend.

And now, this legendary figure had actually rushed into the male dormitory in person for the sake of a girl and hung one of the student council ministers on a street lamp?

This plot is just too... exciting!

Soon, another even more explosive piece of news was dug up.

That girl is the unbelievably beautiful freshman, Renee, who just joined the Anime Club.

And her relationship with Lei Wen is that they are biological siblings!

This news was like pouring a ladle of water into a boiling wok, instantly igniting the fire of gossip across the entire campus to its peak.

"Damn! No wonder! I was wondering why that freshman had such an ethereal, otherworldly vibe; turns out her brother is a god!"

"Hero saves the beauty... no, that's hero saves his sister! I love this script!"

"That idiot Li Wei really kicked an iron plate this time. Of all people to provoke, he had to go and provoke Lei Wen's sister. Look at him now, famous throughout the whole school."

Consequently, when Renee walked onto campus the next day with slightly red-rimmed eyes and a sense of unease, she immediately felt the earth-shaking change in the surrounding atmosphere.

In the past, the way people looked at her was with a mix of admiration and a sense of distance.

But now, those eyes were filled with awe, curiosity, envy, and even a hint of sycophancy.

All the students she met along the way, whether they knew her or not, took the initiative to nod and smile at her; some even went as far as to bow ninety degrees.

When she walked into the classroom, the most active classmates in the class immediately surrounded her like stars around the moon.

"Renee, good morning! You weren't scared yesterday, right?"

"Renee, this is some imported chocolate I brought from home, try some!"

"Uh... Renee, I'm from the school basketball team. I heard your Anime Club is still missing a security guard... no, a handyman. Do you think I'd fit?"

Renee was left at a loss by this sudden enthusiasm.

However, she quickly understood what had happened.

Her brother's earth-shattering "righteous act" last night had turned her from an obscure sophomore into a campus celebrity overnight.

Countless people began trying every possible way to find out her contact information, attempting to use her as a connection to climb aboard Lei Wen's massive ship.

Even some young lecturers would intentionally or unintentionally call on her more often during class to answer questions, giving high praise to every one of her answers.

This made Renee feel an unprecedented sense of annoyance and discomfort.

She was not used to being the center of attention.

She was even less used to people approaching her for such utilitarian purposes.

But in her heart, there was also a tiny, undeniable sense of secret joy.

Because she knew that all these changes stemmed from that most reliable backup who was willing to make enemies with the whole world for her sake.

...

Just as Renee was feeling annoyed about her "sudden fame" on campus, in the president's office of Caisheng Group, Li Jianguo was experiencing the longest and most agonizing morning of his life.

He had received a call from the school hospital at seven in the morning.

The call said that his precious son Li Wei had suffered multiple soft tissue contusions all over his body and comminuted fractures in both wrists due to a conflict with someone else, and was currently receiving treatment with no life-threatening injuries.

Li Jianguo was naturally furious at first.

His own son beaten like this on his own turf? This was intolerable!

He immediately roared on the phone, demanding that the school call the police immediately, and swore to make the assailant pay the most painful price, vowing to make him spend the rest of his life in prison.

However, just as he hung up the phone and prepared to use all his connections and energy to concoct a case of "grievous bodily harm in the name of self-defense," his phone began to ring frantically as if it had been detonated.

The first call came from the principal of Dikuili University of Science and Technology.

This principal, who usually bowed and scraped before him in hopes of securing more sponsorship, had an unusually serious tone this time.

"Mr. Li," the principal said with an arrogant tone, "regarding your son's situation, I hope you can handle it calmly and let it end here; do not pursue it any further."

"Why?!" Li Jianguo roared, "My son had his hands broken by someone! And you want me to let it end here?"

"Because your son was in the wrong first!" The principal's voice also raised a few notches. "I have long heard about him throwing his weight around in the school using the student council's name! This time he provoked someone he shouldn't have; it is a miracle he didn't lose his life! Mr. Li, I am doing this for your own good. Take my advice: treat this matter as if it never happened!"

Before Li Jianguo could retort, the principal hung up.

Li Jianguo was so angry he almost threw his phone.

But before he could vent, a second call came in.

The caller ID was Chen Qingnian, the chairman of Caisheng Group—a big shot he had to look up to, someone with deep connections in the province.

"Jianguo," the chairman's voice sounded very angry, even carrying a hint of fear, "do you have a son named Li Wei?"

"Y-yes, Chairman." Li Jianguo instantly felt diminished.

"Have him withdraw from school immediately and send him abroad. He is not allowed to return within ten years!" The chairman's voice was like icicles in winter. "Also, go and apologize to Chairman Lei Wen in person immediately! Bring heavy gifts! The heavier, the better! Keep your posture as low as possible! If you cannot obtain his forgiveness, then get out of the company yourself!"

"Why, Chairman?" Li Jianguo was completely bewildered. "What exactly is that Lei Wen's background? Is it that Lei Wen from Leidian Company? But why? Our Caisheng Group shouldn't be afraid of him to this extent, right?"

"Afraid?" The chairman let out a bitter laugh on the other end of the line. "We aren't afraid of him; we are afraid of the Paradox Technology behind him. Do you know what happened in the early hours of this morning? Data from all our group's overseas accounts was breached in an instant! All the black accounts, all the secret transactions, all the unspeakable things were packaged into a file and anonymously sent to the servers of the Discipline Inspection Commission and the State Taxation Administration! The file even had a sentence attached—'This is the first warning!'"

Li Jianguo felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet straight to his scalp.

"...Just because of my son?" His voice was trembling.

"What do you think?" The chairman was almost roaring. "That good-for-nothing offspring of yours almost buried our entire group! Now! Immediately! Sort this matter out for me right now! Otherwise, prepare to go pick up trash with your son!"

The phone was hung up again.

Li Jianguo slumped in his chair, cold sweat already soaking his shirt.

He realized that the person his son had provoked this time was not an ordinary second-generation rich kid. It was a god capable of easily deciding the life and death of their entire family.

However, this was not the end.

Immediately following, calls from the Dikui City Municipal Party Secretary, the Deputy Mayor in charge of the economy... one after another, the big shots he usually had to rack his brains to curry favor with called in one after another.

The content of the calls, without exception, was to warn him in various ways, telling him to swallow his pride and go apologize immediately.

In the end, when the number representing the Provincial Party Committee office called, Li Jianguo was completely numb.

This call completely broke his spine.

On the other end of the line, the voice of the Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee was devoid of any emotion, as if reading out a verdict.

"Comrade Li Jianguo, regarding the matter of your son Li Wei causing trouble at Dikuili University of Science and Technology, the province's opinion is: the nature is vile, and the impact is extremely bad. However, considering that no more serious consequences were caused, we hope you can prioritize the big picture and take the initiative to resolve the conflict."

"'The big picture?'" Li Jianguo asked subconsciously.

"Mr. Lei Wen and the Paradox Technology he represents are the core keys to our country's technological development and national security strategy for the next twenty years." The Secretary-General's voice was filled with unquestionable authority. "His safety and mood are the big picture."

"If you cannot understand or do not want to understand..."

"We will have Chairman Chen Qingnian find someone who can understand to take over your position."

"That is all I have to say; act wisely."

The phone hung up.

Li Jianguo sat there blankly for a full ten minutes without moving.

He finally understood.

His wealth, his status, all the connections and relationships he was so proud of... were as fragile as a sheet of paper in front of the power represented by that young man.

He slowly picked up his phone and, with trembling fingers, dialed his secretary's number.

"Go, prepare a generous gift for me..."

His voice was aged and hoarse.

"No, take out the items from our company warehouse... and those most precious collectibles from my home..."

"I am going to Tianqiong City in person..."