The President Comes Knocking - Chapter 214 - The Mole

Having grown accustomed to working overtime and dealing with the boss’s occasional irrational outbursts, Assistant Li had long since developed an impenetrable mental shield. Even though his health bar had dropped considerably due to not feeling well, Mu Han’s two remarks hardly fazed him.

Placing the report in his hand on Mu Han’s desk, Li Yan casually found a seat for himself. Paying no heed to his boss, he poured himself a cup of hot tea and downed it in one gulp. Sighing with satisfaction, he said, “This is all the information I managed to extract. There’s really nothing else to dig out of him.”

“That’s premium green tea brewed from fine tea cakes, and yet you just gulp it down like it’s plain water. You really are a bull chewing on peonies-what a waste.”

Though Assistant Li had a delicate appearance, he was, in fact, a quintessential Northeastern man through and through. This wasn’t the first time his boss had mocked his coarse and unrefined habits, which were completely at odds with his outward image. Unbothered as usual, Li rubbed his mouth and raised his eyebrows. “You’ve known me long enough to understand my style, so why bother pretending like you’re offended? Besides, let’s be honest-are you really in any state right now to enjoy the finer things in life?”

Even though their relationship was close, Li Yan still maintained professional boundaries while at the company. Conversations like this only happened in private, away from prying eyes.

Mu Han couldn’t help but crack a small smile, his posture relaxing as he stood up to stretch. Stretching until his stiff joints felt looser, he finally said, “You’ve got a point. Still, I’m not as fit as I used to be. Back in the day, when I was on missions, I could stay awake for days on end without breaking a sweat. But now… tsk.”

Like many men, Li Yan had always harbored some admiration for stories of the military. Hearing Mu Han casually mention his time in the military, even if it was just one line, brought a spark to his eyes. His drowsy brain suddenly perked up. However, noticing the distant look on Mu Han’s face, he didn’t press for details. Instead, he offered some words of comfort. “You said it yourself-it’s ‘back in the day.’ Do you even realize how many years have passed since you left the military? Honestly, the fact that you’re still in this good of shape is already impressive.”

To cheer Mu Han up, Assistant Li even made himself an example. “Look at me-just take a good look at these dark circles under my eyes and my sorry state. Compared to me, you’re doing way better.”

Mu Han, clearly flattered by Li Yan’s remarks, gave him an appraising look. What he saw confirmed Li Yan’s words-his condition really wasn’t great. Clicking his tongue, Mu Han teased with a smirk, “Tsk, tsk. Li Yan, you’re not doing so well, huh? You’re still young, and your body’s already this weak? I mean, seriously, I’m starting to feel bad for your future wife. Poor woman hasn’t even married you yet.”

No man can tolerate having his abilities in that area questioned, especially when the phrase “not good enough” is thrown around-a surefire trigger for strong resentment. Li Yan had gone out of his way to offer some kind words, only to be ridiculed for his troubles. Rolling his eyes dramatically, he shot back, full of defiance, “Get lost.”

Mu Han chuckled lightly and adjusted himself back into an upright sitting position.

It was like flipping a switch. The lighthearted banter evaporated in an instant, and the atmosphere in the office transformed. Both men straightened their postures, their playful demeanors giving way to a serious, professional air. It took mere seconds for them to shift from casual mode to full-on work mode.

Mu Han reached for the report Li Yan had placed on the desk and began flipping through it one page at a time. The document was brief, and even though he read carefully, taking his time, it didn’t take long before he finished.

“This is all of it?” he asked.

“Yeah.” Li Yan nodded, his serious expression befitting a diplomat at a high-stakes international conference. “The last incident taught the Wang Family some hard lessons. This time, they covered their tracks exceptionally well. The information in that report is the best we could gather; it’s everything we have.”

“Is that so?” Mu Han frowned slightly, but his expression quickly eased. “It’s fine. I wasn’t expecting this to be enough to cause any significant trouble for the Wang Family anyway.”

Mu Han had never been someone who let emotions cloud his judgment. Since the last incident involving the Wang Family, he had maintained a heightened level of vigilance. He knew Wang Wenzhi wasn’t the sort of person to let things go so easily.

The last event involving ONE had created quite a stir, but within circles of their caliber, it was nothing more than a petty squabble-hardly significant enough to classify as retaliation from the Wang Family. At best, it was an appetizer, a tentative probe to gauge his response.

Ever since the car accident, Mu Han had been convinced there was a mole within his company-a spy sent by the Wang Family to monitor his every move. This informant likely provided information to the Wangs on a regular basis and was capable of striking without warning at critical moments, delivering unexpected blows designed to catch him off guard.

Mu Han knew this wasn’t the work of an insignificant underling. To orchestrate such maneuvers required someone with a fair degree of influence and capability. His decision to travel to City B while remotely managing operations in City A had two purposes. The first, largely driven by Chu Qianqian, took up the majority of his focus. But equally important-though less overt-was his second aim: to lure out the mole hidden within his company.

For the past two months, the president had not made an appearance at the company. Instead, Mu Han had delegated most of his authority to others, remotely overseeing operations from City B. This unusual arrangement had not gone unnoticed. Moreover, Mu Han had made no effort to conceal his reasons for staying in City B. As a result, the senior executives-the old foxes¹ of the company-were all well aware that his extended absence was due to a woman.

While skepticism lingered about this explanation, the situation presented a rare opportunity. Just as Mu Han had predicted, not only had the Wang Family begun to stir, but a few of the company’s moles had also started showing signs of restlessness.

Mu Han had made a sudden trip back to City A because the measures he’d put in place had detected suspicious activity within the company. Someone had made a move.

Holding a pen in his hand, Mu Han drew a small circle on the paper before him-almost perfectly round. However, his gaze wasn’t on the paper or Li Yan, but rather fixed on the view outside the window. By now, night had fallen. The distant twinkling lights painted the skyline with brilliance, perfectly capturing the saying “a city of a thousand homes, bright with light.” Yet Mu Han’s expression mirrored none of that warmth. Calmly and without a hint of emotion, he asked, “What’s Lin Tianyou’s situation?”

Lin Tianyou had been one of the trusted figures who had accompanied Mu Han when he first took over operations in City A. A veteran who had served loyally during his father’s time, Lin had been a valuable asset to the Mu Family. For that reason, during a period when the company’s finances were still stable, Mu Han had afforded Lin the opportunity to make a significant investment. This had elevated Lin to become the second-largest shareholder in the company, right after Mu Han himself.

Mu Han still had clear memories of Lin Tianyou visiting their home during the holidays when he was a child. At the time, he had called him “Uncle Lin” with great affection-a formality that now seemed to exist only in Mu Han’s mind. Time, after all, changes people.

Humans are not immutable.

Li Yan, unaware of the personal history between Lin Tianyou and the Mu Family, only knew that the two seemed to have shared a cordial relationship. After a brief pause to consider his response, Li Yan ultimately decided not to involve himself in his boss’s private affairs. As usual, he kept things professional. “Based on the ruling from the criminal court, the actions he took qualify as a serious financial crime. He’s currently being held in a temporary detention facility, awaiting the court’s final sentencing decision. Once the ruling is handed down, he’ll be transferred to prison.”

Footnote:

1. Old Foxes(老狐狸):This term refers to people who are experienced, cunning, and shrewd, often in business or social situations. It implies someone who is wise and adept at maneuvering through complex situations.