Yu Family Villa.
Yu Tianxiang met with his sister-in-law Wang Simin again, discussing the smuggling channel.
The idea of reviving the smuggling operation once managed by his elder brother Yu Jianhua had originally been Yu Tianxiang’s suggestion.
Back then, Yu Corporation was just starting out, and Yu Jianhua had few truly trustworthy people around him. He had no choice but to assign his younger brother Yu Tianxiang to oversee this gray-market business.
It had to be said, Yu Jianhua was indeed a decisive leader. After completing the initial capital accumulation, he didn’t hesitate to sever ties with the channel, even though it could still bring him enormous profits.
Wealth that couldn’t be laundered usually led to only two outcomes—either imprisonment or fleeing abroad.
Under normal circumstances, few would willingly leave their homeland, especially after achieving success. As the saying goes, "Returning home in glory is like wearing fine clothes at night."
Those who had actually lived abroad knew that the moon wasn’t necessarily brighter there—sometimes, it wasn’t even as comfortable as staying in their own country.
Unless absolutely forced, few would choose to settle overseas permanently.
Yu Jianhua had always been ruthless and decisive. Once he made up his mind, he acted without hesitation. What was even more extreme was that he even anonymously tipped off the authorities, ensuring everyone involved in the operation was rounded up.
Of course, he wouldn’t have done so unless he was absolutely certain no one would implicate him—otherwise, it would have been suicidal.
It was precisely this merciless decisiveness that made Yu Tianxiang, despite his reluctance, watch helplessly as his brother dismantled the entire operation.
That was a steady flow of real money! And he just gave it up?
At the time, Yu Tianxiang hadn’t dared to voice any objections.
Years later, when Yu Jianhua’s health began to fail, Yu Tianxiang grew resentful of merely holding onto a few shares and a salary—especially since Yu Jianhua kept a tight grip on finances.
That was why he conspired with Wang Simin to restart the smuggling operation.
Over the years, the channel had brought them massive profits. Once they tasted the benefits, they became even more unwilling to let go.
But now, things had changed.
Yu Mo had brought an audit team into the Asset Management Department, clearly intending to investigate the books. Worse, the kid was stubborn and uncontrollable. Though Yu Tianxiang could use his position as general manager to obstruct him, what if—
What if Yu Mo actually uncovered something? Then he’d be finished.
"Your brother’s absence might actually be an opportunity for us. We still have that critical route, don’t we? Let Yu Mo investigate it," Wang Simin suddenly said, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.
Yu Tianxiang looked up sharply, stunned. "Sister-in-law, have you lost your mind? If that route is exposed, our entire smuggling operation is done for! And aren’t you afraid of being blamed?"
Their smuggling network had two key routes—one near the train station, responsible for distribution. Though the damned Yishe gang had interfered, leading to a police crackdown, the damage wasn’t fatal.
But the other route was the real core—their lifeline.
For Wang Simin to suggest letting Yu Mo investigate it… What was she planning?
Wang Simin smirked coldly. "No pain, no gain. I’ve always suspected your brother is onto us. You know what kind of man he is. If he had solid evidence, what do you think he’d do?"
Yu Tianxiang’s expression stiffened.
True. If Yu Jianhua discovered they were smuggling behind his back, he’d purge them without hesitation.
"So, let Yu Mo touch that line instead."
Wang Simin laid out her plan: "I’m certain our ‘partner’ won’t sit idly by. Yu Mo will suffer for it. Then we step in as mediators, sacrifice some profits, pin all the blame on him… and completely absolve ourselves."
Yu Tianxiang’s heart pounded as he finally understood.
She was setting Yu Mo up—using him as a scapegoat!
By provoking their powerful partner, they’d let the partner deal with Yu Mo. At the critical moment, they’d frame him for the smuggling operation, using the already-compromised train station route as evidence. All they needed was a disposable pawn to take the fall.
As for themselves? They’d play the innocent bystanders—even the heroes who stepped in to save the day in front of Yu Jianhua.
"See? Your son got involved in smuggling and pissed off some big shot. He nearly got killed, but I, his uncle, pulled him out."
Yu Tianxiang finally grasped the meaning of the saying: "Birds of a feather flock together."
Wang Simin usually appeared gentle and refined—who knew she could be this ruthless beneath the surface? One misstep, and this could turn deadly.
"But… Yu Mo is still our brother’s son. What if something really happens to him?" Yu Tianxiang still had reservations.
Wang Simin lifted a hand, admiring her freshly painted red nails, and said dismissively, "His son? Your brother once sent his own father to prison. What’s a son to him?"
"And do you really think he wants Yu Mo as his successor? He’s selfish—only cares about his own interests."
"Right now, Yu Corporation is in crisis, and we’re the ones keeping it afloat. We can’t afford to be pushed out—or worse, exposed."
After a long silence, Yu Tianxiang’s eyes darkened with resolve. "Fine. I know what to do."
If Yu Mo wanted to investigate, then let him.
And he’d make sure this arrogant brat learned his lesson the hard way.
————
Meanwhile.
Wanlong Corporation.
Liu Yutong stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a cup of black coffee, her gaze calm as she watched the workers shoveling snow below. The snowfall had been intermittent, piling up thickly and making travel difficult.
Yu Xin sat on the sofa behind her, flipping through a copy of the contract, unable to hold back her question: "Yutong, I still don’t get it. We could’ve kept that land in the southern district for ourselves. Why give it to Yu Corporation as part of the exchange? That plot will definitely appreciate in value. Aren’t we letting them off too easy?"
The contract hadn’t been finalized yet. Though securing Yu Corporation’s shopping center was practically a done deal, Yu Mo still needed to handle some key figures—especially General Manager Yu Tianxiang—for the transaction to go through.
Even if the chairman was the highest authority, the general manager’s influence was nothing to scoff at. Right now, even with the chairman’s signature, Yu Mo had only secured it through clever maneuvering. The entire deal still required coordination with the other side—it couldn’t be kept secret from the rest of the company, least of all Yu Tianxiang.
If Yu Tianxiang decided to interfere, even a seemingly certain deal could drag into a prolonged battle—or worse, collapse entirely.
Liu Yutong turned to face her, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Let me be honest with you—I have insider information that the high-speed rail station will ultimately be located in the southern part of the city, not the northern area as most people speculate. The three plots of land we hold happen to be right at the core of the future high-speed rail commercial district."
Yu Xin's eyes lit up. "Then shouldn’t we hold onto them even tighter?"
"No," Liu Yutong shook her head, patiently explaining. "First, even if this land appreciates, its value won’t reach the so-called billion-dollar valuation in the short term. At best, it might rise to two hundred million, and that would take at least five years. On the other hand, once the shopping center is fully completed, its value will immediately hit a billion, with future estimates even exceeding one and a half billion. From a commercial standpoint, this deal is a guaranteed win for us."
"Secondly, transferring this land serves another crucial purpose: it makes Yu Corporation feel they haven’t been shortchanged. This way, they won’t nitpick in future collaborations and might even let their guard down, thinking they’ve gained the upper hand."
"Yu Xin, remember this—in business, sometimes a strategic concession can secure greater profits."
"Besides, we’re not in real estate. Holding onto excess land is pointless, but the cash we save will be far more useful."
Yu Xin listened to Liu Yutong’s explanation with undisguised admiration.
No matter how hard she studied or how diligently she tried to emulate her, she always felt she could never reach the heights of this high school classmate.
Whether it was Liu Yutong’s extraordinary strategic vision, her meticulous planning, or that ‘mysterious’ background of hers—in Yu Xin’s eyes, Liu Yutong was flawless, a girl without a single weakness.
As for why Yu Xin believed Liu Yutong had a ‘mysterious’ background, the reason was simple. Everyone assumed the high-speed rail station would be built in the north, given the city’s development plans, geographical advantages, and transportation conditions. The northern district was, by all accounts, the logical choice.
Yet Liu Yutong alone insisted it would land in the south—and even accurately secured the plots around the future station.
Such uncanny foresight couldn’t possibly exist without powerful connections backing it.
Of course, she didn’t think Liu Yutong had gotten the tip from Li Xiaohui. Though Li Xiaohui had strong ties, her carefree personality made her utterly unsuited for espionage.
Either way, Yu Xin felt that being able to follow Liu Yutong in this lifetime was nothing short of an honor.
Liu Yutong shifted the topic. "By the way, how’s the investigation into Yu Mo going?"
Yu Xin immediately straightened up. "It’s underway and progressing smoothly, but something feels off. It might be bait planted by Yu Tianxiang and his team."
Liu Yutong wasn’t surprised. "It is unusual for the investigation to move this quickly."
A sweet smile gradually spread across Yu Xin’s face. "Yutong, whether it’s bait or not, since they’ve dared to dangle it, we might as well take it."
"After all... this game is only just beginning."
