Chapter 646: Chapter 355: Clues
"What’s the matter?"
"Zhang Yang has a girlfriend, she’s a foreigner."
Zhao Han said, "He studied abroad, it’s quite normal to have a foreign girlfriend."
"No, although I haven’t met his girlfriend in person, I saw a picture of them together on his phone screen," Xu Yongrui continued, "The woman, how should I say? She seems a lot older than him."
"An older woman-younger man relationship?"
Zhao Han was somewhat dismissive, "Nowadays, such relationships are quite common. It doesn’t indicate any problems, right?"
But Liu Zhiya seemed to be pondering, "Is the age gap significant? Could it be... an unusual relationship between them?"
Xu Yongrui recalled, "In the photo, the woman looks at least thirty-something, heavily made-up, dressed quite revealingly, completely out of sync with Zhang Yang’s style. I found it a bit strange at the time, but it was family matters for the advisor, so I didn’t dare to ask much."
"If that’s really the case..." Liu Zhiya’s tone turned serious.
"Could Professor Zhang’s financial distress be related to this woman?" Zhao Han realized, "Maybe Zhang Yang, trying to please this woman, kept asking for money from his family, maybe even..."
The three of them exchanged looks, all thinking Zhang Yang might have met a foreign gold digger.
"This is quite serious, I have to inform Brother Cheng," Liu Zhiya rushed to say, "Sister Xiao Han, senior, thank you both today. I’ll treat you to a meal next time."
"Huh? You’re leaving just like that?" Zhao Han also stood up.
"Uh-huh! I’ll go find Brother Cheng first. We’ll be here for a few more days," Liu Zhiya picked up her bag, "Let’s keep in touch by phone~"
Watching the hurried figure leaving, Zhao Han shrugged helplessly.
"Xiao Han, how did this young girl get involved with the boss of Dili Private Equity?" Xu Yongrui asked, puzzled.
Zhao Han didn’t know either, "Xiao Ya didn’t say, but you can tell she really likes that man."
"Sigh, seems like you need money," Xu Yongrui sighed heavily, removing his glasses, "Doing research and dealing with data all day long, where can one find a girlfriend?"
...
...
Back at the hotel, Chen Cheng and Tong Jialu were already in the room.
Chen Cheng was on the phone, while Tong Jialu sat quietly by his side, waiting for his next instruction.
"Sister Xiao Lu."
Liu Zhiya walked over, "How did your matters go?"
Tong Jialu shook her head, "Not well, didn’t say much before hitting a wall."
She smiled, "How about you? Where did you go?"
"I met a friend of my sister’s, whom I know too," Liu Zhiya said eagerly, "Sister Xiao Lu, on my end..."
Before she could finish, Chen Cheng hung up and turned around, "Xiao Lu, book a decent restaurant. I reached out to some connections, let’s see if we can invite Zhang Qiming out tonight."
"Okay, Brother Cheng."
Liu Zhiya quickly said, "Brother Cheng, I..."
"Xiao Ya, handle your own evening, I won’t take you to unwind," Chen Cheng said casually, "You don’t like that atmosphere anyway."
"No, Brother Cheng, I have something important to tell you," Liu Zhiya said seriously.
Chen Cheng smiled slightly, "Important? What is it?"
Liu Zhiya divulged everything she knew to Chen Cheng, who listened with a face full of disbelief.
"Xiao Ya, are the things you heard reliable?"
"That senior is Professor Zhang’s prized student, shouldn’t be lying," Liu Zhiya said confidently, "Besides, Sister Xiao Han and my sister are good friends. They haven’t seen each other for a while but have stayed connected online."
Chen Cheng nodded, "Alright, thank you, Xiao Ya."
"No problem, Brother Cheng. I’m just trying to get information for you, if it can help, then great," Liu Zhiya said with a joyful smile.
Tong Jialu held the phone, "Brother Cheng, should I still book the restaurant?"
Chen Cheng raised his hand, "Hold off for now."
He paused, "According to what Xiao Ya found out, Zhang Qiming’s situation is likely related to his son."
"What should we do now? Should we go directly to Professor Zhang for clarification?" Liu Zhiya asked urgently, "Or should I have Sister Xiao Han connect with that senior to arrange an interview with Professor Zhang for you?"
Chen Cheng pondered for a moment and shook his head, "Zhang Qiming is sensitive to such issues right now, approaching him might not yield information. We need to plan carefully and further investigate the backgrounds of New Energy Company and Zhang Yang’s girlfriend."
The two girls looked at him, and Tong Jialu asked, "Do we need to find someone to assist then?"
"A private detective? Like in the movies?" Liu Zhiya became increasingly excited.
Chen Cheng’s mind worked quickly, and within seconds, he had an idea.
"There’s someone better than a private detective," he said.
"Who?"
"Gun Flower Consulting," Chen Cheng gave the answer.
Tong Jialu’s expression froze; it was Gun Flower Consulting that had stirred up Beijing in the previous incident, and both she and Xia Yubing had been investigated.
Liu Zhiya blinked, "Is it a company?"
"Brother Cheng, will they help you?" Tong Jialu asked, concerned, "Last time you cut off their income stream..."
"After the incident last time, I met with Qin Wei," Chen Cheng sat on the sofa, flipping through his contacts, "We had a good talk."
His thumb hovered over the name "Qin Wei," before swiftly scrolling down, dialling Wen Shulin’s number first.
"Hm?"
"Send me all the New Energy Company’s information to my email," Chen Cheng said, "As soon as possible."
Wen Shulin laughed and asked, "Talking to me now, is it always so straightforward? Not even a greeting anymore?"
Chen Cheng also chuckled, "I don’t want to waste your time, you’re always so busy."
"Quit the sweet talk, when are you coming back?"
"Soon, in a few days."
"A few days is considered soon?" Wen Shulin said softly, "I see you’re enjoying yourself over there."
Chen Cheng’s smile faded, "Things are really urgent here, send me the information."
"What happened?"
Chen Cheng explained the ins and outs of the situation, and as a New Energy investor, Wen Shulin grew increasingly suspicious, "According to you, something really seems off."
"Wait, no," Wen Shulin realized, "To learn more about New Energy, I can have my team inform you, why do you need to ask me for their data?"
Chen Cheng answered, "I need to contact Gun Flower Consulting."
"What? You’re going to contact them?" Wen Shulin was shocked, "Last time they..."
"I know, but can your HCG produce a report as professional as theirs?" Chen Cheng retorted.
Wen Shulin fell silent, indeed in disclosing such matters, her HCG couldn’t match Gun Flower Consulting’s precision and accuracy.
"Don’t worry, I’ll negotiate good terms with him," Chen Cheng assured.
"Alright, I’ll send the data to you," Wen Shulin added, "I’ll also conceal part of HCG’s investments, I trust no one else but you."
Chen Cheng nodded, "Agreed."
Wen Shulin was still a bit uneasy, "Do you really think Gun Flower Consulting will help? After last time..."
"He’s actually not a problem," Chen Cheng said slowly, "And this time the matter won’t affect his interests. I believe he’ll agree."
"Okay, but be careful," Wen Shulin advised, "Keep me posted with any developments."
"No problem, rest assured."
After hanging up, Chen Cheng didn’t immediately call Qin Wei.
He weighed Wen Shulin’s words, but the fastest option was to hand this matter over to professionals.
After contemplating for about ten minutes, Chen Cheng eventually dialled the number.
Ring ring ring...
"Hello?" A voice answered from the other end.
Chen Cheng leaned against the sofa, speaking leisurely, "Hello, Mr. Qin. I’m Chen Cheng."
"Hello, Mr. Chen," Qin Wei responded calmly, "I have your number."
...
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