Chapter 42: He Tian’s Plan

He Tian’s heart gave a sudden jolt! But it wasn’t because of the night he stealthily explored Young Master Hai’s villa. On that matter, He Tian was quite confident— even if he stood now before the two masters of internal strength who had chased him that night, they would never recognize him. What He Tian believed was that Young Master Hai had come for the racing issue, and He Tian had already made his rejection clear. Yet Young Master Hai’s arrival suggested he hadn’t given up. The opportunity He Tian had been waiting for was finally here. He Tian resolved to seize it, but he had to find a way to face Young Master Hai without arousing the slightest suspicion— that was the problem he needed to solve.

"Young Master Hai! Why’s he looking for you? Must be about the racing." Wang Xinrou frowned, her tone cold. Her feelings for He Tian had changed since that night at the racetrack. Now, she wanted nothing to do with Young Master Hai and hoped He Tian would steer clear as well.

“Well, since he’s come, it would be rude not to see him. Get in the car!” He Tian smiled gently at Wang Xinrou and got in first.

Wang Xinrou followed, while the suited man took the initiative to lead the way from the front.

“Do you really want to race?” Wang Xinrou looked at He Tian.

“When did I ever say that?” He Tian chuckled.

“You mustn’t! Don’t get involved with Young Master Hai—he’s not a good person.” To Wang Xinrou, people were simply divided between good and bad.

“Don’t worry, I have my own plans. Leave everything to me,” He Tian said with a faint smile.

“I’m warning you!” Wang Xinrou pressed her lips together, dissatisfied that He Tian wouldn’t give her a definite answer.

He Tian merely smiled. He had no need to share his intentions with Wang Xinrou.

Once they left the campus, He Tian spotted Young Master Hai’s convoy: five sleek black Audi A6s, flanking a luxurious Rolls-Royce limousine at the center. Each car had a burly man in a suit standing before it. The display was extravagant, eye-catching— drawing the attention of many passing students.

“Pretentious,” Wang Xinrou snorted.

He Tian frowned as well; Young Master Hai’s ostentatious arrival displeased him. Truth be told, He Tian had no fondness for the man: arrogant, conceited, blind to others. That alone was enough for He Tian to disdain his company. Yet, to learn more about Young Master Hai and investigate any connection with Longya, He Tian had to maintain some contact.

But for now—

He Tian simply drove away from the spectacle.

“Master!” Akun, observing from the limousine, saw He Tian’s car speed off without pausing and was instantly enraged. Such disrespect to Young Master Hai was practically courting death.

“Heh, amusing! I suppose I didn’t think this through— I thought avoiding the school would be enough, but his classmates are everywhere. Who wants to be seen dealing with people who look like gangsters when you’re just going to class? This race is important. As long as he’s willing to participate, what does it matter if he puts up a front? Follow him, he’ll stop ahead,” Young Master Hai said, smiling, as if unconcerned.

The convoy moved out, turning two blocks before spotting He Tian’s car parked by the roadside. Young Master Hai’s convoy pulled alongside. Akun parked the limousine beside He Tian’s vehicle; as the window slid down, Young Master Hai’s face appeared. He Tian lowered his own window, meeting Young Master Hai’s gaze.

“He Mr. He, Miss Wang,” Young Master Hai greeted them with a smile.

Wang Xinrou ignored him completely. He Tian smiled and replied, “Young Master Hai, your arrival is too grand for a student like me to handle.”

“That’s my own oversight! I thought staying outside the campus would be better, not realizing it’s inconvenient here too. Please, Mr. He, don’t take offense,” Young Master Hai said, his tone apologetic.

“Did you come here just for me?” He Tian asked, feigning surprise.

“Indeed!” Young Master Hai smiled. “It’s about the last matter. I wonder, have you given it any further thought?”

“Racing? I’ve already told you— that incident was an accident. Huang Zhiwen and his friends wanted to trick Xinrou, so I stepped in. I don’t want to race anymore,” He Tian frowned and shook his head.

“Haha, I know it’s a lot to ask. But this race is truly important to me, and I can’t find a good driver. If you’re willing to help, I won’t let you suffer any loss... I know you may not care about the reward, but I’m an ordinary man— and aside from money, I have little else to offer,” Young Master Hai said sincerely.

Wang Xinrou tugged He Tian’s sleeve, unwilling for him to agree.

“How much?” He Tian glanced at Wang Xinrou, then turned to Young Master Hai.

It now looked as if He Tian’s attitude was changing for Wang Xinrou’s sake.

Wang Xinrou rolled her eyes— utterly confused by He Tian’s sudden shift. That wasn’t what she meant at all! How could he misunderstand her so badly?

“Ten percent of the entire sum! Plus any top-tier sports car of your choice, and a luxury villa,” Young Master Hai replied without hesitation.

Akun, in the driver’s seat, was stunned. He knew that for this race, Young Master Hai alone would be investing three billion. It was a gathering of the nation’s elite young masters, with the total estimated to exceed twenty billion. Though prizes were distributed among the top three, the champion took seventy percent— over ten billion! Ten percent of that would mean hundreds of millions, perhaps even a billion or two. Young Master Hai was offering a handsome reward.

Wang Xinrou tugged at He Tian again.

“What’s the total sum?” He Tian looked at Wang Xinrou, then turned once more to Young Master Hai.

Young Master Hai grinned— this Wang Xinrou was truly interesting. He hadn’t realized she cared so much about money.

“Not less than twenty billion! As long as you help me reach the top three, you’ll get your share,” Young Master Hai said.

“I’ll think it over,” He Tian replied after a moment’s contemplation.

“Good, I’ll wait for your answer tonight. Is that alright, Mr. He?” Young Master Hai said pleasantly.

Young Master Hai didn’t mention what would happen if He Tian failed to reach the top three. Nor would he ever tell He Tian—

Failure would mean Young Master Hai losing face. And if he lost face, there would be no place for He Tian in this world.

He Tian said nothing, simply driving away.

Young Master Hai watched He Tian’s car disappear, smiling as he closed the window.

“Master,” Akun said softly, “he’s just a driver— you’re offering too much.”

“You know nothing! The annual race holds tremendous profit. If we secure a top three spot every time, do you realize how much I’d earn? And the hidden gains— do you understand their scale? If he wins the championship, I’d gladly give another ten percent,” Young Master Hai replied sternly.

“I was wrong, Master!” Akun said quickly.

“You’re not wrong— you just don’t see far enough. Let’s go back. Tonight, I’ll wait for He Tian’s answer. Ha, interesting, truly interesting!” Young Master Hai laughed. “Go investigate the recent finances of Mengrou Fashion Group.”

“Understood, I’ll arrange it right away,” Akun nodded, setting off and dialing as he drove.

――――

He Tian circled back to Ouyang Bingbing’s rented apartment, but Wang Xinrou was already furious.

“What’s wrong with you? Every time I try to pull you back, you step closer! You can’t possibly misunderstand me, can you? What are you really trying to do?” Wang Xinrou shouted.

“I have my own plans,” He Tian replied.

“Plans? Do you need money? Why agree to him? He never does anything good! Don’t get mixed up with him, alright?” Wang Xinrou truly didn’t want He Tian involved with Young Master Hai, especially not in this kind of partnership.

“What plans? Tell me, tell me!” Wang Xinrou was still agitated.

“I’ll tell you in a moment.” He Tian took out his phone, dialed a number, and motioned Wang Xinrou to be silent.

“Hello?” Wang Xinmeng answered, puzzled by the unfamiliar number.

“Xinmeng, it’s me.” He Tian was calling Wang Xinmeng.

“He Tian? What is it?” Wang Xinmeng was surprised; it was the first time He Tian had proactively called her.

“Don’t ask why— immediately create the illusion that Mengrou Fashion Group is in urgent need of funds. But remember, don’t accept any investments from anyone. Remember, it’s all fake. I need your cooperation,” He Tian said solemnly.

“I understand, I’ll arrange it right away.” Wang Xinmeng had spoken with He Tian before and knew his actions always aimed at uncovering her father’s killer.

“Good, that’s all.” He Tian hung up.

“You... called my sister? Had her make it look like the company needs money... you want to avoid arousing Young Master Hai’s suspicion? So you have another motive?” Wang Xinrou asked hesitantly.

“Xinrou, don’t ask. I have my own reasons,” He Tian smiled.

“Hmph, if you won’t say, I don’t care to hear anyway!” Wang Xinrou turned away, but after a moment turned back. “That Young Master Hai is no good. Be careful working with him.”

“Don’t worry, I know.” He Tian nodded seriously, then grinned teasingly, “You say you don’t like me, yet you’re so concerned about me!”

“Oh please! You’re so full of yourself! I’ve never seen anyone as vain as you. As I’ve always said, me fancy you? Don’t make me laugh!” Wang Xinrou retorted, her words at odds with her feelings.

“Haha... I’m starving. Hold on tight!” He Tian laughed, accelerating the car. Soon, they arrived at Xuehai Community.

“Hmph...” Wang Xinrou ignored He Tian as she got out first.

“You little rascal!” He Tian smiled and hurried after her.