C12 The Money Was Stolen

A gentle breeze caressed the morning air, and birds sang softly, heralding the arrival of a new day.

As dawn broke, Su Hao rose from his bed.

His physique had significantly improved after taking the Marrow Washing Pill the day before, leaving him feeling exceptionally refreshed and alert.

After freshening up, he prepared two servings of breakfast in the kitchen. He considered waking Bai Wenling to join him, but a glance at the clock showed it was only five o'clock. Guessing she hadn't gotten her fill of sleep, he decided to leave her breakfast in the microwave with a timer set to warm it and a note attached.

Breakfast done, Su Hao jogged several laps around the villa's neighborhood before settling in a park to practice his breathing exercises and meditation.

In his past life, despite his blocked meridians preventing him from becoming an Ancient Martial Artist, Su Hao had extensively studied ancient texts, including those on dantian cultivation.

The dantian cultivation technique involves using the body as a cauldron, essence and energy as ingredients, and the spirit as the guiding force. Through a series of refining steps, these elements are made to coalesce within the body without dispersing, eventually forming a tangible essence within the dantian.

Put simply, it's a process that allows a Houtian Realm Ancient Martial Artist to develop an inner core.

Su Hao reviewed the dantian cultivation steps in his mind, then assumed a meditative posture with his hands cupped as if holding a sphere, his eyes closed, and his mind settling into a peaceful stillness.

He let go of thoughts, sight, sound, and movement.

His breathing slowed and deepened, becoming barely perceptible, reminiscent of a turtle's breath.

With each exhale, his consciousness followed the breath down through his chest and stomach to his lower abdomen, causing a slight inward pull at his solar plexus.

He soon felt the sensation of Qi descending, a sign that it was penetrating his dantian.

Focusing his attention there, Su Hao's inner Qi began to circulate through the Ren and Du Meridians, completing a small celestial cycle.

Then, the Qi continued its journey through the rest of the meridians, completing a grand celestial cycle.

Once the grand cycle was established, Su Hao directed the Qi flow from the crown of his head to the perineum, through the central, left, and right meridians, until his true Qi fully permeated all his meridians and marrow.

At that moment, Su Hao's entire being was suffused with Qi, brimming with what seemed like boundless energy. "This is the essence of Dantian cultivation. All that remains is to keep repeating the cycle," he said, exhaling a breath of stale air, his eyes gleaming with intensity.

He had once heard that mastering the Dantian was an arduous task, but after his first attempt, it didn't seem as daunting as he'd been led to believe. With that thought, he closed his eyes again, settling into a serene state to continue his Dantian practice.

As time gently flowed on, the morning sun pierced the mist, casting a golden glow over the flora. By seven o'clock, Su Hao ceased his exercises. The prime time for cultivation was between five and seven in the morning; beyond that, the world's Spirit Power would be tainted by emissions from vehicles, diminishing the benefits of his practice.

Upon inspecting his Dantian, Su Hao was astonished to discover the nascent form of an Inner Core. If he maintained his regimen, he'd be able to solidify the Inner Core within a week and harness Inner Energy.

"There's nothing quite like feeling reborn!" he exclaimed, stretching his limbs. He looked up at the sun with a contented smile before heading back to his villa.

The microwave was empty, and a note lay on the table:

(Su Hao, thanks for breakfast. It tasted good, though it could've used a bit more sugar. I've gone to the office. Be there by 8 o'clock; I've lined up a job for you.)

With an understanding smile, Su Hao showered, dressed sharply, and hailed a taxi to the Butterfly Loving Flower Company. He could have made it before eight, but traffic delays meant he didn't arrive until half-past.

"I just caught wind of a breach in our finance department. The vault's password was stolen, and the company's liquid assets are wiped out. Is there any truth to this?"

"It's true. A bunch of cops just showed up, and the head of finance was arrested. Looks like he's the one who leaked the password."

"What? Now what? I'm counting on my paycheck to support my family!"

"A lot of the long-time staff have handed in their resignation letters to the president. I'm afraid the company's on the brink of bankruptcy."

...

Su Hao's brow furrowed as he listened to the murmurs around him. In his previous life, the company's funds had never been stolen. What was happening now?

Squinting, Su Hao made his way to the CEO's private elevator. After keying in the code, he stepped inside.

As the elevator ascended, he noticed through the glass window that many veteran employees were gathered at the stairway leading to the CEO's office, clutching envelopes that looked like resignation letters.

The elevator soon reached the CEO's office.

The door was ajar, but out of politeness, Su Hao knocked.

"Come in!"

A tired voice eventually responded from within.

Su Hao pushed the door open and entered the CEO's office.

Bai Wenling was there, seated at her desk, her gaze lost out the window, her expression forlorn.

Spread across her desk were envelopes, each marked with the same three words: Resignation Letter.

"Ding ling ling!"

Just then, the phone on the desk began to ring.

Bai Wenling remained motionless. Su Hao hesitated, then decided to answer it himself.

"Miss Bai, this is Zhang Yue, chairman of Sky Fire Company. I'm truly sorry to hear about the theft at Butterfly Loving Flower Company. I hope you can recover from this setback..."

Su Hao was taken aback by the conversation. The news of the financial theft had just broken; how did these people already know?

Despite the oddity, the reassuring voice on the line made Su Hao think well of Sky Fire Company's chairman, Zhang Yue. It was rare to find someone who would offer condolences so promptly in such circumstances.

But then...

"Miss Bai, while it may seem untimely to discuss this, as a businessman, I must prioritize our interests. Sky Fire Company has found a more suitable partner, and we intend to unilaterally terminate our contract with your company. I hope for your understanding. Regarding the penalty fee, we will transfer it to your account within three days."

As the call abruptly ended, Su Hao's face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment, as if he had just slapped himself.

One after another, calls came in, all intent on severing ties with the Butterfly Loving Flower Company. With the last call finished, Su Hao let out a wry smile and turned to Bai Wenling. Even with her back to him, he could clearly see her beautiful eyes veiled by a mist of tears, her aura one of helplessness and bitterness, exuding a sense of utter despair.

The woman before him had been overjoyed just yesterday, securing the T1 land contract, but today, she faced a financial abyss that threatened to consume her. It was a sight that tugged at the heartstrings.

Breaking the heavy silence, Su Hao finally spoke up. "What's the word from the police?"

"They're on it, but the chances of getting the funds back are slim," Bai Wenling replied, her voice breaking, not even bothering to turn around.

For the past two years, she had devoted her youth and energy to the Butterfly Loving Flower Company, nurturing it like a mother does a child, finding all the exhaustion worthwhile.

Signing the T1 land contract had filled her with confidence for the future, her resolve firm to make the company the premier group in the East City Region. But the theft of the company's finances was a slap in the face, shattering her dreams and ambitions.

After a moment's contemplation, Su Hao pressed on. "Did the police get anything out of the person who leaked the vault's password?"

"Nothing. The Finance Department head who leaked it had already taken poison beforehand. By the time the police caught him, he was dead."

Su Hao's eyes narrowed, a sharp glint passing through them. The suicide was a clear attempt to obliterate evidence, a sign that someone was hell-bent on bringing down the Butterfly Loving Flower Company.

After a brief pause, he inquired further. "How much was stolen?"

"Two hundred million dollars," came the heavy reply.

At that, Su Hao's pupils constricted. Two hundred million dollars—equivalent to 1.3 billion RMB. It was no wonder Bai Wenling felt so utterly defeated.

Taking a deep breath, Su Hao finally asked, "How much money do we need to keep the company afloat?"

"At least three hundred million!"

"Three hundred million?" Su Hao paused, then offered a slight smile. "Leave the three hundred million to me. For now, focus on calming the staff."

Bai Wenling stood still, biting her lip, her eyes swirling with complex emotions.

The old Su Hao would have abandoned the company at the first sign of financial trouble.

But since yesterday, he had undergone a radical change. Not only had he stepped up to the plate, but his calligraphy had also overturned everyone's perception of him, earning their admiration.

Now, faced with a crisis, he wasn't concerned about his future lifestyle but was determined to use his own strength to keep the company running.

In that moment, she felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

Because Su Hao had truly become the partner she had always dreamed of!

Noticing Bai Wenling's fixed gaze and the reddening of her eyes, Su Hao was momentarily taken aback before approaching her with concern. "Wenling, if you're not feeling well, go home and rest for the day. Don't worry, I've got everything under control. The company won't collapse."

"I'm okay. I just twisted my right foot in high heels yesterday, and it's still a bit sore," Bai Wenling said, shaking her head to mask her emotional stirrings.

Upon hearing this, Su Hao's gaze sharpened slightly. He reached out and gently removed the shoe from her right foot.

Her small, snow-white feet, encased in stockings, shone with a pearly luster, as smooth as jade and as delicate as satin.

"What are you doing?" Bai Wenling's face turned a deep shade of pink, a mix of embarrassment and surprise, as she instinctively tried to push Su Hao away.

"Don't move!" Before her hand could touch him, Su Hao looked up, locking eyes with her in an undeniable command.

That assertive, imperious look sent a shiver through Bai Wenling, and her hand, poised to push him away, stopped mid-air, uncharacteristically yielding.

For the first time in nearly two months, she witnessed Su Hao with that particular look in his eyes.

It was domineering, overbearing, and even downright irrational!

Yet, beneath that intense stare lay a sense of care and affection.