Chapter Nine: The Background

"This time, we truly escaped danger unscathed! Yingying, I'll head home now!"

Returning to the Jiang household, Shen Xiaoqing bade farewell to the three and walked toward her own home.

"Xiaotian, I really owe you for this. You suffered for my sake, all because of my lack of foresight. I never imagined they would resort to such disgraceful tactics!" Jiang Tianxiang was a little remorseful.

"President Jiang, what exactly is going on? Is it related to the horse betting?" Qin Tian asked.

"It's a long story. Let's go inside first," Jiang Tianxiang gestured.

The three entered the living room. Jiang Tianxiang brewed a pot of tea, then sat down facing Jiang Yingying and Qin Tian.

"The origin of all this stems from the land development rights."

"About twenty miles east of Wu City lies an undeveloped tract of land—the scenery there is idyllic, perfect for transforming into a leisure resort."

"If I win the development rights, it's like making money while lying down! Even if I simply subcontract the project again, I could make a hefty profit, perhaps equal to the Jiang Group's net earnings for five years!"

"And if I want steady, long-term gains, I could treat this project as a family legacy, and in three years, the investment would be recouped. After that, all the income is pure profit—the money would roll in as fast as printing bills!"

Jiang Tianxiang took a sip of tea, paused, then continued.

"It was my greed—I swallowed up the entire plot, not sparing even the small adjacent parcels..." Jiang Tianxiang said, somewhat vexed.

"My actions not only angered competitors, but inadvertently offended people from related industries as well."

"Among them, the main figures are Tang Yiliu, president of Tiantang Corporation; Huang Qinhu, chairman of the Bodhi Association; and Deng Jiachen, president of Fulai Media. Behind them is a crowd of medium and small companies, all poised to launch an offensive against the Jiang Group."

"Now, the Jiang Group's situation is precarious." Jiang Tianxiang sighed, his face clouded with worry.

Qin Tian fell silent for a moment, then said, "President Jiang, it's not your fault."

"The highest bidder wins. You secured those parcels by your own strength—what can they complain about? They're just jealous," Qin Tian said.

"Uh… actually, it wasn't really by strength," Jiang Tianxiang scratched his head, embarrassed.

"What?" Qin Tian was taken aback.

"My old classmate works at the land bureau," Jiang Tianxiang admitted, awkwardly.

"Connections?" Qin Tian's eyes widened. No wonder others are dissatisfied, desperate to bring you down.

"No! The process was entirely legitimate! The transaction price was close to the estimated value! Definitely no backdoor dealings!" Jiang Tianxiang quickly defended.

"Then what happened?" Qin Tian asked, puzzled.

"My old classmate told me the estimated transaction price first, so I had the advantage," Jiang Tianxiang explained.

"Isn't that still a backdoor? Knowing the reserve price beforehand—how could you not win the bid?" Qin Tian rolled his eyes.

"Well… it doesn't count as a backdoor, since there was no bribery," Jiang Tianxiang laughed.

"So, the Jiang Group is surrounded on all sides now?" Qin Tian said.

"Yes. But the horse betting in half a month is the only chance to break the deadlock! I made an agreement with them—if I win, they'll stop their tricks."

"And if I lose, half of the Jiang Group will go to them," Jiang Tianxiang said painfully.

"That deal is all in their favor—they stand to gain half the Jiang Group if they win, but lose nothing if they don't," Qin Tian frowned.

"I have no choice. It's unfair, but if I refuse, they'll sabotage the Jiang Group's business through malicious bidding," Jiang Tianxiang said helplessly.

"So, Xiaotian, the betting in half a month is vital for your uncle. You have to do your best—ideally, you must win..." Jiang Tianxiang urged.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine," Qin Tian replied with confidence.

"Good. From now on, just call me uncle. We're fated to meet like this. When your master returns, I'll have to thank him properly," Jiang Tianxiang said.

Qin Tian nodded, their relationship growing closer—a good thing.

But beside them, Jiang Yingying's expression darkened, seemingly displeased with the situation.

"By the way, speaking of my master, there’s something I’d like to ask you, Uncle Jiang," Qin Tian recalled the issue with the Royal Circus.

Big Tiger was currently confined within the Royal Circus, and Qin Tian wondered if there was a way to rescue him.

"What is it? Ask away," Jiang Tianxiang said.

"Uncle Jiang, are you familiar with the Royal Circus?" Qin Tian asked.

"The Royal Circus? Why do you mention that?" Jiang Tianxiang frowned slightly.

"Uncle Jiang, you know I used to work with my master in the circus. We had a tiger, a monkey, and a wolf that always followed us."

"After my master disappeared, I thought he took them, but apparently not."

"Big Tiger is locked in the Royal Circus, while Big Monkey and Big Wolf are missing."

Qin Tian was worried for the three animals—at least he knew Big Tiger's whereabouts.

As for Big Monkey and Big Wolf, their location was unknown; he prayed nothing bad happened.

"I see. The Royal Circus has strong backing. In the past, I could help, but now..." Jiang Tianxiang looked troubled.

"It's alright, Uncle Jiang, please continue," Qin Tian prompted him.

"The Royal Circus is backed by Tiantang Corporation, and it's a city-supported project, so I can't interfere," Jiang Tianxiang admitted awkwardly.

"Tiantang Corporation again?" Qin Tian frowned. It seemed rescuing Big Tiger from the circus was impossible for now.

"But Tang Yiliu should be detained for a while, right?" Qin Tian recalled that before leaving the police station, Lin Jian said Tang Yiliu would be prosecuted and severely punished.

"Unlikely," Jiang Tianxiang shook his head.

"A sly old fox like Tang Yiliu always leaves himself a way out. He can shift the blame to others, let them take the fall, then have the media clean his image—he'll come out spotless," Jiang Tianxiang explained.

At that moment, Qin Tian's phone rang—a call from an unknown number.

"Uncle Jiang, let me take this call," Qin Tian gestured with his phone.

Jiang Tianxiang nodded.

"Hello, this is Lin Jian," came the voice after Qin Tian answered.

"Captain Lin!" Qin Tian was slightly surprised that Lin Jian had his number.

But he quickly realized that with Lin Jian in the police station, it would be easy to look up his number.

"Yes. There's a problem—I couldn't bring Tang Yiliu to justice," Lin Jian said.

Qin Tian's eyes widened, glancing at Jiang Tianxiang. It was just as Jiang Tianxiang had said—Tang Yiliu got off scot-free!