Chapter 83 Active Brainwaves

“What on earth is the reason for this?” It was Chen Shaotian who spoke, unable to comprehend the abrupt change. Before coming to find Chen Hao, the master had not given him such instructions. In fact, when he was sent here, besides briefing him on the situation in Kostar, the master intended for him to tell Chen Hao to take Miss Gu Mengyan for a stroll near the forest.

He did not know the details, but this was indeed what the master had told him. And now, suddenly, the master had changed his mind? Why? Could something have happened in Kostar? Wasn’t the situation around that building temporarily contained?

Chen Ding’an continued his explanation: “Yes, there have been some unexpected events in the forest. I suppose Shaotian has already told you a few things, Chen Hao? Although the situation isn’t worsening for now, some unforeseen dangerous individuals have appeared.

If you bring Mengyan into the forest at this time, you might encounter unexpected danger.”

“What kind of unexpected danger?” Chen Hao pressed, unwilling to let the matter drop.

“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. Let’s leave it at that. I have plenty to deal with here! I don’t have time to waste chatting with you, kid. Shaotian, you’d better hurry back. I need your help with several things!” With that, he didn’t give either of them a chance to respond, and hung up directly.

Chen Hao and Chen Shaotian looked at each other, sharing a helpless smile.

Finally, Chen Hao nodded, “Alright, let’s leave it there for today. When we both have time, let’s meet up properly—I still have many questions I’d like to ask you!”

With those words, Chen Hao pushed open the door and got out of the car.

Shaotian nodded, “Then I’ll take my leave, young master. But before I go, there’s something I want to say to you. This isn’t the master’s instruction, just something between two peers. The matter of Kostar isn’t something you can handle at present. I hope you won’t let curiosity drive you to dig too deeply, and the same goes for the business with Mirage Corporation. Too many interests and powers are involved.

Even the master and our country have their limitations, so I hope you’ll act within your means when investigating. If you need anything, just contact me—I’ll do my best to help.”

Chen Hao smiled and patted Shaotian’s shoulder through the window, “I understand. Don’t worry.”

“Uh…” Shaotian seemed to have more to say, but hesitated.

Chen Hao asked, “Is there anything else?”

“Well…” Shaotian contemplated for a moment, “Actually, these words I’m passing on are from Madam!”

“My mother?!” Chen Hao was startled, and before Shaotian could speak further, he guessed, “Did Mom ask you to urge me to hurry up and choose between Mengyan and Yirou, to settle my marriage as soon as possible?”

Shaotian smiled wryly and nodded, “You’re absolutely right, young master! Madam lectured me for ages last time she saw me… I know you’ve always liked Miss Fan, but never found the right opportunity to speak up.

I think this trip is a good chance—why not seize it?”

Chen Hao sighed, “It’s not that I don’t want to! You don’t know how many times I’ve tried to talk to Yirou, but she always manages to ruin the atmosphere at the crucial moment, or changes the subject, or finds an excuse to leave.

I feel she must know what I want to say. It’s strange—I think Yirou likes me too, so why does she always shy away at those moments?”

Shaotian patted Chen Hao’s shoulder, “Young master, perhaps you don’t fully understand Miss Yirou’s family situation. She’s never told you, but these past few years have been hard for her. Her family’s company…”

Chen Hao frowned, “What happened to her family’s company?”

Shaotian thought for a moment, got out of the car, and lit a cigarette, “Let the master wait a bit—just say there’s a traffic jam…”

He took a drag and said, “Ever since her mother passed away years ago, Miss Yirou’s father has withdrawn from everything. You know this. Though the Fan family business isn’t managed solely by her father, there are other siblings. But honestly, compared to her father, her uncles and aunts fall short by a long shot. Under their management—some deliberate—the company has been declining.

Once a major listed company, its stock price has plummeted repeatedly. There’s no need to elaborate on how many profited from this—you can surely imagine. With their meager dividends, they believe that without Mr. Fan Jian’s leadership the company can only go downhill.

So many have simply sold their shares for cash, making the struggling company even worse off.

After coming of age, Miss Fan took over her father’s position and has done her utmost. Yet her ability is limited, and the holes in Fan Corporation keep growing. It’s beyond her power to save it.

You know her brother—he’s not a bad person, and tries to help, but he’s not cut out for business. So now, Fan Corporation… it’s barely holding on. According to the master’s estimate, it can last maybe another year before facing acquisition, merger, or even bankruptcy.”

…

Chen Hao’s brow furrowed tightly, “Yirou has never mentioned any of this to me. Why?”

“Telling you wouldn’t help—business isn’t your forte,” Shaotian said with a sigh.

“What about my father? If he knows, hasn’t he helped?”

Shaotian grew serious, “Of course the master has helped, and not just once. But even though Fan Corporation is down, a fallen camel is still bigger than a horse. Reviving such a large enterprise isn’t easy. The master’s efforts are like a drop in the ocean—the deficits are simply too great.

More importantly, after learning of the master’s help, Miss Fan personally spoke with him. I don’t know the details, but I’d guess she first thanked him, then firmly refused his assistance. She probably doesn’t want to drag our Chen family down.”

“You know Miss Fan better than I do, young master—she’s fiercely independent!”

“I can’t believe I never knew about something so important…” Chen Hao’s voice was filled with regret. “But every time Yirou comes to me she’s always cheerful, never gives anything away.”

“That’s your greatness, young master! I think Miss Fan is genuinely happy when she’s with you, able to forget all her troubles at home and with the company. That’s why the master and Madam are so hopeful for you two.

Miss Fan is pitiable—born to wealth, she should have enjoyed a lifetime of luxury, but her mother died young and her father withdrew from everything. The heavy burden landed on her shoulders.

Madam said that if Fan Corporation really collapses, Miss Fan will be taken care of by our Chen family, just like Miss Gu. If you and Miss Fan don’t end up together, Madam and the master will adopt her as their daughter.”

“Are they so dissatisfied with their son that they’re adopting daughters everywhere?” Chen Hao joked.

“So you must seize the opportunity! Go win Miss Fan over!” Shaotian chuckled, extinguishing his cigarette. “That’s all I have to say. I’ll take my leave, young master…”

Without waiting for Chen Hao’s response, he got in his car and drove off.

Watching the car disappear, Chen Hao laughed at himself, “Everyone’s more anxious than I am! Well, I’ll take things as they come. But right now, the most important thing is figuring out what Dong Xin, that tomboy, is up to. Came to the hotel two days early? I’ll ask at the front desk…”

Meanwhile, Chen Ding’an was in a secret laboratory somewhere in Kostar. Dressed in a tight protective suit, he stood by a floor-to-ceiling window, gazing inside.

“This thing was removed from the corpse?” Chen Ding’an asked, his brows tightly knit.

His subordinate wore an expression of fear. “Y-yes… At first, when we sorted the bodies of the security personnel, we didn’t pay much attention. But after transporting them back, we noticed something odd. These things began emitting a green light, and anyone who came into direct contact with it fell into a coma—they can’t be awakened no matter what we try.

But their physiological signs are all normal, as if they’re merely asleep.

However…”

“However what?” Chen Ding’an’s face was stern.

“It’s just that the brain waves of these unconscious people are abnormally active—even more so than those who are awake. It’s as if they’re engaged in something extremely exciting!”

…