Chapter 239: A Perfect Opportunity
After the news of accidents caused by the water-based fuel and diesel expansion agents from multiple businesses in Ice City spread, street tabloids naturally drew public attention.
Educated intellectuals, however, dismissed these sensationalist reports as unfounded.
To attract attention, these tabloids often exaggerated events with no factual basis. For example, the case of "Qiao Si," which had been dead for over two years, was still persistently featured by tabloids with exaggerated stories.
Even if one questioned the reliability of these tabloids, their writing skills and creativity were undeniable. The stories about Qiao Si's romantic escapades or so-called rise to wealth were described in a way that was both outrageous and captivating.
Such sensational content greatly satisfied the curiosity of idle citizens. In an era before information overflowed, these stories managed to deceive a significant portion of people.
Therefore, when these tabloids exposed the alleged technical fraud of Hongcheng Company and claimed that Wang Hongcheng had been taken into police custody, it caused a huge stir in Ice City.
The streets were abuzz with this news.
Meanwhile, the seventy-plus individuals who had been swindled by the water-to-oil technology also sprang into action. After finding that the warehouse next to the freight section was already empty, these people, holding their invoices, flocked to the police and courts.
Originally, they thought the goods were fake, and thus the invoices must be forged. However, to their surprise, the invoices were verified as genuine by the industrial and commercial bureau and were indeed issued by Hongcheng Company.
As a result, the area in front of Hongcheng Company became a scene of commotion:
"Return my hard-earned money!"
"We strongly demand an explanation from Hongcheng Company!"
"Hongcheng Company is a big fraud! Compensate for our losses!"
"Damn Hongcheng Company, privately selling fake goods. Our factory manager's testicles were blown off by the exploding boiler. You're really something!"
"Brothers! If Hongcheng doesn't come out to explain, waiting here isn't a solution. Let's take the invoices to court!"
"Yes! Even if we have to take it to the Supreme Court, we must get this sorted out! I spent over 300,000 on the base liquid, and now over 70 engines need major repairs, another 200,000. I can't absorb this loss!"
Yuan Guoqing, hearing the clamoring voices outside the company gate, was scared to the point of trembling. He felt he couldn't handle it any longer.
In a panic, he called Wang Hongcheng.
At this moment, Wang Hongcheng had just returned to Harbin after landing from a flight. Upon arriving at the newsstand outside the airport, he was startled by a headline screaming, "Sky-High Scam! Wang Hongcheng's Water-to-Oil Technology Has Been Deceiving the Chinese for Over a Decade!"
Seeing the large headline, Wang Hongcheng dropped his briefcase to the ground.
He adjusted his sunglasses, trembling as he walked to the newsstand. Amid the proprietor's astonished gaze, he threw down a hundred yuan, quickly grabbed a few newspapers, and hopped into a taxi.
After reading through the articles, which were nothing but nonsensical fluff, Wang Hongcheng finally relaxed.
Then, a wave of fury swept over him!
At this critical moment, his mobile phone rang.
"Chengdi, we're in big trouble!"
"What now!?"
Hearing Yuan Guoqing's voice, Wang Hongcheng was enraged.
He looked down on his cousin, Yuan Guoqing. Despite both of them not having completed primary school, his own perspective had changed. To him, this relative, who hadn't even finished elementary school, was merely someone who could work hard and nothing more.
But since his wife could no longer assist him after discovering his affair last year, Wang Hongcheng had become increasingly reliant on Yuan Guoqing as his only trusted ally in the company.
Now, seeing Yuan Guoqing's limited capabilities, Wang Hongcheng was frustrated.
On the other end of the line, Yuan Guoqing was even more flustered, stumbling over his words as he explained the company's troubles to Wang Hongcheng.
Upon hearing this, Wang Hongcheng was stunned: "How could those scammed individuals have our invoices?"
"Chengdi, I thought it would make the company's books look better. An intermediary company approached us, asking us to issue invoices on their behalf. I did it for the company's good, but…"
Wang Hongcheng was so enraged he was shaking.
"Where is the person who asked you to issue invoices?"
Yuan Guoqing hesitated.
He had started searching for the intermediary company yesterday, but despite searching all of Ice City, he couldn't find any trace of the so-called "Tianzheng Intermediary Company." Even the "Manager Lü" who had been arranging everything recently had vanished without a trace.
"Chengdi, please come back quickly! I can't handle this anymore."
After a pause, Yuan Guoqing spoke with a sobbing tone over the phone.
"Useless!"
Wang Hongcheng cursed and hung up. He then fell into deep thought.
After a while, he picked up the phone again and called Ke Dongfang, the editor-in-chief of Longjiang Daily.
"Editor-in-Chief Ke, this is Wang Hongcheng. Yes, I'm in Harbin. Don't believe the rumors; I'm fine. Our Hongcheng Company's water-to-oil technology is not problematic. There are some criminals in society using our company's name to defraud people, and we are also victims! I want to issue a statement in your newspaper. Hongcheng Company will investigate this matter thoroughly! Also, to prove the authenticity of the water-to-oil technology, I plan to conduct a public fuel-saving experiment in our city to clear my name. Yes, a public experiment!"
**At Xu Maoh and Li Xian's home.**
Li Xian was grinning widely as he looked at the poorly printed tabloids.
Although the content was absurd, it was quite entertaining as a story. The editor of the tabloid "Red Sun" had a remarkable talent for writing sensational stories, depicting Wang Hongcheng's romantic life in vivid, exaggerated detail.
This was simply exquisite and hard to put down.
In the kitchen, Kaja was pouring various spices into a bubbling pot with generous abandon.
Certainly! Here's the continuation:
---
A few days ago, Xu Maoh had arranged for Kaja to stay at the Black University. She had already moved into the dormitory there. But since yesterday, when Kaja heard Li Xian's voice on the phone and learned he was in Harbin and staying at Xu Maoh's home, she decided to move in with her luggage.
The reason was simple—there were two big men in the house, and someone needed to cook.
So, just ten days after starting her job as a maid at Xu Maoh's home, the headstrong Kaja fired her.
In the kitchen, Kaja was enthusiastically adding various seasonings to the bubbling pot. The dish she was preparing was a classic Russian stew—carrots, potatoes, beef, and onions—all in one large pot. If not for the excessive amount of seasonings, it would look like pig food.
Kaja hummed an unknown Russian tune, took a spoonful of the stew, tasted it, and, feeling satisfied, used a small spoon to present it to Li Xian with pride.
Adapting to local customs, Kaja, a descendant of the fierce Russian warriors, had embraced the Chinese fashion of wearing revealing outfits. At home, she donned a small vest and black leggings.
Leggings made from synthetic fibers have a high elasticity and resemble dance tights. They are wide at the waist and narrow at the ankles, designed to fit snugly around the feet. Due to their stretchiness, they create the illusion of longer legs.
This fashion trend had become popular, but unfortunately, not all trends suit everyone. Leggings have very specific requirements—if you're too tall or too short, or if your body shape doesn't fit, they can look unflattering.
But Kaja was different.
Her European long legs and graceful curves made even the cheapest leggings look like haute couture. Standing before Li Xian, she was so striking that he could only admire her.
Li Xian pondered how to get rid of this enchanting distraction. He feared his resolve might soon be tested.
"Li, try a bite and see if it tastes good?"
Seeing the spoon in front of him, Li Xian waved it away, "Let's eat it later; it's not ready yet, is it?"
"Hurry up!" Kaja insisted, pressing herself close to him, bending down to feed him.
Reluctantly, Li Xian put down the creative tabloid and opened his mouth.
The stew's strange taste made him shiver, but seeing Kaja's eager face, he gave a thumbs up, "It's delicious! Go get a bowl for Xu Ge!"
"Really?" Kaja was overjoyed. She turned and brought a large bowl to Xu Maoh, who was smoking nearby, "Here, it's for you!"
The pungent stew made Xu Maoh look at Li Xian with frustration. He quietly spat out the food into the tabloid wrapper.
"Xianzi, what should we do next? We only recovered over five million from selling the base materials, and we're still short of half…"
Despite the unappetizing taste, Xu Maoh couldn't enjoy anything while thinking about the money he had lost. Everything tasted bland.
Li Xian smiled slightly and turned to a copy of the Longjiang Daily on the table.
Pointing to a large announcement on the front page, he said, "Don't worry, here's the opportunity."
Seeing the announcement, Xu Maoh shook his head, "Xianzi, you're overthinking. In such a public setting, the company will surely have security, and we won't even be able to get close, let alone get any money!"
Li Xian chuckled, "Who said we need money? Although Wang Hongcheng scammed investors, most of his funds are tied up in factory buildings and land. Didn't we file a lawsuit? If he collapses, someone will compensate you."
Hearing this, Xu Maoh stood up abruptly.
"Xianzi, what are you planning? You should know Wang Hongcheng isn't easy to take down!"
Li Xian waved his hand and remained silent.
He had previously thought Wang Hongcheng was tough, but now that he had a clearer plan, he felt the world's problems were not so overwhelming.
Truth cannot be concealed, and lies cannot be hidden.
With Xu Maoh's skeptical gaze, Li Xian turned to Kaja.
"Kaja?"
"Hmm? What's up, Li?"
"Are you free the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, I've finished all my tasks at school, and now I just have a few classes each day."
"Yes, I've finished all my tasks at school, and now I just have a few classes each day."
"Great. Could you help me with something?"
"Sure!"
Kaja's eyebrows perked up at the thought of helping Li Xian, and she was noticeably excited.