54: I Also Want to Improve

Liu Xihong smiled and said, "I knew something was off. Is this your WeChat number, or your phone number? Let me add you."

Shen Hao shook his head, replying, "No, my WeChat ID is my QQ number."

"Oh, then what's your QQ number?"

"5xx321xx, nickname: Jin Shiliu."

When Liu Xihong saw the nickname, he relaxed and smiled, "Alright, Shen, let me know if there's ever an opportunity to have a drink."

"Sure, we'll see."

As Shen Hao entered the neighborhood, he couldn't help but shake his head. So typical of a leader... what thick skin...

He had given Liu Xihong a seldom-used number, yet the guy had actually called it right there. After it didn't connect, Liu insisted on getting his WeChat ID. Shen Hao didn't like putting himself in such an awkward situation, but he just couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Once Shen Hao left, Liu Xihong returned to his office and immediately ordered someone to look up Shen Hao's information.

An hour later, the office door opened.

"Secretary, here's the information you asked for."

"Alright, get out. This matter is strictly confidential. If I hear a leak, I'll hold you accountable."

"Yes, Secretary."

Liu Xihong opened the file and carefully read through it. He found that Shen Hao seemed to be just an ordinary person. His resume was simple—nothing special. He had one uncle who had moved out of the province.

It seemed that this year Shen Hao started a side business as a Hong Kong-based middleman for goods and had made some money. He owned one house, one car, and nothing else noteworthy.

Liu Xihong quickly discovered two large deposits into Shen Hao's bank account: one was ten million yuan, and another, two million, just transferred that very day. Both were from Chang'an Xiao Group Ltd.

He paused. Could Shen Hao be related to the Xiao family? Or is he a secret child? Why would they send him such large amounts of money?

The connection between Shen Hao, Xiao Ran, and Zhou Peiyuan seemed strange. It didn't make sense.

Moreover, Liu Xihong hadn't found any particular business Shen Hao was running. Recently, he had heard rumors that Xiao Jun, the head of the Xiao family, was solidifying his power in the provincial government. Liu Xihong had worked as Xiao Jun's secretary a decade ago, but the connection had since weakened. Now, Liu wanted to rebuild those ties. But he had no direct opportunity to approach Xiao Jun, and Shen Hao's relationship with Xiao Ran intrigued him.

Back in his apartment, Shen Hao found that Lu Jie had already cooked dinner and made soup.

"Boss, is it time to eat?" she asked.

Shen Hao replied, "I'm not hungry yet. Let's first brew some tea. Do you have the tea that Old Zhou gave us?"

Lu Jie took it out from the wine cabinet and handed it to Shen Hao. "Boss, this tea is from Zhengshan Tang, a premium Jin Jun Mei. It costs about 11,000 yuan per pound. Do you want me to brew some?"

Shen Hao was a little surprised. He didn't realize Zhou Peiyuan had given such expensive tea. While he didn't know much about tea brands, he certainly wasn't opposed to trying it now.

"Alright, brew a pot. Let's see how it tastes," Shen Hao said.

Lu Jie expertly prepared the tea, and Shen Hao was surprised at how skillfully she brewed it.

"Did you do this professionally before?" Shen Hao asked.

Lu Jie nodded. "Yes, when I was younger, I worked in a tea house."

Shen Hao nodded in acknowledgment, not pressing the issue further.

Soon, the tea was ready. It was rich and fragrant, a world apart from the much cheaper tea he had tried before. Although Shen Hao didn't know how to appreciate fine tea, he still enjoyed the robust flavor.

"You really know how to make tea," Shen Hao complimented. "It's a great skill."

Lu Jie smiled shyly but shook her head. "It's the tea that's good, not me."

"Okay, sit down and have a cup. You've worked hard today," Shen Hao said kindly.

Lu Jie sat down, quietly sipping her tea. Shen Hao watched her for a moment, realizing that he should probably raise her salary. After all, she had been providing services beyond what they had originally agreed upon. What started with just preparing meals and cleaning had grown to include laundry and more. Shen Hao couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

Lu Jie, noticing Shen Hao's gaze, felt a bit flustered and looked away. Her mind was racing. Today had turned her world upside down.

Since she had started working for Shen Hao, she had never seen him go to an office or do any real work. He always stayed home and never seemed to have a regular job. She had wondered where he got his money from and worried that he might be running out of it, which could cost her the job.

But after today's events, her perception of Shen Hao had changed. The old man and young man had casually spent fifty million on a wooden box, and they seemed so fond of it. She didn't understand what "Huanghuali" wood was, but somehow, it made Shen Hao seem impressive. People were even bringing him money.

She thought about the conversation mentioning a ginseng that was worth a million yuan. The amount of money Shen Hao makes in a day could probably cover a lifetime of my salary.

It was hard for Lu Jie to imagine someone making so much money so easily from home.

After dinner, she packed up the leftover food. Shen Hao didn't want to waste it, so he had her take it home. After she left, Shen Hao took a rare moment to relax.

He pulled out his phone and began browsing for a new villa. The one in Siam, with a 30-meter swimming pool, was something he really liked, but he couldn't be there all the time. A domestic villa would be more convenient. Though his current house was newly renovated, it still felt a bit small.

After looking at properties for a while, Shen Hao cracked open a bottle of cold beer, enjoying it as he finally relaxed and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, he was woken up by loud noises outside.