Part 1: The Shadowy Malady

Part 1: The Shadowy Malady

Lin Wan carefully looked around. After making sure no one was approaching, she slightly lowered her voice and said with a solemn and somewhat mysterious expression, "Su Yao, I made a significant discovery when I was carefully checking the annotations of some hidden documents a few days ago. It's a crucial project related to the core technology research and development in the high - intensity artificial intelligence (AI) field. At that time, it could definitely be regarded as a pioneering exploration at the forefront of the era. Once a breakthrough was successfully achieved, it was estimated to leverage a huge market revenue of over ten billion yuan, and it was even expected to completely reshape the entire technology industry pattern.

To promote the implementation of this project, the Su Group unreservedly exhausted its profound technical reserves accumulated over the years, carefully selected and assembled the most elite scientific research teams in the industry, and the R & D funds invested accounted for more than 70% of the group's working capital. The Li Group also went all out. Relying on its intricate network of connections and extensive channels, it coordinated all parties in an all - round way, and also provided top - notch hardware facilities at a high cost. The total funds and materials invested before and after amounted to more than three billion yuan. Both sides were full of anticipation for this project, earnestly hoping that it could successfully come to fruition."

Su Yao's face suddenly turned as pale as paper. She bit her lower lip tightly, and her voice trembled with a hint of uncontrollable emotion as she murmured softly, "You mean, there are people behind this... deliberately plotting and secretly causing trouble? Intentionally framing my father?"

At this moment, Su Yao's heart was both ablaze with anger and shrouded in a sense of desolation. Her father, whom she had always respected like a mountain, had actually endured so much injustice in silence, and she had been completely kept in the dark. That deep sense of powerlessness was like a surging tide, instantly engulfing her completely.

Lin Wan nodded slightly, her eyes shining with determination and firmness. "I suspect that someone among the company's senior management has secretly tampered with it. Moreover, the forces behind this person are intricate and complex. Every time we just manage to get a little clue, it seems as if we've plunged into a thick fog that can't be dispelled. It's extremely difficult to continue the investigation further, and every step is fraught with obstacles.

When I was organizing the old files, I accidentally found that one of the main executors of this project back then is Zhang Feng, who is now the project manager."

When Su Yao heard this name, a fierce anger instantly ignited in her eyes. Her hands clenched tightly into fists, and her body trembled slightly with anger. She gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "Zhang Feng? It's actually him! Yesterday, he used the clue of my father's unjust case in those years to lure me to the rooftop. I thought I could find out some truth through this, but he made things difficult for me in every possible way. His words were full of threats and sarcasm.

Seeing that I was alone and helpless, he even had malicious intentions. He tried to coerce and tempt me, attempting to turn me into his pawn, so as to completely control me and make me give up investigating my father's case. I knew he was no good. He must want to bury those shady secrets in the darkness forever!"

Just thinking about that terrifying moment on the rooftop, Zhang Feng's ugly face and vicious words seemed to vividly reappear in front of her eyes. The way his lecherous eyes unscrupulously sized her up made Su Yao feel extremely disgusted. Nausea welled up in her heart, and the hatred in her heart grew even stronger. Her eyes became slightly red, which were the sour marks left by the intertwined burning of anger and grievance.

Lin Wan slightly furrowed her brows, pondered for a long time, and then slowly said, "Su Yao, don't get angry first. This Zhang Feng is just a clown pushed to the front by the forces behind him. He doesn't have much ability himself and is not worthy of fear.

Although we haven't officially launched a large - scale and substantial investigation yet, based on the scattered information we have at hand, as long as it involves the matters behind him, it's almost impossible to find the truth by following the clues. Because the clues will instantly become intricate and complex, as if being disrupted by an invisible but indestructible big net, making it completely impossible to start.

So, if we want to tear through this thick fog, Zhang Feng is the most crucial breakthrough point at present."

Su Yao frowned tightly. After thinking for a while, she slowly nodded and said, "Sister Lin Wan, I understand what you mean. But this Zhang Feng is very slippery. How on earth can we get useful information from him?"

Her eyes were full of eagerness and worry. Her hands unconsciously clenched the corners of her clothes, as if that was the only glimmer of hope she could hold onto at this moment, which was related to clearing her father's name.

Lin Wan gently patted Su Yao's shoulder and comforted her earnestly, "We need to seek help. After thinking it over, the only one who can counter the forces behind Zhang Feng at present is Li Yi. Don't be misled by his usual appearance of being a dissolute and frivolous playboy. That's just a facade.

I used to be his private secretary, so I know him quite well. In work, he is actually a decisive and resolute person, and his work style is vigorous and resolute. He is a well - deserved rising star in the Li family. Moreover, Li Yi has just taken over the internal affairs of the company and has not yet established a firm footing in many aspects. He also needs some new forces to help him stabilize his position within the group. We can just take this opportunity to work with him."

Su Yao slightly frowned, and when she thought of her past contacts with Li Yi, she pouted and said, "Sister Lin Wan, every time I dealt with him, he always looked like a dissipated young master, laughing and joking all day long without any seriousness. Although my successful entry into the Li Group has a lot to do with him, it can't change my deep - rooted impression of him."

Just thinking of Li Yi's usual idle appearance, Su Yao couldn't help but shake her head, and there was a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

Lin Wan smiled gently and patiently explained, "Su Yao, you don't understand. He acts like that on purpose so that people can't easily see through him. Just think, being born into a big family like the Li family, if he doesn't hide his edge, how much trouble will he attract?

And, do you know? There is a very important token of love between our two families. It's the jade pendant that Li Yi wears every day. Once when we were joking around, I happened to hear him mention that this jade pendant is missing a key part, and that part can only be obtained from his future wife."

Su Yao's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "A token of love? How come I've never known about this!"

Her heart was like a stormy sea. On the one hand, she couldn't believe this sudden news. On the other hand, Li Yi's image unconsciously emerged in her mind, making her a little flustered for a moment.

Lin Wan looked at Su Yao's reaction, gently patted her shoulder, and comforted her, "This kind of thing was common in the eyes of the older generation. Back then, they probably hoped to strengthen the relationship between the two families through marriage. But later, something happened to the Su family, and the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. So, this matter of the token of love was put on hold. Presumably, no one has mentioned it to you over the years."

Su Yao slightly lowered her head, bit her lips, and her heart was filled with mixed feelings. "So now... does Li Yi know about this?"

She asked somewhat nervously, with a hint of expectation and a few traces of worry in her eyes. The expectation was because she actually had some affection for Li Yi, while the worry was that she was afraid that Li Yi would be disgusted after knowing this, after all, this was an agreement made by the older generation, which seemed a bit out of place in modern society.

Lin Wan shook her head slightly and said softly, "I'm not sure if Li Yi knows. He has always been focused on his work in the company, and he is relatively low - key in dealing with people. He doesn't seem to care much about these past human relationships. However, Su Yao, our top priority now is to find out what happened to your father back then. Let's put this matter of the token of love aside for now and not let it affect our judgment."

Su Yao took a deep breath and nodded. "Sister Lin Wan, I understand. I won't let it interfere with our business. But just thinking about what my father suffered back then, I'm burning with impatience. We have to speed up."

There was determination in her eyes. Although there were still many thoughts in her heart about the token of love, at this moment, the determination to clear her father's name prevailed.

Lin Wan looked at Su Yao's determined appearance and smiled gratifyingly. "Good. With your words, I have more confidence. But, Su Yao, do you still have a question in your heart, such as whether Li Yi was involved in what happened back then, or whether he knew about it, and whether the Li family framed your father?"

Su Yao nodded quickly. "Sister Lin Wan, I've indeed been thinking about this question all the time. This is also one of the reasons why I'm hesitant to approach Li Yi."

There was a hint of confusion and worry in her eyes, and her hands unconsciously clasped together.

Lin Wan gently patted Su Yao's hand and comforted her, "I understand your concerns. But as far as I know, when the accident happened to the Su family, Li Yi's father, Li Tai, was not in the country. He was dealing with important overseas business, and there are detailed travel records and many witnesses to prove it. And Li Yi was still studying in school at that time. His classmates and teachers can all testify for him, and they all have alibis. So, I guess that the Li father - son had nothing to do with what happened to the Su family back then. As for other people in the Li family, that needs further investigation."

After hearing this, a glimmer of relief flashed in Su Yao's eyes. She let out a soft sigh and said, "So that's how it is. Then I feel a little more at ease. Sister Lin Wan, I'll try to approach Li Yi as planned."