Leaning back in his chair, Zhao Yimingâs smile turned enigmatic, "Alright, enough with the pleasantries, letâs get to business. Youâve decided to go after Lucifer, which means you already know who youâre dealing with, right?"
Su Mo nodded, "Your companyâs intelligence department head, Mammon."
With a bemused look in his eyes, Zhao Yiming spoke with great interest: "Knowing heâs an executive from our company, you still killed his only son and even sent a provocative execution video."
"To me, it doesnât seem like a rational choice. Care to share your thoughts?"
Su Mo: "Because I trust Qi Ling."
Zhao Yiming: "Oh? What does this have to do with Qi Ling?"
Su Mo: "Qi Ling told me about the friendship between you two. She said no matter how much trouble I cause, as long as she comes to you, you would step in to help smooth things over, allowing me to unleash my anger."
"She trusts you, I trust her, so I decided to go all out once."
Zhao Yiming laughed heartily upon hearing this, and in a commendatory tone, said: "Good, straightforward speech, unlike those who beat around the bush, I like it."
"So I wonât beat around the bush either, Iâll be blunt. Youâve indeed stirred up a huge trouble this time."
"Upon learning of his sonâs death, Mammon immediately contacted the Crisis Management Center. A fully assembled Razor Brigade is ready to turn Edge into a river of blood and erase you from this world."
Seeing Su Moâs expression tense up, Zhao Yiming deliberately didnât continue, simply smiling at him, letting his tension simmer.
The tea room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Zhao Yiming unhurriedly blew the steam off his teacup before slowly speaking: "But donât worry, Iâve already ordered for the action to be halted, instructing the Crisis Management Center to leave this matter alone."
Su Mo was stunned for a while, then heaved a long sigh of relief and nodded: "President Zhao lending a hand to save me, Iâm deeply grateful."
Zhao Yiming raised his hand slightly, smiling: "No need to thank me, Qi Ling has done so much for the company, I should help her with this."
"Besides, itâs really the unreasonable antics of Mammon and his son. Causing trouble daily and wanting to use company resources to bail themselves out? Itâs not that easy."
Su Mo respectfully said: "President Zhao is wise, I admire that."
Zhao Yiming took a sip of his tea, his face immediately wrinkled, "She truly doesnât know how to make tea... Every time, making it so strong... Several cans of tea in my office have been wasted by her like this."
Su Mo: "Shall I prepare a new cup for you?"
Zhao Yiming shook his head: "No need, you shouldnât be worrying about tea leaves right now, but your future."
"I dealt with Mammonâs move this time, and I can ensure he wonât misuse company power against you."
"But people like Mammon, besides having resources in the company, have connections elsewhere too. Both he and his Foolsâ Association arenât to be messed with, and they have countless ways to destroy you."
He smiled with profound meaning: "So whatâs your plan? To keep dragging this out with him day by day, wasting your youth, allowing your talent and abilities to suffocate?"
Su Mo cautiously asked: "Pardon my ignorance, what advice does President Zhao have?"
Zhao Yiming: "You know, my time is very valuable. If it were merely about what we discussed just now, I would have had my assistant send you an email, no need to come in person."
Walking to the window, gazing at the distant city skyline with meaningful words: "Here, you are high, but not high enough."
"If youâre ruined by Mammon here, Iâd find it very regrettable."
Su Mo stood up as well, walked to the window to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, "Is President Zhao willing to help me solve the problem once and for all?"
Zhao Yiming slowly said: "You should know, in this city, or rather this world, if you want to climb higher, you need backing."
"Youâve been played by Mammon this time so miserably, simply because he relies on the company, and you have no support, allowing him to deal with you recklessly."
Then, he finally revealed his hand, speaking meaningfully: "If youâre looking for a backer, the opportunity is in front of you before I leave this tea room."
"The only question is, what are you willing to exchange?"
"The adult world is very realistic. I have repaid Qi Lingâs favor, the rest is up to you to fight for."
"If I say I expect nothing in return, just purely fancying you and willing to help unconditionally, such a lie you surely wouldnât believe."
"So the question is, what kind of wager are you willing to make?"
Su Mo: "What does President Zhao want from me?"
Zhao Yiming: "You could first talk about your needs, and I will naturally give you a fair offer."
Su Mo: "Cancel the bounty against Nuobai on the dark web, and free her from the pursuit."
Zhao Yiming: "Alright."
Su Mo: "No pursuit from the company over Dongdongâs attack on Hellhound Mansion, and help her deal with the aftermath."
Zhao Yiming: "Okay."
Su Mo: "If Edge encounters difficulties in the future, please take care of us."
Zhao Yiming: "No problem."
Each of Su Moâs three requests was a massive affair, yet Zhao Yiming responded without hesitation, as if discussing what dishes to eat tonight.
After answering, a brief silence fell over the surroundings.
Zhao Yiming cast a sideways glance at Su Mo, a mysterious smile on his face: "Thatâs it? Nothing else? You havenât said one very important thing. Go ahead and say it boldly."