Despite mobilizing so many people to find Tian Xiaoyan, three days had passed and there was still no good news from Shenzhen.

This wasn’t logical at all!

“How can a living person just vanish? Sister Zhenzhu, increase the reward to 200,000 yuan. When you find her, don’t alert her – just watch what she’s up to!”

200,000 yuan to find someone – that money could buy an apartment in ‘Luohu Tiancheng’!

Money could make things happen. Even if Xia Xiaolan had to dig up every inch of Shenzhen, she would control this unstable factor that was Tian Xiaoyan.

Meanwhile, she kept an even closer watch on Xia Ziyu’s movements.

The National Day holiday arrived on October 1st. Zhou Cheng hadn’t returned from his mission, and Du Zhaohui had been busy with something lately, not even approaching Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Ziyu had stayed in her residence these past few days without going out. Xia Xiaolan felt she couldn’t get a grip on any situation.

Sigh, there was no news from America either. Though they knew the merger taxation would be in early October, without knowing the exact date, Xia Xiaolan could only continue waiting.

On October 2nd, Du Zhaohui suddenly called her:

“I’m going to accompany the old man to inspect the mainland.”

Oh? Since when had Du Zhaohui become so close to Du Chengrong?

Xia Xiaolan felt uneasy. “Du Zhaohui, don’t be too hasty. In less than a month, the situation will change.”

When the stock market crash came, she would make Xia Ziyu suffer terribly, and the Du family’s three-way power balance would naturally shift… Liu Keying’s return to favor didn’t change the ‘three-way balance’ because Liu Tianquan no longer managed the Du family business, and Liu Keying was just a pregnant woman confined to the Du mansion.

Xia Xiaolan advised Du Zhaohui not to rush.

Du Zhaohui laughed it off: “Just a normal business inspection, what are you thinking! The old man wants to check out ‘Chengrong Plaza’ in Shenzhen first, then has some other itineraries. Of course, I trust you! You said we’d make money, so you focus on trading stocks in Hong Kong!”

It wasn’t about making money, but setting a trap for Xia Ziyu or Du Zhaoqi… nevermind, Du Zhaohui would understand once this succeeded.

After hanging up, Du Zhaohui muttered to himself:

“What a sharp nose she has, so sensitive. Did Black-faced Zhou tell her something?”

Impossible.

Black-faced Zhou had agreed not to involve Xia Xiaolan, how could he break his word?

Du Zhaohui could only attribute it to Xia Xiaolan’s sharp intuition and her understanding and care for him.

Hehe.

Young master is just that handsome.

Du Zhaohui accompanying Du Chengrong on this inspection tour was his initiative.

When this news got out, each branch of the Du family had its thoughts.

Recently Du Chengrong had been favoring Xia Ziyu, establishing CR Investment was him making an “exception” for her. Though CR Investment hadn’t made any big moves, it was developing steadily. How come after such a short time, Mr. Du was now favoring the eldest young master?

Du Chengrong’s actions were truly unpredictable.

He seemed oblivious to the company’s unstable morale, with employees distracted by guessing who Mr. Du intended to inherit the business. Was the situation clear now – did Mr. Du really intend it for the eldest son?

Before leaving for the mainland, Du Chengrong didn’t return to the Du mansion to visit Liu Keying but instead went to see Xia Ziyu.

Xia Ziyu was overjoyed:

“Mr. Du, will you be gone long on this mainland inspection?”

Du Chengrong was noncommittal, “The duration isn’t fixed. We’ll see if there are suitable projects – could be two weeks, could be a month. What, you want to come along?”

Xia Ziyu was surprised, “I can go?”

Du Chengrong didn’t take women on business trips. If he had physical needs, he could handle them at his destination. Taking a concubine from home to discuss business would seem very unprofessional.

“It’s your decision, but Zhaohui will be coming this time.”

Xia Ziyu gritted her teeth. Du Zhaohui must have somehow gotten back in the old man’s good graces. She wanted to go along but was concerned about her belly. Her period was late, and Xia Ziyu believed she was pregnant, but this time she didn’t want to announce it too early – if news leaked, others might target her again.

The first three months of pregnancy were the most dangerous. Xia Ziyu didn’t dare risk it. Who knew where Du Chengrong would inspect? Running around alone, what about her baby?

Xia Ziyu took Du Chengrong’s hand and placed it on her belly:

“I might have good news again, Mr. Du. When you return from your trip, we can confirm it. So I’d rather stay in HK to rest quietly, I don’t dare follow you to the mainland inspection.”

Xia Ziyu smiled with a lowered head, not noticing Du Chengrong’s somewhat cold gaze.

“Pregnant again?”

“Not confirmed yet, I’ll go to the hospital for a check-up in a few days.”

Du Chengrong nodded with a smile, “Good if it’s confirmed you’re pregnant again, I’ll definitely reward you well!”

That night, Du Chengrong naturally stayed to accompany Xia Ziyu, but considering her possible pregnancy, they didn’t do anything.

The next day, when departing from HK, Du Zhaohui wondered if it was his imagination, but the old man’s face was dark, seeming unhappy.

Their first stop was Shenzhen – Du Chengrong’s first time visiting ‘Chengrong Plaza’.

‘Chengrong Plaza’ had begun construction last year, opening its electronics mall by year-end. Though still not finished, an electronics industrial park had developed around Chengrong Plaza, clearly showing the Shenzhen government’s policy preferences.

Now, the Chengrong electronics mall no longer needed shopping lottery gimmicks, yet business remained booming.

Du Chengrong toured the electronics mall, asking Du Zhaohui many questions. Having managed this project from start to finish, Du Zhaohui naturally answered everything smoothly.

Du Chengrong gave his eldest son a deep look:

“Zhaohui, you’ve matured these past two years. If your mother could see your current abilities, she would be very happy!”

Du Zhaohui thought, if my mother knew in the afterlife, she’d ask you for that 20% share, you old thing – don’t get scared then.

But his words were sincere: “Son also wants to do something practical, the earlier I train myself, the sooner I can share your burdens.”

Du Chengrong patted Du Zhaohui’s shoulder.

“You’re already sharing my burdens.”

What a touching scene of paternal love and filial piety!

After inspecting Shenzhen, Du Zhaohui accompanied Du Chengrong to inspect the new city in Fujian Province.

Speaking of Special Economic Zones, many people first think of Shenzhen, but Fujian’s new city was also one of the four “export special zones” established by the state in 1979.

This was Du Zhaohui’s second visit here – the last time was when “Uncle Qiu” invited him to meet.

He had sworn then never to return to this ghostly place, yet couldn’t escape the “true love” principle.

“Zhaohui’s been here before?”

Du Chengrong asked him. Du Zhaohui collected himself and smiled: “Once before. Someone treated me to boiled seafood on a boat. I felt slighted at the time, but now I see some rustic charm in it. Whether eating in a Hong Kong hotel or on a broken boat, eating is eating – what matters is who you’re eating with, don’t you agree?”

Du Chengrong laughed heartily:

“Seeing how nostalgic you are, we father and son can relive that rustic experience. This is a good month for sailing.”

The old man was getting it.

Du Zhaohui almost had the illusion that the old man truly valued him as the eldest son. Throughout this trip, he kept praising and agreeing with him, hehe.

“Alright, I’ll arrange a boat. Tonight I’ll treat you to New City’s rustic seafood on board!”