Beginning with the Ubume Bird
Chapter 637 - Chapter 637 Chapter 23 Unmasked

Chapter 637: Chapter 23 Unmasked Chapter 637: Chapter 23 Unmasked “`

“Sign here, and you can leave,”

a military police officer handed Li Yan a form.

——————————–

Outside the door.

Judy sat on a long bench, wrapped in a red woolen coat, occasionally glancing at the clock on the wall.

“Why hasn’t he come out yet?”

She muttered, and Li, sitting beside her, could only comfort her, “It’ll be soon, it can’t be delayed by more than a few minutes.”

“…”

Judy barely suppressed her impatience and began to size up the man and woman who were also waiting for Li Yan.

The man looked to be in his early thirties, wearing a handmade Austin Reed suit and a Patek Philippe on his wrist, his eyes bright and posture erect. He checked the clock more often than Judy, pacing back and forth in the corridor, appearing somewhat restless.

The other was an elegant woman in a white Permont casual outfit, her long, straight hair styled into a low ponytail with hanging bangs, sitting leisurely on the opposite bench, reading a newspaper.

It was clear that these two were not together.

“What’s your relationship with Dayan?”

Judy finally couldn’t help but ask.

The upright man noticed Judy on the bench for the first time. He blinked, startled by Judy’s beauty, before revealing a polite smile, “My surname is Jin, and here is my business card. My old man sent me to pick someone up.”

After speaking, he handed Judy a card that read, “Boqing Foundation Chairman, Jin Longyang.”

“Oh.”

Judy signaled Li to take the business card with a glance.

Jin Longyang noticed Judy was unwilling to take his business card herself and his displeased expression immediately showed on his face, but everyone else pretended not to see it.

Judy had heard some things about the Boqing Foundation. This Jin Longyang, the second son of Chairman Jin Boqing, was considered a moderately notorious playboy.

As for the title of Foundation Chairman, that was a long story.

Hong Kong had enforced an estate tax for over seventy years, and many wealthy people, to avoid taxes, would set up charitable foundations to donate most of their property in name for charity, when in reality, it was a case of shedding the cicada’s shell. These tycoons legally avoided taxes under the guise of the foundation and arranged for their descendants to hold positions within, enjoying hefty reimbursements and a plethora of benefits from the foundation. It was essentially leaving behind a solid source of income for future generations, and the so-called chairman, in reality, never had to manage anything.

This trick was something Judy was all too familiar with, having made such arrangements for Xiu well in advance.

With the stature of Huamao Real Estate in Hong Kong also being top-tier, Judy naturally did not take this Jin heir too seriously.

“Mr. Jin, hello, this is my business card.”

Judy took out her own business card from her handbag and handed it to him, then shifted her gaze to the other woman.

Seeing Judy’s persistent interest, the woman smiled politely at Judy, and took out two business cards from her briefcase’s compartment.

“My name is Yu, Yu Shishi, Secretary of the General Affairs Department of Tianrun Group. Zhongxing Baode is a subsidiary controlled by our company, so the company sent me to bail out Comrade Li Yan. I suppose I’m a colleague of Li Yan.”

With a bright smile, Yu Shishi handed her business card to Jin Longyang and Judy, then fell silent.

Jin Longyang examined the two business cards in his hand for a while, and as he looked at the two distinct beauties in front of him, his heart skipped a beat.

On the left was the minimalist white business card, with the names Yang Baojin and Jodie printed above and below, along with a string of phone numbers, and below that, the four bold black characters of Huamao Real Estate. On the right was the uniform gold-bordered white background, stamped with the pure black “Liow & Co” at the top, along with Yu Shishi’s name and phone number.

Tianrun Group translates to “Heaven Blesses China, Dew Nourishes.” Its predecessor was a firm established on Pottinger Street in Central Hong Kong in 1938. During the wartime years, the firm covertly provided various strategic materials blockaded by the Japanese forces to the United Front fighting against the Japanese, contributing significantly to national independence. After liberation, Tianrun Group became a significant gateway for the nation’s foreign trade and an important foreign trade enterprise under the Ministry of Commerce.

“…”

After a long while, Jin Longyang put away the two business cards, his expression much more subdued.

Judy’s expression was also very unnatural, and it took a while before she forced a smile, “What, Zhongxing Baode is a subsidiary of Tianrun Group? I haven’t heard about that.”

Yu Shishi responded with a smile, “Over the years, with changes in policy, Tianrun has controlled a number of subsidiaries, many of which are not known to the public. Besides, Miss Judy, you are a prominent figure in the real estate industry, a field that Tianrun doesn’t delve much into, so it’s quite normal for you to be unaware of us.”

“That’s also true.”

Judy put away the business card, her feelings a mix of emotions. She had no interest in engaging in further conversation with Yu Shishi.

“`

“Secretary Yu is really too modest, who in all of Hong Kong doesn’t know which “Run” is referred to by Tianrun?”

Yu Shishi didn’t pick up on Jin Longyang’s cue, just smiled. Having been rebuffed twice softly, Jin Longyang felt both angry and unable to express it.

Li took a glance at Yu Shishi, then at Judy, and just patted her shoulder as a gesture of consolation.

Even though Zhongxing Baode had long declared its mainland background, the truth was that the handover was imminent, the situation in Hong Kong was complex, and people’s minds were unsettled, often leading to rumors. However, Tianrun’s involvement undoubtedly confirmed Zhongxing Baode’s background. Li understood that Li Yan, as an employee of Zhongxing Baode and having involved the Tianrun Group, couldn’t possibly be a common illegal immigrant coming to Hong Kong for work. His official background was a certain fact,

which could resolve many of the confusions in Li’s and Judy’s minds, also suggesting that it was quite unlikely for Li Yan to stay long in Hong Kong, at least not in the way Judy had hoped.

Coincidentally, shortly after the three had exchanged business cards, the door opened and Li Yan walked out. The people in the corridor lifted their heads in unison, focusing their gazes on Li Yan’s face.

When Li Yan saw Judy, he was about to speak, but then he noticed another acquaintance out of the corner of his eye.

Yu Shiqie.

“Comrade Li Yan, hello, I’m Yu Shishi. Miss Carrie from Zhongxing Baode called me to bail you out,” she said.

Yu Shishi stood up and shook hands with Li Yan, whispering in his ear, “This case has nothing to do with you now. You accidentally nearly spooked the target. Mr. Zhao will call you later.”

Li Yan gave her a glance and nodded indifferently, “I see, thank you.”

Yu Shishi released his hand and exchanged pleasantries, “Since it’s all good, then I’ll be leaving. If you need anything, just give me a call. But frankly, you are quite fortunate to have such a beautiful close female friend who stays by your side through thick and thin.”

She turned to Judy with an ambiguous look.

“However…”

Yu Shishi, or rather Yu Shiqie, changed the subject, “You’re also a married man, and Mr. Zhao values the character of those around him very much. We don’t condone the practice of having both a wife and a mistress, you know.”

Judy’s face turned sour immediately, and Li’s gaze became very sharp.

Li Yan’s face twitched involuntarily as if a red-hot knife had been plunged straight into his side.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Having said that, Yu Shiqie turned and left.

It was only after Yu Shishi had turned a corner and disappeared that Jin Longyang coughed and approached anxiously, rubbing his hands, “Mr. Li, it was my grandfather who sent me to pick you up. He said he has an appointment with you and wants you to treat him at his house.”

“Jin Boqing?”

“Yes, yes, my grandfather.”

“Alright, I’ll discuss with you later.”

“Good, good, good, I’ll wait for you outside the police station.”

Jin Longyang, feeling relieved, wiped his forehead and hurriedly left.

Although he was not particularly astute, he knew it was best to keep his distance at such a time.

“Who would have thought that besides boxing, you also possess the skill to treat and save people.”

Judy’s gaze lingered on Li Yan.

Beep beep beep beep beep~

Li Yan’s phone in his pocket suddenly rang, showing Cha Xiaodao as the caller.

Beep.

Li Yan pressed the end call button with an expressionless face, and calmly said, “Listen to my explanation.”

“Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-level stupa. They seem very urgent, so you go ahead and save them first. We can talk when you get back. I’ll be waiting for you at the villa in Shamshui Po. Li, let’s go,” Judy said.

After walking only a few steps, Judy suddenly turned around, “Ah right, listen well, I’d rather slaughter you than be a mistress.”

Beep beep beep beep beep~

Li Yan’s phone in his pocket rang again, still showing Cha Xiaodao as the caller.

Beep.