The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 936 - 935: What Did We Do Wrong?

Chapter 936: Chapter 935: What Did We Do Wrong?

Yun Zhijuan’s offer had indeed caught Xiao Qimo’s attention.

If he wanted to investigate Lu Mian’s background, he couldn’t bypass the highest level of authority. Especially now that the matter involved embryo transplantation, he had no choice but to delve into the genetic database.

The ability to access such records rested solely with the leader — there was no other path he could take.

He understood what Yun Zhijuan meant, and he also discerned the nature of this meeting.

Xiao Qimo hesitated for a long time, his gaze gradually becoming tranquil. If this was the price of becoming the leader, it was undoubtedly much simpler than dealing with the Second Team’s commander.

[Agreed.] Xiao Qimo replied.

At worst, he could just bring his girlfriend along!

Yun Zhijuan, observing Xiao Qimo’s reply identical to Lu Mian’s, scoffed slightly.

If it weren’t for his fortune-telling revealing their intertwined fates, he wouldn’t bother with all this.

Fishing, living leisurely, assigning organizational tasks—wasn’t this kind of life perfect?

Yun Zhijuan sat back on his small stool by the river and glanced at Professor Hua Jinyi beside him.

"Hua Hua, I’ll need to return to Jinjing for a while."

The nearby Professor Hua showed no reaction, his vacant eyes fixed on the mirror-like surface of the water in silence.

Yun Zhijuan was already accustomed to this. He calculated the days left; Mian Xiaobao hadn’t given him much time.

That girl meant what she said—threatening to blow up headquarters wasn’t just an empty boast.

——

Lu Yutian accompanied Mr. Saino from the Watson Consortium back to his hotel.

The group had barely settled down when Saino received a sudden emergency directive from headquarters.

After reading it, Saino’s expression turned grave, and he dropped heavily onto the sofa.

Lu Yutian looked worried, "Mr. Saino, has something happened?"

Saino’s assistant was equally distressed.

Saino handed the directive to his assistant, who gasped and suppressed a shocked exclamation. "Why has our consortium been warned by the Azure Group?"

"That’s not all."

From Saino’s tone, weighted with seriousness, both the assistant and Lu Yutian sensed the gravity of the situation.

"Keep flipping. There’s also a warning from Ya Qiao. These two forces—one an enterprise that has ranked among the top two of Forbes’ business list for years, the other a mysterious and aggressive financial giant that has only recently risen—are no trivial adversaries."

Both factions pressuring the Watson Consortium at the same time—it was clear even a consortium of Watson’s stature would have to tread warily.

Yet the real question remained: how had Watson Consortium suddenly incurred their warnings?

The assistant carefully perused the documents. "Mr. Saino, according to Forbes’ latest annual rankings, Ya Qiao has already surpassed Azure Group, claiming the number-one spot, their net worth inestimable. The first and second-ranked forces are now acting in concert against us—could it be they’ve formed a secret alliance?"

Saino shook his head, deep in thought.

Lu Yutian quietly analyzed their exchange and discerned a number of implications.

"Mr. Saino, if Ya Qiao and the Azure Group have indeed joined forces, Watson Consortium’s position will undoubtedly be threatened. The priority now should be to dismantle their alliance."

"Ms. Yutian is right." Saino nodded in agreement, his regard for the perceptive Lu Yutian increasing. "At just nineteen, Ms. Yutian already possesses sharper insights than most. We’ve long sought to build ties with Ya Qiao."

That was part of the reason the Watson Consortium was so insistent on collaborating with MM Ji Restaurant.

Initially, it might have been because the restaurant’s presence in the dining sector made branding and entry into Z Country’s market easier for Watson. Later, some analysis revealed subtle connections between MM Ji and Ya Qiao, convincing Watson to use MM Ji as the key to unlock their relationship with Ya Qiao.

As for why Watson chose not to approach Azure Group, there were reasons for that.

Ya Qiao specialized in financial investments, stock trading, and sharp-eyed market moves, adept at amassing wealth but lacking any fundamental industries of their own. In essence, Ya Qiao possessed only capital and no corporations.

Azure Group, however, stood apart. Azure was one of the world’s top-ranking enterprises with massive influence, spanning sectors like automotive, advanced technology, future sciences, and banking—all controlled within their diverse portfolio. This inevitably brought Azure into competition with some of Watson Consortium’s overlapping business divisions.

Building rapport with Azure was considerably harder. But establishing connections with a "cash-rich but asset-light" entity like Ya Qiao? That was comparatively simpler.

Staring at the urgent notification on his phone, Saino sighed heavily. "And yet, I’ll bet we’re not the only ones with the same idea. Azure Group might be thinking along the same lines."

Lu Yutian’s eyes flickered thoughtfully—her mind was already strategizing.

If she could single-handedly help Watson Consortium resolve this crisis, Watson would undoubtedly owe her a debt of gratitude. Negotiating future partnerships between the Lu Family and Watson would then become effortless.

Lu Yutian committed herself to the plan—it was a mission she couldn’t fail.

Saino remained oblivious to her intentions, still poring over the email in perplexity.

"But why? Why would they warn us? Have we done something?" Saino muttered under his breath, frustration evident.

——

Lu Yutian returned to her temporary residence in Jinjing, worn out from the day.

It was a small apartment she’d purchased only recently, meant for her to live alone.

She had originally planned to stay at the Yun Family estate, but as Yun Sang had pointed out, the Yun Family was now a declining household—its old manor cold and empty except for a few servants, devoid of life.

With Yun Sang absent and her uncle Lu Xun and aunt Yun Zhishu away as well, residing there felt purposeless and unproductive. Opting instead for independence, she picked up this apartment temporarily.

Yang Shu happened to call her at this time.

"Young Miss."

Lu Yutian was in the middle of removing her makeup and turned on speakerphone directly.

"Yang Shu, go ahead."

Over the phone, Yang Shu’s voice sounded unusually heavy. "Young Miss, I’ve reached out to some contacts at IEG and forwarded information on Lu Mian. However..."

Yang Shu’s pause made Lu Yutian uneasy. Distracted, she carelessly yanked off her false eyelashes, causing a sharp sting.

"What is it, Yang Shu?"

"IEG can’t find any information on Lu Mian either."

Lu Yutian froze in shock. "Impossible. There’s nothing IEG can’t uncover. Are you sure you’ve approached their commanders? Their authority ranks higher—get them to investigate."

"I did. I reached out to the Third Team’s commander, but he said he couldn’t do anything."

Lu Yutian sat motionless before the mirror, staring blankly at the false eyelash she held between her fingers for a long time.

"Could it be... that my brother is secretly protecting her?"

After the initial jolt, Lu Yutian composed herself and decided abruptly to forgo finishing her makeup removal. Grabbing her phone and handbag, she headed out.

"Young Miss, where are you heading?" Yang Shu, troubled by this unprecedented situation, voiced his concern. "You’re the Lu Family’s last hope—whatever it is, let me handle it for you."

"Don’t worry, Yang Shu. I’m just going to ask my brother about this."

"The eldest young master?"

"Yes. Trust me, it’s fine."

Lu Yutian drove herself to Yun Sang’s training base.