Come on, What Kind of CEO Chases His Roommate Back to the Country? - Chapter 48

The next day, Zhou Feng called Pei Song into his office.

“The executive training program in Country D has been finalized,” Zhou Feng said. “It lasts for a month. Do you want to consider joining?”

Pei Song was startled. “So sudden?”

“Not really.” Zhou Feng chuckled. “I might move to Country D for work and want to bring a few capable young people with me.”

“You’ve really decided to go?” Pei Song was surprised.

“I’m still considering it,” Zhou Feng said meaningfully, giving him a glance. “But it’s a rare opportunity. Think it over.”

Back in his office, Pei Song unexpectedly found Li Ming secretly organizing a stack of documents.

“What’s that?” he asked casually.

Li Ming panicked, trying to hide the papers, but Pei Song caught a glimpse of some key figures. It was a supplier’s quotation sheet, covered with numerous edits.

“Li Ming.” Pei Song lowered his voice. “Are you helping Liu Yan falsify accounts?”

Li Ming’s face turned pale. “I… I was forced.”

“He threatened you?”

Li Ming nodded. “He said if I didn’t cooperate, he’d expose some of my past mistakes.”

Pei Song was silent for a moment. “Do you have evidence of these transactions?”

“Yes,” Li Ming whispered. “I secretly took photos and recorded conversations.”

“Good.” Pei Song patted his shoulder. “Keep cooperating with him, but remember one thing.”

“What?”

“Leave a complete trail of evidence.”

That night, Pei Song reported his findings to Shi Yancheng.

“I found a major flaw,” Pei Song said excitedly. “Liu Yan has tampered with the budget significantly. If we can get solid proof—”

“Don’t rush it,” Shi Yancheng interrupted. “Timing is everything in these matters.”

“What do you mean?”

“If they dare manipulate the budget, they must have some backing,” Shi Yancheng analyzed. “Exposing them too soon might not shake their foundation.”

Taking a sip of black tea, he continued, “Besides, the real problem might not be the budget itself.”

“You mean… there’s a bigger issue?”

Shi Yancheng didn’t answer directly but instead taught him some financial analysis techniques. “Look at the essence of the problem. Why did they tamper with the budget? Where did the money go? That’s the key.”

Pei Song pondered. “So your suggestion is…?”

“Wait and observe.” Shi Yancheng’s voice was calm. “Gather more evidence. Strike only when they show a real weakness.”

Lying in bed that night, Pei Song recalled Zhou Feng’s words.

The training opportunity was indeed valuable, not only could he learn advanced business strategies, but he could also broaden his horizons.

And more importantly, Shi Yancheng was likely returning to Country D soon. If he joined the program, he’d get to stay with him for another month. 

Shaking his head, he pushed the thought aside. Right now, the most important thing was uncovering the shady dealings behind the “Starlight Plaza” project.

The next morning, Pei Song threw himself into work. While working with Liu Yan on project planning, he secretly gathered evidence.

Gradually, he realized the issue was far more complex than he had imagined. It wasn’t just the budget, some of the suppliers had suspicious backgrounds. And the evidence Li Ming provided only made things more convoluted.

“These suppliers are all shell companies,” Li Ming pointed at the computer screen. “And their funds all end up in the same offshore account.”

Pei Song was shocked. “Are you sure?”

“I checked.” Li Ming lowered his voice. “The legal representatives of these companies are all related to the same person.”

Pei Song noted down the information. He knew he had found a critical lead.

But just as Shi Yancheng had said, it wasn’t time to expose them yet.

That afternoon, Liu Yan sent out the revised budget plan. Pei Song opened the file and noticed that while many figures had been adjusted, the fundamental issues remained.

Looking at the carefully manipulated numbers, he smirked. Since they had put so much effort into covering their tracks, he would let them continue their act.

The real show was yet to begin.

That evening, he discussed his findings with Shi Yancheng again.

“They’re in too much of a hurry,” Shi Yancheng said. “Their methods are subtle, but they’ve left quite a few traces.”

“So what should we do?”

“Keep gathering evidence.” Shi Yancheng’s gaze was sharp. “Wait until they think they’re safe then we strike.”

Pei Song nodded. He trusted Shi Yancheng’s judgment. In business, timing was often more important than action itself.

The next morning, SNK Asia-Pacific held its quarterly high-level video conference.

Dozens of participant windows were neatly displayed on the screen, with senior executives from different regions and departments attending.

Halfway through, Zhou Feng glanced at the participant list and noticed an unfamiliar ID: Leon Schneider. This user had been online since the meeting started but remained muted the entire time.

As Hans, the vice president of Country D, presented a project report, he was uncharacteristically cautious, his usual arrogant demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Even his tone was restrained.

“For our Asia-Pacific investment strategy, we need a more conservative approach…”

Zhou Feng quickly sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere. Though Leon Schneider hadn’t spoken, his presence seemed to cast an invisible pressure over the entire meeting.

When it was time to report on the Starlight Plaza project, Zhou Feng instinctively slowed his speech.

“We’ve implemented many innovative strategies in this commercial plan…”

He highlighted key features, especially emphasizing the contributions of the young project manager, Pei Song.

Suddenly, the microphone icon next to Leon Schneider’s name flickered, then went silent again.

“Wait,” the Asia-Pacific CFO interrupted. “This project’s budget and planning seem too aggressive. Handing such a critical project to a newcomer, isn’t that too risky?”

Zhou Feng was prepared. “Although Pei Song is young, he has demonstrated strong expertise in the Jin Shang Xuan and Future Hotel projects. I’ve personally reviewed the Starlight Plaza plan. Every detail is solid.” He paused. “If the senior executives have concerns, I am willing to take full responsibility.”

In a luxury hotel suite, Shi Yancheng silently observed the screen. When he heard Zhou Feng publicly vouch for Pei Song, his brows furrowed slightly.

Given Zhou Feng’s position, openly backing a junior project manager in such a setting, this level of concern seemed excessive.