Zhu Ning returned to Runyuan and handed the documents in her hand to Cen Shen, asking him to verify the information on them.
Cen Shen agreed. The little maid beside her said, "Miss, there's a lead on Xiao Zailun's matter."
"So soon?"
"Yes." The little maid nodded. "Xiao Zailun is different from those old foxes in the core circle of Nine Chapters. He always leaves traces when doing things."
"I asked someone to check all the bank transactions of Xiao Zailun, his family, and his distant relatives over the years. Then I verified the information about the relevant cases mentioned in the document that day one by one. It's true as he said. He was also exploited in Nine Chapters. He didn't participate in any criminal activities. He still has a bottom line."
The little maid handed the evidence she had compiled to Zhu Ning.
Zhu Ning flipped through the pages one by one while the little maid explained each piece of evidence. Her explanation was clear and logical.
Xiao Zailun could be useful.
"It's a pity that those people in Nine Chapters are really cunning. All we can find out outside is unimportant."
"And all the people in Yaoyang who could be mobilized have already been dealt with. After a collective reshuffle, it's still quite difficult to find their weaknesses."
The only one with a slight loophole was Ni Fanyi, the former regional head in Shanghai. But after investigation, some of his problems seemed to have been deliberately covered up, making it impossible to dig deeper.
Zhu Ning nodded. As she was speaking, she suddenly remembered Chi Wannian, the sickly beauty, who had cut down Yaoyang with a single stroke, causing all the high - level executives to fall.
"Chi Wannian is really courageous."
The little maid thought for a while and nodded in agreement. "Indeed."
At that time, the battle between Jude and Yaoyang was at its peak. The forces in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou had launched attacks simultaneously. The inside - outside cooperation was seamless and tacit. This was the key reason for Yaoyang's withdrawal from Haicheng.
From this point of view, in the little maid's mind, Chi Wannian was not someone who couldn't handle things.
Zhu Ning returned the documents to the little maid and told Cen Shen, "Ask Xiao Zailun to come over."
Just as Cen Shen agreed, the maid in the villa came to report that Ding Haoye had requested an audience.
The little maid looked at Cen Shen. They exchanged glances, and there was deep disgust in their eyes.
Zhu Ning said, "We were just talking about Nine Chapters, and here comes the watchdog."
"Go and invite him in."
She wanted to see what Nine Chapters was up to.
A few minutes later, Ding Haoye came in from outside with a tall and strong foreign - looking bodyguard.
The little maid said, "He's a martial artist."
Zhu Ning raised her eyebrows. This was the first time the little maid had paid attention to someone else's bodyguard. "Is he very powerful?"
The little maid sized up the opponent's aura and steps, then calmly withdrew her gaze.
"He can't beat me."
Zhu Ning got the message.
Ding Haoye entered the living room with his specially - hired bodyguard. He immediately said, "Miss Zhu, how have you been? Are you comfortable living in this house? I heard that your property in Bund No. 1 is still under renovation. Do you want to stay at my place? It's no worse than here."
Zhu Ning said, "No need, Mr. Ding. Let's cut to the chase. What's the purpose of your visit?"
Ding Haoye then said with a smile, "I'm not here for anything else. I'm mainly here to give Miss Zhu a big gift."
Zhu Ning said, "Mr. Ding is so kind?"
Ding Haoye said, "Oh, Miss Zhu, you think too lowly of me. I have a conflict with Xiao Zailun, but I have no problem with you. I personally admire you very much and welcome you to Shanghai. And this big gift I'm giving you this time, if you miss it, you may regret it for the rest of your life!"
Zhu Ning sneered. "It's that serious? Then wouldn't I be at a great loss if I don't listen?"
"You're right. I really am bringing good news this time." Ding Haoye looked mysterious. "Great news!"
"Miss Zhu, congratulations. You've received an honor that others can only dream of. Chairman Li himself has given the order to allow you to join Nine Chapters!"
Zhu Ning leaned lazily on the sofa, propping her head up with her hand and slightly twitching the corner of her mouth.
Ding Haoye was both excited and arrogant, looking as if he shared the honor. "Miss Zhu, Nine Chapters never easily accepts external members. To join the club, one must go through layers of tests and selections. Someone once offered one billion yuan to apply for membership, but was rejected by Chairman Li Qingli.
"And you're the first one personally invited by Chairman Li to join! The most important thing is that Chairman Li said that you only need to pay 330 million yuan as the membership fee, and you can directly become a middle - level member and have the right to have a meal with him!
"You know, not everyone can have this honor, Miss Zhu. You're so lucky!"
After he finished speaking, he clasped his excited hands tightly and stared intently at Zhu Ning. He thought that with the influence of Nine Chapters, Zhu Ning would surely be excited and grateful when she knew about this honor.
But he was wrong.
A clear sneer came. Zhu Ning crossed her legs. The trouser legs on her slender and tall legs outlined her well - proportioned long legs. Her eyes were full of mockery.
"I'm really honored."
Ding Haoye was annoyed by her casual attitude. He forced a smile and said, "Miss Zhu is new here. Maybe you don't quite understand what it means to join Nine Chapters."
He sat up straighter and said pretentiously, "Well, let me put it this way. Looking at the whole of Shanghai, the pillar industries of the older generation and the current emerging young industries are almost all clients of our Chairman Li. There are many financial groups in Shanghai, but those that have remained prosperous for ten years and are still active in the business world, controlling the future flow of wealth, are few and far between. Nine Chapters is one of them!"
Seeing that Zhu Ning was still unmoved, he continued, "Miss Zhu, I must remind you that it's okay for you to make money in Shanghai, but it's difficult to make big money here!
"Especially since you're from a place like Haicheng. Oh, I don't mean that Haicheng is an insignificant small place." There was contempt hidden in Ding Haoye's expression. "It's just that compared with Shanghai, there's still a big gap.
"Moreover, the relationships here are more complicated. If you want to quickly enter the market, the only way is to join Nine Chapters. If you think you can rely on General Manager Pei, well, you're really wrong.
"Their Deep Sea is only involved in scientific research on chips. They don't have a strong foundation in Shanghai. Besides, scientific research is a money - burning business. If they don't produce results for a long time, no matter whether it's billions or tens of billions, it will all go down the drain! There's no comparison with our Nine Chapters.
"So if you don't seize this good opportunity now, you'll surely regret it in the future!"
Ding Haoye's eyes were arrogant, as if he was certain that Zhu Ning would be tempted.
But Zhu Ning still leaned lazily on the sofa, with a calm look in her eyes. "Li Qingli of Nine Chapters made his fortune by training dogs, right?"
"I guess it must have taken him decades of craftsmanship to make you, Mr. Ding, so loyal and devout."
"What did you say!"
Ding Haoye suddenly stood up from the sofa. "How dare you humiliate me!"
Zhu Ning propped her head up, looking calm. "Yes."
"Not convinced?"
She was so honest and arrogant, without any disguise.
I'm humiliating you. I'm scolding you.
What can you do?
Ding Haoye's chest heaved violently with anger. The anger in his eyes turned into a torch as he stared closely at Zhu Ning.
It seemed that in just one more second, he would swing his fist in anger. He took a deep breath and confirmed, "Miss Zhu, are you sure you've thought it through?"
"If you reject Nine Chapters, you won't be able to establish yourself in Shanghai on your own. Moreover," he sneered, "are you sure you can bear the cost of rejecting us?"
Ding Haoye warned, "I must remind you that in Shanghai, no one wants to be an enemy of Nine Chapters. Are you sure you want to be the one to stick your neck out?"
There was not a trace of fear in Zhu Ning's dark pupils. "What if I say yes?"
Ding Haoye said, "Then you're just seeking your own death!"
"You'll surely regret it!"
Zhu Ning sneered. "Really? I really want to see how I'll regret it."
"Someone, show the guest out!"
The maid in the house stepped forward. "Please, Mr. Ding."
Ding Haoye's face turned red and then pale.
With a look in his eyes, his bodyguard immediately understood and kicked out.
Speaking in broken Chinese, he cursed, "Get out of the way! Who do you think you are? How dare you block my boss's way? Are you looking for death!"
The maid let out a cry and fell to the ground, being kicked two or three meters away.
Zhu Ning's face suddenly turned cold!