The Cold White Moonlight Desires Me Every Day - Chapter 5

“The cook and the two cleaning ladies who work in shifts went to the basement under Aunt Yuan’s name,” Ruan Tang explained, defending them.

“Is that so…” Ni Yunshi’s sarcastic expression softened slightly.

True, I’ve never seen that old hag come to the basement herself.

Hiss, could it really not be her pulling the strings? Or have I gone mad from being locked up?

Could it be that Yuan Qingxue isn’t Sun Hongwei’s mole after all?

Confusion gradually clouded Ni Yunshi’s eyes, and her eating slowed considerably.

Across from her, Ruan Tang sat frozen in place.

Sun Hongwei, a former street thug who hadn’t even finished elementary school, had somehow risen to become the owner of Hongxin Group, the city’s leading enterprise.

While ostensibly collaborating with their company, he was secretly eyeing their project assets.

When Ruan Tang’s abusive father passed away, it was only her shrewd business acumen and timely return to the country that prevented Sun Hongwei from swallowing up the family’s entire fortune.

Now, Sun Hongwei remained her primary competitive target in the business world.

“Ni Yunshi, have you really been in the basement for the past six months?” Ruan Tang asked skeptically.

Her demeanor showed no signs of someone who had been cut off from the outside world for half a year.

Ni Yunshi rolled her eyes. “You’re the mastermind behind all this. Have you already forgotten?”

Ruan Tang fell silent.

Ni Yunshi continued, “With your behavior? You’ll squander your family fortune sooner or later and end up a stray dog again!”

Then I’ll exchange all the gold for money! I’ll pamper Tangtang and raise her like a princess! And I’ll sing love songs to her every day!

Ni Yunshi’s fingertip traced the gold chain around her neck, a smirk playing on her lips. Combined with her earlier words, the mockery was palpable.

Ruan Tang remained silent.

Suddenly, a soft cough broke the silence.

“Ahem!” Aunt Yuan descended the stairs, feigning a cough. “Miss Ni, your fever has just broken, and it’s cold today. You should dress more warmly.”

“Hmm?”

Both women snapped out of their reverie, voicing their confusion simultaneously.

The sheer, lightweight fabric offered no protection whatsoever.

One was accustomed to wearing such attire, while the other was used to seeing it. Neither had noticed anything amiss.

“Miss Ni, the new clothes we’ve prepared for you are in the closet,” Aunt Yuan reminded her.

Ni Yunshi didn’t respond, her face flushed as she stormed back into the basement.

The door slammed shut with a resounding bang, followed by muffled, frustrated yells.

Ruan Tang chuckled softly. “Well, at least she’s consistent.”

Aunt Yuan frowned. “Miss, it’s getting cold. You shouldn’t let her carry on like this.”

Ruan Tang’s smile vanished. She rose and, instead of heading upstairs to her bedroom or toward the basement, walked toward the study.

“Miss, it’s almost dawn. Aren’t you going to rest?” Aunt Yuan asked, puzzled.

“I need to check something. Have the food sent to the basement,” Ruan Tang said, gesturing to the bowl of noodle soup on the table before disappearing into the study.

The employment records of all the household staff were stored in the study.

Ruan Tang flipped through the files, eventually focusing on a cleaning lady.

This cleaning lady was the maternal aunt of Qin Qi, a senior executive at the company. Qin Qi’s previous employer had been Hongxin Group, and he had switched jobs for a higher salary.

The next day.

Tangzhao Group’s board of directors’ office.

Qin Qi presented the documents for the new project. “President Ruan, here are the latest progress reports and assessment results. Due to the tight deadline, the data is still incomplete.”

Ruan Tang accepted the folder but didn’t open it. “This project is canceled. We’re not proceeding with it. We’ll let Hongxin Company take it.”

“Wh-what?”

The sudden announcement stunned Qin Qi into instinctive panic.

“Why? President Ruan, we’ve been preparing for this for two months! How can we abandon it? And give it to our competitor?”

Qin Qi argued, flipping open the folder himself.

“The initial investment for this project is substantial, but the long-term benefits are excellent. Please reconsider—we absolutely can’t let this go!”

Ruan Tang still didn’t look at the documents. Instead, she stared intently at Qin Qi. “Are you genuinely concerned about the company’s profitability and growth, or are you afraid of failing the mission your former employer gave you?”

Her cold, probing question sent a chill through Qin Qi. His hesitation confirmed Ruan Tang’s suspicions.

“President Ruan, although I came from Hongxin Group, I…”

“Before you speak, compare the data I personally gathered during my investigation with the data you provided.” Ruan Tang turned her computer screen toward Qin Qi.

A data analyst’s job typically involves two types of challenges: routine errors and unexpected crises.

Even with the most outlandish projections, multiple analyses using the same model usually converge on similar outcomes.

But this time, Ruan Tang’s data analysis differed dramatically from the report Qin Qi had submitted.

“Not only is the overall analysis fundamentally flawed, but the downstream partners for this project are also highly problematic. Most are shell companies. This isn’t the kind of mistake a senior manager like you should be making.”

Qin Qi was speechless.

Before he could respond, Ruan Tang immediately called the HR director.

“Process Qin Qi’s termination from Project Division One. All compensation should be handled according to company policy.”

“President Ruan! Please, don’t fire me! I know so much! I can help you keep Sun Hongwei in check!” Qin Qi pleaded frantically.

Ignoring him, Ruan Tang then called Legal Affairs. “Hongxin Group is suspected of illegal competition against our company. Prepare for an investigation and lawsuit. Follow standard procedures.”

Qin Qi’s face paled, then flushed with rage. He slammed his hand on the table and spat out a venomous threat: “Ruan Tang! You’ll regret this!”

“Regret firing you? And then get poisoned at dinner tonight?” Ruan Tang retorted coldly, finally meeting his gaze.

“Oh, I forgot to mention, Qin Qi. Your distant relative was arrested yesterday for theft. He’ll likely be serving his sentence next month.”

With that, Ruan Tang clasped her hands under her chin, her thin, rosy lips curving into a radiant smile, like a rare sunflower blooming under the sun.

Qin Tao’s entire body stiffened with cold. Only after he retreated from the office and stepped into the elevator did he realize his legs were trembling uncontrollably.

Throughout the day, every department at Tangzhao Group halted work for inspections.

In addition to the company’s internal audits, the Bureau of Industry and Commerce also joined the investigation.

Led by Qin Qi, several employees—both close associates and those from various hierarchical levels—were taken in for questioning.

Hongxin Group was also summoned for interrogation.

News of unfair competition dominated the city’s headlines.

When Sun Hongwei emerged from questioning and saw the news, he nearly exploded with rage.

“Boss, the company is swarming with media right now. Should we address this immediately, or should I take you home to lay low for a while?” his assistant asked.

“Lay low? Without financial manipulation, business news can’t compete with celebrity scandals! That little b1tch has left me no room to maneuver!” Sun Hongwei snarled through gritted teeth.

By now, paparazzi were likely lying in wait near his home.

“Then what should we do now?” the assistant asked, looking troubled.

“She wants to play by the book? Fine, we’ll handle this by the book too!” Sun Hongwei sneered.

He had meticulously planned this scheme, intending to boil the frog slowly.

Now that Ruan Tang had walked into her own trap, he wouldn’t hesitate to strike swiftly and ruthlessly.