Chapter 82: Ma Liang's True Identity Exposed

Wang Xinrou and Ouyang Bingbing both possessed a natural talent and keen instinct for business—there was no doubt about it. A letter from a little girl they sponsored mentioned wild vegetables, natural wild greens, and immediately the two women saw a tremendous business opportunity.

Society was advancing at a breathtaking pace, but environmental issues had become equally grave. In such heavily polluted times, finding anything truly natural was a challenge bordering on impossible. Yet, some wild vegetables, rich in nutrients, had become exceedingly popular—their prices were exorbitant, making them almost a luxury commodity.

If Qinghai possessed such resources, and they could be harnessed, it would undoubtedly open a lucrative path.

“I don’t know the details yet. I’ll need to write a few more letters,” Ouyang Bingbing said softly.

“There’s no rush, Bingbing. We have money now… Let me tell you, Brother Hetian somehow came up with two billion, and invested it all into my company! As long as it's feasible, funding will not be an issue. Your philanthropic ambitions can be fulfilled,” Wang Xinrou replied with a smile. “Only real, sustainable industry can truly help them.”

“I understand. That’s why I need to clarify things first, then consider the next steps,” Ouyang Bingbing nodded.

“No hurry!” Wang Xinrou laughed. “Got any targets in the stock market lately?”

“It’s not that easy! I’m using every spare moment to educate myself. Now that I have capital to operate, I realize just how limited my knowledge really is!” Ouyang Bingbing confessed.

“Keep striving to make money! I know your ideals… But only with enough money can you help more people, my angel of compassion,” Wang Xinrou said with a smile.

“You have to help me when the time comes!” Ouyang Bingbing said earnestly.

“Of course! Don’t worry,” Wang Xinrou assured her. “I’m a caring person too—surely you know that!”

“Hehe, just a little less than me!” Ouyang Bingbing replied with a laugh.

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Ma Liang.

He was the director of the Student Entrepreneurship Office at Tianhai University. Sadly, though he bore a magical name, there was nothing magical about him. Short, plump, and nearly bald, he was the picture of mediocrity. Were it not for his respectable job, he would be the purest definition of a loser.

But his position elevated him. All he had was courtesy of a woman even more remarkable—his wife. But one couldn’t deny that Ma Liang’s possessions afforded him a comfortable life. He had money, a car, a house, and power.

Never underestimate the Student Entrepreneurship Office. It was not only tied to countless aspiring student entrepreneurs, but also closely linked to various social foundations. Most financial transactions passed through his hands; even if not massive sums, the small amounts accumulated into impressive numbers.

Now, he resided in a luxurious five-star hotel. On the bed lay a charming young woman, barely in her twenties—a university student. Though Ma Liang had already been with her, she was no longer a virgin, but what did it matter? Her figure, her vitality, her youthful scent—Ma Liang was more than satisfied. She was far superior to the nagging wife he had at home.

Ma Liang popped a pill into his mouth and mounted the girl, ready for another round.

Just then, the hotel room door slid open silently.

Ma Liang sensed something amiss and turned, instantly pale with shock.

“Who are you? How did you get in? Get out!” Ma Liang tried to steady himself, but his current posture hardly matched his attempt at composure.

A flashbulb went off.

Ma Liang panicked, immediately rolling off the girl and covering both himself and the dumbfounded student with the duvet.

“Director Ma… Do you really think this will help?” The visitor was Lan Ji. Her makeup disguised her appearance.

“What… what do you want?” Ma Liang stammered.

Her actions and tone said everything. Ma Liang’s heart leapt into his throat. He imagined the consequences—if his wife learned of all this… she might, in her fury, strip him of everything he owned.

“What do you think I want? If these photos were sent to Madam Gui, what do you think would happen?” Lan Ji smiled sweetly, though her eyes betrayed undisguised disgust.

She loathed such scum. If she had her way, she’d end his life right then and there—spare the world further harm. But she remembered Hetian’s words: this was a civilized society, and its rules must be respected. One must use strategy.

Lan Ji believed that sometimes, punishing a person could be far more effective than simply killing them—making them suffer more.

“W-what do you want? H-how much do you need?” Ma Liang trembled.

“Ten million!” Lan Ji smiled, Ma Liang’s reaction exactly as Hetian had predicted.

“T-ten million… I don’t have that kind of money!” Ma Liang’s face twisted in misery. Ten million—that was astronomical for him.

“A five-star hotel, and you don’t have ten million?” Lan Ji laughed. “Then I’ll just send the photos to your wife.”

“No, please, five million! That’s all I have!” Ma Liang gritted his teeth.

“Five million? You expect me to believe that?” Lan Ji looked at him with contempt.

“No, truly, that’s all I have! If you give me time, I could scrape together eight million! Anything more is impossible!” Ma Liang pleaded.

“Ten million. Not a penny less. You have twenty-four hours. If my account doesn’t increase by ten million, you can imagine the consequences,” Lan Ji tossed him a card with an account number—astonishingly, a Swiss bank account.

Ma Liang saw it and felt his hopes vanish. She had come prepared—no question about it. He racked his brains, wondering who could be targeting him so ruthlessly, but he could not figure it out.

“You can call the police… truly, you can call them. But I guarantee, before they find me, your wife will have these photos. Of course, you can choose not to believe me. It doesn’t matter. If I can slip in here unnoticed, I can get into any hidden place you might have. I’m sure I could discover your other secrets—or perhaps, send you straight to prison? Actually, I think that’s a good idea,” Lan Ji said with utmost seriousness.

Ma Liang’s face showed undisguised terror. Every word Lan Ji said struck fear in his heart. Yes—someone who could enter so quietly could easily access other secret places.

“Twenty-four hours. Ten million. I’ll give it to you, I swear! Just promise you’ll keep your word,” Ma Liang pleaded.

“I always keep my word. Once I get the money, I’ll destroy the photos. I only want the cash,” Lan Ji replied with feigned sincerity.

According to Hetian’s plan, this was only the first step…

Lan Ji left with poise. As for the hotel’s surveillance cameras—by ‘chance,’ they captured no footage of Lan Ji entering or leaving Ma Liang’s room.

Ma Liang lay trembling on the bed.

“Director Ma… what about my grant?” The student asked softly.

“Grant? Nonsense! Get out! Get out!” Ma Liang now found no allure in the young woman’s presence.

The student dared not defy Ma Liang—she could only curse him silently, comforting herself that a night with this pig was just bad luck.

“Ten million! Damn it, where am I supposed to get ten million?” Ma Liang paced the room, naked.

After a long while, he picked up the phone and dialed a number.

“Boss Liu, yes, it’s Old Ma. Do you have a minute? I need something. Good, wait for me, I’ll be right there,” Ma Liang hung up, dressed, glanced at the bank account number, his expression twisted with anxiety.

He tucked the card away. He couldn’t afford a scorched earth approach—he had to weather this crisis, preserve what he had. Later, he could make up for the loss.

Lan Ji drove back to Tianhai University. Hetian and Wang Xinrou had just finished class, Ouyang Bingbing walking with them.

Hetian looked at Lan Ji.

Lan Ji signaled that everything was proceeding as planned.

Hetian was amused. That Director Ma—how blind could he be? He had tried to take advantage of Wang Xinrou. If Hetian didn’t make him lose everything, how could he compensate for the distress Wang Xinrou had suffered?

“Let’s go see Yingying!” Wang Xinrou said cheerfully.

“Lan Ji, you go with Xinrou,” Hetian said with a smile. “I have something to do and won’t be joining you.”

“You? Busy again? Why so many things?” Wang Xinrou eyed Hetian suspiciously.

“It’s important, really!” Hetian replied helplessly.

“All right then! Bingbing, come on, let’s leave him alone,” Wang Xinrou slipped her arm around Ouyang Bingbing and got into the car.

Lan Ji started the engine and drove them straight to the food street.

Hetian left Tianhai University and flagged down a taxi.

“To the airport.”

Someone was arriving.

Hetian needed to pick them up.

He felt a little excited—counting Lan Ji, these seven people were companions from different stages of his life. Seeing them again, Hetian could not help but feel a surge of emotion.