Chapter 386 - 385: The Bai Family Again?

Words : 1415 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 386: Chapter 385: The Bai Family Again? Lin Tian had seen an array of high-protection devices during this period, including the cockpit doors on airplanes, and the underground laboratory of the Xiao Group. These places all used ultra-high-strength alloys, so he had a certain understanding of these high-strength alloys, having even personally torn an alloy plate with his hands on an airplane. Through his penetrating gaze, Lin Tian instantly noticed the differences in the material of the safe. Firstly, the density was significantly inferior, and moreover, there were air bubbles inside the alloy. The most outrageous thing was that there were seams on the safe. Safes are supposed to be molded as a single unit; seams meant that any ordinary person could cut through it with a cutting torch. At that moment, the staff inside also noticed the presence of Lin Tian and his group. A middle-aged man who looked like a foreman came over and said politely, "President Xiao, why have you come as well? Such a minor project hardly requires your personal attention." "I brought Mr. Lin over to take a look," Xiao Manxue said noncommittally. "Mr. Lin? Which Mr. Lin?" The foreman was momentarily stunned, then turned to look at Su Qingqing. He had just met this girl, and she wasn’t a Lin, so she obviously wasn’t Mr. Lin. Could it be this young man? But the young man was dressed in a school uniform, clearly still a student. Where would the title of Mr. Lin come from? The middle-aged foreman was truly perplexed, unable to associate the young man in front of him with a company president. However, after many years in society and having secured projects from the Xiao Family, he knew his place. Moreover, anyone who could come along with Miss Xiao wasn’t to be taken lightly, so he didn’t show any disdain. Lin Tian had no intention of introducing himself, and Xiao Manxue didn’t seem inclined to introduce him either. She simply asked directly, "There’s no problem with this batch of equipment, right?" "Of course, there’s no problem, our company has cooperated with the Xiao Family more than once, our reputation is guaranteed, so please rest assured, President Xiao," the foreman reassured with a smile, almost as if he was ready to guarantee it by thumping his chest. The miss, of course, wasn’t going to leave it at his word alone. She cast a glance at Lin Tian, meaning to ask him to check if there were any issues. Xiao Manxue trusted Lin Tian’s judgment almost unconditionally, not to mention his flawless track record in gambling on stones, as well as his knack for spotting details others often overlooked. Lin Tian acknowledged her with a wink and then went over to pretend to knock and tap here and there. The foreman had merely been saying polite words, not truly thinking that the Xiao Family would waive the inspection, so he did not object to Lin Tian’s examination. However, one of his subordinates furrowed his brow, staring intently at Lin Tian with small eyes that harbored a strange expression. "You’re the one in charge here, right? May I ask how to address you?" Lin Tian asked casually while continuing his inspection. "My humble name is Bao Chengyun. May I know if the gentleman has any advice?" The foreman did not understand Lin Tian’s intention, but replied politely nonetheless. "What brand of safes are you installing, and how is their protective performance?" Lin Tian asked, still tapping on the safe without betraying his feelings. Bao Chengyun’s subordinate had a strange expression which Lin Tian had already noticed. The thin man was standing by himself, seeming not too in sync with the other workers. Now, Lin Tian took another look, and his strange expression seemed one of unease. The foreman had yet to answer when the thin man spoke up first, "We’re using an internationally renowned brand, Hengdun. High-temperature flame cutting torches can’t cut through it, and bullets can’t penetrate it, the quality is absolutely guaranteed. Tapping like you are doing won’t reveal anything. It’d be better to let me inspect it." His words implied that Lin Tian’s method of checking was too amateurish and that it was a waste of time. "Oh? From the sound of it, you seem to be quite the expert in this area. May I ask your name?" Lin Tian asked, unruffled. Worried about offending the Xiao Family, Bao Chengyun hurriedly said, "Heh, his name is Zhao Ming, a new assistant we hired, in charge of the safe work. Originally, someone from our company was in charge of this project, but unluckily he got injured and was hospitalized, and just then someone recommended him. He’s quite professional, so we let him fill in temporarily." So he joined partway through the project—that explained why he didn’t fit in with the other workers. Lin Tian glanced at him, things becoming clearer. But a member of the installation team being injured and hospitalized right at the critical moment was too much of a coincidence. If there were nothing wrong with the safe, Lin Tian wouldn’t have cared about such a person at all, but the fact that the safe had a problem, and that this newcomer, Zhao Ming, was in charge, was too coincidental. Things that are too coincidental are often not normal. "Oh, so he just joined? He says the safe is fine, but I feel there are some issues," Lin Tian stated bluntly, staring at his face. As expected, Zhao Ming’s face twitched visibly, the unease in his eyes growing more apparent. This man’s psychological quality was too poor; Lin Tian sneered to himself. A mere sentence had unraveled his composure; if one were to infiltrate and sabotage, they should at least find someone with stronger nerves. "Lin Tian, is there really a problem? The Xiao Family has worked with this company before without issues. You’re saying if it’s just this newcomer causing trouble, the batch of safes weighs quite a lot. It would be impossible for him to swap them out alone, could it be that someone arranged for him to come in and sabotage it? And there’s someone backing him!" Xiao Manxue leaned in close to Lin Tian and whispered softly. "Miss is really clever, the jewelry industry of the Xiao Group is undergoing such major restructuring; who in the same line of work wouldn’t know or understand? And with the high-grade jade worth billions obtained at the Zhonghai City Gambling Stone Festival, the Xiao Family has probably become a thorn in the side of the competition. The phrase ’competition breeds enmity’ is apt here; they must be green with envy, and who do you think would be the most envious?" Lin Tian analyzed slowly, with a smile that hinted he knew more than he let on. "The Bai Family! Are you saying the Bai Family is up to some behind-the-scenes mischief?" Xiao Manxue immediately thought of the Xiao Family’s rival, exclaiming in surprise. Since their return from the Zhonghai City Gambling Stone Festival, the Bai Family had been conducting business very discreetly, only interacting with the Japanese, but without any significant movements. Moreover, lately, Xiao Manxue had been too busy to pay attention, and the Xiao Family no longer relied on the Bai Family’s supply of raw jade, so she subconsciously overlooked the Bai Family’s presence. "I don’t know if it’s the Bai Family, but it’s very likely related to them. And do you think this is just a small move? I suspect they’re plotting something bigger, they might even sabotage our new store opening day. The issue with the safes is just setting the stage for something bigger," Lin Tian said with a cold laugh. "What should we do?" Xiao Manxue asked, but she blushed immediately after speaking because with Lin Tian present, she always subconsciously relied on him, and she realized that this dependency appeared to be deepening. What to do? Lin Tian just smiled, gestured for her to remain calm, the primary issue at hand was, of course, the current batch of safes. However, with the Bai Family making several secretive moves, even though they could not pin anything directly on them, it was time to think of a way to collect some ’interest,’ wasn’t it? Lin Tian’s smile turned cold, his gaze seeming to penetrate the building, looking directly at the Bai Family’s jewelry store across the street. New novel chapters are published on free(w)ebnovel(.)com

Chapter 386 - 385: The Bai Family Again?

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