chapter 23 deputy minister

Carena Xiang's unexpected move directly threw Manager Wen off balance. "Carena Xiang, you damned woman, don't push me!" Manager Wen's eyes were bloodshot as he hysterically shouted. "Push it! If you do, we'll die together!" Carena Xiang sneered. Her beautiful face contorted, displaying a fierceness even more intense than Manager Wen. Enraged, Manager Wen trembled all over and shouted, "Fine! Let's die together! I'm just a factory owner, but taking down the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate like you seems worth it!" After saying this, Manager Wen's thumb pressed down hard! But just then, a coin flew out of Baldwin Qi's hand, striking Manager Wen's wrist with a snap. The pain from the coin made Manager Wen release his grip, and the remote control in his hand fell to the ground. Carena Xiang's eyes were bloodshot. Just as Manager Wen tried to pick up the remote control, she swiftly drew a pencil from behind her ear and viciously stabbed it into Manager Wen's arm! "Ouch!" Manager Wen let out a wolf-like scream as blood spurted out. Baldwin Qi was now beside Manager Wen. With one palm strike to the back of Manager Wen's head. The scream stopped abruptly. Manager Wen's body slumped to the ground, unconscious. Carena Xiang, with her dishevelled hair and holding the bloody pencil, looked like a vengeful ghost. She stared at Baldwin Qi, panting heavily. "You can call the police now," Baldwin Qi calmly told the terrified secretary at the door, acting as if nothing had happened. Snapping back to reality, the secretary quickly dialled the police. Baldwin Qi bent down to pick up the coin, played with it in his hand, smiled at Carena Xiang, and said, "Shall we talk?" Carena Xiang took a wet wipe, slowly cleaned the blood off the pencil, then started to tidy up her hair. "I don't think I have anything to discuss with people related to Julius Xiang!" Carena Xiang replied coldly. "I'm not his man. In fact, he is under me. Well... someone I oversee," Baldwin Qi responded. Carena Xiang frowned, "Are you a prison guard?" Baldwin Qi nodded, "By a stroke of luck, I left the prison. Before I left, Julius asked me to look after you." Inserting the pencil back into her bun, Carena Xiang, with emotionless and sharp eyes, replied, "I don't need anyone to take care of me." Baldwin Qi said, "I really didn't want to get involved in all these messy affairs. But Julius was very obedient in prison, even helping me with many tasks. And, his life is nearing its end. That's why I agreed to his request." Upon hearing the news of Julius Xiang's impending death, a trace of indescribable emotion appeared in Carena Xiang's eyes, but she remained silent. Her gaze turned cold again, and she said, "Are you pitying me?" Baldwin Qi slightly shrugged, then shook his head, "You're in control of a billion-dollar conglomerate. Why would I pity you? The question is whether you can hold onto it or not..." Carena Xiang sneered, "What do you know?" "I know that you're currently being suppressed by Dragon Gate. I also know that the Xu family from the capital is planning to get involved. Even Cheyenn Yu seems interested in the Xiang Group's big piece of the pie," Baldwin Qi said nonchalantly. Baldwin Qi's first statement left Carena Xiang indifferent. The second one made her gaze waver slightly, and the third set off a storm within her heart. Carena Xiang took a shallow breath to calm herself down. The Xu family's involvement would only worsen the current situation. If influential figures like Cheyenn Yu from Hua Country got involved, the Xiang Group might not survive! "You're just a prison guard. How can you help me?!" Carena Xiang sat down, regaining her composure. Her phoenix eyes, filled with sharpness, sized up Baldwin Qi. "When your brother begged me for help, he was on his knees, tears and snot streaming down his face." Baldwin Qi responded without expression. Carena Xiang's eyebrows raised slightly. She despised Julius Xiang but knew he was proud and arrogant. Anyone who could bring him to his knees and cry for help couldn't be simple. Without waiting for Carena Xiang to respond, Baldwin Qi continued, "First, I need an employment notice. Any position will do, but it can't be too low." "Secondly, I won't use the company's resources, nor will I clock in at the company. I'll only help when you face a crisis." "Lastly, I want to tell you that life isn't just about hatred." Carena Xiang scoffed, "What do you know about love and hate?" After saying this, she took out a document, quickly signed it, and threw it in front of Baldwin Qi, coldly stating, "Deputy Head of Security. Leave your name and number, and then you can get out." Baldwin Qi looked at her cold demeanour, and an idea came to his mind to put her face against the desk. "Baldwin Qi?" Carena Xiang looked at the document in her hand and frowned slightly. "I hope you don't live up to your name. It'd be better if you're just an ordinary person." Carena Xiang sneered. Baldwin Qi ignored Carena Xiang's sarcasm and reached out to her, saying, "I need detailed information from you, to see how Dragon Gate has been suppressing you and to understand the operations of your group." Carena Xiang replied coldly, "No rush. We'll discuss it once you've formally joined." At that moment, the police arrived, taking away Manager Wen who had threatened Carena Xiang with a bomb. They also took a brief statement. The Xiang Group had significant influence. Even after such an incident, a few words from Carena Xiang were enough to settle things without a trip to the station. Carena Xiang handed Baldwin Qi's employment documents to her secretary for processing. Baldwin Qi flipped a coin in his hand and then turned to leave. "Wait." Carena Xiang called out to him. "Hmm?" Baldwin Qi turned his head. "How long does he have left?" Carena Xiang asked coldly. "I don't know, but not long." Baldwin Qi shook his head slightly and left Carena Xiang's office. When the office was empty, Carena Xiang stood up, turned to a bookshelf, and rotated a photo frame that was facing away from her. The photo was a family portrait. "Even you are leaving me? Who will I blame then?" Carena Xiang murmured, her lips tight, her fingers clenched so hard that her knuckles turned blue. After the secretary finished processing the employment formalities, Baldwin Qi took his work badge and left the Xiang Group. He had another matter to attend to: solving the problem of Zhonghai Bank's refusal to lend money to Qiao Group.