Bab 67: Chapter 67: The Tug of War between Justice and Fear
The noise in the coffee shop seemed to be isolated from the outside. Li Ming tightly grasped the piece of paper with the number on it, and his palms were sweating. Sun Shuijun's threats before leaving echoed in his ears, and fear entangled his reason like a vine.
After Dai Shiya left, Wei Qing looked at Li Ming worriedly. She knew that the appearance of Sun Shuijun made things more complicated. Li Ming was like a prey trapped in a spider web, and he would fall into the abyss if he was not careful.
"He needs more security." Wei Qing analyzed calmly, "Verbal promises alone are not enough to dispel his fears."
Dai Shiya nodded. She understood what Wei Qing meant. What Li Ming needed was not an empty guarantee, but a real security guarantee.
Back at the studio, Dai Shiya and Wei Qing took immediate action. They contacted lawyers to consult about the most comprehensive witness protection plan; they contacted security companies to assess risks and develop detailed security measures.
A detailed plan was soon presented to Dai Shiya, covering legal aid, personal safety, psychological counseling, and even going so far as to provide a new residence for Li Ming and his family to prevent Sun Shuijun's revenge.
Dai Shiya took a deep breath. She knew that this plan was Li Ming's only hope to get rid of his fear.
The next day, Dai Shiya contacted Li Ming again and sent him the plan. Li Ming looked at the dense text on his phone with mixed feelings. Dai Shiya's thoroughness and meticulousness touched him and gave him hope.
However, just when he made up his mind to stand up, Mr. Wu called him.
"Li Ming, I heard someone is asking about you." Mr. Wu's voice was low and threatening. "Remember, keep your mouth shut, otherwise..."
Mr. Wu didn't finish his words, but Li Ming was already terrified. He knew that Mr. Wu had begun to suspect him and that his every move was under his surveillance.
Fear was like a huge rock, pressing down on Li Ming's heart again. He deleted Dai Shiya's text messages, cut off contact with the outside world, and hid in the shadow of fear like a frightened bird.
"It seems that we still need to do something." Dai Shiya looked at the "read" notification sent by Li Ming and sneered, "Since they want to play, let's play big with them."
She picked up her phone and dialed a number. "Hello, help me check Sun Shuijun's recent movements, especially..."
The call Dai Shiya made was to Wei Qing. "...especially if there was any abnormal flow of funds." She added.
After hanging up the phone, Dai Shiya fell into deep thought. Li Ming's fear stemmed from the threats from Mr. Wu and Sun Shuijun, and behind the threats were interests. If they could shake their interest chain, perhaps they could break the deadlock. A bold plan gradually took shape in her mind.
"We need to take a risk." Dai Shiya said to Wei Qing, "I'm going to deliberately leak some information to Sun Shuijun."
Wei Qing frowned: "What do you want to do? This is too dangerous!"
"I know," Dai Shiya's eyes were firm, "but this is our only way. I want Sun Shuijun to think that I have a bigger backer behind me, so that he will be afraid and relax his control over Li Ming."
The first step of the plan was to create a false impression. Dai Shiya began to frequently visit some high-end places and deliberately met with several business tycoons. These were all "secretly photographed" by the arranged paparazzi, and the photos quickly spread on the Internet. At the same time, Wei Qing used technical means to "leak" some false information about the flow of funds to Sun Shuijun.
Sun Shuijun really took the bait. He saw Dai Shiya chatting and laughing with those business tycoons, and found out about the huge amount of money from unknown sources, and his heart couldn't help but beat. He originally thought that Dai Shiya was just a lucky inheritor, but he didn't expect that there seemed to be a more powerful force behind her. He began to doubt whether he underestimated his opponent, and began to worry that continuing to put pressure on her would bring more trouble.
A few days later, Li Ming contacted Dai Shiya again. His voice was still trembling, but his tone was more resolute. "I...I have made up my mind. I am willing to stand up and testify."
Dai Shiya was delighted, but she remained calm on the surface. "Have you thought it through? This is not a joke."
"I've thought it through." Li Ming's voice was full of strength. "I can't live in fear anymore. I... I still have a family, and I can't let them get hurt because of me."
Sun Shuijun's surveillance was indeed relaxed, and he put more energy into investigating Dai Shiya's so-called "backer", giving Li Ming a chance to breathe. Li Ming secretly came to Dai Shiya's studio and looked around nervously.
"Don't worry, it's safe here." Dai Shiya handed him a glass of water. "I know you're under a lot of pressure, but now you're safe."
Li Ming took a sip of water and gradually calmed down. He looked at Dai Shiya with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Miss Dai."
Dai Shiya smiled and took out a document from the drawer. "This document..." She paused and pushed the document in front of Li Ming, "It may change your life."
Li Ming flipped through the file with trembling hands. The file detailed evidence of Mr. Wu's commercial fraud over the years, as well as records of him instructing Sun Shuijun to defame Dai Shiya online. The last page was an agreement, promising that if Li Ming was willing to testify, he would receive a considerable amount of compensation, enough for him and his family to live a comfortable life, and Dai Shiya would help him arrange a new job, away from Mr. Wu's sphere of influence, to start anew.
Li Ming took a deep breath and looked at the contents of the document, with hope in his eyes. This was exactly the opportunity he had been dreaming of, to get rid of his fear and start over. He almost picked up the pen to sign, but at this moment, his cell phone rang.
The caller ID showed Sun Shuijun. Li Ming's hands shook and the phone almost fell to the ground. He hesitated whether to answer it, and Dai Shiya gave him an encouraging look. Li Ming gritted his teeth and answered the call.
"Li Ming, you'd better be honest! Don't think that Dai Shiya's little tricks can fool me!" Sun Shuijun's voice was as hissing as a venomous snake, "Do you think she will really help you? She is just using you! When she is done using you, she will kick you away. Then you will get nothing and offend Mr. Wu. Do you understand?"
Li Ming's face turned pale. Sun Shuijun's words were like a bucket of cold water that extinguished the fire of hope in his heart. His hand holding the phone trembled constantly, and cold sweat oozed from his forehead.
"I...I know..." Li Ming's voice was trembling and almost inaudible.
"It's good that you know!" Sun Shuijun's voice softened a little, "Don't be fooled by her false promises! You should know that only by following Mr. Wu can you have a better future! As long as you are obedient, I can forgive the past and give you a raise!"
Li Ming was silent, he was caught in a dilemma. On one side was the bright future promised by Dai Shiya, on the other side was the threat of Sun Shuijun and the power of Mr. Wu, he didn't know where to go.
Dai Shiya looked at Li Ming quietly without saying anything. She knew that any persuasion would be futile at this moment. She gave Li Ming enough time to think and weigh the pros and cons.
After hanging up the phone, Li Ming seemed to collapse and slumped in a chair. He covered his face with his hands and groaned in pain. After a long while, he raised his head, his eyes full of struggle and contradiction.
"I..." He looked at Dai Shiya, his lips trembling, but he still couldn't utter a complete sentence.
Dai Shiya stood up and walked to the window, looking at the bustling city outside with deep and firm eyes. She knew that Li Ming's choice would directly affect her next plan and her position in the family. But she did not rush Li Ming, but gave him enough time to think.
The room was silent, with only the ticking sound of the wall clock, as if knocking at Li Ming's heart.
"I..." Li Ming spoke again, his voice hoarse, "I need to... think about it again..."
He stood up and staggered out of the studio. Dai Shiya looked at his departing conscience, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She returned to her desk, turned on her computer, and began to work on the preliminary layout of the family power struggle. Files were spread out in front of her, and lines of data danced in her eyes.
The phone on the table suddenly rang. Dai Shiya answered the call and a deep voice came from the other end of the phone: "Miss Dai, the master wants you to go to the old house now."
After Li Ming left, Dai Shiya's office fell into a strange silence. The afterglow of the setting sun poured in through the French windows, casting long shadows on the floor. Dai Shiya stood by the window, tapping the glass lightly with her fingertips, her eyes solemn. Li Ming's hesitation was within her expectations. After all, Mr. Wu's power was intertwined, like a huge net, covering many small people like Li Ming, making them unable to resist and only choose to surrender.
Dai Shiya took a deep breath and turned back to her desk. She knew that she couldn't put all her hopes on Li Ming, and she had to be prepared for both situations. She turned on her computer and began to make preliminary arrangements for the family power struggle. Files were spread out in front of her, and dense text and data danced in her eyes. The struggle within the family was complicated, and everyone wore a mask to hide their own ambitions. Dai Shiya had to be cautious step by step to gain a foothold in this crisis-ridden wealthy family.
Her slender fingers quickly tapped on the keyboard, drafting a business counterattack plan against Mr. Wu. She wanted to use the resources at her disposal to gradually dismantle Mr. Wu's power and make him pay for his actions. At the same time, she also began to contact some reliable media people, preparing to make Mr. Wu's crimes public. She knew that the power of public opinion was enormous. Once Mr. Wu's scandal was exposed, he would face tremendous pressure and might even be ruined.
Wei Qing pushed the door open and came in with two cups of coffee in her hands. She placed one of the cups in front of Dai Shiya and asked with concern, "How is it? What did Li Ming say?"
Dai Shiya shook her head and sighed, "He is still hesitating. He is afraid of Mr. Wu's revenge, and he is also worried that I can't fulfill my promise."
Wei Qing sat down opposite her, took a sip of coffee, and said, "This is understandable. After all, he is just a small person and does not have the courage to fight against the powerful."
Dai Shiya nodded, with a firm look in her eyes: "I will give him time to think about it. I believe that justice will eventually triumph over fear."
The two were silent for a while, and Wei Qing suddenly asked: "Have you ever thought about what we should do if Li Ming finally chooses to remain silent?"
Dai Shiya raised her head, a gleam in her eyes: "I'm well prepared. Even without Li Ming's testimony, I can find other evidence to bring down Mr. Wu. But that will be more time-consuming and laborious."
She paused and continued, "Right now, I need to focus more on the struggle within the family. I'm afraid the master's sudden summons to see me is not a good thing."
At this moment, the phone on the table rang again. Dai Shiya looked at the caller ID and saw that it was an unfamiliar number. She hesitated for a moment, but still answered the call.
"Miss Dai, I'm the master's assistant. The master asked you to go to the old house right now. He has something important to discuss with you." The voice on the other end of the phone was respectful and indifferent.
Dai Shiya hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and stood up. She picked up her coat and said to Wei Qing, "It seems that a new storm is coming."
Wei Qing looked at her, her eyes full of worry: "Be careful, Shiya."
Dai Shiya nodded and turned to leave the office. She walked out of the door and walked towards the elevator with firm steps. The elevator door slowly closed, reflecting her cold and resolute face. As the elevator descended, Dai Shiya's phone vibrated and a text message popped up: Emergency family meeting, topic: redistribution of inheritance. Dai Shiya's eyes fixed...
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