Chapter 126: To Capture the Thief, First Capture the King

Su Xiaoling immediately beamed, saying, "This is little Lin Qianqian, a piano prodigy under my wing. I am absolutely fond of her; she has such immense talent that I just had to bring her over for a visit."

Upon hearing that the young girl was Su Xiaoling’s student, Qin Muxue quickly wore a warm smile and said, "Oh, so this is little Qianqian. Come, sit down, please."

Lin Qianqian flashed a sweet smile and replied, "Thank you, big sister."

As Lin Qianqian sat on the sofa beside Su Xiaoling, the hospitable Qin Muxue asked, "Qianqian, have you eaten yet?"

Lin Qianqian looked at Qin Muxue and smiled, "Big sister, please don't be so formal. I’ve already eaten."

"Have a little more anyway," Qin Muxue insisted sincerely.

Lin Qianqian waved her small hand, laughing, "No, really, thank you, but there’s no need."

"What a wonderful girl," Qin Muxue thought, smiling at Su Xiaoling. From both her appearance and her manners, it was clear that she was truly a lovely young lady.

Su Xiaoling then turned to Qin Muxue with a smile. "Sister Xue, let me tell you, I’ve been practicing the piano for over a decade, and I have never seen a girl as talented as Qianqian. She is destined to be a piano master."

Sitting beside her, Lin Qianqian blushed at the praise and said bashfully, "Teacher Su, please, don't keep praising me."

Su Xiaoling laughed, "Qianqian, I am only speaking the truth."

Lin Qianqian lowered her head, smiling shyly.

Seeing the atmosphere was just right, Chen Yang smiled at Su Xiaoling. "Xiaoling, since the mood is here, don't you have a piano in your room? Why don't you have the young beauty Qianqian play something for us?"

Su Xiaoling gave Chen Yang a sidelong glance. "You certainly have a lot to say."

"The topic was already on the table; I was just going with the flow," Chen Yang replied calmly.

Su Xiaoling thought about it and realized Chen Yang had a point. Since she had already boasted so much, not having Qianqian play would make it seem like she was just bragging. With that in mind, she looked at Lin Qianqian with a smile. "Qianqian, why don't you play a piece? Make sure to give it your best—don't make me look bad!"

Lin Qianqian gave a wry smile. "Teacher Su, do I really have to?"

Su Xiaoling raised an eyebrow. "Qianqian, I’m not forcing you. It’s entirely up to you."

Lin Qianqian blushed and nodded. "Alright then, I will play something."

"Good, good. Thank you, Qianqian," Su Xiaoling said, rubbing her hands together. She then looked at Qin Muxue and Chen Yang. "Sister Xue, you too—come in and have a listen."

"I’d be honored," Chen Yang said with a smile.

Qin Muxue also nodded. "Of course, we’d love to hear it. But Qianqian, just play your best; don't be nervous."

"Okay," Lin Qianqian replied with a confident smile toward Qin Muxue.

Chen Yang and Qin Muxue followed Su Xiaoling into her room, where a simple piano stood by the bed. Though modest, it had all the necessary keys and was perfectly playable.

Lin Qianqian sat gracefully on the stool, placed her slender fingers on the keys, and looked at Qin Muxue with a hint of shyness. "Sister Muxue, I hope you don't mind my humble performance."

Qin Muxue quickly replied, "Qianqian, don't be nervous. We’re just here to enjoy the music. Besides, aside from your teacher, none of us here are experts, so there’s absolutely no need to worry."

"Right," Lin Qianqian nodded gently, closed her eyes, and let her fingers dance across the keys.

As Lin Qianqian played with deep emotion, the beautiful melody filled the room. Su Xiaoling and Qin Muxue couldn't help but close their eyes to savor the music, while Chen Yang listened in silence with a faint smile.

Half an hour later, Lin Qianqian finished. Qin Muxue started clapping spontaneously, and Su Xiaoling walked over to pat Qianqian on the shoulder. "Qianqian, perfect! Simply perfect."

"It was a bit fast, wasn't it?"

Just as Su Xiaoling was basking in satisfaction, Chen Yang’s remark suddenly made her blood boil.

"What did you say?" Su Xiaoling glared at Chen Yang, looking down on him. In her eyes, Chen Yang had no qualifications to judge Lin Qianqian’s performance.

"I said it was a bit fast," Chen Yang said calmly.

"Chen Yang, what do you know? Stop spouting nonsense!" Su Xiaoling said indignantly.

Chen Yang continued with a smile, "Qianqian, next time you play this, try slowing the tempo down by a couple of beats. It will make the piece sound even better."

"Qianqian, don't listen to him. He doesn't know anything," Su Xiaoling said with disdain.

"I don't know anything? Are you sure?" A cold smirk played on Chen Yang’s lips. He wasn't one to hide his skills, and since Su Xiaoling insisted he was ignorant, he decided to show her. He walked over, sat down, and played the same piece—flawlessly, but at a slightly slower tempo.

When he finished, Lin Qianqian looked stunned, and Su Xiaoling wore a look of profound embarrassment.

Chen Yang stood up and clapped his hands. "Qianqian, try that tempo next time. It will be much better. You’re smart enough to understand what I mean."

Lin Qianqian nodded in surprise, then turned to Su Xiaoling and smiled. "Teacher Su, the friends you have around you are truly impressive."

"Indeed," Su Xiaoling said with an awkward laugh. "But you know, take the advice you find useful, and ignore the rest."

"Yes," Lin Qianqian nodded earnestly.

Sensing it was time to move on from the piano topic, Qin Muxue laughed, "Alright, let’s head out. You are both very talented."

"Yes, Qianqian, let’s go," Su Xiaoling said, putting an arm around her.

Lin Qianqian offered a complex smile, nodded, and followed Su Xiaoling out of the room.

Chen Yang followed them out. As he stepped into the hallway, he said calmly to Su Xiaoling, "Xiaoling, Qianqian is a real talent. You must teach her according to my method."

"Yes, I will," Su Xiaoling replied with a fake smile.

Chen Yang could tell she wasn't being sincere, but he didn't take it to heart. He was truly looking out for Qianqian; as for what Su Xiaoling chose to do, that was up to her.

The night passed in the blink of an eye.

The next morning, Chen Yang went to the Huading Company as usual. He hadn't been in his office long when his phone rang. He picked it up to see it was Lin Qianyao calling.

Chen Yang knew that a call from Lin Qianyao at this hour meant something significant had happened.

He answered, and heard Lin Qianyao’s tense voice. "General Manager Chen, something has happened, and it’s not minor."

"What is it?" Chen Yang asked calmly, though his curiosity was piqued by the shift in Lin Qianyao's tone.

Lin Qianyao said in a deep voice, "The assassin who took the bounty on Xu Tianmeng failed. According to the information from the assassin's side, Xu Tianmeng escaped."

"Xu Tianmeng’s current whereabouts are unknown, but there is an undercurrent of unrest in the Dongjiang City underworld. His subordinates seem intent on causing trouble for you to avenge their boss."

"Is that so? What kind of assassin is that weak? They couldn't even finish an assassination?" Chen Yang asked, annoyed.

Lin Qianyao replied, "I don't know. Usually, the identities of those who take the contracts are hidden."

"That’s not the point. The point is, what kind of 'undercurrent' are we talking about in Dongjiang?" Chen Yang asked, his eyes narrowing.

Lin Qianyao continued, "It seems Xu Tianmeng’s subordinates are conspiring to target you and me. Many in the underworld who were on good terms with Xu Tianmeng have joined their ranks."

"Is that so? So it looks like it’s come down to a fight to the death, then?" Chen Yang asked with a cold laugh.

"If this blows up, it’s going to be a massive event," Lin Qianyao said solemnly.

"Isn't that perfect? This is the perfect opportunity to reshape the power structure of the Dongjiang underworld," Chen Yang stated firmly.

"Reshape the power structure?" Lin Qianyao muttered, his expression complicated.

He understood Chen Yang's intent, but Xu Tianmeng had ruled the Dongjiang underworld for a decade. Eradicating his influence would be no easy feat. If Chen Yang was determined to do this, it would take immense effort with no guarantee of success.

Considering this, Lin Qianyao said gravely, "General Manager Chen, do you really want to be the boss of the Dongjiang underworld?"

"Yes. I want to be the one calling the shots. Why else would I spend so much money buying the martial arts hall and investing a hundred million in security funds? It’s to build my own power and gain absolute authority in the Dongjiang underworld," Chen Yang said, his eyes sharp.

Lin Qianyao frowned. "But it won't be easy. What is your specific plan?"

"How many of Xu Tianmeng’s subordinates are his core confidants? His right-hand men? Do you know?" Chen Yang asked.

Lin Qianyao apologized, "I'm sorry, I don't. But why do you need to know that?"

"To catch the bandits, you must first catch their leader. Since Xu Tianmeng isn't around, we start by taking out his confidants and his right-hand men," Chen Yang said, his gaze turning fierce.