Chapter 145: Bai Fujin
The sun in winter is always a bit lazier than at other times, but at this moment, a few streaks of fish-belly white still appeared in the sky, signaling that night was about to be dispelled, waking birds were about to eat, and early-rising worms were about to suffer…
It also meant a new day had begun.
“I really wish the night were longer.”
The young girl tightened her trench coat and stood up lightly, her phoenix eyes, which had almost never shown a smile, narrowed slightly, seemingly holding a faint hint of sadness.
Her name is Bai Fujin, she is nineteen years old this year, and possesses all the conditions of a normal girl in her prime, but she does not have a life that matches them.
To avoid any misunderstanding among those reading this, I must mention beforehand that she actively sought this life; no one forced her.
In fact, those around her, whom she values and cherishes, hoped that Bai Fujin would live like a normal girl, grow up safe and healthy, complete her studies, marry, and have children.
Those were their expectations for her…
But Bai Fujin is excellent, as we can see from the three phone calls mentioned earlier; she is truly excellent, whether as an ordinary nineteen-year-old girl in her prime, or as the daughter of the current head of Bai. This is equally true.
So, despite her privileged background, never-ending supply of food and clothing, using unreleased custom phones that countless people eagerly awaited, receiving enough gifts each year to exhaust a platoon of delivery drivers, and driving a sports car whose wheels even Yi Dong could only drool over and long to touch, she was still not happy.
This is not being overly sensitive; it’s just that what each of us desires is different.
Bai Fujin possesses an impressive family background, a brilliant mind, striking beauty, a healthy body, outstanding talent, and… an ambition that matches her talent.
This is perfectly normal, absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.
Having the skill to win races in F1 but driving a bus, having the ability to swindle millions in minutes but reading palms, having top-tier technical skills but being obsessed with creating free sexy mod resources—these are the abnormal ones.
To be honest, if this young girl were given a platform where she could fully utilize her abilities, her future would undoubtedly be limitless…
But this is, after all, only a hypothetical.
Reality, however, is a twisted and cruel thing; examples of unfulfilled talent are not uncommon. Schubert’s Serenade was a masterpiece, but at the time, it only earned him a pot of braised beef with potatoes.
The reality in history is always ironic, and the irony of the present will become new history, for future generations to sigh over.
For Bai Fujin, the fact that she is a 'girl' is itself ironic.
Even though she is not a lesbian, and even though she likes pretty clothes, exquisite jewelry, and cute dolls, she still dislikes her gender.
Because the words 'girl' limited her abilities and talents.
Being overshadowed by one's inherent gender is a pain more distressing than unfulfilled talent or pure poverty.
A destitute literary genius, despite dreaming of making a name for himself, would at least have the hope of 'being able to eat a full meal today.'
But Bai Fujin, who lacks nothing, clearly has no such hope…
This is very sad.
Perhaps some might wonder why the identity of 'female' could become a burden for someone of extraordinary talent. The reasons for this are not complicated at all…
Bai is a very large conglomerate, a family business with a long history, deep background, and firmly established roots.
Yes, a family business managed for generations.
Despite having numerous advantages such as connections, experience, and foundation, this type of family-run entity also has some drawbacks, such as absurd, inexplicable, outdated, and decaying rules and ideas passed down from ancestors.
For example, that Feng Shui is very important, that business should be conducted with integrity, that women cannot manage the household, and so on…
Except for the first point, which does have some mystical logic, the latter two are simply preposterous.
But some people stubbornly believe in these things, not only believing them but also happily passing on these laughable 'rules' from generation to generation, thinking that their current vast enterprise is entirely due to their adherence to rules and never forgetting their original intentions.
Bai Fujin scoffed at this…
But she could only scoff.
Her family’s stubbornness was simply unreasonable; a few years ago, she still hopefully argued with reason, but the result was only a barrage of eye-rolls and indifference.
A stubborn and rigid father, a weak and timid mother, fence-sitting elders…
And her brother, who, though somewhat intelligent, had no ambition whatsoever.
The world in their eyes was terrifyingly narrow; clearly, from every angle, Bai Fujin's abilities far surpassed her brother's, yet no one was willing to focus their attention on the young girl.
Actually, she didn't ask for much.
The position of a senior consultant, the head of a peripheral industry, or even just a powerless position within the company—no one would give her any of these.
To grow up without worries about food and clothing, then find a good person to marry, and live a peaceful, uneventful life.
Everyone would tell her this…
Her so-called friends even teased her, 'Oh, oh, at least you don't have to marry some rich family's useless young master like in TV dramas, Miss Bai, you're already very happy!'
Bai Fujin found all of this ridiculous…
She believed her situation was no different from a painter with severed hands, a deaf musician, or a chef with a dysfunctional tongue.
She wanted to prove herself.
But struggle and protest only brought repeated disappointment and frustration.
So, a few years ago, she changed her strategy: no longer 'negotiating' with those stubborn elders, and no longer 'protesting' in various forms, but instead secretly persuaded her brother, and then became his shadow…
A chilling shadow.
Unlike Bai Fujin, her brother, at just twenty years old, had already been given a rather influential position within the group for training purposes, and both the power and budget at his disposal were far beyond what she could compare to.
That’s right, his card held funds and budgets, while Bai Fujin’s card held living expenses or pocket money…
Neither was a small sum, but the concepts were entirely different.
However, her brother, while not a complete fool in this regard, was merely mediocre; he wouldn't be lost in the crowd, but he wouldn't stand out either. He wouldn't lose much, but he wouldn't gain much either. Bai Fuxi had three shining qualities: first, he knew how to spend money; second, he understood women particularly well, at least how to court them; and third, he had a strong sense of self-awareness.
Thanks to that self-awareness, he agreed to Bai Fujin becoming his shadow that year.
Then, everything began to change…
Although still without much authority, Bai Fujin, given only a small amount of resources, did not disappoint her brother at all. She sought advantages and avoided harm, had keen insight, and was meticulously cautious…
She was ruthless and unscrupulous!
She knew who was suitable as an ally, who was a fence-sitter, who was bold and reckless, and who harbored ill intentions…
She knew how to offer incentives, how to set traps, how to lure people in, and how to nip problems in the bud!
She grasped both human nature and human hearts with exceptional precision, then found their weaknesses, and achieved her goals through those who were exploitable, incidentally turning those without value into nourishment, extracting benefits or eliminating them as the situation demanded.
Sprinkling salt on a 'partner' whose intermediate transfer had issues, secretly persuading several major shareholders to withdraw capital to push them into despair, and finally, while revealing her fangs to devour them, incidentally eliminating a few restless or overly foolish people from this cruel game—such operations seemed as simple as breathing to her.
As for whether those who discovered they were betrayed would jump off a building to end their sorrows, that was not within her consideration.
Only winners will be remembered by others, will have a voice, and will be valued!
Losers even need to watch others' expressions just to breathe!
This was the world in Bai Fujin's eyes.
Integrity?
That's a virtue only necessary when being discovered as untrustworthy would lead to a loss of profit.
Morality?
Vicious and despicable methods are merely tools, and tools have no virtue. When cost-effectiveness differs, all methods serve 'correctness,' regardless of good or evil.
Law?
That is a pair of awe-inspiring eyes of Justice, so seizing the moment of its 'blink' and learning how to make it look at one's opponents is very important. Yes, the law is very important, so it's also important to be willing to invest in eye drops and blindfolds.
Under these principles, Bai Fujin, in just a few years, rapidly expanded several medium-sized industries managed by her brother, and completely eliminated those competitors, whether innocent and lovely or despicable and shameless, leaving only a few 'friends' who still had some residual value.
Everything was done cleanly and efficiently, making Bai Fuxi a star without leaving any leverage!
A star in the business world, a star in the family!
He was lauded with many titles such as young and promising, balanced, and a born genius.
And Bai Fujin continued to live obediently as before, like a cute mascot.
She was awaiting the day of her victory…
She didn't aspire to a position in the family core or as an heir; as long as she could be recognized by those around her, as long as she could have a small world where she could fully display her talents, such a victory would be enough for her.
“It should be soon, when Brother is completely established as the next heir…”
She smiled faintly, then gently stretched her lithe body in the morning sun, put her phone in her pocket, picked up her teacup, and walked into the villa.
“I’ll take it.”
A long-haired girl standing by the terrace smiled at Bai Fujin and took the cup and tray from her hand: “Miss, you didn’t play for very long yesterday either~”
“Thanks, A Qing.” Bai Fujin smiled sweetly and shrugged her thin shoulders: “After all, I still have serious business to attend to. Also, I’ve told you many times, just call me Fujin.”
The girl called A Qing curtsied and nodded with a smile: “Yes, Miss, understood, Miss.”
“You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you?” Bai Fujin reached out and pinched the other’s small, doll-like face, asking as she walked towards the bedroom: “Later, help me call Brother and tell him that An’an Fund and Zhao Guangming will be dealt with soon.”
A Qing, following behind her, nodded, then softly asked: “Are you sure Dai An’an won’t come looking for trouble? Didn’t you suggest to her before…”
“She’s already lost all her parents’ capital; how could she be in the mood to come bother me?” Bai Fujin pushed open the door to the spacious bedroom, taking off her trench coat as she laughed: “But if my good sister really wants to talk to me, just tell her I’m busy right now, and then ask if she’s free to have dinner next week?”
A Qing was stunned for a moment: “What if she says she is free?”
“She won’t be free.” Bai Fujin turned back and winked at A Qing: “After all, the net of Justice is vast…”
“Uh, I understand.” A Qing gave her Miss an admiring thumbs-up: “You’re really, really amazing!”
By this point, Bai Fujin, who had already taken off her shirt and was only wearing a fitted undergarment, gave a wry smile and took the bathrobe offered by A Qing: “Is that so? If I were really amazing… I wouldn’t have such small ambitions.”
“Everyone will definitely recognize Miss!” A Qing said decisively, then thoughtfully changed the topic: “By the way, Miss, I unlocked a new profession yesterday!”
“Ah~ Is that so? How amazing.” The young girl, as if stepping out of a painting, threw herself onto the bed, rolled around adorably, and then propped her chin on her hands, asking with a chuckle: “Much stronger than me.”
A Qing chuckled awkwardly: “Miss, your comfort is really too clumsy; it’s better to just tell me the truth and discourage me.”
“I’m telling the truth.” Bai Fujin said seriously: “You really are much stronger than me.”
“Hmph, I don’t believe it.” A Qing wrinkled her nose: “Impossible, after all, Miss, you’re so amazing.”
Bai Fujin smiled slightly: “Then have you reached level ten yet?”
“Of course I’ve reached level ten!” A Qing sat beside Bai Fujin, gently massaging her neck, and mumbled: “Miss, have you already left me far behind now…”
Bai Fujin comfortably narrowed her eyes, burying her face in the soft duvet, and muffled her reply: “No, I’m not even halfway to where you are.”
“Huh?” A Qing was immediately stunned, saying with an incredulous expression: “Impossible, Miss, you’re so excellent, how could you be less than level five by now? It makes no sense at all!”
“It’s true, so don’t guess wildly, I’m very weak~”
“Then tell me your name?”
“Hmm, I’ll think about it…”
“Please, please! I promise I won’t look for you!”
“Gawen…”
“Gawen?”
“Yes, just Gawen…”
Chapter 142: The End