Li Xiujian's Counterattack

Yuanlong Technology, Top-floor Office.

Lu Chenyuan hung up the phone, lost in thought.

The call had been from Mo Qingli.

She had told him she was going on a long trip—to Country Y—to handle a mining project.

Suddenly, Lu Chenyuan's pupils contracted slightly.

Country Y.

The timing and location triggered a deep-seated memory in his mind.

In the original plot, Mo Qingli had traveled to Country Y at this exact moment.

And then, the rare earth mining project under her company, the Mo Group, had encountered a major crisis there.

A local supplier they had worked with for nearly a decade had abruptly terminated their contract without warning.

This left a critical industrial production line of the Mo Group at risk of raw material shortages.

The Mo Group's stock price plummeted, resulting in massive losses.

Mo Qingli exhausted herself negotiating in Country Y, but her efforts yielded little.

This crisis became a pivotal event that dealt a heavy blow to the Mo Group.

It was also the direct reason why the Mo family later had to form an alliance with the Lu family through marriage, seeking mutual survival.

"Mr. Lu."

Zhang Qi entered, interrupting Lu Chenyuan's thoughts.

He placed a document in front of Lu Chenyuan.

"The bait for 'Future City' has been set," Zhang Qi reported.

"Wang Chen has taken the bait."

Lu Chenyuan opened the file.

The document showed that earlier that morning, Wang Chen, Deputy Director of the Financial Regulatory Bureau, had personally signed a "Top-Level Security Clearance."

The clearance had been granted to a company called "Hanse Data."

This company had been established less than three months ago, with a background as clean as a blank sheet of paper.

However, its actual controlling shareholder, traced through layers of complex equity structures, ultimately led to an offshore trust fund.

And one of the beneficiaries of that fund was a close associate of Li Xiujian.

"The fish has taken the hook," Lu Chenyuan said, his tone devoid of emotion.

"Indeed," Zhang Qi replied, a hint of coldness flashing across his face. "Hanse Data has already submitted a bid for the data center construction project under 'Future City.'"

"All their communications and financial transactions are under our surveillance."

"Good," Lu Chenyuan closed the file. "No need to rush the net. Let the bullet fly a little longer."

He looked up at Zhang Qi.

"Book me the earliest flight to Country Y."

Zhang Qi hesitated. "Country Y? We don’t have any urgent business there at the moment."

"We do now," Lu Chenyuan stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Call Lin Yuan. I need him to accompany me to Country Y."

Zhang Qi left without further questions.

Alone in the office, Lu Chenyuan gazed silently at the bustling city outside.

Li Xiujian.

Lu Chenyuan knew the crisis facing the Mo Group in Country Y was no accident.

It had to be Li Xiujian’s doing.

Cornered and desperate, Li Xiujian would undoubtedly resort to even more underhanded tactics to attack Lu Chenyuan’s allies—

Namely, Mo Qingli.

……

Twenty hours later.

Country Y, Capital, Os City.

Lu Chenyuan stepped out of the airport, greeted by a biting cold wind.

This Nordic country had already entered early winter.

Lin Yuan was waiting at the exit. As the temporary head of Yuanlong’s European division, he had flown in from headquarters specifically for this.

"Mr. Lu," Lin Yuan handed him a thick overcoat.

"What’s the situation?" Lu Chenyuan asked as he put it on.

"Everything’s arranged," Lin Yuan replied swiftly.

"We’ve acquired 37% of Kovate Corporation’s shares through secondary markets and several funds. We’re now their largest single shareholder."

"The investment proposal has also been submitted to Country Y’s Ministry of Commerce. They responded enthusiastically and hope to meet with you as soon as possible."

"As for the investigation into Thorn Mining, we’ve got results."

Lin Yuan handed Lu Chenyuan a tablet.

"Half a year ago, this company received a secret investment from a Caribbean island nation. Our people traced the money to a middleman who’s had multiple contacts with Li Xiujian’s North American team."

"And just a week ago, Thorn Mining’s CEO secretly flew to Jingzhou to meet Li Xiujian."

The chain of evidence was complete.

"Good," Lu Chenyuan’s eyes glinted coldly. "Encrypt and back up all the evidence."

They got into a car, heading toward downtown Os City.

"Mr. Lu, where are we headed now?" Lin Yuan asked.

"To meet Kovate’s board," Lu Chenyuan watched the falling snow outside the window. "Ms. Mo should be arriving soon. Before she lands, we need to prepare a gift for her."

……

The next afternoon.

Mo Qingli’s private jet touched down at Os City Airport.

She descended the steps, her expression cool and composed. The Mo Group executives accompanying her all wore grave expressions.

Two hours earlier, while the plane was still at cruising altitude, they had received the worst news of the trip.

Thorn Mining had formally notified them that they were unilaterally terminating all rare earth supply contracts with the Mo Group, citing "force majeure."

It was a ludicrous excuse.

The Mo Group’s legal team immediately prepared to file a cross-border lawsuit.

But everyone knew such litigation would be lengthy and costly—and distant water couldn’t quench a fire nearby.

The Mo Group’s high-tech factories in Europe would face production shutdowns in just three days.

The losses would be astronomical.

"Tell PR to suppress the news for now," Mo Qingli ordered calmly in the car.

"Legal, prepare every legal tool we can use."

"Project team, initiate contact with backup suppliers immediately."

"Yes, Ms. Mo."

Her subordinates carried out the orders methodically, but their hearts sank.

They all knew Thorn Mining controlled a rare earth resource of exceptionally high quality.

Thorn Mining had been a long-term partner of the Mo Group—yet they had betrayed them at this critical moment.

The so-called backup suppliers were merely a drop in the bucket.

It seemed the contingency plan could no longer wait. Especially now that Xia Country’s own rare earth technology had already surpassed others. Thorn Mining was no longer needed.

These thoughts flickered through Mo Qingli’s mind.

Her convoy soon arrived at the hotel.

The moment Mo Qingli entered her suite, her COO rushed in, pale-faced, holding a phone.

"Ms. Mo, it’s bad."

"BASF, Beimen—all our backup suppliers have rejected our emergency purchase orders."

"They claim their production capacity has already been reserved by another company."

Mo Qingli’s heart sank.

This was a meticulously orchestrated trap. Not only had the enemy bribed Thorn Mining, but they had also preemptively bought out every possible alternative in the market.

They were determined to drive the Mo Group into a corner.

Who could it be?

A name flashed through Mo Qingli’s mind instantly.

Li Xiujian.

Only he had the motive and the means.

And his purpose was clear—to retaliate against Lu Chenyuan.

And to sabotage the alliance between the Lu and Mo families.

A chill rose from the depths of her heart—Mo Qingli knew this would be a tough battle.

Just then, her personal assistant knocked and entered, wearing an odd expression, as if hesitating to speak.

"Go ahead," Mo Qingli said.

"President Mo, Kovart Corporation from Country Y has just reached out to us proactively," the assistant reported.

"They claim to have developed a new rare earth purification technology. It can perfectly replace Sorn Mining's products—even outperforming them in quality while cutting costs further."

"They hope to establish a long-term strategic partnership with us."