Chapter 1420: Chapter 1421: What a Brilliant Plan of Killing Two Birds with One Arrow!

“Understood!”

Chang Zifa nodded.

That night, Chang Ziru stared in terror at the masked man standing before him, utterly petrified.

“Who are you? Why are you doing this?”

“You don’t know who I am? Of course, I’m Xiao Chen. I didn’t kill you that day simply because I didn’t want to stir up trouble. Now, you’re gravely ill; even if you die here, no one will suspect a thing!”

The masked man plunged a syringe into Chang Ziru’s IV drip.

No one knew what drug was injected, but Chang Ziru’s body trembled all over, his complexion turning a sickly blue.

The next moment, the masked man smashed a flower vase in the hospital room.

Then, he climbed out the window and fled.

Soon, doctors and nurses rushed in.

Chang Ziru was on the brink of death. In his last moments, he weakly called out one name, “Xiao Chen! Xiao Chen!”

And then, he breathed his last.

“Quick, call the police!”

The doctors attempted to resuscitate him while dialing for emergency assistance.

However, ten minutes later, Chang Ziru was declared dead just as the police arrived.

The next day, newspapers eagerly covered the shocking news: Chang Ziru murdered in the dead of night, his last words naming Xiao Chen as the perpetrator!

The papers made sure to highlight that Xiao Chen is the husband of Jiang Meng, the chairwoman of Xinmeng Group, and the son of Shang Qingcheng, the chairman of Dashang Group.

Xinmeng Group remained unaffected; it wasn’t publicly traded and enjoyed a solid reputation.

But Dashang Group suffered a devastating blow—its stock price plummeted immediately, causing significant losses.

Many companies collaborating with Dashang Group suspended their partnerships to avoid any fallout.

“Chen’er! Chen’er, you need to escape! Chang Ziru is dead, and the papers are pointing all the suspicion at you!”

Shang Qingcheng panicked after reading the news.

“Mom, you know full well that I was at home last night during that time. I stayed up late with Dad watching soccer!”

Xiao Chen replied, “The papers sensationalize things just to attract attention.”

“Knowing that is useless. For these things, family testimony doesn’t carry any weight.”

Shang Qingcheng retorted anxiously.

“Mom, just focus on your job for now. The company’s issues deserve your attention far more than these rumors. This news isn’t just targeting me—it’s aimed at both Dashang Group and Xinmeng Group.

Xinmeng Group is unscathed, but Dashang Group is bound to suffer from the stock crash.”

“I’ll handle the problem, but Mom, as the chairwoman, abandoning the company at a time like this isn’t an option.”

“Fine!”

Shang Qingcheng understood her son’s resolute nature. When Xiao Chen made up his mind, nothing could sway him.

Admittedly, it was time she headed to the company.

After Shang Qingcheng left, a glint of cold determination flashed in Xiao Chen’s eyes. “Well played, Chang Family. I couldn’t care less about your internal struggles, but if you dare try framing me, I’ll make you pay!”

Still, he didn’t rush into action.

Instead, he conceived a plan to weed out incompetent employees from Dashang Group.

The company’s stock crash was catastrophic, causing widespread damage.

He intended to escalate matters further so everyone would think Dashang Group was teetering on collapse.

When that happened, a substantial portion of employees would likely resign voluntarily.

Anyone who chose to abandon the company during its crisis wasn’t worth keeping.

With these thoughts in mind, he dialed a number.

Suddenly, social media buzzed with speculation, claiming Dashang Group was sinking into financial troubles and on the brink of bankruptcy.

Rumors swirled, even suggesting salaries might not get paid.

The news spread like wildfire.

Dashang Group quickly spiraled into chaos.

Shang Qingcheng had no choice but to convene a video conference with the entire company.

“Dashang Group has indeed faced some issues recently, but bankruptcy is out of the question! I hope you can trust me! We’ve just signed major cooperation deals with Baishi Group and Capital Medical Group—things are moving up.

We’re also negotiating with Wo Nation’s Four-Nation Trade Corporation.

Once that goes through, our business footprint will expand internationally.

Everything is fine—those rumors are baseless!”

Her words were heartfelt, convincing many employees to stay.

Yet, at least one-third of the workforce remained distrustful.

They refused to gamble on their futures, fearing the risk of job hunting after the company’s downfall.

So, they tendered their resignations.

Dashang Group lost one-third of its staff overnight.

For Xiao Chen, however, those resignations were anything but a loss.

The departing employees had been burdens; those who truly contributed stayed.

Oddly enough, Chen Simin and Zhong Na didn’t leave.

He understood Chen Simin’s decision—she was aware the Shang Clan planned to acquire Dashang Group. Even if it collapsed, the Shang Clan could resurrect the company.

But Zhong Na’s reasoning? What was her motive?

Meanwhile, at the Chang Family’s mansion in Tonghua City…

Chang Ziru’s body lay covered in a white sheet.

The family was steeped in mourning.

Friends flooded in to pay their respects.

Chang Baishan and Chang Zifa wailed inconsolably, their cries piercing the air.

“Son (Brother), how could you leave so suddenly! You were so young and brilliant, guiding the Chang Family to where we are today!

Now that you’re gone, what will become of the family’s future?”

Their performances were convincing; no one could suspect that Chang Ziru’s death had anything to do with them.

“Old Family Head, please accept our condolences!

Young Master, take solace!”

Friends stepped forward to comfort them.

Both men returned the gesture, sobbing profusely.

The Chang Family seemed hopelessly engulfed in grief.

“Old Family Head, we can’t let Chang Ziru die in vain. We must avenge him!”

“Exactly, Old Family Head! Shouldn’t we have forensics analyze the body? With evidence, we can have Xiao Chen arrested and avenge Ziru!”

“Family Head!”

Chang Baishan waved his hand.

Everyone quieted down.

He sighed deeply and said, “What can I do? Should I let Ziru die without preserving his dignity? Besides, you’ve seen it yourselves.

Our enemy is unimaginably powerful; they’ve not only shut down all Chang Family factories but effortlessly took Ziru’s life.

This is a warning to us.

I’m too old.

I lack the courage. I just hope that formidable figure will spare our family and not push us to ruin.

For the sake of the Chang Family, for everyone, this matter ends here!”

Silence ensued.

The fear was palpable—who wouldn’t be afraid?

The Chang Family’s industries were shut down. Although their products had issues, such drastic action had never occurred before.

Now, with Chang Ziru dead as well…

Their adversary’s strength was unfathomable.

They could not afford to provoke such a force.

Chang Baishan’s words provided an escape route.

If Chang Ziru’s death could pacify their foe’s wrath, wasn’t that the better option?

“Alright, I’m exhausted. Zifa, help me to my room for some rest!”

Chang Baishan sighed as Chang Zifa assisted him back to his chambers.

Just then, a group of men stormed in with an oppressive presence.

It was none other than Gongshu Hu, the Five Tiger Sect Master, and his Five Tiger Generals.

Their arrival left everyone breathless.

Their power was overwhelming.

And the murderous aura emanating from them was suffocatingly intense.

The crowd trembled in fear.

“Where is Chang Baishan?”

Gongshu Hu demanded coldly.

“Sect Master Gongshu, my father invites you in for a discussion!”

At that moment, Chang Zifa stepped forward and addressed him.