Originally translated from the Thai language.
Fuxing Park was alive with morning energy. Lush green lawns and meticulously arranged flower beds set the stage for the local residents’ daily rituals. Some were jogging, some dancing with fans, while others moved to the rhythmic flow of ballroom dancing. Nearby, a group practiced Tai Chi, their movements as fluid as a gentle breeze.
At the very back of the line, Ohm and Phueak, clad in tracksuits, moved like rusty robots in desperate need of lubrication.
Beside them, Adisorn also in a tracksuit followed the movements with a look of utter boredom. Never in his life did he imagine he’d be waving his arms around to this music. If Ohm hadn't claimed to have a lead on Yongchang, he wouldn't be caught dead doing this.
“Hey, Mr. Sorn...” Ohm whispered, sweeping his arms forward while pretending to be a stranger just coincidentally practicing nearby. “That Yongchang guy... he’s a total scammer.”
Adisorn rotated his body and extended his arms lazily, eyeing Ohm from the corner of his eye. “Hmph. As if a man like him could ever be decent.”
Ohm and Phueak narrowed their eyes and shuffled closer. “But here’s the kicker he’s been using CK Group’s name as a front to buy up businesses and pocket the cash. He even fleeced several board directors. Right now, there’s a long line of people waiting to tear him apart.” Ohm lowered his knees slowly into a sweeping gesture. “He played you too, took everything you had. Now… it’s time for some well-deserved payback.” Phueak nodded vigorously like a rhythmic backup dancer.
“And how do you know all this?” Adisorn asked, spinning in time with the group. Ohm, who nearly spun out of orbit, quickly corrected his course.
“From Director Feng and Director Zhenhao, of course. Those two believe I’m a high-level clairvoyant now,” Ohm said, giving a cheeky wink during the ‘Gliding Crane’ pose.
Adisorn let out a thin smirk. “Yongchang is a many-faced rat. He’ll find a way to scurry away from any hunt. Someone powerful must be protecting him.”
“My thoughts exactly. Otherwise, how could he have toppled you so easily? You’re a nine-tailed fox yourself notorious for being cunning and sharp,” Ohm said. Adisorn snapped his head toward him, realizing he’d just been subtly insulted under the guise of a compliment.
“I meant you’re
brilliant
!” Ohm offered a dry smile and a sheepish shrug before flapping his arms like a bird taking flight.
Adisorn sighed, his gaze drifting over the graceful crowd as he sank into thought. For Yongchang to devour so many businesses in Thailand, he couldn’t have acted alone. Beyond Thai officials, he must have a heavyweight supporter here in China.
And what about the money trail?
“There must be a route he’s using to bypass audits,” Adisorn narrowed his eyes, scanning the surroundings before an idea struck. “He’s definitely laundering it… that’s how he stays under the radar.” Adisorn turned back to lock eyes with Ohm and Phueak, who were staring in awe.
“That makes sense,” Ohm speculated. “I’m sure those directors reported it to the police, but they found no suspicious transactions. That means he must have a ‘rest stop’ to clean the cash.”
Adisorn narrowed his gaze. “I suspect he’s using someone close to him to wash the money. Can I leave it to you to dig into his inner circle?”
“You got it. I’ll handle it.”
THUD! “Ouch!”
A loud crash broke the Tai Chi circle’s concentration. Every head turned to see Phueak sprawled flat on his back on the grass, gasping for air. He had tried a difficult balancing pose and lost his footing. The chubby boy waved his hand frantically with a strained smile.
“I’m fine! Just a minor internal energy blockage!”
Adisorn shook his head in weary disbelief.
Am I really entrusting my life to this ‘professional’ team?
{"hr":true}
At the same time, at the CK Group headquarters, Gawin officially stepped into his role as the Director of the Hydrogen Project.
As he walked through the halls, employees bowed respectfully at every turn. Gawin acknowledged them with a polite nod and a calm smile before entering his new, spacious office. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls offered a breathtaking view of the Shanghai skyline, looking like a masterpiece of modern art.
“Tum… please coordinate with the finance department. I need the historical accounting reports for this project immediately,” Gawin commanded.
“Understood,” Tum replied. Just then, a knock came at the door.
Knock, Knock, Knock.
Tum went to open the door, only to freeze upon seeing Lu Rong. The man offered a cold, calculated smile while holding a clear display case containing an antique sailing ship model, adorned with the CK Group flags.
“I brought a welcoming gift for our new Director,” Lu Rong said, handing the box to Tum, who accepted it respectfully. “Tell him I welcome him to our family. I hope this ship carries him toward the prosperity... he so desires.”
“Would you like to see Mr. Gawin, sir?” Tum asked politely.
“No need… I just stopped by to say hello,” Lu Rong replied with a chilling smile before walking away in silence.