Chapter 5

Bao Caihong turned to James, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. She recalled that she hadn't offended anyone recently and she didn't know who was after her life. She knew that the accident wasn't just an accident, but a planned accident.

"James, have they found any leads on the person who hit me with the truck?"

James pulled a chair, placed it beside her bed and sat down. His expression became serious. He reached for his laptop and began typing, pulling up images and documents to show her. "After the accident, I went back to China," he explained, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "I was able to obtain images of the truck and the driver from the traffic division."

Bao Caihong leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the screen as James continued. "It took some time, but we were able to trace the license plates and gather information about the driver." He paused, his gaze meeting hers. "We've made some progress, but it's still a work in progress."

As James scrolled through the images, Bao Caihong felt a surge of frustration building within her. She couldn't remember anything from the night of the accident, the blinding headlights of the truck leaving her unable to see anything else. "I don't recognize him," her eyes narrowed slightly as she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Her mind raced with possibilities, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her competitors might be involved. "If they didn't want to link the accident to them, why reveal the truck's license plate?" she questioned, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Or are they playing games with us?"

James didn't say a word. His eyes were fixed on his laptop. He thought of something and said, "I checked the CCTV camera from that night and got who drove the truck. I also did an investigation on the man and found out that he's a security officer in a shopping mall. Two weeks before the accident, he was paid a huge amount of money, but it was wired through an international account and after the accident, he was also paid" 

Bao Caihong listened intently as James explained his findings, her mind processing each piece of information with precision. She felt a surge of anger rising within her as she pieced together the puzzle. "So, this Zhang Wei was paid a significant amount of money before and after the accident," she repeated, her voice cold and dark.

James nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, it seems that way," he confirmed, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he pulled up more documents. "But what's even more concerning is that the money was wired through an international account, and the owner of that account doesn't seem to exist."

Bao Caihong's frown deepened as she considered the implications of James' words. It was clear that someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes, orchestrating the events that led to her accident. 

But who could it be, and what was their motive?

"Zhang Wei," she muttered, the name rolling off her tongue like a curse. "Do we have any more information on him?"

James nodded, pulling up a file on his laptop screen. "He's a security officer at a shopping mall," he explained, his eyes scanning the document. "But beyond that, there isn't much to know about him."

Bao Caihong's lips tightened into a thin line as she considered her next move. "Have you checked who Zhang Wei met in the last month before the accident?" she asked, her tone commanding.

James hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I haven't," he admitted, his gaze meeting hers. "But I can start the investigation right away."

Bao Caihong nodded, her jaw set with determination. "Do it," she instructed, her voice firm and unwavering. "And bring me the results as soon as possible."

"Okay CEO Bao" James politely bowed his head before he took his laptop and walked out of the room.

Bao Caihong turned her head to look at the door when she heard the gentle sound of the door closing. A sense of determination coursed through her veins, fueled by the suspicion that they were inching closer to the truth. She clenched her fists, her resolve hardening as she vowed to uncover the identities of her adversaries and hold them accountable for their deceitful actions.

She recalled how she met James. He was a former military skilled hacker for the government and had always kept a low profile after retiring in his early thirties. Before he retired, he received a message that a young girl wanted to see him. Upon seeing the 19 years old young adult, he was curious at what she wanted from him.

"Who are you?"

"Bao Caihong"

That was how he met Bao Caihong. He had heard about her, the youngest CEO, but he had never thought that one day, he would meet her. 

"You asked to see me… what do you want?"

"You"

James frowned when he heard that word. "Me?"

"Yes, you" Bao Caihong leaned back into the chair and crossed her legs, looking straight into his eyes. "I want you to work for me as my bodyguard, personal assistance, advisor and…" she paused and smiled. "... hacker "

James seemed surprised at her words and laughed. "Why?"

Bao Caihong frowned when she realized that he didn't take her seriously. "Because it has to be you. I want you to retire and work for me" She had done her research and knew exactly who he was and what he was capable of.

As James listened to Bao Caihong's audacious request, he couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise. Here was someone young, yet brimming with determination, standing before him. Her unwavering gaze held a fire that intrigued him, sparking a curiosity he couldn't easily dismiss.

As James mulled over her proposal, a glimmer of excitement illuminated his eyes. The prospect of teaming up with someone as determined and ambitious as Bao Caihong stirred a sense of eagerness deep within him. The idea of venturing into this endeavor alongside her filled him with anticipation, brimming with curiosity about the possibilities that lay ahead.

"Retire, huh?" James mused, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. "That's a tall order, you know. I've spent most of my life in the military. It's not something you just walk away from."

But even as he spoke, James couldn't shake the feeling that this was an opportunity he couldn't afford to pass up. Bao Caihong had a vision, a plan for the future, and she wanted him to be a part of it. And deep down, he knew that he wanted to be a part of it too.

After a moment of silence, James finally nodded, his decision made. He said, his voice firm. "All right, you've got yourself a deal. I'll retire from the military and work for you, on one condition."

Bao Caihong raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "And what's that?" she asked, her voice tinged with anticipation.

James grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "That you promise me one thing," he replied. "That you'll never ask me to do anything that goes against my morals or ethics. That you'll always strive to do what's right, no matter the cost."

Bao Caihong nodded, a solemn expression crossing her face. "You have my word," she said, her voice unwavering. "I may be ambitious, but I'll never compromise my integrity. You can trust me on that."