Chapter 326: Peerless Talented Woman

Late at night, at Yuezhou Third Hospital, He Jiaqing seized the moment when the ward was empty to slip a cigarette into the mouth of the "He Jiaqing" lying in the bed.

This "He Jiaqing" was actually He Haisheng, who was currently unable to move or speak, temporarily taking He Jiaqing's place in the hospital bed. He Haisheng exhaled a puff of smoke directly into He Jiaqing's face, a clear sign of displeasure.

He Jiaqing sighed, "Don't be angry, Third Uncle. I've been genuinely busy these past two days. Didn't I send someone to bring you cigarettes earlier? Third Uncle, you can only have this one tonight, otherwise, the smell will be too strong tomorrow, and I won't be able to explain it to the doctor."

He Haisheng took a deep drag and blew smoke into He Jiaqing's face again.

"Still not enough?" He Jiaqing looked helpless. "Alright, I'll let you have one more. The attending doctor will definitely scold me again tomorrow…"

As He Haisheng continued to smoke, the button on He Jiaqing's chest vibrated, and Wan Jinxian's voice reached his ear.

"Jiaqing, Tu Yinghong has left the Shadow Play Company. I don't know where she went."

He Jiaqing took a deep breath, trying his best to control his tone. Wan Jinxian was a veteran, and He Jiaqing preferred not to lose his temper with him casually.

"Old Wan, didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her?"

"Jiaqing, I'm old and useless. I just didn't pay attention for a moment…" Wan Jinxian's voice was filled with self-reproach and regret.

He Jiaqing sighed, "Alright, don't be too hard on yourself. Even a tiger dozes off sometimes. First, send people to look for Tu Yinghong. Also, find someone to comfort Xiao Xiufeng."

Xiao Xiufeng was originally the lead actress in *Blood-Edge Detective*. By the third installment, Ling Miaoying suddenly revised the script, making Tu Yinghong and Xiao Xiufeng co-leads. By the fourth installment, Tu Yinghong became the sole lead, and Xiao Xiufeng was relegated to a supporting role. Xiao Xiufeng was extremely upset about this, even going on strike once, and only agreed to return to the set after much appeasement from Ling Miaoying. Ling Miaoying knew how to soothe her, but Wan Jinxian was not very skilled at it.

"Jiaqing, I truly don't understand this film business. Please find someone else to handle it. I will do my utmost to find Tu Yinghong. If I fail, I'll accept any punishment you deem fit!"

"Old brother, don't say that. This isn't your fault; I was also negligent."

The two exchanged a few polite words before ending their communication.

He Jiaqing lit a cigarette, intending to give it to He Haisheng, but instead, he put it in his own mouth and took a puff.

"Third Uncle, why is it so hard to find a truly capable person?"

He Haisheng looked at He Jiaqing with a mournful expression, then at the cigarette in He Jiaqing's hand.

He Jiaqing took another puff and sighed, "If he really couldn't do anything, that would be one thing. But if he had just inflicted a minor ailment on Tu Yinghong, could she still have escaped? It's such a simple thing, but he just didn't want to do it. Everyone is the same; they talk about loyalty but harbor their own intentions. Third Uncle, why is it so hard to find a brother who genuinely works for you?"

He Haisheng listened to He Jiaqing's complaints while watching him finish the entire cigarette. He Jiaqing considered taking out another cigarette but then put the pack away. "Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore. Third Uncle, go to sleep."

He Haisheng stared at He Jiaqing with bloodshot eyes, reluctant to close them.

He Jiaqing left the hospital and went to Shanxiu Park. The park was large and usually had many visitors.

He Jiaqing slipped into a flowerbed near the park entrance, picked two vibrantly blooming peonies, tucked them into his shirt, and then proceeded to the next park. After collecting a total of thirty-six peonies, He Jiaqing drove back to his villa and meticulously arranged them on a table.

From his bedroom, he retrieved a breeding box containing a thumb-sized golden bee. Placing the bee on the peonies, it began collecting nectar from each flower in turn. The bee was incredibly fast, visiting all thirty-six flowers in less than ten minutes. After half an hour, a white ring appeared on the bee's golden body.

He Jiaqing picked up the bee, positioning its tail towards the top of his head. He took a deep breath, then stung himself. After a brief convulsion, the bee died, its body disintegrating into pulp.

He Jiaqing had an egg-sized lump on his head. He sat on the sofa, looking at the now withered peonies on the table. "This batch of seeds isn't very good. I'll have to cultivate some new flowers." As he spoke, He Jiaqing grimaced; the lump on his head still hurt quite a bit.

Once the lump on his head subsided, He Jiaqing rhythmically squeezed the button on his chest. A mature female voice reached his ear: "Jiaqing, are you looking for me?"

"Sister, I have something to trouble you with."

"Why are you so polite with your sister?"

"I wanted to ask you to take over the Ling Family Shadow Play business, but I know you have a heavy workload and was worried you might be too busy."

"I can manage, but I'm not very familiar with the film industry."

"It's similar to the leather business. With your talent, you'll pick it up immediately."

"Since you put it that way, I'll give it a try."

"I've prepared the company deeds for you. I'll arrange for you to take over in three days."

"Three days is a bit rushed, Jiaqing. I'm still in Haichi Ridge, and I need to hand over my current business."

"Then let's make it five days. If you have any questions, just come directly to me."

Li Banfeng bought all the newspapers from the past ten years, a whole cartload, and had them delivered to Xiaoyaowu. In these newspapers, he focused on a dozen names: Shen Rongqing, Qian Xiangjun, Duan Shuqun, Luo Suxuan, Liu Zexun, Wang Minggeng, and others.

In the newspapers, Li Banfeng occasionally saw these individuals acquiring businesses. The news bits were short, offering no introduction to the people themselves. But according to Li Banfeng's estimation, if all these businesses were actively run, these dozen individuals would likely be major figures in Prouzhou. The Four Great Families plus the Ling Family were considered first-tier wealthy families in Prouzhou; these dozen would be considered upper second-tier. Yet, why were these upper second-tier figures completely unknown? Were they just very good at hiding, or was he simply ignorant?

Li Banfeng found Ma Wu and asked about Shen Rongqing. Ma Wu's eyes were filled with admiration. "A genius! An unparalleled genius, hailed alongside Zhang Xiuling as an unparalleled genius!"

Li Banfeng was stunned for a moment. "Isn't Zhang Xiuling the leader of the Hundred Flowers Sect? Is she also a genius?"

"She can wield a blade and a pen! Have you read Zhang Xiuling's works?"

"No!"

"You must read them, absolutely must. Only then will you understand…"

"Let's not talk about Zhang Xiuling yet. I'm asking you about Shen Rongqing."

"Shen Rongqing is even more talented! She's proficient in writing books, poetry, and songs. If only such a genius could spend a night with me…"

"That's not what I asked! Didn't you just get out of the hospital? I want to ask you about business. Has Shen Rongqing ever done business?"

Ma Wu thought for a moment. "I don't think so?"

Li Banfeng pulled out a newspaper. "Shen Rongqing bought a factory from your Ma family, right there in Heishipo. Did you know about this?"

"I seem to vaguely remember that. I even got an autographed book from Shen Rongqing back then. I'll go get it for you to see."

"No need for the book. Since there was indeed such a transaction, it proves Shen Rongqing is also a businesswoman."

"No!" Ma Wu adamantly denied it.

"What do you mean?"

"Shen Rongqing couldn't possibly be a businesswoman. She wouldn't touch that 'smell of money.'"

Li Banfeng frowned. "Does she not eat? Do you think she's become an immortal?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "She might have bought the factory and converted it into a newspaper office, or perhaps a private residence. In any case, she couldn't be a businesswoman like us."

Ma Wu's profound admiration for Shen Rongqing was beyond Li Banfeng's comprehension. Unable to glean anything useful from him, Li Banfeng inquired with others, but the conclusion was always the same: Shen Rongqing was a genius. Shen Rongqing could not possibly be involved in business.

Li Banfeng obtained a travel permit and a train ticket, heading to Heishipo. The familiar industrial scent filled him with a sense of familiarity. He boarded a small train, intending to visit Shen Rongqing first. He had read Shen Rongqing's poetry collection, not paying much attention to the literary style, but focusing on her biography. Shen Rongqing's hometown was Heishipo. Her first poetry collection was also published in Heishipo. Furthermore, organizing the information from the newspapers revealed that most of Shen Rongqing's business acquisitions were also in Heishipo. Clearly, starting his investigation into Shen Rongqing from Heishipo was the correct choice.

On the train, Li Banfeng, naturally disinclined to stay in the compartment, hid his key and returned to his portable dwelling. Upon entering, Li Banfeng saw a long spear oddly stuck in a suit of armor.

"Seventh Brother, does it look good?"

It turned out to be Hong Ying wearing the armor. Her entire body was covered by the armor, with only the glowing red tip of her spear visible.

"It looks quite good," Li Banfeng replied perfunctorily, then approached the phonograph affectionately. The phonograph's glow was more intense than usual, its three horns fixed on Hong Ying. Li Banfeng felt the steam's warmth and asked his "Wife," "You want it?"

His Wife seemed startled. "Want? Want what?"

"The armor, of course!"

The phonograph chuckled, "Oh, Husband, what a joke! How could a humble servant like me wear armor in this state?" Though she spoke, Li Banfeng detected a hint of envy in her tone.

"I'll find a craftsman to custom-make one for you, won't I?"

His Wife fell silent for a moment, then laughed again. "Husband, you're so naughty, yet you're teasing your humble servant."

"I'm serious. I'm going to Heishipo, and there are many good craftsmen there."

"Husband, please say no more. You're embarrassing me. Speaking of craftsmen, that craftsman woman you brought back earlier should be 'ready' by now."

Only then did Li Banfeng recall Tu Yinghong. He retrieved Tu Yinghong's lotus seed from the Red Lotus and fried it, producing ten Golden Essence Pills. Li Banfeng asked Red Lotus, "Tu Yinghong and Ling Miaoying's cultivation should be comparable, right? Why is there such a big difference in these pills?"

Red Lotus explained to the phonograph, which then relayed, "Husband, Tu Yinghong's cultivation is slightly higher than Ling Miaoying's; her cultivation is already close to the eighth level."

Tu Yinghong looked around thirty years old. To have achieved such a high level of cultivation was truly remarkable! With a cultivation level close to the eighth level, yet still running around as an actress—her behavior was hard to understand. Could it really just be out of affection for Ling Miaoying?

Li Banfeng looked at the projector. "Do you know anything about Tu Yinghong?"

The projector had mentioned Tu Yinghong before, but now it stammered, "Well, on an artistic level, yes, I know a bit. In other aspects…"

The phonograph interjected, "Husband, don't press the projector. Magical artifacts shouldn't speak of their previous owners. It involves the artifact's integrity and contracts; an artifact might suffer a backlash."

That was indeed true. Li Banfeng stopped asking. The projector deliberated for a moment, then voluntarily offered a detail: "Director Qi, Tu Yinghong and Ling Miaoying's relationship might not have been that deep. When she came looking for you, it might not have been to avenge Ling Miaoying."

Li Banfeng was startled. "Then why did she come looking for me?"

The projector recalled their first encounter. "I remember Tu Yinghong repeatedly mentioned her iron rulers. She had a pair of very precious iron rulers. I don't know their specific use, but it seems she lost them."

Iron rulers? "Lost them?" Li Banfeng thought for a while. "She lost her iron rulers, why would she come looking for me?"

Silence fell upon the portable dwelling. All the magical artifacts, including his Wife, pondered the reason. Tang Dao looked at Li Banfeng's pistol, which the Glove had stolen from Ling Miaoying. "Master, I think this matter…"

The Glove suddenly interrupted Tang Dao. "Boss, is it because you also have a pair of iron rulers?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "I do have a pair." He took out his own iron rulers and asked the projector, "Are they similar to Tu Yinghong's?"

The projector replied, "I haven't seen Tu Yinghong's iron rulers, but I think Brother Glove makes a good point. Perhaps it was this weapon that led Tu Yinghong to a misunderstanding."

Li Banfeng smiled. "Then her death was a bit unjust."

The Glove wagged its index finger. "Not unjust. Anyone who offends the boss deserves to die!"

The train arrived at Heishipo, and Li Banfeng disembarked. The familiar industrial atmosphere felt comforting. He boarded a small train, preparing to first visit Shen Rongqing.