Perfect Mistake

Part 4:

Skyline Company Building

Six months had passed, yet Hua Yong was still no closer to uncovering the full truth. The threads tying his uncle to the company's embezzlement remained maddeningly elusive. In his office, dimly lit by the gray afternoon light filtering through heavy curtains, Hua Yong sat surrounded by chaos. Stacks of files lay torn apart, paper scattered across the desk and floor like the wreckage of a battle. He combed through the latest set of documents, eyes bloodshot from sleepless nights.

Nothing. No clear link. No proof.

With a low growl of frustration, he slammed the folder shut and threw it onto the pile, sending a few sheets fluttering to the ground.

A sharp knock came at the door.

"President Hua, Mr. Shen Wen Lang is here" his secretary's voice called through.

No response.

Another knock.

Still nothing.

Shen Wen Lang didn't wait.

He pushed open the door with a firm hand, exchanging a glance with the secretary. "It's alright. I'll take care of it" he assured her, gesturing for her to leave.

Behind him, his assistant and two staff members followed in, arms full of food containers. It wasn't hard to guess Hua Yong hadn't eaten in hours—maybe days.

The moment they entered, the mood shifted. The office felt heavy—gloomy, suffocating. Like stepping into a cage lined with shadows. Shen Wen Lang paused at the doorway, a bead of cold sweat running down his neck. Hua Yong sat motionless in the center, a brooding figure surrounded by disorder, radiating a dark intensity that warned everyone to tread carefully.

Even the staff, usually composed, faltered as they took in the sight—papers strewn like confetti across the floor, the bitter scent of coffee and fatigue lingering in the air.

After placing the food on a nearby table, Shen Wen Lang waved the others out. The door closed behind them with a soft click—then he locked it.

He turned to Hua Yong, who still hadn't moved.

''What good is revenge if you let yourself starve?'' he said bluntly, breaking the silence.

That got Hua Yong's attention.

His head rose slowly, eyes sharp and cold like winter steel. The look he gave Shen Wen Lang could cut flesh.

Shen Wen Lang swallowed hard—but he didn't flinch.

''Hey!'' he said, trying to force some levity into his voice, despite the tension crackling in the air. "What's with that look? I came to serve you, Your Majesty"

He offered a crooked smile and gestured to the neatly arranged food boxes. ''Or did you forget what eating feels like?''

Hua Yong stared at him a moment longer—silent, unreadable.

Then, with a heavy sigh, he leaned back in his chair. The ice cracked—just a little.

Hua Yong stood rigidly, teeth clenched, frustration carved into every line of his face. His gaze—sharp, unwavering—cut through the air like a blade, daring anyone to challenge him.

Sensing the tension radiating off him, Shen Wen Lang quickly stepped in, placing a steadying hand on Hua Yong's shoulder. With gentle but firm pressure, he steered him toward the informal seating area—a space arranged for comfort and quiet conversation.

"Come on, don't dwell on it now" Shen Wen Lang said softly.

But Hua Yong's eyes flicked toward him, sharp and unyielding. That look alone sent a ripple of unease down Shen Wen Lang's spine.

Still, he didn't back away. He pressed his friend gently down onto the couch and took the seat opposite him, ignoring the cold air between them. Instead, he turned his attention to the food, deftly opening the containers. A warm, savory aroma rose between them, thick with spices and comfort. Shen Wen Lang closed his eyes briefly, inhaling deeply, letting the smell anchor him.

Hua Yong broke the silence. ''Don't you have anything better to do today?''

His voice was flat, all edges and no warmth. Shen Wen Lang stiffened, biting back a retort. He hated that tone—so ungrateful, so damn distant!

''You're breaking my heart, you know'' he said dryly, picking up a piece of stir-fried pork and popping it into his mouth. ''Mm. This one's good. Try it!''

Hua Yong gave a derisive snort and shook his head, but something in his shoulders loosened—barely. After a moment's pause, he picked up the chopsticks placed in front of him and opened another box. He took a bite. His eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, and Shen Wen Lang caught the faintest flicker of light returning to his friend's expression.

The dark cloud that had seemed to cling to Hua Yong's posture slowly began to lift, if only slightly.

"See?" Shen Wen Lang said, his voice lighter now. "Food fixes everything. Even your mood"

Hua Yong didn't reply, but he didn't stop eating either. And that, Shen Wen Lang knew, was more than enough for now.

"I'm just frustrated. All these documents are useless—it feels like they're deliberately misleading me" Hua Yong muttered, exhaling sharply as he took a swig from the carton of milk sitting on the table.

Shen Wen Lang, seated across from him, gave a knowing nod. He'd been expecting this reaction.

"As you told me before, your uncle hand-picked everyone here. They're loyal to him, not you.'' He scooped up another bite of food before continuing. "You need to replace your personnel—slowly, carefully. One by one. Bring in people you trust. No sudden moves until you've cleared them all out."

Hua Yong leaned back, his expression thoughtful, a hand rubbing his chin as his mind worked through the implications.

''You're right'' he said at last. ''I need to cut out the rot... and plant something new in its place'' He reached for the dessert container and took a bite, chewing slowly. ''But I can't just fire them without reason. I need proof—evidence they've done something wrong''

Shen Wen Lang allowed himself a breath of relief. That was the Hua Yong he knew—controlled, deliberate, calculating. He's back!

''You're thinking clearly again'' Shen Wen Lang said with a small smile. ''That's exactly the move.''

Hua Yong nodded, resolve settling into his face.

''Find me a good private investigator'' he said. ''Someone quiet. Smart. Loyal. Someone who'll work only for me''

Without hesitation, Shen Wen Lang tapped his chopsticks against his plate and grinned. ''Leave it to me. I'll get you the best PI in the country''

True to his word, Shen Wen Lang wasted no time. That same afternoon, he gave instructions to his secretary—discreet, urgent. A day later, a knock sounded on his office door.

''This is the one'' his secretary said quietly, placing a brown envelope in his hands. ''Highly recommended. Discreet. Efficient. Expensive—but worth it''

Shen Wen Lang opened the envelope. As he tore the edge and tilted it, several photographs slid out onto his desk. The person was carrying a box looks like it is his things. His face was slender, almost sculptural, with high cheekbones that caught the soft luminescence like moonlight on porcelain. A pair of frameless glasses rested delicately on the bridge of his nose, lending an air of thoughtful precision, as though he saw the world in finer detail than most. His eyes—dark, focused, and deep-set—carried a quiet intelligence. His lips, slightly parted as if interrupted mid-thought, were shaped with a natural seriousness, but not unkind. His hair was slightly messy, in a way that looked natural—like he hadn't tried to style it, but it still suited him perfectly. Exactly what he likes.

''Sir?'' His secretary's voice broke through his train of thought, pulling him out of his quiet contemplation.

Shen Wen Lang cleared his throat and straightened his posture, regaining his usual composure. With a nod, he turned his attention back to the documents in front of him, eyes scanning over details of the individual's background.

''Well, this is all I needed. Thank you for your work. I'll call if I need anything else.''

The secretary bowed her head respectfully and exited the room. Alone again, Shen Wen Lang let his eyes drift back to the photograph that had captivated him. He bit his lip, the anticipation of meeting this person stirring a rare flicker of excitement in his chest.

The next morning, after a long, hot shower, he picked up his phone and dialed the number listed in the documents. He leaned back, waiting—seconds dragging into minutes. No answer.

With a frustrated sigh, he ended the call and tried again. Still no response.

His jaw tightened as he stared at the screen. Then, with a flash of irritation, he threw the phone across the room. It clattered loudly against the floor. Without another word, he dressed quickly and headed to the office—something he almost never did. Most days, he preferred the company of friends and the comfort of exclusive clubs over the stiff environment of work.

When he arrived, his secretary looked up, wide-eyed in surprise. Shen Wen Lang rarely showed up without warning.

''Good morning, sir. I've already prepared your coffee'' she said quickly, always proactive despite his unpredictable schedule.

She placed the steaming cup on his desk as he sat down and opened the brown envelope she had handed him.

She hesitated, then asked gently, ''Is something bothering you, sir?''

He didn't answer right away. He loosened his tie, his frustration visible.

''The private investigator you recommended... Are you sure he's contact details is correct?'' he asked sharply. ''Because when I'm calling he is not answering!''

The secretary didn't flinch. She gave him a small, composed smile and pulled out her own phone. With a few quick taps, she made a call. Almost instantly, the line connected.

''This is Mr. Shen's secretary'' she said calmly. ''My boss has been trying to reach you. It seems you haven't been answering your phone.''

Shen Wen Lang stood up in disbelief, hearing the faint voice from the other end of the call. His eyes narrowed—so the man could answer calls, just not his!

The secretary nodded slowly as she listened. ''Understood. I'll let him know''

''What did he say?''

She ended the call and turned to her boss. ''He said he was mistakenly gave a wrong contact number''

''Is he really professional?!'' Shen Wen Lang asked, his voice tight with anxiety.

The secretary gave a composed smile, unfazed by her boss's temper. ''He apologized. Apparently, the number listed on the paper belongs to his aunt. She probably left it at her house, as she often does''

Shen Wen Lang scoffed in disbelief. ''Unbelievable''

''I won't hire him. This is unacceptable'' he snapped. ''This is completely unprofessional. Find someone else—a better private investigator. One with actual credibility.''

He was the owner of Shen Industries, one of the top five manufacturing companies in the country. Shen Wen Lang refused to be disrespected or made a fool of.

The secretary nodded, but then added carefully, ''He also said... you're free to hire someone else''

Shen Wen Lang's jaw dropped. ''He said what?''

''Those were his exact words'' she confirmed.

Shen Wen Lang scoffed, slamming his fist on the table as his frustration boiled over. ''Find someone else! Don't ever contact that man again!''

As the secretary bowed slightly and turned to leave, Shen Wen Lang seethed, clenching his fists. ''Who does he think he is?'' he muttered through gritted teeth.

SSY Company

Meanwhile, in a more modest office across the city...

''Who was that on the phone? Something about a job?'' Sheng Shao You glanced over as he noticed Gao Tu stepping away mid-call and speaking in hushed tones.

''Yeah, someone wants to hire me as a private investigator, she just get my info without telling me first'' Gao Tu replied, slipping his phone into his pocket as he sat across from Sheng Shao You.

There was a moment of silence before Sheng Shao You changed the subject. ''There's a banquet tonight I've been invited to. Would you like to come with me?''

Gao Tu pouted thoughtfully. Social events weren't really his thing. Like Sheng, he was more of an introvert.

''Do you have an invitation card?'' he asked.

''I was called this morning—they said I can bring one guest''

Gao Tu nodded. ''Alright. A break might be nice. I'll go with you''

Later that afternoon, the two friends visited a boutique to get fitted in formal suits for the evening.

The grand doors of the Skyline Luxury Hotel Ballroom swung open as Sheng Shao You and Gao Tu stepped inside. The scent of fresh-cut flowers mixed with the rich polish of oak floors. Above them, chandeliers sparkled, casting a golden light over a sea of elegance.

Around them, guests mingled—politicians, CEOs, and celebrities exchanging champagne toasts, practiced smiles, and hushed business deals. Classical music played in the background, barely audible over the soft murmur of high society.

Sheng Shao You paused, surveying the room with a cool, steady gaze. He recognized faces from media headlines and stockholder meetings—powerful, well-dressed, and well-connected.

On the other side of the ballroom, a man in a dark tuxedo leaned against a marble column, watching them intently: Hua Yong. As Sheng entered, their eyes briefly met. Hua Yong, currently entertaining a group of high-profile daughters and investors, felt the atmosphere around him shift.

''Who is that man?'' one woman in a midnight-blue gown whispered, her gaze never leaving Sheng Shao You. ''He's handsome... young. Maybe a politician's son?''

''I've never seen him at these events before'' said another.

''Maybe an investor?'' added the daughter of the Minister of Public Security, her voice laced with intrigue.

Hua Yong didn't like the sudden shift in attention. This was his event. He downed his champagne in one gulp and excused himself from the group, his eyes never leaving the newcomer.

''So many people...'' Gao Tu said under his breath. ''They look like they're all wearing crowns—just with different price tags''

Sheng Shao You chuckled.

''We're just ordinary guys now, so act one'' he replied. ''Don't start calculating the bounties on their heads''

Gao Tu grinned mischievously. ''Hey, I'm just here for the change of pace. No worries I'm an intel not an assassin ''

The two drifted apart, each exploring the ballroom.

Elsewhere in the venue, Shen Wen Lang was deep in conversation with the glamorous daughter of a provincial leader who had just returned from Korea—eager to show off her new figure. She clung to him, trying to impress.

But something else caught Shen Wen Lang's eye. He froze.

A face he recognized.

''I'll excuse myself. I need to check on someone'' he said smoothly, stepping away from the woman.

His eyes narrowed. Is that the guy my secretary tried to hire? The so-called PI?

Meanwhile, Gao Tu was enjoying himself, watching the crowd and soaking in the atmosphere. He was trained—experienced in reading people—and he knew instantly someone was following him.

But he didn't react.

Instead, he kept chatting with a waiter, casually asking for directions to the restroom.

''That way, sir. Down the right hallway'' the waiter pointed politely.

''Thanks'' Gao Tu nodded, then quickly headed off.

Shen Wen Lang had been watching. When he saw Gao Tu speed up, he followed, weaving through the crowd.

As he tried to make his way through the crowd, a sultry voice stopped him.

''Shen Wen Lang... honey... I came just to see you.''

A young celebrity with perfectly styled hair tried to wrap her arms around his neck. He caught her wrists gently but firmly, pulling her arms down.

''Not now. I have something important to take care of'' he said sharply, brushing past her. She huffed and stormed off.

But by the time he reached the hallway—Gao Tu was gone.

''What the—?!'' Shen Wen Lang cursed, running a hand through his hair in disbelief.

The same waiter passed by, seemingly unaware of the confusion.

Shen Wen Lang entered the restroom, flung open every stall door—nothing.

Empty.

Gone without a trace.

''Damn it!'' he muttered, glaring at the mirror. ''How did he disappear that fast?''