Chapter 438 – The Tragic Ending in the Images
In the images, Xu Jinning wasn’t present.
It showed him signing a purchase contract with Jason and his team, and paying a $50,000 deposit.
Soon after, Jason and his team delivered the equipment.
In the footage, Xiao Changsheng had even arranged for the equipment to be tested. After confirming that the results were satisfactory, he paid the remaining $50,000 balance to Jason.
However, what he hadn’t anticipated was…
The equipment worked fine the second time it was used, but by the third time, it failed to function.
After several technicians examined the equipment, they discovered that it was all junk.
Not just one unit, but all ten units—completely unusable!
Further inspection by the technicians revealed that the equipment was very old inside, with some parts even rusted.
It was clear that each piece of equipment was essentially a collection of scrap metal.
It was inherently defective.
It could only be used once or twice before breaking down.
Yet, the exterior had been refurbished to look like new.
It turned out that Jason and his team had sold nearly broken equipment, disguised as new, for new equipment prices. These heaps of scrap metal were worthless and completely unusable.
Moreover, the equipment had anti-tampering mechanisms.
If anyone tried to disassemble it, certain internal parts would activate a self-destruct feature, specifically to prevent disassembly and investigation.
Thus, the equipment had no value for research either.
And yet, Xiao Changsheng had lost $100,000.
Not only that, but Jason and his team had all fled the country, and there was no way to catch them or recover the $100,000.
$100,000 was an enormous amount of money. The situation quickly drew attention, and higher authorities soon began investigating the responsibility for the loss.
Because Xiao Changsheng was the primary person responsible and the one who made the final decisions,
He was dismissed from his position and banned from holding any government role for life.
Moreover, the loss of $100,000 caused the development of Anren County to slow significantly.
In the final scene,
Xiao Changsheng saw himself in the footage, consumed by guilt, ultimately choosing to take his own life.
…
These images flashed through Xiao Changsheng’s mind in an instant.
As he came back to his senses, he found that the images had vanished. He was still in the office, facing Jason and his team, and Xu Jinning.
[Did Uncle Xiao hear or see anything?]
[Uncle Xiao, please don’t be deceived by these fraudsters.]
Xiao Changsheng could still hear Xu Jinning’s voice, even though she hadn’t spoken aloud.
He almost immediately tried to ask her something but found that he couldn’t speak, as if some kind of restriction was in place.
But a voice inside him told him:
Today, Xu Jinning had come specifically to warn him. What he had seen and heard was real.
He needed to trust Xu Jinning; she wouldn’t harm him.
Despite his shock, confusion, and the feeling that his worldview had been turned upside down,
Xiao Changsheng decided to trust Xu Jinning over Jason and his team.
At his level and age, Xiao Changsheng had strong emotional control, psychological resilience, and problem-solving skills.
“Mr. Xiao, what’s wrong?” Jason asked, noticing that Xiao Changsheng, who had been about to sign, suddenly stopped after a girl appeared at the door and said a few words.
Jason’s words were translated to Xiao Changsheng.
Xiao Changsheng looked at Jason, a hint of emotion crossing his face, but he quickly composed himself and said, “Mr. Jason, I’m sorry. Could you please wait a moment? I’m feeling a bit unwell and need to use the restroom.”
As he spoke, he pressed his hand against his stomach and made a pained expression.
Though Jason found Xiao Changsheng’s sudden need to use the restroom odd, he didn’t press the issue and agreed to wait in the office.
Assistant Hao, however, was puzzled by Xiao Changsheng’s behavior.
He could tell that Xiao Changsheng wasn’t actually unwell; it was clearly an excuse. But why? The contract was almost complete; it was just a matter of signing.
Even if Xiao Changsheng were truly unwell, it wouldn’t take long to sign the document.
Assistant Hao suspected there was something else going on and that the supposed discomfort was just a cover.
Although he didn’t know the exact reason, he complied and continued chatting with Jason and the others in the office.
Perhaps due to their arrogance, Jason and his team didn’t suspect anything.
Meanwhile, Xiao Changsheng exited the office and soon met Xu Jinning, who was accompanied by Xu Xiangbei.
Both Xiao Changsheng and Xu Jinning, restricted by the plot, couldn’t directly discuss the unfolding events.
So, Xiao Changsheng said, “Ningning, I understand why you’re here today.”
“Don’t worry. I know what to do.”
Hearing this, Xu Jinning felt relieved and smiled.
It seemed Uncle Xiao had heard her thoughts or seen the vision and had chosen to trust her.
That was a relief.
On the other hand, Xu Xiangbei was full of confusion.
Xu Xiangbei knew that his sister was undoubtedly involved in something important, so even though he was confused, he chose not to ask questions at that moment.
“Uncle Xiao, what are you planning to do?” Xu Jinning asked.
“Call the police!” was Xiao Changsheng’s immediate response.
So, Xiao Changsheng, along with Xu Jinning, quickly went to another office.
This was one of the two telephones available in the building.
One was in this office, and the other was in his office.
Since Jason and the others were in his office, making it inconvenient to make the call, Xiao Changsheng chose to use this one.
He flipped through the phone book and, after considering his options, dialed a number.
“Hello, Changzheng? This is Xiao Changsheng…”
Xu Jinning hadn’t expected Xiao Changsheng to contact her godfather, Zhang Changzheng.
However, it seemed like a suitable choice.
Firstly, the amount involved in Jason’s fraud was substantial, and Zhang Changzheng, with his current position, was the most appropriate person to handle the case.
Secondly, Xiao Changsheng was aware of Zhang Changzheng’s connection to Xu Jinning and had a good relationship with him as well.
So, it was like giving Zhang Changzheng a chance to earn some merit.
Xiao Changsheng didn’t mention that his actions were prompted by Xu Jinning’s warning, as it was not something he could disclose at that moment. However, he did mention that Xu Jinning was present.
Zhang Changzheng picked up on this.
It seemed that, like before, Xiao Changsheng had heard Xu Jinning’s thoughts, which led him to realize that Jason and his team were fraudsters.
Knowing that Xiao Changsheng almost signed the contract and might have been scammed out of $100,000 made Zhang Changzheng understand how serious the situation was.
When Zhang Changzheng had first heard Xu Jinning’s thoughts, he had also received a vision of his own imminent death, which had ultimately saved his life.
And now…
Xu Jinning’s thoughts seemed to have directly predicted Xiao Changsheng’s future, with the $100,000 outcome likely being disastrous.
