Chapter 12

Lei Xiaogu: "I will take over from Gaodeng as the head of the Supernatural Department, and you will take over as the owner of [The Shadow of Terror]?"

Lei Liya: "Yes. The [Nine Elders] don't agree with you managing two departments at the same time, so this way they won't have any reason to oppose it. And are you not confident in me managing [The Shadow of Terror]?"

Lei Xiaogu: "No, not only are the [Nine Elders] hard to deceive, but the incident with Dent won't be overlooked by the [Elders' Council]. Those old guys who have retreated behind the scenes are not senile. Even if there is no evidence or concrete proof, I think in an 'unavoidable' situation, the [Nine Elders] will force me to step down to a secondary position, and they won't even let me keep my current position, because I have completely lost my leverage."

Lei Liya: "In the eyes of the [Nine Elders], are the threats from aliens, the supernatural, and so on not as important as you, Father?"

Lei Xiaogu: "Sigh, being too successful in one's career also has its drawbacks." — Regret

I (Narrator): "You are truly humble."

—

Lei Liya: "If we can't move at all, isn't that a dead end?"

Lei Xiaogu: "Not necessarily. Think about it from the opposite angle. Since the [Nine Elders] can give Gaodeng two candidates to groom as his successor, why can't we also insert one of our own to compete with those two? If successful, it would be the same as me taking the position."

Lei Liya: "Would the [Nine Elders] recognize a candidate who hasn't been chosen or recommended by them?"

Lei Xiaogu: "What if the [Nine Elders] don't recognize it? As long as Gaodeng himself recognizes it, that's all that matters. Ultimately, it's still Gaodeng who chooses his closed disciples. He decides who he likes and wants to groom, and the [Nine Elders] can't control him in this matter."

Lei Liya: "What if the [Nine Elders] use extreme measures to force him to choose only their candidates?"

Lei Xiaogu: "That would be even better. If they really use such a foolish move, it would be exactly what I hope for. You know Gaodeng's temper and abilities, and he may not have much time left, so he has fewer concerns and can do anything. If that happens, the only external support Gaodeng can rely on is me. This would directly pull him into our camp, and I wouldn't have to send someone to compete for his position. This would be a stroke of luck, and we would definitely have three seats in the next [Nine Elders]." — Calm expression

I (Narrator): "The old scholar remains unperturbed in the face of power, truly a man of deep strategy."

—

Lei Liya: "Gaodeng is indeed likely to react as you analyzed. You are truly his long-time rival and understand him well." — Admiration

Lei Xiaogu: "Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles. Unfortunately, the [Nine Elders] won't use such a foolish move, otherwise Gaodeng would come to me for help. That scenario only appears in my dreams, and just thinking about it makes me excited." — Sharp eyes, rapid breathing

I (Narrator): "This impatient guy, Gaodeng is just an old fool, what is he fantasizing about?"

—

Lei Liya: "Father, please calm down. You should first think about how we can insert our own person. The current production team has already been personally modified and finalized by Gaodeng. Inserting someone else would make Gaodeng unhappy, and the person inserted would be disliked by him."

Lei Xiaogu: "Don't worry, I have a way to insert our own person and make Gaodeng willing to accept them."

Lei Liya: "What method?"

Lei Xiaogu: "It's simple, send a [red envelope]. I've seen that the [Gaodeng's Money-Making Production Team] has no sponsors, investors, or producers. I think Gaodeng considers the reality show a national project and wants the national treasury to fund it. What a bumpkin, he still thinks shooting a reality show is like shooting a TV drama. Once he realizes how much sponsorship and money this reality show, which even makes the [News Broadcast] change its schedule, can bring, he will definitely change his mind and seek sponsors. At that time, we can insert our person as a producer. I'm more concerned about the selection of the person we insert. I have a suitable candidate, but only you can persuade him, and I need your help with this."

Lei Liya: "Do you need my help? Who do you want... (surprised) Wayne?"

I (Narrator): "Who is this Wayne that even your daughter has to personally invite?"

—

Lei Xiaogu: "Yes, my most accomplished disciple, your boyfriend, an orphan, the CEO of Wayne Group, and the richest man in Gotham. His capabilities are beyond doubt, and the funds for sponsorship won't have to come from [The Shadow of Terror]."

Lei Liya: "Inserting him is one thing, but making him pay for the sponsorship as well?"

Lei Xiaogu: "Oh, my dear daughter, are you worried? Although it's the time to spend money to balance the budget at the end of the year, you know the international economic environment is poor, and the domestic economy is also affected. Taxes continue to increase, and we should try to spend less. I don't want [The Shadow of Terror] to follow the Supernatural Department's fate of being forced to cut the budget. I know very well how many orders Wayne Group has received from the Ministry of Defense and the National Security Agency this year, and half of them were introduced by me. He is already so wealthy that a little bloodletting won't hurt him."

I (Narrator): "In a worsening economic environment, taxes can still increase? Did you make a mistake, old scholar? Or how does this demonic organization manage to do it? It's truly a miracle."

—

Lei Liya: "Although I am confident I can persuade him to provide the funds and join the production team, he won't follow your commands. You haven't forgotten this, right?"

Lei Xiaogu: "Of course, I haven't forgotten. His peculiar [no killing] belief left a deep impression on me. I used to train him to be a top assassin. But precisely because he won't follow my commands, the [Nine Elders] and Gaodeng might tolerate his temporary insertion. His [no killing] belief will also reassure the [Nine Elders] and interest Gaodeng. As for how to control him in the future, isn't there you?" — Teasing

Lei Liya: "You are putting the control in the hands of my relationship with Wayne, which might not remain the same in the future? What if we break up?"

Lei Xiaogu: "So I advise you to seize the opportunity, get married, and have a child. That will solve the problem, won't it? He is a prime catch, and you should seize the opportunity." — Optimistic

Lei Liya: "Do you think getting married and having a child will ensure everything is fine... What if we face the 'seven-year itch' and split up, or he is lured away by some stray cat, falls in love with someone else, and even secretly has a child, abandoning me and our child? What will you do then?" — Pessimistic

Lei Xiaogu: "That boy dares to!! I'll break his legs!!" — Furious

I (Narrator): "Dare to face the 'seven-year itch'? Break his third leg!"

Page flip, AD starts

Page flip, AD ends