The Retired Young Mercenary Is Secretly a Billionaire

Chapter 328: Huanglingcun Village!!

Beijing, China

Civil Aviation Administration of China

The office of the Aviation Administrator was silent.

Large glass windows overlooked the sprawling city skyline of Beijing.

Aircraft routes, flight schedules, and air traffic maps covered multiple monitors across the room.

Yet despite the air conditioning running at full power, Administrator Liu was sweating.

His hand tightened around the phone.

A voice came from the other side.

Cold.

Patient.

Dangerous.

"Liu."

Administrator Liu immediately straightened his posture.

"Mr. Xin."

"We are regularly monitoring the foreigner from the sketch you provided."

"We have investigated every suspected individual so far."

"We checked immigration records, flight manifests, and aviation databases."

"None of them match the target."

The room became silent for a few seconds.

Then Xin spoke again.

"Liu."

"I have given you a lot of money."

His voice remained calm.

"Don’t forget who helped you obtain that position."

Liu’s face became pale.

"I understand, Mr. Xin."

"We are checking everything."

"Commercial flights."

"Cargo aircraft."

"Private jets."

"Helicopters."

"Everything entering Chinese airspace is monitored by the Aviation Administration."

"If he lands anywhere in China, we will definitely know."

A smile slowly appeared on Xin’s scarred face.

"Good."

The call ended.

Liu finally exhaled.

Only after the call disconnected did he realize his shirt was soaked with sweat.

Xin slowly lowered the phone.

A twisted smile appeared on his face.

"Ghost."

"Two days."

"And you are still not here."

He stood from his chair and walked toward the large window overlooking Chongqing.

The city lights reflected red in his eyes.

Then he laughed softly.

"Whatever."

"I waited four years."

"I can wait a little longer."

His fingers tapped against the glass.

"You will find Wáng Yí for me."

"And then."

"You will come to me."

A dark laugh echoed through the room.

"Just like a puppet."

...

Star Harbor

Cinder Square

Inside Sterling Enterprises Headquarters.

The atmosphere was completely different.

A massive digital operations wall occupied one side of Miles’ office.

Several live feeds displayed maps, satellite imagery, and encrypted communications.

One screen showed the Ancient Warrior Order’s island base.

Another displayed the movements of various investigation teams operating across China.

Miles sat at his desk watching the incoming reports.

Ren’s face appeared on the screen.

"Leader."

"As planned, I divided the group into two units."

Miles nodded.

"Continue."

"Half of the team is moving toward Huanglingcun Village."

"The remaining members are staying in Shanghai."

"I will personally investigate the Wang residence."

Miles leaned forward.

"Good."

Then his expression became serious.

"If this is a trap, they will notice you."

"Let them."

Ren smiled.

"Understood."

"Should I engage if discovered?"

"No."

Miles immediately shook his head.

"Observe."

"Gather information."

"And do not reveal your face."

Ren nodded.

"Understood."

The transmission ended.

Almost immediately another screen activated.

Darius appeared.

"Leader."

"We finished investigating Azure Bank."

Miles looked toward him.

"What did you find?"

Darius opened several files.

"After Xin supposedly died in the fire four years ago, the headquarters remained operational for about a month."

"Then it was suddenly relocated to Chongqing."

"Specifically near the Xin family estate."

Miles listened quietly.

"The bank continued growing."

"Almost as if it never lost its leader."

Darius switched to another document.

"Official reports state that Xin’s father, Xan Xiao, took over operations."

"He was even featured in Forbes last year."

Darius paused.

"Could his father be behind everything?"

Miles folded his hands.

"It is possible."

But something clearly bothered him.

Darius noticed.

"There is one more thing."

"Something that keeps troubling me."

Miles looked up.

"What is it?"

Darius pulled up another profile.

"Xan Xiao’s original profession."

The screen changed.

Miles read the information.

Then froze.

"A surgeon."

Darius nodded.

"Yes."

Miles slowly leaned back.

"A surgeon."

"A surgeon running one of the fastest growing banking institutions in Asia."

His eyes narrowed.

"That makes absolutely no sense."

Darius agreed.

"Xin was a financial genius."

"But his father’s expertise is medicine."

"Not banking."

Miles stood up.

His mind was already connecting pieces.

"A banking empire doesn’t continue growing like that without leadership."

"Especially after losing someone like Xin."

He turned toward the screen.

"I am getting a strong feeling."

"A very strong feeling."

Darius already knew what was coming.

Miles spoke slowly.

"I think Xin is alive."

The room became silent.

Even Darius looked serious.

"It is possible."

Miles immediately started issuing orders.

"It will be difficult."

"But find out who supplies medical equipment and medication to Xan Xiao."

"Every supplier."

"Every hospital connection."

"Every purchase."

Darius nodded.

"We can do that."

Miles continued.

"And focus on the year of the fire."

"If Xin survived..."

His eyes became cold.

"He would have needed treatment."

"Extensive treatment."

"Most likely hidden treatment."

"Conducted by his own father."

Darius immediately understood.

"Understood."

"I will inform the Chongqing team."

"Good."

The transmission ended.

One by one the screens darkened.

The office became quiet.

Miles slowly reclined into his chair.

His gaze drifted toward the ceiling.

He felt the enemy’s shadow becoming clearer.

Not visible.

Not confirmed.

But closer.

Much closer.

Then there was a knock on the office door.

June stepped inside.

Her tablet was in hand.

"Boss."

Miles looked up.

"What is it?"

June smiled.

"April is here."

A faint smile appeared on Miles’ face.

"Call her in."

June nodded and left.

Moments later, the office door began to open.

...

"Boss, I brought the catalog of the rings you wanted."

"Hearing that you are finally going to propose makes me excited."

April placed the thick jewelry catalog on Miles’ desk.

Then rested her hands behind her back and smiled.

Miles looked up from his chair.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

He opened the catalog.

The cover alone looked expensive.

Luxury rings from around the world filled its pages.

Diamond rings.

Platinum rings.

Vintage designs.

Modern masterpieces.

Every age represented somebody’s promise.

"Help me decide too."

April immediately shook her head.

"No."

"I suggest you decide yourself."

"I can explain specifications."

"But the ring should be your choice."

Miles nodded.

"Fair enough."

"Thanks."

April pulled a chair and sat nearby.

June stood beside the window, already enjoying the situation.

Several pages later.

Miles looked more confused than before.

"This one?"

April leaned forward.

"Very elegant."

"Classic."

"But maybe too formal for Miss Chloe."

Miles turned another page.

"This?"

April nodded.

"Beautiful."

"But a little flashy."

Miles sighed.

"Why does this feel harder than aim practice?"

June immediately laughed.

April covered her mouth while giggling.

Then she suddenly spoke.

"Boss."

Miles looked up.

"Hm?"

"You are really going to break many hearts in this office."

June laughed even harder.

Miles blinked.

"What?"

April nodded seriously.

"Many women here have a crush on you."

Miles stared at her.

"When did that happen?"

April looked at June.

June looked at April.

Both sighed together.

June crossed her arms.

"You ignore gossip."

"You ignore compliments."

"You ignore hints."

"You ignore almost everything."

Miles scratched his head.

"I hope I don’t create enemies at work."

April smiled warmly.

"Don’t worry."

"They will be happy for you."

"Just like I am happy for you."

Miles looked at her.

"Hm?"

April immediately waved both hands.

"Nothing."

"Nothing at all."

She quickly pointed toward the catalog.

"Let’s look at the rings."

June chuckled quietly.

Miles still looked suspicious.

But eventually he turned another page.

And the discussion continued.

....

Flashback

Baby Dragon Art School

Shanghai

The afternoon sun illuminated the studio.

Paintings stood on wooden easels.

The scent of paint and paper lingered in the air.

Ghost stood quietly beside Wáng Yí.

She was painting again.

Her brush moved smoothly across the canvas.

Today the scene was different.

Tall mountains stretched toward the sky.

Ancient wooden houses rested among the hills.

Stone paths connected small courtyards.

Mist drifted between distant peaks.

The entire painting felt peaceful.

Like a forgotten place hidden from the world.

Ghost studied it carefully.

"Another imagination?"

Wáng Yí smiled.

"No."

"It’s a real place."

Ghost looked at her.

"It is?"

She nodded.

"Huanglingcun Village."

"We have a house there."

"My mom and dad used to take me there during holidays."

Her smile became softer.

"When I was little."

"Before I became a troubled child."

Ghost looked back at the painting.

"It looks peaceful."

"It is."

Wáng Yí added a few brush strokes.

"The air is clean."

"There are mountains everywhere."

"No noisy cities."

"No traffic."

"No pressure."

She smiled.

"I wanted to take you there."

Then she puffed her cheeks.

"But you turned me down."

Ghost looked slightly guilty.

"I’m sorry."

Wáng Yí laughed.

"Don’t worry."

"I’m not sad."

She continued painting.

Then she glanced at him.

"Just help me with the Xin situation."

Ghost nodded.

"Don’t worry."

"I will."

Wáng Yí lowered her brush.

"Sorry."

"I keep asking too much."

Ghost shook his head.

"It’s alright."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"I’m happy to help."

For a moment she simply stared at him.

Then she looked back at her painting.

"One day."

"If you get her back."

"And get married."

"Maybe I’ll invite you to Huanglingcun Village."

Ghost smiled faintly.

"I don’t know if that day will come."

"But thank you."

The room became quiet.

Only the sound of the brush remained.

A few moments later Ghost spoke again.

"Tell me more about Xin."

Wáng Yí sighed.

"He is too old for me."

"My father says he is a money obsessed person."

"He doesn’t like him either."

Ghost nodded.

"At least your father agrees on a few things."

Wáng Yí burst into laughter.

"You are right."

Then she became thoughtful.

"Sometimes."

"I think he isn’t that bad either."

Ghost simply listened.

After a while he looked at the clock.

"I have to practice now."

Wáng Yí nodded.

"Right."

"Good luck."

Ghost turned and started walking away.

As he left the studio, he looked down at the envelope in his hand.

A message waiting at reception.

An invitation.

A private party hosted by Xin.

Ghost stared at the elegant golden lettering for a few seconds.

Then continued walking.

Inside the studio.

Wáng Yí watched his disappearing figure.

The smile on her face slowly faded.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips.

"Why are the men in my life not like you..."

Her brush stopped moving.

The painting remained unfinished.