A discreet knock echoed against his door.
"Enter."
The door opened to reveal two figures dressed in fitted black tactical uniforms.
The first one, Xiao Ru, his loyal right-hand man, bowed his head respectfully, his short ash-brown hair still damp from early morning drills.
Behind him stood Lu Shiyan, dressed in combat boots and tight black cargo pants, her ponytail swishing as she saluted with crisp precision.
"Young Master," Xiao Ru began, his tone cool and professional, "Welcome back to Beijing. We have your morning brief ready."
Zi Zhen tied his robe belt tighter and gestured for them to proceed.
Xiao Ru stepped forward, pulling out a slim black tablet, "First, we have secured the Tianbei docks as per your previous instructions. No interference from rival groups. The Red Lantern triad attempted minor smuggling at the pier four last week but were intercepted. Their leader is currently detained at our underground holding site awaiting your orders."
Lu Shiyan spoke next, her voice calm and cold, "Also, the Black Mamba syndicate has shifted their heroin routes from Kunming to Guangxi after your last crackdown. Their leader has gone into hiding in Vietnam, but we have eyes on him."
Zi Zhen nodded silently, processing each word with razor focus as he walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, pulling aside the curtain to stare at the sprawling gardens below.
"And the businesses?"
"All legitimate enterprises under Z Corporation are running stable. Stock prices rose three points after news of the Lu family's return leaked this morning, I don't know the reasons, or it could be so" Xiao Ru replied smoothly.
A small, cold smile curved on the edge of Zi Zhen's lips... "Good."
He turned back to face them, eyes narrowing slightly, "And what of the Li family? What have they been up to?"
Xiao Ru hesitated for a moment before replying, "Their assets remain largely untouched, but internal conflicts have weakened their security structures. Shen Li's return to the mansion six years ago has caused tension among their household. No external alliances have been formed yet, but rumours say they are looking to partner with mid-tier city officials to stabilise their standing since they no longer are the majority shareholders of the Li Corporation."
Zi Zhen's gaze darkened, flickering with hidden storms before smoothing over into cold, lethal calm.
"Continue monitoring them. And keep surveillance tight around the Li Corporation headquarters. I don't want surprises."
"Yes, Young Master," they replied in unison, bowing slightly.
As Xiao Ru finished briefing the situation of the Black Mamba syndicate, he paused and exchanged a brief glance with Lu Shiyan before tapping his tablet again.
"There is… something else, Young Master," he said cautiously.
Lu Zi Zhen raised a brow, tying his robe belt tighter around his lean waist as he folded his arms, "Speak."
Lu Shiyan stepped forward and placed a thin black folder onto his desk. "We thought… you would want to see this yourself."
He walked over calmly and flipped it open with one elegant flick.
Inside were high-resolution surveillance stills printed on glossy sheets:
Li Feng, dressed in a navy tailored suit, emerging from a black Rolls Royce outside Li Corporation headquarters. Beside his photo was Shen Li, adorned in a pristine white cashmere dress and pale lavender shawl, looking every bit the delicate Madam Li she projected.
His eyes narrowed slightly, flicking to the next page.
Li Bo Yen, hair tousled stylishly, his arrogant smirk evident as he posed for cameras outside a city club. Next to him, Li Ren, in ripped jeans and a designer bomber jacket, was caught mid-laugh, arm thrown around a girl's shoulders.
Zi Zhen's fingers clenched faintly against the folder's edges as a dark, cold smirk curled his lips. "So… they are living well. So lavishly..."