The World's Richest Man: Start with the Daily Intelligence System

72: Chapter 72 Lockdown Project TeamSome people even smelled the scent of alcohol on Zhu Pengfei and couldn’t help but frown. This second young master was always unreliable; was it really okay to hand over such an important project bid to him?

Zhu Pengfei didn’t care about any of that. Recalling the instructions Zhang Wei had given him, he asked loudly, ”Where is Minister Han from the Infrastructure Department?” A middle-aged man who was just about to leave hurriedly turned back and ran over.

”Second Young Master, what are your orders?”

Zhu Pengfei looked at the man and said, ”I am the person in charge of this project now. Send out a notice immediately for all project team members going to Shenghai to participate in the bidding today to gather at headquarters. We will set off together first thing in the morning.”

Minister Han didn’t know what the young master was up to, but since the other party had the Chairman’s appointment, he would simply follow orders. He bowed and began contacting the people under him.

In less than an hour, the twenty project team members going to Shenghai City today gathered in a conference room at headquarters.

”Is everyone here?” Zhu Pengfei asked, scanning the crowd with his legs crossed.

Minister Han stood to the side and said quickly, ”Second Young Master, all 20 people planned for the trip, including myself, making 21 in total, are here. What are your further instructions?”

Zhu Pengfei gave a yawn and said, ”Everyone hand over your phones now. They will be returned after the bidding. During this period, any contact with the outside world is prohibited. Minister Han, you are responsible for keeping them. As for your phone, hand it to me now.”

The people below immediately began whispering to each other. Qin Mulin secretly clenched his fists in the crowd; his first reaction to the sudden demand to hand over phones was that he had been exposed.

At this time, Minister Han said awkwardly, ”Second Young Master, there’s still more than a day until the bidding ends. If the employees’ phones are confiscated and their families can’t reach them, it could cause trouble.”

Zhu Pengfei snorted and sat up, his fierce side showing: ”This is the first time my dad has entrusted me with such a heavy responsibility; there must be absolutely no mistakes. Anyone dissatisfied with handing over their phone is going against me, Zhu Pengfei. Who wants to object now?”

The crowd, which had been indignant just a moment ago, was now silent. Just kidding—going without a phone for a day would be uncomfortable at most, but who would want to be the one to stick their neck out and offend the Second Young Master? Wouldn’t that be seeking death?

Seeing no further objections, Zhu Pengfei laughed: ”That’s more like it. We’re all colleagues in the same company; we should be understanding, right? Minister Han, arrange for your subordinates to call the families of the traveling staff one by one to explain the situation. That way, their families won’t worry.”

After speaking, he took a list from his pocket and smiled: ”Now, I’ll call out names to pair you up. Until the bidding is over, you must stay together even when going to the bathroom. You cannot leave each other’s side. Report any suspicious activity to me immediately. It’s not easy for the company to secure this project. Everyone, hold on for a day. Once the bid is successful, I’ll treat everyone to a night out at the best nightclub in Guanghai.”

As names were called out one by one, colleague Xiao Qian said to Qin Mulin, ”Old Qin, I’m paired with you. Do you snore at night?”

After some casual replies, Qin Mulin’s mind was in turmoil. He was worried about the news leaking and also thinking about completing the deal to disappear with the money. Fortunately, he had already agreed on the time and Location for the transaction; even if his phone was confiscated, it wouldn’t have a huge impact. The key was how to escape Xiao Qian’s surveillance. He had no clue.

Before he could think further, Manager Han had finished confiscating all the phones. Zhu Pengfei waved his hand: ”Off to the airport.”

Everyone arrived at the airport terminal and checked their luggage. While waiting for the flight, since they had no phones for entertainment, they could only chat to pass the time. During this time, if someone went to the bathroom, the other person in the pair had to go along. It was quite embarrassing for several of them. Only Zhu Pengfei was using his phone to watch hot dance videos of streamers, smirking lewdly from time to time, which made everyone’s teeth itch with frustration. They were all cursing this bastard in their heads, hoping he’d become a eunuch sooner or later.

An hour later, they finally boarded the plane. The group had nothing left to talk about and fell asleep in their respective seats.

Qin Mulin also closed his eyes to rest, but his mind was on how to complete the transaction tonight. Judging by that idiot young master’s demeanor, he probably hadn’t discovered that he was the mole. Otherwise, he would have taken action long ago.

It was more likely that because he had suddenly been given a heavy responsibility by the Chairman, he just wanted to do things well. An unintentional move had instead put him in an awkward position.

How could he avoid Xiao Qian’s surveillance? Qin Mulin thought about Xiao Qian’s usual behavior at the company and suddenly had an idea. This Xiao Qian had a terrible alcohol tolerance when accompanying clients to dinner; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he’d pass out after one glass. Perhaps he could make use of this.

Everyone got off the plane and arrived at the hotel. Zhu Pengfei recalled Zhang Wei’s arrangements and hurriedly ordered: ”All employees go back to your rooms and don’t come downstairs for no reason. As for lunch and dinner, Minister Han, contact a delivery platform to arrange for food. It will be distributed uniformly when the time comes.”

Everyone was somewhat speechless. They had finally come to Shenghai, and not only were their phones confiscated, but they also had to stay in their rooms and couldn’t go out. What was the difference between this and being in prison? However, considering the company hadn’t treated them poorly in the past, they endured it.

As for Qin Mulin and Xiao Qian, they had nothing to do once they returned to their room. Accustomed to having their phones with them, being suddenly deprived of them made everything feel awkward. They thought about watching TV but found it wouldn’t turn on. They called the front desk to have someone fix it, but it wasn’t repaired. After some communication, they asked if they could change rooms but were told the hotel had no vacancies. The two completely gave up hope.

At this time, Zhu Pengfei was hugging Liu Haorui: ”Haha, Old Zhu, I haven’t seen you in years, and you’re still as dashing as ever. I’ve missed you to death.” Liu Haorui laughed loudly.

Zhu Pengfei also nodded excitedly: ”I didn’t expect you to have not changed at all these past few years, Old Liu. Still so handsome.”

Zhang Wei watched the two of them in mutual admiration, speechless. Recalling the nickname their college classmates gave them, the ”Two Idiots of the Management Department,” he felt it was well-deserved.

”Alright, alright, there’s a limit to narcissism.” Zhang Wei interrupted them. ”There’s nothing left for you to do. Go do whatever you need to do.”

Zhu Pengfei cried out: ”I just got to Shenghai and there’s nothing for me to do? You have to tell me who the mole is!”

Beside him, Liu Haorui also shouted: ”After all, I’m a big internet celebrity with acting skills. How can I not have a part in such a fun thing as catching a mole?”

Zhang Wei rolled his eyes at Zhu Pengfei: ”If I tell you the mole’s identity in advance, I’m afraid your lack of facial expression management will ruin things. You’ll know who it is after the bidding anyway.” He then looked at Liu Haorui: ”As for you, with that Mohawk, are you afraid people won’t recognize you as Interview Brother or something? Don’t add to the mess. Go stay wherever it’s cool.”

Liu Haorui wanted to argue more, but then he saw Zhu Pengfei’s eyes roll as he sneakily whispered a few words in his ear. His eyes lit up instantly.

The two exchanged glances and left the hotel in sync. Zhang Wei was speechless. These two idiots were truly sleazy; they were probably in a hurry to go criticize some wayward girls.