Chapter 77: Navigating Between Allies

After lunch, Pony happened to run into Ni Feihong in the hallway as he was heading to the restroom. She didn’t simply pass him by; she stopped and stared at him.

So, despite his pressing need to pee, Pony had no choice but to stop and see what she was up to.

“Why did you sneak aboard the Poseidon yesterday?” Ni Feihong asked curiously. “You’re so bold—does Yu Chengmin know about this?”

“She knows. I asked her for leave,” Pony replied.

“But you haven’t answered my question: how did you manage to sneak in?” Ni Feihong pressed.

That was something he couldn’t explain clearly at the moment, so Pony began to play dumb.

Ni Feihong thought for a moment, frowned, and said, “I can understand why you’d want to get in, but listen to me—you’re not one of those people. In that circle, everyone looks down their noses at others. Maybe Jiang Yaowen took you along; it seems you’ve had ties with him before. But be wary—if he doesn’t find you useful, why would he do that? People like him only help when they see profit in it. Personally, I think when he sees you as useful, you’re not far from being discarded.”

“Uh…well…” Pony didn’t really know how to explain any of it to her.

After a brief hesitation, Ni Feihong, feeling awkward and at a loss for words, was about to leave but didn’t, unwilling to force conversation with a man. She lingered.

Pony broke the silence first. “By the way, this morning I spoke well of you to Yu Chengmin…”

“Forget Yu Chengmin,” Ni Feihong interrupted forcefully.

Pony surrendered, raising a white flag. On this matter, her tone was almost identical to Yu Chengmin’s, leaving him speechless.

Ni Feihong softened a bit. “Still, thank you for your concern. You can be a bit neurotic at times, but I believe you genuinely speak for me. It’s a bit presumptuous, but thank you all the same.”

In that gentle moment, she was stunning—goddess-level allure. Thinking of her behavior aboard the Poseidon, Pony realized that while others might show her respect, it was never pure; she was the only one who truly cared for the “underdogs.” As she said, in that place, people looked at others with their chins up.

Just as Pony was feeling a bit touched, Ni Feihong decided to leave without saying anything more.

Pony called out, “Have you thought about your next step? What are you planning to do?”

Ni Feihong stopped again, looked at him, and smiled slightly. “What are you trying to say? You make it sound like I’m dead. Last time I invited you to lunch, you didn’t come, and now you’re concerned.”

She paused, then continued, “Thanks for your concern. Just focus on your own affairs. I’m only switching workplaces. As for you, if Yu Chengmin kicks you out, you’ll have to worry about rent.”

“So you still haven’t answered what you plan to do next,” Pony persisted.

Ni Feihong was candid. “Yesterday I had a preliminary talk with Xu Meihui. The transition is smooth; even with my team’s non-compete agreements, she’s willing to take everyone on. But it feels almost too easy—the terms are too favorable. She seems a bit odd; I hope I’m not overthinking it. I’ll need to consider it further.”

Pony said, “Actually, to some extent, she probably thinks just like Yu Chengmin. She’s mainly looking to use you and your team’s reputation as a gimmick, then stage a grand, near-destructive acquisition. Once she has the momentum and hype, she, like Yu Chengmin, won’t care about your career or art. The aim is likely to package, list, and cash out, then tie you down with equity—same old tricks.”

Ni Feihong was momentarily stunned; she hadn’t expected this oddball to see through it, and it was a new discovery for her.

She nodded seriously, “You’re right. Xu Meihui’s purpose is much the same as Yu Chengmin’s. But first, I can’t stay here anymore. Second, their ultimate goals differ a bit: Xu Meihui wants to take the company public, which gives me some leverage and the courage to accept equity. Do you see the problem? Yu Chengmin’s biggest issue is that she doesn’t want to go public, which means she’s not short of cash and only wants to avoid scrutiny and build her own secret financial system. So you, as a minor figure, don’t need to worry. In the end, people like me are bound to leave. You, on the other hand, just work for a living. Don’t think about things that are on a different level.”

With that, she walked away.

As usual, after a few steps, she turned back. “Since I just told you, I’m not keeping it secret. Yu Chengmin will find out sooner or later. So, if you think it’ll help you get along better, feel free to ‘leak’ what I just said to her. Don’t feel pressured. If you don’t say anything, someone else will. In fact, Xu Meihui will likely be the first to spill. Consider this a chance to win favor—a final gift from me to you as colleagues.”

After a slight nod, she left.

Pony watched her departing figure, dazed. He couldn’t move his feet; his body had let him down again…

After relieving himself, he adjusted his mood.

Back in the office, Pony hesitated, wanting to speak to Yu Chengmin.

Yu Chengmin paused several times, waiting for him to talk, but he remained silent, leaving her frustrated.

Finally, she closed her laptop, took off her anti-radiation glasses, and folded her arms. “You’re posturing again, aren’t you?”

“I have some information, but I’m not sure if I should share it. I feel a bit pressured,” Pony admitted.

Yu Chengmin perked up. “Looks like it’s about Ni Feihong?”

Pony nodded.

Yu Chengmin thought for a moment, stood up, and invited Pony to sit in a guest chair, beginning to persuade him. “Go ahead, I’m waiting. Feeling pressure is normal, but what needs to be said must be said. I’ve been through this myself—I understand your worries. There are a few sources: first, you’re worried about her connections and abilities, that she might retaliate, but I’ll stand by you. Second, you’re a young man, and you have that ‘a man dies for a confidant’ mentality. That’s not wrong, but it’s not right either.”

She continued, “It’s important to be clear: you’re paid by the company, you work for the company—not for Ni Feihong. As long as you know that, I represent the company, she does not. If your information affects the company and isn’t illegal, you have a responsibility and obligation to tell me. She may see you as a traitor, but she doesn’t set the standards for right and wrong. Understand?”

Pony couldn’t help but half open his mouth, feeling she made a lot of sense.

What a sorceress—she always managed to sound so serious while spouting persuasive nonsense.

Having finished his mental drama, Pony began to spill. “She trusts me. We’ve talked privately a few times. I heard she’s planning to leave the company.”

“That’s obvious,” Yu Chengmin frowned slightly.

Pony went on, “I also heard she’s planning to transition over to Xu Meihui’s side. President Yu, do you know Xu Meihui?”

“Forget Xu Meihui.”

Despite her words, Yu Chengmin was starting to realize that this kid was quite the informant. The news was interesting.

Her own intuition told her the same—that Ni Feihong had spent the most time talking with Xu Meihui aboard the Poseidon.

She just hadn’t had the chance to find out what they discussed. This confirmed the reliability of Pony’s little report.

“Go on,” Yu Chengmin encouraged, giving Pony a nod.