Chapter Fifty-Nine: Behind the Bankruptcy

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It was a pity. The prison's training facilities were limited, so only certain exercises could be conducted there. Yet, despite this, Zhao Li was drilled relentlessly by these people, his training precise and rigorous.

Although Zhao Li could freely use his true energy, each session left him exhausted, as if his trainers refused to relent until he was completely worn out.

This became a form of competition among some of them. They rarely argued verbally; instead, disputes were settled by seeing whose training methods could tire Zhao Li out the fastest. Every time Zhao Li’s performance caused one person or group to lose, the training became even harsher with higher standards imposed.

It seemed that Zhao Li’s life during this period followed this strict routine—much like that of a special forces soldier. Unfortunately, his knowledge of firearms and many other disciplines remained theoretical. For example, he had memorized numerous models of aircraft in his mind but had never operated any in practice.

The same applied to firearms. Sanders was truly formidable; though he couldn’t best Zhao Li in hand-to-hand combat, his understanding and handling of firearms surpassed Zhao Li’s by far. Zhao Li had only ever handled one standard issue firearm, while many special weapons he only knew by name and had never seen in person.

Thanks to Sanders, Zhao Li’s horizons expanded significantly. It seemed that every firearm blueprint was stored in Sanders’ mind. With a stick and some ground, Sanders could sketch detailed diagrams—from special forces pistols to close-range submachine guns, long-range assault rifles, and sniper rifles—covering every imaginable model.

The most troublesome part was that Zhao Li had to memorize all of this in detail. Otherwise, Sanders and the others would suddenly throw a baffling quiz at him. Failure to answer meant enduring grueling physical training that tested his endurance to the limit.

Zhao Li finally understood where their formidable physical strength came from, even with their true energy sealed. Such training methods made it impossible for anyone to appear weak or frail.

Once Zhao Li adapted to this intense physical regimen and his muscles began to take shape, these dull criminals seemed to devise new torturous methods, starting a new form of training.

At first contact, Zhao Li found these sessions chilling. They were all about deadly techniques—teaching precisely which parts of the human body were most vulnerable and how to deliver fatal blows. It was as if a person was dissected and laid bare before him.

The most absurd was Professor Hans. Upon hearing about this training, he became deeply interested and personally drew a complete set of detailed anatomical charts for Zhao Li. It made Zhao Li feel that this so-called biochemistry expert was really a professional surgeon; the diagrams were absolutely medically accurate.

“That’s right, these are medical anatomical charts!” Professor Hans revealed without hesitation. “My specialty is human genetic engineering. I know every detail inside and out. You won’t need this set for training, but if you did, I could even draw out the DNA sequences of specific body parts for your reference.”

Hearing this, Zhao Li obediently began memorizing the charts in front of him, afraid to displease the professor lest he be forced to recite the sequences of two hundred thousand genetic codes.

It seemed everyone here was mad. Otherwise, how could they retain so much information? Yet, if memorizing fixed sequences made someone crazy, then Kang Hongyuan’s abilities in some areas placed him barely within human limits.

“When it comes to the current tax commissioner? Oh, Thomas. He was born in XX year, hails from XX city in Europe, studied locally as a child, then pursued philosophy at Birmingham University, graduated in XX year, began PhD studies in XX year, held certain positions in XX year, joined the XX party in XX year, and then gradually rose through the ranks,” Kang could recite the entire political resume of any figure as flawlessly as a household registry file, detailing their faction, career milestones, and achievements. To verify, Zhao Li asked about a local official from his hometown, and Kang flawlessly recited that person’s history without batting an eye, even pointing out which actions won favor and which missteps led to consequences.

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After hearing this, Zhao Li could only give a thumbs-up, showing utmost respect. The old man beamed proudly, patting Zhao Li on the shoulder and earnestly advising, “Young man, if you want to make it in politics, you must master this knowledge. And that’s just the basics. You must also analyze how their personalities influence their reactions to sudden events, and learn to discern whether certain behaviors are theirs or dictated by their advisers. This is real scholarship!”

Awed beyond words, Zhao Li could only express his deepest admiration with reverent eyes. To study people to this degree—he was truly among the elites. No wonder such men were housed here.

When overwhelmed, Zhao Li would visit Ban Yunchan for solace. After enduring constant threats of death or erasure from those maniacs, it was a mercy he hadn’t executed them on the spot. He wondered who had trained these monsters.

Ban Yunchan always helped Zhao Li regain calm with just a glance, without a word. She seemed to intuit his inner turmoil. This silent understanding was a rare comfort, the only place where Zhao Li felt he wasn’t surrounded by lunatics.

“Ban, how exactly did you transfer that vast sum of money? Is there some special technique?” Zhao Li felt at ease chatting casually with Ban Yunchan, who never minded his curiosity, always responding with a smile.

“Want to learn some financial tricks?” Ban Yunchan no longer teased Zhao Li about his curiosity. The young man seemed to be maturing quickly, no longer the naive boy he once was.

“Yeah, the more skills the better. Knowing more can’t hurt. At least then I’d be prepared if others try to mess with me,” Zhao Li admitted, his words betraying his growing awareness of the threats he might face. The torment was teaching him to protect himself.

“Want to hear the story? It’s a long one!” Ban Yunchan showed a rare playful side, her youthful vitality shining through despite being only slightly older than Zhao Li.

“Great!” Zhao Li almost jumped for joy. “Finally, a legit excuse to dodge those perverts.” He poured her a glass of water with care, then sat properly opposite her, ready to listen.

Years ago, a woman applied for a front desk position at HSBC. The job was low-demand and low-pay, and she easily secured it.

During her tenure, everyone who entered the branch noticed a dramatic change in service. A young woman greeted customers warmly but professionally, always ready to help them navigate procedures. Her demeanor was so pleasant that even waiting in line felt tolerable. Soon, she earned praise from all staff, including security.

Hard work paid off. She was promoted to the teller department. There, her meticulous work ethic and amiable personality won over colleagues—even those normally jealous or hostile—who couldn’t help but smile in her presence.

Of course, promotion was inevitable. If a person like her wasn’t advanced, HSBC would have long since collapsed. Zhao Li understood this but couldn’t help feeling bitter—because of her promotion, the bank that should never have failed ultimately did.

Soon, she reached the branch’s duty department. Her careful yet refreshing attitude garnered unanimous acclaim from clients and colleagues alike. Not long after, she was promoted to the sub-branch.

Her performance remained excellent yet unobtrusive. Everyone who worked with her admired her, even the notoriously jealous deputy branch manager, who gradually warmed to her relentless dedication. Thanks to her, the branch’s business nearly doubled, becoming the region’s top performer.

Outstanding personnel must be promoted, or their efforts would be wasted. When the head office’s credit card department needed a key staffer, she was the obvious choice.

At headquarters, she continued to excel and maintain harmonious relationships. Even a high-ranking, still-single executive was attracted to her quiet, modest demeanor and began courting her. However, she neither encouraged nor rebuffed him, simply focusing on her work. She treated all colleagues equally, earning universal goodwill. Within six months, due to stellar performance, a deputy manager role opened, and she was the unanimous pick.

With greater authority came greater responsibility and capability. Soon, the credit card department’s success led to her promotion to manager when the former manager rose to vice president.

Talented individuals shine everywhere. Empowered, she helped HSBC’s overall competitiveness leap forward in just months.

Thus, another promotion was inevitable. She became vice president in charge of the credit card and loan departments. With greater opportunity came greater display of her talents.

Then the opportunity—at the close of a fiscal quarter, during account reconciliation—the woman mysteriously disappeared. Two months later, HSBC insiders discovered a sum of money large enough to drive shareholders to despair had vanished months prior, leaving no trace.

This triggered panic withdrawals and eventual bankruptcy. Yet, despite the bank’s collapse, those who had worked with her still spoke highly of the missing woman, unable to forget her.

“That’s it? What happened next?” Zhao Li, like a child awaiting a bedtime story’s ending, listened all afternoon and still asked, “And then?”

“There’s no more. Guess for yourself,” Ban Yunchan declined to elaborate. That secret was her lifeline; even Zhao Li wouldn’t be granted that knowledge lightly.

“Later? Want to know?” In the old warden’s office, hearing Zhao Li recount this, the warden asked.

Of course Zhao Li wanted to know; otherwise, why ask? He nodded vigorously. Having gained partial clearance to access such information, no one questioned him.

“After HSBC’s bankruptcy, seventeen male employees from the credit card and loan departments turned themselves in across seventeen cities. Each claimed responsibility for transferring the money. Before surrendering, they had killed their entire families, then calmly confessed to embezzlement and murder before quietly committing suicide. All followed the same pattern.”

“What do you make of this?” The warden looked at the stunned Zhao Li and posed the question.