CHAPTER 298: CHAPTER 298: WUBAO: HELP, SOMEONE IS TRYING TO KIDNAP ME!1

In the end, all she had to do was make a decision. The specifics of how to acquire and restructure would be delegated to Xi Tan and Xie Changyuan; she wouldn’t need to get her hands dirty.

Professional matters should be left to professionals; her role was to know people and utilize their strengths.

Mo Yinhe greatly admired her decisiveness and courage in delegating. He told her, "Mingjing, remember, a boss doesn’t need to be an expert in a specific professional skill. What’s needed is the ability to recognize and use talent—to recruit skilled individuals to work for you. That’s a higher-level capability.

"A boss should never compete with their subordinates in skills. If your subordinate is more capable than you, congratulations, you’ve found the right person.

"The abilities you need are vision and perspective, qualities that skilled professionals may not necessarily possess."

Si Mingjing listened intently.

She felt that Mo Yinhe made a lot of sense.

Unexpectedly, while the two were discussing business matters, Ye Nianbai, who sat beside them patting his stuffed little belly as he digested his food, suddenly lifted his adorably cool face, his eyes wide with excited surprise.

"Dad, is that true? Does that mean I don’t have to learn professional knowledge? In the future, I just need to know how to gather followers to do great things?"

No sooner had he spoken than Mo Yinhe rapped him on the head.

"You little rascal, are you asking for a spanking?"

He lifted his son onto his lap, making the little rascal sit there, and admonished him earnestly, "As a man, if you can’t excel in everything, you won’t even be able to find a wife when you grow up. Will you learn now or not?"

"I have Jingjing!"

Mo Yinhe pinned him down on his lap and started to pull down his pants, ready to spank him.

Seeing the situation escalate, Si Mingjing quickly snatched Ye Nianbai from Mo Yinhe’s arms. Protecting him, she said, "Xiaobai’s grades are very good. He will definitely be proficient in everything in the future. You don’t have to spank the child every time. If you speak kindly and gently, he will listen."

Mo Yinhe felt that if he were too gentle with his son, the boy would become utterly uncontrollable!

He absolutely needed to be disciplined!

Si Mingjing did not agree with his disciplinary methods. Being fiercely protective of her child, she said, "Xiaobai is very well-behaved. The first time I met Xiaobai, I knew he was a filial child. He wouldn’t let his grandmother worry even if he was in so much pain that tears streamed down his face. Where else could you find such a dutiful son?"

His son was indeed sensible, even if he usually had quite the smart mouth.

Actually, Mo Yinhe doted on his son. Every time he threatened a spanking, it was just an act; had he ever really hit him?

Yet this little rascal, sometimes in his dreams, would even curse him (Mo Yinhe) as a son of a bitch! Despite such challenges to paternal authority, Mo Yinhe had never actually hit him. If he were truly an unreasonable and violent father, would Xiaobai dare to be so outspoken and audacious in front of him?

Mo Yinhe didn’t explain, simply watching her shield Xiaobai so closely, a gentle warmth spreading in his eyes. It’s truly a mother’s instinct.

Ye Nianbai felt quite smug, sensing he had found a strong backer. He decisively clung to Jingjing’s arm and stuck his tongue out at his dad.

Si Mingjing also knew how to educate Xiaobai, rather than just coddling him. "Your dad is right. No girl would be interested in a man without capabilities. If Xiaobai has no abilities, even I will look down on him. So, you need to study hard. Do you understand?"

"You’re lecturing me."

Ye Nianbai didn’t like Si Mingjing lecturing him; it made him feel like he was losing face.

But Jingjing’s words registered. "Hmph," he grunted, followed by a reluctant "OH..." He resolved then and there that he must excel in everything to earn Jingjing’s admiration and become her pride!

Therefore, the next day, Ye Nianbai put aside his playfulness and applied himself to his studies with great zeal.

Although kindergarten had not yet started, he had other courses. These included golf, Go, calligraphy, horseback riding, rugby, and more; there was a lot to learn.

Si Mingjing was also busy. Since she had promised to represent Mu Continent with a performance of "Heavenly Auspices" at the opening ceremony of the Star Championship, she practiced and rehearsed every day in Ye Siyuan’s dance studio.

Ye Siyuan also had a performance—a singing act—so she practiced her songs daily.

Busy days always fly by. In the blink of an eye, only two days remained until the Star Championship.

The High Priest of Mu Continent, still feeling uneasy, wanted to see a complete run-through of "Heavenly Auspices" before the opening ceremony, so he sent a message to Commandery Princess Sheng Liangliang.

Commandery Princess Sheng Liangliang’s phone had already been stolen by Bai Jiusi, so for all these days, Bai Jiusi had been the one replying to the messages.

Seeing the message from the High Priest, Bai Jiusi imitated Commandery Princess Sheng Liangliang’s tone and said, "Uncle, don’t worry, everything is under control. The dancer for this piece is fully prepared and will absolutely dazzle the world."

The High Priest still wanted to have another look, but Bai Jiusi firmly refused. She wanted to maintain an air of mystery.

Helpless, the High Priest could only say, "Little Princess, Uncle is really counting on you. Tell the dancer to practice well."

The High Priest had made contingency plans. The originally scheduled opening ceremony performance for Mu Continent was still being rehearsed to serve as a backup. If any mishaps occurred with Liangliang’s performance, they would proceed with the original plan and use the backup program.

...

With only one day left before the Star Championship was set to begin, the competing teams from Mu Continent, Lemuria, Gendaya, and Atlantis had all arrived at the Undersea Imperial Capital of Atlantis, taking up residence in the prearranged eight-star undersea hotels.

In just one day, all major hotels in the Undersea Imperial Capital were fully booked. Despite the worldwide live stream, many people still traveled from all corners of the Undersea World to watch the competition live.

The guest list of one hotel included the name Ye Jingzhe. He had already checked in.

Upon receiving this news, Fengjue immediately reported the matter to Mo Yinhe.

"Your Excellency, that Ye Jingzhe, who scammed you out of one billion, has arrived in the Imperial Capital. He’s now staying at Tiansheng Hotel."

Mo Yinhe was having breakfast in the palace dining hall. Si Mingjing was also eating. She had always thought Fengjue’s claim that Mo Yinhe had been scammed out of one billion was just an excuse for her to comfort him. How could someone so smart be fooled? But now, seeing Fengjue’s expression of shared indignation, she suddenly believed it and her interest was piqued.

Mo Yinhe set down his bowl and chopsticks with a cold laugh. "Good. It seems like he’s seeking death."

Si Mingjing quickly finished the white rice porridge in her bowl and stood up. "Who is it? I want to see too."

Mo Yinhe hadn’t intended to take Si Mingjing with him, but when she proactively came over and took his arm, all of his resolve vanished.

"You really got scammed out of one billion?" Si Mingjing continued to press.

Mo Yinhe did not want to discuss the topic. He didn’t care about the one billion; to him, one billion was not much different from ten dollars. He was so wealthy he didn’t even bother to count his money.

What he cared about was the "Soul of the Sea" necklace in Ye Jingzhe’s possession. He was determined to get that necklace; his desire to obtain it was absolute.