This time, among the inspection teams in Nanluo, there was a Chinese delegation. Other countries had dozens of experts, but China sent only four people, giving the impression of indifference.
Strangely, China was the country most in need of oil. Logically, they should have taken this very seriously.
But they didn't because they had little hope. They knew the oil fields better than even King Nan'en, having conducted multiple surveys and built several offshore rigs already.
Unfortunately, King Nan'en of Nanluo was unpredictable, repeatedly breaking agreements and causing them significant losses. If China weren't a peace-loving nation, they might have already sent troops to subdue this tiny country!
Now Nanluo shamelessly sent them another invitation. China simply sent a token delegation, more for show than any real intent to secure the oil.
The team members were from Libao Group, but they weren't under Chu Baiwei's authority.
Projects of this magnitude—developing oil fields—were beyond her control, as her father Chu Zhenbei managed them personally.
At this moment, Chu Baiwei sat in her office, sorting through files. After some busy work, she rubbed her temples and looked out the window.
She wondered: What is Cao Yang doing right now?
A phone rang, pulling her back to reality. The incoming call displayed an international number—her private line, known to very few, without any saved contact.
Curious, she pressed "Answer."
"Hello." She greeted, but no one replied.
Just as she was about to hang up, a familiar voice came through:
"It's me."
"Cao…" Chu Baiwei gasped, quickly covering her mouth, standing and shutting the office door.
"Cao Yang… are you… alright?"
"Hmph!" Cao Yang scoffed, his tone sarcastic. "Thanks to you, I'm still alive—for now!"
Chu Baiwei fell silent for a moment, then said quietly, "I'm… sorry."
This "sorry" was directed at Cao Yang. She had overestimated herself, failed to fulfill her promise, and had inadvertently put him in danger.
"Hmph! Does 'sorry' help? If you really mean it, help me get my brothers out of prison!"
"I… I'm sorry…"
Her apology now expressed her helplessness. If she tried to rescue Cao Yang's men, the Han family would only make things worse.
"You're useless! All you can do is brag! What else can you actually do?!"
Cao Yang had once been polite to the Chu siblings, fearing offense while in Guangnan. Now, stranded with no patience, he spoke without restraint.
Chu Baiwei fell silent, then whispered, "You called just to scold me?"
Cao Yang noticed the slight sob in her voice and sighed, shifting to business.
"Your Libao Group built a few drilling platforms in Nanluo a few years ago, right?"
Chu Baiwei paused, surprised by the question. Her mind had wandered far away.
She nodded. "Yes… why?"
"Now Nanluo is preparing to develop the oil fields. Is Libao Group interested?"
Chu Baiwei smiled wryly. "Of course, but King Nan'en is untrustworthy and greedy. Even if he handed it to us, we wouldn't trust him."
"Don't worry about that. I'll handle it. If your company is serious, I'll help you secure the oil fields and ensure smooth development!"
"You…?" Chu Baiwei couldn't comprehend how Cao Yang had the confidence to say this.
"Hmph! Do you know Cao Tailin?"
"I do," she nodded. The oil fields were in Cao Tailin's territory.
"He's my great-grandfather!"
"Your great-grandfather?!" Chu Baiwei's voice rose in astonishment.
Cao Yang smiled smugly. "With connections in Nanluo, having saved the prince, I can walk freely there. Securing the oil fields is a minor matter."
But Chu Baiwei wasn't thinking about that. She asked eagerly: "If Cao Tailin is your great-grandfather, then Cao Ying is your great-great-grandfather?"
"You knew that too? Looks like you know quite a bit about the Cao family!"
"You jerk! When I asked about your ancestors, you always said they were farmers!"
"I only found out recently. And why are you so worked up? As if they're your ancestors?"
Chu Baiwei calmed herself, forcing rationality.
"You're so kind to help us. What do you want in return?"
"What are you talking about? I'm Chinese too."
"When I was in elementary school, our class competed in a singing contest. I recited 'I Offer Oil to My Motherland' with the class leader Li Zhenxing and won a prize. What I'm doing now is fulfilling the promise I made to my country as a child."
"Of course, if you remember my devotion, you could also release a few of my brothers in prison."
Chu Baiwei believed the last part and nodded. "This is a major matter. I can't decide alone. I'll discuss it with my father."
"Then mention your request, but don't rely on his promise."
"What do you mean? My father is untrustworthy?"
"Not exactly. He only keeps promises with people of his own caliber. I can't guarantee it for you."
"But don't be discouraged. Ask to speak with my grandfather. He knows your great-grandfather well. If my grandfather agrees, it's settled."
"Alright. I'll go as soon as possible and report back."
Chu Baiwei hurried to the Libao Group headquarters, entered her father Chu Zhenbei's office, and explained the conversation with Cao Yang.
Chu Zhenbei was astonished. Cao Yang actually had connections with Cao Tailin. If he could leverage that relationship, half the battle was already won.
Oil was strategic. Profit wasn't the main concern. Sometimes, even at a loss, the project had to be pursued.
Whether they could advance further depended on achieving impressive results. Securing Nanluo's oil fields would be a major feather in their cap.
For Chu Zhennan, working in Beijing, it would also boost his influence.
The cost? Simply releasing a few minor captives—a trivial price.
What about the Han family? They'd probably consider the bigger picture.
Regardless, first secure the fields, then worry about consequences.
Chu Baiwei, on her father's instructions, called Cao Yang, letting him speak directly with her father.
After hanging up, Chu Zhenbei pondered. He forced himself to think calmly: Is there a trap here?
He called the Chinese inspection team in Nanluo. They had no knowledge of Cao Yang's ties with Libao Group. Following their CEO's instructions, they investigated and confirmed Cao Yang's claims. Only then did Chu Zhenbei feel slightly reassured.
"Father, do you want to go personally to show the importance of this matter?"
After a moment, Chu Zhenbei shook his head. "You go first. Once everything is confirmed and agreements are in place, I'll sign the contract myself."
Chu Baiwei nodded, secretly looking forward to seeing Cao Yang.
Her father reminded her: "Keep this quiet. Don't let the Han family know. And when you go, don't sleep with that boy. You're a married woman now—mind your influence!"
Chu Baiwei ignored him and left.
Chu Zhenbei watched her leave, thinking: I should go personally, but I'm a little afraid of Cao Yang. He's a desperate man now. If I go and fail to secure the deal, what if he takes me hostage?
Though he had agreements with the Han family and relatives at home, and he knew Cao Yang wouldn't actually do such a thing…
But what if?
For Baiwei, the worst case is a scolding. For himself, the worst case is losing his life. He knew which was more important.