Bai Ya had no choice but to choose bravery. She swallowed the powder-filled red capsule, and Ethan Shaw thoughtfully gave her some water, which he had bought from a vending machine next to a park bench. Coincidentally, the vending machine was under the brand of Crescent Wellness, and the water was their product.

Of course, miracles are always rare. Bai Ya was on the brink of death, and Nicole, who was watching beside her, thought Ethan Shaw had given her an euthanasia drug to relieve her pain, and she actually felt a sense of relief. She sighed, "Bai Ya hasn't told her parents about her illness, she didn't want to make them sad. If she really dies... I guess we’ll have to inform her parents, sigh..."

Bai Ya didn't die immediately, but fell into a deep coma. Ethan Shaw, who had been through such things before, knew she would be suffering. With the sky now completely dark, he decided to take her home.

Fewer people were buying cars now. Aside from those who wanted to flaunt their wealth, most people called self-driving taxis when needed. The intelligent system worked well, and the taxis arrived quickly, usually within three to five minutes after the call, nearly the same amount of time it would take to walk to a parking lot.

Bai Ya was in a critical state, and Nicole stayed by her side taking care of her. As for Ethan Shaw, he wasn't too concerned about this girl and went off alone to have tea with Zhou Shirong.

It was still at the tea house Zhou Shirong particularly liked, the "Tea Pavilion." There was something very special about it. The central courtyard had a glass dome that simulated rain. No matter when you visited, you would always see a continuous drizzle.

When Zhou Shirong saw his guest arrive, he warmly greeted him, "You came at the right time today. Usually, it's fake rain, but today it's real. The courtyard looks quite different, real is real, and fake is fake."

Ethan Shaw wasn't interested in the scenery. He glanced at it briefly and said indifferently, "You're in a good mood. Has controlling Crescent Wellness become a reality?"

Zhou Shirong answered, "I’ve talked with the parents of my nephews and nieces. One by one, I pressured them. The old man's will only protects my nieces and nephews, not their parents. They’re not part of the Zhou family. It’s basically settled. There’s only one left, but no worries. With the support of the other nine parents, the company will be under control."

Ethan Shaw responded, "Oh? Then take care of that one."

Zhou Shirong quickly said, "There’s no need. With nine of them on board, it's enough. The transition is just starting, and it’s better not to disturb the order. What the company needs most right now is stability. If things get chaotic, it’ll be hard for you to control the company, right?"

Ethan Shaw: "Do you know why I want to control Crescent Wellness?"

Zhou Shirong: "Please enlighten me."

Ethan Shaw: "It's so I can always have money to spend. Can you guarantee that I can access the company's cash at any time? How much cash does the company have?"

Zhou Shirong: "The company earns around 1.5 billion every year, all of which has been paid out in dividends and placed into the family fund, isolated from the company's operations. Legally, it's still controlled by the 11 family members. I'm the chairman of the company, and by the way, the chairman of the family fund as well. These funds have bought 50% of the stocks, 50% of the bonds, with around 45 billion in liquid assets. All of this is the old man's life's work."

Ethan Shaw was quite surprised. "Oh? So it’s all liquid assets? I’ve struck gold?"

Zhou Shirong sighed. "Yes, you've struck gold. The old man loved liquid assets. The stocks and bonds are globally diversified. We have liquid assets in every major economy in the world, ready to be cashed out at any time."

Ethan Shaw: "Great. I'm satisfied with controlling these liquid assets. I won’t manage the company’s future operations. Set up an investment department for me. I want to be the head of that department, with free control over the 45 billion in assets. I’m planning to do something earth-shattering. Don’t ask what it is."

Zhou Shirong: "…As long as you don’t go around killing people, I’m looking forward to it. Will this cause any damage to the Zhou family’s wealth?"

Ethan Shaw: "Two possibilities. First, I lose it all. If that happens, I’m sorry. Second, I make a fortune. If that happens, I’ll take my earnings and leave. We’ll part ways, or we can remain friends, your choice. Within a few months, I’ll make enough money to equal the lifetime savings of your old man. It’ll be completely mine and legal. From then on, I won’t have to worry about you holding back the money when I need it. With Crescent Wellness as leverage, I’ll create a miracle. Of course, if I fail, it’ll be your bad luck."

Zhou Shirong: "Sir, we’ll always be friends. Without you, I couldn’t control those 10 relatives, especially my eldest nephew. He’s already openly waiting for the day he grows up to make my life hell. Unfortunately, I can’t kill him."

Ethan Shaw smiled. "You don’t kill children, that’s good. But when your eldest nephew grows up, he won’t be a child anymore, right?"

Zhou Shirong cautiously asked, "May I ask, are you the boss?"

Ethan Shaw thought for a second before replying, "No."

Zhou Shirong: "Right, I guessed not. Even if you were, you're not the ultimate boss. There are always greater powers. Why do you approach things so decisively?"

Ethan Shaw: "I’m not the boss. I’m a philosopher. Since I came to an understanding about something, life has become much easier. I’ve figured out life: the less you care about life, the more your own life is elevated. Do you know why? It’s related to Machiavelli. A true politician never considers morality. They may speak nicely, but their real philosophy is reflected in their actions. Now, the only thing I possess is control over life. I must use this skill to the fullest before anyone realizes. The fastest martial arts are unbeatable. This applies everywhere. The world is on the brink of chaos. I know some shocking details about the Yulong Road explosion incident. It’s terrifying enough to overturn a person’s worldview. If I’m a step too slow, all my assets will be meaningless."

Zhou Shirong: "Can you share the details with me?"

Ethan Shaw: "I don’t want to. Even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me."

Zhou Shirong: "What if I believe you? I personally used your 'Gray Kiss' weapon. I asked an expert about it, and he said such a weapon is impossible. Could the Yulong Road incident be a similar kind of weapon?"

Ethan Shaw stared into Zhou Shirong’s eyes for a full minute. Zhou Shirong met his gaze without flinching.

Ethan Shaw felt that Zhou Shirong’s willpower was strong enough to deserve hearing this information. He said, "Yes, besides Gray Kiss, what I fear most is such a weapon. Of course, there may be even more terrifying weapons in the future. As for why this weapon appeared in Wu Guo, Wu Cheng, I don’t know. Perhaps this is just the beginning. Let’s wait and see."

Ethan Shaw had asked Algernon about the name of that weapon, but he wasn’t yet qualified to know.

Their conversation left Zhou Shirong somewhat happy, because Ethan Shaw had given him a timeline and a chance. It seemed he might regain freedom from fear. With this hope, the future no longer seemed dark.

Both of them felt there was nothing more to discuss and were about to leave when a graceful figure walked by them. As soon as Zhou Shirong saw her, he couldn’t take his eyes off her, staring at her until she sat down at a table about ten meters away. When it was no longer appropriate to stare, he reluctantly pulled his gaze away.

Ethan Shaw found it amusing. The woman was indeed beautiful, but as a playboy from the Zhou family, he didn’t think he’d care so much about a random stranger. So he asked, "Do you know her?"

Zhou Shirong: "She’s the owner of the Tea Pavilion..."

Ethan Shaw: "Oh? Is there a story there?"

Zhou Shirong: "I once pursued her. Later, the owner of the Tea Pavilion pursued her too. I, the young master, lost. The reason I don't love any woman for too long is that none of them could replace her. When I see her, it still pains my heart. But I keep coming back to the Tea Pavilion because there’s a chance I might run into her."

Ethan Shaw: "I see, your 'white moonlight'."