52: A storm is brewing!

Ye Chen frowned, "He committed suicide?"

"Mm."

Li Qin pouted.

"He hanged himself with torn bedsheets. By the time he was found, he was already dead."

"Even stranger is..."

"His Yuezi Group was completely taken over by an offshore-registered shell company early this morning. The speed was incredible!"

"Your plan to buy stocks at the bottom that day... fell through."

Ye Chen's eyes turned cold.

Suicide?

Taken over by an offshore shell company?

This method was too clean, too skilled... It didn't seem like something a desperate businessman would do. Instead, it was more like... being silenced and having one's assets devoured.

Ye Chen asked in a deep voice, "Then... who took over Yuezi?"

"Not sure, it's all very mysterious."

Li Qin shrugged, "I only heard it was a big boss parachuted in from the provincial capital, surnamed Zhao, with a very deep background. Even before joining the group, he replaced all the core management. Now, inside and out, Yuezi no longer has its old people."

Surnamed Zhao, from the provincial capital.

Such swift and ruthless action, swallowing Yuezi without even spitting out the bones.

Ye Chen's heart suddenly skipped a beat. He instantly recalled the name Li Yao mentioned on the phone... Zhao Tiangang.

The other party was likely Dao Ye's man.

Before he could think further, footsteps came from the stairs.

Ye Chen and Li Qin turned at the same time.

Bing Lan had just finished a hot shower, wrapped only in a bathrobe, her slightly damp long hair draped over her shoulders. Her skin, steamed by the heat, showed a faint pink, losing some of her usual sharpness and gaining a touch of lazy softness.

Only her eyes remained clear and calm.

She sat on the single sofa opposite the two of them and looked at Ye Chen, "You've moved in?"

"Yes, not much stuff, just one set of clothes." Ye Chen nodded.

Bing Lan pondered for a moment, then said, "The guest room is on the east side of the second floor, and it's already tidied up. Since you're moving in, there are some rules we need to clarify."

Ye Chen sat up straight.

"Please speak, boss."

"First, without permission, you are not allowed to enter Qin Qin's and my bedrooms."

Bing Lan spoke each word distinctly, lightly wiggling her finger.

"Second, keep the common areas tidy."

"Third, after midnight, unless there are special circumstances, no wandering around the villa at will."

Li Qin covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, and winked at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen looked honest, "Understood, I promise to comply."

But he thought to himself... rules are dead, people are alive!

Besides, in a real emergency, who cares what time it is?

Bing Lan seemed to read his mind and added faintly, "Especially the third rule. If you violate it... salary deduction."

Ye Chen: "..."

Alright, this one has more impact.

Afterward.

The three left the villa and went to Shuyue Group together.

As the car model came to a stop and the three entered the building, they saw the Secretary-General anxiously standing at the front desk.

Upon seeing Bing Lan, she quickly went to greet her, "President, the CEO Wang you were scheduled to meet this morning didn't come himself."

Bing Lan's delicate brows furrowed slightly, "What's the situation?"

This CEO Wang was a magnate in Xiamen City's high-end commercial plazas.

Bing Lan had planned to discuss cooperation with him to promote the upcoming jewelry line, especially the Nine-Tailed Fox imperial green jade carving exhibition, by choosing the most premier venue for its debut.

The other party had been very positive before, so why would they cancel at the last minute?

"Not very clear." The Secretary-General shook her head, saying helplessly, "But they sent someone else instead."

"Someone else?" Bing Lan's voice was cold, "Who is it?"

The Secretary-General whispered, "The new President of Yuezi Group, Zhao Yuan. He just arrived a minute before you."

"Zhao Yuan?"

Li Qin immediately became displeased, "Isn't he just taking over that mess at Yuezi? Why isn't he cleaning up the problems Lin Jianren left behind, and instead running over here? A weasel paying a New Year's call to a chicken!"

The Secretary-General smiled bitterly and shook her head, indicating she also didn't know the other party's intentions.

Bing Lan pondered for a moment before saying, "Since he's here, let's meet him."

"Yes, President." The Secretary-General responded and immediately turned to lead the way.

Ye Chen didn't say a word the whole time, just followed Bing Lan and the two women directly to the outside of the conference room.

The next second.

Pushing open the door, they saw a man in his early thirties standing with his hands behind his back in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city view.

He was dressed in a suit, exuding a powerful aura.

Hearing the movement, he slowly turned around, revealing a smiling face, but his gaze immediately locked onto Bing Lan.

The man was precisely Zhao Yuan.

"A pleasure to meet you, President Bing."

He nodded slightly, his smile reserved.

"I've heard much about you, and seeing you today, your reputation is certainly well-deserved!"

"Not only are you exceptionally capable, leading the vast business empire of Shu Yue, but your appearance is also... as beautiful as a celestial being. Truly a paragon of both strength and beauty."

Li Qin, while Zhao Yuan wasn't looking, made an exaggerated gagging motion towards Ye Chen.

Her eyebrows were raised high, her face clearly saying, "That flattery is too disgusting!"

Ye Chen pressed his lips together, almost laughing out loud.

This little devil, as expected, couldn't tolerate even a speck of dust in her eyes... Bing Lan's expression remained calm, "President Zhao, you flatter me. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Zhao Yuan spoke unhurriedly.

"President Bing, there's no need to be nervous. I'm here today to deliver a message on behalf of my Old Master."

"The Old Master said that Xiamen City's female market... only needs one company."

He paused, his smile deepening, "No, I should say, the entire Fujian Province only needs one company."

Li Qin's face changed.

The words sounded polite, but the underlying meaning was extremely domineering... Was he here to mark territory, or even to merge?

Bing Lan's expression remained unchanged, "May I ask, who is this 'Old Master'?"

Zhao Yuan's lips curled slightly, with a hint of arrogance.

"My Old Master, in the provincial capital, his friends give him face and respectfully call him... 'Dao Ye'."

"The Azure Dragon Society of Fujian Province is presided over by the Old Master."

As the words "Azure Dragon Society" came out, Li Qin's breath hitched, and she unconsciously clenched her fists.

Even Bing Lan's pupils constricted slightly.

Anyone in the Fujian Province business circle knew of the Azure Dragon Society's existence.

Years ago, simply because the son of a group's president spoke disrespectfully to an Azure Dragon Society hall master, that president was not only forced to sell a building for one yuan and buy his bankruptcy for ten yuan, but later he and his entire family completely vanished from the face of the earth... Ye Chen almost stepped forward and punched that guy's face.

But he ultimately restrained himself.

He wanted to see what this guy was up to?

So.

He quietly took out his phone, pretending to play with it, but had already activated the recording function... Bing Lan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, "Then what does Dao Ye mean?"

"It's very simple."

Zhao Yuan leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing.

"The Old Master cherishes President Bing as a rare talent and doesn't wish to see Shu Yue's hard work ruined, so he offers two choices."

He held up two fingers.

"First, like the current Yuezi, Shuyue Group will become an asset of the Azure Dragon Society."

"If President Bing is willing, you can still manage affairs, but the name 'Shu Yue' might have to be changed."

"You're dreaming!" Li Qin could no longer hold back, pointing at Zhao Yuan and angrily saying, "Who do you think you are? Shu Yue is the empire Sister Bing Lan built with her own hands, and you think you can just swallow it? Aren't you afraid of biting off more than you can chew!"

Zhao Yuan glanced at her, his smile unchanged.

"Miss, I am not negotiating, I am stating facts."

"Once we act, it will be like how someone else was supposed to meet you today, but it was me instead."

"I guarantee..."

His gaze returned to Bing Lan's exquisite face, "Your group will completely collapse within a month."

"You're full of nonsense!"

Li Qin was so angry she wanted to rush forward, but Bing Lan raised a hand to stop her.

Then, Bing Lan looked directly at Zhao Yuan, her red lips slightly parted, "And the second?"

Seeing her still unperturbed, Zhao Yuan clapped his hands and chuckled softly.

"As expected of the recognized heroine of Xiamen City's business world, to remain so calm."

"Alright, I'll be direct then. As for the second choice..."

"It's for you, President Bing, to marry into my Zhao family."

"At that time, Yuezi Group will be part of the betrothal gift and merged into Shu Yue."

"And with the support of my Zhao family, your esteemed group will become the undisputed number one in Fujian Province."

"How about it?"