After the Yun Zhengfeng family left the Yun Family estate, they instantly regained their senses. They exchanged glances, feeling as though they had forgotten some important memories.
"Dad, where should we go now?" Yun Xinru asked, looking at the busy streets filled with cars.
Qiao Lan patted her head. "Should we go home?"
Yun Jianghai frowned, still trying to figure out what he had forgotten, and didn't bother to answer Qiao Lan. Without a word, the three of them got into their car and headed straight to another villa they owned. For some reason, as soon as they thought of the Yun Family old mansion, they couldn't help but feel afraid—a trembling that seemed to come from the very depths of their souls.
...
Having dealt with that annoying bunch, Yun Yao slept exceptionally well that night.
The next day, she was awakened by the ringing of her phone. Opening her bleary eyes, a wave of unexplained irritation surged through her. She didn't even look at the caller ID before pressing the answer button.
"Are you sick or something?"
The other end was silent for a few seconds before Su Yuchen’s pleasant voice came through. "Grandfather is hosting a banquet at the Hongri Hotel tonight. You are to attend with me."
Su Yuchen?
Yun Yao’s sleepiness vanished. She glanced at the screen, and upon confirming it was indeed Su Yuchen, her mood improved slightly. "Beg me."
The other end fell silent again, long enough for Yun Yao to feel Su Yuchen’s mounting annoyance.
"Alright, alright, I'm just teasing you. I won't take advantage of you for nothing; I will definitely attend."
Su Yuchen grunted a soft "Hmm," and it sounded as if he were about to hang up.
"Wait!" she called out. "Su Yuchen, if you ask me, you’re my man now. You don't need to pretend to be a fool to confuse others anymore. With me around, the sky won't be falling."
He didn't speak, but Chen Dong’s voice drifted over from the background: "Young Master, the people from SK Company have arrived. Our funding..."
Before Yun Yao could hear any more, the line went dead. She held the phone, her eyes flickering with thought.
...
At the headquarters of Shengshi International, Chen Dong looked at Su Yuchen with concern. "Young Master, we have already hired the world's most famous hackers to trace the funds, but the people from SK Company are here now, and we..."
Su Yuchen’s expression was cold and heavy. "Let's head to the meeting first."
Su Yuchen and Chen Dong hurried to the building behind Shengshi International—Yufeng Company.
Yufeng Company was a subsidiary of the world-renowned investment giant YF Group. Five years ago, to expand into the Hua Guo market, YF Group had established Yufeng Company, a fully-owned real estate firm, which then burst onto the scene in Hua Guo.
From its initial reception as an underdog to becoming a leading enterprise in the country, it had taken only five short years—a testament to the terrifying capability of the person in charge behind the scenes. Such a figure, however, was extremely mysterious and low-profile, having never appeared before the media to this day.
The collaboration between Yufeng Company and the foreign SK Group was unprecedented, and many in the industry were eyeing this lucrative deal. It should have been a done deal, but last night, a crisis had occurred. The project funding required by SK Group was still thirty billion short. Seeing that the representatives from SK Group had already arrived, Su Yuchen had to find a way to delay the meeting.
In the Yufeng Company conference room:
"Mr. Su, we must wait until the project funds are credited to our account before we can finalize the agreement with your company," said a blonde, blue-eyed man from W country.
Su Yuchen remained composed, tapping his fingers gently on the table. "Let’s set business aside for a moment. Since you have traveled so far, why don't we have dinner together first? Allow me to play the part of a proper host."
Hearing this, the other party’s expression turned clearly displeased. Suddenly, the lead man slammed his hand on the table and glared at Su Yuchen. "Your company’s sincerity is nothing more than this!" Having said that, he didn't wait for a response and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Su Yuchen already understood the situation. It seemed someone was working behind the scenes to cause trouble.
"Mr. Su, before we came here, we had already learned that your company’s capital chain had broken. However, in the spirit of cooperation, we still came. Now it seems that not only are the rumors about your funding issues true, they remain unresolved. Therefore, I believe there is no need for further discussion between us. There is no shortage of emerging companies in Hua Guo that are eager to partner with us; at the very least, they wouldn't resort to such deception," the translator said expressionlessly.
It was indeed a problem for Shengshi International. This deal was likely doomed. Given that, Su Yuchen felt there was no need to continue maneuvering. "My apologies."
Losing this business was the biggest failure of Su Yuchen’s career to date. A pity, truly. The group from SK Group stood up, preparing to depart.
Just then, the conference room door swung open.
"Excuse me, I'm late."
A woman possessing the grace of an Oriental beauty appeared. She was wearing a smoky-gray cheongsam, her expression cool and refined as she swayed into the room. She walked against the light, making everything else seem dull by comparison.
The W-country representatives were large and burly, forming a wall that had blocked Su Yuchen from seeing the doorway initially, but they all came to a sudden halt. As Su Yuchen looked up, those star-like eyes captured his gaze without warning.
At that moment, Su Yuchen could not have known that those lively, spirited eyes would become something he would never forget, and that graceful silhouette would be etched into his heart forever.
He rose to his feet as if bewitched. "Why are you here?"
Yun Yao looked at Su Yuchen, the corners of her mouth curling upward, and walked toward him with a light, effortless gait. The people standing in her way instinctively moved aside to clear a path.
Su Yuchen didn't know why he had lost control and stood up, but years later, when he recalled the scene, he still felt just as stunned.
"Su Yuchen," Yun Yao called him, gesturing for him to lower his head.
Su Yuchen lowered his gaze to look at the bewitching, fairy-like Yun Yao in front of him.
"I'm here to help you."
Su Yuchen’s pupils contracted. Just as he was about to refuse, he heard Yun Yao continue unhurriedly: "Husband, don't rush to refuse. Trust me, you're going to need this."
Yun Yao’s warm breath brushed against his ear as she reached into his pocket and tucked a bank card inside. "There is five billion here. It's the dowry I'm giving you."
For a moment, Su Yuchen didn't know what to say. Yun Yao pushed him away gently, didn't linger for a second, cast one final look at him, and smiled as she walked away. Su Yuchen stood frozen, watching her departing figure, feeling ripples stir in the stagnant water of his heart.
As the beauty left and the SK Group representatives prepared to walk out, Su Yuchen’s voice echoed from behind them.
"First, my company's capital chain has not broken. If you wish to sign, we can pay the project funds right now. Second, while it is true that many companies in this country covet the SK Group’s project, I can guarantee that no company is more sincere than Yufeng Company."
Sure enough, after hearing Su Yuchen’s words, the lead man glared at his subordinate beside him. Who had been so adamant that Yufeng Company couldn't possibly come up with the money? Looking at Su Yuchen’s confident demeanor, their partnership might not be over after all.
They were all businessmen, and maximizing profit was an instinct. Su Yuchen wasn't lying; there really wasn't a second company in all of Hua Guo that could compare to Yufeng.
After weighing his options, the lead man finally returned to his seat and reached out a hand to Su Yuchen.
"Mr. Su, happy to cooperate."
"Happy to cooperate."