Is it territory?

"Let me think about it," Zhu Yeqing replied.

"Territory is important, but it's not the most important or the most valuable thing."

Ye Chen shook his head.

Seeing that Zhu Yeqing remained puzzled, Ye Chen then shared his judgment:

"What's truly important to you in Shanghai is the network of connections you've cultivated, and your loyal subordinates. As for your assets, they're only a few billion—what's that...?"

Ye Chen estimated that the Zhu family was also eyeing these things; billions of dollars probably wouldn't be much to them.

Hearing Ye Chen say this, Zhu Yeqing fell into thought.

Ye Chen's words make sense. Over the years in Shanghai, Zhu Yeqing has built a sophisticated network of connections that covers the whole country and even extends to Beijing, as well as hundreds of loyal subordinates.

"As long as you keep these two points under your control, what the Zhu family took away is nothing at all."

"It would be better if you agreed to the Zhu family's request."

Ye Chen persuaded Zhu Yeqing to accept the Zhu family's proposal and return to the Zhu family.

Seeing Ye Chen say this, Zhu Yeqing slowly nodded, somewhat persuaded by Ye Chen.

"Do you want to completely take over the Zhu family and control them?"

Suddenly, Ye Chen changed the subject and asked seriously.

"Um?!!!"

Zhu Yeqing's eyes widened instantly, staring at Ye Chen with an incredulous expression.

At that moment, she even wondered if she had misheard or if there was something wrong with her ears.

Although Zhu Yeqing believed she had some ability, her identity was what it was all about. She was an illegitimate daughter, someone who was almost certainly not going to become the new head of the Zhu family. How could she possibly control the Zhu family?

"You're not kidding, are you?"

"I ask jokingly," said Zhu Yeqing.

Seeing Ye Chen's serious expression, Zhu Yeqing immediately became serious as well.

Although she knew Ye Chen was mysterious and had a strong background and power, she was somewhat skeptical that Ye Chen could help her, someone who had almost no chance of becoming the head of the Zhu family, to control the Zhu family.

It's probably impossible for anyone to influence the selection of the next head of a wealthy family.

"What if I could do that?"

Ye Chen asked calmly.

With games around, what's impossible?!

"How about we make a bet? If you listen to me and follow my plan from now on, I guarantee you can take control of the entire Zhu family."

Ye Chen continued.

"Alright, if that day ever comes, I will represent the entire Zhu family and follow your arrangements. From now on, the Zhu family will be your little brother and vassal."

The bamboo leaf green opens.

It's a deal.

Ye Chen nodded.

"Go back first, agree to the Zhu family's arrangements, then do some minor tricks... After everything is over, get into the Zhu family's premises as soon as possible..."

Ye Chen gave Zhu Yeqing a perfect plan.

"Um............"

Zhu Yeqing carefully wrote down Ye Chen's plan.

Although she felt that her chances of controlling the Zhu family were less than one percent, no, less than one in a thousand.

But Ye Chen was so serious that Zhu Yeqing decided to believe in him and give it a shot. After all, life only happens once, and if she won, everything would be different. She could even allow her mother to enter the Zhu family's ancestral hall openly and legitimately.

After discussing the follow-up with Ye Chen, Zhu Yeqing quietly left through the back door of Ye Chen's courtyard house.

According to Zhu Yeqing, she should be able to return to the Zhu family tomorrow, or at the latest the day after. After returning to the Zhu family, Ye Chen will ask her to contact him again.

"Begin investigating Tian Renxiang, and pay attention to whether he has a special USB drive..."

After Zhu Yeqing left, Ye Chen sent a message to his private detective agency, Tianxia Wuzong, instructing them to investigate Tian Renxiang.

The secrets of several powerful families in Beijing are too tightly controlled to be easily uncovered, but the secret of a mere Tian Renxiang can still be investigated.

In fact, Ye Chen had a backup plan, a way to cover his weaknesses.

Don't forget, Ye Chen has an [Advanced Person Profile Card]. Just by entering the other person's name, he can find out a lot of information about them.

If Ye Chen enters Tian Renxiang's name, he'll likely find a clue.

However, Ye Chen was unsure whether the second USB drive was actually in Tian Renxiang's possession. It would be awkward if he used the [Advanced Person Profile Card] and discovered that the USB drive wasn't in Tian Renxiang's hands.

However, Ye Chen was a little reluctant to use his only [Advanced Character Profile Card] on a nobody like Tian Renxiang; it seemed like a waste.

Let's investigate first and decide whether or not to use the [Advanced Character Profile Card] when the special challenge date is approaching.

After giving his instructions, Ye Chen began studying the information about the Jiuding Chamber of Commerce that Elder Luo had given him. The day for the election of the next president of the Jiuding Chamber of Commerce was getting closer and closer, and Ye Chen needed to make thorough preparations.

Meanwhile, while Ye Chen was studying the USB drive, Tian Renxiang was also planning how to deal with Ye Chen and how to take it back from him.

Just as Tian Renxiang was thinking, his phone suddenly rang. He looked at it and saw that it was his brother-in-law, Zhu Zihe, calling.

"Brother-in-law, what brings you to call me?"

After the call was connected, Tian Renxiang acted obsequiously, pretending he knew nothing.

Tian Renxiang wanted to keep this matter a secret.

"Why would I call you? Tell me!"

The next second, Zhu Zihe's furious voice rang out.

"You piece of trash, you can't even protect a USB drive, what else can you do...?"

Zhu Zihe unleashed a torrent of abuse on Tian Renxiang.

Tian Renxiang remained silent until Zhu Zihe finished cursing.

"Brother-in-law, I promise you, I will get that USB drive back within 24 hours. You can trust me."

Tian Renxiang made a vow.

"I'm giving you one last chance. If you can't get it back, don't blame your brother-in-law."

Zhu Zihe sneered.

"By the way, where did you hide the second USB drive?"

Finally, Zhu Zihe asked cautiously.

Both USB drives actually belonged to Zhu Zihe, but Zhu Zihe was worried that keeping the data with him might cause problems, after all, he was a direct descendant of the Zhu family.

That's why Zhu Zihe secretly handed the USB drive to Tian Renxiang for safekeeping. Tian Renxiang was a nobody, so no one would suspect him.

Unexpectedly, this has happened. The first USB drive is lost, which makes Zhu Zihe worry about the safety of the second USB drive.

Upon hearing Zhu Zihe's question, Tian Renxiang opened the door, looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, and then returned to the room before telling the truth.