The message was sent successfully.

The phone screen went dark quickly, and no reply was received.

Chen Yuqi put down her phone, took a deep breath, stood up, and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Looking down at the turbulent city below, her eyes became sharper and more determined than ever before.

Whatever awaits her at Wangjiang Pavilion tonight.

She will face it all with equanimity!

...

As dusk settles and the city of Ninghai is enveloped in night, the hustle and bustle of the day fades away, yet it is far from silent.

Wangjiang Pavilion, one of Ninghai City's top private clubs, is built along the river with stunning views, and tonight it is under heavy security.

On the top floor, in a private room named "Listening to the Waves," a crystal chandelier casts a soft yet bright light, illuminating the exquisite dishes and expensive tableware on the mahogany round table.

The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and the aroma of food, yet it couldn't mask a subtle tension.

Chen Yuqi, dressed in a tasteful champagne-colored evening gown and with exquisite makeup, sat gracefully to one side of the main seat.

Opposite her were two middle-aged men with distinguished bearing.

The man on the left, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and with a refined and scholarly appearance, is Xia Wentao, the head of the Xia family.

The elegant and well-maintained beautiful woman on the right is Qin Mei, the current head of the Qin family.

They represented the six remaining major families in Ninghai and came to the banquet.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Xia Wentao put down his ivory chopsticks, a warm smile on his face, as if it were just a casual chat.

"My niece Yuqi is truly young and promising."

"In such a short time, he managed the Chen Group so well that the stock price rose instead of falling despite a series of ups and downs. This kind of courage really makes us ashamed."

His tone was gentle, but his eyes held a subtle, almost imperceptible scrutiny.

Qin Mei took over the conversation, her voice soft and pleasant, carrying a hint of intimacy.

"Yes, when I first met you, you were just a little girl following behind Old Master Chen. Now you can stand on your own and support the Chen family."

"The changes in Ninghai are truly overwhelming."

Chen Yuqi picked up the juice in front of her, took a small sip, and concealed the indifference in her eyes.

She had become numb to the polite words she had heard so many.

She knew that the focus tonight was definitely not on these meaningless compliments.

"Uncle Xia, Aunt Qin is too kind."

"Yuqi did her best and dared not take credit."

Her voice was calm, neither humble nor arrogant.

"If it weren't for Mr. Qin's help, the Chen family would probably have already..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.

At the mention of "Mr. Qin," a glint of light flashed in the eyes of both Xia Wentao and Qin Mei.

That's their real purpose tonight.

Xia Wentao leaned forward slightly, his smile becoming even more sincere.

"Speaking of Mr. Qin, he is truly a figure who is rarely seen."

"With the force of thunder, they wiped out the Zhao and Ye families. Such skill and strength are unparalleled in Ninghai, no, in the whole of China."

"We old folks have long admired Mr. Qin."

Qin Mei chimed in at the opportune moment, her tone carrying just the right amount of awe and curiosity.

"Yes, Ninghai is currently in turmoil and needs a pillar like Mr. Qin to hold it up."

"If given the opportunity, all six of us hope to meet Mr. Qin in person, listen to his teachings, and discuss the future development of Ninghai together."

"I wonder if my niece Yuqi could make an introduction?"

They've arrived.

Chen Yuqi sneered inwardly.

After going through such a long and winding road, the true intentions were finally revealed.

Want to see Qin Yang?

They probably wanted to test Qin Yang's bottom line, or even figure out his strength and intentions.

She put down her juice glass, the bottom of which made a soft sound as it touched the table.

"Uncle Xia, Aunt Qin."

"Mr. Qin has always acted as he pleased and has never liked being disturbed by outsiders."

“Yuqi has no right to interfere with his whereabouts, let alone make decisions for him.”

"I'm afraid I can't comply with your request for an introduction."

Her answer was watertight, both demonstrating Qin Yang's status and absolving herself of responsibility.

However, the smiles on Xia Wentao and Qin Mei's faces slowly faded at that moment.

The atmosphere inside the private room instantly became somewhat awkward.

Xia Wentao pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, and his gaze behind the lenses sharpened.

"Niece Yuqi, isn't that a bit too formal?"

"Who doesn't know that your Chen family is Mr. Qin's spokesperson in Ninghai these days?"

"Mr. Qin wiped out the Zhao and Ye families and helped you rise to power. Can't you even make a decision on such a small matter?"

Qin Mei also put away her gentle smile, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

"Hehe, it seems the rumors are true."

"Although Miss Chen is in charge of the Chen Group, in the end, she is just a mouthpiece that Mr. Qin has put in the spotlight."

"They can't even introduce us to each other. It seems that this 'spokesperson' is not all that important."

The harsh words were like needles, piercing Chen Yuqi.

Even though she was prepared, her pretty face still turned slightly pale, and the knuckles of her hand holding the cup turned blue from the force.

She took a deep breath and suppressed her anger.

It is precisely at times like these that one must not lose composure.

She raised her eyes, her gaze cool and aloof as she met theirs.

"Master Xia, Madam Qin."

"I'll say it again, I can't fathom Mr. Qin's meaning, and I have no right to make decisions for him."

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