The silent warning from Wangjiang Pavilion that night was like a boulder thrown into the deep waters of Ninghai, and the ripples it stirred up quickly spread to every corner.

The next day.

The sky over Ninghai City seemed a bit more oppressive than usual.

The six once-powerful families seemed to have lost all their arrogance and confidence overnight.

The area in front of the Chen Group headquarters building was bustling with traffic.

Xia Wentao and Qin Mei, the two family representatives who tried to put pressure on Chen Yuqi at Wangjiang Pavilion yesterday, came together today, adopting an extremely humble attitude.

Behind them followed the heads or core members of the other four major families, each with a complex and indescribable expression on their face, awe, unease, and even a hint of fear that was hard to conceal.

Chen Yuqi's CEO office.

The atmosphere was completely different from the tense atmosphere at Wangjiang Pavilion yesterday.

"Miss Chen, you are young and promising. The Chen family is truly fortunate to have you!"

Xia Wentao wore a warm smile, but deep within that smile lay a barely perceptible stiffness.

He picked up the top-grade Da Hong Pao tea that his assistant had just presented, gently blew on it to cool it down, his movements revealing a deliberate carelessness.

"Yes, my niece Yuqi, the current situation in Ninghai depends heavily on you and... Mr. Qin to take charge."

Qin Mei also abandoned her usual elegant and noble demeanor, and her tone became much more friendly, but her eyes darted around, and she dared not look Chen Yuqi in the eye for long.

The other family heads echoed this sentiment, their words filled with flattery and ingratiation.

The phrases "Ninghai's future depends on Miss Chen," "We are willing to serve Miss Chen like dogs and horses," and "We will obey Miss Chen's orders without question" are all used to express dissatisfaction.

These are words they wouldn't have dared to even imagine yesterday.

But the note that appeared on the round table in Wangjiang Pavilion, and the terrifying strength of the man behind it, completely shattered their psychological defenses.

The tragic examples of the Zhao and Ye families serve as stark warnings.

Nobody wants to be the next one.

Chen Yuqi sat upright behind her desk, her expression calm, but a faint hint of mockery flashed in her cold eyes.

She had come to a complete understanding of the fickle nature of the world and the fickleness of human hearts.

"Your Excellencies are too kind."

Her voice was flat, revealing no emotion.

"Ninghai belongs to everyone. The Chen Group is willing to work with everyone to maintain order and stability in Ninghai."

She didn't mention Qin Yang, but everyone understood that her words referred to that man.

This meeting, ostensibly for "congratulations" but actually a show of loyalty, did not last long.

After receiving Chen Yuqi's vague promise of "forgiving past transgressions and working together for mutual development," the members of the six major families felt as if they had been granted a pardon and took their leave one after another.

The office door was closed, shutting out the noise from outside.

Chen Yuqi leaned back in her chair, rubbing her throbbing temples, a look of fatigue on her face.

Dealing with these old foxes is more mentally taxing than managing the group's affairs.

But she knew this was just the beginning.

Qin Yang has thrown this huge cake, Ninghai, to her. How to protect it, how to divide it, and how to satisfy that man are the real tests.

...

Night fell again.

It was still the presidential suite of that five-star hotel.

Qin Yang's figure stood like a javelin in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city he had just trampled under his feet.

His eyes were deeper and colder than the night outside the window.

A knock came at the door.

"Come in."

The sound was devoid of any warmth.

Chen Yuqi pushed the door open and entered, then gently closed it behind her.

She changed into a simple and elegant home outfit, which made her look less sharp and capable during the day and more gentle.

"They all came today."

She walked a short distance behind Qin Yang and reported in a low voice.

"His attitude was very respectful."

“In Ninghai, the Chen family is now nominally in charge.”

She paused, her voice carrying a subtle, complex emotion.

"In reality, they obey your orders."

Qin Yang did not turn around, as if he already knew everything, or rather, he simply didn't care.

Looking at his aloof and indifferent back, Chen Yuqi felt an indescribable feeling welling up in her heart.

This man was so powerful it was terrifying, and so lonely it was heartbreaking.

Even though she knew he didn't need anyone's pity.

Silence spread through the room.

The neon lights outside the floor-to-ceiling windows flickered and reflected on Qin Yang's profile, adding a touch of mystery to his hard features.

"today……"

Chen Yuqi took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and spoke again.

"Thank you."

This time, the gratitude is more sincere and more profound than the last time after the Wangjiang Pavilion incident.

Without Qin Yang, the Chen family wouldn't be where they are today.

Without Qin Yang, Chen Yuqi would probably have long since become a lamb in the mouths of those wolves and tigers.

This kindness is as heavy as Mount Tai.

This time, Qin Yang finally reacted.

He slowly turned around.

His gaze was piercing, going straight into Chen Yuqi's eyes.

That gaze was no longer indifferent and aloof, but carried an unprecedented sharpness and probing.

It was as if they wanted to see right through her soul.

Chen Yuqi's heart skipped a beat when he looked at her. She instinctively wanted to look away, but forced herself to meet his gaze.

What does Ninghai mean to you?

Qin Yang suddenly spoke, his voice low and slightly hoarse.

Chen Yuqi was taken aback, not understanding why he suddenly asked this.

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