Chapter 46 [Roughly a bit of plot + a bit of the competition (?)] ...

Even if Song Mingli said that, SK's economic situation cannot be explained in just a few words.

The stock price kept falling, and the public opinion was getting noisier every day. When the news first broke, many well-known economists in the industry personally commented. Even though the municipal bureau got involved, in the eyes of the public, SK is a group of this size, with deep roots and a strong foundation, and it is not something that can be completely crushed by a single storm.

As the situation snowballed and escalated, involving a wider range of people, it finally reached a alarming point. Among those who were jumping up and down, trying to take advantage of the chaos, the more astute ones finally realized that things in Fancheng seemed to be really about to change.

People come and go at the Bauhinia Villa every day. Even though Song Mingli never showed any pressure in front of him, he could still tell from the ever-burning light in the other party's study and the mountain of documents piled up on the table that this time it really wouldn't be so easy to get through.

"Young Master," Aunt He called out gently as she carried the tray.

Clearly, she had heard a lot of rumors these past few days, and her face quickly became haggard.

“I noticed you didn’t eat much for breakfast, so I made some soup to at least fill your stomachs.”

Ying Shixue turned around, gave her a forced smile, and took the tray: "Thank you, Aunt He. I'll take it up with you."

Ascending the wooden spiral staircase, Ying Shixue stood at the study doorway, her fingers gripping the bottom of a plate tightly.

"The court is still collecting further evidence, but all our applications have been rejected or suppressed, Mr. Song Qi..."

Through the slightly ajar door, one could hear the legal department lawyers analyzing the situation point by point. Waiting outside were several project managers and senior executives from SK. He knew that multiple suppliers were experiencing cash flow problems.

Ying Shixue slowly exhaled, her brows furrowed.

Such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has attracted covetous eyes from the outside world, eager to tear off a piece of flesh. What's even more terrifying, with enemies on both sides, is that it seems someone above wants to make a big deal out of this.

Even if the Xi family has extensive connections, how could they possibly persuade the people in the Industry and Commerce Bureau and the Supervisory Court? SK's economic contributions to Fancheng and the entire district over the years are undeniable. Who is manipulating all of this behind the scenes?

Ying Shixue pursed her lips, when suddenly a commotion arose downstairs.

He subconsciously looked down and saw the villa gate open from the middle. Two rows of bodyguards in black filed in, carrying in heavy red pear wood chests, which were neatly stacked in the spacious living room.

Xi Bojian, dressed in a dark black suit, stepped in from the middle of the door. He was tall and handsome, with broad shoulders, long legs, and extremely long eyebrows. He finally stopped in the living room and fixed his gaze precisely on Ying Shixue in the second-floor corridor. He raised an eyebrow at Ying Shixue in a flirtatious and ambiguous manner.

Ying Shixue frowned as the study door behind her suddenly opened, revealing Song Mingli standing behind her with a deep expression. The lawyers and executives in the room hadn't even realized what was happening; they had just been discussing serious matters when President Song suddenly called them to a halt. They stood there somewhat bewildered.

Xi Bojian's smile widened, and he nodded slightly to him across the vast air.

Such a gesture is usually considered respectful, but when he does it, it seems more like a subtle, unspoken provocation, a show of arrogance.

"Why is he here?" Song Mingli asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

The security guards who were originally standing below turned pale when they heard this. They wanted to go forward, but were firmly blocked by the row of bodyguards in black. In the end, they could only anxiously take out their phones to report the information to him.

Song Mingli didn't open the message, but instead dialed another number: "Bring a team to Zijing Villa within twenty minutes."

Upon receiving the call, they sped off, the two rows of black-clad bodyguards jeering as they prepared their attack, creating an atmosphere of tense standoff.

Xi Bojian waved his hand and scolded, "So rash and impulsive, what kind of behavior is this!"

He then looked at Song Mingli again: "President Song, we're all family now, why make such a fuss?"

He clapped his hands, and one by one, the rows of pear wood chests were opened, revealing gold and silver jewelry, fine furs and gorgeous clothes, filling the room with dazzling light: "I've come today to propose to Xiaoxue."

Like a thunderclap from a clear sky, the entire hall was stunned. Everyone present was so shocked that they didn't even have time to look at the boxes of rare and precious items that were rare outside. Their first reaction was to look at Song Mingli.

With a sharp crack, the wooden railing under Song Mingli's hand was crushed, and everyone immediately looked away and pretended to be mute. They all saw the surprise in each other's eyes at having inadvertently glimpsed the secrets of a wealthy family.

What's going on? Is it true that the rumors are true? The young master of the Song family broke with his brother half a year ago and went to Liancheng, where he cooperated closely with Sheng'an. He's been photographed with President Xi of Sheng'an on multiple occasions, seemingly because the two have a secret affair, and he's even proposed marriage to her...

Song Mingli withdrew his hand from the railing expressionlessly: "...The meeting is adjourned. Everyone, go back."

Upon hearing this, no one dared to linger. They quickly grabbed their bags and gathered their documents, desperately trying to minimize their presence so as not to be remembered, and slipped out along the wall.

Ying Shixue stared at the cracked railing, his heart sinking. It was then that he suddenly realized that if he had never told Song Mingli the whole story of his trip to Liancheng, did Song Mingli really believe that he and Xi Bojian...

He panicked, his lips parted slightly, but before he could utter the word "brother," Song Mingli had already turned to him and pressed his index finger to his lips.

Working day and night for many days had made his eyes bloodshot. He wasn't addicted to smoking, but Ying Shixue could smell the faint, spicy tobacco scent emanating from him.

After staying up all night, the facade of propriety that had been maintained by reason was crumbling, and there was an unusual look of anger and irritability on his brow, a sign of impending collapse.

"Stay up there and watch carefully."

Ying Shixue didn't quite understand what he meant, and took a step forward to pull him, but Song Mingli stopped her: "Stand on top!"

Ying Shixue paused, her eyelashes trembling as she stood still. Song Mingli rarely spoke to her so sternly, almost never letting her say a word.

He pursed his lips, and Song Mingli had already turned around and walked downstairs.

Xi Bojian was still wearing that high-end custom-made suit, impeccably dressed and smiling. Before he could even utter the more provocative "brother-in-law," he was suddenly punched hard in the face!

Ying Shixue's pupils constricted, her body instinctively leaned forward, and she immediately placed her hands on the railing.

The black-clad bodyguards were about to step forward when the outer door was suddenly flung open again with a bang. Another group of well-trained men in black quickly took control of the scene, and the atmosphere became extremely tense.

That punch was no joke. It was a full-force punch from a grown man with a strong physique from years of physical training. Even though Xi Bojian managed to dodge the most ferocious blow at the last second, blood immediately started flowing from his nose.

His vision blurred and his mind went black and buzzing. The intense pain stimulated his surging nerves, and Xi Bojian roared and threw a punch.

What are they doing? What are they doing?!

The two men, both over 1.9 meters tall and prominent figures in the business world, fought like beasts from primitive times battling for territory, biting and twisting each other with the intent to kill. In just a short while, they were both bruised and battered.

Ying Shixue was about to go downstairs to pull them apart, but Song Mingli stubbornly raised his head at him from the midst of the fierce battle: "Stand there and watch!"

Neither of the bodyguards had expected this turn of events. They stood frozen in place, unsure whether to step forward. Finally, Song Mingli threw Xi Bojian to the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw and a side hook. Xi Bojian coughed and spat out a mouthful of bloody teeth.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, and both sides' bodyguards reached their limit of patience.

Song Mingli raised his fist again, staring intently at him, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth: "I've tolerated you for a long time."

Just as the second punch was about to land, a soft, warm body suddenly pressed against his back.

“Brother,” Ying Shixue’s voice trembled as she wrapped her arms around his.

When they were fighting, the buttons on his shirt cuffs had already popped open, and even through the thin fabric, Ying Shixue could feel his taut muscles.

Unlike his arms, which, no matter how much he trained, only had a few lines, his arms contained terrifying power, capable of killing a ferocious beast with a single punch.

“Stop hitting him,” he repeated again, “Stop hitting him.”

The arm holding Song Mingli visibly loosened its grip, as if afraid of accidentally hurting him, but the hand gripping Xi Bojian's neck didn't loosen its hold in the slightest. Due to his height and imposing presence, even now, he naturally looked down at him, his eyes flashing with a cold, bestial light when he looked over:

"Is this what you found in Liancheng over those six months?"

"You watch closely as I trample him under my feet."

At the same time, he exerted force, and Xi Bojian's neck bones made an unbearable cracking sound. Ying Shixue's brow twitched heavily, and she turned around and hugged him tightly around the shoulders and neck.

Her slender, soft body pressed against him, as if she were his whole world, her cheek nuzzling against his neck in a dependent way: "Brother, big brother..."

As Song Mingli gradually loosened his grip, Xi Bojian seized the opportunity to pull himself up and stand up, his neck, which had been choked, now turning a dark purple.

He watched Ying Shixue nestled in another man's arms, revealing a sweet inner world she had never shown to outsiders, and his palms were pinched until they bled.

After a long pause, a strange smile appeared on his lips. His voice, still hoarse from years of wear and tear, said, "Ying... Shi... Xue!"

He gasped, "Have you thought this through? The Song family is in dire straits right now. Before the court verdict is handed down, you and I should get married. At least I can guarantee your safety and let this violent maniac go to hell on his own!"

Ying Shixue was about to turn around and say he was going back, but before he could turn his head, a large hand pressed down on the back of his head and held him tightly in his arms, not allowing him to move an inch.

"Lin Qi".

The one in the lead immediately stepped forward.

"Throw this man out, along with his pile of boxes."