The next agenda item was a more tedious and crucial discussion of details.
The heads of each family, core members, and accompanying legal teams began discussing the specific implementation of the agreement terms and investment policies, each of which concerned huge interests and future plans.
With permission, Ning Yuan was able to sit on a slightly smaller chair next to Ning Bingyu and take a notebook to listen in on the whole thing.
This shows respect for newcomers entering the core circle, and even more so, respect for the power she represents.
The long meeting, filled with technical jargon, complex clauses, and subtle probing and maneuvering, echoed in my ears.
Ning Yuan clearly felt that simply sitting here and listening to these top-level business secrets and decision-making processes that she would never normally have access to was incredibly rewarding.
Her cognitive boundaries are being expanded invisibly.
In life, the circles you move in, the people you associate with, the things you encounter, and the advice you receive are all crucial in shaping your perspective.
Information gaps and cognitive gaps are the most fundamental source of class divisions and the flow of wealth.
You can never earn money beyond what you know.
At this moment, she had a profound understanding of this now-common saying.
...
As noon approached, the lengthy discussion came to a temporary end.
Lunchtime has arrived, and whether they are billionaire tycoons or working lawyers, everyone must abide by the rules here. At this moment, everyone takes a break, each with a boxed lunch.
Ning Yuan was led by the servant who had shown her the way to an elegantly decorated private room, where a boxed lunch had already been laid out, consisting of several light and refreshing dishes.
She was about to open her lunchbox when she heard light footsteps outside the door.
It was the same old servant who had served tea earlier. He stepped aside, and a figure followed behind him.
Ning Yuan looked up and saw a cool and beautiful mature woman's face—Ning Man'an.
Ning Man'an walked in slowly, her dark eyes calm and unwavering, and glanced at Ning Yuan.
In the two years since she returned, Ning Yuan has had very few real interactions with this eldest daughter of the Ning family.
In their only brief encounter, Ning Man'an's demeanor exuded a sense of detachment and scrutiny.
Of course, Ningmanan didn't get the better of himself either!
Ning Man'an sat down in the chair opposite Ning Yuan, her posture elegant and her movements carrying the composure of someone who had long held a high position.
She looked up at Ning Yuan, her voice calm and even: "Little sister, how are you feeling?"
Ning Yuan thought for a moment and then told the truth: "It was an eye-opener. At first, it felt like watching a period gangster film, but later it turned into a business war film."
It was truly shocking. The ancient ritual of worshipping Guan Yu, the oath of family alliance, and the determination to fight against foreign enemies all felt both unfamiliar and impactful to her, who grew up under the red flag.
Upon hearing this, Ning Man'an's lips seemed to curve into a very faint smile: "Really? Then little sister...would you like to watch more films like this to broaden your horizons?"
Ning Yuan didn't understand what she meant, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes: "What?"
Ning Man'an didn't explain further, but simply picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
The old man who served her tea, who had an ordinary face and seemed to have no presence, moved with lightning speed!
A white handkerchief with a pungent smell was suddenly covered by Ning Yuan's mouth and nose from behind!
"Ugh...!"
………
The sea breeze carries a salty, fishy smell, whipping up gray waves that tirelessly pound against the jagged rocks.
Under a gloomy sky, a semi-abandoned villa standing on a cliff by the sea appears particularly lonely.
Around the villa, several burly men dressed in sharp black suits were scattered seemingly casually.
Their eyes were sharp as eagles, scanning their surroundings warily, silently proclaiming that the owner of this place was not to be trifled with.
This is Nimmanan's territory.
A car slowly pulled up outside the villa, and Cha Meiling got out of the car with Anderson.
She calmly straightened her skirt and looked up at the somewhat desolate building.
The villa door was opened, and Ning Man'an's people led them inside.
After passing through a slightly worn but still luxurious corridor, they arrived at a living room facing the sea.
Ning Man'an, dressed in a sharp black suit, stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window with her back to them.
She exudes the unique charm of a mature woman, yet carries a powerful aura that keeps strangers at bay.
The waves rolled behind her, making her appear even more aloof and unfathomable.
Cha Meiling's face immediately lit up with a gentle and affectionate smile, as if she were sisters who had not seen each other for many years: "Big sister, it's been a long time."
She took a few steps forward familiarly, her tone carrying a touch of just the right amount of nostalgia: "When I was little, you took care of me at the Ning family's old house. You often baked cranberry cakes for me, which were sweet and sour."
Ning Man'an raised her eyelids, her dark eyes calm and unwavering:
“Annie, there’s no need for this nonsense. Things have changed, and everything is over. The past friendship vanished the moment you chose to give up on A-Yu and lost your status as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Ning family.”
“We’re talking business, and I’ve brought the ‘goods’ you requested.”
Cha Meiling's smile froze slightly, and a barely perceptible cold glint flashed deep in her eyes.
But the word "goods" cheered her up, and she chuckled, "Speaking of which, didn't my eldest sister also betray the Ning family? Wouldn't we be considered kindred spirits?"
Ning Man'an's face instantly turned cold, and a hint of displeasure flashed between her brows.
Cha Meiling, however, acted as if she hadn't seen it and continued to smile as she spoke:
"Of course, that's because the Ning family has wronged my eldest sister! How brilliantly did you manage the gambling and hotel industries in Macau?"
"You have casinos and hotels all over the world, and even the gambling king in Las Vegas has to show you respect. You've contributed so many impressive results to the Ning family! But what was the result?"
She paused, her tone tinged with empathetic anger: "Just because you're a woman, you can't even get close to becoming the heir, and can only become Brother Yu's whetstone! I understand this injustice all too well!"
She abruptly changed the subject, a hint of undisguised hostility creeping into her smile:
"Like me, I once thought I could sacrifice everything for the Cha family and gain the position of heir, but what happened? I was just a stepping stone for my good-for-nothing brother! Thankfully..."
Cha Meiling's smile deepened, tinged with a chilling pleasure: "He died at Ning Bingyu's hands! I really have to thank Brother Yu for that!"
She had thought she could find common ground with Ning Man'an, and at least make the other person look at her differently.
However, Ning Man'an's face remained as calm as an iceberg, his eyes filled with indifference, even carrying a perfunctory contempt.
"You've said too much. My affairs are none of your business."
She sat down indifferently and instructed Cha Meiling: "Go and take a look at your 'goods' first. After you've seen them, have the person behind you who really has the power come and talk to me."
The contempt in those words was like an invisible needle, piercing Zha Meiling's heart.
An uncontrollable rage surged within Cha Meiling.
She knew that Ningman looked down on her.
This woman is indeed a business tycoon; her skills and charisma far surpass what I can currently match.
But who can say for sure what will happen in the future!
Cha Meiling took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her surging anger, and put on that flawless, gentle smile again: "Okay, big sister, then I'll go take a look at the 'goods' first."
Ning Man'an nodded slightly to her quiet, capable-looking female secretary standing beside her.
The female secretary said expressionlessly, "Ms. Cha, please come with me."
Afterwards, Cha Meiling followed her female secretary through the corridor to a room.
The female secretary pushed open the door and stepped aside.
The room was small and simply furnished, with only a bed and a lone chair.
Cha Meiling spotted the figure that had been keeping her up at night.
Ning Yuan was curled up, her hands and feet tightly bound, her long hair scattered on the pillow, her face pale, and her eyes glazed over.
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