Li Shiyun's father was filled with excitement, and his perception of his rebellious daughter, Li Shiyun, significantly improved!
If Tang Ao had overheard this conversation, he probably would have burst out laughing.
To Tang Ao, this was the biggest joke and misunderstanding in the world. His so-called magnanimity was merely because he knew his own limits, and his supposed generosity stemmed from his belief that the Li family elder had been sent by fate to maintain the storyline. As for why his physical condition was so good...
It was all thanks to the Leg-Stretching Eye-Popping Pill!
...
Meanwhile, in a taxi, Ye Chen remembered something and dialed a number on his phone. "Zhang San, how's the task I gave you coming along?"
"Dragon... Dragon King!" Zhang San broke into a cold sweat as he answered Ye Chen's call. He didn't dare admit that he had failed, but he also couldn't lie to Ye Chen, so he mustered the courage to reveal part of the truth: "At the hospital payment desk, Miss Zhou Ling'er's mother's surgery fee of 500,000 yuan has been credited in your name!"
"Well done!"
Tang Ao may have bought the teapot I wanted, but he'll never guess that I paid Zhou Ling'er's surgery fee first!
Starting with Zhou Ling'er, I, Ye Chen, vow to take everything from Tang Ao—his women, his wealth, and anything else he holds dear!
Feeling triumphant, Ye Chen hung up the phone, already planning to visit the hospital to see Zhou Ling'er after leaving the Li family.
He couldn't help but get angry just thinking about how Zhou Ling'er had accused him of harassment that night!
In Ye Chen's eyes, Zhou Ling'er was just selling herself to the highest bidder. Now that the surgery was paid for in Ye Chen's name, Zhou Ling'er would have no choice but to obey his every command!
Ye Chen eagerly anticipated Zhou Ling'er kneeling before him, chained like a dog, licking his toes in submission!
He would repay the humiliation she inflicted on him a hundredfold, a thousandfold!
...
Elsewhere, Lin Ruoxue was dressed in an elegant outfit, eagerly preparing to attend Li Shiyun's birthday party. Just as she was about to leave, she received a call from the vice president of her company: "President, we've got a problem! Four of our major partners, including the exclusive distributor for Zhou's Miracle Medicine, have just informed us that they want to terminate their agreements with us!"
"What!?" Lin Ruoxue's face paled. These recent partnerships were crucial to Lin Pharmaceuticals, especially the distribution rights for Zhou's Miracle Medicine, a deal that had taken Lin Ruoxue an entire month of sleepless effort to secure!
And now, they were pulling out?
"Why? What reasons did they give?"
"President, they didn't provide any reason. Their stance was extremely firm. Additionally, over ten of our long-term partners have also informed us that they won't be renewing their contracts after this month, and they've stated they will no longer collaborate with Lin Pharmaceuticals in the future!"
The vice president's voice was trembling with emotion, near tears. This was a crisis that could determine the future of Lin Pharmaceuticals.
Lin Ruoxue's face turned deathly pale.
Someone was targeting Lin Pharmaceuticals!
Lin Pharmaceuticals only had about twenty long-term partners, and twelve of them had contracts expiring this month, accounting for over two-thirds of the company's orders!
If all twelve partners abandoned them... Lin Pharmaceuticals could face bankruptcy!
This was a catastrophic event for the company!
Desperate, Lin Ruoxue immediately searched her contacts for the CEO of one of their closest partners and dialed his number: "Hello, this is Lin Ruoxue, CEO of Lin Pharmaceuticals. Could I ask—"
"Lin Ruoxue, I know what you want to ask. Let's not make this harder than it needs to be. We've had a good run, but I beg you to let us part on good terms, okay?"
Without giving her a chance to respond, the CEO hung up the phone. When Lin Ruoxue tried calling back, there was no answer.
Frustrated, Lin Ruoxue quickly dialed another partner's number: "Hello, this is Lin Ruoxue, CEO of Lin Pharmaceuticals. I just wanted to—"
Beep, beep, beep...
The sound of the dial tone filled her ears. Lin Ruoxue was stunned.
This partner had previously been begging Lin Pharmaceuticals to work with them, visiting her office over thirty times before she reluctantly agreed to cooperate. Now, they hadn't even let her finish speaking before hanging up!
Something was seriously wrong!
Panic-stricken, Lin Ruoxue realized that the crisis at Lin Pharmaceuticals was far more urgent than attending the Li family banquet.
Rushing to the company, she found despair written on every employee's face. The once lively company lobby was now filled with a suffocating gloom, with many employees already discussing how much severance they could expect if the company went bankrupt.
Things were far worse than she had imagined!
Who was behind this targeted attack on Lin Pharmaceuticals!?
...
Meanwhile, Zhou Qiao'er and Tang Ao were still on their way to the Li family's estate. The scenery along the route was beautiful, and Zhou Qiao'er, seeing Tang Ao peacefully sleeping in the passenger seat, slowed down the car.
After over an hour of driving, they finally arrived at their destination.
The Li family's ancestral home sat halfway up a mountain, and thanks to modern infrastructure, a paved road led directly to the estate's grand entrance.
Tang Ao stretched and looked out the window. The Li family's gate was imposing, flanked by two black dragons, one on each side, creating an intimidating presence.
What surprised Tang Ao the most was the sight of almost the entire Li family standing at the entrance, seemingly waiting for the arrival of an important guest. Leading the group was none other than the current head of the Li family, Li Yifeng, whom Tang Ao recognized.
[Wow, such a grand display. It must be for Ye Chen, the Dragon King. Only someone of his status would warrant the entire Li family coming out to greet him.]
[The protagonist truly gets special treatment!]
Glancing at the precious tea pets in the car, Tang Ao secretly breathed a sigh of relief:
[With Ye Chen's Dragon King status and abilities, he must have found some other valuable tea sets at Antique Street. And with the Li family giving him so much importance, today's plot seems to be going smoothly!]
At the Li family's gate, Li Mao stepped forward and spoke to Li Yifeng, "Grandfather, that's Tang Ao's car!"
Li Yifeng peered through the car's window at Tang Ao, frowning slightly. "Is this the so-called genius who has bewitched Li Shiyun and whom the elder holds in such high regard? He doesn't seem much different from any other spoiled rich kid... and why is there a woman in his car?"
"Grandfather, I've interacted with Tang Ao before. What you're seeing is just a facade, part of his carefully crafted disguise. In truth, he's a man of great depth, so much so that even I can't fully understand him. The woman with him is Zhou Qiao'er, the daughter of the chairman of Zhou Pharmaceuticals. She's widely regarded as a remarkable businesswoman who rivals her father, yet she is utterly devoted to Tang Ao. However, despite her feelings, Tang Ao keeps his distance from her. Even so, Zhou Qiao'er remains one of my sister Li Shiyun's strongest rivals."
Li Yifeng nodded thoughtfully. As Tang Ao's car came to a stop, he took a deep breath and said in a commanding tone, "Everyone, stay sharp! This young man is highly valued by the elder. If anyone shows him any disrespect, I won't hesitate to punish them!"
Just as Li Yifeng finished speaking, a taxi pulled up in front of the Li family estate, parking arrogantly in front of the assembled family members.
As Ye Chen stepped out of the taxi, swaggering toward the Li family with an air of arrogance, Tang Ao, who had just gotten out of his car, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
[Is this what it looks like to walk like a boss? I love it! I, Tang Ao, wonder when I'll be able to strut around with such unrestrained arrogance~]
[If I'm not mistaken, Ye Chen's about to show off. I've got to make sure I play my supporting role well!]