"Let guess. Sobody isn't happy with my moves in Province N," said Ling Qingyu with a chuckle as she rubbed her chin. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Exactly. With your talent, you should have seen it coming," Gu Yi replied. "I can suppress them for you and give you ample ti to grow stronger."
"That won't be necessary, Mother."
"Could you not address as 'Mother'?" Gu Yi cringed and brushed the fabric on her shoulder with distaste. "We aren't that close yet."
"We will be soon enough," Ling Qingyu coughed lightly but stood her ground. "Qingyue's mother is my mother too."
"The way you climb up really opens my eyes," Gu Yi said, shaking her head. "Co to think of it, I can't imagine the extent of your reach across industries. Those old ghosts would never expect what's coming."
Ling Qingyu paused when she noticed the maids approaching. Gu Yi followed her glance and waited.
The two won remained silent as the maids placed the tea on the table and retreated.
"I'm serious, Mom. I can handle them on my own."
"Even with so many obstacles ahead?" Gu Yi raised an eyebrow, clearly astonished by Ling Qingyu's confidence.
"Even if they all attack at once," Ling Qingyu replied with a steady gaze, her eyes exuding arrogance and an unwavering trust in her abilities.
The newborn tiger fears no one, Gu Yi thought. But she knew Ling Qingyu was no ordinary character.
Ling Qingyu had flourished in the most chaotic provinces, a success that could only be achieved through sufficient ans and unrelenting ruthlessness.
"Alright. Just know that if you ever need help, you can call ." Gu Yi nodded, offering her support.
"Thanks, Mom. The battle is inevitable, but I chose this road, and there's no turning back." Ling Qingyu took a sip of tea. "Prepare to watch the clown show unfold in the coming months. It'll be quite the spectacle."
"I'll be watching," Gu Yi said, smirking. "From the looks of it, you seem intent on suppressing the entire province yourself."
"Exactly. And when that happens, I'll have the province's support," Ling Qingyu replied, raising her cup. "Honestly, it's a rare opportunity for to expand. Every business faces tribulations. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. The sa applies here—I'll only grow stronger."
Gu Yi sipped her tea, letting the conversation settle as the fragrant aroma of the surrounding flowers filled the air.
The discussion painted a vivid picture of Province N's landscape. Ling Qingyu, having ventured down several paths, knew well that anyone whose interests she touched would never wish her well.
Compromise was nonexistent in a business war. It was either surrender or victory. Even so-called compromises were rely tactical pauses for both sides to regroup and prepare for an eventual onslaught.
True peace only existed when both parties possessed equal strength. But such peace was fragile, as one misstep could lead to disaster.
Survivors of suppression never lasted long, no matter how much they groveled. Once the powerful established a tight grip, they would swiftly eliminate any remaining threats.
Joining the powerful might be an option, but it ca at the cost of independence—hardly a choice for anyone with ambition.
Of course, pretending to submit and gradually eroding an opponent's foundation before striking was another strategy. Alternatively, one could give up certain advantages in hopes of binding others to a shared cause. But inviting soone was far easier than trying to force them out later.
And then there was human greed—unpredictable and insatiable. These old vultures eyeing her wouldn't settle for minor benefits; they would seek to tighten their grip further in the future.
To them, Ling Qingyu was rely a money-making tool, a pawn to be restrained either through illegal thods or marriage. But she had no interest in finding out which.
Business world and the elite circle were crueler than ordinary people's lives, especially in a matter of life-or-death of their interest. Hidden underneath the smiles and fraudulent politeness, combining with elegance and aristocratic vibes, any characters were covered with thorns and sharp edges. Veiled polished knives readied to stab at anyone with weakness.
To survive in a world of the strong preying on the weak, only ruthlessness and fearlessness beca the option for Ling Qingyu. She lived past the novice period and mid-term. Final exam awaited.
From the start, Ling Qingyu had made her wealth and power known. Whether buying a manor or participating in high-profile auctions, her spending habits had not gone unnoticed.
So long as she didn't interfere with their businesses, few dared to provoke her—especially not Xia and Shen, along with their little ou-dou-dous (younger brothers).
No one wanted to turn a two-sided rivalry into a three-way battle. Yet Ling Qingyu had no intention of joining their ranks; her goal was to surpass them entirely.
Her only weakness was her lack of connections—a problem she was diligently solving. With ti, her growing influence would be impossible for the major families, including Shen and Xia, to ignore.
Through befriending Yang Qingyue and eventually falling in love with her, Ling Qingyu had gained an unexpected ally. The latter part was also a surprise and a gift for Ling Qingyu too. She had also built relationships with top officials in Province N, donating billions as goodwill gestures.
These efforts reduced the chances of her opponents leveraging governnt power against her businesses.
Now, the warning from Gu Yi could only an one thing: a massive business war lood on the horizon.
Ling Qingyu calculated the potential fallout—her profit margins would likely plumt, and her business could face severe interruptions. Betrayals and broken contracts from distributors or suppliers might destabilize her business's virtuous circle.
Her mind raced trendously fast at light speed as she predicted several possibilities. But one thing, she was certain, the progress might be harsh yet everything was worth it.
Her confidence stemd from Miss System and Athena—source of inco from training and supplier providers from a nano-manufacturing machine, only requiring energy to produce essential products.
In fact, the situation could beco drastic, if her industry involved every circle. Pharmaceutical, energy and other important sectors weren't ventured yet.
These were monopolized by strong powerhouses. Had she stepped one foot into the circle, Ling Qingyu dared not imagine.
It wasn't that she was scared but she hated more troubles than she could handle. Steady and stable. Sooner or later, with Gu Yi's help, these industries would be in her hands.
Plus, only if she fought and won, her strength would be noticed and acknowledged by others.
Fortunately, their interest was rely in the circle of Province N. If they discovered Ling Qingyu had an international hotel and service industry along with the upcoming super hospital soon to be rewarded by Miss System, she would have no ti to rest.
Perhaps, her enemies might be too excited and impatient to wait or even negotiate. Everything would be fruitless and her original plan had to change.
Additionally, the reason Ling Qingyu rejected Gu Yi's intervention was clear: she intended to use the battle to elevate her status and extract more benefits. After all, life was reciprocal.
If others sought to consu her industries, why couldn't she return the favor? The pharmaceutical, restaurant, and energy sectors were ripe for her taking. Once she digested them after her victory, her overall strength and status would surpass all expectations, subverting the established hierarchy.
After a mont of silence, Gu Yi sighed and broke the tension. "Ah—here I thought I could return your favor soon. But it seems you're planning to seek even more of my help in the future."
"How could you say that, Mom?" Ling Qingyu replied, her tone feigning offense. "Given our relationship, there's no need to asure such proportions. Consider this ti as a gift from the younger generation. Besides, I'll gain benefits from it too, won't I?"
"You've already overperford," Gu Yi said, shaking her head slightly. "The deal between us makes feel guilty. As you've pointed out, it wouldn't be right for to take advantage of soone from the younger generation. Co, tell how I can help."
"If you insist." Ling Qingyu paused, steepling her fingers after carefully setting her teacup on the mahogany table. The aura of a seasoned CEO returned as she continued, "Help when I deal with the Qin family."
"The Qin family from the Capital?" Gu Yi asked, her expression thoughtful. After a brief mont, she nodded. "You have my word. I'll act as a middleman to diate the unpleasantness between you two."
As the Minister of Justice, Gu Yi had access to extensive intelligence and already understood the underlying conflict. She was aware of Ling Qingyu's fierce and decisive actions, which had successfully countered the Qin family's attacks.
The Qin family had targeted Ling Yunxiang, Ling Qingyu's half-sister, relentlessly. They suppressed her thoroughly and blackened her na in the entertainnt industry.
If not for Ling Qingyu's advanced technological ans and rapid counterattacks—thods that had even piqued Gu Yi's curiosity—Ling Yunxiang's fate would have been sealed.
Not even the prestigious Ling family from Province S could challenge the behemoth that was the Qin family, deeply entrenched in the capital's power structure.
Gu Yi knew there were also conflicts in business matters where Ling Qingyu's industries faced countless obstacles though not directly by Qin family. Nevertheless, anyone with a clear vision knew the identity of the culprit.
Of course, her daughter-in-law, in spite of a weaker position, wasn't to be outdone. The counter-attacks were like a combination solid punches targeted at the weakest spot.
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Qin family suffered heavy losses in wealth after their countless projects got ruined by exposing too early or their organization's chain froze, costing several billions after losing trust from the investors.
So of the younger and older generation's past criminal deeds were flushed out to the public, attracting outrages.
"diate? No, Mother-in-law. You misunderstood." Ling Qingyu's lips curled into a sneer. "I intend to destroy the entire family for what they did to ."
Gu Yi was stunned by her daughter-in-law's declaration. This was beyond what she expected. Was Ling Qingyu planning to dismantle the Qin family simply because of the enmity caused by Ling Yunxiang?
Such ruthlessness and overbearing ambition caused Gu Yi to reconsider the depths of their cooperation. If Ling Qingyu was this extre, perhaps Gu Yi needed to clarify the stakes involved.
"Is this all because of your sister?" Gu Yi probed, careful not to overcommit. "I can offer so help, but you mustn't underestimate the power of the capital's families."
"Thank you for the reminder, Mom." Ling Qingyu smiled, her tone light yet calculated. "I'm fully aware of the stakes. And no, my decision isn't solely because of my sister."
"Oh?" Gu Yi raised an eyebrow, inwardly relieved to hear there was a broader reason behind Ling Qingyu's ruthless approach. However, her composure faltered as Ling Qingyu spoke her next words.
"They once tried to assassinate —and they nearly succeeded."
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