Two words flashed through Yu Lingxiao's mind—
Domineering!
Only this word could perfectly describe Qin Fengwu's modus operandi.
Yu Lingxiao genuinely admired the young man, even remarking, "Young Master Qin possesses much of the Old Master's spirit. He will undoubtedly become a renowned figure in the future."
The Qin family's Old Master was a meritorious official who assisted the Emperor, a hero who defeated the old era!
Such praise for Qin Fengwu was exceptionally high.
Qin Fengwu exuded an aura of disdain for the world. Since childhood, people had often praised him for possessing the Old Master's spirit, hoping he would grow into a pillar of the nation like his grandfather.
But—
Qin Fengwu's ambitions extended far beyond that.
He wished to surpass his grandfather and become a truly epoch-making figure! He hoped that history books a millennium later would dedicate extensive chapters and vivid descriptions to his life!
"I am destined for historical renown. What is a mere Chen Jin Zhao to me?" Qin Fengwu thought to himself.
However.
He said humbly, "You flatter me, sir. I am still far from my great-grandfather's stature."
The two conversed cordially.
During their conversation, Yu Lingxiao subtly tried to elicit some promises from Qin Fengwu. However, Qin Fengwu did not readily agree, leaving him feeling somewhat disappointed.
Yu Mengzhi quickly returned to her seat.
After washing her face, Yu Mengzhi gradually calmed down, escaping the predicament of being led by Qin Fengwu.
She intended to reiterate to Qin Fengwu with all seriousness that she would not marry him.
Plans, however, rarely kept pace with reality.
In the time that followed, Qin Fengwu did not give Yu Mengzhi an opportunity to speak. He would occasionally comment on the taste of the restaurant's dishes or share his ambitions with them.
Before they knew it, the banquet had concluded.
The words that Yu Mengzhi had held in her heart never had a chance to be spoken.
As they left the restaurant.
Yu Lingxiao, ever shrewd, entered the elevator ahead of them, leaving the two to have a private moment.
Qin Fengwu intentionally called out to Yu Mengzhi, inviting her to chat on the open-air terrace opposite the revolving restaurant. He didn't give Yu Mengzhi a chance to refuse.
On the terrace.
A cool breeze blew.
Qin Fengwu stood before the railing, gazing down at the city from a high vantage point.
Yu Mengzhi stood beside him, feeling somewhat anxious. Qin Fengwu's voice reached her ears, "Mengzhi, is there something you want to tell me?"
"Yes!" Yu Mengzhi took a deep breath.
"I want to tell you that I will not marry you. Because I don't like you, I like Chen Jin Zhao!"
These were the words she had been preparing all evening.
In the darkness of the night.
She couldn't clearly see Qin Fengwu's expression.
To her surprise, Qin Fengwu didn't fly into a rage as she had expected. Instead, he chuckled, "I like this about you, your straightforward nature of saying what you like without any pretense."
"However—"
"I feel you haven't shown me enough respect."
"Chen Jin Zhao is indeed outstanding, but he is still not worthy of you. Among the people I know, many are far more capable than him. Your judgment is still too superficial."
Yu Mengzhi retorted, as if her tail had been stepped on, "No, you don't understand Chen Jin Zhao at all. He is far more exceptional than you imagine."
"In my eyes, you are not as good as him!"
This time.
Qin Fengwu was truly annoyed.
The woman he desired actually said he was inferior to another man.
"Do you realize I'm starting to get angry? If you continue to mention Chen Jin Zhao in front of me, you might wake up tomorrow morning to find that this person no longer exists in the world," Qin Fengwu's tone remained gentle, but a chilling edge had crept in.
Yu Mengzhi was enveloped by this chill and instantly sobered up, unable to comprehend where her earlier courage to speak so loudly to Qin Fengwu had come from.
Meeting Qin Fengwu's slightly chilling gaze, Yu Mengzhi said again, "The people you sent to kill Chen Jin Zhao back then couldn't succeed, and they can't now, nor will they in the future."
"But I know you're not that kind of person."
Qin Fengwu burst into laughter.
Interesting!
This woman was too interesting, truly worthy of being the one he fancied.
"Then do you know what power I wield?" Qin Fengwu's anger dissipated, and he said nonchalantly, "It means a document I sign can cause your Yu family to go bankrupt and be restructured, then be acquired at a very low price; it means I can erase Chen Jin Zhao from the world in other ways; and it means, without your consent, I can bypass certain procedures and make you my legal wife before sunrise tomorrow."
Yu Mengzhi's lips turned pale, never feeling the night wind more biting.
Although what Qin Fengwu said was domineering, it was entirely factual and struck directly at Yu Mengzhi's vulnerabilities.
"I assume you don't want these things to happen, do you?" Qin Fengwu asked.
Yu Mengzhi's mind was in a muddle, unsure how to respond. Qin Fengwu smiled and said, "So, just be my wife, Qin Fengwu, and fall in love with me."
"Wealth and prosperity are too vulgar. I will bestow upon you an era of unprecedented prosperity."
"It's getting late, you should go back."
Yu Mengzhi didn't know how she left the terrace. It wasn't until she got into the car that she gradually recovered. Now, she finally realized what a terrifying person Qin Fengwu was.
What could Chen Jin Zhao compare with him?
Qin Fengwu had made his intentions clear: if she didn't want Chen Jin Zhao to encounter trouble, she should stop contacting him.
This was difficult for Yu Mengzhi.
Yu Mengzhi took out her phone, intending to send Chen Jin Zhao a text message, reminding him that Qin Fengwu had arrived in Jiangnan and advising him to be cautious and not attract Qin Fengwu's attention.
In the end.
She deleted each word and did not send it.
From her understanding of Chen Jin Zhao, upon learning of Qin Fengwu's arrival in Jiangnan, he would not back down but might even confront Qin Fengwu.
This would only make the situation worse.
The best course of action was a cold shoulder, cutting off all contact with Chen Jin Zhao.
"Why am I so useless?" Yu Mengzhi murmured.
"Why, why can't I even control my own destiny and future? I'm truly a failure..."
On the terrace.
Qin Fengwu, in the night breeze, mentally sketched out the blueprint for Jiangnan's future.
At this moment.
His secretary approached and reported the situation. Upon hearing that Ning Fei, the chairman of Jiangnan Real Estate, wished to meet him, Qin Fengwu paused.
If he recalled correctly, Ning Fei also had a grudge against Chen Jin Zhao?
Seeing Qin Fengwu remain silent, the secretary assumed he was displeased and quickly asked, "Shall I decline the meeting then?"
Qin Fengwu smiled and said, "Go and tell Ning Fei that if he agrees to transfer the headquarters of Jiangnan Real Estate to Jiangning, then he can have a meeting with me."
Jiangnan Real Estate was a group worth tens of billions. If its headquarters were moved to Jiangning, it would boost the local economy and related industries.
This was a form of pledge of allegiance.