After a brief moment of surprise, Mr. Gu accepted the Yue family head's idea.
"Qingtian told me she also participated in the new energy research and development cooperation between the Xia family and Mr. Gu," the Yue family head said, taking a sip of tea from his cup.
"Yes, I hope to entrust this project to someone trustworthy," Mr. Gu replied.
"This mine does not contain the raw materials the Yue family wants, but Mr. Gu should be very clear about what's inside. If it's developed and utilized, Mr. Gu should have already made plans," the Yue family head handed Mr. Gu a mineral analysis report and said, "This mine will be gifted to Qingtian in my personal name."
"If Mr. Gu wishes to cooperate with Qingtian, please place your and Qingtian's positions on equal footing. You have the technology, and she has the resources. She is not working for you; she is your partner."
"Now that business is concluded, please allow me, an old man, to say a few personal words."
"Please speak," Mr. Gu said, putting down the analysis report and looking at the Yue family head.
"Although Qingtian's surname is Xia, her mother was my only daughter, and she was my cherished princess during her lifetime. Now, my pampering of Qingtian is even deeper than it was for her mother. I will not allow anyone to belittle her."
"Yulin Wan is a member of the Yu family and also a member of your Gu family. Qingtian is right; there's no need to ruin the friendship between the three families for her alone, but this is the only time."
"I don't want to hear anyone questioning Qingtian again, nor do I wish for anyone to treat my Yue family's little princess with such an attitude."
"Mr. Gu, I admire your confidence and capability to separate yourself from the Gu family, but family legacies are not as simple as you might think."
"I don't want to interfere or pry into your affairs with Qingtian, but there is one thing you need to know."
"The Yue family is Qingtian's foundation and her backing."
"I am half in the grave, but Qingtian's maternal uncles are still in their prime. Protecting her for a few more decades is not a problem."
"No matter who Qingtian marries in the future, with our Yue family behind her, no one will ever feel she is marrying above herself."
"Mr. Gu, do you understand?"
The Yue family head spoke at an unhurried pace, his tone neither humble nor overbearing, his gaze solemn and sharp.
Mr. Gu was not a foolish man; he naturally understood the meaning behind the Yue family head's words.
Giving this mine to Xia Qingtian was to elevate her status while drawing him into the situation.
"I will remember it," Mr. Gu replied with a faint smile and a nod.
At that moment, the butler knocked and entered, whispering to the Yue family head.
The guests were waiting, and it was time for the Yue family head to make his appearance.
The Yue family head then stood up and said, "Mr. Gu, shall we go together?"
"Very well, watch your step." Mr. Gu followed the Yue family head out of the lounge and into the banquet hall.
The entire hall was exquisitely decorated and brightly lit. The host on stage seemed to be anxiously awaiting the Yue family head's appearance.
The core members of the Yue family were at the forefront, including Xia Qingtian.
The collateral branches and in-laws of the Yue family were dispersed among the guests.
Upon seeing the Yue family head, the host on stage smiled and invited him to the stage to say a few words.
The surrounding crowd applauded. From a corner outside the crowd,
A man dressed in a white suit and tie lightly touched his ear and said, "Be prepared. Once he walks onto the stage, begin executing the plan."
"Received."
The Yue family head bypassed the champagne tower at the front, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, finally settling on Xia Qingtian with affectionate eyes. He then slowly walked towards the stage.
Xia Qingtian met the Yue family head's gaze with a faint smile, feeling a little puzzled as to why her maternal grandfather was walking in with Mr. Gu.
[BEEP—]
A familiar voice sounded in Xia Qingtian's mind, startling her.
[The Chosen One System has been activated.
Option a: Intervene in the assassin's assassination attempt, effectively disrupting the opponent's actions and successfully protecting the Yue family head. Reward: 70% reduction in the difficulty of the new energy project's smooth progression, and a bottle of Universal Poison Dissolving Pill.
Option b: Allow the assassin's actions to proceed. After the Yue family head's death, you will receive substantial inheritance division rewards and an invitation from a mysterious organization.]
As if to emphasize the urgency of the current situation, the system's electronic voice was slightly faster than before.
Although Xia Qingtian was accustomed to the system suddenly issuing tasks after long periods of dormancy,
The content of today's mission made Xia Qingtian feel somewhat unable to accept it, even a bit bewildered.
An assassin attempting assassination? Now!?
Attempting to assassinate her maternal grandfather?
Where? By what means? Who is doing this!
As Xia Qingtian's mind raced, the Yue family head had already reached the front and picked up the microphone. At that moment, the brightly lit hall plunged into darkness. Not only were all the lights extinguished, but the curtains on both sides of the floor-to-ceiling window behind the makeshift stage also closed simultaneously.
"What's happening?" someone, unaware of what was occurring, looked around.
Xia Qingtian knew the perpetrators had begun their move. The moment darkness fell, she reacted immediately and pushed over the towering champagne tower at the front.
The sound of shattering glass, [CRASH], was followed by children's screams from the crowd, and then the crowd began to stir into chaos.
The other Yue family members at the front also realized this might be another assassination attempt on the Yue family head and immediately moved to protect him.
The scene descended into utter pandemonium.
"Xia Qingtian knocked over the champagne tower, causing excessive chaos and making it impossible to lock onto the target. The assassination failed."
"Damn it," the man in the white suit and tie, looking at the chaotic crowd and listening to the assassin's report in his earpiece, frowned. "Understood. Leave now, don't get discovered."
"Yes."
Listening to the cacophony of sounds in the darkness, the man in the white suit and tie, wearing a tie, walked out resentfully. As he passed an outer marble pillar, he heard a woman's soft hum.
"Failed?" the woman's voice was lazy and elegant, as if asking about a trivial matter like "Have you eaten?"
"Don't get cocky..." the man gritted his teeth. "Xia Qingtian is a hot potato, and you won't be able to handle her either."
"Just because you can't control someone doesn't mean I will fail," as the woman's voice faded, the lights in the hall brightened again.
The woman leaned against the marble pillar, swirling a martini. The diamond bracelet on her wrist refracted dazzling light in the sunlight with her movements.
"Tch." The man glanced at the suddenly illuminated space, gave the woman one last glare, and continued walking out.
The plan had failed, and staying any longer would be of no benefit to him, and might even expose his target.
"That person! The one in the white suit! Stop him!"