The early autumn morning sky was as blue as the sea, with white clouds constantly transforming into various vivid and lifelike scenes.
Jiang Yuxin took a deep breath, standing before the floor-to-ceiling window of her office.
She gazed at the sky with a sense of melancholy.
Despite the beautiful weather, the people and situations around her were extremely dire.
The pressure from an unknown force had left her overwhelmed.
Moreover, the company was now on the brink of bankruptcy.
No one in the Jiang family, from the patriarch down to her peers, offered any assistance.
Instead, they offered complaints, sharp criticisms, and even seemed eager to see her fail.
Even though they didn't grasp the full severity of the company's current predicament, shouldn't they be working together to overcome the crisis?
She reflected on how, just after settling into her position as head of Jiang Group, she was faced with such a grave challenge.
With internal turmoil plaguing her, even she, usually calm and collected, felt a sense of powerlessness.
She occasionally found herself thinking that if Li Chonglou were here, perhaps he could help her find a solution.
However, not only was her phone still unreachable, but even if he were by her side, it was doubtful he could offer much help.
After all, he had left with another woman, and who knew where he might be enjoying himself right now.
Jiang Yuxin shook her head, offering a wry smile.
Ring.
The ringing of the telephone on her desk interrupted Jiang Yuxin's thoughts.
"Hello, Yunxu? Alright, I'll be there shortly."
The call was from Lu Yunxu, who wanted to meet, claiming to have gathered some information about those framing the Jiang and Lu families.
Since the trouble began, the two had frequently met to discuss strategies.
They also often talked about Li Chonglou's situation.
The near-catastrophic events faced by both families had drawn the two women closer.
Jiang Yuxin hung up the phone, grabbed her handbag, and hurried out of her office.
On the 16th floor of the Qin Zhou Changhong Road Skyscraper, in a coffee shop.
Lu Yunxu was organizing a stack of documents. Through her subordinates' reports, the recent events were finally becoming clearer, and the mastermind behind it all was gradually surfacing.
Jiang Yuxin entered the coffee shop, greeted by the aroma of coffee and the soft, lingering melody of light music.
Her heavy heart felt slightly relieved. She spotted Lu Yunxu sitting by the window at a glance.
"Madam, hello. Oh, alright, please make yourselves comfortable."
Jiang Yuxin gestured towards where Lu Yunxu was seated, smiling as she interrupted a server.
"Yunxu, what have you found out?"
As she sat down, she asked impatiently, her eagerness evident.
"Don't rush. Have some coffee first and calm your nerves."
Lu Yunxu looked up and offered a smile. Although she herself felt anxious, she still tried to comfort Jiang Yuxin.
Through their interactions during this period, Lu Yunxu had come to understand Jiang Yuxin better. This woman, one of Qin Zhou's Three Beauties, was not only beautiful but also incredibly intelligent.
It was just that these troubles had come too suddenly, and they lacked sufficient understanding of the mastermind, leaving them caught off guard.
"Do you know about the Xiao family from Yong'an City?"
After Jiang Yuxin had some coffee and her emotions had settled a bit, Lu Yunxu asked slowly.
"I've heard of them, but I don't know them well. Why, is the Xiao family behind this?"
"My Jiang Group has no business dealings with the Xiao family, nor any stake in common. Why would the Xiao family..."
Jiang Yuxin, unable to put down her coffee cup, looked utterly perplexed.
"No, it's not that. Listen to me carefully."
Lu Yunxu raised a hand, interrupting Jiang Yuxin.
"According to the information my people have gathered, Xiao Yun, the head of the Xiao family, is currently collaborating with a company called Lianchuang Group."
"They plan to acquire all valuable companies in Yong'an and Qin Zhou as their subsidiaries."
"Their speed and ruthless methods are astonishing."
"Currently, in Yong'an, their target companies have been dealt with through various means, and both our families in Qin Zhou are their determined targets."
"As for this Lianchuang Group, it is very mysterious. The only information we have is that the person in charge is named Li Hanlong."
"The various problems we've faced recently are likely the work of this person named Li Hanlong."
"His goal is to annex us."
Lu Yunxu spoke, referring to the information in her hands.
Jiang Yuxin's eyes widened, her mind rapidly processing and analyzing the sudden news.
She remained silent, picking up her coffee cup and taking a shallow sip.
At this moment, the cause and effect of the situation were mostly clear.
What she couldn't understand was why the Xiao family would collaborate with this Lianchuang Group. With the Xiao family's own strength, achieving this wouldn't be impossible.
Moreover, the Xiao Group was already a massive entity. Even for expansion, there was no need to resort to such methods.
The way these events had unfolded seemed like acts of revenge by someone.
Was this Li Hanlong person acting on behalf of Lianchuang Group?
But why only their two families? Who was Li Hanlong?
Jiang Yuxin shared her analysis and suspicions with Lu Yunxu.
The two beauties fell into deep thought, desperately searching their minds for any information about Li Hanlong.
After a long while, they exchanged glances and shrugged helplessly; neither had found anything.
"Next, I will send people to thoroughly investigate this Li Hanlong."
"My father and I have discussed it. We plan to mobilize as much capital as possible to start anew in Yong'an."
"Firstly, to preserve our strength, and secondly, I intend to confront the Xiao family. They are pushing their luck too far."
"Even if Xiao Yun is formidable, he's still just a man with two eyes. If he dares to provoke me, even if he were the Heavenly Emperor, I would still challenge him."
"What do you think? Want to join me?"
A sharp glint appeared in Lu Yunxu's eyes, her brows furrowed.
She was a capable individual, and now that she had a clue about the mastermind, Lu Yunxu's unyielding nature was evident.
With her father, Lu Chenggong, as a pillar in Qin Zhou, she could afford to take a gamble.
After all, he was the richest man in Qin Zhou, and displacing him wouldn't be easy.
Jiang Yuxin understood these considerations and possessed a similar fiery spirit.
Her unyielding nature was no less than Lu Yunxu's, but her circumstances were incomparable.
Firstly, the Jiang family couldn't compare to the vast wealth and influence of the Lu family. Secondly, she was isolated and without support; if she failed to protect the Jiang family, the consequences would be dire. Thirdly, the company was already struggling, and one wrong move could lead to its collapse and a complete loss.
Starting from scratch was easier said than done.
After much deliberation and consideration, Jiang Yuxin could only sigh softly.
"I'll handle the current situation first. You go ahead, and let's stay in touch."
Although Jiang Yuxin had grown closer to Lu Yunxu recently, out of pride, she hadn't revealed that the Jiang Group was already in a precarious state.
"Mm, there's one more thing."
"Have you heard any news about Li Chonglou?"
Jiang Yuxin asked timidly.
She pursed her lips, feeling a little embarrassed, her gaze involuntarily shifting as she picked up her coffee cup and drank it in one go.