Ye Tian asked in surprise, "The Ten Nations Merchant Association? I've never heard of it."
Su Hongyan replied, "It's a mysterious civilian organization composed of the one hundred and fifty most powerful conglomerates from ten nations. Their primary business is industry monopolization. For example, why do some imported cars from Dongying sell for only two to three hundred thousand there, but over a million domestically, with additional surcharges?"
"Is it because of this Ten Nations Merchant Association?"
Su Hongyan nodded. "My brother told me about this. He said that many of these monopolized businesses are controlled by the Ten Nations Merchant Association, including finance, energy, and mining."
Ye Tian mused, "The person who can become the president of the Ten Nations Merchant Association must have immense influence."
Su Hongyan sighed, "Yes, that's why my brother felt so hopeless, believing he wasn't good enough for her."
Ye Tian thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps I can help."
Su Hongyan blinked, "How?"
Ye Tian replied, "Tell your brother that his sister's boyfriend is named Ye Tian."
Su Hongyan's pretty face flushed slightly. "Impersonating your girlfriend, and there are benefits like this?"
Ye Tian said calmly, "Just tell him that. Remember, you must tell that girl. I can't guarantee she'll marry your brother, but at least she'll be very enthusiastic towards him."
Su Hongyan pouted, "I don't believe it."
Ye Tian smiled slightly, "If you don't believe it, then let's try."
A short while later, the takeout Su Hongyan had ordered arrived, and the two ate a simple meal.
Just then, someone rang the doorbell. Su Hongyan went to open it, and a man in his early twenties walked in, handsome, with a hint of drunkenness.
Su Hongyan was startled, "Xiao Yu, why have you drunk so much?"
The man suddenly started crying, "Sister, I have no chance!"
Su Hongyan quickly asked, "No chance for what?"
The man choked out, "Sister, Yina already has a boyfriend!"
Su Hongyan said, "Xiao Yu, some things cannot be forced."
This man was Su Hongyan's younger brother, named Su Hongyu. He saw Ye Tian and was taken aback, asking, "Sister, who is this?"
Ye Tian stood up and smiled, "Hello, Xiao Yu. I'm your sister's friend. My name is Ye Tian."
Su Hongyan quickly introduced, "Xiao Yu, this is Ye Tian."
Su Hongyu, who was initially heartbroken, became wary seeing a stranger in his sister's home. He slowly walked over, sized up Ye Tian, and asked, "What do you do for a living?"
Ye Tian smiled and said, "Your sister and I are colleagues. We're also involved in drug research and development."
"So, you're my sister's subordinate then," Su Hongyu said, knowing Su Hongyan was the supervisor of the R&D center.
Ye Tian replied, "You could say that."
Su Hongyu immediately turned to Su Hongyan, "Sister, I don't agree. You're the supervisor; you can't date someone of a lower rank than you."
Su Hongyan was both angry and embarrassed, "What are you talking about?"
Su Hongyu snorted and then asked Ye Tian, "What's your salary? Can you support my sister?"
Ye Tian rubbed his nose and said, "I've been supporting your sister all along." Since he was the one paying Su Hongyan's salary, his statement wasn't entirely untrue.
Su Hongyu was furious. "You support my sister? What a joke! Did you see my sister's sports car?"
Ye Tian replied, "I gave it to her."
Su Hongyu looked at Su Hongyan in astonishment. Su Hongyan smiled, "He gave it to me."
Su Hongyu felt a bit awkward. He cleared his throat, "So, your family must be quite wealthy then."
Ye Tian said, "We're doing alright. Xiao Yu, please sit down and talk."
Su Hongyu sat heavily on the sofa, looked at the skewers on the table, suddenly picked one up, took a big bite, and said, "Life is so meaningless!"
Ye Tian asked, "You said just now that the girl has a boyfriend?"
Su Hongyu sighed, "I saw them go into a hotel, laughing and talking. It must be true."
Ye Tian said, "Sometimes, what your eyes see isn't always the truth. So, I suggest you don't get discouraged just yet."
Su Hongyu was taken aback, "Are you saying they aren't boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Ye Tian replied, "Does it matter if they are or not? As long as they aren't married, you can still pursue her, can't you?"
Su Hongyu gave a wry smile, "But I'm not good enough for her."
Ye Tian said, "You are. Go back and tell her that your sister's boyfriend is Ye Tian. If she asks who Ye Tian is, just say he's Doctor Ye."
Su Hongyu was stunned, then he let out a cold laugh, "Doctor Ye? Are you telling me a fairy tale!"