Li Ziqing walked forward gracefully, a serene smile on her face, betraying no hint of abnormality.
Zhou Yuanyuan let out a sigh of relief. She had been worried that Ziqing might cause trouble at the banquet and had been on edge.
She hadn't expected the girl to be so thoughtful, not only preparing a birthday gift but three of them. Perhaps she intended to mend her relationship with her grandfather.
Zhou Zishan's old eyes narrowed slightly as he appraised his granddaughter.
After years apart, the girl had grown even more beautiful. It was a pity, though, that she had offended the five great families of the imperial city, making her unsuitable for an arranged marriage.
In that case, she was merely a pawn to the Zhou family.
No matter how beautiful or outstanding, she was useless.
Li Ziqing's standing in Zhou Zishan's heart was far below even that of Zhou Fan.
However, as the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face.
Since she had come to attend the birthday banquet and prepared a gift, Zhou Zishan decided to put on a show for outsiders.
With this thought, a benevolent smile spread across his face, and he asked, "Ziqing, what birthday gift have you brought for your grandfather?"
Li Ziqing raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly, saying, "It's quite a coincidence, but Zhou Wen and I prepared the same birthday gift. However, he presented the financial report for the last quarter of Zhou Group, while mine is for this quarter. Please take a look!"
As she spoke, Li Ziqing took out a document from her bag and handed it to Zhou Zishan.
Zhou Zishan's brow furrowed slightly as he accepted it with a hint of confusion.
Zhou Wen, however, suddenly changed color, his face turning pale with panic.
Uncharacteristically, he lost his composure and snapped, "Nonsense! The financial report for this quarter isn't out yet. How could you have it?"
Li Ziqing calmly replied, "I naturally have my ways."
However, when Zhou Zishan saw the financial report, his expression immediately darkened.
"Wen'er, what is going on?"
According to the figures in this report, the Zhou family had suffered significant losses, with total assets shrinking by nearly a quarter.
"Grandpa, please let me explain. I did all this for the Zhou family..."
Seeing his grandfather's displeased expression, Zhou Wen hurried to explain, terrified.
At this moment, Li Ziqing suddenly interjected, "Old Master, you can't blame Zhou Wen for this. Recently, Zhou Group has been facing a hostile takeover. A financial predator has been aggressively acquiring shares of Zhou Group in the secondary market. To protect the Zhou family's overall market, Zhou Wen had to continuously invest funds to fight this financial war!"
"Yes, yes, yes, Ziqing is right, that's exactly what happened!"
Zhou Wen nodded frantically.
Zhou Group was facing an extremely formidable opponent, and Zhou Wen was overwhelmed with worry every day.
The reason he was so eager to become the heir was to gain control of the finances and fully confront this crisis.
If they lost this financial war, the Zhou family would be severely weakened, possibly even reduced to a third-rate family.
At that time, he, Zhou Wen, would be the sinner of the entire Zhou family.
However, after a moment, he came to his senses and asked Li Ziqing with suspicion, "No, how do you know about this matter so clearly?"
Li Ziqing shrugged her shoulders, her eyes sparkling with amusement, "Zhou Wen, aren't you hailed as the most outstanding talent among the younger generation of the Zhou family? Can't you even figure this out?"
"You, did you plant spies in Zhou Group?"
Zhou Wen asked incredulously.
Li Ziqing sighed and said helplessly, "Alas, you are truly dull, you can't even understand this? The reason I know so clearly is because I am that financial predator!"
The moment she spoke, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.
"What's going on? Are the Zhou family members fighting amongst themselves?"
"What 'amongst themselves'? Didn't you hear? That woman is called Li Ziqing, she doesn't have the surname Zhou!"
"Li Ziqing? That name sounds so familiar?"
"I remember now, it's that highly venomous snake, the Bamboo Viper!"
"This is going to be interesting..."
The guests whispered amongst themselves, their discussions becoming increasingly animated.
Zhou Zishan's eyes blazed with anger, like an erupting volcano. He glared furiously at Li Ziqing, realizing the girl had malicious intentions.
Zhou Wen was even more shocked. He had always known Li Ziqing was capable and had never dared to underestimate her.
But he still couldn't fathom that the opponent who had caused him so much distress and sleepless nights was her!
Zhou Yuanyuan tugged at Li Ziqing's sleeve and whispered, "Ziqing, what are you doing?"
Li Ziqing chuckled softly and said slowly, "Aunt, I'm merely doing something that you've always wanted to do but dared not... My revenge officially begins now!"
Zhou Yuanyuan was stunned, suddenly at a loss.
Zhou Fan cursed loudly, "Li Ziqing, are you even human? You ungrateful wretch, how has the Zhou family wronged you that you seek revenge?"
"You're simply a beast, Li Ziqing, explain yourself, what exactly do you want to do?"
Zhou Tai rolled up his sleeves, looking as if he was about to beat Li Ziqing.
Li Ziqing glanced at the two of them with disdain, "You two are not qualified to speak to me!"
"I'm not qualified? Fine, I'll show you today if I am!"
Zhou Tai raised his fist to strike. Just then, a figure suddenly blocked his path, causing Zhou Tai to nearly fall onto his backside.
This figure was, of course, Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow and said faintly, "Are you looking for another beating?"
Zhou Tai's eyes sharpened. He had been beaten into submission by Chen Xiao and now trembled at the sight of him.
But he immediately complained to Zhou Zishan, "Grandpa, he's Li Ziqing's man! He's the one who beat me before, please avenge me!"
"Shut your mouth!"
Zhou Zishan reprimanded him.
Li Ziqing was clearly prepared, and this was not the time for impulsive actions.
He feigned composure and looked at Li Ziqing, asking, "Ziqing, you've been rebellious since you were a child. What game are you planning to play with your grandfather this time?"
Li Ziqing smiled playfully, following Zhou Zishan's lead, "I'm playing a game to bankrupt the Zhou family, and judging by the current situation, I've already won. By then, Grandpa, you'll be living on the streets!"
"On your word?"
Zhou Zishan's face showed disdain, and he asked loudly, "Wen'er, if I grant you full authority and let you command the Zhou family's assets, how confident are you in winning this financial war?"
Zhou Wen was jolted by this. Wasn't this exactly what he had been wanting?
As long as he was allowed to act freely, he was confident he could easily resolve this crisis!
He exclaimed with joy, "Grandpa, I am one hundred percent confident I will win! Li Ziqing, I'd like to see how much money you have to compete with me!"
"Not that much."
Li Ziqing said nonchalantly, "But I have three to four hundred billion..."
"What? Three to four hundred billion? Stop bragging, where did you get so much money?"
Zhou Wen naturally didn't believe Li Ziqing.
"Then don't worry about it. The game has already begun. If I, Li Ziqing, don't play until your Zhou family is ruined, wouldn't I be unworthy of the name Bamboo Viper?"
Behind Li Ziqing was the entire underground world of Jiangbei. Let alone three to four hundred billion, even seven to eight hundred billion wouldn't be difficult for her.
After all, this was a financial game, all about snowballing,
Using money to make money, the snowball would grow larger and larger.
Then, she looked at Zhou Zishan with a calm expression, "Grandpa, do you like the first birthday gift I prepared?"
"Very good, very good."
Zhou Zishan, having weathered many storms, did not lose his composure. He even asked, "You said you prepared three birthday gifts for me. What are the remaining two?"
"Don't rush, we'll take them one by one."
Li Ziqing said calmly, "Now, I will present you with the second birthday gift..."