"Stand at attention, listen to my words!" Appointed by Ye Guichen, Yu Jieyuan immediately acted pompously, like a fox assuming the tiger’s might. His previous resentment towards Ye Guichen vanished completely.
Originally, he both hated and feared Ye Guichen, and his apologies were never sincere.
However, Ye Guichen bore no grudges and even let him manage Haotian Model Company, a clear sign of trust.
Before this, Yu Jieyuan was seen as a good-for-nothing playboy by Zhou Weijun and Yu Jingxue. Naturally, he now wanted to prove himself to them.
"Sister Mi Lan, from today on, I’m your weapon. Wherever you point, I’ll shoot!" Glaring at Jiang Yan and Qi Nuan, Yu Jieyuan hovered around Mi Lan with a fawning demeanor.
Mi Lan still seemed as though she was dreaming, her expressions shifting repeatedly.
This turnaround happened too suddenly, didn’t it?
Zhou Weijun quickly shut the door. "Brother Ye, Yu Jieyuan is just a brat. Aren’t you afraid he’ll sell you out managing this company?"
Ye Guichen smiled slightly. "If you trust someone, don’t doubt them. If you doubt someone, don’t use them. Besides, this company was given to me by Brother Zhou. What’s there to fear?"
"Um..." Zhou Weijun was at a loss for words but still showed immense gratitude.
After all, Yu Jieyuan was his brother-in-law. By not holding him accountable and even giving him a job, Zhou Weijun developed greater respect for Ye Guichen.
This young man not only has skills but also courage. It seems befriending him was the right decision.
After a moment of hesitation, Zhou Weijun decided to stop being evasive and signaled Yu Jingxue with his eyes.
Yu Jingxue quickly exited and stood guard at the door.
Zhou Weijun pushed an envelope towards Ye Guichen. "Brother Ye, there’s something you should see."
Ye Guichen looked at Zhou Weijun curiously and opened the envelope. "An invitation?"
Inside was an invitation.
Unlike the usual celebratory red invitations, this one was black, almost like a warning.
Its content was simple: inviting Zhou Weijun to lunch at Lakefront Residence at noon.
"What’s this about?" Ye Guichen asked, puzzled.
Zhou Weijun sighed and pointed at the signature. "Brother Ye, look. This is an invitation from the Ning Family. From what I know, they seem to be establishing themselves in Yun City. They’ve invited not only me but many underground forces, seemingly to unify them."
"Oh?" Ye Guichen’s gaze fell on the signature: Ning Chengyuan.
"Who is this Ning Chengyuan?" Ye Guichen asked.
Zhou Weijun explained, "Ning Chengyuan is the third-generation grandson of the Qingzhou Ning Family, one of the top three families in the province. He’s known for his cunning and ruthlessness. Despite his youth, everyone who has dealt with him fears him."
"I see." Ye Guichen leaned back on the sofa. "Brother Zhou, what do you think?"
Frowning, Zhou Weijun shared his guess. "Although Yun City is small, it’s relatively peaceful. If the Ning Family gets involved, it might upheave the entire underground world. Moreover, I fear their unification efforts might be targeting you."
Ye Guichen nodded lightly. "If that’s the case, I’ll accompany you at noon."
"That’s wonderful!" Zhou Weijun rejoiced. "I had the same thought. Although Jingang has mostly recovered, I sense this luncheon is a trap. Jingang alone might not suffice."
Ye Guichen smiled but didn’t reply.
However, his brows furrowed slightly.
Last night, Chen Ziran also mentioned receiving an invitation from the Ning Family for a banquet.
Chen Ziran didn’t care and casually tossed the invitation aside.
Now it seems the Ning Family might have bigger plans than just controlling the underground world.
When Ye Guichen left Haotian Model Company, Qi Nuan and Wu Fang were gone. Only Jiang Yan, dressed as a janitor, was cleaning at the entrance.
Seeing Ye Guichen come out, Yu Jieyuan hurriedly approached him. "Grandpa Ye, I’ve driven away and fired everyone Mi Lan disliked. As for Jiang Yan, she has some use and will stay temporarily for cleaning. What do you think of this arrangement?"
Jiang Yan, now too scared to complain, lowered her head upon seeing Ye Guichen, not daring to speak.
Ye Guichen asked, "Where’s Lanlan?"
"Uh..." Yu Jieyuan smiled mysteriously. "Grandpa Ye, Mi Lan said she resigned, but I didn’t dare to decide on that, so I held onto the resignation letter. Here it is."
As he spoke, Yu Jieyuan took out a resignation letter.
Ye Guichen was at a loss.
He knew Mi Lan couldn’t accept him as her boss.
Moreover, in her eyes, Ye Guichen had always been a country bumpkin. Suddenly becoming her boss was too much for her to accept.
"Jieyuan, since you call me Grandpa, you should know what to do. Lanlan is a pillar, she can’t go. If she really resigns, I’ll hold you accountable."
"Yes, yes, yes, rest assured." Yu Jieyuan nodded and bowed.
Zhou Weijun brought only Jingang.
Before arriving, they had agreed that Ye Guichen would temporarily hide his identity, posing as Zhou Weijun’s bodyguard.
However, upon entering the room, Zhou Weijun immediately felt the oppressive atmosphere.
Upon their arrival, over a dozen people were already seated in the room.
At the head of the table was a man in his thirties, Ning Chengyuan, whom Yu Jieyuan had previously interacted with.
Behind Ning Chengyuan stood two tall female bodyguards, one in black, one in white.
"Haha, Boss Zhou, we’ve been waiting for you!" Seeing Zhou Weijun, Ning Chengyuan laughed and hugged him. "Come, come, sit down."
Zhou Weijun took his seat, with Ye Guichen and Jingang standing behind him.
"Young Master Ning, now that everyone’s here, I should share my thoughts." Ning Chengyuan had apparently made requests earlier, as a middle-aged man with a square face stood up and spoke harshly. "I’ve been in Yun City for over twenty years. While I’m not a big boss, I have my domain. Your Ning Family just comes in and takes half. Isn’t that too much?"
"Yes, I, Mo Dagang, feel the same. Isn’t your Ning Family’s appetite too big?" Another middle-aged man sipped his wine softly.
There were nearly ten people seated, each a significant figure in the underground world.
To Ye Guichen’s surprise, even Li Bao was present.
Seeing Ye Guichen, Li Bao was about to greet him, but Ye Guichen subtly signaled him to stop. Li Bao nodded silently.