“What are you trying to achieve with this birthday banquet?” Qing Chen asked suspiciously.
“Why would you ask such a question?” Qing Ji retorted indifferently.
“Because I find it hard to believe that a cold and ruthless Head of the Qingshi Clan would hold a birthday banquet without ulterior motives,” Qing Chen said. “When Shendai Yunhe captured me, and I escaped through the underground river, Zard, following the Head’s orders, gave me the divine blood, yet still didn’t rescue me. That’s when I understood that my repeated escape attempts had all failed because the Head of the Qingshi Clan was secretly interfering, determined to send me to A02 Base.”
Qing Chen continued, “Of course, I later understood why he did that, and I did gain a lot. But since then, I can hardly be touched by a sudden birthday banquet.”
In Qing Chen’s eyes, what kind of person was the Head of the Qingshi Clan?
First: He sent him to the Outer World, forcing him to live almost like an orphan.
Second: Then, to let him take on new power, he sent him to A02 Base to win people over.
Third: During the City 10 disaster, many signs indicated that the Head of the Qingshi Clan knew the disaster was coming but didn’t prevent it.
At the very least, he didn’t shut down the city’s Metal Storm defense system, leaving Shendai Yun Cang to trap everyone in the city.
Qing Chen held no resentment.
But a person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, suddenly throwing him a birthday banquet as a supposed apology—no matter the reason, it was difficult for him to be moved.
Qing Ji thought for a moment and said, “Perhaps he simply wanted to do this, and doesn’t need you to be moved.”
“Then what’s my birthday present?” Qing Chen curiously asked. “Since there’s a banquet, there should be a present, right?”
“Your birthday present is that starting tomorrow, you’ll become the Chairman of the Qing Corporation’s Board of Directors, and you’ll receive dividends from the family trust—7.1 billion annually without lifting a finger—and you’ll have the authority to command the Qing Family, this massive enterprise,” Qing Ji said. “Surprised?”
The Head of the Qingshi Clan was clearly… transferring the Qing Family’s power to him ahead of schedule!
The problem was, the Shadow Succession hadn’t even ended yet. The Head of the Qingshi Clan’s actions were tantamount to declaring war on everyone who supported the Shadow Succession. The rıghtful source is 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥
Qing Chen asked suspiciously, “He’s rushing to arrange blind dates for me, throwing a birthday banquet, and now even putting pressure on me to take over… How’s his health?”
He had also heard from his brother, Qing Zhun, that the Head of the Qingshi Clan wasn’t a Metahuman and his health had always been poor.
So the only explanation for his actions was that the Head of the Qingshi Clan didn’t have much time left.
Qing Chen asked, “Why me?”
Qing Ji said, “Saving and managing City 10 was a test, and you passed.”
“What if I hadn’t passed?” Qing Chen asked.
“Then Old Master might have just let you fend for yourself; otherwise, pushing you to this position would just be pushing you to your death,” Qing Ji said listlessly. “I hope you take over quickly so I can focus on my Cultivation.”
“So, for the next ten days, I’ll be handling Qing Family affairs?” Qing Chen frowned. “I won’t let a position tie me down and leave me with regrets before I die.”
“You can cultivate your own think tank; a strong enough think tank will let you be a hands-off leader,” Qing Ji said. “All you need to do is conquer the pack and become the new alpha. The Head has various factions under him—business and political elites. To conquer them, you’ll need more than just force.”
“City 5 is thousands of kilometers from City 10; where am I supposed to find a think tank?” Qing Chen said. “What if I refuse?”
“You’re smart enough to understand that with the Qing Family’s support, your goals will be easier to achieve,” Qing Ji said. “If you refuse, then leave. No one will stop you. Then, when the Qing Family is taken over by someone else, this behemoth will always be your enemy.”
At that moment, the banquet hall doors were closed, and Qing Chen stood outside.
Inside was the sound of revelry; outside, Qing Ji waited for Qing Chen’s decision.
“If you decide to become the Chairman of the Board of Directors, push open the door. If not, turn around and leave,” Qing Ji said calmly.
Qing Chen thought for two seconds before walking forward, and the Mute servants happily helped him push open the door.
In the banquet hall, all eyes turned to him, the sounds of conversation ceasing abruptly.
Everyone silently watched him, this young man who had put on a suit for the first time, walking in with his posture tall and straight.
In that moment, Qing Chen was the protagonist in everyone’s eyes.
Bang, bang, bang. Firecrackers exploded in the Mute servants’ hands, and only then did the hall’s chatter erupt again.
At the border control checkpoint of City 5, an official looked at the three people in front of him and asked the young man in the white hunting outfit, “Are you three from the Shendai Consortium? I’ve seen you on TV… Right, you’re Shendai Yunluo, that young master!”
As he spoke, the Metal Storm hanging upside down on the ceiling of the entire entry-exit checkpoint slowly turned, locking onto Yunluo, Yunxiu, and Kongyu.
But Shendai Yunluo chuckled and said, “We’ve defected from the Shendai Consortium!”
The official was startled. “Is this something I should be hearing? What brings you to City 5… I can’t just randomly approve your visas.”
Shendai Yunluo clasped his hands in his hunting outfit sleeves and pondered for a moment. “Well, please call Ginkgo Garden and tell them that Shendai Yunluo, a good friend of Qing Chen, has arrived… Of course, I don’t know if that will work.”
The border control official said speechlessly, “Is Ginkgo Garden someone I can contact at my level? Why don’t you wait here, and I’ll report it level by level; I’ll decide whether to let you through after I get the approval from the leadership?”
But at that moment, a black motorcade arrived. The official, upon seeing the familiar license plate, immediately abandoned the three people and hurried to the car, saluting respectfully. “Sir, you can use the express lane; you don’t need to go through this checkpoint.”
A Mute servant got out of the car and typed on the LCD screen: Boss sent me to pick up these three to Ginkgo Garden; please allow them to pass.
The Mute servant also presented the electronic beacon stored on the LCD screen and connected it to the entry-exit checkpoint’s verification system.
Having confirmed it was a real Mute servant, the border control official immediately allowed them to pass.
Shendai Yunluo curiously watched this scene. “Huh, it seems someone knew we were coming.”
Shendai Kongyu analyzed, “Maybe we were detected along the way.”
“Maybe,” Shendai Yunluo chuckled as he walked toward the car. “Let’s see where they’re taking us; maybe they’ll hold a warm and grand welcoming ceremony.”
He then used Sign language to ask the Mute servant: “Where are we going?”
The Mute servant was stunned. He hadn’t expected the people they were picking up to know Sign language, and his impression of this guest immediately improved: Ginkgo Garden, it’s my young master’s birthday banquet today.
“Wow,” Shendai Yunluo exclaimed, “We arrived at the perfect time!”
In the banquet hall, Qing Chen refused all the food and drinks. He silently observed his surroundings; before he initiated conversation, no one dared to disturb him.
There was only one person in the hall who looked at him amorously. When his gaze met hers, she blushed shyly.
Seeing Li Kerou’s expression, Qing Chen felt a sense of foreboding. Had Yi done something to screw him over again?! Otherwise, why would Li Kerou have this expression?
The next moment, Li Kerou, holding a champagne glass, walked over gracefully, whispering softly, “Boss.”
Qing Chen frowned. “Miss Li, we’ve made it very clear before; there will be no more interaction between us.”
Li Kerou smiled. “Yes, I understand, this is a public occasion.”
Having said that, this ambitious woman turned and left, as if nothing had happened, indifferent to Qing Chen’s harsh words.
Qing Chen was puzzled, what exactly do you understand?!