Chapter 93

The two left the hall and walked slowly toward the sea side by side.

Long Tianjun’s gaze was deep as he slowly said, "Perhaps that Lin fellow is just infatuated with Qiao Yun’s beauty, so he is willing to work like a slave. Such lustful people are everywhere. Perhaps the Minghua Group is just a facade."

Sikong Suqin’s eyes became profound. She did not think Lin Zixian was a lustful person. She believed her beauty was no less than Qiao Yun’s, yet she saw no lust in Lin Zixian’s eyes. However, it was not appropriate to say this, so she countered, "How can you be sure?"

"The incident between the Minghua Group and the Shengqing Group is well-known in the circle. If the Minghua Group really had a powerful background, Qiao Yun wouldn’t have to compromise so much, and Qiao Antian wouldn’t be running around trying to find connections. They are being forced into a corner. Now everyone knows that many people are eyeing the Minghua Group, including our two families. This is the inevitable result of capital expansion. Everyone is waiting for the right moment. Qiao Yun can’t be unaware of this. The Minghua Group may seem prosperous, but in reality, it is besieged on all sides and in a precarious position."

Long Tianjun sneered and continued, "Her current relationship with Zheng Longqing is very clear. Besides wanting to stabilize Zheng Longqing, she also wants to convey to the outside world that the Minghua Group and the Shengqing Group have formed an alliance, and the Minghua Group now has the backing of the 'Qinglong Gang.' Outsiders had better not act rashly. It must be said, this woman is very smart, and this move has indeed made everyone a bit wary. But in essence, this is a desperate move by the Qiao family to protect their assets. Suffering a little is better than losing everything, or even their lives. Especially for Qiao Yun, if the family falls, she could become a plaything for many men. Choosing the lesser of two evils, Qiao Yun’s relationship with Zheng Longqing actually reveals the true nature of the Minghua Group, but she has no choice."

Sikong Suqin nodded, "Indeed, that’s the case."

She suddenly smiled, "But this relationship can’t last forever. She might have the patience, but the old men of the Qinglong Gang probably don’t. They won’t protect her for nothing. If Qiao Yun marries Zheng Longqing, the Minghua Group will eventually be swallowed by the Shengqing Group. Do you think Qiao Yun would marry someone who clearly has ulterior motives for her family’s assets, or someone who almost kidnapped her own father?"

"Given the situation, does she have a choice?" Long Tianjun stood on the sea wall and snorted, "Regardless of whether Zheng Longqing truly has feelings for her, at least having a marital title would ensure the safety of her family, which is better than being devoured by outsiders."

The sea breeze made Sikong Suqin’s skirt flutter, giving her a graceful and ethereal appearance, occasionally revealing her slender figure. Combined with her stunning beauty, Long Tianjun couldn’t help but secretly swallow his saliva, but he knew he could only admire from a distance.

He had had many women, and few he dared not touch, but Sikong Suqin was one of them. In fact, many powerful figures in the capital lusted after this widow, but they were deterred by her father-in-law’s formidable subordinates. Touching her would be like poking a super hornet’s nest, so everyone only dared to fantasize, not act.

Sikong Suqin smiled faintly, "But from Qiao Yun’s business tactics, she doesn’t seem like someone who would sit idly by. Once she acts, it’s always decisive and precise. If it weren’t for the Qinglong Gang backing the Shengqing Group, this woman would have already brought them down. Do you think she has more tricks up her sleeve?"

"More tricks?" Long Tianjun was taken aback, "Do you see something, Sister Qin?"

"Don’t tell me you haven’t heard that the Sihai Gang has quietly sent a large number of people south." Sikong Suqin seemed certain that Long Tianjun knew this, and directly asked, "Who do you think they are targeting?"

Long Tianjun’s expression tightened, and his eyes narrowed, "Sister Qin, are you suggesting that Qiao Yun, while pretending to be in a relationship with Zheng Longqing, is secretly contacting the Sihai Gang, the old rival of the Qinglong Gang, to take them down?"

"Isn’t that a possibility?" Sikong Suqin smiled, countering.

"This is quite possible, but even if the Qinglong Gang is eliminated and the Shengqing Group is swallowed, the Minghua Group would become an even bigger target. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, it would be a dead end. If she fails, the Qinglong Gang won’t spare her family." Long Tianjun shook his head, "She probably wouldn’t do that."

"Suppose..." Sikong Suqin’s eyes sparkled, and she paused, "Suppose, after discussing with Hua Linglong, the Minghua Group controls a significant share of the Tianhai Group, which could influence the economic lifeline of the Sihai Gang, or they have exchanged shares that can threaten each other. On this basis, the two groups form an alliance. The Sihai Gang deals with the Qinglong Gang, and the Minghua Group uses economic means to bring down the Shengqing Group. When the Qinglong Gang is unable to cope, they will inevitably lose both people and assets. After the victory, the Sihai Gang will take over the Qinglong Gang’s territory, a long-held ambition, while the Minghua Group will gain a share of the Shengqing Group’s assets."

"Wow..." Long Tianjun drew a sharp breath, almost exclaiming, "What a grand plan! This woman is truly formidable. Not only does her relationship with Zheng Longqing stabilize the Qinglong Gang, but it also deters others from acting against the Minghua Group, giving her time to plan. Once the Qinglong Gang is gone, she will no longer be threatened, and she can divide the Shengqing Group’s assets with the Tianhai Group, further strengthening the Minghua Group. With shares that can influence the Sihai Gang’s economic lifeline, the Minghua Group and the Sihai Gang will be intertwined, mutually benefiting each other. Any future actions against the Minghua Group would be an attack on the Sihai Gang, and the Sihai Gang would definitely support the Minghua Group. In other words, all the Minghua Group’s troubles will be solved. Wow! This woman is ruthless, achieving multiple goals with one move, impressive!"

Sikong Suqin smiled faintly, "This is just our speculation. We’ll have to wait and see if it’s true."

"It’s probably not far off," Long Tianjun said firmly, "With such a huge benefit, if Qiao Yun proposes it, the Sihai Gang has no reason to refuse. They can expand their influence and make a fortune. The old men of the Sihai Gang would be overjoyed. This explains why the Sihai Gang has sent a large number of people south."

He sighed, his eyes filled with admiration, "I’ve heard this woman is cold and unapproachable, but I didn’t expect her to be so decisive and ruthless. If any man could marry her, he would not only get a beautiful wife but also a treasure trove."

"Indeed! I’ve also taken a liking to her," Sikong Suqin said calmly, "But I don’t have your men’s frivolous thoughts... She is the perfect person to help me manage my business."

The two on the sea wall exchanged a meaningful smile. After analyzing Qiao Yun’s intentions, they concluded that she had no powerful background, and Lin Zixian was just a man attracted to her beauty, essentially just there to flirt.

The Ivory Coast was a gathering place for the wealthy, with three days of continuous festivities and the presence of many influential figures. The wealthy were divided into different levels, with the less wealthy flattering the more wealthy, a scene that played out repeatedly. As for ordinary people, they were not allowed in, as this was a different level of society.

Qiao Yun, after attending a banquet on the first night, did not appear at any formal events during the three days. She only occasionally attended the forum in the morning or afternoon, spending the rest of her time working at the company.

She had little interest in such occasions and generally did not participate unless absolutely necessary.

On the day Natasha left, she secretly sent a flirtatious text message to Lin Zixian before boarding the plane: "Dear, remember our annual agreement. If you don’t come to Russia, I’ll come to China to find you."

Lin Zixian was speechless. He had vaguely agreed to Natasha’s request that day, and then they had a passionate encounter. Afterward, he regretted it, knowing she was a married woman. A momentary lapse was understandable, but a continuous affair was not. However, he couldn’t take back his promise.

At work, he mostly spent his time online, but the person from 'Upstairs and Downstairs' seemed very busy and hadn’t logged in for days.

However, when he picked up and dropped off Qiao Yun, he noticed that she seemed different from usual, occasionally showing a grave expression, as if something significant was about to happen.

Lin Zixian wanted to find an opportunity to ask Qiao Antian about it in person, as it was hard to discuss over the phone. But Qiao Antian was very busy, leaving early and returning late, attending the entrepreneurs’ conference, and they had no chance to meet properly.

He tried to ask Xiao Hua, but she was clueless and knew nothing about the company’s affairs.

With no other choice, Lin Zixian decided to wait until the entrepreneurs’ conference ended and then ask Qiao Antian what was going on.

On the afternoon the conference ended, Qiao Antian returned home and saw Xiao Hua about to take the dog for a walk. He walked over and grabbed the leash, smiling, "I’ve always said I would take you on a trip abroad, but I’ve never had the time. Now, I finally have the chance."