The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 401 - 403. Get certified

Chapter 401: 403. Get certified

In the afternoon, there was a new twist in the incident on Weibo. Ning Ke publicly apologized on Weibo, saying that she and Han Yi were never engaged, and Han Yi never agreed to be engaged to her. He and Yu Xiaoxuan were on good terms, claiming it was all a joke.

Once the post was made, it was immediately shared by more than a hundred thousand people. It was like a depth charge, and the first to be stunned were Han Zhengshan and Ning Ke’s parents.

Han Zhengshan tried calling Han Yi but couldn’t get through. Knowing his number had been blocked by Han Yi, Han Zhengshan, furious, took a phone from a staff member to try and call Han Yi. This time the call connected but was hung up after two rings. Han Zhengshan kept trying until he finally turned off his phone in frustration. Running out of breath, Han Zhengshan was rushed to emergency care.

Since the phone was off, the hospital couldn’t contact Han Yi and had to get in touch with Han Yi’s assistant instead. Fortunately, they had the assistant’s contact from before as well.

The assistant couldn’t reach Han Yi either and hurriedly rushed from the shopping mall to the hospital. By the time he arrived, Han Zhengshan had stabilized; it was just high blood pressure from a brief faint. He woke up and was ready to be discharged. The assistant, reassured, sent a message to Han Yi and paid Han Zhengshan’s hospital charges before leaving.

When Han Zhengshan woke up and didn’t see Han Yi, his fury reignited, but he restrained himself since it wasn’t appropriate in the hospital. He insisted on being discharged and took a taxi to Han Yi and Yu Xiaoxuan’s current residence—Senhai Villa.

At home, there was only Yu Xiaoxuan and, oh, a cleaning lady.

Yu Xiaoxuan was surprised to see the visitor at the door. She had been living here for so long but it was the first time Han Zhengshan had visited. "Uncle," Yu Xiaoxuan hesitated, then finally greeted.

Han Zhengshan, with a cold expression, pushed Yu Xiaoxuan aside with considerable force. If Yu Xiaoxuan hadn’t quickly grabbed the shoe cabinet by the door, she might have fallen. Although she didn’t fall, she hurt her lower back against the handle of the cabinet’s drawer. Wincing, she paused before softly touching the sore spot, ow, that really hurt; she might have bruised.

"Uncle, Han Yi went to work; he’s not at home," Yu Xiaoxuan moved to the back and spoke softly and politely.

"Hmph, work, what work," Han Zhengshan snorted coldly. He had already called the office; Han Yi wasn’t there. Since he cherished Yu Xiaoxuan so much, why wouldn’t Han Yi be at home?

Han Zhengshan assumed Han Yi was avoiding him. He sat down on the sofa and demanded, "Call Han Yi out for me."

"Uncle, Han Yi really isn’t at home. He left early this morning and hasn’t returned yet," Yu Xiaoxuan explained, her tone very polite. Although she didn’t like this old man, he was still an elder, and she maintained the necessary respect.

Hearing the commotion in the living room, the cleaning lady came out and glanced over, asking, "Miss Yu, do you need help?"

"Auntie, please bring some tea," Yu Xiaoxuan requested.

"Hmph, even needs the auntie to prepare tea. Acting like a real lady of a wealthy household now!" Han Zhengshan, unable to see Han Yi, started picking on Yu Xiaoxuan.

Yu Xiaoxuan paused, stood up, and went to the kitchen to make tea for Han Zhengshan, constantly reminding herself, "Just bear with it, he’s Han Yi’s family after all. Just endure it, it’s just a few harsh words. Hear them and let them go. Don’t make a fuss, don’t fuss."

"Miss Yu, let me do it," the auntie offered to help.

"That’s alright, Auntie, you go on with your work. I’ve got this," Yu Xiaoxuan said with a smile.

Seeing that Yu Xiaoxuan could manage on her own, the auntie resumed her cleaning. She was well-paid, but the house was large and cleaning it was quite exhausting.

"Uncle, please have some tea." Yu Xiaoxuan held the teacup with both hands and placed it in front of Han Zhongshan.

"Doing things so slowly, if you didn’t want to make tea for me, just say so. There’s no need to do it so reluctantly." Han Zhengshan was clearly nitpicking and naturally could find a ton of issues.

Yu Xiaoxuan held back, but couldn’t resist, "Uncle, I don’t think you traveled all the way here just to find fault with me."

Han Zhengshan glowered, "What, I just said a few words and you’re giving me attitude? You haven’t even entered the Han Family’s door yet, and you dare to treat me like this. Once inside the Han Family’s door, isn’t it like denying me a place to stay?"

Yu Xiaoxuan was speechless, seeing this kind of man for the first time. If these words had come from a nasty mother-in-law, she wouldn’t have been surprised, but Han Zhengshan, a grown man, made the situation entirely discordant.

"Uncle, you’re here to see Han Yi. Han Yi hasn’t come back yet, so please wait here for him. I’ll go up and call him, asking him to hurry back." Yu Xiaoxuan planned to leave. If I can’t provoke him, I can always avoid him.

"Stop." Han Zhengshan stopped her. "Sit down. Since Han Yi isn’t here, there’s something I should talk to you about first."

Yu Xiaoxuan paused, really wanting to leave, but after thinking it over, she stayed and sat down opposite Han Zhengshan, "Uncle, please proceed."

"I’ve arranged a marriage for Han Yi with the daughter of Shuangcheng Entertainment. Whether it’s family background, education, or appearance, she’s well-matched with my son Han Yi. They will get married this year. You should find a time to move out," Han Zhengshan stated matter-of-factly.

Before Yu Xiaoxuan could respond, she heard Han Zhengshan continue, "I know you’re pregnant. If you want to keep the child, our Han Family will raise it. If you feel wronged, you can choose to abort it; I won’t mind. Either way, I will give you a sum of money, the amount is up to you, as compensation since you have been with Han Yi."

Yu Xiaoxuan lowered her head; Han Zhengshan couldn’t see her expression but heard her say, "Uncle, I respect you as an elder, which is why I addressed you as uncle, but you cannot use your identity to insult me. My family background may not be as prestigious as that rich family’s daughter, but I too was cherished by my parents since childhood. They would be heartbroken to see you mistreat me like this."

"This isn’t me mistreating you; you brought this upon yourself. From the beginning, I said I opposed your relationship and had asked you to leave early, but you didn’t listen. Now, are you blaming me? Look at yourself, in what way are you comparable to others? Let’s not talk about others. Look at Han Yi, ask yourself, are you worthy of him?"

Yu Xiaoxuan felt a sour bitterness in her heart. Being pointed at and scolded, especially by this old man before her—it wasn’t the first time, but it had never felt so humiliating. This man not only disliked her but even loathed the child in her womb.

She lifted her head to look at Han Zhengshan, "Since you asked me, I will tell you that I am worthy of Han Yi. Since Han Yi likes me and wants to marry me, there must be something about me that attracts him and makes him think I’m worth it. And the person I’m marrying is Han Yi, not the Han Family. Your approval has become less significant to me."

Han Zhengshan’s expression turned angry, "Is this how you speak to your elders? With such manners, what kind of child can you raise? A spoiled brat, the Han Family really can’t afford that."

Yu Xiaoxuan locked eyes with Han Zhengshan, showing no sign of timidity, "Compared to Han Yi, I might not be excellent enough, not beautiful enough, and perhaps I won’t be a qualified mother in the future, unable to provide the prestigious upbringing like Han Yi’s mother did, but I will strive to learn, to grow, and to be a qualified wife and mother."

She paused, then continued, "You might say these are things any woman can do, but I have a heart that loves Han Yi. Even if Han Yi is no longer the CEO of the Han Group, just an ordinary person, I will stay by his side, never leaving."

"You think love is everything before marriage, but once you’re married, you’ll see that love is nothing in the face of marriage. The person you love is Han Yi, but the family you marry into is the Han Family. No matter how excellent a man is, or how successful his career is, if he doesn’t have a matching woman by his side, causing his progeny to suffer because of her, it would be the biggest failure in life. You’re close with the Shen family’s daughter; you should know her Second Uncle is a living example of this."

Yu Xiaoxuan’s face contorted, realizing that what Han Zhengshan truly despised was not her background, but his worry that she might taint the Han Family’s esteemed genes.

"This is your opinion. You might want to ask Han Yi if he’s willing to follow your arrangement. Also, as far as I know, the daughter from Shuangcheng International just announced this afternoon that her engagement with Han Yi was a misunderstanding. So, what sense does it make to say all this to me now?" Yu Xiaoxuan stood her ground, not knowing how much Han Yi had done for her behind her back, but knowing it was much more than she imagined. In this love, Han Yi had given more than her; now she wanted to be brave, to stop running away.

"You!" Han Zhengshan’s face darkened, seemingly not expecting Yu Xiaoxuan to dare to speak to him like that, "That’s because she found out about you and is acting out of spite. As long as you leave Han Yi, she will naturally calm down."

"I won’t leave Han Yi unless he tells me himself that he doesn’t want me anymore," Yu Xiaoxuan stated with finality. "If you really want me to leave him, that’s fine, very simple. Have Han Yi tell me himself, and I promise I’ll leave without hesitation."

"Good!" A round of applause came from the doorway, startling Yu Xiaoxuan and Han Zhengshan. They then realized it was Han Yi. They didn’t know how long he had been back or how much he had heard.

"Han Yi," Yu Xiaoxuan called out softly, no longer possessing the courage she had just displayed in front of Han Zhengshan.

Han Yi gave her an approving smile. "Yu Xiaoxuan, well said. In this world, you are the one who truly deserves me, I want no one else." He looked at Han Zhengshan, whose face had turned completely sour. "Father, I’ll lay it out here today. Either you agree to my marriage to Yu Xiaoxuan, and the child in her belly will be your grandson, or I will ask to leave the Han family and the Han Group, severing all ties with them."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaoxuan’s face changed. "Han Yi!"

Han Yi chuckled. "Two choices, you decide!"

Han Zhengshan’s face was so dark it seemed ink could drip from it. "Han Yi, are you really willing to repeat Shen Rang’s mistakes for a woman?s!"

Han Yi responded nonchalantly, "So what if I am, and what if I’m not?"

"Fine, fine, fine, I’ll see if you will regret this. When you do, don’t come crying to me!" Fuming, Han Zhengshan stormed off, even forgetting the original reason he came to see Han Yi.

"Han Yi, you really didn’t have to make such a big sacrifice for me," Yu Xiaoxuan said as she hugged him from behind.

Han Yi turned around, faced Yu Xiaoxuan, and kissed her forehead. "What sacrifice? I’ll actually be happy to leave the Han Group. I’m not limited to just the Han Group, and even if I leave, I won’t let you and our baby go hungry. But Yu Xiaoxuan, you were impressive today, you really made me see you in a new light."

"How long were you listening?" Yu Xiaoxuan asked.

"Not much, but I did hear when you said you loved me, and..." He picked up her hand and placed it on his chest, "and I’ve kept it here!"

Yu Xiaoxuan blushed slightly. "But Han Yi, maybe you should be the one to handle our baby’s education."

Han Yi raised an eyebrow. "Influenced by his words?"

"No," Yu Xiaoxuan shook her head. "I just know my limits. In families like yours, descendants are groomed in an elite manner. I know I’m not cut out for it."

Han Yi looked at Yu Xiaoxuan intently and suddenly chuckled. "Yu Xiaoxuan, you’re not just trying to be lazy, are you? That won’t do."

Yu Xiaoxuan glared at Han Yi, annoyed. "I’m being serious here."

Han Yi sighed, "Xiao Xuan, don’t sell yourself short. Have the confidence you just showed. Like you said, you are great, excellent. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have chosen you. As for elite education, hmm, I don’t care for that stuff. My mother wasn’t strict about it when I was young. She only had one requirement for me: to be happy and joyful, and my only requirement for our child is the same: to be healthy and joyful."

"But that way, our child will be at a disadvantage from the start," Yu Xiaoxuan remarked.

"Being our child, they’re already at the finish line, where’s the starting point?"

Yu Xiaoxuan looked at Han Yi somberly and finally managed to say, "Han Yi, I feel like you’re going to raise our child crooked." Are you sure it won’t turn out an incapable rich kid?

As it turned out later, the child of Han Yi and Yu Xiaoxuan, although occasionally their parents were a bit unconventional, was very reliable and was brought up well, starkly proving Han Zhengshan wrong.

"Alright, Xiao Xuan, stop worrying about these unnecessary thoughts. You’d better think about what we’re having for dinner tonight instead," Han Yi shifted Yu Xiaoxuan’s focus.

Yu Xiaoxuan looked at him speechlessly. "Han Yi, you’re obviously changing the subject, but why did the daughter of Shuangcheng International suddenly make that announcement?" This was what she really wanted to know.

Han Yi briefly explained the situation; after listening, Yu Xiaoxuan sighed deeply. "Miss Ning is quite pitiful."

"Are you saying you want to help her?"

Yu Xiaoxuan vigorously shook her head. "No way, I’m not foolish. You’re my boyfriend, and I won’t let any woman have you, not even pretend. I’m no Holy Mother Mary."

A smile filled Han Yi’s eyes as he planted a kiss on her face. "That’s right. Yu Xiaoxuan, remember, I am yours alone. Any woman who eyes me is a bad woman; you’re responsible for chasing them away, got it?"

"Okay."

The next day, Han Yi got up early to go to work as usual, but in the afternoon, he skipped work and went home to pick up Yu Xiaoxuan.

"Han Yi, where are you taking me?" Yu Xiaoxuan asked.

Han Yi just smiled. "You’ll know when we get there."

Yu Xiaoxuan glanced sideways but didn’t ask further. Since Han Yi wanted to surprise her, she would just accept it. She looked at the little dress she was wearing, which Han Yi had specifically asked her to wear today, not knowing where he intended to take her that required such formality.

"So you brought me here to eat?" Yu Xiaoxuan looked around the beautifully set but empty restaurant and then at the man beside her.

"Mmm-hmm, it’s been a long time since I took you out for a meal. This restaurant’s steak is top-notch; you’ll like it."

Yu Xiaoxuan’s eyes lit up as she took her seat.

Throughout the meal, Han Yi said nothing else, as if he really just took her out for dinner.

"It’s still early, let’s take a walk."

Naturally, Yu Xiaoxuan had no objections. The two walked to the city square, from where they could see the Han Group headquarters. "Han Yi, look, the Han Group."

Han Yi looked over, grunted in acknowledgment, then turned his gaze back to Yu Xiaoxuan. "Wait here for me for a minute, I need to use the restroom and I’ll be right back."

Yu Xiaoxuan nodded. "Go ahead."

Han Yi left, leaving Yu Xiaoxuan alone in the square, staring at the gigantic LED screen that was displaying various advertisements, including one she had filmed.

Suddenly, the surrounding neon lights dimmed, and the images on the screen changed to photos of her and Han Yi. There were her candid photos, stills from dramas, and photos of them together.

Yu Xiaoxuan was stunned, realizing something. She turned around and saw Han Yi standing not far from her, smiling at her, holding a bouquet of flowers.

When he saw that she had noticed him, he walked slowly toward her. His every step was slow but steady. "Yu Xiaoxuan," he called her name.

Yu Xiaoxuan gazed firmly at Han Yi, who was also looking at her. "Yu Xiaoxuan, I’ve never been one to believe in fate since childhood. As I grew up, the first time I believed and thanked fate was the moment I realized I had fallen in love with you. I’m grateful it made me fall for you—a kind, simple, happy you."

"Perhaps in the eyes of the world, your family background isn’t good enough, your education isn’t high enough, you aren’t beautiful enough, and you have various flaws. They think you don’t match up to me. But they don’t know that in my heart, you’ve always been the best and most perfect. The one who doesn’t match up is actually me."

"My youth was reckless and wild, appearing frivolous, but my heart had already grown old. It was you who taught me the meaning of life and showed me that life isn’t just black and white. The colorful world is more enchanting. Your tears, your laughter, your little tempers, your tolerance, your magnanimity, and even your occasional whimsical thoughts—all are the most beautiful scenery in my eyes. Uniquely mine, within tangible reach of warmth."

"Yu Xiaoxuan, thank you for appearing in my life and being willing to accept such a messy me. I cannot change the past, but I can write the future. Today, here, I want to ask you, are you willing to spend the rest of your life with me, to grow old together with me?"

Han Yi knelt on one knee, and suddenly, a diamond ring appeared in his hand, emitting a dazzling light under the flashing neon.

Yu Xiaoxuan stared at him blankly, then looked behind her. There stood the Han corporate building, where at that moment, the lights of each office lit up to form the huge words, "Yu Xiaoxuan, will you marry me?"

"Yu Xiaoxuan, will you marry me?" Han Yi’s affectionate voice brought back Yu Xiaoxuan’s attention. She turned to look at him and finally nodded in his hopeful gaze. "Han Yi, I will."

A brilliant light flashed in Han Yi’s eyes. He took Yu Xiaoxuan’s hand, slid the ring onto her ring finger, and embraced her. "Yu Xiaoxuan, thank you!"

The surrounding lights instantly lit up, illuminating the environment. Only then did Yu Xiaoxuan realize that there were miniature cameras around.

She was stunned. Han Yi smiled slightly, leaned down to kiss her lips, and whispered, "Silly, close your eyes."

Yu Xiaoxuan wrapped her arms around Han Yi’s waist, closed her eyes, and quietly savored the sweetness of the moment.

On the way back, Yu Xiaoxuan looked at the ring on her hand, her lips curving into a big smile. "Han Yi, you must have prepared all this for a long time, right?"

"Not really long." It was just that his assistant was very competent and had quickly prepared everything.

Meanwhile, at the top floor of the Han Group building, an assistant leaned against the wall, took a long breath, and finally, he could go home and get some good sleep.

"Han Yi, did you capture the scenes just now? Can I see them?" She had seen the miniature cameras.

"You can check your phone now." Han Yi said with a smile.

Yu Xiaoxuan didn’t understand what he meant at first, but then it hit her, "Ahhh, Han Yi, you’re actually live streaming!"

"It’s the only way to let the whole country see our happiness," Han Yi said matter-of-factly. It would also dispel certain people’s ideas.

Yu Xiaoxuan was stunned for a long while before she managed to say, "Thank goodness I just agreed, otherwise you would have been embarrassed in front of the whole country."

"Would you have not agreed?" Han Yi asked her.

"Could I really have not?" Yu Xiaoxuan replied instinctively, "Okay, honestly, I wouldn’t have refused."

Han Yi smiled.

***********

In the Fu family’s home, Shen Qinglan held a tablet in her hands, watching the proposal from beginning to end. When Fu Hengyi walked in, she put it down, "Seeing Xiao Xuan happy makes me very happy."

Fu Hengyi was holding Anan. Anan had just woken up and didn’t want to lie down, so Fu Hengyi had taken him to the living room to play for a while. He had now become very proficient at holding the child.

After placing Anan next to Shen Qinglan, he finally said, "It was only a matter of time for those two."

Shen Qinglan laughed, "Yes, it was indeed only a matter of time." It was just that the engagement had sped up the development between Han Yi and Yu Xiaoxuan.

The next day, after the civil affairs office opened, Han Yi took Yu Xiaoxuan to register their marriage. Coming out, Yu Xiaoxuan looked at the little red book in her hand, still somewhat in disbelief that she had really just married Han Yi.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Han Yi spoke up, and Yu Xiaoxuan giggled, "Weren’t we supposed to register on Qixi?"

"My romantic confession last night must have made many girls’ hearts flutter. To prevent being stolen by someone else, I figured it’s better to stamp your mark on me sooner. Yu Xiaoxuan, you’re so lucky to have a husband who is both romantic, handsome, gentle, and wealthy. Just hide under the covers and laugh."

"Han Yi, your skin is as thick as the corner of a city wall," Yu Xiaoxuan blurted out, but her lips were nearly splitting to her ears as she held two red books, repeatedly looking at them.

Then, Yu Xiaoxuan took out her phone and snapped a photo of the two red books, posting a Weibo update—"Mr. Han, please guide me through the rest of our life!" Once back home, Yu Xiaoxuan went straight to the bedroom to carefully store the little red books before returning to the living room.

Han Yi had an important meeting today. After dropping Yu Xiaoxuan off at home, he left. Yu Xiaoxuan opened the webpage, and indeed, the internet was flooded with news of Han Yi’s proposal and their marriage registration.

Most were blessings for Yu Xiaoxuan and Han Yi, with only a few sour comments claiming Yu Xiaoxuan had married into wealth, transforming from a sparrow to a phoenix. Yu Xiaoxuan chose to ignore these comments, focusing instead on the blessings.

Under her own Weibo, the majority were fans’ blessings, but one comment caught her attention—it was from Ning Ke, also a blessing. Remembering what Han Yi had said about Ning Ke, she replied, "Thank you, I wish you happiness."

Fang Tong and Shen Qinglan shared Yu Xiaoxuan’s Weibo, and based on Shen Qinglan’s huge fan base, Yu Xiaoxuan received even more blessings, which made her very happy.

Han Yi and the company’s senior executives were in a meeting when the office door was pushed open. Ning Shaohua walked in with a stern face, "Han Yi, where is my daughter?"

The other executives in the meeting room looked at each other, not understanding the meaning of Chairman Ning’s words.

"Let’s end the meeting here; go back to work for now." Seeing this, the assistant immediately addressed the executives. Despite their curiosity about the situation, none of them dared stay to listen in on the boss’s gossip and quickly left.

The last to leave was the assistant, who, upon exiting, thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

In the meeting room, Han Yi sat in his chair, looking nonchalant. Ning Shaohua was angry, "Han Yi, where is my daughter?"

Han Yi chuckled, "Chairman Ning, that is an interesting question. If your daughter is missing, you should be talking to the police, not me. I don’t do magic, I can’t play tricks with real people."

"Han Yi, don’t play dumb with me. Ever since the day my daughter came to see you, she has vanished. If it wasn’t for something you said to her, would she have disappeared like this?"

"Chairman Ning, you can eat your food carelessly, but you can’t talk carelessly. If someone uninformed heard you, they might think I did something to her."

"Isn’t that the case? Han Yi, this arranged marriage was personally decided by your father, and now you’re marrying another woman. What does this mean? I hope you give me an explanation, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Han Yi countered, his smile slightly cold, "Chairman Ning, you’ve been with the company for many years. After all our cooperation, don’t you know the relationship between my father and me? You decided on my marriage without my approval and even announced it publicly. You dared to do this; you should be brave enough to face the consequences."

Ning Shaohua’s face turned iron-blue, "That’s between you and your father. You two didn’t discuss it properly and now you’re blaming me? Han Yi, don’t go too far!"

Han Yi laughed, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes, "Chairman Ning, we both know very well who’s going too far. Today, I’m respecting you as an elder and won’t argue, but if it happens again, I don’t see a reason for Han Group and Shuangcheng to continue cooperating."

"Are you threatening me?"

Han Yi shrugged, "If you think so, that’s not incorrect."

"Han Yi!"

"Stop calling, I’m not deaf."

"Han Yi, do you really think I’m scared of you? If Han Group and Shuangcheng terminate their cooperation, it’s not just my problem. Don’t forget, I still hold 18% of Han Group’s shares. If I sell these shares to someone else, or dump them, you’ll be in trouble too." Ning Shaohua said confidently, certain that Han Yi wouldn’t gamble with the company’s future.

Unfortunately, he misjudged Han Yi’s character. The thing Han Yi hated the most was being threatened. His expression turned cold, "Then we can try that, but before we do, I’d like you to have a look at a document."

Saying this, Han Yi stood up, walked out of the meeting room, and Ning Shaohua, with a serious face, followed him to his office.

Han Yi took a folder out of the drawer and handed it to Ning Shaohua.

Ning Shaohua’s face, which had been unconcerned initially, changed the moment he saw the contents. He stared intently at Han Yi, "Where did you get these from?"

Han Yi responded calmly, "I naturally bought them, and I’m quite generous, I bought these shares at the current market price of Shuangcheng." Originally, Ning Shaohua could own so many shares of Han Group only because he took advantage of a crisis.

When Han Zhengshan was managing the company, due to his poor management skills, and with Mr. Han abroad for medical treatment, nobody kept an eye on him. Han Zhengshan made a decision error that led to a financial crisis in the Han Group. To overcome the difficulty, Han Zhengshan sold part of the shares to Ning Shaohua at a price twenty percent below the market value.

Ning Shaohua coldly looked at Han Yi, "Had you planned this all along?"

Han Yi shook his head and smiled lightly, "Chairman Ning, do not measure a gentleman’s belly with a villain’s heart. I am not as despicable as you. You might want to check the final date."

Ning Shaohua flipped to the last page; the date was from just two days ago, meaning the stock transfer agreement had just been signed.

"Chairman Ning, I, Han Yi, have always believed in respecting others as I am respected, and retaliating tenfold against offenses. If you intend to sell off the Han Group’s shares, I surely can’t stop you, nor will I try. But whether the Shuangcheng stock price will fluctuate, I cannot guarantee; after all, by then I would be unable to protect even myself."

Ning Shaohua’s expression was dark as ink. "Are you trying to make a trade with me?"

"No," Han Yi shook his head, "I merely want to remind Chairman Ning, we’ve been old partners for many years. Let’s leave some room for maneuver now for better relations in the future. Both of us are major stakeholders in our respective groups, and only closer cooperation can drive our groups’ development forward. Such an intimate cooperative relationship does not necessarily require a marriage alliance."

Ning Shaohua’s expression changed unpredictably, placed the share transfer agreement on the table, and laughed, "Mr. Han is truly articulate, I admire that. But you’re right, from here on Shuangcheng and the Han Group will only have more pleasant cooperation."

Han Yi wore a not-at-all surprised expression on his face, as if he had anticipated Ning Shaohua’s response. After all, someone like Ning Shaohua, an old fox in the business world, certainly knew how to choose what’s most beneficial for himself.

"Though the engagement was a decision made by me and your father, my daughter really likes you, and her disappearance is also true. I hope, Mr. Han, you can tell me where my daughter has gone," Ning Shaohua didn’t forget the main purpose of his visit today.

"Chairman Ning, whether your daughter genuinely has feelings for me or has other motives, I think we shouldn’t be so hypocritical anymore." Han Yi leaned against the chair back, maintaining a relaxed posture since the beginning.

Ning Shaohua’s eyes shifted slightly, feigning ignorance, "I don’t understand what you mean, Mr. Han."

"Chairman Ning, your daughter already told me everything. She actually has a lover, but couldn’t be with him because you disapproved. Her coming to me... the rest of what I might say should be clear enough."

Ning Shaohua’s face turned bleak, this time not directed at Han Yi, but at his ungrateful daughter. He hadn’t anticipated that Ning Ke would tell Han Yi even this, clearly determined to be with that poor boy.

"Mr. Han, if you know anything about my daughter’s whereabouts, please tell me."

"It’s truly not that I don’t want to help you, Chairman Ning, but I really don’t know. When your daughter came to see me that day, our conversation wasn’t pleasant, and she left straight away. I haven’t had any contact with her otherwise, so..."

"Since that’s the case, I misjudged you today, Mr. Han. If I have caused you any trouble, I apologize in advance," Ning Shaohua stated.

Han Yi smiled warmly, "Chairman Ning jokes. It’s a small matter. Regarding your daughter, please don’t worry. Maybe Miss Ning just needed to clear her mind and took a stroll. She’ll probably return in a few days. In my opinion, it’s good for Miss Ning to get away these few days to avoid the limelight."

Recalling the recent issues on the internet, Ning Shaohua fell silent for a moment, then spoke up, "Thank you, Mr. Han. I’ll take my leave now."

"Sure, Chairman Ning, take care. Feel free to visit for tea sometime," Han Yi responded nonchalantly. As soon as Ning Shaohua left, his expression immediately turned grave, "This old fox—if I hadn’t been prepared, there indeed might have been trouble."