Upon hearing Chen Yan's words, Meng Xue was stunned for a moment, then she couldn't help but ask back, "Is that important?"

Chen Yan was also taken aback for a second, then he asked, "Not important?"

Meng Xue seriously nodded, then said, "Not important."

"Because all I need to know is that you wanted to do this, but he stood you up, that's enough."

She earnestly said, "After all, I just want you to be able to do what you want to do."

Looking at Meng Xue's serious expression, listening to her heartfelt words, Chen Yan was somewhat moved.

He couldn't help but hug Meng Xue, then said, "Thank you, Meng Xue."

Meng Xue gently rested her head on Chen Yan's shoulder, then said softly, "What's there to thank? Who made me fall for you, you big rascal."

After speaking, Meng Xue smiled and pushed Chen Yan away, then said, "Alright. I'm going to make a few calls to ask around, see if I can help you push this matter forward."

Chen Yan nodded. Then he instructed, "However, only mention this to people you trust. If you don't trust them, you must not ask."

"After all, this is no small matter."

Hearing Chen Yan's instruction, Meng Xue hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Don't worry. I'll be cautious."

After speaking, Meng Xue left the room.

Watching Meng Xue's retreating figure, Chen Yan couldn't help but smile faintly.

Actually, Zhao Xuan's sudden recantation, after learning the reason, hadn't impacted him too significantly.

However, understanding didn't necessarily mean acceptance.

So, Chen Yan was quite upset just moments ago.

But now, because of Meng Xue's kindness towards him, his mood had become quite beautiful.

In this contrast, Zhao Xuan's "betrayal" seemed rather irritating.

Thinking this, Chen Yan's mind inadvertently recalled the inner thoughts he heard from Zhao Xuan that afternoon.

Originally, Zhao Xuan had always been steadfast by Chen Yan's side.

He had been manipulating alliances within the Zhao Family, garnering the support of many elders and branches who had been deprived of their rights by Zhao Qingtian.

Moreover, by championing the restoration of old rules, many of the Zhao Family members also leaned towards him within the group.

This slowly gained him significant influence within the company.

Even though he was still at a disadvantage compared to Zhao Qingtian, he had become a pivotal figure.

Originally, Zhao Xuan felt that with his current momentum, Zhao Qingtian would soon confront him directly.

He had already made contact with the official media, just waiting for the right moment to execute the plan with Chen Yan.

But just then, Zhao Qingtian took the initiative to seek him out and had a deep conversation with him.

In that conversation, Zhao Qingtian rarely appeared like a regular person, less aggressive than usual, and was far more amiable.

During that talk, Zhao Qingtian explained his reasons for restructuring the Zhao Family's current equity situation, as well as the state and malpractices of the Zhao Family now.

Afterward, he also showed Zhao Xuan some core company documents, letting Zhao Xuan know that even though the Zhao Family still held significant power, they had already begun to decline.

If no reforms were made, the future could potentially lead to ruin.

At that moment, Zhao Huanyu, the leader that Zhao Xuan once followed, also arrived at the scene and corroborated Zhao Qingtian's words, explaining in detail why he ultimately chose to run for election and switch his support to Zhao Qingtian.

During that conversation, Zhao Qingtian also candidly discussed Chen Yan with Zhao Xuan.

He said, whether it's the nation, ethnicity, or a family, the deepest bond is actually bloodline.

Friends might stop communicating after several years. Spouses might go their separate ways after some time. But only the same bloodline is indivisibly eternal.

You and your friends might fight to the point of never interacting again in your lives.

But you and your sister, your brother, having that intrinsic blood connection, tied by parents and relatives, you might eventually reconcile.

Therefore, Zhao Qingtian advised Zhao Xuan to think it over.

Chen Yan was, after all, an outsider. Zhao Ying might not necessarily end up with Chen Yan, and if Zhao Xuan harmed the Zhao Family's interests for Chen Yan's sake, was it worth it?

The issues of the Zhao Family could be resolved within the Zhao Family.

If Zhao Xuan had any dissatisfaction, he could raise it, and everyone could discuss it together.

Even, Zhao Qingtian could relinquish his position to Zhao Xuan.

As long as... Zhao Xuan didn't harm the interests of the Zhao Family.

And in this web of kinship and interests, Zhao Xuan's stance shifted.

Fortunately, he didn't expose Chen Yan's plan because of his retreat.

He was like he himself said in the afternoon, still in a phase of hesitation.

He didn't want to stand Chen Yan up, but he also felt it wasn't right to damage his family's interests for personal gain.

Thus, his entire being was caught in this current state of turmoil.

This was also why Chen Yan, after hearing Zhao Xuan's inner thoughts through the "heart headphones," expressed understanding.

After all, putting oneself in someone else's shoes.

If Chen Yan were in his position, he might also hesitate and be conflicted.

However, this also revealed that Zhao Qingtian was indeed a formidable opponent.

Because previously, Chen Yan had been puzzled when he learned of Zhao Xuan's smooth progress: why Zhao Qingtian would let Zhao Xuan enter the company's core circle so easily, and why he granted him certain powers so willingly.

Before, Chen Yan guessed it was because Zhao Xuan had leveraged his connections within the family or perhaps the two had reached some private agreement.

But now, Chen Yan felt that all this was part of Zhao Qingtian's scheme.

Zhao Qingtian clearly detected certain clues from Zhao Xuan's proactive appearance, so he decisively tied him down with interests.

Then, using both interests and kinship, he turned him around.

After all, from another perspective: if Zhao Xuan hadn't successfully entered the company board or regained power within the Zhao Group, would Zhao Qingtian's emotional and rational persuasion be effective?

Chen Yan thought... probably not.

After all, if Zhao Xuan had nothing within the Zhao Family, he would definitely feel: this Zhao Family is your Zhao Qingtian's Zhao Family, what does it have to do with me, Zhao Xuan?

The more he thought, the more Chen Yan felt Zhao Qingtian's strategy was cunning.

He shook his head, thinking it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

At least... after Zhao Xuan felt guilty, he wouldn't come asking him whether to choose "Tiandu" or "Qin Island" anymore!

Moreover, if really choosing, Chen Yan felt he was more interested in "Magical City" and "Qin Island countryside"....

Meanwhile, as Chen Yan was lost in his chaotic thoughts, Meng Xue from Qin Island came back from outside.

She was holding her phone and entered the study with a grave expression.

Seeing her expression, Chen Yan knew the outcome wasn't optimistic.

So, Chen Yan smiled and said, "It's okay, Meng Xue. This matter is indeed quite risky. It's normal for everyone to have concerns."

Meng Xue forced a smile, then said a bit awkwardly, "I didn't expect that even those two friends I get along well with would be afraid to handle this matter."

"They said that they need to ask their leaders for permission."

"Otherwise, if something goes wrong, at best they lose their jobs, at worst they would be invited for tea by the inspection department."

She paused, then added, "But... I didn't specify what the matter was. I just said a friend wanted to expose something, asking if they could publish it."

"So, they probably won't leak it out."

Chen Yan listened quietly to He Mengxue finish speaking, then nodded and said, "Alright. I'll handle this matter. Thank you for your trouble."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, He Mengxue couldn't help but worry a bit. She asked, "But... I have friends I've known for many years who couldn't manage it, how will you do it?"

Chen Yan smiled and said, "I have my ways."

In truth, Chen Yan had no such ways.

He merely had an unused Opportunity Card.

That Opportunity Card had appeared long ago during a store refresh. (Chapter 355)

After purchasing it, Chen Yan had never used it.

When he was thinking about acquiring shares from Zhang Yonghao, Chen Yan considered using it, but ultimately chose to use the "Strong Buy Card" instead.

Now, Chen Yan felt it was time to use this card.

He planned to try and connect with a top boss who directly managed this area, and then attempt to climb the upper echelons. He hoped to see if he could deal with Zhao Qingtian.

Although it wasn't clear exactly what clever strategy Chen Yan had, He Mengxue felt it wasn't very safe.

So she suggested, "Otherwise... I should go ask my dad, perhaps?"

"He definitely has some resources and connections that can be used these years."

Hearing He Mengxue's words, Chen Yan shook his head, "No need."

"If you help me, it can still be considered your personal assistance. Once your dad steps in, the nature of the matter changes."

"And... trust me."

Saying this, Chen Yan reassuringly patted He Mengxue on the shoulder.

Seeing Chen Yan's determined heart, He Mengxue could only suppress her worries...

Meanwhile,

As Chen Yan was devising ways to try and topple Zhao Qingtian,

At that moment, in Zhao Group's headquarters, in Zhao's Coffee downstairs, two men were chatting in a private room.

The two men appeared to be meeting for the first time and both behaved politely.

The leading man looked to be in his forties, close to fifty, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, refined and easy-going. He seemed very approachable.

Only his eyes, sharp and fierce, made people involuntarily respect him.

On the other hand, the man opposite him seemed much more casual, in his thirties, dressed informally, with a well-maintained physique suggesting regular exercise.

The two obviously had been talking for some time, but most of the time, it was the man in his thirties who was speaking, while the man in his forties listened.

After finishing his explanation, the man in his thirties took a sip of coffee and said, "Mr. Zhao, I've said all there is to say, believing it or not is up to you."

"At least, from what I see, it was Chen Yan who targeted your son last year."

Clearly, this man was Chen Yan's business partner: Zhang Yonghao.

After hearing Zhang Yonghao's words, Zhao Qingtian did not respond.

He too took a sip of his coffee and then asked, "So, what do you want?"

Seeing Zhao Qingtian be so direct, Zhang Yonghao didn't hold back, he said, "I'm looking for financing, but Chen Yan is blocking me."

"I want us to collaborate."

"Together, we can drive Chen Yan out of my company."

After pondering Zhao Qingtian's words, he asked, "You want Zhao Group to invest in you? And use our connections to smooth out some of the legal risks involved in this matter?"

Zhang Yonghao felt that talking with a smart person was straightforward; he firmly nodded.

Zhao Qingtian thought deeply for a moment, then he did not refuse, "In principle, I agree. But specifically, I still need to have our investment department conduct due diligence on you."

Zhang Yonghao smiled and said, "No problem."

With that, he extended his hand, "Then Mr. Zhao, here's to a successful partnership."

Zhao Qingtian looked at him, a slight smile appearing on his face, "Indeed, to a successful partnership."

Their hands clasped together, sealing what seemed like the firmest of alliances...

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