Upon hearing Chen Yan's words, the driver sitting in front responded, "Okay, Boss Chen."

This driver had been the most reliable one that Chen Yan had used in the past two years, not only highly skilled in driving but also quiet, discreet, and obedient. So, after observing him for a while, Chen Yan had appointed him as his personal driver.

Originally, during the New Year's holiday, employees were off work, and Chen Yan had not planned to keep him.

However, who knew that the driver had family issues and wasn't planning to go home, so Chen Yan simply employed his services.

Being with Chen Yan, bonuses and salaries were never in short supply, hence the driver was happy to earn an additional bonus during the New Year's holiday.

Nevertheless, since the company prohibited overtime, the driver did check with Chen Yan several times until Chen Yan assured him that this would not count as overtime and he would not be fined before he agreed.

The car rushed towards the residential area where Chen Yan lived, and as he watched the scenery receding rapidly outside the window, Chen Yan's thoughts were somewhat scattered.

This trip to the He family was not a whim of Chen Yan.

By the end of the year, legal actions initiated by Tencent and the Information Management Department, along with Zhang Yonghao, had indeed placed Chen Yan in a reactive position.

Although he managed to temporarily delay the whole situation using a strategy involving financial influence, it didn't mean these issues had disappeared.

Everything was just temporarily obscured by the short-lived boom of Douyin and the festive cheer of the New Year.

Faintly, Chen Yan always felt as though a greater danger was gradually approaching.

Therefore, he had prepared an important counterattack plan, intending to meet with He Ruifeng and see what results it might yield...

Back in his residential area, Chen Yan got out of the car and went upstairs.

As he reached his door and was about to enter, the door opposite opened first.

Chen Yan turned around and saw a fluffy head with glasses peeping through the crack of the opposite door—it was unmistakably Yang Nuannuan.

Seeing the person responsible for his many lost nights of sleep didn't anger Chen Yan.

After all, how could he be mad at his own daughter?

According to the saying that a daughter is your lover from a previous life, Yang Nuannuan could also be considered half a lover of Chen Yan.

Therefore, Chen Yan waved and greeted, "Happy New Year, Nuan Nuan."

Yang Nuannuan seemed to have just gotten up, bare-faced.

Her face was very white when bare-faced.

But her whiteness was not the milky white like Yu Qiaoqiao, but a kind of pure white, giving a feeling of purity.

She smiled at Chen Yan and said, "Happy New Year, Chen Yan."

After saying that, she added, "By the way, are you home tonight? Mommy wants to pay you a New Year visit."

"A New Year visit?" An inviting image of Yang Rou's voluptuous figure suddenly surfaced in Chen Yan's mind.

Yang Rou welcoming New Year's for him...?

What exactly was her manner of celebrating it?

As he was imagining this, Yang Nuannuan continued, "Mommy said you haven't been home for many days."

"She wants to find you but can't."

"So, she asked me to contact you in advance."

Chen Yan: ...

Complete disaster.

All the fanciful illusions in front of Chen Yan evaporated.

He felt, this wasn't any New Year "blessing."

This was clearly a roll call!

Since being touched by Yu Qiaoqiao's sincerity, Chen Yan had been living at her place for a while.

It was only a couple of days before New Year's Day that Chen Yan returned to his parents' home and Yu Qiaoqiao drove back to the orphanage, causing them to be separated.

No wonder Yang Rou couldn't find Chen Yan during this period and specially came to "hint" at him.

Guessing in his mind, Chen Yan replied, "Okay. Then I'll wait at home tonight for Sister Rou."

Upon hearing Chen Yan's words, Yang Nuannuan smiled, "It's not just her. I will come too."

Chen Yan: ...

Great. The last shred of fantasy was shattered.

After chatting leisurely for a moment with Yang Nuannuan, Chen Yan went back into his own home, then picked up some prepared gifts and went downstairs.

Going to the He family, Chen Yan didn't prepare anything expensive, just carrying two packs of tea and two bottles of Moutai.

Considering the status of both families, these were very affordable.

But it was the thought that counted.

By the standards of their positions, they no longer cared much about the gifts themselves.

He got into the car, and the vehicle sped off, soon arriving at the He Family Manor.

As the richest man on Qindong Peninsula, the head of all the tycoons on the peninsula, the He family's home was exceptionally lively during the New Year's.

People bringing gifts and visiting He Ruifeng came in an endless stream.

And since the He family had been rooted in Qin Island for many years, they had pulled some strings, with road closures and security patrols to ensure all threats were kept at bay.

Upon arriving at the He family, after handing the items to the butler, Chen Yan was just about to go to the side hall and wait, when he was immediately surrounded by fellow tycoons.

With no other option, Chen Yan had to engage in superficial conversations with them.

He chatted for about five or six minutes until He Mengxue, dressed in a vibrant red, slowly arrived and rescued Chen Yan.

Today, He Mengxue was dressed in a celebratory way, a red cheongsam highlighting her stunning figure.

Her skin was naturally fair, and the red dress made her look even more beautiful.

Approaching Chen Yan, He Mengxue courteously greeted each of the tycoons then said, "Gentlemen, my uncles and elders, I apologize, but I need to take Chen Yan away."

The relationship between Chen Yan and He Mengxue was widely known within the circle of tycoons on Qindong Peninsula, so when He Mengxue came to fetch him, the tycoons all smiled and stepped aside, no longer persisting.

Leaving the side hall with He Mengxue, Chen Yan finally sighed in relief.

Seeing Chen Yan's demeanor, He Mengxue chuckled and said, "Really now? Don't you usually enjoy these kinds of gatherings?"

Chen Yan rolled his eyes, "Where do you get that idea?"

"My favorite thing is staying at home, doing my work, playing my games."

He Mengxue gave him a flirtatious look, "Which games?"

Chen Yan was about to flirt back out of habit, but before he could speak, He Mengxue pressed on, "Are they the games you play with Yu Qiaoqiao?"

Chen Yan: ...

What's going on? Why does it seem like everyone knows?

Was it that obvious that he had been going to Yu Qiaoqiao's place?

Chen Yan was puzzled.

But despite his confusion, Chen Yan didn't stray from his flirty nature. He reached out to support He Mengxue's waist, then said, "Are you jealous? If you want to join, I wouldn't mind adding you too."

Upon hearing Chen Yan's insinuation, He Mengxue, annoyed, twisted his waist a little.

Chen Yan winced in pain, dodging while saying, "What are you doing? Trying to murder your own husband?"

Hearing Chen Yan's unabashed comment, He Mengxue's fair face immediately flushed with two red clouds. She opened her mouth wanting to retort a few words to Chen Yan, but just then, a few purposeful coughs came from behind them.

Hearing the familiar sound, He Mengxue couldn't help turning her head to look.

Then, seeing the newcomer, her face lit up with a bashful smile, becoming more poised, "Dad."

Hearing He Mengxue's address, Chen Yan turned around.

Indeed, standing not far behind them was He Ruifeng.

He Ruifeng had aged a bit compared to last year, with more white hair at his temples.

But this also made his demeanor more settled.

Having been a veteran in the business world for twenty years, he resembled an aging lion. Even if it seemed he didn't possess his former abilities, his mere presence was commanding...

He glanced at He Mengxue, then motionlessly waved Chen Yan over, "Come."

Seeing his expression, He Mengxue suddenly looked at Chen Yan with concern.

Chen Yan gently patted her shoulder, and while He Ruifeng wasn't paying attention, he even playfully groped.

This angered He Mengxue, causing her to stomp her foot and roll her eyes at him.

Chen Yan chuckled and quickened his pace, avoiding He Mengxue and catching up with He Ruifeng.

Following behind He Ruifeng, Chen Yan walked for about a minute, and the two arrived at a rockery.

As they walked by the pond near the rockery, He Ruifeng slowly began to speak.

His expression still a bit stern, his voice cold, "Things aren't looking good."

"Regarding your intentional delay, the people behind Zhang Yonghao are very displeased."

"They have sent out signals several times."

"They think your actions are akin to a foreign litigator's tactics, maliciously interfering within the judicial process."

"Their attitude has even affected things here on Qin Island."

"Although I've been supporting you all this time, I feel I can't keep it up much longer."

"Qin Island will not confront them directly over this matter."

"So, you need to prepare early."

Upon hearing He Ruifeng's words, Chen Yan scoffed, "I'm interfering with the judicial process?"

"If it's within the rules, then it's legal and compliant."

"The real interference seems to be from them, not me."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, He Ruifeng sighed softly and said, "Don't always be so defiant."

"Business is all about relationships."

"Especially in this domestic environment, you must be mindful of everything. Your constant uncooperativeness and refusal to give anyone face will only escalate the situation."

At this point, He Ruifeng stopped speaking.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Zhao Xuan must have told you the same, but you clearly didn't listen, so I won't say more."

"Young people must face several setbacks and take a few hard knocks to grow."

"Your journey has been too smooth so far. Moreover, with the persistent rumors of your connections with the Zhao family, not many have dared to challenge you."

"This is the first time you're facing such a situation at this scale."

"Gradually, you'll get used to it."

"Our country is still different from abroad. Many rules are not the same."

"In the past, we weren't accustomed to it either, but through the process of development, we gradually learned many ways to deal with those people."

"Wait, and I'll teach you slowly."

Hearing He Ruifeng's words, Chen Yan remained silent for a moment.

Then, he said, "Uncle He, don't be so pessimistic. We still don't know who will win this game."

"After all, my entire collaboration process with Zhang Yonghao doesn't have any issues and can withstand scrutiny."

He Ruifeng smiled, looked at him, and said, "Do you think this is a matter of whether the process is compliant?"

He shook his head, "You're still too young."

"Your dealings, although legally compliant, are extremely unusual from a moral standpoint."

"Especially considering such a large, promising company was mysteriously acquired by you."

"That in itself is too conspicuous."

"Whether you are truly compliant or pretending to be, now that people have preconceived notions and deem the actions irregular, then they are irregular."

He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and then revealed another insider detail,

"Currently, the issue isn't about how to judge, but how to define."

"Now, those people are preparing to define your case as a prime example of using various means to maliciously usurp a startup."

"They argue that the state is currently encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. If everyone with means and money did as you have, targeting a company and forcibly taking it over, how many companies would survive?"

"Once it's defined this way, you're done, you know."

Hearing He Ruifeng's words, Chen Yan also smiled.

He thought that preparing early was indeed a good decision.

Thus, he finally entered the purpose of his visit to He Ruifeng.

He stretched lazily, then asked, "Uncle Zhao. Don't rush."

"I have a question."

"What if I told you... that Zhang Yonghao is actually my man?"

Hearing Chen Yan's words, even with He Ruifeng's lifetime of tactics, he was dumbfounded.

His eyes widened in astonishment as he looked at Chen Yan.

In that moment, his mind raced with scenes of overturning whatever defenses those high and mighty people had constructed, which nearly instantly crumbled.

After all... if Chen Yan and Zhang Yonghao were together, then all the foundational frameworks would be non-existent, and whatever the opposition churned out would lose its meaning.

But still, this was all too fantastical, right?

So... after a long while, he finally asked, "Really?"

Chen Yan's face revealed a mysteriously confident smile, "You guess."

He Ruifeng stared at Chen Yan's confident and composed face...

Gradually, he began to believe it.

For a moment, a thought crossed his mind: indeed... the new waves of the Yangtze River drive on those before.

He had just thought the opponent was young, but now, it seemed he was the truly inexperienced one?

However... after believing Chen Yan, He Ruifeng became puzzled again.

Because he couldn't figure out what Chen Yan's purpose was in doing all this.

He Ruifeng withdrew his gaze, but his thoughts continued to wander.

He continued walking forward, pondering the reasons for Chen Yan's elaborate gambit...

If Zhang Yonghao was indeed Chen Yan's man, and they had spent billions staging this grand drama, then Chen Yan's motives must be significant.

So for whom was he really playing this game...?

Until Chen Yan left, He Ruifeng hadn't figured out Chen Yan's intentions.

But perhaps it was exactly because of this uncertainty that Chen Yan had donned a mysterious, powerful veil in He Ruifeng's eyes.

Before, even though Chen Yan had amassed a huge fortune, his shallow foundations and reliance on luck led He Ruifeng to regard him only as a highly talented junior.

But at that moment, he truly elevated Chen Yan's status to be on par with his own.

Because he realized that he no longer understood Chen Yan's tactics...

This was a truly formidable junior...

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