Chapter 130: I Am Also a Sovereign Ruler

After arranging the affairs of Qing Tang Tianxia, with Zhao Qixi overseeing the overall operations, Xiao Kaitian felt considerably more at ease. He booked his flight and finally set off for the capital.

Huang Ming had already called several times. Since the teaser trailer aired, Xiao Kaitian’s value had risen immeasurably. The National New Technology Exploration Department had taken a keen interest in the matter and urgently needed to clarify details with him.

The flight lasted about two and a half hours. Xiao Kaitian had reserved a first-class seat, but when he approached, he couldn’t help but pause for a moment.

Beside his seat sat a woman dressed in a light orange-red trench coat. Upon seeing him, she removed her sunglasses, revealing a delicate, slender face with a gentle smile. “What a coincidence, Brother Xiao.”

“Gu Luoyan?” This was the third time Xiao Kaitian had met her, and he was somewhat surprised. “You’re headed to the capital too?”

“Mm,” Gu Luoyan smiled openly. “The Gu family called me back. Brother Xiao, since you’re going to the capital, if it’s convenient, come visit the Gu family sometime. You used to come often.”

“Your teaser was quite a hit,” Gu Luoyan’s innocent appearance was like a lotus emerging from clear water. “I really think I should have insisted on collaborating with you back then.”

For some reason, Xiao Kaitian felt a resistance toward this girl. He responded politely but reservedly and took his seat. “I’m going for some personal business this time. We’ll see.”

“Zi Xi keeps talking about you and insists you must come,” Gu Luoyan smiled, pursing her lips. “Or maybe we’ll invite you to dinner, at least as a courtesy.”

“No need for formalities,” Xiao Kaitian showed no interest in such matters. But hearing Gu Zixi’s name brought to mind the image of that frail girl. His hand paused briefly before he casually picked up a magazine to read.

This was a clear signal of refusal to engage. Gu Luoyan’s smile froze. She licked her lips, put her sunglasses back on, and leaned into her seat.

The atmosphere grew slightly awkward. They spoke little for the rest of the flight, exchanging only the usual simple remarks. Time passed quickly, and the plane landed smoothly at Daxing Airport in the capital.

“Well, Brother Xiao, I’ll contact you later,” Gu Luoyan smiled, handing over a business card. When Xiao Kaitian accepted it, she waved her hand. “Goodbye.”

Xiao Kaitian nodded, pocketed the card, and upon exiting, met Huang Ming, who had come to pick him up. They shook hands warmly and got into a Volkswagen SUV.

Gu Luoyan watched Xiao Kaitian leave with a smile, then waved at a Bentley that pulled up. Opening the door and sitting inside, her expression suddenly darkened.

“Xiao Kaitian, there will come a day when you beg me,” she murmured, staring at the reflection of her red lips on the window like a carnivorous flower. She took out her phone and began typing a message.

“Zi Xi, did you know? Brother Xiao has arrived in the capital.”

After sending it, she tossed the phone aside, her energy seeming to drain. She leaned back lazily in her seat, a cold smirk flickering at the corner of her mouth.

Xiao Kaitian’s trip to the capital was no secret. He was under covert surveillance by many. In the chairman’s office of Xiao Corporation’s headquarters, Xiao Zhenglü also received the news.

He was not alarmed; rather, he felt a thrill. The capital was his domain, and Xiao Kaitian’s arrival was like a lamb entering the tiger’s den.

But this nephew had surprised him. Growing up, he had always been considered slow-witted. Having observed him for over twenty years, he thought he knew him well.

This was why, when his elder brother Xiao Zhengze got into trouble, he immediately convened the board and pushed Xiao Kaitian out. No group company was willing to have a fool as chairman.

In the shareholders’ eyes, he held overwhelming advantage over Xiao Kaitian. Although legally the shares still belonged to Xiao Kaitian, in reality, he controlled them and had smoothly taken over Xiao Corporation.

Once Xiao Kaitian died “accidentally,” these shares would officially transfer to him.

Unfortunately, no matter how perfect the plan, things had changed. Xiao Kaitian had taken a trip to the island nation and returned transformed.

The man he assigned, Xue Rong, had also failed to perform. Several corporate challenges ended in defeat against Xiao Kaitian, costing him the loss of several key players.

That was one thing. Xiao Zhenglü wasn’t bothered by the fact that Xiao Kaitian had drawn the wrath of the martial arts world—he figured someone would deal with him soon enough.

But what troubled him was that Xiao Kaitian had opened Qixi Media Consulting in Haidu, reorganized Qing Tang Tianxia, and made quite a splash.

Especially during this time, in the fierce entertainment industry battle with Su Film and Media, Xiao Kaitian somehow managed to bring the Su family to its knees. The Su family had long been the undisputed leader in the entertainment circle, yet they couldn’t outmatch Xiao Kaitian.

This was downright uncanny. The more he pondered, the more uneasy he felt.

Soon, Qing Tang Tianxia’s reputation skyrocketed. Xiao Zhenglü knew this project well—an extravagant, money-burning venture. When Xiao Kaitian first dabbled in it, he had offered “advice” more than once.

A massive project with nearly 100 billion investment was impossible without financial backing. It seemed Xiao Kaitian was heading for ruin. Yet now, signs of revival appeared.

It was like a slap in the face—his own face was nearly bruised.

Having only recently taken over Xiao Corporation, most shareholders still sided with Xiao Zhengze. He had initially presented himself as “safeguarding his nephew’s assets,” which barely won shareholder acceptance.

But now, everything Xiao Kaitian did proved he was no fool—in fact, he had considerable talent in business.

For instance, the recently aired teaser trailer—Xiao Zhenglü had watched it too. Its high-tech content was enough to overturn the course of human development, and all of it was Xiao Kaitian’s doing.

To call him a fool? Even Xiao Zhenglü now doubted whether Xiao Kaitian had been playing the fool all along.

As a result, board meetings had grown increasingly confrontational. If this continued, it wouldn’t be impossible for shareholders to defect to Xiao Kaitian’s side.

But he absolutely could not let that happen. The wealth and power he had painstakingly seized were not to be surrendered lightly. The capital had many expenses, including the young stars he cultivated. As a successful man, his costs were enormous.

He had to act. Throughout his life, whenever compared to his brother Xiao Zhengze, labels like lacking courage, cowardice, and incompetence had stuck to him. He needed to make a move, to rally and display his might.

I am a ruler in my own right!

With this resolve, he immediately arranged a meeting with members of the Bian and Su families to strategize on how to deal with Xiao Kaitian.