Chapter 120: The Motives of Bai Yanchu

Chapter 120: Bai Yanchu’s Motives

Chu Fei fled in a panic from Bai Yanchu’s office.

There was no other choice—the allure of his betrothed sister was far too overwhelming. If he didn’t escape immediately, it would be like Mars colliding with Earth, an inevitable explosion.

Once outside the building, Chu Fei lowered his head and glanced at the fingers of his left hand. A warmth blossomed in his heart. Just moments ago, his mischievous hand had unknowingly trespassed upon his betrothed sister’s sacred peak. The sensation was beyond ordinary—large, soft, and springy…

Quickly, Chu Fei restrained his thoughts; if he continued down that path, he might just explode.

At the same time, a troubling question weighed on his mind. Even a naive young boy could see that his betrothed sister had now ripened, entering the season of harvest. What was he to do?

To indulge? Or to resist?

Ah, such a headache!

Lost in chaotic musings, Chu Fei wandered into the neighboring building where Feilu worked...

Meanwhile,

Bai Yanchu gently tidied the clothes disheveled by Chu Fei, her cheeks flushed a delicate rose. A tender springtime gleam lingered around her eyes and brows. Having experienced intimate contact with the opposite sex for the first time, she was no match for the sly Chu Fei. Though only briefly teased, the tide of passion had already surged within her, leaving her limp and weak as a puddle of soft clay…

That little rascal was getting worse by the day.

Biting her lip in a sultry hum, the betrothed sister felt no resentment at being “invaded.” Instead, her voice was soft and utterly enchanting.

At that moment, Bai Yanchu suddenly raised a slender, jade-like hand to tap her forehead. “Ah! I was so dazed from that little rascal kissing and fondling my head that I completely forgot to discuss the real matter.”

Recalling how Chu Fei had kissed and touched her moments ago, a more vivid springtime passion shimmered in her eyes and brows. She bit her lip lightly, her first impulse was to call Chu Fei, but she abandoned the thought. No hurry—it could wait until he returned from the East Sea.

Composing herself, Bai Yanchu glanced at the exquisite watch on her wrist and a joyful smile bloomed on her face. Though delicate in design, the watch was inexpensive—a gift from Chu Fei on her twentieth birthday. That was also the last birthday he ever spent with her…

What had he experienced in these years? Even she sometimes felt a trace of mystery and estrangement towards him. Perhaps only Uncle Chu truly understood him in full.

Sighing softly, Bai Yanchu walked to her desk and picked up the phone, dialing the internal line. Her voice instantly reverted to a cold tone: “Have Ouyang Hong come over immediately.”

After hanging up, Bai Yanchu moved to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down on Xingyue Plaza. This office was the tallest in the entire plaza, offering a panoramic view of the whole area. Most people standing here would feel a surge of grandeur, but Bai Yanchu found it far from enough. She intended to help Chu Fei build an even more powerful business empire in a short time.

“Slap.”

At that moment, the door opened and a tall, handsome young man entered. It was none other than Ouyang Hong, the hottest rising star in Xingyue Group. Just days ago, he was merely a mid-level department head—a small leader within the group’s lower ranks. Now, he had transformed into a senior executive, one of the three executive vice presidents of Xingyue Group, responsible for the crucial real estate sector.

Apart from the lofty Bai Yanchu, Ouyang Hong held the decisive power over real estate. In the hierarchy of Xingyue Group, he was truly second only to Bai Yanchu. The other two executive vice presidents treated him with the utmost respect.

Among the lower ranks, rumors swirled that Ouyang Hong’s meteoric rise was due to selling his charm. Though few had seen Bai Yanchu’s true face, everyone knew their new boss was a woman. His unprecedented promotion seemed inexplicable.

Only those in the upper echelons knew the truth. Ouyang Hong’s ascent, though miraculous, was purely a matter of opportunity and exceptional ability. Even other senior executives could not deny his extraordinary talent.

Ouyang Hong was a business prodigy, possessing commercial insight that even some veteran leaders lacked. His previous obscurity was simply due to lack of chance, and Bai Yanchu’s arrival had given him the opportunity to soar.

Regardless, Ouyang Hong’s success was undeniable. Not only did he hold a high position, but he was also the most favored confidant of the new president. Everyone admired him, and even some former senior leaders now approached him with caution and deference, wary of stepping on his toes.

Fortunately, Ouyang Hong was magnanimous about past slights—after all, few office workers had never been reprimanded by their bosses.

To others, he appeared generous; in truth, he was disdainful. His elevated status allowed him a magnanimous, relaxed attitude.

Yet, this composure was only for outsiders. When facing Bai Yanchu, Ouyang Hong lowered his stance considerably. Each encounter with the new boss deepened his humility. Everyone knew he was the only one frequently admitted to the president’s office, but no one knew the psychological pressure he endured every time he entered.

“President Bai, is there anything you wish to instruct me on?” he asked respectfully upon entering.

Despite their short acquaintance, he had already learned her style—simple and direct. As a subordinate, the first priority was understanding the boss’s preferences. Ouyang Hong was no exception.

This reflected the reality: everyone saw the sheen of his external success but not the trembling caution he showed before the new boss. The more contact he had, the clearer it became: this woman was ruthless in business, utterly decisive, sparing no mercy.

He had seen her dismiss a senior leader out of dissatisfaction more than once. So far, one-third of Xingyue’s upper management had been replaced by newcomers. This was her method.

In merely a few days, she had completed a ruthless and forceful reorganization of Xingyue, not only consolidating but unifying. Ouyang Hong knew clearly that now was the moment she would bare her fangs and strike…

Bai Yanchu turned around and casually glanced at Ouyang Hong standing before her. He was her handpicked, reliable aide—not only capable but flexible and quick-witted.

“Ouyang Hong, have you completed the proposal I asked for?” she asked in a cold tone, vastly different from the gentle demeanor she showed Chu Fei earlier. Now, the betrothed sister had transformed into a commanding queen. Though her expression was calm, her authority was undeniable.

“It’s done, but…” Ouyang Hong looked up at Bai Yanchu and noticed she seemed even more beautiful than usual today, a subtle charm at her eyes and brows. Could she be in the throes of spring fever?

Quickly banishing the thought, he chastised himself. What was he thinking? Even if she were amorous, it had nothing to do with him. He certainly wasn’t qualified to be her gigolo. Many outside speculated about an ambiguous relationship between him and Bai Yanchu, but he alone knew she had never truly looked at him once—if she ever glanced, it was from a lofty vantage, like an empress surveying her subject.

“What but?” Bai Yanchu frowned.

Startled, Ouyang Hong hastily explained, “According to your previous proposal, I’ve spent the past two days researching and consolidating all materials to produce an evaluation and acquisition strategy for Dongyu Real Estate. Given Dongyu’s rapid expansion and internal instability, it does favor our plan to gradually consume it. However…”

“However what? Speak plainly!” Bai Yanchu interrupted.

“Our funds are insufficient,” Ouyang Hong stated frankly, cautiously watching Bai Yanchu’s reaction. Inside, he was utterly shocked. He had expected her to reveal her fangs and begin expansion quickly, but the target she chose was terrifying—the first subsidiary of Dongyu Group, one of the top ten famous enterprises in the East Sea: Dongyu Real Estate.

Had this woman lost her mind?

Ouyang Hong deeply understood Dongyu Group’s strength. Even a subsidiary like Dongyu Real Estate was a colossal giant, far beyond Xingyue’s league. Bai Yanchu’s ambition to target Dongyu was madness.

“How much are we short?” Bai Yanchu asked calmly, unsurprised.

“Three hundred billion yuan—at least that much is needed for any hope of success. And even then, it’s only hopeful. The ever-changing nature of business warfare means if Dongyu Group headquarters reacts swiftly, three hundred billion could be merely a drop in the bucket with no gains.”

“Three hundred billion?” Bai Yanchu pressed her lips and cast a cold glance at Ouyang Hong. “Do you think my money grows on the wind? Why would I need you if I had three hundred billion?”

“But—” Ouyang Hong’s expression changed.

“I’ll give you only ten billion,” Bai Yanchu cut him off again, “Ten billion to take over Dongyu Real Estate and become the largest shareholder. Can you do it or not?”

Ouyang Hong’s face turned pale. Staring blankly at Bai Yanchu’s captivating face, he felt an impulse to curse. He thought, if she wanted to fire me, just say it—no need to humiliate me like this. Ten billion to swallow Dongyu Real Estate? Did she think he was the CEO of Dongyu?

Yet, he dared not voice this thought.

At that moment, he heard Bai Yanchu ask, “I recall your file says you graduated from East Sea University of Finance and Economics with a master’s degree in market economics and studied abroad in Europe?”

“Yes,” Ouyang Hong nodded, puzzled by her sudden question, unsure of her intent.

[Note: I am working hard on the next chapter, but it’s a bit tricky. If the update isn’t posted by 11 p.m., please don’t wait any longer. I’ll keep trying; now, back to writing!]