I pulled out my bank card and said, "Take this. I probably won't need it once I go to the countryside. Bring me back some corn seeds when you can; I'll clear a field and be self-sufficient."

Li Qi smiled, tucking the card away. "You mentioning it just reminded me. You're only allowed to take one month's living expenses when you leave, and absolutely no money from illegal channels. Self-reliance has to look the part. I'll tell the others at home to watch out for that. Come on, Nini, let Zhao Qian study alone."

Hmph, I refuse to believe that. I can survive perfectly fine without a single cent. Just wait and see—I’ll show all of them.

Just before noon, Elina called. She actually wanted to treat me to a meal. Considering how low-profile she’d been lately, perhaps she felt apologetic for occupying me for half a year, thus giving more time to the other women.

When I arrived at the hotel, I discovered two others were accompanying her: Fang Yanmeng and Xu Jing. It seemed Elina didn't share any special affection with them; if anything, she was closest to Long Nü.

Since we all knew the score, greetings involved embraces and ahem, after some perfunctory pleasantries, I asked Elina, "Why the sudden invitation to dinner? You could have just cooked for me at home."

Elina shrugged. "Too bad I can't cook. Besides, we have official business to discuss today."

Fang Yanmeng, being the most impatient, urged, "Nana, don't keep us in suspense. We aren't outsiders. Why call for me and Sister Jing? It’s not just to watch you two cuddle, is it?"

Elina laughed instead. "Mengmeng, weren't you the one clinging to Zhao Qian just moments ago? Actually, little sister does have a matter where I need the help of all three of you."

Fang Yanmeng, Xu Jing, and I were taken aback; her words sounded rather formal. Xu Jing gave me a meaningful look. At this moment, it was naturally up to me, the head of the household, to speak. "Nana, what is it? Why the formality? Do you not consider me your husband anymore?"

"Husband is husband, business is business, and private life is separate. If it were my personal matter, of course, I could be coy and rely on you. But this concerns my father, so the atmosphere needs to be more serious."

I was stunned. "Your father's business? Your father is the King of Ships in Country M—what could possibly be wrong?"

"You're safe, and I never collected the ten billion from him. Did he perhaps sneak back to the prehistoric era by himself?"

Elina managed a wry smile. "How could my father return to the prehistoric era? Do you think time travel is as easy as eating a meal? Here’s the thing: my father’s shipping company is on the verge of collapse."

I was even more surprised. "Impossible. Country M lost a vast number of warships in the East Pacific naval battles. Your father's shipbuilding business should have seen a massive boom."

Elina sighed. "Theoretically, yes, but in reality, your operations are swallowing my father's shipyards whole."

I glanced at Fang Yanmeng and Xu Jing. Elina inviting them meant this matter naturally concerned them too. Although William built warships and ran transport for Country M, out of respect for Elina, I didn't want to humiliate him too severely. After all, my bond with Elina over the last six months had been incredibly deep, especially my profound reliance on her bosom. As long as a compromise could be reached, there was no need to push things to the absolute limit.

Fang Yanmeng looked crestfallen as she explained to me, "Brother Zhao Qian, I truly have no choice. Our Great Earth Energy has its own maritime transport fleet, and our external business has expanded rapidly over the past six months. Our vessels carry immense tonnage with zero risk, so cargo owners naturally choose us over Nana’s family transport ships. As for shipbuilding, they might complete one commercial vessel in a year or two; we finish several in a week, and ours are of superior quality and lower cost. Countless companies in the same industry have gone bankrupt due to our competition. This is simply the nature of the market economy, and it is outside my direct control."

Xu Jing added, "Taohua Finance, working with Pan-American Media, has extremely broad investments in Country M, covering real estate, securities, and holding companies. Any company that Mengmeng and Chu Chu deem valuable, we acquire. These companies are usually handed directly to them for reorganization without passing through my desk. In this process, it’s inevitable that many of Nana’s family subsidiaries have become entangled."

Feeling helpless, I could only say to Elina, "Nana, how about this: I will personally compensate your father for his losses. As for the acquired companies, consider that equivalent to cash. Have Jingjing make a rough estimate later, and I will double the compensation for you."

Fang Yanmeng interjected dramatically, "Sister Nana, you are so fortunate! Your husband is truly beyond reproach. I’m telling you, he has mountains of money now. Rumor has it that yesterday, Yuqing helped him sell another 'worthless' trinket, worth probably tens of millions. You could ask him for tens of billions, and he wouldn't blink."

Elina waved her hands dismissively. "You've all misunderstood. I didn't call this meeting to reprimand anyone, nor do I want my husband to pay my father compensation. In fact, my father owes him a great deal of money."

My father, Fang Yanmeng, and Xu Jing asked in unison, "Then what is your intention?"

Elina replied, "I want to take over my family's remaining assets completely, just to stop my father from being unhappy every day. It’s better to give him a short, sharp pain now. Who told him to take advantage of the offer when you said you didn't need the ten billion?"

The two women cried out together, "Oh, Nana, you're turning against us!"

Elina defended herself, "You shouldn't say that. When you marry a rooster, you follow the rooster; when you marry a dog, you follow the dog. You must distinguish clearly between inside and outside now."

Fang Yanmeng and Xu Jing looked deeply remorseful. "Oh my, Nana, thank goodness you reminded us. Otherwise, we would have made a fundamental error. We never imagined a girl from Country M like you would have such insight. Husband, it is truly your fortune to have met her."

I coughed, adopting a serious tone. "Since Mr. William's assets will eventually fall under the Zhao family banner, why not grant Nana's request now and let her father retire early? You three can discuss the details and handle it. I'm heading to the countryside tomorrow, so you needn't report any further matters to me."

Elina then added, "One more thing. Do you remember what you promised me six thousand years ago?"

I thought for a moment. "Remind me; I've forgotten with so much going on."

Elina said, "You promised to provide us with the best archaeological conditions so that He Yuqing and I could conduct the South China Sea excavations."

"That’s it? That’s simple. I'll have Little Yu Di arrange your submarine access, and Tiger will handle security. Just don't forget to set aside a share for me if you dig up anything valuable in the future."

Elina laughed instead. "Don't even think about it. We've all discussed it, and the majority agreed that you should go to the countryside empty-handed, and we'll watch how you struggle and strive to return in glory. We've all bet on your success; don't disappoint us."

Sweat. It turned out they all shared this mindset. Did they doubt my ability to start from scratch? Then I really must put on a show and not let them think I’m just an ornamental flower vase, useless in a real test. I found myself genuinely looking forward to my departure. I wonder what that place will be like. Will life as a minor civil servant be leisurely? How should I leverage the local conditions to build my foundation...