As Yang Yi finished speaking and walked out, Fatty Lin and the others couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a hint of a smile flickering in their eyes. It seemed... they had just glimpsed the reason why Yang Yi had taken so long to come down.

Feng Shi, who had already straightened her clothes, noticed the looks from Fatty Lin's group. Her face flushed, and she quickened her pace, walking ahead to the car and opening the door for Yang Yi. She leaned in and whispered, "Young Master, on your neck..."

"Huh?" Yang Yi looked at her confusedly and instinctively touched his neck. Recalling what had just happened, a flicker of realization crossed his face. He glanced back at the guys standing there trying, but failing, to suppress their laughter, shot them a fierce glare, and vigorously rubbed the lingering kiss marks on his neck with both hands.

"Tsk, tsk!" Xu Ming let out a small sound while struggling to hold back his laughter.

This immediately earned him a sharp look from Fatty Lin beside him, who warned, "What are you laughing at? Hurry up and go! If Brother Yi gets angry, it won't be a joke."

"Right!" Xu Ming glanced at Yang Yi seated in the car and replied, "Got it. Let's go!"

Black Guard Film Co., Ltd. and Dragon Guard Entertainment Co., Ltd. officially opened for business today.

The opening day, whether for a major corporation or a small shop, holds immense significance. Therefore, the security detail and company personnel for these two launches were exceptionally solemn and rigorous.

The two companies were separated only by a street, with Black Guard Company directly opposite Dragon Guard Company. Consequently, the entire street separating the two establishments had been unexpectedly cordoned off to traffic for the day.

"Get serious and prepare immediately! When the Dragon Lord arrives, if he sees anything untoward, I will hold each of you personally responsible."

"Yes!" A crowd of men in sharp black suits and equally imposing women in professional attire, their hair neatly pinned up, responded in unison.

These individuals were undoubtedly high-ranking and junior members of the Black God Gang. Both the men and women present were qualified candidates for promotion to the Black God Guards, and transferring them from Jiangsu for this occasion was indeed a test.

However, as none of them had ever seen what the Black God Gang's Dragon Lord looked like, they could only meekly nod in response after hearing Long Yi's stern instructions.

"People with influence in the legitimate world really make things happen. They've actually managed to seal off this entire street today," Long Yi murmured to himself, a chilling smile playing on his lips as he surveyed the dark, deserted avenue.

Lights glittered green, festive lanterns filled the sky, streamers were scattered everywhere, and well-wishers streamed in ceaselessly. Although these companies were newly established and had virtually no track record in the business world yet, in an international metropolis like Shanghai, any new opening inevitably drew attention. Even strangers arrived bearing congratulatory gifts, all with the underlying motive of trying to forge a connection.

"These two companies are truly formidable. They’ve attracted so many people for just an opening ceremony, and even the Shanghai Public Security Bureau has shown up. This is no small matter!" A middle-aged man, the CEO of the Nakagawa Group, Nakagawa Tengjun, observed from inside a black sedan. He looked out at the crowds filling the entrances of the two companies.

"Indeed, Boss. Did you manage to get any information from Bureau Chief Zhou of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau yesterday?" a man in black asked Nakagawa Tengjun.

"Heh, I didn't get any specific intelligence. But Old Zhou did leave me with one statement: that the background of these two companies is anything but simple." Nakagawa Tengjun narrowed his eyes, appearing deeply intrigued by the two new firms.

"But, Boss, what are your plans?"

"What are my plans? Hmph, hmph!" Nakagawa Tengjun sneered. "I control half of Shanghai's economic lifeline. Even so, it’s not enough. I aim to monopolize all influence in Shanghai. So, you handle those two companies for me!"

"Understood, my subordinate. Given the reputation of the Nakagawa Group, I can't imagine they'd have any reason to refuse cooperation with us!" The man in black nodded, seemingly grasping Nakagawa Tengjun’s intent completely.

"Fifty percent of Shanghai's economy is in my hands, thirty percent is held by the Shangguan family, and the remaining twenty percent is currently fragmented. Since that's the case, we can seize this opportunity to swallow that portion too!" It had to be admitted that Nakagawa Tengjun was a shrewd businessman.

His true purpose for coming here today wasn't merely to gather intelligence or seek opportunistic alliances; his real goal was to bring these two companies, along with other smaller entities, into a large-scale partnership, aiming to catapult himself to a new economic peak in Shanghai—effectively controlling seventy percent of the economic lifeline.

"Yes, my subordinate will immediately dispatch people to make the necessary preparations," the man in black responded before pulling out his phone to make a call.

Just then, a stretched black Lincoln pulled up on the other side of the street. Before anyone even got out, Fatty Lin noticed something and exclaimed, "Brother Yi, could that possibly be...?"

"The one who rules half of Shanghai's economy, the CEO of Nakagawa Group Enterprise Co., Ltd.—Nakagawa Tengjun," Ye Xiaohou stated calmly, his hands clasped behind his back as he watched the middle-aged man inside the black car.

"I didn't expect the big fish to show up today, on our opening day," Xu Ming commented with a faint smile.

"The inevitable spectacle is always the most eye-catching. His presence here confirms his ambition. Who knows if this fellow intends to propose cooperation with us!" Yang Yi said, resting his chin in his hand, his expression laden with deeper meaning.

"Boss, I'm honestly confused about what you actually plan to do," Xu Ming asked, perplexed.

"Yes, me too," Ye Xiaohou added after a moment’s pause, analyzing the situation: "Shanghai's economy is fifty percent from Nakagawa Group, thirty percent from the Shangguan family, and the remaining twenty percent is scattered."

"No, you're wrong," Yang Yi interrupted Ye Xiaohou.

"Where am I wrong?" Ye Xiaohou asked, confused.

"Heh, the first seventy percent of the economic lifeline is practically in others' hands, but the remaining twenty percent is held by the Young Master," Feng Shi said with a cheerful smile before Yang Yi could speak, looking directly at Ye Xiaohou.

"Twenty percent held by the Boss?" Xu Ming sounded slightly surprised.

Yang Yi glanced at the group and explained, "Actually, when I returned from England, I had Yanran secretly acquire quite a few companies and win over several commercial titans. If not for that, do you think this many people would have shown up today?"

"Oh!" The group was momentarily stunned, then they all nodded in understanding: "So that's it!"

"However, Brother Yi! What are your plans now? Even with twenty percent of Shanghai's economy in your hands, there's still the Nakagawa Group and the Shangguan family..."

Before Fatty Lin could finish his question, Yang Yi cut him off. "Let's not worry about those for now. Third and Fourth, aren't you two going to hurry up and prepare? Make the atmosphere absolutely grand!"

"Alright!" Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou responded, got out of the car, and headed toward the company premises.

Watching the two depart, Fatty Lin seemed to hesitate, unable to contain himself. After enduring it for a while, he finally spoke, "Brother Yi!"

"What is it?" Yang Yi asked, looking at Fatty Lin curiously.

"Are you planning to cooperate with the Shangguan family?" Fatty Lin asked, seemingly having deciphered Yang Yi's true intention.

"Oh?" Yang Yi gave him a surprised look, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Why do you think that?"

"Given the current situation, we only have two choices: either we crush the Nakagawa Group entirely and monopolize seventy percent of Shanghai's economy, or we ally with the Shangguan family, using their influence to crush the Nakagawa Group instead. The first option is more costly, so I figured you must be intending to utilize the Shangguan family," Fatty Lin analyzed.

"Heh, not bad, Fatty. You’ve certainly gained insight in such a short time," Yang Yi said with a faint smile. "Actually, breaking the local tyrant that is the Nakagawa Group first wouldn't incur too great a loss, but the main reason is that I have no favorable feelings toward the Japanese, which is why I want to borrow the Shangguan family's economic strength to crush the Nakagawa Group."

"If we are to cooperate with the Shangguan family, we must first possess significant commercial capital. No wonder you wanted Third and Fourth to make today's spectacle as grand as possible. This way, the entire Huaxia will know these two companies made their name in Shanghai. Following that, cooperation projects and other opportunities will naturally follow."

"Exactly. I am currently walking two paths: the first is to develop the market myself, and the second is to attract everyone's attention, ensuring the Shangguan family also takes us seriously. Only then will we have the standing to negotiate with others," Yang Yi stated, a chilling glint in his eyes.

"Heh, Brother Yi, you have truly reached a realm where your methods are unexpected," Fatty Lin admitted. He wasn't just admiring Yang Yi anymore; as partners over many years, he had witnessed Yang Yi's growth every step of the way.

Coming from a remote mountain village, while fortune had certainly smiled upon them, could the Black God Gang have reached this point without a truly capable leader? The answer was obvious. Therefore, admiration was unnecessary; he could only gaze upon Yang Yi with reverence.

"Fatty, the road ahead of us is likely to be difficult," Yang Yi said, revealing an expression Feng Shi had never seen on him—one of profound melancholy.

Since leaving the mountains, Yang Yi had always maintained a demeanor, psychological state, and outward appearance focused solely on relentless ascent. For him to now release this air of sorrow—what did it signify? Feng Shi might not understand, but Fatty Lin knew it intimately.

....

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