Zhao Yougen never imagined that calling the TV station to stir up some trouble for Li Yundong would turn into an impromptu Aobao gathering for the latter; this left Zhao Yougen with the nauseating feeling of having swallowed a housefly.

Yet, miraculously, Li Yundong seemed unaware that the seven men who had been kneeling there earlier were the very ones Zhao Yougen had secretly hired.

The thought made Zhao Yougen wipe a cold sweat from his brow. When he first saw those thugs kneeling at his shop door that morning, he was so frightened he nearly bolted. If not for the sizable crowd already gathering, he likely would have vanished into thin air.

"This scoundrel! Why must he always cross me!" Zhao Yougen ground his teeth, never once considering that he was the instigator of these events, nor feeling even a shred of guilt—only frustration and a burning sense of failure.

However, having suffered two severe lessons, Zhao Yougen completely abandoned the notion of hiring thugs to cause trouble. He began scheming how to inject chaos into Li Yundong’s opening celebration, hoping to sabotage the launch so thoroughly that he’d wake up smiling that night.

What Zhao Yougen truly longed for, though, was to open his own shop before Li Yundong. That way, he could witness the envy and jealousy in the other man’s eyes, especially if Li Yundong’s own opening turned out bleakly quiet, allowing Zhao Yougen to openly mock and ridicule the young whippersnapper who constantly annoyed him.

But as things stood, this desire was rapidly fading into a mere fantasy.

Li Yundong handling renovations with a crew of beautiful women was supposed to be a laughingstock, yet Zhao Yougen couldn't manage a single chuckle because their progress rate was three times that of the professional workers! In a single day, they accomplished what the professionals would take three days to do!

This was utterly, unbelievably impossible!

Zhao Yougen’s teeth ached with hatred, but he was utterly helpless. He desperately did not want to see the shop across the street holding its opening ceremony while his own was still under construction.

"I, a prominent entrepreneur in this city, am being bested by a mere boy!" Zhao Yougen paced frantically inside his shop like a caged beast.

Just as his agitation peaked, a woman walked into his doorway. She stood at the entrance and stated in a deep voice, "Is Zhao Yougen here?"

Since achieving success, no one had dared to address him by his full name; even the mayor addressed him deferentially as President Zhao. Being called out by name by a woman instantly enraged him. "Who is it?"

He turned to see an exquisitely graceful woman standing at the threshold. Not only was she beautiful, but her demeanor exuded an air of condescending hauteur, as if a higher life form were looking down upon lesser beings.

Zhao Yougen had seen many beautiful women, but ever since his first encounter with unparalleled beauties like Su Chan and Ziyuan—women who seemed too exquisite to approach—he could no longer tolerate the heavily made-up women who reeked of the streets.

Seeing this newcomer, he sensed an aura strikingly similar to Ziyuan and the others. Her gaze held a cold, lofty pity, as if they were gods, and he, the so-called entrepreneur, was merely an insignificant insect.

In response to Zhao Yougen's sharp inquiry, the woman let out a cold scoff and remained silent.

Zhao Yougen intensely disliked the feeling, but he knew such a haughty temperament couldn't be faked; it had to be cultivated over years. Only true powerhouses possessed such an aura. Especially this woman before him—the arrogance in her eyes made Zhao Yougen feel as if he were standing on her territory, and every word she offered was a benevolent bestowal.

Zhao Yougen suppressed his rising displeasure and asked in a low voice, "Who are you?"

Only then did the woman properly appraise Zhao Yougen, her disdain completely unconcealed, as if she considered associating with someone like him beneath her. She spat two words from between her lips coldly: "Zou Ping." As if uttering more would be a waste.

Zhao Yougen’s brow furrowed. He replied in kind, "Do you need something?"

Zou Ping glanced around the shop Zhao Yougen was renovating, scoffed, and stated, "You have a feud with Li Yundong?"

Zhao Yougen instantly grew wary. "What makes you say that? He’s just a college student who hasn't even graduated. What grudge could I possibly have with him?"

Zou Ping sneered, "You, an entrepreneur, opening a tea shop right next to his, choosing the exact same business model. Do you take me for a fool?"

Zhao Yougen’s heart pounded. Could she be here to defend that bastard Li Yundong?

Zhao Yougen braced himself and said, "What do you want? Hey, let me tell you, this is broad daylight; don't try anything rash!"

Zou Ping observed Zhao Yougen’s outward bluster masking his inner fear and let out a contemptuous snort. "Don't be afraid. I'm just asking if you have an issue with him? Because I have a bit of an issue with him too, and I was wondering if I could cause him some trouble through you."

Only then did Zhao Yougen relax. A secret delight flared within him, but the woman's cold contempt had severely wounded his pride. He frowned and said, "I don't need your help. You should leave."

Zou Ping snorted, a cold smile playing on her lips. "At your current renovation speed, you’ll barely finish by next year!"

That sentence struck Zhao Yougen’s raw nerve. He snorted, stiffening his neck in silence.

Zou Ping chuckled wickedly. "How about this? I'll finish your renovations for you. I guarantee I'll be faster than Li Yundong, definitely not slower!"

Zhao Yougen froze, staring at Zou Ping with suspicion. "You?!"

The foreman and workers renovating the shop overheard Zou Ping’s words and exploded in fury, clustering around her. They shouted, "You interfering shrew, what are you saying? Can't you see we’re in charge of this project? Where are you from? Trying to steal our job right in front of us! Have you no shame? Watch it, or I’ll slap you!"

Zou Ping acted as if she hadn't heard them, her icy gaze fixed solely on Zhao Yougen. "Don't believe me?"

Zhao Yougen shook his head. "I don't believe it!"

Zou Ping gave a cold snort. She flicked her toe, casually scooping up a sledgehammer from the floor. Then, with a sharp clench of her five fingers, she tossed it directly into Zhao Yougen’s hands.

Zhao Yougen fumbled to catch it. When he looked down, he let out a sharp gasp!

On the massive sledgehammer, Zou Ping had forcibly imprinted five distinct finger indentations—the fingerprints were clearly visible!

The nearby construction workers crowded over curiously, and their faces instantly turned pale with fright. One skeptical worker snatched the hammer, felt it, and only after confirming in his hands that it was indeed solid steel did he finally believe it. He looked back at Zou Ping, utterly terrified, as if facing a demon.

Zhao Yougen stammered, "Who—who exactly are you?"

Zou Ping scoffed. "It's none of your business who I am. You only need to answer me: Agreed or disagreed?"

The foreman, though frightened, stood forward stiffly, determined not to have his job snatched away by Zou Ping. However, he dared not confront her again, turning instead to plead with Zhao Yougen, "President Zhao, we already signed a contract. Regarding this matter..."

Zhao Yougen considered it, then stated decisively, "I will pay you your due!" He then turned to Zou Ping, "How much money do you want?"

Zou Ping burst into loud laughter. "Money? Do I look like someone who lacks money? I just can't stand this guy. Otherwise, do you think I'd bother speaking to you?"

Zhao Yougen was furious but suppressed his anger. "Then how can you guarantee you can finish before they do?"

Zou Ping let out a cold laugh. "No guarantee needed. Believe me, or don't. I don't care!" With that, she turned and walked toward the door.

Zhao Yougen’s expression shifted rapidly between anger and indecision. Just as Zou Ping reached the door and was about to exit, he suddenly shouted, "Fine! I believe you! When do you start?"

Zou Ping called back without turning around, "This afternoon! You better prepare a lively opening ceremony, or I'll tear this shop down!"

Then, she swept out.

Zhao Yougen watched her retreating figure, grinding his teeth in hatred. He suddenly felt that the young man named Li across the street wasn't so detestable after all; it was this woman who was unbearably arrogant!

While Zhao Yougen and Zou Ping were secretly plotting in the shop, Zhou Qin, who was cultivating at home, suddenly heard her phone ringing.

She exhaled a long breath, clearly expelling a plume of white vapor. Unlike Li Yundong’s vapor, however, hers wasn't condensed; hers shot out like an arrow for ten meters before dissipating, whereas hers scattered immediately after just two or three meters.

Zhou Qin stood up, picked up her phone, and frowned. A familiar name flashed on the screen: Zhou Keqiang. It was her father.

Zhou Qin hesitated, debating whether to answer, but before she could decide, the ringing abruptly stopped. A moment later, a text message arrived.

Zhou Qin opened it. It read: Qinqin, I have something very important to tell you. Return immediately! Zhou Keqiang.

Zhou Qin’s brow knitted tighter. She knew her father never spoke empty words or exaggerations. If he said it was important, it must be truly crucial. Furthermore, she hadn't contacted home in days, and her father’s silence indicated great tolerance and forgiveness for her recent willfulness.

Zhou Qin bit her lip lightly, clutching her phone hesitantly. After a moment, she turned, grabbed a coat for going out, and hurried out the door.

Although her relationship with her father had always been cold, even twisted, he was still her father. Especially regarding Li Yundong, she had acted with extreme capriciousness, even gambling away her entire family's political standing, and yet her father hadn't overtly blamed her.

Zhou Qin felt a degree of guilt about this.

Carrying a mix of worry and confusion, Zhou Qin soon arrived home. Upon entering, she found two silver-haired elders sitting in the spacious living room. One was her father; the other was Secretary Li Yuanbo of the Provincial Party Committee, who had once generously intervened to resolve the long-standing feud between the Zhou and He families.

The two men, both past fifty, exchanged a glance when they saw Zhou Qin. They simultaneously stubbed out the cigarettes they were holding. Zhou Keqiang spoke with a grave expression: "Qinqin, come here. I have something extremely important to ask you. You must answer truthfully!"

Although Zhou Keqiang had stepped down from power, he was undeniably a high-ranking official, and his words carried the inherent authority and bearing of a superior. Zhou Qin’s heart began to pound nervously. She wondered with apprehension: What matter could necessitate such solemnity?