Chen Yu stepped into the suite, the doors closing behind him with a soft thud. Dressed in a tailored dark suit, his presence exuded quiet dominance — like someone who didn't need to prove himself to be feared.
Lin Qianhong was already there, standing near the window. The skyline framed her like a portrait — graceful, sharp, and commanding.
"You're early," she said without turning, voice cool.
"You seem surprised," Chen Yu replied, his footsteps unhurried. "I don't like wasting time. Especially when the clock's ticking for both of us."
She finally turned, her sharp eyes studying him like a hawk eyeing prey.
"You bought six percent of my company just to get here," she said. "Is this your version of a flex?"
"I call it investment," Chen Yu said, settling into the chair across from her. "But I didn't come for six percent. I came for sixty."
Her lips twitched. "You've got some nerve."
"And one billion won," he said, sliding the contract file across the table. "I become the majority shareholder. You stay on as CEO, retain full executive power, and I provide capital, strategy, and protection from your vultures."
Lin Qianhong opened the file, scanning through the details. Her expression tightened.
"You did your homework."
"I study what I buy," Chen Yu said, calm and assertive. "And I don't lose what I own."
"You're offering a lifeline. But what's the real cost?"
Chen Yu leaned back slightly. "Trust. Efficiency. And staying out of my way when I make moves that don't concern you."
Her fingers lingered on the paper.
"You could've just negotiated with my board," she said slowly.
"I don't talk to the deadweight," Chen Yu replied. "I talk to the people who move things. You."
There was a brief silence. The weight in the room shifted.
Lin Qianhong closed the file.
"You're arrogant."
"I'm right," Chen Yu said. "And you know it. Your company's been bleeding from five fronts — banks, old shareholders, media pressure, and dirty politics. Let me cauterize the wound before it kills the body."
Her gaze narrowed, but the confidence in his tone made her hesitate.
"You stay out of internal HR. I get full authority over expansion and restructuring," she said.
"Done," Chen Yu said, offering a hand.
After a beat, she took it. Her grip was firm.
"Alright," she said. "You have your sixty percent."
Chen Yu smiled faintly. "Welcome to a new era."
LATER – IN THE ELEVATOR
As the doors closed behind him, Chen Yu pulled out his phone and called Meiyun.
She answered quickly. "Yu-ge?"
"Call Shield Security. Have them assign a team to discreetly monitor all my business properties and staff."
Meiyun paused. "Is something wrong?"
"I don't know yet," he said, voice low. "But I've had this feeling lately… like someone's watching us."
"…Alright. I'll get it done tonight."
"Thanks," he said, then hung up.
His eyes darkened as the elevator descended.
SURVEILLANCE VAN NEARBY
Across the street, inside a black van equipped with high-end surveillance gear, Qin Xuelin, young master of the Qin Family's main branch, watched the suite's feed in silence.
His assistant frowned. "His presence… it changed the room."
"It wasn't just words," Xuelin murmured. "That pressure… That's not ordinary charisma. It's the kind of command that comes from something deeper."
"Should we stop him?"
"No," Xuelin said. "Let him grow. Let's see what kind of dragon he becomes."
"But what if he turns against us?"
Xuelin's gaze never left the screen.
"Then we find out whether he's worth keeping alive… or if we cut him down before he takes flight."
NIGHT – CHEN YU'S PENTHOUSE BALCONY
The city lights glowed beneath the dark sky as Chen Yu leaned against the railing, a coffee in hand.
His phone buzzed.
Zhao Lingyun.
Zhao Lingyun: So... you met with Lin Qianhong?Zhao Lingyun: Impressive. But I don't like sharing the spotlight.
Chen Yu chuckled.
[Chen Yu]: It was business.[Chen Yu]: You, on the other hand, are something else entirely.
There was a pause.
Zhao Lingyun: Just remember — you still owe me that rooftop dinner.
[Chen Yu]: I haven't forgotten. I'll make it happen soon.
She replied instantly.
Zhao Lingyun: You better. I'm not always this patient.Zhao Lingyun: …And I'm starting to think I like you more than I should.
Chen Yu stared at her message, a quiet smile forming before he pocketed the phone.
The wind brushed his hair. But in his mind, there was no peace.
Someone was moving in the dark. Watching. Waiting.
But that was fine.
Let them watch.
Let them wait.
By the time they made their move, it would already be too late.
QIN FAMILY MAIN HALL
Qin Zhengyang listened as Xuelin delivered his report.
"He took control of Han Financial. Sixty percent stake for a billion. All clean. All legal. And the CEO accepted the deal."
The Patriarch was silent for a moment.
"He's not using his family name, maybe he is not aware yet about his family, He's not leaning on legacy. And yet he moves faster than most seasoned titans."
"He's dangerous," an elder muttered.
"Or necessary," Qin Zhengyang said.
Xuelin nodded slightly. "If we don't win him over… we may end up standing against him."
The Patriarch looked out into the courtyard beyond the hall.
"Then prepare both paths," he said. "One to greet him as a future ally. The other… to end him if we must."