That evening, Li Ziqing returned home after a long and exhausting day. The house was still empty—quiet and dim—indicating that the others had yet to return.
She slipped off her shoes, let out a weary sigh, and collapsed onto the sofa. Without wasting a moment, she retrieved the stack of documents she had spent the entire day collecting and organizing.
It had been nonstop since morning. Her first stop was the administrative bureau to renew the food safety permit. Fortunately, the fire safety and hygiene permits were already included with the property deeds—leftover from the previous restaurant owner, saving her one bureaucratic hassle.
Next, she made her way to a local internet café, where she painstakingly taught herself how to draft a formal business module. The day's labor left her both mentally and physically drained, and it was only then that she realized how inconvenient life was without a mobile phone or home internet access. At present, only her mother and uncle had mobile phones.
"I'll buy one tomorrow," she muttered to herself, making a mental note. Not just for herself—but four laptops as well. One for each family member. Her mother and uncle could learn the basics of using a laptop with her younger brother's help. As for her brother, he could finally quit his part-time job at the internet café and focus on developing his game from the comfort of home.
A faint smile tugged at her lips at the thought.
After carefully organizing her notes, she finalized the first draft of the Company's Articles of Association—a crucial step in the registration process. It included the company name, business scope, registered capital, shareholder details and responsibilities, and the overall organizational structure. It was enough to submit to the Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC) for preliminary approval.
Just as she finished writing the final line, a mechanical voice chimed in her mind.
[Ding… Daily mission: "Begin the company registration process" – Completed.]
For any organization to thrive, especially under an ambitious leader, one needs a loyal and capable assistant. Someone to help manage responsibilities, time, and strategic direction. In today's fast-paced world, multitasking alone is inefficient. Therefore, the system is awarding a Personal Summoning Coupon.]
Li Ziqing blinked.
"A new type of reward?" she murmured, sitting up straighter.
[Ding… Correct. A Personal Summoning Coupon is a unique reward that allows the host to summon a highly qualified individual tailored to the host's current needs. The system uses an advanced profiling algorithm based on job requirements, experience, loyalty, and long-term compatibility. Only top-tier candidates are selected.]
"A real person? You're saying I can summon a person using this coupon?" she asked, stunned.
Intrigued and a little skeptical, Li Ziqing activated the coupon. The system's interface shifted, transforming into what resembled a digital résumé.
---
Name: Zhou Yichen
English Name: Ethan Zhou
Age: 30
Origin: Shanghai, China
Current Location: Singapore
Education:
Harvard Business School – MBA in Strategic Business Management
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – Doctorate in Global Business Innovation & Analytics
Professional Experience:
Former CEO, Aurelius International Holdings, Singapore
Languages: Mandarin (Native), English (Fluent), French (Conversational)
Specializations: Strategic expansion, cross-border mergers, crisis management, and start-up acceleration in emerging markets
---
Li Ziqing's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Zhou Yichen? The same Zhou Yichen who led Aurelius to the Fortune 500 list in just four years?" she whispered, heart racing.
She stared at the profile. Harvard. MIT. A former CEO. And not just any CEO—one who built an empire in record time. Such a person could single-handedly shake the business world just by entering the job market.
"System… you're telling me he is going to work for me? As a secretary? I haven't even officially registered the company yet! This is absurd! Did you… did you blackmail him?" she asked, half-joking, half-terrified.
[Ding… The system does not engage in coercion, manipulation, or illegal activities. The individual has been selected based on compatibility and mission parameters. For any further concerns, Host may ask him directly upon arrival.]
Li Ziqing remained frozen, her gaze fixed on the glowing profile. She could hardly believe her eyes.
After a long silence, she finally exhaled. "Alright… system. Summon him."
[Ding… Personal Summoning Coupon activated. Target will arrive tomorrow.]
---
Wuhan City Hospital – Evening
"Did you find her?"
The woman's voice trembled with urgency. Dressed in a pale yellow blouse and white slacks, her face was drawn tight with worry as she sat by the hospital bed, pating her daughter's bald forehead. The little girl lay there, still and pale, her eyelids half-closed, lips dry and colorless. She looked almost lifeless.
Tears welled up in the woman's eyes as she whispered brokenly, "My baby… How much longer does she have to suffer?"
The man standing beside the bed remained unusually quiet. Dressed in a sharp black suit, his features were stern and composed—too composed. He wore frameless glasses, and his clean buzz cut gave him a refined and calculated aura. At first glance, he seemed cold, disconnected. But his faintly trembling hands and the flicker of restrained emotion in his eyes betrayed the turmoil within.
He looked at his wife, then at the fragile little girl, and finally said in a low, firm voice, "I found her. I have all the information. I'm going now. Personally."
His wife's eyes widened. "Now? It's almost eight. Is it… is it really okay to just show up at someone's house like this?"
He didn't respond. She hesitated. Logic wrestled with emotion. But watching her daughter lying helpless, her heart clenched. Greed for a miracle overcame reason.
"Go," she said hoarsely. "Please request her properly."
The man nodded once. Without another word, he turned and strode out of the hospital.
---
Northern District – Around 9 PM
It was a typical late-summer evening in the northern district of Wuhan. The air was humid but comfortable, filled with the smells of grilled skewers and stir-fried vegetables from nearby food stalls. Children were playing in the narrow lanes, shrieking with laughter as they chased a tattered football. Elderly folks sat on low stools under flickering streetlights, fanning themselves and gossiping idly about this and that. Young couples walked hand in hand, enjoying the calm after dinner.
Just then, a low, rumbling hum cut through the quiet buzz of the neighborhood.
A gleaming black Hongqi sedan, flying a small red flag on the hood, slowly made its way into the district. Its polished body reflected the neon signs and lanterns along the street. The luxury car stood out like a crane among chickens.
All at once, people stopped what they were doing.
Heads turned.
Chatter ceased.
Even the kids chasing the ball came to a halt, wide-eyed.
"A Hongqi?" someone whispered. "Isn't that the car used by high-ranking officials?"
The windows remained shut as the car moved forward steadily—authoritative, intimidating. Curious onlookers followed at a distance, whispering excitedly. Mothers tugged at their children's hands, keeping them close but craning their necks to get a better look.
Outside the neighborhood convenience store, a group of middle-aged women were seated on plastic chairs, drinking iced herbal tea and fanning themselves. The car came to a slow stop beside them. The tinted driver's side window rolled down with a soft mechanical hum.
A suited driver leaned out, speaking in a respectful tone, "Excuse me, do you know where Li Jianfang lives?"
The women blinked in surprise.
Then, almost in unison, they exchanged meaningful glances. Of course they knew her.
"Ah… Li Jianfang?" one woman finally said, smiling slyly. "Turn left at the end of the alley, then take the second right. Her house is the one with the big pomegranate tree in front."
"Thank you," the driver nodded and rolled the window back up.
As the car drove away, the women burst into a flurry of whispers.
"That's a Hongqi! I saw it in a news clip once—it's used by senior officials!"
"Why would someone like that be looking for Li Jianfang?"
"Hmph, not long ago, another man showed up in a million-yuan luxury car just to see her. Now this? Looks like her luck is turning!"
"But isn't she just running a food stall?"
"Her cooking is divine. But let's be honest, it's her face that really brings the crowd. That kind of beauty… it's rare."
The gossiping grew louder.
A few of the women glanced toward the edge of the group, where a large woman sat in silence on a rickety wooden chair.
Her features were harsh, with high cheekbones and a fierce scowl permanently etched onto her face. She was tall and solid, built like a wall, with heavy arms folded across her chest. People in the neighborhood called her "Dashan" behind her back—the Mountain.
One of the women suddenly turned toward her and asked, "Lihua, what's going on with your sister-in-law these days?"
All eyes turned to her. Chen Lihua, second sister-in-law of Li Jianfang, stared unblinking at the retreating black car as it turned slowly down the alley.
The muscles in her jaw tightened. Then, with a loud scrape of wood against concrete, she stood up.
"Hmph," she scoffed, voice dripping with disdain. "Same old slut, still parading around like a phoenix. Let's go see which man she's seducing this time."
---
After dinner, the entire Li family gathered in the modest yet warm living room. A ceiling fan creaked softly overhead, stirring the stillness of the summer night.
Li Ziqing sat cross-legged on the old wooden sofa, tapping through some documents spread across the tea table. "Mom," she began, her voice calm but focused, "did you tell Grandpa An's eldest son about the demolition?"
Li Jianfang, who was carefully folding the dinner cloth, nodded. "I did. His wife was a little hesitant at first when she heard about the demolition, but her husband..." she smiled faintly, "he couldn't care less. The moment I mentioned the 2 million compensation, he nearly cried. He just kept thanking me over and over."
"He deserves it," Li Ziqing said with a small nod.
"By the way, Mom," Li Zian chimed in with a grin as he pulled out a small red velvet box. "Look what I got today—the official company seal for Huiheng Group!"
He opened the box and held up the bright red, circular seal. It bore the Chinese characters for "辉恒集团有限责任公司" (Huiheng Group Co., Ltd.), carved neatly into the surface with a serial number along the side. The round seal gleamed faintly under the ceiling light—solid, official, and a symbol of legitimacy.
"I've also submitted the application for our tax certificate and opened a company bank account," he continued. "The bank account should be ready in a week. But for the tax certificate, we'll need to hand in the AIC-approved company registration information first."
Li Ziqing nodded approvingly. "I've already finished drafting the Company's Articles of Association. We can submit them first thing tomorrow and move forward."
They were still immersed in their discussion when a sudden, loud knock on the door interrupted them.
Knock-knock-knock.
Everyone froze.
Li Jianfang frowned slightly. "Who could it be at this hour?"
Li Jianping put down his tea cup and walked cautiously toward the door. The rest of the family followed him with their eyes. Visitors weren't common this late in their quiet neighborhood.
He opened the door—then immediately stood still, stiff like a statue.
At the doorstep stood a tall man in a tailored black suit. He wore frameless glasses and had a refined aura about him—his buzz cut clean and neat, his posture straight and imposing. His expression was calm, but his presence was anything but ordinary.
"Good evening," the man said politely, his voice smooth and dignified. "Is this the residence of Ms. Li Jianfang?"
But Li Jianping could only gape at him, mouth slightly open, words lost to the wind.
"Xiao Ping, who is it?" Li Jianfang's voice came from behind, confused.
Still no answer.
Li Ziqing narrowed her eyes and got up, followed closely by the others. As soon as they reached the doorway, they, too, were taken aback by the sight.