Naturally very satisfied with the result, Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but sigh in relief, yet he didn’t show it too much, because he knew Qiao Chuxi must be very unhappy right now.
“So from now on, we’re family…”
Coughing dryly, Xiao Yufan said with an overly flattering tone, but he trailed off awkwardly when Qiao Chuxi shot him a murderous glare that made him shiver slightly. It seemed that to completely take control of Qiao Group, he still needed to win over this woman.
“Whoever says I’m your family? I only hope that Qiao Group can achieve maximum profit. If there comes a day when Huihuang can’t fulfill that, Qiao Group reserves the right to leave anytime…”
The more Qiao Chuxi discovered, the more powerless she felt in front of Xiao Yufan. This man seemed to have her completely under his thumb; no matter how much business talent she possessed, she couldn’t display even a fraction of it.
“There will never be such a day. I believe you’ll only feel grateful for your decision today!”
A faint, barely noticeable smirk curled Xiao Yufan’s lips. Thinking about Qiao Group’s operations in the north, he had a premonition that Huihuang would soon rise to the forefront of northern business circles.
“I hope so!”
Responding bitterly, Qiao Chuxi was too annoyed to deal with this conceited guy anymore. Wasn’t this bastard supposed to be excited about such a generous gift? Yet he showed no emotional reaction at all. She even began to question whether Xiao Yufan was a normal man.
“Do you have anything else to say? Why haven’t you left yet…”
After a while, Qiao Chuxi was still in the office, so Xiao Yufan asked, but immediately realized it sounded too much like he was trying to show her the door.
That did it. Before he even finished speaking, Qiao Chuxi’s face flushed slightly red, clearly getting angry…
“That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to ask if there’s anything else you need, Miss Qiao. If there is, I’d be more than happy to help!”
Xiao Yufan quickly corrected himself. Provoking this woman further at this moment would definitely be unwise. Who knew what might happen? As the saying goes, petty men and women are hard to please, especially smart women who are even harder to appease…
“You don’t need to explain; I know you don’t welcome me. But since Qiao Group has now joined Huihuang, naturally you can’t ignore matters concerning Qiao Group!”
After a long pause, Qiao Chuxi finally responded without letting her anger erupt. This restraint surprised Xiao Yufan, but if she waited to unleash it, it would definitely be a storm…
“Since Qiao Group and Huihuang are now in this together, we certainly won’t ignore anything. But I wonder, in Linjiang, is there anything Qiao Group can’t handle?”
At this point, Xiao Yufan could only act more attentive. At least he needed to get this “goddess” out of here before moving on to other matters…
“Although no one in Linjiang can threaten Qiao Group, it doesn’t mean there aren’t people outside Linjiang with intentions against us. If I’m not mistaken, the people who kidnapped me last time were the same ones behind this!”
Qiao Chuxi temporarily suppressed her anger, her expression turning slightly colder. Thinking back to how she had nearly been violated that day, she wished she could tear those people apart.
“Do you know who it was that targeted you…”
Xiao Yufan’s eyebrows subtly furrowed. If before he could choose to ignore it, now he had to get involved. If anything happened to Qiao Group, it would be a loss for him too.
“I have a rough idea who it was. I also know there are people within the Qiao family who have been secretly communicating with them. I’m pretty sure someone in my own family tipped them off during my return trip.”
“So it’s a case of betrayal from within. No wonder they knew Miss Qiao’s whereabouts so accurately. But that person isn’t your cousin, is it? He doesn’t seem like someone capable of such serious crimes…”
A strange smile appeared on Xiao Yufan’s face as he realized how pitiful this woman was—trying so hard to protect the Qiao family while being betrayed by her own relatives.
“Can’t you do something useful besides mocking me? It’s clear that someone has their eyes on Qiao Group. You wouldn’t let a bird already caught in your hands fly away, would you? So if you don’t act, then I guess there’s nothing I can do either!”
Qiao Chuxi really wanted to stay far away from this gloating guy, but she had no choice. Not only were those people’s forces no weaker than Qiao Group’s, but their underhanded methods were beyond her reach.
“Fine then. Just tell me who it is, and I’ll take care of them. Problem solved!”
“That company is Ansheng Securities in Zouping. They’re said to have connections with the Northern Consortium and have secretly committed countless crimes. This time they’ve targeted Qiao Group, and I’m afraid they won’t give up easily!”
Qiao Chuxi shot Xiao Yufan a fierce glare but didn’t take his words seriously, thinking he was just joking. If she knew Xiao Yufan actually had the capability to go there and eliminate them, she wouldn’t have said that…
“The Northern Consortium? Again them…”
Xiao Yufan’s eyes revealed a barely perceptible chill. Thinking of Situ Wenchang, he felt extremely annoyed. That guy had blacklisted him from the capital without even showing his face. If he ever met him, Xiao Yufan would definitely teach him a lesson.
“Do you have a grudge with the Northern Consortium?”
Detecting the implication in Xiao Yufan’s words, Qiao Chuxi hesitated. In her understanding, the Northern Consortium was a giant in the northern business world. If Huihuang had conflicts with them, things would get complicated.
“Not exactly a grudge. It’s just that there’s someone there I really hate. One day, I will crush the Northern Consortium under my feet, and that day won’t be far away!”
His expression was unusually confident yet not off-putting. Qiao Chuxi had wanted to laugh but couldn’t, because the determination in Xiao Yufan’s eyes was so genuine. With the Situ Family’s power, it wouldn’t be difficult for Huihuang to establish itself in the north.
Even without being in the capital, Qiao Chuxi could already sense the immense strength of the Situ Family, proving how deep their resources ran. In the business world, this was a symbol…
“So do you intend to help Qiao Group or not? If not, then…”
“Did I ever say I wouldn’t help?” Xiao Yufan countered. This arrogant woman was indeed too proud. Couldn’t she say one gentle word? Yet as he responded, he clearly noticed Qiao Chuxi’s expression soften slightly.
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