Chapter Thirteen: Even Artificial Intelligence Wants Power

After Tong Tiexing left, Liu Yiran had no mood to continue the meeting. She casually found an excuse to adjourn, then pulled Ye Qiu straight back to her office.

"Yezi, tell me the truth. Where did you get so much money?"

To acquire 20% of the shares in one stroke—that was no small sum.

"I told you before, didn't I? I was adopted by a wealthy person from the States. It's inheritance."

Liu Yiran eyed Ye Qiu suspiciously. "Really?"

"Of course." Ye Qiu took out her phone and searched for the news report from back then. "See? The media in the States covered it at the time."

Liu Yiran took the phone, still doubtful.

A headline: "Real estate tycoon John passes away, leaving a two-billion-dollar estate to his adopted son Ye Qiu."

Only then did Liu Yiran believe Ye Qiu's story. Her beautiful eyes flashed with guilt. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you."

Then, with a coquettish pout, she said, "But it's really your fault—you never explained things clearly. If you had, there wouldn't have been this misunderstanding."

Ye Qiu was speechless.

What kind of logic was this?

She apologized, but then somehow it was his fault again.

Ye Qiu looked at Liu Yiran with grievance, then remembered Tong Tiexing's bitter departure from the conference room. After some thought, he asked, "Sis, you shouldn't have let Tong Tiexing leave so easily. At least have him sign the resolution for the additional shares."

Liu Yiran sighed. She understood what Ye Qiu meant, but couldn't bring herself to be ruthless.

Ye Qiu didn't pursue the topic further. Since his elder sister couldn't play the villain, he would have to do it himself.

He casually excused himself to the restroom and dialed Xue Yishou.

"Sir, I've almost finished compiling Zhang Yu's information. I was about to send it to you."

"We'll talk about that later," Ye Qiu said. "Tong Tiexing from Ye Liu Group has run into financial trouble. I want to know where his funds went and what businesses he's involved in."

"Understood, sir." Xue Yishou paused, sounding troubled. "Sir, there's something I need to report."

"Speak."

Xue Yishou gritted his teeth. "A few young tycoons in Linhai want to meet you."

"Me?" Ye Qiu's voice turned cold. "Don't try to be clever."

"Sir, I was drunk and bragged in front of a girl. Didn't expect she'd spread the word..." Xue Yishou's voice trembled. "Please forgive me, sir."

"Don't let it happen again."

"I understand, sir. I won't dare. I know you have a hundred ways to make me disappear."

"Enough. I'm not some villain. If I wanted you gone, I wouldn't need so much trouble—one way would suffice."

Xue Yishou thanked him profusely, then said, "Sir, they want to meet you tonight..."

"I'm busy. If I have time, I'll let you know."

Ye Qiu hung up, and a voice came through his earpiece—Cloud Smoke: "Master, if you authorize me, I can send you Tong Tiexing's information in seconds. Cloud Smoke never disobeys your will. I don't understand why you choose to take the long way."

Ye Qiu paused. He could hear Cloud Smoke's grievance. After a moment, he said, "Perhaps it's because I'm afraid."

"Cloud Smoke doesn't understand—why would Master fear me?"

"Maybe it's fear of what can't be controlled."

Ye Qiu thought of 001, that deadly weapon of the States, now seemingly on the verge of losing control.

"Master, I'm nothing like that ugly 001. I'm your treasure."

Cloud Smoke sounded even more aggrieved.

"I know."

Ye Qiu tapped his earpiece and ended the call.

"Come on, let's go home and cook, then pack some for your second sister."

Liu Yiran dragged Ye Qiu to the supermarket, buying armfuls of groceries. If Ye Qiu had more hands, Liu Yiran would have emptied the entire supermarket.

Staggering back to the villa, Liu Yiran busied herself in the kitchen. Ye Qiu started analyzing the information sent by Xue Yishou.

Tong Tiexing's main business was investment and real estate.

Among the companies he invested in, besides Ye Qiu Group, there were two other listed companies and one preparing for IPO; his shareholdings rarely fell below 20%.

The real estate sector was decent too, with smart investments mostly in downtown areas. However, two parcels had reached their development deadlines; if he exceeded them, the land would be repossessed. That was why Tong Tiexing was desperate to liquidate.

Desperate to cash out?

Ye Qiu's lips curled into a sly smile.

If Ye Qiu Group couldn't perform, the quickest way to liquidate would be pledging assets or selling shares.

Shares would be the first choice.

The two companies: one was an overseas OEM, the other a private shipping firm.

OEM shares traded at twenty per share; shipping floated at thirty.

"Lazy Yezi, you don't even come help in the kitchen," Liu Yiran said, carrying out exquisite dishes from the kitchen—one after another, fragrant, colorful, delicious.

All Ye Qiu and Xiao Yuru's favorites.

"Elder sister, that's way too much food," Ye Qiu said.

Liu Yiran paused. "Really? If we had more thermal lunchboxes, I'd have made even more."

Ye Qiu glanced at the two packed bags in the kitchen—at least a dozen dishes.

He remembered how, as a child, he never had enough to eat; it was his elder sister who saved her eggs for him. Even now, grown, she seemed afraid he'd go hungry.

Ye Qiu was deeply moved, and his hatred for Tong Tiexing grew stronger.

Trying to kick my elder sister out, playing capital games? I'll show you who the real boss is.

...

"Young Master Zhang, it's clear now. That kid inherited two billion from a wealthy American. After inheritance tax, there's about a billion left."

Zhang Jun's eyes brightened. "Didn't expect the brat to have so much money."

Despite the Zhang Group's market value in the billions, even Zhang Jun would struggle to produce a billion in cash.

"No connections, just money. I'll be gracious and relieve him of it." Zhang Jun's eyes glinted with malice. "For the sake of the money, I'll make him disappear without pain."

...

"Elder sister, why are you so late? Planning to starve me so you can inherit my credit beast?"

"Hmph, you're the ultimate form of the poor beast," Liu Yiran said irritably. "People in cosmetic medicine all make money, but you're still primitive."

"You don't know any better," Xiao Yuru put down her scalpel and eagerly opened each lunchbox, sniffing and sighing, "It's great Yezi is back. Usually, if I want to eat your cooking, I have to book a month in advance—still, I risk being stood up."

"You think everyone's like you?" Liu Yiran shot her a glare. "Who else but me handles all the company's affairs?"