Chapter 58: I Know

After Leng Ningxue left, both Leng Tianyi and Ye Aotian were at a loss for what to do. They had thought everything was proceeding according to their plan. Who could have expected that after all their scheming, neither of them was a match for Leng Ningxue?

Now, watching her leave, they found themselves helpless before this young woman.

“Mr. Ye,” Leng Tianyi began.

Ye Aotian quickly interjected, “Let me handle this. I will persuade Leng Ningxue, I promise.”

At this moment, Ye Aotian maintained his composed demeanor, knowing it was the only way to keep Leng Tianyi’s trust.

“Uncle Leng, I hope you understand one thing: the only reason I’m willing to cooperate this time is because of Leng Ningxue. If she refuses, there’s no point in us working together at all. I’m sure you’re well aware of my financial power and influence—there’s no one in River City who can rival me.”

Ye Aotian looked at Leng Tianyi with confidence, certain that after hearing those words, Leng Tianyi would begin plotting anew. He had already investigated Leng Tianyi thoroughly, knowing the man was a quintessential miser—especially as he grew older, his attachment to money only deepened.

If he knew Ye Aotian was a powerful and wealthy figure, Leng Tianyi would stop at nothing to deliver his precious daughter into Ye Aotian’s hands. At that point, Ye Aotian could seize the opportunity to gain total control over the Leng family.

As for his current posturing, it was nothing but a façade. The billions in question had been gathered from within the local organization itself.

Leng Tianyi nodded repeatedly at Ye Aotian’s words, then rose and left.

At that moment, Chen Along asked, “Young Master, should we keep an eye on them? We still don’t know what Leng Ningxue is planning. If she joins forces with Lin Li, things could get complicated.”

At the mention of Lin Li, a cold glimmer of murderous intent flashed in Ye Aotian’s eyes.

“That bastard—I knew all along he was up to no good. Now it’s clear. It’s a pity I couldn’t kill him before. Now, I have to see if there’s another way,” Ye Aotian said, his tone filled with resignation.

He loathed Lin Li, but he also knew that, for now, there was nothing he could do about him. The man was far more cunning than they’d anticipated.

“No need to rush,” Ye Aotian said. “I doubt even he can come up with that much money. With those billions invested in Star Group, we’ll see returns dozens of times over, and both Star Group and the Leng family will be firmly in our grasp. There’s no better deal to be had.”

His eyes glinted with a wicked desire, especially when he thought of the enchanting Leng Ningxue. Who wouldn’t want to conquer such a woman?

“It’s only thanks to your wisdom, Young Master, that we have this opportunity. No one else would have been able to pull this off,” Chen Along flattered him, and Ye Aotian clearly enjoyed it.

Meanwhile, after Leng Tianyi left, he immediately called Leng Ningxue.

“You’re getting more and more out of hand, you know? There are so many people in the family opposed to this. You’ve finally gotten such a good opportunity, and you still want to resist. I think Mr. Ye is truly sincere about working with you—that’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

On the other end, Leng Ningxue paid no mind to her father’s words; she knew all too well what he was really thinking. This so-called partnership was just a pretext to bind her to Ye Aotian, forcing her to marry him in the end.

“Father, I’ve made myself clear. No matter who he is, I will never agree to work with him, and I certainly won’t be with him,” she replied, her tone unwavering. After hanging up, she immediately called Lin Li.

Lin Li had already been waiting for her call for some time. Su Lan had been worried—if Leng Ningxue refused to cooperate, it would be a challenge to figure out their next move. But, as Lin Li had predicted, everything was unfolding just as he expected.

Lin Li answered the call unhurriedly, “What brings the illustrious Miss Leng to call me?”

She had no patience for small talk. “You’re a man of remarkable means. I’m sure you already know what’s been happening.”

Leng Ningxue snorted. With such turmoil in the Leng family, she didn’t believe the other families in River City were ignorant, and Lin Li, of all people, certainly knew. The fact that he had waited until now showed his patience.

“Of course I know,” Lin Li replied without pretense. “I knew the first day trouble struck your family. But this wasn’t the best time for me to act. Only by letting you truly grasp your situation would negotiations go more smoothly later.”

His words left Leng Ningxue silent. This man not only understood the origins of the situation but also knew precisely how to rein her in.

No matter how arrogant she had been before, she now realized the gravity of her predicament. She had to admit that Lin Li’s skills and strategies were even more impressive than she’d thought. He was far more formidable than she had imagined.

“No wonder you were able to bring the Qin family under your control, step by step. I truly underestimated you,” she admitted sincerely. She had met many heroes and talents, but none had achieved what Lin Li had—maneuvering the situation to this stage through sheer effort.

“The matter with the Qin family was trivial; what’s important now is how we’ll work together moving forward. So, Miss Leng, how do you propose we cooperate?” he asked.

Leng Ningxue replied, “It’s not something that can be discussed over the phone. Let’s set a time to meet privately.”

After agreeing on a time, Leng Ningxue instructed her assistant to make the arrangements, ensuring the utmost secrecy. Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window of her office, gazing at the cityscape, her expression was grave.

“I am who I am. No one will ever control me.”