**Thud!**
Lin Tianhao collapsed into his office chair, his face filled with bitterness. He couldn't find the words to describe his current emotions. All he wanted was for Changhe to advance further, but why? Why was it so difficult?
At this moment, no one could give him an answer!
*Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the option. Wan Hua's stock will continue to hit the limit down today!*
Su Ming held Lin Yixue in his arms, opened the car door, and helped her into the passenger seat before getting in himself and driving away. The system's notification didn't concern Su Ming; all his thoughts were on Lin Yixue.
"Yixue, I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have come today," Su Ming said softly in the car.
Lin Yixue closed her eyes gently and replied, "Su Ming, thank you. You don't need to blame yourself. Even if you hadn't come today, it would have probably ended up like this anyway."
Su Ming remained silent as the car drove steadily towards Yunshang Yuefu.
Meanwhile, in the distant capital city, at the headquarters of Wan Hua Real Estate, all the top executives had gathered. They watched as the stock price continued to rise, their faces breaking into smiles like the sun after a storm. However, just as they were basking in joy, the stock suddenly fluctuated. Many saw the fluctuation but dismissed it, considering it a normal part of the market's ups and downs.
But then, the fluctuations became more frequent, and the once red stock turned green. A heavy silence fell over the entire headquarters. The stock continued to plummet, like a wild horse, without any pause.
"How can this be? Ah! Ah!"
Finally, someone couldn't handle the pressure and screamed, clutching their hair, pulling it out in frustration. "Quick, check, find out what's causing this!" Wan Tong shouted. Everyone sprang into action, and the traders went into a frenzy, trying every tactic to stop the fall. But nothing worked. The stock kept dropping, and by midday, it hit the limit down again, evaporating nearly two hundred billion in market value.
In just three days, Wan Hua's market value had fallen from over 240 billion to 170 billion, a loss of a quarter. How long would it take to recover that quarter?
"Why? What is going on?" Wan Tong collapsed into his chair, muttering incessantly.
Back in Jiangzhou, at the Grand Hotel, Lin Tianhao and Lin Tiancheng entered the Emperor Suite on the top floor. "Why are you here? Where's Lin Yixue?" Wan Jing asked, his brow furrowed with anger.
The two men paled and bowed hastily. "Young Master Wan, we failed. Yixue was about to agree, but Su Ming appeared, beat our bodyguards, and took her away!"
They had rehearsed their excuse, hoping to shift the blame to Su Ming. But they didn't realize that Wan Hua was already in turmoil, like ants on a hot pan.
"Su Ming! It's him again!" Wan Jing's eyes blazed with fury.
Seeing his reaction, Lin Tianhao and Lin Tiancheng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they had dodged the bullet. But before they could relax, Wan Jing's next words sent them into despair.
"Useless, both of you! Can't even handle such a small matter, and you want to enter the capital?"
Wan Jing's voice was ice-cold. "Assistant Ma, inform everyone: any group that dares to accept Changhe Real Estate is my enemy. Changhe, hah... you'll never set foot in the capital!"
"Yes, sir!" Assistant Ma immediately responded.
"What? Young Master Wan, you must be joking!" Lin Tianhao panicked.
"Who has time to joke with you? Get out of my sight. I'll deal with Su Ming myself!"
Wan Jing kicked Lin Tianhao aside and stormed out of the suite.
"Wait, Young Master Wan, give us another chance! We'll do anything to get Yixue to you!"
Lin Tianhao and Lin Tiancheng grabbed Wan Jing, their dignity gone, pleading like beggars.
"Hmph... another chance... fine..."
Wan Jing's phone rang. Frowning, he saw it was Wan Tong and answered.
"Idiot, get back to the capital now. If I don't see you tonight, I'll skin you alive!"
*Click*
Wan Jing's face darkened. He glared at Lin Tianhao and Lin Tiancheng. "One last chance. I'm going back to the capital. If Yixue isn't with me in three days, your Changhe is on its own."
"Yes, yes! Thank you, Young Master Wan, thank you!"
"We'll do everything to get Yixue to you!"
Relieved, Lin Tianhao and Lin Tiancheng thanked him profusely.
"Hmph... Let's go, Assistant Ma!"
Wan Jing left, leaving the two men in the suite. "Big brother, what now?" Lin Tiancheng asked, his face grim.
"Let's go home and figure it out."
Time flew by. Su Ming brought Lin Yixue back to the villa, letting her rest in his room. He then left for the market to buy groceries. That evening, he prepared a lavish dinner, constantly making Lin Yixue laugh. By the end of the meal, her mood had improved. Later, she leaned against him, and they chatted until she fell asleep. Su Ming gently picked her up and placed her on the bed, closing the door softly behind him.
"Thank you, Su Ming."
Unbeknownst to him, after he left, Lin Yixue opened her eyes and whispered, smiling sweetly as she drifted off to sleep.
Su Ming slept in the living room that night. The next morning, he woke to find Lin Yixue sitting in front of him, staring intently.
"You're awake! Come and have breakfast!"
Her soft voice filled the air as she leaned down and kissed his forehead. Then, just as he was about to react, she dashed to the dining room.
"Still not cautious enough. Next time, I need to be ready!"
Reflecting, Su Ming jumped off the sofa, washed up, and headed to the dining room.