Chapter Fifty-Four: The Matter Is Settled

“Sis…” Han Wei knew all too well how sensitive the names of those two companies were in Han Ning’s heart. She wouldn’t have uttered them if she had any other choice, but the moment the words left her lips, regret washed over her. Although Han Ning could easily handle either company if she wanted, her anger and the tears she fought to keep from falling made her stance clear.

“You don’t need to say another word. Never mention the Xia Group in front of me again. I have absolutely nothing to do with them now!”

What truly enraged Han Ning were those four words: Xia Group. Both her own family and the Xia Group had hurt her too deeply. Whenever someone brought up the Xia Group, she could only grit her teeth in fury. Her youth, her dreams—all sacrificed to so-called family obligations, only for the final outcome to be…

As for Longyue Group in Beihai City, Han Ning didn’t hate them with the same intensity, but she felt no affection either. Though the group was considered a first-rate enterprise throughout China, as Han Ning said, she would rather beg on the streets than seek their help. Yet if she even hinted at needing something, Longyue Group would rush to offer it.

Han Wei fell silent, knowing that if she pressed further, her sister might do something drastic. Others might not understand, but Han Wei knew the other side of her sister well. She may be a woman, but when pushed to the edge, she was the kind who’d rather break than bend.

Longyue Group, based in Beihai City—a city neighboring the capital, Yanjing—was a powerhouse that commanded the winds and rains, its strength and foundation far outstripping anything in Tianhai City, including the Xia Group. To put it bluntly, local giants like Yongcheng Group, Haitian Group, Zhao Group, and Xia Group, who dominated Tianhai, were nothing but lively little fish and shrimp compared to the behemoth that was Longyue Group.

The young master of Longyue, Long Yifei, was a striking and poised man, sharp and capable, the undeniable heir to the group. Countless heiresses admired him, but he regarded none of them highly. When people began to doubt his orientation, at a major business conference, Long Yifei, while speaking on stage, caught sight of Han Ning seated in an ordinary spot below.

That single glance bewitched him.

From then on, he pursued Han Ning relentlessly. Always confident, he started out optimistic, but after several setbacks, he realized the woman who had captivated him was no ordinary soul. At first, his approach was measured; Han Ning didn’t like him, but she wasn’t repulsed either. Yet as Long Yifei’s persistence grew, Han Ning began to distance herself, and eventually, in desperation, Long Yifei decided to use his family’s influence to pressure the Xia family, hoping to force Han Ning’s compliance.

He meant no harm—he was simply blinded by love.

But his actions infuriated Han Ning to the core.

While Han family relatives eagerly hoped to latch onto the Longyue Group, Han Ning did something shocking. Before everyone’s eyes, she produced a sharp dagger from who knows where and lunged fiercely at Long Yifei!

She was stopped just in time, but then she spun the blade and aimed for her own heart.

Fortunately, the bodyguards of both families intervened, preventing tragedy.

After that, Long Yifei never bothered Han Ning again.

Yet the incident did not die down for the Han family. Long Yifei might have let it go, but the Long family could not overlook such a public humiliation. In the face of the mighty Long family, the Han family were mere minnows, vulnerable to a single careless move.

Han Ning, the instigator, hadn’t expected things to escalate so severely. Her relatives, desperate to protect themselves, pressured the family patriarch, Grandfather Han.

Han Ning was ready to burn everything, even die, but Grandfather Han decisively declared, “I will personally go to the Long family and apologize. No one in the family is to mention this again, or they’ll be expelled.”

He went alone to Beihai, to the Long family. What transpired there, no one knows. But when he returned, he was missing an arm.

He offered his arm as an apology, saving the Xia Group and Han Ning.

That day, for the first time in her life, Han Ning knelt before her grandfather. She would forever owe him.

Afterward, Grandfather Han ordered Han Ning to marry Yang Jiekai. Han Ning compromised without hesitation.

The atmosphere at the dinner table grew heavy. Han Wei realized she had touched Han Ning’s raw nerve and said nothing more, keeping her head down and eating, occasionally stealing glances at her sister.

After a while, Han Ning recovered from her troubled thoughts, took a deep breath, “I’m going back to my room to rest. We’ll take things one step at a time. I’ll try my best to secure a partnership with Yongcheng Group.”

She stood up and headed toward the stairs.

Just then, her phone rang. As a businesswoman, Han Ning received calls daily and hardly paid it any mind, but when she glanced at the caller ID, she froze.

“Sis, what’s wrong…” Han Wei noticed Han Ning’s change in expression and asked anxiously.

Han Ning hesitated, incredulity in her voice, “It’s a call from Wang Gang, the president of Yongcheng Group!”

“What!” Han Wei exclaimed, utterly shocked. She never expected the president of Yongcheng Group to contact Han Ning at such a critical moment. Though they knew each other in passing, they’d had little interaction—business matters were always handled by subordinates. Now, with Wang Gang reaching out directly, it felt strange.

“Never mind, just answer it, quickly…” Han Wei urged. Though she couldn’t fathom Wang Gang’s sudden call, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—the sisters had been struggling to find a chance to meet him.

Han Ning steadied herself and pressed the answer button, “Hello, Mr. Wang, this is—”

She stopped abruptly, her expression shifting from shock to disbelief.

After the call ended, Han Ning stood stunned.

“Sis, what did he say?” Han Wei, puzzled by Han Ning’s reaction, pressed eagerly.

After a long moment, Han Ning replied in amazement, “He… He’s invited us to his company tomorrow. He wants to discuss some cooperation with us…”

“What!” Han Wei’s almond-shaped eyes widened, “Did you hear right? You mean Wang Gang invited us?”

Han Ning nodded, “Yes, I find it unbelievable too. I haven’t released any information about our current project yet—how did he know?”

Han Wei thought it over. “Maybe it’s about something else. Anyway, let’s not worry about it now. We’ll meet him tomorrow and see. Maybe our plan to have him invest will turn around!”

“Yes, exactly!” Han Ning quickly regained her composure, reverting to her usual confident self. “Weiwei, looks like we’ll have to sacrifice some sleep tonight. No matter Wang Gang’s intentions, tomorrow is a golden opportunity for us. Let’s stay up and organize the details of the project, so we can seize the chance!”

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead!”

The Han sisters, smiling, went upstairs to prepare for the next day’s negotiations.

Every success in this world is never accidental. Fluent responses at the negotiation table, even a smile or a single word, are carefully planned and rehearsed. Behind every victory in business lies countless sleepless nights.

Meanwhile, Yang Jiekai in his room wished he could drag the person on the other end of the call out for a beating.

He’d met nagging people before, but never one so persistent. If the caller were a sweet girl, it might be bearable, but it was a grown man.

“Master, I’ve completed everything you asked. This time you must keep your word and accept me as your disciple!”

Yang Jiekai, hearing the same line repeated countless times that night, replied impatiently, “Wang Xiang, aren’t you tired? Nothing’s settled yet—wait for tomorrow’s results!”

Wang Xiang chuckled on the other end, “Master, you don’t know how much my dad spoils me. After I cried and fussed, he called your wife. I think you should take me as your disciple right now. If not, I’ll come over and bow to you, serve you tea…”

“Don’t!” Yang Jiekai interrupted, worried the guy might actually show up in the middle of the night. “Let’s wait for tomorrow.”

“But, Master…” Wang Xiang seemed unwilling to give up.

“Did you finish today’s training tasks?” Yang Jiekai switched tactics.

“I only have push-ups left. I’ll make up for them soon…”

“Ha, you’re slacking off! Hurry up, or you’ll never become my disciple!” Yang Jiekai finally found his opening.

Sure enough, after a moment of silence, Wang Xiang replied firmly, “Don’t worry, Master! I won’t slack off. I’ll go finish my tasks now!”

After hanging up, Yang Jiekai sighed in relief, finally able to sleep soundly.