Chapter 24
The early morning sun cast its golden hues across the quiet Tan Palace, its light seeping through the mist that clung to the air like a veil. Qin Yuan, freshly awakened, prepared himself swiftly. His footsteps echoed with purpose as he returned to Courtyard No. 1. The faint scent of dew mingled with the earthy aroma of the palace gardens, lending an ethereal quality to the morning.
“Good morning, sir,” greeted Uncle Zhong, the loyal and meticulous housekeeper, bowing respectfully. Yet, within his composed demeanor, a flicker of curiosity stirred. The gentleman’s movements of late had been uncharacteristic, marked by an air of secrecy. Whispers of change lingered, like the first tremors before a storm.
And then, it became clear. Qin Yuan’s recent revelation had reshaped his world.
Sir has found his long-lost mother!
The realization echoed in Uncle Zhong’s mind. The puzzle pieces fit together: Qin Yuan’s absence from his own residence, his frequent visits to the neighboring Courtyard No. 3. The gentleman’s path was now illuminated with a newfound familial bond.
As if reading Uncle Zhong’s thoughts, Qin Yuan smiled, his expression both light and profound. “Uncle Zhong, isn’t it a coincidence?” he said, his tone conversational yet charged with meaning. “My mother lives just next door, in Compound No. 3.”
The housekeeper’s eyes widened briefly in understanding before he nodded. “No wonder you’ve been interested in acquiring Courtyard No. 2,” Uncle Zhong said, his voice tinged with approval. “It’s inconvenient for Courtyard No. 1 and No. 3 to be separated by another’s land.”
“Exactly.” Qin Yuan’s agreement was soft, yet resolute. “Once the purchase is complete, let’s transform Courtyard No. 2 into a private garden. Model it after the most traditional Su family gardens. But ensure the construction disturbs no one.”
“Understood, sir.” Uncle Zhong bowed again, his mind already formulating plans.
As Qin Yuan turned to leave, he paused, his thoughts drifting to a celebration yet to come. “By the way,” he added, almost as an afterthought, “my mother’s birthday is next month. Can you find out what gifts might be appropriate?”
“Of course, sir,” Uncle Zhong responded with unwavering efficiency.
Later, in the hushed confines of his study, bathed in the golden morning glow, Qin Yuan convened a video conference. The screen flickered to life, revealing a striking blonde woman on the other end. Her smile was radiant, her poise magnetic, but her eyes held a glimmer of something deeper—a longing that she expertly concealed.
“Congratulations, BOSS,” Vivian’s voice was warm, tinged with admiration. Her gaze lingered on him for a fraction too long before she masked her emotions with a professional demeanor.
Qin Yuan chuckled lightly. “Vivian, there’s no need for formalities between us.”
The air shifted. Qin Yuan’s expression hardened, the weight of his authority settling like a cloak around his shoulders. Vivian’s playful demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a seriousness that mirrored his own.
The king has returned.
“How is the acquisition of Gezhi progressing?” Qin Yuan’s voice was calm, yet each word carried the weight of expectation.
Vivian hesitated, her smile turning sheepish. “Who would have thought,” she began, her tone teasing yet laden with sincerity, “your biological mother would be that person?”
“It feels like a dream,” Qin Yuan admitted, a rare softness in his voice.
Vivian leaned forward slightly, her curiosity piqued. “Then, shouldn’t we halt the acquisition? You could easily invoke your unique authority as the founder of the Azure Foundation. No one could refuse you.”
“No.” Qin Yuan’s reply was firm, his gaze steady. “Let the plan proceed. Another consortium is also vying for Gezhi. I want to identify the resistance within.”
In his heart, a silent vow took shape. Now that I have found my mother, I will protect her and everything she has built.
Vivian’s tone turned brisk, her respect evident. “Understood. Currently, your mother holds 36% of Gezhi Group’s shares. The remaining 64% is divided among investment institutions and individual directors. Her control is strong, but not unassailable.” She paused, her voice lowering slightly. “Unless someone acquires a significant portion of shares and garners the support of the board to override her.”
Qin Yuan’s eyes darkened. “What’s the current status of our acquisition?”
“As of now, we’ve secured 11.8% of the shares,” Vivian reported, her tone steady.
Even Qin Yuan’s calm facade cracked slightly. “That much already?”
Vivian nodded. “Gezhi’s declining performance has made shareholders restless. Your mother’s efforts to stabilize the company, including three share buybacks totaling 30 billion yuan, have caused friction. The group’s ventures into the mobile phone industry failed spectacularly. With competitors like Meditech surging ahead, Gezhi has even lost its dominance in air conditioners. These factors made our acquisition smoother than anticipated.”
Qin Yuan absorbed the information, his emotions a mixture of admiration and resolve. His mother’s business, a legacy of her relentless effort, was now a precarious empire. But he was here now. Her battles were no longer hers alone.
“Continue increasing our stake,” he ordered. “And identify the consortium interfering with our plans.”
Vivian’s response was immediate. “It’s the Sumitomo Group from Sakurajima.”
At the name, Qin Yuan’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Sumitomo.” The word dripped with a history of contention.
The Sumitomo Group—a titan of the business world, its reach extending through industries like banking, electronics, and automobiles. Its influence rivaled that of the Azure Foundation, and its ambitions were as vast as the ocean.
“Keep monitoring them,” Qin Yuan commanded, his tone sharp. “Authorize the second-highest tier of funds. We’ll allocate up to 50 billion dollars for this acquisition.”
Vivian’s eyes widened slightly, but she nodded, her respect for him deepening. “Understood, BOSS.”
As the call ended, Vivian lingered for a moment, her gaze softening as she whispered to herself, “He truly is the most extraordinary man.”
Qin Yuan stepped outside, the sunlight wrapping around him like a golden mantle. The tranquility of the garden was momentarily interrupted by a familiar voice.
“Ziwei?” he said, startled. “What a coincidence.”
Song Ziwei, dressed in athletic wear, approached with a graceful stride. Her face, flushed from her morning jog, lit up with recognition. Her gaze flicked between Qin Yuan and Courtyard No. 1, her surprise evident.
“So,” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of astonishment and delight, “you’re the owner of Courtyard No. 1!”
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