At the same moment, as the five chiefs of the Tianzi Corporation were discussing how to save themselves, an unprecedented earthquake had already occurred in certain places.
And the final trajectory of this earthquake was very likely to be where they were now.
Hope House.
It was just unknown whether the name of this restaurant would change after that earthquake.
...
Night fell, and the entire sky was draped in a black shroud, bringing everything to a standstill.
"It's almost time for the live stream!"
Inside the room, Ye Ming woke up Nangong Qianyu, who was in meditation, and then walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the dark expanse above.
At this moment, Ye Ming seemed somewhat different from his usual self. His eyes were deeper than before, and they exuded a sharp, dangerous aura.
"What's wrong?"
Ye Ming's subtle change naturally did not escape Nangong Qianyu, who had shared a soul union with him. She walked up behind him, gently embraced him, and rested her head on his back.
Nangong Qianyu also sensed that this night was destined to be anything but peaceful.
"Qianyu! After today's live stream, many guests should come to visit us." Ye Ming turned around, looking at the person in front of him, and asked with a smile, "How do you think we should receive them?"
Nangong Qianyu saw the charmingly wicked smile on his face and mimicked it, saying, "Of course, we should welcome them in the most direct way!"
The most direct way?
"Hahaha! It seems my little Qianyu is also wicked!"
Hearing her words, Ye Ming directly picked her up, his hands supporting her hips, and he laughed, "Alright! We'll do as you say! We'll use... the most direct way!"
Nangong Qianyu wrapped her arms around his neck, also smiling happily.
It was just unknown what their conversation truly meant.
It seemed that after their soul union, the two could reduce the need for unnecessary verbal communication.
It had to be said, this was quite convenient.
"Okay, let's go!"
Ye Ming kissed her alluring red lips before setting her down.
Now, it was time to meet the five chiefs.
...
"Mr. Ye! Miss Qianyu! Everything is ready!"
As Ye Ming and Nangong Qianyu stepped out of the room, they saw a waiter waiting for them not far away. Upon seeing them, he immediately stepped forward.
"Good!"
Ye Ming nodded and asked, "Besides that, did Chief Wu have any other instructions for you?"
"Yes!"
The waiter dared not delay and quickly replied, "Chief Wu said the person Mr. Ye wanted to see has already arrived and is waiting in the private room where you will be streaming."
"Oh! I see! Lead the way!"
Ye Ming and Nangong Qianyu exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them.
But one thing was certain: the "guests" they had spoken of earlier were definitely not the five chiefs of the Tianzi Corporation.
This was because the guests Ye Ming mentioned were supposed to appear after the live stream, and it wasn't that time yet.
Under the waiter's guidance, they soon arrived at a private room.
"Please, the two of you!"
The waiter gestured and then discreetly withdrew.
"Let's go!"
Ye Ming held Nangong Qianyu's hand and pushed open the door.
"Greetings, Mr. Ye! Miss Qianyu!"
As the two entered the private room, five elders stood before them, arranged in a single line, all bowing respectfully.
Fortunately, the waiter hadn't followed them in, or his jaw would have likely dropped at this sight.
Yes!
These five were the five chiefs of the Tianzi Corporation.
But now, these five figures, who could influence the tides in Gaoqiao Country, exuded an air of subservience.
Such a contrast was indeed not something an ordinary person could comprehend in a short time.
However, Ye Ming, seeing this scene, did not seem surprised. Instead, he appeared calm and sat down with Nangong Qianyu.
He showed no intention of speaking.
The atmosphere instantly became heavy and oppressive.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that some of the five elders were already sweating, and their bodies were trembling subtly.
This invisible pressure made even basic breathing a difficult task.
Yet, all of this was a result of their own actions.
They had no one to blame but themselves.
"Mr. Ye... Mr. Ye! This... this matter, I..."
"Alas! Let me speak!"
Just as Wu You's voice trembled with fear, an elder on the far right, among the five, sighed and stepped forward, interrupting him.
This person was the same elder who had appeared the most composed during the previous meeting of the five chiefs.
His name was Qiu Ruiming, and at first glance, he seemed the most unassuming among the five.
Yet, now, he was the first to step forward.
"Hmm?"
His intervention successfully drew the attention of both Ye Ming and Nangong Qianyu. At the same time, it offered a slight release from the oppressive atmosphere.
"I thought you were all a bunch of stubborn old men who wouldn't take responsibility?" Ye Ming chuckled. "It seems you're not entirely disappointing after all!"
This was Ye Ming's first sentence after entering the private room. However, it was ambiguous, making it difficult to guess his true intentions.
"Mr. Ye is too kind!"
Qiu Ruiming gave a wry smile, shook his head, and said, "We have all grown accustomed to being in positions of power. Over time, it's easy to become arrogant. Now, we realize how naive and ignorant we were."
Naive! Ignorant!
"Hehehe! And what should I call you, elder?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Ming looked deeply at Qiu Ruiming, seemingly pondering something.
"This old man's name is Qiu Ruiming! I don't have much of a reputation in Gaoqiao Country, so Mr. Ye need not pay me any mind!"
He introduced himself thusly.
Hearing this, one might mistake Qiu Ruiming's words as mere humility.
As one of the five chiefs of the Tianzi Corporation, how could Qiu Ruiming have no reputation?
In fact, this was indeed the case.
Compared to the other four chiefs, Qiu Ruiming rarely appeared in public, and the outside world knew very little about him.
Therefore, he was also known by the public as the most mysterious chief.
"Hahaha! Well said, 'no reputation'!"
Ye Ming looked at the elder before him, his gaze shifting as if something interesting had occurred.
"Then, Elder Qiu! Could you please tell me how this matter concerning the Tianzi Corporation should be handled?"
Ye Ming lightly tapped the table, looking forward to his answer.
However, his address of "Elder Qiu" caused the expressions of the other four chiefs to stiffen slightly, and the dimness in their clouded pupils deepened.
As for Ye Ming's question, Qiu Ruiming answered without hesitation.
"From this day forward! The Tianzi Corporation is at Mr. Ye's disposal!"