"Grandfather, if we're submitting to him, why do we still need to send him such a grand gift?" Yang Wei looked puzzled.
"You're too naive. If it weren't for the Yu-Wen family, what would he be? Trying to go against the Yu-Wen family? He's practically seeking death!"
Yang Xiangming sneered coldly: "In that case, we'll pretend to submit for now. We'll use his power to elevate the Yang family first. When he really does go up against the Yu-Wen family, we'll have already severed all ties with him."
Yang Wei suddenly understood and quickly said, "I see. Grandfather just wants to use him."
"Nonsense! What right does a brat like him have to command the Yang family's submission?"
Yang Xiangming's face was full of disdain as he ordered, "Go to Jiangzhou now. You'll take over as general manager of Longhe Construction Materials. I've already arranged for the company to be acquired, and 49% of its shares have been transferred to that kid for free."
Yang Wei's lips curled into a smirk. "Thank you, Grandfather. Don't worry, I won't let you down."
Soon, Yang Chen received a call from Luo Bin.
"Chairman, the Yang family has acquired a local Jiangzhou company, Longhe Construction Materials, and has transferred 49% of its shares to you free of charge," Luo Bin reported promptly.
Yang Chen let out a cold laugh. "Playing mind games with me?"
Luo Bin still hadn't grasped the Yang family's intentions and asked, confused, "Chairman, what do you mean?"
"If the Yang family wants to give it away for free, then we'll take it all," Yang Chen replied evasively before hanging up.
"That old man has quite the nerve."
After a moment of thought, Luo Bin suddenly understood. "The Yang family's move seems like a grand gesture to the Chairman, but this 'gift' could bring them massive profits. They've already realized the Chairman's ambitions extend beyond Jiangzhou—to Yenching."
Yang Chen was well aware of this. He had initially thought the Yang family would submit, but now it was clear they just wanted to use his influence to strengthen themselves.
"In that case, don't blame me for taking the entire Yang family for myself," Yang Chen murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly.
This incident also made Yang Chen acutely aware of his predicament.
Whether it was local Jiangzhou forces or those from elsewhere, they all saw the Yanchen Group's Jiangzhou branch as just a subsidiary.
As the supreme commander of the Northern Frontier, his true identity couldn't be revealed lightly—otherwise, he wouldn't have to endure such frustrations.
But there was no hurry. Everything was just beginning.
Since Qin Xi took over as general manager of Sanhe Group, the company had grown rapidly. In just half a month, its market value had nearly doubled.
Of course, this was due not only to Qin Xi's efforts but also to Yang Chen's influence.
It was already past quitting time, and Yang Chen had been waiting for twenty minutes without seeing Qin Xi emerge.
Just then, Qin Xi called: "Yang Chen, I have to work overtime tonight. Don't wait for me—go pick up Xiaoxiao first."
Yang Chen checked the time. It was already the kindergarten's dismissal hour. "I'll take Xiaoxiao home first, then come back for you," he said.
Meanwhile, at Lantian Kindergarten, it was pickup time.
A crowd of parents had already lined up at the gate as teachers called out names and handed children over one by one.
Xiaoxiao was looking around for her father and mother but couldn't find them.
"Xiaoxiao!"
A familiar voice suddenly called out.
"Aunt Fang Yue, what are you doing here?" Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled.
Though their relationship wasn't close, Xiaoxiao knew this woman was her aunt—just not someone she was particularly fond of.
"Auntie came to pick you up, of course! Your dad and mom are both working late, so they asked me to take you home first."
Fang Yue wore a kindly smile and held a doll in her hand.
Xiaoxiao's eyes immediately lit up at the sight of the doll.
"You're Xiaoxiao's aunt?" The kindergarten teacher, overhearing their exchange, relaxed slightly.
Fang Yue smiled. "Her parents are both working overtime and asked me to take Xiaoxiao home. How about this—I'll call Xiaoxiao's mom and have her confirm it with you."
Without waiting for the teacher's response, Fang Yue dialed a number. "Sis, could you tell the teacher I'm taking Xiaoxiao home?"
"Hello, Teacher. This is Xiaoxiao's mother. I'm working late today and can't pick her up, so my cousin will take her instead," a woman's voice said over the phone.
The teacher, busy with other children, didn't notice anything unusual about the voice.
Just like that, Fang Yue smoothly took Xiaoxiao away.
"Auntie Fang, is this doll for me?" Xiaoxiao asked, playing with the doll.
A sharp glint flashed in Fang Yue's eyes, but she kept smiling. "Of course it's for you, Xiaoxiao!"
"Thank you, Auntie Fang!" Xiaoxiao said happily.
Meanwhile, Yang Chen arrived at Lantian Kindergarten.
But after scanning the area, he couldn't find Xiaoxiao anywhere.
"Xiaoxiao's dad, wasn't Xiaoxiao already picked up by her aunt? Why are you here?" Teacher Li, who recognized Yang Chen from his daily pickups, spoke up.
"Oh, she's already been picked up? I didn't know. Thank you, Teacher Li." Yang Chen thanked her and turned to leave.
Once in the car, though, he suddenly felt something was off. A sense of unease settled over him.
If Qin Xi had asked him to pick up their daughter, why would she have sent Qin Yi instead?
"Xiao Yi, did you pick up Xiaoxiao?" Yang Chen called Qin Yi.
Qin Yi sounded puzzled. "No? I just left the office. Are you busy, Brother-in-law? I can go get her now."
"What?" Yang Chen's face paled as a terrifying chill erupted from his body.
"Brother-in-law, what's wrong?" Qin Yi heard the alarm in his voice and pressed urgently.
Yang Chen took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "It's fine, Xiao Yi. I'll pick her up."
He didn't tell Qin Yi the truth. After hanging up, he rushed back to the teacher.
"Teacher Li, you said Xiaoxiao was picked up by her aunt? But she wasn't!" Yang Chen asked urgently.
Teacher Li replied, "She really was picked up by her aunt. Oh, Xiaoxiao called her 'Auntie Fang.' And your wife confirmed it over the phone—she said she was busy and asked her cousin to pick Xiaoxiao up."
By the time Teacher Li finished speaking, Yang Chen's expression had darkened completely. "Was her hair permed and dyed wine-red? About 1.6 meters tall?"
Teacher Li nodded quickly. "Yes, that's her. Xiaoxiao's dad, is something wrong?"
Once Yang Chen confirmed Fang Yue had taken Xiaoxiao, he had no time for explanations. He turned and left, dialing a number in fury.
"Find out where Fang Yue from the Qin family is right now. Ten minutes ago, she took my daughter from Lantian Kindergarten."