Gateway Move
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The news of Han Wanling’s detention had spread throughout Jingdu. This news was a severe slap in the face for Han Hongbin who had just spent much effort to free himself and salvage whatever reputation the Han family had.
The burden of damage control was now placed on Han Hongbin, and he had to find a way to free Han Wanling from jail.
The Qiao family did not back down either. They weaponized the kidnapping that the Han family had carried out by proposing lawsuits and sanctions against their corporation. The noise that the Qiao family was making was quickly picked up on by everyone in Jingdu.
However, one person watched the conflict between the two families with great amusement. Yun Xi was enjoying the tension between the two. She had even planned to use the collaboration between the Mu and Qiao Corporations as an additional jab. She requested Gu Baifan to arrange for a press conference on behalf of the Mu Corporation to inform the press that the Corporation was going to double their investments in the two collaborative projects.
When the news broke, many in Jingdu felt sympathy for the Han family, and many more were seething with jealousy for the Qiao family.
The two collaborative projects with the Mu Corporation were a source of jealousy for many, and the doubled investments were a silver lining amid the misfortune that the family had suffered. All in Jingdu were filled with envy for the Qiao family.
The members of the Qiao family were well aware of the significance of the projects as well. Qiao Dehao viewed the two projects as if they were gifts from the divine. He was cautious about every detail and ensured that no more accidents would occur.
Yun Xi could not help but laugh as she heard Gu Baifan’s description of Qiao Dehao. Even his reaction had been exactly what she had been expecting.
If Qiao
With the support that he had and the state that the Han family was in, Yun Xi would doubt Qiao Dehao’s competency as the head of the household if he did not adopt an offensive stance at the current time.
"But, Yun Xi, this may deepen the hatred between the two families, and this may also turn the Mu Corporation into a target for the Han family."
"I know, but Han Hongbin is completely concerned with the Qiao family at the moment. I doubt that he would have the strength or the time to retaliate against the Mu Corporation. If he has them, he will use the untapped resources and connections he has, and this will be the gateway move for us to dig deeper into his connections. This is a huge opportunity for us."
Gu Baifan nodded. "Got it. I will inform you if Han Hongbin engages in any suspicious behavior."
"Oh, by the way, I still need you to do something for me. We need to let the Qiao family know that due to Han Hongbin’s history of drug trafficking, the big three noble families have plans to remove the Han family from the big four wealthiest families and let the Qiao family take their place."
"Isn’t a bit early to break this news to them? The Qiao family lack the economic power to take over at the moment."
The big four wealthiest families had never been a constant, and the replacement of the Han family by the Qiao family would have happened sooner or later. However, the Qiao family needed to have a suitable financial portfolio, or the other big families would be unwilling to let them join their ranks.
"What makes you think the Qiao family lacks economic powers?" Yun Xi’s eyes blinked, and a sly expression surfaced on her face. "The Qiao family may not have much, but the Han family has plenty. If Han Hongbin wants to free Han Wanling, he will need to fulfill the conditions of the Qiao family, if you know what I mean..."
Yun Xi’s statement lit a lightbulb for Gu Baifan. "So Han Hongbin will tap his resources in order to try to take back his place from the Qiao family. He must resent them deeply after all the fines and reparations he had to pay them."
"Well, that’s too bad. Who asked Han Wanling to be so foolish? If she hadn’t tried to kidnap me, I would never have had the opportunity to make this happen. The Han family gave me a chance to push the Qiao family up, and I would have been a fool to pass up on this chance."
"However, the Han family and the Qiao family are at war right now. What you did will transform the conflict between the two families into an unresolvable state."
"That’s the point. Besides, when the two families finally see eye to eye concerning profit, I will ensure that Han Yaotian ends up marrying Qiao Ximin."
"Huh? How can that be possible?"
All Yun Xi gave in response was a quick smile. This was a surprise for the future.. She did not need to rush and explain it at the present time.