Riverford, Highland Hotel.
Thanks to Rose Zhang's tireless efforts, Tianjian Properties finally agreed to a harmonious business negotiation with Leonard Gao, seeking mutual benefit and a cooperative, friendly outcome.
However.
Pa-da!
A black-and-white contract was slammed onto the round table.
The core business director of Tianjian Properties, Ethan Qi—the chairman's son—already exuded a sharp, elite aura despite his youth. He frowned and said, "Chairman Gao, since we're cooperating, shouldn't you show a little sincerity?"
"Oh?"
Leonard Gao narrowed his eyes, pretending not to understand.
Ethan Qi blinked, then chuckled. "Chairman Gao, are you playing dumb with me? That commercial parcel near the Yunton River should naturally belong to Tianjian Properties."
"No matter what, today it must be settled."
His voice was firm and powerful, eyes sweeping the room, making the executives on Leonard Gao's side visibly uneasy. They had anticipated Tianjian's arrogance, but this was still beyond their expectations.
This was supposed to be business competition.
But Ethan Qi seemed to wield overwhelming power—not negotiating, but directly announcing the outcome.
"Why?"
Rose Zhang, furious, stood up and questioned him.
"Heh." Ethan Qi sneered twice, his face full of disdain. He coldly swept his gaze over Leonard Gao's executives, then casually waved his hand. "Chairman Gao, have your people all leave. Let's talk alone."
Rose Zhang and the others looked at Leonard Gao, faces indignant.
Silence.
With all eyes on him, Leonard Gao opened his mouth, then finally sighed. "You all go out first."
Moments later.
The executives from Tianjian Properties and Leonard Gao’s side waited outside the door. The former were brimming with confidence, while the latter looked grim, their faces revealing defeat.
Inside the private room, the atmosphere was no different.
Thud.
Ethan Qi tapped the table, his voice low and steady: "Chairman Gao, this push into Riverford City is at my father Quentin Tian’s direction."
"We’re only asking for this one parcel of land. That’s not unreasonable, is it?"
"It’s been over a week now. Can you give me a clear answer? Don’t wait until I report to my father and regret it later."
With that,
Ethan Qi lounged comfortably in his chair, utterly at ease.
He came from a single-parent family; his parents had long since divorced. His biological father, Quentin Tian, was a high-realm Martial General, living in the Clearview Lake villa district of Greenfield City—a man of considerable stature.
But Ethan’s ambitions lay not in martial cultivation, but in business and entrepreneurship.
"Hmph."
"This expansion is straightforward; there shouldn’t be any issues."
Ethan Qi narrowed his eyes, secretly watching Leonard Gao’s expression. His father had warned him to be extremely cautious in Riverford City—the Guardian here was notoriously ruthless. Fortunately, Leonard Gao didn’t know Sir Newman.
At this thought, he relaxed.
"Ahem."
Ethan Qi composed himself and smiled lightly. "Chairman Gao, still undecided?"
"Enough." Leonard Gao gritted his teeth, recalling Andrew Han’s calm voice. Unable to hold back, he said, "I know Andrew Han—from Southland University!"
He had replayed that WeChat voice message more than ten times.
Leonard prided himself on his keen insight; he sensed a restrained, soaring confidence in Andrew’s tone—like the surface of a tranquil sea, calm yet fundamentally vast and powerful.
With that,
Leonard Gao pressed his lips together, a flicker of hope rising in his heart.
But Ethan Qi only stared at Leonard with a strange expression. "Andrew Han? From Southland University? Heh, never even heard of him. Who are you trying to scare?"
Before coming here, Ethan had asked his father for advice.
His father told him there was only one person in Riverford City he needed to be wary of: the Guardian, Sir Newman.
What?
How could that be?
Leonard was thrown off, his face twisting with difficulty as he tried to speak. Had he miscalculated? His complexion turned ashen, all confidence draining away.
In this situation, the only option would be to invoke Sir Newman.
But Sir Newman's fearsome reputation was well-known; even if it cost billions, Leonard wouldn't dare misuse his name.
"I suppose that's true."
"Andrew Han is just a martial arts student at Southland University. What deterrent could he possibly have? He's just a freshman, after all."
Leonard sighed inwardly, exhaustion settling over him.
Across the table, Ethan Qi tapped his fingers and slowly pulled out his phone. "Since you insist on being stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless. I'll report this to my father immediately."
With that,
He ignored Leonard's face, now twisted with anxiety, and dialed Quentin Tian's number. "Father, Leonard Gao is being utterly unreasonable. He even tried to make up a name to scare us."
On the other end of the line, Quentin Tian's voice came through, calm as still water: "Oh? And who gave him such courage?"
Hiss—
Leonard sprang to his feet in panic, desperate to explain.
"Just a martial arts student from Southland University, I think his name is Andrew Han." Ethan Qi chuckled. "I'm curious myself—who gave him the nerve?"