"The security issues you mentioned are indeed a major problem. Right now, no one is willing to take responsibility. Elder Tong and Master Su are both passing it to each other, hoping the other will be responsible for the venue’s security."

"There’s such a thing?" Ling Chen couldn’t understand. It’s not a difficult task, just requires a bit more effort. Why is no one willing to do it?

He Ziyun seemed to catch Ling Chen’s thoughts and said, "Don’t think this is so simple. To put it plainly, anyone can do the job, but no one dares to take on the responsibility. Among the three major forces in the Martial Arts Association, Elder Tong, Su Mei, and Qi Yong, everyone is smart and none of them wants to take the risk. If something goes wrong, it could easily lead to gossip."

"I see." Ling Chen nodded and said, "In this matter, everyone will definitely be very cautious. In my opinion, the best solution is for the three forces to cooperate and share the responsibility, so no one loses out."

"Let’s leave this for Elder Tong to worry about, and we shouldn’t get involved. You take a rest for now; I’ll call you when Elder Tong returns."

"Alright."

After leaving He Ziyun’s room, Ling Chen didn’t go to rest. He wasn’t tired anyway, so he couldn’t waste a perfect day in bed. Of course, if there were a beauty in bed, that would be another story.

Since he was in Beijing, he definitely had to visit the Ling Family. After a phone call with Yang Qingling, he arranged to go back for lunch.

"Son, give Wanqing a call later and ask her to come over for lunch."

"Wanqing?" Ling Chen was slightly taken aback and said, "Mom, isn’t she in East Sea City? I..."

"You brat, you don’t care at all. Wanqing has been in Beijing these past few days. She often calls me to chat. Hmph! They say having a son isn’t as good as having a daughter, always so uncaring. If I don’t call you, it’s like you vanish without a trace, not a word from you."

After being scolded by his mother, Ling Chen promptly responded, "Alright, I got it. I’ll call her now." With that, not waiting for Yang Qingling to complain further, Ling Chen hung up the phone directly.

Phew! Remembering Yang Qingling’s instructions, Ling Chen picked up his phone, intending to call Nanrong Wanqing. However, seeing the time already past ten, he decided to visit her company directly instead of calling and give her a surprise.

With that thought, Ling Chen smiled and drove alone towards Hongyu United Investment Company.

Beijing’s traffic was relatively congested, and with the approaching end of work peak, it took almost forty minutes to cover just over ten kilometers.

Having parked, Ling Chen walked straight into the company lobby. A receptionist immediately approached him, "Hello, sir. Whom are you looking for?"

"I’m looking for your chairman. Is she in her office?"

The receptionist politely asked, "Sir, do you have an appointment?"

Ling Chen smiled, "My name is Ling Chen, your chairman’s boyfriend. That identity shouldn’t need an appointment, right?"

"Oh, it’s Mr. Ling." The receptionist said apologetically, "I’m new here. I’ve heard of Mr. Ling but never met you. Please don’t mind. The chairman is in a meeting on the third floor. You can go up directly."

"Alright, thank you!"

Taking the elevator to the third floor, Ling Chen had just stepped out when he heard an angry voice from the meeting room: "Nanrong Wanqing, I’m telling you, if you dare touch my interests, I’ll make your life difficult."

As the words fell, the meeting room door was kicked open, and a middle-aged man in a suit angrily stormed out, passing by Ling Chen. Watching him enter the elevator, Ling Chen was curious: Isn’t this supposed to be a meeting? Why such anger? While pondering, a surprised, slightly delighted voice came from the meeting room door: "Ling Chen?"

Turning around, he saw Nanrong Wanqing’s beautiful face, and Ling Chen grinned, "Meeting over?"

"When did you come to Beijing? Come, let’s go to my office."

"No, if you’re done, let’s head out. My mom is waiting for us at home for lunch."

"Going to your house for lunch? Great! I haven’t visited Uncle and Aunt in a long time. Wait for me a bit; I still have something to handle." With that, Nanrong Wanqing called her assistant over and whispered a few words.

"Chairman, are you sure about this? I’m worried..."

"We’re a legitimate business, not doing anything illegal. What are you afraid of? Go ahead."

After seeing the assistant off, Nanrong Wanqing walked over to Ling Chen, affectionately linking her arm with his, and asked, "Should I change clothes?"

Ling Chen looked her up and down, smiling, "No need to change. You’re naturally beautiful; you look good in anything." Hearing Ling Chen’s compliment, Nanrong Wanqing’s eyebrows arched like crescent moons, her face full of a sweet smile. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

In the car, Ling Chen curiously asked, "Earlier, when I went to the meeting room, I saw someone storm out. What happened to him?"

"He is Qu Guanying, the CEO of a technology company. Our Hongyu Group wants to acquire his company. A few weeks ago, we agreed on a price and were supposed to sign the contract today, but Qu Guanying suddenly reneged and demanded a 50% increase on the original price. The price I offered was already high, definitely exceeding his company’s actual value. Adding 50% would mean over 1 billion in extra cost. I’m a businesswoman, not a philanthropist; I have to protect my interests."

"Why is Hongyu Group acquiring a tech company? Didn’t you focus on industrials before?"

"It’s not like you don’t know. Changlong Technology and Hongyu Group are partners, and you own part of the shares too. But you’ve never been involved as the hands-off partner."

Hearing the hint of complaint in Nanrong Wanqing’s tone, Ling Chen sheepishly scratched his nose and smiled, "You can’t blame me. I have other things to handle. Besides, I’m purely an investor, not involved in management or operations."

"Not long ago, Changlong Technology’s representative, Leng Feifei, approached me and mentioned Qu Guanying. His tech company’s research direction is the same as ours, except their resources are less than our two big companies, so their progress is slower. However, we heard other investors are very interested in his tech company and want to invest. Once his company gets new funding, it might not surpass us, but it will at least take some of our profits. In this situation, it’s best to reduce competitors and develop independently. Only then can we create enough profits for our future."