The leader grew increasingly pleased with Liu Yutong’s responses and found himself liking her more and more as their conversation gradually shifted from work matters to personal ones.
"Xiao Liu, I noticed you were chatting quite happily with a young man at the auction today. How long have you known him?"
Liu Yutong froze at the leader’s words. Happily? Lin Muyang was lucky he hadn’t been angered to the point of spitting blood on the spot.
Wait.
A ridiculous thought suddenly crossed her mind.
Could it be...
The leader’s next question confirmed her suspicions.
He asked casually, "What do you think of Mingcheng Supermarket? That boy really doesn’t have what it takes in the retail sector. If you’re interested, I could step in and negotiate for him to hand the supermarket over to you—as a gift. How does that sound?"
It was practically an open suggestion.
Moreover, as he spoke, his phone, placed nearby, kept lighting up with calls—all of which he promptly dismissed.
Liu Yutong remained composed. "Leader, you must be joking. My relationship with President Lin is strictly professional. We’re hardly at the stage where he’d just give me a supermarket for free. That said, I’ve always believed President Lin is a rare talent in business—visionary and bold. Given time, he’ll undoubtedly break through any obstacles."
The leader, shrewd as he was, immediately grasped the underlying meaning in her words—a polite refusal.
Still, he didn’t press the matter, merely laughing heartily. "Well said! You young people today are far more impressive than our generation—full of ideas, daring to take risks. I just think you youngsters should interact more, learn from each other, push each other forward."
Liu Yutong smiled. "Of course. I always enjoy working with someone as sharp as President Lin. Every conversation is enlightening."
"Is that so? Hahaha... Good, good." Seeing that the conversation had run its course, the leader decided to wrap it up. Some things were best left to develop naturally.
"Xiao Liu, where are you headed next? Let me give you a ride."
"Thank you, Leader!"
Just as Liu Yutong was about to say she needed to return to campus, her phone buzzed with a new message.
The text was brief: Just as Wanlong Supermarket staff were preparing to take over Mingcheng Supermarket, a group of intruders had stormed in and vandalized the store.
After wrecking one location, the group immediately fled and moved on to a second branch to repeat the chaos.
By the time Wanlong’s people rushed to the scene, the perpetrators were long gone.
However, based on their movement patterns, it was predicted they might target other branches next.
Noticing Liu Yutong’s distracted expression as she read the message, the leader asked, "Comrade Xiao Liu, is something wrong?"
Snapping back to attention, she quickly apologized. "My apologies, Leader. I was lost in thought for a moment."
Checking her phone in the leader’s presence was terribly impolite.
But she swiftly devised an excuse that explained her behavior without offending him. "Leader, President Lin just reached out to discuss the supermarket situation. I thought I’d head over to Mingcheng Supermarket first to observe their operations and learn from their management strategies."
As expected, the leader showed no displeasure. Instead, he immediately instructed Secretary Huang, "What are you waiting for? Take Comrade Xiao Liu to the supermarket right away. By the way, Xiao Liu, which branch are you visiting?"
"The one at No. 92 in Huishan District. Thank you, Leader."
Secretary Huang responded promptly, "Right away, Miss Liu."
His attitude toward Liu Yutong was notably respectful—even more so than toward some higher-ranking officials.
After all, given how highly the leader regarded this young woman, she might very well become...
......
When Liu Yutong arrived at the Mingcheng Supermarket on No. 92 Huishan District, dusk had fallen. The store was operating normally, with no signs of vandalism.
After bidding the leader farewell, she headed straight for the entrance, with Yuncheng parking the Mercedes and quickly catching up.
The leader’s car didn’t leave immediately. Instead, it remained parked at a spot with a clear view of the supermarket—perhaps he’d suddenly felt like indulging in some gossip and wanted to observe a little longer.
At that moment, his phone rang again.
Secretary Huang tactfully stepped out of the car to stand guard outside.
The moment the call connected, an angry young voice erupted from the other end.
"I’m warning you—stay out of my business! Stop meddling where you don’t belong!"
The leader’s temper flared.
"I’m your father! Of course I have the right to meddle!"
"Oh, so you remember you’re my father now? What a joke!"
"Listen here—don’t forget who gave you everything you have! Do you really think you could’ve gotten this far in Bright Pearl City on your own?!"
"I don’t need you to succeed. Cut the crap!"
"Say that again, I dare you!"
"......"
Neither father nor son backed down, their argument growing louder and fiercer.
From outside the car, Secretary Huang could even see the leader’s agitated gestures through the window.
In all of Bright Pearl City, only one person could provoke the leader to this extent.
Finally, the leader hung up in fury.
"That brat! He’s getting more and more out of line! Everything I do is for his sake!"
It was precisely because he knew his son was desperately pursuing a certain girl that he’d taken such an interest in her.
Once the tension had eased slightly, Secretary Huang returned to the car. "Leader, shall we head back now?"
The leader countered, "What did you think of that girl just now?"
Secretary Huang paused, carefully considering his words. "Leader, Miss Liu is articulate and composed. She maintained a respectful yet confident demeanor around you—she’s clearly no ordinary figure. Moreover, the members of Wanlong under her command are exceptionally united, which speaks volumes about her leadership skills. She’s a capable and formidable person."
The leader nodded slightly, a trace of satisfaction crossing his face. Then he asked, "Do you think she’d be a good match for that stubborn brat?"
Secretary Huang hurriedly agreed. "Leader, I’d say they’re a perfect pair. Miss Liu is steady, intelligent, and competent, while the young master is straightforward but sometimes too impulsive. He’d benefit greatly from having someone like her by his side."
Hearing this, the leader’s anger from the earlier argument melted away, and he burst into laughter. "Exactly! That boy’s temper is awful—stubborn and arrogant. Only a girl like her could keep him in check. An ordinary girl wouldn’t stand a chance."
Secretary Huang quickly echoed, "You’re absolutely right, Leader."
He was also thinking to himself that what the leader saw in her probably wasn’t just that the girl was a good match for the young master...
At that thought, a name suddenly surfaced in his mind—Zhao Wei.
Just as they were about to leave, a group of people abruptly appeared not far from the supermarket, charging toward it with weapons in hand, their demeanor fierce and threatening.
The leader’s gaze sharpened instantly as he said in a low voice, "Wait. Let’s see what’s going on."
