The second evening.
Liu Yutong arrived at the revolving restaurant atop the Xingyi Hotel, accompanied by Yun Cheng, her assistant Su Mansu, and several core members of the Ten Thousand Dragons Society specifically tasked with her protection.
This restaurant was one of the most upscale in Danan City, boasting an excellent view. Standing there, one could overlook the nightscape of most of the city.
As she entered the private room, a man in his thirties with slicked-back hair and sharp eyes rose from the head seat.
This man was none other than Huang Yu, the currently illustrious and unmatched richest man.
This wasn't Liu Yutong's first time meeting him, yet upon seeing him again, he still exuded an aura of formidable power.
This was consistent with his style.
As the leader in the retail industry, Huang Yu's expansion methods were inherently frenzied and aggressive.
This guy never considered steady, step-by-step growth; every move he made was on a grand scale, like a mountain bearing down.
For instance, a few years prior, he had invested over six billion to swallow up the country's third-largest home appliance retail chain in one go.
Later, he successively annexed regional leaders like Zhongda Electric and Wulian Electric, and there were even rumors he intended to acquire Jinyang Electronics, a company listed on the A-share market.
It's worth noting that Jinyang Electronics' current market capitalization was over forty billion.
Incidentally, Jinyang Electronics was precisely the listed company controlled by Shen Hao's family of the Yunshan Society.
Of course, those were just rumors, as no one believed the richest man Huang could muster that much capital to directly acquire a company worth tens of billions.
However, Huang Yu had indeed invested over ten billion in real estate and publicly declared his intention to build his property company into a leading enterprise like Guomei.
Unfortunately, his timing to enter the market seemed less than ideal.
When Huang Yu saw Liu Yutong appear, a flicker of astonishment passed through his eyes. Besides being surprised by her youth, he also had a persistent feeling that this girl looked very familiar.
But he quickly composed his expression, stepped forward with a smile, and extended his hand: "President Liu, welcome, welcome!"
Liu Yutong also smiled and extended her slender hand: "President Huang, it's been a long time. Last year at the Finance University, I listened to many of your insightful views on the market, which benefited me greatly. I didn't expect to have the honor of meeting you again so soon."
Hearing her say this, Huang Yu's memory gradually clarified.
The girl before him was indeed the freshman who had been responsible for receiving him, Old Zhang, and the others in Mingzhu City last year.
If he remembered correctly, this girl had even made bold remarks back then, commenting on wealthy individuals like them.
She said they were destined to be left behind by the times, that his expansion would inevitably lead to problems, and even boldly claimed she might become their competitor in the future.
Naturally, he hadn't taken it seriously at the time.
What could a freshman girl possibly accomplish? It was just empty boasting.
But how much time had passed since then?
One year, to be precise, not even a full year.
That female student who once served them food and poured tea now stood before him, the richest man, as an equal.
And at his invitation, no less.
However, before this meeting, he truly hadn't connected this "President Liu" with that freshman girl from last year.
The reason he had extended the invitation was actually at someone's request.
Furthermore, after that meeting last year, he and Liu Yutong had had no further contact, so naturally, he wasn't that familiar with her.
"President... President Liu? My goodness, I truly didn't expect it to be you!"
Huang Yu looked Liu Yutong up and down again, unable to hold back a sigh. "How long has it been? You've changed so much. I still vaguely remember those sharp comments you made back then, truly eye-opening."
Liu Yutong laughed. "President Huang, you flatter me. I was young and ignorant back then, speaking recklessly. Please don't take it to heart."
Huang Yu waved his hand. "Ah, not at all, not at all."
"President Liu, please, have a seat inside!"
"After you!"
Liu Yutong and Huang Yu took their seats, and they began chatting about the old times at the Finance University last year.
Of course, Huang Yu was the one who initiated the topic.
They chatted for over ten minutes, neither broaching the real matter.
Liu Yutong didn't ask, and Huang Yu didn't bring it up.
Observing Liu Yutong's calm, composed, and unassuming demeanor, Huang Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly again.
This young woman was even more patient than he had imagined; this level of composure was completely unlike someone under twenty.
He had met too many young entrepreneurs; most found it difficult to control their emotions in front of him, more or less excitedly treating him as an idol.
Although the title of "richest man" was just a label, the wealth and influence it represented were real and substantial enough to make many younger people subconsciously feel inferior in his presence.
Having collected his thoughts, Huang Yu stopped beating around the bush and finally stated the purpose of today's invitation.
"President Liu, to be frank, besides catching up, the reason for inviting you today is also that I'm acting as a mediator at a friend's request."
Before Liu Yutong could guess who might have the clout to ask Huang Yu to mediate, the door to the private room was pushed open again.
Master Jiu walked in, his face dark.
"President Liu, I admit defeat this time."
I, Master Jiu, have been hanging around Danan City for so many years, but this is the first time I've been pushed to this point. President Liu, truly skillful methods!
There wasn't much apology in his words; rather, they carried a sense of humiliation from being forced to bow before absolute power.
During this period, all the venues under his name had been inspected, countless of his underlings had been arrested, and even his legitimate businesses had encountered continuous problems, not daring to open for operation.
Opening meant being inspected.
Even the connections he had cultivated previously were useless now, completely ineffective, and were even avoiding him.
Although he didn't know how an outsider like Liu Yutong managed it, she had undeniably used stronger connections to suppress him.
With no other choice, he had sought out the richest man, Huang Yu, hoping to mediate.
Liu Yutong truly hadn't expected Master Jiu to back down so quickly. She didn't know if he couldn't hold on himself or if Gu Yebai's methods were too ruthless, making it completely unbearable for him.
However, if he thought reconciliation could be this simple, he had another think coming.
Seeing Liu Yutong remain silent, Huang Yu spoke up again to broker a reconciliation: "President Liu, look, Old Jiu here admits his mistake. As the saying goes, matters of the jianghu should be settled within the jianghu. Sometimes, taking a step back can lead to open skies and vast seas."
"How about this: I'll have him compensate you with a sum of money and guarantee he will never provoke you again. Give me some face, and let's consider this matter closed, alright?"
Master Jiu immediately chimed in: "Name your price, President Liu. As long as it's within my means, I won't utter a word of objection."
Watching the two of them perform this duet, Liu Yutong roughly guessed they must have some sort of vested interest.
It was likely that Huang Yu's real estate investments were entangled with this Master Jiu.
One had the money, the other was a local gang boss — their cooperation just fell into place.
She speculated that Huang Yu must have encountered difficulties, leading him to choose to cooperate with such a person.
Otherwise, given Huang Yu's status, how could he possibly speak up for a local big shot?
Of course, they might also be relatives.
However, regardless of their relationship, reconciliation wouldn't be that simple.
Time passed little by little, and the atmosphere in the private room grew awkward.
Yun Cheng and the others watched Master Jiu's men warily, while Master Jiu's men stared intently at Liu Yutong and her companions.
A moment later.
Liu Yutong finally spoke, pointing at a bespectacled man behind Master Jiu. "First, have that guy crawl over here on his knees."
Master Jiu's brow furrowed sharply, suppressing his anger as he said, "President Liu, what is the meaning of this? Is this your condition?"
"Condition?"
"You seem to have misunderstood something. Having him crawl over on his knees isn't a condition; it's to see just how much sincerity you have."
"Show me your sincerity first, then we can talk terms! Otherwise, get the hell out of here!"
