Chapter 168: line with translation of chapter title

Ning Group, Lu Family, Ning Hai, amount not an entity.

Ning Yao, Young Master Lu Jue Ming, Three Major Families.

Xinghan City's Four Major Families, Ning Group.

Almost overnight, Ning Group swept away the lethargy that had lingered for years; not only does it show strong momentum to return to the top tier in Xinghan City as it was over a decade ago, but countless experts have concluded that Ning Group will soon become the strongest enterprise in the city, even breaking into the national top ten.

And the young Ning Yao, because of this, has also attracted much attention, frequently appearing in major business media lately and receiving widespread praise.

Ning Group's authority holder, her father Ning Hai, abroad not an entity.

Although the outside world does not know the specific reason, this is, for a group, truly a deadly crisis.

All the group's heavy burdens have fallen on Ning Yao's shoulders.

If it weren't for Ning Hai clearing up connections behind the scenes.

Ning Hai, Ning Yao.

Ning Yao, Ning Group, Xinghan City's Four Major Families.

Thus, Ning Yao just like that ushered in a tremendous turnaround.

Even those previous negative news stories have now become material for many media outlets to praise her for being unconventional, daring, and full of personality; she has thus become a dazzling legendary figure among the younger generation.

Ning Yao began to feel that she must be a heaven‑chosen pride.

Ning Yao, Ning Jinli.

Ning Yao, Ning Jinli, Ning Hai.

That night a little over a month ago was supposed to be a rare gathering where her family of three would share a meal, but her father suddenly had to go out, saying it was a great matter, and after he left he never came back.

Ning Yao, mother, police.

Mother-daughter, Ning Hai.

Ning Hai, M Country.

Ning Yao, Ning Hai, Ning Jinli.

On the other end of the phone, Ning Hai told her that he was now safe and she need not worry; as for the reason he was wanted, Ning Hai did not elaborate, only saying that he had stumbled at the hands of Ning Jinli.

The words are full of resentment.

Ning Yao, Ning Jinli.

Ning Yao.

Ning Yao, Ning Jinli.

Something enough to land Ning Jinli in handcuffs and prison with no chance of turning things around—a major piece of leverage.

Ning Yao.

Ning Yao's mother had already been waiting in the car, and upon seeing her daughter arrive, she asked, 'Yao Yao, are you sure you can bring down Ning Jinli?'

'Mom, I've told you before—if you learned more about business, you'd know that all day buying buying buying and playing playing playing,' Ning Yao muttered.

Ning's mother, Ning Yao.

Ning Yao, Ning Jinli, state, private transaction, project, state-operated, factory.

Ning's mother, Ning Yao, Ning Jinli.

Ning Yao rolled her eyes. 'Only an extremely small number of related projects can obtain processing approval under special circumstances. How could Ning Jinli have such capability? Moreover, according to my people's investigation, she somehow obtained crude oil from somewhere and dared to directly build her own refinery! This is no longer among the few projects that can be specially approved; the whole thing is outright illegal! Just her privately dealing in crude oil already constitutes harming national interests, enough to put her away!'

Ning's mother, Ning Yao, Ning Jinli.

Ning Yao, Ning Jinli, business, trade, bullshit luck, break.

Ning Yao, Ning's mother.

Ning Yao, her people, oil, smuggling method.

Ning Yao, reporters, official investigation team, representatives of the Four Major Families.

Ning's mother, Ning Yao.

'Of course,' Ning Yao leaned her head against her mother's shoulder, 'whoever provokes us, I will never let off! Otherwise they'd think our family is easy to bully!'

Ning's mother, Ning Yao, Ning Hai.

Ning Yao, Ning's mother.

'Ah… no, no,' Ning Yao's mother glanced out the window and said lightly, 'I was just feeling a bit sentimental.'

Ning Yao, Ning's mother.

Compared to Ning Yao's grand mobilization, Ning Jinli's side is much simpler.

Oil production area, big factory, groundbreaking ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Ning Jinli, parents, Su Qinglan, Zheng Houcheng, senior management of the big factory, oil plant, all staff, three guests.

'Dad, Mom, Godmother, this is the Ying sister I mentioned to you before.' Ning Jinli introduced Shangguan Ying to the family.

Shangguan Ying.

Ning Shan, Shangguan Ying.

Two middle-aged men.

Ning Shan, Xiao Li.

Ning Jinli, Xiao Li, Sister Ying.

Ning Shan.

Shangguan Ying, entourage, oil processing plant.

Two people, Shangguan Ying, entourage.

Father and daughter, Shangguan Ying.

Shangguan Ying, State Energy Department, State Security Department, crude oil processing plant, internal approval.

Hearing this, Ning Jinli's whole family were shocked.

Even without saying it outright, one can tell that they, like Shangguan Ying, are also national-level big shots!

"Hello hello!" Ning Shan hurriedly shook hands with the two of them in turn, "Thank you both for looking after Xiao Li."

The two were affable, laughing and saying it was no trouble, and even joked that they had come to join the fun without prior notice, hoping nobody would mind.

Shangguan Ying pulled Ning Jinli aside and said, "Jinli, since your oil factory is unprecedented in nature and its source cannot be disclosed to the outside, there are currently no relevant documents or regulations to refer to. Once the two officials have inspected the situation, they will go back and issue you a permit that can be made public."

Ning Jinli stuck out her tongue and said, "So if I start refining oil now, isn't that operating without a license?"

Shangguan Ying smiled and said, "The state has specially approved it, and those two bigwigs with decision-making power have given you the green light—far more useful than a mere certificate. Getting you a permit is just to save you some unnecessary trouble later; otherwise, someone might keep reporting you for illegal operation, and the relevant authorities would be run ragged."

"Hehe..." Ning Jinli's big eyes sparkled, "It feels great to have the state's backing."

"Time's up, everyone please come over here." Zheng Houcheng, who was in charge of the groundbreaking ribbon-cutting ceremony, called out.

The factory's senior staff and the oil refinery workers stood on either side of the oil refinery's main gate, where a large red silk ribbon embroidered with floral patterns had been hung.

Afterward, Ning Jinli pulled Shangguan Ying to cut the ribbon together, and she also invited the two national department officials.

Just as the ribbon-cutting ceremony was about to begin.

The factory's Security Team Leader ran over and said a group of people had ignored the guards' obstruction and forced their way in, even smashing through the factory gate.

No sooner had the Security Team Leader finished speaking than the roar of vehicle engines approached from afar.

A convoy of more than ten luxury cars drove straight in without restraint, charging up to the oil refinery, while a large group of security guards trailed behind, panting.

The attendants of the national department officials immediately went on alert, shielding the two of them and Shangguan Ying behind them.

After the convoy stopped, thirty or forty uniformly dressed black-suited bodyguards with sunglasses quickly got out of the cars.

Next, several bodyguards ran to the Rolls-Royce and another luxury car behind it and opened the doors.

From the rear car stepped three men with solemn expressions, each carrying a briefcase.

Stepping out of the Rolls-Royce were Ning Yao and her mother, Lin Lina.

Ning Shan and Ye Zhiqiu's faces fell the instant they saw this sister-in-law and niece.

"How dare they show their faces and barge in here?" Ye Zhiqiu rolled up her sleeves, ready to charge over.

"Zhiqiu, don't act rashly!" Ning Shan hastily grabbed her, "We don't yet know what they're up to—let's first assess the situation."

Ye Zhiqiu felt a surge of stagnant qi rush to her Heavenly Spirit Cover, her head throbbed, breathing became difficult, and her face drained of color.

"Zhiqiu... what's wrong with you?" Su Qinglan hurriedly supported her.

Ye Zhiqiu knew it was anger attacking her heart, and her inattention had caused her internal strength to go awry; she gritted her teeth and said, "It's fine... I'll be all right after a short rest."

Ning Shan immediately decided to, together with Su Qinglan, help her to the side, blend into the employee crowd, and rest while observing the situation.

After getting out of the car, Lin Lina and Ning Yao held their chins high, adjusted their large sunglasses, glanced around, and both wore sneering smiles.

"Mom, have you ever seen such a shabby ribbon-cutting ceremony?"

"Oh dear, now I have."

"Hahaha."

The two mocked while striding arrogantly toward Ning Jinli.

Ning Jinli strode forward to meet them, saying, "Who let you come? Did I invite you?"

The mother and daughter stopped in their tracks.

Ning Yao glanced at the people standing behind Ning Jinli, sensed a different aura, but not recognizing them, she paid it no mind.

Lin Lina, meanwhile, frowned slightly and glanced several more times at the employee crowd beside the factory.

When she first got out of the car, she seemed to feel an uncomfortable sensation of being stared at by sharp eyes—including now, that discomfort came and went, yet she saw nothing amiss.

"Are your ears broken?" Ning Jinli said bluntly.

Lin Lina withdrew her gaze, "Is this how you treat your elders? Your parents never taught you… oh, I almost forgot—they actually didn't teach you for long."

"Pfft!" Ning Yao laughed, "Mom, don't you dare anger her to death."

Had this been the past, Ning Jinli would surely have been reduced to tears by anger.

But now, Ning Jinli showed no reaction, merely saying calmly, "You broke in without permission—do you want me to call the police, or will you just get lost?"

Today was supposed to be a good day for the oil refinery's groundbreaking; she didn't want to spoil her mood, nor waste time.

Ning Yao lifted her chin arrogantly and said, "I haven't even called the police yet, and you're the one threatening to? Your gall is enormous!"

Ning Jinli frowned and said, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

At that moment, more vehicles arrived one after another; when their doors opened, out stepped reporters and photographers.

Ning Jinli grew even more puzzled, "Even reporters have come? Ning Yao, what exactly are you up to?"

"Oh dear, the sun is blazing," Lin Lina fanned herself with her hand, "I'd better go back to the car to sit and watch the show, Yao Yao—just watch your performance from now on."

Having said that, she walked toward the Rolls-Royce in her high heels.

Just as she was about to get in, she suddenly sensed a gaze as sharp as a knife's tip.

Under the bright midday sun, with the temperature still rather high, she inexplicably felt a chill.

Without time to think further, she swiftly slipped into the cabin and shut the door tightly.

"Come over here!" Ning Yao, without answering Ning Jinli's question, turned and waved at the three men holding briefcases.

The three walked up to Ning Jinli and flashed their work IDs.

Before Ning Jinli could see clearly, the leader said solemnly: "Miss Ning, we suspect you are engaged in illegal business activities that seriously harm national interests here; we will now investigate you and the factory, please cooperate!"