Chapter 311: First Volume, Chapter 311: Power Stripped Away

First Volume, Chapter 311: Power Stripped Away

But soon, Xie Bi added: "The Wuhu Restaurant is only under Yun'er's name—it's your own asset anyway."

This move: one slap, then a sweet date, then another slap.

The soft-and-hard combo punched Qin Feng into dizziness, his head spinning.

Seeing Qin Feng silent, Xie Bi raised an eyebrow: "What? Afraid to agree to such a small request? Or do you not take my Yun'er seriously at all—even before marriage, you treat your future wife like a thief?"

This remark…

Even with no bottom line, Qin Feng could never scheme against his own family; after weighing it, he gritted his teeth: "Fine! The Wuhu Restaurant is granted to Xie Yun'er. When I return to Tianji Camp, I'll send someone to hand over the assets."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Yun'er let out a light scoff: "No need for trouble—every asset of Tianji Camp is managed entirely by Second Sister. You're just a figurehead; she's the real backer. This is just to notify you—you agree or not, it's already done, because I'm now the owner of the Wuhu Restaurant."

What?!

Qin Feng felt like a bolt from the blue, staring at Xie Yun'er in disbelief: "What do you mean?"

Xie Yun'er held her head high, her little face brimming with triumph: "Still don't get it? Second Sister has already given the Wuhu Restaurant to me as a dowry."

Puff!

Qin Feng nearly spat blood.

Whether the Wuhu Restaurant or the sugar business, Qin Feng held no shares whatsoever—he was, in plain terms, just an employee.

Finance and equity were all controlled by Liu Hongyan alone.

Deciding to transfer such a major asset required only one word from Liu Hongyan—there was never any need to consult Qin Feng.

Yet the restaurant had absorbed Qin Feng's countless efforts; now his liver trembled.

Damn it, he'd been robbed—massively robbed!

Though his heart burned with resentment, the deed was done.

Qin Feng's last shred of disrespect toward Xie Yun'er vanished, replaced by a foolish, fawning smile: "Yun'er, the Wuhu Restaurant is one of my most vital assets—hold it tight, don't let anything happen to it."

Watching Qin Feng beg like a tail-wagging dog, Xie Yun'er snorted: "Second Sister was right—you care only for money, not people."

"Hmph! If you ever annoy me again, I'll sell the Wuhu Restaurant cheap—I'll see how you—"

Facing Xie Yun'er's threat, Qin Feng turned pale with fear, stammering: "No no no, I'm scared, I'm scared! Yun'er, from now on, if you tell me to go east, I won't dare go west."

Xie Yun'er narrowed her eyes.

Since meeting Qin Feng, had she ever seen him so submissive?

Her heart swelled with triumph.

Xie Bi watched, equally pleased, and felt profound gratitude toward Liu Hongyan.

The world knew the Qin family's two daughters as gentle and virtuous—but no one knew Liu Hongyan was the most calculating of the four Qin sisters.

Since Qin Cheng Clan was banished to the Ancestral Land, Shen Qingci spent her days with zither, chess, books, painting, poetry, wine, and flowers; Jing Qianying vanished like a dragon's head—seen once, never again; the entire Qin family relied entirely on Liu Hongyan's management.

The Qin family did not decline after Qin Cheng Clan's departure.

On the contrary, it thrived.

Clearly, Liu Hongyan's ability was no less than Qin Cheng Clan's.

Qin Feng knew this well—otherwise, he would never have entrusted all of Tianji Camp's "income-generating assets" to Liu Hongyan.

Meanwhile, Liu Hongyan was in the Tianji Camp Account Room, processing financial reports from merchant caravans.

Tianji Camp's accounts were already complex; since the war in Beixi County began, they had multiplied daily, forcing Liu Hongyan to move into the Account Room entirely, spending every day buried in ledgers.

Thump-thump-thump…

At that moment, a knock came from the door.

Liu Hongyan looked up to see a military dispatch slide under the door crack.

Her expression remained calm; she rose, pulled the dispatch out, returned to her shushu, and opened it to read.

"The horse purchasing trade caravan has departed for Gaoshan Country; the Jin Yi Wei has begun recruitment; Mother is safe, Second Sister need not worry."

"Wei Xiao continues to lurk around Beixi County—he poses no immediate threat to Feng'er."

Liu Hongyan smiled knowingly, then placed the dispatch on the candlestand and burned it.

She took up paper and brush and wrote a reply: "Though Jingzhong is somewhat turbulent, with Father and Feng'er holding the fort, Third Sister need not fret—focus on caring for Mother in Beixi County. Though Wei Xiao is the Gold Letter Fourth Rank Killer, apart from the Three Great Mountain Hidden Experts, he is in truth the Number One Under Heaven Killer. His presence near Beixi County is like a thorn in the flesh; Third Sister must remain vigilant. For safety's sake, do not leave the city unless absolutely necessary. I trust the Tianji Camp Guards will protect you—Wei Xiao dares not strike openly."

After filling one sheet, Liu Hongyan rested her chin in thought, then took another: "Feng'er is expanding Tianji Camp's MilitaryEquipment—we sisters must fully support him. The heavy cavalry project requires cooperation from Gaoshan Country; the future is uncertain. At this moment, we must prioritize the Jin Yi Wei. But the Hei Wei Si is everywhere—building the Jin Yi Wei under their noses will be no easy task."

"Those old subordinates who once protected you have long since retired into the mountains, beyond Hei Wei Si surveillance. For the Jin Yi Wei, you may seek help from this squad of old subordinates."

Liu Hongyan paused, sealed the dispatch, rose, walked to the door, slipped the letter through the crack, and whispered softly: "All these years, had it not been for your silent aid, our correspondence between you and Third Sister would have long been cut off. Thank you."

A faint male voice replied from outside: "Second Miss need not thank us—it is our duty. But one word: Tianji Camp's defenses grow ever tighter, and Hei Wei Si's movements grow ever more frequent. Future communication will be increasingly difficult."

Liu Hongyan smiled gently, not overly concerned: "Don't worry—soon the Jin Yi Wei will take over communication. Then you may rest."

Hearing no further sound outside, Liu Hongyan turned back to her shushu, thought deeply, and called Wu Wei in.

Wu Wei bowed deeply, hands clasped: "Second Miss, what is your command?"

Liu Hongyan spoke as gently as ever: "Wu Wei, do you know how much I mean to Qin Feng?"

At these words, Wu Wei frowned slightly—he sensed something off, and quickly replied: "Second Miss is irreplaceable to Young Master. Whatever you command, I will obey—even if it means climbing mountains of blades or walking through seas of fire."

Liu Hongyan was deeply satisfied with his answer and said softly: "Then go fetch Xu Chang—I have words for him."

Wu Wei did not hesitate, turning and leaving.

Soon after, Xu Chang entered the Account Room.

"Second Miss, you called for me?"

Liu Hongyan pulled a pre-prepared military dispatch from a thick stack of account documents and handed it to Xu Chang: "You are a Heaven Ranking Assassin, and you serve in the Hei Wei Si—you must have excellent speed. Go to Pingyao County and deliver this letter to Grand Commandant Gao…"