Reflecting in this manner, He Ruifeng questioned himself once more.

He felt indeed that he had grown old and experience had blinded him. Successful and stable tycoons these days all had something remarkable about them, not to be underestimated...

With this thought in mind, the typically haughty He Ruifeng broke convention and took the initiative to escort the junior Chen Yan out of the He Family Manor when he left.

One must know, during his twenty years of reigning over the He family, only a few people had received such treatment.

So, when the tycoons who had come to visit He Ruifeng for the New Year witnessed this scene, they were all astoundingly shocked...

...

Returning home in the evening, it was already around 9 PM.

Chen Yan glanced at the opposite door, which showed no signs of being open, and figured that Yang Rou mother and daughter probably wouldn't come to pay a New Year's visit for a while. Thus, Chen Yan went back to his own home first.

As soon as he got home, his phone rang.

While taking off his jacket, he picked up the phone and saw that it was He Mengxue, whom he had just met that evening.

Chen Yan put on a Bluetooth headset and then answered the call.

He Mengxue's surprised voice came through from the other side of the phone, "Chen Yan! How did you do it! My dad actually escorted you out!"

Chen Yan shamelessly retorted, "What's wrong with a father-in-law seeing off his son-in-law?"

"He's not worried that if he doesn't, I'll treat his daughter poorly?"

Although she knew Chen Yan was joking, He Mengxue's face turned red at his words, feeling sweet inside.

But, being a girl, she couldn't be as shameless as Chen Yan, so she lightly scolded him, saying, "Stop joking around. I'm asking you seriously."

Hearing He Mengxue's words, Chen Yan chuckled and then revealed the truth, "Alright. Actually, I told him that Zhang Yonghao was my man and that all of this was a setup."

Listening to Chen Yan, He Mengxue was stunned at the other end of the phone.

Indeed, anyone who learned the "truth" about this matter would find it hard to believe.

She couldn't help but exclaimed in surprise, "Really?"

Chen Yan laughed, "Of course, it's fake. Silly girl."

He Mengxue: ?????

He Mengxue felt she was losing her grasp.

Chen Yan told her father that Zhang Yonghao was his man, but then immediately told her it was all fake. So, he... why did he deceive her father?

Just to make her father "admire" him?

To facilitate her father agreeing to their relationship?

Thinking thus far, He Mengxue let her thoughts run wild.

Thankfully, she retained a sliver of rationality.

So she asked, "But...why did you tell my dad that Zhang Yonghao is your man?"

Chen Yan said nonchalantly, "I just wanted to make him consider the possibility, whether there was a chance to turn things around."

"And then who knew he'd take it seriously."

He Mengxue: ...

On the other end of the phone, He Mengxue was caught between tears and laughter.

She sneakily glanced at her father, who was talking and laughing with some acquaintances, and felt that her father having such a son-in-law was truly too tragic...

Perhaps knowing the truth now, He Mengxue didn't feel like talking anymore. She only wanted to cajole her old father, then occasionally do some psychological construction for her father, to prevent him from being too shocked upon learning the truth and not being able to take it...

After hanging up the phone with He Mengxue, Chen Yan stroked his chin, feeling that his idea was indeed quite good.

Look, whether it be He Ruifeng or He Mengxue, every one of them were stunned like this.

They are just bystanders, and already so surprised. So, if the people behind Zhang Yonghao knew this news, they would likely be even more shocked, wouldn't they?

Would they still be willing to support Zhang Yonghao then?

Chen Yan indeed lied to He Ruifeng and didn't tell him the actual situation. But, Chen Yan's plan, in truth, wasn't much different from what he had said.

After all, who says only if Zhang Yonghao truly defected to Chen Yan would he become Chen Yan's man?

Chen Yan wasn't really planning on collaborating with Zhang Yonghao.

So... as long as he could make everyone believe Zhang Yonghao was his man, wasn't that enough?

Or rather, if he could convince the people behind Zhang Yonghao that Zhang Yonghao was actually Chen Yan's man and this was all a setup, wouldn't that do?

As for how to make Zhang Yonghao's backers know this and believe it, Chen Yan did indeed have a way...

Thinking this, Chen Yan changed into pajamas and made a phone call to Qin Ming.

Once the call connected, Chen Yan exchanged pleasantries with Qin Ming, and then they got down to business. "Qin Ming, I need you to do something for me."

Hearing Chen Yan talk about serious matters, Qin Ming also became serious and said, "Tell me, Brother Chen."

Chen Yan said, "With the New Year, it's the time when tycoons on Qindong Peninsula mingle, and news spreads especially fast."

"Release a rumor for me. Say... Zhang Yonghao is actually my man. He and I are planning a major move."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Qin Ming on the other end was flabbergasted.

He said, "Wait a moment, Brother Chen. Let me cool down a bit."

Then, there was a rustling sound from his side.

After a while, Qin Ming's voice reappeared. "Brother Chen, you are saying... let the word out that Zhang Yonghao is your man?"

He cautiously asked, "Then... is he truly your man?"

Chen Yan laughed, "Of course, he isn't."

Qin Ming inexplicably "exhaled in relief," perhaps because the news was really shocking.

After all, using several hundreds of billions of capital, losing tens of billions, upsetting companies with potential worth over a trillion, all to make it seem like two people were adversaries? That was utterly inconceivable.

Using so many resources for a ploy, what exactly was the ambition?

Was it to eliminate the people behind Zhang Yonghao, to topple the Zhao Family, or to take down Tencent Group...?

Now, hearing it was faux, Qin Ming felt more comprehensible.

And in that instant, he almost understood Chen Yan's line of thinking.

He pondered for a while before discussing the feasibility of the plan with Chen Yan. "Brother Chen, even if we spread the rumor and make Zhang Yonghao's side have doubts," Qin Ming questioned, "It... wouldn't be of much use though, would it?"

"Counter-espionage isn't done simply through talk."

Chen Yan countered, "What if Zhang Yonghao cooperates with us?"

Qin Ming asked, "To what extent?"

Chen Yan, "For example, while suing me, he secretly sells me shares."

Qin Ming: ...

"Is that possible?"

Chen Yan, "Why wouldn't it be? Moreover, I'm going to make him sell to me more than once."

"I want him to keep suing me while continuously selling me shares in secret."

Qin Ming: ...

"So, Brother Chen, he really is your man after all?"

Chen Yan, "No."

Qin Ming, "Then why would he sell you shares?"

Chen Yan, "I'll use a strategy to make him cooperate."

Qin Ming: ...

Qin Ming always felt that Chen Yan's ideas were far too whimsical.

A man outwardly fighting you to the death in front of everyone, being your enemy, turns around and secretly sells you his most valuable assets.

That... how could that be possible!

Qin Ming thought that no strategy could accomplish that.

However, if it were truly achieved, then Qin Ming would think it's truly miraculous.

Then... even if the other party trusted him a lot, they would probably also doubt that Zhang Yonghao had issues...

Although Qin Ming felt the plan wasn't feasible, Chen Yan was his boss, so he had no choice but to agree reluctantly.

He figured out a plan to find an opportunity at tomorrow's social event, drink a bit more, blurt out the matter while drunk.

That way, this piece of information should spread quickly with the event...

...

After hanging up the phone with Qin Ming, Chen Yan poured himself a glass of water and then sat on the sofa, watching the replay of the Chinese New Year Gala, patiently waiting for Yang Rou and her daughter Yang Nuannuan.

However, whether they had forgotten about Chen Yan, he waited and waited but never saw the two of them.

He checked the time, and it was already 9:30 PM. Waiting any longer would be too late.

So, after some hesitation, he gathered a few more things from his home and decided: if Yang Rou and her daughter wouldn't come to pay a New Year's visit, he might as well go pay a visit to the mother and daughter himself.

Thinking so, Chen Yan, carrying the items, went out and rang the doorbell of the opposite door.

After a moment, Yang Nuannuan's voice sounded from inside, "Coming."

Then, there was some rustling noise, and after a while, her voice came through the door, "Who is it?"

Chen Yan replied, "It's me. Chen Yan."

The door opened, and Yang Nuannuan appeared in front of Chen Yan.

She looked at Chen Yan, smiled, and said, "President Chen, we haven't come to give you New Year's greetings yet, why have you come first?"

Chen Yan answered irritably. "Waiting for you to come, it would probably be midnight."

"I don't want to be hosting you in the middle of the night."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Yang Nuannuan chuckled and then stepped aside to let Chen Yan enter.

Honestly, Chen Yan was a bit surprised.

If it were the old Yang Nuannuan, at this time she would probably have said a few provocative words and hooked Chen Yan.

For example, "Isn't it better to find you in the middle of the night to do even more?" and other similar words.

But since learning the truth from the past and going on a trip to clear her mind, Yang Nuannuan seemed to have really become a lot more tranquil.

Dealing with Chen Yan, she managed her boundaries very well. She was like a friend, yet maintained a hint of distance.

This comfortable distance actually made Chen Yan feel quite at ease around her.

Entering the room, while walking in, Chen Yan casually chatted with Yang Nuannuan about company matters, "How is the company you started doing?"

Yang Nuannuan replied, "I've finished all the paperwork. Since I decided to do it, might as well aim to be the best, so I completed all procedures and applications for domestic and foreign funds."

"These approvals are relatively slow. So I guess it will only be formally processed after the New Year."

Chen Yan nodded his head.

The billion he gave to Yang Nuannuan, to be honest, he never intended to earn it back, considering it as a favor toward Yang Rou; he still needed to keep up appearances, so he occasionally asked about Yang Nuannuan's progress.

Overall, Yang Nuannuan was indeed capable. In just two months, she had already established the basic framework and had the company registered.

The only issue was that the industry involved was quite sensitive, so the procedures would be slower.

After a brief conversation with Yang Nuannuan, upon reaching the inside, Yang Rou was sitting at the dining table, busily typing away.

Hearing someone come in, she asked without looking up, "Who is it? Nuannuan."

Before Yang Nuannuan could respond, Chen Yan said, "Me, Sister Rou."

Hearing Chen Yan's voice, Yang Rou turned her head in surprise and then said, "Chen Yan, why are you here?"

After speaking, perhaps realizing her own tone was too enthusiastic, Yang Rou swiftly turned indifferent again and glanced at Yang Nuannuan.

Yang Nuannuan was indeed looking at her curiously.

She told Yang Nuannuan, "Nuannuan, you entertain President Chen first. I'll finish up here."

Then, she blandly addressed Chen Yan, "President Chen, I've got some work here, we'll talk in a bit."

Chen Yan replied, "No rush."

But while he said there was no rush, he placed his belongings down and moved behind Yang Rou to peek at her laptop.

Yang Rou's computer was drafting a new production plan for the film company, coordinating schedules for incoming movie releases, and also tallying the company's situation from the past year.

In summary, last year, thanks to several blockbusters, the total revenue of Chen Yan's three film-related companies surpassed 120 billion.

The main contribution was of course from "Medicine God" and "Wandering Planet."

And several hit variety shows and drama series also made a decent profit.

Chenlu Film Company, as an important pillar of the company now, was showing potential as a leader in the entertainment industry.

For the new year, Yang Rou's plan was to at least continue last year's momentum and sustain the company's growth.

After watching for a while behind Yang Rou, she eventually wrapped up the spreadsheet she was working on and finally had time to chat with Chen Yan.

She closed the laptop, noting the time with some guilt, and said to Chen Yan, "I'm really sorry, President Chen, I got so busy that I ended up working this late."

"Therefore, I forgot to pay a New Year's visit to you."

Hearing Yang Rou's words, Chen Yan nonchalantly said, "No problem. You were also striving for the company's sake!"

Having said that, he changed the topic. "However, since I've seen it now, you should pay the fine at the finance department after the New Year."

"Working overtime during New Year's, a threefold penalty isn't too much, right?"

Yang Rou: ...

Yang Nuannuan: ...

Perhaps being truly unaccustomed to her mother's interaction with Chen Yan, Yang Nuannuan stood up, using the excuse of washing fruit to head to the kitchen.

But once Yang Nuannuan left, Chen Yan looked around, making sure she wouldn't be returning soon, and then moved closer to Yang Rou, gently taking her hand.

With her daughter not around, Yang Rou obviously wasn't as cautious and guarded as before.

Her hand clasped in Chen Yan's, she softly voiced a complaint, "You still remember to come back, huh? I thought you were planning to stay over there."

Hearing the tenderness in the voice of this strong woman, and combining it with Yang Rou's austere demeanor just a moment ago, Chen Yan felt an irrational stir of excitement...

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