He wants to adopt a younger sister, but his aloof wife disagrees.

Late autumn in Beijing always carries a sobering sense of desolation.

A week has passed since the collapse of the Ye Group building. In this week, the business world of Beijing has undergone an unprecedented reshuffle. The once invincible Ye family, under the financial strangulation orchestrated by Jiang Che and Shen Qingge, has become nothing but dust in history. After signing the "Retirement Agreement," Ye Zhentian completely secluded himself, spending the rest of his life in his once-glorious but now empty old mansion, guarding an old photograph of him and Ye Wan. Meanwhile, the once arrogant and domineering heiress, Ye Qingcheng, will spend the rest of her life behind bars due to attempted kidnapping and multiple economic crimes.

On the north shore of Shichahai Lake stands the "On the Water's Edge" Prince's Mansion.

The morning sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the large rosewood desk in the study. Jiang Che sat at the desk, a pair of scissors in his hand, meticulously pruning the branches and leaves of the white magnolia bonsai. His expression was focused and serene, as if the changing world outside was irrelevant to him.

"Click."

A withered branch fell.

"Boss, the plane tickets are booked."

Han Xiao pushed open the door, holding two first-class tickets to Singapore, her expression revealing a hint of undisguised worry: "Are we really only taking President Shen? The situation in Southeast Asia is far more complicated than in Beijing. The Song family has been operating there for a century, with connections in both the legitimate and underworld circles; it's their domain. Isn't it too risky for us to only take a few bodyguards?"

Jiang Che put down the scissors, picked up the damp towel on the table to wipe his hands, and looked out the window at the azure sky.

"Han Xiao, do you know what kind of person is the most terrifying in this world?"

"What kind of person?"

"He's not someone who commands an army and is powerful, nor is he someone whose wealth rivals that of a nation." Jiang Che smiled faintly, a deep, dark light flashing in his eyes, "but rather... someone without any bottom line, and someone who's practically cheated."

"The Song family thought that place was their home ground, their hunting ground."

"But what they didn't know was that this time they weren't going for prey, but... a natural disaster."

Jiang Che stood up, walked to the row of bookshelves, and gently ran his fingers over the rare and ancient books.

"Moreover, Qingge must go. If the Shen Group wants to truly become an international giant, it must seize the springboard of Southeast Asia. This is business, and it is also a necessary course for her as the head of the Shen Group. I cannot protect her in a greenhouse forever; she is a phoenix and needs a wider sky."

"As for the danger..."

Jiang Che's lips curled into a confident smile:

"With me here, there is nothing in this world that can hurt her."

……

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom.

Shen Qingge was packing her luggage. Unlike her usual efficient demeanor when traveling for business, this time her movements seemed somewhat slow. She picked up a dress that Jiang Che had designed for her, then put it down, her eyes revealing a complex emotion.

Last night, Jiang Che told her everything.

This includes Ye Zhentian's confession, the truth about how his mother, Ye Wan, was forced to flee to Southeast Asia to save her husband and children, and the Song family of Southeast Asia who were behind the scenes manipulating all the tragedies.

She did not try to persuade Jiang Che to let go of his hatred.

Because she understands that kind of pain. If anyone dared to touch Jiang Che or Xiao Ruan, she would spare no effort to make them pay a bloody price.

"Are you worried?"

A pair of warm arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Jiang Che had entered at some point, his chin gently resting on her shoulder, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

"Mmm." Shen Qingge didn't deny it. She turned around, buried her head in Jiang Che's arms, and said in a muffled voice, "I'm not afraid of the Song family, I'm afraid... afraid you'll lose control."

"Jiang Che, in Beijing, we are the rule-makers. But in Southeast Asia, I've heard it's very chaotic, and many things can't be solved through commercial means."

"just in case……"

"There's no 'what if'," Jiang Che interrupted her, cupping her face in his hands, looking into her eyes with a firm yet gentle gaze. "Qingge, do you believe me?"

"letter."

"That's enough." Jiang Che kissed her forehead. "Treat this trip to Southeast Asia as your honeymoon. I'll do all the dirty and tiring work. You just need to focus on looking beautiful, signing contracts, and being your queen."

"As for the Song family..."

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Che's eyes:

"Since they dare to reach so far, I will chop off their claws one by one."

Just as the two were enjoying their tender moment, a series of cheerful footsteps came from the living room.

"Brother! Sister! I'm back!"

Su Xiaoruan, carrying her schoolbag, rushed in like a happy little bird. After a period of rest, the girl had fully recovered her energy. In fact, she had benefited from the kidnapping incident, and her popularity had risen instead of falling, making her the "national little sister" that everyone on the internet felt sorry for.

Upon seeing Su Xiaoruan, Jiang Che and Shen Qingge exchanged a glance, tacitly concealing the seriousness in their eyes and replacing it with relaxed smiles.

"School's out so early?" Jiang Che walked over and took her schoolbag.

"It's Friday! No classes this afternoon!" Su Xiaoruan plopped down on the sofa, grabbed an apple, took a bite, and then blinked her big eyes at the two of them. "Brothers, are you really going to Singapore? Take me with you! I want to eat Hainanese chicken rice and go to Universal Studios!"

Jiang Che walked over, ruffled her hair, and said in a gentle but firm tone, "Not this time. You still have to go to school, and Director Feng's new film is about to start shooting. You're the female lead, so you can't be absent."

"And..." Jiang Che paused, "I have some business to take care of this time, it'll be rather boring, and I won't have time to play with you."

Although Su Xiaoruan was somewhat disappointed, she was a sensible child. She keenly sensed that her older brother and sister's trip out this time seemed to be more than just a simple matter.

"Alright then..." Su Xiaoruan pouted, "Then you guys have to come back early. And you have to video chat with me every day! If you dare to get seduced by some other flashy, cheap woman outside..."

Su Xiaoruan made a fierce expression and waved her little fist: "I'll fly over there and catch them in the act!"

Shen Qingge was amused by her and went over to pinch her cheek: "Don't worry, your brother-in-law, this 'gold digger,' can't be supported by anyone but me."

After calming Su Xiaoruan down, Jiang Che called Han Xiao to the courtyard.

"After we leave, I'll leave things in Beijing to you," Jiang Che instructed in a low voice. "Xiao Ruan's safety is the top priority. I'm leaving half of 'Shadow' (the top-tier security team rewarded by the system) to you. Whether she's at school or filming, she needs to be watched 24/7."

"If the Ye family or anyone else dares to make any underhanded moves..."

"Kill without mercy."

Han Xiao's expression hardened, and he nodded emphatically: "Don't worry, boss! Unless I'm dead, no one can touch a hair on Xiao Ruan's head!"

……

3 PM.

Just as Jiang Che and Shen Qingge were preparing to head to the airport, a gold-embossed invitation was delivered to the entrance of "Zai Shui Yi Fang" via international express.

The sender's name was clearly written as: Song Wanyi, Song Group, Singapore.

Jiang Che opened the envelope.

Inside was a black and gold card with several lines of text written in the flowing, elegant "slender gold" calligraphy style:

[To Mr. Jiang Che and Ms. Shen Qingge:]

I am deeply honored to hear of your upcoming visit to Southeast Asia. In three days, I will be celebrating my father's 70th birthday and hosting the Southeast Asian Chinese Business Summit. I cordially invite you both to my humble abode for a discussion.

Some old memories deserve to be reminisced over drinks; some old friends deserve to be remembered.

[Respectfully submitted by Song Wanyi]

There were no threatening words; in fact, it could be described as polite and considerate. But the condescending arrogance between the lines, and the phrase "some old friends," reeked of a nauseatingly bloody stench.

"Song Wanyi..." Shen Qingge frowned slightly as she looked at the name. "Is she the woman who called you that day? The eldest daughter of the Song family?"

"That's right." Jiang Che toyed with the invitation, his fingertips lightly tracing the gold-embossed lettering. "It seems they can't wait."

"This is a trap," Shen Qingge sneered. "If we don't go, it's a sign of weakness; if we go, it's like walking into a snare."

"Then let's go."

Jiang Che casually tossed the invitation to Han Xiao: "Keep this safe. This is our 'ticket' to enter the upper echelons of Southeast Asian society."

"So what if it was a Feast at Hongmen?"

"Xiang Yu failed to kill Liu Bang back then because he was indecisive."

"But this time, it wasn't Liu Bang who attended the banquet, but... a devil that even Xiang Yu feared."

……

Capital International Airport.

The Gulfstream G650ER took off again, carrying the fury of revenge and the ambition of conquest, piercing the clouds and flying towards the tropical island nation three thousand kilometers away.

After the plane entered the stratosphere, the cabin became quiet.

Shen Qingge, having not slept well the night before, was already catching up on sleep in her bedroom. Jiang Che sat alone by the porthole, watching the surging sea of ​​clouds outside, and activated the system in his mind.

"System, open the new map panel."

[Ding! Loading the map for "Storm in the South Seas"...]

[Current location: High altitude, en route to Singapore.]

[Host detected about to enter a high-risk area, system reward calculation in progress...]

As an electronic sound rang out, a semi-transparent virtual panel appeared in front of Jiang Che's eyes.

[In recognition of the host's outstanding performance in Volume One (destroying the Ye family, establishing a business empire, and protecting family members), the following special rewards are hereby granted to address the complex situation in Southeast Asia:]

1. [Identity Card: Sky Capital Asia CEO] (Activated)

Note: Sky Dome Capital is a fictional, top-tier, mysterious global conglomerate controlled by trillions of dollars in liquid funds. The host will arrive in Southeast Asia as the highest-ranking person in charge of this conglomerate's Asian region. This identity will grant you equal access to the Song family and unlimited control over fund allocation.

2. [Skill: Nanyang Expert (Master Level)]

Note: The host will be proficient in all Southeast Asian languages ​​(English, Malay, Thai, Indonesian, and various Hokkien and Cantonese dialects), and will be familiar with the local geography, customs, gang distribution, and unspoken rules.

3. [Skill: Ancient Muay Thai - Deadly Techniques (Grandmaster Level)]

Note: Unlike performance-style combat, this is a killing technique originating from ancient battlefields. Elbows strike like knives, knees like hammers. Combined with the host's existing physical abilities, you will become a walking human weapon.

4. [Special Item: Ghost Fleet Call-up Right (One-Time Use)]

Note: The host can summon a private armed fleet consisting of three destroyers and one submarine (affiliated with a mercenary organization) at any time to deal with extreme armed conflicts or maritime blockades.

Looking at these rewards, Jiang Che's lips curled into a cruel smile.

With these trump cards, the so-called Soong family of Nanyang was nothing more than a flock of lambs to the slaughter.

"Song Wanyi..."

Jiang Che looked at the wine glass in his hand and murmured to himself:

"I hope your bones are a bit harder than your mouth."

……

Six hours later.

Singapore Changi Airport.

When the plane landed, the night sky had just been washed by a tropical downpour, and the air was thick with a humid and sultry atmosphere.

At the VIP entrance, a row of black Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans were parked.

There was no grand welcome as I had imagined, nor was there a media frenzy. Only a few men in black suits, with dark skin and indifferent expressions, stood beside the car.

The leader was a middle-aged man with a mustache. He was holding a black umbrella. When he saw Jiang Che and Shen Qingge come out, he did not go forward to help them with their luggage, nor did he bow to them. He just stood there, looking at the two of them with a scrutinizing and even somewhat provocative gaze.

"Mr. Jiang, Ms. Shen."

The man with the mustache spoke in broken Mandarin with a heavy Southeast Asian accent, his tone devoid of any respect: "I am Ah Biao, the Song family's butler. Miss sent me to pick you two up."

As he spoke, he pointed to the several Mercedes-Benz cars behind him that didn't have special license plates and even looked somewhat old:

"Unfortunately, we have many guests today, and all the good cars have been sent out. You two will have to make do with these few cars."

"Also..." Ah Biao glanced at the bodyguards pushing luggage behind Jiang Che and sneered, "Miss said that the Song family has strict rules, and outsiders' bodyguards are not allowed into the manor. These people and their luggage, you'll have to figure out how to get them transported there yourselves."

This is a show of force.

A blatant show of force.

They wanted to embarrass Jiang Che as soon as they landed, to make him understand whose territory this was. If Jiang Che actually listened to them and left his bodyguards behind, or rode in these beat-up cars, then tomorrow the entire Southeast Asian circle would know that this dragon from Beijing was nothing but a worm in front of the Song family.

Shen Qingge's face instantly turned cold. She was about to speak.

Jiang Che reached out and stopped her.

He took off his sunglasses, and his deep eyes looked at Ah Biao as if he were looking at an ant that didn't know its own mortality.

Suddenly, Jiang Che spoke up.

They spoke in authentic Hokkien (Minnan dialect), and it was the kind of slang and secret language that only the older generation of gangsters in Southeast Asia would understand:

"Ah Biao, right? Go back and tell your young lady."

"It's easy to invite a god, but hard to send him away."

"Trying to intimidate me? You dare to challenge me?"

Ah Biao was stunned. His eyes widened as he stared at Jiang Che in disbelief. How could this young master from Beijing speak such fluent Fujian dialect? And that aura... it was even more terrifying than any gang leader he had ever met!

Before Ah Biao could react...

Rumbling--

A deep rumble came from the helipad not far away.

Three black helicopters, with huge gold dome logos (Sky Capital's logo) printed on their fuselages, roared down onto the lawn outside the VIP passage.

Immediately afterwards, a dozen Rolls-Royce Phantoms with special Singapore license plates, escorted by police cars, drove into the airport and stopped directly in front of Jiang Che.

The car door opened.

Dozens of elite bodyguards in uniform white gloves ran out of the car in unison, stood in two rows, and bowed ninety degrees to Jiang Che.

"Welcome to Singapore, sir!"

A blond, blue-eyed, and refined-looking old butler strode up to Jiang Che and bowed respectfully.

"Mr. Jiang, I am the chief steward of Sky Capital in Singapore. The presidential suite at the Raffles Hotel where we are staying is ready. In addition, the security team you requested is all in place."

"Are these enough cars? If not, I'll order more."

This scene completely stunned Ah Biao and the Song family henchmen behind him.

Police escort?

Helicopter transfer?

Sky Capital?!

Where did this guy from?! This is way too arrogant!

Compared to this convoy, the few Mercedes-Benzes sent by the Song family looked like junk collectors!

Jiang Che didn't even glance at A Biao, who was already dumbfounded. He took Shen Qingge's hand and gracefully walked towards the leading Rolls-Royce.

As Jiang Che passed by Ah Biao, he stopped, turned his head, and casually uttered a sentence in his fluent Fujian dialect:

"Go back and tell Song Wanyi."

"My feet, Jiang Che's feet, are very precious. Your Song family's cars are too dirty; I'm not used to sitting in them."

"I will be there on time for the birthday banquet three days from now."

"Tell her to clean the place up properly, so I don't smell that petty, sour attitude."

After saying that, Jiang Che got into the car.

The convoy roared away, leaving Ah Biao standing there, his face covered in exhaust fumes, clutching the black umbrella, trembling all over.

He knew that this time...

The Song family has probably bitten off more than they can chew.

……