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

In Singapore, mornings always arrive after a brief thunderstorm. The tropical plants, washed clean by the rain, gleam with a vibrant green, and the air is filled with the damp, earthy fragrance.

In the open-air courtyard of the Raffles Hotel, several peacocks strolled leisurely on the lawn. Jiang Che sat under a white parasol, holding a copy of the Straits Times (written entirely in English), with a freshly brewed cup of Nanyang white coffee in front of him. Shen Qingge sat opposite him, processing documents sent from China on her tablet. Occasionally, she would look up at the man who appeared exceptionally serene in the morning light, a hint of barely perceptible worry in her eyes.

Although Jiang Che emerged victorious in last night's "culinary battle" at the Straits Mansion, even delivering a resounding slap to Song Wanyi, Shen Qingge knew in her heart that this was merely the calm before the storm. The Song family had been entrenched in Southeast Asia for a century, and they were by no means the kind of people who would swallow their pride after suffering a loss.

"What are you looking at?" Shen Qingge put down the tablet and asked softly.

"Look at this interesting news." Jiang Che pointed to the front page of the newspaper. "It says that a mysterious armed fleet recently appeared in the Strait of Malacca. It has no nationality markings and appears and disappears without a trace, causing several pirate gangs in the vicinity to vanish overnight. The local navy even calls it a 'ghost incident'."

"Ghost fleet?" Shen Qingge frowned. "Could this kind of news at a time like this be related to the Song family? I've heard that the Song family has been colluding with those pirate armed groups."

"Perhaps." Jiang Che folded the newspaper, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "However, sometimes 'ghosts' aren't necessarily bad people. Maybe they're here... to exorcise evil spirits."

As they were talking, the blond, blue-eyed old butler walked over with elegant steps, holding an encrypted satellite phone in his hand.

"Sir, everything is ready at 'Sky Dome.' All the senior executives for the Asian region are waiting for your inspection at the headquarters," the butler said respectfully.

"Understood." Jiang Che stood up, straightened his cuffs, and said, "Prepare the car."

He turned to Shen Qingge: "I'm taking you somewhere today. Since you're here as the Asia CEO of 'Sky Dome Capital,' you should at least get acquainted with the place and, incidentally... flex your muscles."

……

Half an hour later, Marina Bay Financial Centre.

This is the heart of Singapore's CBD, a landscape of towering skyscrapers, each housing billions of dollars. Among these high-rises, one stands out—a jet-black skyscraper shaped like a sword piercing the sky.

That's the newly completed Sky Dome Tower.

It is the tallest building in Marina Bay and the most mysterious financial center in Asia. The outside world only knows that its owner is a reclusive conglomerate called "Sky Capital," but no one has ever seen the legendary president of its Asia region.

Today, the atmosphere around this building is exceptionally solemn.

A convoy of dozens of black Rolls-Royce Phantoms, with the assistance of traffic police, slowly came to a stop in front of the building's main entrance.

Jiang Che led Shen Qingge out of the car.

At the main entrance, two rows of elite executives in black suits, their expressions solemn, were already lined up waiting. Among them were top Wall Street traders, former advisors to various political figures, and tech geniuses from Silicon Valley. At this moment, all of them bowed their heads and gave Jiang Che a ninety-degree bow.

"Welcome, Boss."

This scene attracted passersby and white-collar workers in the surrounding office buildings to stop and watch, speculating about the background of this young Chinese man.

Jiang Che nodded expressionlessly and led Shen Qingge straight into the hall.

The interior of the hall was extremely luxurious, with a dynamic holographic star map on the huge dome and a solid obsidian floor underfoot. There were no cumbersome security checks, because Jiang Che's biometric information had already been entered into the system with the highest access level.

The elevator ascended rapidly at a speed of 10 meters per second, reaching the top floor—the 88th floor.

The moment the elevator doors opened, Shen Qingge was stunned by the sight before her.

This isn't an office; it's practically a mini combat command center.

A huge circular screen occupied three entire walls, displaying real-time data from major global stock markets, exchange rate fluctuations, and various complex satellite cloud images. Dozens of uniformed staff were working busily, the sound of keyboards clicking like dense raindrops.

"Boss, all the data for the Asian region has been connected."

A beautiful, capable, and shrewd mixed-race woman dressed in professional attire stepped forward. She was the chief secretary assigned to Jiang Che by the system, codenamed "Athena".

"We have now identified all of the Song Group's hidden assets in Southeast Asia, including their rubber plantations in Indonesia, private ports in Malaysia, and several money laundering channels controlled through offshore companies."

Athena handed Jiang Che an electronic report: "With just your order, we can cut off 60% of the Song family's overseas funds within ten minutes."

Jiang Che took the report, flipped through it casually, and then tossed it onto the table.

"No rush."

Jiang Che walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the ant-like traffic below and the bustling Singapore Strait in the distance:

"The most interesting part of a cat catching a mouse is not killing it with one bite, but watching the mouse struggle in despair."

"The birthday banquet three days from now will be the Song family's final celebration. I want to give them a 'grand gift' on that day."

After speaking, Jiang Che turned around and looked at Athena:

Has Poseidon arrived yet?

Upon hearing this code name, Athena's expression became unusually serious, even showing a hint of awe.

"Reporting to the boss, 'Poseidon' and its fleet arrived at the designated area last night and are currently in a state of silent submersion. They are ready to surface at any time to execute the 'destruction' command."

"very good."

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Che's eyes.

Shen Qingge stood aside, listening to these conversations that seemed to only appear in movies, her heart filled with shock. She had originally thought that "Sky Capital" mentioned by Jiang Che was just a wealthy investment company, but she never expected that the power behind it was so terrifying.

What exactly is this so-called "Poseidon"?

"Qingge, come here."

Jiang Che waved to her, gesturing for her to come to the window.

He took out a black controller and pressed a red button on it.

"Look at the sea."

Shen Qingge followed his gaze.

At this time, the Singapore Strait was bathed in sunshine, and merchant ships shuttled back and forth.

Sudden.

In the high seas about fifty kilometers from the coastline, huge white foam appeared on the originally calm surface of the sea.

Immediately afterwards, a colossal creature burst forth from the water.

It was a submarine, entirely black with a futuristic design. It didn't fly any flags; only the golden dome emblem on the bridge gleamed in the sunlight.

On either side of the submarine, three stealth destroyers with the same paint scheme emerged from the sea fog like ghosts, guarding the submarine in a triangular formation.

Although the distance was great, with the aid of a high-powered telescope, the dark muzzles of the cannons and missile silos still created a suffocating sense of oppression.

This is the special item rewarded by the system—[Ghost Fleet].

"This...this is..." Shen Qingge covered her mouth, her voice trembling.

"This is my trump card."

Jiang Che put down the binoculars, hugged her from behind, and whispered in her ear:

"The Song family thought that they were local tyrants because they had guns and pirates in Southeast Asia."

"But they don't know."

"In this world, truth lies only within the range of cannons."

"If they want to play hardball with me at the birthday banquet..."

Jiang Che looked at the silent fleet, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his lips:

"Then I'll show them what a dimensional reduction attack really means."

……

Meanwhile, on Sentosa Island, at the Song family's private estate.

The estate, which occupies half the island, is currently in a tense state of being outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense.

Inside the study, Song Wanyi, dressed in a red cheongsam, sat in a grand chair, toying with two iron balls in her hands. The clicking sound they made was particularly jarring in the quiet room.

Opposite her sat a dark-skinned man with a muscular face and a shark tattooed on his neck.

He is "Black Shark," the biggest pirate leader in the Strait of Malacca, and also the vicious dog kept by the Song family for many years.

"Young Miss, please don't worry."

Black Shark grinned, revealing a set of teeth stained yellow by smoke: "I've got everything arranged. Three hundred brothers have already infiltrated Singapore in batches. As soon as that Jiang Che dares to step into the manor, I'll riddle him with bullets."

"Hmm." Song Wanyi nodded, her eyes filled with malice. "Remember, I want him alive. I want to tear his mouth apart with my own hands and chop off his hands to make specimens."

"What about Shen Qingge?" Black Shark licked his lips, his eyes lewd. "That woman's really hot. If only I could..."

"That woman is yours," Song Wanyi said coldly, "but only after it's all over. Don't ruin my plans."

"Hehe, thank you for the reward, Miss!" Black Shark rubbed his hands together excitedly.

Just as the two were plotting, Song's butler, A Biao, rushed in in a panic.

"Young Miss! Something terrible has happened!"

"What's the panic?" Song Wanyi frowned. "Is the sky falling?"

"The sea...the sea..." Ah Biao pointed to the sea outside the window, his face pale. "The Maritime Bureau just sent word that an unidentified fleet has suddenly appeared in international waters! And...and the radar signal from that fleet seems to be locked onto the direction of our manor!"

"A fleet?" Song Wanyi was taken aback. "What fleet? An American one? Or a naval exercise?"

"I don't know! There are no markings! But the firepower is extremely strong; it's rumored to include missile destroyers!"

Song Wanyi suddenly stood up, walked to the window, picked up the binoculars, and looked at the sea.

Although she couldn't see the details clearly from a distance, the oppressive feeling of an impending storm made her heart tighten.

"Coincidence...it must be a coincidence."

Song Wanyi forced himself to remain calm: "The situation is tense lately, it's probably just a passing warship. What does it have to do with Jiang Che? He's just a nouveau riche from the capital, how could he possibly mobilize a fleet?"

"But..." Ah Biao hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

"Shut up!" Song Wanyi shouted sternly. "Don't scare yourself. Our plan remains unchanged! Black Shark, have your men guard every corner of the manor. Not a single fly is allowed in!"

"yes!"

Song Wanyi turned around and looked at the calligraphy hanging on the wall—"One hand can cover the sky."

That was a family motto written by Song Tianyang, the patriarch of the Song family, seventy years ago.

"In Southeast Asia, no one can hide the Song family's power."

Song Wanyi muttered to herself, as if trying to encourage herself.

……

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these three days, Jiang Che was not idle. He took Shen Qingge to visit Merlion Park, eat Hainanese chicken rice, and even go to the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa, just like any other tourist.

In the shadows, a massive net has already been quietly cast.

"Sky Capital" has completed its full penetration of the Song family's peripheral industries.

The "Shadow" security team has figured out every firing point in the Song family manor.

The "ghost fleet" remained silently anchored on the high seas, like the scythe of death, waiting for the moment it would fall.

Friday night, 7 p.m.

The banquet for the 70th birthday of the Song family patriarch has officially begun.

The entire Sentosa Island was sealed off, and countless luxury cars drove in via the bridge. Political figures, business tycoons, and even some underworld bosses from Southeast Asia came to offer their birthday wishes.

The Song Family Manor was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

Security at the entrance is extremely strict; every guest has to undergo three body searches.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly came to a stop at the gate of the manor.

The car door opened.

Jiang Che got off the car first.

He wore a white suit tonight, without a tie, the collar slightly open, making him look dashing yet imposing. And on his chest, he still wore that somewhat worn longevity lock.

He reached out and helped Shen Qingge out of the car.

Shen Qingge wore a black deep-V evening gown tonight, along with the priceless "Heart of the Ocean" jewelry, looking as stunning as a bewitching enchantress in the dark.

The two, one in black and one in white, resembled the yin-yang symbol of Pisces, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"Who is that? What an imposing presence!"

"I heard it's Jiang Che from the capital, the one who recently ruined the Ye family."

"How dare he come? I heard Miss Song already said she was going to teach him a lesson..."

The surrounding guests whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with anticipation for a good show.

Ah Biao stood at the door. When he saw Jiang Che, his expression changed, but he still forced himself to come forward.

"Mr. Jiang, Miss Shen. Miss said, please come in."

Ah Biao gestured for them to proceed, but his eyes darted maliciously toward the security gate beside him.

"However, according to the rules, all guests must be searched and are not allowed to bring any communication devices or bodyguards."

"search?"

Jiang Che stopped and glanced at A Biao indifferently:

"What if I don't search?"

"Then I'm afraid..." Ah Biao sneered, and a dozen or so bodyguards in black immediately surrounded him, their hands on their waists, clearly carrying weapons. "The two of you won't be able to get in."

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Shen Qingge held Jiang Che's arm and could feel the tension in his muscles.

Jiang Che smiled.

Instead of making a move, he took out an exquisite gift box from his pocket and handed it to A Biao.

"There's no need for a body search. I think your grandfather will really like this birthday gift."

"As for my bodyguards..."

Jiang Che pointed to the pitch-black night sky above:

"They are not on earth, they are in heaven."

The voice just fell.

buzzing-

A tremendous roar of propellers suddenly drowned out the music playing in the manor.

Everyone looked up.

Three black helicopters were hovering above the manor, their searchlights shining like swords at the manor's gate, blinding the dozen or so bodyguards who were about to make a move!

"This..." Ah Biao was so frightened that his legs went weak and he almost knelt down.

"May I go in now?"

Jiang Che straightened his collar, his expression calm and composed, as if he were strolling leisurely.

Ah Biao retreated tremblingly, not daring to utter a single word.

Jiang Che, holding Shen Qingge's hand, walked down the red carpet into the manor, a place destined to be awash in blood tonight, amidst a sea of ​​shocked and awe-inspiring gazes.

Inside the banquet hall.

Song Wanyi was accompanying an elderly man in a wheelchair with a face full of age spots—Song Tianyang, the head of the Song family.

Hearing the commotion outside, Song Wanyi's expression changed.

"They're here."

A glint of light flashed in Song Tianyang's cloudy eyes, and his voice was hoarse:

"Interesting. We haven't seen a young man who dares to provoke the Song family in twenty years."

"Let him in."

"I want to see just how much Ye Zhentian's seed really weighs."