The system only arrives when you're old? Then let's create a super-rich family!

(Dear readers, there's still one chapter that's at the end of the previous chapter... Sorry about that.)

The atmosphere in the conference room on the top floor of the Genting Tower was oppressive and suffocating.

The ten-minute decision-making period slowly passed, and most of the wealthy businessmen had already left, leaving only twelve of the top tycoons from Jiangnan in the empty conference room.

The air seemed to freeze; no one spoke.

The deathly silence amplified the anxiety and pressure in everyone's hearts.

The remaining twelve people can be said to control half of the Jiangnan business district.

But at this moment, no one had any of the air of a big shot anymore; everyone's brows were furrowed, and their eyes were full of struggle and hesitation.

All eyes turned to Shen Jianting in the corner.

The wealthy individuals who remained at the scene were all heads of long-established families that ranked among the top in Jiangnan, with deep roots and extensive networks of connections.

The Shen family, being the weakest and least experienced, stood out as an oddity among these established bigwigs.

Many people harbored subtle doubts in their eyes, secretly speculating.

Shen Jianting was someone who would have left 100%, but the reason he stayed at the venue today was entirely because his son, Shen Hao, was holding him back.

He glanced sideways at his composed son beside him, his heart filled with helplessness.

He had already decided to leave with the others and abandon all cooperation with the Qin family.

However, Shen Hao's attitude was firm and he repeatedly tried to dissuade him, so he stayed for the time being, intending to observe and see which big shots would dare to truly side with the Qin family before making a final decision.

Time ticked by, and the final decision-making moment drew ever closer, putting immense psychological pressure on everyone in the room.

Just as everyone was locked in a stalemate, Shen Yue, the secretary dressed in a smart suit and exuding a cool aura, received a meaningful glance from Qin Zihao and said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, there are only three minutes left."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes instantly shifted and focused on the middle-aged man at the head of the room.

Xiao Mingyuan.

Aside from the Qin family, he is the head of the top-ranked wealthy family in the Jiangnan business district.

At this moment, Xiao Mingyuan's choice is the weathervane for everyone present.

The remaining wealthy individuals remained undecided.

They all wanted to gamble on the Qin family's comeback and the immense wealth to follow, but no one dared to be the first to step forward.

The Xie family's terrifying power is right before our eyes; if we lose this gamble, it will be a catastrophic disaster that will wipe out the entire family.

Everyone was waiting for Xiao Mingyuan to make the first statement.

As long as the Xiao family, the most powerful family in Jiangnan, dares to take sides, they will dare to follow closely and completely bind themselves to the Qin family.

If Xiao Mingyuan backs down and leaves, they will follow without hesitation and will never risk their lives for the Qin family.

Even Qin Zihao glanced at Xiao Mingyuan indifferently.

However, they didn't linger too long or put pressure on the other party.

Just as his grandfather Qin Zheng had taught him yesterday.

The Qin family doesn't need a group of opportunists who only want to reap the rewards but are unwilling to weather the storms.

If you want to curry favor with the Qin family and seize top resources in Jiangnan, you must have the courage to take risks.

Those who are timid and indecisive, even if they are kept, will only be a hidden danger. The Qin family would rather have none than to have the wrong kind.

With all eyes on him, Xiao Mingyuan felt immense pressure, and a thin layer of sweat quietly seeped out from his back.

His mind raced, constantly weighing the pros and cons.

There are only two paths ahead.

The first option is to sever all ties with the Qin family.

The worst outcome would be to abandon the Jiangnan base, sell assets, restart in another location, lose billions of dollars, and start all over again.

But the family's foundation remains, and the clansmen live in peace and security, and will never suffer destruction.

The second path is to completely bind ourselves to the Qin family and stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

If the Qin family cannot withstand the Xie family's ruthless suppression, the Xiao family will be completely implicated, and the Xiao family will most likely be expelled from the family.

This path was too risky, so risky that Xiao Mingyuan, who had lived for decades and weathered countless storms, instinctively felt resistance and backed down.

He couldn't see through the Qin family's trump card at all, and he couldn't afford to gamble with the future of the entire family.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Mingyuan looked up at Qin Zihao, who sat in the main seat with a cold expression, and spoke in a deep voice with a hint of probing and helplessness.

"President Qin, I only have one question. What are the chances of the Qin family winning if they directly confront the Xie family of Beijing?"

This question reflects the sentiments of everyone present.

All twelve pairs of eyes were fixed on Qin Zihao, and everyone held their breath, waiting quietly for the answer.

They need an answer to give them confidence, a confidence strong enough to make them dare to risk their lives.

Qin Zihao did not reply, but merely glanced at everyone, his expression unreadable.

Seeing this, Xiao Mingyuan gave a bitter smile and gritted his teeth to reveal his bottom line:

"President Qin, if you dare say the Qin family has a 60% chance of winning, my Xiao family will spare no effort to assist you, and we swear to stand with the Qin family through thick and thin!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room trembled and secretly admired Xiao Mingyuan's courage.

To dare to bet everything with only a 60% chance of winning, risking the legacy of generations of a wealthy family, shows a level of courage that most people present were ashamed of.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Qin Zihao's response.

To everyone's surprise, Qin Zihao offered no explanation and made no promises of victory.

He glanced down at his wristwatch, his tone indifferent and devoid of any emotion: "Two minutes left."

The four words, "light and airy," instantly shattered the last glimmer of hope in Xiao Mingyuan's heart.

Xiao Mingyuan's face was full of bitterness, and he understood completely.

The Qin family had no intention of giving them any confidence or making any promises.

This is not a cooperative negotiation; it is a one-sided final assessment of which side to take.

If you gamble, then stay; life, death, honor, and disgrace depend on your own abilities.

If you don't gamble, then leave the scene and be completely expelled from the Jiangnan business district.

There are no compromises, no room for hesitation, and no chance to back out.

"Where there's life, there's hope."

Xiao Mingyuan sighed inwardly, made a decision instantly, bowed slightly to Qin Zihao, and said apologetically, "President Qin, I'm sorry..."

He planned to withdraw from the game, preserve the Xiao family's legacy, and never take this risky gamble.

But just as he finished speaking and was about to get up...

"bass!"

A resolute figure suddenly stood up, slamming his hands heavily onto the conference table, the dull thud instantly echoing throughout the entire conference room.

"President Qin! The Xiao family is willing to stand with the Qin family through this difficult time, and we will never back down!"

The one who spoke was Xiao Mingyuan's son, Xiao Shaojie!

Xiao Mingyuan shuddered, his pupils contracted sharply, his expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly turned his head and whispered:

"Shaojie! What nonsense are you talking about! Sit down!"

He was shocked and angry, and his heart was filled with panic.

This public statement, which completely binds the Qin family to the Qin family, is tantamount to declaring war on the Xie family of Shangjing.

Once the Xie family finds out, the Xiao family will surely face annihilation and be doomed forever!

Faced with his father's reprimand, Xiao Shaojie showed no fear. Instead, he looked at Xiao Mingyuan with disappointment in his eyes, shook his head slightly, and spoke with a hint of vicissitude and helplessness.

"Dad, you're getting old."

These four short words, each one clear and distinct, struck Xiao Mingyuan's heart with a resounding thud.

Xiao Mingyuan froze on the spot, staring blankly at his son with a look of utter astonishment on his face.

He had been in charge of the Xiao family for decades, and no one had ever dared to say such rebellious things to him.

The other wealthy people present also became interested instantly, their eyes filled with amusement as they quietly watched this grand drama of a father and son vying for power in public, without anyone uttering a word to interrupt.

Ignoring all the gazes of the audience, Xiao Shaojie stared directly at Xiao Mingyuan, whose face was ashen, and slowly spoke, each word piercing to the heart.

"That night, Second Master Qin personally presented us with an opportunity, giving our Xiao family a path to instant success. It was you who hesitated and overestimated your abilities, blocking my way and causing us to miss out on this extraordinary fortune."

"Today, President Qin has once again presented everyone with the ultimate opportunity, yet you remain filled with fear and hesitation."

"I cannot stand by and watch my second chance at wealth and fortune slip away in your hands again."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Shaojie raised his hand and patted Xiao Mingyuan's shoulder heavily, his tone firm and resolute.

"Dad, this time, let me make the decision. I will lead the Xiao family to its greatest prosperity."

The meaning couldn't be clearer.

He practically announced his power grab in public, taking over all decision-making power in the Xiao family!

The audience was deeply shocked and silently sighed.

No one expected that the usually low-key eldest son of the Xiao family would have such extraordinary courage, daring to overturn the family head's decision in public and forcibly take control of the family's fate.

Just as the entire audience was in an uproar, another figure suddenly stood up, his posture upright and his aura imposing.

"My Shen family, too, swears to stand with the Qin family to the death!"

It was Shen Hao who spoke!

He turned to look at Shen Jianting, who stood beside him looking bewildered, and said in a crisp, decisive, and uncompromising tone:

"Dad, you should step down."

"During the Yuan family's power struggle, I had the opportunity to board the Qin family's big ship earlier and completely leapfrog into a new social circle. It was your cowardice and conservatism that forced me to give up the opportunity."

"Today, I will take back everything that belongs to me, and reclaim the opportunity for the Shen family to rise again!"

Looking at his son, whose aura had changed and whose eyes were now sharp, Shen Jianting was first taken aback, then smiled helplessly, feeling a mix of emotions.

He never expected that his usually docile son would imitate Xiao Shaojie and force him to abdicate and seize power in public.

But in an instant, all the past events flooded his mind, and he felt only guilt.

In the last power struggle between the Yuan and Qin families, the son, with his keen insight, recognized the Qin family's potential early on and wanted to fully align himself with them. However, he was too cautious, fearing risks, and forcefully obstructed the move, thus missing a golden opportunity to rise to power.

As it turns out, the son's judgment was correct from beginning to end; it was his overly conservative approach that hindered the Shen family's development.

In contrast, Xiao Shaojie, despite the Xiao family's immense size, dared to be the first to stand up and side with the Qin family.

The Shen family was small and weak to begin with. Rather than living a life of timidity and meager existence at the bottom of the social circle, they should take a gamble and bet on the future!

After figuring it out, the struggle in Shen Jianting's eyes completely disappeared. He raised his hand and gently patted Shen Hao's shoulder, his expression solemn and his tone extremely serious.

"Son, from this day forward, the Nine Heavens Dragon Court is yours. The Shen family is now under your command."

Shen Hao had prepared himself to be scolded by his father and to argue his case, and had even thought of countless arguments to refute him. But he never expected that Shen Jianting would so readily relinquish power.

He stood there stunned for two seconds, then nodded emphatically, uttering only one powerful word: "Okay!"

The Shen family's complete delegation of power and full alignment with one side thoroughly shocked everyone present.

Looking at Xiao Mingyuan, who was still hesitant, Xiao Shaojie's disappointment deepened, and his tone was tinged with regret and coldness.

"Dad, you're really getting old."

"Dad, you're really getting old. You're afraid of this and that. President Qin has almost made his intentions clear, but you're still hesitating."

"No wonder the Xiao family has stagnated all these years. You have long lost your former ambition and are now only filled with a complacent and complacent attitude."

Xiao Mingyuan frowned, his face turning pale and then flushed, looking extremely unwell. He couldn't help but ask in return:

"What is the Qin family implying? Why can't I see it at all?"

He was full of doubts. From beginning to end, Qin Zihao was cold and domineering and made no promises. Where did the hint come from?

Seeing his father's still cloudy eyes, Xiao Shaojie sighed helplessly and spoke very quickly, making the most of the remaining time to explain things thoroughly.

"Dad, your vision has completely deteriorated."

"Why won't President Qin offer any odds of victory or promise any benefits? Think about it carefully and you'll understand."

"What he's doing today isn't asking for our help at all, but rather using the Xie family's suppression of this crisis to thoroughly filter out people's hearts and purge his social circle!"

"If President Qin had promised victory and guaranteed a win beforehand, everyone would have blindly followed suit without any risk, leaving only opportunists. What good would that have?"

"True top-tier opportunities always involve both risk and opportunity. Where in the world is there such a thing as getting rich quick without taking any risk?"

"You've spent your whole life in business, teaching me to seize every opportunity and give it my all. But now, you've long lost that same drive and courage."

Xiao Shaojie's words hit the nail on the head, revealing the essence of the matter.

Xiao Mingyuan's face burned with embarrassment, utterly humiliated by his son's words, yet he had no way to refute them.

He had to admit that as he got older, he became more and more afraid of losing, losing money, and taking risks, and he had long lost the sharpness he had when he was young, when he ventured into the market and rose against the trend.

Looking at Shen Hao, who was full of vigor and made a decisive choice, and then at his son, whose eyes were full of disappointment, Xiao Mingyuan's stubbornness completely collapsed.

As he exhaled a long breath, the hesitation in Xiao Mingyuan's eyes vanished, replaced by relief and decisiveness.

"That's enough."

"Shaojie, your father trusts your judgment. If you dare to gamble, the Xiao family will gamble with you!"

He looked up at his radiant son, his eyes filled with satisfaction, and solemnly said, "From now on, the future of the Xiao family is entirely in your hands."

After speaking, Xiao Mingyuan turned to face Qin Zihao, bowed slightly, and adopted a respectful posture.

"President Qin, we hope you will continue to mentor and guide my son in the future. The Xiao family will forever follow the Qin family!"

Thus, the two top wealthy families in Jiangnan, the Xiao family and the Shen family, have completely completed the power shift and fully sided with the Qin family!

Qin Zihao remained indifferent, showing neither joy nor sorrow, and offered no response. He simply glanced around the room and spoke softly.

"Ten minutes are up. One last question, does anyone else want to leave?"

The remaining wealthy individuals were completely enlightened by the scene before them, and their minds suddenly became clear.

Even younger generations can see through the top-level strategy, but these veterans who have been deeply involved in the business world for decades are caught up in weighing the pros and cons, hesitant and timid, and almost miss out on their life's opportunity.

"I'm ashamed! I'm truly ashamed!" A patriarch of a long-established wealthy family shook his head repeatedly, his face full of emotion. "Young Master Xiao and Shen Hao have exceptional vision and extraordinary courage. We're really getting worse as we get older!"

"Yes! We almost ruined our entire family's path to advancement because of a moment of cowardice!"

"The Qin family is truly weeding out the weak to find genuine followers! If we miss this god-given opportunity, we will never be able to sleep or eat in peace!"

Everyone stood up straight, their attitude extremely solemn, and they all spoke in unison, their voices strong and clear, echoing throughout the entire conference room.

"We have finally realized the error of our ways! From this day forward, we will follow the Qin family blindly, vowing to fight to the death and overcome this difficult time together!"

"We will live and die with the Qin family, share their glory and disgrace, and never back down!"