Xu Yunliang immediately understood Old Hou’s implication. Their eyes met, and a name flashed through both of their minds simultaneously.

"This Qin Minghui sure likes to stir up trouble," Old Hou said with a sneer.

Xu Yunliang remained silent. Some things were too complicated, and this time he was just an outsider. He didn’t want to get too involved but only to fulfill his duties.

The office fell silent once again, broken only by the sound of Old Hou’s fingers tapping on the table.

Xu Yunliang’s silence was itself an attitude. He knew that Old Hou already harbored resentment towards Qin Minghui, but sometimes the clouds gather without it immediately raining.

After a long while, Old Hou exhaled a deep breath, as if expelling the frustration and anger pent up in his chest.

He lifted his tea cup again, seeming to have made a decision, and his face regained its usual calmness.

"Let them withdraw."

In just a few words, the incident was temporarily concluded.

Xu Yunliang felt as if a heavy stone was lifted from his heart and immediately responded, "Alright, I’ll have the secretary inform them now."

"Wait," Old Hou called out to Xu Yunliang, who was about to turn around.

Xu Yunliang stopped and looked at him hesitantly.

Old Hou picked up the cup of tea but didn’t drink it. Instead, he gazed at the tea leaves floating inside and slowly said, "Arrange for me to visit a few places today."

Xu Yunliang immediately understood what Old Hou meant.

This was a move to personally calm things down and to release goodwill, while also giving an explanation to those above.

Since they had decided to admit defeat, they had to put appearances aside completely.

Xu Yunliang nodded, "Sure, I’ll make the arrangements."

...

Meanwhile, at Hutao Villa.

Qin Minghui was drinking tea and scrolling through his tablet. He hadn’t gone to the office today but had come directly here.

"Don’t you need to deal with these troubles?" Lu Zhaoxue brought over a plate of sliced fruit and placed it on the table.

Qin Minghui shook his head, "No need, someone else will handle it."

Lu Zhaoxue smiled gently and then changed the subject, "I know Qi Yun has a strong background over there, but I didn’t expect him to be able to influence so many major capital players simultaneously."

Qin Minghui put down the tablet, rubbed his temples, and showed a hint of a complex expression on his face, "Yeah, I didn’t expect that either. Originally, I thought his greatest support was from the Fu Family, but now it seems he has skills of his own."

"To have convinced Liu Guangxin, Zhao Weilin, and Old Zhong to express their pressure at the same time, it’s not just a matter of face but shows that Qi Yun holds an unimaginable value and potential in their eyes."

Lu Zhaoxue nodded, "Do you think this will be the end of it?"

"It will. Old Hou just wanted to give him a warning, but he wouldn’t go all out. He also has to fear the power behind Qi Yun." Qin Minghui said firmly, showing he had a good grasp of these matters.

"Moreover..." he picked up the cup of tea and watched the rising steam, "Qi Yun’s counterattack this time was appropriate, giving Old Hou an out."

"If he didn’t stop now, he would not only offend these few entities but also those above who are watching closely. He’s smart; he knows when to advance and when to retreat."

Lu Zhaoxue was thoughtful, "So after this, Qi Yun will have firmly established his position in J Province?"

"From the day Fu Wentao came, he had already firmly established his position." Qin Minghui sighed, "But he’s not one to play by the rules..."

But then he frowned, "Besides...he also planted new seeds of trouble this time."

"Oh? How so?"

"While his display of power might deter people from provoking him in the future, it also showed Old Hou and some others watching that he’s uncontrollable."

"Someone who flips the table at the slightest disagreement...such an overt show of strength. It might intimidate rivals in the short term, but in the long run, it could make too many enemies and isolate himself."

"Hmm, you have a point, but..." Lu Zhaoxue took over the conversation, giving him a deep look, "Sometimes, displaying a bit of strength isn’t a bad thing; at least it gives your allies more confidence."

"Since you’ve been here for quite some time, you’ve missed the best opportunity. If you’re not content with stopping here, you might as well be more decisive..."

Her words were subtle, yet Qin Minghui understood the implication.

Yes, have I been too conservative?

Always thinking about balance, trying not to offend people, aiming for stability within the rules.

But sometimes, in a game of power, seeking stability too much can mean mediocrity...

If only he had done everything to protect Zhang Dayong last time... If he hadn’t shown up at the hotel that day, would there not be a rift between him and Qi Yun...

He does have the ability to help me take that step...

Amidst his thoughts, the phone on the table rang. Qin Minghui glanced down, then smiled knowingly.

"Have we got a result?" Lu Zhaoxue asked.

"Yes." Qin Minghui nodded, "They’ve conceded."

...

Elsewhere, Qi Yun was at Dawn Technology discussing the company merger with Tao Ziming.

"I’ve secured a position of technical director for you in the new company, and your shares will be converted to match your current ratio. You’ll also have a seat on the board."

Tao Ziming took the cigarette Qi Yun offered and smiled as he shook his head, "I’m not interested in power. Just making this project a success would be enough sign of accomplishment over the years for me."

"If possible, I would still like to be in charge of the battery business."

"That’s no problem." Qi Yun patted his shoulder, making a solemn promise, "In the short term, the battery remains our core business and I’d need someone trustworthy like you in charge."

"However, you still need to take on the director position. It’s a recognition of your status and contribution within the team, and it also helps better coordinate resources."

"When I’m not around, you’ll represent me in exercising authority. Significant decisions can be relayed to me anytime."

Tao Ziming’s hand paused slightly with a flicker of emotion in his eyes. He hadn’t expected Qi Yun to grant him such authority and trust.

"Alright then, no more deferrals. This decision will advance quickly, and any internal personnel appointments can be discussed among yourselves." Qi Yun insisted.

"Alright." Tao Ziming nodded, glancing toward the door with some hesitation, "They..."

Qi Yun flicked some ash from his cigarette and replied calmly, "Ignore them. If nothing unexpected happens, they will leave soon."

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the person in charge of the governing group appeared at the office door.

He tapped on the door and bowed slightly, asking, "Hehe, President Qi, President Tao, may I come in?"

Qi Yun gestured slightly, "Please, come in."

The person in charge entered with a flattering smile and a document in his hand.

"President Qi, President Tao, sorry to interrupt."

"Our group’s on-site inspection work is almost completed. After careful review and assessment, we believe the historical legacy issues in your approval processes are objective conditions of a specific development period. The company’s overall operations are regulated."

"We’ve formed a preliminary opinion that suggests these issues can be handled by a limited-time rectification process that won’t affect normal production and operations."

He handed over the document with both hands, "Here is our preliminary opinion report for your review. If there are no issues, we plan to withdraw today. Subsequent adjustments can be submitted as required, and we’ll arrange for personnel to follow up."

Qi Yun took the document and casually placed it on the table, saying softly, "Thank you for your efforts. We will diligently undertake rectifications as required."

"It’s our duty, our duty." The person in charge nodded repeatedly, "Then...I’ll not disturb President Qi and President Tao’s work any longer. Goodbye, hehe, goodbye..."

After speaking, he respectfully bowed again before turning to leave. His steps were light, as if he had been relieved of a heavy burden.

Tao Ziming watched as the almost humbly retreating figure exited the office, feeling not just astonishment but an unprecedented sense of awe and admiration.

He knew Qi Yun was powerful, but he hadn’t realized how powerful.