At the Zhu Empire.
Zihan's fingers paused over his laptop keyboard for what felt like the tenth time since his father arrived.
He finally lifted his gaze.
Across the office, Zhu Zixuan sat comfortably on the sofa, completely at ease as he sipped hot tea from a fine traditional Chinese ceramic cup, looking more like a retired emperor than the former head of the Zhu empire.
The office had been silent for nearly fifteen minutes.
Zihan finally pushed his chair back slightly, the movement subtle, as though silently acknowledging his father's presence at last.
"Oh?" Zixuan drawled leisurely. "So you decided to acknowledge me only after reaching your own comfortable timing?"
"…No, Father." Zihan closed his laptop halfway. "You simply weren't saying anything."
Zixuan scoffed softly. "You're so arrogant that you don't even notice it anymore." He took another calm sip of tea before adding casually, "No wonder Guo Min ran away from home."
The air in the office instantly turned cold.
Secretary Lin, who had been standing quietly in the corner holding documents, immediately felt the pressure crash onto him instead.
Because unlike Zhu Zixuan, he was not fearless.
And just before Zihan's icy gaze could fully land on him
"Boss!" Secretary Lin suddenly blurted out. "I... I forgot to bring some important files. I'll go get them immediately."
Without waiting for permission, he turned and fled the office at record speed.
The door shut behind him.
Silence.
Zixuan clicked his tongue lightly. "…Coward."
Zihan leaned back in his chair, expression dark. "You came here just to provoke me?"
"No." Zixuan calmly set his teacup down. "I came because your mother told me you've finally started behaving like a normal human being."
"….". Zihan said nothing, though the glare he gave his father was enough.
Zixuan merely chuckled.
"Well, whatever." He crossed one leg over the other before his expression gradually turned more serious. "The election is around the corner, Zihan…"
At that, Zihan finally removed his glasses and set them on the desk.
Then he turned fully toward his father, giving him his undivided attention for the first time since the conversation started. "…Yes."
"The presidential candidates are already moving behind the scenes," Zixuan continued calmly. "Every one of them is searching for a powerful backer." A pause. "And naturally, the Zhu family is their biggest target."
Zihan's expression remained unreadable. Money moved politics. And politics protected money. That was how their world worked.
Zixuan tapped a finger lightly against the ceramic cup. "So." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Out of the candidates… who's on your mind?"
The office quieted again. Zihan leaned back slowly into his chair, fingers resting lightly against the armrest. His expression remained calm, unreadable.
"You should know by now that China's presidential selection is internal, Father," he said evenly. "The higher-ups within the party will decide that themselves."
Zixuan scoffed softly as he picked his teacup back up. "You obviously know that's not what I'm talking about."
Silence settled briefly between them.
Zihan's gaze lowered slightly before he replied, "…We should leave the decision to the senior party officials. Besides, there's no rivalry between the candidates. Only one of them will ultimately be selected."
"No rivalry?" Zixuan scoffed loudly. "I thought my son was supposed to be smart."
Zihan's brows twitched faintly.
"The election itself hasn't even begun yet, you blockhead," Zixuan continued dryly. "From the outside, politicians make it seem like they hold all the power." He took another slow sip of tea before continuing, "But you and I both know who truly pulls the strings behind the curtain."
The office grew quieter.
"No one knows who will ultimately be selected," Zixuan said calmly. "Which means that right now, all candidates are hunting for the biggest backing they can find to help themselves climb higher."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"And the Zhu family?" A faint scoff escaped him. "We are one of the biggest fish in the water."
Zihan remained silent.
"The underworld appears to operate independently," Zixuan continued evenly, "but the truth is that power in this country has always flowed through hidden channels." He paused.
The room fell silent again.
Zixuan finally placed his teacup down and rose to his feet, adjusting the sleeves of his suit.
"Decide quickly," he said as he walked toward the door. "The rivalry will begin soon."
He paused briefly before glancing back at his son. "And when it does…" His eyes narrowed slightly. "…they will all come looking for you."
Zihan sat in silence for a while after his father left. The office felt unusually still. Then, with a quiet sigh, he picked his laptop back up and resumed work, his expression returning to its usual calm, though his thoughts were anything but that.
Meanwhile… Crystal Jade Hotel.
Guo Min sat elegantly in the VIP lounge, one leg crossed over the other, posture composed and effortless. A glass of red wine rested on the table beside her.
Opposite her sat Mr. Li, while both their secretaries stood quietly behind them, observant but silent.
Guo Min set her glass down lightly before opening a file in front of her.
"Mr. Li," she began smoothly, "I've been hearing a lot of impressive things about Li International Airlines. Serene Hotels would like to explore a collaboration with you."
Mr. Li gave a small, knowing smile. "…Serene Hotels?" he repeated. "Yes, I've heard of it. It's been gaining attention recently." He paused, then added with measured calm, "But it is still a growing brand."
His gaze sharpened slightly. "Li International Airlines, on the other hand, has long been established at the top. I'm afraid… Serene Hotels may not yet have the capacity to carry the weight of the Li name."
A subtle attempt at pressure, intimidation.
Guo Min noticed.
But instead of reacting, she smiled.
Because compared to the man she'd been dealing with lately…
This was nothing.
"I understand your concern, Mr. Li," she said calmly. "Which is exactly why I came prepared."
She closed the file in front of her and passed it to Xiao Mei, who immediately stepped forward and handed it to him.
"The Serene Hotels brand has focused primarily on hotel chains up until now," Guo Min continued. "But growth requires expansion." A brief pause. "And I don't intend to remain small."
Mr. Li flipped open the file.
Guo Min's gaze remained steady on him. "A new project is already in development," she said. "Grandeur Serene."
Mr. Li's eyes moved across the pages. Then a faint smile appeared. "…Go on."
Guo Min leaned back slightly, her tone confident, controlled. "Grandeur Serene is not just a hotel project." She picked up her wine again, taking a light sip before continuing. "It's an entire destination."
Mr. Li raised a brow.
"Tourism, luxury accommodations, curated cuisines, leisure zones, entertainment sectors," she listed smoothly. "Spaces designed for families, elites, travelers, and locals alike."
She met his gaze again.
"Not just for foreign visitors," she added. "Even within China, it will become a place people travel to, not just pass through."
"Mm." Mr. Li leaned back now, interest clearly piqued. "So… more of an integrated resort?"
Guo Min smiled faintly. "Not just a resort." She tilted her head slightly. "A contained world."
The room fell quiet for a second.
"Every experience within Grandeur Serene will be tailored accordingly to budget, age, preferences, lifestyle," she continued. "From high end luxury to accessible leisure. From quiet retreats to vibrant social hubs."
Mr. Li exhaled softly. "…Beautiful," he admitted, a low chuckle escaping him as he closed the file halfway.
Then he leaned forward slightly, interest now fully engaged.
"So." He tapped the document lightly. "What exactly are you offering… and what do you expect from us?"