The bustling and clamorous eventually fades.
Simple and plain, that is the eternal melody.
Su Hang City.
After the grand opening ceremony of the Bai Corporation.
It undeniably became the behemoth of the entire Su Hang City, leading in both economy and influence.
Even extending outward from Su Hang City, it subtly affected several neighboring cities.
That evening.
The Bai family of three finished dinner, their atmosphere harmonious.
Ji Xueyun, having barely taken a few bites, declared she had no appetite and set down her chopsticks.
Bai Zihe and the others didn't think much of it.
Ji Xueyun went to the rooftop, gazing into the distance with a worried expression.
Just moments ago.
She had received news from the Eastern War Zone.
The Eastern War Zone Commander, Li Qiankun, had departed that afternoon, leading elite troops to Su Hang City to arrest her and Bai Zihe.
Li Qiankun's strength...
Was immense.
Ji Xueyun, the Grand Marshal of the Eastern War Zone, stood no chance against him.
Moreover, Li Qiankun was tyrannical and unforgiving, tolerating no defiance. Having provoked him this time, she feared he would be serious.
However, even so.
Ji Xueyun's resolve to protect Bai Zihe did not waver in the slightest.
"Open arrows are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against..."
Ji Xueyun murmured softly, having made a decision.
Since she couldn't defeat Li Qiankun head-on, she would resort to a surprise attack, leveraging the advantage of her hidden position against his exposed one, and assassinate him!
Even if she failed.
She could take all the blame, leaving Bai Zihe uninvolved.
The night was slightly cool.
The bright moon was like frost, unable to dispel sorrow.
Ji Xueyun stood outside the villa, looking back deeply at Bai Zihe's room.
"Farewell, my junior brother!"
Ji Xueyun did not know if she would return alive this time, or if she would ever see Bai Zihe again.
But she had no regrets.
The next moment, Ji Xueyun gathered her breath, and with a few swift movements, vanished into the vast night.
The next morning.
Bai Zihe, as usual, came down for his meal at precisely eight o'clock.
He found that neither Qin Yuan nor Ji Xueyun were present.
He returned to their rooms, both empty. The blankets held no warmth.
Clearly, they had left a long time ago.
"They're all gone?"
Bai Zihe sighed slightly but didn't dwell on it.
Qin Yuan never belonged to Teng Long Bay anyway.
And his second senior sister was the Grand Marshal of the Eastern War Zone, burdened with important military duties.
"Young Master!"
Xue'er suddenly reported, "According to recent intelligence, various signs indicate an external force is infiltrating Su Hang."
"They are very discreet, their movements silent and unseen."
"Oh?"
Bai Zihe raised an eyebrow. "Tell me about it."
Xue'er explained, "Bars, KTVs, nightclubs, and the like across the city have been attacked in the past three days, either their patrons were disturbed, or the owners were directly replaced."
"Beyond that, some grey industries are also being slowly encroached upon..."
Grey industries, the underworld...
Those who tread the fringes of darkness.
Bai Zihe lost interest and said, "As long as they don't endanger the Bai Corporation or the Bai family, there's no need to get involved."
Xue'er was about to agree when she received another piece of information.
She smiled and said, "Young Master, I've learned something interesting."
"What is it?"
Xue'er replied, "Miss Qin's identity!"
"She is actually the daughter of Qin Baichuan, the boss of Su Hang's underworld."
Bai Zihe was taken aback.
He recalled that when he first met Qin Yuan, she was being targeted by a group from the underworld, who threatened to take her back to be the bandit's wife.
He hadn't expected her to have such a background.
"Intelligence indicates."
Xue'er received several messages consecutively and, after sorting them, told Bai Zihe, "Miss Qin Yuan's father, Qin Baichuan, once a powerful figure and a notable warlord as the head of Su Hang's underworld."
"But fate is unpredictable, and fortunes change."
"Qin Baichuan is now gravely ill and near death, his former authority having dissipated like smoke."
"Not only are underworld forces from neighboring cities eyeing him, but even some of his own subordinates have become restless and defiant."
This is like a tiger fallen in the plains, bullied by dogs.
Truly lamentable.
Bai Zihe, however, smiled faintly. "When prosperity reaches its peak, decline begins; it's the cycle of karma."
Xue'er continued, "As Qin Baichuan lay on his deathbed, to secure a future for his organization, he had no choice but to arrange a marriage alliance with the underworld forces of the neighboring Jiangling City."
"He promised to marry Miss Qin to their crown prince."