Chapter Ten: The Powerful Patron

"Master, some of the printing equipment is restricted in China. Without proper authorization, I can't purchase them."

"Just make a list of the required materials for me, and I'll go buy them."

Yun Yan, aggrieved, mimicked the human gesture of scrunching her nose, sounding pitiful, "Alright."

Humans are always like this.

They develop artificial intelligence, yet distrust us.

Hmph.

Despite her pride, Yun Yan quickly sent the list of controlled materials to Ye Qiu.

"Sis, second sister, I'm going to buy some things first. Once that's settled, I'll let second sister practice."

Xiao Yuru complained, "Darn Ye Qiu, I feel like you just can't stand seeing me idle."

"Second sister, want to help as an assistant then?"

Xiao Yuru gritted her teeth, "Get lost."

"Others wait until the mill's worn out before killing the donkey; you're slaughtering the donkey before the mill's even built."

Ye Qiu teased, then left to purchase the necessary materials for the equipment.

Some of the advanced technologies required for the equipment weren't available on the market yet, and had to be procured through special contacts.

"Sis, Ye Qiu has changed so much."

Xiao Yuru watched Ye Qiu's departing figure, glimpsing traces of his childhood self, but also feeling a strange unfamiliarity.

"It's been ten years. Of course he's not the same little Ye Qiu as before." Liu Yiyan gently took Xiao Yuru's hand, reproaching, "The relationships in your hospital seem complex. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Sis, I'm not a child anymore," Xiao Yuru replied stubbornly. "Besides, it's just an LSP—if I can't handle him, how will I ever become the best plastic surgeon in China?"

"Maybe I should just acquire half the hospital's shares."

"No!" Xiao Yuru waved her hands repeatedly, "We've always relied on ourselves since we were young. I may not fight for bread, but I fight for dignity."

Liu Yiyan opened her mouth, about to speak, when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen, intending to reject the call, but reconsidered and answered.

"Ms. Liu, the company is holding a board meeting. You must return immediately."

On the other end, Chu Shu's voice was arrogant to the extreme, showing no respect to Liu Yiyan, and blatantly flaunting her stance.

"A board meeting?" Liu Yiyan frowned. "Why didn't I know about this meeting? Who gave you the authority?"

"Ms. Liu, spare me your presidential airs," Chu Shu mocked. "You're not the only one who can initiate a board meeting. I won't waste words—be in the conference room in thirty minutes, or you'll be considered to have forfeited."

Chu Shu hung up abruptly.

Liu Yiyan's frown deepened.

This board meeting was clearly out of the ordinary.

"Second sister, when Ye Qiu returns, let him know I have to go back to the company. Tonight, you two go home, I'll cook for you."

"Let's just eat out."

"It's not clean outside," Liu Yiyan shot Xiao Yuru a look. "Besides, eating takeout all the time isn't healthy."

"But I need to practice!"

Liu Yiyan thought for a moment, "I'll pack dinner and bring it to you."

"Alright, thank you, big sister."

Xiao Yuru said, giving Liu Yiyan a smacking kiss, making her roll her eyes.

...

"Sir, everything you requested is ready."

In the café, Ye Qiu sat with a middle-aged man standing before him, his face fierce and intimidating—a man not easily dealt with.

Xue Daqiang.

A broker on the Limhai dark web.

People in the underworld preferred to call him Xue One-Hand.

There was nothing he wouldn't dare touch.

Anything passing through his hands always got a "cut."

Not only in Limhai, but throughout China, Xue One-Hand was a renowned figure.

Now, he stood respectfully, hands lowered, waiting.

A single phone call sent him rushing all over the city.

"Sit."

Xue One-Hand only dared to perch on the edge of the seat, as if he couldn't relax in Ye Qiu's presence.

"Thank you."

Ye Qiu took out his phone, ready to transfer payment to Xue One-Hand through the dark web.

"No."

Xue One-Hand quickly pressed down on Ye Qiu's hand.

Ye Qiu glanced at him with a tilted shoulder.

That single look made Xue One-Hand shudder, sweat instantly breaking out on his forehead, barely daring to breathe.

He was terrifying.

He hurriedly explained, "Sir, the Seraph once saved my life. This money is nothing. How could I accept payment for his request?"

As he spoke, Xue One-Hand produced a golden card.

Back then, Xue One-Hand was doing business in the United States, and was double-crossed by his counterpart. At the critical moment, he called out the name 'Seraph', which saved his life. The other side left in a hurry, leaving only a golden card behind.

Ye Qiu nodded.

He had been in the central control room then, and it was the Shining Angel who rescued Xue One-Hand.

It was also from his phone that Yun Yan found the information on Liu Yiyan. This time, besides protecting his sisters, Ye Qiu wanted to know why Xue One-Hand had information about Liu Yiyan on his phone.

"Keep the card. If you ever go to the United States, take it to Harold—he can grant you a wish."

"Is that Godfather Harold?" Xue One-Hand was visibly excited.

Even the neighboring drug lords in the US dared not provoke this figure.

The key was the network.

Godfather Harold's channels went beyond comprehensive. He had routes in the sky, underground, and sea. For those doing business on the dark web, having such support would make earning money easier than printing it.

More importantly, he would never have to worry about safety again when doing business in the US.

"Yes."

Though he'd imagined it countless times, seeing Ye Qiu nod, Xue One-Hand couldn't hide the joy in his eyes.

He quickly realized that the young man before him was no ordinary connection.

He hurriedly stood up again. "Sir, if you ever need anything in Limhai, just call me, Xue Daqiang."

Lin Feng nodded slightly, "I have a question for you. Why did you collect information on the Ye Qiu Group's president? Who told you to do it?"

"Liu Yiyan?"

Xue One-Hand hesitated.

Betraying client information was taboo in the industry, but the young man before him had contacted him on the dark web using the Seraph's account, and seemed to have ties with Godfather Harold.

Quickly, Xue One-Hand made his decision.

He gritted his teeth, "Sir, it was Zhang Yu, the director of Ye Liu Group."

"The reason?"

Xue One-Hand shook his head, "He only asked me to gather information on Ms. Liu, especially her network in the United States."

"Her US connections?" Ye Qiu eyed Xue One-Hand suspiciously. "Did you find anything?"

Xue One-Hand shook his head again.

"Alright, help me investigate this Zhang Yu."

"Yes, sir. Give me a day, and I'll dig up everything about him—even his underwear."

Xue One-Hand promised enthusiastically; being able to work for someone introduced by Seraph was as good as grabbing onto the thickest lifeline.