This was destined to be a sleepless night. Before they knew it, Yang Chen had confided everything about himself to Qin Xi without holding anything back.
Initially, Qin Xi had harbored some resentment toward Yang Chen, but after hearing his story, all her grievances evaporated. A night of heartfelt conversation brought the couple even closer.
Early the next morning, as the family of three finished packing and were about to leave, they saw Qin Yi appear at the door, looking exhausted and also preparing to head out.
"Good morning, sis, brother-in-law!" Qin Yi greeted them proactively.
Qin Xi, who had been somewhat worried about Qin Yi, felt relieved when she saw her sister take the initiative to speak.
"Xiao Yi, are you okay?" Qin Xi still couldn't help asking with concern.
"I'm fine, just didn't get enough rest after working late last night," Qin Yi said, stretching lazily with a smile. Then she turned to Yang Chen. "Brother-in-law, can I hitch a ride with you to the company today?"
Yang Chen chuckled. "Of course, no problem!"
After dropping off Xiao Xiao and Qin Xi at their destination, Yang Chen drove toward Yanchen Group.
On the way, Qin Yi spoke up. "Brother-in-law, I've pretty much gotten a full grasp of the company's situation now. The only challenge left is that some of the senior executives, who've been with the company for a long time, aren't too happy about me acting as the general manager."
Yang Chen kept his eyes on the road as he replied, "Since you're the acting general manager now, you have full authority over the company. Be bold and do what you think is right. If anyone refuses to cooperate, find a way to make them fall in line. If they still won't budge, just fire them."
Qin Yi had been waiting for these exact words. She grinned. "Brother-in-law, then I'll really go all out! If I cause any trouble, you'll have to back me up."
"I was worried you might not be able to handle it, but it seems I overthought it," Yang Chen said with a smile. Then he added, "Go ahead and take charge. Be firm when you need to be, and try to cultivate some loyal allies for yourself."
By the time they finished talking, they had already arrived at the company. After Qin Yi got out of the car, Yang Chen turned the car around and drove off.
---
**Zhoucheng, Yang Family Residence.**
Inside a luxurious mansion, Yang Xiangming, the head of the Yang family, sat on a sofa. He casually turned off the heat under a teapot and poured himself a cup of scalding tea.
Yang Wei stood beside him and spoke up. "Grandfather, although the Guan family has collapsed, the businesses under their umbrella are unusually united. There's no opening for us to intervene at all."
Yang Xiangming frowned. "A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. After all, these are businesses under the Guan family's banner. Even if the Guan family has fallen, swallowing them up won't be easy—but it's not impossible."
"Grandfather, based on my investigations, the businesses under the Guan family were relatively independent before. They shouldn't be this united. The level of solidarity they're showing now is even stronger than when the Guan family was still around."
Yang Wei's expression was grave. "I suspect Yang Chen has already taken action. It's possible he's already consolidated control over the Guan family's assets, which is why we haven't found any openings."
Yang Xiangming didn't respond immediately. He took a slow sip of tea and fell silent for a moment before finally speaking. "That's unlikely. You just haven't found the right opportunity. Yanchen Group ran into trouble yesterday afternoon, and the news has already taken over the headlines in Jiangzhou's media. That kid is probably scrambling to deal with it right now. This is our chance."
Yang Wei's eyes lit up. "Grandfather, I understand. Don't worry, I'll go negotiate with the heads of the Guan family's businesses right away."
---
Meanwhile, in a death-row cell somewhere in Jiangzhou...
An elderly man in prison clothes, his hair white as snow, sat trembling in a corner.
"Old man, my back's acting up again. Come give me a massage."
On a nearby bunk, a middle-aged man in his forties with a rough, scowling face looked at the old man with a mocking grin. Several other inmates surrounded him—some massaging his legs, others his arms—while he lounged comfortably on the bed.
The old man shuddered but quickly got up and shuffled over.
Ever since he'd been locked up in this cell, he'd lived in constant fear. In just a few days, he'd already been beaten more times than he could count.
Everyone here was a death-row inmate. None of them cared about respecting elders or showing kindness.
Compared to his former life of power and privilege, this place was hell. All he felt now was regret.
He had only been massaging the man's back for a short while when the inmate suddenly snapped, "Can't you put some damn strength into it?"
Turning to a younger inmate beside him, he ordered, "Go teach him how to use some force."
The younger inmate grinned and immediately punched the old man several times in the chest, holding nothing back.
The old man howled in pain.
Just then, a prison guard suddenly opened the cell door and barked, "Guan Zhengshan, come with me!"
The old man was none other than Guan Zhengshan, who had been taken away during his 70th birthday celebration.
Soon, Guan Zhengshan was led to a visitation room. When he saw the familiar figure waiting for him, his face lit up with excitement.
"Mr. Yang, I know I was wrong! I was blind! Please spare my life—I'll never dare to oppose you again!"
The moment Guan Zhengshan saw Yang Chen, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly, smashing his forehead against the floor until blood began to trickle down.
"Guan Zhengshan, I'm here today to give you a chance. But it depends on whether you're willing to take it."
Yang Chen's voice was calm and indifferent.
He had expected this meeting to be more difficult, but Guan Zhengshan's obvious fear made it clear things would go smoothly.
Guan Zhengshan's face brightened with hope. "Mr. Yang, as long as you get me out of this hellhole, I'll do whatever you ask!"
A man who had lived a life of luxury his entire life—how could he endure such conditions?
"Right now, I'm giving you two choices. Pick one."
Yang Chen suddenly smiled. "First option: I take you out, but the rest of the Guan family stays here forever. Second option: I grant you death, and the rest of the Guan family walks free."
"You have ten seconds to decide. Then give me your answer."
"I choose the second one—kill me!"
To Yang Chen's surprise, Guan Zhengshan made his choice immediately.
"Oh? Are you sure?" Yang Chen asked mockingly.
"Is this even a hard decision? I, Guan Zhengshan, have been domineering and selfish my whole life, but I'm not heartless."
Guan Zhengshan smiled bitterly. "If my death can buy freedom for the rest of the Guan family, of course I'm willing."
"Your answer pleases me. In that case, giving the Guan family another chance isn't out of the question."
Yang Chen suddenly laughed and stood up. Turning to a prison guard beside him, he ordered, "Release all members of the Guan family!"