The Master Descends the Mountain: My Destined CEO

Xiao Ye loosely put his arm around Jin Mingzhu. "Can you feel it?"

Jin Mingzhu's eyes darted around. "Of course. Someone is watching us. I've felt it for a while now, constantly."

"And now I can feel… more eyes on me!"

Agents like her all undergo this type of training.

They are placed in various environments where people are assigned to watch them, all to train this perceptive ability.

This training is even supplemented with certain medical procedures, like stimulating the pineal gland.

It enhances the five senses, which in turn boosts their combat strength and survival skills.

「Upstairs from the banquet hall.」

Inside a luxurious room.

Linton walked through the door. "So, how is it?"

A man in a black robe sitting inside nodded. "I watched him from beginning to end. There was nothing off about Xiao Ye's expression."

"He really doesn't love Lin Chuyue anymore. The one he likes now is Jin Mingzhu."

He firmly believed that micro-expressions don't lie.

But what he didn't know was that Xiao Ye had exquisite control over every muscle in his body, including those on his face!

Linton smiled faintly. "Good. Then we'll make a move on Jin Mingzhu."

"And here I thought Xiao Ye was a different kind of man. I even went to the trouble of inviting Lin Chuyue. Turns out he's just like all the rest."

"Let's begin."

「In the banquet hall.」

A new round of champagne was served.

Jin Mingzhu casually picked up a glass but didn't bring it to her lips.

She lowered her voice and leaned close to Xiao Ye's ear, appearing like lovers whispering intimately. "There's something wrong with that waiter from just now."

"I took this specific glass on purpose."

Xiao Ye glanced over nonchalantly. Sure enough, the waiter was still keeping a close eye on them.

His tray was now empty. There should have been one more glass, which was either disposed of or was never a problem to begin with.

Linton couldn't possibly target multiple people; if he did, it wouldn't end well for him either.

But Jin Mingzhu alone was a different story. At the end of the day, aside from having Xiao Ye as her backer, her status was unremarkable.

After speaking, Jin Mingzhu casually set the champagne down, feigning that she couldn't hold her liquor. "No, darling, I can't drink anymore."

"Then don't. I'll take you to get something to eat."

Seeing that she hadn't taken a drink, the waiter immediately executed the next step of the plan.

Another waiter came forward and "accidentally" bumped into Jin Mingzhu, spilling all the champagne in his hand onto her haute couture gown.

The waiter's face turned pale. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!"

Jin Mingzhu knew this was definitely another trick. "What are your eyes for? Do you have any idea how much this dress costs?"

She didn't hold back, fully embracing the role of a spoiled woman used to being doted on.

"Darling, look at my dress."

"It's fine. I'll buy you a new one." Xiao Ye's gaze darkened as he turned to the waiter. "I know you can't possibly afford this."

"But there must be a punishment. Otherwise, if everyone worked like you, it would be impossible to host this banquet!"

"Leave your account information. From now on, you'll be left with only a minimum living allowance each month."

"As for the rest, it will all be transferred to Mingzhu's account."

The waiter meekly agreed.

Linton appeared at just the right moment. "Mr. Xiao, Miss Jin, my sincerest apologies."

"I hired this waiter. I didn't expect him to be so unprofessional as to ruin such a beautiful dress. What a shame."

"However, to avoid any mishaps, I made some preparations in advance. I have several gowns ready. How about I gift them all to Miss Jin?"

Jin Mingzhu feigned dissatisfaction. "I brought my own clothes."

Linton chuckled. "Someone, escort Miss Jin to change her clothes."

Indeed, she couldn't stay at the banquet in a dress like that.

Jin Mingzhu and Xiao Ye exchanged a look, and she gave an imperceptible nod. "Darling, I'll go change then. You wait for me here."

"If I find out you've been talking to other women, I'll be very upset."

Xiao Ye nodded coolly. "Go on."

Jin Mingzhu left with the attendant.

Linton took the opportunity to stand before Xiao Ye, his face bearing the smile of a genial old man.

But for a man from an old, established family, and a shrewd businessman at that, such an appearance was never deceptive. On the contrary, it made people even more wary.

'A smiling tiger is the most terrifying person of all!'

"Mr. Xiao, I hear the Xiao Family has been on the decline recently."

Xiao Ye's gaze hardened. "Mr. Linton, that is an internal matter of the Xiao Family. Besides, where did you hear such a rumor? You can't just believe baseless gossip."

"Mr. Xiao, let's not mince words. Although I'm not from Dragon Country, I still have a decent understanding of the situation here."

After speaking, Linton glanced toward the members of the other families. "Of the four great Hidden Clans, the Ouyang Family is the strongest, the Diwu family is second, the Zhu family is third, and your Xiao Family… is now fourth!"

"This isn't just my opinion; it's a publicly acknowledged fact. It's only because you're so capable, Mr. Xiao. Otherwise, the Xiao Family might have been kicked out of the circle already!"

After Xiao Ye took over the Xiao Family, it began to thrive.

However, much of this progress was happening behind the scenes. On the surface, the Xiao Family still seemed much the same as before.

It hadn't declined, but it also hadn't shown any obvious improvement.

Xiao Ye set down his glass. "What is it you're trying to say, Mr. Linton?"

"Mr. Xiao, do you want to take the Xiao Family to the next level? With you as Patriarch, I believe the Xiao Family should be stronger. The current hierarchy of the four great Hidden Clans is due for a change."

Linton leaned in closer. "Mr. Xiao, how about we discuss a business deal?"

"A deal with the United Group?" Xiao Ye countered. "Isn't that what this banquet is for? To select a partner?"

"No, not just with the United Group. I have an even bigger proposition!" Linton's voice was laced with temptation. "If you agree, the money will flow endlessly!"

"They say the Hidden Clans are the strongest families in Dragon Country, but I don't think so."

"As the saying goes, one mountain cannot contain two tigers. Above the Hidden Clans, there should be a True Dragon Clan!"

"Mr. Xiao, don't you want to make the Xiao Family that one, unique True Dragon Clan?"

'He really has some nerve!'

'"True Dragon"… that is a title only Dragon Country itself is worthy of!'

'No clan can ever place itself above the nation!'

Nevertheless, Xiao Ye pretended to fall into deep thought.

Seeing that he might have a chance, Linton chuckled, picked up a glass of champagne, and took a slow sip. "Mr. Xiao, opportunity knocks but once."

"Don't you have a saying in Dragon Country? 'Once you leave this village, you won't find this shop.'"

"Once the other Hidden Clans rise up, do you think your Xiao Family still has a chance? By then, the Xiao Family will be kicked out of the game immediately!"

"Or worse, you'll simply be devoured by the others!"

Xiao Ye looked up. "I need to think about it."

"Of course. Take your time, Mr. Xiao. I can wait for half an hour."