Who's going to be the female lead's simp? Aren't the supporting female characters mor

Chen He stopped and looked gently at Zhao Hongtu through his glasses.

"Old Zhao," Jiang He's voice was soft, his tone as calm as if he were chatting casually, "I heard you haven't been feeling well lately? You looked pale on stage just now, is it because you have too much liver fire?"

Zhao Hongtu's smile froze for a moment: "Not at all, it's just that I ran into some juniors who don't know the rules, and I couldn't get over it."

As he spoke, Zhao Hongtu glanced meaningfully at Bai Jingyou not far away and said sarcastically, "These young people nowadays, relying on their little bit of cleverness, want to run away before they've even learned to walk properly. Chairman Chen, you are the pillar of our association, you have to do something about this trend."

This is like publicly humiliating someone.

Everyone around pricked up their ears. Although Zhao Hongtu had just suffered a loss, he still had deep roots. If he were to complain, Chen He would have to give him some face, wouldn't he?

However, Chen He simply followed Zhao Hongtu's gaze, his eyes lingering on Bai Jingyou for two seconds before turning back, still with that lukewarm expression.

"It's a good thing that young people want to move on." Chen He took a sip of soda water and said calmly, "If they were all as lethargic as us old folks, how could this market keep moving? Old Zhao, since you're not feeling well, go home and rest early. Don't hurt yourself over some trivial matters. After all, it's time to renovate your old warehouses."

Dead silence.

This isn't just being disrespectful; it's a public reprimand.

The phrase "old warehouse" pinpointed Zhao Hongtu's weakness—his logistics system was outdated and faced the risk of being phased out.

Zhao Hongtu's face instantly turned a deep liver color, his lips trembled slightly, and he didn't dare to retort. Although he was arrogant, he wasn't stupid. Chen He's meaning was clear: Don't cause trouble. I don't know your past, but I'm aware of it.

"Chairman Jiang is right," Zhao Hongtu said through gritted teeth, forcing a smile before slinking away to the side.

After dealing with the fly, Chen He ignored the astonished looks around him and walked straight through the crowd toward Bai Jingyou.

Ye Lingqing raised an eyebrow and tactfully took a half step back, relinquishing her place. Although she was assertive, she knew how to temper her arrogance in front of an elder like Chen He.

"The Bai family's brat?"

Chen He stood in front of Bai Jingyou without any condescending scrutiny, but rather with the curiosity of an elder looking at a junior.

Bai Jingyou bowed slightly, his manners impeccable, neither obsequious nor distant. "My elder sister often mentions you, saying that your discerning eye is unparalleled in the capital."

"Bai Qing is a sweet talker, but she's ruthless at heart." Chen He smiled, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes making him look more approachable. "However, the younger brother she raised is quite something. That old bastard Zhao Hongtu tried to intimidate you earlier, but you handled it well. Using someone else's strength against them is a good tactic."

"You flatter me," Bai Jingyou said calmly. "It was just self-defense."

"Self-preservation?" Chen He shook his head, his fingers lightly tracing the rim of his glass. "I doubt it. You acquired that land in the Northwest and then got involved with DeepBlue Technology. Now the entire logistics industry in Beijing is watching you. Some say you're here to stir things up, others say you're here to throw money away. What do you think?"

Now, let's get to the main point.

This wasn't casual conversation; it was an interview. An interview about whether one was qualified to enter the top circles of Beijing.

Bai Jingyou straightened his back and looked directly at Chen He.

"Neither," Bai Jingyou said in a steady and strong voice. "I'm here to repair the road."

"Road construction?" A hint of interest flashed in Chen He's eyes.

"The current logistics system is like the old hutongs of Beijing. It has charm, but it's too narrow, too chaotic, and prone to traffic jams." Bai Jingyou stretched out his hand and gestured a framework in the air. "Zhao Siye's model relies on occupying territory and collecting tolls. This model worked ten years ago, but it's too inefficient under the current demands of cross-border e-commerce and high-speed circulation. DeepBlue Technology isn't about seizing territory; it's about demolishing these hutongs and building highways."

Bai Jingyou paused, a confident smile playing on his lips. "With the roads repaired and vehicles moving faster, everyone's goods can get around. As for whether I'll collect tolls or sell gasoline, that's a matter for later. Isn't it more interesting to expand the pie than to stare at the scraps in someone else's bowl?"

Chen He stared intently at Bai Jingyou, his gaze behind his glasses gradually deepening.

Zhang Yi, listening nearby, felt her heart pounding. Although she understood business, in front of Chen He, she had always only dared to talk about specific projects, not such a macro-level perspective. Bai Jingyou's words, if misspoken, would appear unrealistic; if spoken well…

"Tear down the alleys and build a highway..." Chen He repeated the sentence, then suddenly laughed, a hearty laugh, "Good! What a road builder. Much better than Zhao Hongtu, who only cares about his own little plot of land."

He turned around, placed the cup in his hand on the tray of a passing waiter, and then took out a business card from his pocket.

It wasn't one of those gold-embossed business cards, but a plain white card with only a name and a personal number on it.

"That project in the Northwest, although Ye Jia's daughter is keeping an eye on the policies for you, the actual implementation is still a troublesome matter." Chen He handed his business card to Bai Jingyou. "The Chen family has an import and export trading group, and they're currently struggling to find an efficient warehousing and transshipment center. If your 'highway' can really be built, I think we can talk about in-depth cooperation."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Although everyone was trying to keep their voices down, the shock spread through the air like an electric current.

A deep collaboration with the Chen Group!

What does this mean? It means that Bai Jingyou's Deep Blue Technology has already secured the largest sea outlet in Beijing even before it has officially started operating! This isn't just about money; it's Chen He using his reputation to endorse Bai Jingyou!

Those who were hostile or hesitant towards Bai Jingyou just moments ago now have completely changed their expressions.

Zhang Yi was so excited she almost snapped her newly done manicure. She'd made the right bet! This wasn't just a promising stock; it was a tiger just released from its cage!

Bai Jingyou accepted the business card with both hands and carefully put it away: "Thank you for your trust, Mr. Chen. DeepBlue Technology will not let you down."

After Chen He finished speaking, he turned around and returned to his seat.

"Tsk tsk tsk."

A fragrant breeze wafted over, and Zhang Yi leaned closer, her tone dripping with sarcasm: "Young Master Bai, you really have some tricks up your sleeve. First, Ye Lingqing is fighting for you, and then President Chen is backing you up. It makes us poor businessmen so envious and jealous."

"President Zhang." Bai Jingyou turned his head to look at the woman with a mocking expression, "If you're envious, you can go and learn from her."

"Get lost." Zhang Yi rolled her eyes. "I don't have the time for that."

Although she said that, Zhang Yi knew in her heart that with Chen He's statement, the landscape of Beijing had completely changed.

If Bai Jingyou was previously just a newcomer to the capital with a huge sum of money, now, with the backing of the Chen family and the assistance of the Ye family, he has truly earned the right to establish himself in the capital and even dominate it.

"Oh, right." Zhang Yi seemed to remember something, her joking expression vanished, and she lowered her voice, saying, "Although Chen He thinks highly of you, don't be too happy yet. Someone like Zhao Hongtu won't dare to openly oppose Chen He, but he'll definitely trip you up behind your back. Especially that construction site at the Northwest Hub, you'd better have someone keep a close eye on it."

"I know." Bai Jingyou's eyes turned cold. "Ye Lingqing just said he would find people to cause trouble."

"Making trouble is a small matter, but if things get too big, it will be impossible to control..." Zhang Yi stopped there, her eyes serious.

Bai Jingyou nodded, about to speak, when his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

He took it out and saw that it was a text message from an unknown number.

The brief line of text caused Bai Jingyou's pupils to contract slightly.

[Someone has planted landmines at a construction site in Northwest China. They'll take action tonight. — Feng Rui]

"What's wrong?" Zhang Yi noticed the change in his expression.

"It seems that Master Zhao is moving faster than I expected." Bai Jingyou put away his phone, a sharp glint in his eyes. "President Zhang, I won't be drinking with you tonight. I have a tough battle to fight."

"Do you need any help?" Zhang Yi asked instinctively.

"No need." Bai Jingyou straightened his suit collar, turned and walked out of the banquet hall, his back straight as a sword. "Some trash needs to be swept up by myself to make it clean."

Just as Bai Jingyou stepped out the door, the stage lights shone directly on his back, casting a long shadow.

The banquet continued with toasts and laughter, but only a few people realized that after tonight, the landscape of the capital was likely to change.

......

The night wind in the capital city carried a dry, biting chill, feeling like fine sandpaper rubbing against your face.

The Northwest Hub construction site is brightly lit, yet eerily silent.

Several heavy excavators were parked on the wasteland, their huge buckets suspended in mid-air, like a group of steel behemoths frozen in place.

In front of these giant beasts, dozens of people dressed in tattered cotton-padded coats, and even a few in mourning clothes, lay sprawled on the muddy ground, holding white banners and flags they had picked up from somewhere.

The banner bore several large, crookedly written characters:

"Unscrupulous developers destroy historical sites, bringing ruin upon their lineage!"

"Give us back the peace and tranquility of our ancestors!"

Dust swirled in the blinding beams of the searchlights.

A red Ferrari was parked arrogantly at the entrance to the construction site, its doors wide open.

Bai Qing wore a beige trench coat, crossed her arms, and stepped on a pebble with her high heels. Her usually radiant face was now covered with frost.

Behind her stood seven or eight elite individuals dressed in suits and carrying briefcases. These were people she had gathered within half an hour from the best law firms and appraisal agencies in Beijing, using her connections.

"Mr. Bai, these people are scoundrels."

The project manager wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, stamping his feet in anxiety. "They said they just dug up an ancestral grave and even produced some broken porcelain shards, claiming they were from the official kiln during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. As soon as our machines started moving, they crawled under the tracks. If someone dies, our project will be completely ruined."

"The Wanli Era of the Ming Dynasty?"

Bai Qing sneered, his gaze sweeping over the group of people lying on the ground making a scene, like a knife. "I think they're just greedy for money. That old bastard Zhao Hongtu only knows how to resort to these despicable tricks."

She turned to an elderly man wearing thick-rimmed glasses behind her: "Professor Liu, you're a retired expert from the Cultural Relics Bureau. Did you examine those porcelain shards just now?"

Professor Liu pushed up his glasses, looking helpless. "Miss Bai, I'd like to see it too. But the leader wouldn't let me get close, saying he was afraid I'd destroy the evidence. From a distance, the rust on those porcelain shards does look plausible, but it's illogical for them to be in such a shallow layer of soil."

"That doesn't make sense?"

The leader, who was lying on the ground, was bald with a long scar on his left cheek. Upon hearing this, he immediately sat up and yelled at the top of his lungs, "What do you mean it's illogical? This is my family's ancestral burial ground, a place of auspicious feng shui! You capitalists will even dig up ordinary people's ancestral graves for money! Is there no law? Is there no justice?"