First Day As The Chairman!

At the same time, in the Feng Family Villa, Ling Qingxiao had just stepped out of the bathroom. Wrapped in a lace pajama that barely reached her thighs, she picked up her phone, the screen lit up with a call from Li Li.

Li Li didn't waste any time. "Godmother, something's off with Gu Nanyuan. Her reaction is too abnormal. I think I need to investigate this Feng Xian. What's your take?"

Ling Qingxiao frowned, her instincts sharpening. "I agree. Look into him immediately. Something about him knowing about the company's corruption and his sudden change feels wrong. Keep me posted."

Li Li's voice was resolute. "Understood. I'll also contact Mu Chuyun to back us up. Just in case."

Ling Qingxiao nodded approvingly. Mu Chuyun was a martial arts expert with a sharp team to match. If Feng Xian proved dangerous, she wanted to be prepared.

As soon as the call ended, Ling Qingxiao sensed movement outside her door. Her heart skipped. Memories of her last unsettling encounter with Feng Xian flooded back. She quickly grabbed her pajama robe, tightened it, and stepped out.

Her breath hitched when she saw Feng Xian casually standing in the room, his arms crossed, an unmistakable smirk on his face.

"Auntie, I must say, you're quite the sight to behold."

Ling Qingxiao's face burned. She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring. "How dare you enter without knocking!"

Ignoring her anger, Feng Xian leaned against the dressing table, his tone laced with mock concern. "How's my dear cousin recovering?"

The audacity of his question left Ling Qingxiao seething. She knew Zhang Lingyi's injury, though not severe, stemmed from competing with Feng Xian. And yet here he was, feigning innocence.

Taking a deep breath to regain composure, she replied coldly, "The doctor says it's a minor waist injury. He'll recover after a few days of observation and rest."

"Good," Feng Xian said, nodding thoughtfully. Then, his tone shifted, sly and knowing. "By the way, have you heard from Su Huayi lately?"

The name sent a jolt through Ling Qingxiao. Her adopted sixth daughter, Su Huayi, was currently abroad working on confidential research. Only a select few knew the details. How did Feng Xian know about her?

Before she could recover from her shock, Feng Xian added casually, "Oh, right. She's probably still busy with that anti-cancer research project overseas. I guess she won't be coming back anytime soon."

Ling Qingxiao stared at him, stunned, her mind racing. How on earth does he know this?

Feng Xian smirked at her reaction, clearly relishing her unease. "Well, Auntie, I'll leave you to your evening."

"Wait," she blurted out, her voice betraying her nerves.

Feng Xian paused, arching an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Her expression softened, a smile appearing on her lips as she forced herself into a calmer state. "The nanny just finished preparing a big dinner. Why don't you join me? It'd be such a shame to eat alone."

Feigning indifference, Feng Xian nodded. "Sure."

At the dinner table, Ling Qingxiao attempted to gauge his intentions. She placed a piece of braised ribs on his plate, smiling warmly. "You've grown so thin. Eat more."

He played along, quietly eating, while she continued, her tone shifting to one of vulnerability. "You know, I've always thought of you and Xiaoyi as my own children. Your mother and I were sisters, after all."

Feng Xian hid his amusement behind a serious expression, silently applauding her performance.

She sighed, her voice growing heavier with emotion. "Your father's dying wish was for me to temporarily act as chairman until you were ready. It was never something I wanted, but I had to fulfill his trust."

"Auntie," Feng Xian interrupted, looking at her with mock sincerity. "I understand everything you've done. And I promise, I'll always take care of Xiaoyi."

His words seemed to put her at ease. For the first time that evening, she relaxed, smiling. "That's all I ever wanted to hear."

But as Feng Xian returned to his room, his mask slipped, revealing a smirk of triumph. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he made a call.

"Send our people to the hospital immediately. They'll act as Zhang Lingyi's 'protectors.' Make sure no one knows their real purpose."

Hanging up, he gazed out at the night sky, his eyes gleaming with ambition.

"Zhang Lingyi," he muttered, "everything you have will be mine. Starting with this company."

Meanwhile, Ling Qingxiao hummed a tune as she watered the flowers on her balcony. But her moment of peace was interrupted by the shrill ring of her phone.

She answered swiftly. "Xiaoyi? What's wrong?"

"Mom!" Zhang Lingyi's panicked voice echoed through the line. "Why are there suddenly so many people guarding my ward? What's going on?"

###

The conversation began with an unusual update from Zhang Lingyi, Feng Xian's cousin. His voice, tinged with suspicion, came through the phone.

"There's an entire team stationed outside my hospital room—bodyguards, nurses, and even a specialist hired by the Feng Group. What's going on?"

Ling Qingxiao, holding the phone to her ear, let out a relieved sigh. "Ah, that's all? You gave me quite the scare!" she replied, softening her voice to soothe his nerves. "Those are people Feng Xian arranged for your protection. He mentioned it to me last night."

Zhang Lingyi's doubt was palpable. "Protect me? Him? Since when does he care about anyone but himself?"

Ling Qingxiao sighed inwardly. She shared her nephew's skepticism but knew confrontation wasn't the solution right now. "Listen, Xiaoyi," she said in a hushed tone, "don't underestimate Feng Xian. He's changed. Until we fully understand his motives, don't challenge him head-on. Remember, sometimes patience is the most effective weapon. You need to stay calm and bide your time."

Reluctantly, Zhang Lingyi muttered, "Fine."

###

[Feng Xian's Room]

Back in his private quarters, Feng Xian sat cross-legged on the floor, his body thrumming with renewed energy from his latest meditation. He stretched, feeling stronger and sharper than ever. "Not bad," he muttered, a smirk curling on his lips.

As he stood to change clothes, he noticed something peculiar—a faint blinking light on his computer's webcam. A grin spread across his face. He had anticipated this.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the camera, Li Li, an accomplished hacker with a penchant for digging up dirt, sat poised at her computer. "Let's see what you're hiding, Feng Xian," she murmured to herself, her fingers dancing across the keyboard.

But what she saw next caught her completely off guard.

On her screen, Feng Xian nonchalantly removed his shirt, then his pants, all while maintaining an air of confidence. Realizing what was happening, Li Li shrieked, her face flushed crimson as she slapped her hands over her eyes.

"Disgusting! Shameless!" she yelled, utterly mortified.

Feng Xian, fully aware of his audience, chuckled to himself. "Enjoy the show," he muttered, throwing in a deliberately cryptic line for good measure. "I'll ensure Gu Nanyuan never gets that reclamation project."

With that, he powered down the webcam, cutting Li Li off mid-snooping.

Li Li gasped in frustration, her mind racing. "What reclamation project? He must be plotting something again!" She immediately sent a message to her second sister, Gu Nanyuan, warning her to tread carefully.

###

[The Next Morning]

Dressed sharply in a tailored suit and tie, Feng Xian checked himself in the mirror, ensuring his appearance exuded authority and charm. Today was his first official day as chairman of the Feng Group, and he intended to make an impression.

As he strolled into the office, employees whispered behind his back.

"Can you believe he's the chairman now?" one said, shaking their head.

"Yeah, Feng Xian of all people! I'm polishing my resume—this company's days are numbered."

Before they could continue, Feng Xian's deep, commanding voice cut through the chatter. "If you have so much free time to gossip, perhaps you have too little work to do."

The temperature seemed to drop as his cold gaze swept over them. "Next time I hear this nonsense, you'll find yourselves unemployed."

The employees scattered like frightened mice.

###

[The Boardroom]

The conference room was filled with the company's top executives, including Ling Qingxiao, who sat quietly observing. Feng Xian entered confidently, his every step oozing authority. Without wasting time, he sat at the head of the table and addressed the room.

"I've decided the Feng Group will bid on the Lantau Island reclamation project," he declared.

His statement sent ripples through the room.

"This is reckless!" one director exclaimed.

"Reclamation projects in the Imperial City are uncharted territory. The risks far outweigh the potential benefits," another argued.

"Yes, even established firms like Shen Enterprises and Nanyuan are wary of this venture. Chairman Feng, reconsider this decision!"

Feng Xian remained calm, letting the dissent echo around him. Then, his gaze shifted to Ling Qingxiao.

Her heart skipped a beat as she recalled their conversation over dinner. Slowly, she rose from her seat.

"I support the chairman's decision," she stated firmly, silencing the room.

"The reclamation project offers unprecedented opportunities. Unlike other developments, it avoids land acquisition issues and has the potential to become a major economic hub for the city. The Feng Group must seize this chance."

The directors exchanged uncertain glances, but Ling Qingxiao's authoritative analysis carried weight. Feng Xian nodded slightly, impressed by her strategic thinking.

With resistance waning, he struck while the iron was hot. "Since there are no further objections, the Lantau Island reclamation project is approved."

The meeting concluded with his signature declaration: "Dismissed."

---

As the directors dispersed, Feng Xian lingered for a moment, a small, triumphant smile playing on his lips.

This was just the beginning. The reclamation project, the Feng Group, and everything tied to it—they would all soon be his.

##$

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