Chapter 1: The Arms Tycoon Has a Daughter?

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In the Huangpu District of the Magic City, at a courtyard by the eastern riverside.

“Mr. Li, at present, we have thirty billion in orders for military drones, currently being negotiated with the Bear Nation.”

“In addition, the Bear Nation intends to spend another fifty billion to purchase a batch of light and heavy machine guns, and negotiations are ongoing with Baoli Group.”

Within the main hall of the courtyard,

A man in his sixties, dressed in a traditional Zhongshan suit, was respectfully delivering his report.

This man was none other than Liu Huatong, chairman of Baoli Group.

Perhaps many are unfamiliar with Baoli Group,

Yet it is undeniably one of the top enterprises in the country—one of the Four Great Conglomerates of the Dragon Nation, without exaggeration.

Even the annual profits of Old Ma’s Penguin are dwarfed by the tax payments of Baoli.

Baoli Group spans every industry imaginable,

And, of course, its most elite business is military export trade.

In other words, arms dealing.

At this moment,

As the chairman of Baoli Group, Liu Huatong’s appearance in this unremarkable courtyard was truly unexpected,

Even more astonishing was the fact that he was reporting to a young man who appeared no older than twenty-six.

“Mr. Li, exporting the drones poses no issues, but isn’t the sale of light and heavy machine guns a little precarious?” Liu Huatong nodded carefully, asking with extreme caution.

Seated in a grand Ming-style chair,

Li Qing slowly opened his eyes—sharp brows, star-bright eyes, and a fiercely handsome face, as if sculpted to perfection.

“Assign the outsourcing abroad. Light and heavy machine guns must not use domestic models, otherwise it becomes foreign aid weapons, and that’s difficult to justify internationally.”

Hearing Li Qing’s instructions,

Liu Huatong bowed even more respectfully, even bending slightly at the waist: “Yes, sir.”

If outsiders witnessed this scene, they would be utterly flabbergasted.

The chairman of Baoli Group,

The leading figure of one of the Dragon Nation’s major financial empires,

Was showing such deference to a young man barely twenty-five or twenty-six years old!

But only Liu Huatong knew the truth.

Baoli Group owed its present glory to a single person—Li Qing.

In Liu Huatong’s eyes, words like “genius” or “prodigy” could no longer describe Li Qing.

This man was approaching the divine.

Because at just twenty-four years old,

He had already mastered the helm of every major sector—scientific research, medicine, and military industry, all within his grasp.

Even the venerable elders of the Central Institute of Technology regarded him as a distinguished guest.

His business acumen was nothing short of astonishing.

Looking at Li Qing’s face, emanating immense power and charisma,

Liu Huatong cautiously inquired again:

“The Northern Myanmar government army wishes to invite you for a visit. They claim there’s business to discuss.”

“Sir, what do you think…”

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At this moment,

The man standing silently at Li Qing’s side finally spoke:

“Chairman Liu, from now on, those small countries to the south—just sweep them aside.”

“Besides, Northern Myanmar is nothing but a mess. Matters like these need not be reported anymore.”

This man was Li Qing’s assistant, Wang Mian.

Liu Huatong forced a bitter smile, replying respectfully, “Yes, yes, I didn’t think it through.”

Though Wang Mian was only Li Qing’s assistant,

Liu Huatong, a seasoned veteran, knew well—the emperor’s attendants, even a eunuch, must not be offended.

Moreover,

This Wang Mian was himself a formidable character, no less than Li Qing.

Liu Huatong switched topics,

Reporting in detail one after another—

How Black State imported so much military equipment, yielding several tons of gold in return, and so on…

Li Qing leaned back in his chair,

A cigarette smoldering between his fingers.

Truth be told, he had little interest in these reports.

After so many years,

Li Qing was long accustomed, even bored,

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have abandoned his luxurious villa in Huazhou Juntin to enjoy the tranquility of this modest courtyard.

The reporting lasted half an hour,

Essentially showing that every industry’s profits had multiplied tenfold over last year, soon to break the trillion mark!

Only then did Liu Huatong stop, his face full of expectation.

Yet Li Qing merely lifted his eyelids, responding blandly:

“Mm.”

This left Liu Huatong somewhat embarrassed,

His aging eyes glancing at Li Qing now and then,

As if silently asking: ‘No praise at all?’

Li Qing, seeing through his intentions,

Flicked ash into a Ming dynasty vase, and said:

“Not bad. Anything else?”

At that moment,

Wang Mian beside him looked troubled, but after a moment his gaze turned resolute, smiling:

“Mr. Li, I do actually have something to report.”

Li Qing raised an eyebrow, glancing at Wang Mian:

“What is it? With that expression, just say it.”

Wang Mian grew slightly more serious:

“There’s a woman named Yang Mi. Somehow, she managed to contact me, saying she wants to bring her child to meet his father.”

“To meet his father?”

Li Qing’s eyes narrowed, then his face returned to calm, saying nothing more.

He had heard such stories countless times.

Wang Mian continued:

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“She claims that four years ago, at the Shengshi Banquet in Magic City’s hotel… since then, she became pregnant with your child.”

“Now, the child is already three years old.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Huatong found it almost laughable.

It seemed every woman wanted to climb the social ladder!

But he dared not mock, and instead frowned slightly:

“Mr. Wang, forgive me for saying so, but over the years, many women have tried to reach for the top.”

“Yang Mi, just a figure from the entertainment industry, dares to covet Mr. Li!”

Liu Huatong kept his words restrained,

For in the eyes of capital magnates,

Stars of the entertainment world were mere performers, earning a few hard-won coins through their antics,

Many were simply playthings for powerful businessmen.

Li Qing’s gaze deepened, a subtle smile appearing on his face,

Yet that smile unsettled Liu Huatong.

Over the years,

Li Qing had attended countless banquets,

Most were with military industry partners,

A few with capital giants.

Occasionally, after drinks, he’d have a brief encounter with noble ladies—after all, who hadn’t been young once?

But a celebrity like Yang Mi seeking recognition—this was a first.

Wang Mian continued:

“I checked, and you did attend that Shengshi Banquet four years ago.”

“That woman, Yang Mi, did indeed enter your room.”

Hearing this,

Liu Huatong suddenly realized this wasn’t his business, so he said:

“Mr. Li, there’s still work at the company. I’ll take my leave.”

Li Qing waved him off,

And Liu Huatong left the courtyard.

With outsiders gone, Wang Mian resumed his informal rapport with Li Qing, smiling:

“Brother Qing, back then you may have thought Yang Mi was from some powerful family, sent her daughter to curry favor, and you accepted.”

“So, what do you think we should do?”

Normally,

Wang Mian would handle such matters himself,

But this time was different—the woman had brought a child, already three years old.

Moreover,

Yang Mi couldn’t possibly know Li Qing’s true identity, so her motives for climbing the social ladder were limited.

Thus, this was not something Wang Mian could decide alone.

If it were true,

It would be a significant matter indeed!

Li Qing’s finger tapped rhythmically on the chair arm, then after a moment he said:

“Make arrangements. I’ll meet the child.”