Chapter 13

Before Qi Manyi could respond, Su Shengqiang, who was sitting nearby, spoke up: “Your grandfather has been staying at the old residence recently, keeping out of sight and seeing no one. But the servants there mentioned that a lot of doctors have been coming around lately.”

Hearing this, Qin Yi first glanced at Su Xiaowan before saying, “If grandfather’s health really is deteriorating, and he still hasn’t thought about returning that ten percent of shares to us… then perhaps…”

Although Qin Yi didn’t finish his sentence, everyone present understood the implication.

At that moment, Qi Manyi interjected: “Xiao Yi’s reasoning makes sense. We need to prepare for the worst. While I still hold the position of vice president at Su Group, I’ll find ways to secure more benefits for Yiwan Group.”

Su Xiaowan muttered to herself: “No wonder someone has been trying to sabotage my relationship with my husband behind the scenes. Looks like my second and third uncles want to completely ruin our family!”

“Xiaowan, what do you mean by that?” Su Shengqiang frowned and asked.

Qi Manyi, though silent, kept her eyes fixed on Su Xiaowan.

Su Xiaowan hadn’t wanted to tell her parents that someone had secretly tried to undermine their marriage, but now she had no choice.

She briefly recounted the day she and Yi Bohao met at the Hongma Club to discuss a business collaboration.

“That Yi Bohao really is something else. Why go to a club for a business meeting? Even though the Hongma Club claims to be a business venue, it still affects a young lady’s reputation,” Su Shengqiang said disapprovingly.

Qi Manyi took the opportunity to glance at Qin Yi and lecture: “Xiao Yi, now you can see how difficult it is for us women to conduct business outside! Even someone like your father can think the worst of things.”

Su Shengqiang wanted to defend himself, but when he looked at his wife, Qi Manyi, he immediately understood why she had said that.

Seeing his husband’s awkward expression, Su Xiaowan hesitated briefly before explaining how Qin Yi had secretly gathered intelligence.

As Su Shengqiang and Qi Manyi listened, they observed Qin Yi closely, their gazes scrutinizing him.

Feeling the weight of their stares, Qin Yi internally groaned—any parent hearing their son-in-law hanging out with idle rich kids at a club would naturally feel uneasy.

Once Su Xiaowan finished recounting the events, Su Shengqiang asked: “Xiao Yi, were you really just playing along with them? You didn’t overstep at all?”

“Dad, I was truly only gathering information! I didn’t do anything else, and I told Xiaowan in advance,” Qin Yi hurriedly explained, glancing at Su Xiaowan.

Su Xiaowan internally rolled her eyes: “Told me in advance? He always acts first and reports later!”

But to prevent her parents from forming a negative opinion of Qin Yi, she said aloud: “Dad, Mom, I knew everything my husband did in advance! I trust him!”

Su Xiaowan chose to reveal Qin Yi’s past actions to her parents proactively, fearing that someone might use them against him in the future. She genuinely believed Qin Yi’s actions were just for appearances—whenever he reached a step he couldn’t avoid, he quietly contacted her so she could catch him in the act and pull him away.

Seeing their daughter’s assurance, Su Shengqiang and Qi Manyi had nothing more to say. The tea room fell into silence.

After a while, Su Xiaowan broke the silence and revealed that the government in Tianhai City’s South District wouldn’t commence construction within the next three years.

“That can’t be! Didn’t the government announce it officially on their website?” Su Shengqiang asked, puzzled.

“Dad, this information should be reliable. I’ve investigated the government’s plans for the South District from multiple sources. Jiang Junjia’s words only confirmed that no construction will take place in the next three years,” Qin Yi said seriously.

Qi Manyi looked at Qin Yi, then sipped her tea while contemplating Su Xiaowan and Qin Yi’s words.

After a moment, she set down her cup, nodded at Qin Yi, and said: “It seems Xiao Yi’s information is accurate. I was wondering why Su Minghan and Su Hongwei didn’t stop Yi Group from selling that land to Yiwan Group. Apparently, they must have received some insider tips and went along with the deal. At the same time, they were probably waiting for Yiwan Group’s funds to dry up so they could swoop in and buy it cheaply.”

“Mom, do you think Yi Bohao knew about the South District news?” Qin Yi asked.

Qi Manyi frowned, shook her head, and said: “I don’t know. Honestly, your two uncles probably don’t fully trust the information they received. Otherwise, why wouldn’t they have sold part of Su Group’s land holdings in the South District?”

She continued: “Yi Group sold that piece of land cheaply to Yiwan Group because I facilitated a business collaboration between Yiwan Group and Su Group. Plus, your two uncles’ personal interests created the conditions for this deal.”

Qi Manyi explained so clearly because she wanted to prevent Qin Yi from overthinking. She still saw him as a suitable match for her daughter.

“Mom, I want to sell that land to Su Group. Do you think that’s still possible?” Su Xiaowan asked.

Before Qi Manyi could answer, Su Shengqiang quickly interjected: “Xiaowan, how can you even think about that? After all, that’s—”

Qi Manyi glanced at Su Shengqiang, and he swallowed the rest of his words.