A large group of shareholders had gathered at Mingde Corporation, sending shockwaves through every department.

The Jin family ran the company as a family business, with many family members holding shares.

However, in recent years, the business had been managed almost entirely by Jin Senior.

Other shareholders rarely showed up, apart from the annual meetings.

The fact that so many shareholders gathered at the company at such an unusual time clearly indicated that something significant had occurred.

On the fifth floor, in the Mingde Courtyard project team, a group of middle managers who had caught wind of the situation were feeling uneasy.

“Do you think this is because something happened to President Jin’s health, and they’re here to seize power?” someone speculated.

“Seems likely.” A supervisor who knew about Jin Father’s illness sighed deeply. “This is bad. With the tiger away, if they start making trouble, our project will definitely become a major battleground.”

The first person widened their eyes. “But how? Didn’t HR just announce that President Jin’s daughter was joining our project team? You were complaining about it over drinks the other day, saying it was a terrible idea.”

Supervisor He quickly glanced around and whispered, “Keep your voice down. What if someone hears you?”

Despite his caution, he couldn’t help feeling a touch of schadenfreude. “Look at us managers—each of us worked our way up from the bottom, inch by inch. Yet, despite all those years of effort, none of it can compete with having a powerful father.

President Jin wants to pamper his daughter? Fine, let her play around in other projects. But parachuting her straight into Mingde Courtyard, the company’s most critical project, and giving her such a high position?

And now, with President Jin’s health in trouble, her backer is shaky. Those shareholders aren’t pushovers—they’re definitely here to pull her down.”

Supervisor He spoke with a mix of jealousy and bitterness, wiping his balding head and chuckling sarcastically. “Honestly, it’s absurd. She’s just a young girl—why doesn’t she stay home, get married, and live her life? Instead, she has to come here and lord over us.”

His companion tried to calm him down. “Don’t think like that. She’s going to be our leader sooner or later.”

“Well, I’m not going to flatter her,” Supervisor He scoffed. “Let’s see if she can even secure the position. And even if she does, I won’t make it easy for her.”

He grabbed his briefcase with an eager look. “Let’s go see the drama unfold.”

---

In the largest meeting room of Mingde Corporation, the atmosphere was very different from the smaller project group meeting rooms.

This room was reserved for high-level discussions, and Jin Yaotiao was stepping into it for the first time.

She showed no trace of nervousness, casually directing several assistants—whose bosses were probably among the high-level executives—into helping her prepare.

Her attitude was so natural that the assistants didn’t even question it, quietly finishing the setup before leaving the room.

Throwing her bag onto the table, Jin Yaotiao confidently took the seat at the head of the table and gestured for the others to sit.

Jin Lao San (Third uncle Jin) looked visibly upset, and the other shareholders exchanged uncertain glances.

Her bold demeanor was unusual for someone of her age, bordering on disrespectful.

But their earlier encounter with her had been so awkward that they didn’t dare reprimand her outright.

Jin Yaotiao understood their hesitation and smirked inwardly.

If she acted deferentially now, trying to “respect her elders,” they’d never take her seriously.

Today, they needed to learn who was in charge.

The first to sit was her second uncle, who took a seat on her right and even offered her a reassuring look, signaling his support in case others caused trouble.

This was a turning point.

Seeing him align with her, the other shareholders—natural fence-sitters—also began to take their seats.

Soon, only Jin Lao San(Jin’s Third Uncle) and his family remained standing, their stiff posture a silent protest against her audacity.

Jin Yaotiao sneered at their obstinance, ignoring them entirely as she began, “Good. Now that everyone’s settled, let’s get started.”

Jin Lao San was furious at her blatant disregard, nearly losing his breath.

Seeing this, the other shareholders shrank back, grateful they weren’t in his shoes.

Who would’ve thought that the seemingly docile daughter of Jin’s Father would turn out to be so decisive and assertive?

The oppressive air in the room began to weigh on the older generation.

With a cold smile, Jin Yaotiao extinguished the last of their resistance with a single blow: “First, I want to thank everyone for their concern. I heard that many of you visited my house out of worry for my father’s health. Aunt Cen told me about it, though she didn’t describe it very kindly. Still, I understand you all meant well. My father was deeply moved when he heard and asked me to convey his gratitude on his behalf.”

Her words stunned everyone, leaving them speechless before panic set in.

They cast nervous glances at Jin Lao San, silently blaming him for dragging them into this mess.

Jin Yaotiao continued, “My father’s surgery was a complete success. He wanted to return to work immediately, but the doctors advised him to rest a bit longer. That’s why I’m here to handle things for now. I’m young and impetuous, so if my actions come across as overzealous, I hope my uncles can be patient with me and not hold it against a junior.”

Junior? At this moment, no one in the room felt she was acting like a junior.

Her second uncle quickly chimed in, “Youthful enthusiasm is a good thing. Young people should have drive. Mingde has been stagnant for too long—it needs someone decisive and daring like you. Your father trusts you, and so do I. Isn’t that right, everyone?”

The other shareholders could only nod awkwardly. “Yes, of course.”

Jin Yaotiao nodded and turned to Jin Lao San’s son, Jin Jiarui. “Jiarui, today’s a workday. Why weren’t you working but instead visiting the Xunxiang Banquet?”

Caught off guard, Jin Jiarui stammered, “I…”

“Oh, that’s right,” Jin Yaotiao interrupted. “You must think the work here is boring. In that case, why not resign? After this meeting, go pack your things. I’ll inform HR that tomorrow will be your last day.”

Jin Jiarui was shocked. “What? You can’t do that! I’m your cousin!”

She raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you say we shouldn’t mix family ties with business? Or have you forgotten?”

Jin Jiarui was furious. “Even your father never fired family members!”

Jin Yaotiao smiled coldly. “That’s because my father is more forgiving than I am.”

Her decisive action left everyone speechless.

Even those who had been silently supporting Jin Lao San felt secondhand embarrassment.

Jin Yaotiao then turned to her second uncle. “Uncle, is my cousin still at home? If she’s interested, she’s welcome to join the company and help me out.”

Her second uncle hesitated, then nodded. “I think she’d love the opportunity.”

The remaining shareholders quickly realized that Jin Yaotiao wasn’t targeting all of them—only those who refused to align with her.

With a mix of carrot and stick, she had already begun reshaping the battlefield.

Jin Laosan (third uncle Jin) was furious when he realized that the other shareholders were tacitly accepting Jin Yaotiao’s decision, a blatant disregard for their opinions.

His heart pounded like a drum, but he found himself powerless against her. Left with no choice, he resorted to threats:
“Yaotiao! I am your elder! Don’t forget, I still hold 5% of Mingde’s shares! I am a legitimate member of the Mingde Board of Directors! You have no right to suppress me like this!”

Jin Yaotiao nodded. “Yes, you’re a member of the board. I remember that.”

Then, suddenly changing her tone, she continued, “But… I just remembered something. I heard that when you all came to my house to inquire about my father’s health, you were all so sure he had cancer. There were so many rumors about what kind of illness he had, yet you guessed correctly. How did that happen?”

The room fell silent, and everyone turned their heads toward Jin Laosan, sensing something amiss.

It was Jin Laosan who had taken the lead during their visit to the Jin family home.

He had been the one to insist that the eldest Jin had cancer, specifically lung cancer, and his certainty had led the others to believe him.

“Old… Old Third…” one of the shareholders spoke up, alarmed. “How did you know…?”

Initially, everyone assumed Jin Laosan had merely picked up on some rumors.

But now, it was clear that he had access to some kind of inside information.

The shareholders, all seasoned veterans, quickly realized the danger hidden in this detail.

It was one thing for the Jin family to have internal conflicts.

Regardless of who emerged victorious, the spoils would stay within the family.

This allowed the shareholders to sit back and play both sides without concern.

But if an outsider were involved…

A large family’s unity against external threats was terrifyingly strong.

“Third Uncle, so it was you,” Jin Yaotiao said with a smile. “May I ask how you got your information? Don’t tell me you paid someone to investigate. If someone managed to uncover my father’s closely guarded condition in such detail, your ‘teammates’ must be no small players. Even if you lie, it won’t take much digging to find the truth.”

Jin Laosan was caught off guard.

His years of careful scheming had been undone by such a small oversight.

He opened his mouth to fabricate an excuse, but no words came.

“Old Third!” The shareholders, who had initially played neutral, were now furious. One slammed the table and stood up. “What’s going on? Explain yourself!”

“Third Uncle,” Jin Yaotiao said, leaning back in the chairman’s plush seat with her hands crossed, watching him with amusement, “I don’t think you’ll last much longer on this board.”

Jin Laosan’s head spun, and he felt faint.

If his connections to the Cheng family were exposed, it wouldn’t just be the board. Even the Jin family might not tolerate him anymore.

---

As Manager He and another executive reached the conference room floor, they saw the meeting room doors open, and the shareholders stormed out angrily.

“Not a pleasant end, huh?”

Manager He rubbed his balding head, his eyes glinting with schadenfreude. A little girl thinks she can outmaneuver these experienced old men? Dream on.

But then, something unexpected happened.

The previously angry shareholders paused at the doorway, turned back toward the meeting room, and respectfully stepped aside, creating a clear path.

This gesture was unmistakably one of deference—something subordinates instinctively did for their superiors.

The only person in Mingde deserving of such respect was the chairman.

But wasn’t he supposed to be abroad for medical treatment?

Just as Manager He pondered this, a slender, striking figure appeared in the doorway.

It was Jin Yaotiao.

The board members, who had just been seething with rage, were now all smiles as they addressed her politely:

“You must be tired after such a long flight. Get some rest.”
“Yaotiao, don’t be angry. Who could’ve guessed he’d stoop so low?”
“Make sure to explain everything to your dad. Don’t let him get upset.”
“If there’s any trouble in the company that you can’t handle while your father’s away, just come to me. Your Fourth Uncle can back you up.”

Their tone was conciliatory, even supportive.

Jin Yaotiao, knowing when to play soft, responded with a gentle smile: “Thank you.”

Her tactfulness erased much of the resentment some board members initially felt due to her assertiveness, leaving them genuinely impressed.

As Jin Yaotiao walked to the elevator, she passed by two stunned middle-aged men. Sensing her gaze, they immediately straightened up.

“Director Jin!”

The title was new to her, and she took a moment to process it before nodding. “And you are…?”

“I’m He, the manager of Mingde Courtyard’s Project Group 2!” said the balding man, bending slightly in deference. He wiped his hand on his trousers before cautiously extending it. “Director Jin, I look forward to working with you!”

Jin Yaotiao shook his hand briefly. “I’m new here, so I’ll be counting on your guidance.”

Manager He reacted with excessive enthusiasm, his posture so low it seemed he might bow to the ground. “Not at all! With your leadership, we’re sure to achieve even greater success!”

Jin Yaotiao smiled faintly, uninterested in his flattery. “I’ll hold a meeting with your group in a few days. Let’s talk then.”