Hand in Hand to Build a Home Amid Great Chaos

Night fell. On a clean, tidy single bed, Qian Ling frowned, muttering in her sleep. Darkness... fog... scorching sun... frost... tsunami... earthquake... Various scenes of disaster flashed intermittently, endlessly... Miserable screams... collapsing mountains... toppling skyscrapers... falling planes... chaotic crowds... terrifying zombies... "Ah—" Qian Ling abruptly opened her eyes, glanced around, and familiar sights came into view. She sat up, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and let out a deep breath. Getting out of bed, she habitually took a chilled drink from the fridge. Pulling open the curtains, The bustling nightscape of Country M came into view. In the distance, neon lights sparkled; up close, the flow of traffic and crowds shone under the lights of the sleepless city. None of these scenes bore any resemblance to the dream she had just had. This dream had been long, persistent—it had haunted her intermittently since childhood. But this year, for some unknown reason, it had become fiercer, tormenting her with those gruesome scenes almost every night. Her heart was still pounding violently. Even though she had had this dream countless times—like watching one movie after another, sometimes new, sometimes as vague as a recurring nightmare—she still needed a long time to calm down after waking up. But this time’s dream... "Ring... ring..." The ringtone from the bedside table phone sounded. Qian Ling frowned, sat back on the bed, picked up the phone, and was momentarily startled when she saw the number. "Hello, Miss Qian Ling, I am Lawyer Li. I apologize for disturbing you; it must be late at night in Country M. However, the Chairman has issued a secret directive. Would you be available to start a video call?" A clear, steady voice came through the phone receiver. "Hello, please hold on." Qian Ling switched her phone to video call mode and saw three people on the screen. They were all dressed in suits, sitting in a solemn conference room. Not only was their attire professional, but their expressions were also extremely serious. "Miss Qian, hello. I am your chief legal advisor, Xu Cheng." "Miss Qian, hello. I am Ma Ying, the legal risk control lawyer and financial supervision director of the Qian Group." "Hello. All three of you calling at the same time—there must be something important?" Qian Ling looked at the three people on the screen, and her heart suddenly began to race. *No, it can’t be. That was just a dream.* "Miss, 30 minutes ago, the Chairman transferred 100% of the Qian Group’s equity to your name. Under the witness and authentication of the three lawyers present, a series of legal procedures for the transfer were completed, including video authorization, recording of the equity transfer, and document countersigning. All documents and the entire process have been certified and registered with the Bar Association. I hereby announce: From now on, Miss Qian Ling will be the true power holder and heir of the Qian Group." Lawyer Li held a document, speaking solemnly and seriously. After finishing, he adjusted the black-rimmed glasses on his nose and looked intently at Qian Ling’s image on the video screen. Qian Ling looked at him in confusion, then turned to Xu Cheng and Ma Ying. These two were her grandfather’s right-hand men, the most trusted of his confidants. If only Lawyer Li had conveyed this information, she might have had doubts, but these two were different. Xu Cheng and Ma Ying seemed to understand Qian Ling’s concern and nodded with grave solemnity, indicating their verification of the matter’s authenticity, but saying nothing more. "Miss Qian, I am sending you the signature page of the authorization document. Please sign and confirm. After that, all legal procedures will be complete. From now on, all fund movements and business planning within the Qian Group must be approved by your signature before they can proceed." Xu Cheng tapped a few keys on the computer, and Qian Ling’s phone vibrated. After downloading the document, she roughly scanned the key clauses. It turned out her grandfather had given up part of the group’s business to buy back the shares held by the four major shareholders. Even so, the Qian Group still dominated the top of Country H, unmatched by any rival. Looking at the equity transferred back from the major shareholders, Qian Ling suddenly felt a pang of sadness thinking of that kind face. Tears instantly filled her eyes. She switched the phone to writing mode, signed the document carefully, and sent it back. Now that everything was settled, she could no longer run away. "Miss, for future financial transfers, you can send instructions directly to me. I will send you the dedicated communication channel and password shortly. I will be online 24/7, waiting for your orders at any time," Ma Ying said seriously, with an unassuming but firm tone. In his early forties, he had an extremely meticulous demeanor that commanded attention. Qian Ling nodded. Her grandfather had a keen eye. This young financial manager had been personally promoted by him from the grassroots level and was one of his trusted confidants. Ma Ying was an orphan. Since he was 15, Grandfather had valued him and secretly nurtured him. By the age of 20, he was already assisting Grandfather in managing affairs. This was also why the president and other shareholders could never pull off any tricks—no one could bribe him. The company had Grandfather’s confidants in all key positions, and many were embedded in grassroots roles. As a businessman, Grandfather was far-sighted and always prepared. "Why would Grandfather suddenly let me inherit the Qian Group? Besides, Father... the president won’t agree," Qian Ling frowned, looking at the three of them and speaking in a low voice. "Miss, with the covert support of several major shareholders, the Chairman has successfully recovered all equity of the Qian Group. Except for the film and television business, which was spun off from the Qian Group and transferred solely to the president, all other assets of the Qian Group are under your name. The Chairman instructed that all procedures must be completed within today. Since the Chairman is now the sole controlling shareholder of the group, no one else has the right to interfere with his handling of the equity or the operation and management of the Qian Group," Ma Ying replied carefully and cautiously, looking at her. Beside him, Xu Cheng nodded solemnly as well. Meaning that person had no right to interfere? What a relief! "Alright. Does the president know about this matter yet?" "No. All procedures were completed by the Chairman alone, with the law firm, the notary, and Lawyer Li present," Ma Ying nodded. "Draft a document. All business procedures within the group shall remain as they are. Fund transfers under 5 million within three months do not require my signature and are still authorized to the president. The equity transfer matter should not be made public for now. Follow the previous procedures for everything, and wait for my further instructions," Qian Ling said with a frown. Ma Ying acknowledged and quickly began drafting the document. The three signed it, scanned it, and sent it over. Qian Ling signed it swiftly and sent it back. After a few more brief exchanges, they ended the call. Qian Ling leaned back against the headboard. Her grandfather’s kind smile appeared before her eyes, and scenes of his love and indulgence for her since childhood played in her mind like a film. A genuine smile appeared on Qian Ling’s cold face. *Grandfather, you still gave me the Qian Group. Even though I ran away at 15, you still bought back all the equity for me. How hard must it have been for you all these years?* Suddenly, Qian Ling wondered if her stubbornness had been wrong. She felt so sorry for her grandfather, who loved her wholeheartedly and always thought of her, and for him too... But when the faces of the president—her biological father—and her mother appeared in her mind, Qian Ling’s eyes welled up with endless sorrow, mixed with hatred. "Beep, beep." The phone rang again. When Qian Ling saw the name on the screen, her heart ached. Self-blame and guilt filled her chest. Though her nose stung with sadness, she forcefully suppressed the genuine emotion in her heart. "Ling’er." A magnetic voice carried deep longing and affection, along with an irresolvable worry. This tender call stirred endless yearning in Qian Ling’s heart, and she silently whispered his name, *Qian Ye*. Despite the overwhelming longing in her eyes, she instantly suppressed all emotions and uttered chilling, heart-wrenching words. "Speak..."