Starting Check-in Reward: Tomson Riviera

"Don’t worry, this is all just speculation on my part."

Sensing Ye Ling’s concern, Ning Tianliang explained, "I’d heard rumors for a while that the Yu Group was secretly harboring wanted criminals. Then, my men got word that Li Yuan was planning to make a move on you. The very next day, the Yu Group’s dark secrets were exposed. It was only natural for me to connect the dots."

"What!?"

Ning Ruoxi’s beautiful eyes widened the moment she heard this.

Ye Ling had never told her about this, so she was completely in the dark.

"Dad, if you knew, why didn’t you send someone to protect Ye Ling!?"

Ning Ruoxi pouted, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction.

Ning Tianliang glanced at his daughter with a helpless expression. "Not even married yet, and you’re already siding with an outsider?"

"That’s not it... I just..."

Ning Ruoxi’s pretty face flushed a faint crimson as she lowered her head.

"I did think about sending men to protect the boy back then. After all, the reason Li Yuan targeted him was ultimately because of you. But this kid is something else. Over a dozen skilled fighters couldn’t even handle him alone."

As he spoke, a glint of astonishment flickered in Ning Tianliang’s eyes, and he sized Ye Ling up with great interest.

Ye Ling’s background was undoubtedly ordinary, yet he had suddenly acquired a villa in Tomson Riviera, started driving a luxury car like the Pagani Zonda R, and even owned sixty percent of Shengding Group’s shares!

More importantly, he was also a master of the tea ceremony and possessed extraordinary martial prowess. Even a kickboxing champion like Li Yuan was no match for him!

’What in the world has he been through all these years?’

"Huh?"

Ning Ruoxi blinked blankly, suddenly recalling how respectfully Li Yuan had treated Ye Ling before. ’That must have been why!’

"My small achievements are nothing compared to yours, Uncle Ning."

Ye Ling shook his head, speaking with extreme modesty.

"No, I think it’s quite something. To have come this far at your age, relying only on your own strength... To be honest, I admire you."

Ning Tianliang, however, waved his hand dismissively and then added:

"You are very impressive, but what I want to make clear today is that it’s not enough for me to approve of you being with my daughter!"

"Dad!"

Hearing this, Ning Ruoxi immediately pouted in displeasure.

In her eyes, Ye Ling was already exceptionally outstanding with all he had accomplished!

"Uncle Ning, I understand what you mean. But, if I may be so bold, what kind of achievement would be enough for you to approve of me?"

Ye Ling maintained his humble posture, showing no sign of displeasure at the other man’s words.

Because he had the confidence that he could win Ning Tianliang’s approval in the future!

"It’s simple. If you can build a world-class company, I will allow you to be with my daughter!"

As he spoke, Ning Tianliang slowly rose to his feet and walked to the window. His gaze drifted outside, far into the distance, giving him a world-weary air.

"Our country, after all these years of development, has gradually earned its place in the world. But in reality, the gap between us and a certain superpower is still immense."

Ning Tianliang’s voice was heavy, his expression turning cold. "Any promising company from our country that dares to step onto the global stage is inevitably targeted and suppressed in the world market. As a result, even now, we have very few companies that can truly hold their own."

"Our nation has now entered a new era. We must have companies that can represent us on the world stage!"

With that, Ning Tianliang turned around to face Ye Ling.

A fiery brilliance, like a blazing flame, now flickered in his eyes!

In that moment, Ye Ling’s expression shifted, visibly moved. He could feel the fervent hope burning within Ning Tianliang’s heart!

"Could it be that your Ning International isn’t considered a world-class company?"

Ye Ling asked, choosing his words carefully.

Ning Tianliang shook his head slightly.

"It’s not enough. Not nearly enough."

"I understand."

Ye Ling let out a slow breath, stood up, and said with a solemn expression, "Uncle Ning, even if you hadn’t mentioned it, as a young man of Xia Country, I see it as my undeniable duty to help revitalize our nation!"

"The youth of this generation are indeed the most patriotic."

Ning Tianliang smiled and nodded.

He hadn’t even smiled when Ye Ling had just brewed a perfect pot of Da Hong Pao.

But now...

He smiled!

Ye Ling’s attitude, his patriotic fervor, had moved him!

"You’re a mystery. At least, among the current generation in Xia Country, there are very few people I can’t see through. You are one of them," Ning Tianliang continued.

Hearing Ning Tianliang’s assessment of Ye Ling, Ning Ruoxi couldn’t help but cover her mouth in surprise.

This was incredibly high praise coming from Ning Tianliang!

After all, not even Yun Tianlan had ever received such praise from him!

A flash of pride passed through Ning Ruoxi’s eyes as she looked at Ye Ling.

’This was her stinky, her... boy!’

"Thank you for your approval, Uncle Ning. I will definitely do my utmost to contribute to our motherland!" Ye Ling said.

This was the truth from the bottom of his heart. Or rather, it was a goal he had always held!

He was well aware of the current global situation. The United States, as the world’s sole superpower, used its economic and military might to act as the world’s policeman.

In reality, it was single-handedly responsible for many of the world’s problems!

It would stop at nothing for its own gain!

"I believe you have the potential to reach that level. I have high expectations for you."

Ning Tianliang said with a nod.

Although he had said he didn’t fully approve of Ye Ling yet, after this initial meeting, he had basically come to accept him.

On one hand, there was Ye Ling’s superb skill in the art of tea; on the other, his sincere and patriotic heart!

After all, no matter how outstanding a person’s achievements were in any field, if they didn’t love their country, they were utterly worthless.

They could only be considered a useless degenerate!

"Dad, so... you’ve actually approved of Ye Ling, haven’t you?" Ning Ruoxi, who had been standing to the side, said with a blink of her eyes.

This was the first time she had ever seen Ning Tianliang say so much to someone from the younger generation...

"Of course not."

Ning Tianliang said without a moment’s hesitation, then shot a glare at Ning Ruoxi. "Don’t you get ahead of yourself, young lady. I still have a score to settle with you."

"What score do you have to settle with me...?"

Hearing this, Ning Ruoxi couldn’t help but stick out her tongue playfully.

But inwardly, she thought, ’You’re being so obvious, and you still say you don’t approve?’

’Men really are all talk!’