Chapter 83: Pleading for Mercy

“Let us invite President Huo Lingtian of the Huo Corporation to present the award to the winner.” The audience erupted with thunderous applause, while Rong Qing’s expression was best described as bewildered.

Dressed impeccably in a suit, tall and strikingly handsome, President Huo Lingtian of the Huo Corporation commanded intense applause the moment he appeared. If not for his status and power, he could easily have taken the entertainment industry by storm. His commanding presence held the entire hall in thrall.

Rong Qing gazed at the man who had stood at her doorstep just that morning, feeling a sense of unreality. He took the trophy and walked slowly toward her. As she reached out to receive the award, Huo Lingtian opened his arms.

Rong Qing naturally embraced him, lowering her voice and whispering by his ear, “Why are you here?”

“I wanted to present my darling’s first award,” Huo Lingtian replied with a wink. To the crowd, their embrace was nothing more than a symbolic gesture, and no one would read anything into it. He solemnly handed her the trophy.

“Congratulations!” Huo Lingtian led the entire audience in applause.

Standing on the podium, with lights flashing and cameras clicking, Rong Qing felt all her efforts rewarded in that moment. The speech she had prepared vanished from her mind, replaced only by vague memories of thanking everyone—thanks to the cast and crew, thanks to the fans of “Love,” thanks to her family who had always been by her side.

She was as awkward as a novice, yet elated and thrilled all the same.

Rong Qing’s silhouette as she received her award instantly became the darling of the entertainment media. Every accessory and outfit she wore was analyzed and paraded online. Whether it was her fresh beauty before her debut or her stunning glamour as a star, she became the “goddess” in the hearts of countless fans. As Best Newcomer, Rong Qing’s rise was remarkable; she dominated the screen as a dark horse. The film “Splendid Years” won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress, making it the biggest winner of the night.

After that night of dazzling stars, life gradually returned to normal. Rong Qing was busy filming new movies and promoting them everywhere. As the “Love” fan club continued to expand, her popularity soared. Yet beneath the calm surface, turbulent waves still surged: with the Huo Corporation accelerating its acquisition of shares from the Wu and Li families, the two clans’ funding chains for new developments broke, their stocks plummeted, and normal operations could no longer be sustained. The pampered heirs of the Wu family and the elders of the Li clan began to panic, losing all their usual pride and self-deception. It wouldn’t be long before the Wu and Li families vanished from City X.

At the Wu Corporation’s monthly shareholder meeting, Wu Tianxiong sat at the head of the table. Suddenly, the door to their conference room was flung open with a bang. Yan Zhengke, the new elite of City X, barged in with a group of men, tossing a stack of documents before Wu Tianxiong.

“Wu Tianxiong, the Wu Corporation has changed hands,” Yan Zhengke declared ruthlessly, as his men immediately took control of the room.

Wu Tianxiong’s eyes were clouded and weary. The months of struggle had hollowed out the old man; his hands trembled as he opened the documents. The shareholder numbers pierced his heart. The Huo Corporation had acquired forty percent of Wu Real Estate, and somehow convinced shareholders controlling another ten percent to side with them. Wu Tianxiong himself held only forty-five percent; the remaining five percent was scattered and difficult to recover. Huo Lingtian now possessed fifty-five percent, an absolute majority, and controlled Wu’s assets.

Wu Tianxiong collapsed into his chair, realizing that the future of his family had been destroyed by his own hand. He had seen the Wu Corporation at its peak, but now everything was handed to a young upstart! His clouded eyes glared fiercely at the new elite before him.

“Who would have thought you’d be content to play lapdog to Huo Lingtian,” he mocked, ridiculing the man’s stupidity.

“To be the lapdog of the strong is better than being arrogant and self-satisfied,” Yan Zhengke retorted. Ever since he had been coaxed by Huo Lingtian at a banquet, boarded the Huo Corporation’s pirate ship, and signed away his freedom, his path had been one of relentless exploitation. He had encountered cunning foxes like Gu Lingfei, endured the “training” of arms tycoon Yan Dong, and suffered the subtle reprimands of Li Mingze. Battle-hardened and independent, he had become as shameless and acerbic as those powerful men, with no respect for age or youth. This promising seedling had been thoroughly corrupted by that crowd.

Wu Tianxiong forced himself to swallow his rage as he watched the century-old family business ransacked by the Huo Corporation. The Wu Real Estate plaque was taken down and replaced with the Huo emblem. If not for those restraining him, he would have smashed his head against the door in despair.

That night, Wu Tianxiong fainted at the Wu residence and was urgently sent to the emergency room, barely clinging to life. When he opened his eyes again, the sharpness in his gaze had faded, replaced by defeat and confusion. After several days in bed, he insisted on being carried to the Huo family estate. He blamed himself for recognizing the truth too late; Huo Lingtian’s hidden strength was too deep and terrifying, how could small families like theirs ever compete? Huo Lingtian likely never cared about them at all.

Wu Tianxiong was carried to the gates of the Huo residence, demanding to see Old Master Huo. Fortunately, he arrived at the right time, for the old master was not staying at the mansion lately, but rather at the countryside villa in Xiangshan.

Old Master Huo had long been aware of the war between the Huo and Wu families. He enjoyed his leisure, letting his grandson deal with Wu Tianxiong. He never expected that after several months since his grand birthday, his old friend would be reduced to skin and bones, a pitiful sight.

On one hand, Old Master Huo marveled at Huo Lingtian’s ruthless tactics; on the other, he sighed for his old friend. To provoke his formidable, vengeful grandson—there was nothing he, as a grandfather, could do. He didn’t even know the true extent of the boy’s power. Wu Tianxiong was practically asking for trouble.

Old Master Huo immediately had Wu Tianxiong carried into the main house. After all, they were comrades who had fought side by side; he owed him that much respect. As soon as Wu Tianxiong entered the main residence, he suddenly knelt on the floor with a bang, the sound of his knees hitting the boards making even him wince.

“Wu Tianxiong, let’s talk this over. No need for this,” Old Master Huo tried to lift him, but Wu Tianxiong’s stiff body refused to budge.

“Huo Zhen, for the sake of our friendship, I beg you—ask Huo Lingtian to spare the elders and children of the Wu family. The Wu family is gone; let them have a final peace.” Wu Tianxiong pleaded earnestly, begging the old man before him. In the past, his pride would never have allowed him to beg or retreat, but to preserve the last bloodline of his family, he was willing to give up his dignity.

Old Master Huo looked at the chaotic scene and immediately dialed his grandson, leaving only a brief command before hanging up: “Look at the mess you’ve made. Get back here immediately.”

Only the family’s head could resolve this. It wasn’t that Old Master Huo couldn’t help, but rather that Huo Lingtian’s temper was as fierce as his own had been in his prime.

About half an hour later, Huo Lingtian hurried back, thinking something serious had happened. Seeing the figure kneeling on the floor, his brow furrowed and his face darkened.

“Grandfather,” Huo Lingtian greeted respectfully, completely ignoring the old man on the ground.

Old Master Huo was so angry he wanted to smash his cane over his grandson’s head. He glared sternly at Huo Lingtian. “Hmph. The feud with the Wu family ends here—let them go.”

Huo Lingtian’s expression didn’t change; he gave Old Master Huo no face at all. “No.”

With a bang, the cane struck the floor. Old Master Huo stood up abruptly, “No? It must end. The Wu family has been connected to ours for a hundred years. You’ve already acquired the whole family—what more do you want?” This rascal gave his grandfather not a shred of respect.

Huo Lingtian looked at the kneeling Wu Tianxiong. When they had allied themselves against the Huo Corporation, they were destined to become enemies. The Wu family was already broken; eliminating them entirely wasn’t his style. He had intended to further crush their pride, but seeing the old man admit defeat, he finally said, “I can stop actions against the Wu family. Hand over Wu Yuxin, and I will ensure your clan’s safety.”

Wu Tianxiong’s expression changed, the aging man wracked with pain. He had already betrayed Yuxin once—could he make the same mistake twice? The immense guilt and sense of duty toward his family made him look even more haggard. If possible, he would bear all their burdens himself. “Let Yuxin go. She made a mistake in a moment. I am willing to take her punishment.”

“Don’t make me say it twice. Wu Yuxin’s mistake was harming the person most important to me.”

Wu Tianxiong could no longer hold himself together and nodded helplessly. In the end, the Wu family disappeared entirely from City X, and Huo Lingtian acquired all the shares from Wu Tianxiong, becoming the largest shareholder. Yan Zhengke took over management of the Wu enterprises.

Wu Yuxin was expelled from the family; the once proud heiress suffered a mental breakdown, cursing and delirious as she was taken away by a group of people. Wu Tianxiong, the patriarch, exhausted and tense, saw his once robust body rapidly wither. The iron-willed old man was hospitalized again after this devastating blow, and soon after passed away. Thus the feud between the Wu and Huo families came to a perfect conclusion.

Seeing the Wu family’s downfall, even the fearless Li family heir lived in constant dread. The Li Corporation gradually declined; their real estate investments collapsed, and the five percent of shares controlled by Huo Lingtian through Baidu Search became a thorn in their side—a harbinger of imminent disaster. While the Li family’s electronics business had always operated independently from Huo’s, when the confrontation came, they were utterly defeated. Now he knew fear, regretting his rash and arrogant decisions, but Huo Lingtian’s ruthless methods left him deeply unsettled.

A look of venomous resolve flashed in Li Yingming’s eyes. If Huo Lingtian refused to let him live in peace, he would drag him down even if it meant destruction. He invested his last funds and hired a team of professionals. Tomorrow would be Huo Lingtian’s doom.

After Rong Qing’s award win, whether filming or attending events, Huo Lingtian picked her up every morning and night. Most notably, at their villa in Xiangshan, she had seen the area patrolled by tight security more than once. Amidst the tranquil atmosphere, Rong Qing sensed an impending storm.

—Extra note—

So tired...