C18 Successfully Transformed into a Calamity

The system relayed a torrent of information about Han Yuequn.

"Han Yuequn, Chairman and CEO of the Han family's enterprise, built his empire from scratch in the real estate sector twenty-five years ago. Since then, his ventures have expanded into commerce, culture, and finance. However, due to shifts in national real estate policies, Han's Real Estate Company has been left with dozens of unsellable residential buildings, causing a break in the capital chain."

"Ding! Scanned Han Yuequn. Mission triggered: Assist the Han family in overcoming their business crisis. Reward: System upgrade to Version 2.0."

"Isn't Version 1.0 already impressive? Why the need for an upgrade?" Chiang Hao wondered, quite satisfied with the current system's capabilities.

The existing system featured a skill bar, a Treasure Chest, a Merchant Shop, and a scan function.

The skill bar neatly displayed all his acquired skills at a glance.

The Treasure Chest could hold a variety of items, acting like an invisible storage bag with ample space and no weight—utterly convenient.

With enough Exclamation Points, he could purchase an array of skills from the Merchant Shop—a truly remarkable feature.

Scanning required only 30 Exclamation Points—a real steal, wasn't it?

"Host, shouldn't you aim high and flow with the tide? Don't you have any ambition?"

"Ambition? Is that something you can eat?" Chiang Hao cheekily retorted.

"Haven't you noticed that Version 1.0 only allows you to purchase innate skills and nothing else? Version 2.0 will unlock the ability to buy potions."

"Are there any potions that can relieve lateral sclerosis?" Chiang Hao inquired, his main concern being his sister's health.

His sister was his only remaining family in this world, and he was determined to cure her.

"Absolutely."

"Good, I'll make sure to complete the mission."

Initially, Chiang Hao had simply intended to save Han Xun'er from an arranged marriage, but it seemed he was now committed to seeing the task through to the end.

As Chiang Hao conversed with the system, Han Yuequn seethed with anger.

A sudden slap from Chiang Hao sent a jolt through his body, leaving a fiery sting on his backside.

He was in utter disbelief. How could Chiang Hao, that young upstart, have the audacity to smack his behind?

As a chairman of a major corporation, he had never suffered such indignity!

The idea of expelling evil by hitting someone's butt was preposterous. This man was obviously a charlatan.

He was even more loathsome than Bai Shaohua. How could he possibly entrust his beloved granddaughter to such a man?

No, he had to put a stop to this.

"So this is your method of averting disaster? Master Jiang, what exactly is the calamity you claim to have averted?" Han Yuequn demanded, his face clouded with anger.

Chiang Hao glanced at Han Yuequn's scowl, aware that Old Master Han was simmering with irritation from the unexpected slap.

He had considered his actions carefully before delivering the forceful smack.

A light touch might have been misconstrued as the act of a pervert with a peculiar fetish. A firm hit, on the other hand, would only provoke temporary ire. He was confident that once he pinpointed the other man's vulnerabilities, the anger would subside.

"I have indeed successfully neutralized the crisis for the Han family. Rest assured, the Han family will certainly overcome this financial predicament," Chiang Hao declared with an inscrutable calm.

"Nonsense! Don't think you can bamboozle me with your mystic act," Han Yuequn snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at Chiang Hao.

He had restrained himself repeatedly, eager to discover what Chiang Hao would reveal. Yet Chiang Hao remained vague and enigmatic, pushing Han Yuequn to the brink of his patience, until he could contain his frustration no longer.

"Grandpa, Chiang Hao is incredibly precise—please believe in him," Han Xun'er pleaded, gently tugging at Han Yuequn's arm.

Her trust in Chiang Hao was unshakable after witnessing yesterday's events.

She was convinced there was significant intent behind Chiang Hao's actions.

"Chiang Hao, please explain to Grandpa how the Han family can escape this business quagmire," Han Xun'er implored, her voice tinged with urgency as she noted Chiang Hao's composed demeanor.

In her eyes, Chiang Hao had become a pillar of support; her grandfather, the most important person in her world.

She yearned for harmony between the two.

"The Han family will weather this crisis, but we can't depend on the Bai family for help," Chiang Hao stated as he settled back into his seat and took a contemplative sip of tea. He had gleaned from the system's knowledge that the Han family's intention to forge a marriage alliance with the Bai family was a strategy to leverage their wealth in overcoming financial difficulties.

Should the Han family seek the Bai family's aid, Chiang Hao knew that even if he resorted to force to whisk Han Xun'er away, both families would vehemently oppose it. To save Han Xun'er from the Bai family's grip, they had to refuse their assistance.

"But without the Bai family's support, how can we secure several hundred million in funding?" Han Yuequn asked, fixing his gaze on Chiang Hao, all ears for a solution.

After the family meeting the previous day, he had tallied every asset the family could muster, only to find they were still several hundred million short of bridging the financial gap. He had concluded that they would need to turn to the Bai family or another influential clan for the funds, with the new resolve that Han Xun'er need not be married off as part of the deal.

"The Bai family's misdeeds are many, and their sins run deep. They've entangled themselves in too many karmic debts, and in time, they will face the consequences they deserve. Any association with the Bai family will only drag the blessed Han family into misfortune," Chiang Hao said with the air of a sage, his two years of peddling wares on the bridge lending weight to his words.

Han Yuequn, however, remained skeptical. He scoffed, "I'm aware of all that, but you've yet to explain how we'll close the several-hundred-million gap."

"The Han family has reached its current stature through Old Master Han's diligence, foresight, and exceptional leadership. Alongside amassing wealth, the family has consistently acted with charity and kindness. Surely, such good deeds will garner heavenly favor. There's no need for haste; the solution will present itself when the time is right. Rest assured, the funds you need will soon materialize," Chiang Hao assured him, hoping to instill a sense of calm in both Han Yuequn and Han Xun'er as they awaited the resolution.

"Enough, you've said plenty, yet you've still failed to provide a solution. Out of respect for you saving my granddaughter's life, I won't take any action against you. But let me be clear, you are far from suitable to be my grandson-in-law! Leave now, and don't let me see you again."

Han Yuequn had reached the end of his rope with Chiang Hao and gestured dismissively for him to depart.

"Grandfather, I trust Chiang Hao. The Han family has always been charitable, and I'm sure that good karma will see us through these tough times," Han Xun'er said, her faith in Chiang Hao unwavering.

Aware that Han Yuequn had lost faith in him, Chiang Hao realized it was time to play his ace in the hole to win back the old man's trust.