On the very first day of Su Mo officially taking over the affairs of the Qingyu Association, the organization underwent sweeping reforms.
Although his authority was only temporary—with much of the real power still in Liao Yu’s hands—the implementation of these measures faced no resistance whatsoever.
This had merely been an experiment by Su Mo, something he’d tried after careful consideration without expecting much. Yet, to his surprise, the results were astonishingly effective.
Wang Er came to report to him: “Second Young Miss, everyone has been reassigned as you instructed. If anyone tries to suppress the Qingyu Association now, we can strike back immediately.”
Su Mo was extremely satisfied with his efficiency. As expected of one of the earliest veterans who followed Ye Qingyu.
Of course, many of the Qingyu Association’s former enemies had tried to interfere in the process, but Tang Hu had long since taken people to… persuade them otherwise.
“Uncle Wang Er, what do you think of Liao Yu?” Su Mo suddenly asked.
Wang Er answered without hesitation: “In terms of strength and methods, he’s a formidable figure. It’s just a shame that power has blinded him—to the point where he dares to covet the Qingyu Association that the Young Miss left for you.”
His expression was indignant, showing no other emotion.
“Your answer isn’t entirely fair,” Su Mo shook his head.
Wang Er’s eyes flickered. “Then what does Second Young Miss think?”
“I believe he isn’t blinded by power. He’s genuinely considering the future of the Qingyu Association. After all, I lack seniority and management experience—I’m truly not suited for this position.”
“You’re too modest, Second Young Miss. The only one who achieved so much at your age was the Young Miss herself.”
Su Mo narrowed his eyes slightly. “So, your mission is to assist me, to help me grow into someone like my sister?”
Wang Er blurted out: “Exactly. Unlike Liao Yu and Li San, we’re the ones who truly have your best interests at heart.”
Su Mo caught a trace of panic in his eyes.
“Of course, that much is clear to everyone. That’s why I’ve decided to have you temporarily manage the association’s affairs in my place.”
“What?” Wang Er’s pupils dilated in shock. “You’ve only just taken over for less than a day. Handing it to me now might cause public outrage!”
Su Mo replied confidently: “Don’t worry, it won’t. This time, I’m leaving on official business—they won’t have anything to say.”
“Official business?” Wang Er couldn’t think of any official matters at the moment.
Then suddenly, he slapped his thigh in realization. “Ah! Second Young Miss must mean Elder Nan Gong’s memorial service, right? Has his body been returned to the country?”
“Mm. The service is in three days. Originally, I planned to go with Commander Yang, but now it seems I’ll need to change my ‘disguise.’”
By “disguise,” he meant attending as the Qingyu Association’s representative. After all, as far as the public knew, the Qingyu Association was Beidou’s friendly cooperative partner—there was no reason they wouldn’t be invited.
Sure enough, that afternoon, a visitor arrived.
It was an elderly man with graying hair, bearing a slight resemblance to Liu Yali—undoubtedly Elder Liu.
Su Mo personally went to greet him. Since Wang Er and Tang Hu were occupied, only Ye Qingyi accompanied him.
Elder Liu had brought only one person with him, likely a bodyguard, roughly estimated to be C-rank.
When he saw Su Mo and Ye Qingyi approaching, Elder Liu didn’t initiate conversation. Instead, he lifted his chin arrogantly, waiting for Su Mo to speak first.
As a model young man, respecting elders had always been ingrained in Su Mo’s bones—he wouldn’t forget that.
Upon seeing Elder Liu, he quickly stepped forward: “Excuse me, Grandpa, could you tell me when Elder Liu is arriving? I don’t see him here.”
Elder Liu’s face darkened. “I am Elder Liu.”
“Ahahaha! So it’s you! How embarrassing!” Su Mo laughed awkwardly.
Elder Liu, who already had a poor impression of him, now felt even more displeased. His expression turned stormy. “Is this how you treat your guests? You can’t even recognize who’s standing in front of you?”
Su Mo hurriedly apologized: “My apologies. It’s just that I’ve never seen a guest as refined (read: condescending) as you before. A momentary oversight—please forgive me.”
Elder Liu’s eye twitched. He nearly lost his temper.
Are you mocking me, you little—?!
Under Su Mo’s lead, they entered the reception hall, where tea was promptly served.
Su Mo didn’t waste time with small talk and cut straight to the point: “Elder Liu, you’re here to deliver the invitation, right?”
“Correct. But before that, I have a question for you.” His tone was hostile.
Su Mo blinked, his expression utterly innocent. “Oh? So in your view, there’s something more important than Elder Nan Gong’s memorial service?”
In less than five minutes of meeting, Elder Liu had nearly coughed up blood multiple times. Suppressing his rage, he said coldly: “You are now the vice-leader of the Qingyu Association. Mind your words and attitude.”
Beside him, Ye Qingyi scoffed in disdain.
Su Mo immediately straightened his face. “Mm. Go ahead, I’m listening.”
To an outsider, Su Mo’s attitude was extremely disrespectful—and he had no intention of being respectful. After all, this was Ye Zhongwen’s current father-in-law and the grandfather of Ye Qingwen and Ye Qingshu.
Elder Liu’s bodyguard’s gaze sharpened, but then he noticed someone approaching in the distance, stopping just outside the door.
It was Tang Hu.
So strong—he feels like my equal!
Elder Liu signaled for his guard to stand down, then took a deep breath to steady his emotions before asking: “Is the Yazi Inheritance in your possession?”
“The Yazi Inheritance?” Su Mo looked baffled. “What’s that? Never heard of it.”
“Heh. Everyone knows you were captured by Yaxian. If not for the inheritance, why else would he do such a thing?”
“How should I know? You think I enjoyed being kidnapped? I’m the victim here! As a high-ranking Beidou official, shouldn’t you be more concerned about your subordinates? Instead, you accuse me right off the bat—how heartless! Wuwuwu…”
Elder Liu gritted his teeth. “Don’t forget, you’re also the Qingyu Association’s vice-leader!”
Su Mo feigned realization. “Oh, right. Then you really have no right to question me about this. After all, I am the Qingyu Association’s second-in-command and acting leader.”
“You—!”
A battle of wits relies on eloquence and logic. But if the opponent refuses to play by the rules, responding with nonsense no matter how brilliantly you argue—even the greatest strategist would end up like Wang Lang facing Zhuge Liang.
“Ye Qingyi, don’t think being in the Qingyu Association means I can’t touch you. If I want to, I can take not just the Yazi Inheritance—but everything you have.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“You may interpret it that way.”
“Fine. Go ahead and try. See if you can take it.” Su Mo sneered. Outside, Tang Hu cracked his knuckles loudly, while Ye Qingyi glared fiercely.
“Good. Very good. As expected of someone trained by Yang Jie—impressive!” Elder Liu slammed the invitation onto the table. “Pray I don’t catch you alone. Otherwise, you’ll pay for what you did to Qingshu as well!”
Su Mo took the invitation. “Perfect. Elder Liu, I won’t see you out.”