I am a person of pure nature, please don't slander me.

It’s precisely because of this kind of cooperation.

So when this incident came to light, the royal family didn’t show any anger—well, they did, but nothing was made public.

After all,

those royal scandals had already made the old ladies’ faces turn quite sour.

But to survive, they had to swallow their pride and keep quiet. What’s the big deal?

...

Because of this leverage, Cao Cheng was certain they wouldn’t dare retaliate.

Even if they did, Cao Cheng held the upper hand and could call on the old ladies to step in and squash everything.

The presence of these old ladies was still extremely useful.

Besides,

their side wasn’t entirely united; plenty of people wanted to see John fail.

Especially the French.

One down, another to go—we’re professionals at this.

...

Afterwards,

Cao Cheng explained his approach to Eldest Sister, who had nothing to say in response.

She had worried about Cao Cheng before, but never expected he had so many backup plans—already prepared and ready.

If John swallowed his pride and compensated a few tens of billions, then the matter would be considered over.

But if he refused to pay and planned retaliation, Cao Cheng would make them suffer even more.

As for whether this would spark a major conflict…

Cao Cheng shook his head with a smile.

“Not a chance…”

Then Cao Cheng shared his understanding of the international situation with Eldest Sister.

But he couldn’t go into too much detail, or else it would get censored.

After a few dozen minutes,

Eldest Sister fully understood and even spotted quite a few business opportunities in the recent international developments.

If Fifth Brother’s analysis was correct, then many bulk commodities were worth playing.

Eldest Sister stood up: “I’m going to find your wife.”

“What for?” Cao Cheng asked, puzzled.

“To invest some money and have her help me buy some bulk commodities.”

“...”

Cao Cheng chuckled and shook his head.

He didn’t ask further and didn’t refuse either.

More money to be made together.

Eldest Sister could have invested on her own, but with so many people in the family, Tang Xin was the most professional at futures trading.

Moreover, Eldest Sister trusted that Cao Cheng had already told Tang Xin everything—probably in even greater detail.

With such a golden opportunity to make money, Eldest Sister naturally wouldn’t let it slip by.

She also wanted to stash away some private savings.

Who would ever say no to more money?

What really sparked Eldest Sister’s envy was when she heard Cao Cheng say they made hundreds of billions shorting John.

She remembered how hard she worked at the company all year—though it wasn’t a small amount, it was nowhere near that kind of money.

Working her whole life, she’d never make hundreds of billions.

So, in an instant, Eldest Sister felt a bit of psychological imbalance.

It wasn’t that she wanted to do anything with the money she made—she had more than enough to spend.

But now she wanted balance. A psychological balance.

I might not care much, but I can’t have none.

You all have it.

Why shouldn’t I?

Eldest Sister knew well that The Fourth had a huge sum managed by Tang Xin, The Third too, and even the Second...

The Second worked in criminal investigation and basically didn’t have much private money of his own.

But last time, when Eldest Sister casually asked, Second Brother didn’t hide it. While sipping his drink, he said, “Maybe tens of billions, I’m not sure. Last time Tang Xin told me there were tens of billions in my account, but I don’t know how much is left now, and I didn’t ask.”

“……”

……

……

By 5:30 in the afternoon,

Cao Cheng left home and took a car to pick up Little Six.

Little Six’s school was a prestigious boarding school, where students lived on campus from elementary school.

They only got one day off per week.

Ren’s mother had time to accompany Old Cao to work precisely because of this schedule.

Today, Cao Cheng was assigned to pick up the kid.

In fact, it was Cao’s own initiative to do so.

After all, she was his own little sister. Although young, her status was high.

When she grows up, she’ll be a girl blessed with great fortune.

This isn’t just empty talk.

It’s quite possible.

Because Cao Cheng had tested it twice: every time he coaxed her to play, he took the chance to draw from the treasure box using her luck, and each time he pulled out some good stuff.

To put it simply,

Cao Laoliu’s luck was just a bit worse than Lingling’s.

And who’s Lingling?

Lingling had borrowed luck to get a Core of the Pivot Realm.

Is that something ordinary people can compare to?

So,

Lingling had already borrowed her luck and needed to rest for a while. During this period, she was borrowing from Little Six.

That’s why they had to coax the girl well and get her to cooperate.

……

When picking up Cao Laoliu, Cao Cheng didn’t even get out of the car.

If he showed up, it would definitely cause congestion and unnecessary trouble.

Better let Little Six mingle with others as a regular rich kid.

No need to spoil her too much.

“Brother…”

Seeing Cao Cheng come to pick her up, the girl was over the moon.

She tossed her backpack aside,

jumped onto his lap, grinning from ear to ear.

She was a little rowdy, just the right age for it.

Although she had been given some pills, like the Enlightenment Pill, which greatly enhanced her thinking and brain capacity,

making her much more capable than kids her age,

she was still a child after all.

Take just now, for example.

“Brother, I want to eat McKenzi’s.”

“Mom won’t let you,” Cao Cheng shook his head.

Little Six said, “Mom’s not here, if you don’t say it, and I don’t say it…”

Saying that,

she looked at the driver in front and threatened, “Whoever dares say it, I’ll beat them up.”

The driver knew she was talking about him, so he quickly replied, “Miss Six, don’t worry, I don’t know anything.”

“Hmph!” Little Six gave a coquettish snort.

Cao Cheng was speechless, frowning, “You’re starting to get spoiled, and now you’ve learned to threaten people? Who taught you that?”

“You,” Little Six giggled.

“...Nonsense. Don’t slander me. I’m naturally kind-hearted, a true hero who serves the country and the people. When have I ever threatened anyone?”

“You threatened Dad.”

“Well… that doesn’t count. That was a joke, a joke between grown men. You’re still too young to understand.”

After that,

Cao Cheng still took her out to eat some fast-food spicy chicken.

Although Ren’s mother didn’t allow it,

eating it once or twice wouldn’t hurt.

Besides,

Cao Cheng wasn’t Old Cao. If Old Cao took her, Ren’s mother would definitely get mad.

But if it was Cao Cheng, the situation was different.

……

While eating spicy chicken, Cao Cheng talked to her about the ways of the world.

Teaching her how to conduct herself and deal with others.

Don’t go around threatening your subordinates at every little thing. These people are your trusted aides—they work for you, especially the drivers. Your life literally depends on them.

So, you can win them over, you can buy their loyalty, but don’t rely solely on threats to keep control.

Threats might seem straightforward, but they always leave behind negative energy.

Cao Cheng didn’t want to raise the sixth child to be a compliant, obedient girl.

You don’t have to be polite to everyone.

But you absolutely must know how to command your subordinates.

You must know how to manage people.

You must know how to be a leader.