The car eased into the city center.
The outline of Fuli Hotel grew clearer ahead—an older façade, a glass curtain wall catching the morning light in a faint sheen. Even worn, it still carried the shadow of its former glory.
Zoe stopped at the entrance and looked back.
"We're here, Ethan."
The door opened. Morning air rushed in, mixed with that signature hotel chill that always carried a trace of conditioned cold.
Chen was already waiting at the door. The moment the car stopped, he stepped forward quickly.
"Ethan."
Then he saw Summer.
He froze for a fraction of a second, then corrected himself immediately:
"Ms. Summer."
Summer nodded politely. "Morning, Chen."
Chen felt a quiet jolt in his chest.
He didn't understand why Ms. Summer would be arriving with Ethan.
Blaze and Mason followed closely behind and greeted Ethan as well.
"Ethan."
"Morning, Ethan."
Both of them, out of instinct, glanced sideways at Summer—and like Chen, addressed her the same way.
"Good morning, Ms. Summer."
Ethan nodded, tone flat and calm.
"She's my wife. We registered."
All three men went blank.
Chen recovered fastest. He forced himself into motion and said immediately:
"Congratulations, Ethan. Congratulations, madam."
Mason and Blaze snapped out of it a beat later, rushing to follow.
"C—congratulations, Ethan. Congratulations, madam."
Ethan found their shock almost amusing. He took Summer's hand and started walking inside, speaking as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"Let's eat. I don't want my wife going hungry."
Summer's reaction was almost like being lightly shocked.
Ethan's grip was gentle but firm; and without realizing it, she held his hand back naturally—no resistance, only a faint blush rising in her cheeks.
The short twenty-minute drive from Majestic Residence to what would soon be Taoyuan Hotel had been a complete refresh of her world.
Before she got into the car, she thought today was simply: meet Ethan's core team.
By the time she stepped out of the car, she already knew—
this man held trillions of leverage and was planning to swallow an old-money power family whole.
And she was standing beside him.
Zoe, in that same drive, had also accepted a new identity.
Not as "a daughter of the Vance family,"
but as a commander under Pingchuan Capital Group—
the future person who would steer the Vance empire.
If the camera pulled back far enough from the hotel entrance, a network of lines could be seen:
lines stretching to the warehouses across L City,
to the Taoyuan Office Tower,
to the Vance headquarters in the capital—
and even farther beyond.
All lines converged on one person.
Ethan.
Zoe pushed open the door to Private Room Eight.
Inside was not large, but it was arranged with a kind of deliberate discipline. Light gray wood-grain walls, a deep blue carpet, a freshly replaced tea set on the table. The faint fragrance of Biluochun rose from the pot, as if the room had been warmed up specifically for this moment.
The lighting was tuned soft—no harsh white glare. It made people sit straighter without noticing.
This wasn't a place for "just breakfast."
This was a place for decisions.
Ethan stood at the doorway, gaze sweeping the room like a scan.
He rarely wore emotion on his face, but his presence alone was pressure—
a wordless signal that a new order was about to land.
Chen, Blaze, and Mason entered first and formed a loose half-arc.
When Ethan stepped in, all three straightened at the same time.
This was the first time Summer had stood inside a formation like this.
She had attended meetings and negotiated projects before, but she had never seen a team display this kind of silent, perfectly consistent reverence toward one man.
Not fear.
More like trust, obedience, and an instinctive respect for power.
Zoe lifted a hand and signaled everyone to sit.
Ethan took the main seat.
To his left sat Summer.
To his right sat Zoe.
Seats that only the true core could occupy.
The other three took their positions along the sides.
The pressure at the table dropped by a full degree, as if everyone unconsciously held their breath.
Ethan took a sip of tea and didn't speak immediately.
Even the angle of his lowered gaze was exact—like an unimportant habitual motion that still tightened everyone's nerves.
Chen's eyes stayed on Ethan's hands.
It was the instinct of someone trained by years of administrative work:
the leader's hands decide.
Blaze sat upright like a blade ready to be used.
Mason, usually straightforward and loose, didn't dare move either.
Summer watched these reactions and, for the first time, truly felt it:
Ethan was a man who belonged above.
Not "he worked hard so he earned the seat."
More like—he was simply built to sit there.
Ethan lifted his eyes.
A light sentence:
"Go ahead."
The room's air snapped tight like a string.
"Ethan." Chen stood.
"The Taoyuan office building will be cleared soon. Renovation planning is being set. The underground levels are already being worked on. There are two shops left on the first floor; the last one will leave by August 5 at the latest."
"Good," Ethan said. "When can the upper floors officially start construction?"
"The Qingyuan project team is expected to fully vacate tomorrow," Chen answered immediately. "So the 5th can be the official start."
"Good," Ethan said. "Watch construction closely. Start with Floor 18, then Floors 19 and 20, then begin working downward from Floor 17."
He turned his gaze to Blaze.
"How's your team build?"
Blaze stood.
The posture was military—slanted, straight, like a ruler.
"Warehouse access whitelists are complete. Anyone without permission—no matter who—doesn't enter."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Including me?"
Blaze didn't even blink.
"You're permanently at the top of the whitelist."
Mason almost laughed, but swallowed it.
Then Blaze added—without hesitation:
"If you don't want anyone to know you were there, I can wipe the record."
Summer: "..."
This man's loyalty logic had already exceeded normal standards.
Ethan nodded once. "Good. You'll run an independent company. We'll get to that."
The word "good" alone made Blaze snap fully into attention.
"Mission guaranteed!"
Ethan looked to Mason.
"Mason, your progress."
Mason stood—plain, but solid.
"Warehouse One: rice is fifty percent stocked. Corn arrives in bulk tomorrow. Millet, flour, and dried noodles—three suppliers each have confirmed capacity."
"Estimated: Warehouse One can be sealed in four days. Warehouse Two sealed by the 14th at the latest."
"Watch every supplier," Ethan said, tapping the table lightly. "Speed is still slow. Not you—supplier prep and dispatch. See if there's a way to optimize."
Mason's chest warmed. "Understood!"
"Sit," Ethan said.
"From now on, sit when you report. It's just us—don't do the ceremonial standing. I don't need formality."
Ethan glanced around the table and continued.
"I called everyone here for breakfast because there are a few things we need to settle."
His voice was calm, but the room immediately sharpened.
"First."
"This hotel has now been officially acquired."
"From today onward, it will be renamed—Taoyuan Hotel."
Blaze couldn't help it.
"Holy—"
The word slipped out before he caught himself.
Ethan didn't react. He simply continued.
"Second."
"Starting today, Pingchuan Capital Group is formally established."
"I will serve as Chairman and Chief Executive."
"Zoe."
He looked to his right.
"Vice President. In charge of finance and legal affairs. Concurrently serving as General Manager of Taoyuan Hotel."
Zoe nodded once. "Understood."
"Chen."
He turned slightly.
"Vice President. In charge of administration and business operations. Concurrently serving as General Manager of the Taoyuan Office Tower."
Chen's spine straightened.
"Yes."
"Blaze."
"You will serve as General Manager of Yunda Security & Logistics."
"The company will be responsible for group-wide security, logistics, and distribution."
Blaze stood in a single motion.
"Yes!"
"Mason."
"You will serve as General Manager of Yunan Trading."
"Upstream materials procurement, and purchasing for all group subsidiaries."
Mason rose as well.
"Yes."
This was not a joke.
This was the skeletal structure of a group being fixed in place in a single breath.
All four stood simultaneously.
"Yes!"
At that moment, Summer looked at Ethan, and a powerful sense of admiration rose in her chest.
"You will each build your own management teams as soon as possible."
Ethan's tone remained even.
"I have three non-negotiable requirements for core management personnel."
"First: character."
"Second: young."
"Third: single."
"Gender doesn't matter."
"Don't ask me why. These are hard requirements. I'll explain later."
"Yes!"
All four responded in unison.
"The same three requirements apply to general staff."
"Blaze."
"You will recruit five hundred people initially."
"Manage the gender ratio yourself."
"Men must be physically capable—loading, unloading, security."
"Women must be detail-oriented—inventory, sorting, coordination."
"We can afford the salaries. And I'm not worried about idle hands."
"I have plans for all of them."
"But they must meet the three requirements."
"Yes!" Blaze answered firmly.
"Mason."
"Your current team is insufficient."
"You need at least one hundred people."
"They must be proficient with terminals, computers, data search, and price comparison."
"This will make procurement far more efficient."
"Yes."
"Chen."
"You as well."
"Taoyuan will soon move into full招商 and operation."
"You're not assisting anymore—you're running a real company."
"All departments, all roles—build them up."
"Yes."
"Zoe."
"You have the heaviest task."
"Hotel service quality."
"I don't care whether we make or lose money in the short term."
"I care about service quality."
"But let me repeat this one last time."
"All personnel must meet the three hard requirements."
"Yes."
All four answered together.
"Zoe—"
She was about to stand when Ethan raised a hand.
"Sit."
"From now on, nobody stands to speak."
"If you all stand, does that mean I have to stand too?"
"That's exhausting."
The room relaxed slightly. A few people smiled.
Ethan continued.
"Register another company."
"The name will be Yuntu Architectural Design."
"I already have a candidate for General Manager."
"You will coordinate with them."
Zoe nodded immediately. "Understood."
"Additionally."
"The hotel must continue hosting all government events."
"You may grant them billing cycles."
"And waive any previously unpaid invoices."
"Consider that your gift as General Manager."
"Future payments will follow government procedures."
"Six-month or annual settlement is fine."
Zoe responded without hesitation. "Yes."
"Today."
"You will begin negotiations."
"And if you discover that Mayor Nelson Carter will be attending any events here—"
"Notify me immediately."
"Yes, Ethan."
Summer watched Zoe, her expression complicated.
She hadn't realized Zoe would show such unquestioning respect.
Ethan lifted his teacup and took a light sip.
"Listen carefully."
The room went silent again.
"Time doesn't wait."
"And food gets cold."
"Eat."
"After that, everyone goes back to work."
For a second, no one reacted.
Then someone laughed.
The tension broke.
Breakfast resumed in a noticeably lighter atmosphere.
After the meal, Blaze, Mason, and Chen departed first, each heading off to their respective tasks.
Ethan, Summer, and Zoe lingered a bit longer, chatting casually as they walked out through the lobby.
Zoe headed off to coordinate with government contacts and the legal teams.
Ethan stayed with Summer outside the hotel entrance.
The breeze was light.
Summer had absorbed too much that morning. Only now did she find the strength to ask:
"Ethan…"
"How much more haven't you told me yet?"
"Not much," he said calmly. "But there is one secret I'll only ever tell you."
He looked at her.
"If you ask, I'll answer."
"If you don't, I'll tell you slowly."
She looked up at him.
"Will there ever be a day when I can't take it?"
Ethan reached out and held her shoulder.
"I didn't marry you so you could carry burdens."
"I married you so you could lean on me."
She froze.
The car arrived.
The driver stepped out and opened the door.
Summer paused at the door and looked back.
"Tonight… will you tell me more?"
"Yes."
That single word made her realize—
no matter how terrifying the future might be,
she wouldn't be facing it alone.
The door closed.
She sat in the back seat, watching through the mirror.
Ethan stood at the entrance of Taoyuan Hotel, hands in his pockets, backlit by morning light.
In that moment, she finally understood what he meant.
"The Vance family doesn't count."
Even L City didn't count.
Compared to her husband, everything else seemed dim.
After Summer left, Ethan didn't depart.
He returned upstairs.
Taoyuan Hotel — Third Floor.
Food & Beverage Office Area.
It wasn't yet ten in the morning, but the office was louder than usual.
"Is it really sold?"
"Confirmed. Signed yesterday afternoon. New owner arrived this morning."
"I thought it was just a management change?"
"No. The entire hotel was sold."
"I heard a major group bought it outright."
"Head office sent people down?"
"Then where's the old owner?"
"No idea. Completely invisible."
"Are we getting layoffs?"
"Will the new boss cut F&B first?"
Naturally, the conversation drifted toward one name.
"Manager Jiang—"
Several glances shifted toward the desk against the wall.
Quinn sat there, head down, editing a restaurant circulation layout on her terminal.
Her fingers moved fast. Her brow was faintly furrowed.
She heard everything.
She didn't look up.
"Stop worrying."
Someone whispered.
"Manager Jiang's level—top graduate from the capital, works harder than anyone."
"If she leaves, the F&B department collapses."
The air fell quiet.
Quinn's hand paused.
She saved the file and closed the terminal.
"Are you done discussing?"
Several people froze.
"Uh… Manager Jiang, we were just talking."
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
"Quinn."
The voice was unfamiliar—clean and firm.
She looked up.
At the door stood Zoe.
Tailored suit. Calm eyes. The aura of someone fresh out of a power meeting.
"Are you Quinn?"
"I'm Zoe. The new General Manager."
"The owner wants to see you."
A brief pause.
"Now."
The office felt like the air had been pulled out.
All eyes locked onto Quinn.
She simply nodded.
"Yes, Ms. Zoe."
She picked up her terminal and followed Zoe out.
A thousand questions raced through her mind.
The owner?
The real owner?
Why me?
The elevator ascended.
Numbers flickered upward, one floor at a time.
Third.
Fourth.
Fifth.
Quinn stood beside Zoe, saying nothing.
She observed quietly.
Zoe's posture.
Her breathing rhythm.
The way her gaze rested—not wandering, not tense.
This was not the kind of authority that came from background or privilege.
It was the kind forged in real decision-making rooms.
She's strong, Quinn thought.
Not loud. Not performative.
But decisive.
The elevator chimed softly and stopped.
Sixth floor.
This level had once been a rarely used administrative reserve floor.
Now it had been cleared.
Too quiet.
Zoe led her down the corridor to a door at the far end and knocked.
"Come in."
A man's voice answered from inside.
In that instant, Quinn's steps slowed—just half a beat.
The office lighting was gentle.
The curtains were half drawn, sunlight spilling onto the carpet like a deliberately preserved pocket of calm.
A man stood by the window.
Tall. Straight-backed.
Ethan turned first toward Quinn, then nodded once to Zoe.
Zoe caught the signal immediately.
"I'll take care of my side," she said, and left the room without hesitation.
The door closed softly.
Quinn stared at Ethan.
She recognized him.
Her eyes widened.
"It's… you?"
Ethan smiled.
"I'm Ethan."
"And in another sense, we've been 'meeting' almost every day lately."
The room fell quiet.
Then realization struck her all at once.
"You're the owner."
"Yes," Ethan said calmly. "More precisely—the behind-the-scenes owner."
Quinn didn't sit.
She stood there, reassessing him from the ground up.
"So that lunch reservation here—"
"Yes," Ethan replied directly. "I wanted to meet you first. To see who you really are."
He walked back toward the desk, his tone straightforward.
Quinn's breathing quickened—not from offense, but shock.
"Please sit," he said. "Relax. We've already talked so much online."
She hesitated, then sat.
Her posture was still tense.
"Quinn," Ethan said gently, "I admire your talent."
"I don't like detours, so I'll be direct."
"Food & Beverage is not where you belong."
Before he could continue, she blurted out:
"Wait—are you firing me already?!"
Ethan smiled. "Slow down. Let me finish."
"S—sorry, sir. Please continue."
"First," he said, "you don't need to worry."
"One of the reasons I acquired this hotel was because of you."
Her eyes widened.
"You… you mean—"
"Yes," Ethan continued, not letting her spiral. "I want you to do architectural design."
"Take a breath."
She nodded, visibly trying to calm herself.
"I believe the end of the world will come."
"Extreme climate events will accelerate."
"I want to build shelters."
"When I read your forum post, I knew immediately—you were the one."
"I bought this hotel for three reasons."
"The first has nothing to do with you."
"The second is to let you see my sincerity and my capability—and invite you to work toward a shared goal."
"The third is to transform this building itself into a small-scale shelter."
"I will register a design company immediately."
"You will be the General Manager."
Quinn's thoughts were in chaos, but her voice stayed steady.
"Design… what, exactly?"
"End-of-world shelters. Underground cities."
"Internal projects only. No external clients. No profit targets."
She shook her head slightly, instinctively.
"You're insane," she said without thinking.
Then—before she could stop herself—her eyes lit up.
"But… please let me be insane with you."
"I've finally met a leader who thinks like me."
Her eyes shimmered.
Ethan watched her quietly.
"Don't you want to ask about salary?"
She wiped her face and shook her head fiercely.
"As long as I can eat and live, that's enough."
"You have vision. You have conviction."
"You'll be remembered in history."
"I don't do this for money."
Ethan's voice softened.
"Quinn. Don't worry your parents."
"Annual salary: five hundred thousand."
"Plus bonuses."
"I can afford it."
Her composure broke.
She hadn't wanted money—but that sentence pierced straight through her defenses.
"Why are you crying?" Ethan sighed lightly.
"People will think I bullied you."
"I'm not little!" she protested, wiping tears. "You're only three years older than me."
Then she straightened suddenly.
"I swear—I'll design the best shelter ever."
"I believe you," Ethan said.
"But not just shelters."
"Underground cities."
"Cities capable of holding millions."
Her breath caught.
"Boss… you're a truly magnificent lunatic."
"But I worship you."
"From today on, I'll give everything."
Ethan's expression shifted, serious now.
"I need a healthy designer."
"I don't want a young partner collapsing from exhaustion."
"Your body matters."
"Do you understand?"
"Yes. I understand."
He tapped his terminal.
"Zoe."
Moments later, Zoe entered, still in her black suit, documents in hand.
Ethan spoke without ceremony.
"Reintroduction."
"Quinn. General Manager of Yuntu Architectural Design."
"From today on, Yuntu serves internal projects only."
"Zoe."
"You'll handle registration, structure, contracts, payroll."
"Yuntu will be a subsidiary of Pingchuan Capital Group, under unified finance and legal control."
Zoe nodded. "Understood."
She turned to Quinn, her tone still cool—but respectful.
"Ms. Quinn. Welcome aboard."
Quinn froze for a split second.
No one had ever called her that here.
She stood and extended her hand.
"Ms. Zoe. Please guide me."
Their handshake was firm.
Zoe turned back to Ethan.
"Company scope—design only, or full architectural services?"
"All," Ethan said. "Add emergency systems."
Zoe noted it.
"Temporary office here?"
"Yes. Move to the Taoyuan Office Tower once renovations are complete."
"Understood."
Ethan continued:
"Quinn, choose your temporary office."
"List your equipment needs—top-tier only."
"Recruit freely. Build the team you believe in."
"No headcount limits."
"Salaries—you decide."
"For legal or management issues, consult Zoe."
"We are designing shelters and underground cities."
"Scale matters."
"But your team must meet three requirements."
"Character."
"Young."
"Single."
"Don't ask why—yet."
Both women nodded.
"Understood."
At that moment, Zoe's terminal lit up.
She scanned the message.
"Ethan."
She projected it.
Notice:
August 4th, 10:00 AM
City Infrastructure Coordination Meeting
Location: Taoyuan Hotel Convention Hall
Attendees: Municipal Office, Emergency Management, Transportation, Tech City Project Team
Mayor Nelson Carter will attend and deliver remarks.
Quinn didn't react.
Ethan did.
His gaze darkened—not with excitement, but certainty.
"Two days," he said softly.
Zoe asked carefully, "Should I arrange a meeting with the Mayor?"
"No."
His answer was immediate.
Zoe didn't ask again.
She understood—this wasn't a business meeting.
This was something deeper.
Quinn felt it too.
Like standing beside a vast machine as it powered on.
Gears engaging.
She could hear it.
All she could do was make sure she fit perfectly.
Zoe stood.
"I'll handle government coordination, legal registration, and financial setup."
"Yuntu can be registered today—completed by tomorrow."
Quinn followed.
"I'll select the office, equipment, and begin recruiting."
Ethan nodded.
"Zoe is Group VP for Finance and Legal."
"Taoyuan Hotel GM is temporary."
"All contracts go through her."
"Yes, Ethan."
Quinn looked at him one last time.
For the first time in her life—
she felt she was standing exactly where she was meant to be.
They left.
Ethan stayed until evening, working alone within his mental storage space.
At sunset, he took a taxi home.
Leaning back, eyes closed.
Tonight, he thought, I'll tell her.
About the end.
About rebirth.
About why he knows everything in advance.
The cost would be high.
But he had to.
Because facing the coming cold required more than strength—
it required love.
The taxi turned into Majestic Residence.
Lights softened the road.
Ethan opened his eyes.
"I'm home."