Nie Yan still remembered that scene. He hid on the roof and used a sniper rifle to fire a bullet that pierced Cao Xu's head, blood splattering everywhere.

That shot, fired in anger, released all of Nie Yan's hatred for Cao Xu.

In this life, seeing Cao Xu again, Nie Yan no longer felt the same bone-deep hatred as in his previous life. After all, his parents were still alive and well. But if Cao Xu harmed anyone close to him, Nie Yan would definitely not let him go!

Even now, he was insignificant compared to the powerful Century Financial Group. However, he was getting stronger little by little. Eventually, he would shake the very foundations of the Century Financial Group!

Twenty percent of the Century Financial Group's profits came from the virtual industry, and 90% of its profits were related to it. Once the Century Financial Group's dominant position in the virtual industry was shaken, the entire structure would be affected, and the Century Financial Group's life would not be so easy.

Sitting across from Cao Xu was a young man, about twenty-three or four years old, tall and handsome, with a rebellious smile on his lips, attracting frequent glances from the surrounding women. It had to be said that this guy had the potential to be a gigolo. His looks were enough to appeal to more than 90% of women.

Several women in sexy dresses with alluring figures went up to greet him, and he responded with a smile, appearing graceful and charming.

His gaze swept across the crowd, finally landing on Xie Yao in the distance. The beautiful Xie Yao made people's hearts flutter.

"Fan Shao, what do you think? Are you interested?" Cao Xu looked at the young man with a playful smile.

"Not bad, just a little too young. A few more years, and she'll be even more dazzling," Fan Yuan said. He had to admit that Xie Yao was the focus of the entire venue, beautiful enough to make one's heart tremble.

"She is the apple of the eye of both the Longyue Consortium and the Zhengrong Consortium. If you win her over, you will have the full support of the Longyue Consortium and the Zhengrong Consortium. At that time, you can completely trample your opponents underfoot, obtain the inheritance rights of the Ouyun Consortium, and enjoy unlimited glory. I'll have to rely on you then, my friend," Cao Xu said with a smile, picking up a cup from the coffee table and taking a sip of tea.

"If that day really comes, will you be able to tolerate me?" Fan Yuan said jokingly. Cao Xu, the old fox, was not so easy to deal with. Now he was at a disadvantage, and Cao Xu was helping him for a purpose. If that day really came and he threatened Cao Xu, then the two would no longer be friends, but enemies. He would be Cao Xu's first target to eliminate.

Cao Xu laughed heartily, put the cup back on the table, and it was impossible to tell what he really meant. Only they themselves knew what was truly going on.

"What do you think about the Longyue Consortium's investment in the Niuren Tribe?" Cao Xu changed the subject.

"Just a Niuren Tribe. It won't cause much trouble. It's just a pity that Saturn and Greenland are out of reach. Otherwise, in ten days, I would definitely make the Niuren Tribe shrink back into Carol City, afraid to come out," Fan Yuan said confidently, retracting his gaze. His confidence came from the powerful strength of Angel Corps.

"With the Longyue Consortium's investment, the Niuren Tribe's development potential is not to be underestimated." Cao Xu's original plan was to control the five major guilds of Triumph Empire, Holy Light, Warblade Bloodlust, Mage Alliance, and Sacred Guardian, sweeping across Greenland and taking it into his pocket. All of this was disrupted by the emergence of the Niuren Tribe. Triumph Empire and Holy Light were teetering on the brink of collapse, losing their investment value. Warblade Bloodlust was in danger. Mage Alliance and Sacred Guardian seemed strong, but they still had limitations. Unless they could capture all the fortresses in the nearby cities, they could grow stronger. If the Niuren Tribe was allowed to develop peacefully in Carol City, with the population base of Carol City, the future of Mage Alliance and Sacred Guardian would be worrisome. The Niuren Tribe disrupted his operations in Greenland. Fortunately, there were still more than twenty virtual assets, and Mage Alliance and Sacred Guardian could hold the fort for a while. He transferred most of his funds to the Saturn Empire, investing in Angel Corps and several other guilds. What displeased him was that the Fan Yuan in front of him, who was also the president of Angel Corps and one of the heirs of the Ouyun Consortium, was too smart and would not let him control him like the others.

The rise and growth of the Niuren Tribe was too sudden, and with the support of the Longyue Consortium, how could he not care? With the help of the Niuren Tribe, the Longyue Consortium acquired six elementary fortress credit commercial districts and one intermediate fortress credit commercial district, making a splash in the virtual industry and causing him to feel some threat.

Nie Yan sat in the corner. He couldn't hear what Cao Xu and Fan Yuan were talking about, but he could tell that their topic was related to Xie Yao. Fan Yuan's playful gaze when he looked at Xie Yao made Nie Yan very uncomfortable.

Just then, Fan Yuan and Cao Xu stood up and walked towards Xie Yao and Xie's father.

They exchanged polite greetings, but Nie Yan could feel that Cao Xu's and Xie's father's smiles contained some hostility. Cao Xu's visit this time was probably not as simple as attending Xie Yao's birthday party.

Fan Yuan raised his glass and toasted Xie Yao, "Long time no see. I remember the last time we met, you were only twelve years old, and the Ouyun Consortium and the Zhengrong Consortium made a big deal. In the blink of an eye, six years have passed. I didn't expect that the next time we met, that little girl would have become a stunning beauty." Fan Yuan's manner was very polite and gentlemanly, giving people a very cultured feeling.

"You flatter me. I wonder how Aunt Fan is doing now?" Xie Yao said politely, glossing over the topic.

Fan Yuan felt the distance in Xie Yao's tone, his expression slightly stagnant. He smiled and said, "She often talks about you. When will you come to Europe? We can get together."

Liu Rui also attended Xie Yao's birthday party. Because he had embarrassed himself in front of Xie Yao several times before, he was too ashamed to come over and talk to Xie Yao. Seeing Fan Yuan, he immediately revealed a hint of hostility. He knew better than anyone what kind of person Fan Yuan was. His family background was not much inferior to his own. More importantly, Fan Yuan was the heir of the Ouyun Consortium. In Europe, the Ouyun Consortium was a leading consortium, with financial resources even more abundant than the Century Financial Group.

Fan Yuan raised his glass and told some interesting stories to the people around him, occasionally chatting with Xie Yao for a few words, appearing at ease.

Xie Yao showed some impatience towards Fan Yuan's advances. Fan Yuan was hypocritical and lecherous. In Europe, there were often rumors of him and some socialite. Naturally, she had no good feelings towards Fan Yuan.

Why hasn't Nie Yan come yet? Did he forget? Xie Yao was a little resentful, her gaze sweeping across the entire hall. Suddenly, she saw Nie Yan sitting on the sofa in the corner. The resentful expression on her face disappeared in an instant, and she was overjoyed. So he had arrived long ago.

Nie Yan saw Xie Yao looking over and smiled at her.

Seeing Xie Yao chatting with Fan Yuan earlier, Nie Yan felt a little unhappy in his heart. However, discovering Xie Yao's joyful expression after seeing him, the gloom in his heart was swept away at once.

Fan Yuan was very popular with women, but unfortunately, Xie Yao didn't pay any attention to him.

Just as Fan Yuan was about to talk to Xie Yao, Xie Yao suddenly interrupted, "I have something to do. I'll leave for a while."

Fan Yuan's expression froze on his face, slightly embarrassed, but he quickly concealed it and smiled politely, "It's okay."

Xie Yao walked towards Nie Yan, and everyone made way for her.

"Everyone, continue chatting." Fan Yuan smiled, his gaze following Xie Yao's back. At this time, Xie Yao sat down on the sofa opposite Nie Yan, and they were chatting very happily. He could clearly feel that Xie Yao's enthusiasm for Nie Yan was sincere, which was fundamentally different from her polite smile to him just now. A layer of frost covered his face.

Several women next to him whispered.

"Who is that person?"

"I don't know. Could he be Xie Yao's boyfriend?"

"It's a bit like it. Otherwise, why would they be chatting so happily?"

A tall, heavily made-up, somewhat enchanting woman next to him shook her head and said, "Definitely not Yao Yao's boyfriend. Yao Yao has never mentioned it to her family. Everyone is overthinking it. He might be Yao Yao's classmate." She was Xie Yao's aunt, Xie Yi.

Xie Yi looked at Xie Yao and Nie Yan, her face ashen. This little girl was too presumptuous, acting so flamboyantly at her birthday party. She was extremely jealous of Xie Yao's favor at home and often scolded Xie Yao, relying on her status as an aunt. At home, Xie Yao's relationship with Xie Yi was extremely poor.

Xie Yao's heartfelt bright smile and somewhat playful appearance surprised even Xie's father. Xie Yao was only so casual when she was in front of them.

Xie Jun looked at Nie Yan in the distance. He wondered when he could talk to this young man and see what kind of person he was. However, he didn't have much time now. He still had so many people to deal with and couldn't leave for the time being.

"Why are you sitting here? I was looking for you for a long time and couldn't find you," Xie Yao said, looking at Nie Yan. Nie Yan was wearing a casual suit today, which made him look a bit formal. She was used to seeing Nie Yan in casual clothes. "Where did you pick out this outfit?"

"Lance. It's the first time I've worn clothes like this," Nie Yan said with a smile.

"Next time, let me go shopping with you," Xie Yao said. These words were a bit intimate. Her pretty face was slightly flushed, but she didn't change her words.

"Okay." Nie Yan nodded, took out the box from his pocket, and handed it to Xie Yao, "This is for you. Happy birthday."

"What is this?" Xie Yao opened the box and found a necklace. She said in surprise, "It's very beautiful. Thank you, Nie Yan."

Xie Yao took out the necklace and put it on. For her, the gift was secondary. The most important thing was that it was from Nie Yan. The delicate necklace emitted a dazzling and blurred color under the light, contrasting with Xie Yao's fair skin. At this moment, Xie Yao was as beautiful as a goddess who had descended to earth.