THE REAL PROTEGE-Chapter 516: STRATEGIC MOUNTAIN ASCENDANCY

That same night. The bedroom lights were dim, casting long shadows against the silk-paneled walls. Outside, the city hummed faintly — distant traffic, wind brushing against glass, the world unaware of how close it stood to shifting tides.

Ling Li sat before the vanity, removing the last of her hairpins. Her movements were measured, elegant — but her eyes in the mirror were sharp.

Four Eyes was already on the bed, tablet beside him, scrolling through reports. His brows were drawn slightly inward — not in panic, but in calculation.

She watched his reflection.

"Honey," Ling Li said lightly, though her tone carried subtle weight, "Mushu mentioned your company is encountering troubles."

He paused, but only briefly.

"Are they unexpected?" she continued. "Or deliberate? Sabotage?"

The word lingered in the air like a blade laid gently on the table.

Four Eyes placed the tablet down and leaned back against the headboard.

"They were innate," he replied calmly. "System vulnerabilities we overlooked during expansion. Nothing fishy."

Ling Li turned slowly to face him fully.

Nothing fishy.

Her gaze lingered on his expression — the slight tightening of his jaw, the subtle tension in his shoulders.

She knew him well enough to read what he didn't say.

He wasn't lying.

But he wasn't relaxed either.

"I'm thinking," Ling Li began as she crossed the room gracefully, "it's time to move to Beijing. Maybe in seven days."

She sat beside him.

"If your company's crisis isn't resolved by then, the children and I might need to go ahead while you settle your matters."

There it was.

A strategic move disguised as concern.

Four Eyes immediately straightened.

"No way," he said firmly.

There was no hesitation.

"I'm definitely going with you."

Ling Li blinked once.

His tone was not negotiable.

She rolled her eyes softly, though the corner of her lips lifted.

This man.

Clingy didn't begin to describe him.

Especially after the arrival of the newborn triplets, he lingered like a paranoid bodyguard in the guise of a devoted father. He memorized every feeding schedule, monitored every temperature change, and detected every soft cry before the nanny noticed it.

Ling Li tilted her head slightly.

"Then do you need my help?"

The question was not casual.

If he said yes, she would intervene.

If he said no, she would observe.

Four Eyes studied her for a second too long.

"No need," he said smoothly. "I can settle the matters at the company."

Then his lips curved slowly.

"But I do need your help."

Ling Li narrowed her eyes.

"What help?"

"To satisfy me."

Before she could react, he reached forward and swept her effortlessly into his arms. She gave a soft gasp as he lay her onto the bed, the mattress dipping beneath them.

"Chu Yan—"

He leaned close, his voice low and teasing.

"I've been handling corporate crises all week. You think that doesn't deserve stress relief?"

Ling Li stared at the ceiling for a brief second.

I offered strategic assistance.

'Now who's going to help me?'

"...."

But her hand had already curled slightly into his shirt.

The city lights dimmed outside as the curtains fluttered softly.

For a moment, even looming destinies paused.

The Next Morning Meeting

The breakfast hall was bright, sunlight pouring through wide windows.

Yet the atmosphere was anything but light.

Ling Li stood at the head of the table.

Her expression was composed — but her aura had shifted.

Not mother.

Not wife.

Commander.

"The deadline is near," she said calmly.

But every word landed like steel striking stone.

"Otako's orders cannot be delayed."

The room stilled.

Even the triplets, cradled by their grandparents in another wing of the estate, seemed to sense the shift in the air.

"Shun and Ren must hasten their training to take over the government. We move to Beijing in a week."

Silence.

Mushu's jaw tightened visibly.

Sisu's fingers paused mid-motion around his teacup.

Fatty stopped chewing, eyes darkened thoughtfully.

Chatty's usual chatter died in his throat.

Shun instinctively glanced toward Ren.

Ren sat upright, her expression steady — but her fingers tightened slightly around the fabric of her sleeve.

Jack leaned back, exhaling through his nose slowly.

Shi Min remained silent.

Always silent.

But his gaze sharpened.

Everyone understood.

Moving to Beijing was not a relocation.

It was a declaration.

And Otako's orders…

No one dared question those.

The Stop at Mystic Mountain

The fleet of black vehicles cut through mountain roads like silent shadows.

Mist began to gather as the elevation rose.

Mystic Mountain did not welcome casually.

It tested the presence.

The air thinned.

The scent of pine sharpened.

Ling Li stepped out first.

The twins, Kim Kim and Chin Chin, clung to her legs instantly.

They were not crying.

But they felt it.

The mountain's pressure.

When they reach the entrance to the Mystic Mountain

Four Eyes bent down quickly and scooped them up, one in each arm.

"Careful," he murmured softly, though his eyes scanned the terrain instinctively.

The Azure Dragon descended from above in a slow spiral.

His sapphire scales shimmered like liquid sky.

When he landed, the ground did not tremble.

It yielded.

Beside him, Red — the Phoenix wife — manifested in radiant light.

Her red hair flowed like living flame, but her smile was warm.

"Ling," she greeted brightly, stepping forward.

Ling Li inclined her head respectfully.

"Majesty. Red."

The twins stared openly.

Kim Kim whispered, "Mama… she's glowing…"

Chin Chin reached one tiny hand toward Red's hair before quickly retreating behind Four Eyes' shoulder.

Red laughed softly.

"Oh my, they are adorable."

The Azure Dragon's voice resonated like distant thunder.

"May their paths be strong and unbroken, like the mountain itself."

The air shimmered faintly as blessing energy wrapped gently around the twins.

Red stepped forward, placing a warm palm over each child's head.

"May their hearts burn with love and resilience," she said softly, "rising from every trial renewed."

The blessing did not feel overwhelming.

It felt protective.

Ling Li exhaled almost imperceptibly.

Inside the Garden Hall

They gathered within the mountain guest house.

The garden hall was serene — koi ponds reflecting drifting clouds, bamboo whispering in the wind.

But beneath the tranquility…

Tension.

Fatty began recounting his brutal training days in Mystic Mountain to Lily, dramatically reenacting being thrown into a waterfall.

"You have no idea," he exaggerated, "I thought I was going to die!"

Lily laughed.

Shun and Ren stood near a carved pillar.

Shun's voice was low.

"You okay?"

Ren nodded.

"I will be."

But her mind replayed her mother's words.

Deadline.

Government takeover.

Otako's orders.

Ling Li formally introduced everyone.

"Please meet my husband, Chu Yan. These are my two eldest daughters, Ren and Lily. Shun and Quan Ye, my daughter's partners. And this is my only son, Shi Min."

Ren: Gifted Or Threatened

The Azure Dragon observed each carefully.

But when his gaze settled on Ren…

His expression sharpened.

"Ren has not fully uncovered her potential," he said slowly.

The room went still again.

"If she does," he continued, "it will be both a gift and a threat."

The air tightened.

Shun's protective instinct flared instantly.

"Your Majesty," he said respectfully but firmly, "can you elaborate?"

The Azure Dragon chuckled.

"Ah. Another future henpecked husband."

Shun choked outright.

Fatty burst into laughter before catching Ling Li's gaze and coughing awkwardly.