Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system

Ling Qingyu reclined gracefully in a shaded courtyard, a tray of tea steaming softly on the low table between her and Gu Yi. Both women seemed at ease on the cushioned recliners, though the tranquil setting belied the depth of their conversation.

Gu Yi sipped her tea slowly, her sharp eyes appraising Ling Qingyu over the rim of her cup. "You seem more composed than I expected, Qingyu. Given recent events, many would be rattled, and more is likely to erupt very soon."

Ling Qingyu's lips curved into a faint smile, her gaze drifting momentarily to the rustling leaves of the trees that enclosed them. "Composure, Mother, is often the deciding factor in battles of both words and weapons."

Gu Yi chuckled, setting her cup down with deliberate care. The maids outside of hearing range were watching the duo's activity. Once both of them were about to empty their cups, they were ready to refill them—the moment they received Ling Qingyu's signal, of course.

"To be honest, you're really young, in my opinion, to have reached the current status quo," said Gu Yi. "Throughout my experience, unless one truly walks their own path, solely belonging to them and no one else, it's hard to climb higher. Of course, I'm not talking about nepotism here—I mean a systematic ascension.

"So, in my eyes, your potential is higher than mine. A pity you aren't interested in politics." Gu Yi shook her head. "I can already see you've built a strong framework for yourself. You just need more materials to finish the remaining construction."

Gu Yi briefly explained her philosophical framework and shared a few examples from her past. None of them were confidential, but they shed rare light in Ling Qingyu's eyes.

When Gu Yi tilted her head and glanced at Ling Qingyu from the corner of her eye, Ling Qingyu understood.

Ling Qingyu let out a light laugh, her eyes glinting with a dangerous, knowing look. "Mother, you flatter me. There's no great secret, just a framework I live by. I call it the Five Cs. It's the cornerstone of everything I've built and prepared for the future."
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The Minister's eyebrow arched. "Five Cs?"

"Yes," Ling Qingyu nodded, sitting upright as she leaned closer, her expression turning serious. "It's about mastering five key elements to build and maintain power. Let me explain."

She lifted her index finger. "Capital," she started. "First and foremost. The foundation. Money isn't just power—it's flexibility. It gives you options, resources, and the ability to execute plans without waiting for anyone's approval."

Gu Yi nodded slowly. "A given, but not the whole picture. Without resources, you're nothing, even if you are talented."

Ling Qingyu smirked. "Naturally. The second C is Connections. Relationships built over time, through trust, favors, and sometimes mutual fear. You can't buy certain doors open, but you can have people open them for you. When you have friends in high places, you hold more sway than any bribe can buy."

The Minister leaned back, intrigued. "So far, it's a politician's playbook, but it's interesting to see you've already learned the important factors at your age."

Ling Qingyu's gaze hardened slightly, her smile fading as she raised her third finger. "Cohort. This isn't just a loyal team; it's an armed wing. People who are not just willing but ready to fight for you. From protecting assets to executing operations on the ground, they're your first line of offense and defense. Maybe they can be the daggers in the dark to eliminate difficult enemies. Security is a must. Even if you have soft power, without hard power supplementing it, you are merely a fish on the board of others."

Gu Yi's eyes flickered with something akin to understanding—and perhaps approval. "A necessity in times of chaos," she mused.

"Not to mention, in apocalyptic times like in those movies, when the order collapses, why wealthy people are targeted. If a loyal armed wing helps you, how can you suffer?" Ling Qingyu curled her lips. "Forget about those rich elites portrayed as villains deserving crowd punishment. They minimize the good ones who are robbed because of their lack of strength. I don't think even the person who donated the most would escape from human greed."

"It appears you take serious moral lessons from movies and books," Gu Yi raised a brow and joked. "Will it be applicable to reality?"

"Movies are just manifestations of another reality. Some might be extreme and abnormal, but the fundamentals are there. Those who pay attention will gain a lot about humanity," Ling Qingyu retorted with seriousness, trying to hide her cough from being embarrassed by her mother-in-law.

After all, no matter the arguments, drawing conclusions from animations and movies—particularly the genre—didn't portray her appropriate aura.

"Alright, you don't need to say more. I totally agree with your idea. It's just, how can you be sure your armed wing will be loyal to you in an apocalyptic period?"

"That'll be up to your imagination, Mother." Ling Qingyu shrugged. Gu Yi didn't ask more. She knew Ling Qingyu had the answer, but it seemed like a secret.

In fact, loyalty and companionship reigned above everything else. If you treat others well, it's highly unlikely to receive mistreatment or unreciprocated gifts—except from a few lunatics and inhumane personnel.

For those who didn't deserve your conscience, separate your life from them. Both understood the simple morality, but Ling Qingyu had more to say—it wasn't without benefits that she had an extra previous life to compensate for her weaknesses and strengths.

Ling Qingyu continued without missing a beat, lifting her ring finger. "Creativity. This is where many fail. Innovation is not just about new products or services. It's about tactics, strategies, staying ahead of the curve. If you rely only on what worked in the past, you will be blindsided by the future. I ensure we're always innovating, whether in tech or strategy. Many groups and companies die when they lack creativity and stay in their comfort zones.

"Money is important, but fearing profit loss for the sake of newer developments, the company will not be far away from death. Sooner or later, it's outcast by the competitors or swallowed. The moment you lose your edge, the countdown begins."

"That's a debate going on everywhere. Seniors should give way to juniors because when we age, problems are everywhere." The Minister of Justice's smile was thin but genuine. "I can see why you've managed to stay ahead of your competitors and can already envision your success if you stay true to your core. And the last?"

"Actually, in my instance, I'm preparing to build my own research lab. Using other's products will make money but you'll never live up to your potential. That's why in my plan, I want my own industries and individual research labs to cater to examples like electronics, heavy, agriculture, food, pharmaceutical and who knows—university. A thorough virtuous circle is my vision."

"Damn," Gu Yi cursed regardless of her image. "I thought you're speaking about social science but I never expect you literally meant creating something from research."

Ling Qingyu raised her thumb, her smile returning with a touch of steel behind it. "Control," she said simply. "Influence over the narrative. Public perception is like clay—it needs to be molded. If you don't control the story, someone else will. It's about having command over the media, the discourse, and, most importantly, the public's opinion. When you have control, even the truth becomes a weapon in your hands."

Gu Yi chuckled, her eyes narrowing in amusement. "You're more dangerous than I gave you credit for, Qingyu."

Ling Qingyu smiled back, her voice dropping to a softer, almost conspiratorial tone. "Mother, you of all people should know. It's not about being dangerous—it's about being prepared. If you want to thrive, especially in the world we navigate, mastering these Five Cs is non-negotiable." Gu Yi paused, considering her words carefully. "You speak as if you're preparing for something much bigger than what you're already facing."

Ling Qingyu's expression didn't waver. "I'm always preparing. The moment you stop, you start losing ground. And I never intend to lose."

For a brief moment, the two women shared a silent understanding. It wasn't just business or politics for them—it was survival, power, and the game they had been playing their whole lives. Plus, a dream and vision.

Gu Yi remained silent, her expression unreadable as she processed Ling Qingyu's framework. Finally, she spoke. "You've codified survival into an art form. These principles are more than clever—they're ruthless."

Ling Qingyu inclined her head. "Ruthlessness is not my goal, but precision is. In a world like ours, leaving anything to chance invites chaos."

A faint smile touched Gu Yi's lips. "You remind me of myself, Qingyu. Perhaps too much." Her gaze softened slightly. "But tell me, do you ever wonder if this path, so calculated, leaves room for something more... human?"

Ling Qingyu met her mother-in-law's gaze, her voice gentler but no less resolute. "I balance my humanity with my ambition, Mother. That's why I choose my battles carefully. Some fights are worth the cost; others, I avoid altogether."

Gu Yi leaned back, her appraisal of Ling Qingyu complete—for now. "You've grown sharper than I imagined, and more dangerous. My daughter chose well and is lucky."

Ling Qingyu chuckled softly. "I'll take that as a compliment but I think I'm luckier. Shall we drink to understanding, then?"

Gu Yi nodded, lifting her cup in a subtle toast. "To understanding. And to knowing when to act—and when to wait."

Repeating Ling Qingyu's 5Cs.

Capital.

Connection.

Cohort.

Creativity.

Control. Though Ling Qingyu grouped them with the starting letter C to be easily memorable, Gu Yi had seen the essence, feeling a similar woman who resembled herself, sticking to the business world.

She had a weird contradictory premonition that Ling Qingyu despite acting nonchalant and uninvolved or disinterested in politics, was very ambitious and greedy for power and control.

If this girl wasn't interested in politics or officialdom, where did her eyes gaze. Although Ling Qingyu seemed idealistic, she balanced everything.

In fact, from the conversation, Ling Qingyu had constructed her own art of war. No one always following others will surpass anyone.

Her daughter-in-law had transcended. She must not fall behind as well. As a senior, Gu Yi began to consider her possible actions against Qin family, even if Ling Qingyu cited she needed no help.

In spite of clarifying her position as Yang family in the capital, she had her own teams and faction, though not comparable with the behemoths.

She wasn't frightened of them but her hands were too tied once she rode Yang family's chariot. Fortunately, some means were possible and acceptable for Yang family.

After all, four families indeed shared one another but they were only friendly on the surface. Once weakness appeared, these families were the most merciless.