Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system

Okay, Ling Qingyu didn't need to probe further. Gaining their perspectives was already an eye-opener—pointing directly at the real problems rather than the superficial ones.

After all, Xiao Yue, the warlord, had personally served in the military, even if her start was smoother than most, having risen from a higher status. She must have led other women to participate—starting as medics, then as fighters—challenging the norms of her time.

Who knew how many obstacles she'd faced in a feudal society steeped in superstition and the belief that women were inherently inferior?

Xiao Yue had broken through so many barriers to reach her current level of achievement. And now, in this modern world, her old philosophies were clashing with contemporary values.

Like a sponge, Xiao Yue had absorbed the essence of both worlds. But unlike those simply taught in schools, everything she knew came from raw, lived experience.

As someone who had transcended her own time—an age of self-doubt and rigid tradition—Xiao Yue's insight far surpassed that of ordinary scholars.

Who knew how much she had changed after meeting that female scumbag, Tang Ziyi? Ling Qingyu frowned. That bastard better not have corrupted this elegant ancient lady with crooked ideas.

Even if she had, it was already too late.

Ling Qingyu grit her teeth every time she remembered that she had lost a potentially virtuous, gentle lady for her harem.

Tang Ziyi: As if you can step over me.

Ling Qingyu: Aba Aba.

Patriarchy does indeed exist to some extent, even in modern times, creating obstacles for women. But was it inherently a bad ideology?

Not at all—not in its origins, at least. Every system has its pros and cons. Patriarchy, like many other social structures, was designed to suit the needs of its era—a compromise that worked well given the conditions of the time.

But as society progressed, its framework began to show cracks. Who knows which bastard started adding more rules or twisting existing ones to fulfill their own desires for control? Over time, what may have once been a system of order and survival transformed into a tool for dominance and suppression.

It's much like religion: initially founded to guide humanity toward morality and unity, but as centuries passed, its tenets were sometimes distorted by those with ambitions of power. What began as a means for good was exploited by those who sought control.

The truth is, any ideology or philosophy requires balanced progression. Clinging stubbornly to the old ways serves no one in a rapidly evolving world. Likewise, veering too far into extremes—whether conservatism or radicalism—rarely brings benefits that outweigh the costs.

Progress isn't about erasing the past; it's about learning from it and adapting. The moment an idea stagnates, it becomes a barrier rather than a bridge.

Just then, a call chimed in. Ling Qingyu glanced at her phone—it was Gu Yi, her mother-in-law.

Ah. She had nearly forgotten to inform Gu Yi about the attack… and the part Spirit Fox played in the chaos. She had told Carol, but somehow forgot to report to the elder.

Hehe. As expected, lust really could cloud judgment.

Ahem. Ling Qingyu fixed her expression and answered the call.

Before she could even speak, a storm of scolding came through the line.

"You! Girl! You never let me rest easy. Worse than my daughter. I thought I could be relieved after handing her over to you—turns out you two are cut from the same cloth!"

Ling Qingyu pulled the phone slightly away from her ear to avoid going deaf. Not that it mattered—her sensitive physique still caught every word crystal-clear.

Even so, beneath the scolding, she could feel the warmth and concern in Gu Yi's voice. Blood relation or not, the care was unmistakable.

"Aunt Gu, I'm fine," Ling Qingyu replied, half-joking. "You know me and my girls. How could we possibly suffer? Honestly, you should feel bad for the terrorists—they were unlucky enough to bump into us."

She didn't call her "Mom," even if everyone nearby would've kept the secret. Gu Yi was a respected figure, and Ling Qingyu wanted to protect her dignity—especially in front of the Spirit Fox operators.

"I don't know whether to scold you or praise you," Gu Yi sighed, her voice fatigued. She had likely already been briefed through diplomatic channels.

After all, there were many citizens from Country C at the airport during the attack. Some had died. Without Spirit Fox's intervention, the death toll could've been far higher.

Gu Yi had initially thought Ling Qingyu had flown directly to Country A. So when reports arrived, she hadn't connected the mysterious elite unit to Spirit Fox or to Country C—until later.

After all, the attackers spoke Country C's language. Spirit Fox operators rarely spoke aloud due to their rigorous silent training, but in the chaos, some words must have been uttered. Someone likely overheard them, putting the pieces together.

Only after checking the aircraft logs one by one did Gu Yi realize Ling Qingyu's Airbus had also landed there.

Then it clicked: Spirit Fox had intervened—and saved the day. If not, she would've been a minister in name only.

"Well… as long as you're safe," Gu Yi finally said, her tone softening. "In any case, I owe you thanks for saving our compatriots."

"No, no, absolutely not." Ling Qingyu refused without hesitation. "That wasn't heroism. That was pure self-defense. They attacked me first."

Gu Yi couldn't decide whether to laugh or sigh. Ling Qingyu's whimsical deflection didn't fool her, but she let it go. Whether for diplomatic convenience or to protect their identities, she didn't press.

Still, from the seriousness in Ling Qingyu's voice, Gu Yi began to wonder—was there more to this story that hadn't been uncovered yet?

Ling Qingyu explained the situation in detail—why she was there, what she did, and how the terrorist attack unfolded. She also mentioned that she had been helping her subordinate's relative, which just happened to align with her travel plans, and that led her to clash with the black ops.

"You mean... How could they?" Gu Yi finally understood why Ling Qingyu had reacted so strangely when she thanked her.

"Aunt Gu, who would have expected them to act so desperately? I thought it would be a game of cat and mouse between spies," Ling Qingyu whined, adding a hint of playful grievance to her tone.

"What secrets did he hold that would make them act so recklessly?" Gu Yi's voice sharpened, her instincts as a seasoned politician immediately catching the main point.

Ling Qingyu feigned a dramatic sigh. "Here I was, thinking Aunt Gu was worried about me. It turns out…" She paused, staging a mock display of a bitterly complaining wife.

On the other end of the line, Gu Yi rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the soft chuckle that escaped her. She was indeed taken aback when she heard that the black ops had ties to Country A's military. But then again, hadn't those so-called superpower special forces been utterly beaten by Ling Qingyu's girls?

The comparison solidified Spirit Fox's level in her mind—an elite force above anything she had seen before. Of course, she also understood that the operatives they faced likely weren't the best of the best, but still...

"Come on, now that I know you're safe, I can breathe easy. Since you're still confident enough to continue flying to Country A, I'm relieved," Gu Yi's tone lightened, a hint of approval seeping through.

She knew Ling Qingyu wouldn't act on impulse. If she dared to venture into enemy territory, she must have her own arrangements in place. Gu Yi also sensed that Ling Qingyu was diverting the conversation away from more probing questions, but she allowed it, knowing well the younger woman's temperament. Besides, who could blame her future daughter-in-law and business collaborator for being cautious?

Ling Qingyu seemed to pick up on Gu Yi's unspoken thoughts and spoke softly. "Aunt Gu, it's not good to talk too much over the phone. I'll brief you properly when I return. Truthfully, I'm still piecing things together myself."

"Really?" Gu Yi asked, her tone skeptical but not pressing.

"I'm being very frank, Aunt Gu."

"Alright, forget about that for now. What's the deal with your visit to Country E?"

Ling Qingyu sighed and recounted her original plan, explaining the Medical City project and her predicaments. She confessed everything that needed to be said. After all, it wasn't good to hide things from someone close. If she said nothing, Gu Yi would find out about her ownership of the Medical City sooner or later once the state machine began investigating the terrorist attack.

Even if the two events weren't directly connected, all available information would be scrutinized twice over. Why ruin a good relationship over details that could easily be found in public channels?

"So, I assume you reached a successful deal easily?" Gu Yi asked, her tone expectant.

"Of course not." Ling Qingyu huffed. "Those bastards needed a good beating before they'd take me seriously."

"You even threatened the officials there?" Gu Yi's tone darkened. Ling Qingyu, of course, couldn't see the national minister's expression, but she could imagine it.

"Threatened? I was very polite." Ling Qingyu feigned innocence. "I just reasoned with the President—helped him understand that I'm not someone to be messed with."

Gu Yi's eyes narrowed on the other end of the call. Not just officials, but the President? And from the way Ling Qingyu spoke, it was as if the President had been toyed with. Hmph, if that was the case, then it was clear her own ministerial connections hadn't represented her very well, had they?

Right… How exactly did Ling Qingyu come to own that medical facility anyway? She'd heard whispers that it only served the elite—perhaps some officials had stretched their claws a little too far.

Knowing Ling Qingyu's character, Gu Yi couldn't help but sigh. If it weren't for her own influence, the chip project might have run aground thanks to the greed of the higher-ups.

"Qingyu, don't forget me and my friends if there's ever an opportunity," Gu Yi joked, her tone lightening.

"How could I?" Ling Qingyu chuckled. "Though I doubt Aunt Gu would need it. You're still young and beautiful. Very healthy and youthful."

"Haha, I won't take your flattery for granted. Life is full of surprises, little girl. You can't expect everything to unfold according to your anticipation," Gu Yi replied with a laugh. "By the way, don't be too firm and make unnecessary enemies. You know you still haven't resolved the hidden issues in Province N."

Ling Qingyu sighed dramatically. "Aunt Gu, my enemies are many; my equals are none."

Gu Yi: "…"

Xiao Yue: "…"

The two operators at the front: "…"

"In the heart of a real warrior, strength meant loneliness."

"…" Gu Yi almost vomited her blood from Ling Qingyu's exaggeration.