Chapter 50: Seeking Cooperation

Huang Zequn drew in a sharp breath, for this voice was all too familiar—so familiar that it called to mind a thorough scoundrel, a man so universally despised that everyone wished to drag him down to hell; a man who, despite everything, possessed an enviable and irrefutable advantage. Wasn’t he supposed to be dead? Why hadn’t that car accident finished him off back then? How was it possible that he was still alive?

A thousand thoughts flashed through Huang Zequn’s mind in an instant. Gritting his teeth, he abruptly changed his tone in a way that left everyone baffled. “Boss, I’ll settle his bill.” As he spoke, he pulled out a wad of cash and placed it on the table. Then, under the astonished gazes of all present, he dragged his companions away at lightning speed. His companions, perplexed, could only follow. Once inside the car and a short distance from the restaurant, a young man in a leather jacket leapt out, clearly displeased. “Huang Zequn, what the hell was that? Why did we run? And you call yourself the chairman of Jianghai Business Club? Look at the state of you!”

“Exactly, Zequn, who was that kid? Why did you run?” The other two voiced their dissatisfaction as well.

Huang Zequn took a deep breath and glanced at the young man in the leather jacket. “Yang Xiao, you’ve been abroad this whole time and only just got back a few days ago. You don’t know about the handful of utterly lawless bastards here in Jianghai City. That kid is one of them—a complete and utter degenerate.”

“Who?” the others asked in disbelief, noticing that Huang Zequn still seemed shaken.

“Qin Yang,” Huang Zequn replied helplessly.

“What? Wasn’t he supposed to be dead?” Apart from Yang Xiao, the other two shuddered in fear. The four women watched from the side, bewildered but too intimidated to speak, only able to stand quietly.

“I’d like to know the same thing! Wasn’t he dead? How is he here?” Huang Zequn suddenly shouted. “He looked perfectly alive just now! If we hadn’t run, that bastard would’ve blocked my door with a machete, and even my old man would have been at a loss!”

Yang Xiao raised his eyebrows, amused. “Qin Yang? I’ve heard of him—Qin Lie’s good-for-nothing son, a menace in Jianghai City. But I heard he died in a car accident during a street race over half a month ago. Looks like the rumors were false. I was almost disappointed not to have met this infamous second-generation heir, but it seems my trip back won’t be a waste after all. At least this holiday won’t be dull.”

“I advise you not to provoke him,” Huang Zequn warned. “He doesn’t play by any rules. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. The assets you have in America are nothing in the eyes of his father.”

“That’s still his father’s influence. Dealing with a second-generation heir like him is what makes things interesting,” Yang Xiao scoffed.

Huang Zequn sneered. “True, but Qin Yang himself doesn’t see it that way. I’ll say it again—don’t blame me for not warning you. If you want to make it safely back to America to manage your little empire, don’t cross him.”

“When did you become so spineless?” Yang Xiao frowned. “Don’t tell me you’re actually afraid of him?”

“I admit it—I do fear him,” Huang Zequn replied without hesitation, unashamed.

His straightforwardness only made Yang Xiao more intrigued and more determined to meet Qin Yang. Meanwhile, back at the restaurant, Liu Molan stared wide-eyed at the door, then at the equally surprised Qin Yang. Pointing at the entrance, she said, “They seemed really scared of you.”

“I think so too. Strange, isn’t it?” Qin Yang feigned ignorance, picked up the stack of cash on the table, and examined it. “It’s real.”

“Hey, you can’t just take it. That doesn’t count as you picking up the check,” Liu Molan protested. “And maybe they mistook you for someone else. They might come back for it when they realize.”

“They won’t,” said Qin Yang, waving his hand. “Fine, I won’t use this money to pay. I have my wallet. Boss, hurry up, please.”

The owner, seeing the troublesome group leave so quietly, was equally puzzled, suspecting that Qin Yang wasn’t someone to mess with either. He hurried into the kitchen, and before long, a delicious feast appeared, fragrant and inviting. Just one taste was enough to amaze—Liu Molan marveled, “To elevate the already exquisite blowfish to a whole new level—this chef’s skills surpass those of any five-star chef I’ve seen. This is true mastery.”

“Naturally,” Qin Yang replied between greedy mouthfuls. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought you here. Eat up.”

Liu Molan was no stranger to Qin Yang’s appetite. She remembered a business dinner where, after their clients had left, Qin Yang had polished off enough food to feed seven or eight people right in front of her. So when he reached his fifth bowl of rice, she asked the owner for five more bowls, leaving everyone else dumbfounded—they felt full just watching him eat.

Liu Molan felt her cheeks flush. This guy had no sense of restraint.

After he’d eaten his fill, Liu Molan urged him to settle the bill so they could leave the restaurant. On the way out, she couldn’t help but ask, “Are you even human? You eat way too much.”

“Being full feels secure,” Qin Yang replied with a silly grin, patting his stomach.

“All right, it’s getting late. I still have to meet a few important people,” Liu Molan said. “They’re some of the more prominent real estate developers in Jianghai City. We’ll be discussing business partnerships, which might take a while and probably won’t interest you. You should go find your friends; I’ll call you when I’m done.”

“No, I’ll stick with you,” Qin Yang insisted. He didn’t want to risk her getting into any more trouble. With the criminal underworld of Haitianshi targeting Liu Molan, the big players in Jianghai City wouldn’t pass up a million-dollar bounty either. Even at her side he couldn’t guarantee her absolute safety, let alone if they separated. Seeing his refusal, Liu Molan could only agree. “If you don’t mind being bored.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t,” Qin Yang replied with a smile.

Liu Molan was planning to open Tianfeng Mall in Jianghai City, so she needed to find local developers to sign cooperation agreements. After several rounds of selection, she had identified three strong contenders. It was rumored that after the New Year, a new plot of land would be up for bidding for mall construction—a tight timeline for her, requiring swift negotiations and rapid fundraising. She wasn’t the only one eyeing this land, and she was relieved that none of the developers had secured it yet; otherwise, her situation would be even more urgent.

“We’ll visit Hailong Real Estate first,” Liu Molan said. “Hailong Group is one of the world’s most powerful conglomerates. Their real estate division is a major force across Asia, but it’s unlikely they’d even consider a relatively small partner like us.”

“Then why make them your first choice? I’d just drop them. Even if you succeeded, they’d use their position to demand outrageous terms. I don’t think it’s wise,” Qin Yang questioned.

Liu Molan clenched her fists. “I want to give it a try. What if we succeed, and the terms are reasonable? I’ve heard Hailong Real Estate is also interested in that plot of land. With their resources, the other developers don’t stand much of a chance.”