Luo Qingli’s expression turned grim. "If Lu Rugao really allies with them, we’ll be in grave danger."
Zhang Yaqing retorted, "These prominent families are all old foxes. Why would they help her for no reason? She’s at a disadvantage, so even fewer people would be willing to help her for free. It’s more likely they’d try to extort her for all she’s worth."
Luo Qingli shook her head. "I’m not so sure about that. But Lu Rugao does have the Lu Family backing her. I’m sure plenty of people would be willing to lend her a hand, figuring that with the Lu Family’s backing, they’re guaranteed to be repaid."
Chen Xiao spoke calmly, "These prominent families aren’t a monolithic bloc. If Lu Rugao could so easily get funding from the Lu Family, why would she go to all this trouble? Holding a public fundraising conference is an admission to the world that she’s in a weak position and the Lu Family is unwilling to support her. It signals she’s reached the end of her rope and can only rely on outside help to turn things around. If she had any other option, she wouldn’t have done this."
Everyone nodded in agreent. Chen Xiao’s analysis made perfect sense. Given Lu Rugao’s pride, she would never publicly admit she had been backed into a corner if she had any other choice. There was only one possibility: the Lu Family was no longer willing to help her.
Luo Qingli frowned. "Even so, if Lu Rugao actually manages to form an alliance to suppress us, it would still be a devastating blow. After all, we don’t have much available capital left."
Hearing this, Chen Xiao smiled faintly. "Don’t worry about that. I can handle it."
"You can handle it?" Luo Qingli raised an eyebrow.
"I... think so. I’ll give it a try." Chen Xiao walked out of the living room, lit a cigarette, and dialed a number he hadn’t called in a long ti.
A lazy voice answered, "You little brat, why are you calling and waking up?"
"Old man, I need you to transfer so money. It’s urgent," Chen Xiao said, getting straight to the point.
"Damn it! The first thing you do is ask for money! Don’t you care about my health, you ungrateful brat?"
Chen Xiao retorted, "What’s there to care about? You have Widow Zhang hanging around your front door every other day. Do you really need my concern?"
"No money! I’m hanging up..."
Chen Xiao said, exasperated, "I know you have it, so cut the crap. I need this money for sothing important!"
"Important for what? I sent you down the mountain to find a cure for your condition, and look at you now. You’re a ss, and you’re calling to borrow money. You’re a disgrace!"
"I’ve already found a way to cure my Celestial Yang Body, but a few of the herbs are incredibly hard to find," Chen Xiao explained. "The Lu Family has the Mysterious Yin Pearl, but when Eldest Senior Sister went to visit them, they refused to hand it over. I have to find another way."
The old man was silent for a mont before asking, "How much do you need?"
"One hundred billion."
"You might as well go rob soone! Do you think I own a bank?" the old man roared.
"Stop pretending. I know you have it."
"You brat... You’re going to empty out my life’s savings."
"I’ll pay you back when I’m done."
"That’s more like it," the old man grumbled.
Chen Xiao was speechless. This damn cheapskate. His wealth could rival a nation’s, yet he was so stingy he wouldn’t even hire a single servant on the mountain, forcing to slave away for him for over twenty years.
"Fine. In a couple of days, I’ll have soone send a bank card over to you. The PIN is your birthday. I don’t know exactly how much is in there, but it’ll be more than you need."
"And after you use it, rember to deposit an extra billion or so as interest. I don’t do business at a loss."
"If you can’t get the Mysterious Yin Pearl, just tell . I’ll storm the Lu Family’s ho myself and make them cough it up. Why make things so complicated?"
"I can’t talk anymore. Widow Zhang just arrived, and I need to take a bath."
The old man grumbled a bit more before hanging up.
A warmth spread through Chen Xiao’s chest. Despite his harsh words, the old man still cared. With his master’s backing, Chen Xiao felt his confidence soar. After all, the cost of the priceless herbs his master had used to keep him alive for the last twenty-plus years was far more than a re billion or two.
With that matter settled, Chen Xiao returned to the living room. It was dark by now, and everyone else had retired to their rooms. A new problem arose for Chen Xiao. Where am I going to sleep tonight?
Taking a deep breath, he first entered Zhang Yaqing’s room. She was sitting at her dressing table, wearing a black, semi-sheer nightgown. Hearing him enter, she turned around.
She giggled. "Aren’t you afraid of making your little vinegar jar jealous?"
"Not at all," Chen Xiao laughed, scooping her into his arms and carrying her out of the room.
CLICK.
The door to another room opened. Luo Qingli looked over and saw Chen Xiao entering with Zhang Yaqing in his arms. Her beautiful face instantly darkened.
"What are you two doing in here?"
"We’re here to talk," Chen Xiao said. "To have a more... in-depth discussion on how to deal with Lu Rugao."
"I don’t want to. Get out," Luo Qingli ground out through her teeth.
Zhang Yaqing giggled. "If you really didn’t want us here, you would’ve locked the door already." Her slender arm snaked around Luo Qingli’s neck, and she whispered playfully into her ear, "Sister, just be good and give in."
"You..." Luo Qingli’s face flushed crimson. This vixen... She’s not just skilled at seducing n; she’s a master at seducing won too. I’m helpless...
Under Zhang Yaqing’s teasing, she could only set aside her reservations and properly discuss the matter with them.
「The next morning.」
Xu Yanran, Li Biyun, and Robin were sitting in the living room. When Chen Xiao and the two won ca downstairs, Robin’s face was filled with pure admiration for Chen Xiao, while Li Biyun’s own cheeks were flushed.
But it was Xu Yanran who was the most surprised. No wonder those two aren’t at each other’s throats anymore... This guy really has his thods. After all, Luo Qingli used to despise Zhang Yaqing, but now they seed like the best of friends.
Of course, Xu Yanran didn’t know that the truly impressive one wasn’t Chen Xiao, but Zhang Yaqing. After all, a woman understands another woman best. Zhang Yaqing had a perfect read on Luo Qingli’s weaknesses, leaving her completely unable to resist.
Noticing their strange looks, Zhang Yaqing simply t their gazes with a serene smile. Luo Qingli, however, was mortified and shot a fierce glare at Chen Xiao. We were so loud, everyone must have heard everything.
Chen Xiao, feigning composure, turned to Robin and asked, "What’s the current situation with the stock market?"
Robin replied, "We’ve secured an absolute advantage. Lu Rugao’s side has stopped injecting funds, so they’ve likely run out of steam. The Luo Group’s stock price is back to its peak, and based on the current trend, it’s only going to keep rising."
Chen Xiao nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent. But stay vigilant. Just as we can hold a card up our sleeve, so can Lu Rugao. However, I secured new funding yesterday. It should be more than enough to fight her. Just finish her!"
Robin grinned. "Alright! With your command, Lord Chen, I have nothing to worry about!"
"Continue the assault," Chen Xiao ordered. "Maintain the pressure."
After a bit more idle chat, Xu Yanran sighed. "I have to leave again tonight for a mission. I hope to hear good news from you all when I get back."
Chen Xiao nodded slightly. "To Fragrant City?"
"That’s right," Xu Yanran confird. "I’m going with Chief Instructor Leng."
"Be careful," Chen Xiao advised. "Let know if anything happens."
Xu Yanran nodded.
Chen Xiao now had a suspicion. The herb Leng Baiyu was going to Fragrant City to find was the very one he needed. His Eldest Senior Sister had always been like that—a woman of few words who silently made sacrifices for him behind the scenes. It wasn’t just Leng Baiyu; his Younger Senior Sister, Lu Wushuang, and his Second Senior Sister were the sa. Because of this, Chen Xiao deeply cherished the bond he had with his senior sisters.
He then asked Xu Yanran, "Have you found out which herb she’s trying to get?"
"Chief Instructor Leng didn’t tell ," she replied, "but I did find out that news recently broke about soone fishing a flawless night-luminescent pearl out of the sea. After being appraised, it was identified as the legendary... rmaid’s Tears. Rumor has it the owner plans to auction it in Fragrant City soon. It’s highly likely that’s Chief Instructor Leng’s target!"
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