Song Mingde’s expression changed abruptly. "Chuntao, what do you an by that?"
Song Kaiwen also looked upset.
"Grandfather Song, Uncle Song." Zhang Chuntao looked at Song Mingde and Song Kaiwen with a solemn expression and vowed, "Yushu and I grew up together. I truly like her, and I genuinely want to marry her."
"Then what did you an when you said you’ll only help the Song Family partner with Ye Xiu if I promise Yushu to you?" Song Mingde questioned.
"Grandfather Song, please don’t misunderstand. Let explain." Zhang Chuntao put on an anxious look and explained, "Grandfather Song, while you are renowned in the dical world and Mingde Pharmaceuticals has a good reputation, the company is ultimately too weak. Ye Xiu wouldn’t even give it a second look.
"The Zhang Family, on the other hand, has the necessary strength, but we know nothing about the dical industry. Even though Jin Lian and I are good friends, and even if she were willing to pull so strings for , Ye Xiu would absolutely refuse to cooperate with the Zhang Family.
"However, if our two families were to unite through marriage, we would beco one family. Then, the Song Family would be qualified to beco Ye Xiu’s partner. With my full support and that of the Zhang Family, the Song Family would certainly secure the partnership."
Song Mingde and Song Kaiwen were suddenly moved beyond words.
So Zhang Chuntao proposed marrying Song Yushu just to help the Song Family beco Ye Xiu’s partner!
"Chuntao, you are a good child, and I like you very much," Song Mingde said, looking uncomfortable. "But I’ve always stayed out of Yushu’s personal matters. I cannot force her to marry you unless she is willing. I hope you can understand."
Ye Xiu, listening in, was stunned. How could Song Mingde, at his age, be fooled by Zhang Chuntao’s words?
"I understand Grandfather Song’s aning. I won’t force Yushu unless she willingly agrees to marry ," Zhang Chuntao said, appearing very sensible. "But Jin Lian will be here soon. If the Zhang and Song families don’t make a move, I’m afraid we’ll miss our chance to work with Ye Xiu."
Song Mingde and Song Kaiwen’s expressions imdiately grew troubled and thoughtful. Song Mingde asked, "Chuntao, do you have a foolproof plan?"
"I do have an idea," Zhang Chuntao said. "I think..."
"You want to buy a stake in Mingde Pharmaceuticals?" Ye Xiu asked, walking into the room and interrupting Zhang Chuntao.
He had to show himself. If he didn’t, the father and son duo of Song Mingde and Song Kaiwen would be completely swindled by Zhang Chuntao.
"Who are you?" Zhang Chuntao stared sharply at Ye Xiu, wary of the man who had just voiced the very words he was about to speak.
"Ye Liangchen, you’re here! Chuntao, co, let introduce you," Song Mingde said with a kindly smile. "Ye Liangchen, this is Zhang Chuntao. Chuntao, this is Ye Liangchen. Don’t let his youth fool you; his dical skills are superb."
So he’s just a doctor... Zhang Chuntao’s wariness of Ye Xiu vanished instantly. He didn’t even bother to greet Ye Xiu, instead waiting with a condescending air for Ye Xiu to extend his hand first. After all, a re doctor should be bowing and scraping, fawning all over him, the great young master of the Zhang Family.
However, Ye Xiu paid him no mind. Not only did he ignore him, he didn’t even give him a direct glance.
This infuriated Zhang Chuntao. He couldn’t stop himself from demanding, "Ye Liangchen, you just said I want to buy into Mingde Pharmaceuticals. Do you have any basis for that claim?"
"Am I wrong?" Ye Xiu retorted.
"You’re right!" Zhang Chuntao admitted frankly. He turned to Song Mingde and said, "Getting Yushu to marry can’t happen overnight. Right now, the only way for the Song Family to have enough leverage to negotiate a partnership with Ye Xiu is for the Zhang Family to buy into Mingde Pharmaceuticals."
"That makes sense!" Song Mingde and Song Kaiwen nodded in profound agreent. Song Mingde was just about to ask Zhang Chuntao how large a stake he intended to buy.
Ye Xiu couldn’t help but chuckle. "Old Master Song, you’re being sold out by Zhang Chuntao, and you’re still helping him count the money."
"Ye Liangchen, don’t you spout such slander!" Zhang Chuntao snapped, his face flushing with alarm. From that single sentence, he knew Ye Xiu had seen right through his plan. If Ye Xiu were allowed to continue, his entire trip today would be for nothing. He roared, "I am discussing important matters between the Zhang and Song families with Grandfather Song! What right does a re doctor like you have to interfere? Get out!"
Ye Xiu didn’t move. He simply smiled at Song Mingde and said, "You see, Old Master Song? I’ve barely said a thing, and he’s already given himself away."
Zhang Chuntao froze. He’d overreacted. Wasn’t that a dead giveaway, an admission of guilt?
He was about to explain, but Song Mingde stopped him with a wave of his hand.
"Ye Liangchen, tell , what is Zhang Chuntao really after?" Song Mingde asked in a low voice. Although he hadn’t pieced it all together, Zhang Chuntao’s reaction made him realize sothing was wrong.
"Old Master Song, you must have heard about the grand birthday celebration for the patriarch of the Jin Family on Qingfeng Road, where many people who normally had no connection to him went to offer their wishes, right?" Ye Xiu asked.
"Of course," Song Mingde nodded. "That news is widespread. Those people who wished Old Jin a happy birthday were hoping to use the Jin Family to carve out a share in the dical industry."
"What does this have to do with the Zhang Family buying into Mingde Pharmaceuticals?" Song Kaiwen asked.
"Zhang Chuntao’s proposal to buy into Mingde Pharmaceuticals is a way to indirectly partner with Ye Xiu through your company," Ye Xiu explained. "In truth, the real purpose of his visit today was to discuss the Zhang Family buying a stake in your company. He was worried you’d refuse, so he started by proposing a marriage alliance to ’help’ the Song Family. His goal was to move you emotionally, so you wouldn’t reject him when he finally brought up buying in."
The expressions of Song Mingde and Song Kaiwen turned ugly. They weren’t skilled in plots and sches, and only after hearing Ye Xiu’s words did they realize they had nearly fallen for Zhang Chuntao’s trap.
Zhang Chuntao’s expression turned even uglier than that of the Song father and son. His plan had been on the verge of success, only to be foiled at the last mont by so insignificant doctor.
"Ye Liangchen. Good, very good. I’ll rember this na. We’ll settle this score in a mont." Zhang Chuntao shot a venomous glare at Ye Xiu before turning back to Song Mingde. "Since we’re at this point, let’s put our cards on the table. Song Mingde, you’re well aware of the Zhang Family’s power. I’ll give you three choices. First: the Zhang Family buys a stake in Mingde Pharmaceuticals. Second: the Zhang Family acquires Mingde Pharmaceuticals. Third: the Zhang Family destroys Mingde Pharmaceuticals. Choose."
An ultimatum. A naked threat.
"I’ll be waiting for your Zhang Family to co and destroy Mingde Pharmaceuticals." Song Mingde’s face was ashen with fury. He pointed at the door. "Zhang Chuntao, get out! From now on, neither the Song Family, the Mingde Ancient dical Hall, nor Mingde Pharmaceuticals will welco you."
"Fine. Very fine. Since you’ve chosen death, don’t bla for being ruthless," Zhang Chuntao snarled, his expression turning savage. He pulled out his phone, made a call, and commanded, "Bring everyone over here now."
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