Leng Qingqiu and Huo Wendong were bound to reach a deadlock in their negotiations.
The mastermind behind everything was one person—Lu Chengwen.
Therefore, Xu Xuejiao's task was to stir the pot, while Leng Qingqiu's mission was to fully reclaim all the shares.
However, there were numerous problems here. Not only were various forces watching closely, each eager to make their move and difficult to deal with, but the issue of "money" alone was enough to push Lu Chengwen and Leng Qingqiu to their limits.
The shantytown project had already begun its foundational construction. The remaining residents had been relocated, areas needing filling were filled, and those requiring excavation were dug up. A construction team of over two thousand workers had descended upon the shantytown, breaking ground and tearing things down like a swarm of destructive robots.
Once the final design blueprints were confirmed and the later stages of construction commenced, the number of workers on-site would exceed twenty thousand.
Money was being spent like water. Even for Lu Chengwen, it was becoming nearly unbearable.
The Dasheng Group had already poured all its available liquid assets into this project, with the remainder stored in banks for the second, third, and fourth phases of construction expenses.
Now, acquiring Qianfeng was a problem—he had no money.
Leng Qingqiu's financial situation was even more dire. Her personal assets amounted to only a few hundred million. Lu Chengwen had given her ten billion, but to save Qianfeng, she had withdrawn and reinvested eight billion.
The lack of funds was now the biggest issue.
They wanted the shares—but where would the money come from?
Yin Tuowang called the finance department, confirmed the password, and another five billion in cash flowed into Lu Chengwen's private account.
Lu Chengwen was also exhilarated.
Not because of the ten billion, but because he was orchestrating a massive, complex acquisition project.
Whether this project would succeed, he had no real confidence.
There were too many people and variables involved. A single misstep in the details could trigger unforeseen consequences.
But he had no choice.
Huo Wendong could not be allowed to establish a foothold in Xuecheng. If he did, everyone else would perish.
Long Aotian could not be allowed to dominate Xuecheng. If he did, Lu Chengwen would die.
Leng Qingqiu could not lose the Qianfeng Group. If she fell from power, it wouldn't just be Huo Wendong and Long Aotian rushing in to feast on the spoils.
Huo Wendong was furious. Leng Qingqiu was unyielding.
He turned and entered Leng Tianhao's office, where he saw Luo Shiyin. The two nodded at each other.
Huo Wendong smiled. "Chairman Leng, let's sign the contract. Delays only breed complications."
Leng Tianhao's 31% stake was being sold for a mere thirty billion.
Huo Wendong was practically stealing it.
He had never encountered such a golden opportunity. Luo Shiyin had astonishing negotiation skills, helping him secure such an outrageous, profitable deal.
This woman was worth every bit of effort he'd put into wooing her.
Of course, afterward, he would give Luo Shiyin and Long Aotian a reward of one billion each.
He was making an absolute killing.
Just these shares alone were worth around fifty billion. He was saving over twenty billion for free—why would he begrudge a few crumbs?
As the contract was being finalized, Long Aotian was on the verge of death.
He was barely breathing, his life hanging by a thread.
When Yin Tuowang returned, Yuan Fang was still uneasy.
"Brother, is that guy really the Young Master?"
"How could it be fake? Look at his demeanor, his aura, his attire. And you heard what happened in the elevator. There's no doubt."
"I feel like this is too risky. Why are their faces switching back and forth?"
Yuan Fang's words made Yin Tuowang hesitate, but he still said, "Now's not the time to second-guess. Let's check on that fake Young Master first."
Approaching the door, they found it slightly ajar, unlocked.
The two grew alert, gently pushed it open, and entered—only to see a familiar figure.
Tie Tuowang was now completely different from before. Dressed in a sharp suit, tall and muscular, wearing sunglasses, he looked incredibly imposing.
Long Aotian was slumped in a chair, motionless, his back to the door as if gazing at the scenery outside.
Tie Tuowang leaned in close to the unconscious Long Aotian. "President Lu, Yin Tuowang should be arriving soon. We need to prepare."
Then he pretended to whisper conspiratorially into Long Aotian's ear.
"Yes, yes, understood. Have him kill Long Aotian? Is he even a match for Long Aotian? It doesn't matter who dies? Hmm, President Lu's strategies are truly brilliant! Long Aotian opposing you is just asking for death."
"Understood. I'll take my leave now."
Before leaving, Tie Tuowang secretly slipped a reviving pill into Long Aotian's mouth.
Seeing their conversation end, Yin Tuowang quickly pulled Yuan Fang behind a cabinet to hide. Tie Tuowang cautiously checked the hallway before slipping out and escaping.
Yuan Fang was livid. "That traitor!"
Yin Tuowang said, "Did you hear everything?"
"Yes! I'm so angry!"
"That idiot inside is Lu Chengwen. Damn it, we almost fell for his trick."
"He's too good at lying. His act was way too convincing."
"Now I understand why Tie Tuowang and Tong Tuowang were both deceived to the point of no return. If we hadn't run into the Young Master by chance, we'd have ended up just like them."
"Brother! That was too close!"
---
In Leng Tianhao's meeting room, Jiang Shihan pushed the door open. "Miss Luo, something terrible has happened! Mr. Long has passed out!"
Luo Shiyin was shocked.
"What happened?!"
Jiang Shihan said, "President Lu was chatting with him, and then suddenly, he seemed very weak and fainted. You should go check on him!"
Luo Shiyin stood up. "Chairman Leng, President Huo, I need to go check on him. You've already reviewed the contract and can sign it. My presence isn't needed anymore."
Leng Tianhao said, "Shiyin, don't go! Come back soon!"
Luo Shiyin forced a smile. "I know. I'll come back after you sign, and then we can go abroad together."
"Okay, hurry back."
Luo Shiyin rushed out to check on Long Aotian.
Only Leng Tianhao and Huo Wendong remained.
At that moment, Leng Qingqiu walked in. "Gentlemen, have you reached an agreement?"
Leng Tianhao said, "Qingqiu, what are you doing here?"
"Father, have you really decided to sell Qianfeng?"
"Yes. Your father is tired. I don't want to do this anymore." Leng Tianhao sighed. "Only now do I realize that the most important thing in life isn't money—it's love! I've fallen head over heels. From now on, I only want to roam the mortal world with the woman I love, living free and unrestrained, galloping on horseback to share life's splendors, singing while drinking to express the joy in my heart, seizing the passion of youth boldly… Ah…"
"Enough, Dad. No need to exaggerate." Leng Qingqiu said, "President Huo, it seems you're determined to acquire Qianfeng?"
"Absolutely!"
Just then, Jiang Shihan rushed in again. "It's terrible! Mr. Long is being beaten up! A handsome guy in a suit is pulling his hair and kicking him—it's brutal! Luo Shiyin can't even stop it!"
"Shiyin!" Leng Tianhao was instantly agitated. He bolted out the door to protect his love.
"Hey! Sign the contract first! Hey! Damn it!"
Huo Wendong was so angry he started pacing. "What's wrong with this old man? At his age, still a love-struck fool? 'Seizing the passion of youth'—I'll seize your ancestors!"
Leng Qingqiu said, "Let's go check. He can't afford to die, or the contract will be void."
Huo Wendong, fuming, followed her out.
What a scene—Yin Tuowang was beating Long Aotian mercilessly!
Luo Shiyin tried to intervene but was held back by Yuan Fang, unable to break free.
Yin Tuowang poured all his rage into Long Aotian.
"Liar! Liar! Liar! I'll teach you to lie to me! I'll teach you!"
Luo Shiyin and Yuan Fang had each other's vital points locked—neither dared move recklessly.
Luo Shiyin realized that Yuan Fang was a stubborn, hot-headed fool, furious to the point of explosion, ready to fight to the death at any moment, as if he wanted to kill her.
Luo Shiyin had no interest in dying with him. She anxiously said, "Yin Tuowang! That's the Young Master! Have you lost your mind?!"
"Still calling him the Young Master?" Yin Tuowang kicked Long Aotian, sending him flying into a wall before he crumpled to the ground. "You bastards tricked Tie Tuowang and Tong Tuowang, and now you're trying to trick me! He's Lu Chengwen!"
Huo Wendong was stunned. "He's Lu Chengwen?!"
Leng Qingqiu blurted out, "Oh no! They've found out!"
Huo Wendong stared at Leng Qingqiu in shock. "He's really Lu Chengwen?! Leng Qingqiu! What the hell are you all playing at?!"
Long Aotian struggled to his feet, gasping, "You idiot… get it straight. I'm Long Aotian!"
"You're Long Aotian? I'd believe that when hell freezes over!"
Yin Tuowang tore off his tie and threw it aside, then removed his jacket, his eyes blazing with fury.
"I've been in the martial world for over a decade and have never suffered such humiliation! Being led around by the nose like a fool by you!"
"You moron, I'm the Young Master! Lu Chengwen is Lu Chengwen!"
"Listen to what you're saying, you bastard!"
*Bang!* Another punch sent Long Aotian flying.
Long Aotian was sent airborne, crashing onto a chair and shattering it to pieces.
Luo Shiyin was so angry tears welled up. "Yin Tuowang! Do you know the consequences of what you're doing?!"
"Consequences?" Yin Tuowang gritted his teeth. "The consequence is that I'm setting things right, removing an obstacle for my Young Master!"
Leng Tianhao walked up to Luo Shiyin, wanting to save her. "Let her go! Kill me instead! Don't hurt her! I still want to roam the mortal world with her, living free and unrestrained!"
Yuan Fang glared and was about to kick Leng Tianhao when Leng Qingqiu quickly pulled her father back. "Dad, don't go over there!"
"I have to save my true love! If anything happens to her, I won't live either!"
Huo Wendong was at his wit's end. "What the hell is going on? Isn't he Long Aotian?"
"You've all been fooled! He's Lu Chengwen!"
Huo Wendong snapped. "I don't care what game you're playing! Leng Tianhao, are you selling your shares or not?"
Leng Tianhao was completely out of his mind. "Shiyin, my Shiyin… Leng Qingqiu, let me go! I don't want to be a stupid monkey! I have to save Shiyin!"
Yin Tuowang was about to strike again when Long Aotian suddenly roared, "Yin Tuowang! Don't think I won't fight back! You and your branch—I'll wipe you all out! Every last one of you!"
"Scaring me?"
Just then, Tie Tuowang suddenly appeared, striking Yin Tuowang back and grabbing Long Aotian. "President Lu! Let's go!"
Everyone was stunned.
Even Luo Shiyin was stunned.
Tie Tuowang, holding the severely injured Long Aotian, smashed through the window and leaped out.
Yin Tuowang bellowed, "Trying to run? Perfect! I'll kill both of you!"
After jumping out, Tie Tuowang "accidentally slipped," failing to hold onto Long Aotian, who plummeted dozens of stories to the ground.
Tie Tuowang shouted, "President Lu, my apologies! I slipped! Let's each save ourselves!"
As he fell, Long Aotian muttered in despair:
"I can't survive this. Just let me die."