Chapter 1152 - 1118: Treating to a Meal
Evening in Da’ao City.
A few cars parked at the entrance of Xinji Restaurant.
Zhang Xiangu, Wang Bin, Zhang Wei, Jiang Yan, Xiong Wenwen, and several company managers got out of the cars one by one.
They said they were inviting guests for dinner, but actually the other party had arrived earlier.
As soon as the door opened,
the group that had booked Xinji Restaurant greeted them.
“President Zhang, President Wang, I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon. Come in, will you?” Qian Xin, acting as the go-between, approached warmly, spreading his arms to embrace them.
But Zhang Xiangu and Wang Bin didn’t give a warm reception, and with a hint of coldness, said, “Thanks to you, I’ve been losing sleep lately. Luckily, I haven’t been hit with debt collection, or my company would’ve gone bankrupt this month.”
Qian Xin chuckled awkwardly, “You can’t blame me for this. I was just kindly getting you investment and earning a bit of commission. Who’d have thought good intentions would go wrong? But we’re here today, aren’t we? If there’s anything to discuss, how about we sit down and talk it over? We’re all reputable people, no need to get unpleasant over such matters, isn’t that right, Boss He?”
Boss He was a wealthy businessman in his fifties, dressed in a suit, accompanied by several bodyguards, aides.
He didn’t seem very happy at the moment but forced a smile, “Both of you, he’s not wrong; anything can be discussed face-to-face. No need to hurt harmony over a bit of money. I sincerely want to invest in your company. It’s just that some unexpected event happened midway.”
“Forget it, let’s not mention the past. You seem to have brought distinguished guests this time? How about introducing them to us?”
Zhang Xiangu said, “Not distinguished guests, just a few executives from my company. Came together for a bit of travel. Right, this is Miss Jiang Yan, Yang’s personal accountant.”
He particularly introduced Jiang Yan.
Because Jiang Yan’s identity was different from the others.
“Miss Jiang, hello. I didn’t expect Yang to have such a young and beautiful personal accountant. Truly enviable,” Qian Xin said with a smile, reaching out his hand. “But I believe Miss Jiang isn’t just young and beautiful; surely you have extraordinary skills. I admire ladies like Miss Jiang, who balance capability and beauty.”
Jiang Yan gave a slight smile but didn’t extend her hand, “I just came to have a look. President Yang will be here soon.”
Qian Xin didn’t feel awkward. He withdrew his hand and said, “I’ve long admired Yang. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to meet yet. To be invited by Yang today is truly an honor.”
“I’d also like to meet the legendary Yang.”
Boss He said, “Although I’m not from his circle, I admire people like Yang greatly.”
They flattered him, easing the somewhat tense atmosphere.
According to their expectations, after screwing Wang Bin and Zhang Xiangu over, they thought they’d never meet again for a lifetime. After all, meeting enemies is surely unpleasant.
But unexpectedly, just a few days later, because of Yang Jian’s strong invitation, they had to show up again.
After all, by not coming, they’d face Yang Jian’s direct revenge.
Coming leaves room to negotiate.
“Everyone, please sit. The place might be small; I hope nobody minds, please,” Zhang Xiangu gestured.
Qian Xin, Boss He, and a few others sat down, but they were seated with Wang Bin and Zhang Xiangu at the same table, facing each other. Some subtle hostility lingered, clearly not as harmonious as it appeared.
“Boss, bring everyone a cup of hot milk tea. I’ll cover today,” someone said loudly. Everyone glanced over to see Zhang Wei ostentatiously announcing he’d foot the bill.
“Also, separately, I’ll have three pineapple buns and two egg tarts.”
Then he unreservedly ordered more for himself.
Qian Xin glanced, then withdrew his gaze and smiled, “President Zhang, President Wang, in my opinion, it’s better to reconcile than hold grudges. We’re all aware of this matter insightfully, and since everyone’s here, how about putting forward some conditions, discussing them, and treating the matter resolved? What do you think?”
Boss He quickly added, “President Zhang, this really is a misunderstanding. And, well, you lost fair and square, there’s no complaints. If everyone came after losing, how would I continue my business? This time Yang is involved. Respecting Yang, showing my sincerity, I can clear your debts completely and refund forty percent of your funds to both. Furthermore, I’ll privately invest ten billion in your companies as a gesture of goodwill, how about it?”
Zhang Xiangu and Wang Bin showed a slight change in expressions.
Boss He truly calculated things thoroughly, virtually returning all money in and out, caring for his reputation. Saying invest ten billion was essentially giving it away.
“Boss He seems to have misunderstood something,” Zhang Xiangu smiled slightly, “We’re not ones who can’t handle losing.”
“Oh, is that so? Then what’s the purpose of inviting us for dinner?” Boss He said this but felt a bit of disdain inside.
All the same really, at the end of the day, it’s just being unable to endure losing.
Zhang Xiangu said, “Before coming, Yang Jian told me, losing is losing, I should accept it. So he made a call, said this matter ends here, and asked Lok Sheng, the person in charge of Da’ao City, to mediate.”
“Yang is sensible, but you still came?” Boss He slightly frowned.
Zhang Xiangu said, “Because someone mentioned using Yang Jian’s Shangtong Tower as debt collateral, so we came.”
Boss He’s face darkened instantly and said, “Impossible, I never said that. Our Entertainment City’s debts are plenty, once a real estate boss mortgaged a few hundred apartments from a project here, worth billions, and we didn’t even go for it, let alone such a special case like Shangtong Tower.”
He wasn’t foolish enough to seize a captain’s office building.
Whenever a debt involved someone influential or special, they’d give up.
After all, working in this business is inherently disgraceful; if it blows up, causing a bad reputation, they’re bound to be dealt with.
“Whether or not it was said is no longer the issue. The important thing is Yang has arrived, and what happens next is beyond my control. I hope Boss He understands.” Zhang Xiangu said.
Boss He fell silent.
Qian Xin now shifted the topic, “Speaking of Yang, why haven’t we seen Yang yet? Will he come today? I am eager to meet him.”
“No, you wouldn’t expect to see it.”
Yet at this moment, a cold voice suddenly appeared, and no one noticed that a person was quietly sitting beside the table, calmly watching this side.
It was a pale young man, looking around twenty, with cold and sharp eyes, exuding a chilling aura. The most striking feature was the third eye on his forehead—a crimson, eerie ghost eye, restlessly rotating and observing the surroundings.
Hmm?
His appearance startled Qian Xin and Boss He, as well as the accompanying bodyguards. One bodyguard was so nervous that he even reached for his gun.
Yang Jian sat there, glancing slightly at the bodyguard: “Boss He, is this your man?”
“Yes, he’s my bodyguard.” Cold sweat dripped from Boss He’s back.
When?
When did Yang Jian appear in the Xinji Restaurant? Was it just now? No, it seems not. It feels like he had been sitting there all along, unnoticed until he started speaking just now.
“Hosting a dinner, is there any reason to bring weapons?” Yang Jian said.
Boss He immediately said, “President Yang, don’t misunderstand. They are responsible for protecting my safety outside, not bringing weapons to your banquet. I will let them leave now.”
“Since they’re here, have a drink.” Yang Jian said.
“Thank you, President Yang.”
But then Yang Jian continued, “I remember there’s a regulation in Da’ao City, right? Private possession of weapons is not allowed, it’s illegal. Boss He should know this, and your bodyguards don’t seem like decent people, covered in tattoos. I don’t have a good impression of such people.”
Boss He’s face changed, not knowing how to respond.
But he knew in his heart, this was Yang Jian giving him a warning.
Yang Jian continued, “However, I will give you some face, Boss He. I won’t pursue this matter, but those tattoos are an eyesore. Remove them for me.”
“Did you hear what President Yang said? You are given a chance, now remove your tattoos.” Boss He said in a hushed voice.
“Use this, it’s faster to wipe it off.”
Yang Jian casually grabbed some stainless steel spoons from the nearby table and threw them over.
The bodyguards hesitated for a moment but still gritted their teeth, picked up the spoons, and began scraping away at the skin on their hands, bit by bit removing their tattoos. Before long, the skin was bleeding, but they had to endure the severe pain and continue.
“Let’s continue with our previous topic.” Yang Jian said expressionlessly.
Boss He relaxed a bit at this moment: “President Yang, I really don’t know about the events at Shangtong Tower. How about giving me a chance? Twenty billion, just as an apology to you, President Yang.”
“I’m not interested in money. To be honest, money is just a number to me. As long as I want, I can get tens of billions, hundreds of billions.”
Yang Jian said indifferently, “But I heard that Boss He likes to gamble. I think matters of the gambling table should be solved on the gambling table. How about Boss He invites us to your place to play today? Regardless of win or lose, let’s end our issues, shall we?”
Boss He’s expression immediately turned serious. He didn’t rush to agree, “President Yang is welcome to play, but…”
“Then it’s settled.” Yang Jian patted his shoulder, interrupting him.
Qian Xin immediately said, “Boss He, it’s all a misunderstanding from the start. Just accompany President Yang to play, resolve the misunderstanding, and perhaps everyone can still be friends in the future.”
Boss He understood Qian Xin’s implication, which was deliberately losing back all the previous winnings to let Yang Jian save face. After all, making an apology in person does seem somewhat disrespectful.
“Fine, if President Yang wants to play, then I’ll take him to play. However, my Entertainment City is a legitimate business, and we don’t gamble with money, as gambling is not allowed.”
Yang Jian asked, “No gambling with money, then what do you bet?”
“We bet with points. A hundred dollars, a hundred points.” Boss He said.
“Just changing the form, it’s still the same.” Yang Jian said.
At this time, Jiang Yan leaned over and whispered, “It’s different. You can exchange your money for points, but his points can’t be converted back to money. It means even if you win a lot, as long as it’s beyond the exchange limit, they can refuse to exchange it, which is cheating.”
Boss He heard Jiang Yan’s words, but he pretended not to hear and said nothing.
Stating it in advance is to prevent Yang Jian from flipping the table later. Mentioning it afterward inevitably gives a sense of deception.
“Interesting, but it doesn’t matter.” Yang Jian rubbed his chin.
This is the so-called rule.
Playing on someone else’s turf means following their rules; no matter what, you can’t win.
So Yang Jian doesn’t like this.
However, Yang Jian doesn’t seem to like following others’ rules either.
At this moment.
The Xinji Restaurant was already permeated with the smell of blood.
The bodyguards sitting behind were already bloody. They couldn’t withstand the pain from the spoon scraping their skin, and now began groaning in agony, but they dared not stop.
Because the conversation wasn’t over.
Neither Boss He nor Yang Jian had called for a stop.
Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com