"Since Brother Manlun is so sincere, how could I let him down?" He Yining shot Feng Manlun a meaningful glance, then turned to the banquet host, Boss Qian. "Does Boss Qian have a quiet place where Brother Manlun and I can catch up properly?"
Boss Qian wiped the sweat from his forehead and nose, trembling as he replied, "Y-y-yes! I'll have it arranged immediately."
Two top-tier heavyweights clashing—collateral damage for the rest of us!
If you want to fight, go do it somewhere far away!
Don't bully us small fry!
"Then we'll trouble you." He Yining said with a smile. "Xiao Qi, let's go. Brother Manlun rarely visits, so we should have a good chat."
Although Shen Qi didn't know what was happening, she could tell from their expressions that Feng Manlun now had a weakness in He Yining's hands.
One was her husband, the other her senior fellow apprentice.
Sigh, she'd better keep her mouth shut.
"No, you two go ahead. I'm a bit hungry and want to eat something quietly. Is that okay?" Shen Qi deliberately acted coy.
"Sure, do whatever you like." He Yining glanced meaningfully at Feng Manlun. "On Brother Manlun's turf, we can do as we please, right, Brother Manlun?"
"Of course." Feng Manlun raised an eyebrow, gritting his teeth. "Xiao Qi is my junior sister. On my turf, she can do whatever she wants."
"Oh, is that so? With Brother Manlun's word, I'm reassured." He Yining elegantly gestured. "Brother Manlun, after you!"
Shen Qi watched the two tall, handsome men leave, then turned to go.
The slapped Mrs. Sun and Miss Sun were about to apologize, but Shen Qi waved them off. "The one who decides your fate isn't me, it's He Yining. So begging me is useless."
Hearing this, the bizarre mother-daughter pair actually brushed off their non-existent wrinkles, stood up, and walked away!
Well, people like that really can't be judged by common sense.
Shen Qi ignored them, politely asked the host, and found a quiet spot to eat.
The nature of tonight's banquet had completely changed.
Most people didn't dare stay to watch the drama.
Afraid of being caught in the crossfire.
So they all took their leave from the host.
Shen Qi thought, no wonder He Yining gave Boss Qian such a heavy gift.
He must have known tonight's banquet would be a mess and was offering an apology in advance!
She wondered what He Yining had done to make Feng Manlun so anxious that he rushed over, travel-worn.
Since both sides were connected to her, Shen Qi decided to stay out of it and just focus on herself.
Meanwhile, He Yining and Feng Manlun had found a secluded spot and were locked in a heated battle.
"Why is President He suddenly meddling in the projects here?" Feng Manlun cut straight to the chase. "Is it just to get back at me for keeping Xiao Qi? If so, shouldn't you have cooled off by now? After all, you made me and the Feng family look like fools in front of the Ministry of Commerce. You've already taken what I wanted. You've won. Isn't it overkill to push for total annihilation?"
"Oh?" He Yining chuckled. "Brother Manlun thinks I'm going for total annihilation? How could that be? The Feng family has deep roots. This little matter won't shake your foundation."
After saying this, He Yining continued, "Brother Manlun, calm down. Don't be so angry. I didn't know this was your project. If I had, I wouldn't have touched it. I was just getting back at that scumbag who bullied my Xiao Qi, purely to vent for her."
Feng Manlun was skeptical.
He absolutely didn't believe He Yining's words!
If He Yining were the type to make rash investment decisions without investigation, he'd chop off his head and kick it around.
So, there had to be more to it.
Sure enough, He Yining added, "Too bad you came too late! Brother Manlun, I think the projects here are promising. I've already sunk a full two billion into them."
Feng Manlun's heart sank.
Just as he thought!
"What does President He mean by that?" Feng Manlun's eyes darkened as he stared at He Yining.
"Brother Manlun, calling me President He is too formal. You used to call me Yining." He Yining mimicked Princess Iron Fan's tone to Sun Wukong, whining, "You've changed."
Feng Manlun nearly spat blood.
He Yining, you're ruthless!
"President He, let's not beat around the bush. There's no one else here. Just say what you want." Feng Manlun narrowed his eyes. "These projects are crucial to the Feng family. I hope President He can show some mercy and make it easy. You've already gotten your revenge for what happened before. Let bygones be bygones. Who knows, the tables might turn someday, and you might need the Feng family's help. Even if the Feng family isn't as powerful as the He family, in H Province, we're the local snakes."
He Yining nodded. "You have a point."
"President He, let's be straightforward. What do you want?" Feng Manlun was genuinely conceding this time.
These projects were just too big.
He Yining finally dropped his playful expression, his phoenix eyes deepening as he looked at Feng Manlun. "I can't let my two billion go to waste. The Feng family is indeed capable, securing the high-speed rail project here. I have to admit, I'm impressed."
"I can't make that call." Feng Manlun replied bluntly. "My father handled that. I have no say."
"Feng Shao, the Feng family will eventually be yours." He Yining smiled. "You're different from me. I have many competitors; you don't. The Feng family isn't in your hands yet, but that's fine. You can take over this project."
Feng Manlun's face darkened as he looked at He Yining.
"I can increase my investment." He Yining continued. "Two billion is just the initial phase. More will follow."
"No, I still can't agree. Name another condition." Feng Manlun refused outright.
"Then there's nothing to discuss." He Yining spread his hands, looking fearless. "Feng Shao, I'm taking this project."
Feng Manlun's expression grew even uglier.
His eyes flickered, and he finally said, "Let me discuss it with my family first."
"Go ahead." He Yining gestured. "I'll wait for your news."
Feng Manlun quickly left the room to make a call.
He was back just as fast.
In only about ten minutes, he returned to the room with a composed expression.
He Yining poured Feng Manlun a cup of tea.
"Fine, I agree to your terms. But I have conditions." Feng Manlun's eyes darkened as he looked at the freshly poured tea, the leaves swirling like his mood. "Your additional investment must be no less than twenty billion, and your stake won't exceed three percent."
"Five percent." He Yining cut him off. "This stake isn't for me; it's for Shen Qi. You've always called yourself her senior fellow apprentice. Surely you're not so stingy as to begrudge her two percent?"
Feng Manlun's eyes deepened. "President He is quite the schemer."
"Right back at you." He Yining chuckled. "This project must be tying up a lot of your funds, right? Otherwise, during the Ministry of Commerce bid, you wouldn't have only prepared a hundred billion."
Feng Manlun had no retort.
It was true.
The high-speed rail project required massive upfront capital from the Feng family.
So when he tried to secure the Ministry of Commerce task, his funds were tight.
That's why he'd been tracking He Yining's cash flow.
He just didn't expect He Yining to outmaneuver him.
"I'll add another two billion, totaling twenty-four billion, for five percent of the shares. No lower. It'll be registered under Shen Qi's name." He Yining stared seriously at Feng Manlun.
Feng Manlun thought it over and finally gritted his teeth. "Fine, deal!"
"Pleasure doing business!" He Yining extended his hand.
Feng Manlun shook it briefly, his eyes flickering. "You're paving the way for Xiao Qi?"
He Yining didn't deny it. He nodded.
"Is something going to happen?" Feng Manlun's instincts were sharp.
"That's my business." He Yining's phoenix eyes darkened.
"But I'm her senior fellow apprentice!" Feng Manlun challenged him. "You just admitted it, didn't you?"
He Yining smiled lightly, fingers playing with the teacup. "I have a bad feeling, but it might not come true. We'll see."
"About your parents?" Feng Manlun also picked up his teacup, taking a sip.
"Feng Shao always sees right through people." He Yining sighed softly. "There are few in this world who can match your insight."
"Right back at you." Feng Manlun curled his lips. "Looks like I guessed right."
He Yining didn't deny it.
"Can I know?" Feng Manlun couldn't help asking. "Even if we've competed and fought before, we're partners now. Besides, do you think there are real secrets in this world?"
He Yining sighed again. "I wasn't planning to hide it. Everyone will find out sooner or later. My parents sent someone over for me to look after."
Feng Manlun's eyes narrowed instantly. "A woman?"
He Yining grabbed an unlit cigar nearby and tossed it over, replying irritably, "Feng Shao, if your instincts weren't so sharp, I might consider being friends with you."
"Hmph, right back at you." Feng Manlun caught the cigar, giving He Yining a deep look. "Is there something wrong with this woman?"
He Yining smiled bitterly. "Her parents died saving my father, so she grew up with my parents. She's like an adopted sister to me."
Feng Manlun suddenly laughed, a very happy laugh. "But your adopted sister seems to like you, doesn't she? He Yining, how do you think Xiao Qi will handle this?"