The moment Wang Bao spoke, everyone’s gaze snapped toward Qi Dengxian.

Wang Hu frowned as well. “Wang Bao, do not be rude in front of President Xiang!”

Wang Bao merely sneered, staring at Qi Dengxian with an icy glare as if he wanted to twist the man’s head off right then and there.

Wang Hu smiled and said, “Dongqing, after you!”

With that, he walked ahead to lead the way into the restaurant.

Xiang Dongqing couldn’t resist glancing at Qi Dengxian, asking in a low voice, “What exactly is the grudge between you and Wang Bao? He’s Wang Hu’s cousin—not someone easily provoked.”

“No real grudge. It’s just that yesterday at the bar, I pressed his head into a urinal.” Qi Dengxian replied truthfully, his face a picture of honesty as he recalled the event.

Beside them, the little secretary nearly spat out a mouthful of air. He pressed a man’s head into a urinal and calls that ‘no real grudge’?

Shang Jun’s expression darkened. He said in a deep voice, “The Tiger Gate Group already has a history with us. Now that Deputy Minister Qi has offended Wang Bao, I’m afraid we’ve given them a perfect excuse to make trouble!”

Xiao Lei added coldly, “Deputy Minister Qi shouldn’t have come. Aside from being unable to help, his presence only increases the Tiger Gate Group’s hostility.”

Xiang Dongqing’s beautiful brows furrowed slightly. Her relationship with the Tiger Gate Group was fragile at best, they were only under a brief ceasefire agreement.

Now that Qi Dengxian was the Deputy Minister of Security for the Xiang Group, his offense against Wang Bao meant Wang Hu would likely seize this opportunity to strike.

Walking ahead, Wang Hu also couldn’t resist asking his cousin about the details.

“That little punk beat me up at Sister Jing’s bar yesterday and shoved my head into a urinal!” Wang Bao said, fuming.

“Oh? He hit you in Sister Jing’s bar and walked away unscathed?” Wang Hu asked curiously.

Wang Bao shook his head. “The kid is incredibly arrogant. Sister Jing was originally going to deal with him, but she received a call from someone—don’t know who—and told me to drop it!”

“Since Sister Jing spoke up, I had to give her face, so I left…”

“I never expected to run into him again today!”

“Brother, you can’t stop me from getting revenge. I have to find a chance to cripple him!”

Wang Hu nodded thoughtfully. Making Sister Jing back down was no easy feat, but the cost of such a favor wouldn’t be small either.

Even he had to maintain respect when meeting Sister Jing. After all, standing behind her was Ye Feng—a specially appointed Guest Elder of the Dragon Gate branch!

“Sister Jing is actually quite annoyed with him too. She only spoke up yesterday because of a favor for a friend. If we take care of this bastard ourselves, Sister Jing might even be grateful to us!” Wang Bao whispered.

Wang Hu smiled and nodded. This small matter didn’t weigh much on his mind.

Moreover, since Qi Dengxian was part of the Xiang Group, they might as well use this chance to cripple him.

The group entered the luxurious interior of the restaurant and arrived at a magnificently decorated lounge. Wang Hu gestured, and waiters promptly brought out red wine and tea for the guests.

“Dongqing, you know exactly why I’ve called this negotiation. It’s for that plot of land at New Century.” Wang Hu said indifferently.

Xiang Dongqing remained silent, her fingers resting on her teacup as she stared at Wang Hu with an expressionless face.

Wang Hu smiled. “You won the bid for the land, but I hear the New Century area is quite chaotic. If you have the land but lack the power to settle the chaos for development, it’s a loss for your group. Why not generously hand it over to me?”

“President Wang must be joking. How do you know we lack the ability to develop it?” Xiang Dongqing replied coldly.

“I just heard that the boss of Xingxing Electronics almost blew up your office with you in it today. Clearly, your company’s security department is doing a terrible job! The New Century site is occupied by various local thugs. With your current security department, I’m afraid you won’t be able to suppress them.” Wang Hu said.

Wang Hu’s words made Shang Jun’s face stiffen. He was responsible for the security lapse that allowed such a dangerous incident to occur. Having Wang Hu throw it in his face made him lose considerable face.

Shang Jun said with a frozen expression, “President Wang, we haven’t even begun development yet. How can you be so certain we’ll fail?”

Wang Hu replied grandly, “Tell you what—as a ‘friendly partner’ of the Xiang Group, I’ve specifically invited an expert from the Dragon Gate branch. It’s the perfect time to test the level of your security department.”

“If your security department meets the standard, it proves you are indeed capable of protecting this project, and I won’t mention it again.”

“But if they aren’t up to snuff… well, then we’ll have to discuss things seriously. If you aren’t willing to hand it over, we can always develop it together!”

Hearing this, Qi Dengxian curled his lip. “So it’s just a display of force through a fight? Why make it sound so grand? Just set up a ring and be done with it.”

The moment he spoke, the expressions on both sides soured.

There were some things that couldn’t be stated so bluntly on the table, it was enough for both sides to understand the subtext.

“Oh? From Deputy Minister Qi’s tone, it seems you have great confidence in the Xiang Group’s capabilities?” Wang Hu asked unhurriedly.

“Ha! Little punk, you think just because Sister Jing let you go yesterday, you have the capital to jump around in front of our Tiger Gate Group?” Wang Bao sneered.

Qi Dengxian pointed a finger at Wang Bao. “If your company is filled with people of your level, then I can take on ten of them.”

Wang Bao froze, his rage instantly boiling over.

Wang Hu’s gaze also turned icy. This man was far too impolite.

In reality, Qi Dengxian didn’t care about the business deal at all. His primary reason for joining the Xiang Group so quickly was to deliver a heavy slap to Yu Xiaolong’s proud face.

Xiang Dongqing also shot Qi Dengxian a look of annoyance. Because of his words, the Xiang Group was now forced into this unprepared battle!

Shang Jun was equally frigid. Neither he, the Minister, nor the CEO had spoken yet, but this newcomer had jumped the gun. Where are his manners?

Truly a bumpkin from a small town. Zero manners. I wonder whose connection he used to get hired! Shang Jun sneered inwardly.

Beside him, Xiao Lei crossed his arms, his face full of disdain. He felt that even speaking to someone like Qi Dengxian lowered his status, despite them being on the same side.

Wang Hu said, “Since Deputy Minister Qi has spoken, let’s see the truth through our hands. Dongqing, what do you think?”

Xiang Dongqing swept a cold glance over Qi Dengxian before saying, “Fine!”

Qi Dengxian smiled. “Fighting? That’s something I enjoy.”

“That guy Wang Bao was too weak yesterday, it was a bit boring. I hope the person you brought today can actually keep me entertained.”

Xiang Dongqing finally couldn’t take it anymore. She said in a deep voice, “Shut up!”

Wang Bao grinned hideously, baring his teeth. “Little turtle bastard, keep flapping your lips for now. You’ll be crying in a moment!”

The little secretary rubbed her forehead, terrified for Qi Dengxian and worried for the company’s future…

If President Xiang brings in such a loose-tongued executive, who knows how much disaster he’ll bring upon the company in the future!

NOTES

Loose cannon / Loose-tongued (口無遮攔): Literally “mouth without a cover.” Someone who speaks recklessly without considering the consequences.

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