Although the Tang Family Patriarch had always neglected Tang Xuewu’s family, he was, after all, their grandfather and wouldn’t outright cast them out. If the Patriarch were to pass away, however, the situation would beco uncertain. It was clear that once the Patriarch was gone, Tang Xuewu would be driven out of the Tang Family, which was the main reason she had founded the Aixue Group.
"I understand all of this, Qin Long," Tang Xuewu said, taken aback for a mont. "I get it."
Hearing this, Qin Long said nothing more.
「Elsewhere, in the Tang family compound.」
Tang Chuchu, Tang Yuxiang, Tang Sen, and over a dozen core mbers of the Tang Family were gathered there. At that mont, the Tang Family Patriarch’s expression was ashen and grim.
News that the Aixue Group had flatly refused a partnership with the Tang Family had already spread throughout Jiangzhong’s business circles. As a result, the Tang Family had once again beco a laughingstock.
"Even those little workshops managed to secure a partnership, yet you bring this news." The Tang Family Patriarch’s face was stern, his eyes filled with disdain as he glared furiously at Tang Yuxiang and Tang Chuchu. "How do you get anything done?"
He knew it must have been them who offended soone, causing this opportunity to be lost.
"Grandfather, it’s not our fault!" Tang Chuchu and Tang Yuxiang hurriedly tried to shift the bla. "The Aixue Group is targeting our family like they’ve gone mad. They didn’t even give us a chance to speak; it’s definitely not our responsibility."
"That’s right, Patriarch," Tang Sen and a few others chid in to smooth things over. "Even if Yuxiang and Chuchu were being reckless, they wouldn’t dare offend the other party. Besides, we’re talking about a top-tier corporation; they wouldn’t dare act foolishly."
"Then tell , why did all those small workshops get a chance while our Tang Family was singled out and ignored?" the Patriarch demanded. "Why are they targeting us like this? In terms of strength and scale, the Tang Family should be among the top five choices for any of the companies present today. Not to ntion the prestige your grandmother left behind. Otherwise, why would they harbor such hostility toward us? I may be old, but my mind is still sharp. There must be so misunderstanding here."
The Tang Family Patriarch scanned the crowd, seething with anger.
"Grandfather, we wouldn’t dare provoke President Liu even if we had all the courage in the world," they insisted. "What’s more, the Wang Family didn’t even provoke her! Yet she told us to pass a ssage to them, saying that she would never cooperate with the Wang Family and that they shouldn’t waste their effort. President Liu said that in Jiangzhong, any family except the Tang and Wang families could partner with them. Grandfather, President Liu said this herself!"
Tang Yuxiang and Tang Chuchu relayed the gist of what Liu Qing had said, conveniently omitting the part about their poor character.
"How could this be?" The Tang Family Patriarch furrowed his brow, sinking into deep thought. It seems the Aixue Group holds a grudge against the Tang Family? And they blacklisted the Wang Family as well? Or did our partnership with the Wang Family cause so sort of misunderstanding?
He slowly picked up his teacup, lost in contemplation.
"Father, the Aixue Group’s hostility isn’t because of our partnership with the Wang Family," Tang Sen offered his analysis from the side. "After all, plenty of companies work with the Wang Family, and many of them have already secured contracts with the Aixue Group."
"Then what is the reason? The Tang and Wang families haven’t offended anyone on President Liu’s side recently, have they?" The Tang Family Patriarch sipped his tea and then gently set the cup down. Yet, President Liu had threatened to sever all ties with both the Tang and Wang families.
There must be a huge misunderstanding here. Could it be that the Tang and Wang families jointly provoked so major power, or perhaps one of President Liu’s relatives?
Hearing the Patriarch’s analysis, everyone racked their brains, trying to recall the events of the past few weeks. But after thinking it over carefully, they all ca up empty-handed.
"That can’t be right. The Tang and Wang families operate in different primary industries. How could they have offended the sa person?"
"Exactly!"
The Tangs were completely stumped.
"I know!" Tang Sen’s brow furrowed as he suddenly blurted out, "Didn’t Qin Long say earlier that seeking a partnership with the Aixue Group would be a waste of effort?"
The Patriarch’s eyes widened instantly. He recalled how incredibly confident Qin Long had been, even as they all relentlessly mocked him. Now, it turned out Qin Long’s prediction was spot on.
Could that be a coincidence?
"That’s it!" Tang Sen slapped his thigh in a flash of insight. "Father, the person the Wang and Tang families have offended the most is Qin Long, isn’t it?"
Hearing this, the Tang family mbers paused to think, then all began nodding in fervent agreent. The Tang Family was known to either beat or curse Qin Long, insulting him at the slightest disagreent. anwhile, Wang Ming was Qin Long’s romantic rival over Tang Xuewu, and the two hated each other enough to want the other dead. So, if anyone had been offended, it was undoubtedly Qin Long.
"Are you suggesting Qin Long is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes?" the Patriarch asked, looking at Tang Sen with a frown. "That we’re being targeted by President Liu of the Aixue Group because we offended him?"
"Father, it’s a very strong possibility," Tang Sen replied, nodding gravely.
"Dad, that’s absolutely impossible!" Tang Yuxiang imdiately shot down the idea, and the others around him voiced their agreent. "How could a cripple on crutches possibly know the head of the Aixue Group? Sure, he knows a few rich people in Jiangzhong, but the Aixue Group is no small workshop. Even Madam Zhao might not know President Liu, so how could Qin Long know her?"
Such a thing did seem impossible. Qin Long was just a disabled man who needed crutches to walk, while the Aixue Group was a super-corporation that could casually drop a five-hundred-million bid. It seed they were determined to win the Number Nine plot of land. Even the Wang Family of Jiangzhong might not be able to get an audience with such a powerhouse. What did that make Qin Long? How could he possibly know such an important figure?
"If he really had that kind of power, he wouldn’t be freeloading off the Tang Family," Tang Chuchu added, pursing her lips in a cold sneer. "Even a job cleaning toilets at the Aixue Group would be better than what most other companies offer, wouldn’t it?"
If Qin Long knew President Liu of the Aixue Group, then they might as well claim to know the Emperor of Daxia.
"Alright, look into this matter thoroughly," the Patriarch commanded. "There has to be a misunderstanding sowhere."
Everyone imdiately nodded in acknowledgnt.
「Scene change. The gardens of the Wang Family estate in Jiangzhong.」
CRACK!
Upon hearing his secretary’s report, Wang Xiuhe furiously smashed the teacup on the table before him. In the ensuing clatter, a tea set worth over 50,000 was utterly destroyed. The more Wang Xiuhe thought about it, the angrier he got, until he finally grabbed his brand-new tablet and smashed it to smithereens.
His secretary had inford him that their company’s vice president hadn’t even made it past the front gate of the Aixue Group.
No matter how you looked at it, the Wang Family was a newly ascendant first-tier family in Jiangzhong; they deserved at least so respect. But the Aixue Group had viciously slapped them in the face. Forget a warm welco; they weren’t even allowed in the door. anwhile, other, smaller companies had not only gotten in but had also walked away with three-year contracts.
"This is outrageous! Damn that Aixue Group! Damn them!"
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