"Dai Xiao, this company belongs to the Xu family. If you don't want to invest, you can leave. Why lose your temper over it?"
Xu Mu smiled as he walked over and sat beside Xu Ningbing.
Nangong Yao followed closely and sat next to him as well.
"Old man, what's going on? Give me the short version."
Xu Mu glanced at Xu Shou.
"The Shen family wants to buy 10%, the Nangong family 20%, and the Dai family 50%," Xu Shou said after a pause. "And not only that—they want to restructure the board."
Xu Mu sneered inwardly. That was quite the lion's appetite.
If they controlled that much stock and the board, the Xu family would basically be working for them.
They could kick the Xu family out whenever they pleased.
"Xu Shou, that's how it works," Dai Xiao said, pulling a cigarette from his case and lighting it. "Look at any successful company—the shares are all distributed."
"That's true," Xu Shou replied coolly, crossing his arms, "but your offer is too low. You want to buy 80% of our shares for a mere hundred billion? Keep dreaming."
"This valuation was calculated carefully. We're not investing in the entire Xu Group—only the pharmaceutical company," Ren Fuhai said, adjusting his glasses as he reviewed the documents.
"You must have only calculated based on the weight-loss drug profits, right? Who told you that's our only product?" Xu Shou said calmly.
All three men across the table widened their eyes in surprise.
Judging from Xu Shou's confidence, did they actually have other blockbuster drugs in development?
"Dad, you're talking too much. I'll make the proposal."
Xu Mu looked at his father.
"Go on."
"Our pharmaceutical company will only release 10% of its shares for external investment. Everyone here's from Jiangbei—let's all make money together."
Xu Mu smiled faintly at the three of them. "If you don't agree, there's no need to talk further. I believe there are plenty of people eager to invest in us."
"Alright, I'll go with your decision." Xu Shou nodded.
"Xu Shou, think carefully! This is Yang City, not Jiang City!"
Dai Xiao's hand clamped down on the table's edge—
crack! The thick tabletop split like cardboard under his grip.
"This may be Yang City," Xu Ningbing said icily, "but it's still Dragon Nation!"
Crack!
She mirrored his move, tearing a chunk of the table off and tossing it back onto the surface, her expression exuding cold dominance.
Seeing that, Dai Xiao stared in disbelief.
This woman… was also a martial artist?
Shen Hong and Ren Fuhai exchanged looks.
The Xu family hid their strength very well.
"Interesting," Dai Xiao sneered. "A fluke breakthrough, and you think you're invincible now? We'll see about that."
"Xu Mu! Xu Mu, where are you?"
A woman's voice called from afar.
Xu Mu turned and saw Jiang Huihui approaching. He waved. "Over here!"
She was dressed casually, hands in her pockets, strolling over lazily. "I came to eat—why hasn't dinner started yet?"
"Huihui-sis!"
Nangong Yao's eyes lit up. She ran toward Jiang Huihui—only to be stopped when the older woman pressed a hand on her head, keeping her at arm's length.
"You little brat, what are you doing here?" Jiang Huihui sighed.
"I'm here to purge evil!" Nangong Yao said earnestly, covering her left eye. "And I've already purified one!"
"Then keep at it. I'll get you a broom later if you need one."
Jiang Huihui pushed her aside and walked toward Xu Mu.
When Ren Fuhai saw her, he froze for a moment, then immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Miss Jiang."
Both Shen Hong and Dai Xiao noticed his reaction.
While others might not understand, they did—Ren Fuhai had married into the Nangong family, becoming the son-in-law of the former patriarch.
By seniority, he was on par with Dai Xiao's own father, the Dai family patriarch.
And yet this man was showing deference to such a young woman.
Just what kind of person was she?
"Oh, it's you," Jiang Huihui said blandly to Ren Fuhai before turning to Xu Mu. "Start the dinner already. I'm starving."
"Huihui, can you be serious? We're being threatened right now," Xu Mu said with a teasing smile at the others.
"Who's threatening you?" Jiang Huihui's gaze swept over the group.
"No, no, not us! The Nangong family's just here to discuss business," Ren Fuhai said quickly.
"Yes, yes, purely business," Shen Hong added, wisely following suit.
Only a fool would stay defiant now.
If someone of Ren Fuhai's rank treated her with such respect, her background was beyond question.
Even Shen Hong was shocked—he hadn't expected Xu Mu to know someone of that level.
Dai Xiao stood, then turned to leave.
He didn't know who she was, and that made her dangerous.
Still, he'd already made his point—if the Xu family wouldn't give him face, he'd make sure they paid for it later.
A strong dragon couldn't suppress a local snake—
and the Xu family wasn't even a dragon.
Yang City was his turf.
"Dad, let's eat. We've made our position clear. If they won't take the deal, others will," Xu Mu said with a grin.
"I'd say even investors from other provinces are eager to jump in."
"You're right," Xu Shou nodded.
He turned to Shen Hong and Ren Fuhai. "Gentlemen, let's eat first."
Ren Fuhai smiled faintly. "Boss Xu, I'll pass on dinner. I came mainly to talk business. I didn't expect you to have other products—your company's valuation will need to be recalculated."
Xu Shou chuckled. He knew what the man really meant—the "other product" was likely referring to Jiang Huihui herself.
"Very well, I'll see you out," Xu Shou said.
"No need—you've got guests to host," Ren replied, then turned to Nangong Yao. "Yaoyao, come home with Uncle."
"No! I'm staying with Huihui-sis!"
The little girl clung to Jiang Huihui's hand.
Jiang Huihui rubbed her temple. "Go on home. I'll bring her back later."
"Understood, Miss Jiang."
Ren Fuhai nodded respectfully and left.
Shen Hong almost wanted to chase after him just to ask—who was this woman, really?
Her identity could change everything, but since he wasn't close to the Nangong clan, he decided to have his daughter ask later.
When the dishes arrived, Xu Shou dined with the top-tier businessmen.
As for Xu Mu's table—aside from Su Ruiming, it was all women.
Nangong Yao sat between Xu Mu and Jiang Huihui, while Meng Wanyue sat on Xu Mu's other side.
Shen Wanning and Guo Xiao were there too.
Fang Chu had tried to join, but Guo Xiao had promptly driven him away.
From a distance, Mu Qingying hesitated for a long time before sitting down as well.
She suspected that Dai Xiao's anger earlier might have been caused by Xu Mu's interference—perhaps he'd done it to protect her.
Jiang Huihui, unlike the other women, had no pretenses. She picked up her chopsticks and started eating heartily, not caring about appearances.
Beside her, Nangong Yao mimicked her every move, devouring her food just as eagerly.
Su Ruiming, surrounded by so many beauties, was practically trembling.
It seemed Brother Xu had truly ascended to a new level after his recent seclusion.
Before, Xu Mu always had to shamelessly insert himself into tables full of women.
Now, he didn't say a word—they all came to sit by him on their own.
He resolved to ask Xu Mu for tips later.
…
After eating for a while, Jiang Huihui patted her belly. "Ah, I'm stuffed."
"You ate too fast—there's still more dishes coming," Xu Mu said, smiling.
"It's you lot who eat too slow," she retorted, grabbing Nangong Yao's hand. "Forget it, I'm taking this girl home. We'll handle the registration business another day."
"I'll see you off," Xu Mu offered politely.
"Alright!" Jiang Huihui replied cheerfully, as direct as ever.
Xu Mu swallowed the words he'd been about to say—
Clearly, she wanted to talk to him about something on the way.