"Cao Yang, are you out of your mind? Why on earth would you sell your shares?"
"What business is it of yours if I sell my shares?"
Cao Yang smiled calmly, even putting the call on speakerphone so Diana and the woman in black could listen in. Though Diana likely didn't understand Chinese, the woman in black clearly did.
"You're insane! What's your plan? If you really want to sell, sell to me—but not to Mobil!"
"Why not? I sell to whoever pays more."
"How much did Anna offer you?"
"One hundred billion RMB."
"Do you think I'm stupid—or Diana? Your shares are worth less than that!"
"That, I don't know. But someone's willing to pay that much."
"Fine. Don't rush to sell. Come to San Francisco. My father wants to meet you and have a proper chat about the shares."
"But I'm already negotiating with Miss Diana, and it's going very well."
"I'll say it again: don't sell to her!"
Cao Yang glanced at Diana, uncertain if she understood.
The woman in black whispered in Diana's ear. Diana frowned, picked up her phone, clearly annoyed.
"Situ, why can't I buy them?"
Situ Meixin froze. She hadn't expected Diana to be listening. The private whispers were now awkwardly exposed.
Cao Yang had done this deliberately.
"Anna, give me some face. Don't interfere with this matter."
"No, Situ, you were the one interfering first!"
Situ Meixin had no response. Originally, Diana had started the project before her. She had only learned about it through Diana. Diana had tried to enlist her help, but she and Cao Yang had taken over the project, sidelining Diana. Now telling Diana not to interfere was clearly unreasonable.
"Ahem…" She coughed awkwardly. "Please give the phone back to Cao Yang."
"Hello, Miss Situ."
"Cao Yang! You bastard! You're deliberately sowing discord between Diana and me!"
"Overreacting. Good relationships withstand provocation."
"Bastard! Come to San Francisco immediately!"
"I won't come. I'm afraid you'll kill me."
"Then we'll come to New York to get you!"
"You won't kill me, right?"
"Kill you? Ha!"
The call went dead. Cao Yang shrugged. "Miss Anna, you saw that many people don't want me selling to you. I'm negotiating with you under enormous pressure. I hope you can offer a fair price."
"Seven billion USD," Diana signaled with a hand gesture.
Cao Yang shook his head. "Not enough."
Diana looked at the woman in black, who gave a subtle nod.
"Eight billion USD. That's our bottom line."
Cao Yang shook his head again.
"Mr. Cao, eight billion is the maximum we can offer. But as friends, we'll give you an extra gift."
"Oh? What gift?"
"A chance to survive."
"Don't get me wrong—we're not threatening you. Sell the shares to us, and you're our friend. As long as you don't kill Jews or harm U.S. interests, we'll protect your life in America, whatever else you do."
Cao Yang snorted. "Miss Anna, does that need to go in the contract?"
"First, I don't need it. Second, this is just a promise. If the day comes that I die and you don't fulfill it, there's nothing I can do."
"No, our lady values credibility. Any promise she gives will be kept."
"Interesting. I value credibility too. Just add two billion more, and I promise to save her life if she's ever in danger."
Cao Yang thought: anyone can make empty promises!
The negotiation reached a stalemate.
Diana looked at Cao Yang, then at the woman in black. There was no real danger here—and even if there were, Cao Yang couldn't handle it anyway.
Finally, the woman in black nodded, agreeing to Cao Yang's astronomical price.
Cao Yang smiled. "This lady is straightforward—unlike Diana, so stingy and fussing."
He reached out to shake hands, but she ignored him.
Cao Yang withdrew his hand, saying, "Miss Anna, I have a small request."
"Speak."
"You can buy the shares—but not immediately."
"Why?" Diana frowned.
"I want to use the shares to 'fish' a little first."
Diana didn't understand. The woman in black didn't either. They didn't want to know.
"How long?"
"One month. One month from now, we trade."
Diana looked at the woman in black. Seeing her nod slightly, she said, "Fine. But we'll prepare immediately. Don't cause trouble—any losses will be on you."
"Of course. You've likely checked my background. I never sell shares just for money. No matter what others offer, I won't sell."
"Fine. I'll come to you in a month."
Diana and the woman in black rose to leave. Just at the door, Cao Yang called out.
"Miss Anna, one more favor."
"Mr. Cao, don't overdo it!"
"This really is small."
He leaned close and whispered a few words. Diana nodded and departed.
After seeing them off, Cao Yang sat and pondered for a long while. Finally, he pulled two books from the shelf and began reading intently.
Cao Yiyue entered and saw her brother with The Art of War in his left hand and Currency Wars in his right—studying from ancient strategy to modern finance. Truly knowledgeable.
"Cao Yang-ge." She called softly.
Cao Yang looked up and smiled. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Have you eaten? Let's grab a bite together."
"Cao Yang-ge…" Cao Yiyue hesitated. She had a mission.
Cao Yang chuckled. "Your fourth uncle sent you, right?"
Cao Yiyue nodded. She hadn't wanted to intervene herself, preferring her father to call directly. But her father said there was tension between him and Cao Yang.
Last time, during Cao Yang's trip to Nanluo, he hadn't received help. He didn't blame the Cao family, nor make a scene, and even gave the gold rewarded by the king to Cao Hua. On the surface, all seemed fine. Whether it truly was fine, only they knew.
"Speak. Why did your fourth uncle send you?"
"My father heard you plan to sell your shares to Americans. He hopes you'll think carefully."
"Think about what? Whether it's Libao Group or Mobil, anyone who wants to extract oil there has to pay protection fees… no, security fees to the Cao family. Selling my shares doesn't harm the Cao family's interests."
"But my father said Libao is easier to control, Mobil is not."
"Hahaha…" Cao Yang laughed. "Fourth uncle, don't underestimate me. I can handle anyone. They won't influence me."
"Besides, my shares hardly matter. Don't try to persuade me further."
"My father said this move might put Prince Nanda in danger, which would be bad for the king."
"Yiyue, I'm just selling a few of my shares. Why am I being blamed for everything?"
"I don't know how selling shares affects Prince Nanda. I don't want to know—don't tell me!"
"Whether it's Fourth Uncle, Libao Group, or Situ Meixin, if you have time to persuade me, why not persuade the Chus or the Hans?"
"They got what they wanted. I got nothing. I only wanted to handle some of my own property, and somehow it feels like I'm stepping on everyone's toes."
"Cao Yang-ge…"
Cao Yang gently patted her head. "Little sister, enough. I don't want this trivial matter to affect our sibling relationship."