Chapter 317: Chapter 313 Negotiation

"Sister, you want to go too?" Nanrong Hao was taken aback, clearly not expecting Nanrong Wanqing to make such a request.

"What, can’t I?"

"This..." Nanrong Hao was at a loss for words and turned to Ling Chen for help.

Ling Chen coughed lightly and said with an awkward smile, "Wanqing, that kind of situation isn’t quite suitable for women. It’s better if you stay at home. Don’t worry, with me accompanying Haozi, nothing will happen to him."

Nanrong Wanqing said indifferently, "I’m not worried about whether anything will happen to him. I just want to go and see for myself. He’s my younger brother, and I should be aware of what he’s doing. If Grandpa asks about it later, I should know how to respond."

Seeing she was bringing up Nanrong Yong, Nanrong Hao immediately clamped his mouth shut, not daring to refute any further.

Threat! A blatant threat!

Nanrong Yong had no idea what Nanrong Hao was doing and thought he was dutifully attending school. If he found out Nanrong Hao was not engaging in proper business and dealing with a bunch of gangsters, Nanrong Hao probably wouldn’t have good days ahead.

Ling Chen knew that Nanrong Wanqing had made up her mind and that he couldn’t refuse her, so he said, "If you want to go, then let’s go. It’s not a big deal." With him by her side, who would dare to hurt Nanrong Wanqing?

Shortly after, the three of them made a few preparations and then drove to the negotiation site.

The meeting place Jiang Hao had arranged was at a high-end restaurant in East Sea City, where luxury cars filled the entrance and the stream of patrons was endless.

When Ling Chen and the others arrived, Jiang Hao and Zhao Zhengxiong were already waiting outside. They hurried up to greet them when they got out of the car. But when Nanrong Wanqing appeared in their line of sight, both men were momentarily taken aback, mouths agape, looking at her with disbelief.

Zhao Zhengxiong was the first to come to his senses and greeted her with a smile, "Miss Nanrong, what brings you here?"

"I’m just accompanying my brother to take a look. You don’t mind, do you?"

"No, not at all." Zhao Zhengxiong and Jiang Hao hurriedly waved their hands, their smiles forced as they thought to themselves, where would we dare to object? Jiang Hao stole a glance at Ling Chen and Nanrong Hao, his eyes questioning. The latter spread his hands, looking helpless.

"Jiang Hao, has Deng Guoyong arrived yet?"

"He just got here. He’s already in the private room."

Ling Chen nodded and said, "Let’s go and meet him."

Upon entering the restaurant, guided by Jiang Hao, they arrived at a private room called ’Prosperous Blossoms.’

Pushing open the door, Ling Chen, as the representative for these negotiations, stepped in first, followed closely by the others. Upon entering the room, Ling Chen scanned the area; there were five people inside, and a middle-aged man in a black suit was sitting upright by the round table, with dishes neatly arranged in front of him. The food had already been served, the aroma wafting through the air, but the man had not started without permission, showing good manners. Moreover, this middle-aged man had a gentle face and a kindly smile. At first glance, it was hard to associate him with a gangster.

Deng Guoyong!

One of the hall masters of the Dongyi Gang.

Behind Deng Guoyong stood four young men, in suits and sunglasses, standing straight, with the air of bodyguards.

"Mr. Deng." Ling Chen’s mouth curled up slightly, bearing a light smile as he took the initiative to extend his hand and say hello.

Deng Guoyong politely stood up and said, "You must be Mr. Ling? Please, have a seat!" As he spoke, his gaze swept over Jiang Hao and the others. When his eyes landed on Nanrong Wanqing, his expression instantly froze, his gaze fixated on her for a long while, unable to move away.

However, Nanrong Wanqing seemed oblivious to his stare, taking a seat with Nanrong Hao next to her, close to Ling Chen.

"Mr. Deng?"

Hearing Ling Chen’s call, Deng Guoyong snapped back to reality, gave an embarrassed smile, and gestured with a ’please’, signaling Ling Chen to sit down.

"Mr. Ling, I’m a straightforward person; I don’t like beating around the bush. I understand your intentions for calling me out, so allow me to speak plainly up front. You can keep control of the Old City; we won’t send people over, but you must join our group, under the control of Dongyi Group, and pay us forty percent of your profits every year."

Ling Chen responded with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Dongyi Group?"

Deng Guoyong smiled and said, "Mr. Ling, times have changed. We need to keep up with the times. Black activities are not allowed to exist anymore, which is why Dongyi Group was founded. Under Dongyi Group, we have thirty-six KTVs, one hundred and twenty-eight bars, twenty-two bathhouses, and also five private security companies. We are now legitimate businessmen, not the small-time hoodlums who just know how to fight and kill. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sitting here negotiating with you."

"Is that so?" Ling Chen slightly lifted his lips, his mouth bearing a playful smile, "Mr. Deng, a wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a wolf, do you think there’s a fundamental difference?"

Before Deng Guoyong could answer, Ling Chen continued, "I can’t accept your conditions. The Old City is our hard-earned turf; if we hand over half of our profits to you, then what do we use to sustain our brothers below? Surely we can’t let them go drink the northwest wind."

"Then what are Mr. Ling’s conditions?"

"We won’t encroach on Dongyi Group’s interests outside the Old City, and Dongyi Group must not touch the Old City either. We mind our own business. How does that sound?"

"Sorry, I can’t accept that condition." Deng Guoyong decisively refused without hesitation, "Mr. Ling, let’s not mince words. The Old City is no longer what it used to be. Previously, the Old City was populated with all sorts of people, and the environment was chaotic, so Dongyi Group was not interested to intervene. But now, it’s different. Hongyu Group has partnered with the government and invested heavily to develop the Old City into a new urban area. In a few years, the Old City will become a landmark in East Sea City. Whoever controls it will have a succulent piece of meat in their mouth. To put it bluntly, Dongyi Group is determined to have the Old City."

Ling Chen shrugged, "Then we have nothing left to discuss." After that, he stood up, pointing to the dishes on the table, "Mr. Deng, enjoy your meal. We won’t accompany you any longer."

As he turned to leave, Deng Guoyong spoke calmly, "Mr. Ling, you better think carefully. Being an enemy of Dongyi Group doesn’t end well."

"Threatening me?" Ling Chen laughed, not taking it seriously, "I don’t start trouble, but I will retaliate if provoked. If you want to deal with us, you’d better think twice, lest you lose more than what you bargained for."

Hearing this, Deng Guoyong no longer responded, his gaze wandering over Nanrong Hao and Nanrong Wanqing, a contemplative look in his eyes.

After leaving the restaurant, Jiang Hao asked worriedly, "Chen, are we really going to start a fight with them?"

"Scared?"

"It’s not that, just..."

Before Jiang Hao could finish, Ling Chen patted his shoulder and said, "Haven’t you always aspired to be a successful hoodlum? Now’s the time."