Street Hustler and His Policewoman Wife

Guo Qing has truly become paranoid after being bitten by a snake once, now fearing even ropes.

He just found out about Old Gui’s betrayal.

At the sight of Qi Kai, he immediately assumed there was another traitor within Dragon Cauldron, informing the Qi Family about Chen Xiao’s search.

Chen Xiao, noticing Guo Qing’s serious demeanor, did not bother to explain.

He simply patted him on the shoulder and walked toward Qi Kai.

Qi Kai smiled at Chen Xiao and glanced around, "Mr. Chen, shall we talk inside?"

"Please." Chen Xiao nodded.

Qi Kai noticed Guo Qing standing still and asked, "Does President Guo prefer sitting in the car?"

Chen Xiao turned back to Guo Qing and helplessly said, "Mr. Qi is the person I’m looking for."

When Chen Xiao and Qi Kai first spoke, Guo Qing had already guessed some of it.

But hearing it confirmed, Guo Qing was still shocked.

Seeing Chen Xiao gesturing at him, Guo Qing could only gather his thoughts and follow.

Inside the club, Qi Kai started serving tea for the two of them.

While pouring tea, Qi Kai opened up the conversation:

"To be honest, I really didn’t expect President Chen to contact me first. And to be frank, had you delayed by a day or two, I would have reached out to you myself."

Chen Xiao took the tea, "If I’d been a day or two late, I figured the opportunity might have cooled off. Moreover, this benefits both of us; I don’t believe speaking first means losing the upper hand."

"Besides, isn’t Mr. Qi being very straightforward with me now, without pretending to be superior?"

Qi Kai nodded with a smile, "The reason I dare not act superior is because I consider myself to understand President Chen very well. Only then can I better negotiate with you."

"Since we’re talking about terms, let’s be open about it now."

"Great, but... before discussing our business cooperation, I have an ungracious request, which is whether President Chen can spare my daughter after our success?"

Hearing this, Chen Xiao paused.

He first got involved with the Qi Family during the Zuo Shu case.

In that case, Chen Xiao felt Qi Kai and Qi Wei, the father and daughter, should have deep feelings for each other.

But when he saw the little boxes Qi Kai used to hide secrets, he felt that family ties in a wealthy family like the Qi’s were a joke.

What kind of good father would collect dirt on his daughter?

But now, Qi Kai’s words left Chen Xiao speechless again.

Still, on second thought, perhaps in a family like the Qi’s, all means might first be for self-preservation.

"Since Mr. Qi has said so, of course, I won’t be merciless towards Qi Wei."

Chen Xiao gave his response.

After thanking Chen Xiao, Qi Kai continued:

"Regarding the competition for the new land, what does President Chen need me to do? And after doing it, what will I get in return?"

Chen Xiao looked at Qi Kai and said, "Since Mr. Qi understands, you should know I’m not skilled at business warfare. Moreover, you said we’re negotiating this cooperation from an equal footing, so let’s not beat around the bush and directly state our demands."

"My demand is simple: I want to take down my second brother and take over the Qi Family’s mantle."

"Don’t you have enough dirt on your brother?"

"Perhaps it’s enough, but I don’t wish to expose it directly, because that would be like hurting the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred. Moreover, if my family knew I did this, I wouldn’t be able to truly command respect."

Chen Xiao immediately understood what Qi Kai meant.

"If I heard correctly, Mr. Qi means to control the impact, preferably limiting it to just us few knowing."

"That’s right, it would be best if only you, I, and my second brother know about this."

"In that case, it looks like I need to visit the Qi Family again."

"That would be best."

"That’s fine, but since I’m considering Mr. Qi’s face, how will Mr. Qi consider mine?"

"Once it’s done, I will represent the Qi Family and concede 10% of the profit."

Chen Xiao grinned, "Then how much did Mr. Qi initially think to take?"

"I am self-aware; if the cooperation involves only me and President Chen, the competition for the new land wouldn’t be secure. Hence, I believe there’s a third party in this cooperation, right? If so, the third party’s share would certainly not be less than 10%, meaning the remaining 90%."

"If I didn’t need President Chen’s help, I think the Qi Family, providing money and effort, should take 40% without being greedy. Now, how about I concede another 5%?"

Chen Xiao shook his head directly, "That’s too much."

Qi Kai frowned, "I don’t see how it’s too much."

"Mr. Qi cannot have 35%. The maximum condition I can promise is 25%. I must control 75% or more to ensure the cooperation’s success."

Qi Kai fell into thought.

He was someone who understood the situation clearly and had long desired to have the authority within the Qi Family.

But that didn’t mean he only aimed for trivial gains.

"25% is too low! In my mind, President Chen is a good negotiator. I say ’good’ not because you’re easy to talk to, but because you and I both understand the situation, so we won’t waste time on useless chatter..."

Before Qi Kai could finish, Chen Xiao interrupted:

"Why did I initially choose Qi Li? Besides the Qi Family’s strength, it’s because your brother had many reliable connections. But once Qi Li loses control of the Qi Family, his connections are as good as gone. And Mr. Qi, I believe you also have some connections, but they are certainly weaker than Qi Li’s. Otherwise, the Qi Family’s decision-maker now would be you, the elder brother of the Qi Family."

Hearing this, Qi Kai gave a bitter smile:

"Likewise, President Chen saying that about me is also saying it about himself. I do have fewer resources than my second brother, but isn’t Dragon Cauldron no weaker than me?"

Chen Xiao didn’t respond to this remark, instead quietly sipping his tea.

Qi Kai frowned, unsure of what Chen Xiao was planning.

After a moment of thought, Qi Kai finally understood:

"You have a trump card!"

Chen Xiao smiled subtly, implying it was true.

Qi Kai was also decisive; he let out a heavy sigh and said:

"As long as President Chen guarantees that our cooperation will result in mutual happiness, then 25% it is."

"Great, I knew Mr. Qi..." Chen Xiao rose to compliment Qi Kai but was interrupted by his phone ringing.

Seeing it was a call from Qi Wei, Chen Xiao hesitated for a moment before answering, asking:

"Hello, President Qi, contacting me at this hour?"

"Mr. Chen, my uncle and I both want to see you for a talk."

"Is there anything left to discuss between us?"

On the other end, Qi Wei’s tone was serious, "Mr. Chen, I know you have issues with me. But my uncle said it’s better to resolve enmity than escalate it; you all have no winning edge this time! So, I hope Mr. Chen can sit down with us for a proper talk to prevent further conflicts!"

Chen Xiao had the speakerphone on.

Hearing this, a trace of helplessness flashed in Qi Kai’s eyes.

After a brief consideration, Chen Xiao said, "Give me the address, I’ll be there soon."

Qi Wei, a bit surprised, gave Chen Xiao the address before ending the call.

Putting away his phone, Chen Xiao turned to Qi Kai and said, "There’s no time like the present, Mr. Qi. How about you start tonight?"