Chapter 586 - 586: Three Hard Conditions for the Cao Family

"So your child is your own flesh and blood, but other people's children aren't? How could I possibly save a family that throws its dirty money around, causing trouble for everyone?"

Jiang Xinghai lit a cigarette and continued to berate him. "However, saving your grandson wouldn't be difficult for me."

"Please, Divine Doctor Jiang, enlighten me." Cao Shan was overjoyed to hear this.

"I'll save him if you can meet my three non-negotiable conditions."

Jiang Xinghai held up three fingers. "First, you will publicly announce the Cao Family's plot to harm innocent children and issue a video apology."

"What!" Cao Shan's expression changed dramatically.

If they really did that, their reputation would be ruined. It wouldn't matter how much status the Cao Family had in Shanghai, or even that his father was the Prince of the East.

"Second," Jiang Xinghai continued, "the Cao Family will donate five hundred million every year to support impoverished families, left-behind children, and the elderly who live alone. You will then publish a detailed list of these donations for public oversight."

Cao Shan swallowed hard.

"Third, since you're begging me to treat your grandson, you should act like you're begging, shouldn't you?"

Jiang Xinghai took a deep drag from his cigarette. "Every last member of the Cao Family, young and old, will kneel at your main gate and repent for three days. When that time is up, I will personally come to your home and cure your grandson. I keep my word. Whether or not you can accept my three conditions is no concern of mine."

With that, he turned and walked toward Tang Zhen and Zhong Yunman.

As Cao Shan stared in a daze, Jiang Xinghai and his companions vanished from the hall.

Cao Shan felt he could easily meet Jiang Xinghai's second condition. A donation of five hundred million a year wasn't that much.

But the first condition—publicly announcing the Cao Family's scandal—was clearly impossible!

And the third, making the entire family kneel and repent outside their gate for three days? That was completely unthinkable!

'The entire family, young and old... that would have to include his father, the Prince of the East, Cao Qing!'

'What should I do?'

'Have we completely fallen out with Jiang Xinghai?'

'It seems if the Cao Family wants to save Cao Can, it'll require my father, Cao Qing, to return and confront Jiang Xinghai in person!'

"Father-in-law, what happened?" Zheng Wuji asked, hurrying back after seeing Tang Zhen, Jiang Xinghai, and the others off.

Cao Shan started walking out and recounted his conversation with Jiang Xinghai.

"This..."

Zheng Wuji fell silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Father-in-law, I actually think it's a worthwhile trade. For one, Cao Can would be cured. For another, we could build a relationship with Jiang Xinghai and get more Gathering Essence Pills. I believe the Prince of the East would agree."

Cao Shan waved his hand dismissively. "You go on to the reception. Let me be alone for a moment."

Zheng Wuji nodded and hurried toward the reception celebrating Marshal Feng.

Cao Shan remained seated by the entrance, pondering how to handle the situation.

He knew Jiang Xinghai's demands weren't unreasonable.

But acting on those three conditions would destroy their family's reputation!

While he was still lost in thought, his father, Cao Qing, called to ask about the situation.

When Cao Qing heard Jiang Xinghai's three demands, he too fell silent.

"Hmph! I will be in Shanghai shortly. I'll pay a visit to his reception and confront him personally. What does it matter if the four-star Tang Zhen is there?!" Cao Qing had finally made his decision.

He refused to believe that one man, Jiang Xinghai, could render him powerless.

Cao Shan's spirits lifted. "Then I will await your return, Father."

After hanging up, Cao Shan glanced at the time. Ten o'clock in the morning.

He glanced at the banquet hall in the distance. He knew Marshal Feng's reception would last until two in the afternoon, so he didn't rush over. Instead, he headed straight for the convention center entrance.

「Meanwhile.」

At the reception, Jiang Xinghai was accepting toasts and making small talk with the various guests.

Zhong Yunman and Tang Zhen sat off to the side, also chatting over their drinks.

"Elder Tang, about the Mirror Lake Manor affair..." Zhong Yunman raised her glass.

"Zhong, you seem even more anxious than Jiang," Tang Zhen said with a smile, clinking his glass against hers.

Zhong Yunman didn't hide her fondness for her junior brother, Jiang Xinghai. "He's the only junior brother I have, after all. He trained bitterly for five years, all to find his parents and uncover the truth behind their murder."

"Don't worry. Once Jiang is done with the guests, we'll take a boat out to sea this afternoon." Tang Zhen's very purpose in coming was to tell Jiang Xinghai the secret of Mirror Lake Manor, so he had already made the necessary arrangements.

Zhong Yunman's heart leaped with joy, but then she asked, puzzled, "Elder Tang, I'm only a three-star. Can I go with you all?"

"Ah, Zhong, with your abilities, you should have been promoted to four-star long ago. It's no problem. I'll vouch for you." Tang Zhen's gaze slowly drifted over to Jiang Xinghai, who was mingling with the guests, and his eyes filled with hope.

There was, in fact, a reason the higher-ups in the Imperial City had made an exception to promote Jiang Xinghai.

At its core, it was all because of the Mirror Lake Manor affair.

「Half an hour later.」

A Bentley pulled up slowly to the convention center entrance.

"Father!"

Cao Shan, who had been waiting at the entrance, felt a jolt of energy at the sight of his father's car.

The Prince of the East, Cao Qing, was a living legend.

"Shan'Er, I'm not too late, am I?"

Cao Qing stepped out of the car, dressed in a Tang suit. His hair was a white crew cut, and his square-jawed face was etched with the lines of age.

"Of course you're not late, Father. The reception won't be over for a while." In Cao Qing's presence, Cao Shan was like a child, his face wreathed in a subservient smile.

"Let's go to the reception."

Cao Qing strode toward the reception for Marshal Feng, with Cao Shan trailing at his side.

The moment the two of them entered, all eyes turned to them.

"Elder Cao is here!"

"Prince of the East, it's been a long time!"

A wave of flattery washed over them. Even Patriarch Du and Patriarch Huang adopted a humble posture.

"I heard the new four-star is a peerless Divine Doctor, so of course, I had to come and get acquainted."

Cao Qing smiled and greeted the crowd, his gaze sweeping through them until it landed on Jiang Xinghai, who was sitting beside Tang Zhen. His eyes lit up instantly.

"Elder Cao!"

Tang Zhen slowly rose to his feet. The Prince of the East's prestige surpassed his own, so a basic show of respect was necessary.

"Elder Tang, I trust you've been well," Cao Qing said as he walked over.

The two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

"And this young man must be the four-star Divine Doctor Jiang? Hello, I am Cao Qing."

Cao Qing's tone was not arrogant in the slightest; he very politely extended a hand to Jiang Xinghai.

"Elder Cao."

Jiang Xinghai was slightly taken aback by Cao Qing's gesture but accepted the handshake. "Hello. You must be Cao Shan's father."

"That's right, I am."

Cao Qing didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point. "I heard about my great-grandson's illness and the three conditions you proposed, Divine Doctor Jiang."

"So, are you here with an answer?" Jiang Xinghai offered a smile, but his eyes became unyieldingly firm.

Cao Qing's expression was neutral. He picked up a glass of wine and moved to clink it against Jiang Xinghai's. "While your conditions are quite difficult for me to accept," he said gently, "I hope we can discuss this further and reach a consensus."

"My conditions are non-negotiable. I will not yield." Jiang Xinghai raised his glass and drank it in one go, denying Cao Qing the chance to clink glasses.