Chapter 93: Negotiation

Chi Xiao showed little reaction upon hearing these words, as if he had already anticipated Chi Yanpeng’s response.

The Chi family’s current success was entirely built by his father’s hard work, while Chi Xiao was merely an heir who hadn’t even graduated from university. It was only due to his blood ties with his father that he was fortunate enough to inherit such a vast family business. So what right did he have to demand that his father invest the wealth he had painstakingly accumulated over half his life into the Ming family’s power struggle, a conflict that was clearly a bottomless pit? Was it solely because of the uncertain depth of their father-son bond?

This marriage alliance with the Ming family had already been something Chi Xiao forced upon his father by leveraging their relationship. Now, if he wanted his father to allow Ming Can to develop her own career, and even have the entire Chi family stand as her backing, he needed to present something truly convincing.

The reason Chi Yanpeng had initially hoped that Ming Can would stay out of the Ming family’s affairs after marriage was because he had never been optimistic about their future. He didn’t want his daughter-in-law to get dragged into such murky waters.

Ever since entering the lecture hall, Chi Xiao had been closely observing Chi Yanpeng. He noticed that his father seemed quite interested in Ming Can’s project and had also gained a newfound appreciation for her talent. This might lead to a shift in perspective, but it still wasn’t enough.

Chi Xiao spoke seriously, “Dad, I know you think this marriage alliance is too risky. After all, everything in this family belongs to you, and I shouldn’t take advantage of being your son to squander your assets. That’s why I want to ask you to give me some time to prove that I’m not just living off your legacy, but that I can also create new wealth for the Chi family.”

Chi Yanpeng raised his eyebrow. “You’re planning to start a business?”

“Mmm.” Chi Xiao’s tone was humble. “I wouldn’t call it starting a business. It’s just building something new based on the group’s existing technology.”

Chi Yanpeng asked, “In what field?”

“Large models,” Chi Xiao replied. “Right now, there isn’t much buzz about them domestically, but in the U.S., many high-tech companies and universities are already conducting research. I predict that within ten years, large models will become a dominant trend, even sweeping across every industry.”

Chi Yanpeng stroked his chin. “Go on.”

Chi Xiao continued, “I’ll likely work on this during my graduate studies, and I can also use A University’s platform to help the company attract talent. If this project takes off, the returns will be exponential. If you also see its potential, you could invest a bit more in me.”

“……” Chi Yanpeng suddenly fell silent.

This kid had always been quiet growing up, when did he become so cunning? First, he wanted him to invest in his girlfriend, and now he wanted him to invest in himself.

“I’ll think about it,” Chi Yanpeng said. “And then?”

Chi Xiao replied, “Give me a few years. By the time I graduate from my master’s program, if I’ve succeeded, it will prove that I have the ability to expand the company’s wealth. Ming Can and I had already planned to get married after graduation. At that point, the Chi family can openly support her. If any risks arise, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Chi Yanpeng sorted through the logic. In other words, for the next few years, he wouldn’t have to worry about the Ming family’s affairs. If he were to invest, it would only be in his own son. If Chi Xiao managed to make money and prove his capabilities, then the capital needed to support Ming Can’s rise in the future wouldn’t have to come entirely from him. And even if everything was lost, he would still have confidence that Chi Xiao had the ability to earn it back, significantly lowering the risk of squandering the family’s wealth.

Ming Can was still young, and her startup project would take years to develop. It wasn’t as if she could take control of the Ming family overnight. Chi Xiao was essentially buying time, using his own efforts to build up the capital needed to support their marriage alliance in the future.

Chi Yanpeng glanced at Chi Xiao discreetly. The boy who had never fought for anything, who had always seemed indifferent to wealth and power, had, just a few months ago, been willing to give up his position as heir just to be with Ming Can. And now, he sat before him, composed and methodical, negotiating business as an equal.

No matter what Chi Xiao’s ultimate goal was, Chi Yanpeng felt deeply gratified to see a trace of ambition in those once-indifferent eyes.

Neither father nor son brought up the question of what would happen if Chi Xiao failed.

If he failed, he would naturally lose all bargaining power. But Chi Yanpeng didn’t believe failure was likely. His instincts had always been sharp, whether in assessing projects or judging people.

His authoritative gaze shifted to the stage. Ming Can had finished presenting her project and was now answering the judges’ questions. She responded with clarity and confidence, addressing even the most challenging inquiries with well-founded reasoning.

“All right,” Chi Yanpeng finally nodded, agreeing to the deal. Then, he turned to Chi Xiao and asked, “What do you need from me right now?”

Nothing escaped a father’s eyes.

Though today’s discussion had revolved around the future, this negotiation had ultimately been about solving some present difficulties as well.

“I just need a few words from you,” Chi Xiao replied.

Chi Xiao leaned in close to his father’s ear and whispered for a while.

“…” After hearing him out, Chi Yanpeng’s expression instantly darkened. “You might as well just marry into her family.”

Chi Xiao: “…”

As Ming Can’s presentation concluded, Chi Yanpeng, sitting in a corner of the audience, tugged at his tie in frustration. With a sour expression, he stood up and strode out of the lecture hall.

Chi Xiao glanced toward the stage and saw Ming Can surrounded by her teammates. Without lingering, he turned and followed his father outside.

Though Chi Yanpeng had cursed at him just now for his request, he hadn’t outright rejected it.

The two walked all the way outdoors.

Dusk was settling in, and the campus paths were bustling with pedestrians and bicycles. The chatter of students filled the air. B University’s architecture, with its classical charm, stood silhouetted against the evening light. The fusion of its rich historical atmosphere and the vibrant energy of youth created a scene brimming with life.

Chi Yanpeng stopped by the roadside, gazing at the distant clouds tinged with the hues of sunset. His expression gradually softened as he turned to Chi Xiao and said, “Shall we find a place to eat?”

Chi Xiao glanced at the time, then suddenly said, “I heard you were on a business trip abroad recently. It’s probably been a while since you had dinner at home. Why don’t you go back tonight and spend some time with Ah Heng and Ah Yue?”

Chi Yanpeng was momentarily stunned by the suggestion. After a brief pause, he nodded and asked, “What about you?”

Chi Xiao replied, “I still have something to take care of.”

At home, there’s also a little one waiting for me to have dinner together.

Chi Xiao was the first to walk over to the car, opening the rear door for his father.

Chi Yanpeng said nothing more and silently got into the car.

As the vehicle started moving, he couldn’t help but glance back through the rear window.

The young man stood on the curb, his face, which was bearing a resemblance to his father’s, bathed in the golden-red glow of the setting sun.

He stood tall and steady, making it almost impossible to recall that he had once been a little boy who couldn’t even eat a meal alone.

—

As April arrived, the weather warmed quickly. The flowers Ming Can had planted on the balcony bloomed one after another, and the rose tree was in full blossom, a vibrant display of colors.

One afternoon, neither of them had classes, so they went to pick up Miaomiao from school early and brought him home.

Chi Xiao shared the results of his negotiation with his father. They were swift and effective, resolving two key matters at once. First, they wouldn’t have to marry immediately after graduation. Second, Ming Can was free to start her own business. For the first few years, she would rely solely on herself, and only after they were married, and if Chi Xiao managed to secure a strong position within the company, would the Chi family’s capital come into play.

“I never planned to rely on your family anyway,” Ming Can said. “But hey, only a fool wouldn’t use available resources. So, you better work hard, Miaomiao’s dad.”

As she spoke, she clung to Chi Xiao’s arm, sticking to him affectionately. Supposedly, they had come to the balcony to water the plants together, but in reality, Chi Xiao ended up doing all the work. Ming Can’s only role was to act as a decorative attachment to his arm, following him everywhere while teasing the little one on the side.

“Hey, you over there, little one.” Ming Can noticed Miaomiao squatting beside a potted fortune tree, digging at the soil for quite some time. Something felt off. “What are you doing?”

Miaomiao’s shoulders trembled. It was unclear whether he hadn’t heard her or simply didn’t dare to answer.

Ming Can left Chi Xiao behind and walked over. When she saw what was happening, she was instantly dumbfounded.

“This is… what exactly…?”

“Worms,” Miaomiao said. In front of him, his pencil case lay open, filled with a writhing mass of soft, squirming creatures. He carefully explained, “They didn’t like how dry the soil was at school, and I thought the soil in our flower pots seemed nice and moist, so I brought them all home.”

“…” Ming Can felt dizzy. “Where did you even get so many?”

“I dug them up,” Miaomiao said matter-of-factly. “Dad told me what kind of soil is good for finding earthworms, so I tried it out in the little grove at school today. There were so many! Dad is amazing!”

Chi Xiao: “…”

He seriously suspected that this kid was deliberately steering Ming Can’s wrath toward him.

“It’s getting late,” Chi Xiao said, setting down the watering can. “You two have fun. I’m going to make dinner.”

But Ming Can was quick, grabbing his arm before he could escape. “Don’t even think about running.”

“I’m not running. I really do need to cook—”

“You go tell Miaomiao that he can’t bring things like this home anymore, and then get rid of all those worms,” Ming Can ordered. She stepped into the room and, with a loud bang, slid the balcony door shut, locking the two of them outside. “Don’t come in until it’s done!”

She had a serious fear of soft-bodied creatures. Just the thought of them made her skin crawl. Shuddering, she hurried to the bedroom, scrubbing her hands even though she hadn’t touched anything.

At that moment, her phone rang.

Still rubbing her arms, she walked over and picked up the call. “Aunt?”

“Yes, it’s me,” Ming Shu said. “You know Grandma’s birthday is this weekend, right?”

“I know. I’ll be there.”

“The thing you asked me to look into, your dad’s matchmaking, I found out about it today,” Ming Shu said. “That woman, Jiang Yichu, got involved with our family as soon as she returned to the country last month. Mom really likes her and has already introduced her to your dad. I heard she’ll be at Grandma’s birthday banquet this weekend.”

“That fast?” Ming Can frowned.

It made sense, though. If Duan Hanyan had arranged the introduction, then given the Chi family’s influence, her grandparents would definitely take this match seriously.

Besides, Jiang Yichu had excellent credentials. The Jiang family was wealthy to begin with, and after her late husband passed away, a significant portion of his estate went to her. Not to mention, she was beautiful and a few years younger than her father. If she wanted to, having a son for him wouldn’t be an issue at all.

“I understand,” Ming Can said steadily. “I’ll figure out a way to handle it.”

“What’s your plan?”

“If she suddenly returned at this particular time just to go on a blind date with my dad, it’s definitely not because she thinks he’s handsome,” Ming Can said. “She and my dad don’t have any emotional connection yet. As long as she feels that this marriage isn’t worth it, she’ll probably back off on her own.”

Ming Shu sighed. “I’ve been really busy lately and won’t be able to go back this weekend. Will you be able to handle all those elders by yourself?”

Ming Can smiled. “Don’t worry, Aunt. I’m not alone.”

After hanging up, she walked into the living room, weighed down by heavy thoughts. She spotted Chi Xiao on the balcony, went over, and opened the door. With a muffled voice, she said, “Chi Xiao, this weekend…”

She had only managed a few words when she noticed several suspiciously wriggling pieces of something on the tiled balcony floor. Her voice turned ice-cold as she asked, “What are you two doing?”

Miaomiao, eyes wide with horror, ran over to Ming Can and accused, “Dad is so cruel! He cut the earthworms up! He said they can still live that way, but I swear I heard them screaming in agony—”

“AAHHHHHH—!” Ming Can let out a bloodcurdling scream. “Both of you, stay away from me!”

With that, she slammed the sliding door shut again. Miaomiao stood frozen for a moment, rubbing his ears, then turned back to Chi Xiao with his cheeks puffed out in protest. “Dad, you scared Mom away, and you killed the earthworms. You’re really bad!”

“They’re not dead,” Chi Xiao said. “Look, they’re still moving.”

“Really?” Miaomiao squatted down, leaning in closer. He could hear the faint friction sound of the worms squirming, almost as if they were whispering—

[Humans… are truly… despicable…]

“They’re actually still alive!” Miaomiao exclaimed excitedly. “Dad, you’re amazing!”

“Not bad,” Chi Xiao said, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. Then, his gaze flicked toward the doorway, and his smile vanished. Casually, he grabbed the hood of Miaomiao’s sweatshirt and tugged it, signaling him to stop grinning and turn around.

Miaomiao twisted his head toward the balcony entrance, only to find himself staring down the dark barrel of a gun.

Ming Can was standing there, holding Miaomiao’s toy Gatling gun. She slowly aimed the barrel back and forth between the two of them. “Alright,” she said coldly. “Which one of you wants to die first?”