Chapter 184: Chapter 183: I Still Prefer Qing Lan
"Wait a minute."
Le Yu suddenly thought of a possibility: "What if it’s not? What if Ting Gu just wants to use this opportunity to kill off the young direct lineage of the nine major associations? The Ting Family has another eldest son besides Ting Chaozao, right?"
"That’s why it’s an open conspiracy," Qin Le Yin said, "The Ting Family has two heirs, so Ting Gu dares to play such a dual-sided open conspiracy. No matter the situation, the Ting Family wins without loss. But I’m more inclined to believe that the assassination negotiation team will return alive."
"Why?"
"Because he is ’Zhen Ting’ Ting Gu, a wily hero on the brink of old age!" Qin Le Yin said seriously, "Don’t think that the idea of annexing the Silver Blood Association is exclusive to us; if anyone is closest to the Silver Blood Association’s throne, it’s undoubtedly Ting Gu!"
"He’s been wanting to annex the eighty-eight associations of the Silver Blood for over thirty years!"
"As long as he can devour the top ten associations, the Silver Blood Association would be in his pocket, and the Ting Family could rule Dongyang with money!"
"Ting Gu cannot abandon such an opportunity, he will not leave such a goal for future generations, he must want to witness the rise of the Ting Family before he dies!"
"Ting Gu originally thought he had no hope in this life, but the surprise attack of the Linhai Army gave him a bold idea."
"I don’t know what contingencies Ting Gu has prepared, but I’m willing to bet once."
Qin Le Yin said in a low voice, "I bet that until his death, Ting Gu remains the arrogant and proud youth, and even if he dies, he’ll push the Ting Family to glory or drag it into the abyss!"
Hearing Qin Le Yin’s words, Le Yu suddenly thought of Jing Qingfu, who lay immobile on the hospital bed but whose eyes remained sharp, as if eternally youthful.
Absolutely brilliant, how come you black-hearted capitalists have such ideals and such execution?
You villains have such high stats, but the highest-statted White Night Walker I’ve ever seen is still a brainless she-dinosaur.
White Night is truly challenging.
Le Yu: "The way to crack this scheme, is it to send a real direct heir?"
Qin Le Yin nodded: "That’s right. Ting Chaozao has abilities, but he cannot command the younger generation, let alone you as the young master of the Jing Family, he cannot even compare to me."
Praise and adulation, if I accept even one word, consider it my loss... Le Yu nodded repeatedly, unable to suppress a smile at the corners of his mouth.
"As long as we come back alive, the presidency of the Silver Blood Association will definitely move from the Ting Family’s hands. At that time, reshuffling and reorganization will be a great opportunity for both of us."
Le Yu suddenly said, "But I don’t have to go. You can send your direct lineage heir, but I can send my third brother, and at most, I’ll cede the position to him."
"Actually, I don’t love money. The thing I regret most in my life is founding the Youth Daily."
"..." Qin Le Yin fiddled with his red hair, calming his mood before speaking: "Of course you can, but..."
"Don’t you have your own goals? If you become the president of the Silver Blood Association, perhaps you can achieve better results by better means."
"More peaceful, more easygoing results that don’t need to cost many lives."
Le Yu’s expression remained unchanged: "My ambition is to count money until my hands cramp and sleep until I naturally wake up—so I’ve already achieved my life’s goals."
"As you like," Qin Le Yin said, "Then I’ll visit your third brother to discuss the details. This negotiation team is bound to forge alliances, and the Qin Family will stand with your Jing Family on the same line no matter what."
The car fell into silence as Le Yu closed his eyes.
A better result... huh?
...
...
"I’m not going."
In the study of the Jing Family villa, Le Yu glanced at Jing Zhengtang, coughing lightly: "You can go find your fiancée first."
"No need to look, she’s already asleep. I’ve decided not to go."
"Don’t you discuss everything with her?"
"No need to discuss, anyway, I’m not going."
Jing Zhengtang shook his head violently, like a child refusing to take medicine.
Le Yu exchanged glances with Qin Le Yin, then continued, "If you come back alive, you’ll be the patriarch of the Jing Family, maybe even the president of the Silver Blood Association, and our contract would be void. You could live freely in Xuanzhu County, wouldn’t that be nice?"
"No," Jing Zhengtang replied firmly, "I have no attachment to Xuanzhu County, and I’m afraid to die."
"You might not die, listen to me..."
"I know, big brother, you wouldn’t give me a mission destined to fail," Jing Zhengtang interrupted, "But I can’t take any risks."
"Feiwei has no family, no one to rely on. If I die, she’ll have nothing left. You might be able to persuade Feiwei, but absolutely not me. No future prospects can compare to the present."
"Perhaps because of her humble origins, Feiwei is very persistent about wealth and power. If she hadn’t insisted, I wouldn’t have fought for the position of the patriarch. If you talk to her about this, she’ll definitely find ways to make me agree, and I believe if I die, she wouldn’t survive alone."
"She believes a man should accomplish great feats, and she thinks that’s good for me, and I’m very grateful."
"But no matter what, I won’t agree this time. Even if you think I’m weak, I won’t change my answer."
Le Yu wanted to say something like ’I’ll take care of your wife and children,’ but seeing Jing Zhengtang’s seriousness, he suppressed his playful thoughts.
After Jing Zhengtang left, Qin Le Yin said, "Your Jing Family really is full of talent."
"Sarcasm?"
"No, truly," Qin Le Yin shook his head, "Acknowledging one’s weakness is also a kind of strength. There are plenty of spineless mediocrities in the world clinging to face; few recognize themselves correctly. I already had a slight liking for Jing Zhengtang, but after this meeting, I respect him even more."
"Then," he changed the topic, "Who do you plan to send? Any young member of the Jing Family?"
Before Le Yu could respond, there was a knock on the door.
Mi Die pushed the door open and, seeing the atmosphere in the study, calmly asked, "...Young Master, are you preparing to retire for the night?"
Qin Le Yin stood up, "Alright, let’s have a heart-to-heart tonight—"
Le Yu replied grumpily, "Get lost."
Qin Le Yin didn’t take it to heart, leaving as he said, "Then I’ll head back for now, but..."
"Young Master Jing, don’t you want a better outcome? Overthrowing from below is a satisfying and intense thunderous revenge, but change from above can be a benevolent gift for everyone."
Le Yu clicked his tongue: "Qin Le Yin, what are you trying to say, speaking so roundabout? I feel like calling someone over to beat you up!"
Mi Die nodded, seemingly ready at any moment.
"Young Master Jing, I like you very much," Qin Le Yin declared surprisingly, "Because of your rebelliousness, because of your audacity, and above all..."
"You’re like the gear of destiny, accelerating the Xuanzhu Silver Blood machine to the next historical process."
"I just believe that heaven’s will is hard to defy."
"So, see you tomorrow."
"Won’t see, won’t see." Le Yu waved his hand, signaling Qin Le Yin to leave quickly.
Mi Die thoughtfully watched Qin Le Yin’s departing figure and suddenly asked, "Will the Jing and Qin Families still merge?"
Le Yu was startled, then realized what Mi Die meant and looked displeased: "What nonsense, believe it or not, I’ll fire you."
Mi Die gave an ’oh’: "I thought Young Master wasn’t interested in women..."
Le Yu snorted, "Who says that? You seem mature and alluring to me."
"Fine, I’ll inform Qing Lan to sleep elsewhere tonight and serve the Young Master myself." The thirty-something widow bodyguard Mi Die showed no fear of Le Yu’s childish teasing, pretending to leave.
"No need, no need, I still prefer Qing Lan, queue up." Le Yu repeatedly refused.
Halfway to the door, Mi Die stopped: "What?"
Le Yu spoke up loudly, "I said, I still prefer Qing Lan, you’d better find a man to marry soon, or I’ll fire you!"
"Huh?"
With a cup of iced honey-flavored Five-Flower Tea, Qing Lan walked to the study door, tilting her little head, cheeks flushed, looking at Le Yu.