A brilliant smile also appeared on Lin Xiaotian's face, "I truly had a big misunderstanding about you all."
President Wu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Lin Xiaotian's earlier words were just a joke, meant to scare him, and he hadn't actually discovered anything.
However, before his thoughts could fully settle, Lin Xiaotian's voice reached him again, this time carrying a hint of icy killing intent.
"I never expected you people to be so audacious. Especially you, President Wu, knowing my strength, you still dared to scheme under my nose."
"My misunderstanding was underestimating the sheer nerve of you people."
"But I believe you've also misunderstood me, thinking I'm easy to deal with. The fact that I didn't trouble you for your past actions, did that give you the confidence to push your luck?"
President Wu's heart leaped. He wanted to explain something but met Lin Xiaotian's gaze.
In that instant, he felt like prey being targeted.
"Mr. Lin, I believe you must be mistaken. This matter was already agreed upon. We all consented to let you join our Antique Association. Once you join us, we're one big family."
"We'll advance and retreat together. I can even hand over my position as President of the Antique Association to you."
"After all, I'm getting old and can't manage this work anymore. But handing it over to you is like... "
However, before he could finish, Lin Xiaotian raised his hand and slapped him.
"Slap!"
The crisp sound of the slap was exceptionally loud.
President Wu's vision blurred from the blow, his ears ringing incessantly. A trickle of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
The people in the Antique Association were stunned. No one had expected someone to dare slap their president right at the entrance of the Antique Association.
Everyone's mouths gaped in shock, momentarily forgetting to react.
President Wu stared blankly at Lin Xiaotian. Feeling the intense pain, he suddenly came to his senses. Rage burned in his eyes.
At this moment, he wished he could tear Lin Xiaotian to pieces. But he knew very well that falling out with Lin Xiaotian now would have truly severe consequences.
If Lin Xiaotian left, their plan would be completely ruined. At that point, the Chu Group would absolutely show no mercy and would relentlessly attack their market without reservation.
The Chu Group today was vastly different from its past, and with the cooperation of the Xu family, it was poised for an unprecedented rise.
"Mr. Lin, you've gone too far!"
He gritted out the words through clenched teeth.
But as soon as his voice fell, Lin Xiaotian backhanded him again.
President Wu almost fell to the ground from the second slap. The rage on his face could no longer be contained.
Lin Xiaotian sneered mockingly, "Do you still think I've gone too far now?"
"My wife already told me that as fellow city dwellers, she wouldn't push you all to the point of having no room to survive. So, the next step in development was to expand outwards."
"Our company had already prepared the second phase of our development plan, but we never expected you to harbor such malicious intentions and plot behind our backs."
"Using such despicable means. Did you think that by delaying me here, your plan would surely succeed?"
"Since I've already guessed what you're up to, do you think I wouldn't have any countermeasures?"
"Even if I stayed here with you the whole time, your Antique Association's trash wouldn't be able to achieve what you want."
President Wu's pupils constricted sharply. He felt he might have just shot himself in the foot.
Previously, his greatest fear was the Chu Group's unchecked expansion, as he would be the first to bear the brunt of it.
But he never imagined that Chu Nianxue had already made plans, clearly intending to leave them some room to survive.
"Mr. Lin, we haven't made any such crazy plans. We simply wanted you to join the Antique Association. I swear to heaven, if I lie to you, may I die a terrible death."
Lin Xiaotian said with a half-smile, "You said it yourself."
"There are gods watching above. If you break your oath, you will truly die a terrible death."
President Wu's heart pounded rapidly. He saw the mockery in Lin Xiaotian's eyes, clearly a warning. But oaths were just jokes, meant to be broken.
He didn't take the words seriously. He forced a smile onto his face, but with those two swollen cheeks, it looked incredibly comical.
"Mr. Lin, I really wouldn't dare lie to you. And as you said, you'll give us room to survive, so we won't do anything foolish."
"Please come to our company. Let's slowly discuss future cooperation plans?"
Lin Xiaotian said with a half-smile, "Forget it. I'll just wait here. Because I want to see you die a terrible death."
In President Wu's mind, he had his own plan. He had no intention of informing those people to return. Who knew if Lin Xiaotian was exaggerating? He hadn't found any evidence of Lin Xiaotian having any powerful backing.
However, Lin Xiaotian had already seen through his thoughts.
The smile on his face grew more pronounced, "I said, I will just watch you die a terrible death."
"Your oath will come true."
President Wu looked at Lin Xiaotian's smile, a terrible premonition filling his heart. His expression grew increasingly stiff.
"Mr. Lin, I'll return to the company to handle some minor matters first. If you want to wait, you can wait here."
He dared not face Lin Xiaotian any longer. The fear made him feel as if he were facing the Grim Reaper.
Lin Xiaotian waved his hand, his expression unchanged.
The moment President Wu turned to leave, an imperceptible spiritual energy entered his body.
President Wu breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back into the association.
He hesitated whether to call those people back. If their plan succeeded, he would have leverage over Lin Xiaotian, and their plan would be fully implemented.