The cinema interior was as silent as a deep pool.
After Qin Chuan finished speaking, only the slightly rapid breathing of Wang Bailin, seated in his wheelchair, proved that the other party was not at peace.
Qin Chuan said no more, found a seat, offered his elder brother a cigarette, and lit one himself. The brothers smoked in silence.
After an unknown period, Wang Bailin finally stirred. His eyes were fixed on Qin Chuan's face, his voice hoarse, "Do you know what consequences my Taishan Enterprise would face if this revenge fails?"
"The Han family is no ordinary foe. These people are ruthless. We are all living examples."
Qin Chuan said earnestly, "If the Han family can still win under the circumstances of our multiple alliances, then it can only be said that they are truly too strong, and we would have no complaints about losing!"
"But if our side wins, it will send shockwaves through the entire Jin Province coal industry, a complete reshuffling of power, with countless beneficiaries."
"Mr. Wang, you are more aware than outsiders like us of Taishan Enterprise's current situation."
"None of your Wang family's younger generation are outstanding enough to inherit your legacy. Have you considered what fate Taishan Enterprise will face when you can no longer manage it?"
Qin Chuan asked a very sharp question.
Wang Bailin's eyes widened, seemingly surprised that Qin Chuan knew so much about his Wang family. His expression then became uncertain.
"If I were you, I would firmly seize this rare opportunity, not only to have a chance for revenge but also to ally with other forces, making Taishan Enterprise stronger and deterring lesser rivals."
"This way, even after you pass away and your descendants take over, you can rest a little easier, as outsiders will see Taishan Enterprise as having powerful allies. Wouldn't you agree?"
As Qin Chuan's words became more incisive, Wang Bailin's breathing grew more rapid, until he was gasping like an ox. His hands trembled as he fumbled in his pocket, pulled out a bottle of medicine, opened it, and quickly swallowed two pills.
Qin Chuan and Qin Yang were startled, quickly fetching a glass of water for him and asking what was wrong.
Wang Bailin drank the water, swallowed the pills, and then smiled, shaking his head, "It's nothing, just an old ailment. It was time for my medication."
Qin Chuan breathed a sigh of relief. He certainly didn't want the man to die now; that would be disastrous.
He would have failed to find an ally and instead become a suspect.
A few minutes later, Wang Bailin's condition stabilized. He looked at Qin Chuan with undisguised complexity in his eyes and said, "Boss Qin, if only you were a member of my Wang family!"
"Even if I were to die this very moment, I would die with great satisfaction!"
Qin Chuan's heart skipped a beat. What was this?
Was this old man considering adopting him, making him a godson to inherit the Wang family's business?
It was indeed tempting. It was a shame, however, that Qin Chuan had no intention of taking another father. One father was enough for his lifetime.
Besides, he had the ability to make money himself. While his current assets might not match the Wang family's, in a few years, they would undoubtedly surpass them.
Fortunately, Wang Bailin did not say anything of that sort. He merely sighed with melancholy,
"If only my Wang family had descendants as sharp-minded and intelligent as you, Boss Qin!"
Qin Chuan felt relieved and wasn't sure how to comfort him.
Throughout history, whether it be dynasties or noble families, all inevitably faced the transition from peak to decline. People often said wealth doesn't pass three generations, and it was the same principle.
A family enterprise would also go from prosperity to decline. Cases like the Wang family, with a gap in succession, were common worldwide and quite normal.
By the time they left the cinema, it was already noon.
Wang Bailin invited Qin Chuan and Qin Yang for lunch, an invitation Qin Chuan accepted.
However, others were added to this lunch.
There were two young men, around Qin Chuan's age. From Wang Bailin, he learned one was named Wang Ye and the other Wang Ming, Wang Bailin's two grandsons who worked at Taishan Enterprise.
The two young men looked at Qin Chuan with curiosity.
Qin Chuan didn't know why Wang Bailin had invited his grandsons to this dinner, but it was their affair, so he didn't ask.
During the meal, Wang Bailin, like a kind elder, introduced his grandsons to Qin Chuan and then asked Qin Chuan about his current business and its scale.
Qin Chuan, unsure of Wang Bailin's intentions, truthfully described his current industries, such as real estate, his renovation company, and most importantly, the "Divine Shield Storage Cabinet" project, as well as his recent strategic moves.
People inherently have different aptitudes. Being slow-witted is not frightening; what is frightening is a lack of ambition.
He was old and did not expect his descendants to elevate the family business to new heights. His wish was simple: he only hoped his descendants could maintain the family fortune. That would be enough.
But unfortunately, among the Wang family's descendants, there was a group of mediocre talents, none capable of taking on major responsibilities.
With no other recourse, Wang Bailin had turned his attention to his grandsons.
These two young men were his carefully selected choices. They might not be exceptional, but his demands were not high; as long as they could hold onto the family business, it would suffice.
As the banquet drew to a close, Wang Bailin had his grandsons leave. Only when it was just him and the Qin brothers present did he finally get to the main topic.
Wang Bailin stated his decision to Qin Chuan: if Xishan Coal Industry, Jin'an Group, and other forces decided to act against the Han family, he would undoubtedly risk his old life.
But if no one made a move, then he would let it go.
The revenge for his legs had been too many years ago. He had forgotten most of it and did not want to bring further trouble to the family...