Hearing the number, Cheng Dong curled his lips in disdain and snorted, "One hundred million? I didn't expect Du Qin to be so stingy!"
What?
Song Qiao's heart sank, and he immediately realized something was wrong.
It's over! I asked for too little!
Fearing Song Qiao would go back on his word, Cheng Dong quickly tried to build rapport and make an offer. "Helmsman, you see, we are family!" he said. "Why sell it so cheaply to that stingy Du Qin? How about this, I'll offer 500 million! What do you say?"
"Alright!" Song Qiao's face showed a hint of satisfaction.
Before Cheng Dong could be overjoyed, Song Qiao lowered his head to look at his phone, and then his eyebrows shot up. "Sorry, Du Qin is going all out this time and offered 1 billion."
"Helmsman Cheng, we'll talk another time." With that, Song Qiao picked up the stone carving and was about to put it back in his embrace.
"No, no, impossible!" Cheng Dong rushed forward, carefully stopping Song Qiao and saying, "Du Qin can't possibly have that much money!"
Song Qiao was unfazed and didn't pay attention to Cheng Dong's doubts. He picked up the stone carving and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Cheng Dong immediately became anxious and rushed to block the doorway, refusing to let him go.
A trace of anger flashed across Song Qiao's face as he stared at Cheng Dong and questioned, "You dare to stop me?"
Cheng Dong quickly waved his hands, forcing a smile as he explained, "You misunderstand. I'm not doubting you. I'm just worried that Du Qin might have tricked you!"
"How about this? Since Du Qin offered 1 billion, I'll offer 1 billion too!"
"The same price, and we're family, aren't we?"
Song Qiao smiled and shook his head, replying with a lewd expression. "Even though the price is the same, I haven't even tried Du Qin's daughter yet."
"That's all for today. I have to go."
Cheng Dong's face immediately fell. That scoundrel, tired of his own daughter after just two days? Turning around to find a new plaything, he was clearly a渣男 (scum man)! But thinking of the stone carving in his hand, Cheng Dong chose to endure. He knew very well what consequences awaited him if Du Qin became the Helmsman of Modu! Historically, those who competed with others never ended well! So he looked at Song Qiao and said in a deep voice, "Name your price!"
Song Qiao feigned a look of difficulty. After carefully calculating, he quoted a price. "2 billion! No bargaining!"
"How—how much? 2 billion?"
Hearing the number, Cheng Dong's face darkened considerably. It had increased twentyfold from the initial 100 million. This wild lion really dared to ask for such a price! This 2 billion would require the Cheng family to go all out, and it made Cheng Dong's heart ache. But considering the benefits he would gain after this investment, he could only grit his teeth and agree.
"Fine! 2 billion it is!" Cheng Dong was not stupid. 2 billion was indeed a huge loss for him. But if Du Qin took over the position of Helmsman, it would be more than just a loss. He would at least lose a layer of skin! Furthermore, if he became the Helmsman, the 2 billion spent would be recouped in no time. So, after agreeing, he paid promptly.
Song Qiao's phone immediately received an overseas remittance. It was a transaction from a Swiss bank. Upon checking, he saw a full 2 billion had been credited!
Song Qiao nodded with great satisfaction and tossed the stone carving in his embrace to Cheng Dong. "With the Grand Helmsman's token, becoming the Helmsman of the Modu branch is easy."
"A great empire awaits you, Helmsman Cheng can ascend the throne at any time!"
"Hey, be careful! What if you break it!"
Seeing Song Qiao toss it directly to him, Cheng Dong almost fainted from fright. He hastily caught it and grumbled with a hint of complaint. Staring intently at the stone carving in his arms, Cheng Dong's eyes were filled with greed. His back straightened, and he was no longer as polite to Song Qiao as before.
"Since the transaction is complete, I will not fail the Grand Helmsman's trust."
"Please see yourself out!" Cheng Dong carefully put the stone carving into his embrace and gestured for Song Qiao to leave, clearly showing him the door.
Song Qiao let out two cold laughs. "As expected of someone from a merchant background, Helmsman Cheng has not disappointed me!"
With the money in hand, Song Qiao had no interest in reminiscing with his father-in-law. He left after saying this.
Cheng Dong, with both hands clutching the stone carving, watched Song Qiao's retreating figure from the balcony. His face contorted into a ferocious expression, and he grumbled fiercely, "With the Grand Helmsman's token, you really think you're the Grand Helmsman?"
"Hmph! You're just a eunuch delivering messages!"
"How dare you extort my money? When I become the Helmsman, I'll make you spit it all back soon!"
Creak, creak.
Not long after Song Qiao left, the sound of high heels echoed from the stairs. Then, a woman in her thirties walked up from downstairs. It was Cheng Dong's mistress, Tian Meng!