Lin Tong gave Ye Xuan a sidelong glance and said grumpily, "Over the next few days, we might need to go on a business trip, so you should head back and prepare well. Once the company’s affairs are stabilized, you, me, and Yumo will each go and negotiate with these partners."
"A business trip? Yumo is going too?"
Ye Xuan was taken aback upon hearing this. He had thought it would be just him and Lin Tong, but now this woman was coming along too – wouldn’t he just be a third wheel?
Besides, the relationship between these two women was a bit delicate, which promised a stimulating journey.
Lin Tong confirmed, "That’s right, before Yumo was in HR, she worked in marketing and is quite skilled in negotiations. When I discuss major deals, I always have her with me. Bringing Yumo this time is also to increase the likelihood of successful negotiations."
"This... wife, aren’t you afraid something might happen between her and me if you bring her along?"
Ye Xuan tentatively probed.
"I’m warning you, under my watch, you’d better not get any funny ideas or do anything reckless."
Lin Tong glared at Ye Xuan, her face full of threatening intent.
"Cough cough, wife, you’re thinking too much. I wouldn’t dare play with fire in front of you..."
Ye Xuan gave a dry cough, forcing a sheepish smile.
Internally, he grumbled that what was once a cozy world for two was now interrupted by a third party. Being caught between two women would surely be tough on him.
It seemed that he would need to be extra cautious; otherwise, any misstep could lead to real trouble!
Bangyao Group, the family enterprise of the Song Family.
The Black Gold Tower, an iconic building in East Sea City, stood an impressive forty-six stories high. The tower’s walls were covered in black gold glass, majestic and eye-catching, like a steely warrior standing guard here.
This conspicuous ’steel warrior’ was well-known in East Sea City as the headquarters of Bangyao Group, one of the four major families.
At precisely three o’clock in the afternoon, a black Bentley stopped in front of the Black Gold Tower of the Bangyao Group. Lin Dongfang, clad in a suit and leather shoes, stepped out of the car.
Lifting his gaze to the towering skyscraper before him, Lin Dongfang straightened his collar and strode into the building.
He had phoned earlier in the morning to make an appointment and had encountered no obstacles upon arrival. After checking in at the reception and announcing his name, he was escorted by the staff toward the chairman’s office.
His visit to Bangyao Group was naturally to meet with Chairman Song Bangyao. In the midst of Eastern Group’s crisis, only by soliciting the Song Family’s favor could they be saved.
After arriving at the chairman’s office, Lin Dongfang was asked to wait there while an attendant went in to announce his presence.
Meanwhile, inside the chairman’s office, Song Bangyao, dressed in casual white attire, was playing indoor golf with a club.
At that moment, a well-dressed middle-aged man in his thirties, sporting shiny black shoes, entered the room and respectfully said to Song Bangyao, who was swinging his golf club, "Chairman, Mr. Lin, a director from Eastern Group, has arrived and is waiting outside."
Song Bangyao swung his club without looking back and ordered.
The middle-aged man did as told and courteously closed the door behind him.
Shortly after, the door was pushed open again, and the man returned, leading Lin Dongfang inside. He gestured politely and said, "Mr. Lin, the chairman is waiting for you inside. Please come in."
Nodding politely at the other party, Lin Dongfang tightened his necktie and stepped into the office.
Upon seeing Lin Dongfang enter, Song Bangyao continued to play golf, completely ignoring him, leaving Lin Dongfang no choice but to stand awkwardly to the side.
Only when a ball went into the hole did Song Bangyao put down his golf club and turn to look towards Lin Dongfang, playing coy as he said,
"Well, well, who do I have here? Isn’t this President Lin of Eastern Group? What brings you here?"
Lin Dongfang had grown impatient from waiting, but he didn’t dare to speak up, anxious like an ant on a hot pan.
Now that the other party had finally finished, Lin Dongfang rubbed his hands together and stepped forward with a smile plastered on his face, "Director Song, you’re jesting too much! How could I dare to call myself President Lin in front of you? Just call me Little Lin."
At this moment, Lin Dongfang’s attitude was the pinnacle of humility, a stark contrast to his usual commanding presence.
Leaning on his golf club, Song Bangyao ignored Lin Dongfang’s flattery and said indifferently, "President Lin, I’m curious, what brings you to visit Bangyao Group?"
Lin Dongfang organized his thoughts, then carefully said, "Director Song, I’ve come to your company with thick skin to ask you for a favor. Could you please, for old time’s sake, spare Eastern Group?"
"Oh? Spare you, President Lin? What do you mean by that?"
Song Bangyao’s eyes flashed, feigning ignorance as he slowly spoke.
"Director Song, let’s not beat around the bush as we’re both clear-headed people. Recently, Eastern Group’s brands have run into some issues, and our three big partners—Mei Lina, Yu Xi, and King—have all terminated their contracts. Surely, this couldn’t have been your doing, right?"
Lin Dongfang inquired.
"Heh, are you here to question me?" Song Bangyao sneered coldly.
"No... That’s not what I meant! You’ve misunderstood me, Director Song. I’m just here to understand the situation, that’s all."
Lin Dongfang quickly gestured with his hands, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
"You want to understand? Alright, let me clarify it for you. I did it, but what does it matter?"
Song Bangyao no longer denied his involvement, his mouth twisted with a sneer of disdain and mockery as he spoke.
"Director Song, I implore you, could you please let Eastern Group off the hook, and not be utterly ruthless?"
Lin Dongfang’s tone was pleading, meekly spoken.
"Utterly ruthless? Ha ha, are you kidding me? Who’s going to look out for my son if I let you go?"
Song Bangyao scoffed disdainfully, a fierce expression appearing on his face as he stared down Lin Dongfang with a threatening aura, "Lin Dongfang, you really picked a fine son-in-law didn’t you? My son is still lying in the hospital, and the doctors say he will be an idiot for the rest of his life! If I don’t utterly destroy you, who will avenge my son?"
Lin Dongfang clenched his teeth and said, "There’s a head for every wrong and a debtor for every debt! The affair with young master Song was all Ye Xuan’s doing, it has nothing to do with our Lin Family... Director Song, you can’t take your anger out on us!"
"President Lin, we could have become in-laws, but you chose Ye Xuan to be your son-in-law instead. My son has ended up , and your Lin Family cannot shirk the blame!"
Song Bangyao’s face was grim as he coolly said,
"Is there anything wrong with me seeking vengeance on your Lin Family?"
"This... this is a separate matter! Director Song, our Lin Family has never acknowledged Ye Xuan’s status. He is not my son-in-law Lin Dongfang, so how can you count him as part of the Lin Family? Even if you seek revenge for young master Song, you should be looking for Ye Xuan, that bastard!"
Lin Dongfang argued urgently.
Upon hearing these words, Song Bangyao thought to himself, damn it, don’t I wish I could take my revenge on Ye Xuan?
But I can’t beat him, the assassin I hired was killed by him. Now, I can only strike at your Lin Family!
Of course, he couldn’t say these thoughts out loud. After all, he just needed to endure for a while. Once Fengye’s five-star assassin arrived, Ye Xuan would be dealt with.