"You think it's too little?"
Tang Guanghe narrowed his eyes, a sinister glint flashing in his pupils as he chuckled, "Bold, ambitious!"
"Ten million isn't enough? How about a hundred million?"
"Everyone has value, and that value can be converted into money."
"There are very few people in Qin Prefecture worth a hundred million, and you are an exception."
"After the charity auction, the Lü Group will become your backer. By then, you'll be soaring in Qin Prefecture."
Tang Guanghe smiled, but a trace of undeniable contempt flickered in his eyes.
He assumed Li Chonglou was using this as an opportunity to drive up the price.
It didn't matter.
Whether it was ten million or a hundred million, it was just a number to him.
Compared to the Lü Group, it was insignificant.
And Li Chonglou was merely a tool he intended to use temporarily.
As long as Lü Chenggong participated in the charity auction and bid on the sweet white glaze, his mission would be accomplished.
Then, he would have Lu Weishen expose the authenticity of the sweet white glaze on the spot, creating a major scandal.
Lü Chenggong would suffer greatly, even if he wasn't ruined.
As for a nobody like Li Chonglou, he would undoubtedly be branded as unreliable and accused of taking bribes.
His reputation would be destroyed.
"You misunderstand."
Li Chonglou sneered, "I want all your assets!"
"You're using me to trick Lü Chenggong into auctioning a fake sweet white glaze, and then exposing him publicly to ruin him."
"At that point, I'll become a rat crossing the street, and everyone will want to beat me."
"With your hundred million, you think you can buy out my entire life's achievements?"
"Dream on!"
How could Tang Guanghe's ulterior motives escape his sharp eyes?
A hundred million.
And he would be indebted to the Tang family for life.
Even if Lü Yunxu had invited Huang Qishan to operate on his mother, it was a great kindness.
Even if they were mere acquaintances, Li Chonglou would never surrender his will to others.
Money could be earned with time.
If he sold his soul, he would only be a walking corpse for the rest of his life.
Silence.
The entire hall was struck with awe.
Tang Guanghe's face turned ashen, his eyes chilling.
He unconsciously met Lu Weishen's gaze, the shock in his eyes undeniable.
Li Chonglou's words were like a bolt from the blue, stunning him.
Only a handful of people knew about this matter. How did he unravel this scheme?
Had someone leaked information?
Impossible!
To ensure secrecy, the informant had already been sent abroad for discreet handling, ensuring no information could escape.
Tang Xiuzhu was his son, and he would never tell Li Chonglou such things.
Aside from that, only Lu Weishen knew his plan.
But Lu Weishen was on the same boat as him; he would never betray him. He was confident of that.
Beside him, Lu Weishen's eyes twitched, his gaze sharp.
He admitted he had underestimated Li Chonglou. This kid was no ordinary person.
Given time, he might even surpass him.
But looking at the situation, it seemed he wouldn't get the chance to grow.
Tang Guanghe had been lurking for years, waiting for this moment, and he wouldn't allow it to be disrupted.
Indeed, Tang Guanghe suppressed his surging emotions and feigned ignorance, asking, "What do you mean by that, Mr. Li?"
"Old Lü is my partner. We founded the Lü Group together and are like brothers."
"Everything I'm doing today is for his own good. The Lü Group is facing external threats and internal strife, and desperately needs positive publicity."
"And the charity auction is the best way to achieve this."
As he spoke, his innocent expression and heartfelt gaze were truly Oscar-worthy.
If Li Chonglou hadn't known the outcome of this scheme beforehand, he might have been deceived.
"An antique appraiser must also be skilled at detecting lies."
Li Chonglou spoke calmly and seriously, "You and Lü Chenggong have been at odds for a long time, with constant internal strife."
"If this were for the Lü Group, the person negotiating with me today should be Lü Chenggong, not you."
"Since your son set up the trap at Qin Yun Mountain Villa, I've suspected his motives."
"He doesn't know me at all, so why such great animosity?"
"As you yourself said, businessmen pursue profit. Unless I obstructed you in some way."
"Until now, you're willing to spend a hundred million to make me change my words."
"Your objective is crystal clear!"
Half truth, half deduction.
Li Chonglou wouldn't tell Tang Guanghe that he had lived through two lifetimes and already knew the outcome.
By laying bare the truth now, he aimed to force Tang Guanghe to reveal his true colors!
Tang Guanghe and Lu Weishen's expressions changed simultaneously.
The glint of killing intent flickered in their eyes.
This alone was enough to ascertain his intentions.
Li Chonglou was too terrifying!
Was this truly just a young man in his early twenties?
If Lü Chenggong were to learn of this, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"So, you're standing against me?" Tang Guanghe could no longer maintain his smile, his face grim, his tone subtly threatening.
*Clap, clap, clap!*
As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Guanghe applauded three times, and several burly bodyguards rushed in from outside.
Each of them was powerfully built and exuded an intimidating aura.
"Li Chonglou, there are very few people in Qin Prefecture that I deem worthy. I've given you an opportunity, and you didn't cherish it."
Tang Guanghe said sternly, "Now that you know my intentions, do you think you can leave this room?"
He hadn't planned to resort to force today. Why take risks when the matter could be resolved with money, especially at such a critical juncture?
But Li Chonglou's displayed hostility and intelligence unsettled him greatly.
If he couldn't be won over, he had to be eliminated.
Of course, not by killing him, but by detaining him for a few days and then sending him abroad; that would be easy for him.
"Li Chonglou, you do have some skills."
Lu Weishen, seeing this, advised with ill intent, "It's a pity you don't understand human relationships and dealings, just like your master."
"You always know the simple truth that the rigid break easily."
"Mr. Tang and I offered you a way out, but you refused it outright."
"Creating such a tense situation, aren't you the one who will suffer?"
Even now, he didn't want to escalate the conflict too much.
It wasn't that he cared about Li Chonglou, nor did he want to extract more secrets from him.
It was because he understood Lin Zhendong's temperament well. The Lin family were a bunch of lunatics.
They were outrageously protective of their own.
If anything happened to Li Chonglou here, the entire Qin Prefecture would be turned upside down, and the fragile stability he and the Lin family had maintained on the surface for years would be shattered.
Then, it would be a fight to the death, and the situation would spiral out of his control.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to push things too far.
This was also the primary purpose of hosting this banquet today.
"Human relationships and dealings? With you two?"
Li Chonglou was fearless, his resolve absolute. "My master only taught me to prefer being shattered jade to unbroken tile."
"Tang Guanghe, Lu Weishen, since I dared to attend this banquet today, I wouldn't have come unprepared."
"If I don't walk out of this hotel within two hours, your current status and position will all turn to dust!"
After speaking, he swept his gaze across the bodyguards.
His imposing presence commanded respect.
Not a single one dared to meet his gaze.
"You..." Tang Guanghe's eyelids twitched violently, his face trembling.
He never imagined that Li Chonglou would be so defiant and unafraid of death.
If they were to act now, years of painstaking effort would be completely wasted.
But if they didn't kill him, his meticulously crafted plan would be completely ruined by Li Chonglou.
He was in a predicament.
At this moment, Li Chonglou showed no sign of being an arrogant, reckless hothead.
He was clearly a millennium-old demon, in control from start to finish.
Tang Guanghe was helpless.