Song Zong's expression grew increasingly grim as he heard those words. He understood perfectly what Lin Xiaotian meant. He had already offered a hundred million yuan, yet Lin Xiaotian was still not satisfied.
"Then tell me how much you want? I'll transfer it to you immediately."
Lin Xiaotian said with a half-smile, "Business must be conducted with principles and integrity."
"Am I wrong?"
Song Zong could only nod in agreement, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace. "You are right. Business requires principles and credibility. It was my mistake, and I am willing to compensate." He knew that if he didn't bleed some money today, he wouldn't be leaving this company. His eyes were filled with deep helplessness. If he had a chance to do it all over again, he would never have tried to swindle Lin Xiaotian.
Lin Xiaotian's smile widened. "Since you admit your mistake and understand business principles, let's proceed with compensation based on the most fundamental rule."
"Ten times the price for fakes, that's not excessive, is it?"
"What did you say?" Song Zong stood up in disbelief, his eyes wide, his pupils contracting violently. He never imagined Lin Xiaotian's appetite would be so voracious. This was treating him like a complete fool. To compensate ten times the price for fakes, he couldn't even afford it if he sold himself. "Lin Xiaotian, you might as well kill me. Ten times the price for fakes, do you think I can come up with that much money? My company is already facing a cash flow crisis. I've lost countless brain cells over this money. Even if I sold it to three different buyers, it was only the third one that bought it from you!"
"The antiques I sold outside were not fake. I only sold them to those people at a thirty percent discount below market price. I myself am still at a loss. How can I possibly pay ten times the price!"
Lin Xiaotian's smile remained undiminished, still exceptionally bright. "It's okay if you can't afford it. After all, your life is barely worth ten times the price. I'll just send you on your way to the Yellow Springs. I'll send you to be reborn in the next life. Don't worry, this service is free, no charge. And I'll handle both the killing and the burial."
Song Zong was truly starting to panic. His gaze towards Lin Xiaotian was filled with burning rage. The suppressed anger was almost uncontrollable. At this moment, he felt like his lungs were about to explode.
"If you have the guts, just do it. You won't get a single cent from me. I thought giving you a few hundred million was already a huge benefit, but I never expected you to have such a massive appetite and demand ten times compensation. Do you really think I'm a fool or that I'm not thinking straight? If I agree to this, I'd have to sell myself and my entire company, and it still wouldn't be enough to compensate you even half of it."
Lin Xiaotian's smile became even more pronounced. "Demanding ten times compensation might be asking too much, as you clearly can't afford that much right now. However, I know you sold to more than just us. You yourself said you sold to three buyers. You must have at least doubled your profit on this batch of antiques. I won't cheat you. I only need you to hand over these antiques. Don't tell me that the genuine items were sold elsewhere. If I'm not mistaken, the real antiques should still be in your possession. Your forgery skills are indeed impressive, and while they can't fool me, they can fool many appraisal masters. Besides, you never personally handled the sales of these items outside of our company. No one is a fool. We're all adults, so let's not say such childish things. I'll give you some face today and settle for three times compensation. In addition to those antiques, you must also provide sufficient financial compensation. Otherwise, don't even think about leaving today. Rest assured, I will make sure you disappear without a trace, and no one will be able to find any evidence."
Song Zong's pupils contracted violently. Everything he had acted out was completely transparent to Lin Xiaotian. The amusement in his eyes felt as if he could see right through his thoughts. Fear began to spread within him, and his voice trembled. "Lin Xiaotian, you're pushing me to my death. If I give you all of this, how will I survive?"
"I was already planning to flee. At most, I'll give you my entire company. Even if someone wants to cause trouble, they won't find you, as you'll only be taking over my assets, and it will have nothing to do with me."
Lin Xiaotian's smile grew more evident. "You want to fob me off with an empty shell company? Do you think I'm an idiot? If I take over your company, I'll have to invest more capital myself. And its current market value, after you leave, won't even be a hundred million."
"Stop talking nonsense to me. If you can't give me a clear answer, then from now on, be prepared. I'll show you what it truly means to wish you were dead." With that, he flipped his wrist, revealing a black pill.
Song Zong couldn't help but take a few steps back, a trace of fear in his eyes. "What... what do you want to do?"
Lin Xiaotian smiled. "You don't need to worry about what I want to do. I'm giving you just one minute to consider. This is the limit of my patience. If you can't give me a clear answer and the sufficient compensation within one minute, you'll learn my methods. Even if you suffer the consequences, you'll regret it, because when you experience these methods, you'll involuntarily give me everything."
Song Zong didn't believe him. Looking at the dark pill in Lin Xiaotian's hand, he felt it was something he was about to be forced to swallow. He retreated further, pressing himself against the wall, his eyes filled with immense rage. "Don't think about using any underhanded tactics against me. I've already told you, I can't come up with that much money. I've worked hard my entire life, and I can't just give it all away to you. If you agree, I'll give you five hundred million directly, and we can call it even."