Xie Yu nodded vigorously, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
He hadn't expected the Qin family patriarch to bring it up proactively!
"Uncle Qin, the Xie family has already formed a partnership with the Zhu family. While we are still a bit behind the Shi family, we are not completely outmatched."
"We need a little help now!"
Xie Yu spoke cautiously, omitting any mention of the Dragon Group.
The Qin family's stance was unclear, and who knew which side they intended to support?
What if Xie Yu revealed information about the Dragon Group, only for the Qin family to leak it?
The Qin family patriarch merely chuckled at Xie Yu's words, neither believing nor disbelieving him.
After taking a sip of tea, the Qin family patriarch said, "Considering our families are about to become in-laws, and the Xie family has helped us quite a bit in the past."
"For both moral and rational reasons, the Qin family should not stand idly by."
Xie Yu had actually prepared himself for rejection.
But hearing the Qin family patriarch speak like this reignited his hope!
Had he been overthinking things?
Was the Qin family not ungrateful?
Facing Xie Yu's earnest gaze, the Qin family patriarch smiled and continued.
"However, these matters are known to you and me, but not to the rest of the Qin family!"
"As you know, the Qin family is a family of martial artists, with numerous branches."
"If we are to truly involve ourselves in this conflict, we will need the cooperation of our collateral branches!"
Xie Yu sat up straighter.
Here it comes, the negotiation of terms!
But Xie Yu was prepared for this.
It was just a matter of conceding profits or channels. The Xie family was on the verge of collapse, and clinging to these things was pointless.
It was better to trade them for cooperation.
"Uncle Qin, please, the Xie family will repay you with the utmost sincerity!"
Hearing Xie Yu's words, the Qin family patriarch smiled and placed his teacup aside.
Then he shook his head, "We don't want anything from the Xie family. After all, our relationship is so good; asking for something would be disheartening."
"There is only one condition: I hope Shi Shi can marry my son, and our two families can truly become in-laws."
"Only then can we silence the collateral branches and willingly contribute their support."
"Nephew, what do you think?"
Silence.
After the Qin family patriarch finished speaking, everyone present fell silent.
Xie Yu's expression froze.
He had anticipated the Qin family patriarch might make an outrageous demand, but he never imagined it would be solely for Xie Shi Shi to marry into their family!
He remembered Xie Shi Shi's question from yesterday.
Was she being used to secure the Qin family's cooperation?
At the time, Xie Yu had remained silent.
But that did not mean Xie Yu truly intended to do so!
"Uncle Qin, you know that for young people, mutual affection is very important."
"There is no real connection between our Shi Shi and A Cheng."
"How about this: the Xie family is willing to concede ten percent of our profits in the pharmaceutical industry for three years."
Xie Yu said this with difficulty.
Unfortunately, the Qin family was not swayed!
Qin Cheng directly scoffed.
"Your Xie family's calculation is quite clever! You want the Qin family to walk into certain death with an empty promise!"
Xie Yu paused, ignoring Qin Cheng, and turned back to the Qin family patriarch.
He spoke with sincerity.
"The martial artists of the Zhu and Xie families are of considerable cultivation. For this collaboration, we simply hope the Qin family can dispatch a few martial artists."
"If Uncle Qin is not satisfied, we can discuss further!"
This implied that this was not the Xie family's bottom line.
The Qin family could still demand more!
The Qin family patriarch's amiable demeanor had shifted to a grim expression.
With a crisp clink of the porcelain cup,
The Qin family patriarch slammed his teacup down and scoffed, "It seems the Xie family lacks sincerity!"
If this had been before the Shi family announced their news,
The Qin family would have readily joined if the Xie family had offered such terms.
But now.
The Qin family believed the Xie family was destined to lose.
They would not get involved, even if the entire Xie family was emptied!
"Then Uncle Qin, what do you think would be appropriate?" Xie Yu asked, a pang of regret in his voice.
"Nothing is appropriate! I only want Xie Shi Shi!" Qin Cheng stated deliberately, his tone arrogant.
It seemed he intended to vent all his past grievances.
Who knew that he, a dignified heir of the Qin family, had to be insulted by the Xie family?
Being rejected by Xie Shi Shi was one thing.
The Xie family even wanted to concede profits and offer compensation to the Qin family.
Wasn't this a clear sign of disrespect, trampling on Qin Cheng's pride?
In the past, when the Xie family was at its peak, the Qin family could only keep their heads down.
But now?
Hmph!
"Qin Cheng, you yourself know that Shi Shi doesn't like you!"
"The Xie family will never sell their daughters for glory!"
"Are you simply unwilling to cooperate with the Xie family?"
Xie Yu abruptly stood up.
Even a clay figurine has three parts of temper. Qin Cheng's disruptive behavior was making Xie Yu lose patience.
Especially the Qin family's attitude.
They offered hope, only to dash it.
It would have been better to refuse from the start, why play with people like monkeys?
"Heh heh, nephew, don't be angry. Our family lacks nothing, except a daughter-in-law."
"As long as Shi Shi is willing to marry in, we will certainly treat her well."
The Qin family patriarch said with narrowed eyes and a smile.
Understood.
Now Xie Yu truly grasped their stance.
He immediately pulled Zhou Yu along and said angrily, "Good, very good!"
"Let me go back and discuss it with Grandfather!"
With that, Xie Yu turned and left.
Watching Xie Yu's retreating, furious figure, Qin Cheng sneered, "Dad, look at his useless barking. He still has to go back and discuss it with Elder Xie!"
The Qin family patriarch smiled and said, "Don't worry, Elder Xie will absolutely not agree."
Qin Cheng smacked his lips, still somewhat unsatisfied.
He indulged in a wild fantasy, "What if he agrees? Then will we really cooperate with the Xie family?"
The Qin family patriarch chuckled, "We take the person in, and then we contribute without effort."
If the Xie family truly agreed and married Xie Shi Shi off.
Then, when the Xie family fell,
Their Qin family would have a reason to claim a share!
First, they would feign cooperation with the Xie family, and then secretly inform the Shi family.
This way, the Qin family could remain safe and sound!
"Brilliant, truly brilliant!" Qin Cheng couldn't help but exclaim.
His eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "That ugly woman, Xie Shi Shi, dared to reject me."
"When she marries over, let's see how I deal with her!"
The Qin family patriarch did not intend to stop his son's childish thoughts.
He merely shook his head with a smile and left the living room.
As for Xie Yu.
After storming out of the Qin family's residence, he was still panting heavily in the car.
He couldn't calm down for a long time!
"Now, our Zhu and Xie families, along with the Dragon Group, have a high chance of winning. If the Qin family doesn't help, so be it. There's no need to be angry."
Zhou Yu offered a word of comfort.
Xie Yu immediately retorted indignantly, "Doctor Zhou, I'm angry about their behavior!"
"If they don't want to help, they could just say so. Would it cost them a piece of flesh? Why be so circuitous!"
It made Xie Yu's mood fluctuate wildly.
Truly detestable!
"Otherwise? Do you actually plan to marry off Xie Shi Shi?" Zhou Yu asked speechlessly.
Xie Yu denied it immediately.