Embarrassing.
The word "embarrassing" in capital letters was the most accurate description of Li Qianfan's current state.
What could be more awkward than being found by Old Tang, who had rushed to find him, while he was holding the man's beloved daughter and hiding behind a door?
Damn it, Little Muddy Tang, you've ruined my Dao heart.
As Li Qianfan wailed internally, he saw Old Tang, with the vacant expression of a blind man, reach out and grasp at the air. He then turned and went out the door, saying, "Huh, no one's in the room? Oh, Director Ye, you're looking for Mr. Qianfan too? Oh, Zhaixing is asleep. Director Ye, why don't you come to my office and have a seat first?"
Who was Director Ye?
Ye Tianjiao's voice drifted from the corridor outside the door, "Heh heh, good morning, Director Tang. Is Qianfan not in the ward? Is Zhaixing asleep? Alright, then I'll go to your office."
As their conversation faded, their footsteps receded.
Old Tang's authoritative voice, however, could still be heard from a distance: "Head Nurse Wang, the injured person in special ward 909 just fell asleep. Don't let anyone disturb her."
Listening to the voices outside—
Li Qianfan blinked, his face flushing red as Little Muddy Tang let out a muffled giggle.
Laugh?
You have the nerve to laugh?
Now I've really fallen into the mud, a complete mess.
As Li Qianfan flushed with shame and anger, Tang Xiaoni leaned in and whispered, "Begging for Old Tang's inner collapse and despair."
Li Qianfan didn't know what to say.
He could only lean against the wall and look at the girl who was deliberately holding her head high, trying to stifle her laughter. After a long pause, he said, "Little Muddy Tang, I'm already married."
Tang Xiaoni nodded, "I know."
Li Qianfan continued, "And I have many women around me whom I can't let go of."
Tang Xiaoni nodded, "I know."
Li Qianfan said again, "You are the only little princess among the third generation of the Tang family. Your marriage is of utmost importance to the Tang family, and we absolutely cannot indulge your whims."
The Tang family of Sijiu was a prominent clan, renowned in the circles of Eastern magnates.
Among the second generation of the Tang family, there were seven sons.
Old Tang was the fourth son.
However, among Old Tang's seven brothers, despite having a large brood of sons, Tang Xiaoni was their only daughter.
This inevitably made the Tang family's little princess's marriage a paramount concern for the entire family.
Moreover, Tang Xiaoni was Old Tang's most cherished treasure.
This was precisely why Tang Xiaoni had insisted on entering the entertainment industry. As long as she nodded in agreement, even if Old Tang and the others objected, it would be in vain.
Tang Xiaoni fell silent this time.
After a while,
She quietly asked, "Brother Qianfan, am I beautiful?"
Li Qianfan nodded, speaking the truth.
Tang Xiaoni lowered her eyelids and asked in a voice like a mosquito's hum, "Do you want to hold me like this? Be honest."
Who wouldn't?
A petite doll-like girl.
Li Qianfan coughed dryly, "No!"
Before Tang Xiaoni could say anything, he quickly put her down, opened the door, and strode out.
From behind him came Tang Xiaoni's soft call, "When a man says no, he means yes."
Nonsense!
Li Qianfan quickened his pace, his heart inexplicably agitated.
A doll.
Who wouldn't want one?
The problem was, Young Master Qianfan was a gentleman!
How could he get entangled with the "dirty-minded" Tang Xiaoni when he was already in so much romantic debt?
This internal conflict between rational rejection and instinctive desire to possess was the root of Li Qianfan's agitation.
"From now on, I'll have to avoid her."
Li Qianfan resolved internally and then arrived at the director's office door, raising his hand to knock.
What is an experienced hand?
Just look at Old Tang.
He had clearly seen something, but when Li Qianfan knocked and entered, he acted as if he had seen nothing, warmly yet respectfully inviting him to sit down.
He repeatedly instructed his unfilial son, Tang Wenyuan, to quickly make tea for Mr. Qianfan.
Since they were pretending not to have seen anything, Li Qianfan had no reason to feel embarrassed.
He quickly adjusted his mindset.
Old Tang's guess was correct.
Li Qianfan had indeed come to ask if the Tang family was interested in taking over the businesses vacated by the Xu and Du families.
Of course,
Given the combined scale of the Du and Xu families, and the Tang family's own size, which was only comparable to the Yao family, they were far from capable of absorbing all of them.
Based on Li Qianfan's estimation, the Tang family could at most digest 30%.
Old Tang, suppressing his inner joy, cautiously stated that the Tang family could only digest 20%.
Old Tang also suggested letting the Su family, who had recently entered Sijiu, digest about 10%.
After all, the Su family's current assets in Sijiu were limited to Su's Pharmaceutical, with a single and thus weak industry.
Li Qianfan found Old Tang's reasoning sound.
Ye Tianjiao had come today to visit Zhaixing and discuss with Li Qianfan his future plans.
After an hour of discussion with Li Qianfan, Old Tang made an excuse to leave with his unfilial son, wisely giving them space.
"Tang Wenyuan."
Li Qianfan suddenly asked, "You're not getting any younger, you can't just keep messing around like this, can you?"
Because Tang Wenyuan had once made things difficult for Mo Hongti, Li Qianfan didn't have much affection for him.
Especially at his age, still indulging in drinking and entertainment without doing any serious work!
Even in front of Old Tang, Li Qianfan showed no leniency towards Tang Wenyuan, directly questioning him in the tone of an elder.
Tang Wenyuan's face immediately flushed with embarrassment.
Old Tang, however, chuckled.
This was a truly intelligent man who understood that Li Qianfan daring to question Tang Wenyuan in such a manner was an offer of help!
If Tang Wenyuan could follow Li Qianfan, it would be not only Old Tang's greatest wish but also the entire Tang family's most fervent desire.
"If you want to curb your playful nature and do something meaningful,"
Li Qianfan pondered, "I've just acquired a market in Dongyang. Coincidentally, I need someone to oversee the work there."
Old Tang's eyes gleamed even brighter!
Old Tang wouldn't inquire about how Li Qianfan acquired the market in Dongyang.
He was only concerned that Li Qianfan wanted Tang Wenyuan to go there and take charge of the work!!
Tang Wenyuan was stunned, "I'm going to Dongyang? Can I... can I do it?"
Before he could finish speaking—
Old Tang kicked him!
Tang Wenyuan was sent by his kick to the edge of the table.
If Li Qianfan hadn't been present, Old Tang would have undoubtedly lunged forward and spanked this fool repeatedly!
Tang Wenyuan was indeed incapable of doing serious work.
But it also depended on who he was following.
Even a scoundrel, following the young master of Longxu, could achieve great success.
As long as Tang Wenyuan didn't make any fundamental mistakes, once Li Qianfan inherited the position of Dragon Lord, he would become a "minister who followed the dragon," bringing immense benefits to the Tang family of Sijiu.
No one would ever dare to look down on Tang Wenyuan or mock him as useless again.
"Mr. Qianfan is doing you a favor, you must do it even if you can't!"
Old Tang reprimanded sternly, "Even if you can't, our Tang family will send our best to help you!"
Li Qianfan glanced at Old Tang and admired him inwardly.
Why did he want to help this useless fop, Tang Wenyuan?
It was precisely because he had just held Little Muddy Tang behind the door—
No!
It was precisely because he had counted on the Tang family's full support for Tang Wenyuan.
Even if he was truly useless, the Tang family, in their eagerness to climb aboard the Longxu aircraft carrier, would certainly dispatch their elite members to assist him in making the market Li Qianfan had given him in Dongyang flourish.
Li Qianfan offered the Tang family an opportunity to venture into the world, and in return, the Tang family would repay Longxu with loyalty!
Strictly speaking, this was also a transaction.
But not just any magnate could gain the favor of Longxu.
Ultimately, it was all for the sake of that doll.
Forced onto the stage, Tang Wenyuan could only grit his teeth and say hesitantly, "I... I will not disappoint Mr. Qianfan."
"Very well."
Li Qianfan took out his phone and checked the time, "You have three hours. Go home and discuss it with your elders. After three hours, you will accompany me out."
Tang Wenyuan asked foolishly, "Where are we going?"
Li Qianfan glanced at Old Tang and said casually, "To Tianbei."
Old Tang's eyelids twitched instantly.
He knew what Li Qianfan was going to Tianbei for.
He also understood that Li Qianfan was bringing Tang Wenyuan along to let everyone know that the Tang family of Sijiu was aligning itself with Longxu!
Therefore,
The Tang family would unequivocally be considered an enemy by the Shen family of Sijiu from now on.
From now on, the Tang family would never be able to maintain its original neutrality.
Li Qianfan gave the Tang family three hours to make their choice.
Old Tang's mind raced, and he slowly said, "Mr. Qianfan, there's no need for three hours. I can tell you now that as long as you have any need, Wenyuan can do anything."
He used polite language.
Li Qianfan was quite satisfied and nodded, "Tang Wenyuan, you should still go home. Aunt Jiao and I have some matters to discuss."
"Alright."
Old Tang nodded, gave his son a knowing glance, and quickly left.
"Fool, this is a critical juncture for you to change your destiny! You must seize it firmly."
Old Tang whispered to his son at the top of the stairs, "And remember, they chose you because of Xiaoni."
Tang Wenyuan grumbled, "Then aren't I just a disgrace who sold his sister for honor?"
Old Tang—
What could he say?
The problem was, he didn't see it as selling his daughter.
Rather, his beloved daughter had willingly sat in the man's arms.
Children grow up and don't listen to their parents.
At ten o'clock in the morning.
Hongye Private Hospital.
The newly appointed lackey, Tang Wenyuan, drove Li Qianfan and slowly stopped in the parking lot of the inpatient area.
Murong Yuanyuan, who was sitting on a park bench on the lawn, gazing into the distance, subconsciously turned her head.
Upon seeing the man getting out of the car—
The pale blue eyes of this little mare instantly lit up, filling with vibrant life.
She herself did not notice it.