Chapter 1077 - 1073: A Clean Break

Chapter 1077: Chapter 1073: A Clean Break

Patriarch Qian’s face was cold. If at this moment he still couldn’t see through Xiao Tian’s intention to provoke trouble, then he would have lived half his life in vain. He let out a cold snort: "Boasting with words alone, be careful not to sprain your tongue."

Xiao Tian waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "No, no, it won’t happen. By the way, it’s been such a long time, and not even a cup of tea has been served. Quick, quick, serve the tea!"

Hearing this endless stream of urging, the servants of the Qian Family gritted their teeth and looked towards the Patriarch Qian on the main seat for instruction. Only after seeing his nod did they leave resentfully.

"Let’s skip the small talk. As I said earlier, I hope you won’t say anything unnecessary. How does Patriarch Qian feel about that?" Xiao Tian asked with a smile.

"No rush, one must eat a meal bite by bite and handle matters one at a time. You beat my family’s people; there is no way you can escape without paying a price." Patriarch Qian said slowly.

Just at this moment, a steward-like person brought over a tray of tea, while Patriarch Qian fixed his sharp eyes on Xiao Tian and said in an odd tone, "The tea of my Qian Family isn’t that easy to drink, don’t burn your mouth."

Xiao Tian immediately put down the teacup he had picked up, hesitating, said: "Patriarch Qian, with a big family and business, this cup of tea shouldn’t cost a fortune, right?"

Patriarch Qian sneered, "That depends on the mindset of the one drinking it. If there is goodwill towards my Qian Family, even if the tea is worth a thousand gold, our family would relish it gladly."

Everyone found it a bit strange that the conversation between these two seemed to veer further off the topic with each word spoken, straying further from the point, though still concealing barbs and being mutually confrontational, yet never touching the core issue.

Only Xiao Tian and Patriarch Qian on the main seat understood that this was another kind of confrontation, using objects as metaphors to elevate the topic to another level. Even if someone perceived the hidden meaning, nothing apparent could be pointed out.

Xiao Tian didn’t know why Patriarch Qian would act this way on his own turf, but those weren’t something he should be concerned with.

The question "This cup of tea shouldn’t cost a fortune, right?" actually indicated that Xiao Tian was retreating somewhat.

Because the Qian Family targeting the Zhong Family surely had some profitable motive, revealing another facet of probing.

Yet Patriarch Qian’s response wasn’t clear, but it clearly indicated that Xiao Tian couldn’t afford it.

This situation was not unexpected, and at this point, Xiao Tian gave up any idea of appeasement. Since you all don’t appreciate good intentions, then prepare for the worst...

In fact, for a family of the Qian Family’s stature, the term "interest" encompasses more than just money. Expansion of power, increased prestige, etc., all fall within the realm of interests.

Understanding this makes it easy to speculate that the Qian Family undoubtedly wanted to seize this opportunity to suppress the Zhong Family, leveraging the period when the Zhong Family couldn’t attend to other matters and consolidating all forces under their control.

Even if it meant biting off more than they could chew, at least they’d gain leverage over the Zhong Family, slowly digesting what had been gleaned. The Qian Family would undoubtedly leave the Zhong Family behind, thriving while suppressing them.

Thinking of this, Xiao Tian suddenly smiled: "It seems Patriarch Qian isn’t planning to negotiate any further on this matter?"

Patriarch Qian smiled slightly: "With your cleverness, need I say more? If you were in my shoes, would you miss such a golden opportunity?"

Xiao Tian nodded calmly: "So it’s like this... It seems the Qian Family is determined to be unappreciative?"

"I think you’re being disrespectful!" The steward holding the tray was immediately enraged, stepping forward partly because Xiao Tian’s conduct genuinely angered him and partly because such open humiliation required someone to stand up.

Clearly, Patriarch Qian wasn’t suitable for this role, so he had to step in as a substitute.

On the other hand, Xiao Tian’s words further intensified the already tense atmosphere, as if the fuse of a bomb had been lit, ready to explode at any moment!

Yet, Xiao Tian remained unconcerned, lightly chuckling: "Do you really think you have caught the fatal weaknesses of me and the Zhong Family?"

Patriarch Qian let out a cold laugh: "Isn’t it so?"

Xiao Tian sincerely nodded, giving an unexpected answer: "Yes!"

But from his previous demeanor and the tone of this statement, anyone could tell that Xiao Tian’s words weren’t self-defeating but rather hinted at some hidden advantage up his sleeve.

"But unfortunately, my fatal weakness isn’t something your Qian Family can grasp..." Xiao Tian said leisurely, shaking his crossed leg, exuding a calm demeanor as if he wasn’t facing the intimidating Patriarch Qian, who could cause tremors with a mere stomp.

But rather, as if he was dealing with an inconsequential, ineffective character.

At this moment, Patriarch Qian couldn’t bring himself to care about these things, as from Xiao Tian’s words, he could clearly feel something out of the ordinary, his heart filled with growing unease. Years of intuition and sudden vigilance informed him clearly of one thing...

Xiao Tian’s words were far from simple and certainly not mere posturing to intimidate.

"What exactly do you want to say?" Patriarch Qian suppressed his frustration, squeezing out a few words through gritted teeth.

"I was very clear earlier. My visit this time is for two main purposes, yet your attitude indicates that achieving my goals is impossible." Xiao Tian put down his crossed leg, sitting up straight and said, "In that case, it’s best if we part ways!"

After speaking, he seemed ready to leave without hesitation.

This, of course, provoked a wave of angry glances. Just what did this guy take the Qian Family and these people for? To come and go as he pleased, did he really think of himself as someone so formidable?

But Patriarch Qian remained silent. Despite the resentment, no one dared to act rashly.

Though Xiao Tian appeared unimpressive, a large family, even a small organization, values discipline highly. Without it, during battle, insubordination would not only lead to one’s own demise but bring disaster upon the whole group!

Yet the experts of the Qian Family were not too worried, for surely the Patriarch wouldn’t just let the boy from the Zhong Family leave on a whim. For the sake of the Qian Family’s dignity, such an act simply wasn’t permissible.

As expected, just when Xiao Tian’s hands pressed on the chair’s armrests, preparing to rise, Patriarch Qian said coldly: "Hold on!"

"What is it?" Xiao Tian paused, disdainfully smiling, "Is Patriarch Qian planning to keep me for a meal?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the Qian Family experts hidden in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity, the smile on his face deepening, showing no sign of panic or distress!