Chapter 1418 - 1418: Xu Hongyang Pays a Visit

Xiao Feng hesitated over what should be a simple question because he was worried about the experts becoming discontent and subsequently loafing around, contributing little in their upcoming work.

But then he thought, they got paid, so why shouldn't they do their job?

To be honest, thinking about the experts' attitude last night, Xiao Feng couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed.

He even considered that if the experts' attitude didn't meet his expectations moving forward, he might really have to resort to "extreme measures."

There's no choice; urgency sometimes demands flexibility. If there were other options, Xiao Feng wouldn't do it this way either.

Soon, the experts came out of the room, yawning endlessly.

Though they didn't complain, their brows were furrowed with worry.

"Everyone, let's get the instruments and equipment adjusted first," Xiao Feng clapped his hands and headed towards the basement.

The experts followed in succession, not even having time to brush up before they started working.

By the time the equipment was adjusted, it was already breakfast time.

At the dining table, Lao Ha seized the opportunity to connect with the experts, casually asking what materials they needed to prepare next.

The experts didn't display any high-handed attitude; instead, they jotted down a list of materials needed and handed it to Lao Ha.

Lao Ha made calls to contacts as he ate breakfast.

After breakfast, Lao Ha approached Xiao Feng and said, "Boss, the things aren't too hard to find, but I've roughly asked around. To gather everything on the list will cost around eight hundred thousand.

"Go for it!" Xiao Feng waved his hand grandly, with an air of confidence.

Lao Ha was aware of his boss's level of importance attached to this matter, nodded approvingly and said nothing more.

Just then, his phone in his pocket beeped.

Xiao Feng took it out and his pupils suddenly shrank.

This was because Lu Yao's software which was designed to capture forum account postings, sent a notification.

Xiao Feng opened the software, realized the content was not fully sent yet, but he already understood the gist.

What Tang Yunshu was transmitting this time was some key information about "Gray Mouse."

As long as these details were filled into the prepared template, then it would be considered a great success.

In no time, a dozen accounts all sent updates.

Xiao Feng extracted the content, organized and summarized it, and sent it via WeChat to Hua Ling.

As he was about to put away his phone, Tang Yunshu unexpectedly sent a second round of messages!

The message generally implied not to kill everyone completely, and at least leave two survivors.

This was within expectations, after all, if Tang Yunshu returned alone, even with evidence of Gray Mouse's betrayal, it would be hard to be convincingly persuasive.

At least someone should testify so it would seem more credible.

...

Inside the Bai Family living room, a middle-aged man took a sip of tea and said with a calm tone, "I've said my piece; I hope you three will give me a reply soon."

The middle-aged man's attire looked very modest, with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, yet his gaze and attitude were especially arrogant, giving off a commanding aura.

At this moment, Bai Tieniu, Bai Yongge, and Bai Lisha, the three siblings each from different mothers, all had somewhat grim expressions to varying degrees.

"Mr. Xu, according to what you're saying, aren't we becoming annexed by the Xu Family?" Bai Lisha broke the silence, her eyes pinned on the middle-aged man's face who claimed to be Xu Hongyang.

Xu Hongyang was fairly well-known within the Kyoto circle.

His business acumen was only second to the likes of the Wang Family, Wei Family, the real big shots.

He came here this time precisely to discuss "cooperation" with the Bai Family.

Faced with Bai Lisha's question, Xu Hongyang pondered slightly and nodded, "That understanding isn't really wrong.

Though the word 'annexed' sounds unpleasant, if you three agree to my terms, then essentially, that's about right."

"To make our Bai Family an annex, Mr. Xu's conditions are surely far from sufficient," Bai Yongge said coldly.

"Hahaha!" Xu Hongyang laughed heartily, "Mr. Bai, surely you don't think the Bai Family today is the same as before?

Your father is now imprisoned, and the Bai Family relies entirely on you three, but for how long can you support it?

At this point, Xu Hongyang paused briefly and added, "Today, let me be frank with you, a significant number of people in Kyoto will be exerting pressure on Jiangcheng moving forward.

The current status of the Bai Family, even claiming external strength and internal weakness might be a bit generous.

Of course, I'm not doubting the ability of you three, rather the mess your father left behind has deprived you of the space to showcase your abilities.

The terms I just laid out, regardless of whether it's excessive or taking advantage, are conditions that others, if not me, may not even be able to propose.

"Just afraid it's not so certain?" Bai Tieniu who hadn't spoken all this time, coldly sneered.

Xu Hongyang chuckled, "No need to doubt the truth of my words, for soon you'll find out whether what I say is true or false.

Here's the deal, I'll give you three three days, three days later, whether we move forward or not, please give me a definitive answer."

After finishing, Xu Hongyang stood up and walked straight out of the living room.

Despite Xu Hongyang leaving, the oppressive, stifling atmosphere did not go with him.

Awhile later, Bai Yongge, enraged, stood up and hurled the teacup to the ground.

"Crack!"

The teacup shattered into pieces, tea splashed everywhere, scattered on the floor.

"What nonsense!" Bai Yongge cursed angrily, "He really thinks coming from Kyoto makes him exceptional?

The Bai Family hasn't reached that low point, even if it did, we wouldn't collaborate with him!"

"Calm down, it's not worth being at odds with him," Bai Tieniu sighed leisurely, "Whether Xu Hongyang's words are unpleasant or not isn't really significant here.

The key lies in whether they are true."

Bai Lisha frowned and asked, "What do you think?"

"In my view..." Bai Tieniu took a deep breath and said, "Though we don't want to admit it, about ninety percent of what he says is likely true.

However, I'm referring to the imminent influx of influences from Kyoto to Jiangcheng."

Bai Yongge asked puzzledly, "But didn't the Kyoto forces already come to Jiangcheng?"

"That's only a small portion, and except for the force that initiated the business alliance, the rest don't even rank in Kyoto," Bai Tieniu said somewhat troubled.

"Given Xu Hongyang's visit, we might as well take the opportunity to get clear of the situation, at least, we can't continue deceiving ourselves."

Bai Lisha expressed discontent in her tone, "Have we deceived ourselves?"

"The way outsiders see us and the way we see ourselves is sometimes different," Bai Tieniu said gravely, "The very basic point is that Bai Family with our dad and Bai Family without our dad, in outsiders' eyes, aren't the same concept."

"So... should we agree to Xu Hongyang's demands or not?" Bai Yongge couldn't help asking.