Chapter 757: Jiaojiao 37

But leaving wasn’t an option. The Three Dragons Gang was a large, long-established organization, while Chen Jiao was a powerful, fast-rising boss with unfathomable methods. They couldn’t afford to offend either one.

The crowd could only regretfully take a seat in the adjacent private room. However, after the henchman left, almost everyone unanimously pressed their ears to the wall, hoping to overhear some firsthand news.

A waiter came in to take their order, saw the scene, and silently backed out again.

Meanwhile, in the banquet hall next door, the atmosphere had grown tense. Chen Jiao decided to throw caution to the wind, leaning back lazily in her chair. "Brother Long, what’s with the big show? Are you trying to bully me with your numbers?"

"Of course not," Brother Long chuckled. The motion pulled at the scar on his face, making him look even more menacing. "I’ve invited Miss Chen to dinner with the utmost sincerity. And while we’re at it, I’d also like to discuss a business deal with you."

"What kind of deal?" Chen Jiao leaned forward slightly, her tone laced with mockery. ’I’d like to see how they’re going to persuade me. Or rather, what price they’re going to offer.’

Brother Long’s tone grew enticing. "Those pills you have, Miss Chen... I’m very interested in them. If you’re willing to sell, I guarantee the Three Dragons Gang will make it well worth your while."

Chen Jiao sat up straight. "Oh? And what exactly do you have to offer, Brother Long?"

Hearing the interest in Chen Jiao’s tone, the smile on Brother Long’s face widened. "The Three Dragons Gang has ten Hall Masters. If you sell us those pills, Miss Chen, a position as a Hall Master is yours for the taking."

"You’ll enjoy the same benefits and status as the other Hall Masters. The gang will also cover the cost of any medicinal ingredients you need."

As Chen Jiao listened to his terms, she thought, ’To be honest, if I were desperate, I might have actually agreed.’ But as things stood... Chen Jiao sighed. "I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Brother Long. These are for my own self-defense. As long as I live, I will never allow them to circulate."

Brother Long froze, clearly not expecting that response. His smile slowly faded. "Miss Chen, are you refusing me?"

"Yes, I am." Chen Jiao’s face was devoid of expression. "I use these purely for self-protection. But if you were to get them, Brother Long, it wouldn’t just be for self-protection, would it?"

"If I gave these to you and you used them for evil, I’d become an accomplice to your crimes. Such things go against the natural order, and I’d prefer to remain a good person."

Leopard Brother was hot-tempered. "Miss Chen, we’re trying to be nice here. Don’t push your luck."

"Threatening me?" Chen Jiao’s eyes slowly narrowed. Zong Qi started to move forward, and at the same instant, the henchmen in the hall tensed for action. Chen Jiao raised a hand, and Zong Qi immediately stood tall. At the same time, Brother Long barked, "Stand down!"

"My apologies. Please forgive him, Miss Chen." Brother Long managed to maintain his composure. ’After all, it wasn’t time to drop all pretenses just yet.’

Chen Jiao arched an eyebrow. "You’re too kind. Brother Long, if you only wanted to see me today to discuss this deal, then it’s clear we can’t come to an agreement. So, we’ll be leaving."

She stood to leave, but Brother Hu, who had been silent until now, spoke in a sinister tone. "Miss Chen, do you really think you can just come and go as you please?"

Chen Jiao halted. She glanced at the dagger twirling in Brother Hu’s hand, then turned her gaze to Brother Long. "Is this what you want, Brother Long?"

Brother Long chuckled evasively. "Brother Hu is just blunt, Miss Chen. Please don’t mind him. But we are truly sincere about this deal."

"I’ve seen my share of deal-making, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone use the carrot and the stick so openly," Chen Jiao said with a smirk. "Fine. I’ll bear with Brother Hu. In that case, I’ll have to ask you to bear with me too, Brother Long."

"What—" Brother Long tried to speak, but he suddenly found his limbs go weak as he slumped into his chair. Next to him, Brother Hu’s expression hardened, and he flung the dagger from his fingertips.

But what he thought was a throw with all his strength only sent the dagger about twenty centimeters forward before it clattered heavily onto the glass tabletop in front of them.

Inside the private room, only Chen Jiao and Zong Qi remained standing. Everyone else had collapsed to the floor like limp noodles.

"You... you tricked us." Though his limbs were paralyzed, he could still speak. Brother Hu glared at Chen Jiao. "Is this how you took down Ye Rong?"

"You all knew that already, didn’t you? Why play dumb now?" Chen Jiao dragged a chair over to Brother Hu and sat down, no longer in any rush to leave.

As expected of a leader, Brother Long was pragmatic and knew when to yield. He wanted to look at Chen Jiao, but at the moment, he couldn’t move anything besides his eyes and his mouth.

"Miss Chen, we were blind to your greatness. Please, don’t lower yourself to our level..."

Chen Jiao yawned, her interest waning. "Do all you bosses say the same thing? I remember Ye Rong and Yuan Sheng said the exact same thing, with almost no variation."

As she spoke, Chen Jiao picked up the dagger Brother Hu had thrown. She was about to play with it, but Zong Qi took it from her hand. "This dagger is famous in the underworld. It’s incredibly sharp, be careful you don’t cut yourself."

Chen Jiao hummed in understanding. "So... you were trying to kill me just now?"

’Judging by the angle and direction of his throw, not to mention his temper, Chen Jiao didn’t believe for a second he would have shown any mercy.’

Of course, Brother Hu wasn’t about to admit it. "You’re joking, Ma’am. Even if I had a hundred times the nerve, I would never dare to attack you, would I? My hand just... slipped."

Chen Jiao clicked her tongue. She tapped her fingers on the tabletop and crossed her legs. "Now that you’re in my hands, why don’t you think for a moment? Do you really think you’ll be leaving here in one piece tonight?"

Leopard Brother wasn’t as short-fused as Brother Hu, but he was more direct. "What do you want, Ma’am? We genuinely just wanted to discuss a business deal. We didn’t have any other intentions."

Chen Jiao believed him. According to what she’d learned from Tan You, while the Three Dragons Gang was a major syndicate, they didn’t stoop to sordid business like coercing women. Their activities were more focused on demolition projects and gang fights.

Though still a gang, their reputation was leagues better than Ye Rong’s crew. In Tan You’s view, however, it made no difference. ’How many good people could you find in a gang, anyway?’

’Chen Jiao mulled it over. She really didn’t want money, but letting Brother Long and his men off the hook so easily would make her look weak and like a pushover.’

Tan You’s voice reminded her, ’You want ownership of Xingcan Company. I can afford to buy it now.’

Chen Jiao’s eyes widened for a second before she regained her composure. "I’m a naturally rebellious person," she said. "I want ownership of Xingcan Company. Whatever you paid for it, I’ll reimburse you in full."

Brother Long hadn’t expected her to ask for this, and he breathed an inward sigh of relief. ’The ones to fear are those who want nothing,’ he thought. ’Now that she’s named her price, this incident can finally be put behind us.’

He wasn’t sure if Chen Jiao was just being polite or was serious, so he tested the waters. "We were the ones who offended you today, Ma’am. Please, consider the company our gift of apology..."