It doesn’t matter if two middle-aged men can mix in the Jade Industry, as long as the Bai Family’s backing is there, even if they can’t make it in the Jade Industry, they can still live comfortably elsewhere.
But now, they can’t afford to lose, and they only have to ask Bai Zhengchu to step in and deal with it.
"Mrs. Xiao, considering this is their first offense, can’t you let it go? Moreover, our Xiao and Bai families have a good relationship, and it’s well-known that Yuze is pursuing Miss Xiao. If things become too strained, it will be awkward for the children and difficult for them to get along in the future," Bai Zhengchu continued to speak to Mrs. Xiao, dragging the younger generation into the matter.
"I don’t feel awkward at all. Whatever Lin Tian says is the stance of the Xiao Family, however he deals with it, we support him without question!" Mrs. Xiao did not speak, but Xiao Manxue angrily retorted, blocking Bai Zhengchu’s words. Of all things to say, he had to mention the pursuit.
Lin Tian also knew that Bai Zhengchu was merely acting, but since he enjoyed acting, Lin Tian decided to play along. The ultimate goal of making things difficult for these two middle-aged men was to trick the Bai Family. How could he possibly change his mind?
"Mr. Lin, as a master in the gambling stone circle, surely you wouldn’t stoop to their level," Bai Zhengchu, unable to connect with the mother and daughter of the Xiao Family, turned to face Lin Tian instead.
However, Bai Zhengchu really wasn’t sure he could persuade this young man. Even when he had once charged alone into a den of thieves with a gun, he didn’t feel as challenged as he did now. Lin Tian simply didn’t play by the rules, giving Bai Zhengchu a feeling of helplessness.
"I dare not accept the title of master. The recognized ’king of bids’ at this year’s Zhonghai City Gambling Stone Festival isn’t me, but your Bai Family, your capable and astute grandson, Bai Yuze. That was 580 million—a great show of boldness! My bid was only a bit over 100 million. Brother Yuze truly deserves the title of ’king of bids,’ a master-level figure," Lin Tian said with great "modesty."
The ladies of the Xiao Family saw his pretentious speech and wanted to laugh but were embarrassed to make a sound. The Bai Family looked on with embarrassed expressions, as this incident had become the most embarrassing experience in their history and was now a joke to others.
"Mr. Lin, there’s also an ancient saying, ’Do not exhaust power, do not indulge in luck, do not say everything, and do not follow rules rigidly.’ If everything is taken to extremes, misfortune will surely follow," Bai Yuanhao stepped forward and began to recite classic writings in a scholarly tone.
Basically, what Bai Yuanhao meant was to advise Lin Tian that one should not use up all their authority to coerce others, should not enjoy success alone, should not speak too absolutely, and should understand to be flexible in rules, or else disaster would strike.
Most young people might be baffled by Bai Yuanhao’s use of classical language, but Lin Tian was not afraid of it. His photographic memory wasn’t just for show, and he might even know more classical Chinese than Bai Yuanhao.
Suddenly, Lin Tian’s smile disappeared, and his tone grew cold as he said, "Boss Bai speaks —are you threatening me?"
"This..." Bai Yuanhao, who had spoken impulsively, did imply a bit of a threat, but Lin Tian did not engage in word games and blocked him directly.
"Boss Bai, I know only one saying, ’debts must be paid—it’s only right and proper.’ What do you think?" Lin Tian said with a cold laugh.
"Lin Tian, where do we owe you money? What nonsense are you talking about?" Bai Yuze was delighted to catch a loophole in Lin Tian’s words, and scoffed.
Bai Yuze used to be such a normal person, but now he was overly nervous. Lin Tian said indifferently, "To say you owe a debt is putting it lightly, and I’ve already given you face. They want compensation. Why the hurry? I didn’t say you owe anything; it’s these two Gambling Stone Masters who owe. Or is it that the Bai Family is willing to repay for them?"
"How could that be, our Bai Family will not repay..." Bai Yuze blurted out, but suddenly remembered something and stopped talking.
As Bai Yuze said this, the faces of those two middle-aged men changed. Lin Tian also sneered inside. Both men had only agreed to the Bai Family’s charade for their own benefit, and now that things were getting out of hand, if the Bai Family washed their hands of the matter, these two would definitely betray the Bai Family.
"The Bai Family will not ignore this matter. I heard that the Xiao Family is restructuring their jewelry business and must be in need of a large amount of raw jade stones. The supply of jade you acquire from gambling is unstable. If you step back this time, our Bai Family will supply unlimited quantities, and on top of the original prices, a discount of ten percent," Bai Zhengchu was not unprepared and revealed his trump card, confidently saying, "This is a long-term profit. Anyone who isn’t short-sighted can see the pros and cons. A one-time compensation is merely killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Cooperation leads to a win-win situation, and if not..."
Bai Zhengchu didn’t finish what would happen if they didn’t cooperate, but Lin Tian heard the veiled threat in his words. If they didn’t cooperate, the Bai Family would use their sales channels to block the Xiao Family. What’s most important in business? Some say it is integrity, but in reality, it is the channels.
Channels are king, whether you are selling or buying. Without sales channels, you can’t acquire raw materials, and you can’t sell your goods.
"Ha, Old Bai, do you think we are idiots, or are you simply flaunting how low your intelligence can go?" Lin Tian sneered disdainfully, eliciting immense anger from the Bai Family members, and even Mrs. Xiao and her daughter didn’t understand what Lin Tian was trying to convey.
Ignoring the Bai Family’s anger, he continued by himself, "Your apparent concession not only easily resolves your own troubles but also claims to supply unlimited quantities. In actuality, you are binding the Xiao Family to this single supply channel of yours, preventing the Xiao Family from developing new channels. Once the time is ripe, how you choose to exploit them is still up to the Bai Family, isn’t it, Miss?"
Miss looked at him in surprise, nodded, and said, "You are right; I can be one hundred percent certain that the Bai Family has such intentions."
Now Bai Zhengchu had nothing to say. Lin Tian looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile and said, "Old Bai, is this the uprightness of your Bai Family?"
"Rest assured, our Bai Family will not owe you, but with the Bai Family’s failure in stone cutting, there is a shortage of liquid assets. We must slow down. Today’s actions by the Xiao Family, the Bai Family will remember. Let’s go!" Bai Zhengchu knew that, having met the ruthless Lin Tian, things were beyond salvage. The play that was supposed to be directed by him didn’t follow his script but acted out according to Lin Tian’s wishes; this time, he was thoroughly defeated.
Neither intimidation nor enticement worked, and leaving harsh words as they left was something Lin Tian despised most. He could only tolerate scheming for his own advantage, but if someone else took advantage of him, he would turn hostile.
Lin Tian stood up and said in a cold voice, "Stop!"
"What, do you still want to keep us here?" Bai Zhengchu narrowed his eyes, emitting a dangerous glow.
"Hmph, keeping you would require no effort," Lin Tian found his threatening gaze utterly ridiculous and snorted, "But there are three beautiful women here, if you tried to keep me, they wouldn’t allow it. Before you leave, leave behind a document sealed with your signatures, using your equivalent stores as collateral, promising to repay the amount within the set period. If not, the stores will belong to the Xiao Family! Miss, prepare the paper and ink for Old Bai!"
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