"Good grief, you scared me!" Song Qiao blurted out, utterly startled.
Had he forgotten to check the almanac before leaving the house?
A vixen had suddenly appeared, and not just any vixen, but an old one...
He composed himself.
He could only look at her, then at Gao Meng, who stood there looking bewildered, and spread his hands.
Gao Meng also hadn't expected to encounter this woman the moment she stepped out.
Now, looking at the woman's smile, it felt truly chilling!
Madam Shen put on a wronged expression. "How am I that scary? I didn't mean to startle you!"
Song Qiao took a deep breath, calming himself. His expression turned composed. "I've already witnessed your capabilities, Madam. So, any tricks like acting pitiful or playing weak won't work on me."
"I truly have something important to discuss with you. Please, give me a chance!" Madam Shen's expression shifted again, appearing exceedingly sincere.
"Impossible. That's your business, what does it have to do with me?" Song Qiao guessed that this woman genuinely had something crucial to ask of him.
It so happened that he also had some ideas he wanted to see realized through her.
But he couldn't agree immediately; he had to make her work for it, otherwise, she'd get ahead of herself.
Madam Shen's smile remained. "Of course, it's related. If you help me with this, you'll be a good friend to our chaebol family in the future. More importantly, you'll become my best private friend!"
"Heh." Song Qiao remained noncommittal. "A friend to you Koreans? I don't plan on making friends with your kind. Besides, if even you, with your power and connections, can't accomplish this, what can I possibly do?"
With that, he ignored her and led Gao Meng to the restaurant for breakfast, with Wei Feng and Chen Chen protecting them.
However, Madam Shen did not give up.
Gao Meng watched her persistence and felt uncomfortable. "Why is this woman like this?"
"How about you go talk to her and see what it's about? I'll eat here; don't worry about me!"
Song Qiao understood Gao Meng's character and knew that Madam Shen was the type to never give up until she achieved her goal. He resigned himself to leading this troublemaker away, as if heading to hell.
"Let's go. Where do you want to go?" Song Qiao said indifferently.
He decided to thoroughly probe Madam Shen's intentions and find out what exactly she needed his help with.
"Alright, come with me! Let's get something to eat first." As she spoke, Madam Shen took Song Qiao's arm and they left the hotel together.
She led Song Qiao to a restaurant not far from the hotel. The decor alone indicated its high-class nature.
This place served local specialties. "I specifically found out, the food here is excellent. It has both traditional character and innovation. Especially the crab roe dumplings and shrimp dumplings, they taste really good and are popular with diners."
"I thought you were going to take me to a top-tier hotel," Song Qiao commented casually.
"Heh, you can go if you want. As long as you agree to help me, I'm willing to pay. And I'm willing to pay even more..." As she spoke, her watery eyes fixed directly on Song Qiao.
"Alright, stop. I don't want to hear it! Besides, you don't have that much appeal to me, because I prefer younger women." Song Qiao thought about her being nearly forty and lost all interest, even though she looked under thirty.
Madam Shen's eyes dimmed. "Alas, hearing you say that truly makes me sad..."
"Heh, if you're sad, eat more to replenish yourself!" Song Qiao quipped, and then lowered his head to eat.
Madam Shen also started eating.
However, a slight smile played on her lips.
Just getting Song Qiao to meet her was a victory for the Shen family.
And being able to talk with him like this indicated that there was still room for negotiation.
It was all a matter of timing.
After eating, Madam Shen dragged Song Qiao to a boutique store to buy luxury goods.
Designer bags, watches, branded clothing, and the like were all bought as if she were clearing out the shelves.
When faced with Song Qiao's refusal, she simply said, "These things, if you say they're expensive, they're actually not. Try them on first; you can exchange them if they don't fit. Besides, even if you don't want them, you should buy them for that girl Gao Meng."
Song Qiao said nothing more, merely observing her performance.
However, regarding her requests, Song Qiao remained unmoved.
This made her extremely frustrated, and anger flared within her. This damn man was too difficult to handle!
They shopped until noon. Madam Shen arranged for the purchased items to be delivered to Song Qiao's hotel, and then took him to the city's most upscale restaurant, "Xian Kelai."
She directly ordered the best dishes and wine, along with Wuliangye.
During the meal, she constantly served Song Qiao dishes and hinted verbally that if he agreed to help, there would be a generous reward.
But Song Qiao did not agree, merely enjoying the wine and food.
Finally, she decided to stop requesting and speak directly. Even if he wouldn't listen, she had to say it.
So, she spoke rapidly.
"Yesterday, I watched your sparring match with Park Xu, Han Qingchuan's bodyguard. Others thought you were just playing with him, but I don't see it that way. I know you wanted to compete with Zhang Longsheng! Yesterday was reconnaissance."
"The favor I'm asking of you is also related to this. I only hope that when you compete with him, you'll add one condition: win back a plaque belonging to our Shen family. This should be effortless for you! And only you can help with this matter."
She finished speaking in one breath, panting heavily, her eyes fixed on Song Qiao, awaiting his reply.
"Oh, that plaque is with Zhang Longsheng?" Song Qiao was indeed intrigued when she mentioned it.
Upon hearing his question, a light shone in Madam Shen's eyes. There was hope!
So, she explained in detail the feud between her family and Zhang Longsheng.
"Retrieving this plaque was my late father's dying wish and my own persistent concern! If you can help, I would be eternally grateful!" Finally, Madam Shen knelt before Song Qiao and bowed her head in礼.
"I hope you will agree to my request!"
In fact, Song Qiao was particularly interested in martial arts experts like Zhang Longsheng. In the future, he was destined to have some sort of encounter with him.
However, even if he and Zhang Longsheng were destined for such a confrontation, it didn't mean he had to agree to Madam Shen's request.
As the saying goes, those who are not of our kind will surely have different intentions.
No matter how good her words sounded now, it was useless. After all, Madam Shen's past actions already revealed what kind of person she was.
Therefore, he directly shook his head, indicating his refusal.
Seeing this, Madam Shen's face dimmed.
Then, an exaggerated smile appeared on her face.
It was exaggerated because, after repeated rejections, she shouldn't have been smiling so gently.
In fact, she was excessively gentle.
She bit her lip, rose from her seat, and walked to Song Qiao's side. Her breathing was slightly heavy, and she placed a hand on his shoulder, then her body went limp, as if about to sink into his embrace.
Song Qiao remained unmoved. He shifted his body, preventing her from succeeding.
"Oh, Mr. Song, why must you be so unfeeling?" Madam Shen asked in a soft voice, laced with a hint of grievance.
As she spoke, she gently stroked Song Qiao's shoulder with her hand, her touch tender, like a massage.
Song Qiao's shoulder twitched slightly, showing his displeasure with her action.
Then, he chuckled, turned his head, and said calmly, "Last night, as you saw, I was with Deng Yihan. Therefore, regarding you, Madam, I don't think I have such a strong appetite. You're like an aunt to me!"
"Pah! What aunt? I'm still young, not even forty yet, how am I an aunt?" Her face darkened, and she stomped her feet twice forcefully.
However, she took two deep breaths, trying her best to calm herself.
"If you find me unsuitable, I can arrange for young and beautiful girls for you. I guarantee your satisfaction. What do you say?"
It was clear that Song Qiao remained unmoved, and she was becoming a little anxious.
"No, thank you. I can't do this sort of thing. I can't accept your kind offer. That's all. I'm leaving!" With that, he bid farewell and left without looking back.