As Song Qiao made his move, Father Xia paced back and forth in his office, hands clasped behind his back, his expression anxious.
He harbored a nagging premonition.
He had been having people watch Song Qiao closely lately, and the news he received now amplified his feeling of an approaching storm.
After an indeterminate period of pacing, Father Xia finally stopped. At that moment, his gaze turned towards the door.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
A knock sounded. Father Xia's heart eased, and a hint of coldness flickered in his eyes.
"Come in," he said.
Hearing his voice, Hanaduo, who was outside the door, took a deep breath. His tense mood relaxed considerably at that moment.
In fact, as soon as Song Qiao made his move, Hanaduo, like Father Xia, had sensed it.
This time, Song Qiao wouldn't be targeting just one place.
As Hanaduo entered, Father Xia was already seated on the sofa. He gestured to the seat beside him, signaling for Hanaduo to sit down.
Hanaduo remained silent for a moment, sitting quietly beside him, not speaking first.
It wasn't until a beautiful woman, carrying a folder, approached and handed the document to Father Xia.
"You may leave. Keep watch outside the door. No one is allowed in, understand?"
"Yes."
The beautiful woman nodded gently and retreated.
After she left, the door was closed.
Father Xia handed the file to Hanaduo, who was still frowning beside him.
"I assume you're aware of these matters, but you still need to look them over. After all, what I've investigated may be far more detailed than what you know."
Hearing this, Hanaduo gave Father Xia a meaningful glance, then nodded slightly, not refusing. He tore open the file and carefully scanned its contents. His expression immediately shifted from gloomy to overcast.
A moment of silence passed between them. Hanaduo suddenly spoke, asking,
"So, what do you mean by calling me here?"
"Of course, it's about our cooperation. That brat Song Qiao is going to smash my hotels this time."
As he spoke, Father Xia felt a pang of distress. He raised a hand to rub his forehead, his lips pressed tightly together, before finally letting out a sigh.
"Therefore, I want to bring you in. For revenge, of course, but also to prevent the hotels from being smashed."
Father Xia's intentions were clear.
Hanaduo listened to Father Xia's words and looked at him deeply.
"You should know what's happening in Snow Country."
"That's not my concern. You just need to nod or shake your head."
Hanaduo nodded.
"No problem. We have a common enemy."
...
The news that Hanaduo had joined forces with Father Xia naturally did not escape Song Qiao.
However, upon hearing this, Song Qiao did not appear overly agitated. Instead, he let out a cold chuckle, detached and dismissive.
"Playing dirty?"
"It's utterly laughable, showing off in front of an expert!"
If anyone were to be considered a master of scheming, it was Song Qiao.
Upon hearing the news, Song Qiao instantly grasped the situation.
Just then, Gao Meng knocked and entered, looking at Song Qiao, who was staring at the screen.
Hearing the knock, Song Qiao turned his gaze towards her. Their eyes met.
"Dean Zhang from outside said he wants to see you. He has something to discuss."
Hearing Gao Meng's voice, Song Qiao raised an eyebrow.
"What could Dean Zhang want with me? Our relationship doesn't seem very good, does it?"
The events that transpired previously were still fresh in his mind.
Was he coming now because he felt he hadn't performed well enough then and wanted another go?
Gao Meng shook her head.
"He said he wants to discuss cooperation with you."
"There's no room for negotiation on cooperation. Tell him to scram," Song Qiao said without hesitation.
At the same time, he couldn't help but admire the man's thick skin.
Previously, this so-called Dean Zhang had colluded with Yang Jiefeng to humiliate him, making it seem as if every action was designed to thoroughly offend him.
Had he ever considered a day like this back then?
"He's just a fence-sitter. Bringing him into your circle of cooperation will inevitably lead to trouble sooner or later."
As he spoke, Song Qiao glanced at Gao Meng.
"Chase him away. Send him as far as possible!"
His fawning now was merely because his medicine was yielding high profits, making him greedy.
He was willing to cast aside his pride for profit.
Such people were the most terrifying, capable of betraying at any moment. Keeping them around was a definite disaster!
"Understood."
Gao Meng nodded, not objecting to Song Qiao's command in the slightest.
After leaving the martial arts hall, she looked at Dean Zhang, who was outside with a fawning smile, and shook her head, her attitude exceptionally indifferent.
"Please leave. President Song does not wish to see you."
"I'm here to discuss cooperation. It's a win-win situation."
"President Song said that cooperating with someone like you is too risky and he cannot afford it. Therefore, please return."
Gao Meng's reply was a seamless follow-up to his statement, leaving Dean Zhang's face flushed red. He opened his mouth, stammered a couple of times, but could say nothing.
Then, as if a thought struck him, Dean Zhang patted his head and, looking at Gao Meng, chuckled and produced several thick red envelopes from his person.
"You know, I completely forgot. Please help me put in a good word for President Song, and this cooperation is mutually beneficial. More partners mean more profit."
Saying this, he attempted to stuff the red envelopes into Gao Meng's hand.
Gao Meng looked at the red envelopes expressionlessly, a cold smile appearing on her face.
"Dean Zhang, I think you're mistaken. President Song has already said he won't see you, and he definitely won't. I won't put in a good word for you either!"
Her words, delivered without mercy, prompted Gao Meng to shout into the distance.
"Security! Get him out of here!"
As Gao Meng's voice faded, several burly security guards quickly rushed over and carried him away. No matter how Dean Zhang shouted, it was useless.
Gao Meng let out a cold snort and was about to turn away when she saw someone else hurrying towards them.
Brother Kun looked at Gao Meng with a smile.
"Could you inform Song Qiao that I'm here to see him?"
"Wait, I'll go ask."
Gao Meng's tone softened slightly, as Brother Kun had no significant grievances with Song Qiao.
When Gao Meng informed Song Qiao of Brother Kun's arrival, Song Qiao was momentarily taken aback, then let out a relaxed laugh.
"This fellow is probably here for cooperation too. Let him in."
Gao Meng nodded. Soon, Brother Kun, led by Gao Meng, walked in. Upon seeing Song Qiao, Brother Kun quickly bowed.
"President Song, I sincerely apologize for what happened with my nephew previously. I have already dealt with the matter."
Song Qiao looked at him and chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"It's alright. Everyone is bustling about for profit. Your nephew also acted against me because he saw an opportunity. Such competition is normal, I'm not that petty."
He paused here, noticing a hint of surprise in Brother Kun's eyes.
"You came to see me?"
"Yes, President Song. I heard that your company's medicine is very profitable, so I would like to cooperate with your company." Brother Kun was forthright and open about this matter, not hiding anything.
Gao Meng raised an eyebrow, recalling the scene where Dean Zhang was driven away, and turned her gaze aside.
However, to her surprise, Song Qiao immediately nodded in agreement.
"No problem."
With a hearty laugh, Song Qiao was rather straightforward.
Brother Kun had no grievances with him, so there was no need to treat him like Dean Zhang.
Moreover, in many ways, Brother Kun had helped him quite a bit.