"My friend?"
"Who is it? So secretive, bring him upstairs."
In the reception room, Song Qiao directly told the person on the other end of the phone to bring the visitor up, while he pondered what kind of friend it could be.
It certainly wasn't Ye Zhiwei; that girl always came to see him directly, and the security guards knew her...
As he was thinking, a man in a suit appeared at the door.
The man was in his twenties, around Song Qiao's age, with a gentle and refined demeanor, looking like a decent person.
However, at this moment, his expression was full of excitement, and he showed a smile the moment he saw Song Qiao.
"Song Qiao, it's been so many years since we last met!"
The young man stepped forward immediately, surprisingly familiar as he patted Song Qiao's shoulder.
"How could it be you?"
"Dong Peng... you, you're actually in Yangcheng?"
Song Qiao was also surprised. He knew the person in front of him very well, but he never expected him to appear before him again.
The person before him was named Dong Peng, his childhood playmate and closest friend.
When he was young and struggling, it was the Dong family who had been supporting him.
The Dong family was already wealthy back then, but later they moved their entire family to the capital to develop, and they lost contact.
He never expected to see each other again today.
"Come, sit, sit, sit. I heard a friend was coming and was wondering who it was, but I didn't expect it to be you, Dong Peng."
"If I had known, I would have come downstairs to greet you."
Song Qiao meant what he said. The Dong family had indeed helped him a lot back then.
"Ah, there's no need to be so polite. I'm just back for a visit."
Dong Peng politely waved his hand, looking at Song Qiao with a hint of emotion.
"You've changed so much over the years."
"Of course. By the way, Wu Meng, quickly go and pour some tea, the best tea from Xinkai."
Song Qiao was overjoyed at their reunion, his enthusiasm genuine.
Because Dong Peng had helped him immensely in the past, even in some difficult times, he wouldn't have been able to get through without Dong Peng's help.
"It's been so many years. I never expected you, Song Qiao, to become so capable. It's truly astonishing."
Dong Peng sat down, looked around, and then recalled the many employees he saw on the way upstairs, sighing with emotion.
"Haha, Dong Peng, you look like you're doing well in the capital. You're quite the distinguished figure yourself!"
Song Qiao couldn't help but praise him, and then inquired about his affairs in the capital.
"By the way, when your family moved to the capital to develop, how are things now?"
"Are there any difficulties you've encountered, or anything I can help with?"
Upon hearing this, Dong Peng smiled faintly.
"Don't worry, since the Dong family moved to the capital, we've developed better with the times. Our strength is quite good now."
"Actually, the reason I've returned this time..."
He paused at this point, his expression suddenly becoming more serious.
"Alas, forget it. I won't hide it from you. It's because of Li Bingqing."
This statement made Song Qiao raise his eyebrows.
"Li Bingqing?"
He hadn't expected his childhood friend to be involved with this woman.
"It's her."
Dong Peng nodded vigorously.
"Li Bingqing is using her connections to force our Dong family to join her, to fight against your Xinkai Capital once again with our Dong family's strength."
"Honestly, I was very surprised when I learned that you, Song Qiao, were the boss of Xinkai Capital."
Song Qiao nodded slightly, processing the news.
Li Bingqing had actually sent his childhood friend to deal with him.
When the tea was served, the atmosphere in the reception room cooled slightly.
"So that's how it is. May I know your stance, Dong Peng?"
Song Qiao actually didn't want to go to war with his friend.
Dong Peng's return and his visit to see him clearly indicated he was here to warn him.
"Alas, Song Qiao, I'll be frank with you. I'm also under duress. The Dong family in the capital is heavily reliant on certain forces. When these people speak up, our Dong family has no choice but to help, otherwise the consequences will be severe."
A sigh escaped Dong Peng's lips, revealing a look of guilt.
Song Qiao nodded slightly, but showed no anger.
"Times have changed, it's alright. This is just a legitimate commercial struggle."
The friend who had once supported him was now on the opposite side.
Song Qiao felt a mix of emotions but understood that he couldn't back down to Li Bingqing. And since the Dong family had chosen to help Li Bingqing in the capital, there must have been unavoidable reasons.
However, it didn't really matter. Even with the Dong family joining in, Song Qiao was fully confident in defeating the Li family.
"Song Qiao, I actually came to warn you. This Li Bingqing is very persistent. If you don't compromise, she will fight you to the end."
Dong Peng couldn't help but speak, his words filled with worry. He hadn't touched the tea on the table.
"Actually, I wish you could yield a little. Li Bingqing's target is Blue Sea Industrial. This time our Dong family is assisting with ten million in funding."
"However, even if a fight breaks out, you don't need to show any mercy. Deep down, I still support you."
As he finished speaking, Dong Peng sighed. He really didn't want to oppose his former playmate.
But the Dong family had their unavoidable reasons in the capital.
"I cannot back down."
Song Qiao didn't say much, looking at Dong Peng with a complex expression.
"This struggle is not that simple. It's not something that can end gracefully just by yielding."
"Alright, I understand."
Dong Peng nodded, not trying to persuade him further. He got up to leave.
He had come today hoping to persuade both sides to avoid a conflict.
He had tried to reason with Li Bingqing, but it was useless. And from Song Qiao's reaction, it was unlikely a ceasefire was possible.
"Song Qiao, it was a pleasure to see you today, but I have other matters to attend to and must leave."
"Actually..."
After standing up, Dong Peng hesitated, then finally turned and walked towards the door.
Wu Meng, standing by, clenched her fists. Li Bingqing was already so formidable, and now with Dong Peng's Dong family joining, did Xinkai Capital still stand a chance?
What if both Blue Sea Industrial and Xinkai Capital were defeated, and Song Qiao couldn't bear the blow and something happened to him?
She desperately didn't want that to happen.
But at that moment, Song Qiao suddenly stood up and spoke.
"Dong Peng."
Dong Peng stopped and turned his head to look. Wu Meng immediately looked on nervously. Was Song Qiao going to compromise?
It made sense, with the addition of the Dong family, they probably had no chance of winning.
Since the two of them had a good relationship, it would be best to discuss a compromise.
But the next moment, Song Qiao's lips curved slightly, revealing a confident smile.
"Dong Peng, you don't need to worry about anything. And you don't need to be hesitant in the future."
"I, for one, simply enjoy a challenge."