VIP lounge.
Cen Yemeng held a plastic bag, which was stuffed with bundles of cash.
Surrounded by men and women in black suits, their faces solemn.
The door was violently kicked open, and Jiang Ye entered with a gun, furious.
"What's the meaning of this? Spying on us? A reputable big company resorting to such tactics?" Jiang Ye questioned loudly, as if he was about to tear the entire room apart.
The three black-suited individuals at the forefront stood up.
The first one was surprisingly a beautiful woman, with a small, doll-like face and short, golden wavy hair, her smile radiant.
"Mr. Jiang, you've misunderstood. It's just a chance encounter. Why don't you sit down and chat?" she extended her hand. "I am Xin Jinghe, the negotiation representative from Noise Company."
The two burly men behind her also extended their hands.
"Mr. Jiang, please sit. I am Nakagami Daiga, the representative from Giant Sound Company."
"Mr. Jiang, it's an honor. I am Aiden Abbott, the negotiation specialist from Soft Sound Company."
Jiang Ye didn't shake hands with any of them. Instead, he walked to Cen Yemeng's side, picked up the money bag she was holding, and gave her a meaningful look. Cen Yemeng, understanding immediately, stood up, linked her arm through Jiang Ye's, and walked out with him.
The black-suited men in the room immediately stood up.
Jiang Ye glared back at them, holding his gun, "No need for you to see us out!"
"Mr. Jiang, don't be so hot-tempered. This is hardly the attitude for negotiation," Xin Jinghe said, still smiling.
"Is this your attitude for negotiation? Bringing so many people to block my family member? If you wanted to negotiate, why didn't you contact me directly? Why did you go straight to court initially? Since we're going to court, what's there to discuss privately?" Jiang Ye pushed Cen Yemeng out first. "Next time you encounter something like this, I won't be so polite."
"The lawsuit can be withdrawn at any time. The Chief Justice of this planet is an old friend of ours. Dozens of cases are handled by him every year," Xin Jinghe stepped forward. "Once we reach an agreement, he'll withdraw the case with a single phone call."
Jiang Ye frowned.
The other party spoke with great confidence, and more importantly, what she said was true.
He had seen the资料 before, and these three giants, when united, were almost invincible in lawsuits. The cases they lost were all insignificant, possibly just for show.
So the root of the problem lay with the Chief Justice.
But if they were so sure of victory, why go through all the trouble of tracking them down and negotiating? Wouldn't it be better to just have a straightforward trial and win?
"Show me your sincerity, and then we'll talk about withdrawing. Since you can find out where I live, you can also find my contact information, right? Just talk to me on the phone if there's anything. I don't like crowds. Why call so many people? Is this a play?" Jiang Ye said.
Jiang Ye, with Cen Yemeng, turned to leave.
Xin Jinghe chased them to the doorway, her tone finally growing colder, "Mr. Jiang! This is your chance! Once the trial begins, you have no chance of winning!"
Jiang Ye knew he couldn't show fear at this moment. Without looking back, he and Cen Yemeng entered the elevator.
The moment the elevator doors closed, he glanced at Xin Jinghe through the gap. She was still smiling, but her smile was tinged with gritted teeth.
...
After returning to the hotel room.
Jiang Ye sat down and began to ponder.
At the same time, he browsed various information on his phone, such as the operating styles of the three giants, the relevant laws of the Galactic Empire, the court records of Asak Star, and so on.
He needed to make further judgments, and if the other party came to negotiate again, he would have more leverage.
After pondering for over an hour.
His phone vibrated; a new message arrived.
He thought it was a friend request from Xin Jinghe, but it turned out to be from Li Nannan.
"Change your clothes, and meet me at the hotel entrance in half an hour."
Jiang Ye: "Got it. Where are we going?"
"Taking you to meet someone," Li Nannan replied.
"Don't keep me in suspense, Commander. Who are we meeting? So we can consider what to wear appropriately," Jiang Ye replied.
Li Nannan: "To meet Ye Yangping."
Upon seeing this name, Jiang Ye's spirits soared, and he instantly gained confidence. He knew that this lawsuit was probably a sure win.
Ye Yangping, the foremost Chief Justice of Asak Star!
...
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng, both dressed in formal attire, waited at the hotel entrance.
A beautiful red car slowly descended, and the door opened.
"You guys..." Li Nannan was momentarily surprised, then suddenly realized something. "Oh, my mistake. I forgot to tell you, we're not meeting Ye Yangping at the courthouse office, but at his home. You can dress more casually!"
Jiang Ye was stunned. "At his home? Is there still time for us to go back and change?"
"No need to change. This is fine. Just unbutton your shirt. Mengmeng's outfit is good, suitable for business casual. Get in the car!"
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng got into the car, and it immediately took off, flying above the treetops and soaring towards the distant urban area.
"The negotiation representatives from the three giants came to find us, right at the hotel," Jiang Ye said.
"What did they say?" Li Nannan asked.
"I didn't discuss the details with them. I told them to contact me online later. The leader hinted that they have a close relationship with the Chief Justice, and I can't win," Jiang Ye said.
"Ridiculous," Li Nannan laughed. "A few lousy companies, and they think they can control everything?"
Seeing Li Nannan's relaxed demeanor, Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng breathed a sigh of relief.
The trial hadn't even begun, and they were already able to meet the Chief Justice at his home. The outcome was likely already decided.
After flying for half an hour, they clearly entered the affluent district.
Small manors, vast expanses of lawns, meticulously shaped spherical trees, and blocks of tulip fields, all as beautiful as a fairy tale.
The car landed in a manor.
The manor's "castle" was made of glass, transparent, allowing a view of the furnishings in each room – antique wooden furniture, carpets, and brass chandeliers.
An old man in a shirt and black trousers stood at the entrance, leaning on a cane in one hand and waving with the other. His hair was still black, but it was likely dyed. His face, with wrinkles suggesting he was at least seventy years old, wore a kind smile.
Li Nannan walked over, shook his hand first, and then introduced them:
"This is Ye Yangping, the foremost Chief Justice of Asak Star. This is Jiang Ye, the commander of Jiang Ye Star, and the First Lady, Cen Yemeng."
"Hello!" Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng said in unison.
"Hello, please come in! My wife just made rose pastries. The roses are homegrown, with no pesticides. Have some while they're hot," Ye Yangping was extremely amiable, like a kindly grandfather from a movie.
They took their seats in the dining room.
A young and beautiful girl, carrying a large plate of steaming rose pastries, placed it down with a smile. She wore a green qipao, revealing her fair thighs as she moved, her waist slender, and her bosom high – a truly captivating beauty.
The girl placed the plate of pastries on the table and then turned to leave.
Jiang Ye was secretly amazed, thinking, is this the legendary old bull eating young grass? Perhaps she's not his wife, but his daughter or granddaughter?
Li Nannan asked casually, "Wow, so beautiful. Is she your wife or daughter?"
"Wife," Ye Yangping smiled.
"Alright, your living standards are quite high. What kind of old man doesn't like young and beautiful women?" Li Nannan exclaimed in amazement, then suddenly lowered her voice, "Be careful she doesn't trick you out of your money."
"Money is always going to be tricked away by someone. Instead of letting others trick it away, why not let her?" Ye Yangping laughed nonchalantly. "Eat up, eat up! My wife's pastry-making skills are superb. I married her mainly for her pastries!"
Everyone grabbed a pastry and started eating. The taste was indeed exceptional.
"Speaking of which, Mr. Jiang, we're the same age," Ye Yangping suddenly said.
Jiang Ye was taken aback, "You're also a cryogenically preserved person?"