Chapter 440: Chapter 250: The Myna Is My Good Brother
The next day, Zhao Yao accompanied Liang Run to the Wang Jiangnan Teahouse.
Wang Jiangnan Teahouse was one of the famous teahouses in the capital, favored by the literati, scholars, and officials for its elegant and tasteful decor.
Liang Run and Zhao Yao intentionally arrived a quarter of an hour early at Wang Jiangnan Teahouse. They chose a seat by the window on the second floor.
Zhao Yao sat behind Liang Run, separated by a screen, so when Wang Siqi arrived, he wouldn’t notice Zhao Yao.
Tong Xi sat opposite Zhao Yao, serving him tea and refreshments.
After a while, Wang Siqi came up with a servant.
Liang Run quickly stood up to greet him, "Mr. Wang."
Wang Siqi also hurried over to greet Liang Run, "Boss Liang."
He then promptly apologized to Liang Run, "Boss Liang, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting."
Liang Run was surprised by Wang Siqi’s polite attitude today, considering that during their last meeting, Wang Siqi had been extremely aggressive.
What was going on today, being so polite?
Was he planning to be gentle before being forceful?
Liang Run did not relax his vigilance despite Wang Siqi’s polite demeanor. He remained guarded inwardly.
"No, I just arrived as well. Besides, it’s not yet our agreed time, so Mr. Wang, don’t worry," Liang Run said as he gestured, "Please, Mr. Wang, have a seat."
Wang Siqi gestured back, "Boss Liang, you also have a seat."
Once seated, Wang Siqi called over a waiter and ordered the best tea at Wang Jiangnan Teahouse.
Liang Run did not rush to discuss the business collaboration; he waited for Wang Siqi to speak first.
He had originally thought Wang Siqi would be eager, as his previous demeanor was impatient. Unexpectedly, after sitting down, Wang Siqi did not hurry to discuss business, instead, he engaged in small talk.
Liang Run was unsure of what Wang Siqi was up to, so he engaged in the chit-chat.
The two chatted like friends, starting with recent happenings in the capital. The talk of the town these days was the foreign envoys’ court visits.
Wang Siqi shared some interesting stories he had heard about the foreign envoys, causing Liang Run to laugh continuously.
After discussing the foreign envoys, Wang Siqi turned the conversation to the Western Regions.
Liang Run thought to himself: here it comes!
Sitting behind Liang Run, Zhao Yao pricked up his ears to listen to what Wang Siqi would say next.
Wang Siqi inquired about the Western Regions, and Liang Run briefly explained.
After hearing about the Western Regions, Wang Siqi praised Liang Run for his foresight, as when people from Wusun first came to Great Zhou, Liang Run had already begun trading with them before others.
Despite Wang Siqi’s compliments, Liang Run did not let his guard down. In fact, he became even more cautious. He thought Wang Siqi was about to bring up the business collaboration, but Wang Siqi said nothing about it and instead started talking about business in Yangzhou.
Zhao Yao noticed Wang Siqi’s delay in mentioning the business collaboration, thinking this person has quite the patience. For just this trait alone, Wang Siqi is somewhat admirable. However, if Wang Siqi had no merits at all, the eighth brother wouldn’t have taken interest in him.
Since Wang Siqi conversed about Yangzhou’s business, Liang Run had to follow along.
He wasn’t in a hurry for the business collaboration, nor did he want to rush it. He wanted to see how long Wang Siqi could hold out before mentioning it.
A while later, Zhao Yao finished his refreshments and tea, yet Wang Siqi and Liang Run were still not done talking. Almost two hours had passed, and Wang Siqi was still discussing matters in Yangzhou with Liang Run.
"Your Highness, what’s the matter with this person?" Even Tong Xi was getting impatient from listening.
Zhao Yao slightly frowned and said, "Let’s wait a bit longer."
Liang Run found it odd that Wang Siqi hadn’t mentioned the collaboration. Since he wasn’t bringing it up, Liang Run pretended to know nothing.
A moment later, Wang Siqi finally brought up the business collaboration. He apologized to Liang Run, saying he had other matters to attend to and couldn’t collaborate on the business for the moment.
Liang Run was taken aback by this.
Wang Siqi apologized profusely to Liang Run and said that if there was an opportunity in the future, they could do business together. Before leaving, he gave Liang Run a brocade box as an apology.
Naturally, Liang Run could not accept it, but Wang Siqi insisted on giving it to him.
Wang Siqi said he had other matters to attend to and took his leave. Before leaving, he also mentioned that they should get together for drinks in the future.