The steward immediately understood and led everyone away, gently closing the door behind him.

"What does Young Master Yan mean?"

"Does Mr. Liang want to do business with Shengdu College?"

"Doing business with the academy?!"

Liang Ting repeated his words.

Of course I want to!

If Wanbaoge could get on the coattails of Holy Capital Academy, it would soar to new heights.

However, the Holy Capital Academy has a close partnership with the eight great families, which is not something that outsiders can interfere with.

"Young Master Yan, please don't joke with me."

“Mr. Liang, you know I’m not joking with you.”

Shang Yanting leaned back slightly in the wooden chair, composed and confident. "If I hadn't been prepared, I wouldn't have come to you."

"No, no."

Liang Ting shook her head repeatedly.

That's too risky.

He only wanted to carefully accumulate wealth and expand the Liang family's business little by little. Going against the eight great families would likely lead them to destroy Wanbaoge.

"Our shop is small and can't withstand this kind of disruption."

"Do you think the powerful families will let you off the hook if you don't provoke them?"

Shang Yanting was not annoyed by his firm refusal. He picked up the tea in front of him and took a sip. "The eight great families are interconnected. If you dare to open Wanbaoge under the Holy Capital Academy, they will take notice of you."

Do you think a powerful family would allow a potential competitor to develop right under its nose?

"While you were at Holy Capital Academy, they were probably already in contact with the city lord of Zhaocheng."

Shang Yanting knew all too well what the powerful families would do: "To solidify their position, they would eliminate any threatening rivals."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Liang Ting, whose face had turned ugly, and said, "I'll give you two days to think about it. If you don't give me an answer, I'll go find a new partner."