4
The middle-aged man walking towards us was tall and imposing, with a resolute and distinct face that exuded authority even without anger. He was indeed the famous leader of the "Fuqing Gang" in California.
With a professional smile, Xu Qi stepped forward and extended his hand: "Mr. Yao, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Yao Yinxiang grasped the right hand that was offered to him: "I have long admired your father's name. Meeting you today, I can confirm that like father, like son!"
"Old fox!" Xu Qi cursed inwardly. Yao Yinxiang's words had made him appear inferior, forcing him to act like a junior—he had lost the initiative before the negotiations even began!
"Not at all. I have often heard my father mention that he greatly admires you, senior, and feels ashamed of his own inferiority. The Fuqing Gang is already famous throughout the world, and among the Fuqing Gang in the United States, you are the most powerful, almost sweeping across California. How can a small gang like ours compare?" This implied that he knew the other party's background very well.
Yao Yinxiang laughed and said, "Kid, there's no need to be so modest. Your influence in New York is no less than ours, and the 'Red Lions' in Seattle are related to you by marriage. In terms of strength, you are above us."
"They really dare to act like they're old and powerful!" Xu Qi's eyes flashed coldly, but he remained outwardly calm: "We have 'Red Lion,' and doesn't your gang have 'Changle'?"
The reason for arranging the negotiations in Seattle was that both sides had allies there, and their forces were roughly equal, which could serve as a check and balance.
On the surface, the two sides appeared amicable, but undercurrents were surging beneath. Yao Yinxiang walked to the negotiating table and sat down without ceremony, with Xu Qi following suit and sitting opposite him.
As soon as Yao Yinxiang saw him sit down, he immediately said, "There's no need for us to test each other. Let's not beat around the bush. I'll just ask you one question: are you trying to make an enemy of us by obstructing our takeover of 'Qifeng'?"
Xu Qi's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't expected them to get to the point so quickly. He had to admit, experience counts. However, Xu Qi wouldn't be easily bullied. He said seriously, "Mr. Yao, there must be some misunderstanding between us. We have never intended to be your enemy. As for the 'Qifeng' matter, if I, 'Longming,' were to go to California and take over a small gang, would you not take action?"
After staring at Xu Qi for a full half minute, Yao Yinxiang suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, "Indeed, he has the style of his father. No, he has surpassed his father! Xu Qingjue has given birth to a fine son!"
Xu Qi was somewhat puzzled. Had Yao Yinxiang met his father? He maintained a calm tone: "Mr. Yao, you flatter me."
“Not bad, not bad,” Yao Yinxiang turned to a middle-aged man behind him, “A-Fan, what do you think?”
Jiang Fan said expressionlessly, "Mr. Xu is handsome and has an extraordinary bearing."
Xu Qi finally frowned: "This junior may be presumptuous, but may I ask what you mean by saying this, senior?"
Yao Yinxiang smiled mysteriously: "Your father really didn't tell you anything? It seems he's still the straightforward Xu Qingjue I know. Alright, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I'll ask you, would you be willing to be my son-in-law?"
"Son-in-law? Forgive my ignorance, I don't understand what you mean." Xu Qi was startled.
"Such composure is rare among young people." Yao Yinxiang was increasingly satisfied as he looked at him. "Simply put, your father intends to ask for your hand in marriage. But I can't just marry my daughter off to a stranger without knowing anything about it, so I asked to meet you. This acquisition of 'Qifeng' is to take the opportunity to meet you without your knowledge, which can also be considered as a gift to you."
Xu Qi was taken aback, then felt a surge of anger. No wonder his father wasn't surprised at all by the Fuqing Gang's actions; it turned out they had set a trap for him! Under these circumstances, he absolutely couldn't refuse outright, or the situation would become unmanageable. But to compromise like this was absolutely out of the question.
“I understand. Thank you for your kind favor, senior. I am unworthy of it. But regarding the marriage alliance,” he paused, a smirk playing on his lips, “I haven’t even had a chance to see your daughter’s face, and I’m completely unprepared. Surely you can’t expect me to make such a sudden decision?” The implication was that this matter should be put on hold for now.
Upon hearing this, Yao Yinxiang nodded and said, "Of course, I am not such an unreasonable person."
Xu Qi breathed a sigh of relief. Although he knew that as the eldest son, he was destined to be forced into a marriage of convenience, and he did not intend to resist, he was also unwilling to rush things.
Yao Yinxiang clapped his hands: "Jinghan, this Mr. Xu wants to meet you. Let him see if I, Yao, will make him suffer!"
“Yes, Father,” Yao Jinghan replied softly.
Xu Qi suddenly looked up and saw a young woman slowly walking in from the doorway behind Yao Yinxiang.
Tall, elegantly made-up, and impeccably poised, she was the quintessential heiress of a prestigious family. However, the term "prestigious family" is debatable. The Fuqing gang primarily deals in drug trafficking, smuggling, and human trafficking, unlike their seemingly legitimate family-run group. But by marrying their daughter into the family, the Fuqing gang would essentially become part of their "Dragon Underworld" power base, a situation whose potential benefits or drawbacks for them remain uncertain.
But judging from the woman's appearance alone, he couldn't find anything wrong with her. Xu Qi sighed inwardly, it seemed his father had planned this all along.
“Miss Yao is exceptionally beautiful, and her temperament is even more noble and elegant. I, Xu, feel deeply ashamed.” Xu Qi stood up with a stiff upper lip.
Yao Jinghan covered her mouth and chuckled: "Mr. Xu, you are joking. A handsome and talented young man like you must have seen countless beauties. How could someone as plain as me possibly catch your eye?"
“I’m not asking you to make a decision right now. I just want you young people to meet, spend a couple of days together, and then think it over carefully before making a decision,” Yao Yinxiang said solemnly.
For the next two days, Xu Qi had no choice but to stay in Seattle, going on dates with the woman who might very well become his wife. Unbeknownst to him, during those two days, Xue Ying and Feng Chuyi, whom he had sent to Xu Yi's side, had completely sided with Xu Yi.
The man sitting alone in the corner looked so beautiful, enveloped in a dreamlike aura. Anthony stared intently at him, his eyes burning with the fervor of someone eyeing prey.
Lance put down the cocktail shaker and followed his gaze in that direction: "What, you've got your eye on him?"
Anthony turned to look at him: "You know him?"
"Hmph, I advise you to give up now." Lance sneered. "That's one of the two most famous Eastern beauties around here, but unfortunately he never accepts invitations. By the way, the other one often comes with him. Everyone's guessing if they're a couple, but I personally think they're just friends."
"Oh? Is that so?" Anthony narrowed his deep blue eyes and curled his sexy lips. "Then I can't let this opportunity pass me by."
Watching him raise his glass and walk towards the beauty, Lance shrugged helplessly: "I knew it would turn out like this. Good luck, cousin."
That person has been in Seattle for two days now. He asked why, and it seemed the Fuqing gang had kept Xu Qi there for some reason, but Xu Qi didn't elaborate, and naturally, he didn't dare to ask further. That person will be back tomorrow—although he can only chase after that person's shadow, he still misses him terribly. Rose closed his eyes; he knew he was being incredibly pathetic.
"Hi, may I sit here?" The man spoke in standard American English and sounded like a grown man.
Rose opened her eyes to find a tall, handsome blond man standing before her. He nodded indifferently, "Whatever." He was just another bored man trying to pick her up; his cold attitude would drive him away in no time.
Anthony was secretly delighted: This is promising! He took the opportunity to sit down next to the beauty: "Are you of Chinese descent?"
He had seen many people of East Asian descent, but he had never seen such a beauty in his life. Based on his experience, this beauty was likely of Chinese descent—in the eyes of most Westerners, all East Asians look alike, but because he had a particular fondness for East Asian beauties—especially Chinese women—and had even gone to the trouble of learning Chinese, he could still make a rough distinction.
Rose raised her eyelids slightly and said lazily, "Yes, Chinese."
Up close, the beauty was striking: her fair, delicate oval face framed long, elegant eyebrows; her large, cat-like eyes shimmered with a moist light; and her thick, curled eyelashes, like fans, cast breathtaking shadows in the dim light. Her small, rosy lips were like flower petals, so soft and tender that one couldn't resist the urge to kiss them. Her shoulder-length brown hair flowed smoothly down her long, graceful neck, and her delicate collarbones were faintly visible. Her fingers, holding the wine glass, were long, slender, and white, with distinct knuckles, possessing a strength beneath their delicate appearance.
An absolute temptress, enough to tempt anyone to commit a crime. That was Anthony's conclusion.
He handed over a glass: "Lake Leman, with its dreamy blue, is a perfect match for your beauty."
Rose turned her head away impatiently: "I don't like it."
She truly is an ice queen. But this little setback is nothing to discourage her. Anthony flashed a charming smile: "Don't like it? But I really like you—that 'Godfather' in your hand. May I have the honor?"
Rose finally looked at him properly, raising her delicate eyebrows: "You want a drink?" This man was shameless. She refused his drink, yet he was asking her for one?
He took the "Dream Lake Leman" glass from the man's hand and poured the remaining third of his "Godfather" into it. Then he handed over the somewhat eerie-looking colored liquid: "This is good, want to try it?"
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