Chapter 233 The Prodigal Second Young Master
Nighttime, in a private penthouse room on the top floor of a club that is not open to the public.
Huo Jingran, dressed in a flashy pink suit with his hair slicked back and shiny, was sitting there anxiously waiting.
The door to the private room was pushed open, and Bai Shu walked in, followed by Yi Yue, who had no expression on her face.
"Miss Bai! Oh my, we've been waiting for you!" Huo Jingran quickly stood up, his face beaming with an exaggerated smile, and hurried over to greet her.
He held a velvet jewelry box in his hands and eagerly handed it to Bai Shu.
"It's a small token of my appreciation for our first meeting, Miss Bai."
The box was opened, revealing a necklace studded with diamonds that shimmered with a gaudy yet expensive light under the lamp.
Bai Shu's gaze didn't linger on the necklace for even a second; he simply raised his chin slightly towards Yi Yue.
In January, she stepped forward, expressionless, closed the box, held it in her hand, and retreated behind Bai Shou. The whole process was smooth and effortless.
Bai Zhu then slowly sat down in the main seat, her posture elegant yet aloof.
"Young Master Huo, you're too kind." Her voice was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Huo Jingran's smile froze for a moment, then widened again. He sat down next to Bai Shu, rubbing his hands together, and said:
"Miss Bai is a hundred times more beautiful in person than the rumors suggest! No, no, I can't just say beautiful, I should say she has an air of elegance! My brother, that rough fellow, would never understand how to appreciate such a peerless beauty as Miss Bai!"
As he spoke, he poured wine for Bai Zhu with great enthusiasm, his words overflowing with flattery and ingratiation.
Bai Shu picked up the wine glass, but didn't drink it. Instead, he gently twirled it between his fingertips, his cool gaze sweeping over the face that was full of "shrewdness" and "calculation".
"Young Master Huo didn't just come to see me today to give me gifts and praise me, did he?"
In one sentence, he completely shut down all the flattery Huo Jingran had prepared.
The atmosphere in the private room instantly became a little awkward.
Huo Jingran chuckled twice, picked up his wine glass, and downed it in one gulp, as if he had made up his mind. He put down the glass, his frivolous expression fading slightly, replaced by one of indignation.
"Miss Bai is a straightforward person, so I'll speak frankly from the bottom of my heart."
"To be honest, I've come here today to discuss a collaboration with Miss Bai."
Seeing that Bai Shu had no reaction, he hurriedly continued, "Miss Bai, you've met my elder brother. He's domineering and tyrannical! The entire Huo Group looks impressive, but it's actually just his personal fiefdom! We younger brothers have some shares and receive some dividends every year, which seems respectable, but we're nothing! He never lets us interfere in company affairs!"
He became more and more agitated as he spoke, as if he had finally found an outlet for the resentment that had been building up for many years.
"Those new wave products are simply a stroke of genius! When I saw them in the newspaper, I slapped my thigh and cheered! It's so satisfying! I've long been fed up with those expensive and useless Japanese products he distributes! Miss Bai, this is a direct slap in my brother's face! Well done!"
Bai Shu remained expressionless, simply asking, "So?"
"So I want to invest!" Huo Jingran said decisively. "Miss Bai, I know New Wave is not short of money. I'm not investing much, but consider it my ticket to join Miss Bai in building a great enterprise! If there's any dirty or hard work to be done in the future, just let me know!"
He spoke with heartfelt sincerity, his eyes gleaming with longing for the future and ambition for power.
Bai Shu looked at him, and finally, a faint smile appeared on her lips, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
"Young Master Huo, as I just said, New Wave has no shortage of money." She stood up, making a move to leave.
"What I lack is someone who can help me kick away all the obstacles in my way on Hong Kong Island. Can you do that?"
"I can do it! Why can't I!" Huo Jingran got anxious and stood up as well, blocking Bai Shu's way.
“Miss Bai! Don’t underestimate me! Hong Kong is a very complicated place! Some things can’t be solved just by having money!” He eagerly expressed his loyalty.
"The dockworkers' union, the newspaper reporters, and those thugs who collect protection money—which one of them doesn't need someone to bribe? You really think my brother is doing so well because he's in some clean business?"
To prove his worth, he moved closer, his voice laced with malice.
"My older brother is keeping a female celebrity named Lily in Repulse Bay. He's got her wrapped around his little finger. I even know her address! If you just give the nod, Miss Bai, I'll immediately have someone tell your sister-in-law about this! I guarantee he'll be in a mess, his backyard will be in chaos!"
He betrayed his own brother without batting an eye.
Bai Shu sneered inwardly, but finally revealed a hint of "interest" on his face.
She sat back down and said, "Anyone can talk big." She raised her eyes, her gaze sharp. "I want to see your sincerity."
Huo Jingran's breath hitched: "Miss Bai, please speak!"
"The three largest electronics chain stores on Hong Kong Island are Baili, Fortress, and Laser." Bai Shu's voice was unhurried, yet carried an unquestionable tone of command.
"Within a week, I want the bosses of these three companies to come to my office at New Wave in person, bringing with them the termination agreements and new agency agreements."
Huo Jingran's expression changed instantly.
These three chain stores are the three most important pillars of Huo Qishan's electronics sales network, each with a five-year exclusive agency contract. Expecting them to break their contracts and switch within a week is not something money can solve; it's utterly delusional!
“Miss Bai…this…this is too difficult…” Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Difficult?" Bai Shu chuckled, his laughter tinged with sarcasm. "If you can't do it, it proves that you, Young Master Huo, are nothing special. Then there's no need for us to discuss cooperation."
She got up again, this time without pausing.
Faced with a tremendous opportunity and an impossible task, Huo Jingran was torn between his own mind and his own. He watched Bai Shu's resolute back as she walked away, knowing that once she left that door, he would have no more chances.
Ambition ultimately triumphed over reason.
"Fine!" He gritted his teeth, practically spitting out the words. "One week! Just one week! Miss Bai, wait for my news!"
...
Back in the Peninsula Hotel's penthouse suite, Bai Shu had just taken off her high heels when Lu Jingyan emerged from the inner lounge.
He had clearly been waiting for a long time.
“This kind of person is like an ungrateful stray dog,” Lu Jingyan said calmly.
Su Wantang threw herself into the soft sofa, completely relaxing. Here, she didn't need to pretend to be the invincible Bai Shu.
“Of course I know.” She rubbed her aching ankle, her tone laced with a lazy calculation. “I never intended to fatten him up. As long as he’s crazy enough, hungry enough, knows where the bones are, and can rush up and bite people for me, that’s enough.”
A mad dog that has been suppressed for too long, once unleashed, often unleashes unimaginable destructive power.
Lu Jingyan put down what he was holding, walked over and sat down beside her, naturally took her ankle and gently massaged it with his warm hands.
"He'll muddy the waters of the Huo family, and that'll be our chance." Su Wantang closed her eyes, enjoying the man's service.
That evening, at the most prestigious Sai Sai Lake Hotel on Hong Kong Island.
This hotel is known for its privacy and high prices, with many private rooms requiring reservations months in advance.
Bai Shu, however, booked a private lake-view room that was never open to the public.
She changed into a low-key beige dress and sat alone by the window, with Yiyue standing behind her.
An elderly waiter respectfully handed over the menu.
Bai Shu didn't answer, but looked at the shimmering lake outside the window and said softly, "I want to order an old dish that's not on your menu."
The waiter paused for a moment, then asked, "Miss, what dish would you like?"
"Searching for plum blossoms in the snow."
The waiter looked embarrassed: "Miss, I'm so sorry. This dish is an old recipe from twenty years ago, and our kitchen hasn't made it for many years..."
“Tell your manager,” Bai Shu interrupted him, “that an old friend wants to taste the flavors from back then.”
She took a finely crafted blank card from her handbag and placed it on the table. In the center of the card, there was only a small, almost illegible letter typed on a typewriter.
"B".
"Give this to him as well."
The waiter dared not ask any further questions, picked up the card, bowed, and withdrew.
Silence returned to the private room.
Bai Zhu picked up the teacup and watched the tea leaves slowly unfurl in the water.
It's time to activate the chess pieces left by her mother. She's waiting, waiting for a response.
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