Lei Yingdong left Lu Yu Teahouse, while Song Tianyao waited for Angie Perlis. Angie Perlis couldn't possibly come back too early; after distributing the donated medicines in the afternoon, she would be there in the evening for the Oxfam and appreciation dinner hosted by Mrs. Bess and Chu Xiaoxin, the three Oxfam of Oxfam, for the donors that morning.
Song Tianyao sighed in frustration and looked at the Rotten-Life Ju, who preferred to stand outside smoking rather than come in. "Hey, Brother Ju, what if I asked your Big Brother Chan Ah-sap for money to book a few tables at Taibai Seafood Restaurant? Would he lend me the money?"
Rotten-Life Ju didn't even look Song Tianyao in the eye, looking down at the cigarette in his hand and forcing a smile, "Secretary Song is really joking. Brother Ten went out for a while. You can ask him yourself when he comes back. I'm a rough man, I only know how to use a knife, not a brain."
Just then, footsteps sounded on the stairs, and a voice, tinged with laughter, rang out from the top of the stairs. "Just borrowing money for a few tables of drinks? That's a bit too little."
As they were talking, Chu Xiaozhong walked in from outside, followed by Chan Ah-sap, who had returned carrying a file bag. Chen Ashi placed the file bag on the table and then left. Chu Xiaozhong adjusted his glasses, sat down in the seat where Lei Yingdong had been, and smiled at Song Tianyao, "Secretary Song, I just happened to be passing by and thought I'd stop by for a cup of tea."
"Young Master Zhong, you can just call me A-Yao, you're too kind." When Song Tianyao saw Chu Xiaozhong appear, he quickly stood up from his seat and greeted Chu Xiaozhong politely.
Song Tianyao could sit and not greet other people like Chan Ah-sap and Lei Yingdong, but he was Second Young Master Chu's secretary and acted on behalf of the Chu Family. So, when he saw the future heir of the Chu Family, he naturally had to maintain the necessary courtesy.
"Sit down, A-Yao." Chu Xiaozhong smiled at Song Tianyao, who had stood up, and pointed to the file folder on the table. "Compared to last time at the Chu Family, when you scared Ah Sap and me so much that our hands and feet went cold, this time I feel like you're missing something. You played your cards well, including Oxfam, the Zhang Family, the Foreign Devil, the Pharmaceutical Association, Chiu Chow, and the Five Counties region. When Ah Sap picked me up, he told me that you met Lei Danzi again, mixing all of these together. Your calculations were ingenious, but you lacked the ability to push people to the point of helplessness, like I did in front of my father that day. I've been thinking about it, and I feel A-Yao you and Likang lack confidence. Well, that's your confidence: 300,000 in cash, and 1.5 million was just transferred into Likang's account."
Song Tianyao looked at Chu Xiaozhong with a puzzled expression. "Confidence?"
"You're the one who can heal yourself. You know Likang has no money in its accounts, so you can't do many things directly. That's why you take many detours to achieve your goals. Compared to that day at the Chu Family, when you and Ah Sin had fourteen yellow croakers, you dared to ask me and Ah Sap if we had ulterior motives. You were more calculating, but lacked the necessary momentum. In short, that day you weren't afraid to turn against us because fourteen yellow croakers were enough for you to help Ah Sin rebuild his business at Likang. But today you're scheming and plotting but haven't taken any action. First, your opponent is strong, and second, you have no money in your pocket and no power in your heart." Chu Xiaozhong took off his glasses, breathed on them, and slowly wiped the lenses as he spoke to Song Tianyao.
Song Tianyao's eyes lit up. This young master of the Chu Family was a discerning person who could pinpoint the problem that he had not thought of or had overlooked in the situation.
"You've figured it out?" Seeing Song Tianyao raise an eyebrow, Chu Xiaozhong knew the other had already thought it through, "Did you feel a little insecure before? Now, use money to bribe the Customs Department and those members of Fuyixing who are working for you. Your voice will be louder. The louder your voice, the more hardworking those who take your money will be. This will show them that Likang is full of vigor. Otherwise, even if the Big Brother shots in Fuyixing don't lose heart, the lowly figures working hard outside will be demoralized. Money is used to encourage those who are working for Likang. The harder they work, the more confident you will be."
"Why help Likang, Young Master Zhong? Forgive my bluntness, but Young Master Shun and you..." Song Tianyao nodded slightly and said to Chu Xiaozhong.
Chu Xiaozhong put his glasses back on his face. "The Zhang Family has four brothers, and they're all of one mind. The Chu Family only has two brothers, yet they still want to make a scene like this? Let Ah Sin focus on being Philanthropist. In this round, although my father can't step forward, since they've bullied my brother, of course I, as the older brother, have to stand up and take this beating for Ah Sin against the Zhang Family. Besides, it wouldn't be bad to be the temporary boss of a lucky charm like you for a few days and boost my luck."
"Young Master Zhong, to be honest, after you finished speaking, I feel even more uneasy. I'm afraid that when we sit down to divide the spoils, it won't be enough to satisfy Young Master Zhong appetite." Song Tianyao had a smile on his face, but he said this to Chu Xiaozhong in a half-serious tone.
Chu Xiaozhong laughed heartily, "You think I have a big appetite? Then let's go down the whole batch of goods together, eat our fill. You think the Chu family can be bullied so easily? I know the principle that you have to work hard to earn a living. The Pharmaceutical Association is from Wuyi, but the ships they rent to transport medicines may not be from Wuyi. You continue to be Axin's vanguard, and I'll be Axin's ambush soldier. Axin, on the other hand, can be his Grand Marshal of Peace, waiting to count his money and reap both fame and fortune."
After saying this, Chu Xiaozhong looked at Song Tianyao, who had a slight smile on his face, and said, "I really envy my younger brother. When I was studying hard, he was eating, drinking, and having fun. When I was learning how to do business, he was eating, drinking, and having fun. When he was managing Likang, he was still eating, drinking, and having fun. When Likang was about to collapse, you appeared and took over for him, while he continued to eat, drink, and have fun. In the end, it was he who transformed into Philanthropist, gaining both fame and fortune. Sometimes, God is really unfair."
After saying this, Chu Xiaozhong noticed that Song Tianyao was still staring at him, so he simply spread his hands. "We can talk about those dirty tricks between brothers after we win this round and finish this meal."
"If you had said that earlier, Young Master Zhong, it would have put my mind at ease more than all that you said." Song Tianyao patted the file folder on the table and extended his hand to Chu Xiaozhong: "I thank you on behalf of Young Master Shun for your help, Young Master Zhong."
Chapter 138 Better Early Than Late
Chu Xiaozhong was very decisive. He delivered the money and left Lu Yu Teahouse under Chan Ah-sap's escort, leaving Song Tianyao alone, touching the file bag on the table and sighing.
The pathetic Chu Xiaozhong, who comes here to take advantage, can speak with such righteous indignation; he must be Chu Yaozong's biological son.