Zhu Mengmeng's outrageous words did not cause the slightest ripple in the room. The old man continued playing chess by himself, while Du Lianfeng merely smiled faintly. "You're joking, Miss Zhu. Plenty of men want to lick your boots, so we have no choice but to take the opposite approach."
He glanced at the two Calabash Brothers, a strange look flashing through his eyes as well. The masks' unusual power seemed to interfere with him, leaving him unable to determine where these two had come from.
He did not care, however, and simply continued, "Please, everyone, have a seat. We're here to talk business."
Zhu Mengmeng wanted to say more, but Qiu Wuji tugged at her twice. Zhu Mengmeng fell silent and sat down indignantly.
Zhong Yi and the couple, Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji, also took seats beside her, watching Du Lianfeng and waiting for him to lay his cards on the table.
Du Lianfeng gestured, and a seductive woman in office attire and black stockings came over and began making tea for everyone.
Qiu Wuji looked at the outfit, then at Chu Ge. Chu Ge sat obediently, his expression concealed behind his mask.
Qiu Wuji curled her lips.
The fragrance of tea drifted upward. Leaning back on the sofa, Du Lianfeng said slowly, "Miss Zhu, you must know that all we want is the mine. We're offering market price, and we could even go higher..."
"Not for sale!" Zhu Mengmeng said bluntly.
"Why make things difficult?" Du Lianfeng sighed. "Your father switched businesses long ago. The mine is no longer of much use to him... We're all sensible people, so there's no need to hide anything. There's spiritual energy in that purple clay mine. Your father must have searched for its source, but it seems he hasn't found