CHAPTER 541: CHAPTER 503: COOPERATION IS CONDITIONAL

On the other side, Wang Junchen in the study wasn’t idle either; he was classifying 20 small medicinal vials with numbered labels, while Uncle Quan was in charge of supervision.

"That’s all, the rest are all non-toxic."

"Are you sure?"

"Um... more or less," Wang Junchen answered.

Uncle Quan: "..."

"More or less?" Tang Mei burst out in anger as soon as she heard, scolding, "Can this kind of thing be done ’more or less’?"

Wang Junchen shuddered in fright.

Oh, what a headache. I’m not professionally trained in this, how could I possibly do it without error?

In fact, his classification was correct.

He was still somewhat afraid of her. In the past, as a subordinate, Tang Mei was the resolute boss of Shen Shiyi. Even now, after mother and son have recognized each other, it was still the same.

"How about..." Wang Junchen cleared his throat and casually picked up a vial, "I... start over..."

Just then, a faint vibration from the phone interrupted, Tang Mei glanced at the screen and saw a string of special numbers, causing her eyebrows to suddenly furrow.

Uncle Quan quickly signaled for Wang Junchen to leave.

Once they were out, Tang Mei promptly pressed the answer button: "What’s the matter?"

The deep voice on the other end was chilling.

"Good evening madam, I’m very sorry to disturb you at this hour. The thing is, the boss highly values your granddaughter Tang Xiaowan’s abilities and talents and intends to provide her with special training for a significant role."

Despite the man’s firm and respectful tone, there was also a hint of nervousness and probing.

A significant role?

Humph, what a special training!

Tang Mei’s face darkened instantly, but she wasn’t surprised. Just yesterday, she had already learned the intel a day in advance through her own channels.

She just hadn’t expected that the newly appointed officer had the audacity to consider such a plan.

He thought she was retired and no longer a concern?

To think that such highly confidential documents were being pried into on the second day of his appointment.

Indeed, ’a man would die for money; a bird would die for food’.

"I disagree."

The man’s heart skipped a beat.

So blunt?

Indeed, not a shred of face given!

"Madam, this is for the sake of national development and also because..." the man paused, lowering his voice, "I hope you will seriously consider it. Rest assured, your granddaughter will receive the highest level of protection and training, and definitely won’t..."

"Protection?" Tang Mei scoffed, interrupting, "If I remember correctly, ten years ago, someone told you the same thing, and not long after you lost both your legs. Do you still remember who that was?"

Silence fell on the line like death.

"Madam... please be cautious with your words." The man cleared his throat, involuntarily touching his prosthetic leg.

"Then there’s nothing to discuss."

This was something Tang Mei knew all too well; she couldn’t compromise, otherwise, she would be pushing her granddaughter Tang Xiaowan into the most perilous abyss.

To put it nicely, it was special training, but in reality, it was rewalking her own old path.

"Madam, please... reconsider."

The corner of Tang Mei’s mouth curled slightly, as she said indifferently, "Tell your boss, I want to meet the president."

On the other end of the phone, the man paused slightly, glanced quickly at the officer not far away with a deeply furrowed brow, and then answered, "Madam, if this matter alarms the president, I think... the final outcome will be the same anyway, it might be better..."

"Listen clearly, for the last time, I want to meet the president." Tang Mei hung up the phone swiftly, without a hint of hesitation.

That was already being quite polite.

You should know, with Tang Mei’s status, if she really wanted to meet the president, she didn’t need to schedule it in advance—a simple phone call could make it happen.

She simply made up an excuse to fob off the man as well as his immediate boss.

Of course, the newly appointed head was also uncertain; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent his confidant to call and probe Tang Mei’s reaction.

But what he didn’t expect was that the recently retired Tang Mei was actually that mysterious old man.

Besides, the members of Shen Shiyi were everywhere. If Tang Mei wanted to destroy files or secretly deal with informants, it would be a piece of cake for her.

A simple phone call would suffice.

Tang Mei shook her head and let out a cold laugh, tossing her cell phone casually onto the table.

Hmm, they’re all getting too cocky for their own good!

Meanwhile, in the corridor, Wang Junchen was frowning intently at the dark red solid wood door. He was eager to know who was on the other end of the phone, and why even Uncle Quan had to step out.

This is abnormal, way too abnormal!

What could it be that Uncle Quan shouldn’t know about?

Or perhaps... are they afraid I’ll eavesdrop?

Wang Junchen thought as such and turned to Uncle Quan next to him, "Master, who was that?"

"I don’t know."

Hearing those three words, Wang Junchen felt like his head had exploded, but what could he do? He couldn’t threaten or tempt Uncle Quan.

...

At two o’clock in the afternoon, at Yishen Group.

The investigation into Yuan Min being followed had been concluded, but Lai Jingshan found it hard to believe.

The driver was actually his wife.

"It must be a coincidence," Lai Jingshan muttered to himself, then glanced at his cell phone, "Indeed, it’s the route she must take to visit her parents’ home, hm, a coincidence!"

Just then, Li Wanshan burst into the room, his face openly filled with joy and excitement.

He never bothered to knock.

The assistant behind him couldn’t forcefully stop him; after all, they were brothers, so he could only frown and signal that he was unable to prevent the interruption.

"Alright, alright, go out. I have something to discuss with my third brother," Li Wanshan said cheerfully.

Lai Jingshan nodded to the assistant and turned his phone facedown on the table before raising an eyebrow and asking, "Second brother, is this about a new project?"

"Old Mrs. Meng has agreed!"

"Under what condition?" Lai Jingshan asked with a furrowed brow.

He wasn’t a fool; he knew as clear as a mirror that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world—there must be conditions.

"The daughter of Old Mrs. Meng..." Li Wanshan paused, casting a glance at the door to confirm it was closed, then smiled as he continued, "Meng Jiayi, she has always admired Zishen, and Old Mrs. Meng intends to facilitate this marriage."

He finished with a hearty laugh.

Even though it’s a common tactic for families to strengthen ties through marriage, Lai Jingshan was still shocked upon hearing this news.

So they have ulterior motives!

To take into consideration, is it this they’re considering?

He knew what his grandnephew was thinking; nothing but Tang Xiaowan would do for him. It was impossible he would accept such unreasonable demands for the sake of an overseas partnership.

The Leng Family was a leading presence in the domestic pharmaceutical market, an elite among the elite.

Moreover, when Zishen visited country T a few days earlier, the Shen Family, who had been dealing in medicinal materials for generations, did not make any excessive demands. After just one meal, they finalized the partnership. But the Meng Family dared to harbor such crooked thoughts.

Without the Meng Family, the plan to undermine the foundation could still be carried out; they could still restrain Wang Junchen.

At the most, it would just cost more money.

"Hmph, intends to facilitate? Old Mrs. Meng wants to use the partnership to manipulate Zishen; she’s playing her jade abacus too loudly. It’s impossible."

"Zishen didn’t refuse; he said he would consider it."

Upon hearing this, Lai Jingshan was completely dumbfounded, staring fixedly at his second brother Li Wanshan.