Xiao Yufan’s audacity didn’t provoke any displeasure from Bai Xiaozhuo, because he knew this man indeed had the strength to be unruly…
“But there’s one thing you might not know—this inspection team wasn’t arranged by the Bai family. Even if the Bai family wanted to target the Qiao family, we wouldn’t stoop to such despicable methods!”
“The Bai family is the most likely suspect against the Qiao family—who else could it be…”
Clearly, Xiao Yufan had also pinned the inspection team incident on the Bai family, though he believed Bai Xiaozhuo wouldn’t lie outright. Perhaps there was another hidden truth behind this matter.
“On this turf in the north, there’s no shortage of people who’d love to target Young Master Xiao. And anyone with half a brain can figure out the Qiao family has been getting pretty cozy with you. Naturally, the Qiao family has become a thorn in many people’s sides…”
Bai Xiaozhuo was extremely annoyed inside, frustrated that his family had been used like this. What upset him most was the constant pressure from Old Master Su, which had made life unbearable for the Bai family for quite some time.
“I just want to know who’s really pulling the strings. As for other matters, I neither care nor want to involve myself…”
Xiao Yufan understood this point all too well. Setting aside the fact that Situ Wenchang would never allow him to act recklessly in the north, the threat the Bright Enterprise posed to certain people alone was enough to make them want to eliminate him.
“It should be Gao Hong, one of the Northern Three Young Commanders, who’s behind this. After all, the Gao family’s political influence far surpasses that of the Bai family…”
“Why should I believe you? Compared to the Gao family, I still think the grudge between the Bai family and me runs deeper. Aren’t you always trying to redeem your dignity? How do I know you’re not deliberately stirring up trouble between me and the Northern Three Young Commanders!”
Before Bai Xiaozhuo could finish speaking, Xiao Yufan had already cut in. Although he didn’t fully believe everything Bai Xiaozhuo said, he believed most of it. From his understanding of Bai Xiaozhuo, this man, at the very least, wasn’t a scheming or treacherous person.
“I’m not the one stirring things up, right? After all, relations between the Northern Three Young Commanders and Young Master Xiao have never been particularly harmonious…”
“What do you mean?”
“When Bright Enterprise expanded into the north, the Northern Three Young Commanders openly declared that they would make sure Bright Enterprise couldn’t take a single step forward here. And I know that Situ Wenchang, one of the Northern Three Young Commanders, has an even deeper feud with you!”
Bai Xiaozhuo said with a smile. How could he not know Xiao Yufan well? He was a smart man who knew exactly how to increase his own leverage…
“You’re clever, but do you really think I’d allow myself to be manipulated by you? I suspect your ambitions go beyond just being the Bai Young Master, right? The Northern Three Young Commanders probably have a seat reserved for you. Can I assume that’s the case?”
Bai Xiaozhuo had to be acknowledged as extremely clever—he knew that he could never coexist peacefully with the Northern Three Young Commanders, so he was trying to turn the enemy of his enemy into a friend…
“This isn’t manipulation—it’s cooperation. I’m sure Young Master Xiao must also have places where the Bai family can be of use!”
Bai Xiaozhuo had long grown accustomed to Xiao Yufan’s bluntness. This man was different from anyone he had imagined, but Bai Xiaozhuo believed Xiao Yufan could make the wisest decision. The Bai family’s power was beyond doubt, and for Xiao Yufan, the Bai family could also serve as a valuable ally.
“If we’re going to cooperate, what sincerity does the Bai Young Master have to offer…”
Xiao Yufan was indeed moved. Although confident, he wasn’t arrogant—he knew he couldn’t take on the Northern Three Young Commanders alone. Adding the Bai family into the mix would significantly improve his odds!
“The Bai family will no longer take any action against Qiao Group, and we’re willing to vacate the Bai family’s businesses located in Qiao Group’s industrial areas…”
Hearing just the first half, Xiao Yufan felt nothing in particular—after all, if Bai Xiaozhuo had any self-awareness, he wouldn’t dare target Qiao Group again. But the offer to vacate the Bai family’s businesses surprised him.
Especially Qiao Chuxi, who upon hearing this, felt as if it couldn’t possibly be real. The Bai family’s business empire was dozens of times larger than Qiao Group’s. In areas where Qiao Group operated, Bai family businesses were everywhere. If all those were to be transferred to Qiao Group, it would represent an immense fortune!
“It seems the Bai family is quite willing to make sacrifices. I guess I really have no reason to refuse such cooperation…”
After his initial surprise, Xiao Yufan could only helplessly shake his head. With such an enticing offer, even if he didn’t want to agree, he practically had no choice. Besides, he believed Bai Xiaozhuo must have some kind of request in return.
“You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing the bait. Besides, those businesses aren’t that big a deal to the Bai family…”
Bai Xiaozhuo felt a bit of pain in his heart but still pretended to be indifferent. Even though the Bai family was wealthy, they couldn’t just squander resources like that. If not for the fact that Xiao Yufan wouldn’t even glance at lesser offers, he would never do something so foolish.
“Indeed, indeed. The Bai family is a major clan in the north—losing a few businesses here and there is no big deal…”
Xiao Yufan nodded in agreement, amused by the twitching at the corner of Bai Xiaozhuo’s mouth. This guy didn’t seem to be that scheming after all, and cooperating with him should be feasible.
“Now that the Bai family has shown such sincerity, could Young Master Xiao perhaps persuade Old Master Su to ease up on the Bai family? After all, the inspection team incident wasn’t our doing…”
With the groundwork laid, Bai Xiaozhuo finally got to the main point. Thinking about Old Master Su made him feel a deep sense of frustration—wasn’t this classic favoritism?
“Uh…I have no idea what my grandfather has been up to!”
Upon hearing Bai Xiaozhuo mention his grandfather, Xiao Yufan looked genuinely puzzled. He hadn’t told Bai Xiaozhuo anything about these matters. So Bai Xiaozhuo had come here out of desperation after all. The Su family’s power was also far beyond the Bai family’s.
“Grandfather hasn’t acted directly, but over these years, his disciples have spread across the country. One word from him, and my Bai family suffers terribly!”
Seeing Xiao Yufan’s amused expression, Bai Xiaozhuo couldn’t help but feel angry. Whether it was Old Master Situ or Old Master Su, both had been extremely protective of this guy, doing things behind the scenes that were only natural.
“I’ll mention the inspection team matter to my grandfather. His wisdom will ensure the innocent aren’t wrongly accused…”
Since Bai Xiaozhuo had been sincere, Xiao Yufan naturally knew what to do. His grandfather’s prestige was immense—just one word from him could paralyze the Bai family. But now that he had entered into cooperation with the Bai family, continued pressure was naturally no longer appropriate.
“Ensuring the innocent aren’t wrongly accused, huh?”
Bai Xiaozhuo muttered under his breath with a sneer, clearly extremely displeased. Most likely, Old Master Su hadn’t even investigated the matter before blaming the Bai family. Otherwise, how could the Bai family have ended up in such a miserable state?
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