Chapter 048: Turbulence in Negotiations

Chapter 48: Negotiation Turmoil

Unlike his previous shrewd and capable appearance, Liu Ping today was clearly unkempt—even his beard unshaven, his eye sockets deeply sunken, his eyes bloodshot. He looked as if he had aged more than ten years overnight.

“President Liu, are you here to see Manager Xi Men?” Xi Men Lu’s secretary, Xiao Ai, promptly stepped forward to greet him respectfully.

Liu Ping didn’t even glance at Xiao Ai. His gaze remained fixed on Chu Fei as he said calmly, “I’m here to see Chu Fei today.”

“Ah? You’re looking for Group Leader Chu?” Xiao Ai was taken aback, about to say more when Chu Fei’s voice sounded beside her, “Xiao Ai, go ahead with your work. I’ll receive President Liu.”

“Oh!” Xiao Ai shot them a puzzled look. Although she didn’t understand, she didn’t ask further and quickly turned away.

“President Liu, this way please.”

Chu Fei led Liu Ping into the company’s temporary reception room. Though Feilu was just a small company, due to the nature of its business, it had not only a large conference room but also a dedicated reception room for guests—small but fully equipped.

“Would you prefer tea or coffee, President Liu?” Chu Fei smiled amiably at Liu Ping. From the moment he’d laid eyes on him, he’d already guessed the purpose of Liu Ping’s visit, but he pretended not to know.

“No, thank you,” Liu Ping waved off the offer.

“So, President Liu, what brings you here today?” Chu Fei didn’t press, instead asking directly with a smile.

Liu Ping looked up at Chu Fei and suddenly said, “My son is dead.”

“What? Liu Fengkai is dead?” Chu Fei’s expression froze. He hadn’t gone that far—how could Liu Fengkai be dead?

“Not dead, but as good as dead. He’s a brain-dead vegetable now,” Liu Ping’s gaze bored into Chu Fei, as if trying to discern something.

“Is that so?”

“Mr. Chu, do you know who did this to him?” Liu Ping suddenly asked.

“President Liu, are you suspecting me?” Chu Fei met Liu Ping’s eyes with a composed smile, showing no weakness.

“My son hasn’t offended many people recently, but you, Mr. Chu, are the most formidable among them. You definitely have the means to do this,” Liu Ping nodded, not hiding his thoughts.

“So you think I’m responsible? Do you have any evidence?” Chu Fei replied coolly. He wasn’t afraid of Liu Ping; he simply didn’t want to complicate matters for the company.

“I have no evidence. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be talking to you so calmly here,” Liu Ping shook his head.

“I understand your feelings, President Liu, but now that it’s happened, perhaps it’s best to let it go,” Chu Fei said.

“Let it go?” Liu Ping actually laughed.

“Yes, let it go. To put it bluntly, a good-for-nothing like Liu Fengkai becoming a vegetable might not be the worst outcome. He probably would have caused more trouble if he’d lived. President Liu, you’re still young—you can always have another child,” Chu Fei nodded.

Liu Ping stared hard at Chu Fei, silent for a long while.

Then he stood up and walked to the door.

“Take care, President Liu,” Chu Fei called after him.

At the doorway, Liu Ping paused and looked back at Chu Fei. “He was my only son. No matter what he was like, he was still my child. Whoever did this, once I find out, I will never let them go.” With that, Liu Ping strode away.

Chu Fei frowned in his wake. He wasn’t afraid of Liu Ping, but his current identity prevented him from admitting anything—it would only bring unnecessary trouble to the company.

Perhaps Blood Fox was right—it pays to leave no loose ends.

Chu Fei suddenly recalled what Blood Fox had said at Red Rendezvous.

“Chu Fei, what just happened? Why did Liu Ping come to see you?” At that moment, a striking figure entered—it was the company boss, Xi Men Lu. She had watched the entire exchange from her office, including Liu Ping’s sullen departure, and was both puzzled and a little worried.

“It’s nothing. Liu Ping was here because of his son,” Chu Fei replied with a gentle smile, warmed by the concern clearly visible on Xi Men Lu’s face.

“Liu Fengkai? What happened to that scoundrel?” Xi Men Lu asked curiously.

“You won’t have to worry about him pestering you anymore. Liu Fengkai has become a vegetable,” Chu Fei smiled.

“A vegetable?” Xi Men Lu was stunned for a moment before gritting her teeth and saying, “Serves him right. Heaven knows how many women he’s harmed. He deserved punishment—death would be too good for him.”

Chu Fei broke into a cold sweat. They say women are the most ruthless—Xi Men Lu really took the cake. Becoming a vegetable wasn’t enough for her?

“If Liu Fengkai ended up like this, why did Liu Ping come to see you? Does he suspect you?” Though Xi Men Lu was pleased, she wasn’t naive, and she looked at Chu Fei in concern.

“Yes, he suspects me. And who can blame him? I humiliated his son for your sake before. Looks like it’s all your fault…” Chu Fei said exaggeratedly.

“Chu Fei, I’m sorry, I never thought things would turn out like this…” Guilt immediately clouded Xi Men Lu’s face. Chu Fei wasn’t wrong—he’d never had a problem with Liu Fengkai until she’d used him for her own ends. Suddenly, Xi Men Lu suggested, “Why don’t you leave Kun City for a while? Come back after everything settles down.”

“You want me to leave?” Chu Fei was momentarily surprised by her suggestion.

“Liu Ping is too powerful—I’m afraid…” Xi Men Lu hesitated, trusting Chu Fei would understand what she meant.

“What does his power have to do with me? Liu Fengkai becoming a vegetable is none of my business. If I really left, wouldn’t that make me look guiltier?” Chu Fei shook his head. He had no intention of leaving.

“But—” Xi Men Lu was still uneasy, though she knew Chu Fei had a point. After all, Liu Ping wasn’t just anyone—his nickname as the ‘Emperor of Shenghe’ was well earned.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not so easily bullied. If Liu Ping leaves me alone, fine. But if he doesn’t know what’s good for him… hmph!” Chu Fei snorted, exuding confidence.

Xi Men Lu’s gaze grew complicated. She wanted to remind him that this wasn’t school—this was the real world. But in the end, she said nothing. In that moment, Chu Fei was the domineering, untamed figure she remembered from high school, and her heart skipped uncontrollably.

Chu Fei’s untimely voice shattered her reverie.

“By the way, what’s going on with the negotiation with Qingyan Studio?” Chu Fei raised the folder in his hand.

“You brought the contract in, so you handle the negotiation,” Xi Men Lu shrugged.

“You trust me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll ruin the deal?” Chu Fei was speechless.

“If it falls through, so be it. It’s your project—its success or failure is on you.” Xi Men Lu’s words were patently cavalier. Seeing Chu Fei’s face darken, she added, “You said it yourself—I’m the boss. I have so many things to handle every day. I can’t oversee a single case all the time. I’ve already briefed Zhang Qing. You’ll steer the negotiation, and she’ll handle the details—she’s experienced.”

“All right,” Chu Fei nodded, finally understanding. Recalling how Zhang Qing had brought him the documents earlier, he guessed that she was nervous about messing things up, so she wanted his backup with Xi Men Lu. After all, this negotiation wasn’t just about a simple small-model advertisement—the scope was broader and deeper.

It was natural for Zhang Qing to feel the pressure.

The entire morning passed in a flurry of activity.

After lunch, the members of Team Seven gathered again to review and perfect the negotiation plan. Even Chu Fei, who wanted to sneak off for a nap, was caught by Zhang Qing and forced to join in.

Shortly after two in the afternoon, Chu Fei and several others left Feilu Company.

To show the importance of Qingyan Studio, the negotiation wasn’t held at the company but in several rooms rented in a luxury hotel across the street. Lodging, negotiations, leisure—everything was arranged. Xi Men Lu had spared no expense to ensure the negotiation’s success.

“It’s so late—why aren’t they here yet?”

In a lavishly decorated conference room, Xiao Yu checked her watch for the umpteenth time. The meeting was scheduled for three o’clock—a perfect time to discuss business and then host a small cocktail party to foster relations. To avoid displeasing the other side, Chu Fei and the others had even arrived half an hour early.

Yet now, it was already past three-thirty, and the people from Qingyan Studio still hadn’t appeared.

Zhang Qing’s brow was furrowed as well. She hadn’t expected this. A delay of this length was excessive—were they trying to act superior?

“Brother Chu, are they standing us up?” Xiao Yu looked at Chu Fei, clearly annoyed.

“Let’s wait a bit longer.”

Chu Fei, too, was getting irritated. What on earth was Qingyan Studio up to?

The minutes ticked by. After another ten or so, with four o’clock approaching and even the usually patient Zhang Qing’s face growing dark, the conference room door finally swung open with a loud “snap.”

Swish—

Chu Fei and the others looked up in unison to see a group entering, led by a flamboyantly dressed middle-aged man whose every gesture was laced with affectation. His features were so delicate that one could easily mistake him for a woman.

Behind him was a voluptuous young woman, followed by four or five others.

Li Duo’er.

They all instantly recognized the striking woman as the internet-famous model who’d recently breached her contract and shot to fame overnight. It was said she now had millions of followers, and since joining Qingyan Studio, her fanbase had exploded—she was practically on par with a third-rate celebrity in China.

Her figure was impressive—no wonder she’d been chosen as the lingerie spokesperson.

Chu Fei glanced briefly at the woman, then focused on the effeminate man.

“You must be employees of Feilu Advertising?” The effeminate man swept in, casting a lofty glance at Chu Fei and his group, his tone haughty and condescending.

Where did this pompous peacock come from?

Chu Fei bristled with anger!