Chapter 34: Chapter 34

When Xiao Linye finished the meeting and returned to his office, Lai Shuo had already come back from Manlang.

Seeing Xiao Linye’s rather dark expression, Lai Shuo immediately adopted a serious, professional attitude. "Seventh Master, Second Master is waiting for you in the lounge."

It would have been better if his second brother, Xiao Li, hadn’t been mentioned. The moment Xiao Li’s name came up, however, Xiao Linye’s expression darkened further.

"Let him in."

"Yes," Lai Shuo responded respectfully and departed.

Soon after, Xiao Li entered.

Contrary to his reputation for being arrogant, his face now wore a deliberately ingratiating smile. "Seventh Brother!"

Xiao Linye didn’t even lift an eyelid.

He flicked the ash from his cigarette and got straight to the point. "Regarding this matter, are you going to listen to me, or are you going to the Old Master?"

Xiao Shuo held no official position in the company, yet he had meddled in its affairs.

The outcome if this matter reached the Old Master was self-evident; Third Brother Xiao Yi was their clear precedent.

Hearing the words "Old Master," Xiao Li’s face momentarily filled with panic.

He hastily tried to smooth things over with a laugh. "Seventh Brother, don’t be like that. Father doesn’t know about this yet, you see... this matter..."

As he spoke, Xiao Li’s voice trailed off, his gaze continually sizing up Xiao Linye.

Seeing Xiao Linye remain silent, Xiao Li added, "He got beaten up at Huangyin last night. You could say someone already taught him a lesson for you, couldn’t you?"

Thinking about that rascal, Xiao Li felt embarrassed. Going out to have fun only to come home beaten and injured...

Xiao Linye raised an eyebrow. "Do I need someone else to act on my behalf?"

"No, that’s not what I meant. I mean, he has already paid a price."

"How many shares does your family hold?" Xiao Linye abruptly interrupted Xiao Li.

The sudden question about shares startled Xiao Li. "Seventh Brother, you..."

"Return thirty percent of the shares to the company. Any objections?"

His tone might have sounded like negotiation, but the indifference in his voice left no room for maneuver.

Xiao Li froze, his voice trembling slightly as he barely suppressed it. "Father only gave us forty percent in total!"

As he said this, clear dissatisfaction was suppressed in his tone.

The Xiao Group was a vast commercial empire, yet his, Second Brother’s, branch of the family held no real power or assets within it.

Even their shareholding was the smallest among the siblings.

Xiao Linye raised an eyebrow. "So, will you return them, or...?"

"Seventh Brother...!"

"Since you’re unwilling, then let the Old Master deal with it," Xiao Linye’s tone grew colder.

This remark made Xiao Li’s face alternate between pale and ashen.

If everything was handed over to the Old Master, Second Brother’s family would undoubtedly suffer the same fate as Third Brother’s.

Third Brother Xiao Yi had managed the Xiao Group for all these years and had certainly built up substantial connections. Even if ousted from the Xiao Family, he could still forge his own path!

But his, Second Brother’s, family, having relied on the Xiao Family for years, had nothing of their own. If they lost even this sole shareholding...

In just a few minutes, Xiao Li had clearly thought through the stakes. He gritted his teeth. "I’ll do as you say!"

It was evident from his words that his heart was bleeding.

Forty percent of the shares are worth millions. If we return thirty percent, we’ll be left with less than a million? Barely enough for living expenses?

At this thought, Xiao Li felt even more aggrieved!

A smile played on Xiao Linye’s lips. "Then let’s proceed that way. If there’s nothing else, you may leave."

Xiao Li was visibly distressed and wanted to say more, but seeing Xiao Linye’s expression, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

After Xiao Li left, Lai Shuo entered.

"Seventh Master."

"Is everything at Manlang taken care of?" Xiao Linye inquired.

He always had a clear sense of right and wrong. Even though Xiao Shuo had intercepted Manlang’s design draft, the fault indeed lay with the Xiao Group.

So, he had sent Lai Shuo over first thing in the morning.

When asked about Manlang, Lai Shuo looked at him with an uncertain expression.

Xiao Linye raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Lai Shuo said, "When I went to Manlang this morning, Boss Ye hadn’t arrived yet. Her assistant claimed Boss Ye hadn’t been informed about yesterday’s incident, but I doubt that’s true!"

"Not likely?" Xiao Linye repeated.

Lai Shuo nodded. "Yes. When I mentioned the Nanjia Peak project collaboration, Boss Ye didn’t even make an appearance. She’s clearly angry!"

Lai Shuo had also found out that it was that same Boss Ye who had beaten up Xiao Shuo last night.

This woman... she really has guts.

The air in the office quieted.

Xiao Linye’s long, slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk. His gaze was inscrutable, making it impossible for anyone to guess his thoughts.

He had to admit, Manlang was truly capable.

In just a few short days, and without any communication, they had identified and resolved the flaws in the design proposal.

Only someone with real ability would dare to be so arrogant.

After a long moment, Xiao Linye finally said, "Keep an eye on this matter."

"Yes, I understand!" Lai Shuo nodded.

He had also reviewed the design drafts. The first one was actually very good; sending it back was more of a test on our part!

After all, many potential partners who received the news had immediately contacted Third Master Xiao Yi. Undoubtedly, those partners had already lost any chance of collaboration.

They had assumed Manlang would do the same, but this Eldest Miss of the Ye Family truly lived up to her reputation.

She hadn’t contacted Third Master Xiao Yi at all, from beginning to end. It was clear they didn’t actually have much private interaction!

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