[T/N: 🎊 HAPPY NEW YEAR chaps! 🎊 May this year be Healthy and Productive for you! Enjoy~]
Qin Siyang calmly asked about his own benefit, which made Gu Yunpeng's brows pinch together a little.
"Vice President Qin, we're all working hard for the progress of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce. Once it develops, both you and I will have a better foundation to rely on, and we'll be able to improve our own strength. Why argue over personal gains and losses?"
Qin Siyang glanced at the plain-looking Gu Yunpeng and didn't answer.
Although the kid wasn't very likable, saying this wasn't really his fault.
After all, Gu Yunpeng had no idea that the so-called Crystal Coins would be made using Qin Siyang's personal goods to help the Zhao Chamber and the United Government achieve a win-win.
The Zhao Chamber wasn't the Qin Chamber. Even if they were a community of shared interests, there was no such thing as grabbing one person and stripping them bare.
This conflict of interest had to be resolved, so Qin Siyang brought it up directly.
"Director Zhao, how about you answer. What do I get?"
Before Zhao Longfei or Zhao Sifang could speak, Gu Yunpeng was already expressing his dissatisfaction.
"Qin Siyang, I'm someone who separates public and private clearly. You saved my life, you're a loyal friend, and I respect you a lot. If you ever need my help, I'll fully support you."
"But you are the vice president of the Zhao Chamber, not the leader of some little clique of two or three people. At a time like this, if you don't want to help, fine, but how can you drag us back at such a critical moment? I feel like your attitude is as if the Crimson Crystal used for the Crystal Coins belongs to you or something…"
"It does," Qin Siyang said lightly, giving him a glance.
"Hmm?", Gu Yunpeng froze, completely failing to follow Qin Siyang's meaning, "What do you mean belongs to you?"
"I said the Crimson Crystal used to forge the Crystal Coins is mine."
If he didn't make this clear, not only would he fail to get past Gu Yunpeng, he wouldn't get past Gu Yunpeng's father, Director Gu Weirong, either.
So Qin Siyang openly admitted he still had another Crimson Crystal.
"What?"
Gu Yunpeng stared at him in shock, but Qin Siyang's expression was completely calm, not at all like he was lying.
"But Director Zhao said that the Crimson Crystal you shared with so many people wouldn't be used for the Crystal Coins."
"I have two Crimson Crystals. Besides that one, there is another that's also mine. The Zhao Chamber is using that one to make the Crystal Coins. Otherwise, who do you think among those big shots holding Crimson Crystals would hand something this precious over to the still-wet-behind-the-ears Zhao Chamber?"
"What?", Gu Yunpeng turned to look at Zhao Longfei and Zhao Sifang again, and from their faces he received confirmation.
"But… why didn't I know about this?"
"I was the one who didn't let them say anything," Qin Siyang took responsibility, "The fact that I have two Crimson Crystals is top secret. I don't want anyone to know. If not for helping the Zhao Family establish credibility, I would never take out my burial money to support this."
Hearing this, the corner of Zhao Sifang's mouth twitched.
'Brother Qin's lying skills are getting stronger by the day.'
'Two Crimson Crystals the size of quail eggs are his burial money?'
'Those things can't even hold down his coffin lid.'
'But since Brother Qin has already done more than enough for the Zhao Family and for me personally, I absolutely can't betray Brother Qin.'
Zhao Sifang bowed his head hard, afraid that either Zhao Longfei or Gu Yunpeng would see something off in his expression.
Gu Yunpeng's gaze was dazed, "Two? I thought you only had one. And since you kept trading that one Crimson Crystal around, I assumed you hadn't contributed much to the Chamber. You gave both to the Zhao Chamber… Qin Siyang, then what did the Chamber give you in exchange?"
"A useless vice president title."
"Little Qin, you can't put it like that. You were pretty happy when you first became vice president, how is it suddenly useless now?"
"Then tell me what real benefit it gives. Up till now, I haven't seen a single copper coin in dividends."
Hearing that, Zhao Longfei spread his hands, "The Chamber's only been around a little over a month, nothing's even fully started yet. Where am I supposed to get dividends for you? By the end of the year, you'll definitely get dividends! Besides, having the vice president title gives you some security too."
The moment safety was mentioned, Qin Siyang's expression became even more disdainful.
"Security? Were the two little brats who came to kill me a few days ago handled by the Zhao Chamber?"
Zhao Longfei scratched his scarred head, "That was an accident. Inside South Glory University, you won't have any problems."
"Stay inside South Glory University every day? Am I a bound spirit haunting the school?"
Gu Yunpeng let out a sigh, "So that means Vice President Qin contributed two Crimson Crystals to our Chamber but actually received nothing?"
Qin Siyang shook his head, "That's not completely true. Last time when I almost died, little Zhao's aunt saved my life."
Gu Yunpeng nodded, "Not only generous and loyal, but also knows how to repay kindness. Vice President Qin, I admire you more and more."
Even though Qin Siyang didn't like him, hearing that made him feel an unexpected warmth.
Gu Yunpeng then looked toward Zhao Longfei, "Director Zhao, since this plan depends on Vice President Qin's Crimson Crystal, I think we need to give him an answer. If we're not fair to our own people, this Chamber won't last long."
Zhao Sifang agreed, "Di… Director Zhao, I think Vice President Gu is right."
Looking at the three young men, Zhao Longfei felt a wave of toothache.
'These youngsters, each one stubborn or sharp or righteous, are really hard to deal with.'
Smoking his cigar, he pondered how to give them all an answer.
The one who tied the bell must untie it.
Zhao Longfei looked again at Qin Siyang, who was lying calmly on the sofa, "Little Qin…"
"Director Zhao, please use my title during work."
"Alright then. Vice President Qin, what do you need right now?"
Qin Siyang didn't hold back, "The location of an Abyssal Hound or a Bloodmoon Tarantula. And information on Yellow Silver Ore."
Zhao Longfei dragged a hand down his face, "Why didn't you just ask me to pluck a star out of the sky for you."
"You asked me what I needed. I answered. Now you don't want to agree."
"Agree my ass!"
He cursed a couple of times, and then the office phone rang.
He put out his cigar, "Let me get this."
"Hello, Secretary Lin, what is it?"
"You said who's looking for me? Chu Xiao'ang? How did he find his way directly to the school?"
"Oh, sorry, I've been in meetings and didn't notice my phone died. Tell him I have important business today and can't see him. Tomorrow morning."
"He says it's urgent and he must see me today? Yes, I have what he wants with me."
As he said that, Zhao Longfei took a storage box out of a drawer and tossed it onto the desk.
"Fine then, let him wait. If he's hungry give him food, if he's thirsty give him water. Treat him well. Once I'm done here, I'll go find him."
"Mm, alright, hanging up."
Zhao Longfei put down the phone and plugged in his mobile to charge.
His brows tightened, his whole face tense as he thought about what terms he could offer Qin Siyang.
Suddenly, he glanced at the storage box on the desk, then at Qin Siyang, his eyes flickering several times. Then he dialed another number.
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