Chapter 525: What Do You Need

“I’ve always believed that in this world, there’s no such thing as unconditional love. Aside from your parents, anyone who treats you well definitely has a reason for doing so.”

Xu Shaochen’s words drifted away with the sea breeze. After a brief pause, he turned to Ma Di, “So, what about you? What do you need?”

The Ma family was the richest in Macau. They were well-connected in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Being the Second Young Master of the Ma family, Ma Di was naturally a significant figure.

But someone like him had no need to be so polite when talking to Xu Shaochen, lowering his status as he did.

Take Lin Rong and Lin Yao from the Lin Family, for example. They never took Xu Shaochen seriously because they didn’t need anything from him.

However, Ma Di, who was their equal in status, chose to humble himself before Xu Shaochen.

Why? Well, it was obviously because he needed something. There’s a saying that goes, ‘No one is exceptionally attentive without a motive.’ Though it’s not a flattering phrase, it fits here perfectly.

Given Xu Shaochen’s personality, he would happily accept any benefits offered to him, but helping someone accomplish their request? That might be a different story.

But Ma Di’s actions made him feel good. So, he wanted to hear Ma Di’s request.

Yes, he felt like a Santa Claus sitting here, waiting to grant someone’s wish.

Ma Di took a deep breath, baited his hook again, and cast it into the sea. Then, he began to speak slowly.

“My father has five wives, seven sons, and four daughters. The Ma family may seem large, but it’s mainly focused on real estate and the gambling industry.”

“But with so many children, how can we divide those few things fairly?”

“Everyone wants the most valuable assets—either the casinos or the real estate. I’m no exception.”

He paused here, then looked at Xu Shaochen and said, “I hope Mr. Xu can help me.”

“Help you take over the Ma family’s real estate business or the gambling operations?” Xu Shaochen asked.

“Before I met Mr. Xu, that’s exactly what I was thinking—fight with all I’ve got to gain either the real estate business or the gambling operations, and then I’d be the winner.”

“But after meeting Mr. Xu, I realized that just one of those won’t satisfy me anymore. I want the entire Ma family, not a fragmented one.”

As Ma Di continued, his emotions suddenly became agitated. Although his face remained calm, his trembling fishing rod and the whitening knuckles gripping it revealed his inner turmoil.

“And what will I get in return?” Xu Shaochen asked.

It was clear Ma Di had anticipated this question and responded without hesitation: “Mr. Xu will gain the Ma family’s eternal friendship and twenty percent of the Ma family’s business as a token of that friendship.”

“Twenty percent. That’s quite a generous offer, Second Young Master Ma. Do you realize you’re sacrificing a considerable portion of your family’s assets?” Xu Shaochen raised an eyebrow, surprised by Ma Di’s boldness.

He wasn’t sure what percentage of the family’s business the Ma family owned, but it was probably around seventy percent. The remaining thirty percent was likely held by other shareholders.

If Ma Di offered Xu Shaochen twenty percent, the Ma family would be left with just fifty percent, not even enough for a controlling share. Xu Shaochen would become the Ma family’s second-largest shareholder.

Ma Di responded calmly: “The Ma family’s interests are not the same as mine, Mr. Xu. To be honest, my mother taught me something from a young age: ‘What you hold in your hand is truly yours.’”

“By giving Mr. Xu twenty percent of the shares, I can possibly gain control over the remaining fifty percent and become the leader of the entire Ma family.”

“But if I don’t give up this twenty percent, I won’t get Mr. Xu’s help, and I won’t even get that fifty percent.”

“I believe Mr. Xu would make the same choice if he were in my position.”

After hearing this, Xu Shaochen remained silent. He had used similar rhetoric to manipulate Lin Kai in the past.

He had told Lin Kai, ‘The Lin family’s interests do not equal your interests.’

And now, Ma Di seemed to think the same way. But Ma Di was smarter and knew exactly what he wanted and what he was willing to give up to achieve that goal.

“What do you want me to do?” Xu Shaochen asked.

Ma Di put down his fishing rod, looked at Xu Shaochen, and said, “I hope Mr. Xu can be my friend and work with me for extensive cooperation with my family.”

“You want to give up twenty percent of your shares just to form a friendship with me?” Xu Shaochen asked with a half-smile.

Ma Di’s expression was serious: “In my eyes, the value of being Mr. Xu’s friend outweighs the twenty percent of shares.”

“Alright, then I’ll accept your friendship. So, what’s next?” Xu Shaochen agreed.

Ma Di smiled: “My father is not one to tolerate mediocrity. He’s not looking for someone who will just maintain the status quo. He wants someone capable of taking the Ma family to new heights.”

“In his eyes, neither I nor my brothers are qualified. But Mr. Xu, you definitely are. As my friend, you’ll engage in significant business with the Ma family for my sake.”

“To maintain this cooperation, we need to keep our friendship strong. And within the Ma family, I’m the only one capable of sustaining such a friendship with Mr. Xu.”

“Moreover, with Mr. Xu by my side, my father won’t let the Ma family break apart. At most, he’ll give my other brothers some minor businesses to manage.”

“His only guiding principle is ‘everything for the Ma family.’”

Xu Shaochen had never met Ma Di’s other brothers, but if Ma Di’s father truly prioritized the development of the Ma family above all else, then Ma Di’s vision might very well come true.

Besides, Ma Di was capable. Otherwise, such a large gambling cruise wouldn’t have been entrusted to him.

And with Xu Shaochen, who Ma Di had offered up twenty percent of the family shares to win over as a ‘plastic friend,’ he’d indeed have the best chance of becoming the Ma family’s next leader.

This was an investment bound to reap rewards. How could Xu Shaochen say no? After a moment of careful consideration, Xu Shaochen smiled warmly, stretched out a hand, and said to Ma Di, “Second Young Master Ma, I look forward to our cooperation.”

He didn’t even think about what might happen if Ma Di reneged on his promise and didn’t give him the twenty percent of shares.

Because Ma Di was a smart man, and smart people wouldn’t dig their own graves.

“Mr. Xu, I look forward to our cooperation.”

The smile on Ma Di’s face grew brighter, and he visibly relaxed his shoulders, clearly relieved.

Don’t be fooled by his earlier confidence and sophisticated talk. All of it was contingent on Xu Shaochen agreeing to help him.

If Xu Shaochen had refused, everything Ma Di said would have been meaningless.