Chapter 604: Young Master Zhao and Second Young Master Liang

“Let me introduce you to everyone.”

“This is Brother Mei Liangxin, this is my little brother Sun Shang, and this here is a friend I met in Jiangzhou, Young Master Xu.”

Chen Ju pointed at the three, introducing Xu Shaochen, Mei Liangxin, and Sun Shang one by one to Liang Huan and Zhao Li. Then, he introduced Liang Huan and Zhao Li to Xu Shaochen and the others.

“This is Fourth Young Master Zhao from the Zhao Family, Zhao Li. And the one next to him is Second Young Master Liang from the Liang Family, Liang Huan.”

“Hello, Young Master Liang. Hello, Young Master Zhao.”

Mei Liangxin and Sun Shang quickly stood up to greet the two. Xu Shaochen, however, just remained seated on the sofa and raised his wine glass at them.

Zhao Li and Liang Huan both nodded slightly after hearing the introductions but said nothing, taking seats on a nearby sofa.

However, both of them felt somewhat displeased with Xu Shaochen. After all, both Mei Liangxin and Sun Shang stood to greet them, while Xu Shaochen didn’t even so much as move. What did this mean? Of course, although they felt uncomfortable, they didn’t show it.

After all, Xu Shaochen was a friend of Chen Ju. Even if they didn’t care about him, they had to give face to Chen Ju. And besides, they wouldn’t lose their cool over such a minor matter.

“Eldest Young Master Chen, tell us, why did you call both of us here today? What’s the plan?”

After they sat down, it was Liang Huan who first broke the silence.

“Second Young Master Liang, still as straightforward as ever. Haven’t even had a drink yet but already eager to get to business.”

Chen Ju said with a chuckle, just as the waiter brought in the drinks that Chen Ju had ordered earlier.

“Sir, would you like us to open the bottles now?”

The waiter asked Chen Ju respectfully, as was expected from someone with a deep appreciation for the power of money.

“No need. You can leave now. We’ll open them ourselves.”

Chen Ju waved him off, slipping him some tips, and the waiter left the room.

He then began to personally pour drinks for everyone.

Seeing this, Mei Liangxin quickly stood up: “Young Master Chen, let me do this.”

Only at this moment did Sun Shang realize, but when he wanted to offer, he felt embarrassed since Mei Liangxin had already moved first.

“No, no. Since you’re a friend of Young Master Xu, let me, the host, handle things like pouring the drinks.”

Chen Ju stopped Mei Liangxin and then opened the bottle, pouring everyone in the room a glass.

Liang Huan and Zhao Li exchanged glances, communicating through their eyes. It seemed they had underestimated the relationship between Xu Shaochen and Chen Ju earlier.

In truth, there wasn’t much of a bond between Xu Shaochen and Chen Ju; it was simply Xu Shaochen’s status as the heir of the Xu Corporation that made Chen Ju treat him as an equal.

But Liang Huan and Zhao Li didn’t know this. Chen Ju didn’t mention Xu Shaochen’s full name earlier, so they had no clue about his background.

To them, what capabilities could a second-generation rich kid from Jiangzhou possibly have? In Jingcheng, people like him wouldn’t cause the slightest ripple.

So when they heard Chen Ju’s words earlier, they took it as a sign that he and Xu Shaochen were close. Otherwise, why would the eldest son of the Chen Family be so deferential to a mere local second-gen?

It must be said, people like Liang Huan and Zhao Li always carried an air of superiority, looking down on anyone from outside Jingcheng.

“Young Master Chen, we can have drinks later. Let’s get to business first. My tolerance for alcohol isn’t great; if I get drunk, how can we both discuss things seriously?”

Zhao Li accepted his glass but didn’t drink, setting it down on the table.

Taking the glass was to respect Chen Ju, but not drinking signaled his stance.

Chen Ju noticed and smiled subtly, taking a small sip from his own glass: “Alright, since Fourth Young Master Zhao and Second Young Master Liang are so eager, let’s talk business.”

“We’ve all come to Jiangzhou for the gold mines in Qinghua County. This time, seven families have come from Jingcheng to carve up the pie. Besides the Kong Family, the three families with the greatest power are us.”

Here, Chen Ju paused and then sighed before continuing: “Originally, the Chen Family intended to take all the mines in one go. But considering our relationship, I’ve decided to offer two of the mines to you two. What do you think of that?”

“Hahahahaha…”

Zhao Li and Liang Huan both burst into laughter as if they had just heard the most hilarious joke.

“Chen Ju, you… Does the Chen Family think too highly of itself? Taking all the gold mines in one go? Do you even have the stomach for that?”

Zhao Li shook his head dismissively, then turned to Liang Huan, asking: “Quite funny, isn’t it, Young Master Liang?”

“I think so too. Moreover, Young Master Chen, since when did our two families fall to the point where we have to rely on your Chen Family’s charity?”

Liang Huan gave a sneering smile, raising his glass and drinking it all in one go.

Chen Ju looked at them earnestly and said, “I’m genuinely offering you this opportunity in good faith. If you don’t appreciate it, I guess I’ll have no choice but to take all the mines myself.”

“Alright, Chen Ju, have you lost your mind? It’s still early, and you’re already dreaming?”

“Exactly. We don’t have time to waste on this nonsense. I thought you invited us to discuss something important, but it seems you’ve been talking nonsense all along.”

Both Zhao Li and Liang Huan dismissed Chen Ju’s words with scoffs. They doubted the Chen Family had the means to swallow all the gold mines.

To them, everything Chen Ju had said so far was nothing but wishful thinking.

“Young Masters Liang and Zhao, are you both being too hasty? Since I mentioned it, it means I’m confident.”

Chen Ju said calmly, showing no anger despite their attitudes.

Zhao Li sneered: “Young Master Chen, then allow me to ask, what’s your ace in the hole?”

“Your so-called ace isn’t just trying to manipulate us into supporting the Chen Family, is it? Using two gold mines as bait to get our Liang Family and Zhao Family to back you in taking the rest—classic play of talking with empty hands.”

Liang Huan, thinking he had seen through everything, exposed Chen Ju’s supposed ploy, feeling more disdain in his heart.

Chen Ju smiled slightly and pointed at Xu Shaochen: “My trump Card is Young Master Xu.”

“Him? Not to look down on him, but he doesn’t have what it takes to be a trump Card.”

Zhao Li gave Xu Shaochen a dismissive glance, scoffing.

Hearing this, Xu Shaochen looked up at Zhao Li and said plainly: “Fourth Young Master Zhao, what would it take for me to be considered ‘enough’?”

“In this life, you’ll never be enough. Maybe in your next life, if you get lucky and are born into a better family.”

Zhao Li replied coldly, clearly irritated by Xu Shaochen’s casual demeanor towards him.

It was one thing for Chen Ju to speak in such a way, but for a local second-generation kid like Xu Shaochen to talk back to him—who did he think he was?

Chen Ju’s expression shifted as he said to Zhao Li, “Fourth Young Master Zhao, let me remind you, as someone from Jingcheng, it would be wise to keep a low profile when you’re in someone else’s territory.”

Chen Ju had some understanding of Xu Shaochen’s temper, and with Zhao Li’s arrogant attitude, it was unlikely that Xu Shaochen would simply let this slide.