Chapter 644: Pretending to Be Weak While Outsmarting Deng Tianwen

“Chairman Xu, don’t get too worked up.”

“I would have liked to send my Second Brother to talk with you, but he doesn’t seem to like you much. On the other hand, I like you quite a bit.”

Deng Tianwen looked at Xu Shaochen and smiled faintly, his words full of meaning.

Xu Shaochen shivered instinctively. Damn it, why does this guy sound like he’s flirting with me?

Seeing Xu’s reaction, Deng Tianwen quickly added, “Don’t misunderstand. I mean I like you in a different way.”

“What exactly do you want? Just talk straight.” Xu Shaochen had no time to waste.

Plus, he had to swallow his earlier words. He didn’t like this guy.

Deng Tianwen seemed simple at first glance, but the more Xu interacted with him, the more complicated he seemed.

Dealing with someone so unpredictable, it was tiring. Xu Shaochen didn’t want to waste his energy.

“I want to make a deal with you, Chairman Xu,” Deng Tianwen said.

Xu Shaochen gestured for him to continue. “Let’s hear it.”

“Help me get rid of my Second Brother. Once I inherit the Deng Family, the entire Northwest will be opened to you. Whether you want to do business or even become the emperor of the Northwest, it’s up to you.”

Deng Tianwen spoke in such a calm tone, as if it were just another trivial matter like eating or drinking.

Xu Shaochen sneered, “You have nothing right now, so of course you can make empty promises. Come on, man. Don’t be naive. I’ve outgrown such schemes since I was three.”

“Sorry, I didn’t study much, so I don’t understand the metaphor. I only wish to make a genuine friendship with you, Chairman Xu.”

Deng Tianwen’s expression was earnest.

The smile on Xu Shaochen’s face faded, replaced by a look of mockery. “Your promise doesn’t interest me in the slightest.”

“Besides, do you really think I need your Deng Family’s approval to do business in the Northwest?”

Deng Tianwen remained unruffled. He had come fully prepared for Xu Shaochen today.

“Chairman Xu, the Northwest is vast, with several provinces and dozens of cities. In half of them, the people with power and influence either bear the Deng name or are somehow tied to the Deng Family. You understand what I’m getting at, right?”

“It’s not that I look down on you, Chairman Xu. I wouldn’t dare! A broken ship still has thousands of nails to hold it together, let alone the fact that our Deng boat isn’t broken yet.”

“The Xu Corporation has plenty of business in the Northwest, and it’s growing quickly. But the moment the Deng Family moves against you, not even you, Chairman Xu, with all your means, can control this piece of land in the Northwest.”

“Unless, of course, you’re willing to forgo such a large market. In that case, it’s a different story.”

After finishing, Deng Tianwen fell silent, giving Xu Shaochen a moment to consider.

Xu Shaochen squinted. “What if I tell your Second Brother everything you just said? You think he’d believe me?”

“He wouldn’t.” Deng Tianwen was confident.

Xu Shaochen raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Deng Tianwen’s unwavering confidence.

Deng Tianwen chuckled. “You don’t understand the reputation I hold within the Deng Family. Let me put it this way: My improbably ambitious but talentless Big Brother, Deng Tianquan, is a hundred times better than me.”

“So, you’re playing the fool to outsmart others.” Xu Shaochen realized in an instant. Deng Tianwen must be notorious in the Northwest, but it was all an act.

Looking at his round, cheerful face, it was clear: the guy was a smiling tiger.

“Playing the fool?” Deng Tianwen snickered, a cold smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “I really was a fool. But, unfortunate for them, they pushed me so hard I had no choice but to become a tiger.”

“Though I’d love to hear your sob story, I’ll pass. Please leave. Even though I crippled Deng Tianquan’s hand, we haven’t reached the point of open hostilities with the Deng Family yet.”

Xu Shaochen moved to dismiss him. He refused to make a deal with Deng Tianwen—there was no need.

Once the Special AIDS Medicine hits the market, what does it matter if I give up the Northwest? There will still be plenty of money elsewhere.

Deng Tianwen smiled innocently. “Chairman Xu, you might not yet be at odds with our Deng Family, but what if my Big Brother dies?”

Xu Shaochen’s face darkened instantly, glaring coldly at Deng Tianwen. “Then I’ll make sure you die before him.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” Deng Tianwen grinned broadly, as if nothing could make him happier.

“Ring, ring, ring…”

Suddenly, Xu Shaochen’s Phone began to ring.

He glanced at Deng Tianwen before picking up the call.

“Boss! Bad news! Deng Tianquan is dead! Shot three times in the hospital, and the shooter killed himself right after!”

Long San’s panicked voice burst from the Phone.

Xu Shaochen wordlessly hung up, looking at Deng Tianwen.

But Deng Tianwen, unaffected, continued as if nothing had happened. “The shooter was from Jiangzhou. He had terminal cancer and wanted to leave some money behind for his wife and children before dying. I merely helped him out. Three million for my Big Brother’s life—more than worth it.”

“Bang!”

Before Deng could finish speaking, Xu Shaochen kicked him hard in the chest.

“Argh! Pfft—”

Deng Tianwen screamed as his body crashed to the ground, spewing blood.

“Cough, cough… Chairman Xu, feeling any better now? Trust me, I did this purely to strengthen the bond between us. You’ll learn that I make a trustworthy friend over time.”

Deng Tianwen coughed up blood but slowly staggered to his feet, forcing a bright smile.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Without a word, Xu Shaochen grabbed his hair and slammed his head into the wall three times. Grinding his teeth, he snarled, “I can’t believe I’ve been caught off guard like this.”

It was the first time Xu had been outwitted, and his rage was palpable.

He had no solid intel on the Deng Family or Deng Tianwen, and he certainly hadn’t expected him to go so far as to kill his own brother, Deng Tianquan.

Now that Deng Tianquan had died in Jiangzhou, the Deng Family would undoubtedly pin the blame on Xu Shaochen.

“Chairman Xu, I assume you’ve calmed down now? If not, you can keep going, as long as… as long as you leave me alive.”

Deng Tianwen’s breathing was labored, his head bleeding badly, with blood flowing from his mouth and nose. It would be no exaggeration to call him a bloody mess.

“Get out! Go clean up that disgusting face of yours, and then come back if you want to talk!”

Xu Shaochen finally let him go, his voice dripping with venom.

Deng Tianwen was the first person to ever successfully plot against Xu.

Xu Shaochen’s anger didn’t stem from the fear of falling out with the Deng Family.

It was the fact that Deng Tianwen had forced him into the conflict. Being manipulated like this left a bitter taste in his mouth.

In simpler terms, his pride was hurt.

He had always been the one who used others, not the other way around. “Chairman Xu, like I said, we will be friends.”

Deng Tianwen smiled as he casually walked out of the office.