Chapter 693: Of Course, Good Cooperation

“Mr. Xu… What did you just say? Our Deng Family is giving you 10 billion?!”

Upon hearing Xu Shaochen’s words, Deng Tianfang, Deng Tiansheng, and Deng Tianfeng’s eyes instantly widened, staring at him in disbelief.

They were sure they had misheard. Wasn’t it supposed to be Xu Shaochen compensating their Deng Family 10 billion? How could it be the other way around?

Xu Shaochen nodded as if it were only natural: “Yes, that’s right. Is there a problem? Didn’t Tianwen tell you?”

“Mr. Xu… Tianwen told us you were compensating our Deng Family 10 billion.” Deng Tianfang forced a stiff smile. An uneasy feeling rose in his heart.

Because from the moment Xu Shaochen entered, things had already begun spiraling out of control.

“What? Your Deng Family must be dreaming of money, huh?”

Xu Shaochen laughed as if he’d just heard the most ridiculous joke, not bothering to hide his mockery: “The most important thing in life is knowing your own worth. What do you think your Deng Family is? Do you actually think you’re worth making me compensate 10 billion?”

Deng Tianfang and the others alternated between going pale and flushed, filled with a mix of shock and fury.

“Deng Tianwen! Give me an explanation—what’s really going on here!” Deng Tianfang gritted his teeth, glaring at Deng Tianwen.

Deng Tianwen casually smiled, seeming unbothered: “What’s there to explain? It’s possible I just misspoke over the Phone.”

“Misspoke? That’s the most ridiculous excuse I’ve ever heard!” Deng Tianfang was almost driven to laughter by rage.

“Slap!”

Deng Tianwen raised his hand and slapped Deng Tianfang across the face, arrogantly saying, “Does this explanation suffice now?”

For a moment, the entire room fell into a chilling silence.

Deng Tiansheng and Deng Tianfeng stared at Deng Tianwen in disbelief. They thought Deng Tianwen must have lost his mind to dare hit Deng Tianfang.

“You… You dare hit me?”

Feeling the burning pain on his cheek, it took Deng Tianfeng a moment to react. His entire face twisted in fury.

In his eyes, Deng Tianwen was nothing but a useless wastrel, a figure he’d always bullied.

Yet this very wastrel had the audacity to slap him! It was utterly intolerable.

“What? Wasn’t the slap loud enough? Want me to slap you again to remind you of your place?”

Deng Tianwen looked at Deng Tianfang with utter contempt.

“You’re courting death! Deng Tianwen, do you even realize what your status is?”

Deng Tianfang spoke through gritted teeth.

“Bang!”

Deng Tianwen did not hesitate, landing a vicious kick.

“Ah!”

With a painful cry, Deng Tianfang clutched his stomach, crouching on the floor in pure agony.

Deng Tianfeng and Deng Tiansheng exchanged smug glances, clearly reveling in Deng Tianfang’s misfortune.

Deng Xuan observed their expressions and sighed inwardly. Soon enough, they wouldn’t be laughing.

“Third Uncle! Look at all the things Deng Tianwen has done! You have to stand up for me!”

Deng Tianfang barely managed to stand, stabilizing himself as he looked at Deng Xuan with a pleading expression.

“Third Uncle, I also would like to know what I’ve done.” Deng Tianwen queried, still grinning.

Deng Xuan coughed twice before shamelessly lying: “You’ve only been doing things beneficial to the Deng Family’s development. As your Third Uncle, I’ll definitely support you.”

Hearing this, Deng Tianfang was utterly dumbfounded.

At that moment, Deng Tiansheng and Deng Tianfeng began to sense something was off. Since when did Deng Xuan start siding with Deng Tianwen?

And how did this typically useless Deng Tianwen suddenly become so assertive?

“Alright, you three idiots. How have you not figured it out yet? It seems I’ve really overestimated your intelligence.”

Deng Tianwen cast them a derisive glance before taking a deep breath and declaring:

“No more acting. Cards on the table. I want to be the head of the Deng Family. Who approves? Who opposes?”

“What a joke!” Deng Tianfang was the first to recover, sneering: “Deng Tianwen, are you that naive? Do you really think becoming family head is as easy as declaring it?”

“Of course not. But what if all three of you withdrew from the competition? Besides, I already have the support of the elders.”

Deng Tianwen smiled amiably. With his chubby face, the smile looked especially friendly.

Hearing that the elders were supporting him, the three looked visibly shaken.

“Deng Tianwen! Dream on! Why should we give up the competition?!”

Deng Tiansheng spoke coldly, glaring at Deng Tianwen.

“Exactly! Why should we give up and hand the opportunity to you? Who do you think you are?”

“Deng Tianwen, you’re still the same useless fool!”

Deng Tianfeng and Deng Tianfang also spoke out disdainfully, completely dismissing Deng Tianwen.

“Heh, don’t get so agitated just yet. I’m sure you’ll choose to withdraw willingly.”

Deng Tianwen remained calm and collected, then turned to Xu Shaochen: “Chairman Xu, I’ll leave it to you.”

“We’re all businessmen, so of course, we’ll have a pleasant cooperation.”

Xu Shaochen smiled, then took out his Phone and sent a message.

Moments later, the door to the room swung open, and Long Yi and Long Er entered, followed by seven or eight bodyguards.

“Boss.”

They all greeted Xu Shaochen in unison, their presence overwhelming.

Seeing this, Deng Tianfang, Deng Tianfeng, and Deng Tiansheng all turned pale.

“Mr. Xu… what… what does this mean?”

Deng Tianfang asked with difficulty, still clinging to a flicker of hope.

Xu Shaochen scoffed, casting a condescending glance his way: “You still don’t get it? I’m here to make sure you submit. Do you think I brought them here to play some kids’ game with you? Ridiculous.”

Deng Tianfang was left feeling utterly humiliated but more than that, he was consumed with shock and anger.

“Mr. Xu, are you really willing to go against our Deng Family for his sake?!”

Deng Tianfeng’s voice shook with rage as he shouted at Xu Shaochen.

“Slap!”

Xu Shaochen viciously slapped Deng Tianfeng across the face, then flashed a pseudo-apologetic smile:

“Apologies, it’s just a reflex. Whenever I see a dog baring its teeth at me, I assume it’s about to bite, so I act preemptively.”

After pausing briefly, he continued: “As for going against your Deng Family, what are you even talking about? Once Deng Tianwen becomes the family head, we’ll naturally be good friends.”

“Deng Tianwen will never be the head! We won’t give up the competition! The position of heir isn’t a game, and you can’t coerce us into giving it up!”

Deng Tiansheng’s steadfast tone and unwavering stance reflected his resolve.

“Slap! Slap!”

Xu Shaochen softly chuckled and clapped his hands.

Immediately, the 10 bodyguards in the room drew their handguns, aiming them at the trio.