Chapter 891: Never Be a Bootlicker

“What? This… this can’t be!”

Everyone was stunned after hearing Sam’s words, disbelief evident on their faces.

They had already made an agreement with the Nick Family and the Karen Family to attack Xu Corporation together.

But now, these two families were kicking them while they were down.

“If I’m not mistaken, they’ve likely reached some sort of compromise with Xu Corporation.”

Jim took a deep breath, speaking with frustration as if he would soon grind his teeth to dust.

No wonder Mike often invited Xu Shaochen out for drinks. Although he’d call to let me know, he definitely knew I wouldn’t join.

Poor me, left in the dark all this time, smugly thinking I’d feast alone, unaware I’d already fallen into their trap.

I thought everyone else were idiots. Turns out, I was the biggest fool.

“So… so what do we do now?”

The others panicked upon hearing this.

Before, when they’d teamed up with the Nick Family and Karen Family to corner Xu Corporation, everything felt smooth and easy.

But now that they were the ones being ganged up on, the situation felt dire and terrifying.

Jim forced a bitter smile, “What can we do? Right now, we’re on the chopping block. It just depends on how much the other party wants.”

“Sigh, let’s start by holding a press conference. Calm the public down. We can’t let things get any worse.”

Sam sighed, then looked at Jim, “They’re probably waiting for us to approach them. You go talk to them. The bottom line is up to you.”

This was giving Jim a lot of autonomy.

But Jim couldn’t be happy about it, knowing this task was a thankless one.

Xu Shaochen would definitely make unreasonable demands. Even if Jim fought hard, the Johnson Family would still lose a substantial amount.

These people might thank Jim now, but when everything calmed down, they’d surely blame him for agreeing to too many terms, harming the family’s interests.

This outcome was unavoidable. In a family this large, there were always those who behaved in underhanded ways.

But he had no choice at this moment and could only grit his teeth and agree.

……

At Xu’s Residence.

Xu Shaochen was sitting with four women, watching TV, when his phone suddenly rang.

“Jenny, pass me the phone.”

Xu Shaochen patted Jenny, whose leg was resting on his lap.

“You’re getting bold, not even calling me Aunt anymore.”

Jenny rolled her eyes and tossed the phone over to him.

Xu Shaochen chuckled, “Well Aunt, why don’t you call me? Make sure it’s in a slightly breathy voice.”

“You scoundrel.”

Jenny flipped him off angrily.

Xu Shaochen wasn’t bothered and casually answered the phone, “Mike, what’s up?”

“Xu, that idiot Jim invited us for a round of golf. Same place as always.”

Mike’s voice came through lazily, masking a deep sense of excitement.

He knew Jim wouldn’t be in the mood for golf right now. If anything, he probably wanted to kill them both.

Golf was just a front. The real reason was to talk business.

The seeds they’d planted were finally about to bear fruit. Every farmer gets excited when it’s harvest time.

“Should we go?” Xu Shaochen asked.

Mike responded, “No.”

“Hahaha…”

Both men laughed together. The longer they dragged this out, the worse the situation would get for the Johnson Family.

But for them, things were only looking better.

“Leave him hanging a bit longer. The money isn’t going anywhere, and he’s more desperate than we are.”

Xu Shaochen said slowly, his hand lazily massaging Jenny’s leg. Hmm… her dress was incredibly white and smooth. In fact, it had accidentally slipped just above the knee. The fabric of this dress was amazing.

“Stop it, it’s tickling!”

Jenny kicked him hard, glaring at him. This rascal… if she let him keep going, who knew what he’d do next.

“Xu, I think I heard Jenny’s voice. What’s going on?”

Mike asked suspiciously. Somehow, the sounds on the other end had set his imagination racing.

“Oh, Aunt has some acne. I applied some cream for her, and now it’s itchy.”

Xu Shaochen lied smoothly without missing a beat.

“I see. Is it serious? Xu, please take good care of her for me.”

Mike sounded genuinely worried, completely unaware that his goddess’s long legs had just been brazenly admired and toyed with by Xu Shaochen.

“Don’t worry, even if you hadn’t said anything, I’d take care of her. After all, she’s my Aunt.”

Xu Shaochen sighed inwardly, “Dear readers, my brothers, I beg you—never be a bootlicker, okay? This is a perfect example.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Mike’s tone was sincere, then he hung up.

“Sigh, Aunt, you’ve really got him poisoned deep.”

Xu Shaochen shook his head, looking at Jenny.

Jenny was indeed beautiful. Her looks fit both Chinese and Western standards of beauty, a universally appealing charm.

No wonder Mike and Nick were so willing to grovel at her feet.

After all, once you ‘win’ her over, all things become yours.

“What does it have to do with me? I’ve never hinted that I’m interested in them. It’s always them who keep pestering me!”

Jenny felt wronged. She was still an innocent maiden, so why was it her fault?

Was being beautiful a crime? Should she be sentenced to life imprisonment for it?

“Ring ring ring…”

Not even ten minutes had passed before Jim called Xu Shaochen again.

“Hey Jim, my friend, how are you doing these days? I heard your family’s had some bad luck. That’s truly unfortunate, and I sympathize.”

Once the call connected, Xu Shaochen piled on the fake niceties.

On the other end, Jim was cursing inwardly. Isn’t all of this your doing, you scumbag?

But of course, he couldn’t say that aloud: “Xu, thank you for your concern. How about a round of golf when you’re free? I’d love to see your brilliant moves.”

“Jim, sorry, I don’t have time. I’ve got something really important going on. You know, there’s a patch of grass on my lawn being eaten by some darned bugs. I’ve got to deal with it.”

Xu Shaochen gave an absurd excuse with a serious tone. It was a blatant insult to Jim’s intelligence.

But even though Jim knew he was being played for a fool, he could only grit his teeth and swallow his frustration. “Yes, Xu, I understand catching bugs is important, but I still hope you’ll make time to play golf with me, for old times’ sake.”